The Skewer: Hard Labour

Ian Smith is back on his quest for calm. In this episode, Ian is going through one of the most stressful life experiences... moving house. Is he middle class now? How can he keep in touch with his friends? And just how much damage can an entire chickpea cause? Let’s find out together in Ian Smith is Stressed.Written and performed by Ian Smith Additional Material from Mike Shephard and Rhiannon Shaw Featuring Stuart Laws Assistant Producer - Em Humble Production Manager - Laura Shaw Produced by Benjamin Sutton A Daddy’s SuperYacht Production for BBC Radio 4

A spiritual journey like no other… just with more chaos, queueing, and a missing pair of sandals.Blending storytelling, stand-up and documentary, comedian Ali Shahalom (aka Ali Official) takes us on a deeply personal comic journey through one of the most important acts of worship in Islam: Hajj. What begins as a sacred pilgrimage becomes a test of patience, endurance, and broadband speed.From battling the notoriously stressful Nusuk booking system (“depression you pay for”) to convincing his entire family to commit to the trip, Ali charts every step of the journey with warmth, honesty and razor-sharp humour. There are frozen bank accounts, passport panics, and a £40,000 leap of faith - and that's all before he’s even left the UK.Written and performed by Ali Shahalom Script editor - Laura Major Sound design - Andy Goddard Producer - Victoria LloydA Mighty Bunny Production for BBC Radio 4

Streeting wants in and Starmer styles it out. The multi-award-winning satire is back as Jon Holmes mashes up the news with pop-culture to create a current affairs satirical comedy concept album. Producer: Jon Holmes An unusual production for BBC Radio 4

A year ago, Emer Maguire had it all. Now she’s sleeping on the floor of her brother’s student flat in a shady part of Belfast – no girlfriend, no home, no hope. Where did it all go wrong? How did she end up all alone, broken hearted and with only an assistance dog called Dougal for company? Is she the Patron Saint of Bad Luck?Comedian Emer Maguire recalls how the worst year of her life - including messy break-up, serious medical issues and not one, but two life-changing diagnoses – put her on the path to living her best life. Told with her trademark honesty and songwriting brilliance, Emer’s tale is both heartfelt and uplifting, a laugh-out-loud rollercoaster journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance.One of Northern Ireland’s most exciting comedic voices, Emer Maguire (who was dubbed by one critic as the “indie Victoria Wood”) is a double Irish IMRO award-winning presenter and four times TEDx speaker.Written and performed by Emer Maguire Produced by Anna Hinds Executive Producer: Keith Martin Sound: David WalkerA FABEL radio production for BBC Radio 4

This week, Geoff looks at the “angry middle-aged white men” that Gary Neville identified as the source of all division within the UK. Is that fair? If so, why are they angry? And could there be both a deeper reason for their anger and also a better outlet for it?As ever, these serious points are intercut with “manly hypotheticals”, the sort of question men ask each other to avoid talking about stuff that matters, like - if you’re drinking non-alcoholic beer, are you still obliged to buy a round?This is episode 2 of Series 2 of Geoff Norcott's Working Men's Club. To hear more from this series, search "Stand-Up Specials" on BBC Sounds.Written and presented by Geoff NorcottRecorded by Sean Kerwin Production manager: Dawn Williams Executive producer: Caroline RaphaelProducer: Ed MorrishA Pier production for BBC Radio 4

This is episode 1 of the latest series of Brian & Roger, titled Carla.There’s not much that could quell Roger’s positive mood; he’s got a plan for a very special bonding activity with his teenage son Jamie and Brian may be able to help. There’s romance on the cards too but he'll need some dating advice...Brian & Roger are friends that met at a support group for divorced men. Both are starting again, both are finding it hard. One of them is nice.To hear more episodes from this series, search "Brian and Roger" on BBC Sounds.Written and performed by Harry Peacock and Dan Skinner. Produced by Joel Morris and Sally Harrison. Music by Bach, arranged by Hywel Davies. Hywel Davies (piano), Luke Belcher (bass), Tilly Tremayne (vocals).Executive Producer: Johnny Vegas A Woolyback production for BBC Radio 4

In this episode Sue checks out a fiendish Church-eating fungus, the mad lifecycle of Marine Midges and a potential orgasm fungus.This is episode 2 of series 5 of Nature Table - Miraculous Marine Midges and Church-Eating Fungus.‘Sue Perkins’ Nature Table - possibly the funniest “natural science” series, ever.’ Pick of the Week, The TelegraphRecorded at the Natural History Museum, this episode of Sue Perkins’ ARIA-winning ‘Show and Tell’ wildlife comedy features special guests: comedian Sara Pascoe, the Natural History Museum’s Queen of flies Dr. Erica McAlister and Fungarium Collections Manager at Kew Gardens, Lee Davies.Nature Table has a simple clear goal: to positively celebrate our planet’s wonderfully wild (and funny) flora and fauna in a fun accessible way... whilst always having a giggle.Hosted by: Sue Perkins Guests: Sara Pascoe, Dr. Erica McAlister, Lee Davies and Elizabeth. Written by: Jon Hunter and Jenny Laville. Additional material by: Jade Gebbie. Researcher: Catherine Beazley Executive Producer: James Robinson Sound Editor: Jerry Peal Music by: Ben Mirin Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls & Caroline Barlow Producer: Simon NichollsA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

This episode we hear Hugh Dennis's word for decision fatigue, Katy Wix's coinage for when you find yourself stuck telling a story in public to break an awkward silence, and Jess Fostekew's word for that nuggety squashed sock you find stuck inside a duvet cover.Ever struggled to find the right word for a feeling or sensation? Unspeakable sees comedian Phil Wang and lexicographer Susie Dent invite celebrity guests to invent new linguistic creations, to solve those all too relatable moments when we're lost for words.This is episode four from series three of Unspeakable. To hear more from this series, search "Unspeakable" on BBC Sounds.Hosts: Phil Wang and Susie Dent Guests: Hugh Dennis, Jess Fostekew and Katy Wix Created by Joe Varley Writers: Matt Crosby and James Farmer Recorded by Jerry Peal Producer: Jon Harvey Executive Producers: Joe Varley and Akash LockmunA Brown Bred production for BBC Radio 4

It's the first every Live Comedy Day, and Live From the UK brings a special, extended episode to the Radio 4 listener.Angela Barnes is back at the comedy club where she did her first ever gig, the Brighton Komedia. She did a comedy course with comedy guru Jill Edwards, so catches up with her to chat about starting out, and grassroots comedy.We also tour to all 4 nations of the UK, bringing you insights on a night tour of Edinburgh Zoo, useless stuff you learn in school, nans playing rugby and the dystopian world of fast food restaurants.Throughout the show, some of the UK's best loved comedians will also pop up to tell you about their first ever gig.In this episode, you can hear;Christopher Macarthur-Boyd at the Monkey Barrel in Edinburgh Emer Maguire at the Empire Music Hall, Belfast Carwyn Blayney at the Swansea Grand Seann Walsh at Komedia BrightonAdditional Material by Ruth HuskoRecorded by David Thomas, Sean Kerwin and Davy Neil Sound design by David Thomas Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Executive Producer: Pete StraussProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4.

We like to think we vote with our heads. But what if we've always voted with our tribe? Top political comedian Matt Forde convenes his Focus Group in front of a live theatre audience with a razor-sharp panel — former Conservative adviser Salma Shah, ex-SNP MP and broadcaster John Nicolson, and stand-up comedian Pierre Novellie — to ask whether tribal loyalty is the secret engine of political life. From parties haemorrhaging members to rivals, to the flag-wrapped contradictions of nationalist politics, to the question of whether multicultural Britain is importing conflicts it never signed up for, this is an episode about belonging, identity - and the ridiculous places both can leadThis featured episode is The Politics of The Tribe from Series 2 of The Matt Forde Focus Group on BBC Radio 4.Written and performed by Matt Forde Additional writing from Karl Minns, Ruth Husko and Richard Garvin Producer: Richard Garvin Co Producer: Daisy Knight Broadcast Assistant: Ocean Holder Sound Design: David Thomas Editor Chris Maclean An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4