In this episode, Jack Boswell explores the intricate Iranian custom of taarof, a tradition of elaborate etiquette and rituals of deference that reveal how small acts of courtesy can foster deep connections and mutual respect.

Joining Jack is Eve Esfandiari-Denney, a poet and PhD candidate in creative writing, who shares how taarof has shaped her identity and family relationships. For Eve, taarof is more than just politeness - it’s a way to honour loved ones and express care, even in simple gestures.

Jack also speaks with William Beeman, an anthropologist who has spent years studying Iranian culture. William explains how taarof acts as a “social lubricant”, smoothing interactions by encouraging people to symbolically elevate others while lowering themselves. Rooted in humility and reciprocity, taarof creates a balanced social harmony where respect is shared, and hierarchies are softened.

Beyond its role in daily life, Jack and his guests uncover a deeper spiritual dimension to taarof, with ties to ancient Sufi traditions of love and unity. Whether among strangers or family, taarof becomes a ritualised way of showing reverence, empathy, and even joy - turning ordinary exchanges into meaningful moments of connection.

This episode reflects on the beauty of this tradition and how it reminds us of the profound value in elevating others, nurturing relationships and expressing gratitude in our own lives.

Host: Jack Boswell Producer: Emma Crampton and Sophie McNulty Senior Producer: Harry Stott Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari Production Coordinator: James Cox Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle Sound Editor: Alan Leer and Lizzy Andrews

A Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4

In this episode, Jack Boswell explores the sacred connection between indigenous Quechua-speaking communities in the Peruvian Andes and their natural environment, offering a profound perspective on how we value what truly matters.

Joining him is Yojana Miraya Oscco, a researcher and member of a Quechua-speaking community, who explains how the mountains, rivers, and land are seen as living relatives. Through rituals and offerings, these communities honour Pachamama - Mother Earth - and maintain a deep connection with the natural world, which sustains their way of life. Yojana shares stories from her childhood, recalling ceremonies that celebrated the land’s abundance and the deep respect her family showed for their surroundings.

Anthropologist Zoila Mendoza also joins Jack to provide context, describing how the Andean worldview is rooted in the belief that humans are just one small, fragile part of a larger cosmic community. She explains how this perspective shapes daily life, fostering gratitude and reciprocity for the gifts of nature. However, these sacred traditions face growing threats from mining and industrial exploitation, which tear apart not only the environment but the cultural and spiritual fabric of these communities.

This episode offers a powerful lesson in appreciating what truly matters. Through the Andean practice of honouring the sacred, Jack learns that recognising the vulnerability of the things we treasure - whether it’s a cherished tradition, a natural space, or a moment with loved ones - can deepen our gratitude and connection to the world around us. By embracing this perspective, we’re reminded to pause, reflect, and hold space for what brings meaning to our lives before it’s gone.

Host: Jack Boswell Producers: Emma Crampton and Sophie McNulty Senior Producer: Harry Stott Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari Production Coordinator: James Cox Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle Sound Editor: Alan Leer and Lizzy Andrews

A Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4

Jack Boswell explores the South African philosophy of Ubuntu, a profound perspective on humanity that emphasises the interconnectedness of all people and the transformative power of community.

Joining Jack is Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu, a South African-born priest and daughter of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. She explains how Ubuntu - the belief that "I am because we are" - is rooted in recognizing our shared humanity. Nontombi reflects on how this philosophy shaped her father’s work as a key figure in South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement, grounding his fight for justice in compassion and dignity for all, even his oppressors. She shares practical ways to embody Ubuntu in daily life, from acknowledging others with a simple greeting to cultivating gratitude for small acts of kindness.

Also joining Jack is Refiloe Moahloli, a South African children’s author whose book We Are One introduces Ubuntu to a global audience. Refiloe explains how this philosophy celebrates diversity and encourages individuals to embrace their unique gifts while contributing to the greater good. She reflects on the ripple effect of self-respect and kindness, likening it to a single flower blooming and inspiring growth in its surroundings.

This episode unpacks how Ubuntu invites us to rethink our relationships, not just with others but with ourselves. It’s a reminder that by recognising our own worth, we can foster deeper connections and help create a more compassionate world. Jack learns how this ancient African philosophy continues to resonate across cultures, offering lessons on healing, resilience, and hope in an increasingly divided world.

Host: Jack Boswell Producer: Emma Crampton Senior Producer: Harry Stott Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari Production Coordinator: James Cox Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle Sound Editor: Alan Leer

A Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4

Jack Boswell delves into saudade, a Portuguese word often described as untranslatable. Saudade captures a complex mix of longing, melancholy, and bittersweet nostalgia - a "pleasant sadness" that simultaneously consoles and aches. Jack unpacks the profound emotional resonance of this concept and how it might help us navigate difficult feelings in our own lives.

Jack begins by speaking with Helder Macedo, a celebrated writer and Emeritus Professor of Portuguese at King’s College London. Helder describes saudade as the paradoxical feeling of longing for something - be it a person, moment, or way of life - that is gone, yet whose absence offers a bittersweet comfort. Rooted in Portugal’s maritime history, where separation and uncertainty were common, saudade shaped the national psyche and found expression in Fado, Portugal’s iconic music. Helder likens it to a pinch of salt - enhancing when balanced but overpowering if excessive.

The episode also features Christina Branco, a renowned Fado singer who shares how her music channels the vulnerability and raw emotion of saudade. For Christina, Fado - a genre deeply intertwined with this feeling - is both a personal catharsis and a mirror for her audience, encouraging them to confront their own emotions. She shares how Fado helps her transform pain into strength and creativity.

Through heartfelt conversations, Jack learns how saudade resonates in art, memory, and even daily life. This episode invites listeners to reflect on their own moments of longing and consider how embracing vulnerability can deepen connections, foster resilience, and inspire transformation.

Host: Jack Boswell Producer: Emma Crampton Senior Producer: Harry Stott Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari Production Coordinator: James Cox Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle Sound Editor: Alan Leer

A Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4

Jack Boswell explores the Korean concept of Nunchi - a cultural practice that centres on deeply attuning to one’s surroundings and gauging others' unspoken thoughts and emotions. Through the lens of Nunchi, we learn about how silence and observation can speak louder than words.

Joining him is Euny Hong, author of The Power of Nunchi, who shares her own journey with Nunchi and what it reveals about human connection. Euny describes Nunchi as more than mere intuition - it’s a way of tuning into the subtle cues in our environment and adjusting our behaviour accordingly. In one memorable story, she recounts an awkward moment at a party that could have been avoided with a bit more sensitivity to the room’s mood - a stark reminder of how easily we can misread social situations when we’re too focused on ourselves.

Jack also sits down with Dr Jin Park, a professor of philosophy and religion, to delve into the deeper cultural roots of Nunchi. For Koreans, she explains, Nunchi is more than just a social skill - it’s a way of living in harmony with others in close quarters. In South Korea's densely populated cities, where space is limited, people grow up learning to pick up on non-verbal cues and anticipate each other’s needs, creating a collective sense of peace and understanding. Dr Park shares a touching story about a small but powerful gesture that epitomises the care and attentiveness that Nunchi fosters.

This episode offers listeners a chance to reflect on how tuning into our surroundings and being mindful of unspoken cues can enrich our relationships and bring more harmony into our lives. It’s an invitation to cultivate a quieter form of attentiveness, one that values silence and subtlety, and to find ways to truly see and understand the people around us.

Host: Jack Boswell Producer: Emma Crampton Senior Producer: Harry Stott Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari Production Coordinator: James Cox Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle Sound Editor: Alan Leer

A Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4

Jack Boswell explores northeast India to uncover the ancient, awe-inspiring tradition of Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges.

Joining him is Dr Wilfrid Middleton, a researcher in Living Architecture, who’s been studying these extraordinary structures since 2017. Grown from the aerial roots of the Ficus elastica tree, these resilient bridges are woven over generations, offering the community not just a passage across rivers but a deeper connection to nature and protection of their land, withstanding monsoon rains and landslides.

Wilfrid explains how these living bridges grow under the hands of villagers, shaped over decades by careful guidance and community collaboration. They thrive and strengthen over time, adapting to the changing landscape around them. The bridges serve both as a literal and symbolic bridge across generations, uniting people in a shared effort that will serve future villagers long after the builders have gone.

Jack also speaks with Morningstar Khongthaw, founder of the Living Bridge Foundation, who passionately describes his mission to preserve and nurture these bridges for future generations. Morningstar reflects on the responsibility he feels to educate younger villagers in the art of building and maintaining the root bridges - a skill passed down through stories, hands-on practice, and the patient guidance of elders. For him, these living bridges embody a philosophy of life that values endurance, harmony with nature, and a vision that stretches far beyond one lifetime.

This episode invites listeners to rethink modern building practices and embrace the wisdom embedded in Meghalaya’s living bridges. These remarkable structures offer a model of regenerative design, resilience, and community spirit, reminding us of the powerful legacy that thoughtful, patient care can create. In an age of rapid construction, the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya show us that sometimes, the best way forward is to take the long view.

Host: Jack Boswell Producer: Emma Crampton Senior Producer: Harry Stott Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari Production Coordinator: James Cox Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle Sound Editor: Alan Leer

A Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4

Jack Boswell explores the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi and how it challenges our pursuit of perfection by embracing the beauty of imperfection and transience.

Joining him is Dr Takeshi Morisato, a lecturer in non-Western philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, who introduces the basics of Wabi Sabi - an art of acceptance that finds beauty in life’s flaws and incompleteness. Takeshi explains that Wabi Sabi offers a different perspective from the Western pursuit of happiness and perfection, instead teaching us to acknowledge life’s challenges without trying to erase them. Through this philosophy, we’re encouraged to see each experience, good or bad, as valuable in its own right.

Later in the episode, Jack speaks with Bonnie Kemske, a ceramic artist and Japanese tea ceremony practitioner, who delves into the practice of Kintsugi - the art of mending broken pottery with gold. Bonnie explains how Kintsugi embodies Wabi Sabi’s message - broken things aren’t simply discarded but are repaired in a way that highlights their unique history and resilience. Kintsugi invites us to honour what we’ve endured, as the cracks in a pot are like marks from our own experiences, showing strength in their repaired beauty.

Through personal stories, Bonnie shares how the concepts of Wabi Sabi and Kintsugi can help us find meaning in pain and celebrate our resilience. She reflects on her journey through loss, relating how the practice of Kintsugi helped her accept grief as a part of her own history rather than a flaw to erase.

This episode invites listeners to find beauty in everyday moments and to embrace imperfections - both in the world around us and within ourselves - as a source of strength and comfort. Wabi Sabi offers a way to be more present and accepting, giving us the freedom to see our lives as ever-evolving works in progress.

Host: Jack Boswell Producers: Leo Danczak & Emma Crampton Senior Producer: Harry Stott Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari Production Coordinator: James Cox Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle Sound Editor: Alan Leer

A Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4

In this episode, Jack Boswell delves into the rich cultural traditions of Mexico's "Day of the Dead" and how it offers a unique, profound perspective on our relationship with death.

Joining him is Carlos Alberto Sanchez, a Mexican philosophy professor, who explains this annual festival - a joyful celebration of life and remembrance. He shares how families honour their deceased loved ones by creating ofrendas, or altars, decorated with favourite items, food, and music of the departed, inviting their spirits back to visit. The festival is rooted in the belief that death is a natural part of life, and while the body may perish, the spirit lives on.

Paola Feregrino, Director of London’s Day of the Dead Festival, also joins Jack, reflecting on how this vibrant tradition has found a welcoming audience in the UK and why it resonates with so many, especially as it opens up conversations about a topic we often avoid - death.

This episode celebrates the beauty of life, memory, and how we can find connection and comfort in honouring those we've lost.