The Sense of Place Podcast
The Sense of Place Podcast explores the emotional and cultural relationships people have with the places around them. Through conversations with guests from a range of disciplines, it examines how locations shape feelings such as happiness, nostalgia and fear, and why we attach stories and legends to them. Episodes consider the intangible and tangible aspects of place — emotions, imagination, sound, touch, stories, sight, smell and personal experience. The show draws on personal tales alongside in-depth interviews about practices dedicated to understanding sense of place.
Episodes
Ep 0: An Introduction to The Sense of Place Podcast
This is a good place to start if you want to get an idea of what the sense of place podcast is all about, and what you can expect from the show!
Ep 1: Spirits of Place ft. John Reppion
In today's episode I talk to John Reppion. John is the editor of the fantastic book ‘Spirits of Place’ which is all about stories that are embedded in the world around us. Me and John talk all things place, history, folklore and Spirits of Place! (Recorded January 2019)
Ep 2: Freeman Tilden, Oral History & the Landscape ft. Dan Boys
In today’s episode I talk to Dan Boys the founder of AT Creative. Dan was greatly influenced by the work of Freeman Tilden, the author of a book called Interpreting Our Heritage. Dan and myself delve into the links between interpretation and place, and the strong connection this has with protection and appreciation of our cultural heritage. (Recorded September 2018)
Ep 3: The evolution of London's soundscape ft. Ian Rawes (The London Sound Survey)
In today's episode I talk to Ian Rawes a sound recordist, and the brains behind the website The London Sound Survey. Ian and I discuss the changes in the sounds we hear on the streets of London, the significance of street cries, noise nuisances in 1920’s London, Ian’s exploration of Allhallows marshes at night - and much more! (Recorded September 2018)
Ep 4: The disappearance of Ireland's unique & offbeat shop fronts ft. Trevor Finnegan
In today's episode I talk to Trevor Finnegan. The man behind a project called ‘Our Type’.
The Our Type project aims to document the disappearing and unique shop fronts that can be found across Ireland. I chat to Trevor about the projects beginnings, the response it has received from the wider public, and what the future holds for the project. (Recorded September 2018)
Ep 5: The secret world of London's hidden Portals ft. Portals of London
In today’s episode I speak to the mystery man behind the blog ‘Portals of London’. Portals of London works towards building a catalogue of London’s inter – dimensional gateways. I find out about the influences behind the blog, some of the most popular posts, and people’s reactions to it. (Recorded October 2018)
Ep 6: The life & adventures of an Urban Explorer ft. Cindy Vasko
In today’s episode I talk to Cindy Vasko a concert photographer turned Urban Explorer. Cindy and I discuss how she got into urban exploration, the increasing fascination with abandoned places, and her thoughts on preservation vs decay of abandoned sites. As well as this, we chat about Cindy’s adventures urbexing, and certain sites that have evoked a strong sense of place in her! (Recorded July 201
Ep 7: Comic Books, Psychogeography & The Great North Wood ft. Tim Bird
In today’s episode I chat to Tim Bird a comic book artist from South London, who’s work focuses on exploring the history, mythology and memories contained within our landscape.
I discuss with Tim why he chose to combine psychogeographical ideas and comic books, what his process is when it comes to creating his work, alongside some of his influences.
We also take a deeper look into his comic books,
Ep 8: A Sense of Place in Film and TV
What with it being the festive season, today’s episode is a family affair, as I chat to my brother Liam all about Sense of Place in Film and TV! Liam has always been into films, having a great appreciation for them as an art form, and he is now studying Film at University. Something we used to love doing at Christmas is sit down and watch a series we got on DVD with loads of festive snacks which w
Ep 9: Britain’s Forgotten Footpaths: The fight to save our historic rights of way ft. Jack Cornish
Were you aware that the network of public foot paths across England and Wales is over 140, 000 miles? Well if you weren’t it is understandable as many miles of our public footpaths are currently unrecorded, and if they are not put on the map by 2026, they will be lost forever!
In today’s episode I chat to Jack Cornish the programme manager of the Rambler’s project ‘Don’t Lose Your Way’ which aims
Ep 10: The power of Vortexes: How earth's energies can effect our sense of place ft. Dan Shaw
You may not have thought it, but subtle differences in the earth’s energies can have a great effect on our sense of place, and a crucial player behind this is…. vortexes!
In today’s episode I chat to Dan Shaw a researcher, and author from the US who is an expert on all things relating to vortexes and earth’s energies.
I find out what a vortex is, how vortexes have a strong relationship to geometri
Ep 11: Bringing to life the stories of Australia's regional towns ft. Hamish Sewell
“Irrespective of technology, digital placement is first and foremost a human centered practice that is concerned with improving relationships between people and places. It embraces collaboration, a co-creation design approach and encourages community participation.”
— JO REID, LEADING UK DEVELOPERS CALVIUM
This is a quote taken from the website of Hamish Sewell, today’s guest. I think it sums up n
Ep 12: Liminal Narratives: stories of the betwixt and between ft. Ian Rodwell
In today’s episode I chat to Ian Rodwell the creator of the fantastic liminal narratives blog, which explores the betwixt and between liminal spaces of our world. Ian is a part-time PhD researcher at City University London, and began the blog as a compliment to his studies.
From beaches to train stations, graveyards to corridors, Ian and myself have a chat about the variety of liminal spaces he ha
Ep 13: Medieval Graffiti ft. Matthew Champion
I am sure most of you reading this have visited a cathedral or church at some point in your life. Ancient, majestic, sacred – not the kind of place you would find covered in graffiti. Well, turns out that this is not the case! As you shall find out in today's episode with Matthew Champion.
Matthew is an archaeologist, heritage consultant and most importantly a medieval graffiti expert. During our
Ep 14: Hauntology: Nostalgia, disquiet & lost futures ft. Bob Fischer
When you were a child did you ever have feelings of yearning, melancholy, or a wistful dreaminess to the way you perceived the world around you? If you did, you’ll be pleased to know that a movement called Hauntology explores these feelings in great detail!
Hauntology originated as a philosophical concept introduced by Jacques Derrida in his 1993 book Spectres of Marx. Put simply, it refers to the
Ep 15: Our stinking city: the importance of smell when understanding place ft. Dr. Alex Rhys-Taylor
Smell. One of the five senses. Yet, perhaps one you take for granted until you have a cold?
When you lose your sense of smell, you suddenly realise what an impact it has on your day to day life. It is crucial to the taste of food, reminds you of certain places and people, and it can even inform you of danger.
Today’s guest is Dr. Alex Rhys-Taylor, a sociologist from Goldsmiths University in Lo
Ep 16: Unofficial Britain: Everyday Myth, Magic, & Folklore ft. Gareth E. Rees
Have you ever wondered about the myth and folklore surrounding you on your trip to Ikea for that new flat pack wardrobe? Or the strange world that exists in Tesco’s car park when you do your weekly shop? Perhaps not - but today's guest, Gareth E. Rees, certainly has.
Gareth has made it his mission to explore the magic of the everyday by recontextualising the unloved spaces we occupy in modern lif
Ep 17: Liminality from an Archaeological perspective ft. Rebecca Lambert
In today’s episode, I chat with Archaeological researcher Rebecca Lambert. Bec's love for both contemporary and Neolithic liminal space informs her fresh perspective on how we perceive the world around us.
Bec has four key research projects, all of which exhibit her interest in liminality - 'Dialects of the Hum', 'Future Ghosts – We Are All Ghosts in the Making', 'Underpasses are Liminal Spaces',
Ep 18: The Macabre World Of Dark Tourism ft. Dr Philip Stone
As the founding director of the Institute for Dark Tourism Research (iDTR), it would be fair to say that today's guest has a penchant for the macabre.
Dr Philip Stone was introduced to 'dark tourism' twenty years ago, long before travel vloggers and Netflix documentaries got hold of the term. Since then, he has established himself as a figurehead in bringing this dark world to light.
Aside from
Ep 19: Zines with a sense of place ft. Kieran Cutting, Christian Kitson, Richard Daniels & Simon Moreton
This year, I’ve read some great zines that each explore sense of place in their own unique ways. Hence, I thought it would be nice to chat with some of the creators behind them!
First, I speak with Kieran Cutting and Christian Kitson, creators of Lost Futures. Lost Futures explores 'worlds that could have been, should have been, or weren’t'.
Then, I chat with Richard Daniels, creator of Occultaria
Ep 20: Islands of Abandonment: Life in the Post-Human Landscape ft. Cal Flyn
Have you ever wondered what happens to the places abandoned by humans as a result of war, nuclear damage, or just the cruel hand of time?
Initially, it may sound rather bleak, but today’s guest has found some silver linings amongst the ruins.
In today’s episode, I chat to author and journalist, Cal Flyn, about her second non-fiction book, 'Islands of Abandonment: Life in the Post-Human Landscape'
Ep 21: Exploring Post War & Contemporary Architecture ft. John Grindrod
In today’s episode, I chat with author John Grindrod. John’s work explores Britain’s post-war and contemporary architecture from a personal and sociohistorical perspective. John describes his books as being for those of us who are fascinated by the modern histories of our towns, cities, and suburbs - but also aren’t quite sure what to make of them.
John has published four books: Concretopia: A Jo
Ep 22: Music with a sense of place: Rocketman ft. Lizzy Laurance
Lizzy Laurence is a London based sound artist who creates music inspired by spatial locations. She stiches together 'found' music and ambient sound to create her tracks.
In today’s episode I chat with Lizzy about her debut album Rocketman (I know what you are thinking, but no - it is very different!) the album was created while she was an artist in residence aboard Illutron, an old dredging boat
Ep 23: Photography and a sense of place: Autochrome
In today’s episode it’s just going to be you and me! Think of today’s episode as a little introduction / taster exploring the connection between photography and a sense of place, as well as introducing you to the magical world of Autochrome!
Photographers discussed:
Mervyn O'Gorman
Heinrich Kühn
Jacob Olie Jr.
Wilhelm Tobien
I’d love to know what you think about autochrome’s and if photographs
Ep 24: The Uncanny: Freud, Ghost Stories & Christmas ft. Richard V. Hirst
Richard V Hirst is an award-winning writer and editor with a love for the uncanny, ghost stories and winter - the perfect Christmas guest!
In today's episode we explore the concept of the uncanny- what it means, and where the idea originates from. We then look at it's relationship with place, and finish up with an exploration of the uncanny in literature, with a particular focus on Christmas ghos
Ep 25: Mudlarking & London Clay ft. Tom Chivers
Tom Chivers is a writer, publisher and Mudlark (someone who searches for objects on the banks of the River Thames).
In 2021, Tom wrote ‘London Clay: Journeys in the Deep City’, which was described by Becky Wragg Sykes as “an intoxicating voyage into urban time and place, revealing the city’s geological skeleton...”. During the episode, Tom and I discuss ‘London Clay,' his passion for Mudlarking, a
Ep 26: Making Sense With All the Senses: Tangible Territory, Artistic Research & Dining in the Dark ft. Dr Tereza Stehlíková
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Tereza Stehlíková, a Czech artist, researcher and lecturer currently serving as the head of the Visual Arts Department at the University of Creative Communication, Prague.
Through her extensive body of artistic work and academic research, Tereza explores how we experience spaces/places through the senses. During our conversation, I find out what got Tereza intere
Ep 27: Out Of Sight And In Your Face: Street Art & Graffiti ft. Chris Pensa
While graffiti might have modern connotations, it’s existed for thousands of years. The act of creative expression on walls and other surfaces is observable in many different forms - and there’s always been plenty of conflicting opinions about it!
In today’s episode, I chat with Chris Pensa, a street art expert and former art auctioneer at Sotheby's.
Chris is the founder of The House of Graffiti,
Ep 28: Sunken Lands: A Journey Through Flooded Kingdoms and Lost Worlds ft. Gareth E. Rees
I’m pleased to welcome back writer Gareth E. Rees for round two on the podcast! This time, we explore his latest book Sunken Lands: A Journey Through Flooded Kingdoms and Lost Worlds.
Drawing on the book's central themes, Gareth and I discuss the history of flood myths and their continued relevance in the face of the climate crisis. We also chat about the often-overlooked capabilities of the past
Ep 29: Lost in the Garden: Folk Horror, Hauntology & Misremembered Nostalgia ft. Adam S. Leslie
‘Like an old wives’ tale, like a piece of wisdom passed down through generations which no one questioned or even thought about too hard. Like folklore. It was just something everyone knew, a rule to be followed.
Don’t go to Almanby’.
In today’s episode I chat to author and screenwriter Adam S. Leslie about his debut novel, Lost in the Garden which follows three friends as they journey to the v
Ep 30: Place Authenticity ft. Ashley N. Krause
Have you ever wondered why certain places feel more ‘authentic’ or why you seem to be a more genuine version of yourself in a particular setting? It turns out, there might be a psychological explanation for that!
In today’s episode, I chat with Ashley N. Krause, a doctoral candidate from the University of Florida who is studying the psychology of place and well-being. Ashley takes a socioecologica
Ep 31: The importance of lifelines & finding home in our shared world ft. Julian Hoffman
Lifelines can express many things—from rivers flowing downstream, to the places we call home. They can represent pathways that cross and entwine, and highlight the importance of our co-existence within the wild world.
In today’s episode, I’m joined by writer Julian Hoffman to discuss his latest book, Lifelines: Searching for Home in the Mountains of Greece. The book follows Julian’s move from Lond
Ep 32: Christmas Tat Chat: Believing in Father Christmas, OTT decorations, festive films, music & presents ft. Adam S. Leslie
Adam S. Leslie, author of Lost in the Garden makes his return to the podcast to talk about the lighter (and commercialised!) side of Christmas. We discuss the magic and excitement of Christmas growing up, the joy of tatty decorations and cosy Christmas lights, Christmas music, films, and TV, as well as recurring nostalgia, and the noticeable change in atmosphere between the Christmas and New Year
Ep 33: Tales of the Suburbs: LGBTQ+ Lives Behind Net Curtains ft. John Grindrod
Social historian of modern places John Grindrod returns to the podcast! John has written a new book Tales of the Suburbs: LGBTQ+ Lives Behind Net Curtains which explores the hidden LGBTQ+ histories of suburbia through personal stories and archive material from the 20th century.
During the episode John and I explore how place shapes LGBTQ+ identity and belonging. We discuss the sometimes performati
Ep 34: Built to Function Forgotten to Feel: Boring Benches, Bland Bus Stops & Nondescript New Builds
In this solo episode I explore how architecture and everyday functional objects in public spaces can impact our day to day, without us even realising it! From characterless cars and bland bus stops to nondescript new builds, why does it sometimes feel like modern designs are uninspiring compared to older ones? Is that even true?
In today’s episode I draw on thoughts from designers, architects and
