A Month Living in the Lake District

Joanne Brook‑Smith, founder and editor‑in‑chief of Crave Magazine, joins Michael Millward to share what it’s really like to spend an entire month living and working in the Lake District. Drawing on her background in journalism and lifestyle writing, Joanne talks candidly about how she started Crave during the pandemic from her kitchen table, before diving into the realities of her Lake District escape.

Across the episode, Joanne paints a vivid picture of life in the South Lakes: early‑morning writing sessions, afternoons spent wild swimming in jewel like fairy pools of turquoise crystal-clear water, and discovering natural water slides, paddle‑boarding spots, and quiet walking routes far from the tourist crowds.

Joanne also shares an insider’s guide to the region’s food scene highlighting Michelin‑starred dining at the Gilpin, panoramic lunches at Linthwaite House, and the foodie haven of Cartmel where sticky toffee pudding was invented.

This episode blends lifestyle inspiration, travel insight, and practical tips for navigating the Lake District during peak season. Whether you’re planning a visit, dreaming of a slower pace of life, or simply curious about how a lifestyle editor unwinds, Joanne’s month‑long adventure offers a refreshing, thoughtful perspective on work‑life balance.

Discover more about Joanne and Michael at Abeceder.co.uk

Audience Offers

Rest and Recreation is made on Zencastr, because it is so easy to use. Visit Zencastr.

Travel – within your means at the trade prices available to members of The Ultimate Travel Club.

Health – The Annual Health Test from York Test is conducted by an experienced phlebotomist at your home or workplace. Hospital standard tests for 39 health markers.

A Personal Wellness Hub provides easy-to-understand results and guidance for effective lifestyle changes anytime.

Visit York Test and use this discount code REST25.

Tech Problems? – Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote our referral code WPFNUQHU.

Be a Guest Visit Matchmaker.fm. Use code MILW10 for a discount on membership.

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Keywords: Lake District living, Crave Magazine, Joanne Brook‑Smith, wild swimming, Cartmel sticky toffee pudding, Gilpin Hotel, Linthwaite House, lifestyle journalism, work‑life balance, Cumbria travel, South Lakes, Haven holiday home, UK staycations, outdoor lifestyle, food and travel podcast.

Rest, rituals, and nervous‑system awareness can help people reclaim a sense of self

Dr. Stephanie Steele‑Wren of Psychology Works joins host Michael Millward for a deeply human conversation about identity, burnout, neurodivergence, and the small, practical shifts that help us reconnect with who we really are.

Drawing on nearly twenty years in psychology, Dr. Stephanie explains how chronic stress keeps the nervous system in permanent “on mode,” why this erodes both physical and mental wellbeing, and how simple, accessible emotional‑decompression techniques can reset the brain throughout the day.

They explore:

• How neurodivergence shaped Dr. Stephanie’s career and inspired her private practice.
• Why “reclaiming yourself” is less about grand life changes and more about intentional micro‑moments.
• The link between physical exhaustion, nervous‑system overload, and mental‑health decline.
• Everyday decompression strategies — from stepping outside for 30 seconds to playing a quick game of Mahjong Solitaire.
• The importance of hobbies and self‑connection rituals in rediscovering identity beyond job titles, parenting roles, and societal expectations.
• How becoming a parent reshapes identity, and why many adults struggle to name a single thing they do just for themselves.

This episode is warm, insightful, and full of relatable moments — including Dr. Stephanie’s reflection that “rest doesn’t have to be a marathon… it can be sprinting rests,” and Michael’s realization that his quick gaming breaks are nervous‑system resets.

Discover more about Stephanie and Michael at Abeceder.co.uk

Audience Offers

Rest and Recreation is made on Zencastr, because it is so easy to use. Visit Zencastr.

Travel – within your means at the trade prices available to members of The Ultimate Travel Club.

Health – The Annual Health Test from York Test is conducted by an experienced phlebotomist at your home or workplace. Hospital standard tests for 39 health markers.

A Personal Wellness Hub provides easy-to-understand results and guidance for effective lifestyle changes anytime.

Visit York Test and use this discount code REST25.

Tech Problems? – Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote our referral code WPFNUQHU.

Be a Guest Visit Matchmaker.fm. Use code MILW10 for a discount on membership.

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

Thank you to you for listening.

We appreciate every like, download, and subscription.

Singer‑songwriter True Istina joins host Michael Millward for a deeply personal and uplifting conversation about creativity, resilience, and growing up with a dream to perform. True shares how music became her lifeline during the isolation of COVID 19 lockdown a place where she could express emotions she “could no longer put into words” and begin healing through songwriting.

Across the conversation, True reflects on:

• Her early life in the arts, from dance and theatre to her first experiences in Hollywood’s pilot season.
• The emotional journey behind her debut album, written as a teenager navigating anxiety, loneliness, and self‑discovery.
• Her evolution as an artist, now shaping a second album with deeper, more alternative sounds and mature storytelling.
• The power of vulnerability, and why she chose to release songs that were originally “way too vulnerable” to share.
• Her creative philosophy, treating music as a journal and a universal language that helps her, and her listeners, make sense of life.
• Life beyond the studio, including her love of drawing, open‑water swimming, and hiking to disconnect from LA’s fast pace.

True also offers a glimpse into her upcoming single A Matter of Time, a reflective piece about growth, setbacks, and finding who you’re meant to be.

This episode is thoughtful, warm, and inspiring — a conversation about creativity, courage, and the quiet moments that shape us. Perfect for listeners who enjoy authentic storytelling and the artistry behind the music.

Discover more about True and Michael at Abeceder.co.uk

Audience Offers

Rest and Recreation is made on Zencastr, because it is so easy to use. Visit Zencastr.

Travel – within your means at the trade prices available to members of The Ultimate Travel Club.

Health – The Annual Health Test from York Test is conducted by an experienced phlebotomist at your home or workplace. Hospital standard tests for 39 health markers.

A Personal Wellness Hub provides easy-to-understand results and guidance for effective lifestyle changes anytime.

Visit York Test and use this discount code REST25.

Tech Problems? – Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote our referral code WPFNUQHU.

Be a Guest Visit Matchmaker.fm. Use code MILW10 for a discount on membership.

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

Thank you to you for listening.

We appreciate every like, download, and subscription.