Something to Declare

In this episode, Jack Boswell explores the Irish concept of "Craic"—a unique blend of humour, storytelling, and community that brings joy and resilience to everyday life. Joining Jack is stand-up comedian Cat Anderson, who unpacks the elusive essence of Craic. Is it simply about having fun, or does it hold a deeper significance in Irish culture? She explains how Craic is woven into Ireland's rich...

Jack Boswell explores the Finnish concept of sisu - a profound inner strength that emerges when we face life’s toughest challenges. Joining him is Emilia Elisabet Lahti, a Finnish behavioural scientist, who delves into the origins of sisu, a cornerstone of Finnish culture. She explains how this powerful quality - described as the “life force in times of adversity” - has helped individuals and the...

Jack Boswell explores the Parisian tradition of flânerie, the art of strolling aimlessly through city streets, discovering beauty in the everyday. Joining him is Dr Aimée Boutin, a French literature professor and flânerie expert, who explains its origins in 19th-century Paris and how urban renewal gave rise to this mindful, poetic practice. Aimée shares how the flâneur engages all the senses to ex...

Jack Boswell explores Sweden’s cherished tradition of fika and its lessons on the art of taking a break. Joining him is Anna Brones, author of Fika: The Art of the Swedish Coffee Break, who shares how this ritual goes beyond coffee and pastries to create intentional moments of connection and reflection. Anna explains how fika encourages us to pause, savour a sweet treat, and enjoy meaningful conve...

In this episode, Jack Boswell explores the intricate Iranian custom of taarof, a tradition of elaborate etiquette and rituals of deference that reveal how small acts of courtesy can foster deep connections and mutual respect. Joining Jack is Eve Esfandiari-Denney, a poet and PhD candidate in creative writing, who shares how taarof has shaped her identity and family relationships. For Eve, taarof i...

In this episode, Jack Boswell explores the sacred connection between indigenous Quechua-speaking communities in the Peruvian Andes and their natural environment, offering a profound perspective on how we value what truly matters. Joining him is Yojana Miraya Oscco, a researcher and member of a Quechua-speaking community, who explains how the mountains, rivers, and land are seen as living relatives...

Jack Boswell explores the South African philosophy of Ubuntu, a profound perspective on humanity that emphasises the interconnectedness of all people and the transformative power of community. Joining Jack is Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu, a South African-born priest and daughter of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. She explains how Ubuntu - the belief that "I am because we are" - is rooted in reco...

Jack Boswell delves into saudade, a Portuguese word often described as untranslatable. Saudade captures a complex mix of longing, melancholy, and bittersweet nostalgia - a "pleasant sadness" that simultaneously consoles and aches. Jack unpacks the profound emotional resonance of this concept and how it might help us navigate difficult feelings in our own lives. Jack begins by speaking with Helder...

Jack Boswell explores the Korean concept of Nunchi - a cultural practice that centres on deeply attuning to one’s surroundings and gauging others' unspoken thoughts and emotions. Through the lens of Nunchi, we learn about how silence and observation can speak louder than words. Joining him is Euny Hong, author of The Power of Nunchi, who shares her own journey with Nunchi and what it reveals about...

Jack Boswell explores northeast India to uncover the ancient, awe-inspiring tradition of Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges. Joining him is Dr Wilfrid Middleton, a researcher in Living Architecture, who’s been studying these extraordinary structures since 2017. Grown from the aerial roots of the Ficus elastica tree, these resilient bridges are woven over generations, offering the community not just a...

Jack Boswell explores the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi and how it challenges our pursuit of perfection by embracing the beauty of imperfection and transience. Joining him is Dr Takeshi Morisato, a lecturer in non-Western philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, who introduces the basics of Wabi Sabi - an art of acceptance that finds beauty in life’s flaws and incompleteness. Takeshi explains...

In this episode, Jack Boswell delves into the rich cultural traditions of Mexico's "Day of the Dead" and how it offers a unique, profound perspective on our relationship with death. Joining him is Carlos Alberto Sanchez, a Mexican philosophy professor, who explains this annual festival - a joyful celebration of life and remembrance. He shares how families honour their deceased loved ones by creati...

Something to Declare takes you around the world to explore how ancient wisdom from other cultures can help us understand and maybe even improve our own lives. Something to Declare is a Message Heard Media production for BBC Radio 4.