Andrea Catherwood presents the new series of Feedback; the programme that seeks to hold BBC management, programme makers and presenters to account. Andrea will put listener questions and comments to her guests, and reflect listener’s feelings about how the BBC is covering the big stories. Feedback will also continue to pull the curtain back to reveal how radio and podcasts are made. The new series begins 14 October.
Dr Sian Williams, journalist and psychologist, presents the new series of Life Changing; the series that invites people from all walks of life to tell their own extraordinary stories. Beginning 12 October, Sian talks to ordinary people about an extraordinary turning point, discovering the transformative moment that has reshaped their lives in surprising ways.
Andrea Catherwood says: “I’m really looking forward to becoming the Feedback presenter because it’s such a great privilege to be part of the programme that allows listeners to have their say and shines a light on the way radio programmes and podcasts are made. I’ll be representing the listeners' views and holding the BBC accountable when necessary. It’s the essence of public service broadcasting”.
Dr Sian Williams says: “It’s a joy to be presenting this series because it’s all about key moments that change people’s lives, fundamentally. As a journalist, it’s great to be returning home to Radio 4. As a psychologist, it’s fascinating to learn more about our capacity for resilience and renewal after extraordinary and revelatory experiences.”
About Andrea Catherwood
Andrea has presented Woman's Hour and The Media Show, and made her first Radio 4 documentary at the age of eighteen. She's a former ITN newscaster and correspondent who has reported on Kosovo, the Omagh bombing, and 9/11. In 2001, she was the first journalist into liberated Mazar-i-Shariff during the Second Gulf War and was injured by shrapnel in a Taliban suicide attack. She also presented the ITV Sunday morning political programme "Sunday Edition", and "Last Word with Andrea Catherwood" for Bloomberg TV. Her previous work with Whistledown includes Media Front for the BBC World Service.
About Dr Sian Williams
Dr Sian Williams is an award-winning journalist who's spent 35 years working as a reporter, producer and presenter across the BBC and ITN. Over the past decade, she's also retrained as a psychologist, qualifying as a Chartered Counselling Psychologist. She currently works in the NHS, helping members of the emergency services manage anxiety, stress and trauma, as well as working with journalists to support them after covering difficult and challenging assignments. She's written a book, many articles and published a peer-reviewed academic paper on recovering after adversity.
Feedback is presented by Andrea Catherwood. It is a Whistledown Scotland Production for BBC Radio 4. Producer is Gill Davies. Executive Producer is David Prest.
Life Changing is presented by Dr Sian Williams. It is a BBC Audio Production for BBC Radio 4. Producer is Thomas Harding Assinder. Editor is Munazza Khan.
JH