Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Homing
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is Your Home Keeping You Awake? Professor Russell Foster Rethinks the Rules of Sleep | 10 Sep 2026 | 00:58:33 | |
We spend around a third of our lives asleep, yet for so many of us, getting a good night’s sleep can feel like a real struggle. Could our homes hold some of the answers to sleeping better? In this conversation, leading sleep expert and Oxford Professor of Circadian Neuroscience Russell Foster rethinks the rules of sleep and explores how we can create a home environment that supports our natural rhythms. We discuss why getting outside in the morning is one of the best things we can do for sleep, how to navigate a partner's different sleeping habits and why sleep trackers often do more harm than good. But perhaps the most reassuring idea of all is that we need to stop trying so hard. As Russell points out, the more we worry about sleep, the more elusive it can become. Sometimes the best thing we can do is create the right conditions and let it take care of itself.
To hear more from us: Patreon: Watch exclusive home tours, HomingWithMatt YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt Instagram: Follow for updates and announcements, @homingwithmatt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office Produced by @podshoponline ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Charlene Prempeh: Why More Space Isn’t the Key to a Happier Home | 03 Sep 2026 | 01:25:06 | |
Matt Gibberd visits writer and creative consultant Charlene Prempeh at her home in North London.
Charlene grew up in a small council house in Canning Town that was, in her words, "teeming with people". She was the youngest of four children, raised by a single mother, with cousins, friends and members of the Ghanaian community constantly coming and going. In this conversation, we talk about how that crowded childhood left her with a love of solitude. We explore why she doesn't believe that more space necessarily makes a happier home, and how, despite having very little money growing up, the dinner table always felt like a place of abundance. We also discuss why she found herself shape-shifting when she arrived at Oxford University, the importance of books and beautiful objects, and what it means to be truly at home with yourself.
Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt To hear more from us: Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic | |||
| Lemn Sissay: What Happens When Home Rejects You? | 20 Aug 2026 | 00:48:55 | |
Lemn Sissay is a poet, playwright and broadcaster. Few people have thought more deeply about the meaning of home than Lemn. As a baby, Lemn was separated from his Ethiopian mother and placed into foster care with a white family. He grew up believing he had been abandoned, not even knowing his real name. From the age of twelve, he was placed in a series of children's homes, where he remained until adulthood. In this conversation, we explore how those early experiences shaped Lemn’s understanding of family, belonging and identity. We talk about how poetry gave him a sense of place when nowhere else could, and what it means to build a sense of home inside yourself after losing it so young. These discussions are intended for general information and should not be considered medical, psychological or professional advice. If you have concerns about your health or wellbeing, please consult a qualified professional. Lemn Sissay:
Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic | |||
| Anna Jones: Why Home Is an Act of Care | 13 Aug 2026 | 01:15:08 | |
Anna Jones is a cook, food writer, and one of the leading voices in modern vegetarian cooking. For Anna, making food for someone is the ultimate act of care. She began her career working alongside Jamie Oliver, before becoming one of Britain's best-loved food writers in her own right with bestsellers like A Modern Way to Eat and One: Pot, Pan, Planet. Anna grew up in a close-knit family where food was central to everything and, for a shy child, cooking became a way to express herself. She also shares how losing close family friends in the Lockerbie air disaster instilled a lifelong instinct to be the dependable one. We explore motherhood, postnatal depression and what happens when caring for other people leaves too little room to care for yourself.
Join us over on Patreon to watch the full house tour. More of Anna: To hear more from us: Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic | |||
| Martha Beck: What Happens When Home Isn’t Safe? | 06 Aug 2026 | 01:01:33 | |
Martha Beck is a sociologist, bestselling author and one of the world’s leading life coaches. She grew up in the Mormon community in Utah, in a home that was a source of shame for her and her siblings. Her childhood was one of profound anxiety and depression, and she’s written openly about the abuse she experienced from her father. Those traumatic experiences led to a lifelong search for safety – and what it really means to feel at home. In this conversation, Martha shares why beauty became a lifeline during the darkest periods of her life, how she learned to meditate despite finding it almost unbearable at first and why she believes our homes reflect our psychological state. These discussions are intended for general information and should not be considered medical, psychological or professional advice. If you have concerns about your health or wellbeing, please consult a qualified professional. Martha’s Work: Martha Beck, PhD, is a Harvard-trained sociologist, world-renowned coach and New York Times bestselling author. She has published nine non-fiction books, one novel, and more than 200 magazine articles. Inspired by the ideas in her latest book, Beyond Anxiety, this conversation explores how play can be a powerful antidote to anxious thinking. To hear more from us: Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic | |||
| Jinny Blom: Why We All Need Somewhere to Hide | 30 Jul 2026 | 01:14:17 | |
Jinny Blom is one of Britain's leading landscape designers. She has created over 700 gardens – and each one begins, in some way, with a search for security. Jinny trained as a psychologist and psychotherapist, working for many years in mental health, before a prophetic dream prompted her to devote herself to her lifelong interest in natural landscapes and gardens.
Join us over on Patreon to watch the full home tour. Jinny's Current Work: Jinny’s studio has projects across various continents as well as in the UK. Her most recent book ‘What Makes a Garden’ won Garden Book of the Year in 2024 published by Frances Lincoln/Quarto. The accompanying self-made podcast series launched in October 2023, with guests as varied as Tim Walker, Skye Gyngell and Brian Eno. The studio has won prestigious awards for large, completed estates, some of which appear in her new book. Jinny has launched a bespoke range of English ‘landscape colours’ designed by her specifically for use outside. She has teamed up with Dominic Myland, the owner of the family run paint maker and Royal Warrant holder Mylands. It is a unique plant-based formula for wood, metal and masonry. To hear more from us: Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic | |||
| Poet Jackie Kay on Adoption, Identity and the Long Search for Belonging | 23 Jul 2026 | 00:54:51 | |
Jackie Kay is an acclaimed poet and novelist, who was previously the national poet of Scotland – a role known as the Makar. She’s the author of Red Dust Road, a memoir that chronicles a twenty-year search for her birth parents. Jackie was adopted as a baby by a white Scottish couple and grew up in suburban Glasgow. Throughout her life, she's had to explore questions of identity, belonging and family – themes that run through some of the most celebrated writing of the past forty years.
In this conversation, Jackie reflects on how the love of her adoptive parents helped her navigate racism, what it means to feel at odds with your national identity, and whether it's ever possible to feel completely at home in yourself.
Jackie Kay is an award-winning Scottish poet and author of Selected Poems 1991-2006, May Day and Red Dust Road.
Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic | |||
| Why Comfort Isn't Always Good for Us | With Architect Stefan Behling | 09 Jul 2026 | 01:00:21 | |
Does modern design shelter us, or is it cutting us off from the world? Architect Stefan Behling believes that many of today's buildings have turned us into what he calls "humans in captivity”. They keep the temperature constant, shut out the sounds and smells of the outside world, and misunderstand what it really means to be comfortable.
As a senior partner at Foster + Partners, Stefan has spent more than thirty years exploring sustainable architecture and human-centric design, working on projects ranging from Apple Park in California to experimental habitats for NASA.
In this conversation, we explore what the science of the senses and evolutionary biology can teach us about creating spaces that genuinely support our wellbeing.
We discuss why constant comfort isn't always good for us, what space travel reveals about our need for nature, and why design should prioritise the psychological over the physiological. These discussions are intended for general information and should not be considered medical, psychological or professional advice. If you have concerns about your health or wellbeing, please consult a qualified professional.
Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic | |||
| Architect Sophie Hicks on being an 80s cover girl, and why every object should have a purpose | 02 Jul 2026 | 01:08:55 | |
Sophie Hicks has helped fashion brands like Paul Smith, Yohji Yamamoto and Acne Studios translate their vision into built form. But before becoming one of Britain's most respected architects, she was immersed in the world of fashion. She worked alongside Grace Coddington and Azzedine Alaïa, styled shoots for Vogue and Tatler, and became an iconic face of the early Eighties after appearing on the cover of i-D magazine in a portrait by David Bailey. In this conversation, we explore her childhood between London and the Sussex countryside, why she pivoted from fashion to architecture, and the story behind her austere personal style. We also discuss what makes a house feel calm, her belief that spaces should do as little as possible while meaning as much as possible, and why she's fascinated by the challenge of creating a hotel that feels like home. This episode was recorded in Sophie’s house in West London.
Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt Contact Sophie: To hear more from us: Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic | |||
| Johann Hari: How to Find Connection in a Lonely World | 25 Jun 2026 | 01:12:39 | |
Loneliness, anxiety and a loss of belonging are among the defining crises of our time. Johann Hari believes they share a common cause. Johann is the author of Lost Connections and Stolen Focus – two of the most widely read books on mental health published in the last decade. In this episode of Homing, we discuss the human need for a tribe, how the attention crisis fractures our relationships, and the practical ways we can begin to rebuild connection. It’s a conversation about one of the defining questions of our time: why do so many of us feel like we don't belong – and how can we find our way home? These discussions are intended for general information and should not be considered medical, psychological or professional advice. If you have concerns about your health or wellbeing, please consult a qualified professional. Guest: To hear more from us: Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic | |||
| Chef Margot Henderson on Home, Food & Caring for Fergus | 18 Jun 2026 | 01:05:00 | |
Margot Henderson is one of Britain's most influential chefs, and a pioneer of “nose-to-tail” cooking. She's spent her career finding value in what others might disregard – a philosophy that extends far beyond the kitchen. Alongside her husband, Fergus Henderson, she's helped redefine the way we eat, with an approach that's simple, honest and rooted in ingredients rather than technique. While Fergus founded St. JOHN, Margot helped shape a generation of cooks through Rochelle Canteen, Arnold & Henderson and, more recently, The Three Horseshoes in Somerset. In this conversation, recorded in her home in Stockwell, Margot describes her childhood in New Zealand, where her mother introduced her to a world of French restaurants and a lifelong appetite for adventurous eating. We talk about the pull of London in the 1980s, the influence of The Face magazine, and the whirlwind romance that led to a lifelong partnership with Fergus. Margot also reflects on marriage, loyalty and care, as she discusses Fergus's Parkinson's diagnosis and the realities of growing older together. This episode of Homing was recorded inside Margot’s home in Stockwell. Join us over on Patreon to watch the full house tour. To hear more from us: Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic | |||
| Can a Home Help You Heal? – With Psychotherapist Julia Samuel MBE | 11 Jun 2026 | 00:55:33 | |
Today's guest is psychotherapist Julia Samuel MBE, one of Britain's leading experts on grief and trauma.
In this conversation, we explore belonging and why some people never feel settled where they are, tracing it back to the role home plays in early life. Julia shares practical advice on how our homes can support healing – from the personal rituals that help us mourn, to why changing a home can sometimes be the most powerful way to regain a sense of agency after loss. These discussions are intended for general information and should not be considered medical, psychological or professional advice. If you have concerns about your health or wellbeing, please consult a qualified professional. Contact: Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. For bereavement help, you can download the Grief Works App If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice To hear more from us: Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic | |||
| Patrick Williams on Grief, Restoration and the House That Shaped His Life | 04 Jun 2026 | 01:27:02 | |
Patrick Williams is an interior decorator who specialises in period buildings and restoration projects. He views design not just as decoration, but as a form of storytelling and historical preservation. Patrick is the founder of Berdoulat, a design practice named after the remarkable house in France that his parents restored over a twenty-year period during his childhood – a project that became central to their family story and continues to shape his work today. In this conversation, we talk about grief, inheritance, and the rituals that connect him to his family roots, including a cherished family recipe he makes called "The Truth".
We also explore Patrick's fascination with classical architecture and his belief that the best buildings are designed in harmony with the human body: through proportion, acoustics and the accumulation of patina over time.
This is a story about memory and belonging, and how the places we inhabit keep us connected to the people who shaped us, long after they're gone.
Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt Patrick's book, The House Rules, published by Quadrille, charts the evolution of Patrick Williams' design studio, Berdoulat and is a stunning visual exploration of his practice and meticulous approach to working with period buildings. To hear more from us: Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic The full visualised tour of Patrick’s home is available to our Patreon community. | |||
| Can Your Home Make You Healthier? – With Dr. Esther Sternberg | 28 May 2026 | 00:53:32 | |
Should the home be considered one of the pillars of health? Dr. Esther Sternberg believes good design can heal us — and that architects should think of themselves not just as designers, but almost as health professionals. Esther is a physician and researcher whose work focuses on the relationship between mind, body and environment. She is the author of Healing Spaces and Well at Work, which explores the growing science of how the spaces we inhabit affect our health and wellbeing. In this conversation, we discuss how our environments shape the body and brain; the role of light, sound and nature in wellbeing; and how small changes to our homes can help create a sense of sanctuary in an increasingly anxious world. These discussions are intended for general information and should not be considered medical, psychological or professional advice. If you have concerns about your health or wellbeing, please consult a qualified professional. To hear more from us: YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt, to watch the video version Instagram: @homingwithmatt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here. Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office Produced by @podshoponline ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| David Shrigley on Anxiety, Absurdity & Ageing Disgracefully | 21 May 2026 | 00:56:12 | |
David Shrigley has spent his life creating art that makes people laugh. He is one of Britain’s most recognisable contemporary artists, celebrated for his deadpan drawings that mix humour, bleakness and childlike simplicity.
Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt Contact:
YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt, to watch the video version Instagram: @homingwithmatt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office Produced by @podshoponline The full visualised tour of David’s studio is available to our Patreon community. Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Can a Prison Ever Feel Like Home? – with Professor Yvonne Jewkes | 14 May 2026 | 01:06:31 | |
The spaces we inhabit shape who we become. But what does that mean for the people who have no choice where they live? Yvonne Jewkes is a professor of criminology, author, and leading expert on prison architecture. She has spent her career studying what echoing corridors, metal doors and harsh fluorescent lighting do to the people living inside prisons — and designing spaces that restore rather than punish. This conversation is also very personal. Yvonne spent more than a decade restoring a crumbling Regency townhouse, only for her partner to leave midway through the project. The house became tangled up with grief and the slow unravelling of the relationship itself. These discussions are intended for general information and should not be considered medical, psychological or professional advice. If you have concerns about your health or wellbeing, please consult a qualified professional. To hear more from us: YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt, to watch the video version Patreon: www.patreon.com/HomingWithMatt Instagram: @homingwithmatt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office Produced by @podshoponline ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Sue Stuart-Smith on Nature, Childhood & The Garden as Medicine | 07 May 2026 | 00:37:41 | |
Sue Stuart-Smith is a psychiatrist, gardener and the author of The Well-Gardened Mind. She has spent her career making the case that going outside and getting your hands in the soil is one of the most powerful things we can do for our mental health. Sue runs the Serge Hill Project, along with her husband, Tom Stuart-Smith — a garden and events space where children and groups from disadvantaged backgrounds come to learn about the profound link between gardening and wellbeing. Her research isn’t just scientific; it’s rooted in her own family history. Her grandfather found solace in gardening after the trauma of being a prisoner of war and her mother restored a large garden to cope with the death of Sue’s father. The episode builds on these stories to explore the positive hormonal effects of gardening on the body, the growing movement of green prescribing and how beauty can be a lifeline to those in recovery. This is a conversation about stepping outside, tuning into the natural world and finding a gentler rhythm. A full tour of Sue’s beautiful private gardens is available to our Patreon community.
To hear more from us: YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt, to watch the video version Instagram: @homingwithmatt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office Produced by @podshoponline The full catalogue of home tours is available to our Patreon community. | |||
| Why Doesn’t Where You Live Feel Like Home? — with Urban Designer David Engwicht | 30 Apr 2026 | 01:04:22 | |
We tend to think of home as the space inside our four walls. But for David Engwicht, home doesn't stop at the front door – it extends out into the neighbourhood beyond. David is a master placemaker and urban designer – he explores how the design of our towns and cities can either bring us closer or push us apart. With his cowboy boots, heavy-framed glasses and 'Pat Cash' hair, he's more like a rock ’n’ roll philosopher than an urban thinker. His philosophy was shaped by a nomadic childhood, living in 30 different homes and attending 26 schools. This experience taught him that home isn't something we find; it's something we create. In this conversation, David talks about the social bonds modern life has eroded and the small, everyday gestures we can make to rebuild that trust. From turning his own garden in Brisbane into a public park, to travelling the world with a folding throne in a suitcase, David’s work is a lesson in how designing for community can lead us to a deeper sense of belonging. These discussions are intended for general information and should not be considered medical, psychological or professional advice. If you have concerns about your health or wellbeing, please consult a qualified professional.
YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt, to watch the video version Instagram: @homingwithmatt TikTok: @homing.with.matt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office Produced by @podshoponline ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Sue Webster on Punk, The Mole House & The Art of Non-Conformity | 23 Apr 2026 | 01:23:11 | |
Artist Sue Webster built a career and a home by refusing to fit in — it’s why she identifies with the Mole Man so much.
From growing up in a caravan in Leicester to carving out a place in the art world and becoming a mother at 52, Sue’s story is one of fierce independence and how to live a life that is truly authentic to yourself.
A full tour of The Mole House is available to members on Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt
YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt, to watch the video version Instagram: @homingwithmatt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office Produced by @podshoponline The full video home tour is available to members on Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt | |||
| Do We Really Need More Stuff? — with Japanese Architect Takero Shimazaki | 16 Apr 2026 | 00:54:48 | |
Most of us think we need more — more space, more things, more possessions. Japanese architect Takero Shimazaki believes we may already have enough. Takero has designed some of the most elegant private houses in Britain, including one that was nominated for the Stirling Prize. His buildings are never grand or showy. Instead, they are thoughtful and restrained.
These discussions are intended for general information and should not be considered medical, psychological or professional advice. If you have concerns about your health or wellbeing, please consult a qualified professional. To hear more from us: YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt, to watch the video version Instagram: @homingwithmatt TikTok: @homing.with.matt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office Produced by @podshoponline | |||
| Henry Holland on Reinvention, Resilience & Home in Two Halves | 09 Apr 2026 | 01:12:38 | |
For fashion designer turned ceramicist Henry Holland, reinvention isn't about starting over – it's about evolving on your own terms. Henry first made his name with the cult fashion label House of Holland, famous for cheeky slogans like 'Do Me Daily Christopher Bailey' and 'Let's Breed Bella Hadid'. But in recent years, he has pivoted to making homewares and contemporary ceramics, using the Japanese technique of nerikomi. With his East London house currently being refurbished from top to bottom, Henry is living in a home of two halves. It’s the perfect metaphor for this transitional stage of his life. His parents separated when he was young, and he split his time between the two households. One was ordered and structured, while the other was more creative. It’s clear that he lives his life today with the influence of both. There’s the playful version of him that we’ve seen pictured at parties. But there’s also a deeply determined side that’s about proving people wrong, which partly stems from the bullying he experienced when he was young. This episode was recorded inside Henry’s home in East London. A full tour of the house is available to our Patreon community. Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt To hear more from us: YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt, to watch the video version Instagram: @homingwithmatt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office Produced by @podshoponline The full visualised home tour is available to our Patreon community. Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| How to Detoxify Your Home with Dr. Jenny Goodman | 26 Mar 2026 | 00:35:31 | |
We think of home as our ultimate refuge – a sanctuary from the noise and pollution of the outside world. But what if the space meant to protect us is actually the one we should be questioning most? Dr. Jenny Goodman, a practitioner of ecological medicine, has spent years examining how modern life exposes us to toxins and sharing practical steps we can take to reduce exposure.
To hear more from us: YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt, to watch the video version Instagram: @homingwithmatt TikTok: @homing.with.matt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office Produced by @podshoponline ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Maria Balshaw on Creative Rebellion, Life After the Tate & The House as a Container | 19 Mar 2026 | 01:16:32 | |
Beyond the whirlwind of galleries and exhibitions, Tate Director Maria Balshaw's home holds the quieter, deeply personal moments of her life. Growing up in Northampton, she longed to escape her characterless new-build house and nurtured a desire to be different. Her current home in Kent is a reflection of that creative rebellion, with medieval beams at its centre, classical sash windows on one side and Crittalls on the other. Maria grows vegetables in her garden year-round, swims in the sea nearby, and measures time by what’s coming into flower – a way to be at one with nature and shed the stress of an urban working week. Her mother spent her final months in this house, sitting on the terrace in the sun, watching buzzards circle the valley, convinced one of them was her late husband waiting for her. At the end of March, Maria is stepping down from her position at the Tate after nine years, signing off with a major Tracey Emin exhibition. She knows exactly where she’ll be the following morning: in the garden, in her wellies, at the start of the growing season. This is a conversation about movement and rootedness – and about what it means to build a home that can hold both. A full tour of the home and garden is available to our Patreon community. To hear more from us: Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic The full visualised home tour is available to our Patreon community. | |||
| Alain de Botton: Is Your Home Making You Happy? | 12 Mar 2026 | 00:58:46 | |
Why are some people drawn to minimalist architecture while others prefer nostalgic rooms filled with antiques and personal artefacts?
For many years, Alain has explored the emotional forces that shape our inner lives – from love and loss to status anxiety. Through his educational organisation, The School of Life, he has focused on wellbeing and self-understanding. Much of this thinking connects directly to the built environment.
In this conversation, Alain reflects on his own relationship with domestic space – and how, in many ways, he has spent a lifetime trying to recreate the modernist calm of his childhood home in Switzerland.
Together, Matt and Alain explore beauty, belonging and control – and examine why so many of us turn to architecture in search of a kind of psychological skin. This is a conversation that goes to the heart of what Homing is about: how we build safety, both in the spaces around us and within ourselves. This episode was filmed at Alain’s house in North London. These discussions are intended for general information and should not be considered medical, psychological or professional advice. If you have concerns about your health or wellbeing, please consult a qualified professional. To hear more from us: YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt, to watch the video version Instagram: @homingwithmatt TikTok: @homing.with.matt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office Produced by @podshoponline For exclusive walking tours – from Dan Pearson’s year-round outdoor kitchen to Polly Morgan’s taxidermy zebra – join us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Tom Stuart-Smith on Landscapes, Legacy & The Uplifting Power of Nature | 05 Mar 2026 | 01:00:21 | |
Landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith has spent most of his life on the same plot of land, tending its gardens and letting the land shape him in return. This is a conversation about landscapes, legacy and what it really means to stay rooted in one place. The episode was recorded at The Apple House, a modern pavilion on the estate designed by their son Ben. A full tour of the building and its surroundings is available to our Patreon community. To hear more from us: Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office The full visualised tour of Tom’s estate is available to our Patreon community. | |||
| Anxiety in the Body: Creating a Sanctuary at Home with Dr Alexandra Shaker | 26 Feb 2026 | 01:08:30 | |
Anxiety is something many of us carry quietly. It can shape everything, from how we move through the world to how we feel at home. In this episode of Homing, Dr Alexandra Shaker explores how the home can become a sanctuary and how physical environments can either soothe or unsettle us. Alexandra is a specialist in anxiety disorders with a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Her book The Narrowing combines her personal experiences of panic attacks with what she’s learned over years as a practitioner and researcher. The conversation traces some of the root causes of anxiety and practical ways to live alongside it, from mindfulness and sleep hygiene to the importance of community and belonging. Matt and Alexandra discuss how spaces, lighting, sounds, and materials can trigger panic, and how the home can be adapted into a calming, grounding refuge. This episode is about understanding anxiety in the body, the power of practical support, and how a home can centre us and keep us grounded through difficult times. These discussions are intended for general information and should not be considered medical, psychological or professional advice. If you have concerns about your health or wellbeing, please consult a qualified professional. To hear more from Alexandra: To hear more from us: Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusicIdentity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office For exclusive walking tours – from Dan Pearson’s year-round outdoor kitchen to Polly Morgan’s taxidermy zebra – join us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Elizabeth Day on Perfectionism, Positive Affirmations & Rebuilding Home After Loss | 19 Feb 2026 | 01:19:47 | |
Author and podcaster Elizabeth Day spent years chasing a vision of the ‘perfect’ home life, only to discover that reality can look very different. She grew up in the Northern Irish countryside, in a home that was physically safe but shadowed by unrest in the wider community. Childhood fears of monsters under the bed were replaced by the reality of masked terrorists, which has made the concept of home as a place of safety so central to her life today. In the high-pressure early years of her journalism career at The Evening Standard, Elizabeth sought to create peaceful, restorative spaces – first in her own apartments, and later in the relationships she invested in. Her path has also been marked by profound challenges: the unexpected breakdown of her first marriage and a 12-year fertility journey that ultimately ended in disappointment. As a high achiever with a clear picture of her life goals, learning to navigate what she describes as “failure” has been far from straightforward. She describes her life in more recent years as “a dismantling of that and a recovery of who I was at four.” Her current home and her loving marriage to Justin are built upon the lessons she learned from these experiences. Elizabeth describes finding her home as a moment of fate, as if the universe delivered exactly what she needed.
The episode was recorded in Elizabeth’s house in South London. A full house tour is available to our Patreon community. Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt Elizabeth’s new novel, One of Us, is published by 4th Estate and available to purchase in hardback here. You can also preorder a copy of the paperback out (21 May) here. To hear more from us: YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt, to watch the video version Instagram: @homingwithmatt TikTok: @homing.with.matt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office Produced by @podshoponline The full visualised studio tour is available to our Patreon community. Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt | |||
| Wintering at Home: The Power of Rest & Ritual, with Katherine May | 12 Feb 2026 | 01:10:39 | |
In the first episode of a new strand of Homing, Katherine May frames the home as a place to slow down and take refuge from the overstimulating world beyond. Katherine is known for her bestselling book Wintering, which explores the importance of rest and retreat during the fallow periods of life that we all experience. The conversation delves into what happens when we allow ourselves to notice natural rhythms and cycles: the solstices, the shifting light, and the subtle signals that tell us when it’s time to slow down. Katherine describes home as a sensory environment – almost as an extension of the body itself – and how the spaces we live in can either soothe the nervous system, or quietly overwhelm it. The conversation turns to boredom and creativity – and why giving children unstructured time and space can be one of the most generous things we do for them. Katherine helps us understand the home as a place where we can learn to restore ourselves, enabling us to go back out into the world with renewed strength. These discussions are intended for general information and should not be considered medical, psychological or professional advice. If you have concerns about your health or wellbeing, please consult a qualified professional. To hear more from us: YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt, to watch the video version Instagram: @homingwithmatt TikTok: @homing.with.matt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office Produced by @podshoponline For exclusive walking tours – from Dan Pearson’s year-round outdoor kitchen to Polly Morgan’s taxidermy zebra – join us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt | |||
| Natasha Landers on Curating Black Art, East London & The Home as a Living Exhibition | 05 Feb 2026 | 01:09:36 | |
For interior designer and art curator Natasha Landers, home is where the public and private worlds meet. Her Walthamstow house is a curated gallery, where Black art is not just displayed, but lives among her daily life. Natasha grew up in a Hackney council house, sharing a bedroom with her brother in a home where space was tight, but imagination wasn’t. From an early age, she found ways to express herself – decorating her bedroom and reworking her clothes. She was the first in her family to go to university, leaving the noise of East London for the stillness of the Welsh valleys. The silence was unsettling. No traffic. No sirens. Just the realisation that home isn’t only about place – it’s about what your body recognises as safe. Today, Natasha is a diversity consultant, working in boardrooms where she's often the only Black person in the room. Spaces where she’s learned to hold her ground – and gently challenge how others see the world. Her home has become part of that work, and she opens it up as an exhibition space for Black artists. She’s lived there for 26 years, shaping it slowly and conscientiously. A roll-top bath once sat in the living room for two years, waiting for the moment it could finally be installed. It’s also a home that knows how to slow down. After years of people-pleasing and burnout, Natasha has learned to honour rest – and to find pleasure in small, everyday rituals. This is an episode about patience, knowing when to perform and when to stop, and how a home shaped over time can become a place where you’re finally allowed to just be. The episode was recorded at Natasha’s home in Walthamstow. A full tour of the house and art collection is available to our Patreon community. Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt To hear more from us: YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt, to watch the video version Instagram: @homingwithmatt TikTok: @homing.with.matt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office Produced by @podshoponline The full visualised home tour is available to our Patreon community. Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt | |||
| Dan Pearson on Landscape Design, Mindfulness & the Alchemy of Gardening | 22 Jan 2026 | 01:13:28 | |
For Dan Pearson, working with the landscape isn’t simply his profession — it’s how he makes sense of the world. In this emotional conversation, he opens up about self-image, mindfulness and the alchemy of gardening – something that can feel like magic, but is really about careful attention and a deep respect for the natural rhythms of life. Dan fondly recalls his childhood home: a dilapidated house where wildlife knew no boundaries, with rat holes under doors and vegetation pressing up against the furniture. Today, he lives in a modest stone farmhouse with small windows, nestled into the side of the valley, with a huge landscape that opens out in front. He and his partner cook and eat in their outdoor kitchen year-round, watching the weather roll in over Freezing Hill. At the bottom of the garden, there’s a pond for swimming or meditation. It’s the embodiment of the prospect-refuge theory. This is an episode about humility, about living in sync with nature and understanding that as human beings, we're part of a wonderful ecosystem much larger than ourselves. The episode was recorded at Dan’s home in Somerset. A full tour of his garden and outbuildings is available to our Patreon community. Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt Dan also publishes Dig Delve, an online magazine about his Somerset garden, with photography and editorial by his partner Huw Morgan. Homing listeners can use the discount code HOMING2026 for 15% off annual or quarterly subscriptions. Website: www.digdelve.com Instagram: @digdelve Dan’s personal Instagram: @coyotewillow
YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt, to watch the video version Instagram: @homingwithmatt TikTok: @homing.with.matt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office Produced by @podshoponline The full visualised home tour is available to our Patreon community. Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Matilda Goad on Balance, Joy and Playful Homeware Design | 12 Jan 2026 | 01:14:21 | |
For homewares designer Matilda Goad, balance isn’t just a design principle – it’s a way of living. Her home is a reflection of that: comfortable and familiar, but full of playful touches. Growing up in a country cottage, boredom became a lesson in invention. With her grandfather an artist and her mother a fashion designer, Matilda was surrounded by creativity from an early age and developed a strong drive to prove herself. That ambition runs through everything she does. From designing her iconic scallop-edged lampshade to opening a new hardware store off the Pimlico Road, Matilda has a talent for taking the functional and adding a playful twist. Her home in London is an extension of her visual identity and the backdrop to some of life’s most significant moments. Both of her children were born at home – one in the sitting room, the other in the bedroom. For Matilda, home is psychological safety: a place that can hold everything. We talk about sensitivity to environments, using anxiety as fuel, and the discipline required to sustain creative drive. She shares practical rituals to reset, from breathwork exercises to lighting techniques, and the realities of building a business slowly and organically. This episode is about purpose, momentum and how our homes mirror the lives we’re building. – Matt An extended version of the tour is available to our Patreon community. Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt To hear more from us: YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt, to watch the video version Instagram: @homingwithmatt TikTok: @homing.with.matt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office Produced by @podshoponline The full visualised home tour is available to our Patreon community. Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Skye McAlpine on Hosting, Christmas & the Myth of Perfection at Home | 11 Dec 2025 | 01:11:35 | |
For a special Christmas episode of Homing, I was invited into the home of cookery writer and ultimate host, Skye McAlpine. Skye is like a modern-day “Mother Christmas”. She was raised between London and Venice by parents who were great bon viveurs, and her childhood home was an open house, filled with guests, conversation and celebration. It’s there that she absorbed the idea that a home is meant for sharing – a philosophy she has carried into both her life and her work. If you follow Skye online, you’ll see that her kitchen is at the heart of everything she does; a space to cook and gather those she loves around one long table. For Skye, hosting is an expression of love, and choosing a favourite event is, in her words, “like choosing a favourite child”.
During our tour, she laughs about the dust that gathers on every surface, which makes her cough. We talk about insomnia, doomscrolling, introversion, and the importance of not letting the pressure to appear perfect stop you from putting yourself out there. This is an episode about place, belonging, childhood, and what it really means to make people feel at home. So before your Christmas dinners, I hope you give this episode a listen and absorb Skye’s wisdom for creating a table full of love. This episode was filmed in person at Skye’s London Victorian townhouse. – Matt To hear more from us: YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt, to watch the video version Instagram: @homingwithmatt TikTok: @homing.with.matt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office Produced by @podshoponline The full visualised home tour is available to our Patreon community. Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt | |||
| Max Rollitt on Interior Decorating, Sentimentality & the Home as Autobiography | 27 Nov 2025 | 01:13:41 | |
Max Rollitt is a highly respected interior decorator and antiques dealer. Extraordinary pieces pass through his hands every day, yet most of the objects he chooses to live with at home have little monetary value. Instead, they are tokens of respect and love. The conversation begins with Max’s childhood in Winchester, where he struggled at school because he processed information in images – something we’d now recognise as dyslexia. It’s this visual approach that is the foundation for a ‘Max Rollitt’ interior: decorating a home the way an artist composes a painting. Nowhere is that sensibility clearer than in his family farmhouse in the South Downs. Every piece of furniture and object has a story to tell: artworks from his sons, photographs of his wife, and handmade gifts from his mentors. During our private home tour, some of these objects even moved Max to tears. We also talk about how to create a nurturing environment for creative children, the grounding effect of rural life and finding personal fulfilment through spirituality. This episode is about how the objects we surround ourselves with are more than aesthetic items – they are containers for people and experiences.
– Matt An extended version of the tour is available to our Patreon community. Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt To hear more from us:
Music by @simeonwalkermusic | |||
| Polly Morgan on Taxidermy, Family & Letting Things Go | 13 Nov 2025 | 01:25:19 | |
Much like her taxidermy-based sculptures, Polly Morgan is an artist who delights in looking beneath the surface. Her home in Camberwell is deliberately minimalist - a space viewers may recognise from Netflix’s Baby Reindeer. As she prepares to move out after 13 years, with most of her possessions already shipped off to the countryside, she reflects on the highs and lows of her time there. Growing up in the Cotswolds, Polly’s childhood was characterised by watching animals die and by seeing her father dissect bodies to understand anatomy. Those early experiences formed her way of seeing, not as something morbid, but as a curiosity about life and its endings. Entirely self-taught, Polly has always worked slightly outside of artistic convention. She speaks about wanting to notice what most people overlook, to find the parts of things that are usually hidden. It’s with this same outlook that she talks about the loss of her sister and mother, and the decision to say goodbye to her city life as she prepares to return to the countryside. This is a conversation about artistic process, growing older, family, and learning what to hold on to and what to let go of. This episode was recorded in person at Polly’s home in Camberwell. To hear more from us: For more content and exclusive walking tours: Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic | |||
| Chris Packham on Neurodiversity, Safe Spaces & Finding Solace in Nature | 30 Oct 2025 | 01:32:00 | |
Chris Packham has always fascinated me. As a broadcaster, naturalist, and conservationist, he’s helped millions connect with wildlife and the natural world through shows like BBC’s Springwatch – but sitting down with him in his home, I realised how much of his story is about creating refuge, both at home and within himself. In this deeply personal conversation, Chris speaks candidly about his childhood in Southampton, being diagnosed with autism in his forties, and how he has designed a home that helps him manage sensory sensitivities – ironically filled with furniture and artwork that is deliberately uncomfortable. He reflects on solitude versus loneliness and how nature provides safety, structure and healing when the human world feels overwhelming. It’s a conversation about finding comfort in discomfort, about refuge and resilience, and, above all, about what it means to feel at home in the world. It’s also one of the most memorable episodes I’ve ever recorded. This episode was recorded in person at Chris' home in the New Forest.
YouTube: Subscribe to our channel Homing with Matt, to watch the video version Instagram: @homingwithmatt TikTok: @homing.with.matt Contact: Email us at hello@mattgibberd.com For more content and exclusive walking tours: Patreon: http://patreon.com/HomingWithMatt
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| Homing With Matt Gibberd | 30 Oct 2025 | 00:02:03 | |
The Homing podcast explores the importance of home in shaping who we are.
Join Matt Gibberd, author and co-founder of The Modern House, as he takes listeners inside the homes of inspiring guests to examine what really happens inside our walls – how they influence our emotions, creativity and sense of self.
Featuring leading voices from art, film, wellbeing and beyond, Homing is a thoughtful journey into remarkable homes and the minds that shape them.
Be prepared for tears, laughter, and everything in between. "The Best Podcasts To Listen To" – Vogue Homing is produced by Podshop, with music by Simeon Walker.
To hear more from us: YouTube: Subscribe to our channel Homing with Matt Gibberd, to watch the video version For more content and exclusive walking tours: Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320176/a-modern-way-to-live-by-gibberd-matt/9780241480496 Music by @simeonwalkermusic | |||
| Bethan Laura Wood: the multidisciplinary designer on the need to make and create | 30 Sep 2025 | 01:28:43 | |
Bethan designs everything from furniture to lighting and textiles, and some of her work is currently on display at the Design Museum in London.
She presents herself to the world like a human peacock. She dyes her hair different colours, wears layers of vivid clothing, and puts dots on her cheeks.
Her flat in east London isn’t exactly demure either. We recorded this podcast in the company of various hats and handbags, a jar of balloons in liquid, and a lamp shaped like a jellyfish.
In this conversation, we dig into the differences between collecting and hoarding. The objects Bethan lives with are like a cast of characters in a film. The way she arranges them isn’t just about what looks good together; she’s also thinking about the stories they tell.
Going back to her childhood, she tells me about dressing like “a 1950s cool dinner lady”, and how watching TV inspired her to apply for the Royal College of Art.
We talk about the impact of bullying, and how she’s been shaped by her dyslexia. She’s a fascinating character, and I really enjoyed getting to know her better.
For more: Subscribe to The Modern House newsletter for weekly interiors inspiration Pick up a copy of Matt Gibberd’s latest book, A Modern Way To Live Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram Follow The Modern House Instagram Watch our Homing In films on YouTube Producer: Laconic Collective Graphic Design: Ben Tucker Music: Simeon Walker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Lakwena Maciver: the renowned artist on colour, creativity, criticism and connection | 18 Sep 2025 | 00:54:50 | |
Today's guest is the wonderful Lakwena Maciver. Lakwena is an artist whose work has exploded out of the Instagram generation. She uses bright colours and patterns inspired by her African heritage and bold written slogans. Given that her work is so positive and uplifting, I was really interested to find out that she's a natural pessimist with a very tough inner critic. So the words that appear in her art, which say things like 'Do Better' and 'Raise Your Hopes', are actually messages to herself. She kindly invited us to her house in east London to record this episode, and I really enjoyed finding out more about her home life. She reveals that she didn't really fit in anywhere as a child, so she was one of the only Black kids at her school and at home, she was an introvert in a household of extroverts, but she found drawing, which she describes as a process of empowerment. The act of putting pencil to paper helped her make sense of everything she was experiencing. We discussed a refurb she's done on her house, and how she's had to learn to compromise with her husband, especially when it comes to carpets. We talk about the importance of taking the time to reflect on your successes, why she'd secretly like to live in a hut in Uganda. For more: Subscribe to The Modern House newsletter for weekly interiors inspiration Pick up a copy of Matt Gibberd’s latest book, A Modern Way To Live Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram Follow The Modern House Instagram Watch our Homing In films on YouTube Producer: Laconic Collective Graphic Design: Ben Tucker Music: Simeon Walker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Sir Christopher Le Brun: The leading painter on the homes that have shaped him | 03 Apr 2025 | 01:19:52 | |
Christopher was President of the Royal Academy for eight years and given a knighthood in 2021.
I first met him a few years ago, when The Modern House was selling his beautiful home in Camberwell. Shortly after that, he had a joint exhibition in Los Angeles with my wife, Faye Toogood, so I got to know him better during the week we were out there together.
This podcast gave me the chance to go a bit deeper, and I really enjoyed finding out more about his life.
Despite always finding himself in positions of authority, Christopher paints a picture of a naturally shy and introspective character.
He and his wife, Charlotte Verity, moved out to Somerset a couple of years ago, and we had a snoop around their studios before sitting down to record this podcast in their lovely Georgian farmhouse.
Christopher gives me a fascinating insight into what it's like to be a professional painter: from the importance of the space he's working in, to the rituals he goes through and what he's thinking about.
He tells me about what it's like to live with another artist – how they need to give each other space, and how they critique each other's work.
And we discuss the important houses in his life, notably the Victorian villa that he extended with the help of the architect Jamie Fobert.
I've got a huge amount of respect for Christopher, and I found this conversation so fascinating. I hope you enjoy it too. For more: Subscribe to The Modern House newsletter for weekly interiors inspiration Pick up a copy of Matt Gibberd’s latest book, A Modern Way To Live Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram Follow The Modern House Instagram Watch our Homing In films on YouTube Producer: Laconic Collective Graphic Design: Ben Tucker Music: Simeon Walker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Dame Zandra Rhodes: the fashion legend on living a life in Technicolor | 11 Mar 2025 | 00:52:17 | |
Zandra's home is one of the most colourful, cluttered and downright bonkers living spaces I've ever been in.
We recorded this podcast just before Christmas, so there was an extra layer of sparkle on top of the kaleidoscope.
Zandra walked me through her incredible life story... from being born during an air raid in 1940, to being discovered by American Vogue's fashion editor Diana Vreeland... dressing people like Freddie Mercury, and having lunch with Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol.
We discussed why she dyes her hair pink and wears flamboyant clothes, and why she's never seen herself in the mirror without makeup on.
She told me about her colourful family history, including a dad she was embarrassed by, a mum who channelled all of her ambition into Zandra, and a grandmother who was murdered.
Zandra's in her mid-eighties now. A few years ago, she was diagnosed with cancer and given six months to live, so I wasn't sure quite what to expect.
But I found someone who's incredibly full of life, working as hard as ever, and optimistic about the future. This episode was recorded in person at Zandra's home in London. For more: Pick up a copy of Zandra Rhodes' latest book, Iconic Subscribe to The Modern House newsletter for weekly interiors inspiration Pick up a copy of Matt Gibberd’s latest book, A Modern Way To Live Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram Follow The Modern House Instagram Watch our Homing In films on YouTube Producer: Laconic Collective Graphic Design: Ben Tucker Music: Simeon Walker This episode is sponsored by Vitsoe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Nigel Slater: the food writer opens the door to his fascinating home life | 13 Nov 2024 | 01:32:27 | |
Nigel is the first podcast guest ever to make me cry. I'm a big fan of his writing, and suspected he'd be a kindred spirit, but spending the day with him in his house was an overwhelming experience I wasn't prepared for. He lives around the corner from where I grew up, in a pared-back way that feels very familiar. In this remarkably honest conversation, he outlines the essential role his home plays in keeping him on an even keel. We discuss what it's like to suffer from panic attacks, and how they're triggered by the built environment. He tells me that whenever he arrives in a building he hasn't been to before, the first thing he does is check where the exit is so that he can plan his escape. We touch on the childhood trauma that he wrote about in his brilliant memoir, Toast, from his mother's death to his father's bullying. We discuss the roots of his lifelong interest in gardening, why he keeps a daily diary, and the importance of smell within the home. This is a conversation I'll remember forever. Thank you, Nigel. This episode was recorded in person at Nigel's home in London. For more: Pick up a copy of Nigel Slater's latest book, A Thousand Feasts: Small Moments of Joy … a Memoir of Sorts Find out more about Nigel's collaboration with Perfumer H Subscribe to The Modern House newsletter for weekly interiors inspiration Pick up a copy of Matt Gibberd’s latest book, A Modern Way To Live Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram Follow The Modern House Instagram Watch our Homing In films on YouTube Producer: Laconic Collective Graphic Design: Ben Tucker Music: Simeon Walker This episode is sponsored by Vitsoe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Kevin McCloud: the Grand Designs presenter takes us behind the scenes of his own life | 01 Aug 2024 | 00:50:52 | |
Kevin has been a fixture on our tellies for so many years that we feel like we know him. But, actually, I didn’t have a clue about his life story, so this conversation was really interesting for me. He tells me about growing up in what he refers to as an ‘architectural zoo’ of housing from different eras. We talk about his involvement with Footlights, the famous comedy troupe at Cambridge University, where he collaborated with Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson. And he explains why he’s spent years living in a camper van and why his future home will definitely have a view of the mountains. Kevin is one of the most engaging and fiercely intelligent guests I’ve spoken to on Homing In and he’s full of amusing anecdotes and top tips. I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was recorded in person at St Anne's Court, a home currently for sale on The Modern House. For more: Watch Grand Designs Subscribe to The Modern House newsletter for weekly interiors inspiration Find out more about Matt Gibberd’s latest book, A Modern Way To Live Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram Follow The Modern House Instagram Watch our Homing In films on YouTube Producer: Hannah Phillips Editing and mixing: Oscar Crawford Graphic Design: Tom Young Music: Father This episode is sponsored by Vitsoe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Skye Gyngell: a searingly honest portrait of a chef battling for her identity | 30 Jul 2024 | 00:50:57 | |
Skye Gyngell was born and raised in Sydney, but has never felt Australian. In this honest and heartfelt interview, she paints a picture of a deeply introverted child who wanted to “turn down the volume” on everybody. Her father, Bruce Gyngell, was the first person to appear on TV in Australia, and uttered the immortal line, “Good evening, and welcome to television.” She describes him as very flamboyant (“probably a real show-off, actually”), and he would send a chauffeur-driven car to pick her up from school. Sydney in the Seventies was a tight-knit community where everyone knew each other’s business, and, as a sensitive personality, she found the attention impossible to deal with. As soon as she turned 18, she fled to Europe, and has never looked back.
We explore her life story through the lens of the homes she’s lived in… from the house on stilts that was built by her parents, to her beautiful home in west London where we recorded this episode. For more: Head over to our website for more images of the places discussed Visit Spring and Heckfield Place Sign up to The Modern House newsletter for weekly interiors inspiration Check out Matt Gibberd’s latest book, A Modern Way To Live Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram Follow The Modern House Instagram Watch our Homing In films on YouTube Executive Producer: Kate Taylor of Feast Collective Production: Hannah Phillips Music: Father Graphic Design: Tom Young Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Ruth Rogers: London’s favourite chef on creating an iconic house | 25 Jul 2024 | 00:45:26 | |
For Ruth Rogers, home is at the very heart of everything. Her legendary London restaurant, the River Cafe, is founded on community, friendship and home cooking. Her iconic house in Chelsea, which she co-created with her architect husband, Richard Rogers, has been the backdrop to family life for forty years and has influenced a generation of homeowners to live with light and space. Ruthie invited me in to discuss her extraordinary life through the lens of the homes she has lived in. She describes with great poignancy how her house provides her with comfort following Richard’s death. She talks about growing up in the Borscht Belt near New York, and a chance encounter with Bob Dylan in Woodstock. Having personally co-founded a business in an industry I knew nothing about, I can relate to Ruthie’s inspiring story of starting the River Cafe with no restaurant experience and making things up as she went along. She tells me about how the restaurant has become a home from home, and why it’s been a breeding ground for some of the world’s most celebrated chefs, including Jamie Oliver, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, April Bloomfield and Allegra McEvedy. She talks about the influences behind her Chelsea home, from the Maison de Verre in Paris to the Italian piazzas of Pienza and Montepulciano, and why a rather special set of coloured pencils is one of the first things she would save in a house fire. This conversation was recorded in person at Ruth Rogers’ home in Chelsea, London. For more on Ruth Rogers: Watch our film at the home of Ruth and Richard Rogers Listen to Ruth’s podcast, Ruthie’s Table Four For more from Matt Gibberd and The Modern House: Sign up to our newsletter for weekly interior inspiration Check out Matt's latest book, A Modern Way To Live Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram Watch our Homing In films on YouTube Executive Producer: Kate Taylor of Feast Collective Production: Hannah Phillips Music: Father Graphic Design: Tom Young Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Mary Portas: the queen of the high street’s inspiring journey from homeless orphan to a London townhouse that’s all hers | 18 Jul 2024 | 00:52:55 | |
Most of us know Mary Portas as a swashbuckling TV presenter with a flame-red bob, but her career away from the screen has been no less remarkable. She did the window displays for Topshop during its heyday and was the creative director of Harvey Nichols when it was immortalised on Absolutely Fabulous. Nowadays, however, she runs her consultancy, Portas, which helps brands create purpose and beauty in everything they do. As this episode reveals, her life story is incredibly rich and filled with both trauma and triumph. This episode was recorded in person at the Portas offices, London. For more: Head over to our website for more images of the places discussed Visit Portas Sign up to The Modern House newsletter for weekly interiors inspiration Check out Matt Gibberd’s latest book, A Modern Way To Live Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram Follow The Modern House Instagram Watch our Homing In films on YouTube This episode is sponsored by Vitsoe. Executive Producer: Kate Taylor of Feast Collective Producer: Hannah Phillips Music: Father Graphic Design: Tom Young Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Cath Kidston: the floral-obsessed entrepreneur on why life isn’t always a bed of roses | 05 Jul 2024 | 01:02:42 | |
There’s barely an oilcloth, mug or ironing board cover that hasn’t been embellished with a nostalgic floral print from Cath Kidston. Because of the brand’s ubiquity, it’s easy to forget quite how influential it was when it appeared in the 1990s. What I love about Cath is that she’s living proof you can be a wildly successful entrepreneur whilst also being a kind, gentle soul. Although her name’s still above the door, she hasn’t been involved with the Cath Kidston business for many years, so I was intrigued to find out what that feels like. She’s now set up a bodycare brand called C. Atherley, which makes all of its products using scented geraniums. Despite her love of flowers, life hasn’t always been a bed of David Austin roses for Cath and she talks very honestly about the personal grief she’s suffered through her life. She has a great eye for interiors and we had this conversation at her kitchen table in London, with a surprisingly modern backdrop of Danish wood flooring and an Ellsworth Kelly artwork. Cath was very generous with her time and emotions and I’m really happy with how this episode has turned out. I hope you enjoy it. This episode was recorded in person at Cath Kidston’s West London home. For more: Visit The Modern House website to see images of the spaces discussed in this episode Check out Cath Kidston’s latest venture, C.Atherley Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram Follow The Modern House Instagram Watch our Homing In films on YouTube Producer: Hannah Phillips Editing: Oscar Crawford Graphic Design: Tom Young Music: Father This episode was sponsored by Vitsoe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Jonny Gent: music, martinis and mayhem from the founder of Sessions Arts Club | 28 Jun 2024 | 01:00:08 | |
Today I’m chatting to the swashbuckling artist and restaurateur Jonny Gent. We recorded this episode during a busy lunch service at Sessions Arts Club, Jonny’s inspirational restaurant in Clerkenwell. It’s fair to say that he’d emboldened himself with a few martinis beforehand and what ensued was a conversation that very much represents the man himself: unstructured, poetic and generous. Jonny’s a brilliant painter, and his artworks range from the sexualised and salacious to tenderly painted still-lifes that are a tribute to his late mother. After getting himself through art school, he met a casting director who wrote him a cheque for every painting he’d made. What followed was a journey that took him to more than 20 countries around the world, establishing art studios in everything from a cabin in Scotland to a tobacco factory in France. Now approaching his late 40s, he’s finally starting to put down some roots. As well as having a permanent home in London, Jonny spends a lot of time in the Scottish Highlands, where he’s opened a retreat for creatives called Boath House. Like Sessions Arts Club, it explores the confluence of art, food and music. Jonny says of his childhood, “I felt totally alone in what I found beautiful.” He begins by telling me about the Slow & Easy, the pub he grew up in, and the lasting impact of 500 strangers coming into your home every day. I hope you enjoy it! This episode was recorded in person at Sessions Arts Club, London. For more: Visit The Modern House website to see images of the spaces discussed in this episode Check out Sessions Arts Club and Boath House Take a look at Jonny Gent’s latest work Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram Follow The Modern House Instagram Watch our Homing In films on YouTube Producer and Editor: Hannah Phillips Mixing: Oscar Crawford Graphic Design: Tom Young Music: Father Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Tim Ross: the Australian comedian on the life-changing effect of modest, modernist buildings – and tinted moisturiser | 21 Jun 2024 | 01:13:05 | |
A while back, Tim came to London to perform at the Isokon building in Belsize Park, and I managed to catch up with him to record this podcast. As a small boy in the Seventies, Tim quietly absorbed the lessons of modernist architecture. He remembers accompanying his parents to a dinner party at a modern house, where the sound of laughter reverberated around the circular lounge; his career seems to have been about trying to recapture that heady moment. In 2003, he bought his own modernist house in Sydney, a move which, he says, ‘changed my life for the better’. His fascination with architecture and design had previously been a solitary pursuit, but the house provided a way to meet like-minded people and a launchpad for his TV career. Tim is really great company, and we talk about all sorts of things. He explains how he’s an outlier in his family, and what it felt like to perform on stage for the first time. He tells me about the day the Beastie Boys came to visit and wouldn’t leave, why he’d rather learn to be a builder than go through the stress of another renovation project, and why he swears by the uplifting effects of tinted moisturiser. This episode was recorded in person in Brick Lane, London. For more: Visit The Modern House website to see images of the spaces discussed in this episode Discover more about Tim Ross and his live shows See more of his Sydney home Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram Follow The Modern House Instagram Watch our Homing In films on YouTube Producer: Hannah Phillips Editing: Oscar Crawford Graphic Design: Tom Young and Ben Tucker Music: Father Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| Luke Edward hall: the artist and designer pulls back the curtain to reveal his colourful life story | 07 Jun 2024 | 01:03:43 | |
Luke has kindly invited us to his house in the Cotswolds, which he shares with his husband, Duncan Campbell, and a pair of enthusiastic whippets. I was intrigued to learn that this modern-day dandy comes from a bog-standard commuter town, and like many of the people I talk to on this podcast, his creative impulses offered a route out of mediocrity. He tells me his very personal backstory of being estranged from his father at a young age, and what it was like to come out as gay to his family. We talk about his witty, whimsical interpretation of the English Country House Style, why he believes you should invest yourself financially and emotionally in a rental, and why he chose to paint his London flat in ‘Pepto-Bismol pink’ before getting rid of it a few days later. This episode was recorded in person at Luke’s cottage in the Cotswolds. For more: Check out the work of Luke Edward Hall See images of the home he shares with Duncan Campbell over on our sister website, Inigo Visit The Modern House website Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram Follow The Modern House Instagram Watch our Homing In films on YouTube Producer: Hannah Phillips Editing: Oscar Crawford Graphic Design: Tom Young and Ben Tucker Music: Father Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| James Lohan: the co-founder of Mr & Mrs Smith on how his first experience of home shaped an obsession with boutique hotels | 24 May 2024 | 01:06:32 | |
This is the first time we’ve recorded an episode in a hotel suite, and that’s because today’s guest knows more about opening doors to glamorous guesthouses than anyone else. James Lohan co-founded the travel company Mr & Mrs Smith with his wife Tamara back in 2003, and since then he’s visited nearly 4,000 hotels in the name of research. James is a gregarious character with some brilliant tales to tell.We discuss his earliest experiences as an entrepreneur, from selling cheese toasties at school, to setting up a mobile disco called Your Mother Wouldn’t Like It. He tells me about his refurbishment of a Dutch barge on the Thames – complete with flock wallpaper and a freestanding bath – and what he’s learned from hotels that we might apply to our homes. This episode was recorded in person at The Nomad Hotel, London. For more: Check out Mr & Mrs Smith Visit The Modern House website Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram Follow The Modern House Instagram Watch our Homing In films on YouTube Producer: Hannah Phillips Editing and mixing: Oscar Crawford Music: Father Graphic Design: Tom Young and Ben Tucker This episode was sponsored by Vitsoe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||