A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life – Details, episodes & analysis

"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 this grand tour of mine. Alone and happy with a pen and journal, to just muse, people watch and write notes" - Michelle Johnston, In the Shadow of a Cypress

Welcome to Episode #97:

After a small pause, I return to share Book release dates, an extract of my audio-book in the making and some exciting news.  I couldn't help but share the journey so far and what has been happening and what's to come next!!

'In the Shadow of a Cypress: An Italian Adventure' is due out on the 13th September, 2024 - Stay Tuned for more soon!

Find all Shownotes at  michellejohnston.life

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

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"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 Volcano

Welcome to Episode #96: 

Get ready for a wonderful adventure today with Ros Belford - Travel Writer, Journalist and Author of Children of the Volcano: Finding Freedom and Making a Home for Three in Sicily.  Enjoy this conversation and read her book - it’s a wonderful account of making a life in Italy and following the call.

Note: Ros Belford reads excerpts from her book, Children of the Volcano...

*Arriving on the island of Salina 16:29
*Discovering and falling in love with Italy  23:28
*The path of miracles  33.25

Children of the Volcano: Finding Freedom and Making a Home for Three in Sicily by Ros Belford

Children of the Volcano tells the story of motherhood and childhood on the Sicilian island of Salina. Izzy and Juno grow up playing on the beach, learning to swim over volcanic bubbles, hearing tales of Aeolian witches, fighting battles armed with jellyfish and watching Stromboli erupt on the horizon. But nowhere is paradise. The school is atrocious, the teachers scary, and there are power cuts, storms and an earthquake. However, an eclectic community of islanders take them to their hearts, friendships are forged and Salina becomes home. Full of humanity, vitality, honesty and optimism, Children of the Volcano is for anyone unwilling to give up dreams of adventure and excitement simply because of parenthood, lack of money and not getting things right the first time.

Visit Ros for travel guides, articles and more at Ros Belford

On Instagram: Ros Belford

Find all Shownotes at  michellejohnston.life

© 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

Support the show

"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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“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 panforte story I couldn't resist asking about, and the food writers that have inspired Giulia on her path from Blogger to Author to Podcast Host and Cooking Teacher.

Visit Giulia and Tommasso at  Jul's Kitchen
Receive Giulia’s Stories and Recipes - Letters from Tuscany
Follow on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/julskitchen/

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

Support the show

"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, the travels, and how she sees the world and the things that inspire.  Make yourself a pot of tea and relax into this share.  Tessa was at home in Tuscany, when we spoke about 'Now & Then' and what inspired this book.  Thank you Tessa, so much, for this bountiful and generous conversation.  Enjoy…

Visit Tessa Kiros on Instagram at Tessa's Travels

Find Tessa’s books at Tessa Kiros:  Food and Travel Books

Visit Murdoch Books for More....

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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"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 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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"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 Search for Everything” became an International Best Seller.   Luca Spaghetti suddenly found himself as a character in the book and later in the film “Eat Pray Love”.  

Today is a special guest - Luca Spaghetti telling his story about this beautiful chapter in his life and the treasured friendship that endures.  We talk about the two books he wrote “Un Amico Italiano - Eat Pray Love in Rome” and “Anything Is Possible”.  They are two of my favourite books, and a real delight to read and discover. 
Enjoy this share, and thank you Luca for a beautiful conversation.

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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"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 writing her two books, self publishing and her discoveries and life adventures….

Enjoy,

Claire’s Links:

Visit for Insights on the South of Italy and More -  Ms Britaly

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/MsBritaly 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/MsBritaly

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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“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 travel journals and at the end read from my art book ‘Italian Hours”…

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

Support the show