The Life of Letters – Details, episodes & analysis

In this short introduction of the Life of Letters podcast, producer Heidi Cullip talks to host Laura Edralin about her journey into the world of calligraphy, discussing how it has positively impacted her mental health and personal growth. She emphasises the importance of mindfulness and creativity in her life and expresses a desire to explore the broader world of lettering and its history. The conversation highlights the therapeutic benefits of calligraphy and the community surrounding it, as well as the exciting future of the podcast.

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If you enjoy any The Life of Letters Podcast episodes, it would mean the world if you could follow or subscribe, leave a quick review, or share the episode with a friend. Every little action helps more people discover the calming, creative world of calligraphy and lettering.️

Connect with Laura on Instagram @thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visit lauralletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram @lauraletterslife.

️✍️ ✨ Want to bring a little calm and creativity into your own life? Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

LAUNCHING: SEASON 1! Host, Laura Edralin explains what the podcast is about and who it is for. Find out who she'll be speaking to in the first season of the podcast.

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If you enjoy any The Life of Letters Podcast episodes, it would mean the world if you could follow or subscribe, leave a quick review, or share the episode with a friend. Every little action helps more people discover the calming, creative world of calligraphy and lettering.️

Connect with Laura on Instagram @thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visit lauralletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram @lauraletterslife.

️✍️ ✨ Want to bring a little calm and creativity into your own life? Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this episode of the Life of Letters podcast, host Laura Edralin speaks with award-winning calligrapher Ruh Al-Alam about his journey from London to Dubai, his passion for Arabic calligraphy, and the innovative ways he blends traditional techniques with modern digital tools. Ruh shares insights into his creative process, the significance of calligraphy in cultural contexts, and the importance of teaching and mentoring the next generation of artists. The conversation explores the evolving landscape of calligraphy in the digital age and the future possibilities for this art form.

To find out more about Ruh:

Visit: RuhAl-Alam.com & Archetype.xyz

Or connect with him on Instagram at @ruhalalam

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

Connect with me on Instagram @thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

To discover more about my calligraphy workshops and more, visit lauralletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram @lauraletterslife.

Look out for the next series, coming soon!

In this episode, Laura Edralin speaks with Sylvia Wong, a Toronto-based calligraphy artist and digital marketing director. They discuss Sylvia's journey into calligraphy, the creation of her viral project, the Just Married Jacket, and her experiences in teaching and community building. Sylvia shares insights on balancing her calligraphy business with her full-time job, navigating pricing and value in the art world, and the future of calligraphy in an increasingly digital landscape. The conversation emphasizes the importance of personal connection in art and the unique experiences that calligraphy can offer. 

To find out more about Sylvia:

Visit: viacalligraphy.com 

Or connect with her on Instagram at @viacalligraphy

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

Connect with me on Instagram @thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

To discover more about my calligraphy workshops and more, visit lauralletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram @lauraletterslife.

Look out for the next series, coming soon!

In this episode of the Life of Letters podcast, Laura Edralin engages with Lucy Gibbon, an archivist from Orkney, to explore the fascinating world of archival work and paleography. They discuss the history and significance of the Orkney Archives, the challenges of deciphering historical scripts, and the collaborative efforts of volunteers in uncovering hidden stories from the past. The conversation highlights the importance of preserving history through written documents and the evolving nature of language and script over time.

To find out more about the Orkney Archives and Library:

Visit: https://orkneyarchive.blogspot.com/; https://orkneylibrary.org.uk/  

Or connect with Lucy and her team on archives@orkney.gov.uk  / 01856 873166

To find out more about the Looking in from the Edge "LIFTE" Project visit: https://archaeologyorkney.com/lifte/

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

Connect with me on Instagram @thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

To discover more about my calligraphy workshops and more, visit lauralletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram @lauraletterslife.

Look out for the next series, coming soon!

In this episode of the Life of Letters podcast, host Laura Edralin speaks with award-winning lettering artist Dan Foster. They explore Dan's journey into the world of lettering, influenced by his father's legacy, his passion for typography, and the evolution of his artistic style. The conversation delves into the historical roots of lettering, the impact of modern technology like AI, and the future of the craft. Dan shares insights into his creative process, personal projects, and the importance of storytelling in design.

To find out more about Dan:

Visit: danforster.com 

Or connect with him on Instagram at @danforster

For the book Dan recommends "Lettersforms" by Timothy Samara, you can find it here on Amazon (this is an affliate link which will give a small commission back to Laura).

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

Connect with me on Instagram @thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

To discover more about my calligraphy workshops and more, visit lauralletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram @lauraletterslife.

Look out for the next series, coming soon!

In this episode of the Life of Letters podcast, host Laura Edralin speaks with calligrapher Susie Leiper about her journey into the world of calligraphy and painting. They discuss the intersection of these two art forms, the various styles of calligraphy, and the challenges and joys of working on both large and small projects. Susie shares her experiences with significant projects like the St. John's Bible and her involvement with calligraphy societies, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and collaboration in the art community. The conversation also touches on Susie's current projects and her passion for teaching and sharing her craft.

As a calligrapher and painter, Susie Leiper works on everything from monumental walls and canvases to small tablets and artist books. Her secretary hand calligraphy features on all four Royal Bank of Scotland polymer banknotes and her work is held in many national and international collections.

Susie is a member of the Society of Scribes and Illuminators (SSI) and the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society (CLAS).

To find out more about Susie:

Visit: www.susieleiper.com 

Or connect with her on Instagram @susieleiper

To find out more about the society's mentioned in today's episode, visit:

Society of Scribes and Illuminators (SSI)

Calligraphy Lettering Arts Society (CLAS)

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

Connect with me on Instagram @thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

To discover more about my calligraphy workshops and more, visit lauralletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram @lauraletterslife.

Look out for the next series, coming soon!

*WARNING: In this episode we discuss themes of suicide and violent behaviour. If you need to, please take care of yourself, whether that means listening when you feel ready, skipping certain parts or reaching out for support.

In this episode of the Life of Letters podcast, host Laura Edralin engages with graphologist Tracey Trussell to explore the fascinating world of handwriting analysis. They discuss the principles of graphology, how handwriting reflects personality traits, and the emotional insights that can be gained from analyzing written samples. Tracey shares compelling stories from her practice, illustrating the profound impact of handwriting on personal understanding and relationships. The conversation also touches on the importance of maintaining handwriting skills in a digital age and concludes with a practical analysis of Laura's and Jane Austen's handwriting samples, revealing insights into their characters and emotional states.

To find out more about Tracey - and to purchase a signed copy of her book ‘Life Lines’, visit:

www.handright.co.uk/ or connect with Tracey on Instagram @traceytrussell.

You can also find Tracey's book "Life Lines" here on Amazon (this is an affliate link which will give a small commission back to Laura). 

Things mentioned in today's episode:

• British Institute of Graphologists
• Images of Handwriting samples
• Healthline Article, Writing Benefits on Health, 17 Jul 2023
• Study: Jama Network Open, 14 Jul 2023
• Guardian Article: Adrian Chiles Writing Pen to Paper After 35 Years, 15 Jan 2025
• Guardian Article: Losing the Ability to Write By Hand, 21 Jan 2025

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

Connect with me on Instagram @thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

In this episode, producer, Heidi and host, Laura, reflect on the success of Season One of the Life of Letters podcast, expressing gratitude to listeners and guests. They share their excitement for Season Two, which will focus on community themes and feature a diverse range of guests. The conversation highlights memorable moments and stories from Season One, showcasing the unique journeys of various guests in the world of lettering and calligraphy.

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If you enjoy any The Life of Letters Podcast episodes, it would mean the world if you could follow or subscribe, leave a quick review, or share the episode with a friend. Every little action helps more people discover the calming, creative world of calligraphy and lettering.️

Connect with Laura on Instagram @thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visit lauralletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram @lauraletterslife.

️✍️ ✨ Want to bring a little calm and creativity into your own life? Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this episode of the Life of Letters podcast, host Laura Edralin speaks with Kestrel Montes, a prominent figure in the calligraphy community. Kestrel shares her late discovery of calligraphy, her journey from a laser engraving business to becoming a calligraphy educator and product innovator. The conversation explores the balance of traditional and modern calligraphy, the importance of foundational skills, and the innovative products Kestrel has developed to support calligraphers. They also discuss the future of calligraphy and the personal growth that comes with learning new styles.

To find out more about Kestrel

Visit inkmethis.com (boutique and services) and learncalligraphy.com (classes)

Or connect with her at kestrel@inkmethis.com or on Instagram @inkmethis.

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

Connect with me on Instagram @thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

To discover more about my calligraphy workshops and more, visit lauralletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram @lauraletterslife.