35 episodes

Join Michelle Kelly, Editor of Cottage Life magazine, for a podcast that explores everything from real estate and cottage construction to the environment and pop culture. You’ll hear interviews with cottage experts, contributing writers, and celebrities, and you’ll hear some of our most-loved essays from the CL archives. 
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Cottage Life Podcast cottagelife

    • Leisure
    • 4.9 • 12 Ratings

Join Michelle Kelly, Editor of Cottage Life magazine, for a podcast that explores everything from real estate and cottage construction to the environment and pop culture. You’ll hear interviews with cottage experts, contributing writers, and celebrities, and you’ll hear some of our most-loved essays from the CL archives. 
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Summer romance with novelist Carley Fortune

    Summer romance with novelist Carley Fortune

    In the final episode of season 4, we ponder two of our favourite summer fantasies: reading and romance. Looking for a book recommendation for your last few weeks at the lake? Michelle sits down with Canadian author Carley Fortune to chat about her two best-selling romance novels that take place in cottage country. Then, to close out the show, we’ll listen to an old editor’s note written by Michelle about her favourite cottage love story of all time. 
    Special thanks to:
    Carley Fortune, best-selling author
    Articles referenced:
    “The Summer of Love” by Michelle Kelly (Cottage Life magazine, Early Summer 2018)
    Carley’s 2023 summer reading list:
    The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
    Sunshine Nails by Mai Nguyen
    Hello, Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
    Connect with Cottage Life:
    cottagelife.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/cottagelife/Instagram: @cottagelifePinterest: www.pinterest.ca/cottagelife/Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/CottageLifeMagazine/
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 28 min
    “Building a Legacy” with Mike and Sherry Holmes

    “Building a Legacy” with Mike and Sherry Holmes

    Anyone who has ever done-it-themselves knows the name Holmes. Canadian building legend Mike Holmes, along with his daughter, Sherry, and son, Michael, star in “Holmes on Holmes: Building a Legacy,” a new television series premiering next spring on the Cottage Life channel. Mike and Sherry chat with Michelle about the show and share their best tips when it comes to cottage construction. And what’s a hard day of work without a delicious meal to cap it off? David Zimmer’s essay about outdoor cookery answers the question: are we grilling or barbecuing tonight?
    Special thanks to:
    Mike Holmes, Canadian builder and television personality
    Sherry Holmes, contractor and television personality
    To watch Mike Holmes’ extensive back catalogue, check out HomefulTV.com.
    Articles referenced:
    “A Fiery Debate” by David Zimmer (Cottage Life magazine, Summer 2016)
    Connect with Cottage Life:
    cottagelife.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/cottagelife/Instagram: @cottagelifePinterest: www.pinterest.ca/cottagelife/Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/CottageLifeMagazine/
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 30 min
    Behind the scenes of the cottage-country comedy series, The Lake

    Behind the scenes of the cottage-country comedy series, The Lake

    “The Lake,” a television series set in cottage country, just completed its second season on Amazon Prime. Creator and writer, Julian Doucet, gives us a sneak peek into the series, shot on location in and around North Bay, Ont., and shares his own experience as a cottager. Then, we turn to a term all cottagers know well: kitsch. We’ll hear an essay by Charles Wilkins that will make you cherish all of your tchotchkes. 
    Special thanks to:
    Julian Doucet, creator and writer of “The Lake”
    Articles referenced:
    “Exploring the Golden Age of Kitsch” by Charles Wilkins (Cottage Life magazine, March 1991)
    Sources:
    The Lake, on Amazon Prime
    Connect with Cottage Life:
    cottagelife.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/cottagelife/Instagram: @cottagelifePinterest: www.pinterest.ca/cottagelife/Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/CottageLifeMagazine/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 38 min
    Why you should grow native plants in your cottage garden

    Why you should grow native plants in your cottage garden

    Grab your trowel—it’s time to dig into the world of plants. Gardening expert Lorraine Johnson joins Michelle to share the benefits of native plants, which not only look great but have best adapted to the tricky growing conditions of cottage country. Then we’ll listen to an essay about one of the most delicious native plants: blueberries.
    Special thanks to:
    Lorraine Johnson, cultivation activist
    Articles referenced:
    “Summertime Blues” by Charles Wilkins (Cottage Life magazine, July/August 1994)
    “The Natural Garden” by Lorraine Johnson, a four-part series:
    “Native Intelligence” by Lorraine Johnson (Cottage Life magazine, April/May 2003)
    “Ground Rules” by Lorraine Johnson (Cottage Life magazine, June 2003)
    “The Wild Bunch” by Lorraine Johnson (Cottage Life magazine, August 2003)
    “Going to Seed” by Lorraine Johnson (Cottage Life magazine, October 2003)
    Sources:
    For more information on Lorraine Johnson, visit her website. To learn more about the importance of native plants, visit networkofnature.org. 
    Connect with Cottage Life:
    cottagelife.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/cottagelife/Twitter: @cottagelifeInstagram: @cottagelifePinterest: www.pinterest.ca/cottagelife/Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/CottageLifeMagazine/
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 46 min
    Chatting music and mental health with Serena Ryder

    Chatting music and mental health with Serena Ryder

    You may know indie rock star Serena Ryder for her chart-topping hits, but did you know she’s also a cottager and mental health advocate? Michelle sits down with the singer to talk about her latest album, which chronicles her journey, as well as her piece of paradise that gives her solace. Former editor Penny Caldwell knows all too well about the serenity you can find at the lake. We’ll listen to her essay about how cottaging, if done right, can offer the ultimate state of relaxation.
    Special thanks to:
    Serena Ryder, singer and musician
    Articles referenced:
    “On the ever-present lure of the lake” by Penny Caldwell (Cottage Life magazine, Early Summer 2017)
    Sources:
    Listen to Serena Ryder’s mental wellness keynote speech, which inspired her latest album, The Art of Falling Apart.
    Connect with Cottage Life:
    cottagelife.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/cottagelife/Twitter: @cottagelifeInstagram: @cottagelifePinterest: www.pinterest.ca/cottagelife/Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/CottageLifeMagazine/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 26 min
    Tick talk

    Tick talk

    Lyme disease is on the rise—but ticks shouldn’t stop us from enjoying the wilderness. Epidemiologist Dr. Katie Clow specializes in blacklegged ticks and Lyme disease and answers our FAQs, including how long it takes a tick to start transmitting Lyme to how we can measure and mitigate our risk of dealing with ticks while at the cottage. Another bothersome cottage-country creature is the beaver. Writer Andrea Curtis shows how to embrace Canada’s largest rodent.
    Special thanks to:
    Dr. Katie Clow, epidemiologist, professor at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph
    Articles referenced:
    “It’s About Dam Time” by Andrea Curtis (Cottage Life magazine, Summer 2023)
    Sources:
    For more information about Lyme disease risk areas, check out this interactive map. To submit a photo for identification and population monitoring, visit etick.ca.
    Connect with Cottage Life:
    cottagelife.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/cottagelife/Twitter: @cottagelifeInstagram: @cottagelifePinterest: www.pinterest.ca/cottagelife/Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/CottageLifeMagazine/ 
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 47 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
12 Ratings

12 Ratings

pollochos ,

Gary P

Fantastic podcast! Love it!

srumrill ,

Really interesting podcast… Will there be a Season 2

I’ve just recently discovered this podcast and have enjoyed all of the episodes. Unfortunately, the last episode recorded was on August 13, 2020. Will there be any more??? I’m interesting in learning more!

Trevor_z ,

Tranquility AND Drama

This is a sleeper hit! We start off with loon sounds, then learn about the dagger sharp underwater spearing, and then a story of survival and good humor with the toughest woman alive.

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