"One's destination is never a place but a new way of looking at things" - Henry Miller

Welcome 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 In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2024

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"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 cuisine of Liguria, leading food tours, market and cooking classes in the city of Genova. Enrica is a Food Writer and Author of Liguria in Cucina: The Flavours of Liguria, where she shares her passion for preserving the traditional recipes and the stories of her region.

We go on a beautiful journey through the many layers of Liguria, with expert tips on mastering your pesto sauce and what to do and see in Genoa if on the Italian Riviera. I adore this part of the world and hope you enjoy this conversation with Enrica Monzani.

Visit Enrica at A Small Kitchen in Genoa

Enrica's Beautiful Cookbook - Liguria in Cucina: The Flavours of Liguria, Ricotta della tradizione - traditional dishes….

Follow Enrica on Instagram @asmallkitcheningenoa

The city of Genoa/Genova is not only a majestic port city on the Mediterranean Sea, but the capital city of Liguria. If you would like to listen to other Podcasts from the archive I have created on this journey of exploring Italian Culture and this fascinating city - you can find the links and resources here at michellejohnston.life

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

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"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 Mussato about her book - Universe I Trust You: One Month in Sri Lanka

I wanted to share that I listened to Roberta’s book on Audible late last year, which I thoroughly enjoyed, she made me laugh a lot with her honesty and candid truth telling, and well everything else that was working or not working in her life. The big question is, can the worst of crisis be the turning point for a grand new chapter in your life? Yes, it appears, it definitely can.

Roberta was born in Treviso in the north of Italy, in the Veneto region. With a background as an Interpreter and Translator from Italian to English, most of her adult life has been lived in London. Roberta describes herself as a global citizen and loves to travel the world seeking and learning about people and places.

When Roberta took this three month journey, she had one main provision - to let the universe do the work. Her theory was to let go and let it all unfold in a natural way without expectations or demands. It’s a fun story and Roberta’s second book is currently being written as Roberta goes on to reflect on what happened next in India and then Nepal. These days she is a Life Coach and avid traveler and currently lives in London, in the United Kingdom.

Universe I Trust You, One Month in Sri Lanka on Audible

Roberta Mussato on Instagram

Visit Roberta for her book and Life Coaching Sessions at Roberta Mussato

Roberta is happy to offer a 10% discount on her three months Coaching Package - Contact her on robertamussato@gmail.com and mention this offer…

Also she offers a 60 minute Coaching Session if you leave a review of her book on Audible or Amazon - just send a screenshot of your review and send it to robertamussato@gmail.com

Find all Show Notes and details mentioned at:
michellejohnston.life

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© 2024 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2024

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"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 recognised over the past few years that taking the reins and travelling solo is the ultimate journey of self care. It isn't the easiest of path, but speaks to liberation and going on an inner journey, just as much as an outer one.

Enjoy this Conversation.....

Visit Nadia: The Vegan Italian Kitchen
Instagram: The Vegan Italian Kitchen

First Conversation with Nadia Fragnito - Episode #55: Culinary Adventures in Southern Italy with Nadia Fragnito

Some of the Inspiration behind Nadia’s Solo Journey to Italy - Episode #57: Table for One - On Solo Travel, Artist Dates and Grand Adventures

Read the Solo Travel Essay - Table for One

Highlight Moment in this Episode - The jewels and triumph of the journey at 47.00 minutes!! I love this conversation so much... Thank you Nadia x

( P.S If you hear a dog snoring, around 9 minutes in, that was Picasso!! )

Find all Show Notes and Details mentioned at:
michellejohnston.life

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© 2024 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2024

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"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 into the many layers of my life and the inspiration that has led to this point on the journey, and share what it is to “follow the charm” in life and in the quiet and beautiful epiphanies that happen along the way.

Find all Show Notes and details mentioned at:
michellejohnston.life

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© 2024 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2024

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"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

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© 2024 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2024

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"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 Frances Mayes
Serendipity: From Truffles and Champagne to Corn Flakes and Coffee: Stories of Accidental Success by Oscar Farinetti
Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World by Anthony Dooer
Pleasures and Landscapes: A Travellers Tales from Europe by Sybille Bedford
Liguria in Cucina: The Flavours of Liguria by Enrica Monzani

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

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"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, the place that would initiate a 1000 questions and responses.

There is a part that Allison conserves for family and her Swiss life, and there is a part she lives quite on the fringe of everything… In Italy, on the Venetian lagoon… Searching, exploring, painting, writing, documenting, playing and sharing, yet really going to the edge of what is possible, in her boat, in her art and in herself. Nothing is taken for granted. Not her environment, not her choices, not the people, not the place. Zurfluh recognises the plight of the Venetian lagoon, the wild beauty, the breathtaking moments, the natural world and at times, the painful truth of the tourist dollar.

We discuss so much.... Art and motherhood, the writing life, living on the island of Burano and protecting the fishing communities on the lagoon, going into the wilderness to be alone to find what matters, creativity and grit, and indeed many personal stories of our own reckoning with the parts of our lives that make us who we are as women and artists at this point in time. We don't hold back and that is why I published this whole conversation in one beautiful thread. Hopefully you are on one of those long walks you need over the festive season and you can enjoy this share ....

Here is a wild and beautiful conversation from one wild and beautiful woman to another. Allison is not only happy to rock the boat, but paints from it too, sharing her gifts, lighting the way, protecting the sacred and reminding us, that we all make a difference in this wild and beautiful world we live in. Enjoy

To buy Allison’s Books and Fine Art Allison Zurfluh
On Instagram: Allison Zurfluh
Listen to my last conversation with Allison in 2022… Allison Zurfluh: Art and Conservation in the Venice Lagoon

Minutes and Moments in this Conversation:
14.00 - Motherhood and the Artist
31.40 - Women and Creativity
41.45 - How Allison nurtures her Art and Creativity as a portal to becoming
44.00 - The Venice Lagoon as a mirror
51.00 - Nature for pain relief
58.00 - How Allison discovered Burano and moved to the Lagoon
1.07 - The Writers Journey
1.08 - La Mia Arte & the Fisherman
1.39 - Transcending the Mundane with Words - "One true Sentence"

Find all Show Notes and details mentioned at:
michellejohnston.life

You can now Support the Podcast and send your encouragement.

© 2023 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2023

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