Small Ways To Live Well from The Simple Things

The Simple Things

Small Ways to Live Well is a podcast from The Simple Things, a monthly magazine about slowing down, remembering what’s important and making the most of where you live.  Hosted by the Editor, Lisa Sykes, in this season, May days & summer afternoons, she’ll be sampling honesty boxes, seeking our magical creatures, taking sensory walks and generally revelling in the promise of summer, alongside co-hosts wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank and regular contributor and slow traveller Jo Tinsley.  To subscribe or order a copy of The Simple Things visit thesimplethings.com  A definite contender for ‘favourite time of the year’ these light-filled days of late spring and early summer are easy to love. The novelty of sustained sunshine and warmer days gladden the hearts. The countryside is at its best and cities start to go all Mediterranean, living life outside. Even the most humdrum garden looks pretty in May.  And we’re as busy as the birds feeding chicks and bees gathering nectar – planting flowers, tending our veg patch and exploring our neighbourhood. It’s the end of the hungry gap with the first harvests so we enjoy eating outdoors and go on our first picnic of the year.  We’re learning more about folklore and festivals, listening to birdsong and making the most of long weekends. Join us to dabble in something new and take a spontaneous day trip. Our motto for the season: ‘Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time’.    There are six episodes in Season 9, released weekly from May Day and supported by Titanic Belfast 

  1. 23h ago

    Dusk - Episode 3 - HUG

    Join Editor of The Simple Things Lisa Sykes and wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank as they discuss food that feels like a hug on a plate, why hugging is good for us (and the best types of hug), how to cope with difficult times and the joy of the arts. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Thanks to Austria Tourism for supporting this season. Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett In the October RELISH issue (172) available to buy here A Good Life – comforting recipes for early autumn including butternut squash and blue cheese risotto, chicken noodle soup and fig leaf custard Food to share – Corned beef hash in a giant Yorkshire pudding Cake in the house – beetroot battenburg Beryl Cook – joyful art to make you smile 100 years after her birth. Extract from the new book Beryl Cook: Life and Art (Frances Lincoln).  Beryl Cook & Friends installation at Bicester Village runs until 25 October. Find out more here Art cure - why the arts are so important for our wellbeing. Feature by Daisy Fancourt, author of Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Transform our Health (Cornerstone) Wisdom: Caitlin Moran talks about finding positivity in an anxious world. Her new book How to be Hopeful (Ebury) is out now.    Coming up in the November HEARTY issue (173) On sale 23 October Know a thing or two about dogs: the fascinating evolution from wolf to man’s best friend, dog language and what we can learn from our pets   From previous issues available to buy here Coping with big change (September, Issue 171) What to do when you can’t do anything (July, Issue 169)   On the blog Smokey Boston beans and armadillo potatoes Rainbow minestrone with basil mayo topping    Thanks again to Austria Tourism for supporting this season and to Rudolf Abraham, travel writer, guidebook author and photographer for sharing his highlights of the Austrian autumn including: Salzkammergut region – one of his favourite places. He is author of a guidebook to the area  Dachstein mountains –  Echerntal, a valley near Hallstatt which leads up onto the plateau Hohe Tauern mountains & national park Grossglockner (highest mountain in Austria) – Alpe Adria Trail starts at the foot of the Grossglockner. To find out more about year-round outdoor adventures in Austria go to Austria.info.

  2. Sep 20

    Dusk - Episode 1 - MELLOW

    Join Editor of The Simple Things Lisa Sykes and wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank and as they enjoy a MELLOW transition from summer to autumn, making the most of the things you can only do before the season turns and appreciating small pleasures If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Thanks to Austria Tourism for supporting Season 11. To find out more about year-round outdoor adventures in Austria go to Austria.info Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett In the September GOLDEN issue (171) available to buy here The high notes – take notice of and noting down daily delights The Big Idea: The Small Stuff: The Sensory Enchantment of Everyday Life by Ian Bogost (Allen Lane) explained by Becs Frank My Place – A Golden Glow - garden lighting Almanac - Make a shadow puppet theatre for a whimsical storytelling evening   In the October RELISH issue (on sale from 25 September)  Analogue: A new series exploring slower life stories Twilight: a sky full of surprises. An extract from The Secret World of Twilight by Sally Coulthard (Head of Zeus)   On the blog Films to watch outdoors   Great places to visit  Higher Farm swim lake and sauna  Knepp rewilding reserve    From previous issues available to buy here Outdoor cinema and a Greek feast – August 2026 (Issue 170) Going with a guide – September 2019 (Issue 87) Remains of the day – evening rituals to calmly end the day. (Flourish wellbeing bookazine, edition 4)

  3. Jun 7

    May Days - Episode 6 - DABBLE

    Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes, Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frankand Author of The Slow Traveller and regular contributor Jo Tinsley for the 60th episode of ‘Small Ways to Live Well’, delving into all the many ways we can dabble our way through the summer.  If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. We can send subscriptions anywhere in the world. Or buy current and back issues here Thanks to our partner for Season 10, Titanic Belfast. You can find out more at titanicbelfast.com or follow them on instagram @titanicbelfast to hear some of their stories and discover how to visit for yourself. Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett.  In the June issue (168)  Citizen science projects to join in with Know a thing or two about… salt Tiny home Coming up…    In July AMBLE issue on sale from 26 June Letterboxing Blank canvas interviews with people who create from scratch In August MAGICAL issue, on sale from 24 July Puzzle special and interviews with puzzle makers Magical creatures of the sea   In previous issues, available at picsandink.com Treasure hunts (Anthology Volume 4) Sneak peeks – Step behind the scenes of museums and stately homes, factories and train stations (issue 119) Open farms (issue 166) Metal detectorists (issue 166) Buy a back issue of Ernest journal    On the blog How to hunt for buried treasure   To do Celebrate World Ocean Day Ride the Mail Rail Open Farm Sunday National Garden Scheme

  4. May 31

    May Days - Episode 5 - SUNSHINE

    Join The Simple Things’ wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank and author of The Slow Traveller Jo Tinsley as they talk summer ball games and park yoga, music and memories and making the most of sunny days in the garden.  If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Thanks to our sponsor Titanic Belfast. Find out more and how to visit at titanicbelfast.com and on Instagram @titanicbelfast Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett In the May issue (167)  Balls identifier. Illustrations by Sarah Edmonds www.sarahedmondsshop.com   In the June issue (168)  Park yoga picnic - enjoy a sunshine stretch followed by a tasty lunch and catch up with friends Why weight? The physical and mental benefits of getting stronger  My place: outdoor kitchens to swoon over In the July issue (169) available to buy from 26 June here Music and memories – how songs have the power to transport us to our most life changing moments.  Read – Transported: The Everyday Magic of Musical Daydreams by Elizabeth Margulis (Oneworld) Listen – The Simple Things publish an original playlist every issue. Find them here My Living –  Jo talks to Lois Povey of community pub Tafarn Yr Heliwr, Nefyn.    On the blog Grown up lollies Cucumber mint and lemonade lollies recipe Berry coconut lollies recipe  Watermelon slices on a lolly stick recipe   From previous issues available to buy here Looking back –  women in sport (Issue 88) The history of the pub beer garden (Issue 131) How to harness the sun in your garden (144) Picking petals and leaves for cooking (120)

  5. May 17

    May Days - Episode 3 - TONIC

    Join editor of The Simple Things magazine Lisa Sykes and wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank as they appreciate summer foods and sensory walks, explore the medicinal benefits of garden herbs and rediscover the pleasure of handwriting a letter. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Thanks to our sponsor Titanic Belfast. Find out more and how to visit at titanicbelfast.com and on Instagram @titanicbelfast  Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett In the May issue (167) available to buy here Berry Shrub and other recipes from Michelle Tansley’s cottage garden in our new series, A Good Life Switching on the senses – discover the moodboosting benefits of sensory walks Bloom scrolling – self edit your feeds for a more fulfilling online experience   In the June issue (168) available to buy from 29 May here  Weekend project – make your own herbal bug spray and natural after sun balm Cake in the house - Elderflower and strawberry tart Read our favourite entries from our midsummer microfiction competition.  Find out more about National Flash Fiction Day on 13 June nationalflashfictionday.co.uk   On the blog Spring beans on toast – broad beans and ricotta with elderflower dressing recipe Pea cheesecake recipe Rhubarb and sweet cicely shrub with Aperol recipe  Natural first aid for bee, wasp and jelly fish stings taken from The Natural First Aid Handbook by Brigitte Mars (Storey Publishing) Elderflower toner  Chickweed Ice cube aftersun  Letters that changed the world    To read The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (Penguin Books)   From previous issues available to buy here The joy of writing a letter April (167)

  6. May 10

    May Days - Episode 2 - TEND

    Join editor of The Simple Things magazine Lisa Sykes and regular contributor and author of The Slow Traveller Jo Tinsley as they explore ways of tending to your patch and your flock, whether that’s pottering in the garden, looking after your local bees or exploring your local neighbourhood.  If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Thanks to our sponsor Titanic Belfast. Find out more and how to visit at titanicbelfast.com and on Instagram @titanicbelfast Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett In the May issue (167) available to buy here A good life: On the edge of the Derbyshire Dales, Michelle Tansley grows food and flowers in her cottage garden.  Pottering about: Clever ways to give old plant pots new purpose in the garden  My Neighbourhood Frome  Leave it and reap: Plant once and harvest for years: perennial vegetables are an easy addition to a plot  Churchyard rewilding   Coming up in the June issue – on sale from 29 May or try an immediate start subscription to get it earlier Simple ideas, using recycled materials, to help your garden grow and bloom. Taken from Way to Grow: Over 100 hacks for green-fingered greatness by Simon Akeroyd (DK)   From back issues available to buy here Know a thing or two: bees (Flourish Volume 3) DIY beeswax wraps (issue 96) Gathering: For a Sunday lunch with a difference ask friends to BYOT – bring your own trowel – and share the joy of planting and potting for the new season (issue 141)   On the blog Garden hacks | Turn a shoe-hanger into a tool rack   Garden hacks | Reuse cooking water on your plants   Garden hacks | Make a colander hanging basket   Garden hacks | DIY seed tapes   Beeswax wraps Stress-busting Massage Balm

4.7
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

Small Ways to Live Well is a podcast from The Simple Things, a monthly magazine about slowing down, remembering what’s important and making the most of where you live.  Hosted by the Editor, Lisa Sykes, in this season, May days & summer afternoons, she’ll be sampling honesty boxes, seeking our magical creatures, taking sensory walks and generally revelling in the promise of summer, alongside co-hosts wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank and regular contributor and slow traveller Jo Tinsley.  To subscribe or order a copy of The Simple Things visit thesimplethings.com  A definite contender for ‘favourite time of the year’ these light-filled days of late spring and early summer are easy to love. The novelty of sustained sunshine and warmer days gladden the hearts. The countryside is at its best and cities start to go all Mediterranean, living life outside. Even the most humdrum garden looks pretty in May.  And we’re as busy as the birds feeding chicks and bees gathering nectar – planting flowers, tending our veg patch and exploring our neighbourhood. It’s the end of the hungry gap with the first harvests so we enjoy eating outdoors and go on our first picnic of the year.  We’re learning more about folklore and festivals, listening to birdsong and making the most of long weekends. Join us to dabble in something new and take a spontaneous day trip. Our motto for the season: ‘Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time’.    There are six episodes in Season 9, released weekly from May Day and supported by Titanic Belfast 

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