Radio Documentary

Have a listen to a selection of my radio documentaries

A Family of Strangers (40mins)

How a simple DNA test turned a world upside down, leading to profound questions of identity. When 71-year-old Philip was given a genetic testing kit for Christmas, he assumed he would stumble across an ancient line of nobility or a novel identity to latch onto. Instead, he found himself unravelling a mystery with more twists and turns than a spiralling strand of DNA. David Reid meets an extraordinary group of people who sent in DNA samples and tested negative to the question: “Who am I?” Join them on a moving, funny and thought-provoking journey as they dig through layers of family myth and secrecy to unearth the incredible story of their origins. Produced and presented by David Reid

Coda: I'm the Thumb in the Family (30 mins)

Humera Iqbal enters the remarkable world of Children of Deaf Adults, or CODAs. At a young age they take on the mighty responsibility of interpreting for their mums and dads outside the home…in a world built for the hearing. That means they are often emotionally switched on, assiduously punctual, confident and super-organised. Humera, associate professor of psychology at University College London, meets CODA children as they chat and translate while their parents are out and about getting things done. Originated and produced by David J Reid

The Queen at War: a Military Monarch (30 mins)

Tessa Dunlop tells the story of Queen Elizabeth's short but significant military service. As an 18-year-old, the then princess joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service, driving and working as a mechanic on army trucks. It was a time of freedom for Elizabeth and a propaganda coup for the government. She became both the first female member of the British royal family to serve full-time in the military, and survived to become the last monarch to have served in the Second World War. Dr Dunlop meets ATS veterans who served at the same period and gets behind the wheel of the same lorry driven by Queen Elizabeth. Produced by David J Reid

Is Britain Exceptional? (30 mins)

Is Britain Exceptional? Historian, author and columnist Zoe Strimpel believes so, and sifts through the layers of Britain’s culture, politics and religious history to find the roots for the nation’s scientific, intellectual and cultural dynamism and the germ for today’s culture wars. With the help of leading historians, political activists and scientists, Zoe examines whether Britain's obsession with the glories of 'our finest hour': WWII determined a version of history that eclipsed inconvenient truths that contradict our national myths and identity. Produced by David J Reid

Has the Family had its Day? (30 mins)

British politicians love to invoke the family - and now a prominent strain of the Conservative right says parents sticking together for the sake of the children is "the only possible basis for a safe and successful society". By turning family values into a political football, are they in denial about the way society has developed this century? Is the erosion of traditional structure around marriage and family a destructive thing for society, or does it offer the kind of freedom and individual choice denied to previous generations? Produced by David J Reid

What on earth is the National Interest? (30 mins)

Should we be sceptical when politicians claim to act in "the national interest"? The phrase is frequently trotted out to elevate policy and actions as unimpeachably serving us all. But what does it actually mean? So far the Oxford English Dictionary has steered clear of pinning down this "slippery" term. Mark Damazer digs up its historical roots and talks to politicians, prime-ministerial speechwriters and policymakers to define a term that can obscure as much as it elucidates. Produced by David J Reid

What are Russia's mercenaries doing in Africa? (17 mins)

The secretive Wagner Group has a history of violence in Africa. In this episode, we ask why leaders are outsourcing security to an unaccountable army accused of murders, rapes and torture. We look into the crimes they're accused of committing, the governments they're keeping in power and the business deals making it all possible. Produced and presented by David J Reid

Tabasco sauce, Lea and Perrins, Angostura Bitters. Those are a few of a very select number of sauces, condiments and tipples that have weathered changing tastes and trends over the years, even outliving their founders. How do some brands manage to survive for 100, 150 or 200 years? In this programme, David Reid lifts the lid on some of these store cupboard stalwarts to reveal the secrets of their longevity, heritage appeal, and what happens when a company tries to ‘tweak’ a winning recipe. Produced and presented by David J Reid

The power of heritage brands (30 mins)