The Life of Letters

In this episode, Laura is joined by Rie Takeda, a master of Shodo, the ancient Japanese art of beautiful writing, for a deep and meditative conversation about a practice that goes far beyond pen and paper.

Rie shares the rich history and meaning of Shodo, the four treasures of tools and materials at its heart and the deeply intentional process of preparing ink as a mental ritual in itself. But what makes this conversation so special is the way Rie talks about calligraphy as something that lives in the whole body - connecting movement, breath, emotion and energy in a single brushstroke.

Together, they explore the meditative and mindfulness aspects of Shodo, its role in emotional expression and healing and Rie's fascinating work taking calligraphy into body art and performance. A conversation that gently asks us to slow down, become present and rediscover the profound intention behind every mark we make. ️✨

Find out more about Rie: www.shodocalligraphy.com, or on Instagram: @neojaponismatelier.

Image of 'Nen'.

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If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visitlauraletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife.

In this episode, Laura is joined by Daniel Reeve, the calligrapher behind some of the most iconic props in cinematic history. Daniel shares his remarkable journey from a childhood fascination with Tolkien's scripts to becoming the person responsible for bringing the written world of Middle-earth to life on screen in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films.

From the intricate maps and invented scripts to the legendary Red Book and the ring inscription itself, Daniel walks us through the painstaking and deeply creative process of designing authentic lettering for a world that had to feel truly real. We explore the role calligraphy plays in storytelling and film production, the challenges of working on props that millions of people would scrutinise, and why authenticity and character in script design matters so much… especially when the source material is as beloved as Tolkien's.

A fascinating and wonderfully detailed conversation about what happens when a lifelong passion becomes the work of a lifetime.

Find out more about Daniel: http://www.danielreeve.co.nz. Connect with him at danielreeveartist on Facebook, or @reevedf on Instagram.

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If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visitlauraletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife.

Our podcast producer, Heidi Cullip, introduces the next series of The Life of Letters with, me, your host, Laura Edralin.

We explore this series' theme exploring the enchanting world of Japanese calligraphy, ancient scripts, and the cultural magic behind letter crafting in this episode. Discover stories from New Zealand, Japan, Ireland, Norway, and more, revealing the rich history and modern mysteries of writing.

Find out about the line up, get excited about the conversations and a sneak peek of what's in store for series 7!

If you’re enjoying The Life of Letters Podcast, it would mean the world if you could follow or subscribe, leave a quick review, or share the episode with a friend. Every little action helps more people discover the calming, creative world of calligraphy and lettering.️

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visitlauraletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife.

✍️ ✨ Want to bring a little calm and creativity into your own life? Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this episode, Laura is joined by Sam Roberts - editor of BLAG magazine, the world's only magazine dedicated to sign painting craft, community and culture - for a fascinating conversation about the art of sign painting, ghost signs and the timeless craft of lettering. Sam shares his journey from writing about signs since 2007 to building a global community of sign painters through events, films, books, and now BLAG itself. They explore how a passion for lettering on walls and windows has fostered connections across the world and what the future holds for this beautifully human art form. A wonderful note to end the series on. ️✨

As a special thank you to The Life of Letters listeners, Sam is offering exclusive discounts on BLAG:

• $30 off the annual plan for the first year - just $89 instead of $119: https://bl.ag/lol30
• 25% off the monthly plan for the first year - just $9/month instead of $12/month: https://bl.ag/lol25

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ Tosupport the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffeehere.

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visithttp://www.lauralletterslife.com/ or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this episode, Laura is joined by Katie Johnson and Ilana Griffo - the duo behind Goodtype, one of the most vibrant and beloved communities for lettering artists and designers. They share how they met in 2017 and built something truly special together, the creative journeys that brought them both to lettering, and why community has been at the heart of everything they do. They also talk about their new book Follow Your Art - a beautiful guide to help artists discover and embrace their own unique style. A joyful, inspiring conversation that will leave you wanting to pick up a pen immediately.

Good Type - Official Website - https://goodtype.us

Good Type - Instagram https://instagram.com/goodtype

Ilana Griffo - Instagram - https://instagram.com/ilanagriffo

Katie Johnson - Instagram - https://instagram.com/katiejohnson

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ Tosupport the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffeehere.

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visithttp://www.lauralletterslife.com/ or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this episode, Laura is joined by Tim Brookes, founder of the Endangered Alphabets Project, for a fascinating conversation about the minority scripts around the world that are at risk of disappearing, and why it matters so much that we fight to save them. Tim shares the origins of his passion for carving and writing, how a personal hobby grew into a global activism effort and the profound cultural and spiritual significance of writing itself. They also explore the joy of writing by hand, the impact it has on personal expression and mental health, and the grassroots movements bringing endangered scripts back to life. A conversation that will make you look at every letter you write with fresh eyes.

• Endangered Alphabets - Official Website
• Atlas of Endangered Alphabets
• Tim Brookes on Twitterhttps://endangeredalphabets.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ Tosupport the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffeehere.

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visithttp://www.lauralletterslife.com/ or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this episode, Laura is joined by calligraphy and type designer Matthias Hertzberg for a fascinating look at his creative process, influences and projects - including a unique book cover and custom fonts that push the boundaries of letterforms. If you thought you knew what letters could do, this one might just change your mind.

Matthijs’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/herzbergdesignco

Matthijs’s Website - https://herzbergdesign.com

Sinistral Hand by Phaedra Charles - https://undercase.xyz/media/pages/custom/a-guide-to-sinistral-hand/2af7767931-1658855020/sinistralguide_072622.pdf

FontLab Software - https://fontlab.com

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ Tosupport the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffeehere.

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visithttp://www.lauralletterslife.com/ or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this episode, Laura sits down with Alison Hitchcock who shares her remarkable journey from a city career to founding a letter writing charity, and the extraordinary power that heartfelt letters can have in healing and transforming lives. A beautiful conversation about what can happen when we slow down, pick up a pen and truly connect with another person.

From Me To You - Charity Website - https://www.frommetoyouletters.co.uk/about

A Diagnosis and an Unbreakable Friendship - Book - https://www.frommetoyouletters.co.uk/the-book/p/from-me-to-you-the-book

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/frommetoyouletters/

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ Tosupport the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffeehere.

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visithttp://www.lauralletterslife.com/ or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this episode, Laura is joined by Pooja Saxena who shares her wonderful journey into the world of calligraphy, typography and Indian scripts. Together they explore the rich history and extraordinary diversity of letter forms, and what the future might hold - with an emphasis on cultural context and why accessibility in design matters so much. A rich and inspiring conversation that reminds us just how wide and wonderful the world of letters really is.

Matra Type - Pooja Saxena's Practice - https://matratype.com / Instagram - https://instagram.com/matratype

Alphabet Soup - Book by Women Typeface Designers - https://example.com/alphabet-soup

My Typographical Eye, Issue № 12 / Pixel Type & Needlework: https://us12.campaign-archive.com/?u=00db3d2423772a3f86d6e22a1&id=4fa7cefeef

FontStruct - Modular Typeface Tool - https://fontstruct.com

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ Tosupport the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffeehere.

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visithttp://www.lauralletterslife.com/ or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

Ever wondered how the alphabet actually came to be? In this episode, Laura is joined by linguist and author Danny Bate for a fascinating conversation about the alphabet - where it came from, how it’s evolved and what the future might hold for written language. If you’ve ever been curious about the letters you love to write, this one’s for you.

Find out more and connect with Danny:

• Website: https://dannybate.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannylbate
• X - https://x.com/DannyBate4

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ Tosupport the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffeehere.

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visithttp://www.lauralletterslife.com/ or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this episode, Laura sits down with Carl Rohrs, the editor of the 26th edition of the Speedball Textbook, for an exploration into the history of calligraphy, the evolution of one of the most iconic books in the craft, and the lettering styles and artists who’ve shaped it. If you’ve ever picked up a Speedball pen and wondered about the story behind it, this one’s for you.

Resources

Here's a folder of images to accompany the episode.

Speedball Art - https://www.speedballart.com

The Life of Letters Podcast - https://www.lauraletterslife.com/the-life-of-letters-podcast

Rick Griffin's Artwork - https://www.rickgriffindesigns.com/

Sheila Waters' Calligraphy - https://www.calligraphersguild.org/sheila-waters

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ Tosupport the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffeehere.

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visithttp://www.lauralletterslife.com/ or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

Our podcast producer, Heidi Cullip, introduces the next series of The Life of Letters with host Laura Edralin. They explore this series' theme, and discuss the fascinating world of books and letters celebrated with interviews authors, artists, and experts in the upcoming season! Find out about the line up, get excited about the conversations and a sneak peek of what's in store for series 6.

If you’re enjoying The Life of Letters Podcast, it would mean the world if you could follow or subscribe, leave a quick review, or share the episode with a friend. Every little action helps more people discover the calming, creative world of calligraphy and lettering.️

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visithttp://www.lauralletterslife.com/ or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife.

✍️ ✨ Want to bring a little calm and creativity into your own life? Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this conversation, Kalo, a calligraphy instructor and tattoo artist, shares her journey from being influenced by her father's calligraphy to establishing her own business, Kalo Make Art. She discusses the evolution of her career, the challenges faced during political unrest and the pandemic, and her unique approach to tattooing that combines her calligraphy skills. Kalo also shares personal stories behind her tattoos, the process of designing meaningful tattoos for clients, and her involvement with the International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting (IAMPETH). The conversation highlights the beauty of handwriting, the significance of tattoos, and the importance of community in the art world.

Here's a folder of images to accompany the episode, courtesy of Kalo.

Find out more:

• Kalo's Website
• Kalo's Instagram - Calligraphy
• Kalo's Instagram - Tattoo
• IAMPETH - International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting

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If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ To support the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffee here.

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visithttp://www.lauralletterslife.com/ or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this engaging conversation, Laura Edralin speaks with Richard Manning, founder of wordsecrets.org, about the fascinating world of etymology and the evolution of language. They explore the origins of words, the influence of culture on language, and how the digital age is transforming communication. Richard shares insights from his background in linguistics and his experiences in the civil service, highlighting the interconnectedness of languages and the importance of preserving linguistic diversity. The discussion also touches on personal reflections about favorite letters and words, emphasizing the ongoing journey of learning in the realm of language.

To find out more about Richard visit his website and subscribe to receive his blog 'Secrets of the Words You Know'.

Richard mentions:

- Dr George Gazis's epsiode from series four, listen here

- Danny Bate's book 'Why Q Needs U'

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ To support the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffee here.

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visithttp://www.lauralletterslife.com/ or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this conversation, Laura Edralin interviews Chris Campe, a designer and writer based in Hamburg, Germany, who specialises in lettering and visual communication. They discuss Chris's journey into the world of lettering, the significance of letters as a medium, and the intersection of content and form in her work. Chris shares her experiences with analog and digital tools, her involvement in political expression through protest signs, and her publications on lettering. The conversation also touches on her teaching methods and the importance of finding one's unique voice in art.

Find out more about Chris - visit her Website, connect on Instagram.

Watch visual clips from this epside on The Life of Letters's Youtube channel.

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ To support the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffee here.

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visithttp://www.lauralletterslife.com/ or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this conversation, Laura Edralin speaks with Angenise Rawls, a talented calligrapher and artist, about her journey into the world of calligraphy, the evolution of her business, and the impact of her faith on her art. Angenise shares her experiences of creating meaningful cards for her community, the importance of giving, and how her artistic practice has influenced her spiritual growth. The discussion highlights the connection between creativity and personal development, as well as the role of art in fostering connections with others.

To find out more about Angenise, visit https://www.thegracefulpenstudio.com/, on Youtube, or connect with Angenise on Instagram @thegracefulpenstudio.

Mentioned in this episode: The Psalms of David: The Great Illuminated Psalter Dedicated to Queen Victoria

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If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ To support the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffee here.

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visithttp://www.lauralletterslife.com/ or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this conversation, Toshi Omagari, a typeface designer, shares his journey into typography, discussing key projects such as the City of London street names and his work on arcade game typography. He explains essential terminology in typography, the significance of kerning, and the challenges of designing typefaces for non-Latin scripts. Toshi also reflects on his favorite letters and the future trends in typeface design, particularly the impact of AI and the importance of diverse writing systems.

View images of fonts and typefaces discussed in Toshi's epsiode.

To find out more about Toshi, visit: http://www.tosche.net or connect with him on Instagram @toshiomagari.

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ To support the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffee here.

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visithttp://www.lauralletterslife.com/ or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this episode, Laura Edralin speaks with Kate Fishenden and Jonathan Mercer from Starch Green Studio about their creative journey, the tools they use, and how technology has influenced their design work. They discuss the importance of community, the evolution of design, and their favourite letters of the alphabet, highlighting the significance of typography in their work.

To find out more about Kate and Jonathan, visit https://www.starchgreen.com/ or connect with them on Instagram @starch_green. Here's a folder of images to accompany the episode visually.

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ To support the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffee here.

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visithttp://www.lauralletterslife.com/ or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this episode, Laura Edralin speaks with Devon, the creator of the Learn Gregg Shorthand project. They discuss the history and importance of shorthand, Devon's personal journey into learning and teaching shorthand, the current state of shorthand in society, and the intersection of shorthand with other writing forms like calligraphy. They also explore the community aspect of learning shorthand and the future of digital resources for teaching this valuable skill.

View images that accompany the episode (i.e. 'Paracetamol')

To find out more about Learn Gregg Shorthand visit http://learngreggshorthand.com, on substack as https://learngreggshorthand.substack.com or on socials as learn.gregg.shorthand: Instagram | Youtube | Tiktok.

Devon's exciting new Gregg Shorthand course is now live, find out more here. Take the next step towards becoming a shorthand expert and enhancing your journal writing experience. Enroll now to unlock the secrets of shorthand reading and start your immersive learning journey today!

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If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ To support the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffee here.

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visithttp://www.lauralletterslife.com/ or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this conversation, Martina Flor shares her inspiring journey from a graphic designer to an award-winning lettering artist. She discusses the importance of education, the craft of lettering, and how it allows for personal expression within constraints. Martina emphasises the significance of community and support in the creative process, as well as the importance of developing one's own style. She also shares insights into her favorite projects and the creative processes behind them, highlighting the role of teamwork in achieving success.

Watch how the 'Futuremaker' piece came together here.

To find out more about Martina Flor visit https://www.martinaflor.com/ or Instagram @martinaflor. More information for The Lettering Seminar mentioned, and Martina's Youtube channel.

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If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ To support the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffee here.

Connect with Laura on Instagram@thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visithttp://www.lauralletterslife.com/ or say hi on Instagram@lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.