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5. Shaping Wellbeing by Hand
What happens to the human brain when we work with our hands, and what do we lose when we stop? How can repetitive manual activities help us navigate stress, burnout, and digital disconnect? And as artificial intelligence tools alter how we think and create, how do we protect the unique, physical experience of the human touch?
Shaping materials is often discussed as a form of cultural heritage or economic utility. But as this conversation suggests, the act of making matters deeply to our health. From the cognitive benefits of repetitive motion to the stark daily realities of running a creative business, this episode explores the profound intersection between manual craft and human wellbeing.
In this episode of Craft Matters, Adriana Campo brings together three distinct perspectives to explore how arts, crafts, and manual work impact our minds and our society.
We hear from Tom Bensari, woodworker and furniture designer who walked away from a corporate career as a lawyer and CEO; Célia Macedo, an architect turned full-time ceramicist; and Dr. Sirpa Kokko, a Professor of Craft Science at the University of Eastern Finland and co-author of the European Crafts Alliance sectorial study on crafts and wellbeing.
Together, they explore what it means to heal, learn, and thrive through our hands.
In this episode:
Tom Bensari, woodworker and furniture designer, Poland To see Tom’s work, visit https://www.bensari.design/
Célia Macedo, ceramicist and former architect, Portugal To explore Célia's projects, visit https://www.celiamacedo.com/
Dr. Sirpa Kokko, Professor of Craft Science at the University of Eastern Finland, Finland Learn more about her research and the ECA report: https://uefconnect.uef.fi/en/person/sirpa.kokko/
Learn more: New to Craft Matters? Listen to Episode 1 to understand the policies shaping the sector, and subscribe so you don't miss our next episodes coming this September!
More about the European Crafts Alliance: europeancraftsalliance.org
Follow us on Linkedin│Instagram│Facebook│Youtube
Credits:
Host and producer: Adriana Campo
Continuity announcer: Rachel Kelly
Story editor and dramaturg: Ana Kuntarič Brodersen
Executive producer: Laura Miguel Baumann
Produced by the European Crafts Alliance
Music: The Walking Song by Adam Ben Ezra (album: Hide & Seek)
Disclaimer
Co-funded by the European Union. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Furthermore, any views or opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent those of the European Crafts Alliance.
About the European Crafts Alliance
The European Crafts Alliance is an independent non-profit network representing over 40 member organisations across 25 European countries. It works to strengthen and support the crafts sector across Europe.
The podcast
The podcast Craft Matters is a podcast by the European Crafts Alliance exploring the people, policies, and practices shaping craft across Europe - from independent makers to cultural institutions and decision-makers. Through interviews, stories, and field recordings, the series reveals how craft lives, evolves, and contributes to Europe’s economic and cultural future.
View all episodes
By European Crafts AllianceWhat happens to the human brain when we work with our hands, and what do we lose when we stop? How can repetitive manual activities help us navigate stress, burnout, and digital disconnect? And as artificial intelligence tools alter how we think and create, how do we protect the unique, physical experience of the human touch?
Shaping materials is often discussed as a form of cultural heritage or economic utility. But as this conversation suggests, the act of making matters deeply to our health. From the cognitive benefits of repetitive motion to the stark daily realities of running a creative business, this episode explores the profound intersection between manual craft and human wellbeing.
In this episode of Craft Matters, Adriana Campo brings together three distinct perspectives to explore how arts, crafts, and manual work impact our minds and our society.
We hear from Tom Bensari, woodworker and furniture designer who walked away from a corporate career as a lawyer and CEO; Célia Macedo, an architect turned full-time ceramicist; and Dr. Sirpa Kokko, a Professor of Craft Science at the University of Eastern Finland and co-author of the European Crafts Alliance sectorial study on crafts and wellbeing.
Together, they explore what it means to heal, learn, and thrive through our hands.
In this episode:
Tom Bensari, woodworker and furniture designer, Poland To see Tom’s work, visit https://www.bensari.design/
Célia Macedo, ceramicist and former architect, Portugal To explore Célia's projects, visit https://www.celiamacedo.com/
Dr. Sirpa Kokko, Professor of Craft Science at the University of Eastern Finland, Finland Learn more about her research and the ECA report: https://uefconnect.uef.fi/en/person/sirpa.kokko/
Learn more: New to Craft Matters? Listen to Episode 1 to understand the policies shaping the sector, and subscribe so you don't miss our next episodes coming this September!
More about the European Crafts Alliance: europeancraftsalliance.org
Follow us on Linkedin│Instagram│Facebook│Youtube
Credits:
Host and producer: Adriana Campo
Continuity announcer: Rachel Kelly
Story editor and dramaturg: Ana Kuntarič Brodersen
Executive producer: Laura Miguel Baumann
Produced by the European Crafts Alliance
Music: The Walking Song by Adam Ben Ezra (album: Hide & Seek)
Disclaimer
Co-funded by the European Union. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Furthermore, any views or opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent those of the European Crafts Alliance.
About the European Crafts Alliance
The European Crafts Alliance is an independent non-profit network representing over 40 member organisations across 25 European countries. It works to strengthen and support the crafts sector across Europe.
The podcast
The podcast Craft Matters is a podcast by the European Crafts Alliance exploring the people, policies, and practices shaping craft across Europe - from independent makers to cultural institutions and decision-makers. Through interviews, stories, and field recordings, the series reveals how craft lives, evolves, and contributes to Europe’s economic and cultural future.