BBC Radio 4
Sliced Bread
While Sliced Bread takes a break we serve up Toast. A study of the spectacular failures of brands which had promised so much to consumers. In each episode, the presenter and BBC business journalist Sean Farrington examines one big idea. What did it promise? Why did people back it? Why did they get burnt? Some of the world’s most successful businesses have also brought us some of the world’s most remarkable failures. So, what led them to be toast? And what can we learn from their stories today? Sean unpicks all the early optimism, hype and ambition. He learns about the tremendous success of a b...
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Episodes
Sliced Bread - Series 15: Weight-loss Injections 15.01.2026 35:26
Is it ok to stay on weight loss injections? They have been nothing short of a pharmaceutical phenomenon. But for people like listener Lynn who've had huge success on weight loss drugs like Mounjaro, the question now arises about the implications of using them long-term. Could there be a 'maintenance' dose that would potentially allow for use over many years, or even a lifetime? And as scientists s...
Toast - Series 6: Farepak's Christmas Hampers 25.12.2025 24:45
What led to the collapse of the Christmas savings club Farepak? The BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, investigates with the entrepreneur, Sam White, alongside him. It's our Christmas special and we're turning the clock back to the mid 1960s…. and looking at a business which started from humble beginnings in a Peckham butcher's shop, and went on to change Christmas for tens of thousands of...
Toast - Series 6: C&A's UK Stores 18.12.2025 24:54
The fashion chain C&A continues to thrive elsewhere so why did it shut all its UK stores? The BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, investigates how they ended up toast, in the company of resident business expert and entrepreneur, Sam White. C&A used to be one of the biggest fashion retailers on the UK's high streets until a shock decision in 2000 led to the stores' sudden closure. To...
Toast - Series 6: Skype 11.12.2025 24:42
Why did Skype fall out of favour in a world of global video calls? The BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, investigates with the entrepreneur, Sam White, alongside him. Sam never knows what's coming so, at the end of every episode of Toast, she gives her off-the-cuff and authentic professional opinions on why a brand disappeared based on what she has just heard and her own business knowhow....
Toast - Series 6: Dasani Water 04.12.2025 24:39
Dasani water, a bottled water from Coca-Cola, proved a big hit in the U.S.A so why did it last for less than 6 weeks in the UK? The BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, investigates how it ended up toast, in the company of resident business expert and entrepreneur, Sam White. In the early 2000s, Coca-Cola had entered the growing bottled water market and was hoping to turn its hit new brand in...
Toast - Series 6: BlackBerry Smartphones 27.11.2025 35:15
How did the company behind the revolutionary BlackBerry smartphone lose its grip on the handset market? The BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, investigates with special guest, Sir Stephen Fry, who has remained 'faithful' to the BlackBerry brand. Alongside them is the entrepreneur, Sam White, who at the end of the show has to reach her own conclusions on why BlackBerry handsets disappeared,...
Sliced Bread - Series 14: The Sliced Bread Christmas List 2025 20.11.2025 43:19
The team has gone through 30 episodes over the past year, and carved out five potential present worthy products that may well be heading down a chimney to you this Christmas. (We wanted to give you plenty of time to include them in your letters to Santa.) Greg Foot will share with you the key points from experts we’ve spoken to on Nail Polish & Gel Nails, Chopping Boards, Lip Balm, Smart Scale...
Sliced Bread - Series 14: Cough Medicines 13.11.2025 25:25
Are cough medicines any better than just taking honey and lemon? When Listener Sally sent in a croaky voicenote to our Sliced Bread Whatsapp number (07543 306807 - put us in your contacts!) we knew we had to tackle this one. Sally didn't think the medicine she used for her cough did very much, so she joined presenter Greg Foot and Jacky Smith, Professor in Respiratory Medicine at the University of...
Sliced Bread - Series 14: Car Shampoos and Coatings 06.11.2025 32:46
Are special shampoos and coatings any good at cleaning and protecting your car? They're all over Instagram: washes, foams, and ceramic coatings in a rainbow of coloured bottles that promise to give your car that showroom shine. For listener James - a driving instructor - the question is whether they're worth the money, or if an ordinary bottle of washing up liquid will do the job. To find out Greg...
Sliced Bread - Series 14: Fake Tans 30.10.2025 24:57
Listener Julie has been reaching for the fake tan every spring to add a "bit of colour" to her legs, but after much trial and error with foams, lotions and gels, she got in touch with Sliced Bread to ask what is actually IN fake tan? How does it work - and is there a particular kind that might suit her best? Greg Foot is joined by Consultant Dermatologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of M...
Sliced Bread - Series 14: Toenail Fungus Treatments 23.10.2025 35:09
Can anything stop toenail fungus in its tracks? It's one of the most-requested but least-talked-about topics, so listener Julia speaks for many as she joins us to ask about treatments for toenail fungus. She's keen to know if the laser-light devices shes's seen on social media really do work, as well as over-the-counter lacquers and prescription drugs. To get the answers Greg and Julia are joined...
Sliced Bread - Series 14: Scar Gels and Oils 16.10.2025 25:04
Greg Foot speaks to Consultant Dermatologist and Dermatological Surgeon Dr Emma Craythorne - who has plenty of skin in the game - to find some answers for listener Phil about about scars, how they occur, the different types, and what might help make them less obvious. Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener....
Sliced Bread - Series 14: Creatine 09.10.2025 30:50
Can creatine boost your body and mind? Listener Simon has been taking the fitness supplement creatine and wants to know if the science backs up the claim that it can make you stronger and faster. He's also heard that it can help with cognitive function. To find out if creatine can boost body and mind, presenter Greg Foot is joined by Graeme Close, Professor of Physiology at Liverpool John Moores U...
Dough - Series 3: The Future of Flight 02.10.2025 27:25
Can supersonic air travel make a comeback? Greg Foot, host of the BBC Radio 4 show 'Sliced Bread', now brings you 'Dough'. Each episode explores future wonder products that might rise to success and redefine our lives. Experts and entrepreneurs discuss the trends shaping what today's everyday technology may look like tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions on what life might b...
Dough - Series 3: The Future of Clothing 25.09.2025 25:10
Could 'smart' clothing monitor our health? Greg Foot, host of the BBC Radio 4 show 'Sliced Bread', now brings you 'Dough'. Each episode explores future wonder products that might rise to success and redefine our lives. Experts and entrepreneurs discuss the trends shaping what today's everyday technology may look like tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions on what life might b...
Dough - Series 3: The Future of Housebuilding 18.09.2025 27:34
Could your future home be built by a robot bricklayer? Greg Foot, host of the BBC Radio 4 show 'Sliced Bread', now brings you 'Dough'. Each episode explores future wonder products that might rise to success and redefine our lives. Experts and entrepreneurs discuss the trends shaping what today's everyday technology may look like tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions on what...
Dough - Series 3: The Future of Home Parcel Delivery 11.09.2025 27:08
Will delivery drones and robots make popping to the shops a thing of the past? Greg Foot, host of the BBC Radio 4 show 'Sliced Bread', now brings you 'Dough'. Each episode explores future wonder products that might rise to success and redefine our lives. Experts and entrepreneurs discuss the trends shaping what today's everyday technology may look like tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers th...
Dough - Series 3: The Future of Cars 04.09.2025 27:46
Will your car be driving you by 2050? Greg Foot, host of the BBC Radio 4 show Sliced Bread, now brings you Dough. Each episode explores future wonder products that might rise to success and redefine our lives. Experts and entrepreneurs discuss the trends shaping what today's everyday technology may look like tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions on what life might be like wi...
Sliced Bread - Series 13: Smart Doorbells 28.08.2025 29:24
Is it worth getting a Smart Doorbell? Greg Foot pushes all the right buttons as he gathers consumer and crime experts to get answers for listener Derek, who's keen to learn more about the various features, prices and security elements in the growing market of smart doorbells. Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and g...
Sliced Bread - Series 13: Salt 21.08.2025 25:35
Is expensive salt better for your health? Greg Foot gathers the experts, dives into the data and crunches the numbers to get the answers for listener Sally. Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread' and should you spend your money on them? All of our episodes...
Sliced Bread - Series 13: Nail Polish and Gels 14.08.2025 31:23
Greg Foot gathers the experts, and "chips" away at the science for listener Helen. Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread' and should you spend your money on them? All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder produc...
Sliced Bread - Series 13: Standing Desks 07.08.2025 25:03
Greg Foot gathers the experts, to find out which claims "stand up" to scrutiny for listener Bede. Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread' and should you spend your money on them? All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend o...
Sliced Bread - Series 13: Dehumidifiers 31.07.2025 31:14
Can dehumidifiers dry out your house - and your clothes? Greg Foot gathers the experts, dives into the data and crunches the numbers to get answers for listener Rhys. Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread' and should you spend your money on them? All of ou...
Sliced Bread - Series 13: Chopping Boards 24.07.2025 28:20
Which chopping board material is best for hygiene and the planet? Greg Foot gathers the experts, dives into the data and crunches the numbers to get answers for listener Simon. Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread' and should you spend your money on them?...
Sliced Bread - Series 13: Water Filters (Live at Cheltenham Science Festival) 10.07.2025 24:54
Can jug or under sink filters, promising to soften tap water and improve taste, really take out what they claim? Greg Foot gathers the experts live at Cheltenham Science Festival, dives into the data and crunches the numbers to get answers for listener Elaine. Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they...
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