The FreeThinking Podcast

Today on The FreeThinking Podcast we have Simon Pitkeathley; CEO of The Camden Collective - The Business Improvement District for Camden Town - Facilitator of all manner of good works, most notably The Camden Highline.

 

The Camden Highline is London’s newest park in the sky, running between Camden Town and King’s Cross. Repurposing disused railways, linking the east and west region while providing green space to over 20,000 people, Simon highlights how the ‘Highline is a connector and generator of community. It does this not only for people, but for local business as well – expanding the use, value and purpose of public space. A wonderful project not to be missed.

 

All aboard for Episode 21 of the FreeThinking Podcast & do make sure you subscribe wherever you get yours!

Today on The FreeThinking Podcast, we have Kate Willard OBE - Chair of the Thames Estuary Growth Board and the Thames Estuary Envoy - spearheading action at an extra-ordinary scale.

 

Kate has extensive experience as a consultant, working on a diverse portfolio of infrastructure and growth projects. She has also worked across Europe as a Regeneration Expert with the European Commission and established the first UK-Hungarian cultural partnership trust, so she understands the strength in connection. She talks to us about the power of the Thames Estuary as an activator and innovator in transport, sustainability, exports, tech... the list goes on! Spoken from the heart, Kate shows us how being in a good place isn't just a matter of location - but of growth, too.

 

Connect with Kate Willard on Episode 20 of the FreeThinking podcast and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

Today on The FreeThinking Podcast we have Penny Cameron - Development Director at Stanhope plc - and a key player in the Visioning, Designing and Activating of their far-reaching White City Campus in West London.

 

White City Place is a new frontier in development that took a people-first approach, amplifying what already existed. Penny talks with us about creating a village – blending the established global brands with the emerging voices - and how “you can see yourself living in it” has both literal and figurative importance. She proves that bringing life to a space requires more than just building apartments; you must design with time and ensure relevance, building something that lasts.

 

Don’t miss Penny Cameron on Episode 19 of the FreeThinking podcast and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

Today on the podcast we have Christy Traore and James Scroggs - Founders of New Working Class - the worker/learner college that both transforms lives AND re-ignites high streets.

Christy and James talk us through how NWC works hand-in-hand with the community to blend educational and professional spaces, transforming learner-to-worker and worker-to-learner. They’re embarking on a ground-breaking idea that will redefine the High St and ‘festivalise’ the student campus for generations to come.

The FreeThinking Podcast is back for 2022 and today we have Rumi Bose from the London Borough of Southwark – a facilitator for the Low Line; The Overall Winner of this year's New London Architecture Awards.

Rumi tells us about the power in local and the beauty of collective impact. She shows us how one initiative can quickly become many, growing a rich mix of community projects across different scales that – critically - involves everybody.

Kat is a Masterplan Strategist on Lendlease's big Euston Project in Central London. She talks about the virtuous circle of how the right diverse questions propel more inclusive strategies - of how to best walk the talk of that vision with always meanwhile initiatives - and how we might ensure those valuable cultural and social uses are not just 3D marketing but baked in to a perpetually relevant piece of city.

And we also get massively distracted by a very energetic puppy!

Tara urges us to push beyond the rhetoric of re-ignition, to how we might better nurture the flame with long-term support for the micro-enterprises, creative start-ups and community-partnerships... And all spinning around a transformed shopping street - Bridge Mall - a powerful precedent for how public and private interests can unite around a shared vision.

Become an honorary Balla-fornian in Episode 15 with Tara Poole and subscribe to FreeThinking wherever you get your podcasts!

This week we chat with Chris Levine – acclaimed light artist, best known for his holographic artworks of the Queen and Grace Jones and his large & immersive laser and LED installations, including Houghton Hall (UK), The Museum of Arts and Design (New York, USA) and Dark Mofo (Australia).

A renowned artist and a wonderful story-teller, Chris speaks with us about his experiential work, the powerful energy at play in the universe and the meta-nature of the importance in a moment – nay, THE moment. Chris shows us how art can bring us to a place, not just geographically, but a place in time and spirit.

Immerse yourself in this Episode 14 with Chris Levine and subscribe to FreeThinking wherever you get your podcasts!

The next episode of the FreeThinking podcast has arrived and today we’re speaking with Sally Curtain; board member, leader and current CEO of Bendigo Kangan Institute. Sally has an impressive background in enacting innovation and major reforms in public arenas – such as City of Casey and VicRoads – making her an expert in strategy development and implementation.

Sitting smack bang in the middle of one of the most successful innovation districts on the planet – Sally tells us about the neighbourly unicorns and principled policy-makers that have forged this highly creative and democratic education campus.

Listen to Episode 13 with Sally Curtain below, and subscribe to FreeThinking wherever you get your podcasts!

Today we spoke with Historian, Writer, Broadcaster and Educator Tom Dyckhoff about the rise and fall of the late capitalist city - the rub of super-gentrification versus creative-anarchism as an engine for innovation - and building communities where we can all find our 'ledge'.

Tom is a master in the architecture space and has a CV overflowing with experience in top design institutions, including writing for The Architects Journal, teaching at University College London and being a committee member for The Twentieth Century Society, just to scratch the surface. We can't wait to share his innovative ideas with you.

Listen to Episode 12 with Tom Dyckhoff below, and subscribe to FreeThinking wherever you get your podcasts!