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The Clearing with Katherine May

The Clearing with Katherine May

By: Katherine May
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Where would you go to rest and retreat, in good times and bad?


Katherine May, author of Wintering and Enchantment, asks her guests to share their idea of a perfect sanctuary. Drawing on memory, inspiration and imagination, she explores the things we seek out when we need to restore our joy, hope and energy.


It begins with a forest clearing. What will we find there? A log cabin or a grand hotel? What cherished object or talisman would you bring? And what single work of art, be it a book, record, film or something else, would provide you with enough sustenance to see you through the darkness and remind you of the good times?

In a series of frank, thoughtful and deeply personal conversations, The Clearing will explore the cultural, social and spiritual mindset needed to survive difficult times.


Katherine's Links:


Visit The Clearing website https://katherine-may.co.uk/the-clearing-podcast to discover how to enjoy the episodes ad free


Buy Katherine’s books: Enchantment | Wintering | The Electricity of Every Living Thing: UK / US


Follow Katherine on Instagram

Visit Katherine’s Website

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

Copyright © Katherine May Art Hygiene & Healthy Living Literary History & Criticism Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Daisy Buchanan’s Swiss mountain glamour

    Daisy Buchanan’s Swiss mountain glamour
    Feb 28 2026
    A deliciously glamorous escape to the snowy setting of a luxury Swiss chalet hotel where 1920s faded English aristocracy meets 1950s Hollywood starlet decadence. Maribou-trimmed silk pajamas and well-stocked libraries with crackling fires abound in this absolute joy of an episode with author Daisy Buchanan. Listen in as Daisy imagines herself preparing for a Grand Ball, with all the pleasure of a day spent wrapped in enormous fluffy white towels and none of the anxiety. She also romps through an array of subjects with Katherine, from her newfound love of reiki to the quest for calm in the neurodivergent brain and why she is so drawn to reading about the strangeness of large families. The most wonderfully realised escape to indulge in at any time. Links from the episode:Daisy’s InstagramDaisy’s books Mortification edited by Robin RobertsonThe Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. DelafieldThe Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane HowardInvitation to the Waltz by Rosamond LehmannThe Weather in the Streets by Rosamond LehmannThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldThe Pursuit of Love by Nancy MitfordBallet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild Little Women by Louisa May AlcottRachel's Holiday by Marian KeyesThe Story of Tracy Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson Laurie Colwin’s books - Home Cooking, More Home Cooking, Happy All the Time, Family HappinessVisit The Clearing website www.theclearingpod.com for a full transcript and to discover how to enjoy the episodes ad freeBuy Katherine’s books: Enchantment | Wintering | The Electricity of Every Living Thing: UK / USFollow Katherine on InstagramVisit Katherine’s WebsiteProduction CreditsGuest Booker and Admin Support - Meghan HutchinsSubstack Manager - Rebecca ArmstrongProducer - Alice LloydMusic - The Leaf Library @theleaflibrary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Poorna Bell’s New Zealand vista

    Poorna Bell’s New Zealand vista
    Feb 21 2026

    Floor to ceiling windows overlooking a temperate blue ocean off the coast of New Zealand is where this week’s guest, journalist and author Poorna Bell, dreams of rest and retreat.


    Since the death of her husband in 2015, Poorna has become well-versed in making the most of the everyday. As a result this is a conversation filled with the joy of small things. From relishing the prospect of unstructured days, to finding unquantified pleasure in movement. From an appreciation of the smell of toast to being able to say no to picnics. And why she never wants to receive another present again. Ever.


    Links from the episode:


    Poorna’s Substack As I Was Saying


    Poorna’s website


    Poorna’s Instagram


    Banana Yoshimoto’s novel Kitchen


    Lucy M. Boston’s The Children of Green Knowe


    Lottie Hazell’s novel Piglet


    Visit The Clearing website www.theclearingpod.com for a full transcript and to discover how to enjoy the episodes ad free

    Buy Katherine’s books: Enchantment | Wintering | The Electricity of Every Living Thing: UK / US

    Follow Katherine on Instagram

    Visit Katherine’s Website


    Production Credits


    Guest Booker and Admin Support - Meghan Hutchins

    Substack Manager - Rebecca Armstrong

    Producer - Alice Lloyd

    Music - The Leaf Library @theleaflibrary

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • Emma Gannon’s year of desert rest

    Emma Gannon’s year of desert rest
    Feb 14 2026

    Prolific author of nine books and writer behind the Substack phenomenon The Hyphen, Emma Gannon takes us away for a whole year to her imaginary retreat in Palm Springs, where she plans to indulge almost solely in her number one favourite pastime - reading.


    Revealing the extent to which she craves alone time, she tells Katherine about her very real experience of burnout, how she went from someone who lived to work to appreciating downtime and why she relates to The Hermit in Tarot.


    An inspiring listen that challenges our ideas of ‘the right way’ to live and embraces the concept of letting go.



    Links in the show:


    Emma’s Substack The Hyphen

    Emma’s website

    Emma’s Instagram

    A link to buy her books including A Year of Nothing


    Find Emma’s conversation with Elizabeth Gilbert about memoir here

    Max Richter’s track On the Nature of Daylight


    Visit The Clearing website www.theclearingpod.com for a full transcript and to discover how to enjoy the episodes ad free

    Buy Katherine’s books: Enchantment | Wintering | The Electricity of Every Living Thing: UK / US

    Follow Katherine on Instagram

    Visit Katherine’s Website


    Production Credits


    Guest Booker and Admin Support - Meghan Hutchins

    Substack Manager - Rebecca Armstrong

    Producer - Alice Lloyd

    Music - The Leaf Library @theleaflibrary

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
All stars
Most relevant
I was looking for some answers for living in our present day. Katharine 's interview with Ece Temelkuran provides some.

Very informative and inspiring

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