Shows
Front RowJoanne Harris on the return of Chocolat25 years after Joanne Harris introduced readers to the soothing delights of Chocolat, she's released her new book Vianne. It’s the prequel that explains how her heroine found her way into the world of high end French confectionery. A new exhibition at the British Museum sheds light on the provenance of popular images of the Hindu god Ganesha, the Buddha and Jain enlightened teachers. We talk to curator Sushma Jansari about Ancient India: living traditions, alongside expert in Indian ritual art, Professor Partha Mitter.The 2025 Cannes Film Festival is well underway. We get the latest fr...2025-05-1942 min
Ancient FuturesNature Spirits – Sushma JansariWhat inspired the creation of Indian sacred images? They played no part in early Vedic rituals, in which priests made offerings into a fire, asking gods for reciprocal blessings. Others did something similar with embodiments of nature, whose spirits – called yakṣas and yakṣīs – were sculpted in earthenware and stone.A new exhibition at the British Museum charts links between these figures and depictions of deities and enlightened teachers revered by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. It also highlights overlaps between the three traditions, and how their art sometimes changed as they spread beyond India.Sushma Ja...2025-05-071h 07
The AncientsChandragupta Maurya: Hero of IndiaEvolving from an obscure ancient ruler to a contemporary national icon, Chandragupta Maurya's story is finally being told. However, despite tales of leading empires and defeating the successors of Alexander the Great, there is no official record of his events- only moments taken from Greek authors here and there remain. So, how can we decipher fact from fiction, and how have recent reappraisals helped shape Chandragupta's story, and more importantly - a national Indian identity?In this episode, Tristan welcomes Dr Sushma Jansari, author of 'Chandragupta Maurya,' to the podcast to delve into the art...2023-07-0937 minThe AncientsChandragupta Maurya: Hero of IndiaEvolving from an obscure ancient ruler to a contemporary national icon, Chandragupta Maurya's story is finally being told. However, despite tales of leading empires and defeating the successors of Alexander the Great, there is no official record of his events- only moments taken from Greek authors here and there remain. So, how can we decipher fact from fiction, and how have recent reappraisals helped shape Chandragupta's story, and more importantly - a national Indian identity?In this episode, Tristan welcomes Dr Sushma Jansari, author of 'Chandragupta Maurya,' to the podcast to delve into the art...2023-07-0937 min
The Wonder House34. Coaching for Leadership with Dan SimmonsDan Simmons, leadership coach, gives a wealth of practical advice on starting - & continuing - your leadership journey. Follow @TheWonderHouse Support @Patreon & @KoFi The Wonder House is Hosted & Produced by Sushma Jansari and Edited by Julia Letts.2022-04-2452 min
The Wonder House33. Leaders don't wait to be picked with Sara Wajid & Zak MensahSara Wajid & Zak Mensah, Co-CEOs of Birmingham Museum Trust, talk all about leadership! Follow @TheWonderHouse Support @Patreon & @KoFi The Wonder House is Hosted & Produced by Sushma Jansari and Edited by Julia Letts.2022-04-1749 min
The Wonder House32. Leadership takes centre stage with Patricia CumperPatricia Cumper is an award-winning playwright, producer, arts administrator and cultural leader. In this podcast episode, Patricia talks all things leadership! www.TheWonderHouse.co.uk Follow @TheWonderHouse Support @Patreon & @KoFi The Wonder House is Hosted & Produced by Sushma Jansari and Edited by Julia Letts.2022-04-1044 min
The Wonder House31. Leadership starts with you - Hilary CartyHilary Carty, Director of Clore Leadership, introduces the new series on... Leadership! Link: https://thewonderhouse.co.uk/hilary_carty www.TheWonderHouse.co.uk Follow @TheWonderHouse Support @Patreon & @KoFi The Wonder House is Hosted & Produced by Sushma Jansari and Edited by Julia Letts.2022-04-0345 min
The Wonder House30. Cultural Heritage Policy for Peace with Mehiyar KathemToday, I'm speaking to Mehiyar Kathem, Deputy Director of the Nahrein Network. Mehiyar discusses his work developing partnerships and communication with Iraqi Government institutions, domestic NGOs & others working in cultural heritage. This is central to the Network's aims in Iraq because cultural heritage policy can be harnessed as a medium for peace and reconciliation. More info in show notes - https://thewonderhouse.co.uk/mehiyar_kathem Support @TheWonderHouse on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/thewonderhouse or Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheWonderHouse Rate, Review & Subscribe! Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari - Produced/Edited by...2021-10-3147 min
The Wonder House29. Change and Experimentation with Paul CollinsToday, I'm speaking to Paul Collins, Jaleh Hearn Curator for Ancient Near East at the Ashmolean Museum and Co-Director of the Nahrein Network. Paul's work in collaboration with colleagues in the UK and abroad, and members of the Middle Eastern diaspora is challenging his institution and the rest of us to tell stories that actually resonate with our lives today and also enable us to find common ground with those people who lived in the past. More info in show notes - https://thewonderhouse.co.uk/paul_collins Support @TheWonderHouse on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/thewonderhouse or Pa...2021-10-2443 min
The Wonder House28. Powerful storytelling and Virtual Reality with Rozhen Mohammed-AminToday, I'm speaking to Rozhen Mohammed-Amin, founding head of the Digital Cultural Heritage Research Group at Sulaimani Polytechnic University. She explains how the Nobody's Listening VR experience + exhibition about the Yazidi genocide can change lives. By sparking empathy and compassion for people, it generates more understanding between people and may even help prevent violence in the future. More info in show notes - https://thewonderhouse.co.uk/rozhen_mohammed_amin Support @TheWonderHouse on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/thewonderhouse or Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheWonderHouse Rate, Review & Subscribe! Presented/Produced by Sushma Jans...2021-10-1749 min
The Wonder House27. Meaningful Collaboration in Iraq with Jaafar JotheriToday, I'm speaking to Jaafar Jotheri, Assistant Professor and Vice-Dean in the Faculty of Archaeology at the University of Al-Qadissiyah in Iraq. We talk about successful local and global cultural heritage collaboration in Iraqi and also its pitfalls. More info in show notes - https://thewonderhouse.co.uk/jaafar_jotheri Support @TheWonderHouse on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/thewonderhouse or Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheWonderHouse Rate, Review & Subscribe! Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari - Produced/Edited by Julia Letts - Music by Dalbir Singh Rattan - Artwork by Aleesha Nandhra2021-10-1039 min
The Wonder House26. Leading Change: The Nahrein Network with Eleanor RobsonToday, I'm speaking to Eleanor Robson about the Nahrein Network. This is an incredible project that fosters the sustainable development of antiquities, cultural heritage and the humanities in Iraq and its neighbours in the Middle East. More info in show notes - https://thewonderhouse.co.uk/eleanor_robson Support @TheWonderHouse on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/thewonderhouse or Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheWonderHouse Rate, Review & Subscribe! Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari - Produced/Edited by Julia Letts - Music by Dalbir Singh Rattan - Artwork by Aleesha Nandhra2021-10-0352 min
The Wonder House25. Collecting the Sikh Empire with Davinder ToorToday, I'm speaking to Davinder Toor, one of the foremost collectors of Sikh art and objects in the world today. We talk about the importance of mentorship and the many ways we can approach, work with and share heritage and collections. Support @TheWonderHouse on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/thewonderhouse or Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheWonderHouse Rate, Review & Subscribe! Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari - Produced/Edited by Julia Letts - Music by Dalbir Singh Rattan - Artwork by Aleesha Nandhra2021-05-2345 min
The Wonder House24. Sharing Sikh & Punjabi Heritage & Culture with Amandeep MadraMy good friend Imran Javed and I speak to Amandeep Madra, co-founder of the UK Punjab Heritage Association & Kashi House publishing, about sharing Sikh & Punjabi heritage and culture. So much incredible work is taking place beyond museums, although there are moments of valuable and meaningful collaboration. The work Amandeep has been engaged in for more than twenty years is an extraordinary case in point. Support @TheWonderHouse on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/thewonderhouse or Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheWonderHouse Rate, Review & Subscribe! Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari - Produced/Edited by Julia L...2021-05-151h 00
The Wonder House23. Challenging Imposter Syndrome with Fiona BucklandToday I am talking imposter syndrome with Fiona Buckland. Fiona is a life coach and author who works to help people switch off autopilot and unleash their potential to live richer and more fulfilled lives. Her new book 'Thoughtful Leadership' is out now! Support @TheWonderHouse on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/thewonderhouse or Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheWonderHouse Rate, Review & Subscribe! Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari - Produced/Edited by Julia Letts - Music by Dalbir Singh Rattan - Artwork by Aleesha Nandhra2021-04-071h 02
The Wonder House22. Digital diasporas with Abira HusseinAbira Hussein, founder of Nomad in collaboration with Mnemoscene, is pioneering a different, more thoughtful, approach to technology and participatory practice, with a particular focus on Somali objects, traditions and diaspora. Support @TheWonderHouse on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/thewonderhouse or Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheWonderHouse Rate, Review & Subscribe! Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari - Produced/Edited by Julia Letts - Music by Dalbir Singh Rattan - Artwork by Aleesha Nandhra2021-03-221h 04
The Wonder House21. Object Journeys with Kayte McSweeneyKayte McSweeney, Community Partnerships Manager at the British Museum, talks co-curating, co-production and participatory practice. We also chat about Object Journeys - a project that challenged and shaped my own approach to curating. Support @TheWonderHouse on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/thewonderhouse!! Rate, Review & Subscribe! Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari - Produced/Edited by Julia Letts - Music by Dalbir Singh Rattan2021-02-2355 min
The Wonder House20. Autism in Museums with Claire MadgeClaire Madge, blogger extraordinaire at Tincture of Museums, talks about founding Autism in Museums and what museums can do to create autism-friendly events and visits. Links to the resources we discuss are included in the episode blogpost - https://thewonderhouse.co.uk/claire-madge Support @TheWonderHouse on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheWonderHouse!! Rate, Review & Subscribe! Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari & Produced/Edited by Julia Letts.2021-01-2658 min
The Wonder House19. Egypt's Dispersed Heritage with Heba Abd el GawadIn Ep.19, I speak to Heba Abd el Gawad, Egyptian Egyptologist and postdoctoral researcher on the Egypt's Dispersed Heritage project. This innovative and exciting project aims to ensure that Egyptians in Egypt benefit from the UK-based findings on the dispersal of Egyptian heritage and knowledge exchange about these collections and histories. Support @TheWonderHouse on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheWonderHouse!! Rate, Review & Subscribe! Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari & Produced/Edited by Julia Letts.2021-01-191h 07
The Wonder House18. Artefacts of Excavation with Alice StevensonAlice Stevenson, Senior Lecturer in Museum Studies at UCL, talks about ancient Egyptian collections and their colonial era dispersal into museum collections globally, as well as their 20th and 21st century afterlives. Support @TheWonderHouse on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheWonderHouse!! Rate, Review & Subscribe! Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari & Produced/Edited by Julia Letts.2020-12-3146 min
The Wonder House17. Planning for an uncertain future with Dan SimmonsIn this special episode, I speak to leadership coach Dan Simmons about how we can plan for an uncertain future. Share, Rate & Review The Wonder House! If you love our work and want to keep episodes and resources FREE for our global family, support us through Patreon -www.Patreon.com/TheWonderHouse! Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari @TheWonderHouse & Produced by Julia Letts.2020-11-2657 min
Sick to Death: A History of Medicine in 10 ObjectsThe Ancient WorldIn the first episode of our brand-new podcast series, historian and host Rebecca Rideal is joined by Sick to Death’s very own Dean Paton, as well as experts Dr Matt Pope, Dr Jay Crisostomo, Dr Sushma Jansari and Dr Naoise Mac Sweeney to explore the history of medicine during the prehistoric and the ancient world. Today’s object is a replica Roman medical kit, complete with votive eyes, knives and specula. Enjoy!
Written and produced by Rebecca Rideal.
Edited and produced by Peter Curry.
Theme music: “Time” by The Broxton Hundred.
2020-10-2130 min
The Wonder House16. Furlough #MuseumHour with Zey KussanToday, I'm chatting to Zey Kussan about a special #MuseumHour all about Furlough that we co-hosted. It was a very honest discussion that gave all of us in the museum sector something to think about. In this episode, we discuss some of the questions and responses from #MuseumHour and also talk about how furlough - or, in Zey’s case, not being furloughed - affected us as well. Share, Rate & Review The Wonder House! If you love our work, consider becoming a Patreon or sharing a cup of virtual Ko-Fi! Presented/Produced by Sush...2020-09-0752 min
The Wonder House15. Coffee & Catch Up with Dan VoIn this week's Coffee & Catch Up, I chat to Dan Vo, founder of the award-winning LGBTQ+ volunteer-led tours at the V&A and Project Manager & lead researcher for the Queer Heritage and Collections Network. Share, Rate & Review The Wonder House! If you love our work, consider becoming a Patreon or sharing a cup of virtual Ko-Fi! Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari @TheWonderHouse Produced by Nick Harris @2ndThoughtTank2020-08-3127 min
The Wonder House14. Volunteer-led LGBTQ Tours with Dan VoIn Episode 14, I speak to Dan Vo, Founder of the award-winning LGBTQ+ volunteer-led tours at the V&A. More info: https://thewonderhouse.co.uk/dan-vo Support The Wonder House One time cup of virtual coffee Regular donation via Patreon Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari @TheWonderHouse Produced by Nick Harris @2ndThoughtTank2020-08-171h 15
The Wonder House13. Coffee & Catch Up with Prof. Margot FinnToday, I'm chatting to Margot Finn, Professor of Modern British History at UCL and President of the Royal Historical Society. Margot tells me about the two new schemes that the Royal Historical Society have set up to help UK-based early career researchers (ECRs) in History: RHS Adams Matthew Digital Collections Subscriptions RHS COVID-10 Hardship Grants for UK Early Career Historians You can also make a donation to the RHS hardship fund through their JustGiving page, which will also go towards supporting Early Career Researchers. You may remember that I first interviewed Margot in Episode 6 of...2020-07-2820 min
The Wonder House12. Coffee & Catch Up with Thanh SindenFor today's Coffee & Catch Up, I'm chatting to Thanh Sinden, Chair of the Museum Detox Executive Committee, and museum consultant. We talked about work, family and health, as well as a recent Museum Detox survey about the impact lockdown had on its members, and the Museum Detox Hardship Fund – to which people from across the sector have donated so generously. This Hardship Fund has reopened, so if you'd like to make a donation, you can through this link - Museum Detox GoFundMe. Support The Wonder House One time cup of virtual coffee Regular donation via P...2020-07-2718 min
The Wonder House11. Coaching for a challenging time with Gaylene GouldToday, I'm speaking to Gaylene Gould, Creative Director of The Space to Come and coach. I am drawing on her coaching expertise in this episode. The question I put to Gaylene was: How do we go about planning in an environment of almost total uncertainty on every possible level? Starting with the point that change is the only thing that is constant, and with the idea of self compassion at its heart, Gaylene suggests ways in which we can harness this moment to reevaluate our key priorities, motivations and, importantly, find a way to sit still in a...2020-07-1731 min
The Wonder House10. Coffee and Catch-up with Sara WajidAfter a sudden, scary lockdown, I wanted to check in on the lovely people I interviewed in Season 1. Today, I’m chatting to Sara Wajid, Head of Engagement at the Museum of London. We talked about taking long walks, looking at beautiful flowers and getting through this time as best we can - one piña colada ice lolly at a time! I hope you enjoy this light-hearted break from the world. Support The Wonder House One time cup of virtual coffee Regular donation via Patreon Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari @TheWonderHouse Produced by Nick Har...2020-07-1518 min
The Wonder House9. Coffee & Catch-up with Subhadra DasAfter a sudden, scary lockdown, I wanted to check in on the lovely people I interviewed in Season 1. For the first episode of Coffee & Catch Up, I caught up with Subhadra Das, Curator of the Science Collections at UCL and part-time freelancer. I hope you enjoy this light-hearted break from the world. Support The Wonder House One time cup of virtual coffee Regular donation via Patreon Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari @TheWonderHouse Produced by Nick Harris @2ndThoughtTank2020-07-0827 min
The Wonder House8. Reconnecting: Protests, Breaking Barriers & Windrush Waves with Arike OkeIn Episode 8, I catch up with Arike Oke, Director of the Black Cultural Archives. Arike talks about the BCA’s response to the Black Lives Matter protests, including the creation of a new Black Lives Matter digital archive. We also talk about the Stories of Black Leadership II: Breaking Barriers exhibition that was on display at BCA and which has now been made available on their website. Arike tells me about the series of online events that BCA brought together in recognition of the annual Windrush Day that is on June 22. Support The Wonder House One time cup of...2020-07-0217 min
The Wonder House7. Decolonising the archives with Arike OkeIn Episode 7, I speak to Arike Oke, Director of the Black Cultural Archives. We talk about the people-centred core values that Arike brings to her work and the resilience required to push forward a challenging agenda of change to an organisation. Support The Wonder House One time cup of virtual coffee Regular donation via Patreon Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari @TheWonderHouse Produced by Nick Harris @2ndThoughtTank2020-06-291h 11
Museum Archipelago80. British Museum Curator Sushma Jansari Shares Stories and Experiments of Decolonising MuseumsThe British Museum’s South Asia Collection is full of Indian objects. Dr. Sushma Jansari, Tabor Foundation Curator of South Asia at the British Museum, does not want visitors to overlook the violence of how these objects were brought to the UK to be held in a museum.
So for the 2017 renovation of the South Asia Collection, Jansari, who is the first curator of Indian descent of this collection, made sure to create unexpected moments in the gallery. She highlighted artifacts bequeathed to the museum by South Asian collectors and presented photographs of a modern Jain Temple in...2020-05-0415 min
A Southern Girl's View with Sandy AdamsDr. Sushma Jansari Curator at The British Museum | A Southern Girl’s View PodcastToday on the show, Sandy is chatting with Dr. Sushma Jansari, a curator with the British Museum in London, England.
They talk about working during a pandemic, growing up in England, the brilliance of hairspray (the product not the movie), her dream podcast guest and just what exactly keeps her busy.2020-04-2400 min
A Southern Girl's View with Sandy AdamsDr. Sushma Jansari Curator The British Museum LondonToday on the show, Sandy is chatting with Dr. Sushma Jansari, a curator with the British Museum in London, England.
They talk about working during a pandemic, growing up in England, the brilliance of hairspray (the product not the movie), her dream podcast guest and just what exactly keeps her busy.
For all my listeners out there, Sushma and I met last fall here in Houston. I was working with local non-profit, Archaeology Now, and we brought her over to Houston to give a talk about the Kama Sutra - challenging the stereotypes of this a...2020-04-2100 min
The Wonder HouseHelp us with the British Podcast Awards!After an amazing reception for Season 1 of The Wonder House, we have decided to enter the *British Podcast Awards*!! To do this, let us know on Twitter: What are your favourite clips from Episodes 1-6? If you'd like a recap, listen to Subhadra Das, Miranda Lowe, Sara Wajid, Rachael Minott, Sadiah Qureshi and Margot Finn again here: https://thewonderhouse.co.uk/podcasts 2020-02-1702 min
The Wonder House6. Race, Ethnicity and Equality Report in UK History with Margot FinnIn Episode 6, I speak to Margot Finn, Professor of Modern British History at UCL and President of the Royal Historical Society ('RHS') about the Race, Ethnicity & Equality Report in UK History and The East India Company at Home, 1757-1857 project. **Support us on Patreon!!** https://www.patreon.com/TheWonderHouse Follow Margot @EICatHome Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari @TheWonderHouse Produced by Nick Harris @2ndThoughtTank2020-01-2740 min
The Wonder House5. Race, Display and Empire with Sadiah QureshiIn Episode 5, I speak to Dr Sadiah Qureshi, Senior Lecturer in Modern History at the University of Birmingham, about: 1) the Royal Historical Society's Race, Ethnicity & Equality Report; 2) NPG exhibition George Catlin: American Indian Portraits; 3) Sadiah's book Peoples on Parade. **Support us on Patreon!!** https://www.patreon.com/TheWonderHouse Follow Sadiah @SadiahQureshi Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari @TheWonderHouse Produced by Nick Harris @2ndThoughtTank2020-01-2135 min
The Wonder House4. Decolonising museum practice with Rachael MinottIn Episode 4, I speak to Rachael Minott, Inclusion and Change Manager at The National Archives, board member of the Museums Association and visual artist working on Jamaican national representation as a form of artistic exploration. We talk about how Rachael’s artistic practice informs her curatorial work, including in the recent exhibition ‘The Past Is Now’ (2017) held at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. **Support us on Patreon!!** https://www.patreon.com/TheWonderHouse Follow Rachael @RachaelMinott Presented/Produced by Sushma Jansari @TheWonderHouse Produced by Nick Harris @2ndThoughtTank2020-01-1345 min
The Wonder House3. The past has never been more present with Sara WajidIn Episode 3, I speak to Sara Wajid, Head of Engagement at the Museum of London, about her sector-changing approach to 'The Past Is Now' (2017) exhibition at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Infused throughout our conversation are references to Museum Detox, a networking group for BAME professionals in museums and heritage that we are both members of and which Sara co-founded when she was working at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. We talk about how Sara brings her journalism and literary studies background to inject powerful storytelling into the projects she works on to explore and further develop decolonial methodology in a muse...2019-11-201h 06
The Wonder House2. Nature Read in Black and White with Miranda LoweIn Episode 2, I speak to Miranda Lowe, Principal Curator of Invertebrate Zoology at the Natural History Museum – and, yes, I ask her what ‘invertebrate zoology’ means! I have long been inspired by Miranda’s work unearthing stories about the important contributions that people of colour have made to the study of natural history and science, as well as associated collecting and collections, over the centuries. Miranda does not keep this knowledge within the narrow boundaries of academia or museums but, instead, she presents her research in many different ways to many different audiences. Recently, Miranda distilled her extensive knowledge and exper...2019-11-1351 min
The Wonder HouseBRICKS + MORTALS: Marie Stopes, and How Eugenics Was Going to Make the World a Better PlaceSubhadra Das has kindly let us share the first episode of Bricks + Mortals, a history of eugenics told through a walking tour of UCL's buildings. While Marie Stopes is widely celebrated as a feminist icon and champion of birth control, this episode explores her eugenic motivations which are less well-known. Link to all of the Bricks + Mortals episodes - https://www.ucl.ac.uk/culture/projects/bricks-mortals Presented/Written by Subhadra Das Produced by Cerys Bradley 2019-11-0610 min
The Wonder House1. Challenging the narrative, one building at a time with Subhadra DasTo kick off this new series, I speak to Subhadra Das (@LittleGaudy), Curator of the Science Collections at UCL. Subhadra is doing some really exciting work re-assessing UCL’s scientific and natural history collections and bringing them to wider public knowledge in new and innovative ways – from not-so-traditional exhibitions and gallery interventions, to stand-up comedy shows. For more info: https://thewonderhouse.co.uk/episode-1-subhadra-das-bricks-mortals Produced by Sushma Jansari (@TheWonderHouse) & Nick Harris (@2ndThoughtTank)2019-11-0647 min