The Family Tree
When podcast producer Dave Pickering is approached by his dad with a mystery from the life of a long-forgotten friend, he decides to investigate it in the only way he knows how: by having conversations. Mark Sullivan, who went missing 15 years ago, has been found dead. His body still has the arm he should have lost in a car accident and seems to have died eight years before he disappeared. In a series of 12 episodes, Dave tries to uncover this mystery through conversations with Mark’s family and friends. As he gets to know them, his questions lead to more qu...
Bonus · Thu, January 30, 2020
Announcement - Down to a sunless sea
Later this year I will be launching a Getting Better Acquainted mini series titled ‘Down to a Sunless Sea: Memories of my Dad’ about the my relationship with my dad, my dad's life story and his descent into dementia.The show will be be mixing clips from over 15 hours of interviews that I've done with my dad over the last 10 years with narrations based on these medium pieces: https://medium.com/@goosefat101 Additionally to the main thread of the show I've received The Pulse Award from the Wellcome Trust and British Podcast Awards to make some episodes that look at the science behind the issues covered which include dementia, heart conditions, mental health and euthanasia. https://fund.britishpodcastawards.com/news/50k-awarded-to-uk-podcasters/ As part of the requirements for this funding I'd really appreciate it if people who have listened to Getting Better Acquainted at some point since it launched in 2011 could fill in this survey: http://podcastviews.com It shouldn't take too long to fill in and you can select an option to be entered into a draw to get a pair of tickets to this year's awards ceremony.
S3 E30 · Thu, December 26, 2019
Season 3: Episode 30: The Christmas Oak
This Christmas special functions as an epilogue, a coda, an outro and a final thought, for The Family Tree. Dave spends Christmas with Philip Beech and the Sullivans, and Jen reads a special Christmas story written by Mia. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron
S3 E29 · Tue, October 08, 2019
Season 3: Episode 29: Ending 5: The Great Unknown Other
In the final episode of the show, Dave and his brother go to visit their dad to say hello, and also to say goodbye: endings are more complex than a simple full stop. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron
S3 E28 · Tue, October 01, 2019
Season 3: Episode 28: Ending 4: Cuttings 6: The Final Cut
In the last Cutting of Season 3, Dave reflects on accountability and forgiveness, and considers the best ways to end things by asking some big questions. We hear from past guests, new guests and listeners to the show, who talk about how they approach these issues. We also hear from Dave's partner, Jen, about how she has experienced the making of The Family Tree, and are introduced to a song written for the end of show by Martin Zaltz Austwick. The Family Tree ’s Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism, religion and the arts. This episode forms a kind of trilogy with these two previous Cuttings: http://thefamilytreepodcast.co.uk/cuttings/cutting-6-the-big-questions/ http://thefamilytreepodcast.co.uk/cuttings/the-family-tree-season-2-cuttings-5-saying-goodbye/ Find our Guests! Martin Zaltz Austwick : Pale Bird , Song by Song Alex Iantaffi: Gender Stories Podcast Tanaka Mhishi : Tanaka’s work around sexual violence , The Consent Collective Oliver Thorn: Philosophy Tube Dr. Alice Tarbuck Dr Cathy Elliott Kevin Allison : RISK! Jenny Adamthwaite Dr Robert Poole Dr. Alexander Cummins Professor Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad
S3 E27 · Tue, September 17, 2019
Season 3: Episode 27: Ending 3: The End of the Mystery
Dave talks to Mark about his role in the trauma his family has experienced, and reflects on the importance of accountability and justice. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron
S3 E26 · Tue, September 10, 2019
Season 3: Episode 26: Ending 2: The Family Never Ends
Family is about more than blood. Dave continues rounding up the end of Season 3 by catching up with the extended family. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron
S3 E25 · Tue, September 03, 2019
Season 3: Episode 25: Ending 1: The Beginning of the End
As Season 3 starts to come to a close, Dave catches up with the Sullivan family to find out how they’re all doing and what the future holds for them. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron
S3 E24 · Tue, August 20, 2019
Season 3: Episode 24: Cuttings 5: Identity
In the fifth Cutting of Season 3, Dave considers different elements of identity. He talks to Scout Pup about furries and puppies, and speaks to Alex Iantaffi about genograms, intergenerational trauma and mind plasticity. The episode features more clips from the Meg-John and Justin podcast, which consider hierarchies of love and relationships. CONTENT NOTE: trauma, holocaust, genocide and intimate partner violence. The Family Tree ’s Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism, religion and the arts. Find our Guests! Alex Iantaffi: http://www.alexiantaffi.com/ Gender Stories Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gender-stories/id1353717550 Meg-John and Justin (podcast, book, zines): https://megjohnandjustin.com/ Meg-John Barker (writing, zines): https://www.rewriting-the-rules.com/ Justin Hancock’s sex and relationship education for young people: Bish https://www.bishuk.com https://bishtraining.com/ Life Isn’t Binary by Meg-John Barker and Alex Iantaffi: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Isnt-Binary-Beyond-Between/dp/1785924796
S3 E23 · Tue, August 13, 2019
Season 3: Episode 23: The Ultimate Pounce
With no need to hide anymore and a firm plan for her future, Violita is finally ready to tell Dave exactly what happened when she became a liminal person. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S3 E22 · Tue, August 06, 2019
Season 3: Episode 22: A Tinder for Changelings
Sam is back from Australia, and eager to update listeners on their new life. They introduce their friend, Tee, and Dave witnesses a new kind of liminal lifestyle. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S3 E21 · Tue, July 30, 2019
Season 3: Episode 21: A Change of Heart
Dave catches up with Ben and Kora, who discuss how things are working out for them in their new life as Ben, Kora, Nathan and jaguar. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S3 E20 · Tue, July 16, 2019
Season 3: Episode 20: Cuttings 4: Therapy
In the fourth Cutting of Season 3, Dave considers different forms of and approaches to therapy; talks to poet, playwright and performer, Tanaka Mhishi about consent, masculinity and recovering from trauma; and plays some clips from the Meg-John and Justin podcast, which consider social and personal scripts, staying with our feelings, and power. CONTENT NOTE: rape, sexual assault, suicidal ideation, mental health issues, racism, violence, trauma The Family Tree ’s Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism, religion and the arts. Find our Guests! Tanaka Mhishi: https://tanakamhishi.co.uk/ Tanaka’s work around sexual violence: https://www.angles.org.uk/profiles/tanaka-mhishi/ The Consent Collective: https://www.consentcollective.com/ Meg-John and Justin (podcast, book, zines): https://megjohnandjustin.com/ Meg-John Barker (writing, zines): https://www.rewriting-the-rules.com/ Justin Hancock’s sex and relationship education for young people: Bish https://www.bishuk.com https://bishtraining.com/ Tanaka’s episode of Getting Better Acquainted: https://soundcloud.com/gettingbetteracquainted/gba-347-tanaka-mhishi
S3 E19 · Tue, July 09, 2019
Season 3: Episode 19: Phillip and Melanie: Conversations 8
Dear Listeners, The conversation I’m sharing with you today is the first conversation I recorded with Melanie after her escapades with Ellie. I don’t mind telling you that I found the whole experience extremely distressing, and it was important to me that I communicated this to her. I was a little more confrontational than I generally like to be, but I think Melanie and I both feel that our friendship has benefitted from frank and open discussion. Please don’t judge her too harshly. We are all navigating this situation the best we can, and while, in many ways Melanie and I are something more than human, we are also only human. Best wishes, Phillip -------------------------------------- The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S3 E18 · Tue, July 02, 2019
Season 3: Episode 18: Phillip and Mark: Conversations 7
Dear Listeners, Mark was a very dear friend of mine a long time ago, and his friendship with the tree is also rooted deep in my consciousness. I do find it very difficult to reconcile this with my feelings about his actions, particularly now I have come to get to know Melanie better. In the conversation I’m sharing with you today, I had the opportunity to talk to him about his decision to change into her, and about his feelings about having multiple conciousnesses within him. I found the conversation quite difficult at times, but ultimately, I think it was valuable, and I hope you will find it of use if you too are struggling with a changeling experience. Best wishes, Phillip -------------------------------------- The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patr
S3 E17 · Tue, June 25, 2019
Season 3: Episode 17: Mark Returns 3: How long does it last for you?
After Jane’s conversation with Mark, the recorder is left on, and accidentally captures Nathan meeting his father for the first time since his return. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S3 E16 · Tue, June 18, 2019
Season 3: Episode 16: Mark Returns 2: Shutting the door
Mark visits Jane, who finally gets to confront him about the effect his decision has had on their family. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S3 E15 · Tue, June 11, 2019
Season 3: Episode 15: Mark Returns 1: Let's go look at the sky
After meeting Ellie, Melanie is open to the idea of allowing Mark to the surface. Along with Ben, Kora, Melissa and Shajahan, she and Dave return to Goldsmith’s to attempt to bring Mark back. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S3 E14 · Tue, May 28, 2019
Season 3: Episode 14: Cuttings 3: Persecution
In the third Cutting of Season 3, Dave talks to Philosophy Tube’s Oliver Thorn, witchcraft scholar Dr. Alice Tarbuck, and historian Dr Robert Poole about the history, philosophy and ideology of persecution. Dave also considers how the legacy of Lancaster Castle, his own family tree, and an excellent twitter thread by Dr Clare Askew fit within idea that ‘we are the heirs of the witch hunters.’ This episode follows on from the last Cutting, which looked at Magic – http://thefamilytreepodcast.co.uk/cuttings/the-family-tree-season-3-cuttings-2-magic/ – and is a companion piece to this Cuttings episode from Season 2: http://thefamilytreepodcast.co.uk/cuttings/the-family-tree-season-2-cuttings-2-systems-and-structures/ Zoe Prosser, who gives a reading in this episode, was a guest in this Cuttings episode from Season 1: http://thefamilytreepodcast.co.uk/cuttings/cutting-5-fantasies-and-conspiracies/ The Family Tree ’s Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism, religion and the arts. Find our Guests! Oliver Thorn: Twitter - @OllyThorn, @Philosophy Tube Philosophy Tube - https://www.youtube.com/user/thephilosophytube The video featured in this episode is Witchcraft, Gender & Marxism : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmk47kh7fiE Dr. Alice Tarbuck - https://alicetarbuck.net/ https://twitter.com/atarbuck Dr Clare Askew: https://twitter.com/OneNightStanzas The twitter thread featured in the episode is this one: https://twitter.com/onenightstanzas/status/1049601689089728512 Dr Robert Poole: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/staff_profiles/dr_robert_poole.php The book focused on in this episode is The Wonderful Discovery of Witches in the County of Lancaster https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thomas-Wonderful-Discovery-Witches-Lancaster/dp/1874181780
S3 E13 · Tue, May 21, 2019
Season 3: Episode 13: Philip and Melanie: Conversations 6
Dear Listeners, I hardly know how to present this episode to you. I thought about telling you all about it, but I think you may find some value in experiencing the surprise the way that Melanie and I did in this conversation. I would like to reassure you all, though, that I am very much alive and well, so please don’t be concerned about anything like that. Goodness me, what a strange world we find ourselves in. Best wishes, Phillip -------------------------------------- The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S3 E12 · Sun, May 12, 2019
Season 3: Episode 12: An Oak Tree to Willowbridge Part 2
In the second part of a very personal part of the story for Dave, he visits his dad for the first time since he began his changing journey. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S3 E11 · Tue, May 07, 2019
Season 3: Episode 11: An Oak Tree to Willowbridge Part 1
In the first part of a very personal part of the story for Dave, he talks to his dad, who plans to become a changeling. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S3 E10 · Tue, April 23, 2019
Season 3: Episode 10: Cuttings 2: Magic
In the second Cutting of Season 3, Dave talks to Dr. Alexander Cummins and Dr. Alice Tarbuck about magic and its role in society from the past to the present. And the creators of The Boy Who Hasn’t Lived , CJ Bruce and Arlie Adlington, discuss their families’ perceptions of magic as they were growing up, as Arlie prepares to introduce CJ to the Harry Potter series. The Family Tree ’s Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism, religion and the arts. Find our Guests! Dr. Alexander Cummins - http://www.alexandercummins.com/ Dr. Alice Tarbuck - https://alicetarbuck.net/ CJ & Arlie on The Boy Who Hasn’t Lived - http://www.theboywhohasntlived.com/
S3 E9 · Tue, April 16, 2019
Season 3: Episode 9: The Opposite Of A Dead End
Following an enigmatic voice message, Dave facilitates a meeting between Nathan and Nigel. It’s the first time they’ve seen each other since Nathan’s change, and they have a lot of catching up to do. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S3 E8 · Tue, April 09, 2019
Season 3: Episode 8: Philip and Melanie: Conversations 5
Dear Listeners, I hope my last recording was of some help to some of you. I find myself frequently revisiting Azariah’s thoughtful advice. Every good answer leads to a new question in my experience, but I trust in God to guide us towards a path that is right. I may have believed that They had only one path for us at one time, but I feel that things may be very much more complicated than that. Melanie and I have taken the decision to begin recording our conversations again, and this is what I have to share with you this week. I hope that you may find it interesting, and that it may help those in need. Best wishes, Phillip -------------------------------------- The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S3 E7 · Tue, April 02, 2019
Season 3: Episode 7: Bad things happen on nice days
Following a message from Skarbek, Dave meets up with her on Gallions Hill. What she has to tell him is the information that encouraged the Sullivan family to continue recording The Family Tree . In this conversation, Dave learns both encouraging developments and some tragic news. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S3 E6 · Tue, March 26, 2019
Season 3: Episode 6: Beech and Azariah: Conversations 4
Dear Listeners, I hope this finds you well. It truly is a pleasure to be writing to you again, and I’m delighted to be able to connect with you through The Family Tree. It perhaps won’t surprise you to learn that I have faced many challenges since David and I had our little excursion to St James’s Park to visit the oak tree. I find I am quite changed, and I don’t mind telling you, I’ve found it rather difficult to process some of the thoughts and feelings I’ve had since I became a changeling, or a liminal person, as David likes to call us now. David very kindly put me in touch with his friend Azariah, a fellow man of the cloth, and with him I talked through some of the difficulties I’m having. I found his counsel to be very valuable, and I want to share our conversation with you, with the hope that it may serve to help others as much as it helped me. Yours Faithfully, Philip P.S. My parishioners have often preferred to address me as ‘Reverend Beech’, or simply ‘Beech’. I think it has allowed them a separation from me that they’ve found useful, and over time, I’ve found myself thinking of myself that way too. But I think I would like to try being a little less separate, and from here on will sign my letters to you with my Christian name, if that’s alright with you. I find it extremely poignant to see how I titled this episode; Azariah’s comfortableness with his first name while I shelter behind my surname. --------------------------- The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S3 E5 · Tue, March 12, 2019
Season 3: Episode 5: Cuttings 1: Philosophy
In the first Cutting of Season 3, Dave talks to Professor Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad and Philosophy Tube’s Oliver Thorn, discussing philosophical questions around transition, change and belief. The Family Tree ’s Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism, religion and the arts. Find our Guests! Professor Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad – publications - https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Chakravarthi+Ram-Prasad Papers - http://lancaster.academia.edu/ChakravarthiRamPrasad Lancaster University - http://www.research.lancs.ac.uk/portal/en/people/chakravarthi-ramprasad(02068fdc-a65d-4a1f-982f-659e6620190f).html BBC Radio 4 – In Our Time - Hindu Ideas of Creation - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03k289f Oliver Thorn: Twitter - @OllyThorn, @Philosophy Tube Philosophy Tube - https://www.youtube.com/user/thephilosophytube
S3 E4 · Tue, March 05, 2019
Season 3: Episode 4: Nathan Returns 3: The Aftermath
In the aftermath of Nathan’s return, Dave catches up with Kora, Melissa, Nathan, Ben and Melanie as they all process their feelings about the change, and reflect on Ben and Nathan sharing a body. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S3 E3 · Tue, February 26, 2019
Season 3: Episode 3: Nathan Returns 2: Reunion
Leaving the others to process what just happened, Dave accompanies Nathan back to visit Jane and sets up his recording equipment. Jane and Nathan catch up and discuss their feelings about Nathan’s circumstances. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S3 E2 · Tue, February 19, 2019
Season 3: Episode 2: Nathan Returns
Dave catches up with Melanie and Kora, and with Melissa and Ben after their journey to the rainforest. In a controlled experiment at Goldsmith’s, University of London, and with the help of Shajahan, they attempt to bring Nathan back. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S3 E1 · Tue, February 12, 2019
Season 3: Episode 1: Don't think about the white polar bear
New information about changelings has surfaced. Dave speaks to previous Cuttings guest, Jackie Hagan and her partner, Klara, and learns information that will have a huge impact on the Sullivan family and other changelings he’s met while documenting The Family Tree . The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Spotify Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
Trailer · Mon, December 10, 2018
Season 3: An Announcement
Season 3 is on its way, and Dave has an announcement. In this special mini episode, he gives an update and shares some clips showing the developments since Nathan's disappearance. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E26 · Sun, April 22, 2018
Season 2: Episode 13: A Wild Jaguar Chase
In the final episode of Season 2, Melissa calls Dave and asks him to meet her and Ben at Paddington Station. They share a worrying plan with him, and when he gets home and listens to his voicemail, things get even worse. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E25 · Fri, April 13, 2018
Season 2: Cuttings 5: Saying Goodbye
In the fifth Cutting of season 2, Dave tries to process recent developments on The Family Tree and get perspectives that will help with issues in his personal life by asking questions about how we deal with loss and with death. Content Note: Death, bereavement, dementia, illness, suicide, euthanasia, violence, murder The Family Tree' s Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism, religion and the arts. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron . Find our Guests! Imam Monawar Hussain: https://www.theoxfordfoundation.com Reverend Azariah France-Williams: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-shapeshifters/id1100385786?mt=2 Rabbi Charley Baginsky: http://www.liberaljudaism.org Wasi Daniju: http://wasidaniju.com/ Against Borders For Children: https://www.schoolsabc.net/ Shaun Attwood: http://shaunattwood.com/ Marlo Mack: http://www.howtobeagirlpodcast.com/ Tony Pickering: Pick-Art.com Peter Wohlleben: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-hidden-life-of-trees/peter-wohlleben/9780008218430 Peter Pickering: Dave's essays about his father: Down to a sunless sea: memories of my dad Previously on The Family Tree Cuttings: http://thefamilytreepodcast.co.uk/cuttings/cutting-6-the-big-questions/
S2 E24 · Tue, March 27, 2018
Season 2: Episode 12: The Wake
In the aftermath of Nathan’s death, Reverend Beech comes to talk to Dave. Together, they share their grief and talk about an important change to Melissa’s understanding of herself as a changeling. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E23 · Thu, March 22, 2018
Season 2: Episode 11: Message in a Bottle
An anonymous caller leaves a series of panicked messages for Dave. Is The Family Tree putting the Sullivan family in danger? Content Note: This episode touches on issues around homophobia, rape and child sexual abuse The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E22 · Sun, March 11, 2018
Season 2: Episode 10: The Last Adventure
After receiving some tragic news, Dave talks to Thought Adventures co-host, Nigel, about what has happened to Nathan. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E21 · Sun, February 25, 2018
Season 2: Episode 9: Nine Lives
Dave meets Violita, who views it as a blessing to have become a changeling. She clearly has a lot more story to tell than she shares in this conversation, but nonetheless, her very particular lineage has a lot to tell us about what happens to someone when they take on the memories of other creatures. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. Tunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E20 · Thu, February 08, 2018
Beech and Melanie - Conversations 3
Dear Listeners, David tells me that you like me writing to you, so it has come to feel very right that I accompany these recordings with a short note. I’m afraid I don’t know much about podcasting, so I’ve been leaving all the music to David, who has much more experience and has made the last two sound jolly good. Melanie and I should probably work on introducing ourselves properly; I’m afraid we just jump straight in again. However, I think regular listeners to The Family Tree might be very happy to hear the recording this time – Melanie is really beginning to remember a few things now, and is increasingly comfortable with trying to talk about it. Thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy Episode 3 of ‘Conversations’. Yours Faithfully, Reverend Phillip Beech P.S. We did think about calling the episode ‘Roger and Olaf’, but I think it’s best to keep it simple. Do write to David if you have any better suggestions for a name for us. ----- The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E19 · Sun, February 04, 2018
Season 2: Episode 8: Mia and the Sapling
Dave talks to Reverend Beech and Kora at Jane’s house before a special party for Mia to say goodbye to the oak tree: they’re going to plant a sapling grown from one of its acorns. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E18 · Fri, January 26, 2018
Beech and Melanie - Conversations 2
Dear David (or should I say, Dear Listeners?), I’m delighted that people enjoyed reading my email on your website last time. How funny! I’m not sure I can write anything that will live up to their expectations this time, I’m afraid. But anyway, I attach the latest recording of myself and Melanie talking about our experiences as changelings. Well, I say ‘our’; really it seems to be mostly mine again. Teenagers are very good at steering conversations, I find. As you will hear, we still haven’t come up with the right name for our podcast. Melanie doesn’t seem to think it’s very interesting, but we’ll stick with ‘Conversations’ for now. I should say, we didn’t really introduce it properly like you do: we were in the middle of discussing a book when we started recording, so listeners may want to know that the book we’re talking about is The Hidden Life of Trees , introduced to me by your fascinating Cuttings episode with the author, Peter Wohlleben. If I could trouble you to put some more music around our conversation again, that would be wonderful. I hope your listeners enjoy our second episode. Yours, Phillip ----- The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E17 · Sun, January 21, 2018
Beech and Melanie - Conversations 1
Dear David, Further to our chat about the possibility of you sharing my research with your listeners, I am sending you the first of my recordings with Melanie. She thinks we should be calling them a podcast, but I think that perhaps that’s more your domain. As you can see, we haven’t yet decided on a name for it… I was thinking maybe we should call it simply, ‘Conversations’. Until we settle on something more permanent, at least. I think to properly be a podcast, we’d really need some music, but I’m afraid we don’t have anything like that. Perhaps you would frame it nicely with a piece of the delightful music you use on The Family Tree . Anyway, I hope your listeners will find it valuable. I’m afraid there’s rather more talk of me in there than I imagined there might be! Yours, Phillip PS You can use this email if you need some text to go on the website in order to fit your format. ----- The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E16 · Sat, January 13, 2018
Season 2: Episode 7: Did my mother become my dog?
In this episode, Dave talks to Shajahan, a friend of a friend, who is considering the hypothesis that her late mother was a changeling. If what her mother told her is true, Shajahan may still have her mother with her after all. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E15 · Thu, December 21, 2017
Thought Adventures: Episode 04
As a favour to Nathan, Dave is still putting out episodes of Nathan's podcast, Thought Adventures, on The Family Tree podcast feed. * We think it's important not to believe everything we're told without thinking about it from all angles, even the ones that might not work the way we think angles work. That's why we've created the new podcast, Thought Adventures. In Episode Four, we exchange seasonal gifts, discuss the interesting new developments that came out last week on The Family Tree, and compare the our attempts to be abducted by aliens. We also announce our most exciting investigation yet! We do apologise for the severe delay in getting Episode Four out to you, Thought Adventurers. Nigel has promised that we'll be more frequent from now on. But fear not: now it’s time for a Thought Adventure! It's just like a thought experiment, but it's fun! Festive wishes, Nathan and Nigel * The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E14 · Tue, December 19, 2017
Season 2: Cuttings 4: Life and Death: An Imam, a Priest and a Rabbi walk into a podcast...
In the fourth Cutting of season 2, Dave tries to make sense of recent developments on The Family Tree by talking to an Imam, a Priest and a Rabbi about death, change, transition, faith and belief. The Family Tree' s Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism, religion and the arts. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron . Find our Guests! Imam Monawar Hussain: https://www.theoxfordfoundation.com Reverend Azariah France-Williams: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-shapeshifters/id1100385786?mt=2 Rabbi Charley Baginsky: http://www.liberaljudaism.org Previously on The Family Tree Cuttings: http://thefamilytreepodcast.co.uk/cuttings/cutting-1-podcasts-and-priests/ http://thefamilytreepodcast.co.uk/cuttings/cutting-8-stories-and-more-stories/
S2 E13 · Thu, December 14, 2017
Season 2: Episode 6: Beech Tree Part II
Dave and Reverend Beech have returned after their trip to St James’s Park. There’s a lot of processing to do as they drink cocoa and go over the events of a very long night. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E12 · Mon, December 11, 2017
Season 2: Episode 6: Beech Tree Part I
Reverend Beech has a plan so drastic that Dave has decided to split this episode into two parts. In Part I, they discuss what they plan to do and why that will involve a drill, a sleeping bag and a freezer. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E11 · Thu, November 30, 2017
Season 2: Episode 5: “I will not be the Judas goat for changelings”
Ben is eager to come on the show to talk about his new organisation, ‘Change of Heart’, dedicated to researching and protecting changelings. Accompanied again by Kora, Dave begins to see tensions within their relationship. Meanwhile, the threat posed by information disappearing online looms ever-larger. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E10 · Thu, November 23, 2017
Season 2: Cuttings 3: Systems and Structures
***CONTENT NOTE: This episode generally deals with interpersonal, systemic and state violence but the section from 9.29 min to 26.10 min involves the experience of living in prison and includes graphic descriptions of violence.*** In the third Cutting of season 2, Dave looks at the ways that systems and structures hurt people considered different, other or lesser, in order to contextualise the ways that society might treat Changelings. We hear from Schools ABC about their work fighting to keep immigration checks out of UK schools (1.55-9.29); from writer, activist and ex-prisoner Shaun Attwood about his experience in the Arizona Prison system (9.29-26.10); from intersectional feminist, therapist and equality consultant, Guilaine Kinouani, who reflects on how the mental health system operates for marginalised people (26.10-48.33); and from Marlo Mack from the How to Be A Girl podcast, who considers how being a parent of a transgender child feels in Trump’s America (48.33). The Family Tree' s Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism, religion and the arts. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron . Find our Guests! Against Borders For Children: https://www.schoolsabc.net/ Schools ABC crowdfunder: https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/againstbordersforchildren Wasi Daniju: http://wasidaniju.com/ Shaun Attwood: http://shaunattwood.com/ Guilaine Kinouani: https://racereflections.co.uk https://twitter.com/KGuilaine Marlo Mack: http://www.howtobeagirlpodcast.com/ On Getting Better Acquainted: https://soundcloud.com/gettingbetteracquainted/gba-314-wasi https://soundcloud.com/gettingbetteracquainted/gba-218-shaun-attwood https://soundcloud.com/gettingbetteracquainted/gba-274-guilaine-kinouani Previously on The Family Tree Cuttings: ht
S2 E9 · Sun, November 19, 2017
Season 2: Episode 4: The Lost Tape
Many years ago, Mark recorded stories for Ben and Nathan to listen to on a car journey. The cassette has turned up in Jane’s loft. But perhaps there’s more to these stories than the family ever realised: from what Melanie has revealed about her pre-Mark history, it would seem that in one of them, Mark may have been subtly telling his family what had happened to him. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E8 · Mon, October 30, 2017
Season 2: Cuttings 2: Other Lives
In the second Cutting of season 2, Dave talks to his dad about living with dementia, his brother about making art about diagnosis, and with true storyteller Radcliffe Royds about addiction, past lives and what it's like to come back from the dead. These conversations explore the kinds of human experiences that might help us to understand the experiences of Changelings. The Family Tree' s Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism, religion and the arts. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron . Find our Guests! Tony Pickering: Pick-Art.com Radcliffe Royds: The Radcliffe Episodes Peter Pickering: Dave's essays about his father: Down to a sunless sea: memories of my dad
S2 E7 · Thu, October 26, 2017
Thought Adventures: Episode 03
Dave is currently gathering new material for Season 2 of The Family Tree. But as a favour to Nathan, he's also putting out episodes of Nathan's new podcast, Thought Adventures, on The Family Tree podcast feed. * We think it's important not to believe everything we're told without thinking about it from all angles, even the ones that might not work the way we think angles work. That's why we've created the new podcast, Thought Adventures. In Episode Three, we discuss how Mum and Jocelyn are WRONG, reflect on the hypothesis that a humming bird is a broken egg, learn about how the very act of comprehending infinity breaks it, and compare the results of our time travel experiments. We also set up our next investigation: can we attract aliens to abduct us? We do apologise for the severe delay in getting Episode Three out to you, Thought Adventurers. But fear not: now it’s time for a Thought Adventure! It's just like a thought experiment, but it's fun! Best wishes, Nathan and Nigel * The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E5 · Sat, October 21, 2017
Season 2: Episode 3: "I’m just angry with what we all had to go through”
Melissa co-hosts her second episode with Dave, this time talking to her mum, Jane, about what she thinks and how she feels about the changelings and potential changelings in her family. Jane agreed to come on the show after a family argument; this episode is at times tense, but ultimately it contains more love than anger. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E4 · Thu, October 12, 2017
Season 2: Episode 2: "I’m a better driver but not more special"
Dave finds himself back in the Sullivan family home, talking to twins Melissa and Melanie. This episode is co-hosted by Melissa, whose idea it was talk to her sister on mic about what it’s like to be a changeling. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E4 · Sun, September 24, 2017
Season 2: Cuttings 1: Flesh and Blood, Bark and Seed
In the first Cutting of season 2, Dave talks to Marlo Mack about her podcast How to Be a Girl and to Peter Wohlleben about his book The Hidden Life of Trees . From Marlo, he looks for guidance on balancing telling important true stories with protecting the lives of the people whose stories you're telling. And from Peter, he finds out how trees feel and communicate, and considers whether there is precedent for humans and trees communicating with each other. The Family Tree' s Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism, religion and the arts. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron . Find our Guests! Marlo Mack: How to Be a Girl A little update from Marlo Peter Wohlleben: The Hidden Life of Trees "The man who thinks trees can talk to each other"
S2 E3 · Tue, September 12, 2017
Season 2: Episode 1: The Raccoon and the Hummingbird
With information going missing online, some of it now completely untraceable, Dave has decided to release episodes as they happen. As well as filling us in on the Sullivan family news, in this episode, he talks to Jocelyn, who has a remarkable story to tell. As it turns out, Melanie isn’t the only human changeling. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E2 · Thu, August 24, 2017
Thought Adventures: Episode 02
Dave is currently gathering new material for Season 2 of The Family Tree. But as a favour to Nathan, he's also putting out episodes of Nathan's new podcast, Thought Adventures, on The Family Tree podcast feed. * We think it's important not to believe everything we're told without thinking about it from all angles, even the ones that might not work the way we think angles work. That's why we've created the new podcast, Thought Adventures. In Episode Two, we discuss time travel (and plan how we intend to do it ourselves), reflect on ‘dark maths’, lay down some proper changeling facts, and catch up with the results of last week’s brainwashing experiments. We’re glad you’re back with us, Thought Adventurers. It’s time for a Thought Adventure! It's just like a thought experiment, but it's fun! Best wishes, Nathan and Nigel * The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
S2 E1 · Tue, August 15, 2017
Thought Adventures: Episode 01
Dave is currently gathering new material for Season 2 of The Family Tree. But as a favour to Nathan, he's also putting out episodes of Nathan's new podcast, Thought Adventures, on The Family Tree podcast feed. *** We think it's important not to believe everything we're told without thinking about it from all angles, even the ones that might not work the way we think angles work. That's why we've created the new podcast, Thought Adventures. In Episode One, we introduce ourselves, challenge the Changeling Hypothesis, consider the possibilities of brainwashing, introduce Alternative Maths and have a lovely old time. Thought Adventurers, its time to join us on our Thought Adventures! It's just like a thought experiment, but it's fun! Best wishes, Nathan and Nigel *** The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
Thu, July 20, 2017
An Announcement
In this special mini episode, Dave talks about how he now feels about Season 1 of The Family Tree, gives an update on some of the things that have been happening since then, considers the ethics of his previous editorial decisions and announces a new approach for The Family Tree Season 2. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramatic fiction about family, belonging, change and identity. iTunes RSS Help The Family Tree to grow by becoming a Patron .
Thu, June 22, 2017
Season 2 Trailer
The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity. Season 2 is coming in August 2017.
Thu, December 15, 2016
Cutting 12: A Slice of Cake and the Final Take
The final Cutting of Season 1 gives you an extra slice of the drama: Dave takes the Sullivans aside as the cheesecake is served and asks them about their experiences since the podcast has aired.
Sun, December 11, 2016
Episode 12: The Sullivans
In the season finale, Dave catches up with the Sullivan family. He’s eager to know how they’re all coping with the new information in their lives. The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity.* iTunes RSS * We recommend starting at the beginning of the series to enjoy the full experience of the mystery.
Thu, December 08, 2016
Cutting 11: Binaries and Borders
In Monday’s episode, Dave talked to Sam. When they finished recording, they asked him to turn the mic back on so they could explain what being non-binary means. This week’s Cutting takes that as its starting point, and Dave talks to CN Lester and Sez Thomasin about being non-binary. Featuring poetry by Sez Thomasin. Find our Guests! Sez Thomasin: Twitter CN Lester : Twitter , Trans Like Me: A Journey for All of Us , music
Sun, December 04, 2016
Episode 11: Sam
Dave talks to the twins’ cousin Sam about their views on the mystery and finds out how Melanie’s been coping in the month since his last recording. The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity.* iTunes RSS * We recommend starting at the beginning of the series to enjoy the full experience of the mystery.
Thu, December 01, 2016
Cutting 10: Discussions and Repercussions
In this week’s Cutting, Dave plays clips from the series so far to members of his family and is as surprised and concerned about their reactions as they are about what they hear. Find our Guests! Peter Pickering Tony Pickering : Twitter
Sun, November 27, 2016
Episode 10: Melanie
Until this episode, every conversation on this show has been arranged in advance. But this one begins with an unexpected ring on the doorbell: Melanie wants to tell her side of the story… The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity.* iTunes RSS * We recommend starting at the beginning of the series to enjoy the full experience of the mystery.
Thu, November 24, 2016
Cutting 9: Life Online
As the podcast audience widens and the Sullivans reveal more and more personal information, Dave’s concern about protecting their privacy grows. In this week’s Cutting, he talks to Alix Fox and Girl on the Net, both of whom regularly share personal information online, about maintaining privacy in a public forum. Find our Guests! Alix Fox : Close Encounters podcast, The Modern Mann podcast Girl on the Net : Twitter , books Also mentioned: Brook
Sun, November 20, 2016
Episode 9: Melissa
Still in shock from Jane’s revelation, Dave arranges a conversation with the twins. He’s never conducted an interview like this before, and he’s nervous about how it will turn out. But only one of the girls turns up… The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity.* * We recommend starting at the beginning of the series to enjoy the full experience of the mystery.
Thu, November 17, 2016
Cutting 8: Stories and more Stories!
Since Jane’s shocking revelation, Dave has been thinking about the impact of sharing true stories in public spaces. In this week’s Cutting, he talks to Joanna Yates, Kevin Allison, Andre Radmall and Azariah France-Williams about the importance and ethics of true storytelling. The Family Tree 's Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism and the arts. They are also a space to platform listener information. If you know anything about what happened to Mark, you can call 0203 290 0592. Please be aware that your message may be played on the show. Find our Guests! Joanna Yates : Spark London Kevin Allison : RISK! Andre Radmall and Azariah France-Williams : The ShapeShifters
Sun, November 13, 2016
Episode 8: A Confession
Dave begins his second conversation with Jane planning to tell her about the oak tree and what he has learned about her late husband. He’s prepared for it to be a difficult conversation, but he’s not prepared for what she will reveal to him. The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity.* iTunes RSS * We recommend starting at the beginning of the series to enjoy the full experience of the mystery.
Thu, November 10, 2016
The Family Tree Cuttings 7 - Playgrounds and Pictures
Dave talks to his mum, June Hoy, about her experiences running an adventure playground in the seventies and about how she remembers Mark Sullivan. He also asks both his parents The Big Questions. The Family Tree 's Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism and the arts. They are also a space to platform listener information. If you know anything about what happened to Mark, you can call 0203 290 0592. Please be aware that your message may be played on the show. Find our Guests! June Hoy : Quiet Canvas Peter Pickering
Wed, November 09, 2016
The Family Tree Mid-Season Teaser
If you've been listening to the first half of Season 1 of The Family Tree, you'll have heard podcast producer Dave Pickering investigating Mark Sullivan's mysterious disappearance by having conversations with his family. In Episode 6 everything changed. If you haven't heard the story so far, you might want to listen to the past episodes of the show before clicking play on this teaser, as it contains spoilers and suggests where this revelation might take Dave and what kind of answers he has uncovered so far. Mark Sullivan, who went missing 15 years ago, has been found dead. His body still has the arm he should have lost in a car accident and seems to have died eight years before he disappeared. Dave has found out that Mark isn't who everyone thought he was. Well, almost everyone. It seems that Reverend Beech knew more about this than he let on in the beginning... The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity.
Sun, November 06, 2016
Episode 7: Mark's Letters
This week, we take a breath to process last week’s revelations and try to get to know Mark. This conversation continues on from the one in Episode 1, in which Dave talks to his dad and Tony, and they read through Mark’s letters and talk about his relationship with Peter. The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity.* iTunes RSS *Last week, Dave finally got some answers, and this episode contains spoilers. We recommend starting at the beginning of the series to enjoy the full experience of the show.
Thu, November 03, 2016
Cutting 6: The Big Questions
Since Beech’s revelation, questions about humanity have been playing heavily on Dave’s mind. In this week’s Cutting, he asks his guests the big questions: ‘What does it mean to be human?’ and ‘What is Consciousness?’ In this episode, you’ll hear voices from both past and future Cuttings. The Family Tree 's Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism and the arts. They are also a space to platform listener information. If you know anything about what happened to Mark, you can call 0203 290 0592. Please be aware that your message may be played on the show. Find our Guests! Helen Zaltzman : The Allusionist , Answer Me This! Martin Zaltz Austwick : The Sound of the Ladies , Song by Song , Global Lab , Brain Train Andre Radmall and Azariah France-Williams : The ShapeShifters Sonja Todd : Erwin (a comic about Erwin Blumenfeld) Charlie Phillips : The Guardian , Article about PopCo Jackie Hagan : Some People Have Too Many Legs Samantha Asamadu : Media Diversified , The Feminist Filmmaker , twitter Musa Okwonga : twitter Alix Fox : Close Encounters podcast, The Modern Mann podcast Girl on the Net : Twitter , books Zoe Prosser & Gary Blake: <a href= "https://soundcloud.com/gettingbe
Sun, October 30, 2016
Episode 6: Reverend Beech
Before their scheduled meeting, Reverend Beech leaves a message for Dave asking him to meet him at St James’ Park. There are “one or two things it might be useful for you to see,” he says. In this episode, Dave finally gets some answers.* *If you’re new to The Family Tree , we suggest going back to Episode 1 before you listen to this. From here on, there’ll be spoilers you can’t unknow! The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity.
Fri, October 28, 2016
Cutting 5: Fantasies and Conspiracies
Today’s Cutting comes in two parts. After hearing Nathan’s concerns about the conflict between live action role play and table top gaming, Dave investigates this issue with the table top role-playing gamers from The Rusty Quill Gaming Podcast and LARPers, Zoe Prosser and Gary Blake. In the second half of the show, Dave focuses on some of Nathan’s other interests and speaks to the makers of the documentary, The Truth Is Out There, Dean Haglund (from The X-Files) and Phil Leirness, about conspiracy theories and other-worldly views. The Family Tree 's Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism and the arts. They are also a space to showcase listener theories about the mystery. If you have a theory about what happened to Mark, you can call 0203 290 0592. Please be aware that your message may be played on the show. Find our Guests! Zoe Prosser & Gary Blake: Zoe & Gary on Getting Better Acquainted Rusty Quill : The Rusty Quill Gaming Podcast , Rusty Quill Twitter Dean Haglund & Phil Leirness : The Truth is out There , Chillpak Hollywood Hour , Dave on Chillpak Hollywood Hour , Chillpak Hollywood Hour Twitter , The Lady Killers
Sun, October 23, 2016
Episode 5: Nathan
After his previous two conversations, Dave’s pleased to find that Mark’s second son, Nathan, is much more willing to talk about his father’s disappearance than his other children. Back in the Sullivan family home, Dave discovers that Nathan has some interesting theories about what might have happened to Mark. The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity.
Thu, October 20, 2016
Cutting 4: The Social Web
Having personal conversations in public is always a risky business, but Dave is particularly aware that his guests this week were under sixteen. With Melissa and Melanie’s well-being at the front of his mind, he reaches out for guidance and advice. In this week’s Cutting, Dave explores issues of privacy, sharing your private life publically, navigating the internet as a young person, and sex and education. He talks to journalist, broadcaster and sex educator, Alix Fox; writer and sex blogger, Girl on the Net, and podcasters Biz Ellis and Theresa Thorn from One Bad Mother. The Family Tree 's Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism and the arts. They are also a space to showcase listener theories about the mystery. If you have a theory about what happened to Mark, you can call 0203 290 0592. Please be aware that your message may be played on the show. Find our Guests! Alix Fox : Close Encounters podcast, The Modern Mann podcast Girl on the Net : Twitter , books Biz Ellis & Theresa Thorn : One Bad Mother podcast, One Bad Mother Twitter Also mentioned: Brook , BISH
Sun, October 16, 2016
The Family Tree Episode 4 - Melissa & Melanie
Dave thought it was awkward speaking to Ben, but it turns out that was nothing compared with speaking to Mark’s teenage daughters, Melissa and Melanie. Nervously sitting down with the twins in the family home, Dave didn't expect it to be easy, but he was surprised to find they were less happy about giving an interview than he'd been led to believe. The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity.
Thu, October 13, 2016
Cutting 3: "Scrambling for representation when we should be at equity"
Picking up on some of the themes of this week’s episode of The Family Tree , Dave speaks to founder of Media Diversified, Samantha Asamadu; Nikesh Shukla, editor of the brilliant state-of-the-nation essay collection, The Good Immigrant and poet and journalist, Musa Okwonga about issues around representation and lived experience in fiction, drama and the media. The Family Tree 's Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism and the arts. They are also a space to showcase listener theories about the mystery. If you have a theory about what happened to Mark, you can call 0203 290 0592. Please be aware that your message may be played on the show. Find our Guests! Samantha Asamadu : Media Diversified , The Feminist Filmmaker , twitter Nikesh Shukla : The Good Immigrant , twitter Musa Okwonga : twitter
Sun, October 09, 2016
The Family Tree Episode 3 - Ben & Kora
Dave talks to Mark’s eldest son, Ben, and his partner, Kora. With their daughter Mia playing in the room next door, the couple host Dave in their busy kitchen. He said he was happy to talk, but Ben is more defensive than Dave – or Kora – anticipated. The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity.
Thu, October 06, 2016
Cutting 2 : Giving Up Eggs and Losing Legs
In Mark Sullivan’s absence, Dave is aware of the dangers of discussing issues without involving those affected by them. Mark’s decision to become a vegan was one that shaped the life of both himself and his family, so Dave talks to Sonja Todd and Charlie Philips about their experiences living in the world as vegans. Another issue that affected Mark deeply was the loss of his arm in a car accident. Dave speaks to poet, theatre maker, comedian and community arts worker Jackie Hagan about her experiences as an amputee. The Family Tree 's Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism and the arts. They are also a space to showcase listener theories about the mystery. If you have a theory about what happened to Mark, you can call 0203 290 0592. Please be aware that your message may be played on the show. Find our Guests! Sonja Todd : Erwin (a comic about Erwin Blumenfeld) Charlie Phillips : The Guardian , Article about PopCo Jackie Hagan : Some People Have Too Many Legs (The Frog and Bucket, Manchester 23/10/16)
Sun, October 02, 2016
The Family Tree Episode 2 - Jane
Having spoken to Reverend Beech, Dave contacts Mark Sullivan’s family. His widow, Jane, agrees to come on the show to discuss their relationship and her feelings about the mystery. Dave talks to her in the family home surrounded by pictures of her family. The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity.
Thu, September 29, 2016
Cutting 1: Podcasts and Priests
The Family Tree is a very different podcast from the one Dave normally produces, so he talks to podcasters Helen Zaltzman and Martin Zaltz Austwick about what it's like to change the kind of show you make, and asks for some advice on the craft and ethics of podcasting. And to give more context to the life of Reverend Philip Beech, we hear from Andre Radmall and Azariah France-Williams about their experiences as priests in the community. The Family Tree 's Cuttings discuss the real issues raised in the show with special guests from podcasting, journalism and the arts. They are also a space to showcase listener theories about the mystery. If you have a theory about what happened to Mark, you can call 0203 290 0592. Please be aware that your message may be played on the show. Find our Guests! Helen Zaltzman : The Allusionist , Answer Me This! Martin Zaltz Austwick : The Sound of the Ladies , Song by Song , Global Lab , Brain Train Andre Radmall and Azariah France-Williams : The ShapeShifters
Sun, September 25, 2016
The Family Tree Episode 1 - The Mystery
A body discovered years after its death with more arms than it should have had: this is the story Peter and Tony come back from a funeral with. In Episode 1, they introduce Dave to the mystery and suggest he talks to the vicar who officiated the funeral. Reverend Philip Beech is happy to oblige, and Dave talks to him about Mark Sullivan and his family and begins to explore the mystery surrounding Mark’s death. So begins a journey that will change Dave’s understanding of reality forever. The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity.
Wed, September 21, 2016
The Family Tree Cuttings Teaser 4: Ideas
The Family Tree, a new audio drama from Adamthwaite and Pickering, launches on Monday 26 th September 2016. The show will air for 12 weeks, releasing an episode of the drama every Monday and an accompanying commentary episode each Friday. The show is a spin-off from in-conversation podcast, Getting Better Acquainted, featured on BBC Radio 4’s In Pod We Trust and BBC Radio 5 Live’s Required Listening. Focussed on openness, honesty and truth, the same conversational style is used to explore the story in The Family Tree. The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity. The 12 supplementary episodes or ‘Cuttings’ feature a range of guests from podcasting, journalism and the arts, discussing the issues raised in the show, including themes such as representation, lived experience, identity and social responsibility. This teaser showcases some of the conversations that focus on ideas as Dave talks to Zoe Prosser, Lydia Nichols from The Rusty Quill Gaming podcast, Sonja Todd, Phil Leirness and Dean Haglund from Chillpak Hollywood Hour, Helen Zaltzman and Martin Zaltz Austwick.
Sun, September 18, 2016
The Family Tree Cuttings Teaser 3: People
The Family Tree, a new audio drama from Adamthwaite and Pickering, launches on Monday 26 th September 2016. The show will air for 12 weeks, releasing an episode of the drama every Monday and an accompanying commentary episode each Friday. The show is a spin-off from in-conversation podcast, Getting Better Acquainted, featured on BBC Radio 4’s In Pod We Trust and BBC Radio 5 Live’s Required Listening. Focussed on openness, honesty and truth, the same conversational style is used to explore the story in The Family Tree. The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity. The 12 supplementary episodes or ‘Cuttings’ feature a range of guests from podcasting, journalism and the arts, discussing the issues raised in the show, including themes such as representation, lived experience, identity and social responsibility. This teaser showcases some of the conversations that focus on people's life experiences as Dave talks to Girl on the Net, Azariah France-Williams from The Shapeshifters Podcast, June Hoy and Musa Okwonga.
Sun, September 18, 2016
Preview: Episode 1 The Family Tree
When podcast producer Dave Pickering is approached by his dad with a mystery from the life of a long-forgotten friend, he decides to investigate it in the only way he knows how: by having conversations. Mark Sullivan, who went missing 15 years ago, has been found dead. His body still has the arm he should have lost in a car accident and seems to have died eight years before he disappeared. In a series of 12 episodes, Dave tries to uncover this mystery through conversations with Mark’s family and friends. As he gets to know them, his questions lead to more questions… the mystery runs deeper than anyone imagined. The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity. Episode 1 will be available on your audio devices from Monday 26th September 2016!
Sun, September 11, 2016
The Family Tree Cuttings Teaser 2: Representation
The Family Tree, a new audio drama from Adamthwaite and Pickering, launches on Monday 26 th September 2016. The show will air for 12 weeks, releasing an episode of the drama every Monday and an accompanying commentary episode each Friday. The show is a spin-off from in-conversation podcast, Getting Better Acquainted, featured on BBC Radio 4’s In Pod We Trust and BBC Radio 5 Live’s Required Listening. Focussed on openness, honesty and truth, the same conversational style is used to explore the story in The Family Tree. The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity. The 12 supplementary episodes or ‘Cuttings’ feature a range of guests from podcasting, journalism and the arts, discussing the issues raised in the show, including themes such as representation, lived experience, identity and social responsibility. This teaser showcases some of the conversations around representation as Dave talks to Nikesh Shukla, Samantha Asamadu from Media Diversified, Jackie Hagan, CN Lester and Sez Thomasin.
Sun, September 04, 2016
The Family Tree Cuttings Teaser 1: A New Podcast
The Family Tree, a new audio drama from Adamthwaite and Pickering, launches on Monday 26 th September 2016. The show will air for 12 weeks, releasing an episode of the drama every Monday and an accompanying commentary episode each Friday. The show is a spin-off from in-conversation podcast, Getting Better Acquainted, featured on BBC Radio 4’s In Pod We Trust and BBC Radio 5 Live’s Required Listening. Focussed on openness, honesty and truth, the same conversational style is used to explore the story in The Family Tree. The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity. The 12 supplementary episodes or ‘Cuttings’ feature a range of guests from podcasting, journalism and the arts, discussing the issues raised in the show, including themes such as representation, lived experience, identity and social responsibility. This teaser showcases some of the conversations around conversation as Dave gets some advice from fellow podcasters Biz Ellis and Theresa Thorn from One Bad Mother, Helen Zaltzman from The Allusionist, Kevin Allison from Risk!, Phil Leirness from Chillpack Hollywood Hour, Alix Fox from Close Encounters and Joanna Yates from Spark True Stories
Sun, September 04, 2016
The Family Tree Teaser 3
When podcast producer Dave Pickering is approached by his dad with a mystery from the life of a long-forgotten friend, he decides to investigate it in the only way he knows how: by having conversations. Mark Sullivan, who went missing 15 years ago, has been found dead. His body still has the arm he should have lost in a car accident and seems to have died eight years before he disappeared. In a series of 12 episodes, Dave tries to uncover this mystery through conversations with Mark’s family and friends. As he gets to know them, his questions lead to more questions… the mystery runs deeper than anyone imagined. The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity. Episode 1 will be available on your audio devices from Monday 26th September 2016!
Thu, May 12, 2016
The Family Tree Teaser 2
When podcast producer Dave Pickering is approached by his dad with a mystery from the life of a long-forgotten friend, he decides to investigate it in the only way he knows how: by having conversations. Mark Sullivan, who went missing 15 years ago, has been found dead. His body still has the arm he should have lost in a car accident and seems to have died eight years before he disappeared. In a series of 12 episodes, Dave tries to uncover this mystery through conversations with Mark’s family and friends. As he gets to know them, his questions lead to more questions… the mystery runs deeper than anyone imagined. The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity. Coming to your audio devices in September 2016!
Thu, May 12, 2016
The Family Tree Teaser 1
When podcast producer Dave Pickering is approached by his dad with a mystery from the life of a long-forgotten friend, he decides to investigate it in the only way he knows how: by having conversations. Mark Sullivan, who went missing 15 years ago, has been found dead. His body still has the arm he should have lost in a car accident and seems to have died eight years before he disappeared. In a series of 12 episodes, Dave tries to uncover this mystery through conversations with Mark’s family and friends. As he gets to know them, his questions lead to more questions… the mystery runs deeper than anyone imagined. The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity. Coming to your audio devices in September 2016!
loading...