In which the main themes that have emerged over the course of this podcast series are drawn out and something is said of what life in the preternatural realm involves.

Music by Sharron Kraus, with James Street, Neal Heppleston, Nick Jonah Davis, Oliver Parfitt and Harriet Earis.

REFERENCES

In which the idea of wildness and the relationship between the human and the wild are explored. Some problematic approaches to wildness are flagged up and a path to the heart of the wildwood is traced.

Music by Sharron Kraus, with Simon Lewis, Harriet Earis, Mark Wilden, Gillian Chadwick, Nick Jonah Davis, Oliver Parfitt, Jenny Bliss and Dean Honer

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In which the role suffering plays in creating art is explored and the idea of the tortured artist is contrasted with that of the artist as alchemist. The idea of art as alchemy, as a way of transmuting the ‘base materials’ of sadness, loss, depression and darkness into something golden, is shown to be a more optimistic and inspiring model of creativity, and one that gives us a way of understanding why art is so important to us.

Music by Sharron Kraus, with Neal Heppleston, Guy Whittaker, Nick Jonah Davis, Oliver Parfitt, Jenny Bliss and Harriet Earis

REFERENCES

In which a number of songs that celebrate evil characters are examined and the question ‘why do good people enjoy songs about bad people?’ is addressed.

Music by Sharron Kraus, with Tara Burke, Brooke Sietinsons, Harriet Earis, James Street, Neal Heppleston and Guy Whittaker.

Clips from the following songs:

In which the ways the communities we belong to are shown to affect our sense of self and our ability to find magic, meaning and happiness in our own lives. Differences between narrow communities and those that are more open, welcoming and diverse are looked at and what makes us who we are is shown to involve more than the factual aspects of our identity – the self is shown to be preternatural.

Music by Sharron Kraus, with Nick Palmer, Nancy Wallace, Harriet Earis, Oliver Parfitt, Jenny Bliss, Neal Heppleston, Guy Whittaker and Nick Jonah Davis

REFERENCES