11 episodes

A podcast about people and the objects that have shaped them. Each week, a guest is invited to pick 5 things that have inspired, delighted, provoked or influenced them. They then talk about these items ‘on tape’ at a time and place of their choosing - ideally with as many of the things present as possible. The show is presented and produced by Zoe Laughlin, Director of the Institute of Making in London. For pictures of all the things selected in each episode, please visit www.thethingsthatmakeus.com

The Things That Make Us Zoe Laughlin

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 19 Ratings

A podcast about people and the objects that have shaped them. Each week, a guest is invited to pick 5 things that have inspired, delighted, provoked or influenced them. They then talk about these items ‘on tape’ at a time and place of their choosing - ideally with as many of the things present as possible. The show is presented and produced by Zoe Laughlin, Director of the Institute of Making in London. For pictures of all the things selected in each episode, please visit www.thethingsthatmakeus.com

    Henry Dimbleby

    Henry Dimbleby

    Co-founder of the fast food chain Leon, Henry Dimbleby is a chef and food writer who promotes and practices naturally fast food in all its forms, from healthy school dinners to street food feasts. In this episode, Zoe joins Henry at home to discuss the things that have made him. Now, there is a little bit of what some might consider to be adult conversation in this interview. For example, the word penis is used, so if just reading that word has sent you into a flap, this might not be the episode for you.

    • 34 min
    Roja Dove - Live!

    Roja Dove - Live!

    Master perfumer maker, Roja Dove, can identify whilst blindfold, over 800 scents. He makes extraordinary perfumes that contain the worlds finest ingredients and is a passionate advocate for the power of smell to captivate, evoke and transport us. This episode of The Things That Make Us was recorded in front of a live audience at the Institute of Making in November 2015. It was an early test of the idea for this podcast, and is released to mark the 10th official episode of The Things That Make Us, as you know it today.

    • 30 min
    Zandra Rhodes

    Zandra Rhodes

    Dame Zandra Rhodes is one of fashion’s most recognisable faces and enduring talents. A true icon of our age, her designs for clothes, textiles and jewellery have graced catwalks, wardrobes and museum collections around the world. In this episode, Zoe joins Zandra in her studio during London Fashion Week for a glimpse into the things that have made her.

    • 21 min
    Richard Wentworth

    Richard Wentworth

    The influential artist and material-object investigator, Richard Wentworth makes work that brings into focus the relationship between found objects, materials and processes of making through playful juxtaposition and observation. For this wide reaching and far roaming conversation, Richard joins Zoe in her office at the Institute of Making with a bag brimming with the things he wants to talk about. The interview was recorded on Thursday 26th May 2016. Examples of his work can be seen in Tate’s collection: http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/richard-wentworth-2132

    • 31 min
    Tim Hunkin

    Tim Hunkin

    Inventor, engineer and cartoonist, Tim Hunkin makes contraptions that delight all who come into contact with them. In this episode Zoe visits Tim at his Central London HQ, the Novelty Automation arcade, surrounded by mechanisms that will train you to dispose of radioactive waste, challenge you to beat the bankers, or illicit yelps of pleasure as they give you a right good frisking. Tim’s drive and enthusiasm to discover and celebrate how things work has clearly influenced him throughout his career as it can be seen in everything, from the encyclopaedic cartoon strip he drew for the Observer newspaper, to his influential series of TV programmes on The Secret Life of Machines. Tim’s website: http://www.timhunkin.com The Novelty Automation, Tim’s arcade in Central London: http://www.novelty-automation.com Tim Hunkin and Rex Garrod’s amazing TV show, The Secret Life of Machines, can be viewed here: http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/SLOM/index.html (or searched for on youtube). An archive of Tim’s cartoon strip encyclopaedia, The Rudiments of Wisdom: http://www.rudimentsofwisdom.com

    • 26 min
    Robert Llewellyn

    Robert Llewellyn

    Familiar to many as the actor who plays Kryten in the hit BBC TV series Red Dwaf and the presenter of Scrapheap Challenge, Robert Llewellyn also writes and talks and gets up to all sorts of things online. In 2009, Robert began a YouTube series called Carpool, in which he interviews guests in his car, whilst giving them a lift to wherever they want to go. Others have since done similar, but it is Robert’s do-it-yourself approach that meant he was one of the first to produce such regular online content and bypass the traditional channels of distribution. Warning: passions ran high and as a result there is a little swearing and general bad language over the course of this episode.

    • 31 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
19 Ratings

19 Ratings

Ma•tt•er ,

Inspiring

Zoe Laughlin is one of the most brilliant minds of all things materials. It's such a pleasure to be able to hear her thoughts and opinions on a podcast so you're able to conenct with the the things that make us. Great selection of interviewees too. So much to learn.

PWTechi! ,

Excellent

Zoe's enthusiastic interview style is infectious and allows her interviewee to feel they can really respond with passion. This is particularly so in this interview with Uta. Zoe allows her guest to talk and develop their ideas. I loved the contribution the texted messages from her dad made. Uta was able to tell Zoe how she felt about her life's work and she and Zoe connected well demonstrating a passion for the work they both do. I will now listen to all the other interviews in this series. Thank you Zoe.

Jamdan1 ,

A Great Listen

Such an imaginative idea and excellent guests. Zoe Laughlin is a podcast star.

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