Story of Things

The Story of Things is a podcast series produced by the University of York in collaboration with the York Festival of Ideas, hosted by archaeologist Dr. Penny Spikins, which delves into transformative research by examining everyday objects, concepts, and phenomena to uncover their deeper influences on human thought, society, environment, culture, health, and wellbeing.^[1][2] Launched in 2017, the podcast began with its inaugural three-part series focused on the narratives behind specific artifacts and cultural items, such as an ancient hand axe that illustrates early human innovation and tool-making, a 1950s brooch, and a children's book that highlights evolving societal values in education and storytelling.^[2][3] In this debut season, Dr. Spikins interviewed experts to reveal how such "things" provide insights into historical and contemporary human experiences, emphasizing research that reshapes our understanding of the world.^[4] The series expanded in 2018 with a second season that broadened its scope to include diverse topics like the cultural significance of football in community building, the science of human voices in identity and communication, the ecological role of bees in biodiversity, and other research-driven explorations of societal operations.^[5] Further seasons followed, including a third on literature and monsters in 2018, a fourth on children's mental health and virtual reality in late 2018, and a fifth on scientific wonders in 2019, featuring interdisciplinary discussions with academics on subjects ranging from forensic linguistics in criminal justice to the safety of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.^[6][7][8] A promotional trailer was released in 2023, but no new episodes have appeared as of November 2025.^[9] Available on platforms like Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud, the podcast aims to make complex research accessible, fostering public engagement with university-led innovations that address real-world challenges.^[10][11]

Premise and themes

Premise

The Story of Things is a podcast series produced by the University of York in collaboration with the York Festival of Ideas, hosted by archaeologist Dr. Penny Spikins.^[2] Launched in 2017, the podcast explores transformative research by examining everyday objects, concepts, and phenomena through interviews with experts, uncovering their influences on human thought, society, environment, culture, health, and wellbeing.^[12] The series consists of standalone episodes focusing on specific "things," such as an ancient hand axe that illustrates early human innovation and aesthetic appreciation, a children's book that reflects evolving societal values, the cultural role of football in community building, the science of human voices in identity and forensics, the ecological importance of bees, and contemporary issues like AI safety.^[2][3][12] Each episode emphasizes research that reshapes understandings of historical and modern human experiences, presented in an accessible format to engage the public.^[4]

Themes

The podcast centers on the emotional, social, and cultural attachments humans form with objects and ideas, drawing from disciplines like archaeology, philosophy, linguistics, and environmental science to reveal hidden stories and connections across time.^[2][3] Key themes include the significance of material culture in shaping human emotions and behaviors, the impact of innovative research on societal wellbeing and environmental challenges, and the personal narratives embedded in everyday items. For example, episodes examine how objects gain uniqueness through personal history and use, how sports and technology foster community or address justice, and how natural elements like bees highlight biodiversity conservation.^[12] The series promotes public engagement with academic insights, underscoring how "things" bridge past innovations with present-day issues like mental health and autonomous systems.^[6][7]

Production

Development

The development of Story of Things originated from the creative vision of George K. Antoney, who served as the series' writer, creator, and director, drawing inspiration from his longstanding fascination with fantasy concepts intertwined with everyday human experiences.^[13] Antoney conceptualized the project as a means to explore human emotions through the lens of inanimate objects, such as weighing scales, cell phones, air conditioners, cars, and mirrors, which he observed as integral to personal narratives and psychological dynamics.^[14] This approach stemmed from his personal intrigue with surrealistic ideas that blur reality and fantasy, an interest he had nurtured over time prior to formalizing the series.^[13] Conceived in 2022 as a five-episode Tamil-language anthology tailored for streaming platforms, the series was produced by Chutzpah Films, which handled the pre-production phases including conceptualization and initial planning.^[15] The anthology format allowed for standalone stories that collectively examined themes of emotion and surrealism, with development emphasizing a horror-thriller tone to heighten the ordinary's uncanny potential.^[16] Chutzpah Films announced the project in December 2022, signaling the completion of early scripting and readiness for production ahead of its January 2023 premiere on SonyLIV.^[13] Antoney wrote all five episodes single-handedly to ensure thematic consistency across the anthology, focusing on crafting narratives that integrated surreal horror-thriller elements with relatable human-object interactions.^[16] This solo scripting process prioritized conceptual depth over expansive collaboration in pre-production, allowing Antoney to maintain a unified vision of emotional exploration through fantastical object animations.^[17] Pre-production also involved brief outreach for an ensemble cast to suit the episodic structure, setting the stage for filming without delving into detailed assignments at that phase.^[18]

Filming

Principal photography for Story of Things commenced in late 2022 and was primarily conducted in Chennai and surrounding areas of Tamil Nadu, selected to authentically depict the urban and domestic environments central to the anthology's stories.^[19] These locations allowed the production team to leverage real-world settings that mirrored the everyday lives of the characters, enhancing the series' grounded yet eerie atmosphere. The technical approach featured extensive use of close-up shots focused on inanimate objects, designed to amplify the surreal tension inherent in the narratives where everyday items take on supernatural qualities. Practical effects were employed to bring these manifestations to life, avoiding heavy reliance on digital enhancements to preserve a tangible sense of horror and drama. This style drew inspiration from the scripting process, where object-centric themes directly influenced shot compositions to emphasize emotional symbolism over overt exposition.^[19] Filming the anthology format presented challenges in balancing the varied tones across episodes, from horror to introspective drama, while ensuring cohesive visual storytelling. Set designs were particularly demanding for object-focused scenes, such as the custom-built interiors in the air-conditioner episode, which required meticulous construction to simulate malfunctioning domestic spaces that blurred the line between the mundane and the menacing. The cast adapted effectively to these location-based performances, contributing to the authentic feel of the sequences.^[20] In post-production, editing prioritized maintaining tight episodic pacing to sustain viewer engagement within the 40- to 55-minute runtime of each installment. Color grading played a key role in distinguishing real-world moments from surreal ones, using desaturated tones for everyday scenes and heightened contrasts for supernatural elements to underscore the thematic shifts.^[21]

Cast and characters

Casting

The Story of Things podcast does not involve traditional casting, as it is an interview-based series featuring academic experts rather than scripted performers. The host, Dr. Penny Spikins, an archaeologist at the University of York, selects guests from the university's faculty and researchers whose work aligns with the podcast's focus on transformative research through everyday objects and concepts. Guests are chosen for their expertise to provide insights into historical, societal, and scientific topics, ensuring interdisciplinary discussions that engage public audiences.^[22][1] The production process emphasizes collaboration with the York Festival of Ideas, with episodes developed around specific themes or artifacts. Early series involved student producers from the Department of Theatre, Film and Television, who handled recording and editing to capture natural conversations between the host and guests. This approach prioritizes authenticity and accessibility over dramatic performance.^[2][23]

Ensemble cast

The podcast The Story of Things features Dr. Penny Spikins as the primary host across all series, guiding discussions with experts to explore the deeper stories behind objects, ideas, and phenomena. Spikins, a senior lecturer in the Department of Archaeology at the University of York, brings her background in human evolution and prehistoric art to frame episodes on innovation, culture, and wellbeing. Her role involves introducing topics, posing questions, and synthesizing insights to highlight research impacts.^[22][2] Featured guests include a diverse ensemble of University of York academics and collaborators, each contributing specialized knowledge in standalone or themed episodes:

• Dr. Dorothea Debus, a philosopher in the Department of Philosophy, co-discusses emotional connections to objects in series one episodes on an ancient hand axe and a children's book, exploring personal and historical significance. Debus's expertise in philosophy of mind adds depth to themes of human-object relationships.^[2][24]
• Dr. Debbie Maxwell from the Department of Theatre, Film and Television, features in series two on the ecological role of bees, examining biodiversity and human-nature interactions through research on environmental storytelling.^[12]
• Dr. Peter French, an expert in forensic linguistics from the Department of Language and Linguistic Science, appears in an episode on the science of human voices, discussing identity, communication, and applications in criminal justice.^[6]
• Dr. Lydia Zeldenrust from the Department of English and Related Literature, hosts discussions in series three (The Quiet Place Book Club) on literary themes like monsters in storytelling, revealing societal values in education and narrative.^[25]
• Professor David Atwell from the Department of English and Related Literature, contributes to episodes on underground movements inspiring generations, focusing on cultural and historical narratives.^[26]
• Dr. Ana MacIntosh and Professor John McDermid from the Assuring Autonomy International Programme, discuss the safety of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems in a 2020 special edition, addressing ethical and technical challenges in technology.^[7]

Additional guests across series include experts on topics like children's mental health, virtual reality, marine life, space exploration, and human evolution, enriching the podcast's interdisciplinary scope. This guest-driven format underscores the series' goal of making university research accessible, with Spikins facilitating dialogues that connect academic insights to everyday experiences.^[11][4]

Episodes

List of episodes

Story of Things is a Tamil-language anthology series comprising five standalone episodes, all created, directed, and written by George K. Antoney. The episodes premiered simultaneously on Sony LIV on January 6, 2023, and are designed as independent stories that explore human emotions through everyday objects, allowing viewers to watch them in sequential order or individually without a required chronological progression.^[27][21] Runtimes sourced from JioTV listings.^[29] Each episode features a distinct ensemble cast, with notable appearances including Bharath Srinivasan and Linga in "Weighing Scale", Aditi Balan and Gautami Tadimalla in "Cellular", Ritika Singh in "Compressor", and Shanthnu Bhagyaraj in "Mirror".^[21]

Synopses

In the first episode, "Weighing Scale," aspiring actor Ram (Bharath) faces mounting internal conflict after acquiring a second-hand weighing scale that inexplicably alters his self-perception and begins to dominate his decisions, amplifying his underlying guilt. The scale serves as a central object, mirroring his emotional turmoil and forcing confrontations with personal shortcomings as he pursues a crucial audition opportunity.^[30][17] The second episode, "Cellular," centers on Vannamayil (Aditi Balan), a young woman grappling with isolation and strained family ties, who discovers an old mobile phone that initiates unsettling interactions revealing her suppressed fears and regrets. The device becomes a conduit for her desperate quest for emotional connection, particularly with her mother (Gautami Tadimalla), heightening tensions in their relationship.^[30][17] In "Compressor," live-in couple Raghu (Roju) and Shruti navigate escalating relational strains when their second-hand air conditioner starts exhibiting erratic, aggressive behaviors tied to unresolved resentments and hidden secrets. The appliance embodies their emotional volatility, transforming mundane domestic life into a pressure cooker of confrontations and revelations.^[17][14] The fourth episode, "Car," follows fashion designer Britto (Shanthnu Bhagyaraj) and his family on a road trip that turns fraught when their vintage car manifests inherited family grudges and suppressed anger, disrupting their journey with supernatural undertones. The vehicle acts as a symbol of generational trauma, compelling the group to address long-buried conflicts amid rising peril.^[17] Finally, "Mirror" depicts college student Sethu (Vinoth Kishan), reeling from a breakup and eviction, who encounters an antique mirror in his new rental that creates a portal to another life, intersecting with Nazia (Anshita Anand), a girl facing her own hardships. The mirror drives Sethu's emotional descent into obsession and eventual self-reflection, blurring boundaries between reality and manifestation as he confronts vanity and despair.^[30][17]

Music

Composition

Music for the podcast series The Story of Things was composed by Richard Evans, a PhD student in the University of York's Department of Music. Evans wrote and performed the original score, which provides an atmospheric backdrop to the discussions on everyday objects and their cultural significance. The music was created to enhance the exploratory and reflective tone of the episodes, integrating subtle instrumental elements during introductions and transitions.^[3] The composition process aligned with the podcast's production timeline, starting with the 2017 launch. Produced by Matthew Edwards and James Legros, the series incorporated Evans' contributions to support the narrative flow without overpowering the spoken content. No dedicated soundtrack albums or episode-specific cues have been released, as the focus remains on the audio storytelling rather than commercial music releases.^[23]

Soundtrack details

The soundtrack for The Story of Things consists primarily of original incidental music composed by Richard Evans, used throughout the episodes to underscore themes of human innovation and societal values. This includes ambient and minimalist tracks that evoke curiosity and introspection, tailored to the podcast's interdisciplinary discussions. The music totals approximately 5-10 minutes per episode, featuring piano, strings, and electronic elements to complement the hosts' explorations of artifacts like ancient hand axes and children's books.^[2][12] Sound design in the podcast integrates Evans' score with natural audio elements, such as ambient sounds related to the discussed objects, to create an immersive listening experience. For instance, subtle chimes or echoes may accompany segments on historical items, blurring the lines between music and thematic sound effects. The approach emphasizes simplicity, ensuring the score supports rather than distracts from the expert interviews and research insights. No vocal tracks or full songs are featured; the music remains instrumental and understated.^[31] The original music is available only within the podcast episodes on platforms like Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud, with no separate commercial releases as of 2025. Clips of the score can be heard in episode trailers and promotional materials from the York Festival of Ideas.^[10][11]

Release

Premiere

The podcast was first announced on June 8, 2017, coinciding with the York Festival of Ideas.^[32] The first episode of the inaugural three-part series, focusing on an ancient hand axe, was released on June 15, 2017.^[2] The series concluded with its third episode on June 29, 2017, covering a children's book.^[3] The second season premiered on June 3, 2018, with an episode on bees, followed by discussions on football and human voices.^[5][33] A trailer for the series was released on November 27, 2023, introducing its content on platforms like Apple Podcasts.^[9] As of November 2025, no new seasons beyond 2018 have been announced.^[4]

Distribution

The Story of Things is distributed as a free podcast, primarily through the University of York's website and external platforms including SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, and Acast.^[11][1] Episodes from the 2017 and 2018 seasons are available on-demand for streaming or download worldwide, with no subscription required. The series has been accessible internationally via these platforms since its launch, targeting a global audience interested in academic research.^[12]

Reception

Critical response

The Story of Things podcast has not received extensive coverage in major media outlets. It has been positively featured in University of York announcements, highlighting its role in public engagement with research.^[2][4]

Audience reception

As of November 2025, the podcast is available on platforms such as Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud, where it has garnered listens within academic and public audiences interested in interdisciplinary topics. No aggregated user ratings or detailed feedback metrics are publicly documented.^[1][11]