Have you ever wondered why certain places feel more ‘authentic’ or why you seem to be a more genuine version of yourself in a particular setting? It turns out, there might be a psychological explanation for that!

In today’s episode, I chat with Ashley N. Krause, a doctoral candidate from the University of Florida who is studying the psychology of place and well-being. Ashley takes a socioecological approach to understanding how people find meaning in places, and in turn, how places influence people’s meaning in life. One key area of interest for Ashley is the concept of place authenticity - why certain places feel more authentic to us, and what underpins that experience.

During our conversation, Ashley and I delve into what place authenticity means, how it differs from personal authenticity, and how the two concepts influence one another. We explore the impact of time and nostalgia on how we experience places, the role of rootedness and sensory perceptions in shaping place authenticity, and how we can create more authentic feeling environments in the modern world. Plus, we discuss future research areas Ashley is excited to explore.

For more on Ashley: 

Academic papers on Google Scholar

Article in Psyche Magazine

A small independent business run by brothers Chris & Dom. They make retro patches that celebrate the UK’s best loved outdoor places & wildlife. They donate over 1% of their total revenue each year to the UK National Parks Foundation which supports work to improve National Parks & programmes to connect communities with these landscapes. Use discount code SENSEOFPLACE at checkout for 20% all purchases! Link HERE 

(Recorded March 2025)