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Welcome to this special episode of the Journal of Biophilic Design podcast. We're really excited to share this feature from our very first Biophilic Design Conference, which took place at the iconic Barbican Centre in London. It was a landmark moment — the UK's first-ever conference dedicated entirely to biophilic design — and we were joined by an amazing lineup of experts, designers and researchers exploring how connecting people and nature through design can transform our buildings and cities. This year's conference is back — bigger and better than ever — at Westminster Central Hall in London on Sunday, 17th November. https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/biophilic-design-conference Join us for a day of inspiring talks, interactive sessions, and meaningful connections with the people who are shaping the future of design for wellbeing, sustainability and climate resilience.This special edition of the Journal of Biophilic Design podcast is a podcast recorded by our friends at Workplace Geeks, Ian Ellison and Chris Moriarty. Host Ian Ellison sets out to explore a big question: Is biophilic design simply good design, or something we need to intentionally spotlight because of its unique importance to people, place and planet?In this deep dive, Ian speaks with a host of experts and thought leaders — including Dr Nigel Oseland, Dr Sally Augustin, Oliver Heath, Prof Harriet Shortt, Mark Catchlove, Dr Vanessa Champion, Matthew Burgess, Chloe Bullock, and Prof Geoff Proffitt — to unpack the science, theory, and lived experience behind biophilic design.You'll hear:The psychological and evolutionary roots of our natural affinity for nature.Insights from the UK's first Biophilic Design Conference and what made the Barbican such a fascinating venue.Real-world examples of biophilic design in action — from workplaces and clinics to urban spaces and beyond.Tune in to reflect, challenge assumptions, and join the ongoing conversation: is biophilic design just a feel-good concept, or is it the future of how we should be designing every environment?Book tickets to the 2nd Biophilic Design Conference - join us in PERSON and ONLINE https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/biophilic-design-conferenceSession schedule : https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/-2025-conference-sessionsConnect with the Workplace Geeks community:Share your thoughts using #WorkplaceGeeks or email hello@workplacegeeks.org.Follow @WorkplaceGeeks on LinkedIn and subscribe for more thought-provoking insights on workplace and design. To listen to the original visit https://www.buzzsprout.com/1933353/episodes/16903582-biophilic-design-buzzword-or-big-deal-a-workplace-geeks-investigationThey also have a listener survey live at the moment, with prizes, so do the survey too, that would be superb https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WGls2025sv/Have you got a copy of the Journal? You can now subscribe as a member of the Journal of Biophilic Design or purchase a gorgeous coffee table reference copy or PDF download of the Journal journalofbiophilicdesign.comor Amazon and Kindle. Credits: with thanks to George Harvey Audio Production for the calming biophilic soundscape that backs all of our podcasts. Listen to our podcast on Audible, Amazon Music, Spotify, iTunes, YouTube and all the RSS feeds.https://www.facebook.com/journalofbiophilicdesign/https://twitter.com/JofBiophilicDsnhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/journalofbiophilicdesign/https://www.instagram.com/journalofbiophilicdesignIf you like this,please subscribe!
In her latest novel, One Aladdin Two Lamps, the writer Jeanette Winterson takes inspiration from the legendary story of Shahrazad in One Thousand and One Nights. But she calls on the reader to look again at stories we think we know, unpick how fiction works, and have the courage to challenge and change the narrative.The saxophonist and presenter Soweto Kinch will perform his new album, Soundtrack to the Apocalypse, with the London Symphony Orchestra (at the Barbican, London, on Friday 14th November), combining British jazz, hip-hop and orchestral music. This is the finale of his acclaimed trilogy of politically charged, genre-defying works that tell different stories of the past, present and future. The former MP Rory Stewart spent nearly a decade in Britain's most rural constituency, Penrith and Borders, and wrote a column for a local newspaper. In Middleland: Dispatches from the Borders he's collected together these fragmentary moments from rural life and local politics to capture a wide-ranging portrait of life and stories from the Cumbrian countryside. Producer: Katy Hickman Assistant Producer: Natalia Fernandez
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under “Barbican Station”. This episode I have an interview with Nick Mohammed who plays Mayor Jaffrey on SLOW HORSES. We talk about his playing a politician on show and why we're interested in spies behaving badly. Plus what's it like joining the … Continue reading Barbican Station – Nick Mohammed Interview and Season 5 wrap-up
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under "Barbican Station”. This episode I have an interview with Nick Mohammed who plays Mayor Jaffrey on SLOW HORSES. We talk about his playing a politician on show and why we're interested in spies behaving badly. Plus what's it like joining the … Continue reading Barbican Station – Nick Mohammed Interview and Season 5 wrap-up
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under “Barbican Station”. We are here to recap all the action in the new series Down Cemetery Road based on the book by Mick Herron. I'm pleased to welcome back Keir Graff to talk all the action and changes from the book … Continue reading Barbican Station – Down Cemetery Road Season 1 Episode 1 and 2 – Recap
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under "Barbican Station”. We are here to recap all the action in the new series Down Cemetery Road based on the book by Mick Herron. I'm pleased to welcome back Keir Graff to talk all the action and changes from the book … Continue reading Barbican Station – Down Cemetery Road Season 1 Episode 1 and 2 – Recap
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under “Barbican Station”. Welcome back as we look at season finale of season 5 of SLOW HORSES. I'm pleased to welcome back Matthew Bradford to the show for his traditional role of clean up man on the finale episode of the season. … Continue reading Barbican Station – Season 5 Episode 6 – Recap
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under "Barbican Station”. Welcome back as we look at season finale of season 5 of SLOW HORSES. I'm pleased to welcome back Matthew Bradford to the show for his traditional role of clean up man on the finale episode of the season. … Continue reading Barbican Station – Season 5 Episode 6 – Recap
Are you watching Blue Lights? If not, why not? On this episode is one of the stars of the Belfast-based cop drama. She's a star of stage and screen at the peak of her acting prowess. You may have seen her as Sherlock' Holmes' evil sister in Sherlock alongside Benedict Cumberbatch or starring opposite Suranne Jones in Doctor Foster. If you're really lucky you may have even seen her break-out theatre role as Ophelia in Hamlet at London's Barbican. Sian rarely does podcast interviews - so what an honour to share a couple of glasses of wine and a really lovely chat about the confidence gained from early drama classes, the women who've reached down to help her on her journey, and the illness that nearly ended her career before it really began. Sit back, grab whatever drink you fancy and enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Goevert, Tobias www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de, Fazit
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under “Barbican Station”. This episode I have an interview with Hiba Bennani who plays Tara on SLOW HORSES. We talk about this season and the surprising turn we see in episode 5. Plus how she integrated into the cast and that nightclub … Continue reading Barbican Station – Hiba Bennani Interview
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under "Barbican Station”. This episode I have an interview with Hiba Bennani who plays Tara on SLOW HORSES. We talk about this season and the surprising turn we see in episode 5. Plus how she integrated into the cast and that nightclub … Continue reading Barbican Station – Hiba Bennani Interview
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under “Barbican Station”. Welcome back as we look at season 5 episode 5 of SLOW HORSES. I'm pleased to welcome author and podcaster Keir Graff to the show to talk through this penultimate episode of the season. We talk about track suits, … Continue reading Barbican Station – Season 5 Episode 5 – Recap
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under "Barbican Station”. Welcome back as we look at season 5 episode 5 of SLOW HORSES. I'm pleased to welcome author and podcaster Keir Graff to the show to talk through this penultimate episode of the season. We talk about track suits, … Continue reading Barbican Station – Season 5 Episode 5 – Recap
Today I talk to Ellen E Jones the winner of the Kraszna- Krausz Moving Image Book Awards 2025. The event at the Barbican to celebrate Ellen's win is on 27 October - https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2025/event/imitation-of-life-12-with-introduction-reception Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We're back at Woof Fest with a Jennifer Coolidge lookalike. Geoff name drops to a 12-year-old. Plus Jackson Lamb, Ho, Standish, Tavener, et al, and more mentions of our time spent at the Barbican. Did we mention we stayed in the Barbican? Write to us: fuckoff@firecrotchandnormcore.comFund our closets (we can't tell you how much we're about to spend on closets, but it's heartbreaking) patreon.com/theyliketowatchEdited by Annabel Port who is a young gun on the TikTok now! Check her out: https://bit.ly/4n8Xhlv Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under “Barbican Station”. Welcome back as we look at season 5 episode 4 of SLOW HORSES. I'm pleased to welcome back author Frank Sennett to the show to break down everything we saw in this episode. We talk about a the proper … Continue reading Barbican Station – Season 5 Episode 4 – Recap
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under "Barbican Station”. Welcome back as we look at season 5 episode 4 of SLOW HORSES. I'm pleased to welcome back author Frank Sennett to the show to break down everything we saw in this episode. We talk about a the proper … Continue reading Barbican Station – Season 5 Episode 4 – Recap
Of the 7,000 languages estimated to exist, half will have disappeared by the end of this century. That's the stark warning from the Director of the Endangered Languages Archive, Mandana Seyfeddinipur. The evolution of languages, and their rise and fall, is part of human history, but the speed at which this is happening today is unprecedented. Mandana will be appearing at the inaugural Voiced: The Festival for Endangered Languages at the Barbican in October. A sense of loss also runs through Sverker Sörlin's love letter to snow. The professor of Environmental History in Stockholm writes about the infinite variety of water formulations, frozen in air, in ‘Snö: A History' (translated by Elizabeth DeNoma), and his fears about the vanishing white landscapes of his youth.In the Arctic the transformation from frozen desert into an international waterway is gathering pace. Klaus Dodds is Professor of Geopolitics at Royal Holloway, University of London and with co-author Mia Bennett sets out the fight and the future of the Arctic in ‘Unfrozen'. While territorial contest and resource exploitation is causing tensions within the region, there is also potential for new ways of working, from Indigenous governance to subsea technologies.Producer: Katy Hickman Assistant Producer: Natalia Fernandez
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under “Barbican Station”. This episode I have an interview with James Callis who plays Claude Whelan on SLOW HORSES. We talk about this season and Claude's role as First Desk, Claude's wife and his inability to take control. We also get into … Continue reading Barbican Station – James Callis Interview
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under "Barbican Station”. This episode I have an interview with James Callis who plays Claude Whelan on SLOW HORSES. We talk about this season and Claude's role as First Desk, Claude's wife and his inability to take control. We also get into … Continue reading Barbican Station – James Callis Interview
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under “Barbican Station”. Welcome back as we look at season 5 episode 3 of SLOW HORSES. I'm pleased to welcome back Gary to the show to break down everything we learned in this episode. We talk about a lockdown that isn't COVID … Continue reading Barbican Station – Season 5 Episode 3 – Recap
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under "Barbican Station”. Welcome back as we look at season 5 episode 3 of SLOW HORSES. I'm pleased to welcome back Gary to the show to break down everything we learned in this episode. We talk about a lockdown that isn't COVID … Continue reading Barbican Station – Season 5 Episode 3 – Recap
For the British writer and cultural critic Olivia Laing, restoring and tending to their backyard garden has prompted complex questions of power, community, and mystery, concepts that they beautifully excavate in their latest book, the fascinating and mind-expanding The Garden Against Time: In Search of a Common Paradise. Whether in their nonfiction works, including the critically acclaimed The Lonely City (2016), their art and culture writing and criticism (2020's Funny Weather: Art in an Emergency), or their novels (2018's Crudo and the forthcoming The Silver Book, out this November), Laing turns an incisive eye to examining what it will take for people—our “temporal selves,” as they put it—to forgo loneliness and isolation, reconnect with nature and one another, and flourish on a planet in crisis.On this episode, recorded in their apartment at the Barbican in London, Laing explores gardening and writing's symbiotic relationship; the act of rebelling against a reactive culture by embracing slowness; and the importance of imagining, in vivid detail, the kinds of utopias we could one day very well live in.Special thanks to our Season 12 presenting sponsor, Van Cleef & Arpels.Show notes:Olivia Laing[4:35] The Barbican[7:39] “The Garden Against Time” (2024)[7:53] Mark Rumary[9:08] Notcutts[14:08] “The Lonely City: Adventures in the Art of Being Alone” (2016)[16:07] Jhumpa Lahiri[18:41] Piet Oudolf[19:21] Middleton Place[19:21] The Sackler family[22:54] “Modern Nature” (1991)[24:07] “Paradise Lost” (1667)[25:40] “The Secret Garden” (1911)[25:40] “Tom's Midnight Garden” (1958)[29:29] “The Garden” (1681)[30:29] “Everybody: A Book About Freedom” (2021) [35:07] “The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma” (2014)[39:57] David Wojnarowicz's "Magic Box"[39:57] Ana Mendieta[40:51] Agnes Martin[43:08] “Funny Weather: Art in an Emergency” (2020) [45:29] “Crudo” (2018) [48:20] “A Dance to the Music of Time” (1951–1975) [50:29] “The Silver Book” (2025)[52:48] Federico Fellini[52:48] Pier Paolo Pasolini[55:17] “News from Nowhere” (1890)
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under “Barbican Station”. This episode I have an interview with Ruth Bradley who plays Emma Flyte on SLOW HORSES. We talk about this season and Emma's relationship with Diana Taverner. Ruth talks about that epic fight from season four, acting with Christopher … Continue reading Barbican Station – Ruth Bradley Interview
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under "Barbican Station”. This episode I have an interview with Ruth Bradley who plays Emma Flyte on SLOW HORSES. We talk about this season and Emma's relationship with Diana Taverner. Ruth talks about that epic fight from season four, acting with Christopher … Continue reading Barbican Station – Ruth Bradley Interview
Hailing from Cork, Ireland, songwriters Cathal Coughlan and Sean O'Hagan formed the band Microdisney in 1980. After relocating to London in 1983, the band recorded six Peel Sessions for BBC Radio and released their debut album for Rough Trade called 'Everybody Is Fantastic'. This week's guest, musician, filmmaker, podcaster and radio host Alexei Shishkin, joins us to discuss the band and that record. The duo's combination of lushly orchestrated pop paired with wryly poetic, at times biting lyrics were right up Alexei's musical alley, and we're here for it! Songs discussed in this episode: Dear Rosemary - Microdisney; Disco Elysium, Tiki Taka - Alexei Shishkin; Palm Of My Hand - The Pale Fountains; Horse Overboard - Microdisney; Pack Yr Romantic Mind - Stereolab; Blues For Ceausescu - The Fatima Mansions; McCardle Brown - Sean O'Hagan; Idea, A Few Kisses, Escalator In The Rain - Microdisney; Half A Person - The Smiths; Dolly (Live, Barbican sessions 2018), Dolly - Microdisney; The King Of Rock 'N' Roll - Prefab Sprout; Dreaming Drains, I'll Be A Gentleman, Moon, Sun, Sleepless, Come On Over and Cry, This Liberal Love, Before Famine, Everybody Is Dead, Everybody Is Dead (Peel session) - Microdisney; Ode To Carl Dennis - Alexei Shishkin
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under “Barbican Station”. Welcome back as we look at season 5 episode 2 of SLOW HORSES. I'm pleased to welcome back Dr. Mary to the show to break down all the details of this episode. We talk about the Roddy's apartment, that … Continue reading Barbican Station – Season 5 Episode 2 – Recap
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under "Barbican Station”. Welcome back as we look at season 5 episode 2 of SLOW HORSES. I'm pleased to welcome back Dr. Mary to the show to break down all the details of this episode. We talk about the Roddy's apartment, that … Continue reading Barbican Station – Season 5 Episode 2 – Recap
Secret filming by the BBC's Panorama programme last night revealed evidence of racism, misogyny and officers revelling in the use of force at one of London's busiest police stations. Panorama's evidence suggests that a toxic culture still exists inside the Met and that racist and misogynistic attitudes haven't been eliminated but have been driven underground. Anita Rani speaks to Matt Jukes, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.The secrets we keep reflect the conventions, taboos and laws of the outside world, and women have traditionally had the bigger burden of secrets, often unable to reveal things that could get them or others judged, in society or by law. Anita talks to Juliet Nicolson about her new book The Book of Revelations which explores secrets through social history, her own family and many case studies she spoke to. The conservationist and primatologist Dame Jane Goodall died yesterday, aged 91. According to the Jane Goodall Institute, she died of natural causes in California where she was staying as part of a speaking tour in the US. There has been tributes from around the world. Joining me Anita to remember this ground-breaking conservationist who revolutionised the study of great apes is wildlife biologist, National Geographic Explorer and President of the Wildlife Trust, Liz Bonnin, and Jillian Miller who is the director of the Gorilla Organisation who work to save gorillas from extinction.From gowns buried underground to transforming fabrics with melted bandages, fashion has a history of exploring the aesthetics of dirt and decay. A new exhibition at the Barbican, Dirty Looks, explores 50 years of designers from Vivienne Westwood to Alexander McQueen, who used dirt and distress to make statements about luxury, beauty, class and the environment. The exhibition also looks at waste as fashion is now one of the most polluting industries in the world. Anita is joined by the exhibition's curator, Karen Van Godtsenhoven, and artist and designer, Michaela Stark, whose work challenges ideas of imperfection.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Rebecca Myatt
Violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen talks candidly about the additive experience of motherhood in this podcast episode recorded on Barbican terrace in mid-September 2025.
Send us a textMy guest on the podcast this week is the completely wonderful Bibi Lynch.Bibi is a journalist, writer, broadcaster, podcaster and live event host. She's had columns in GQ, Red, New Woman and Grazia; written for most of the Nationals (currently the Guardian, The Independent, The Times and Metro); presented radio shows and interview series for BBC Radio London, BBC Radio Sussex and Soho Radio; co-hosted metro.co.uk's Good Sex Bad Sex pod and fronted the Let's Get Frank podcast — where she dated people called Frank. As well as her writing and broadcast work, she hosts panels and interviews — at Saatchi, The Hoxton, the Barbican and, with her Dirty Talk series, at the Groucho Club in Soho. She co-wrote Graham Norton's ITV late-nite comedy quiz, Carnal Knowledge; she created WHIPs (Women who are Hot, Intelligent and in their Prime – or Primark if times are tough); and HuffPost voted her one of the ‘50 Funniest Women on Twitter'. #RIP. (She is currently tracking the other 49 down.) She's a World Childless Week ambassador and a Storyhouse Childless contributor. In this conversation, Bibi and I delve into — among other things — the societal stigma associated with singlehood and childlessness, the grief that comes with not having children, the importance of community, reframing the societal narrative, hidden homelessness, and the vitriol that she has received off the back of her writing about childlessness. We also talk about Bibi's exciting future plans, the joy and fulfillment that can be found in embracing life's unexpected paths, and the power of shifting your mindset.04:24 Bibi's Background and Career06:49 The Challenges and Joys of Adult Friendships12:40 Aging and Confidence: WHIPs26:07 The Reality of Being Single and Childless42:05 Facing Grief and Public Scrutiny44:17 Unexpected Hate Mail45:31 Accusations of Misogyny46:38 The Struggles of Being Childless48:48 Hidden Homelessness and Resilience55:34 Finding Stability and Reframing Life57:56 Future Aspirations and Success Redefined01:07:19 Navigating the Dating World01:10:23 Final Thoughts and Words of WisdomFollow Bibi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bibilynch/?hl=enCheck out Bibi's website: https://bibilynch.com/Support the showOrder my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under “Barbican Station”. This episode I have an interview with Christopher Chung who plays Roddy Ho on SLOW HORSES. We talk about this season and how Roddy is living his best life. Christopher goes into how the collaboration with the many different … Continue reading Barbican Station – Christopher Chung Interview
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under "Barbican Station”. This episode I have an interview with Christopher Chung who plays Roddy Ho on SLOW HORSES. We talk about this season and how Roddy is living his best life. Christopher goes into how the collaboration with the many different … Continue reading Barbican Station – Christopher Chung Interview
This week for Fashun, Penelope Noir talks about Dirty Looks: Desire and Decay in Fashion a show currently on at the Barbican in London. Penelope Noir and Milly chat about grubby clothing and what it has to say about fashion on the whole. Whakarongo mai nei!
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under “Barbican Station”. Welcome back as we return to look at season 5 of SLOW HORSES. This season is an adaptation of the Mick Herron novel London Rules. I'm pleased to welcome back Scott Hardy from the SpyHards podcast to the show. … Continue reading Barbican Station – Season 5 Episode 1 – Recap
Find all previous and future episodes listed here or in your podcast app under "Barbican Station”. Welcome back as we return to look at season 5 of SLOW HORSES. This season is an adaptation of the Mick Herron novel London Rules. I'm pleased to welcome back Scott Hardy from the SpyHards podcast to the show. … Continue reading Barbican Station – Season 5 Episode 1 – Recap
Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious.It was a delight to chat with vocalist, violinist and composer Alice Zawadski. She was awarded Jazz Vocalist of the Year at the 2025 Jazz FM awards and I saw her perform at Watford Jazz Junction in May and at the Barbican in June. As we spoke recently, she's preparing for her appearance at the K-Music Festival 2025 with Korean ensemble Hilgeum. As well as discussing aspects of her music in general, we also spoke about the time she spent in South Korea as part of this latest collaboration.Thanks to Alice for allowing me to use clips from her latest album - Za Gorami - alongside our conversation. That album features Fred Thomas on piano and Misha Mullov-Abbado on bass, who I interviewed back in August. We also touched on Alice's work with bassist Daniel Casimir, who I interviewed while at Love Supreme in July.Get in touch to let me know what you think!Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."Support the showRead reviews of albums and gigs and find out more about me at hilaryseabrook.co.ukFollow me on instagram.com/hilseabrookFollow me on facebook.com/HilarySeabrookFreelanceWriterFollow me on twitter.com/hilaryrwriter
In our third episode of The Rise of A24 series, we are covering Kogonada's quiet meditation on familial AI, After Yang (2022) alongside the wondrous Late Spring (1949) by Yasujiro Ozu. Special Guest - Lillian Crawford is a freelance writer covering film and culture for publications including Sight & Sound, BBC Culture, The Guardian, Times Literary Supplement. In addition to her writing, Lillian is a prolific programmer and curator, including for the BFI, the Barbican, the Garden Cinema, and the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Dan is unable to hide his adoration Kogonada's debut film Columbus (2017). It currently ranks 7th on his best films of the 21st Century (so far) List. His follow-up, After Yang, is a more murkier affair. Set in a future where robots have become immediate family members, Kogonada attempts to humanize and ground sci-fi in a hazy emotional uncanny valley. Are we supposed to feel for the AI as we would a human or are we just mirroring our own subjective experiences onto an avatar? Rather than providing answers, the film drifts between aching grief, transcendent love, and non-dystopic visions of the future.Yasujiro Ozu is clearly a massive influence on Kogonada, and it is easy to see why with his film Late Spring (1949), a gorgeous melodrama about a daughter growing apart from her father. The film probably shares more with Kogonada's Columbus in its interplay between emotion and the natural world. Ozu is able to conjure the most hidden and profound emotions from his actors and the story. At the same time, he crafts a meticulous narrative that continues to propel forward even as the external drama remains subtle. A true masterpiece of filmmaking.
If two people could combat our growing urban disconnection, it is Adam White and Andrée Davies of Davies White Limited. I met them at our first Biophilic Design Conference at the Barbican, and immediately warmed to their infectious passion for better landscape design. Design which helps reimagine spaces from playgrounds to hospitals through a beautiful and playful biophilic lens, pulling on our emotional responses to nature. They construct, if you will, beautiful narratives of human-nature coexistence. Instead of viewing landscapes as static backdrops, they help encourage us to understand them as dynamic, living systems that actively shape human experience and ecological health. I think it's the creativity I love most about their work. The balance of science, planning and artistry. Their approach is rooted in a deep understanding of ecological systems and human psychology. With projects ranging from micro-forest playgrounds to hospital gardens, each is designed to restore our biophilic fundamental relationship with the natural world. Take their recent West London micro-forest playground project. By densely planting trees and creating intricate ecological landscapes, they're not merely designing a play area, but constructing a living classroom. The project embodies their core belief: that understanding nature begins with immersive, tactile experiences. Those of us who live and breathe biophilic design, this philosophy aligns with scientific research. Studies consistently demonstrate that exposure to natural environments reduces stress, enhances cognitive function, and promotes emotional well-being. Adam himself references Florence Williams' "The Nature Fix", which explores how nature can make us "happier, healthier, and more creative". Also, their approach supports the positive economic argument for biophilic design. Their pocket park project in London demonstrated that nature-rich spaces can increase property values and biodiversity simultaneously. Plus, a collaboration with Anglian Water explored how housing developments could integrate resilient, nature-focused landscapes, and they are advocating a new “Resilient Garden” rating, which like the EPC rating on a house, could add value to a property if reported along with a house sale. I think this is a brilliant idea. It will get real estate developers and property owners totally thinking differently about their homes and land. This "resilient garden and landscape accreditation scheme" would be an ecological equivalent to energy ratings for buildings. This could revolutionise how we value and integrate natural systems into our built environment Policy is slowly catching up. The introduction of a Natural History GCSE this September (which they both, along with others, including Mary Colwell I interviewed a couple of years back) represents a significant milestone. "If children don't understand nature, they won't appreciate it, and if they don't appreciate it, they won't protect it," Adam recalls Sir David Attenborough telling him – a statement that has become a guiding principle for their work. "We don't stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing," Adam reminds us, and their hospital design interventions are creative, beautiful and indeed playful. By creating gardens with living elements like water pumps, rabbits, and carefully selected native plants, they transform clinical spaces into healing ecosystems. These actively support patient recovery. As climate change accelerates, landscape architecture becomes a critical tool for resilience. Their designs are also adaptive systems that can mitigate environmental challenges while supporting human and ecological well-being. What I love about their work is that they challenge the notion that sustainable design is prohibitively expensive. By using creative, low-cost interventions like raised planting containers and willow pods, they demonstrate that ecological design can be accessible and scalable. I have to call out one specific example of climate resilience from their work, and that is at Nene Park Trust in Cambridgeshire. They used swales to manage water collection during heavy rainfall. These swales are designed to be both functional and interactive, with bridges and stepping stones that children can use to cross them. Their conscious approach to help with water management through strategically designed swales, planting of resilient vegetation that can thrive in changing conditions and creating a playful landscape that serves both ecological and recreational purposes really deserves visiting and using as an exemplar of best practice. They've been working with the park trust for 15 years, and when they revisited the site recently, they were impressed by how the planting had thrived in conditions that might typically challenge other landscapes. Andrée shared that we need a better understanding "nature's time" - recognising that landscapes develop and improve over years, with plants establishing and becoming more robust over time. This approach is inherently climate-resilient, as it focuses on creating adaptable, living systems rather than static, rigid designs. As the next generation of designers emerges – armed with natural history education and a deep ecological consciousness – we hope we can anticipate even more transformative approaches to landscape design. The message is clear. Design is not about creating spaces for humans but creating spaces with humans as PART of a complex, interconnected ecological system. Biophilic landscape architecture is a powerful tool for healing our disconnection from the natural world.RHS Back to Nature - Design Engagement - https://www.davieswhite.co.uk/nature-play-workshop Davies White Ltd Landscape Architects - https://www.davieswhite.co.uk/ If you like this, please subscribe!Have you got a copy of the Journal? You can now subscribe as a member of the Journal of Biophilic Design or purchase a gorgeous coffee table reference copy or PDF download of the Journal journalofbiophilicdesign.comor Amazon and Kindle. Biophilic Design Conference www.biophilicdesignconference.comCredits: with thanks to George Harvey Audio Production for the calming biophilic soundscape that backs all of our podcasts. Listen to our podcast on Audible, Amazon Music, Spotify, iTunes, YouTube and all the RSS feeds.https://www.facebook.com/journalofbiophilicdesign/https://twitter.com/JofBiophilicDsnhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/journalofbiophilicdesign/https://www.instagram.com/journalofbiophilicdesign
This week, George Berridge instructs Lucy and Alex on the noble art of oenophilia; and Lucy takes in a trio of musicals.'Who's Afraid of Romanée-Conti: A shortcut to drinking great wines', by Dan Keeling'One Thousand Vines: A new way to understand wine', by Pascaline Peltier'Good Night, Oscar', by Doug Wright, Barbican, until September 21'Top Hat', by Irving Berlin, Chichester Festival Theatre, until September 6'Brigadoon', by Alan Lerner and Frederick Loewe, adapted by Rona Munro, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, until September 20Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
West End star Rosalie Craig will be returning to the stage this summer to appear alongside Sean Hayes in the London transfer of Good Night, Oscar, now playing at the Barbican Theatre. We sat down to have a virtual chat about the show, why it fits the Barbican so well and how for Craig, it's something of a homecoming. Beyond that, she also pined for an actor-musician version of Company – perhaps reuniting with her former co-star, and clarinet-playing friend, Jonathan Bailey... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tom Sutcliffe speaks to Sean Hayes, best known for his role as Jack in Will and Grace. Now he's playing pianist Oscar Levant in Broadway hit Good Night Oscar, which has just opened at the Barbican in London.Dmitri Shostakovich wrote his Symphony No 5 under massive pressure, having been denounced by Stalin the year before during the great purge of 1936. The success of Symphony No 5 saved his career, and now it's being performed from memory by the Aurora Orchestra for the BBC Proms. Nicholas Collon, Conductor of the Aurora Orchestra and Professor Marina Frolovo-Walker discuss.K-Pop Demon Hunters has just become the most successful animation ever on Netflix, and the show's music, by a fictional band, has made it to number one in charts both sides of the Atlantic. The BBC's Julie Yoonnyung Lee tells us about the surprising trend of 2025.Two playwrights on the Edinburgh fringe are putting white supremacy under the spotlight: Priyanka Shetty's #Charlottesville, and Gabriel Jason Dean's play Rift. Both draw on the personal experiences of their writers. Priyanka and Gabriel join us on the line from Edinburgh.
Send us your thoughts! Fini joins Rob Cope to chat about her 5th studio album, Last Night of the World. Fini Bearman is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist & composer who has built an impressive profile on the UK Jazz scene as both an imaginative and expressive soloist and as a side-woman. She tours regularly across Europe and notable performances include Ronnie Scotts, The Sage Gateshead, The Barbican, The A-Trane (Berlin), Cafe Mercedes Jazz (Valencia), Manzioli (Izola, Slovenia) and Dizzys (Jazz at the Lincoln Center, New York). Festival highlights include the London Jazz Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, Berlin Jazz Festival, 'Jazz Voices' in Lithuania and 'Voicingers' in Poland.Fini has been supported by the Arts Council & Musicians Benevolent Fund and has been nominated for awards including London Jazz Singer of the Year (Global Music Foundation).Support the show
It's Glastonbury weekend, and we're back with the Big Questions.Not a sentence we expected to be saying on No Tags, but we kick off by talking about Will Smith – specifically his recent appearance with London streamer du jour DJ AG. The Fresh Prince is in the middle of a generationally cringe promo run and we've been wanting to discuss AG's streams for a while now, so these two forces colliding over a dubstep remix of the Men in Black theme felt like the perfect opportunity.If you're looking for something more high-brow, well, you still have to get through Tom's full review of the Cooper's Hill Cheese Roll – aka Final Destination: Cotswolds. Once we're through that, it's onto higher ground, debriefing recent experiences at Polyphonic Eating with Yu Su, Warp Records' ‘happening' at The Barbican and a No Tags night out at Corsica for Hodge and Peverelist. Music writers who still go to clubs? Perish the thought!We always say it, but if you like what we're doing on No Tags, please do rate and subscribe on your podcast app of choice – or better yet, leave us a review. This stuff really does help. And if you're really into what we're doing, please consider subscribing to our paid tier for £5 per month. Get full access to No Tags at notagspodcast.substack.com/subscribe
Show Notes: Tanya Selvaratnam shares her journey from high school to present day. She moved to New York after graduating and worked at Columbia Law School's Center for Chinese Legal Studies. She also assisted Anna Deavere Smith on her show “Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992” about the LA riots. Tanya went back to Harvard for graduate school, studying Chinese language and the history of law. An Adventure in Theatre After her father passed away, she returned to New York, where she was working on the Beijing Women's Conference. Wandering the streets one day, she came across The Performing Garage with a poster on the wall for a show by the Wooster Group. On a whim, she slipped a note on the door offering to help in any capacity and was taken on as an intern. Before long, she was asked to come to rehearsals, and, despite having no intentions of becoming a performer, this led to her performing with the Wooster Group. She toured all over the world with them and with other companies like the Builders Association. On Becoming a Film Producer Currently, Tanya writes books and makes movies. She also advises various organizations, foundations, and corporations. She recently started advising the Open Future Lab in Vienna, Austria. She has also worked as a producer, which began when she worked at the Ms. Foundation for Women, on what was then called "Take Our Daughters to Work Day" as well as the Gloria awards. She also worked with Jed Weintrob, whom she had met at Harvard when she was in his production of “Dracula.” In the late 90s, Jed asked her to produce a movie he was writing at the time. It went on to premiere at Sundance and then the Berlinale in 2002. This led to more work as a producer, and Tanya is still currently producing. The Connection between Event Organizer and Film Producer Tanya shares her experiences in organizing events since high school. While at Phillips Academy Andover, she was the head of the South Asian Students Association and served on the divestment committee during apartheid days. She organized events like readings of poetry, essays, and performances to raise awareness about activism and advocacy. After college, she also organized events for the youth tent at the Women's Conference in China, where she performed a piece called "Wet Sari Syndrome," which was a take on Bollywood movies. Tanya learned the craft of producing films directly from her friend and trusted colleague, Jed. She was willing to work hard, focusing on tasks such as finding locations, cleaning up the set, and figuring out what needed to happen to make the film come together. Tanya was able to tap into her resources and connections to make shoots possible and be attentive to Jed's vision. Dealing with Difficult Times The conversation turns to her experience with bullying and harassment, which she has faced in various situations. She deals with this by focusing on her tasks and work. Tanya goes to Portland to write and escape from these situations, as it provides a safe space to escape the pressures of life. She also talks about her two books, The Big Lie: Motherhood, Feminism, and the Reality of the Biological Clock, which grew out of her own struggles with fertility and Assume Nothing: A Story of Intimate Violence. When dealing with fertility issues, Tanya was shocked at the amount of misinformation surrounding fertility awareness. She talks about the problems with sex education in America and how the book changed when she was diagnosed with two types of cancer. In her second book, she shares her experiences of being entrapped in an abusive relationship with former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. She explains why she was motivated to write the book and why she went into hiding after her story first became public. Working with Cultural Institutions Tanya has also worked on cultural events around the world, such as at the Rubell Museum in Miami, the Women's Conference in China, with Anna Deavere Smith and the Wooster Group. She has collaborated with major institutions and museums, such as the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Barbican in London, and Victoria Theatre in Singapore. She toured to 62 cities all over the world in a space of 12 years. She's also worked with the Sundance Film Festival and the New York Film Festival. She talks about The Federation, an organization that aims to show how art unites people and keeps cultural borders open. She recently worked with Carrie Mae Weems at the Torino book fair in Italy. Co-directing and Producing a Documentary Short Tanya co-directed and produced a 13-minute documentary short called Love to the Max, which was acquired by the New Yorker magazine and recently nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary Short. The film was inspired by the mother of Max Briggle, who was targeted for loving and supporting her trans kid. Tanya was inspired to make the film after Max Briggle's mother reached out to a women's listserv for help because she'd been approached by child protection services. Tanya has also been working with Catherine Gund for 17 years, producing a film called Paint Me a Road Out of Here, which is about the interconnected journeys of artists Faith Ringgold and Mary Baxter. She is also working on a new book called Love Me and Leave Me, which is about adventures through intimate pleasure and intimacy in many forms. Influential Harvard Professors and Courses Tanya initially thought she would study science at Harvard but found the large classes to be lacking in intimacy. She became interested in Chinese history and legal history, taking classes with visiting scholars and professors like Chang Weijen, William Alford, Professor Kuhn, and Professor Bol; Caroline Reeves, a graduate student, helped her decide what to explore for her thesis. Timestamps: 05:38: Transition to Producing and Social Justice Work 13:22: Challenges and Learning in the Film Industry 20:28: Personal Struggles and Advocacy 34:07: Work with Museums and Cultural Institutions 37:11: Future Projects and Reflections 41:10: Harvard Experiences and Influences Links: Website: Tanyaturnsup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyaauthor/ Featured Non-profit: The featured non-profit of this episode of The 92 Report is recommended by Olu Ajilore, class of ‘92, who reports: “The featured nonprofit of this episode of The 92 report is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, or AFSP. AFSP is a volunteer organization that supports those affected by suicide through research, education and advocacy. I've worked with our local chapter of AFSP raising funds with their annual out of the darkness walks, and I'm proud to serve on the Scientific Council for AFSP. You can learn more about their work@afsp.org.” To learn more about their work, visit: afsp.org
On this week's episode of Local Legends, the very last episode of Series 6, Martin is joined around the campfire by award-winning storyteller, performer, author, poet, lyricist, and very nice man, Hugh Lupton!Hugh's career spans over 40 years, both in terms of his solo projects and his partnerships with other artists, writers, musicians, illustrators and performers.As we discussed on Monday's episode, there is a sense in which Hugh is the golden thread that binds together modern British storytelling and several folk traditions, with his glimmer and shine helping to guide the oral tradition into the 21st century.He has, of course, toured both nationally and internationally, and has performed at the RSC, the National Theatre, and the Barbican. His repertoire ranges from Greek epics to the Grimms Fairy Tales, from Norse and Celtic myth to East Anglian folk-tales, and from the Great War to John Clare.Plus, in addition to his award-winning songwriting work, he has also written several excellent books, including Norfolk Folk Tales. You can learn more about Hugh and his work on his website, https://hughlupton.co.uk/, and do check the Diary section - he gets about, so do try to go and see him!For now though, let's gather in close around the Three Ravens campfire, have a sip of whatever's in your nut brown bowl, and listen in, to a chat about the life and work of perhaps the most influential storyteller alive today, the county of Norfolk, and tales such as the Peddlar of Swaffham, Black Shuck, those of fenland folk hero Tom Hickathrift, and so much more, with a true Local Legend: Hugh Lupton!Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's the season 3 finale! With the Machine Cult's plans finally thwarted, our heroes are reconvened. But an unexpected guest brings something even more unexpected with them… Links Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11bUiN3gMdtpwa1uG_KoX9rAIy24oFgpbrCeSfvDeAB0/edit?usp=sharing All music is royalty-free, and courtesy of Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/music/ and Slipstream https://slip.stream/ https://freesound.org/ Email TheLoneAdv@gmail.com BlueSky: @theloneadventurer.bsky.social Podbean https://theloneadventurer.podbean.com/ Blog https://carlillustration.wordpress.com/ Ironsworn: Sundered Isles: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/477033/sundered-isles-expansion-for-ironsworn-starforged Pocketforge online tool: https://pocketforge.rockpaperstory.com/ Perchance TLA random event oracle: https://perchance.org/tla-randomevent Perchance TLA ritual generator:https://perchance.org/tla-tatters-ritual-generator Perchance TLA Mythic 2e GME https://perchance.org/tla-mythic2e Perchance TLA OCEANIC NPC generator https://perchance.org/tla-oceanic-npc Perchance TLA OCEANIC NPC behaviour oracle https://perchance.org/tla-oceanic-behaviour Legend of the Bones https://legendofthebones.podbean.com/ Mechanics Scene 0 & 1 Chaos Factor 7 Scene Description: Mina and Tatters heal and take stock Scene Test: The scene is Altered: Remove An Object and Add A Character Object: The Dead Reckoning? 505/50 yes Character: Lord Tortemus? 505/50 no NPC roll (19 options): Setarra Convergence ritual fails Doomspire activation halted? (Likely) Yes Doomspire activation reversed? (unlikely) No Does Mara recognise Mina & co? (50/50) No Does she recognise her name? (Likely) Yes Is Mina in control of Barbican? (Likely) Exceptional yes: Heal move (using Sidekick): Miss Pay the Price: she's stuck in there, and without her mind, her body is dying (that's the Exceptional Yes!) Scene 2 Chaos Factor 8 Scene Description: Avoid getting dismembered by the demon Scene Test: The scene is Altered: Reduce/Remove An Activity Demonic aggression? (50/50) Yes What does Setarra want? Triumphant, Quiet He has what he wants: Tatters' body Did he offer her the Spider in exchange? (Likely) Yes Anyone else? (50/50) Yes (the Web) Scene 3 Chaos Factor 7 Scene Description: Taking Stock at the Monastery of Thrice Blessed Ankhra Scene Test: The scene starts as expected. The Convergence Ritual: foiled The Failing Ward: foiled The Activation of the Doomspires: foiled Can Mina's body be placed in status? (Likely) Yes Setarra's bid for freedom: failed Current Ominous Forces Civil War in Kyras Crater Sallow Trace The Bombardment of Tanth Blue Flight Note: Mina didn't share the secret of disabling infernal powder The Unseen's Grand Plan Mina Valerian Head to the house of whispers & Alexis Setarra on the Loose Mara Spider Restore Mina to her body Cadmus
Ben Luke talks to Huma Bhabha about her influences—from writers to musicians, film-makers and, of course, other artists—and the cultural experiences that have shaped her life and work. Bhabha was born in 1962 in Karachi, Pakistan, and has been based in the US since 1981—she now lives in Poughkeepsie, New York state. She has achieved a profoundly individual figurative sculptural language, exploring the rich history of her medium while also looking to the future. Informed by ancient monuments, Modernist sculpture and an array of other artforms, Huma employs various sculptural traditions—from modelling with clay, to carving, to found-object assemblage—to create figures that are monumental yet vulnerable, otherworldly yet rooted in the vicissitudes of contemporary geopolitics. Alongside her sculptures, Huma has made similarly powerful work in two-dimensions, particularly in combinations of drawing and collage. She reflects on the early and ongoing impact of Rembrandt on her work, her fascination with Pablo Picasso and Robert Smithson, the influence of the writing of Amy Goodman and Roberto Bolaño and how she has responded to the films of Jean-Luc Godard and Jean Negulesco. She also gives insight into her life in the studio and answers our usual questions, including: what is art for?Huma Bhabha—Encounters: Giacometti, Barbican, London, until 10 Aug; Huma Bhabha: Distant Star, 13 June-26 July. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode of How To Fail was recorded in front of a live audience at London's Barbican Theatre. Sally Phillips has appeared in a string of the most influential and hilarious comedy series of all time - from Smack The Pony, Miranda, The Thick of It and Veep. Not forgetting, of course, her star turn as Bridget Jones's best friend, Shazza, in the hugely popular movie franchise. Alongside her professional success, Phillips has also been an important voice in the neurodivergent community. Her eldest son, Olly, has Down syndrome and Sally is a tireless campaigner for disability rights. So why, then, does she never feel she's made it as a ‘serious' actress? And why is she so obsessed with Clown School? And - pressing question - why have she and Colin Firth never been a thing? Over on Failing with Friends, Sally answers questions from the live audience at the Barbican: they discuss red and green flags in partners, and what Hugh Grant is REALLY like and whether Sally and Renée Zellweger really are friends or whether she might just be making it up? To hear Sally tackling your failures join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com