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PODCAST

Something to Declare

How do other cultures handle the universal problems that we face here at home? Something to Declare is here to find the answer. Join Jack Boswell as he explores the roots of global cultural practices and how people are interpreting them today, from Japanese Wabi Sabi philosophy to the Sacred Geography of Andean tribes.

society & culture places & travel

All Episodes

15:06

How to Laugh It Off

Something to Declare ·

2025/01/17

In this episode, Jack Boswell explores the Irish concept of "Craic"—a unique blend of humour, storytelling, and community that brings joy and resilience to everyday life.Joining Jack is stand-up comedian Cat Anderson, who unpacks the elusive essence of Craic. Is it simply about having fun, or does it hold a deeper significance in Irish culture? She explains how Craic is woven into Ireland's rich history, serving as a way to find levity and connection even during the hardest times. Whether in a

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14:57

How to Rise to the Challenge

Something to Declare ·

2025/01/10

Jack Boswell explores the Finnish concept of sisu - a profound inner strength that emerges when we face life’s toughest challenges.Joining him is Emilia Elisabet Lahti, a Finnish behavioural scientist, who delves into the origins of sisu, a cornerstone of Finnish culture. She explains how this powerful quality - described as the “life force in times of adversity” - has helped individuals and the nation persevere through extraordinary hardships, including the Winter War. Elisabet shares how her own

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14:42

How to Tune into Your Surroundings

Something to Declare ·

2025/01/03

Jack Boswell explores the Parisian tradition of flânerie, the art of strolling aimlessly through city streets, discovering beauty in the everyday.Joining him is Dr Aimée Boutin, a French literature professor and flânerie expert, who explains its origins in 19th-century Paris and how urban renewal gave rise to this mindful, poetic practice. Aimée shares how the flâneur engages all the senses to experience the city, describing it as a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, and stories waiting to be

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15:04

How to Take a Break

Something to Declare ·

2024/12/27

Jack Boswell explores Sweden’s cherished tradition of fika and its lessons on the art of taking a break.Joining him is Anna Brones, author of Fika: The Art of the Swedish Coffee Break, who shares how this ritual goes beyond coffee and pastries to create intentional moments of connection and reflection. Anna explains how fika encourages us to pause, savour a sweet treat, and enjoy meaningful conversations - whether with colleagues, friends, or family.Reine Eriksson, CEO of a Swedish

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14:51

How to Treat Others with Reverence

Something to Declare ·

2024/12/20

In this episode, Jack Boswell explores the intricate Iranian custom of taarof, a tradition of elaborate etiquette and rituals of deference that reveal how small acts of courtesy can foster deep connections and mutual respect.Joining Jack is Eve Esfandiari-Denney, a poet and PhD candidate in creative writing, who shares how taarof has shaped her identity and family relationships. For Eve, taarof is more than just politeness - it’s a way to honour loved ones and express care, even in simple

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15:07

How to Appreciate What Matters

Something to Declare ·

2024/12/13

In this episode, Jack Boswell explores the sacred connection between indigenous Quechua-speaking communities in the Peruvian Andes and their natural environment, offering a profound perspective on how we value what truly matters.Joining him is Yojana Miraya Oscco, a researcher and member of a Quechua-speaking community, who explains how the mountains, rivers, and land are seen as living relatives. Through rituals and offerings, these communities honour Pachamama - Mother Earth - and maintain a deep

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14:51

How to Nurture Community

Something to Declare ·

2024/12/06

Jack Boswell explores the South African philosophy of Ubuntu, a profound perspective on humanity that emphasises the interconnectedness of all people and the transformative power of community.Joining Jack is Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu, a South African-born priest and daughter of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. She explains how Ubuntu - the belief that "I am because we are" - is rooted in recognizing our shared humanity. Nontombi reflects on how this philosophy shaped her father’s work as a key

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15:08

How to Nurture Community

Something to Declare ·

2024/11/29

Jack Boswell delves into saudade, a Portuguese word often described as untranslatable. Saudade captures a complex mix of longing, melancholy, and bittersweet nostalgia - a "pleasant sadness" that simultaneously consoles and aches. Jack unpacks the profound emotional resonance of this concept and how it might help us navigate difficult feelings in our own lives.Jack begins by speaking with Helder Macedo, a celebrated writer and Emeritus Professor of Portuguese at King’s College London. Helder

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15:00

How to Read Beyond the Room

Something to Declare ·

2024/11/22

Jack Boswell explores the Korean concept of Nunchi - a cultural practice that centres on deeply attuning to one’s surroundings and gauging others' unspoken thoughts and emotions. Through the lens of Nunchi, we learn about how silence and observation can speak louder than words.Joining him is Euny Hong, author of The Power of Nunchi, who shares her own journey with Nunchi and what it reveals about human connection. Euny describes Nunchi as more than mere intuition - it’s a way of tuning into the

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14:28

How to Build for Our Future

Something to Declare ·

2024/11/01

In this episode, Jack Boswell explores northeast India to uncover the ancient, awe-inspiring tradition of Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges. Joining him is Dr Wilfred Middleton, a researcher in Living Architecture, who’s been studying these extraordinary structures since 2017. Grown from the aerial roots of the Ficus elastica tree, these resilient bridges are woven over generations, offering the community not just a passage across rivers but a deeper connection to nature and protection of their land;

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14:11

How to Embrace Imperfection

Something to Declare ·

2024/11/01

In this episode, Jack Boswell explores the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi and how it challenges our pursuit of perfection by embracing the beauty of imperfection and transience.Joining him is Dr. Takeshi Morisato, a lecturer in non-Western philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, who introduces the basics of Wabi Sabi - an art of acceptance that finds beauty in life’s flaws and incompleteness. Takeshi explains that Wabi Sabi offers a different perspective from the Western pursuit of happiness

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14:25

How to Celebrate Life after Death

Something to Declare ·

2024/11/01

In this episode, Jack Boswell delves into the rich cultural traditions of Mexico's "Day of the Dead" and how it offers a unique, profound perspective on our relationship with death.Joining him is Carlos Alberto Sanchez, a Mexican philosophy professor, who explains this annual festival - a joyful celebration of life and remembrance. He shares how families honour their deceased loved ones by creating ofrendas, or altars, decorated with favourite items, food, and music of the departed, inviting their

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1:46

Welcome to Something to Declare

Something to Declare ·

2024/10/24

Something to Declare takes you around the world to explore how ancient wisdom from other cultures can help us understand and maybe even improve our own lives.Something to Declare is a Message Heard Media production for BBC Radio 4.

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13 results

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