About
The Existential Bonemill is about you!
Yes, you—assuming you’re also looking to make some meaning out of life’s delightful, absurd, occasionally maddening chaos. Here at The Existential Bonemill, we understand that life’s distractions can feel like a clamouring parade, tempting you away from the depth and direction you seek. We’re here to offer a little solidarity, a smattering of creativity, and a few bonkers reminders that you’re not alone in this grand, chaotic show.
We believe everyone is an artist, though perhaps some without the beret. There’s a creative spirit inside us all, a spark that thrives on play and dies a little when we bury it beneath adulting. So, we offer you space. Space for all the messy, imperfect moments—whether you’re after inspiration, solace, laughter, or even a place to make peace with grief.
With carefully chosen words, visuals, and sounds, The Existential Bonemill is here to help you stumble upon a bit of clarity, find yourself in the failures, and, yes, revel in the wonderfully messy moments.
Who lives at The Existential Bonemill?
We are Matthew Laura Aitken and Emily John Garcés (after we married in 2020 and swapped middle names!). Together we share a profound desire to help people and organisations by combining Matt's years in business communications and Emily's creative expertise.
Emily John Garcés
Emily is an artist, writer, and all-round creative enthusiast. She will put her hand to anything and has spent the past few years wielding power tools, renovating an old Derbyshire mill. She wrote the memoir, Hitchhiking with Drunken Nuns, about her time as a missionary in South America, and published a collection of poetry and artwork called, The Quiet Woman, despite being anything but. She co-hosts the international podcast, 50 Words for Snow.
Spending time with Emily leaves you feeling energised, aware of new possibilities in your life, inspired to take up new creative pursuits, and freshly aware of the previously invisible dynamics moving behind seemingly ordinary events.
Interests: psychology, creative play, sustainable living, education, the history and future of Christianity, the spoken word, podcasting, and connecting people.
Matthew Laura Aitken
Matt is an analyst, architect, inventor, designer, and communicator. He’s spent almost quarter of a century working in the software industry, occupying roles in product design, special projects, operations, governance, start-up, and business development. He's an insatiable problem-solver who brings a creative analytical approach (and mischievous twinkle) to everything. Above all, he is fascinated by how we human.
Spending time with Matt leaves you feeling listened to, aware of new details that suddenly seem alarmingly obvious, newly curious about yourself, and ready to set out on the next clearly defined leg of your journey.
Interests: being outside, the relationship between language & culture, making music, ontological philosophy, personality preferences & group dynamics, and pretty much anything thought-provoking.
What about you?
If we're your people, we'd love to hear from you. No need to be shy - let's connect.