Sideways

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Matthew Syed explores the ideas that shape our lives, making us see the world differently.

Best-selling author Matthew Syed explores the ideas that shape our lives with stories of seeing the world differently.

BBC Radio 4 LW

Sideways: 44. Matthew’s been telling tales

44. Matthew’s been telling tales

BBC Radio 4 - Sideways, 44. Matthew’s been telling tales

Matthew Syed explores the importance of storytelling for understanding ourselves.

Matthew Syed explores why we tell stories about ourselves and interrogates a story he's been telling for years, which he's been getting a bit wrong.

There’s a story Matthew Syed likes to tell. And he’s told it a lot. It’s about a turning point in his life. It’s about learning from a failure and working hard to overcome his shortfalls and come back stronger. 

Except - he’s realised he’s been getting the story wrong. 

A key detail in the timeline is off. The turning point he thought was so important, might not be quite as significant after all. And the story just isn’t as neat…

In this episode of Sideways, Matthew’s exploring how we use stories to make sense of our lives, and why that means they might not always be completely accurate.

With Alexandra Georgakopoulou, Professor of Discourse Analysis and Sociolinguistics at King's College London; Robyn Fivush, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Institute for the Liberal Arts at Emory University; and bestselling ghostwriter Shannon Kyle.

Presenter: Matthew Syed
Producer and Series Editor: Katherine Godfrey
Executive Producer: Max O’Brien
Additional Production: Pippa Smith and Leigh Meyer
Sound Design and Mix: Naomi Clarke
A Novel production for BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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Sideways

44. Matthew’s been telling tales

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