Inside ‘Where Children Sleep’: Childhood, Culture & Inequality –EP 26 w/ James Mollison

James Mollison is a British-born photographer based in Venice whose work has taken him around the globe documenting how children live and sleep. While his broader portfolio explores social and cultural themes, in this podcast we focus on his photo-essay project Where Children Sleep, where he pairs portraits of children with images of the rooms—or places—they sleep.

In this episode, Ryan speaks with James Mollison, whose acclaimed project Where Children Sleep explores childhood through the lens of the bedroom—and what it reveals about culture, inequality and identity. We discuss what inspired him to start this work, how children’s sleep-environments vary dramatically around the world, and what lessons his images hold for understanding the connections between material conditions, sleep and emotional health. Whether you’re interested in children’s mental-health, global cultures or photography as a tool for change, this episode offers a unique vantage on how a simple space—the place a child sleeps—can reflect far more than meets the eye.