On 7 October, I met with Sveriges Radio P4 Väst in Brodalen to discuss our study on climbing as a serious leisure activity and its connection to rural development. The interview was recorded on location, and a shorter version was later published online.
The recording expands on our recent article in the World Leisure Journal, which examines how climbing contributes to Brodalen’s evolving identity as both a village and a destination. Through long-term engagement, outdoor activities like climbing support place attachment, social bonds, and local initiatives, which we describe in the study as forms of narrative and symbolic value.
I was joined on air by Liz Lamora, who moved to Brodalen from the United States; Michael Buder, originally from Austria; and Patrik “Padde” Svensson, who recently relocated his outdoor shop Fjällsport from Gothenburg to the village. Each of them shared reflections on living, climbing, and building community in Brodalen, contributing perspectives that help ground the research in everyday experience.
You can listen to the shorter version here:
“Liz moved from the US to Brodalen – to climb” (1:33 min)
The full broadcast from October 7 (segment begins at approx. 1:06:10) is available here:
Listen to the full program
P.S. If you’re passing through Brodalen, I can recommend visiting Fjällsport, located next to the bouldering hall near Bro Coworking in the heart of the village, by the crags.
