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Artwork for Material Matters

Material Matters with Grant Gibson

Delizia Media
Sustainability
Sustainable Design
Wool
Bamboo
Community Engagement
Biodynamic Farming
Craftland
Copper
Textile Art
Adi Toch
Craft Revival
Circular Economy
Craftsmanship
Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Process Of Burying Objects
Leather Production
Pottery
Plant Dyes
Educating Young People
Hugo Burge Foundation

In Material Matters, host Grant Gibson talks to a designer, maker, artist, architect, engineer, or scientist about a material or technique with which they’re intrinsically linked and discovers how it changed their lives and careers.Follow us on Instagram @materialmatters.design and our website www.materialmatters.designMaterial Matters is produced and published by Delizia Media Ltd.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes150Founded7 years ago
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DesignVisual ArtsArts

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Artwork for Material Matters

Latest Episodes

Welcome to the 150th episode of the Material Matters with Grant Gibson podcast. And to celebrate we have a very special guest. 

Harry Blakiston Houston is the founder of Insulate Ukraine. It goes without saying that, since Russia’s invasion, the nat... more

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Can imperfection reshape modern industry? Hella Jongerius — one of the most influential designers of her generation, and one of the field's sharpest critical voices — joins Grant Gibson to discuss craft, colour, and her enduring fascination with the ... more

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Can a needle and thread mend more than fabric? Ceramic artist Leah Jensen joins Grant Gibson to discuss the radical pivot in her practice after a brain cancer diagnosis — and how stitching became a daily act of survival, documentation and repair.

In... more

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Can we actually recycle cigarette butts, dirty nappies, and coffee pods? Tom Szaky, founder of TerraCycle and the reuse platform Loop, joins Grant Gibson to reveal how 'Material Intelligence' can turn global rubbish into a viable business.

In this e... more

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Recent Guests

Leah Jensen
Ceramic artist known for detailed geometric surface finishes; creator of The Brain Tumour Book
Cavaliero Finn (gallery); The Brain Tumour Charity (charitable proceeds)
Episode: Sewing as emotional repair with Leah Jensen
Tom Szaky
Founder and CEO of TerraCycle
TerraCycle
Episode: Recycling the Unrecyclable with Tom Szaky of TerraCycle
Sophie Thomas
Designer, campaigner, and waste design advocate
Useful Simple Trust; Thomas.Matthews; RSA; ETSOL
Episode: Revolutionising waste with Sophie Thomas OBE
Anna Foster
Founder and creative director of ELV Denim
ELV Denim
Episode: Upcycling discarded denim with Anna Foster of ELV Denim
Carole Collet
Professor in Design for Sustainable Futures at Central Saint Martins.
Central Saint Martins, LVMH
Episode: Carole Collet on the magic of mycelium and regenerative design.
Tom Broughton
Founder of Cubitts, a modern spectacles company
Cubitts
Episode: Cubitts founder Tom Broughton on acetate and the history of spectacles.
Brodie Neill
A Tasmanian-born, London-based designer known for his work with reclaimed materials and ocean plastics.
Episode: Brodie Neill on ocean plastic (and reclaimed wood).
James Fox
Director of Studies in History of Art at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, BAFTA nominated broadcaster, and author.
Episode: James Fox on his extraordinary journey through Britain's crafts.
Bonnie Hvillum
Danish designer and founder of Natural Material Studio
Natural Material Studio
Episode: Bonnie Hvillum on biomaterials and 'redefining wood'.

Host

Grant Gibson
Host of Material Matters, a design-focused interview series exploring how materials and techniques shape practice and culture.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 497 ratings
  • Great listen

    I’m a recent masters student at the Royal college of arts in London and this podcast was suggested to us as part of our curriculum. In a world filled with constant terrifying news it’s an absolute breath of fresh air to listen to these fascinating artists/ designers/ makers and their stories of adapting to recent times and specifically changes to our world after the pandemic.

    Thank you Grant Gibson!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pashkers
    Canada8 months ago
  • Inspiring

    Great inspiring interviews with such passionate creative people

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ohaihowru
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Pure inspiration for creative types

    You can’t go past a single episode without feeling a moment of pure inspiration or clarity in your understanding of what it is to be a maker or designer or just someone who appreciates the aspiration of visionary crafts folk

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Marky Lil
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • So much food for thought.

    I adore this podcast, every episode is a deep dive into inspiration, courage and deep thinking.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mererowe
    Germany3 years ago
  • Thought provoking

    Articulate and thoughtful conversations covering a far reaching variety of topics. Listening to this podcast should be on the curriculum for Art & Design students as a way to showcase the importance of their field of study in a wider real world context. You’re a legend Grant - keep going :)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MaisieMaya
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The tone is warm and curious, making complex material topics accessible.
Engaging host with well-researched, thoughtful interviews that surface deep insights.
Listeners praise the show for inspiration and practical takeaways for makers and students.
High-quality conversations with imaginative guests across design and craft.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#105
United States/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#8
United Kingdom/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#19
Canada/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#196
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#12
Germany/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#26
Australia/Arts/Design

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sewing as emotional repair with Leah Jensen
Q: How are you?
I'm okay, pretty tired after the exhibition, and nervous about how it would be received, but continuing with making and recovery.
Recycling the Unrecyclable with Tom Szaky of TerraCycle
Q: How does Loop work in practice in terms of deposits, collection, and refilling?
Loop uses a deposit model where customers pay a deposit on reusable packaging; after use, they return it to participating stores, the packaging is cleaned, and the deposit is refunded while the package is refilled and reused by the manufacturer.
Upcycling discarded denim with Anna Foster of ELV Denim
Q: How did Anna get started in fashion and what led to ELV Denim?
Anna describes a trajectory from fashion magazines and styling to founding ELV Denim, driven by a desire to create long-lasting, upcycled garments and to challenge the wasteful status quo of denim production.
Ending single-use plastic with Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez of Notpla
Q: What challenges did you face after winning the Earthshot Prize?
Rodrigo discusses navigating the existing systems in place for plastic and overcoming the status quo, which is often resistant to change due to profit structures.
Ending single-use plastic with Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez of Notpla
Q: When you first provided the marathon with the Ooho bubbles, did people know that they could eat them?
Rodrigo mentions that people recognized the product's similarity to fruit and many did eat it, particularly when the size was sip-sized.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Material Matters

What is Material Matters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A design-forward show that centers materiality, sustainability, and craft across a wide range of disciplines. Episodes often feature designers, artists, and researchers who explore how materials shape practice, from recycled and bio-based substances to traditional crafts and innovative manufacturing. Guests frequently discuss lifecycle thinking, circular design, and the social or environmental implications of making. The host's thoughtful interviewing style tends to surface personal narratives, practical design insights, and real-world collaborations, making it valuable for listeners who want actionable ideas for material-driven projects and partnerships. A standout aspect is the consistent emphasis on hands-on practice, collaboration, and ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Material Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Material Matters:

1. Homing
2. Sara & Cariad's Weirdos Book Club
3. Talk Art
4. THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST
5. This Cultural Life

How many episodes of Material Matters are there?

Material Matters launched 7 years ago and published 150 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Material Matters?

Recent guests on Material Matters include:

1. Leah Jensen
2. Tom Szaky
3. Sophie Thomas
4. Anna Foster
5. Carole Collet
6. Tom Broughton
7. Brodie Neill
8. James Fox

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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