This Old House Radio Hour

Ken Burns Shows Us, His Creative Shangri-La, Sarah Susanka On Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better and a Blue Print for Rebuilding Los Angeles


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On this week’s episode, we rethink the meaning of home—from the scale of a single room to the soul of a sprawling city.

First, visionary architect and best-selling author Sarah Susanka joins us to reflect on the enduring appeal of her groundbreaking book The Not So Big House. She unpacks power of designing for quality over quantity, how smarter, smaller spaces can transform our lives, and why her “Not So Big” philosophy is more relevant than ever in a world grappling with sustainability, affordability, and a hunger for meaning in our living spaces.

Then we travel to Walpole, New Hampshire, where acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns has created his own sanctuary on 111 acres of rolling New England landscape. He walks us through the barn he dreamed up as a child and built as an adult—proof that sometimes, the stories we tell start with the places we make. And finally, a bold conversation about the future of Los Angeles. In a time of housing crises, infrastructure strain, and environmental urgency, we explore b—one that centers community, climate, and the power of design to create a city that works for everyone.

All that, plus your DIY and Home Improvement questions answered. Call us today at 877-864-7460

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This Old House Radio HourBy American Public Media

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