Afleveringen
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Hello friend,
Over the past couple of weeks, Iāve given eleven livestreamed interviews and three or four (or was it five?) podcast interviews. Iāve been on TV twice, done two in-person signing events and have two more coming this weekend. And my book has only been out for nine days. A launch is an exercise in stamina, and this one is hitting me pretty differently at 47 than it did when I wrote my last book as a wee lass of 34.
Other things have changed since then, too; namely, how much I find myself leaning on the generosity of other writers and creators to help me get the word out.
Between 2007-2011, when I wrote my other books, publicity looked pretty different. It was more about trying to hit up the big outlets and hoping you landed appearances on the Today show or Good Morning America; maybe an op-ed in the New York Times. Today, in the age of social media, podcasts, and Substack, publishers expect authors to lean much more heavily on our personal networks to spread the word.
Itās wonderful that so many of my friends have bona fide mini-media-empires of their own, but itās also a little wearying to have to work my way around my circle of friends, friendlies, and not-exactly-friends-but-we-met-at-a-conference-one-time acquaintances, hoping theyāll have interest in my book and time to read and share it.
But over and over again, Iāve been blown away by the generosity Iāve encountered. Starting with Gretchen Rubin, KJ Dell'Antonia, Mary Laura Philpott, Ashlee Gadd and Sarah Powers, who all agreed to āblurbā (provide advance praise) for my book, even though four of the five of them do not also own a business with me (in fact, Mary Laura didnāt know me at all.) Christine Koh and Laura Vanderkam were among the first to offer to interview me for their podcasts. Fellow West Michigan author (and Jennaās-Book-Club novelist) Bonnie Jo Campbell sent me the most gracious and encouraging email offering to connect me to bookstore owners in her area. And eleven Substackers agreed to interview me LIVE on release day (all the recordings are linked up in this post.)
When I say that these acts were generous, I donāt only mean the generosity of another creator offering me access to their audience or knowledge. Of course that is generous, but thatās also the way this business works - we swap promo for content and contact for contact; in many ways these exchanges are reciprocal.
But in this experience, the generosity ran deeper than the simple exchange of value. Iāve come away with the feeling that people really showed up for me and this book - not just by doing the expected Iāll-scratch-your-back-you-scratch-mine stuff, but by putting all their attention into our live conversations (not a single phoned-in interview in the lot), by cheering my launch on social and at in-person events, by reading my words with a generosity of spirit, and by continuing to go above and beyond in sharing it after our scheduled interviews were over (I mean, just look at the display of writerly generosity in this lovely post by Asha Dornfest:)
Iāve had a lot of conversations recently with other friends (both writers and non-writers) that seem to always, in some way, circle back around to generosity: how good it feels to be generous, and yet how difficult it can feel to make space for generosity when we all feel busy and overstretched in a world where there is both so much need and so much distraction. How hard it is sometimes to tell the difference between genuine generosity, the kind that pours out of the overflow, and the kind of giving where we just drain ourselves dry in order to feel more worthy or āgood.ā
After feeling so inspired by the outpouring of generosity Iāve received, I have been reflecting on this for the last few days. A few ideas have come to mind:
1. It helps to make time and space for generosity.
I like to think of myself as a generous person, but my best intentions can get the best of me. When I feel too busy or strapped for time, those generous acts I really want to make time for tend to slip through my fingers.
I think somewhere in my subconscious Iāve held on to a belief that if generosity is scheduled or planned, that it somehow doesnāt ācountā - that ātrueā generosity bubbles up spontaneously when a need arises. But for me, that kind of attitude just leaves a lot of good intentions unfulfilled, because when the urge strikes me to be generous, I am not always in a position to act on that urge. And by the time I can do something for the person I want to help, Iāve often gotten caught up in the next thing on my list, or Iāve literally forgotten.
So the other day I thought: I wonder what it would look like if I actually set aside a chunk of time each week specifically to do things for others? Whether a small, simple thing, like sharing my writer friendsā work online - or something more resource-consuming, like volunteering time or donating money to a local nonprofit, what if I had a specific ācontainerā for generous activity set aside on my calendar?
I still wonāt ever be able to do all the generous things I wish I could do, and Iāll probably miss opportunities here and there. But by approaching a block of time with that singularity of purpose, I am much more likely to not only actually remember to get those things done but to approach requests with a spirit of abundance, rather than the āIād like to help, but where will I find the time?ā feeling Iām prone to getting right now when faced with a need. Because Iāll already have time set aside, so itāll just be a matter of filling it up.
Iām thinking Iām going to make Wednesday afternoons that block of time for myself. Generous Wednesday has a nice ring to it, yes?
2. It can actually be generous to say āno.ā
Over the past few months Iāve done a lot - I mean, a lot - of outreach for my book, and as part of that, Iāve asked for a lot of favors: for blurbs, for reviews, for shares, for introductions, for access. And while I know that emails do slip through the cracks and certainly donāt blame anyone for a non-response (I know Iāve done this to others plenty of times myself) I have to say that I have a certain appreciation for a quick and definitive, āIām sorry, but I just canāt.ā
Yes, the initial moment of rejection stings a bit, especially if itās a person I really hoped would be interested in my book, but itās better than following up into the void or vague suggestions of interest that never go anywhereā¦or worse big promises that disappear in a puff of smoke, as Amie McNee describes in this recent post:
Everyone is telling everyone else how supportive they are of each other. Thyāre going to connect you, platform you, promote you, hire you. 99% of it never materialises.
I have to admit that I felt both taken aback and extremely fortunate while reading her post, because while Iām not going to say Iāve never been let down, I have not experienced this en masse. Itās made me so grateful for the generosity folks have shown me, for the most part, in honestly summing up their own capacity and declining (or even just backing out with notice) when they canāt do something.
Iām not sure Iām always as honest with myself and clear with others in this regard as I could be, so itās also strengthened my resolve to show the same kind of generosity to othersā¦even when that means saying āIām so sorry, but I canāt.ā
3. We canāt be generous to everyone at all times.
These days we are so connected, aware of so much need, and often trying to please so many people at once (my personal Kryptonite.) I am so guilty of tying myself in knots to try to ābe generousā, often offering more and more to people who arenāt even all that interested in what I have to give.
But there will always, always be more demands on our time and attention than we can deliver on; there will always, always be more people we could give of ourselves to. So how do I balance my desire to give with my capacity, both as a human being and as a creative?
I think the answer begins with simply trying to do less, but do it better. We live in a growth-oriented culture that glorifies āscaleā and āoptimizationā, but reaching more and more people doesnāt actually do more good if it means spreading ourselves too thinly in the interim, running out of steam or burning out entirely.
This is something I will be continuing to think about as I process my book launch experience, but in the meantime, Iād love to hear from you: What are some ways youāve experienced generosity lately? What are ways you aim to show generosity to others?
Speaking of generosity: Iāve been so grateful to those of you whoāve generously supported my work as paid subscribers, even as Iāve been so head-down in book writing and promotion that I havenāt offered you much value in return.
In the spirit of reciprocity, Iām working on ways to right that imbalance now. My first step will be putting these monthly Journal episodes and posts behind the Substack paywall starting on June 1, as a special way to acknowledge paid subscribers.
If you arenāt currently a paid member of The Kettle and enjoy these monthly reflections, youāll want to upgrade your subscription now. Iām offering a deep discount through June 5: annual memberships are just $30/year, less than $3/mo!
And if you'd like to hear some more of my reflections on generosity and how I intend to use this space to give back to my audience, listen to the podcast episode linked in this newsletter. In it, I share some specific ways Iāll be narrowing my focus so that I can create a better experience here for the people whoāve so generously supported my work with their dollars, as well as those who would like to going forward. If youāre interested a deeper connection with my content and the community weāre building here, now is a great time to upgrade your subscription. And if you cannot swing the cost to upgrade but are an invested reader/listener, email me at Meagan at meaganfrancis dot com and Iāll happily comp your subscription.
And speaking of giving back - my publisher is giving me TEN copies of The Last Parenting Book Youāll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace Whatās Next to give away! Just fill out this quick & easy form by 11:59 PM on May 16 to be entered to win.
Until next time, friends - Iām grateful for you.
Warmly,
Meagan
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How might the experience of forming and raising a family change if we felt more able to share honestly and openly about our struggles, joys, and everything in between? Today Iām talking with Rebecca N. Thompson, MD, a family physician and public health physician who specializes in womenās and childrenās healthāand the author of the new book Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love.
In this episode, Rebecca shares the process of writing her book, in which she tells the stories of twenty-one mothers whose lives and experiences intersect with hers and one anotherās. We discuss Rebeccaās experiences of navigating three complicated, life-threatening pregnancies and losses as a medical professional, how her bumpy path to creating a family inspired this collaborative storytelling project, and how the meanings of motherhood can evolve and change for each of us through the many seasons of our lives.
episode links
* Rebecca N. Thompsonās author website, which includes links to upcoming events
* Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love by Rebecca N. Thompson
Reminder: my book The Last Parenting Book Youāll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace Whatās Next is out May 6, and Iām offering free signed book plates for every pre-order! Email the receipt/confirmation with āBook Plateā in the subject line to [email protected], and be sure to include your mailing address and any special directions (like if you want it made out to a specific person besides yourself.) Iāll be accepting those receipts until May 15 and mailing out the book plates later this month.
And keep an eye out for an email on May 5 with my Virtual Book Tour lineup!
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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When you think of your children growing up, do you view their leaving as the end of an era - or the beginning of something new? In this episode, renowned happiness expert, author, and podcaster Gretchen Rubin joins me to discuss her āopen-doorā approach to parenting young adults, her brand-new, instant-NYTimes-bestselling book Secrets of Adulthood, our midlife lady hobbies, the way we remember (and donāt remember) our kidsā childhoods, and even the possibility of new puppies.
Episode links:
Gretchenās new book: Secrets of Adulthood: Simple Truths For Our Complex Lives
HAPPIER with Gretchen Rubin - Gretchenās podcast
"Abandon the Empty Nest. Instead, Try the Open Door." Gretchenās article in The Atlantic that inspired this conversation
Iāll be featured in Gretchenās āFive Thingsā newsletter on May 9. Sign up now so you donāt miss it!
Pssst - my book release date is right around the corner, May 6! Pre-orders mean a lot to authors - Iād love if youād order your copy today.
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This spring a lot of figurative āseedsā that I planted long ago, like my upcoming book launch and an expansion of my brick-and-mortar business, are starting to bear fruit - just at the time I am also hoping to literally put seeds in the ground.
Sometimes, a bounty of good (but energy-consuming) things comes at the same time weāre also trying to invest in the next thing, and we canāt always plan on a steady rhythm of planting and harvesting.
In this episode of The Kettle podcast I share more of my thoughts about how to lean into busy seasons, whether theyāre times of harvest, times of planting - or sometimes, both at once.
related links
Bevy, my tea + creative supplies shop, has a newsletter! If you love tea, are tea-curious, or just want a behind-the-scenes peek at what itās like to own a brick-and-mortar shop, subscribe for free here.
My book, The Last Parenting Book Youāll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace Whatās Next, is available for pre-order now!
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For most of us, getting groceries automatically equals āgoing to the supermarket.ā But does that brightly-lit jumble of logos, packaging, and confusing nutrition labels have to be the only - or even the primary - way we fill our fridges and pantries?
For the past few years, as Iāve been committed to sourcing more and more of my food locally and seasonally, itās automatically led to me relying less and less on the supermarket - and Iāve learned a lot along the way.
In this episode of The Kettle, I share some alternate ways Iām sourcing everything from fruits, veggies, grains, and beans to meat and dairy - as well as the surprising mindset shifts that have made this process easier.
episode links:
* Country Life Foods - this is where I buy bulk beans, grains, sweeteners, oils and more. Free delivery with minimum purchase size. Save 10% with my link!
* Thrive Market - good for smaller portions of whole foods, supplements, cleaning supplies and more. Iāve bought everything from Safe Catch tuna and salmon to chia seeds from Thrive. My link gets you a free gift when you sign up.
* The Guide to Getting Out of Supermarkets - an inspiring episode of The Ancestral Kitchen Podcast
* Find a CSA (community-supported agriculture) near you
* Loved this post by Sarah Cook: Biggest Grocery Store Scams
* Iām currently reading The Secret Life of Groceries by Benjamin Lorr, and itās blowing my mind.
related links:
My book, The Last Parenting Book Youāll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace Whatās Next, is available for pre-order now!
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Have you ever heard the phrase āMarch is the hungry monthā? In this monthās Journal episode, I discuss how scarcity can actually help us more deeply appreciate abundance, thoughts about how 24/7 supermarket shopping skews our perception of foodās value, and why thereās nothing as satisfying as a simple meal produced at home.
Be sure to scroll down as there are a lot of details in this post that I hinted at in the episode, like a list of featured teas, a picture of my new tea shop, a granola recipe and a question for you about āalternative economies.ā
the granola recipe I wish Iād found 27 years ago:
My belated foray into granola-making was inspired by the āChoose-Your-Own-Adventureā granola recipe from The Hands-On Home by Erica Strauss. While I heavily adapted Straussās recipe to suit my own preferences, it helped me realize is that the only āsecretā to making granola is to mix together what you like and bake the whole mess on low heat so you donāt have to stir. Straussās suggestion to add oat flour to create a clumpier mix is a nice touch - but if you donāt have it, donāt sweat it; itāll still taste great.
Ingredients:
* 4 cups dry rolled oats
* 1 cup chopped pecans
* 1 cup chopped almonds
* 1/2 cup oat flour (this helps the pieces stick together for a clumpy texture; Iāve also used ground flax. You can also skip this step if you donāt have either one.)
* 1/2 cup avocado oil (or any neutral-flavored oil)
* 1 cup maple syrup (the original recipe called for 1/2 c maple syrup and 1/2 c brown sugar but I never seem to have brown sugar on hand so I often sub in maple syrup or honey)
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon sea salt
* 2 cups dried fruit - I usually just use raisins but you can also use dried cranberries, cherries or a mix
Directions:
* Preheat oven to 300 degrees F, line a sheet pan with parchment paper
* Combine the oats, nuts, seeds, and flour in a large bowl and stir together
* In a smaller bowl, whisk together the oil, maple syrup, cinnamon and salt
* Pour the wet mixture over the dry mixture and stir until itās fully coated
* Spread granola mixture onto the parchment-paper-covered sheet pan, using oiled hands to press down into a single, packed layer of granola.
* Bake on the center oven rack until the granola is uniformly golden brown. This takes about 35 minutes in my oven but can quickly overcook if I donāt watch it. You donāt need to stir the granola, but turning the pan halfway through cooking is a good idea.
* Once the granola is golden brown, remove from the oven and let cool completely.
* When the granola has fully cooled, break it up into clumpy pieces, and add the dried fruit (and chocolate chips or coconut if you want to use them.)
Store in an airtight container and enjoy! I love this granola with fruit and a drizzle of honey over yogurt - especially the homemade yogurt I have been making with this recipe. So simple, wholesome, and yummy.
Featured Teas:
I canāt wait until I have fresh flowers to add to my tea - but while I wait, Iām consoling myself with these favorite floral-forward teas:
* Right as Rain from Light of Day Organics. A mix of nourishing organic herbs including raspberry leaf, nettle, dandelion, alfalfa, yarrow and milk thistle combine in a soothing early-spring tonic.
* Peaceful Spirit from Flying Bird Botanicals - Lovely lemon balm, soothing oat straw and St. Johnās Wort and Hawthorn flowers combine in an uplifting blend.
* Flower Power Detox from Good Medicine Tea - The sweet, light floral flavors of clover, chrysanthemum, violet and honeysuckle are complemented by earthier notes of fennel and ginger. I offered tastings of this at opening day of my new tea shop, and it nearly sold out!
Update: my new tea shop opened today!
Today was the soft opening of my new location of Bevy, my brick-and-mortar shop. There was so much excitement, and I was thrilled to get to share my love of tea - and creativity - with my brand-new customers. I canāt wait to share more about this new adventure as it unfolds.
Upcoming Events at The Kettle:
Tuesday, March 4: Tune in for a live conversation with myself and Christine Koh at 11 AM EST/8 AM PT! Weāll be continuing the conversation from our recent podcast conversation: Iāll be sharing some in-progress herbal remedies and weāll both discuss our gardening, foraging, and medicine-making plans for Spring. The livestream will be free and available to all here on Substack, and the recorded conversation will be available after the livestream for paid members. Put it on your calendar and keep an eye on your email or my Substack to join in!
Wednesday, March 5: Join a supportive group of members of The Kettle at 9 AM EST for a live Co-Create Circle, where you can work on a creative project of your choice in quiet community with others.
Upgrade your membership now to join us - I canāt wait to see you there.
Question of the week:
Iām curious: are you exploring any āalternativeā economies like barter/trade or buying direct from makers/farmers/producers, for food or other goods? Iād love to hear about it - comment below!
Other links mentioned in the episode:
(If youāre viewing this in your podcast app, the links below this point may not format correctly. Click through to The Kettle on Substack to see & engage with this episode!)
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Are you even a midlife lady if you donāt suddenly drop everything and start a garden? In todayās episode, I talk with Christine Koh about our shared adult-onset passion for herbal medicine and our attempts - with varying degrees of success - at growing things. Christine shares how her adventures in gardening and herbalism - part of what she jokingly calls her #gloriouswitch transformation - were a force for healing as she came out of a stressful stage of life, and now provide her with a grounded, embodied way to connect her with the physical world, community, and tradition.
We also discuss some of the specific herbal remedies both Christine and I have experimented with, some gardening successes (and a failure or two) from last year, and what weāre hoping to do in our gardens and kitchens this spring and summer.
Itās the perfect cozy late-winter chat to get you thinking about working with your hands, growing green things, and making healing remedies for your family and friends.
NOTE: Christine and I are planning a LIVE broadcast for later this week! Weāll be sharing more about our garden plans for spring, plus doing a show-and-tell of some of our herbal medicine projects. More details coming - make sure youāre subscribed to my Substack so you donāt miss it.
Links from this episode:
Alchemy of Herbs by Rosalee de la Foret
Medicinal Herbs by Rosemary Gladstar
Christineās Wellness Brew
My Journey to Becoming a Glorious Witch - Edit Your Life
Better Homes & Gardens garden planner
Morality, Politics, and How to Find Common Ground (with Dr. Kurt Gray) - Edit Your Life
162 Things To Do Instead Of Doomscrolling - Thereās Always A Story (Christineās Substack)
My private subscriber chat has been busy lately, with conversations about college-aged kids, creative goals, and more. Join us!
Weāre also kicking off a weekly co-create circle on February 25 which will only be available to paid subscribers. Join The Kettle now to RSVP.
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Itās February, and that meansā¦we made it through January! In this episode I share my thoughts on the grounding joys of giving care. I also explore two beekeeping saints, teas with rose petals, new adventures in sourdough, some cozy reads and PBS shows to watch, and what it means to feel spring in your bones - even before you see it reflected in the temperatures, and read one of my latest essays aloud. Listen on for my February journal episode, and scroll down for links to the books, shows, teas and more!
Featured Teas
This monthās featured teas all contain rose, which is associated with love - and also, heart health. Drink up!
* Love Tea by Mountain Rose Herbals - hearty, earthy rooibos and delicate rose petals complement one another, while cacao nibs add a touch of sweetness.
* Milady Grey by Tealyra - a bright citrus take on Earl Grey, with rose petals to add a bit of delicacy to lemongrass and orange flavors.
* Vanilla Rose Ceylon by Flying Bird Botanicals - sweet vanilla and complex rose in a black ceylon blend.
* Tulsi Sweet Rose by Organic India. Tulsi is one of my absolute favorite herbs for tea, and combined with rose petals and chamomile, itās just divine.
Reading:
* The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. Note: These books (there are at least 26 of them!) are seriously binge-able, but Iāve been able to find most of them through my local library via the Libby app. Some of the covers are so pretty, I had to own a hard copy!
* Dr Sharon Blackie also has an excellent article about female February saints, where you can learn more about Saints Brigid and Gobnait, in her latest Substack (this one is behind a paywall, but I find the subscription well worthwhile!)
Watching:
* Royal Palace Secrets, Royal Myths & Secrets, and Lucy Worsley Investigates, all hosted by Lucy Worsley. (And a big plug for a PBS Passport membership; as Iām slashing most of my streaming services Iām finding that this one is more than worth the low price.)
Read-Aloud Essay:
Continue the conversation
Join paid subscribers in the private chat to share what youāre making, reading, watching, and sipping this month!
About me:
Hi! Iām Meagan, an author, podcaster, and midlife mom of five (mostly grown) kids. Here at The Kettle, I share my thoughts on how to live wisely and well in a manic modern world, and I look forward to hearing yours. If you want to connect more deeply, the private chat is open to paid members. Iām looking forward to getting to know you!
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More and more, people are talking about leaving social media for good. But how? Itās easy to feel trapped by these networks that have become so intertwined in every aspect of our lives, from shopping to socializing. In this episode of The Kettle, I catch up with my good friend and business partner Sarah Powers to discuss her decision to walk away from Instagram over a year ago, and how the exit impacted her: both the positive effects (a return to writing without self-consciousness; more engagement in her physical world) and more negative effects (turns out, she struggles with information FOMO.) We also discuss my new in-real-life tea business, and whether itās necessary for small businesses to have a social media presence to thrive today.
Episode Links:
* Sarah's Substack, Home Again, and her series A Year Without Instagram: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3
* This is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are by Melody Warnick
* If You Could Live Anywhere: The Surprising Importance of Place In A Work-From-Anywhere World by Melody Warnick
* The One Parenting Decision That Really Matters, by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz for The Atlantic
* A past podcast interview: Cozy, Creative Spaces with Sarah Powers
* Sarahās and my other podcast, The Mom Hour
* Join The Kettle community to access a private chat with other members, including a new conversation based on this topic.
* My most recent Substack post: What If Things Donāt Get Better?
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Deep breath, friend: you donāt have to come into the New Year raring to go on January 1. In the first episode of the newly-named and slightly-refocused podcast, The Kettle (formerly The Teaās Made) I take a different, slower approach. I reflect on my holiday celebrations, offer an alternative to the idea of ambitious (or restrictive) New Yearās resolutions and goals, reflect on the impact of small, embodied rituals and rhythms for keeping us grounded and rooted in whatās real, and also read one of my Christmas motherhood essays out loud. And, of course, youāll get some tea recommendations (weāre exploring rooibos this month; links below.)
Enjoy getting to know the newly ad-free podcast The Kettle in this January Journal episode, and also please consider supporting both the podcast and my writing here with a paid subscription. I appreciate you and Iām glad youāre here!
All new essays and episodes at The Kettle are free. Consider joining the paid community to delve deeper and support my work.
Episode Links:
(many links are affiliates; buying using my link helps support the podcast!)
Christmas gifts I talked about
* Segretto Cast Iron Enameled Bread Pan - while my old Dutch oven worked just fine for baking bread, Iāve done a few loaves in this one already and itās definitely a step up. Highly recommend if you are ready to elevate your bread game, or just want to take a new hobby more seriously.
* Bread Scoring Tool - another very-nice-to-have tool; scoring is an important step in sourdough bread baking and while a sharp knife works fine, having a dedicated (and super-sharp) bread lame is a great way to achieve more precise and lovely cuts.
Featured Teas
Iāve been loving rooibos tisanes lately - teas made from this African bush are robust, hearty, and caffeine-free, making them perfect for a cold winterās evening. Here are four I love:
* Simpson & Vail White Chocolate Peppermint Rooibos. Rooibos pairs really well with both white chocolate and mint, and this blend isnāt too strong - so itās a beginner-friendly option for the wary rooibos novice.
* Vahdam Chocolate Vanilla Rooibos. Rich chocolate, cocoa, cinnamon and vanilla combine to create a decadent tea fit for dessert. If you like a spiked hot chocolate or cider, try reaching for this instead.
* Mrs. Rooiboson from Flowerhead Teas -
Sarah Powers sent me this tea from California for Christmas and it.is.delightful. The mint and citrus are a fabulous foil for the red rooibos. Plus, look at that cute packaging. Highly recommend!
* Lemongrass Rooibos from Terravita - Sarah also sent me a Swiss lemongrass rooibos after her familyās trip to Europe last winter (sheās like my international tea fairy!) The combination of flavors was such an unexpected pleasure and really helped kick off my deep dive into Rooibos. I canāt find the exact tea Sarah sent me (probably because it wasnāt written in English!) but this blend is a close approximation.
Essays and more
* In this episode I read a recent essay out loud - you can read it here, and Iāve also put together all the posts I wrote about holiday mothering with older kids.
* And, I shared my New Yearās resolution from last year - to eat more beans! - and how itās influenced a similar mini-challenge Iām embarking on this year; to drink a new-to-me tea every day in January. Here are some of my thoughts on the power of playful, non-restrictive New Yearās goals:
Thanks for coming along on this journey as I transition my podcast and newsletter to The Kettle, friends! I am so excited to continue gathering with you here in 2025 and beyond.
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What could be cozier than a holiday baking session based on your favorite book? In this episode I talk with CJ of A Well-Read Tart, a blog for book and food lovers, where CJ shares book reviews, food inspiration and recipes based on her favorite literature.
Listen on to hear us share what we're each reading right now and some favorite cozy holiday food scenes from books, as well as CJ's ideas for letting literature inspire you in the kitchen. I also share some updates on what's happening in my kitchen now that Christmas is just around the corner. It's the perfect episode to keep you company while wrapping gifts or, of course, making cookies!
Complete Episode Book List:
Sunrise by the Sea: A Little Beach Street Bakery Novel by Jenny ColganThe Plot by Jean Hanff KorelitzHour of the Witch by Chris BohjalianHorse by Geraldine BooksChristmas Charms by Teri WilsonThe Wish List by Michelle MajorMaria by Michelle MoranUltra-Processed People by Chris van TullekenFarmer Boy by Laura Ingalls WilderA Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty SmithMeet Felicity by Valerie TrippThe Supreme Macaroni Company by Adriana TrigianiThe City Baker's Guide to Country Living by Louise MillerThere's Something About Christmas by Debbie MacomberChristmas Shopaholic by Sophie KinsellaAn Irish Country Christmas by Patrick TaylorBe sure to check out my Substack for a companion post with cookie recipes and more!
Support this podcast at ā https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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In our monthly Journal, I share a special message for moms of older kids who aren't feeling quite so magical about the holidays these days, plus Christmas-inspired teas, my plans for decorating and baking, and some hopes for the Advent season. Listen for a cozy chat and be sure to check out the companion journal post at TheTeasMade.com for links, photos, updates and more!
Episode Links:November Journal episode
Episode 37: Why connecting with our food matters, with Alison Kay
Smith Tea - Morning Light
Harney & Sons White Christmas
Harney & Sons Celebration
Morning Light from Smith Teamaker
Winter Wonderland Rooibos Herbal Tisane from Simpson & Vail
Minimalist Advent candle holder
Order your BevyBox by 12/7 to ship by 12/12.
Nordic Winter Cookbook by Viola Virtamo
The Calm Christmas podcast with Beth Kempton
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Rooted in locality, seasonality, and agrarian living, the liturgical calendar - the feasts, celebrations, and other observations that made up the early church year - can help root us in the natural rhythms of life. But while most of us are familiar with a few holidays from the early church year, modern living doesn't make a lot of space for recognizing the depth of the calendar that once dictated the rhythm of daily lives. In today's episode I speak to Kristen Haakenson of HearthStoneFables.com, who shares practical wisdom about how to incorporate elements of the historical church calendar into contemporary life. Whether you're hoping to enrich your faith, develop a stronger understanding of where these holidays fit in the context of history and agrarian life, or simply want to imbue more seasonality into your day-to-day life, you'll definitely want to listen to our conversation. And after the discussion, I share some ways I hope to let Kristen's advice inspire my holiday celebrations, including recognizing the Twelve Days of Christmas and Epiphany.
Episode Links:November Journal episode
Kristin's Substack, Hearthstone Fables
Ancestral Kitchen
This episode is brought to you by Bevy, my tea and craft-supply company! Order your holiday 2024 BevyBox - a gift box hand-curated by me and featuring tea, craft supplies and other special goodies - at BevyBox.co, and use code TEA15 for 15% off.PS: I'd love to hear from you at my new email address! Share your thoughts about today's episode, topics/guests you'd love featured on the show in the future, or just to say hi: [email protected].
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In this month's Journal, I share what's inspiring me going into November: my favorite cinnamon-spiced teas, embroidery projects as holiday gifts, making herbal tinctures, and an epic novel trilogy from medieval Norway.
Episode Links:*most links are affiliates. If you make a purchase via my link, I will earn a small commission - a great way to support this podcast!
Read my accompanying November Journal post at TheTeasMade.com
Episode 32 - How and Why To Start Foraging For Wild Plants
Light of Day Organics Heartwarming Cinnamon Tea
Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice
Hot Cinnamon Spice decaf option
Mountain Rose Herbs
My Vitamin D supplement
Stick N Stitch printable embroidery paper, or pre-printed designs: love these snowflakes, these fun designs for lovers of books (and cats!), and vintage-inspired holiday designs.
Only Murders in the Building
the Kristin Lavransdatter Trilogy by Sigrid Undset
This episode is brought to you by Bevy, my tea and craft company! Order your holiday 2024 BevyBox - a gift box hand-curated by me and featuring tea, craft supplies and other special goodies - at BevyBox.co, and use code TEA15 for 15% off.
Support this podcast at ā https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations
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Between social media platforms, email, blogs, podcasts, streaming video and all the rest, there are so many ways these days to consume (or create!) content. In this episode I share what taking social media breaks has done for my brain, how pressure to create and consume has impacted the way I feel about my work, and what I'm planning to do going forward - including a change to the format of this podcast.
Support this podcast at ā https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations
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When it comes to staying on top of meal planning and cooking, my solution to overwhelm and disorganization is simple: a series of weekly and daily routines that work for my home, family, and schedule. In this episode I share five kitchen routines that help me feel more connected and confident in my kitchen, from menu planning and grocery shopping to soaking beans and feeding sourdough starter. The idea isnāt to copy my routines exactly but to create your own based on your lifestyle and unique kitchen goals. Listen for inspiration and ideas!
Episode Links:Check out BevyBox, my new curated tea + craft gift boxes for the holiday!
Here's the Bokashi system I use and love! You can also start with a one-bucket system and add another bucket later. (I have it in the ecru/cream color.)
Previous episodes about food:
Episode 17: Whatās happening in my kitchen right now
Episode 36 What is eating "ancestrally" with Alison Kay of Ancestral Kitchen
Episode 37: Why connecting with our food matters, with Alison Kay of Ancestral Kitchen
Episode 38: Eating locally, preserving, and establishing your own āflowā in the kitchen
Episode 39: The hidden cost (and value!) of food, with farmer and author Shannon Hayes
Brand Partners:Find all of my brand partners and the latest deals on my Shop page!
OSEA ā Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase
Hatch ā Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Hatch is having a big sale starting October 8 - don't miss it!
Support this podcast at ā https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations
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In our culture we put a lot of emphasis on building wealth - but what, exactly, does that mean, and how does our view of wealth contribute to (or detract from) our flourishing as humans? In this continuation of Episode 39's conversation with author and farmer Shannon Hayes, we delve more into the economics of home and family life, the difference between an extractive and what Shannon calls a "life-giving" economy, and what wealth can really look like if we are willing to define it on our own terms.
Episode Links:Read Shannon's blog and check out her family's farm
The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow (Shannon's podcast)
Find all of Shannon's books, including Redefining Rich
Episode 38, The Tea's Made: Eating locally, preserving, and establishing your own āflowā in the kitchen
Episode 39, The Tea's Made: The hidden cost (and value!) of food, with farmer and author Shannon Hayes
Check out my recent blog post about developing a relationship with your kitchen
Brand Partners:Find all of my brand partners and the latest deals on my Shop page!
OSEA ā Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase.
Vionic ā with unmatched support and stability, Vionicās line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.
Hatch ā Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.
Support this podcast at ā https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Get full access to The Kettle with Meagan Francis at meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe -
Everyone is talking about rising food prices these days, but we spend very little time talking about the value of food. In this episode I speak with Shannon Hayes, farmer and author, about her journey from academia back to the farm she grew up on. She tells us about her unconventional upbringing and how it led her to value a life connected to land and community - and the power of a home-cooked meal.
Shannon also explains the real costs that impact the prices at her family farm, how those costs are often hidden from consumers at the supermarket, and the true value you're getting from nutrient-dense, farm-fresh, locally-grown food.
For me this conversation raised the question: what if we all stopped talking about food in terms of its cost, and shifted the conversation to its value?
Episode Links:Read Shannon's blog and check out her family's farm
(I also noticed that Shannon is offering a free seminar called "Freedom in the Kitchen" as part of the School of Traditional Skills. Definitely worth signing up!)
The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow (Shannon's podcast)
Find all of Shannon's books (I recently read and adored Redefining Rich!)
Check out my recent blog post about developing a relationship with your kitchen
Brand Partners:Find all of my brand partners and the latest deals on my Shop page!
OSEA ā Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase.
Vionic ā with unmatched support and stability, Vionicās line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.
Hatch ā Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.
Support this podcast at ā https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Get full access to The Kettle with Meagan Francis at meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe -
Does shopping, cooking and eating locally and seasonally have to be time-consuming and difficult? As I've slowly added new kitchen skills to my repertoire, I've come to realize that the key to meal planning and preparation without burnout is developing the rhythms and routines that allow us to find "flow" in our kitchens.
From preserving produce to dreaming about a root cellar to experimenting with sourdough bread, I'll let you in on some of the projects I'm working on in my kitchen right now and share what a typical day in my "food life" looks like, as well as a mindset shift that can help you stay in flow and keep from getting discouraged as you're learning new skills.
Episode Links:Episode 17: What's happening in my kitchen right now
Episode 36: What is eating āancestrallyā? with Alison Kay of Ancestral Kitchen
Episode 37: Why connecting with our food matters, with Alison Kay of Ancestral Kitchen
My steel-cut overnight oatmeal, made in the rice cooker
The Sunday Steep #4: Eighty pounds of goat meat
Check out my weekly newsletter about creativity and connection - and, of course, tea! - The Deep Steep
Brand Partners:Find all of my brand partners and the latest deals on my Shop page!
OSEA ā Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase.
Vionic ā with unmatched support and stability, Vionicās line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.
Hatch ā Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.
Support this podcast at ā https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Get full access to The Kettle with Meagan Francis at meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe -
"But who actually has the time to cook this way?" Our guest Alison Kay hears that a lot when she shares about her passion for ancestral eating. But for Alison, sourcing ingredients locally and preparing it in a way inspired by our great-great-grandmothers isn't a chore or a time-suck, and it's definitely not romanticizing the past. Instead, it's a crucial way she expresses her creativity, connects with her community and the land around her, and cares for herself and her family.
In this episode, a continuation of our conversation from Episode 36, Alison explains why this way of cooking and eating has been so life-changing for her, and offers a close-up look at how she actually incorporates ancestral philosophies into her modern kitchen.
Episode Links:Ancestral Kitchen, Alison's site
The Ancestral Kitchen podcast
What ancestral eating isn't - the article we discuss in today's episode
Episode 36 of The Tea's Made: What is eating "ancestrally" with Alison Kay of Ancestral Kitchen. This is the first half of this conversation.
A couple episodes of the Ancestral Kitchen Podcast that I love:
#70 Fermenting Oats - this is the episode that convinced me to start souring my morning oatmeal!
#66 50 Ways To Save Money On An Ancestral Diet - a great starting point if you're just learning about ancestral eating; especially if you're concerned about your budget.
Check out my weekly newsletter about creativity and connection - and, of course, tea! - The Deep Steep
Brand Partners:Find all of my brand partners and the latest deals on my Shop page!
OSEA ā Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase.
Vionic ā with unmatched support and stability, Vionicās line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.
Hatch ā Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.
Support this podcast at ā https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Get full access to The Kettle with Meagan Francis at meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe - Laat meer zien
