Impropod Podcast

Luke chats with filmmaker and visual artist Ash Farkas about two extraordinary travel experiences that changed the way he sees the world. From battling fierce winds and snow on an unexpected hike in Iceland to facing illness, isolation and night terrors deep in the Amazon jungle, Ash shares stories of delirium, survival and unexpected personal growth.

Luke improvises piano soundtracks to both stories, capturing the brutal struggle of the Icelandic hike, the triumphant discovery of an ancient volcano, and the oppressive atmosphere of the jungle. Together, they explore how music can transform memories, bring emotions back to life and reveal deeper meaning in experiences that might otherwise become just another anecdote.

Ash also reflects on his evolving relationship with photography, the importance of being present in the moment, and how difficult experiences can leave us with a renewed sense of purpose.

In this episode:

• Ash’s unexpected journey into an Icelandic volcano, complete with snowstorms, delirium, fairies and a lesson in putting the camera down.
• How a serious illness deep in the Amazon jungle led to night terrors, isolation and one unforgettable, ice-cold soft drink.
• How Luke uses improvised piano to capture the struggle, oppression, triumph and recovery within Ash’s stories.

• Why revisiting memories through music can change how we understand the past and help us find meaning when the road ahead is unclear.

  Follow Ash: 
  On Instagram: @ash_farkas

  Follow Impropod:
  On Instagram: @impropodpodcast
  impropod.com

  Filmed at Blanket Studios Bristol
  www.weareblanket.com/studios

   

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Luke talks to Bob Martin, a trial lawyer, meditation teacher and podcaster, who describes himself a taoist, buddhist christian. They talk about the surprising connections between music, spirituality and relationships. Through piano improvisations, Bob explores the emotions and imagery that emerge from listening, discovering how music can express complex ideas and tell stories without words.

Bob shares the story of a turning point in his life, when an encounter with the ancient Chinese divination text, the I Ching, led him towards Taoism, Tai Chi and a deeper understanding of himself and others. He also reflects on the unexpected discoveries he made about his father after his death, uncovering hidden family history and a mysterious book that challenged his understanding of faith and the past.

Along the way, Luke and Bob explore how musical notes can be like people! By the end of the episode, Bob has discovered a new way of listening to music.

In this episode:

• How improvised piano music can evoke unexpected imagery, emotions and moments of awakening.
• Bob’s journey into Taoism, Tai Chi and the I Ching, and how it transformed his approach to life and his work with clients.
• Discovering hidden family history, his father’s mysterious possessions and a book exploring the lost years of Jesus.
• How music expresses closeness, distance and emotional tension, and how listening more attentively can transform our relationship with music.

Follow Bob: 
His website: https://theflowmedia.com/
His Podcast: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1709207503972027227d53af2

Follow Impropod;
https://impropod.com/
Instagram: @impropodpodcast

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Luke chats with South Carolina based synthwave producer Matt Hancock, about creativity, modular synthesis and the ways music can transform personal experiences into something completely new. As Luke creates improvised piano soundtracks in response to Matt’s stories and ideas, they explore the sounds and influences behind his experimental synthwave project DecoLux, drawing on 1980s and early 1990s music, analogue gear and cassette textures. Matt shares two memorable stories from his military training: the moment he discovered that perfect snowflakes really do exist, and a chaotic winter field exercise where a blizzard knocked over their tent, leaving the group scrambling outside in their underwear in sub-zero temperatures. 

The stories inspire live musical collaborations across the internet, with Luke on piano, Matt uses his modular synthesizer to create atmospheric, playful and unpredictable sounds. Along the way, they discuss modular synthesis as both a compositional tool and meditative practice, the unique character of analogue instruments, and how improvisation can uncover new emotional dimensions in familiar memories. The episode also offers a glimpse into DecoLux’s upcoming album Eventide and its fusion of synthwave, pop and experimental sound.

They discuss:

◼ How Matt's synthwave project DecoLux draws inspiration from 1980s and early 1990s sounds, analogue gear and cassette recordings

◼ How an improvised piano piece inspires Matt to imagine an isolated author struggling with writer's block before finding a sudden spark of inspiration

◼ How stories from Matt's military training — discovering a perfect snowflake and surviving a blizzard — become soundtracks combining tension, curiosity, chaos and humour

◼ How Luke's piano improvisation and Matt's modular synthesizer create a unique musical collaboration, exploring different ways of using sound to capture emotion and atmosphere

Follow Matt:

Follow Impropod:

◼On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC34WsYcP0CO0urZJJLz1tOw

◼ See this episode on the podcast map at: https://www.impropod.com/

Follow Luke 

◼On LinkedIn @luke-tomlinson-917ab6252/

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Luke talks to Angela Kingdon, co-founder of the Autistic Culture Podcast Network about autism, music and storytelling.  Angela tells a story about her adventures involving Neil Finn the leader singer of Crowded House and a near death experience with quicksand in New Zealand on Kare Kare beach, and how she inspired a lyric on the song Kare Kare on the album Together Alone.

She also recounts a life changing moment in Jerusalem, where walking through the ancient Jericho Gate gave her a powerful new perspective on love, relationships and her marriage.

Along the way, Angela explores autistic traits including masking, monotropic focus, pattern matching and sensory regulation, and explains why music can be a powerful way to understand emotions beyond words.

The discuss:

Follow Angela:
https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/podcast

◼ On Instagram: @angelaintheuk

The song Kare Kare by Crowded House 
https://open.spotify.com/track/5JBtS7Svgpao3xUyL3EGqv?si=9d64901bea7244be

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Luke chats with podcast producer, consultant and Famous & Gravy host Michael Osborne about storytelling, creativity and the surprising ways music can deepen our understanding of life's most memorable moments. As Luke creates completely improvised piano soundtracks in response to Michael's stories, they revisit two unforgettable experiences: falling asleep on the summit of a mountain after a grueling climb, and an extraordinary encounter with a bobcat while studying at the University of Montana. Their conversation ranges from podcasting and biography to neuroscience, the psychology of hard work, creativity, and the healing power of music. Along the way, they explore how improvisation can reveal emotions and perspectives hidden within our memories, turning familiar stories into something entirely new. Whether you're interested in podcasting, music, psychology, personal growth or simply hearing great stories told in a unique way, this episode is a thoughtful, funny and inspiring listen.

◼ How climbing a mountain as a teenager becomes an improvised soundtrack of struggle, exhaustion, achievement, peace and the fleeting nature of happiness

◼ How an extraordinary encounter with a wild bobcat inspires music that moves from serene stillness and fear to curiosity, confidence and a surprising sense of safety

◼ How music, photography and storytelling can frame our experience of the world, awaken creativity and reconnect us with memories, nature and a sense of wonder

Follow Michael:

Follow Luke 

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Film writer and author Sean Wilson joins Luke to explore the fascinating world of film music and the art of musical storytelling. Sean discusses his new book, The Sound of Cinema, which traces the history of cinematic scores and the composers who shaped them, from Bernard Herrmann and Jerry Goldsmith to Thomas Newman, Howard Shore and John Williams.

Sean shares the story of discovering the magnificent Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia, an experience that reminded him of Howard Shore’s music from The Lord of the Rings and its ability to capture wonder and reverence.

Luke then improvises soundtracks to Sean’s stories, including a visit to The Grapes, a historic, cosy pub in London’s Limehouse, partly owned by Sir Ian McKellen.

They explore how harmony, melody and musical space can evoke anticipation, wonder, nostalgia and comfort without words—and how improvisation can transform intangible memories and experiences into music.

◼ How a journey to Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia inspires an improvised soundtrack of adventure, anticipation, wonder and the awe of discovering an ancient landscape

◼ How a quiet London pub becomes the inspiration for music that captures warmth, nostalgia and sanctuary before returning to the bustle of the city

◼ How musical storytelling transforms intangible memories and impressions into something tangible, revealing the power of improvisation to connect stories, emotions and listeners

Many Meetings by Howard Shore: 

Follow Sean:

◼On Twitter: @seano22

◼Instagram: @seanfilmwriter

◼The Sound of Cinema, now available to pre-order from McFarland Publishing: Here

Follow the Grapes pub in London

Corrections: 5:52 North Macedonia, 5:16 North Macedonia, 5:52 Southern North Macedonia, 14.32 Sir Ian Mckellen is part of a shared ownership of the Grapes Pub

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In a fascinating episode Sue Witheridge talks about her Psychic abilities and the way she can talk to spirit . She tells stories about a haunted house, evicting an angry, attached spirit from a bungalow and her healing terrier Charlie who comforted clients. As well as what it means to go to the light. Ray Charles's spirit also makes an appearance! Through stories and improvised music, Sue and Luke explore spirituality and the surprising ways music can connect with the unseen.

They discuss:

◼ How Sue’s childhood experiences in a haunted house led to her discovering her psychic abilities and learning to trust what she could see and sense

◼ How the story of an attached spirit refusing to leave Sue’s bungalow becomes an improvised soundtrack of growing unease, tension, confrontation and eventual release

◼ How Sue’s much-loved terrier Charlie seemed to sense which clients needed healing, inspiring an improvised soundtrack capturing his larger-than-life personality and intuitive nature

◼ How music, spirituality and the idea of “going to the light” connect with experiences of death and the afterlife — culminating in an extraordinary experiment involving the spirit of Ray Charles and Luke’s piano playing

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In this episode of the Impropod podcast, Luke interviews Erin Whalen, a communication skills coach and playback theater practitioner. They discuss the connection between the closeness of emotions and the notes on the piano. As well as Erin’s dual involvement in playback theater and professional role-playing, particularly in medical contexts, to help people process grief. Erin elaborates on the impact of effective communication and the power of pausing during difficult conversations.

They delve into the parallels between music and dialogue, emphasizing the subtleties of emotional content through tone and pace. Erin also shares personal stories, including the emotionally complex reaction to her sister's passing and a recent nature walk where she encountered a deer. The episode features musical improvisations by Luke, reflecting Erin’s experiences and themes of choice, surprise, and emotional complexity. Erin concludes by sharing contact information and a free resource on compassionate communication.

They discuss:

◼ How improvisation, playback theatre and deep listening can help people communicate through grief, difficult conversations and complex emotions

◼ How the unexpected death of a loved one can inspire an improvised soundtrack exploring grief, sadness, guilt, relief and release

◼ How a simple choice on a morning walk leads to an unexpected encounter, inspiring music about uncertainty, wonder and delightful surprise

◼ How the closeness of notes on a piano reflects the closeness and unpredictability of human emotions, creating a powerful musical reflection of personal stories

◼On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC34WsYcP0CO0urZJJLz1tOw

◼ See this episode on the podcast map at: https://www.impropod.com/

Follow Luke 

◼On LinkedIn @luke-tomlinson-917ab6252/

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"Music can transcend things in a way that words and action cannot."

In this episode, Luke talks to Holland-based comedian, improviser and musician Steven Morgan about his approach to comedy, music and improvisation. Steven tells a story about waking up to reality in Brisbane, Australia, exploring the blurred boundaries between perception and reality.

They discuss Steven's absurdist comedy style, his musical background and his time with his former band Neon Highwire. They also explore the importance of improvisation in both comedy and music, and how collaboration, constraints and artificial limitations can sometimes enhance creativity.

Steven and Luke consider how music can communicate ideas and emotions in ways that words cannot, and how improvisation creates a space where unexpected ideas can emerge.

They discuss:

◼ How improvisation can transform an unexpected story into music, capturing emotions that words alone cannot fully express

◼On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC34WsYcP0CO0urZJJLz1tOw

◼ See this episode on the podcast map at: https://www.impropod.com/

Follow Luke 

◼On LinkedIn @luke-tomlinson-917ab6252/

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Luke talks to Witch, podcaster and security officer Swailes about her witchcraft podcast and the power of manifestation. She explains how everyday rituals, from blowing out birthday candles to decorating a Christmas tree, can be viewed as forms of magic.

Swailes tells the story of how she discovered sigil magic at a moon circle in York, and how creating and eating a piece of bread with her own sigil on it became a powerful moment of personal growth.

She also shares a cautionary story about manifesting money and accidentally connecting it with her husband’s redundancy. Luke improvises a soundtrack to the story and Swailes uses a Shruti box drone, exploring the ideas of manifestation, panic, uncertainty and the universe observing everything from the background.

The episode explores how music can offer a completely different perspective on personal stories, and how improvisation can create unexpected connections between storytelling, spirituality and emotion.

They discuss:

◼ How everyday rituals such as birthday candles and Christmas trees can be viewed as forms of witchcraft and manifestation

◼ How discovering sigil magic at a moon circle in York leads to a story about growth, letting go and trusting the process

◼ How a cautionary story about manifesting money inspires an improvised soundtrack using a Shruti box drone to explore panic, uncertainty and the unexpected

◼ How improvisation can transform personal stories into music, creating new perspectives on spirituality, emotion and experience

Follow Swailes:

◼On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC34WsYcP0CO0urZJJLz1tOw

◼ See this episode on the podcast map at: https://www.impropod.com/

Follow Luke 

◼On LinkedIn @luke-tomlinson-917ab6252/

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