We Need to Make Things

Colour, Sensory Collisions and the Art of Being Human with Cig Harvey

Cig Harvey’s work is devoted to the topic of what it is to feel. From capturing moments that make her gasp to embracing the collision of senses, she explores what it is to be human via large-scale colour photography and written vignettes.  
In this episode, Cig shares her thoughts on the value of art, the secret language of flowers, the importance of the journey over the destination, and the need to wake up every day and seek something beautiful.  
Thanks for listening! New episodes of We Need to Make Things will be posted every other Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe or hit follow to hear the latest.

Problem-solving, long-term projects and a life-changing encounter with Alys Tomlinson

A mix of creative instinct and tenacity has enabled award-winning photographer Alys Tomlinson to create a number of celebrated long-term photography projects and, more recently, to co-direct an award-winning documentary film, Mother Vera.     
In this episode, Alys shares why creative problem-solving is at the heart of her work, how it feels to hand a project over to an audience, and the extraordinary meeting with a nun from Belarus that reshaped her life and career.
Thanks for listening! New episodes of We Need to Make Things will be posted every other Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe or hit follow to hear the latest.

The Creative Instinct: Exploring the Ancient Urge to Make Things by Hand with Suzy Bennett

When photographer and travel journalist Suzy Bennett walked into a Victorian forge to commission a curtain rail, she was bewitched by the sights and sounds she found there.
The experience caused a career change that led Suzy to reduce her worldwide travel and pick up stories closer to home in Devon.  
In this episode she looks at what lies behind our compulsion to make things, how craft can benefit mental health and the importance of celebrating traditional techniques and practical earthy people.    
Suzy’s book, Artisans of Dartmoor, is out now.
Thanks for listening! New episodes of We Need to Make Things will be posted every other Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe or hit follow to hear the latest.

The Curator’s Eye: Passion, Commitment and Relationships in the Art World with Zelda Cheatle

Zelda Cheatle is a curator, consultant and lecturer whose passion for photography remains undimmed despite more then 40 years in the industry. In 2024 she was named a ‘Woman of Influence’ by the Association of Photographers. 
In this episode Zelda shares the mistakes people make when approaching galleries, what happens when museums run out of storage and describes the day she used a water pistol to secure a show, among many other things.
Zelda is part of the team behind the reinvention of PhotoMonth, a festival for all parts of London with an ‘E’ in the postcode, which runs throughout October.
Thanks for listening! New episodes of We Need to Make Things will be posted every other Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe or hit follow to hear the latest.

From Phone Booths to 350k Followers: The Joy of Creative Chaos with Philippa Stanton

Artist and photographer Philippa Stanton is a synaesthete who believes that connecting with our senses can unlock new levels of creativity. She’s also a super fan of the humble telephone kiosk, and sometimes wonders if her house might have once been a brothel.
In this episode she shares tips for embracing procrastination, staying sane (and successful) on Instagram and treating life as a creative act.
An exhibition of Philippa’s abstract and multi-media telephone kiosk work will be on display at The Regency Townhouse in Brighton from 23-28 September 2025.   
Thanks for listening! New episodes of We Need to Make Things will be posted every other Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe or hit follow to hear the latest.

Portraits, Purpose and Parenthood: Life Behind the Lens with Harry Borden

Portrait photographer Harry Borden has won numerous high-profile awards and captured everyone from Keir Starmer to the Spice Girls, but it's the photographs of his children and his role as a father that he cherishes the most.
In this episode he shares the two questions you should ask yourself before starting a long-term project, how running a YouTube channel has deepened his relationship with his son, Fred, and why blasting The Stone Roses out of your car window is the best way to enliven a trip to Lidl.  
Thanks for listening! New episodes of We Need to Make Things will be posted every other Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe or hit follow to hear the latest.
 

Finding Your Artistic Voice: Letting Your Quirks Become Your Superpower with Lisa Congdon

Letting go of perfectionism, and embracing creative constraints, has allowed artist and illustrator Lisa Congdon to make great art and great pizza!   
In this episode she shares her tips for navigating influence and developing your artistic voice, surviving the skills gap (otherwise known as the shark tank) and breaking free of the ‘starving artist’ mindset.
Thanks for listening! New episodes of We Need to Make Things will be posted every other Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe or hit follow to hear the latest.

Beneath the Surface: Diving into Creative Risk with Henley Spiers

Diving in the open ocean has taught photographer, writer and expedition leader Henley Spiers as much about himself as it has about the marine life he captures with his camera.
In this episode he shares tips for marketing work on Instagram, lessons the ocean can teach us about life on land, advice on taking criticism, and the dangers of becoming too creatively comfortable.
A solo exhibition of Henley’s work is on display at Stadtmuseum Schleswig, Germany, until 14 September 2025.
Thanks for listening!
New episodes of We Need to Make Things will be posted every other Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe or hit follow to hear the latest.

Ink Over Algorithm: Trusting Creativity in a Digital Age with Janine Vangool

We live in a digital age, but some things – like creative intuition and a love for print – can’t be automated.
Janine Vangool recently introduced a ban on AI in UPPERCASE. In this episode she explains why, as well as her tips on how to get things done, how to train yourself to notice ideas and why creative mess is all part of the magic.    
This is the final episode of Season One of We Need to Make Things. I’ve got some amazing guests lined up for Series Two, which will begin in a few weeks.
Please subscribe or follow to stay up to date. Thanks for listening!

Spacesuits and Spark: Staying Creative for the Long Haul with Simon Murphy

From wearing a spacesuit to inviting strangers into photo booths, Simon Murphy knows how to work on long-term projects without losing momentum or a sense of playfulness.
In this episode he shares his chapter approach to projects, his creative morning routines, his advice on unlearning and his feelings on AI.
Simon’s wonderful first book Govanhill was published in 2023.
Thanks for listening! New episodes of We Need to Make Things will be posted every other Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe or hit follow to hear the latest.