The Sense of Place Podcast (The Sense of Place Podcast)

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', and 'Paranoid Architecture – Ballardian Concepts Within Neolithic Contexts'.

We explore each of these projects in detail, discussing the archaeology of the future, the importance of community engagement, the use of Ballardian concepts within Neolithic contexts + much more!

(Recorded February 2021)

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 has explored. We get into the origins of the term ‘liminal’ and how it is used in terms of spaces/places, we look at Marc Augé’s concept of non-places, and chat about why humans feel the need to craft stories around liminal places and breathe life into discarded objects or symbols of the past. We also touch on the thread of folklore that runs through Ian’s posts, his love of pylons, our changing perceptions of architecture over time and much more!

Basically, if you love the mundane and overlooked places of our world this episode will be right up your street!

(Recorded April 2020)

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 in Copenhagen which has links to the murder of journalist Kim Wall.

In my conversation with Lizzy I find out what got her interested in creating music inspired by place, the story of Illutron & Kim Walls murder, and finally, Lizzy’s creative process while creating Rocketman, and her music in general. 

For more on Lizzy follow the links below:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzy_laurance/   Bandcamp: https://lizzylaurance.bandcamp.com/album/rocketman   Website: https://lizzylaurance.wixsite.com/mysite  

(Recorded April 2022)

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 conversation I find out how Matt got into researching medieval graffiti and how he began the Norfolk Medieval Graffiti Survey. We discuss when people started to see graffiti as a form of vandalism - contrary to it being a completely normal part of medieval life. We also touch on how graffiti helps us relate to people of the past, and what kinds of tools they used to create their marks. Finally, we explore the different types of ritualistic graffiti (holy signs), charms, and curses, as well as Matt’s favourite pieces of graffiti he has found over the years.

(Recorded June 2020)

Episode Extras: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-extras-39091387

‘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 village of Almanby during a never-ending summer.

Lost in the Garden has been described as a folk horror novel, although Adam has coined the term ‘Nostalgia Horror’ to describe his book. Together, we have a wide-ranging discussion drawing on themes of folk horror, hauntology and childhood nostalgia which are central to the book. 

Adam also shares his creative influences, his passion for film, and the inspirations behind Lost in the Garden.

For more on Adam:

Book - https://deadinkbooks.com/product/lost-in-the-garden/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/AdamLeslie1974 

Here is a link to episode 14 featuring Bob Fischer, which is referenced during this episode: https://www.senseofplacepod.com/podcast/episode/4a2e6cab/ep-14-hauntology-nostalgia-disquiet-and-lost-futures-ft-bob-fischer 

Here is a link to Bob Fischer's article ‘The Haunted Generation’ also referenced during this episode: https://hauntedgeneration.co.uk/2019/04/22/thehauntedgeneration/ 

The Adventure Patch Company: Use discount code SENSEOFPLACE at checkout for 20% all purchases! Link here - https://adventurepatch.co.uk?sca_ref=5712306.rLjIvt6JQb  

(Recorded September 2024)

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 was always fun!

In today’s episode we have a chat about the following:

• The origins of ‘A Sense of Place’ in film through travel logs.

• The importance slow cinema and animation play in creating a sense of place.

• How our identities are tied to place and the ways this is presented in film.

• How the environment of a film can suggest things about a character’s personality.

• The influence Film and TV has in making people want to visit a location, and the positives and negatives this creates for places through increased tourism.

 (Recorded August 2019)

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 contemporary topics like the COVID-19 pandemic, Philip and I discuss the origins and ethics of dark tourism, how the iDTR developed into an internationally recognised centre for dark tourism research, and what drives people to visit spaces defined by death, disaster and destruction.

(Recorded March 2021)

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 interested in exploring sensory perception as well as how she explores these modalities through her creative work and teaching.   For more on Tereza, visit:   Cinesthetic Feasts (Blog) https://cinestheticfeasts.com/   Tangible Territory (Journal) https://tangibleterritory.art/     (Recorded November 2023)

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 socioecological approach to understanding how people find meaning in places, and in turn, how places influence people’s meaning in life. One key area of interest for Ashley is the concept of place authenticity - why certain places feel more authentic to us, and what underpins that experience.

During our conversation, Ashley and I delve into what place authenticity means, how it differs from personal authenticity, and how the two concepts influence one another. We explore the impact of time and nostalgia on how we experience places, the role of rootedness and sensory perceptions in shaping place authenticity, and how we can create more authentic feeling environments in the modern world. Plus, we discuss future research areas Ashley is excited to explore.

For more on Ashley: 

Academic papers on Google Scholar

Article in Psyche Magazine

The Adventure Patch Company: 

A small independent business run by brothers Chris & Dom. They make retro patches that celebrate the UK’s best loved outdoor places & wildlife. They donate over 1% of their total revenue each year to the UK National Parks Foundation which supports work to improve National Parks & programmes to connect communities with these landscapes. Use discount code SENSEOFPLACE at checkout for 20% all purchases! Link HERE 

(Recorded March 2025)

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 persistence of our past presenting itself in the future, in the manner of a ghost. However, in recent years it has expanded far beyond that and the term explores feelings of nostalgia, childhood disquiet and lost futures through music, art and writing – with a heavy focus on a 1970’s childhood. 

In today’s episode I have a chat to Bob Fischer - author of the book Wiffle Lever To Full! writer for The Fortean Times, Electric Sound Magazine and creator of the blog The Haunted Generation (https://hauntedgeneration.co.uk/).

Here is an overview of some of things me and Bob chat about:

• What hauntology Is and where the idea originated. • The effect old film and photographs have on you as a child. • A child’s perception of time and its hauntological effect. • Do 70’s children have a different perception of nostalgia compared to children of today? • When Bob realised his childhood feelings related to hauntology.  • Some 90’s/ 00’s kids show that gave me hauntological feelings. • The influence Alan Garner had on Bob growing up. • The changing ideas of ‘lost futures’ from the 60’s up to the present day. • Different era’s bleeding into each other creating a multi layered hauntological effect. • Hypothesising hauntological feelings of the future.

Episode Extras: https://www.patreon.com/posts/40537106

(Recorded August 2020)

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 life. Author of 'Car Park Life', 'Marshland', and 'The Stone Tide', his latest work takes its title from his website- Unofficial Britain- a mixture of fiction, articles, music and art offering unusual perspectives on the contemporary landscape.

Gareth and I discuss what triggered his interest in the mundane, and our conversation explores spaces like marshlands, industrial estates, carparks, and rubbish tips. We also discuss the theatricality of hospitals and the romanticisation of roundabouts and motorways. 

(Recorded November 2020)

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 civilizations, and why modern folklore, oral storytelling, and music are so integral to keeping ancient flood mythology and folklore alive.

For more on Gareth visit:

https://twitter.com/hackneymarshman

https://bsky.app/profile/garetherees.bsky.social 

http://www.unofficialbritain.com/

Gareth’s first appearance on the podcast:

https://www.senseofplacepod.com/podcast/episode/499fc9f8/ep-16-unofficial-britain-everyday-myth-magic-and-folklore-ft-gareth-e-rees

The Adventure Patch Company:

 A small independent business run by brothers Chris & Dom. They make retro patches that celebrate the UK’s best loved outdoor places and wildlife. Sustainability is key to Chris and Dom, and they support the rewilding project ‘Trees for life’ in Scotland. They also donate over 1% of their total revenue each year to the UK National Parks Foundation which supports work that improves, protects, and enhances National Parks and programmes that connect communities with these landscapes.

Use discount code SENSEOFPLACE at checkout for 20% all purchases!

Link here: https://adventurepatch.co.uk/?sca_ref=5712306.rLjIvt6JQb

The music played during our discussion and at the end of the episode is a track from Gareth’s album ‘Songs from the Sunken Lands’ that accompanies the book. The track is called ‘The Great Serpent’.

(Recorded April 2024)

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'.

'Islands of Abandonment', which has been named The Sunday Times' Science & Environment book of the year (2021) and shortlisted for other prestigious awards, explores ghost towns, exclusion zones, and post-industrial ruins. It aims to illustrate both the ecology and psychology of abandoned places.

In my conversation with Cal, I discover what sparked her interest in abandonments, her process for writing and researching the book, how nature benefits from our absence, and much more!

To find out more about Cal's work, be sure to check out her website: https://www.calflyn.com/

(Recorded November 2021)

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 geometric patterns, the significance of geometric calendars, and how these can be used to express our connection to place and the way we feel. We then discuss ley lines, and their relationship to vortexes and ancient monuments.

Finally, we have a chat about how Dan himself became interested in studying vortexes after some strange experiences, and the importance ancient knowledge plays in reconnecting us with place!

(Recorded December 2019)

“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 nicely Hamish’s work and approach to audio-based story telling which bridges the gap between people and place. Hamish is from Queensland, Australia and has a background in radio and oral history. He has worked on several projects which connect people to their place.

Hamish is the creator of the app Soundtrails – an audio project which uses geolocative technology to bring to life the towns and stories of ordinary people in Australia!

We begin the episode by getting more detail on how soundtrails works, and why Hamish created it. The appeal of telling ‘ordinary’ communities’ stories and the creative protentional of using geolocative story telling (e.g. being able to adapt novellas into real life situations).

We then get into what drew Hamish to his work - wanting to express the connection between people and their place, the importance of meaning making, and memory making, and much more!

(Recorded December 2019)

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, and the significant role it plays in his life, and the lives of others.

For more on Tom, visit: https://thisisyogic.com/

(Recorded June 2023)

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 of Albion (OA), a tongue-in-cheek part-work series about the weird and unusual in Albion.

Finally, I chat with Simon Moreton, author of multiple zines, independent comics - and a brand new book! Much of his works explore place, landscape, politics, and grief.

For Patrons of the show, Kieran and Christian of the Lost Futures Zine have kindly shared with me a discount code for issue 2 and the upcoming issue 3 when it is released! Follow the link for access:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/exclusive-code-2-52247467

I shall also be sharing this code with any Ko-fi supporters. The code is valid for 6 weeks from 08/06/2021, so any one who supports me during that time will also receive the code to get £2 off either/ or both issues :)

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 have ever evoked a strong sense of place in you.

Episode Extras: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-23-for-68863251

(Recorded June 2022)

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!

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 London. Alex’s work focuses on the multisensory experience of urban space. He has written a book Food and Multiculture: A Sensory Ethnography of East London as well as several papers and articles exploring the multicultural food scene of East London, and has discussed the significant role smell plays in understanding the city of London. 

Alex and I chat about how he got into researching smells, why scent is so important when it comes to understanding the world around us, the changing smellscape of London, the attempt to enhance heritage sites using smell, how scents are preserved, changing opinions on the smell of Fish and Chips, and much more! 

(Recorded September 2020)

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 ghost stories.

For more on Richard:  http://www.ithoughtitoldyoutowaitinthecar.com/  http://www.curious-tales.com/ 

Free music used at the end: https://pixabay.com/music/christmas-god-rest-you-merry-gentlemen-christmas-piano-background-music-12208/ 

(Recorded December 2022)

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, an interior design agency working with some of the world's best street artists to create bespoke murals for private and commercial clients. He is also the founder of PENSA Events where he carries out his street art walks and tours.

Chris and I discuss the variety of contemporary street art styles that exist today, as well as their historical origins. We also explore Chris’ route into the world of street art, the different motivations behind creating graffiti, and some of Chris’ favourite artists.

For more on Chris, visit:

https://www.instagram.com/houseofgraffiti

https://www.thehouseofgraffiti.co.uk/

https://www.pensaevents.co.uk/

https://twitter.com/PensaEvents

For all of you who love hiking and nice mementos, why not check out the Adventure Patch Company?! Founded by brothers Chris & Dom, they make retro hiking patches that celebrate the UK’s best loved parks, peaks, trails, and outdoor challenges. Use discount code SENSEOFPLACE at checkout for 20% all purchases! Link here: https://adventurepatch.co.uk?sca_ref=5712306.rLjIvt6JQb  

Episode Extra's: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-extras-99921775

(Recorded February 2024)

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 to save these historic rights of way. Jack and I get into a more detailed discussion about what the ‘Don’t Lose Your Way’ campaign is and the different ways you can find lost rights of way.

We then touch on the history and legislation of our rights of way and the role desire paths play in this. Finally we discuss the lack of footpaths in the countryside and some city areas, the positives of car free cities and how Jack himself got into walking!

(Recorded September 2019)

For all of you who love hiking, why not check out the Adventure Patch Company?! Founded by brothers Chris & Dom, they make retro hiking patches that celebrate the UK’s best loved peaks, trails, and outdoor challenges. The perfect memento for yourself or gift for an outdoorsy friend! Use discount code SENSEOFPLACE at checkout for 20% all purchases. Link here: https://adventurepatch.co.uk?sca_ref=5712306.rLjIvt6JQb  

Don't Lose Your Way: ramblers.org.uk/dontloseyourway

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=18592650

Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/senseofplacepodcast

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 Journey Around the Rebuilding of Postwar Britain (2013), Outskirts: Living Life on the Edge of the Green Belt (2017), How to Love Brutalism (2018), and Iconicon: A Journey Around the Landmark Buildings of Contemporary Britain (2022).

In my conversation with John, we learn about the key characteristics of post-war architecture, and what got John particularly interested in this era of construction. We also explore what the greenbelt is and the issues surrounding it, as well as John’s self-professed love of Brutalism. Finally, we take a look at John's new book, Iconicon, and ponder the ups and downs of our mutual home town, Croydon.   For more on John, check out https://www.johngrindrod.co.uk/

NOTE: Please excuse the poor audio at times in this episode. Someone commented it sounded like I was eating a bag of crisps. The rustling was coming from John's mic as he spoke. I was unable to edit it out as it would have lost John's speech all together. Apologies in advance!

(Recorded March 2022)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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 2019)

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, with a particular focus on his work The Great North Wood and we delve into the legends and myths surrounding it as a place.

(Recorded June 2019)

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)