A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life

"We travel not to escape life, but for life to not escape us" Welcome to Episode #110  Italy beckons... Today Nadia and I talk travel moments and her soulful Tuscany Cooking Retreat in Tuscany this year, see links below to book yourself something special in Italy this coming November-December…. Tuscan Escape with Nadia Fragnito [https://www.theveganitaliankitchen.com/a-vegan-tuscan-escape?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwKzd0JleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHl-wZXB89Jc_pboL6R8QFIEvK6P6HnzL2ByagPsVWEL88Xv3b6JI5CAr5D-S_aem_vgAB_lQGrlQrTfKYyRT6RA] Hortulanus Villa in Tuscany [https://www.hortuscourses.com/event-details/vegan-tuscan-christmas-a-boutique-festive-culinary-escape?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwKzd9xleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHl-wZXB89Jc_pboL6R8QFIEvK6P6HnzL2ByagPsVWEL88Xv3b6JI5CAr5D-S_aem_vgAB_lQGrlQrTfKYyRT6RA] Support the show [http://michellejohnston.life]

"Does the ever- evolving desire for beauty at home derive from a super sense of conviviality?" - Frances Mayes, A Place in the World Welcome to Episode #109: Some of the most delicious parts of this journey over the many years of loving Italy is the way it slowly became a part of my every day life.  At home I see the art, the ceramics, the candle holders, the table ware, the cookbooks, the coffee table and Italian design books and my favourite coffee mugs that I enjoy using daily (let’s not forget the true force in my life - the 10 cup Bialetti Moka Pot) and everything else I have collected along the way have played a beautiful role on this Italian journey.   There is magic in the every day domestic and mundane details of our lives and the joy we feel when we see these beautiful momentos from the travels and the inspiration we have felt to acquire such an object.  Today’s share is a revel in how Italy has been just as important at home for me as it is as a place in the world.   Enjoy listening,  Michelle x Find all Shownotes at  michellejohnston.life [https://www.michellejohnston.life/episodes/episode-109-bringing-italy-home] Buy my new book:  In the Shadow of a Cypress - An Italian Adventure [https://www.amazon.com.au/Shadow-Cypress-Italian-Adventure-ebook/dp/B0DFL3LHPV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1D2XT94OXVLIE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oG55yiWK_bSiLC48nPrkDsNWwx6pMfCGkhNZwv5BpB1Y-IouH0G0R1GzY3_QidKvbqELkQ8UiDzssYtlkdErHXGEiBrl0aV8mn2Pg4435suwOu3cC99OoEeNdtxsxQ1krbNjT4GFdDOt_Pu4odSJS0ZDz3Yd0S9W-z81rYZVg2XLWnMdD31FmerJrMvLiBcdPR8n6BAqACseEzzFkOzNvDROupdQhaqRTwhGusqYVr7mNj7AFn-e69oSQDboPcWTuLlNzKWHQUClkckSl3_quOYvp1kfIH4z5lwXH_8shfE.9xQi8L_Esh2fHK7LKyaZ309XIyB9EFgAftInlcY2vUo&dib_tag=se&keywords=in+the+shadow+of+a+cypress&qid=1727400551&sprefix=in+the+shadow+of+a+cyp%2Caps%2C279&sr=8-1] Book Link for  MichelleJohnston.life [https://www.michellejohnston.life/book-store] © 2025  A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2025 Support the show [http://michellejohnston.life]

"It's about the treasure beneath our feet, it's about the land..." - Bailey Alexander Welcome to Episode #108: Bailey Alexander lived in the region of Piemonte Italy in the small village of Loazzolo for seven years with her husband Francis. Over time the place, the land, the people, the traditions, the lifestyle, and the wonderful campilismo began to shape her life in new and creative ways.  After many years circumnavigating the globe, this time living in Piemonte searching for the “authentic life” ignited a curiosity that led Bailey to go on a journey of sorts, a personal pilgrimage to understand more. Bailey had so many questions and soon this curiosity became a collection of stories that evolved into her second book - ‘Personal Legends of Piemonte’. Bailey and I discuss the many life lessons and the beautiful meandering journey of this time in her life to later come out the other side with a book that shares these intimate and magical stories of twelve Piemontese. This is a grand conversation and one that illuminates the many cycles in life, the power of change and the resiliency we discover when we follow the call to live authentically and with grace. Personal Legends of Piemonte by Bailey Alexander [https://www.amazon.com.au/Personal-Legends-Piemonte-Bailey-Alexander/dp/0984737405/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1D3M4DJO2XECB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IhsRrPNlfn0P6_d5Gdy6_Q.EONzdlimzYDmcSCuJVQjPZ8toc1EmkW101dxWOhF5IU&dib_tag=se&keywords=personal+legends+of+piemonte&qid=1744258280&sprefix=personal+legends+of+piemonte%2Caps%2C304&sr=8-1] Instagram: Bailey Alexander [https://www.instagram.com/baileyalexander3/] Find all Shownotes at  michellejohnston.life [https://www.michellejohnston.life/episodes/episode-107] Buy my new book:  In the Shadow of a Cypress - An Italian Adventure [https://www.amazon.com.au/Shadow-Cypress-Italian-Adventure-ebook/dp/B0DFL3LHPV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1D2XT94OXVLIE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oG55yiWK_bSiLC48nPrkDsNWwx6pMfCGkhNZwv5BpB1Y-IouH0G0R1GzY3_QidKvbqELkQ8UiDzssYtlkdErHXGEiBrl0aV8mn2Pg4435suwOu3cC99OoEeNdtxsxQ1krbNjT4GFdDOt_Pu4odSJS0ZDz3Yd0S9W-z81rYZVg2XLWnMdD31FmerJrMvLiBcdPR8n6BAqACseEzzFkOzNvDROupdQhaqRTwhGusqYVr7mNj7AFn-e69oSQDboPcWTuLlNzKWHQUClkckSl3_quOYvp1kfIH4z5lwXH_8shfE.9xQi8L_Esh2fHK7LKyaZ309XIyB9EFgAftInlcY2vUo&dib_tag=se&keywords=in+the+shadow+of+a+cypress&qid=1727400551&sprefix=in+the+shadow+of+a+cyp%2Caps%2C279&sr=8-1] Book Link for my MichelleJohnston.life [https://www.michellejohnston.life/book-store] © 2025  A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2025 Support the show [http://michellejohnston.life]

"The only joy in the world is to begin" - Cesare Pavese, This Business of Living Welcome to Episode #107: The writing life is full of possibilities and paradoxes, yet some times you need some tips and tricks on how to move forward, how to make time, how to get past the resistance and the limitations, and just write. Living a creative life takes a little audacity, a dose of commitment and a tonne of self care, it’s about nurturing your creativity and your projects until they are ready to bloom.   Today I share some of the tools, the tricks, some tips and the books on writing and creativity that have helped me complete my books, or more so, just get started. It is all about beginners mind and the art of small compounding victories that lead you to build momentum and structure over time. Anyway, this is what I have discovered over thirty years of being curious and absolutely determined to keep creating and making things along the way! Find all Shownotes at  michellejohnston.life [https://www.michellejohnston.life/episodes/episode-107-small-victories-writing-that-book] https://www.michellejohnston.life/episodes/episode-104-appetito-the-life-soul-and-tastes-of-italian-home-cooking-with-alison-ranwell Buy my new book:  In the Shadow of a Cypress - An Italian Adventure [https://www.amazon.com.au/Shadow-Cypress-Italian-Adventure-ebook/dp/B0DFL3LHPV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1D2XT94OXVLIE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oG55yiWK_bSiLC48nPrkDsNWwx6pMfCGkhNZwv5BpB1Y-IouH0G0R1GzY3_QidKvbqELkQ8UiDzssYtlkdErHXGEiBrl0aV8mn2Pg4435suwOu3cC99OoEeNdtxsxQ1krbNjT4GFdDOt_Pu4odSJS0ZDz3Yd0S9W-z81rYZVg2XLWnMdD31FmerJrMvLiBcdPR8n6BAqACseEzzFkOzNvDROupdQhaqRTwhGusqYVr7mNj7AFn-e69oSQDboPcWTuLlNzKWHQUClkckSl3_quOYvp1kfIH4z5lwXH_8shfE.9xQi8L_Esh2fHK7LKyaZ309XIyB9EFgAftInlcY2vUo&dib_tag=se&keywords=in+the+shadow+of+a+cypress&qid=1727400551&sprefix=in+the+shadow+of+a+cyp%2Caps%2C279&sr=8-1] Book Link for my MichelleJohnston.life [https://www.michellejohnston.life/book-store] © 2025  A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2025 Music Available on Spotify & Apple Music, today I featured Richard's 'The Ghan' on the Show!!  Enjoy xo Support the show [http://michellejohnston.life]

"It was always in my heart" - Pinch Me, Waking up in a 300-Year-Old Italian Farmhouse by Barbara Boyle Welcome to Episode #106, Barbara shares her book ‘Pinch Me - Waking up in a 300-Year-Old Italian Farmhouse’ and the tale of traveling from France to Piemonte to discover the region of the Langhe, the place she would fall in love with, buy an old farmhouse and begin a grand restoration process. Barbara and her husband Kim made a life in Italy, following the pull, the irrational desire to create something special for them to enjoy in their retirement and live for an extended time in Italy.   I love these stories about people making the leap into new territory, buying a home, learning the language, living another kind of life. It is very possible to do that and it speaks to living the Italian dream and giving it a go.  Pinch Me - Waking up in a 300-Year-Old Italian Farmhouse by Barbara Boyle Visit Barbara’s Substack - Letters from a 300 year old farmhouse [https://boyleb.substack.com/] Barbara’s Website [https://www.barbaraboyleauthor.com/] for More! Barbara’s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/barbaraannboyle10/] Find all Shownotes at  michellejohnston.life [https://www.michellejohnston.life/episodes/an-italian-farmhouse-and-a-book-pinch-me-with-barbara-boyle] https://www.michellejohnston.life/episodes/episode-104-appetito-the-life-soul-and-tastes-of-italian-home-cooking-with-alison-ranwell Buy my new book:  In the Shadow of a Cypress - An Italian Adventure [https://www.amazon.com.au/Shadow-Cypress-Italian-Adventure-ebook/dp/B0DFL3LHPV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1D2XT94OXVLIE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oG55yiWK_bSiLC48nPrkDsNWwx6pMfCGkhNZwv5BpB1Y-IouH0G0R1GzY3_QidKvbqELkQ8UiDzssYtlkdErHXGEiBrl0aV8mn2Pg4435suwOu3cC99OoEeNdtxsxQ1krbNjT4GFdDOt_Pu4odSJS0ZDz3Yd0S9W-z81rYZVg2XLWnMdD31FmerJrMvLiBcdPR8n6BAqACseEzzFkOzNvDROupdQhaqRTwhGusqYVr7mNj7AFn-e69oSQDboPcWTuLlNzKWHQUClkckSl3_quOYvp1kfIH4z5lwXH_8shfE.9xQi8L_Esh2fHK7LKyaZ309XIyB9EFgAftInlcY2vUo&dib_tag=se&keywords=in+the+shadow+of+a+cypress&qid=1727400551&sprefix=in+the+shadow+of+a+cyp%2Caps%2C279&sr=8-1] Book Link for my MichelleJohnston.life [https://www.michellejohnston.life/book-store] © 2025  A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2025 Support the show [http://michellejohnston.life]