the tortoise & the hare

Latest Episodes:

How to make a difference Nov 06, 2019

Show notes

When we look around and see the environmental crises facing the world it can be easy to slip in to despair, as we wonder, “What difference can I make? I’m only one person.”

In today’s episode we meet Georgi, who has made massive strides in changing the way she lives as an individual but is now looking at the bigger picture and wants to know, “What are some bigger things I can do, outside my own home, to make a real impact? What are the best things we can do to make a real difference?”

Georgi and Brooke have a really wide-ranging conversation that looks at both the highly practical changes each of us can make in our attempts to live a slower, more sustainable life, as well as the broader issue of how to work out what we have to offer our community and how to begin delivering it.

Brooke is then joined by special guest, Sarah Wilson (author of First, We Make the Beast Beautiful) who talks about the importance of us coming together to make change, as opposed to buying in to the story that we as individuals need to fix every single problem the system has created.

This is a really refreshing conversation that highlights the idea that making change is as simple as showing up in our own communities and as complicated as learning to let go of the guilt at not being able to do it all.

Enjoy!

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Can slow living make us lonely? Oct 30, 2019

Show notes

In today’s episode we meet Nancy, who has recently moved from the UK to Kuala Lumpur with her family, and is afraid that her introversion, combined with her desire to live a ‘slow life’ is holding her back from making friends.

Brooke discovers that she and Nancy share a lot of the same concerns, and they dive head-first in to why they both struggle with connection and what relationship that struggle has to deeper issues of self-worth, guilt and shame.

Brooke also shares some of the practical techniques she’s used over the past six months of living in a new place that have helped her slowly find and connect with like-minded people, while also talking through why we might want to rethink what “like-minded people” means to us. Are we holding out for a perfect fit when there are dozens of great people surrounding us? And if so, how can we get to know whether we’re a good fit as friends or not?

To bring another perspective in to the conversation, Brooke is joined by the wonderful friend of the show (and friend in general) Cait Flanders in the second half of the episode and they talk about making friends online, the importance of getting comfortable with awkwardness and letting go of expectations when meeting new people.

It’s a really warm, practical and honest conversation about making friends as an adult, with some special attention given to those of us who are on the more introverted side of the spectrum.

Enjoy!

Looking for more Slow?

Find show notes, resources and links at slowyourhome.com/season4
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BONUS EPISODE: Clare Bowditch on the stories we tell ourselves and why they matter Oct 28, 2019

Show notes

Surprise! We're popping in to your earholes on a Monday with a very special bonus episode featuring the utterly delightful Clare Bowditch - songwriter, actress, storyteller and author of one of the most powerful memoirs Brooke has ever read.

In this conversation Brooke and Clare talk about the stories we tell ourselves and why they matter, loss and grief, mental health and healing, learning to be patient and what happens when we show up scared.

It's deep, it's funny, it's bittersweet and we hope you enjoy it.

Looking for more Slow?

Find show notes, resources and links at slowyourhome.com/season4
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Does slow living rob us of ambition? Oct 23, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to Season 4! As Brooke and Ben mentioned in the sneak peek episode a couple of weeks ago, this season sees a pretty significant shake-up to the podcast format and they’re excited to dive in to it with you.

The season starts with a question from Kate, who wants to know whether slow living and some of its adjacent elements – mindfulness, self-care, noticing, increased peace and patience – can actually rob us of ambition.

Kate is an author and also has a passion for teaching and podcasting, and fears that if she slowed down enough to focus solely on her writing, she’d be robbing herself of the opportunity to not only do some of the things that fill her up, but also to live on the ‘edges of life’, where so much of the material for her books is gleaned.

Brooke and Kate talk about fear, mental health, the importance of looking at our intentions when taking (or not taking) certain actions, and the stories we tell ourselves about pain and discomfort and creativity and just generally dig around in what role slow living plays and how to find more long-term alignment.

The second half of the episode then features a chat with the delightful Tsh Oxenreider – who is also an author, teacher, podcaster and wearer of many and varied hats, just like Kate. Tsh and Brooke discuss Kate’s questions and the constant recalibration of life’s priorities and joys, and they also talk about the important process of getting to know oneself – why we do things, why we struggle with other things, what our strengths and weaknesses and preferences are.

Enjoy!

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Find show notes, resources and links at slowyourhome.com/season4
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Season 4 Sneak Peek Oct 14, 2019

Show notes

Season 4 is nearly here, and this week Brooke and Ben thought they'd drop a sneaky little preview of what's to come.

They talk about the totally new format for Season 4 episodes, why they decided to make a change and what you can expect from them this season (lots of super relatable conversations and practical takeaways).

Ben and Brooke also discuss what life's been like over the past couple of months as they settle in to their new home in the Southern Highlands, what they're struggling with and what the rest of the year holds. Ben peppers Brooke with some very random questions about negative reviews and the sustainability themes in The Handmaid's Tale (bear with us - it makes sense) and they also discuss the realities of finding new rhythms while holding space for exploring a new way of life.

It's fun, it's a little random, and it just might tide you over until Season 4 kicks off for real on October 24.

Enjoy!

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On settling, slowness and fitting out a new house: A Hostful Podcast Sep 11, 2019

Show notes

Unbelievable though it may seem, today's episode is the final poggie of Season 3. (Time flies when you're having fun!)

Before Brooke and Ben get in to today's episode and the outstanding listener questions that have been submitted throughout the season, they begin on a bittersweet note as they bid a very fond farewell to two Slow Home team members.

Once they wipe away their tears and (literally) play Steph and Ryan off in to the sunset, Brooke and Ben dive head-first in to some terrific listener questions. These include:

Apart from people, what do you most miss about Canada and the US? And what are you most glad to have in Australia?
Is it easier to live slower in Australia or in the US/Canada?
What are you finding challenging in regards to slow living, and what are you doing in response?
What area did you decide to buy and live in, and why did you chose that area?
Were you ever nervous about not being close to the city, not being close to family and instead living in a rural area?
Are you living mortgage free?
Is there a slow way to manage money?
Slow aspirations versus fast career path advice please?
What is your ultimate ’slow’ date night?
How have you gone re-buying things for the house? Slowly or all at once?
Have you bought things you gave away when you left for your trip?
What made Ben choose to go to therapy?
What are your favourite books of 2019?
Is Brooke currently writing a book?
What poggies are you currently listening to?
When will the next season of the podcast start?

As always, they do their do their best to answer these as honestly as possible (if not always, or ever, briefly) and end up discovering some really interesting things about themselves, their experiences of the past couple of years, and how they're each feeling now.

Season 4 of the poggie will be in your ears late October, and until then, take it slow!

Looking for more Slow?

Find show notes, resources and links at slowyourhome.com/season3
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As always, thank you for listening!

Join The Tortoise Community: https://brookemcalary.substack.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beth Kempton on the slow way of wabi sabi Sep 04, 2019

Show notes

This season has been an exploration of slow living through a variety of different lenses, looking at what constitutes ‘slow’ from new perspectives.

Today’s episode, the second-last of the season, is no different as Brooke chats with author and Japanologist Beth Kempton about slow living through the lens of Japanese culture. Or more specifically, through the lens of wabi sabi.

Complex to define, wabi sabi is an exploration of acceptance and contentment. An acknowledgement of the true nature of life and as such is a really powerful way of shifting our worldview.

Beth introduces Brooke to this complex nature of wabi sabi and they discuss how the idea of perfect imperfection can impact the way we purchase and consume things, the way we connect with people and the environment around us, and how it’s a welcome respite in a world that calls us to constant comparison and competition.

They discuss whether wabi sabi, or any personal philosophy really, has the power to change the world as well as the beauty of creating and honouring pockets and rituals of slowness in a busy life.

Questions featured in this episode:

What is wabi sabi?
Wabi sabi is the opposite to many of the things harming people and planet – mass consumption, convenience, keeping up with the Joneses etc. Do you think it has the power to change the world?
You write that wabi sabi helps us to seek meaning beyond materialism. How does it do that?
Do you think that contentment – as opposed to outright brilliant happiness – is something worth striving for?
What are some small rituals that we can adopt in to our lives now that help us to bend and stretch time, slowing it down and making it feel abundant?

Looking for more Slow?

Find show notes, resources and links at slowyourhome.com/season3
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As always, thank you for listening!

Join The Tortoise Community: https://brookemcalary.substack.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily Stochl on the planet-saving power of shopping second-hand Aug 28, 2019

Show notes

You may know by now that the fashion industry is one of the leading planet polluters, and you also may know that fast fashion (cheap, poorly made fashion that's created for very short-term wear) is a huge part of the problem.

One of the best solutions is to start buying second-hand clothes, but if you're a little clueless about how to start thrifting or if you feel intimidated every time you step in to a vintage store, this episode is for you.

Brooke chats with Emily Stochl, a passionate thrift shopper who has the best advice on how to get started, how to make sure your bargain is money well spent and why it's important to take it slow when thrifting.

Emily also talks about the rise of 'eco fashion' on the high street and why we need to be cautious of greenwashing in the fashion industry, and shares why second-hand shopping is one of the most effective, fun, self-expressive ways to lower our personal carbon footprint.

Questions featured in this episode:

What's your primary motivation for thrifting? Is it environmental, the thrill of the hunt, finding things no-one else wears?
What's the first step to begin our second-hand shopping journey?
How can a devoted shopper begin to slow their fashion habit?
What do we need to be aware of when donating our unwanted clothes?
What are your thoughts on the rise of eco fashion in the high street?

Looking for more Slow?

Find show notes, resources and links at slowyourhome.com/season3
Follow us on Instagram @slowhomepod
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Join the Slow Experiment Club over on Patreon
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As always, thank you for listening!

Join The Tortoise Community: https://brookemcalary.substack.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie Patrick on how to save the world Aug 21, 2019

Show notes

Often on the podcast we dance around the topic of technology - usually viewing it as something that gets in the way of our efforts to slow down and live a more mindful, sustainable life. But what if we embraced technology and viewed it as the greatest opportunity we have to change (or maybe even save) the world?

In this week’s episode Brooke chats with Katie Patrick, an environmental engineer and designer who applies data-driven, gamification, and behaviour-change techniques to solve the world’s environmental problems. Katie brings with her a completely new perspective on what it’s going to take to change the world, and it’s a refreshing, hope-filled, imagination-fuelled joy to listen to.

Brooke and Katie talk about the important relationship between slowing down, getting creative and making an impact on the world, as well as what letting go of the idea of goals and success has done to Katie’s own life. Katie also shares how imagination and day dreaming might just hold the key to getting more people to care about the planet, and why we need to shift the current narrative away from doom and gloom, to one of opportunity and hope.

Questions featured in this episode:

What role does optimism play in our ability to change the world?
Why do we need to slow down in order to access our creative potential?
If we lead busy, full lives, how can we make space and time for creativity, particularly when it feels like a ‘nice to have’ rather than a necessity?
What’s the link between optimism and taking action?
Why do you think the current environmental, climate crisis messaging is falling flat for so many people? What can we do to change it?

Looking for more Slow?

Find show notes, resources and links at slowyourhome.com/season3
Follow us on Instagram @slowhomepod
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Join the Slow Experiment Club over on Patreon
Or leave a rating or review in iTunes

As always, thank you for listening!

Join The Tortoise Community: https://brookemcalary.substack.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kali Gray on body positivity, mindful eating and living counter-culturally Aug 14, 2019

Show notes

Is there a link between the rise in consumerism, the endless advertising messages that assault us thousands of times a day and the increase in body image issues? According to today’s guest, Kali Gray, the answer is a resounding yes.

Kali is a body confidence expert and a “non diet” dietician and in today’s episode she and Brooke discuss the the relationship between food security and body image issues, while also looking at the crossover between slow living and the work of reframing our perspective on food, self-care, self-worth and the food we eat.

Kali also turns the interview tables around on Brooke at one point, sparking a conversation on how big changes such as these take time, and no matter how well-versed we are in consumerism, health, wellness, body image and food, there’s always going to be part of us that requires a little extra love and empathy.

Questions featured in this episode:

Capitalism and consumerism are both linked to our dissatisfaction with ourselves and our bodies. How do you encourage people to recognise that and make changes so that we get to decide what is good and right for us individually?
It’s counter-cultural to teach and encourage people to love themselves and accept themselves as they are, particularly in the face of a society that teaches us to find fault in our bodies from a very young age. Is that something that comes naturally to you?
We both encourage people to ask the question WHY? Why do we do what we do? Why do we buy what we buy? Why do we eat what we eat? Do you find that once we begin to uncover that why, it becomes simpler to start making changes?
As a process, this asking why and digging deep is uncomfortable. How do you encourage people to accept that this is outside their comfort zone and move through regardless?
You highlight mindful eating as a way to begin to heal our relationship with food, but what actually is it to eat more mindfully?

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