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Join Dr Lisa Cherry for Episode One in this 6-Part series on liminality. Lisa is in conversation with Professor Bjørn Thomassen, Professor in Global Political Sociology at Roskilde University, to unpack liminality. They explore the in‑between phase after an old identity collapses and before a new one takes hold and why that space is powerful, precarious and everywhere in modern life. Starting from rites of passage, we look at what happens when there’s no recognised guide to carry us through and how that vacuum can invite both care and manipulation.

Together, we map the difference between chosen and forced transitions, the craft of “ceremony masters” in today’s systems, belonging and home, showing how poorly designed services can trap people in extended liminal states.

Connect with Bjorn on LinkedIn here.

If this conversation gave you language for your work or your life, share it with a colleague, leave a review, and subscribe so you don't miss the next episodes in the Liminality series.

References mentioned:

Horvath, A., & Szakolczai, A. (2019). The political sociology and anthropology of evil: Tricksterology (1st ed.). Routledge.

Szakolczai, A., & Thomassen, B. (2019). From anthropology to social theory: Rethinking the social sciences. Cambridge University Press.

Thomassen, B. (2014). Liminality and the modern: Living through the in‑between. Routledge.

Turner, V. (1969). Liminality and communitas. In The ritual process: Structure and anti-structure (pp. 94–113). Aldine Publishing

Van Gennep, A. (1960). The rites of passage (M. B. Vizedom & G. L. Caffee, Trans.; S. T. Kimball, Intro.). The University of Chicago Press. (Original work published 1909)

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Thank you for listening! Please share and subscribe the practice wisdom in this episode and create social change, one connection at a time. If you're feeling it, then leave a comment too!

Learn more about Lisa here:
www.lisacherry.co.uk

Buy Books Here.

Connect on Linkedin, BlueSky and Instagram and Substack by searching for Dr Lisa Cherry

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In this 6-part series, we will be exploring liminality in multiple ways, merging this understanding of in-betweenness with belonging and considering its relevance in making sense of people's experiences in education, in health and in children's services.

Share far and wide, inviting people to subscribe to the podcast so that they don't miss out on the weekly episodes once they land!

Support the show

Thank you for listening! Please share and subscribe the practice wisdom in this episode and create social change, one connection at a time. If you're feeling it, then leave a comment too!

Learn more about Lisa here:
www.lisacherry.co.uk

Buy Books Here.

Connect on Linkedin, BlueSky and Instagram and Substack by searching for Dr Lisa Cherry

Send us a text

In this somewhat different episode for the podcast, Dr Lisa Cherry reads the Introduction of her upcoming book for you, which is out on 31st December 2025 and can be pre-ordered here. This book takes the reader on a journey around the country and across various different sectors to explore the aspect of Trauma Informed Practice that can be the most ignored and the most difficult to understand; collective care for those who are doing the work.

Support the show

Thank you for listening! Please share and subscribe the practice wisdom in this episode and create social change, one connection at a time. If you're feeling it, then leave a comment too!

Learn more about Lisa here:
www.lisacherry.co.uk

Buy Books Here.

Connect on Linkedin, BlueSky and Instagram and Substack by searching for Dr Lisa Cherry