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Artwork for Illuminated

Illuminated

BBC Radio 4
Admiral Duncan Bombing
Cicadas
Bel Canto
Opera
Brood X
North London Drug Industry
Brixton Bombing
Brick Lane Bombing
Dementia
Heroin
Princeton University
Mental Health
Community Resilience
Far-Right Terrorism
Hate Crime
Care Home
Dementia Villages
Woodside Care Village
North London
Wildlife Conservation

Illuminated is BBC Radio 4's home for creative and surprising one-off documentaries that shed light on hidden worlds.

Welcome to a place of audio beauty and joy, with emotion and human experience at its heart. The programmes you will find in this feed explore the reality of contemporary Britain and the world, venturing into its weirdest and most wonderful aspects.

This is a chance to meet voices ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes87Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Illuminated

Latest Episodes

John Betjeman wrote that it was 'worth cycling forty miles in a head wind to visit St Wendreda's church in March, Cambridgeshire, because of the 118 angels in the roof. The wings of the C16th oak carvings are inspired by hen and marsh harriers. Once ... more

In 2018, the writer and actor Harriet Madeley found out that she was going to die. At least, that’s what she heard when a doctor diagnosed her with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, a progressive disease for which there is no medical treatment, no cure... more

‘Do nothing’.

So exhorts Jimmy as he overhauls the strokes, kicks and breathing of his adult swim learners at Cardiff International Pool.

They plunge, roll, extend. As they learn to let go and glide, they’re overcome with a sense of joy, freedom ... more

Historian Maurice Casey reveals the story of an anti-Nazi resistance network and the family at its heart, told through a newspaper crafted by two young girls.

In the dusty corners of a Galician villa on Spain’s northern coast, Casey uncovered a for... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Robert Macfarlane
Writer and broadcaster invited to discuss angels and landscapes
Writer
Episode: Harrier Angels
Edward Wilson-Lee
Author of The Grammar of Angels
Author
Episode: Harrier Angels
Ruth Clay
Reverend and team vicar in March Benefice
Church leadership
Episode: Harrier Angels
Ajay Tegala
Ranger at the National Trust Wicken Fen
National Trust
Episode: Harrier Angels
Michael Rimmer
Author of The Angel Roofs of East Anglia
Author
Episode: Harrier Angels
Bob Reinalda
Political scientist, studied Edo Fimmen and the ITF
International Institute of Social History
Episode: The Alpenpost: A Girl's Guide to Fighting Hitler and Stalin
Jeremy Banning
Military historian who provides expert context on World War I and military records
Independent historian (as introduced in episode)
Episode: Cannon Fodder
Shaquille Cadvar
Capable audiologist at Specsavers
Specsavers
Episode: Hearing Aids
Julia Donaldson
Author and long-term hearing aid user
Episode: Hearing Aids

Host

Hugh Levinson
Host and commissioner of episodes, known for guiding listeners through journeys into unknown worlds.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 48 ratings
  • Thank you

    Lovely, thoughtful, stirring stories carefully crafted. Short and sweet. Chef’s kiss!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amadalliyickmickdick
    Canada10 days ago

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#111
India/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Little Box Which Contains the World
Q: Has that been effective in a sense? Has a journey become easier the more you've had to do it?
The guest shares that repeated journeys have helped them realize they can survive and return safely from these trips, suggesting a gradual easing of anxiety.
The Little Box Which Contains the World
Q: Could you maybe tell us a bit about like your history with anxiety and specifically agoraphobia, like when did it sort of start?
The guest describes starting to experience panic attacks during university, which escalated to severe anxiety that prevented normal activities.
Anger and Us
Q: Could you tell me a bit more about why some people implode?
Imploding is a kind of denial of anger; often someone will feel guilty for being angry or wanting to hide that anger.
Anger and Us
Q: How did you feel after the MMA?
I was glad that we'd done it, but I don't think I'd go back. It felt uncomfortable and I don't feel the urge to hit.
The Beauty of Everyday Things
Q: What is it about cafes, Helen? Why do we like these places?
Helen mentions she enjoys sitting and listening, but she finds it challenging to write in cafes due to being overwhelmed by the sensory input.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
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Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Illuminated

What is Illuminated about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Illuminated offers intimate, high-signal documentary storytelling that probes hidden worlds and overlooked perspectives. Across recent episodes, the show blends personal memory with expert context—ranging from historical resistance and refugee histories to mental health, acoustics, and cultural practices—creating a mosaic of contemporary Britain and beyond. A distinctive strength is the theatric use of sound design, archival material, and guest expertise (historians, writers, scientists, and cultural commentators) to illuminate complex topics in an accessible, emotionally resonant way. Listeners are likely drawn to thoughtful, creatively produced narratives that connect individual experiences to larger social and historical currents, with a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Illuminated?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Illuminated:

1. Thinking Allowed
2. Sideways
3. More or Less
4. Great Lives
5. Open Country

How many episodes of Illuminated are there?

Illuminated launched 2 years ago and published 87 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Illuminated?

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What guests have appeared on Illuminated?

Recent guests on Illuminated include:

1. Robert Macfarlane
2. Edward Wilson-Lee
3. Ruth Clay
4. Ajay Tegala
5. Michael Rimmer
6. Bob Reinalda
7. Jeremy Banning
8. Shaquille Cadvar

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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