A View From A Bridge: Diving Deeper Into Human Stories

 That line of demarcation between social media and podcasting continues to blur, with recent brand expansion from social media into podcasting. It's a natural extension.


Here's the latest example. With over 150 million views and 570,000 followers on Instagram alone, A View From A Bridge is one of the most watched storytelling platforms. Now, for the first time, audiences can hear the extended cut behind each interviewee’s story in the brand-new A View From A Bridge podcast, launching on 15th October 2025.

Originally a short video format, A View From A Bridge features interviewees – ranging from everyday passersby to renowned musicians, actors, activists and artists – standing on a bridge holding the series’ iconic red telephone. Each clip, just a few minutes long, offers a poetic glimpse into the person’s life, story or opinion - something only they share with the world - presented as a stream of consciousness. What most viewers don’t know is that these viral shorts are drawn from much longer and deeply personal conversations with producer and artist Joe Bloom. The new podcast releases extended cuts in carefully curated thematic episodes, offering listeners the chance to experience the stories in much more depth.

A defining feature of A View From A Bridge podcast is the way it brings together different voices from bridges across the world. From ordinary people Bloom and his crew scouted on the street to celebrities and artists in the public eye, across the globe people are willing to share their “views” on the world. The result is a beautiful, thought-provoking mosaic of thematically curated episodes, featuring stories based around whatever the week’s theme is.

Joe Bloom is a London-born artist and filmmaker whose practice spans painting, film, and storytelling. A graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, where he studied Painting, Bloom has exhibited work internationally while simultaneously building a body of film projects, including a well-received short documentary for BBC3.

Bloom’s current projects include several new documentaries, as well as A View From A Bridge podcast. At the heart of his practice is the belief that stories should not dictate how audiences think or feel, but instead provide the space and ingredients for reflection, empathy, and understanding. Whether on canvas, screen, or through sound, Bloom’s work is dedicated to creating experiences that encourage openness and deeper connection.

Although Bloom is narrating the episodes, he is never heard on the other side of the phone as part of the actual interview. Nevertheless, the monologues embrace the rhythm and vulnerability of the real conversation. Listeners can expect thoughtful pauses, hesitations, laughter and moments of deep reflection underscored by original music. Offering a glimpse into a private exchange, Bloom hopes to reach “people curious about the life of others” and sees A View From A Bridge as an archive of contemporary life. 

In an interview, he says: “I want the show to make people laugh, and I want the show to make people cry. Ultimately, I want A View From A Bridge podcast to be a vessel which helps people engage with humanity”.

A notable episode called “To Be Or Not To Be… A Parent” features four stories exploring the complexities of impending parenthood. From investing in IVF, to choosing vasectomy and deciding never to have children again - or at all -, the episode presents deeply personal insights from singer Rebecca Lucy Taylor (better known as Self Esteem), documentary filmmaker Jonathan, musician Alex Kapranos of rock-band Franz Ferdinand, and Alexandra, whose near-death childbirth experience left her with post-traumatic stress.

Standing on Waterloo Bridge in London, Alexandra bravely recounts the horrific day her son was born in a series of life-threatening complications. She describes feeling ignored by staff, physically violated by the process, and afterward forced to present happiness while struggling with shame, panic around pregnancy, and the decision never to have more children. Alexandra now speaks out to break the silence around birth trauma, saying that women shouldn’t suffer in silence: “Nobody talks about birth trauma when 30,000 women in the UK are having traumatic births in the UK every year. I felt like I failed, but I also felt really let down by a system I trusted.”

Other episodes in the series include:

Leaving Home - a selection of stories of people leaving home for safety, identity, or self-discovery incl. Syrian activist and filmmaker Waad Al-Kateab.

Something Changed - featuring Jason Williamson (Sleaford Mods) and Perfume Genius on moments when life shifts irreversibly and circumstances beyond control force us to rebuild.

I’m Alive! - reflections on experiences that awaken our most primal instincts and remind us of the fragility and beauty of life, featuring singer and poet Kae Tempest.

Bloom is committed to audio-first content, resisting the industry’s shift towards video podcasts. He says, “traditional storytelling is at the heart of this project” citing This American Life as an inspiration for the show. We applaud Mr. Bloom's commitment to audio!

A View From A Bridge is produced by Joe Bloom. Episodes 1 to 3 are available on all major platforms on 15th October 2025.

Check out A View From A Bridge. Known to millions on Instagram for its one-to-three-minute films with the project’s iconic red telephone, the podcast dives deeper into human stories. From famous musicians to strangers passing by, every guest offers their view on life, love, loss, and everything in between.