Serious Leisure

Dr Petia Petrova, Kat Branch, Prof Sam Elkington
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  • HOBBIES

If you‘ve ever thought you need to find a hobby but not sure how to make time, or if you‘ve not had a chance to unpack why your leisure is so important, this is for you.

  1. 08/14/2025

    Handstands, Harmonies and Good Vibes

    In this intriguing episode Rachel O’Connor, Associate Professor in Legal Education, Academic Lead for Personal Tutoring, University of Leeds  and Music Director, Patrick Steed, take us into the welcoming, supportive communities of musical theatre and CrossFit, providing safe yet stretching spaces to find and express our authentic selves and do that difficult thing: make new friends as adults.  Rachael describes how the CrossFit community switched exercise from a lonely punishment to an exhilarating rush, whilst Patrick explains how singing songs from musicals together can provide a joyful escape but also a safe and empowering place to dig into difficult emotions. Understand more about the freedom of not having to be the best, but instead allowing leisure to be a place to follow your heart.  Produced at UWE Bristol.

    1 hr

  2. 08/14/2025

    Wide Space on a Narrowboat

    In this soothing episode Paul Kleiman, Senior Consultant at Ciel Associates, explains how he found a slower pace and a feeling of space and calm through narrowboating. We hear how Paul and his partner renovated a narrowboat, remarkably without previous expertise, allowing the gently-paced restoration process to bring calm, focus and a deepening enjoyment of the simpler things. We explore the importance of small rituals to mark out sacred time for ourselves and help us to focus wholeheartedly on slower moments that can refresh and restore us.   Trigger warning: Please note that this episode makes reference to child loss.   Produced at UWE Bristol.

    55 min

  3. 08/14/2025

    I come from academia with a banjo on my knee

    In this episode, Professor Helen King, Director of Learning Innovation, Development & Skills, Bath Spa University and Richard Bale, Senior Teaching Fellow in Educational Development at Imperial College, share their experiences of diving into new hobbies. From strumming the banjo and playing the violin to lifting weights and hitting the trails, they discuss the joy of being a novice. Learn how to let go of aspirations and self-judgement and simply relish the process of learning something new. Tune in to discover the freedom of being average and the pure enjoyment of the journey.

    52 min

  4. 08/14/2025

    I only cycle to support my cake habit

    In this episode, Russell Brookes, Online Futures Manager at Plymouth University, and Jacqueline Barker, Senior Lecturer in Strategy and Operations Management at UWE Bristol, share their delightful cycling adventures. They show how cycling can be a peaceful solo ride or a lively group outing, perfect for everyone from university students to young parents and those navigating menopause. Discover how cycling is not just good for the soul but also a great way to enjoy cakes, coffee shops, and baked treats. Plus, listen for a clever hack to conquer steep hills on your bike! This episode features insights from our guest expert, Tamara Getter, Head of Sport Experience at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). Enjoy the ride!  Produced at UWE Bristol.    Trigger warning: Please note that this episode contains references to themes of suicide, fertility issues, and bereavement which some individuals may find distressing.

    59 min

  5. 01/31/2023

    Finding a New Leisure Pursuit and Optimal Leisure Lifestyles with Prof Robert Stebbins

    The third and final part of An Audience with the Founder of Serious Leisure. What are the factors that affect our leisure choices? How can we discover new activities for ourselves? In this episode the founder of the Serious Leisure Perspective Professor Robert Stebbins talks through the impact of geography, culture, finance and personal affinity on how we engage with leisure and how we can make it easier to try new things and expand our leisure worlds. Don't miss the next episode! Subscribe now! Reflecting on ways to balance work and wellbeing via leisure and hobbies. Produced at UWE Bristol.

    34 min

  6. 01/25/2023

    Serious Leisure Podcast trailer

    A 60 second taster of the Serious Leisure podcast to give you a flavour of what we discuss with our fascinating guests. Don't miss the next episode! Subscribe now! Reflecting on ways to balance work and wellbeing via leisure and hobbies. Produced at UWE Bristol.

    1 min

  7. 01/24/2023

    Why We Keep Going When the Fun Stops with Prof R Stebbins

    This is the second part of An Audience with the Founder of Serious Leisure. Ever hit a wall with your favourite leisure activity? We can be surprisingly resilient and persistent with our favourite leisure activities. In this episode the founder of the Serious Leisure Perspective Professor Robert Stebbins talks us through the blurry lines between work and leisure, barriers to our leisure and the challenging periods where we might give up. We examine why we keep going and how can we use that resilience to help us balance work and leisure time in our everyday lives.  Don't miss the next episode! Subscribe now! Reflecting on ways to balance work and wellbeing via leisure and hobbies. Produced at UWE Bristol.

    38 min

  8. 01/13/2023

    The History of Serious Leisure with Prof Robert Stebbins

    Part 1 of 'An Audience with the Founder of Serious Leisure'. Wondering where the term ‘Serious Leisure’ comes from? What do we mean by amateur or hobbyist and how might these labels help us understand leisure better? In this fascinating episode with the founder of the serious leisure perspective, Professor Robert Stebbins, we explore the origins of his serious leisure perspective concepts starting with elusive concept of amateurism.  Don't miss the next episode! Subscribe now! Reflecting on ways to balance work and wellbeing via leisure and hobbies. Produced at UWE Bristol.

    31 min
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About

If you‘ve ever thought you need to find a hobby but not sure how to make time, or if you‘ve not had a chance to unpack why your leisure is so important, this is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Petia Petrova, Kat Branch, Prof Sam Elkington
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Serious Leisure