Dwelling: what is home in today's world?

Dwelling explores the concept of home in today's world of increasing housing insecurity.

Hosted by Marnie Woodmeade, each episode takes us on a journey to meet people who are seeking alternative ways of finding a home - from abandoned buildings to lost rivers.

Through their stories, we discover how they redefine what home means to them. But as restrictions on alternative lifestyles tighten, the podcast raises an important question: how can these individuals protect their sanctuaries, sites of resistance, and dwelling?

Anna: Can you tell us why you started this podcast on the topic of the housing crisis, and whether it is related to the current crisis or an idea that has been on the back burner?

Marine: Yeah, I mean, I feel like it's difficult to live in a UK city, but also, I think it's happening worldwide. And if you're renting, do not notice how difficult it is not just to find a place, but then to have a decent standard of living and not be under threat from your landlord trying to take away your deposit.

I and my partner had been moving every year for like three or four years and we just literally couldn't take it anymore. We were just like the sort of level of insecurity because we had like our bathroom ceiling fell and they tried to charge us for it even though it was like the first pipe. Everyone I know has a story like that.

After that, I and my partner started looking at alternatives. First, we lived in a van for a little bit. It was not a cool nifty van. It's like a mattress in the back of a van. And then we got a boat, and we started living on that.

For this podcast, I was just interested in how people are finding hope as well because it's so bleak. And I just wanted to make something that looks at the seriousness of the issue while also speaking about some ways that people are finding to carve out community and safety for themselves.

Anna: Can you tell us more about how you find guests and stories for your podcast? It seems like you have a diverse range of people with different perspectives on the issue.

Marine: About. I mean, it was some of the issues I had lots of people to choose from. I live on the canals, and I can just go and speak to people who are around. I wanted to get a wide variety of people living on the canals for different amounts of time because some people do it for a year as a fun thing, but for a lot of people, it’s their whole life.

For squatters, it was much harder. I was trying for months to find a single person to talk to. Eventually turned out that one of my friends had squatted, an environmental squat, during Cop 26, so I got to speak to him, which was interesting and cool. And with other guests, it was just persistence.

I did try hard to make it as diverse in terms of both age groups and in terms of gender and making sure that I was telling stories of people of color in housing, who are often ignored.

Anna: Can you tell us a bit about a story that resonated with you from either a past or upcoming episode?

Marine: Absolutely. One of my favorite episodes that are already out is about the Romani Travelers. Their stories were so heartfelt and warm, despite the discrimination they faced. I particularly loved speaking with a father and daughter. Gemma is now in her 30s and has her own children. Family is such an integral part of their sense of home, and weaving their stories together was a truly lovely experience. Additionally, in the upcoming episode about housing carts, I interviewed a twelve-year-old, and it was both heartwarming and heart-wrenching. It made me cry.

Anna: What are some other podcasts that you think are doing a good job? Not just talking about housing and such, but in general discussing their experiences. And what is your favorite podcast out there?

Marine: One podcast that I like is Burn Wild, which explores what counts as terrorism in the context of environmental actions. I was listening to it while I was producing Dwelling and I appreciated the nuance of it. I aspire to bring that level of complexity to my work. In terms of sound design, I love Unreality. It's hard to describe, but it's an experience that you just must listen to. Another great podcast is Interludes. The episode called "Portals" is especially moving and can make your chest feel expansive. It was something that I thought about a lot while I was down doing the sound design of Dwelling. How am I making your chest feel?

Anna: So what kind of vibe are you aiming for in your podcast?

Marine: I think I want listeners to feel a sense of warmth because ultimately, that's what home is all about. But I also want to evoke a sense of productive anger, so the warmth is mixed with a little bit of heat. I want people to feel moved and inspired to take action.