A Good Life At Sol Haven

A Good Life At Sol Haven | Episode 23

A fresh start to 2026 with A Good Life with Soul Haven, as the team explore why New Year’s resolutions so often fail – and how to make meaningful change that actually lasts. From guilt-free goal setting and slow, realistic habits, to understanding rhythm, balance and listening to your body, this episode is all about kinder ways to reset for the year ahead. There’s a calming moment of mindfulness with live drumming, reflections on nature forcing us to slow down, and a practical, accessible heavy metal detox smoothie recipe to support energy, focus and mood after the festive season. The episode closes with a card pull for the week, focusing on balance, and a look ahead to love, connection and seasonal living in February. A thoughtful, grounding conversation for anyone who wants to feel healthier, calmer and more aligned in everyday life. #wellbeing #mindfulness #newyearreset #holistichealth #selfcare #slowliving #soulhaven #balance #detox #community

A Good Life At Sol Haven | Episode 22

Step into another warm and uplifting episode of A Good Life with Soul Haven, where Chris Gregg is joined by Natasha the Loving Chef and special guest Anthony, one of Soul Haven’s directors. This episode is a festive deep-dive into caring for your wellbeing at Christmas, setting boundaries, managing expectations, and finding calm in the middle of the seasonal whirlwind. Natasha shares seven practical tips for navigating the pressures of Christmas Day with compassion and clarity, from creating a peaceful start to delegating tasks and taking sensory breaks. The team explore how excitement and stress can feel so similar, and how reframing your emotions can help you stay grounded. Anthony opens up about his personal journey from a long career in retail and supply-chain leadership into discovering a more purpose-driven path. He explains how he first connected with Soul Haven, how he became a director, and the inspiring impact of the flagship Plan the Mind programme. You’ll hear how Soul Haven measures social value, how organisations can support the work, and why sustainable community wellbeing is at the heart of everything they do. There’s also a delightfully festive recipe from Natasha: an easy vegan cashew nut cheese rolled in rosemary, cranberry, and nut crust — perfect for your Christmas cheeseboard. She breaks down how to make it, how to customise it, and how long it keeps. The episode ends with an affirmation card pull and a reflection on why it’s important to celebrate your small wins and recognise your own resilience. It’s comforting, insightful, funny in all the right places, and packed with practical wisdom for your festive season. Easy vegan cashew nut cheese with Rosemary, cranberry and nut crust – great for a fabulous cheese board Ingredients: 2 cups raw cashews (soaked overnight) 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast 1 teaspoon roasted garlic (optional) 1/2 – 3/4 tablespoons fine sea salt (or to taste) 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (or to taste) 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional if you like a little heat) parchment paper, Topping Ingredients: handful of mixed nuts (I used walnuts and pecans), chopped 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped fine 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, chopped fine + extra for garnish Directions: Rinse and drain your soaked cashews. Then blend them in a food processor or high-speed blender with nutritional yeast, garlic and salt and pepper until smooth. Place the mixture onto a cheesecloth and squeeze top to drain any liquids. If a log shape is desired, then shape the mixture into a cylinder, still in the cheesecloth. Place it over a sieve and store in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours. Chop the nuts, cranberries and rosemary and spread onto a work surface. Unwrap the cheese log and roll it in the toppings evenly pressing them into the ‘cheese’. Do this just before serving or return back to the refrigerator until serving. 00:00 – Welcome to A Good Life at Soul Haven 01:12 – Introducing Anthony, this week’s special guest 03:10 – Christmas pressures, expectations and festive mental health 07:00 – Soul Haven’s purpose and how to get involved 11:35 – Seven top tips for coping with Christmas stress 18:40 – Boundaries, delegation and managing family dynamics 22:10 – Sensory breaks, overwhelm and staying present 25:30 – Phone habits, switching off and enjoying the day 28:15 – Social balance, self-compassion and small wins 31:40 – Introducing Anthony’s story 33:05 – Anthony’s career background and shift in purpose 38:20 – Joining Soul Haven and becoming a director 42:55 – Plan the Mind and measuring social value 47:10 – How organisations can support Soul Haven 49:30 – Vegan cashew nut cheese recipe 51:55 – Upcoming events and Christmas markets 53:10 – Affirmation card 54:05 – Looking ahead to the New Year episode #SoulHaven #AGoodLifePodcast #FestiveWellbeing #MentalHealthSupport #NorthamptonshireCommunity #PlanTheMind #WellbeingJourney #PurposeDrivenLiving #VeganCheeseRecipe #HolidayStressTips #AffirmationCards #SoulfulLiving #CommunityWellbeing #UKPodcasts #MindfulnessTools #NewYearWellbeing #SelfCompassion #NorthamptonshireLife #HolisticHealth #WellbeingInNature

A Good Life At Sol Haven | Episode 21

In this warm and reflective episode of A Good Life with Soul Haven, Chris is joined by Natasha and Samuel for a deep dive into permaculture principle 11: using the edges and valuing the marginal. Together, they explore how the overlooked corners of nature mirror the hidden emotional spaces within ourselves, and how stepping beyond familiar routines can lead to meaningful personal growth. Samuel shares an honest account of his own challenges this year, opening up about pain, stillness, and the unexpected insights that came from being forced out of his comfort zone. Natasha and Samuel also offer three practical tips to help listeners gently stretch their boundaries, reconnect with neglected passions, and take small but powerful steps forward. The team then head out into the garden for a seasonal update, discussing winter tasks such as nurturing the soil, creating wildlife habitats, collecting leaf mulch, protecting vulnerable plants, and caring for hardworking tools. Natasha brings delicious warmth to the episode with her quick and comforting tofu pad thai recipe, packed with ginger, chilli, lime and nourishing vegetables. There’s also a calming drumming session led by Samuel, offering a moment of grounding focus. The show finishes with an inspiring reflection on optimism, exploring how hopeful thinking can guide us through difficult times and help shape a brighter, more intentional future. With a glance ahead to the next episode’s Christmas-themed conversation, it’s a rich, heartfelt instalment full of wisdom, humour and practical guidance from the Soul Haven family. #SoulHaven #AGoodLifePodcast #WellbeingJourney #PermaculturePrinciples #MindfulnessMatters #WinterGardening #EmotionalHealth #VeganCooking #TofuPadThai #PositiveLiving #SelfGrowth #CommunityWellbeing

A Good Life At Sol Haven | Episode 20

In this uplifting episode, Natasha from Sol Haven takes listeners on a journey of growth, adaptability, and connection — exploring what it truly means to live sustainably, both with the earth and within ourselves. Based in Moulton, just outside Northampton, Sol Haven is an award-winning community farm that focuses on “building sustainable people.” Natasha begins by introducing permaculture principle 12, “Creatively Use and Respond to Change,” reflecting on how embracing transformation — rather than resisting it — helps us grow stronger, more resilient, and in harmony with nature. We then hear from John, who shares his deeply personal story of how volunteering at Sol Haven transformed his life. After walking away from an 11-year corporate career, burnt out and unsure of what was next, he found purpose, healing, and confidence through reconnecting with the soil, community, and the natural world. His honest reflections on burnout, self-discovery, and the power of slowing down offer an inspiring reminder that change, though uncomfortable, often leads us exactly where we need to be. Natasha also shares a nourishing seasonal recipe — Black Bean & Quinoa Soup — packed with grounding, warming ingredients perfect for winter. The recipe, taken from her book 31 Quick and Easy Vegan Recipes For Any Time of the Day, highlights how simple, wholesome food can help us nurture both body and mind as the seasons turn. The episode closes with John’s card pick for the week, a teaser for next time — including a return from Sammuel to share new rhythms and a focus on permaculture principle 11: “Use edges and value the marginal.” This heartwarming and inspiring conversation celebrates change, growth, and the healing connection between people and planet. #SolHaven #TalkingChange #Permaculture #SustainableLiving #CommunityWellbeing #Northampton #Mindfulness #EcoHealing #MentalHealthMatters #NatureTherapy #BlackBeanSoup #VeganCooking #NatashaC #JohnsStory #PloughingTheMind #EcoPodcast #Resilience #SelfCare #PersonalGrowth #NatureConnection

A Good Life At Sol Haven | Episode 19

In episode 19 of A Good Life at Sol Haven, Natasha, Chris and Samuel explore the changing season of autumn — a time for rest, reflection, and renewal. From embracing permaculture principle 4: apply self-regulation and accept feedback, to rethinking how we grow, work, and care for ourselves, the team share how honest reflection and mindful planning can nurture both people and planet. Samuel offers a calming drum sound session, while Natasha introduces her Warm from Within segment, highlighting five nourishing foods — from ginger and cinnamon to root vegetables — that bring inner glow through the colder months. Together, they show how nature’s rhythms guide sustainable living, self-awareness, and community connection. The episode ends with an uplifting card reading and a look ahead to next week’s theme on creativity and adapting to change. #AGoodLifeAtSolHaven #SolHaven #SustainableLiving #Permaculture #MindfulLiving #AutumnWellbeing #WarmFromWithin #CommunityWellness #SoundHealing #DrumSession #InnerGlow #NaturalHealth #EcoCommunity #Northamptonshire #PeopleCare