Tim Ross: the Australian comedian on the life-changing effect of modest, modernist buildings – and tinted moisturiser
About this episode
A while back, Tim came to London to perform at the Isokon building in Belsize Park, and I managed to catch up with him to record this podcast. As a small boy in the Seventies, Tim quietly absorbed the lessons of modernist architecture. He remembers accompanying his parents to a dinner party at a modern house, where the sound of laughter reverberated around the circular lounge; his career seems to have been about trying to recapture that heady moment. In 2003, he bought his own modernist house in Sydney, a move which, he says, ‘changed my life for the better’. His fascination with architecture and design had previously been a solitary pursuit, but the house provided a way to meet like-minded people and a launchpad for his TV career. Tim is really great company, and we talk about all sorts of things. He explains how he’s an outlier in his family, and what it felt like to perform on stage for the first time. He tells me about the day the Beastie Boys came to visit and wouldn’t leave, why he’d rather learn to be a builder than go through the stress of another renovation project, and why he swears by the uplifting effects of tinted moisturiser. This episode was recorded in person in Brick Lane, London. For more: Visit The Modern House website to see images of the spaces discussed in this episode Discover more about Tim Ross and his live shows See more of his Sydney home Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram Follow The Modern House Instagram Watch our Homing In films on YouTube Producer: Hannah Phillips Editing: Oscar Crawford Graphic Design: Tom Young and Ben Tucker Music: Father Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Listen to this episode in English to learn English
Podcast episodes are one of the highest-density ways to absorb English at native pace. Tim Ross: the Australian comedian on the life-changing effect of modest, modernist buildings – and tinted moisturiser from Homing gives you natural dialogue, unscripted speech, and vocabulary that actually appears in real conversations.
In the Hinto app, every word in the transcript is tappable. Tap an unknown word, see the translation in your language instantly, and keep listening without breaking flow.
Episodes to Learn English
- Is Your Home Keeping You Awake? Professor Russell Foster Rethinks the Rules of Sleep Sep 10, 2026
- Charlene Prempeh: Why More Space Isn’t the Key to a Happier Home Sep 3, 2026
- Lemn Sissay: What Happens When Home Rejects You? Aug 20, 2026
- Anna Jones: Why Home Is an Act of Care Aug 13, 2026
- Martha Beck: What Happens When Home Isn’t Safe? Aug 6, 2026
- Jinny Blom: Why We All Need Somewhere to Hide Jul 30, 2026
- Poet Jackie Kay on Adoption, Identity and the Long Search for Belonging Jul 23, 2026
- Phin Harper: How a Breakup Helped Me Find Home Jul 16, 2026
- Why Comfort Isn't Always Good for Us | With Architect Stefan Behling Jul 9, 2026
- Architect Sophie Hicks on being an 80s cover girl, and why every object should have a purpose Jul 2, 2026
- Johann Hari: How to Find Connection in a Lonely World Jun 25, 2026
- Chef Margot Henderson on Home, Food & Caring for Fergus Jun 18, 2026
- Can a Home Help You Heal? – With Psychotherapist Julia Samuel MBE Jun 11, 2026
- Patrick Williams on Grief, Restoration and the House That Shaped His Life Jun 4, 2026
- Can Your Home Make You Healthier? – With Dr. Esther Sternberg May 28, 2026
- David Shrigley on Anxiety, Absurdity & Ageing Disgracefully May 21, 2026
- Can a Prison Ever Feel Like Home? – with Professor Yvonne Jewkes May 14, 2026
- Sue Stuart-Smith on Nature, Childhood & The Garden as Medicine May 7, 2026
- Why Doesn’t Where You Live Feel Like Home? — with Urban Designer David Engwicht Apr 30, 2026
- Sue Webster on Punk, The Mole House & The Art of Non-Conformity Apr 23, 2026
- Do We Really Need More Stuff? — with Japanese Architect Takero Shimazaki Apr 16, 2026
- Henry Holland on Reinvention, Resilience & Home in Two Halves Apr 9, 2026
- How to Detoxify Your Home with Dr. Jenny Goodman Mar 26, 2026
- Maria Balshaw on Creative Rebellion, Life After the Tate & The House as a Container Mar 19, 2026
- Alain de Botton: Is Your Home Making You Happy? Mar 12, 2026
- Tom Stuart-Smith on Landscapes, Legacy & The Uplifting Power of Nature Mar 5, 2026
- Anxiety in the Body: Creating a Sanctuary at Home with Dr Alexandra Shaker Feb 26, 2026
- Elizabeth Day on Perfectionism, Positive Affirmations & Rebuilding Home After Loss Feb 19, 2026
- Wintering at Home: The Power of Rest & Ritual, with Katherine May Feb 12, 2026
- Natasha Landers on Curating Black Art, East London & The Home as a Living Exhibition Feb 5, 2026