How Our Hobbies Set Us Free

Intelligence Squared

News, Society & Culture, Arts, News Commentary

4.2 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 14 March 2023

⏱️ 41 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The literal translation of amateur is ‘lover of’ so why is it a word so often steeped in derogatory overtones? Why, when we’re asked for our hobbies, are we inclined to diminish their status in our lives? Our hobbies make us human. From pottery, to geo-guessing; orienteering to stamp collecting; it is in these small, often quiet, building blocks of life that we so often find true meaning and connection. In this episode, Kamal Ahmed is joined by the editor of Prospect Magazine, and amateur pianist Alan Rusbridger; Senior Partner at Slaughter and May and composer Steve Cooke; comedian, writer and Adult Fan of LEGO Emma Kennedy; and, ex-property developer turned golfer extraordinaire Mark Gershinson to discuss the joy of part-time pursuits and being an amateur. Join us for a conversation that seeks to reinvigorate the concept of the hobby and renew it with it’s true meaning: hobbies, from the run of the mill to the absurd, are about our passions; they are about self-discovery; and about building a life that fulfils us and provides contentment. Whether you’re a relentless hobbyist or have been prevaricating about booking that first violin lesson, this episode is for you: remember, it’s never too late to start. For more information about Y TREE please visit https://www.y-tree.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello, I'm Ian Stirling and I'm with one of McCain's farmers who grow their potatoes hang on these are odd-looking potatoes
0:06.0	That's kale Ian. You do know you need potato to make chips, right?
0:10.5	Yes, but we don't just grow potatoes. We actually rotate different crops to help keep the soil healthy. So we eat McCain chips
0:16.8	I'm helping do some good. Exactly. Yeah, you're supporting the move to regenerative farming
0:22.3	By the way, I do know the difference between kale and potatoes
0:26.1	Of course you do.
0:27.6	McCain, let's all check in.
0:57.6	See version holidays.co.uk for details
1:01.2	Welcome to intelligent squared. I'm senior producer Connor Boyle
1:05.7	Today on the podcast we're discussing the joy of hobbies
1:09.0	It's an episode of the future verse podcast from intelligent squared and white tree in the latest mini series of the
1:15.8	Futureverse podcast will be exploring the challenges and opportunities posed by periods of transition
1:22.1	Our host is journalist Kamal Ahmed who will ask why we so often diminish the status of hobbies and explore how they can enrich and bring meaning to our lives
1:32.8	He's joined by four brilliant guests including the former editor of the Guardian Alan Russ Bridger. Here's Kamal with more
1:39.5	Hello and welcome to this episode of the future verse brought to you by intelligent squared and white tree. I'm Kamal Ahmed
2:00.8	White tree was founded in 2017 to give its clients transparency efficiency and meaning so they can understand their financial lives
2:09.5	As they are and as they could be
2:12.4	Today, we're introducing a new theme in the future verse life transitions
2:18.8	childhood adolescence marriage divorce becoming apparent
2:24.0	Losing apparent career changes retirement
2:28.0	Life is of course made up of transition some big some small
2:32.6	We'll be digging into many of these over the coming weeks
	...

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