The Pursuit of Feeling

In their second conversation, Tom Marchant is joined again by Anant Sharma, renowned futurist, strategist and founder of Matter Of Form, and a globally in-demand voice on human behaviour, design and the future of experience.In this episode, the focus shifts from emotion to perspective, exploring how Anant travels and experiences the world. From bricking his phone in transit to protect moments of reflection, to noticing the small details that shape trust and meaning, his approach is both deliberate and deeply intentional.Together, they explore how to avoid over-structuring trips, how to build space for serendipity, and why friction can be an essential part of a richer, more meaningful journey. They also touch on the role of great guides, the power of small signals, and why luxury, at its best, should allow us to slow down rather than accelerate.This is a conversation about how we move through the world and how to do it better.Find out more at blacktomato.com.

In this conversation, Tom Marchant is joined by Anant Sharma, renowned futurist, strategist and founder of Matter Of Form. Anant is an internationally respected voice on psychology, design, modern luxury and the future of human experience, and is in demand around the world for his insight into how people think, feel and connect with brands, places and culture.In this episode, they explore an emotion rarely celebrated: boredom. In a world built around stimulation and constant connection, boredom is often seen as something to escape. But here, it is reframed as something far more valuable,  a gateway to reflection, imagination, clarity and presence.From childhood road trips to silent meditation retreats and the unnoticed moments in between, Anant shares how boredom has shaped the way he travels and experiences the world. Together, they explore why stillness matters, why transitional time should be protected, and how travel can help us reconnect more deeply with ourselves.Find out more at blacktomato.com.

In this episode of The Pursuit of Feeling, host Tom Marchant sits down with Jeremy Langmead for a conversation about instinct, emotion, and the quiet power of paying attention.Jeremy’s career has helped shape how many of us see style, culture, and modern life. He has been editor in chief of Esquire and Wallpaper, and was a founder and editor in chief of Mr Porter at its launch with Net-a-Porter. Across print, digital, and commerce, his work has consistently explored the difference between what looks good and what truly feels right.But this conversation moves beyond titles and achievements. Together, Tom and Jeremy trace a journey from page-bound wanderlust to real-world curiosity. They explore how literature trained Jeremy to notice detail, how travel sharpens instinct and taste, and why curiosity, attention, and even a little friction often sit at the heart of creativity and growth. From the rush of New York to the hush of the Dolomites, from Istanbul side streets to Bhutan’s cliffside monasteries, Jeremy reflects on how places shape state of mind, and why the smallest details often matter most.Jeremy also speaks candidly about living with a recurring cancer diagnosis, and how it has reshaped his relationship with time, intention, and luxury itself. The takeaway is simple and profound: the future of luxury is presence. Paying attention. Creating space for feeling. And allowing the places we go to quietly change who we become.Explore more episodes of The Pursuit of Feeling on our website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.www.blacktomato.comwww.mrporter.com

What does it mean for travel to actually move us?In this episode of The Pursuit of Feeling, host Tom Marchant sits down with Philippe Zuber, CEO of Kerzner International, for a conversation about what really matters in travel today. They dig into how the best travel experiences are built – not through spectacle or excess, but through emotion, intention, and genuine human connection.Philippe talks about the moments that shaped how he thinks about hospitality: growing up between cultures, building a career across continents, and learning what it means to truly see a place as an expat rather than a tourist. He makes the case that family travel, wellness, and joy aren't add-ons anymore. Today, they're foundational. And he explains how service, done right, becomes its own kind of story.This is a conversation about creating experiences that stay with you. About leadership that prioritizes feeling over formula. About the moments that linger long after you've gone home.Explore more episodes of the Pursuit of Feeling at our website, on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, Tom spoke to journalist and author Ash Bhardwaj; whose award-winning book, Why we Travel, takes an impassioned look at the psychology behind the journeys we take – going far beyond the "where" to examine the much more complicated question of "why".It’s a heartfelt conversation that covers identity, wonder, healing, and the many, variegated forms of “fun” – from experiences that we only enjoy in retrospect to those that throw us in a total flow state. You’ll also find Ash’s quickfire travel recommendations; probably not including the time he was detained by the KGB in Belarus.

For this week's episode, we were honored to sit down with Fern Mallis – the celebrated creator of New York Fashion Week who, through her own Fashion Icons conversation series, has bent the ear of the titans of fashion. So, turning the tables, we talked about the feelings that motivate her travels. Along the way, she shared her insights and experiences from a lifetime spent at the top of the industry, offering tips and recommendations on everything from her native New York to India – a country she's visited an astonishing 50 times.

As one half of Grammy-award winning house music duo Dirty Vegas, Paul Harris defined a moment in global dance culture; creating music that didn’t just make people move, but made them feel. In our latest episode, Paul opens up about the role that travel plays in his creative process, keeping the beat of spaces and places that have influenced his sound over the years – from Ibiza and Brazil to New York and London. It’s a journey through music, place, and the feelings that linger long after the last track fades.

In the latest episode of The Pursuit of Feeling, we sat down with renowned New York-based pop artist Ashley Longshore to dig deeper into her affinity with Iceland – a country that she ecstatically calls her “soul twin” – to mark a new Icelandic trip we've just co-curated together. Come for the landscapes; stay for the digressions on elves, trolls, birch liquor, and hotdogs. It’s a wild and inspiring ride.

For our latest episode, we're joined by Jacqui Gifford – the intimidatingly well-travelled editor-in-chief of Travel + Leisure. She has lived, worked, and written about so much of the world, and that spirit of worldliness was reflected in our conversation. We spoke about chimpanzees, childhood, cosmopolitanism, and comfort zones – and much, much more. In Jacqui’s words, travel can make us hyper-aware of our surroundings. And it is precisely this intensified feeling of awareness that is what makes travel so alive – and so seriously captivating. We hope you enjoy listening.  

If relaunching legendary magazine The Face wasn’t enough to place his finger on the pulse on fashion, style and design, then we might mention the creative visionary  Dan Flower’s work as the Creative Director of Soho House – or his involvement with an eye-boggling array of media and digital culture stalwarts over the years. If it’s been worth looking at, listening to, or reading, then you can be pretty sure that Dan has had a hand in it. Understandably, this work has taken Dan all around the world. In this episode, he talks Tobago, chats about his childhood in Philadelphia, deconstructs the history of Berlin’s DIY culture, and tackles travel’s complex relationship with the power of nostalgia – and a whole lot more.

When it comes to designing the perfect hotel, mood is everything. James Lohan should know; as the founder of boutique hotel bible Mr & Mrs Smith, he – alongside Tamara Lohan, his wife and business partner – helped us forget star ratings and thread counts and to embrace the idea that hotels are conveyors of emotion.In this episode, James shares his insights, tips, and expertise from a life spent thinking critically about the places where travelers sleep. You can also expect a spirited panegyric to Ibiza, as well his essential picks for hotels and destinations you don’t want to miss. In his words: “don’t just go to the obvious places; go deeper”. We couldn’t agree more.

As Travel Editor of the Financial Times – and an award-winning journalist to boot – Tom Robbins is no stranger to the wild ways of the world. If you can think of it, he's probably done it.In this episode, Tom takes us cod fishing in Greenland, trekking in the Alps, and wandering off the Himalayan tourist trail. It's all big, emotional stuff that leaves us thinking (as Tom puts it), "I can't believe they're letting me do this". Disbelief can be a powerful thing.This episode also features our first reference to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. We knew it wouldn't take long.

As founder of Salt Lick Creative and former editor in chief of Condé Nast Traveller, Melinda Stevens has an eye for beauty and detail that can only come from having seen a lot of the world. And we mean a lot.In our latest episode, Melinda walks us through her colorful and heartfelt world, stopping to smell the roses everywhere from Mumbai and Tripoli to the Alps and Raja Ampat. Expect comforts, creatures, ruins, and secrets – as well as her abiding obsession with collecting broken things.

Ryan Chetiyawardana – a.k.a. Mr Lyan – isn’t just the world’s greatest bartender and the mind behind some of the world's best bars; he’s also a devoted traveler who has spent years getting to grips with ingredients, trends, and tastes from around the world.For our first episode, Mr Lyan shares his insights and experience with co-founder Tom, touching on everything from plant kingdoms and comfort zones to the bar scenes of Athens, Melbourne and Edinburgh – as well as the emotional science behind our favorite flavors. Oh, and we learnt that animal stomach makes for a surprisingly delicious cocktail ingredient.Follow Mr Lyan on Instagram

Introducing a new podcast by Black Tomato. Episode 1 coming on 13 February 2025.