The Calm Christmas Podcast with Beth Kempton (Calm Christmas by Beth Kempton)

Christmas is coming. Can you feel it in the air? I can, and I love that feeling. And it’s why I am here with you again, for a special edition of the Calm Christmas Podcast.  Rather than a whole series this year, to honour my own need for proper rest this winter I have created you a bumper special episode, to help you settle in to a cosy winter. This one is longer than usual at almost an hour, so get yourself a hot cuppa, or pull on your boots and head out for a lovely long walk as you listen. This episode includes the most important question to ask yourself right now, a host of journaling prompts, our nature corner, recipes, wellbeing ideas and tips for getting ahead for Christmas.

With inspiration from Nigel Slater, John D Burns, Edward Step, Melissa Harrison, Clare Foster, Andrew Montgomery, Lia Leendertz, Jody Vassallo, Mark Diacono, Keratin Niehoff, Laura Fleiter, James Martin, Paul Hollywood and BBC Good Food.

I hope this podcast will help you locate Christmas as an anchor in the stormy seas of winter in this world right now.

GIVEAWAY: To be in with the chance of winning a copy of Spice by Mark Diacono and a personalised, signed copy of Calm Christmas by Beth Kempton, enter on Instagram @bethkempton (deadline midnight UK time on Friday December 2)

 Take good care,
 Beth 

Featured in this episode:

- Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton (Piatkus) 

- The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater (4th Estate) 

- Wild Winter by John D Burns (Vertebrate Publishing) 

-  Edward Step in Nature Rambles: An Introduction to Country-lore, 1930, in Winter: An anthology for the changing seasons edited by Melissa Harrison (Elliott & Thompson)

- Winter Gardens by Clare Foster and Andrew Montgomery (Montgomery Press) 

- The Almanac 2022 by Lia Leendertz (Gaia) 

- The Yogic Kitchen by Jody Vassalo (HQ) 

- Spice: A cook’s companion by Mark Diacono (Quadrille) 

-  Advent by Kerstin Niehoff and Laura Fleiter (Murdoch) 

- The Fearless Writer Podcast 

- James Martin’s homemade mincemeat recipe / Paul Hollywood’s mince pie recipe 

Ingredients for recipes shared are available here. Transcript available here.

Friends, it's nearly time! The Calm Christmas Podcast is back for a new season. Our theme for this year is 'Seeking slow this winter'. The new season will begin on November 8, and then new episodes will drop every weekend until the new year. Over the past few years Christmas has become, for many, overcommercialised, and a time of stress and exhaustion. The Calm Christmas Podcast is about turning away from that kind of holiday season, and instead finding joy and spreading cheer without sacrificing our wellbeing.

My name is Beth Kempton – author, mama, Christmas lover and host of this, The Calm Christmas Podcast, which I send out weekly in November and December, from my kitchen table in a small thatched cottage in Devon, in the South West of England. 

This season is all about slowing down, and I hope it’s just what you need this year.
This has been the hardest year of my life. It has also, in many ways, been one of the most precious. It is on the back of those shadows and that light that I bring you Season 3 of The Calm Christmas Podcast, and I hope it will be a lantern leading you through the darkness of late autumn and winter, into a fresh new year. 

Each week I offer ideas for inviting in the kind of Christmas you want and need this year, inspiration for getting outdoors and noticing what is happening in nature, holiday traditions from around the world including many shared by you lovely listeners, crafting ideas, journaling prompts, rituals, moonwatching, stargazing, recipes, book recommendations, ideas for making your home festive and cosy, mindful gifts that won’t cost you a fortune, and perhaps most importantly, a moment of quiet in the rush of the season, to breathe, and plan how to make the most of this time with those you love, to honour those you miss, and treasure what matters to you most.

I hope you will make space for The Calm Christmas Podcast this year. Subscribe now, mark your calendar for November 8 and join me back here for Episode 1: Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, which is all about seeking slow this season.

And please, tell your friends. Let’s make this Christmas – and this whole time of year – different and special, or whatever you want and need it to be.

 *********************************************
The Calm Christmas Podcast has been recommended by Vanity Fair,  Ideal Home Magazine, The Times, Radio Times, The Handbook, Great British Podcasts and more. I hope you love it!
Beth Xx (@bethkempton on Instagram)

Come on in out of the wind, my friend. I am so glad you found this old cottage, hidden away as it is in a small village in the South West of England. Come on through to the kitchen, pull up a chair. There are gingerbread stars fresh out of the oven and steaming tea in the pot. How have you been, my friend? I am so glad you are here and I’ve got so much to share with you.

What a joy it is to welcome you to a third season of The Calm Christmas Podcast, timed just as autumn turns to leave and in its shadow offers us a glimpse of winter. Here on the podcast we trace the turning of the seasons in nature and in our minds and hearts, we seek out ways to be more mindful about the approaching holidays, and I offer inspiration and tips for using this time to rest and restore after another full year. This third season is all about seeking slow.

This episode includes:

·      The importance of slowing down for making the most of the holidays and for taking care of ourselves

·      Tips for slowing down

·      Allotment chit chat and our regular nature corner

·      Christmas traditions from around the world (including several shared by listeners!)

·      An autumnal crafting project

·      Two lovely autumnal recipes

·      Get ahead tips and more!

Lovely things for you:

·      GIVEAWAY - To be in with the chance of winning a copy of Rosie Steer’s gorgeous new book Slow Seasons and a personalised, signed copy of Calm Christmas by me, Beth Kempton, enter on Instagram @bethkempton (deadline 4pm UK time on Sunday 12 November)

·      CALM CHRISTMAS PLANNER – Download yours for free here (if link is broken go to dowhatyouloveforlife.com)

I hope this podcast will help you locate Christmas as an anchor in the stormy seas of winter in this world right now.

For more details of my book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year go to bethkempton.com/christmas or buy a copy from Amazon or any good bookshop. Or why not get the audiobook and listen to one chapter a week up to and through the holiday season?

Take good care,
Beth
(@bethkempton on Instagram / bethkempton.substack.com / dowhatyouloveforlife.com)

Featured in this episode:

·      Reading from Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A little book of festive joy by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)p.15 / US edition here (Scribner)  

·      Research about the health benefits of bananas here

Ingredients for recipes shared can be found here.

The modern world calls us on us to be visible, to be sociable, to be ‘out there’ and tell everyone about it, not to mention to fill our days rushing from one thing to the next to keep up with everything society makes us feel we should be doing, nevermind the pressure from advertisers to create the perfect Christmas, and the knowledge that we are soon to be bombarded by visions of other people’s perfect Christmases online in the coming months, and it is a lot. 

This year I want to entertain the idea of giving ourselves permission to be less visible if we want to, less sociable if we want to, more ‘in here’ than ‘out there’ when that feels good, and to slow right down, and to do less, in a way which feels like more, without feeling guilty about it.

That’s why, before we dive into all the chaos of the festive season, and all the joyful themes coming up on the podcast, like gift giving, festive feasting, gathering and more, I wanted to take the time to do a whole episode on nourishing ourselves – mind, body and soul. 

This includes asking for, and receiving, what we need at this time of year, even if that isn’t what society wants us to want, because it does not fit the commercial agenda, or the plans of our loudest friends, or anyone’s expectations.

Welcome to The Calm Christmas Podcast. I am Beth Kempton and this is Episode 2: Candlelight Carol, which is all about radical winter wellbeing.

This episode includes:

·      Why retreating is a good idea 

·      Practical ways to nourish yourself in winter

·      Our regular nature corner

·      Christmas traditions from around the world (including several shared by listeners!)

·      A lovely simple crafting project that might even become a Christmas gift for someone

·      Two lovely recipes (hello nourishment!)

·      Get ahead tips and more!

With inspiration from @brie.doyle, @tracee_stanley, @davidjwhyte, @silverpebble2 (Emma Mitchell), @bonniesmithwhitehouse, @deliciouslyella, @ellamills__, @nancyhachisu, Fiona Danks, Jo Schofield, Elizabeth Jenner, and Emily Thomas. 

Lovely things for you:

·      GIVEAWAY - ! This week I am giving away a very special gift for YOU AND A FRIEND! It includes some beautiful solid skincare from my friends at SBTRCT along with a personalized, signed copy of my book Calm Christmas for EACH of you. Hop over to Instagram @bethkempton to enter. If you are listening to this after the giveaway deadline, don’t worry. I am going to be doing various lovely giveaways each week up to Christmas so there will be something waiting there for you!

·      CALM CHRISTMAS PLANNER – Download yours for free here (if link is broken go to dowhatyouloveforlife.com)

I hope this podcast will help you locate Christmas as an anchor in the stormy seas of winter in this world right now.

Take good care,

Beth

(@bethkempton on Instagram / bethkempton.substack.com / dowhatyouloveforlife.com)

All show notes with book and article references etc and ingredients for recipes can be found here.

Today is all about mindful gifting. Listen to this before Black Friday hits! It’s almost impossible to think about Christmas without thinking about presents, and I know it’s still early, but starting to think about mindful gifting now can save us stress, save us money, help us give things that will genuinely bring joy, and give us time to enjoy the process of dreaming up ideas, making or buying, wrapping them and delivering them in good time.

This episode includes:

• Why being more mindful about gifting at Christmas can be good for our mental health as well as our wallets
• What kind of conversations to have now to make gifting easier and more joyful
• What we are doing in my house to spend less but bring more joy
• My three gifting guideposts (they will save you wasting your precious money on presents that people don’t actually want)
• The joy of advent calendars
• Nature corner
• Christmas traditions from around the world (from lovely listeners!)
• A great recipe from Mark Diacono that makes a fab gift + my own homemade granola recipe (back by popular demand!)
• A fab giveaway worth £700 (enter on my Instagram @bethkempton)

With inspiration from:

@ ArounnaKhounnoraj @countrylivinguk @noor_unnahar @emilysilva @Mark Diacono @editbyemily (Emily Dawe)

Lovely things for you:

·      The FREE Calm Christmas Planner (a little book of festive printables which includes my unusual but highly effective approach to budgeting, plus tons of mindful gift ideas)

·      My Winter Writing Sanctuary 10-day FREE online writing class 

Beth Xx

PS See the full show notes here for recipe ingredients etc. If you are worried about money call the National Debtline in the UK on 0808 808 4000 or seek out a similar organisation in your country.

Featured in this episode:

• Winter Celebrations by Arounna Khounnoraj (Quadrille) 
• Country Living Country Christmas by Francine Lawrence (Editor) (Ebury) 
• [List of Everything I Want by Noor Unnahar in New Names for Lost Things by Noor Unnahar (Andrews McMeel) 
• Sunrise Gratitude by Emily Silva (Rock Point) 
• Paper Christmas by Emily Dawe (Search Press) 
• Spice: A cook’s companion by Mark Diacono (Quadrille) 
• Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy by Beth Kempton (Piatkus) 

Did you know it is scientifically proven that decorating for Christmas can actually make you happier? Oh yes my friends, it is in the interests of our health that we get those fairy lights up... With the weather getting chillier outside, it is the perfect time to start thinking about how to make our homes festive and cosy, and a sanctuary of wellbeing and rest for the winter. 

This episode includes:

• Lots of ideas for decorating in a way that engages all the senses, and brings nature indoors.
• Wellbeing tips for inviting in rest
• Nature corner
• A beautiful writing prompt for connecting with the moon
• A fun and super easy crafting project to try
• Christmas traditions from around the world (from lovely listeners!)
• Recipes for hot drinks to bring joy, and nourish
• Get ahead tips before December arrives
• PLUS A lovely cosy giveaway (enter on my Instagram @bethkempton)

With inspiration from Christopher Yokel, @realsimplemagazine, Lucy Hunter @theflowerhunter, Bex Partridge of @botanical_tales, Grace Alexander of @graceaexanderflowers, @piajanebijkerk, Ark Redwood, Lisa Hood, Lisa Hood @lahoodyoga, Lizzie Kamenetzky @deliciouslizzie, @marinawrightwellness, Anja Dunk, @StEvalCandles and @royalmuseumsgreenwich.

PS See the full show notes here for recipe ingredients and other links.

Lovely free things for you:

·      CLICK HERE to download my free simple guide to making a wreath x

·      CLICK HERE to download the free Calm Christmas Planner 

·      CLICK HERE to register for my Winter Writing Sanctuary (Dec 28-Jan 6), also free this year 

Featured in this episode:

·      Cold by Christopher Yokel in Winter Poems: New and Selected by Christopher Yokel (self-published) p.9

·      The Flower Hunter: Creating a floral love story inspired by the landscape by Lucy Hunter (Ryland Peters Small) p.197

·      The Everyday Alchemist’s Festive Season Reimagined by Pia Jane Bijkerk (self-published) p.32

·      The Art of Mindful Gardening: Sowing the Seeds of Meditation by Ark Redwood (Leaping Hare Press) p.113

·      Moon Yoga by Lisa Hood (Godsfield) p.63

·      Winter Cabin Cooking by Lizzie Kamanetzky (Ryland, Peters & Small) p.7 and p.166
·      Advent: Festive German Bakes to Celebrate the Coming of Christmas by Anja Dunk (Quadrille) p.4 and p.199
·      Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A little book of fe

There is a particular kind of joy in the simple act of curling up in an armchair with a book on a winter's day, or going to a café with nothing to do but take in the next chapter, or going to bed early and sitting up against soft pillows to read by lamplight. Words can be a real comfort in the darkest of seasons - both those we read and those we write. I hope this episode inspires you to pull down a favourite book off the shelf and have a read, or perhaps treat yourself to some poetry, or a new story, or a self-help book that is going to carry you through the winter. I also hope it is going to inspire you to get out your notebook and write some of your own words, as the fire crackles and the tree lights flicker.

This episode includes:

• Wintery words to inspire you
• Lots of cosy reading recommendations 
• Inspiration for writing as a tool for wellbeing
• Nature corner
• Christmas traditions from around the world (from lovely listeners!)
• Get ahead tips as Christmas edges closer
• PLUS A lovely cosy giveaway (enter on my Instagram @bethkempton)

With inspiration from Peter Hennessy, Josephine Greywoode, Alexandra Harris, Jane McMorland Hunter @alittlecitygarden, Tom Hennen, Phyllis Cole-Dai, Ruby R Wilson, Horatio Clare @horatiowrites, Nancy Campbell, Kevin Parr, @MattBakerOfficial, @FrancescaBeauman, Ono no Komachi, @SandrineBailly, Kim Simonsen, Randi Ward, Chris McCabe @mccabio1977, Freddie Jones, Andrew McRae, Robert Bridges, @Mark_Nepo, Elizabeth Jenner, @NationalTrust, Greg Loades @hull_urban_gardener, Shawn Bythell @bookshopwigtown, @cheftimanderson @hollyringland @therosiewalsh @mattzhaig, Muriel Barbery, Jenny Colgan @jennycolganwriter @jennycolganbooks, Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.

PS See the full show notes here for recipe ingredients and other links.

Lovely things for you:

·      Read my how to write a haiku essay and subscribe for free at https://bethkempton.substack.com

·      CLICK HERE to download the free Calm Christmas Planner 

·      CLICK HERE to register for my Winter Writing Sanctuary (Dec 28-Jan 6), also free this year 

·      Get up to 50% off ALL my writing courses in my winter gratitude sale at https://dowhatyouloveforlife.com

This delicious episode is all about festive feasting – from the main event to all those gatherings and feedings in between. I adore cookbooks and share a lot in this episode, along with some other food-related delights. I hope it gets you flicking through your own recipe books and planning for some special time around the table this year.

This episode includes:

-       Snippets from some of my favourite Christmassy cookbooks

-       Tips for reducing the stress of Christmas cooking, and being mindful of costs

-       A story about the day it all changed in our household

-       Some ideas for laying your Christmas table

-       Christmas (food-related) traditions from around the world 

-       Two super simple recipes

-       Get ahead tips before Christmas arrives

-       PLUS a lovely giveaway (enter at @bethkempton on Instagram)

With inspiration from:

@auriolb @dianahenryfood @lisanieschlag @larswentrup @sam__dixon @gizzierskine @nigelslater @nigellalawson @jamieoliver @dethample, Delia Smith @housebeautifuluk @housebeautiful

Handy links:
·      Help yourself to the Christmas Meal Planner in my FREE Calm Christmas Planner here 

·      House Beautiful cracker making tutorial 

·      Click here to book your FREE place on my Winter Writing Sanctuary 

·      Up to 50% off all my writing and personal development courses in my winter sale here

This week’s giveaway

·      Chance to win a copy of Winter Wellness by Rachel de Thample and a personalized signed copy of my book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year over on @bethkempton on Instagram 

Full shownotes here.
Beth Xx

This week's episode is dedicated to those we love and miss, to encourage us all – me included – to take all the time we need to feel all the things we are going to feel in the days ahead. I hope you find this episode to be a comfort.  

Of course I am not going to tell you how to be or what to do as you face Christmas without a loved one, or face it carrying any other sense of grief. What I am going to do is share some ideas for pausing, honouring and remembering our loved ones, along with some gentle advice from people who work with bereaved families, and some beautiful poems and readings which I hope will offer us some comfort.

In March this year my lovely mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer out of the blue, and died in a hospice three weeks later. I was by her side for nearly all of that time. It was devastating in its brevity and impact, but it was also just about enough time for us to leave nothing unsaid. We talked about Christmas, and she gave me some ideas for this season of the podcast, particularly for this episode. When I think about that now, I am floored by her bravery and selflessness, and the way that in having those conversations, she has managed to give us a Christmas gift this year too. I hope this episode will give you an opportunity to pause, honour and remember those you love and miss, and find some joy and light in this darkest of seasons.

This episode includes: 

• Gentle ideas for pausing, honouring and remembering those we love and miss
• A beautiful ritual for connecting with the memory and light of a loved one (you might want to bring a candle, some matches, a notebook and a pen)
• How the Five Stories of Christmas can help us feel close to our loved ones
• Permission not to have a ‘happy Christmas’
• Some gorgeous poems and readings
• A writing prompt to help you get your feelings down on paper
• A lovely craft idea
• Christmas traditions from around the world (from lovely listeners!)
• Our nature corner, welcoming the Winter Solstice
• Get ahead tips before Christmas is upon us
• And a blessing for you
• PLUS A self-care giveaway (enter on my Instagram @bethkempton)

With inspiration from:

@donnaashworthwords @optionb @andygrammer @stoswaldsuk @joannemallon Bertolt Brecht, Sarah Crossnan, Dana Gioia, @sheep1sh Neil Astley, Pamela Robertson-Pearce, Phillis Levin, @thehungryyear Kevin Young, Ashley Muller, @glass_walls_life Austie M Baird, Cherie Arnitt, @warsanshiree @williamsieghart, Robert Frost, @lydiamillen @lia_leendertz @rebeccacampbell_author @katecbowler, John O’Donohue

Leave a note remembering your loved one on the self-care giveaway post on my Instagram @bethkempton here. https://instagram.com/bethkempton

You can find all the show notes including to all featured books here.

Handy links:

·      The Life-Changing Magic of Writing Haiku (free essay on my Substack) 

·      St Oswald’s Hospice donation link (where Brenda works) 

·      Escape to a cosy world of words in my Winter Writing Sanctuary (FREE) December 28-January 6 

 This week’s giveaway

·      Chance to win some lovely self-care goodies and a personalized signed copy of my book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year over on @bethkempton on Instagram

Beth Xx

It’s nearly Christmas Eve. Can you feel the magic hovering? If ever there was a time to take a deep breath and let go of all that has not been done to embrace what is here, that time is now. Pull up a chair and relax, my friend. It is Christmas, after all. This very Christmassy episode will ease you into Christmas, reminding you what really matters and encouraging you to let things be perfectly imperfect.

This episode includes: 

• A little story from the Arctic Circle
• A letter from Father Christmas
• A moment of reflection
• A wintery writing prompt 
• A quick craft idea to give you a fun thing to do on Christmas day
• Christmas traditions from around the world (from lovely listeners!)
• Our nature corner
• Those last few get ahead tips
• My Christmas message for you

With inspiration from: Matsuo Basho, Laurie Lee, Johnny Coppin, @NadiykaGerbish, Yaroslav Hrytsak, Dot May Dunn, Elizabeth Jenner, Malcolm Bird, Alan Dart, Kenneth Grahame, JRR Tolkien, Bailey Tolkien and Father Christmas.

 Handy links:

• Kakslauttenen
• Sweet Salty Spicy Party Nuts recipe
• Escape to a cosy world of words in my Winter Writing Sanctuary (FREE) December 28-January 6

Ingredients for Roasted Nuts recipe shared in this episode:

• Your choice of nuts (such as pecans, walnuts, brazil nuts, cashews and almonds, and macademias) 
• Any extra flavours you might like such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds and fresh rosemary
• Maple syrup
• Butter (optional)

Featured in this episode:

• The Matsuo Basho haiku poem in this episode can be found in Basho: The Complete Haikutranslated by Jane Reichhold (Kodansha) p.658
• Letters from Father Christmasby JRR Tolkien, edited by Baillie Tolkien
• Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee - excerpt shared can be found in A Country Christmas edited by Johnny Coppin (The Windrush Press) p.47
• A Ukranian Christmas, by Nadiyka Gerbish and Yaroslav Hrytsak. (Sphere) p.11 and p.15
• Christmas Around the Village Greenby Dot May Dunn (Orion, p.46)
• What to look for in Winter by Elizabeth Jenner (Ladybird)
• The Christmas Handbook by Malcolm Bird and Alan Dart
• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (as featured in Favorite Poems for Christmas: A Child’s Collection (Bushel & Peck Books) p.8

You can find all the show notes here: https://bethkempton.com/ccpodcast-shownotes/ 

These are the days in between. The liminal space that hovers beyond the festivities and the before the arrival of a fresh New Year. I call this time 'the Hush', when the world slows and some kind of portal opens up. This episode is all about making the most of this precious time and it includes:

• Ideas for different ways to spend these days in between
• A beautiful winter visualisation to help you open to whatever might be calling you
• A full moon bathing ritual
• A comforting recipe
• Our nature corner
• Some get ahead tips for NEXT Christmas (you’ll be glad of them, I promise)
• PLUS A self-care giveaway (enter on my Instagram @bethkempton)

With inspiration from: @gill.meller @slowhomepod @BrookeMcAlary, Elizabeth Jenner, Dakota Hills and Sierra Brashear @superbeamix.

Handy links:

·      Full moon calendar 

·      Last chance to join my Winter Writing Sanctuary (FREE) Starts December 28!

This week’s giveaway

·      Chance to win some lovely self-care goodies and a personalized signed copy of my book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year over on @bethkempton on Instagram  

Ingredients for Gill Meller's Homity Potatoes recipe:

(Serves 4 or more) You will need:

8 baking potatoes

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

15g (5 ½ oz) butter

2 leeks, sliced into rounds

2 onions, halved and sliced

1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard

100g (3 ½ oz) mature cheddar, finely grated

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Featured in this episode:

·      Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)

·      What to look for in Winter by Elizabeth Jenner (Ladybird)

·      Moon Bath: Bathing rituals and recipes for relaxation and vitality by Dakota Hills and Sierra Brashear

·      Outside: Recipes for a wilder way of eating by Gill Meller

·      Care: The radical art of taking time by Brooke McAlary

Enjoy!
Beth Xx

You can find all the show notes here: https://bethkempton.com/ccpodcast-shownotes/ 

Here we are completing another circle around the sun. We have clambered across the fabric of another year, stitched together adventures, stories, and memories, darned some holes as neatly as we could, knotted threads of new colour into our lives, and we are now here at the edge looking back across all we have woven in the past twelve months. 

This is a wonderful time to focus on gratitude, to reflect on the year gone by, choose what to leave behind in this year, do some gentle dreaming for the year ahead and cross the threshold of the year together, with hope, dreams and a steaming cup of tea.

This episode includes: 

• Tips for dreaming and scheming for the year ahead
• An exclusive excerpt from my new book Kokoro: Japanese wisdom for a life well lived (out April 2024)
• New Year traditions from around the world (from lovely listeners!)
• A craft project for gratitude
• Our nature corner
• A writing prompt
• Some lovely words to ease you into the new year
• PLUS A lovely giveaway (enter on my Instagram @bethkempton)

·      With inspiration from: @SimpleThingsMag, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Emily Thomas and James Weston Lewis, Lindsey Harrad @livemoreplantfully, Brenda Wells, Emily Silva @soulsadventures, Max Ehrmann

Handy links:

·      Sky View app

·      StarWalk 2 app

·      Thompson-Morgan gardening newsletter

·      My Book Proposal Masterclass course (next class runs live from Jan 29)

·      The Way of the Fearless Writer: Ancient Eastern wisdom for a flourishing writing life  by Beth Kempton (Piatkus) – just 99p on Kindle on Amazon UK throughout January

This week’s giveaway

·      Chance to win a lovely journal and a personalized signed copy of my book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year over on @bethkempton on Instagram

Click here for all show notes including featured books.

Wishing you a very happy new year, friend.
Beth Xx

The UK’s #1 favourite Christmas podcast is back for a one-off special to mark the turning of the season and the gift of a leap day as winter gives way to spring. This bonus episode ‘FAREWELL WINTER’ includes:

-       A beautiful ritual for bidding farewell to winter

-       An insight into the tradition of ‘leap day’

-       Ideas for celebrating the arrival of spring

-       A peek into Japanese microseasons

-       Some gorgeous words capturing the feeling of the season turning

-       Our wellbeing and nature corners

-       A peek into my brand new book KOKORO (which is out on April 4)

-       An inspiring writing prompt and more

With inspiration from Mary Webb, Masaoka Shiki, Alan Watts, Lin Yutang, Madoka Mayuzumi, Tadashi Terashima, Yosa Buson and Christina Georgia Rossetti.

Why not take a walk this week, and have a listen while looking out for signs of spring where you are? (And for those of you in the southern hemisphere, may it be an invitation for you to notice signs of autumn).

Beth Xx

Handy links:

·      My new book KOKORO: Japanese wisdom for a life well lived (Piatkus) (or free international shipping when you order via Blackwells here)

·      Get FREE access to my new seasonal writing sanctuary Spring Light when you pre-order  KOKORO from any retailer (Here’s the link for Blackwells who are offering free international shipping). Once you have ordered it in any format from any retailer, go to bethkempton.com/kokoro and pop your receipt details in the short form there. 

·      My haiku essay: The Life-Changing Magic of Writing Haiku: finding beauty and solace in a heartbeat sized poem 

For all show notes including book and article reference links please click here.

Christmas can be a very special time, but it can also be a very stressful time. And given everything that has been going on, who knows what will unfold this holiday season? What if, for once, we just relaxed, and gave ourselves permission to focus on what really matters? 

Welcome to the brand new Calm Christmas podcast with bestselling self-help author Beth Kempton. “Just like my book of the same name, I hope the Calm Christmas podcast inspires connection, belonging, self- care, nourishment and joy, and a little bit of festive magic.” – Beth 

Episode 1 includes:

•  A cosy introduction to The Calm Christmas Podcast
• An important question for you to ponder (because asking it now could transform your experience of Christmas this year)
• This week’s ‘Get ahead tips’
• Details of some treats for you

2020 has been a challenging year in so many ways, shaking up so much of what we thought we could rely on. But in a world where we never really know what is coming next Christmas is one of the few constants we can trust in. I hope this podcast will help you locate Christmas as an anchor in the stormy seas of winter in this world right now.

Take good care,
Beth
(@bethkempton on Instagram)

Be inspired to make magic and memories this holiday season. This episode is all about enjoying the glorious autumnal season we are still in, while making some early plans for Christmas.

Episode 2 includes:

• Embracing the autumn while preparing for winter (including some fun activities to try in all weathers)
• Pondering how Christmas might be different this year, and how we can make the most of that
• Memories of Christmases abroad
• The one question you need to answer in order to create magic and memories this year 
• This week’s ‘Get ahead tips’

Resources mentioned: The Magical Year by Danu Forest / Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton / Christmas: A Biography by Judith Flanders / The Wild Weather Book by Fiona Danks & Jo Schofield / Silence by Erling Kagge / Morning by Allan Jenkins

For more details of my book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year go to bethkempton.com/Christmas

Take good care,
 Beth 
 (@bethkempton on Instagram)

Take good care of yourself, and discover comfort and joy this winter. 

Episode 3 includes:

• Mindfulness in the darkest season
• Looking to other countries and cultures for ideas on staying warm in cold weather
• Finding comfort and joy in winter
• This week’s ‘Get ahead tips’

Resources mentioned: Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton / bbc.co.uk / worldnomads.com / Gardening Through The Year by Ian Spence / The Book of Hygge by Louisa Thomsen Brits / The Winter Writing Sanctuary  / The Book of Joy by Archbishop Desmond Tutu & The Dalai Lama.

For more details of my book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year and some free goodies with purchase, go to bethkempton.com/Christmas

Take good care,
 Beth 
 (@bethkempton on Instagram)

Explore what a slow Christmas might look like, with top tips and some lovely creative ideas, and discover the origins of the Christmas tree!

Episode 4 includes:

• The benefits of slowing down and simplifying
• Top tips for a slow Christmas this year
• Simple crafting and natural decoration ideas
• Exploring the origins of the Christmas tree
• This week’s ‘Get ahead tips’

Resources mentioned in this episode: Inventing the Christmas Tree by Bernd Brunner / The Winter Writing Sanctuary/ Kokedama how-to video from the Royal Horticultural Society

For more details of my book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year and some free goodies with purchase, go to bethkempton.com/Christmas

Take good care,
 Beth 
 (@bethkempton on Instagram)

Lose yourself in a flurry of wintery words from some of my favourite writers across food writing, nature writing, fiction, creativity, poetry and more. These are words to soothe the soul. There's also a special seasonal writing exercise for you, and we look into the tradition of the Christmas pudding.

Episode 5 includes:

• The benefits of reading inspiring words, and writing your own, in the dark season
• Snippets of some wonderful writing from words that make you notice more to words that celebrate the human spirit
• A writing prompt for you to try
• Exploring the origins of the Christmas pudding
• This week’s ‘Get ahead tips’

Download the transcript here.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Almanac 2021 by Lia Leendertz
A Year of Good Eating: The Kitchen Diaries III by Nigel Slater
JRR Tolkien’s Letters from Father Christmas edited by Baillie Tolkien
The Complete Cold Mountain: Poems of the legendary hermit Hanshan, translated by Kazuaki Tanahashi and Peter Levitt
One Day in December by Josie Silver
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
Drinking From the River of Light by Mark Nepo
Divine Beauty by John O’Donohue
The Light in the Dark by Horatio Clare
The Wild Remedy by Emma Mitchell
Making Winter by Emma Mitchell
Wild Embers by Nikita Gill
Rhythms and Roads by Victoria Erickson

For more details of my book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year and some free goodies with purchase, go to bethkempton.com/Christmas

Take good care,
 Beth 
 (@bethkempton on Instagram)

Had enough of the pressure, expense and waste of excess Christmas presents? Tune into this week's episode for tips on mindful gifting, and ideas for saving money and reducing wrapping waste this holiday season. 

Episode 6 includes:

• My three guideposts for mindful gifting
• A fun exercise to help you prioritise your gift spending this year
• Ideas for gifts for children that are good for the wallet and the planet
• Top tips for saving money and reducing waste when wrapping gifts
• This week’s ‘Get ahead tips’

Download the transcript here.

Also, here is a lovely example of furoshiki wrapping and here is Mari Kondo's version

For more details of my book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year and some free goodies with purchase, go to bethkempton.com/Christmas

Take good care,
 Beth 
 (@bethkempton on Instagram)

To gather or not to gather, that is the question this year. Gathering is a huge part of Christmas for many of us, but the impact of the pandemic means that without doubt this Christmas will be different. This episode is full of ideas for making it special, whoever you end up spending it with.

Episode 7 includes:

• Tips for avoiding stress if you are gathering with others this year
• Tips for making Christmas special if you aren't gathering with others this year
• A challenge to inspire connection with others this week
• The origins of the Christmas card
• This week’s ‘Get ahead tips’

Download the transcript here.

The readings in this episode were from Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy and Wabi Sabi: Japanese wisdom for a perfectly imperfect life, both by Beth Kempton

For more details of my book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year and some free goodies with purchase, go to bethkempton.com/Christmas

Take good care,
 Beth 
 (@bethkempton on Instagram)

Do you love Christmas food but want to enjoy it without the stress this year? If so, tune into this week’s mouthwatering episode for tips on stress-free festive food preparation, snippets from some of my favourite cookbooks, and a couple of recipes I love to make at home.

Episode 8 includes:

• Top tips for stress-free festive food preparation
• Delicious words from some wonderful festive cookbooks
• Recipes for chocolate peppermint sticks and spiced mulled cider or apple juice
• This week’s ‘Get ahead tips’

The books mentioned in this podcast were:
The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater
Elizabeth David's Christmas edited by Jill Norman
New York Christmas: Recipes and Stories by Lisa Nieschlag and Lars Wentrup
Delia Smith's Christmas by Delia Smith
Jamie's Christmas by Jamie Oliver
Nigella's Christmas  by Nigella Lawson
Gizzi's Seasons Eatings by Gizzi Erskine
Sarah Raven's Complete Christmas: Food and Flowers by Sarah Raven
Winter Cabin Cooking by Lizzie Kamenetsky
The Borough Market Cookbook by Ed Smith
Irish Country Women's Association Book of Christmas
Beeton's Book of Household Management by Isabella Beeton
The Wartime Christmas Cookbook by Megan Rogers
Chocolates, Sweets and Candies by Sarah Ainley
A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman by Joan Anderson

Also, you can find chef Steven Lamb on Instagram @lambposts

The transcript for this episode is here.

For more details of my book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year and some free goodies with purchase, go to bethkempton.com/Christmas

Take good care,
 Beth 
 (@bethkempton on Instagram)

2020 has been challenging in so many ways, and many of us will experience heavy emotions this holiday season, at the culmination of the year. If you are looking towards the festive season with a sense of dread, knowing that it will be extra difficult this year, this episode is for you. I hope it is a friend at this time. 

Episode 9 includes:

• Comforting words for difficult times
• Some inspiring ideas for taking care of yourself as you feel what you are feeling
• Honouring of the Winter Solstice
• This week’s ‘Get ahead tips’

Download the transcript here.

The books mentioned in this podcast were: Rhythms and Roads by Victoria Erickson / Secrets and Stars by Alex Klingenberg / The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry / The Magical Year by Danu Forest / Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton

Other resources mentioned:

OptionB.org / Option B by Sheryl Sandberg / The Grief Podcast > This is called Griefcast, apologies for the error! / Mind.org.uk / Samaritans.org / Words Heal: Writing in times of crisis (online course)

We're here. It's Christmas Eve. The year is almost over and the magic of Christmas is still hovering. This short but atmospheric episode will help you connect to this very special moment in the year, and focus on what really matters.

Episode 10 includes:

• Some beautiful words about Christmas including my favourite seasonal poem by Maya Angelou
• A few of my own memories of Christmas Eves past, and hopes for this one
• A special Christmas wish for you

Download the transcript here

The books mentioned in this podcast were: Christmas and Other Notes on the English Year by Laurie Lee / The Book of Christmas by Jane Struthers / Celebrations: Rituals of peace and prayer by Maya Angelou / Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year  by Beth Kempton

These are the days in between. The liminal space that hovers beyond the festivities and before the fresh New Year. I call this time 'The Hush' and this episode is all about savouring it.

Episode 11 includes:

• Ideas for making the most of this time between Christmas and New Year
• A couple of reflection questions as we round out the year
• Some inspiring poetry to carry us into the new year

The books mentioned in this podcast were: The Everyday Alchemist’s Festive Season Reimagined by Pia Jane Bijkerk / Freedom: Medicine words for your brave revolution by Jaiya John / Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton / The Old Magic of Christmas by Linda Raedisch

Get a free 2021 digital planner with any purchase of Calm Christmas - all details HERE.

Welcome to 2021! Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and breathe it in. The freshness of the new year, in all its potential and possibility.

Episode 12 includes:

• Why new year's resolutions are a waste of time, and why it's time for a New Year's Revolution
• Three gentle yet powerful principles for entering the new year in an intentional yet stress-free way
• A special Christmas wish for you

Download the transcript here

The books mentioned in this podcast were: Desiderata of Happiness by Max Ehrmann / Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton / Freedom Seeker: Live more. Worry less. Do what you love. by Beth Kempton

Welcome to Series 2 of the podcast! This quick intro tells you what goodness I have in store for you over the coming weeks, with new episodes every Wednesday throughout November and December. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any of them!

I have loved Christmas since I was a child. The hopes of snow and flying reindeer, that special Christmassy feeling in the air. I still sense that as a grown up, but the festive season seems to come with a lot more pressure these days. This year, instead of trying to create the perfect Instagrammable Christmas, what if we just relaxed and focused on what really matters? Welcome to Season Two of the Calm Christmas podcast with bestselling self-help author Beth Kempton. This series is all about making the season special for less – less stress, less expense, less pressure… 

Episode 1 is on the theme of PREPARE and includes:

• A cosy introduction to The Calm Christmas Podcast
• Pondering the question of what Christmas means to you – and to me
• Some beautiful wintery words from some of my favourite writers and poets
• Journaling prompts for reflecting on your Christmas experiences
• Plus our weekly nature corner, recipes, wellbeing ideas and tips for getting ahead for Christmas

I hope this podcast will help you locate Christmas as an anchor in the stormy seas of winter in this world right now.
 
For more details of my book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year go to bethkempton.com/christmas

Take good care,
Beth
(@bethkempton on Instagram)

Featured in this episode:

·      Good Hours by Robert Frost, in A Mind of Winter edited by Robert Atwan

·      We Can be Film Stars, Just for One Day by Sue Townsend in On Christmas: A seasonal anthology by Gyles Brandreth

·      Of Calcutta, Christmas and New Year by Suhel Seth in On Christmas: A seasonal anthology by Gyles Brandreth 

·      Introduction by Judith Flanders in Poems for Christmas

·      Christmas: A biography by Judith Flanders 

·      The Almanac: A seasonal guide to 2022  by Lia Leendertz 

·      Royal Horticultural Society’s Gardening Through The Year by Ian Spence

·      East Wind Melts the Ice by Liza Dalby 

·      Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton 

It’s time to dive into Christmas gifting, with a host of ideas for mindful, meaningful gifts and some innovative ways to wrap your presents to surprise and delight. We have inspiration from JRR Tolkien, Michelle Mackintosh, Hollie McNish, Laura Pashby, Laura Fleiter and Kerstin Niehoff, and some lovely festive projects to try. Let this episode inspire you to give more love while spending less money and creating less waste this year.

Featured in this episode:

• Letters from Father Christmas by JRR Tolkien edited by Baillie Tolkien
• Sustainable Gifting by Michelle Mackintosh
• Behind the Scenes in Nobody Told Me by Hollie McNish
• Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy by Beth Kempton
• Little Stories of Your Life by Laura Pashby
• Advent by Laura Fleiter and Kerstin Niehoff

Ingredients list for featured recipe (Serves 1)

• 2 bananas
• 1 apple
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon quick-cooking oats
• 2 teaspoons almond butter
• 3 pitted dates
• 2 spiced spekuloos biscuits, like Lotus biscuits
• 1 tsp dried cranberries

This episode is all about nesting – getting your home and heart ready for the winter, with natural Christmas decorations, and ideas for mindful crafting. With inspiration from Laurie Lee, Ariella Chezar (@ariellachezardesign), Lucy Hunter @lucytheflowerhunter, Truman Capote, Lizzie Kamenetzky, Cleo Wade @cleowade, The Royal Horticultural Society (@the_rhs), and my mum!

Featured in this episode:

• A Village Christmas and Other Notes on the English Year by Laurie Lee (Penguin Classics)
• Seasonal Flower Arranging by Ariella Chezar  (Ten Speed Press)
• The Flower Hunter by Lucy Hunter (Ryland, Peters & Small)
• Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)
• A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote in The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories edited by Jessica Harrison 
• Winter Cabin Cooking by Lizzie Kamenetzky (Ryland, Peters & Small)
• Heart Talk by Cleo Wade (Atria)
• Slow Down and Grow Something by Byron Smith and Tess Robinson (Murdoch)

Download my free guide to creating a wreath HERE  and ideas for other natural decorations HERE. 

To be in with a chance of winning a signed copy of The Flower Hunter by Lucy Hunter and a signed copy of my book Calm Christmas, head over to Instagram @bethkempton. The deadline for entries is 4pm UK time on Friday December 3, 2021. 

Ingredients list for featured recipes:

Salt dough

-       1 cup of plain flour

-       Half a cup of table salt

-       Half a cup of water

French onion soup

Serves 4

-       25g unsalted butter

-       3 tablespoons olive oil

-       1kg large onions, very thinly sliced

-       250ml dry white wine

-       1 litre rich beef stock - or you could replace with vegetable stock for a vegetarian version

-       Freshly grated nutmeg

-       A small handful of fresh thyme sprigs

-       2 fresh bay leaves

-       75ml good quality Madeira

-       1 day old baguette or other crusty bread, cut into slices

-       1 garlic clove

-       150g Comte cheese, grated (or you could use a vegetarian cheese)

-       Sea salt and ground black pepper

Today’s episode is inspired by festive food, but not in an obvious way. We explore what fermentation can teach us about Christmas, learn how to make hoshigaki (dried persimmons) and spelt digestives, and explore the tradition of Stir Up Sunday. This episode is packed with tips for nourishing yourself with food and herbal remedies this winter, along with some gorgeous wintery words from some of our finest writers. With inspiration from Yoshihiro Imai, Nigel Slater, Lucy Brazier, Good Housekeeping Magazine, Danna Faulds, Rebecca Sullivan, Lisa Nieschlag, Lars Wentrup, Gizzi Erskine, Diana Henry, Ella Mills, Rukmini Iyer, and Elizabeth David.

• 120 grams of cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 120 grams of wholemeal spelt flour with a bit extra to dust
• 120 grams of medium oatmeal or 60 grams of puffed quinoa
•  60 grams of soft brown sugar or 40 grams if you want a less sweet biscuit
• 6g salt
• one teaspoon of baking powder
• a few drops of milk 

• Monk: Light and shadow on the Philosopher’s Path by Yoshihiro Imai 
• Greenfeast (Autumn/Winter) by Nigel Slater 
• The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater
• New York Christmas: Recipes and Stories by Lisa Nieschlag and Lars Wentrup 
• Nigella Christmas by Nigella Lawson 
• Gizzi’s Seasons Eatings by Gizzi Erskine 
• From the Oven to the Table by Diana Henry
• Quick & Easy by Ella Mills 
• The Green Roasting Tin by Rukmini Iyer 
• Elizabeth David’s Christmas by Elizabeth David 
• River Cottage Christmas by Lucy Brazier

A lovely, relaxing episode to ease you into a place of restfulness this winter, including a beautiful meditation, some gorgeous winter poetry, and some tips for finding calm in the chaos. With inspiration from Hakuin, Brian Patton, Roger McGough, Mark Strand, the Royal Horticultural Society (@the_rhs), Joey Hulin (@joeyhulin_writer), Isobel Carlson, Donna Hay (@donna.hay), and Country Living (@countrylivinguk).

Featured in this episode:

•  Untitled poem by Hakuin from Three Zen Masters by John Stevens (Kodansha)
• Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)
• First Snow in the Street by Brian Patton in 100 Best Christmas Poems for Children, edited by Roger McGough  (SPCK Publishing)
• Lines for Winter by Mark Strand in Poem for the Day Two edited by Retta Bowen, Nick Temple, Stephanie Wienrich and Nicholas Albery (Chatto & Windus) 
• Your Spiritual Almanac by Joey Hulin  (Laurence King)
• RHS Gardening Through the Year by Ian Spence (DK) 
• The Seaside Year by Isobel Carlson (Summersdale)
• Country Living Christmas (magazine) 
• Christmas Feasts and Treats by Donna Hay  (Harper Collins)

Ingredients for the featured recipe (Rocky Road)

Makes six

• 1kg of dark chocolate (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 130g sweetened dried cranberries
•  200g marshmallows
• 250g Turkish Delight pieces
• 50g of coconut flakes 
• 140g of shelled unsalted pistachios, chopped

From watching starling murmurations to cooking up a vat of hot soup, from long wintery walks and forest bathing to practicing calming breathing exercises, this episode is full of ideas for gentle ways to slow down, inhale the season and exhale the stress. And with a host of get ahead tips to make sure your holiday preparations all come together in good time, you’ll feel more ready than ever for the approaching winter. With inspiration from Nick Acheson, Melissa Harrison, Charles Dickens, Jilly Shipway and Ali Roff Farrar.

Beth Xx

Featured in this episode:

·      Essay by Nick Acheson in Winter: An anthology for the changing seasons edited by Melissa Harrison 

·      Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy by Beth Kempton

·      Bleak House by Charles Dickens 

·      Yoga Through the Year by Jilly Shipway

·      The Wellfulness Project by Ali Roff Farrar 

Ease yourself through the holiday preparations with this gentle episode all about rest, including a host of ideas for taking care of yourself as winter moves in. With inspiration from Liza Dalby (@lizadalby), Jilly Shipway, Shiva Rea (@shivarea108), Lucy Brazier (@brazier.lucy), Claudia Hammond (@claudie_hammond_), Gareth Owen, Katherine May (@katherinemay_) and Sonoko Sakai (@sonokosakai).

Featured in this episode:

• East Wind Melts the Ice by Liza Dalby (Chatto & Windus)
• Tending the Heart Fire by Shiva Rea (Sounds True) 
• Yoga Through the Year by Jilly Shipway  (Llewelyn)
• River Cottage Christmas by Lucy Brazier (Bloomsbury)
• The Art of Rest by Claudia Hammond  (Canongate)
• Wabi Sabi: Japanese wisdom for a perfectly imperfect life by Beth Kempton (Piatkus) 
• Winter Days by Gareth Owen in The Oxford Book of Christmas Poems edited by Michael Harrison (Oxford University Press) 
• Wintering by Katherine May 
• Japanese Home Cooking by Sonoko Sakai (Shambala)
• Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)

Jennifer Piercy’s Melatonin Magic yoga nidra meditation is here on Insight Timer.  

You can download a FREE copy of The Perfectly Imperfect 2022 Digital Planner here, to help you reflect on the year and look ahead to 2022. 

Ingredients for the featured recipe (makes 4 servings)

•   3.5 cups or 830ml dashi stock - there are wonderful recipes for making your own dashi in the book, but you can also buy it as stock from places like the Japan Centre.

•   3 tablespoons of white or red miso

•   2 oz (57g) mushrooms of your choice, stems removed and sliced 1/4 inch or 6mm thick

•   4oz (113g) soft or medium-firm tofu, cut into 1/4 inch (6mm) dice

•   1 teaspoon yuzu or lemon peel, pith removed

You can buy dashi stock from Japanese supermarkets and stores such as japancentre.com.

So here we are in Christmas week! This week I am sharing a few quiet words and a couple of festive recipes (for you and for the birds) to bring a sprinkling of calm as the festivities peak. With inspiration from Julia Baird, Emma Mitchell, and Maya Angelou. Wishing you whatever kind of Christmas you want and need this year.
Beth Xx

• Phosphorescence by Julia Baird p.286  (William Collins)
• Making Winter by Emma Mitchell  (LOM Art)
• Untitled by Maya Angelou in Celebrations: Rituals of peace and prayer by Maya Angelou  (Virago)
• Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)

Ingredients for featured recipes:

(1)   For the birds

• You will need:
• 250g block of lard
• 250g wild berries like rosehips or hawthorn, or dried fruit like dried cranberries or sultana, wild bird seed, and porridge oats (250g in total, in any combination of berries, seeds and oats)
• A saucepan of boiling water
• A heatproof bowl to make a bain-marie
• Yoghurt pots, fibre plant pots or coconut halves
• Garden twine

(2) For you

• 2 litres still or sparkling cider or apple juice
•  2 large or 3 small apples, washed, cored and sliced but not peeled
• 3 oranges or 8 tangerines (washed and sliced but not peeled),
• 1 lemon (zest and juice only)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice, 
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 
• 8 cloves, 
• 6 short cinnamon sticks
• 6 tablespoons brown sugar

Welcome to The Hush – that precious, liminal space between Christmas and New Year. In today’s episode, the final one of this series, we explore the idea of ‘less doing, more dreaming’. These are the days in-between. This is a precious time to breathe deeply, savour moments with loved ones or alone and feel the world slowing just for a moment. It's a time for reflection and releasing, meandering, and dreaming. This episode includes a very special visualisation to help you open up to what might be calling you, along with some prompts to explore in your journal ahead of the new year. With inspiration from Susan Coolidge. I hope you love this final episode, and that it ushers you gently into the new year, with a heart full of hope. Beth Xx

PS Don’t miss my free poetry challenge #tinywinterpoem coming to my Instagram feed @bethkempton in January!

Featured in this episode: 

• New Every Morning by Susan Coolidge in The Poetry Pharmacy, edited by William Sieghart 

Download a FREE copy of my Perfectly Imperfect 2022 Digital Planner here and start visualising what might be next for you.  

Welcome back friends! This is the trailer for the new season of Calm Christmas, the UK’s favourite festive podcast. Today I have a simple yet profound question for you to ponder in the week ahead, before Episode 1 ‘Hear the Bells’ is released on November 14.

Winter is wilder than autumn. The darkness sets in long with the cold and the wet. We want to make fire light candles, huddle up, gather to eat, count our blessings. Our ancient longing for connection, warmth, joy and magic is the song of winter. We hear it in the howling of the wind and the creaking of the trees in the traditional carols and jaunty pop songs, in the laughter that rings out as we don a Christmas hat, in the memories that we turn as we unbox the decorations and hang them once again on the tree. May this podcast help us tune into the nourishing parts, minimize the exhausting parts, acknowledge the darkness and seek out the light.

Season Four will carry us from early November through to January 1, offering a weekly calling back towards slowness and calm. There will be seasonal stories and recipes, memories and journalling invitations, craft ideas, get ahead tips, wintery words and the sharing of traditions from listeners all around the world. Most of all, there will be companionship, as we, the Keepers of Christmas, settle in each week for a moment of pause and a little bit of festive magic. As the darkness begins to inhale the light, may our gathering be a lantern to guide us through the season and into the new year.

Beth Xx

PS Be sure to subscribe to calmchristmas.substack.com where you will find all of the podcast archives, free wintry essays into your inbox and some lovely festive goodies (including my FREE printable Calm Christmas planner) waiting for you.

Find me on Instagram @bethkempton or on Substack @bethkempton

Here in Episode 1 Hear the Bells, we begin this new season of the Calm Christmas Podcast by the sea, listening to the sound of the waves and contemplating what it really means to rest. We will share a hot cuppa and conversations about longing and joy, and much more including:

·      A new Light Corner

·      Our old favourites – Nature and Wellbeing Corners

·      A lovely hot drink recipe

·      Traditions from around the world

·      Get ahead tips

·      Some lovely goodies for you

With inspiration from @KerriniDochartaigh @botanical_tales @nigelslater @francescaamber @rspca_official @bbc @leigh.standley @mudnbloom and Sam Kamkanamge.

Enjoy!

Beth Xx

Lovely things

·Head to @bethkempton on Instagram for the chance to win our first festive book giveaway of the season!

· Join the Winter Writing Sanctuary for free HERE.

· Download a printable Calm Christmas Planner for free HERE.

What you need for the Mud & Bloom leaf lanterns:

- Autumn leaves

- Jam jars

- PVA glue

- A paint brush

- Cotton thread in autumnal colours

- Tea lights

Hot apple recipe ingredients:

- Apple juice (we use clear but cloudy would be fine)

- The peel of a satsuma or clementine, artfully twisty if you have that skill

-  A cinnamon stick

-  A little bit of ginger

- Other spices like cloves or star anise, if you like them

- Some honey or sugar

References:

·      Cacophony of Bone by Kerri ni Dochartaigh (Canongate)

·      Kokoro: Japanese wisdom for a life well lived by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)

·      The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater (Fourth Estate)

·      Joy. Boats. Time. On longing, choices and the tyranny of ‘just’ essay on Substack

·      Shakti mat (no affiliation)

·      How you can help garden wildlife this winter (BBC Newsround)

·      Leigh Standley’s spell pot

·      Autumn Leaf Lanterns how-to (Mud + Bloom)

·      Hear the Bells by Calexico video

·      Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)

·      Sen Wellness

This week’s episode is called Give Love This Year, gratitude and gifting, and I'm sending it out to you from my kitchen table, which is currently covered in wrapping paper, ribbon, my fabric stash, the good scissors, the silver pens, stickers, tape, stamps and ink. Let me get you a cuppa. We're going to be here for a while.

This episode is full of probing questions that will help you come up with unusual, thoughtful gifts for your loved ones, as well as ideas for wrapping mindfully.

It also includes:

- Some fascinating facts about the history of gift giving, including a brilliant idea for topsy turvy gift giving from Roman times

- An invitation to seek out winter sunshine and other gifts from nature

- Gorgeous recipes for Rachel de Thample’s Rise & Shine Tisane and Gemma Ogston’s immunity protection dressing

- A lovely craft project which can also help us deal with overwhelm

- Thoughts on dealing with loneliness

- Help with coming up with inspired gift ideas for your loved ones including some beautiful gifting ideas from listeners around the world (You can find my FREE Ultimate Gift Guide for Writers here and download my free printable planner to keep track of your gift lists here)

- Our usual get ahead dates and key dates for the week ahead

Tell me: What is the one thing you most want to experience for yourself this winter? What will you gift yourself this year?

Beth Xx

PS If you enjoyed this episode, please do tell your friends about it!

Lovely things for you

* Head to @bethkempton on Instagram for the chance to win The Soul of Gift Wrapping by Megumi Lorna Inouye and a personalised, signed copy of my book Calm Christmas along with a complementary place on my flagship course Do What You Love.

* Join the Winter Writing Sanctuary for free HERE. https://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/product/winter-writing-sanctuary-live-oct2026/

* Get my brand new Ultimate Gift Guide for Writers here (it’s free)

* Download a printable Calm Christmas Planner here (also free).

* Give someone (or yourself) the life-changing gift of a trajectory-shifting online course with up to 50% off all my courses (which can be given as gift vouchers!) at dowhatyouloveforlife.com

Ingredients for Rachel de Thample’s Rise & Shine Tisane

* Half a lemon

* Half a teaspoon of fennel seeds

* One or two bay leaves, fresh or dried

* 250 ml of freshly boiled water

Ingredients for Gemma Ogston‘s immunity-protection dressing

* 180 ml olive oil

* 120 ml apple cider vinegar

* 60 ml of water

* Three tablespoons of runny honey

* Three garlic cloves chopped

* 5cm fresh ginger, peeled and chopped

* Quarter of a teaspoon of ground turmeric

For the Snow Globe

* A clean jam jar

* Waterproof glue, like the glue in a hot glue gun

* Eco glitter

* A small figure

* Glycerine

* Some water

References + recommendations

* Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton

* The Soul of Gift Wrapping by Megumi Lorna Inouye

* Winter Wellness by Rachel de Thample

* The Yogic Kitchen by Jody Vassallo

* Japan The Vegetarian Cookbook by Nancy Singleton Hachisu

* The Healing Cookbook by Gemma Ogston

* Deliciously Ella Quick & Easy by Ella Mills

* Everyday Super Food by Jamie Oliver

* The Self-Care Year by Alison Davies (Quadrille)

Charities that can support you if you are feeling lonely

* Mind

* The Silver Line

* Samaritans

* Shout

Previous Calm Christmas episodes on gifting for even more ideas

* Season 1 Episode 6 Mindful Gifting

* Season 2 Episode 4 Love

* Season 3 Episode 3 We Three Kings

Other links:

* Give Love This Year by Fitz and the Tantrums

* Why do we give gifts at Christmas? Andrew Hann, English Heritage

* Mixbook (for printing photo books)

Photos: Holly Bobbins

Happy Thanksgiving if you are celebrating, and may it be a day of counting our blessings, for all of us, wherever we live and wherever we are from. This episode - Season 4 Episode 3, Home for the Holidays - goes out with so much gratitude for your presence in my world, for listening to the podcast and sharing your own experiences of the festive season - many of which have been woven into this season of the podcast!

Today's episode is all about making our homes festive and cosy with lighting inside and out, sparkle, evergreens, textures, scents and love.

This cosy episode includes:

- Lots of ideas for making your home welcoming and cosy

- Some wonderful decorating traditions from listeners around the world

- A recipe for Cheesy Garlic Hedgehog Bread

- A lovely citrus star garland crafty project

- Tips to help you get ahead for the festive season, and more!

I hope this podcast will be a lantern guiding you through the darkness of winter and into a happy new year.

Beth Xx

Lovely things for you:

* Winter Writing Sanctuary registration here (FREE, runs Dec 28-Jan 5)

* Calm Christmas Planner – download yours for free here

* A new festive giveaway at Instagram @bethkempton

* Up to 50% off ALL my life-changing courses in my giant gratitude sale here

Links

* Madison Square Park Conservancy

* Christmas at Sea by Robert Louis Stevenson

* Evidence of a Christmas spirit network in the brain - Research by the University of Copenhagen published in the British Medical Journal

* (There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays by Perry Como

* The Calm Christmas Podcast Season 2 Episode 5: Nest

* The Calm Christmas Podcast Season 3 Episode 4: Deck the Halls

* Selvedge Winter Fair

* National Trust

* St Martin in the Fields advent carol service

Referenced books + recommendations

* Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)

* Rest and Calm by Paula Hines

* The Get-Ahead Christmas Cook by Jane Lovett (Headline Home)

* Christmas is Coming by Auriol Bishop (Headline Home)

Ingredients for the recipe shared

(Jane Lovett’s Cheesy Garlic Hedgehog Bread)

· 175 g of butter, with extra for greasing

· 3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped

· a handful of parsley, chopped

· 200 g taleggio cheese

· one round white loaf of rustic country style bread, like a cob or boule

· some sea salt flakes

What you need for the craft project

(Auriol Bishop’s Citrus star garland)

· some citrus fruit (clementine, satsuma, orange etc)

· cookie cutters in Christmas shapes

· a knitting needle or a skewer

· scissors

· string or twine

Friends, December is upon us, which means meterological winter has arrived here in the northern hemisphere. This episode, Season 4 Episode 4 ‘Christmas Lights’, is all about words, because winter is my favourite time of year for writing. It’s so cosy to light a candle, read some poetry, get out your notebook and write, and I hope this episode inspires you to do just that. It’s a beautiful way to bring some calm to the chaos of the holiday season.

This episode includes:

❄️Reasons why writing is a good idea (as if you needed a reason!)

❄️Three simple ways to get the words flowing

❄️A beautiful candlelight meditation

❄️An invitation to get outside to seek creative inspiration

❄️ My youngest daughter’s Chocolate Orange Wreath Cake recipe

❄️Get ahead tips to help you arrive for the holidays feeling calm and prepared

I hope this podcast will be a lantern guiding you through the darkness of winter, and your words are a companion along the way.

Beth Xx

PS You can also tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Lovely things for you

* Winter Writing Sanctuary registration here (FREE, runs Dec 28-Jan 5)

* Calm Christmas Planner – download yours for free here

* A new festive giveaway at Instagram @bethkempton

* Up to 50% off ALL my life-changing courses in my giant gratitude sale here

Links

* Christmas Lights by Coldplay

* Save The Children Christmas Jumper Day donation link

* The Christmas Train essay

* The Life Changing Magic of Writing Haiku essay

* Link to join my private writing community SoulCircle (choose Monthly to try it out or Annual to get two months free)

Referenced books + recommendations

* Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)

* Winter Solstice by Nina Maclaughlin (Black Sparrow Press)

* The Light in the Dark by Horatio Clare (Elliott & Thompson)

* Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop by Jennie Colgan

* The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness and Joy edited by John Brehm (Wisdom)

* Kokoro: Japanese wisdom for a life well lived by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)

Ingredients for the recipe shared

For the cake

* Three eggs

* The weight of three eggs in self-raising flour, caster sugar, unsalted butter, then remove about three tablespoons of the flour, and replace it with the same weight in cocoa powder

For the icing

* 200g unsalted butter

* 320g icing sugar

* 80g cocoa powder

* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

* A 100g bar of cooking chocolate, melted gently over a bain marie

* Sprinkles – we like blue and white

* A Terry’s Chocolate Orange or an orange chocolate bar, ideally with segment shapes

✨Friends, we are just a couple of weeks out from Christmas now. The festive feels are all around… This episode is all about seeking delight and tiny flickers of magic in amongst the ordinariness of our daily lives. It’s about the kindness of strangers, and all the ways we can bring magic into our own worlds, and those of others.

Episode 5 includes:

* ✨Magical memories

* ✨Being inspired by children to seek out magic

* ✨Stargazing

* ✨A lovely craft project – make some citrus candles!

* ✨A super easy recipe for brandy-soaked satsumas

* ✨Get ahead tips

With inspiration from Claire Keegan, Leroy Anderson, Ella Fitzgerald, The Spice Girls, Boney James, Royal Museums Greenwich, Kari Leibowitz, Kinsey Gidick, The Simple Things Magazine, Lia Leendertz (Lia’s Living Almanac), Clover Stroud, Storm Dunlop, Wil Tirion, Alex Palmer, The Poetry Pharmacy, Paul Anthony Jones, my youngest daughter and my Greek aunt.

And if you fancy whipping up a little wintery magic in the pages of your notebook this year, don’t miss my Winter Writing Sanctuary which runs from Dec 28-Jan 5. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can register for FREE here.

Stay cosy,Beth Xx

PS You can also listen on Apple or Spotify.

This week’s giveaway

The winner gets all this for themselves:❄️ A prescription for a ‘Sense of Belonging’ from The Poetry Pharmacy❄️ A Winter Dictionary by Paul Anthony Jones❄️ A personalised, signed copy of my book The Way of the Fearless Writer❄️ Christmas Lights (Candlestick Press poem card)❄️ A complimentary ANNUAL membership to my beautiful private writing community SoulStack (find out more at bethkempton.substack.com)Enter at @bethkempton on Instagram

Ingredients for Brand-soaked Satsumas

* Brandy (how much depends on you). Could also work with rum!

* Some small citrus like satsumas, mandarins, tangerines or clementines

* Sugar of your choice

* Christmassy spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves – just use what you have

What you need to make citrus candles

* Oranges or clementines

* Olive oil

* A knife

* A glass container to put your candle in

* Matches

Winter Writing Sanctuary sign up

- Register here for free (runs Dec 28-Jan 5 online)

Inspiration sale!

- Up to 50% off all my classes in my annual gratitude sale, on now here.

Links

* Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson (Ella Fitzgerald version | Spice Girls version | Boney James version)

* BBC story about Oswald Laurence’s voice telling us to ‘Mind the Gap’

* Star Walk 2 app (iPhone | Android)

* Sky View Lite app (iPhone | Android)

* Royal Museums Greenwich on the Cold Moon

* Kari Leibowitz on how to winter in The Guardian

* Why no one does Christmas better than the Finns by Kinsey Gidick (mentioning "pikkujoulut" or "little Christmas" parties)

* The Simple Things Magazine

* Save The Children donation link for Christmas Jumper Day

* Free Calm Christmas Planner (by me!)

Referenced books + recommendations

* The opening passage of this episode is from the Epilogue of my book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)

* Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Black Cat)

* 2024 Night Sky Almanac by Storm Dunlop and Wil Tirion (Collins)

* A Year in Story and Song by Lia Leendertz (Gaia)

* Giant on the Skyline by Clover Stroud (Doubleday) p.258

* A Winter Dictionary by Paul Anthony Jones (Elliott & Thompson)

* The Atlas of Christmas by Alex Palmer (Running Press)

Please share this podcast episode with anyone who might enjoy it! Thank you so much.

✨ This is the episode where sadness is honoured, our loved ones are remembered, and we allow all the feelings, however they might arise. May it be a comfort to you in the dark season.

Episode 6 includes:

* The comfort of poetry

* Thoughtful ideas for dealing with sadness in the dark season

* A candlelight meditation

* Lovely robins

* London’s last lamplighters

* Commonplace books

* Beautiful ideas for honouring and remembering loved ones, from listeners around the world

* Get ahead tips

With inspiration from David Whyte, Danni Nicholls, Nina MacLaughlin, the London lamplighters, Day Schildkret, Songbird Survival, John O’Donohue, Patricia Fargnoli and my mother’s recipe book.

Don’t forget, if you feel like seeking solace in words this winter, don’t miss my Winter Writing Sanctuary which runs from Dec 28-Jan 5. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can register for FREE here.

Take good care of your heart,Beth Xx

PS You can also listen on Apple or Spotify.

This week’s giveaway

To enter this week’s special giveaway, you are invited to leave the name of someone you love and miss, or simply a heart to acknowledge them, in the comments of the giveaway post on my Instagram. We did this last year and it became the most beautiful tribute.

The winner gets all this for themselves:

* A personalised, signed first edition of my book Kokoro: Japanese wisdom for a life well lived

* Bath House patchouli & black pepper candle

* Winter Solstice by Nina Maclaughlin

* Festive Spirit - Candlestick Press Poem Card

* A complimentary place on my short writing course Words Heal

To enter, go to @bethkempton on Instagram.

Glazed Ham recipe

* You can find Delia Smith’s Glazed Ham recipe online here

What you need to make a commonplace book

* Any kind of notebook

* Ephemera and bits and pieces gathered from your life

* A stick of glue or tape

Winter Writing Sanctuary sign up

- Register here for free (runs Dec 28-Jan 5 online)

Inspiration sale!

- Up to 50% off all my classes in my annual gratitude sale, on now here.

Links

* Ancient Embers by Danni Nicholls

* Under the Neem Plum Tree by Danni Nicholls

* London’s last lamplighters via the BBC

* Burn Something Today by Nina Maclaughlin in The Paris Review

* Songbird Survival

* Free Calm Christmas Planner (by me!)

* Poets.org

* The Poetry Society 15151

* The Poetry Foundation

* For the Love of Tiny Things essay by me on Substack

Referenced books + recommendations

* Winter Grief by David Whyte - The version shared on the podcast was from David’s Substack here. The original appeared in The Bell and the Blackbird by David Whyte (Many Rivers Press)

* Kokoro: Japanese wisdom for a life well lived by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)

* Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)

* Winter Solstice by Nina MacLaughlin (Black Sparrow Press)

* Hello, Goodbye by Day Schildkret (Simon Element)

* Echoes of Memory by John O’Donohue (Transworld Ireland)

* Winter Grace by Patricia Fargnoli in Poetry of Presence edited by Phyllis Cole-Dai and Ruby R Wilson (Grayson)

Images: Holly Bobbins/Unsplash

✨As Christmas Eve approaches, let’s pause a moment, sense the hovering magic, and rest in the beauty of the world. This episode is, essentially, me sending you a Christmas wish. I hope you love it, and I wish you whatever kind of Christmas you want and need this year.

Episode 7 includes:

* ✨The most famous Christmas poem ever written

* ✨A glimpse of the ocean from a wild corner of Cornwall

* ✨Talk of snowflakes and dreams of snow

* ✨Ice fires and memories of years gone by

* ✨Christmas Eve traditions from listeners all over the world

With inspiration from Clement Clarke Moore, Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn, Moya Cannon, Professor Brian Cox, Suzie Dent, Nancy Campbell, Richard Skrein, Dot May Dunn, Sketchbook of Washington Irving and St Nicholas himself.

Don’t forget, if you feel like seeking solace in words this winter, don’t miss my Winter Writing Sanctuary which begins on Saturday December 28 and runs until January 5. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can register for FREE here.

Sending Christmas blessings your way,Beth Xx

08PS You can also listen on Apple or Spotify. And in case you missed it, you might enjoy my wintery essay ‘For the Love of Tiny Things: A short note about small joys, and a little festive puzzle for you.’

Winter Writing Sanctuary sign up

- Register here for free (runs Dec 28-Jan 5 online)

Inspiration sale!

- Up to 50% off ALL my classes in my annual gratitude sale, on now here. Ending very soon!

Links

* A Visit from St Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore

* Let it Snow by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn made famous again in the nineties by Boyz II Men featuring Brian McKnight

* What can snowflakes tell us about our universe? with Prof Brian Cox on the BBC

* Free Calm Christmas Planner (by me!)

Referenced books + recommendations

* Snow Day by Moya Cannon in Keats Lives by Moya Cannon (Carcanet Press)

* Roots of Happiness by Suzie Dent (Puffin) p.12

* Fifty Words for Snow by Nancy Campbell (Elliot & Thompson) p.207

* Fifty Things to do in Snow by Richard Skrein (Pavilion) p.126

* Christmas Around the Village Green by Dot May Dunn (Orion) p.1

* Old Christmas, from the Sketchbook of Washington Irving p.72

* Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)

Images: Holly Bobbins / Unsplash

✨ This quiet time between the bookends of the festive season – a time I call the Hush - is a beautiful opportunity to slow down and reflect. January will be here before we know it, after all. So, instead of rushing towards it, let’s meander for a while, giving our minds and hearts a chance to assimilate and process all that’s happened over the past twelve months.

Episode 8 includes:

* ✨An oracle card for the Hush

* ✨A beautiful journalling prompt inspired by the Celtic ‘Omen Days’

* ✨Talk of firelight

* ✨A wonderful recipe for a Christmas sandwich with sprout slaw

* ✨Traditions and stories from listeners all over the world

* ✨Some thoughts on New Year’s Eve

With inspiration from Denise Linn, Charles Darwin, National Geographic, Felix Bernard, Richard Bernhard Smith, Michael Buble, Jessie J, Kerri ní Dochartaigh, Lisette Cheresson, Andrea Rice, Ruth Allen, Charles Lamb, Nikita Gill and Lauren McDermott.

Don’t forget, if you feel like seeking solace in words this winter, don’t miss my Winter Writing Sanctuary which begins TOMORROW (Saturday December 28) and runs until January 5. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can register for FREE here.

Wishing you peace and calm during the Hush,Beth Xx

PS You can also listen on Apple or Spotify.

Winter Writing Sanctuary sign up - starts tomorrow!

- Register here for free (runs Dec 28-Jan 5 online)

Do something different in 2025

- Up to 50% off all my writing and personal development classes in my annual gratitude sale, on now here.

Links

* Darwin’s trip around the world on NationalGeographic.org

* Winter Wonderland by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith. I do love the Michael Buble version and the Jessie J version is fun

* The Omen Days: On witnessing the world by Kerri ni Dochartaigh on Substack

* For a host of reflection questions, see the end of my free Calm Christmas Planner

Referenced books + recommendations

* The Sacred Forest Oracle by Denise Linn (Hay House)

* The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert (Bloomsbury)

* The Yoga Almanac by Lisette Cheresson and Andrea Rice (New Harbinger) p.245

* Weathering by Ruth Allen (Ebury) p.131

* New Year’s Eve by Charles Lamb

* Keep Calm at Christmas (Ebury)

* On The First Frost of Winter by Nikita Gill in Cosy Poems edited by Gaby Morgan

* Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)

Ingredients needed for Lauren McDermott’s ‘Christmas sandwich with sprout slaw’ recipe

* Crusty bread

* Some raw sprouts

* Olive oil

* White wine vinegar

* ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard

* Salt + pepper

* Cranberry sauce

* Stuffing

* Roast turkey

* Sliced pigs in blankets

* Emmental cheese

* Butter

* Pot of gravy

Watch Lauren making it here.

Images: Holly Bobbins / Unsplash

✨ Friends, we are here at the threshold of the year, with our final episode of Season 4 of the Calm Christmas Podcast. What an absolute joy it has been to travel through the winter with you again this year. Thank you. I hope this episode sends you into the new year with hope and anticipation for many good things ahead.

Episode 9 includes:

* ✨Space for dreaming, and peeking through doorways

* ✨An invitation to begin the new year with a deep breath, open heart and fresh eyes

* ✨Talk of Twelfth Night

* ✨Moonpennies, brimstone butterflies and the Wolf Moon of January

* ✨The simplest of simple comforting recipes

* ✨A series of questions for contemplating legacy

With inspiration from Laura Pashby (Small Stories with Laura Pashby), the Tavistock Local History Association, Down Like Silver, The Simple Things Magazine, Bex Partridge, Lia Leendertz (Lia’s Living Almanac), Emily Silva, Joey Hulin and Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

I hope to see you for Season 5 in November 2025. In the meantime, you might enjoy my year-round private writing membership SoulCircle for weekly inspiration throughout the year. You can find out more about it here, and join here (choose ‘Monthly’ to try it out or ‘Annual’ to get two months free.

If you have enjoyed Season 4 of the Calm Christmas Podcast, I would be so grateful if you could leave a rating/review on Apple Podcasts here or Spotify here. And be sure to subscribe so you get notified when the podcast is back.

With so much love for the year ahead,Beth Xx

Do what you love in 2025. Last chance for my annual gratitude sale!

Up to 50% off all my classes in my annual gratitude sale, on here now but ending very soon.

Links

* A brief history of Twelfth Night by the Tavistock Local History Association

* First Light by Down Like Silver

* My Substack essay ‘I did an oracle card reading for us, for the year ahead. This is what it said.’

* The Simple Things Magazine January 2021

* Bex Partridge @botanical_tales on Instagram

* Link to join my private writing community SoulCircle (choose Monthly to try it out or Annual to get two months free

* To be notified about details of my upcoming free mini class Write for Love Write for Money, all about the nuts and bolts of Substack, be sure to subscribe to my Substack at bethkempton.substack.com.

* Free Calm Christmas Planner (by me!)

Referenced books + recommendations

* Chasing Fog by Laura Pashby (Simon & Schuster) p.217

* The Almanac 2018 by Lia Leendertz (Gaia) p.2

* Sunrise Gratitude by Emily Silva (Rock Point) p.7

* Kokoro: Japanese wisdom for a life well lived by Beth Kempton (Piatkus) p.185

* Ring Out Wild Bells by Alfred, Lord Tennyson on the Scottish Poetry Library website

Ingredients for this week’s recipe

* Jacket potatoes

* Butter

* Sea salt + pepper

* Fresh garlic or garlic powder

Giveaway

The prize (for you and a friend to enjoy together) includes:

- Two personalised, signed copies of my book Wabi Sabi

- Two copies of The Meditation Yearbook by Joey Hulin

- Two annual memberships to my private writing community SoulCircle

To enter head over to my Instagram @bethkempton. Good luck!