Toast Podcast
Sean Farrington uncovers the stories of brands and products that soared to success yet somehow still ended up toast. What made them so special? Why did they disappear?
The BBC business journalist, Sean Farrington, explores amazing products and brands that somehow ended up... toast.
In each episode, Sean examines another great business idea, hearing how it started, what it offered and why it became successful.
He hears first-hand from people who were there at the time, gathering compelling tales of what went on behind the scenes.
Archive audio, industry experts, and fans of the brand are often in the mix as Sean charts its rise to dizzy heights before discovering where it may have faltered.
Alongside him, offering wise and wry observations is the serial entrepreneur, Sam White, who has no advance knowledge of which business is to be covered.
At the end of each episode, based on what she has just heard, Sam must come up with her own conclusions as to why the brand or product disappeared and what we can learn from its story.
From big tech to high street retail and, of course, food, Toast tackles the business ideas that, one way or another, ended up cooked and discovers how sometimes they manage to live on in a different form.
If you have a good idea for an interesting Toast topic then tell us about it - email toast@bbc.co.uk
Toast is a BBC Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.
Episodes to download
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Toys R Us
Thu 21 Dec 2023
Why did the major toy retailer Toys R Us have to close all of its UK stores in 2018?
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Sinclair C5
Thu 4 May 2023
Big ideas which promised consumers so much but ended up... toast. Today - the Sinclair C5.
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Friends Reunited
Thu 27 Apr 2023
Big ideas which promised consumers so much but ended up... toast. Today - Friends Reunited
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Blockbuster
Thu 20 Apr 2023
Big ideas which promised consumers so much but ended up...toast. This week - Blockbuster.
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Olestra
Thu 13 Apr 2023
Big ideas which promised consumers so much but ended up toast. This week, Olestra
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Google Glass
Thu 6 Apr 2023
Big ideas which promised consumers so much but ended up...Toast. This week - Google Glass
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Introducing Toast
Mon 3 Apr 2023
Sean Farrington looks at the products that promised so much but crashed and burned.