We Need to Make Things podcast | Listen online for free

19 episodes

From Crisis to Clarity: Creativity, Recovery and Self-acceptance
09/06/2026 | 46 mins.
When his dream job as picture editor of The Times turned into a nightmare, Paul Sanders turned to photography to help him heal and find a way back to himself.

In this episode Paul urges us to forget about being famous, praise our peers and fully accept that we are enough. (He also explains why leaving a job with a six-figure salary was one of the best decisions he ever made.)

Content warning: This episode includes discussion of a mental health crisis, which some listeners may find distressing.

Thanks for listening! This is the final episode of season three of We Need to Make Things. To find out when season four starts, please subscribe or hit ‘follow’.
Colouring Outside the Lines: The Benefits of Rule-Breaking and Starting Ugly
21/04/2026 | 1h 8 mins.
Having spent 12 years as a comedian, David duChemin uses his knowledge of improvisation, messy beginnings and creative angst to make photographs that connect with people in a deeply human way.

In this episode, David urges us to reject perfection, start ugly and treat our lives as our greatest art.

Thanks for listening!

New episodes of We Need to Make Things are posted every other Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe or hit ‘follow’ to hear the latest.
Why Access to Art Should Be a Basic Human Right
07/04/2026 | 54 mins.
Heidi Zuckerman believes that art saves lives and has the power to make the world a better place, which is why she’s on a mission to remove as many barriers to creativity as she can.

In this episode, Heidi shares her five-step morning routine, her advice on dropping into the flow state and her belief that art should be a basic human right, not a privilege.

Thanks for listening! New episodes of We Need to Make Things will be posted every other Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe or hit follow to hear the latest.
From What If? to Why Not? Finding Creative Freedom Through Action with Bill Ward
10/02/2026 | 1h 22 mins.
A 1980s bleach advert led to an unexpected career start for Bill Ward, but what he learnt in the advertising office has shaped and influenced his journey as a multi-award-winning actor and photographer.

In this episode, Bill describes what his background in advertising and acting bring to his photography, the importance of safe spaces for ideas, how he deals with rejection and why staying open is the best way to receive fresh insights.

Thanks for listening! New episodes of We Need to Make Things will be posted every other Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe or hit follow to hear the latest.
Colour, Sensory Collisions and the Art of Being Human with Cig Harvey
16/12/2025 | 54 mins.
Cig Harvey’s work is devoted to the topic of what it is to feel. From capturing moments that make her gasp to embracing the collision of senses, she explores what it is to be human via large-scale colour photography and written vignettes.

In this episode, Cig shares her thoughts on the value of art, the secret language of flowers, the importance of the journey over the destination, and the need to wake up every day and seek something beautiful.

Thanks for listening! New episodes of We Need to Make Things will be posted every other Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe or hit follow to hear the latest.

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About We Need to Make Things

Why do we make things? Where do ideas come from? How can we overcome creative blocks? What can we learn from criticism? How do we find our voice? Can we really make money from creative pursuits? If you’ve ever found yourself asking these questions, We Need to Make Things is the podcast you need to kickstart your creative practice, stay inspired, and find the confidence to share your work with people who really need to see it. Every fortnight, Tracy Calder sits down with artists, writers, scientists, gallerists and other influential experts and asks them to share their stories, tools and strategies for living a creative life so you, too, can make work that matters, for people who care.

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