The Family Tree
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
Announcement - Down to a sunless sea
30 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Later this year I will be launching a Getting Better Acquainted mini series titled 'Down to a Sunless Sea: Memories of my Dad' about the my relationsh...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 30 - The Christmas Oak
26 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This Christmas special functions as an epilogue, a coda, an outro and a final thought, for The Family Tree. Dave spends Christmas with Philip Beech an...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 29 - Ending 5 - The Great Unknown Other
08 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the final episode of the show, Dave and his brother go to visit their dad to say hello, and also to say goodbye: endings are more complex than a si...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 28 - Ending 4 - Cutting 6 - The Final Cut
01 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the last Cutting of Season 3, Dave reflects on accountability and forgiveness, and considers the best ways to end things by asking some big questio...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 27 - Ending 3 - The End of the Mystery
17 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dave talks to Mark about his role in the trauma his family has experienced, and reflects on the importance of accountability and justice. The Family T...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 26 - Ending 2 - The Family Never Ends
10 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Family is about more than blood. Dave continues rounding up the end of Season 3 by catching up with the extended family. The Family Tree is a magical ...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 25 - Ending 1 - The Beginning of the End
03 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
As Season 3 starts to come to a close, Dave catches up with the Sullivan family to find out how they're all doing and what the future holds for them. ...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 24 - Cuttings 5 - Identity
20 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the fifth Cutting of Season 3, Dave considers different elements of identity. He talks to Scout Pup about furries and puppies, and speaks to Alex I...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 23 - The Ultimate Pounce
13 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
With no need to hide anymore and a firm plan for her future, Violita is finally ready to tell Dave exactly what happened when she became a liminal per...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 22 - A Tinder for Changelings
06 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sam is back from Australia, and eager to update listeners on their new life. They introduce their friend, Tee, and Dave witnesses a new kind of limina...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 21 - A Change of Heart
30 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dave catches up with Ben and Kora, who discuss how things are working out for them in their new life as Ben, Kora, Nathan and jaguar. The Family Tree ...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 20 - Cuttings 4 - Therapy
16 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the fourth Cutting of Season 3, Dave considers different forms of and approaches to therapy; talks to poet, playwright and performer, Tanaka Mhishi...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 19 - Phillip and Melanie - Conversations 8
09 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dear Listeners, The conversation I'm sharing with you today is the first conversation I recorded with Melanie after her escapades with Ellie. I don't ...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 18 - Phillip and Mark - Conversations 7
02 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dear Listeners, Mark was a very dear friend of mine a long time ago, and his friendship with the tree is also rooted deep in my consciousness. I do fi...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 17 - Mark Returns 3 - How long does it last for you?
25 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
After Jane's conversation with Mark, the recorder is left on, and accidentally captures Nathan meeting his father for the first time since his return....
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 16 - Mark Returns 2 - Shutting the door
18 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Mark visits Jane, who finally gets to confront him about the effect his decision has had on their family. The Family Tree is a magical realist dramati...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 15 - Mark Returns 1 - Let's go look at the sky
11 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
After meeting Ellie, Melanie is open to the idea of allowing Mark to the surface. Along with Ben, Kora, Melissa and Shajahan, she and Dave return to G...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 14 - Cuttings 3 - Persecution
28 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the third Cutting of Season 3, Dave talks to Philosophy Tube's Oliver Thorn, witchcraft scholar Dr. Alice Tarbuck, and historian Dr Robert Poole ab...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 13 - Philip and Melanie - Conversations 6
21 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dear Listeners, I hardly know how to present this episode to you. I thought about telling you all about it, but I think you may find some value in exp...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 12 - An Oak Tree to Willowbridge Part 2
12 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the second part of a very personal part of the story for Dave, he visits his dad for the first time since he began his changing journey. The Family...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 11 - An Oak Tree to Willowbridge Part 1
07 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the first part of a very personal part of the story for Dave, he talks to his dad, who plans to become a changeling. The Family Tree is a magical r...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 10 - Cuttings 2 - Magic
23 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the second Cutting of Season 3, Dave talks to Dr. Alexander Cummins and Dr. Alice Tarbuck about magic and its role in society from the past to the ...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 9 - The Opposite Of A Dead End
16 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Following an enigmatic voice message, Dave facilitates a meeting between Nathan and Nigel. It's the first time they've seen each other since Nathan's ...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 8 - Philip and Melanie - Conversations 5
09 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dear Listeners, I hope my last recording was of some help to some of you. I find myself frequently revisiting Azariah's thoughtful advice. Every good ...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 7 - Bad things happen on nice days
02 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Following a message from Skarbek, Dave meets up with her on Gallions Hill. What she has to tell him is the information that encouraged the Sullivan fa...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 6 - Beech and Azariah - Conversations 4
26 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dear Listeners, I hope this finds you well. It truly is a pleasure to be writing to you again, and I'm delighted to be able to connect with you throug...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 5 - Cuttings 1 - Philosophy
12 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the first Cutting of Season 3, Dave talks to Professor Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad and Philosophy Tube's Oliver Thorn, discussing philosophical questio...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 4 - Nathan Returns 3: The Aftermath
05 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the aftermath of Nathan's return, Dave catches up with Kora, Melissa, Nathan, Ben and Melanie as they all process their feelings about the change, ...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 3 - Nathan Returns 2: Reunion
26 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Leaving the others to process what just happened, Dave accompanies Nathan back to visit Jane and sets up his recording equipment. Jane and Nathan catc...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 2 - Nathan Returns
19 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dave catches up with Melanie and Kora, and with Melissa and Ben after their journey to the rainforest. In a controlled experiment at Goldsmith's, Univ...
The Family Tree Season 3 - Episode 1 - Don't think about the white polar bear
12 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
New information about changelings has surfaced. Dave speaks to previous Cuttings guest, Jackie Hagan and her partner, Klara, and learns information th...
Season 3: An Announcement
10 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Season 3 is on its way, and Dave has an announcement. In this special mini episode, he gives an update and shares some clips showing the developments ...
The Family Tree Season 2 - Episode 13 - A Wild Jaguar Chase
22 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In the final episode of Season 2, Melissa calls Dave and asks him to meet her and Ben at Paddington Station. They share a worrying plan with him, and ...
The Family Tree Season 2 - Cuttings 5 - Saying Goodbye
13 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In the fifth Cutting of season 2, Dave tries to process recent developments on The Family Tree and get perspectives that will help with issues in his ...
The Family Tree Season 2 - Episode 12 - The Wake
27 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In the aftermath of Nathan's death, Reverend Beech comes to talk to Dave. Together, they share their grief and talk about an important change to Melis...
The Family Tree Season 2 - Episode 11 - Message in a Bottle
22 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
An anonymous caller leaves a series of panicked messages for Dave. Is The Family Tree putting the Sullivan family in danger? Content Note: This episod...
The Family Tree Season 2: Episode 10: The Last Adventure
11 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
After receiving some tragic news, Dave talks to Thought Adventures co-host, Nigel, about what has happened to Nathan. The Family Tree is a magical rea...
The Family Tree Season 2: Episode 9: Nine Lives
25 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dave meets Violita, who views it as a blessing to have become a changeling. She clearly has a lot more story to tell than she shares in this conversat...
The Family Tree Season 2: Beech and Melanie - Conversations 3
08 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dear Listeners, David tells me that you like me writing to you, so it has come to feel very right that I accompany these recordings with a short note....
The Family Tree Season 2: Episode 8: Mia and the Sapling
04 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dave talks to Reverend Beech and Kora at Jane's house before a special party for Mia to say goodbye to the oak tree: they're going to plant a sapling ...
The Family Tree Season 2: Beech and Melanie - Conversations 2
26 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dear David (or should I say, Dear Listeners?), I'm delighted that people enjoyed reading my email on your website last time. How funny! I'm not sure I...
The Family Tree Season 2: Beech and Melanie - Conversations 1
21 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dear David, Further to our chat about the possibility of you sharing my research with your listeners, I am sending you the first of my recordings with...
The Family Tree Season 2: Episode 7: Did my mother become my dog?
13 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave talks to Shajahan, a friend of a friend, who is considering the hypothesis that her late mother was a changeling. If what her mo...
Thought Adventures: Episode 04
21 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
As a favour to Nathan, Dave is still putting out episodes of Nathan's podcast, Thought Adventures, on The Family Tree podcast feed. * We think it's ...
The Family Tree Season 2: Cuttings 4: Life and Death - An Imam, a Priest and a Rabbi walk into a podcast...
19 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In the fourth Cutting of season 2, Dave tries to make sense of recent developments on The Family Tree by talking to an Imam, a Priest and a Rabbi abou...
The Family Tree Season 2: Episode 6: Beech Tree Part II
14 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Dave and Reverend Beech have returned after their trip to St James's Park. There's a lot of processing to do as they drink cocoa and go over the event...
The Family Tree Season 2: Episode 6: Beech Tree Part I
11 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Reverend Beech has a plan so drastic that Dave has decided to split this episode into two parts. In Part I, they discuss what they plan to do and why ...
The Family Tree Season 2: Episode 5: "I will not be the Judas goat for changelings"
30 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Ben is eager to come on the show to talk about his new organisation, 'Change of Heart', dedicated to researching and protecting changelings. Accompani...
The Family Tree Season 2 - Cuttings 3 - Systems and Structures
23 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
***CONTENT NOTE: This episode generally deals with interpersonal, systemic and state violence but the section from 9.29 min to 26.10 min involves the ...
The Family Tree Season 2: Episode 4: The Lost Tape
19 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Many years ago, Mark recorded stories for Ben and Nathan to listen to on a car journey. The cassette has turned up in Jane's loft. But perhaps there's...
The Family Tree Season 2 - Cuttings 2 - Other Lives
30 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In the second Cutting of season 2, Dave talks to his dad about living with dementia, his brother about making art about diagnosis, and with true story...
Thought Adventures: Episode 03
26 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Dave is currently gathering new material for Season 2 of The Family Tree. But as a favour to Nathan, he's also putting out episodes of Nathan's new po...
The Family Tree Season 2: Episode 3: "I'm just angry with what we all had to go through"
21 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa co-hosts her second episode with Dave, this time talking to her mum, Jane, about what she thinks and how she feels about the changelings and p...
The Family Tree Season 2: Episode 2: "I'm a better driver but not more special"
12 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Dave finds himself back in the Sullivan family home, talking to twins Melissa and Melanie. This episode is co-hosted by Melissa, whose idea it was tal...
The Family Tree Season 2 - Cuttings 1 - Flesh and Blood, Bark and Seed
24 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In the first Cutting of season 2, Dave talks to Marlo Mack about her podcast How to Be a Girl and to Peter Wohlleben about his book The Hidden Life of...
The Family Tree Season 2: Episode 1: The Racoon and the Hummingbird
12 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
With information going missing online, some of it now completely untraceable, Dave has decided to release episodes as they happen. As well as filling ...
Thought Adventures: Episode 02
24 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Dave is currently gathering new material for Season 2 of The Family Tree. But as a favour to Nathan, he's also putting out episodes of Nathan's new po...
Thought Adventures: Episode 01
15 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Dave is currently gathering new material for Season 2 of The Family Tree. But as a favour to Nathan, he's also putting out episodes of Nathan's new ...
An Announcement
20 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this special mini episode, Dave talks about how he now feels about Season 1 of The Family Tree, gives an update on some of the things that have be...
Season 2 Trailer
22 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The Family Tree is a magical realist drama about family, belonging, change and identity. Season 2 is coming in August 2017.
Cutting 12: A Slice of Cake and the Final Take
15 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The final Cutting of Season 1 gives you an extra slice of the drama: Dave takes the Sullivans aside as the cheesecake is served and asks them about th...
Episode 12: The Sullivans
11 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In the season finale, Dave catches up with the Sullivan family. He's eager to know how they're all coping with the new information in their lives. The...
Cutting 11: Binaries and Borders
08 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In Monday's episode, Dave talked to Sam. When they finished recording, they asked him to turn the mic back on so they could explain what being non-bin...
Episode 11: Sam
04 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Dave talks to the twins' cousin Sam about their views on the mystery and finds out how Melanie's been coping in the month since his last recording. Th...
Cutting 10: Discussions and Repercussions
01 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's Cutting, Dave plays clips from the series so far to members of his family and is as surprised and concerned about their reactions as th...
Episode 10: Melanie
27 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Until this episode, every conversation on this show has been arranged in advance. But this one begins with an unexpected ring on the doorbell: Melanie...
Cutting 9: Life Online
24 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
As the podcast audience widens and the Sullivans reveal more and more personal information, Dave's concern about protecting their privacy grows. In t...
Episode 9: Melissa
20 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Still in shock from Jane's revelation, Dave arranges a conversation with the twins. He's never conducted an interview like this before, and he's nervo...
Cutting 8: Stories and more Stories!
17 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Since Jane's shocking revelation, Dave has been thinking about the impact of sharing true stories in public spaces. In this week's Cutting, he talks t...
Episode 8: A Confession
13 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Dave begins his second conversation with Jane planning to tell her about the oak tree and what he has learned about her late husband. He's prepared fo...
The Family Tree Cuttings 7 - Playgrounds and Pictures
10 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Dave talks to his mum, June Hoy, about her experiences running an adventure playground in the seventies and about how she remembers Mark Sullivan. He ...
The Family Tree Mid-Season Teaser
09 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
If you've been listening to the first half of Season 1 of The Family Tree, you'll have heard podcast producer Dave Pickering investigating Mark Sull...
Episode 7: Mark's Letters
06 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we take a breath to process last week's revelations and try to get to know Mark. This conversation continues on from the one in Episode 1, ...
Cutting 6: The Big Questions
03 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Since Beech's revelation, questions about humanity have been playing heavily on Dave's mind. In this week's Cutting, he asks his guests the big questi...
Episode 6: Reverend Beech
30 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Before their scheduled meeting, Reverend Beech leaves a message for Dave asking him to meet him at St James' Park. There are "one or two things it mig...
Cutting 5: Fantasies and Conspiracies
28 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Today's Cutting comes in two parts. After hearing Nathan's concerns about the conflict between live action role play and table top gaming, Dave invest...
Episode 5: Nathan
23 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
After his previous two conversations, Dave's pleased to find that Mark's second son, Nathan, is much more willing to talk about his father's disappear...
Cutting 4: The Social Web
20 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Having personal conversations in public is always a risky business, but Dave is particularly aware that his guests this week were under sixteen. With ...
The Family Tree Episode 4 - Melissa & Melanie
16 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Dave thought it was awkward speaking to Ben, but it turns out that was nothing compared with speaking to Mark's teenage daughters, Melissa and Melanie...
Cutting 3: "Scrambling for representation when we should be at equity"
13 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Picking up on some of the themes of this week's episode of The Family Tree, Dave speaks to founder of Media Diversified, Samantha Asamadu; Nikesh Shuk...
The Family Tree Episode 3 - Ben & Kora
09 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Dave talks to Mark's eldest son, Ben, and his partner, Kora. With their daughter Mia playing in the room next door, the couple host Dave in their busy...
Cutting 2 : Giving Up Eggs and Losing Legs
06 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In Mark Sullivan's absence, Dave is aware of the dangers of discussing issues without involving those affected by them. Mark's decision to become a ve...
The Family Tree Episode 2 - Jane
02 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Having spoken to Reverend Beech, Dave contacts Mark Sullivan's family. His widow, Jane, agrees to come on the show to discuss their relationship and h...
Cutting 1: Podcasts and Priests
29 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The Family Tree is a very different podcast from the one Dave normally produces, so he talks to podcasters Helen Zaltzman and Martin Zaltz Austwick ab...
The Family Tree Episode 1 - The Mystery
25 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
A body discovered years after its death with more arms than it should have had: this is the story Peter and Tony come back from a funeral with. In Epi...
The Family Tree Cuttings Teaser 4: Ideas
21 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The Family Tree, a new audio drama from Adamthwaite and Pickering, launches on Monday 26 th September 2016. The show will air for 12 weeks, releasing...
The Family Tree Cuttings Teaser 3: People
18 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The Family Tree, a new audio drama from Adamthwaite and Pickering, launches on Monday 26 th September 2016. The show will air for 12 weeks, releasing...
Preview: Episode 1 The Family Tree
18 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
When podcast producer Dave Pickering is approached by his dad with a mystery from the life of a long-forgotten friend, he decides to investigate it in...
The Family Tree Cuttings Teaser 2: Representation
11 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The Family Tree, a new audio drama from Adamthwaite and Pickering, launches on Monday 26 th September 2016. The show will air for 12 weeks, releasing...
Press Release - The Family Tree Podcast
04 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The Family Tree, a new audio drama from Adamthwaite and Pickering, launches on Monday 26 th September 2016. The show will air for 12 weeks, releasing...
The Family Tree Cuttings Teaser 1: A New Podcast
04 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The Family Tree, a new audio drama from Adamthwaite and Pickering, launches on Monday 26 th September 2016. The show will air for 12 weeks, releasing...
The Family Tree Teaser 3
04 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
When podcast producer Dave Pickering is approached by his dad with a mystery from the life of a long-forgotten friend, he decides to investigate it in...
The Family Tree Teaser 2
12 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
When podcast producer Dave Pickering is approached by his dad with a mystery from the life of a long-forgotten friend, he decides to investigate it in...
The Family Tree Teaser 1
12 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
When podcast producer Dave Pickering is approached by his dad with a mystery from the life of a long-forgotten friend, he decides to investigate it in...