"Perhaps in Italy, surrounded by beauty and history, we shed the layers of who we think we're supposed to be and rediscover the essence of who we truly are" - Erica SimoneWelcome to Episode #100:Today on the podcast we go on a personal journey, the story of what took me to Ischia recently and what exactly I discovered there. From the Gulf of Naples we ferried over to the green island of Ischia in the Tyrrhenian Sea to discover the volcanic and mineral rich thermal spas, the natural beaut...

"I adore the spirit of Rome" - In the Shadow of a Cypress - An Italian Adventure Welcome to Episode #99:Today we go on an adventure in Rome… I share some travel adventures and a few details on staying in Monti, Roma. I take a few beautiful tangents telling you all about my recent time in Italy with my family, some discoveries, some funny moments, some tricky train delays and most importantly some glorious days in the Eternal City - Rome…See my Shownotes for all Restaurants mentione...

"The travel journey is always an interesting paradox. To spend time navigating, being, seeing, collecting and contemplating. And haphazardly wondering about the next step. Yet, to not get carried away, or in front of yourself that you miss the opportunity that is right under your nose. I like sitting here observing the morning pursuits, the cars zooming in and out of the piazza, the deliveries being made. The locals in animated conversation, the tourist stalls being uncovered. It is good sitt...

"So this is it. I am thirty nine years old. I am sitting at a table in a medieval piazza with a black moleskine journal. I am sipping a glass of Chianti Classico. I stare at the menu with none other than Luca Signorelli on the cover. I like the words Gran Caffe Signorelli. Luca Signorelli was born in Cortona in 1441. He is still revered. Signorelli’s art is in many of the museums and churches in Cortona and well, all around the world. I salute the artist, and the joy of making it this far, on...

"Time in Italy seemed less linear than it was at home, more of a space waiting to be filled with whatever delights the day might bring – exquisite miniature pastries behind the etched glass of an art nouveau window, a sliver of cantaloupe on a market-stall holder’s knife, amber and pink spritzes on a waiter’s tray, a flirty glance, a raised eyebrow, a tanned ankle in a tasselled loafer" - Ros Belford, Children of the VolcanoWelcome to Episode #96: Get ready for a wonderful ad...

"Perfection is static, and I am in full progress" - Anais NinWelcome to Episode #95:Today I go on a whimsical journey through my process! Reading and working on my book. The book is done! Yet, I am most keen to record an audiobook first - so here I go. It’s a journey of ruminating over recent books I have read and what is happening IRL and certainly what is on my mind! There are quotes and beautiful moments to capture along the way, nothing is lost and life is good. Enjoy xoFind al...

"Be kind to yourself and just get going, because even if you are just writing a little bit, for a few hours a week - it adds up" - Kimberly SullivanWelcome to Episode #94:Today I have a conversation with fiction writer Kimberly Sullivan and her recent novel Rome’s Last Noble Palace. Kimberly loves to weave a story that includes a contemporary and a historical perspective, in this case dual timelines. It is quite an alchemical process and a wonderful story about two women from different ...

"One's destination is never a place but a new way of looking at things" - Henry MillerWelcome to Episode #93:Today a share a meander through the creative landscape of writing and my process and the discoveries on the creative journey....Shownotes include a list of books and memoirs that have inspired me along the creative journey plus extra details from the end of the share if you would like to know more!!Find all Show Notes and details mentioned at: michellejohnston.life© 2024 A Writer...

"Ligurian cuisine is often defined as a "poor" cuisine, of humble, rough origins because it was born in the homes of fisherman and farmers who had only simple, seasonal and low-value ingredients available. Yet, it is also sophisticated due to the expert use and skilful transformation of those few ingredients"..... Enrica Monzani Join me for a conversation about the beauty of Ligurian cuisine and the unique terrain that is Liguria, Italy.  Enrica Monzani specialises in the rich and diverse...

"You have not a right, but a duty to be happy" -  Roberta Mussato Welcome to Episode #91:   What a privilege it is to talk to women and share their stories. Women lead such fascinating lives. I continually notice this, the fact they continue to expand themselves, push their limits and boundaries, to grow, and not except contraction as the norm, but lean into expansion rather, living and learning so much about themselves, and making things happen!! I love that. Today I talk with Roberta...

"We travel, initially to lose ourselves, and we travel, next to find ourselves" - Pico Iyer Welcome to Episode #90: Today I have a special conversation with Nadia Fragnito from The Vegan Italian Kitchen. Nadia is here to talk about her solo travel experience and the journey of returning to Italy to research her next cookbook due out later this year.  We discuss the triumphs and the pain points of travelling alone, things we both discovered on our own personal journeys. I might add, I have...

"Italy was more than a subject, it was a tool of resurrection and empowerment" - Michelle Johnston “Can a place be an archetype?  Or pertain mythical qualities?  Emily Dickinson never left her home in New England to travel, the Italy she wrote and dreamed of symbolised something else, joy, hope, freedom….  And ultimately, the most powerful of qualities, transformation.  Italy was more than a subject, it was a tool for resurrection and empowerment.  Hmmm, I recognise this…” Today I go deep...

"You cannot lose what really belongs to you, even if you throw it away" -   I-Ching Here I talk about the bitter sweet few months that have been, reflecting on life, books and events, and the books and writing adventures that happen along the way.  Find all Show Notes and details mentioned at: michellejohnston.life You can now Support the Podcast and send your encouragement. © 2024  A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2024 Support the show

"One will never forget the sudden transcendent quality of ordinary things, the glow of the fruit in its own leaves, the purple and green of artichokes with bushy tales, the delicacy of the sea creatures, silver, lilac - pale and coral red" - Winter in Venice, Pleasure and Landscapes by Sybille Bedford Here is some light musing over books I have loved this year and my favourite Audible listens too.... Family Lexicon by Natalia Ginzburg A Place in the World: Finding the Meaning of Home by...

"Some things are here for our souls, not our interests, and every land has its pockets of wild. Let us leave then there for the birds, for the night watch, for the person who needs and longs for a creeping into invisibility" Welcome to Episode #86: This year Allison published her third book,  'Allison Zurfluh and the Venice Lagoon'.  Here are pages of art and essays on her experiences living on the Venice lagoon.   The book is an intimate look at the place that captured her heart and soul,...

“Cucina Povera is not just a unique approach to cooking and ingredients; it’s the highest expression of the Italian arte delle arrangiarsi - the art of making do with what you have got" - Giulia Scarpaleggia, Cucina Povera Welcome to Episode #85, Today a wonderful conversation with Giulia Scarpaleggia about her recent cookbook Cucina Povera: The Italian Way of Transforming Humble Ingredients into Unforgettable Meals. We talk about the book journey of creating Cucina Povera and that lovely...

"I travel and collect things that I love.  Memories, tastes, colours and stories. I bring them home and make the beautiful meals I had, so we can live them all over again" - Tessa Kiros, Now & Then:  A collection of recipes for always Welcome to Episode #84: Tessa Kiros is here today, her most recent book is 'Now & Then:  A collection of recipes for always'.   This is Tessa’s 11th cookbook.  This is a beautiful conversation about Tessa’s writing, her creative life, food and styling,...

"Much testing, much reflecting, much living must intervene before we can say 'My soul is my own'"  -  Madonna Kolbenschlag,  (from) The Spiritual Sampler by Sue Monk Kidd Welcome to Episode #83, While in the middle of a big year, I reflect on what has filled my cup this year and why it all matters. On creating community, on inspired books, on writing, on keeping on with it, on the adventure, on gratitude, on the special conversations and holding the vision. Find all Show Notes and details...

"My grandmother always used to tell me your last name is going to bring you luck.  When people meet you it makes them happy and a little bit hungry too" - Luca Spaghetti, Un Amico Italiano -  Eat Pray Love in Rome Welcome to  Episode #82: Twenty years ago the writer Elizabeth Gilbert made the city of Rome her home for three months before visiting India and Bali.  While living in Rome one of Gilbert’s new friends was Roman born Luca Spaghetti.  Soon the memoir “Eat Pray Love: One Woman’s...

"I just knew that I had to figure it out for myself, step by step" - Claire Hearn,  My Five Year Journey in Italy.... Welcome to Episode #81, This week I share a conversation with Ms Britaly from Palermo in Sicily.  Five years ago, Claire Hearn made the decision to change her life and move in the direction of her dreams.  Claire landed in Salerno in Campania, on the Amalfi Coast and started a new life.   Here is her story and the journey of life in Italy, moving to vibrant Palermo and...

“And we are of course, each one of us, the historians of our own lives” - Hisham Matar, A Month in Siena Welcome to Episode #80; In this episode I share pages from ‘Italian Hours’ a travel journal I am in the middle of creating.  I share my feelings about creativity and my artistic process on making pages happen!  I also give tips on stationary, art paper and how to build the momentum one page at a time and not get stuck in feeling overwhelm at the beginning. I talk about art journals and...

"I thought I had the perfect life in New York, but fate had something different in mind for me.  I've fallen in love with this place and what it has to offer"  -   Casalvento: House of the Wind by Gudrun Cuillo Welcome to Episode #79: About twenty five years ago, Bob and Gudrun Cuillo were looking for a place to buy in Capri Italy, not far from Benevento, near Naples where Bob had family ties to the region.   The Capri property fell through and next they found themselves in Tuscany talking...

"We will cook together, you’ll don an apron and get your hands dirty, learning about local traditions on the way.  We eat and drink together, tasting wines chosen by Marco. Afterwards, in the late afternoon and evenings, you are free to go and explore or rest or catch up with family....." Welcome to the Episode #78: In this bountiful share we talk about Emiko Davies and Marco Lami’s new Adventure, Enoteca Marilu in the village of San Miniato in Tuscany.  We talk Slow Food and Slow Travel and...

"R is for Rome.  Roma is my Lupa, the She-Wolf.   She is mother and my muse" - Michelle Ciani, Letters from Rome Welcome to Episode #77:   Michelle Ciani lives in Rome, Italy.  Through her writing and journals, she explores place, home, identity and belonging.  Rome is the muse, the portal and the inspiration behind her words and letters.  Life is a quest.  Some of have a sense of belonging and some of us search for it.  Here we talk about living in Rome and searching for identity and...