Something Understood

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BBC Radio 4 LW

Religion & Ethics

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life, taking a spiritual theme and exploring it through music, prose and poetry

BBC Radio 4 FM

Something Understood: Power in Weakness

Inside Out

Power in Weakness

BBC Radio 4 - Something Understood, Power in Weakness

Journalist Remona Aly examines how weakness can often be powerful.

Journalist Remona Aly investigates how power can be found in vulnerability. Without weakness, she explains, there is no room for resilience to rise or character to form.

Journalist Remona Aly explores what it truly means to be weak. All too often, society encourages us to strive for unrealistic goals of perfection, with no room for flaws or failure. Remona considers the unexpected strengths that can arise from positions of vulnerability. 

She argues that occupying a position of weakness offers an opportunity from which we can learn from our mistakes, develop resilience, and nurture our faith. Those that wilfully occupy a lowly stance can often find unexpected strength - their humility can cause others' anger to cease. According to Remona, the weakest members of society can radically affect the attitudes of those around them.

Music from Bruce Springsteen and Stormzy contribute to Remona's exploration of weaknesses' hidden strengths. She also draws upon verse from Shakespeare and Homer. "If we remove weakness from our experience," she concludes, "we remove the opportunity to survive and evolve."

Presenter: Remona Aly
Producer: Jonathan O'Sullivan
A TBI Media production for BBC Radio 4.

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