The BBC World Service is a fixture in my house. Its AM signal blasts across northwest Europe, so the quality of the signal is exceptional in my kitchen. The most welcome guest in the World Service's (alas) dwindling lineup of quality programming is "From Our Own Correspondent".

Why? It is merely this: simplicity. These are the insights and anecdotes too honest for the headlines. There is no music, no sound effects, nothing. There is merely straightforward storytelling that is erudite, professional and heartfelt. It it the antidote to today's rolling news. And because good storytelling is perennial, it is no wonder that it has survived five decades as a format.

If you are unfamiliar with FOOC, why not audition it as a podcast (there are 4 on my ipod right now).