Serious Leisure

In this episode we explore the personal journeys and professional breakthroughs of two academics who are also involved in visual arts and crafts. Dr Rob Grieve (Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy at UWE Bristol) unpacks his journey initially as a cartoonist to printmaking/painting, and finding the balance between enjoying recognition and creating art for its own sake. Dr Harriet Shortt (Associate Professor in Organisation Studies, at UWE Bristol’s Faculty of Business and Law) explains the transition

How does an activity you start doing alone in your home snowball into a vibrant, active group of people, generating, sharing and critiquing ideas? In this episode we hear how Dr Emmanuel Adukwu and Father Immanuel Unekwu-Ojo Ogu journeyed from writing poetry for an audience of one, to creating a dynamic and nurturing writing collective that reaches round the globe, where poets can hone their craft together, even evolving writing into a form of activism. Their story reminds us we don’t always need a

What happens if you get the chance to transform your serious leisure into a full time career change? Would you take the leap? In this episode we hear from Sara Hale, Deputy Head of Law, in her final weeks at UWE Bristol. Sara tells us about leaving her academic role to become a full time netball coach. But can we still recharge through activities if they become our full time job? Be inspired by Sara’s story in this unique episode where we take a deep dive into the liminal space where work and

In this soothing episode Louise Mighall and Dr Arthur Turner share their stories of escaping offices and lecture theatres for gardens and neglected wild city spaces. Louise describes how her interest in bee-friendly gardens which started by time spent outside with her young family, led to new friendships with neighbours and deeper personal contentment. Arthur recounts the peaceful satisfaction of looking after a patch of unloved land and the enjoyment and connection of seeing the transformation

Thought Dungeons & Dragons was so just a cartoon from the 1980s? Maybe you are already familiar with this classic role-playing game with fantasy creatures and many-sided dice! In this episode we hear from Martin Williams and George Howard who show us around this magical world where lifelong friendships and new connections flourish in the laughter and adventure of co-creating epic escapades together. Don't miss the next episode! Subscribe now! Reflecting on ways to balance work and wellbeing via

In this reassuringly relatable episode we hear from Emma Wingate and Laura Quick about the often hidden journey of making progress with something, dropping it and picking it up again. Through Laura’s ups and downs with Couch to 5k we explore how leisure gives us a safe space to stop and start whilst still experiencing satisfaction and enjoyment on our own terms. Free from the pressure of achievement, Emma helps us rediscover the value of doing activities for their own sake as a way of reconnecting