Imprint with Natalie Walton Craving Simplicity? Small Steps Towards a Less Distracted Life with Jodi Wilson
Jun 9, 2025
Join Jodi Wilson, the author of 'Practicing Simplicity', as she shares her inspiring journey towards a less distracted life. She recounts the life-changing lessons learned during her family's two-year caravan trip around Australia, emphasizing the importance of small, sustainable choices. Jodi discusses the balance between embracing simplicity and navigating societal pressures while offering practical tips for mindful consumption. This conversation is a gentle reminder that transforming your life can begin with simple steps taken right where you are.
01:20:24
Universal Lessons Beyond Travel
- Lessons from life on the road are universal and not dependent on caravan living.
- The book aims to speak to everyday life struggles rather than being a travel memoir.
Writing Needs Focus and Support
- Dedicate focused daily hours to writing when working on big projects.
- Having support, such as a stay-at-home parent, helps maintain creative focus.
Fear of Complacency Sparks Change
- Jodi's tipping point came when her fear of complacency outweighed her fear of change.
- Choosing a caravan trip was driven by intuition and avoiding future regret.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Reflections on the Writing Journey
03:20 • 25min
Embracing Dreams and Change
28:01 • 18min
Embracing Simplicity Amidst Complexity
45:55 • 17min
Literary Aspirations and Reading Adventures
01:02:46 • 2min
Rediscovering the Joy of Reading
01:04:40 • 14min
Finding Calm Through Literature and Self-Discovery
01:18:27 • 2min
Egg Shell Skull
Egg Shell Skull
Bri Lee
"Eggshell Skull" by Bri Lee is a powerful and thought-provoking memoir that examines the author's experiences working within the Australian legal system.
As a judge's associate, Lee witnesses firsthand the complexities and inequalities of the legal process, leading her to question its effectiveness and fairness.
The book explores themes of power, privilege, and the challenges of navigating a system that often fails to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
With unflinching honesty and sharp intelligence, Lee offers a critical examination of the legal system and its impact on individuals and communities.
"Eggshell Skull" is a call for justice and a reminder of the importance of holding institutions accountable.
The Wild Other
The Wild Other
Clover Stroud
"The Wild Other" by Clover Stroud is a powerful memoir that chronicles the author's journey of self-discovery and healing following a devastating loss.
Stroud embarks on a series of travels and adventures, seeking solace and meaning in the natural world.
As she immerses herself in different landscapes and cultures, she confronts her grief and begins to rebuild her life.
The book explores themes of resilience, the transformative power of nature, and the search for connection in the face of adversity.
With its raw emotional honesty and vivid descriptions, "The Wild Other" offers a deeply moving exploration of the human capacity for healing and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
Are we there yet?
Are we there yet?
Alison Lester
"Are We There Yet?: A classic Australian Journey by Campervan" by Alison Lester is a beloved children's picture book that celebrates the beauty and diversity of Australia.
The story follows a family as they embark on a campervan journey around the country, encountering iconic landmarks and natural wonders along the way.
Lester's vibrant illustrations and playful text capture the excitement and wonder of travel, inviting young readers to explore the vastness and beauty of the Australian landscape.
The book also celebrates the joy of family adventures and the creation of lasting memories.
With its heartwarming story and captivating imagery, "Are We There Yet?" has become a classic of Australian children's literature.
The Forty Rules of Love
The Forty Rules of Love
Elif Shafak
"The Forty Rules of Love" by Elif Shafak is a captivating novel that weaves together two parallel narratives.
The story follows Ella, a contemporary American housewife who finds her life transformed when she reads a book about the 13th-century Sufi mystic Rumi and his spiritual mentor Shams of Tabriz.
As Ella delves into Rumi's teachings, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, questioning her own beliefs and desires.
Shafak explores themes of love, faith, and the search for spiritual enlightenment.
With its rich historical detail and profound insights into the human condition, "The Forty Rules of Love" offers a compelling exploration of the transformative power of love and the interconnectedness of all things.
A Field Guide to Getting Lost
None
Rebecca Solnit
A Field Guide for Getting Lost is a collection of essays by Rebecca Solnit that explores the experience of getting lost, both literally and metaphorically.
Where the Crawdads Sing
Delia Owens
The novel tells the story of Kya Clark, a young girl abandoned by her family in the marshes of North Carolina.
Kya learns to survive and thrive in the natural world, forming deep connections with the creatures of the marsh.
The story intertwines Kya's coming-of-age with a murder mystery involving Chase Andrews, a local celebrity whose body is found near the marsh.
The novel explores themes of isolation, love, survival, and the profound impact of the natural world on human life.
Delia Owens' vivid descriptions and atmospheric narrative bring the marshland and its inhabitants to life, making this a compelling and emotionally deep read.
Practicing Simplicity
Practicing Simplicity
Small Steps and Brave Choices for a Life Less Distracted
Jodi Wilson
Jodie Wilson's "Practicing Simplicity" offers readers a path to intentional living by embracing small, sustainable choices.
The book encourages a shift in mindset, focusing on presence and gratitude rather than constant striving.
It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating the remarkable, ordinary moments in life.
Wilson shares personal anecdotes and lessons learned from her family's two-year caravan journey around Australia.
The book serves as a reminder that simplicity is an ongoing practice, an attitude to cultivate, rather than a destination to reach.
Cleopatra and Frankenstein
Coco Mellors
Normal People
Sally Rooney
Normal People is a character-driven novel that delves into the intricate relationship between Marianne and Connell, starting from their high school days in County Sligo, Ireland, and continuing through their university years at Trinity College Dublin.
The story explores themes of love, class division, mental health, and the complexities of human connection.
Marianne, from an upper-class background with an abusive family, and Connell, from a working-class background, engage in a secret relationship in high school due to Connell's fear of social judgment.
As they grow and navigate different social worlds, their relationship is marked by periods of intense connection and separation, influenced by their socioeconomic backgrounds and personal insecurities.
Rooney's writing is characterized by its spare prose, detailed character development, and a deep exploration of the psychological and emotional nuances of the characters.
Bird by Bird
Some Instructions on Writing and Life
Anne Lamott
Susan Bennett
Bird by Bird is a comprehensive guide to writing that covers various aspects of the craft, from the initial stages of starting a project to the technical details of plot, character, and dialogue.
Lamott emphasizes the importance of persistence, faith, and hard work in writing.
She advocates for writing imperfect first drafts and warns against the pitfalls of perfectionism and self-criticism.
The book also delves into the emotional and spiritual aspects of writing, encouraging writers to confront their deepest fears and desires.
Lamott's approach is down-to-earth, humorous, and generously filled with personal experiences and practical advice.
Commonwealth
Ann Patchett
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett is a story that begins at a christening party in the 1960s where an uninvited guest, Bert Cousins, sets off a chain of events by kissing Beverly Keating, leading to the dissolution of two marriages and the blending of their families.
The novel follows the lives of the six children from these families as they spend summers together in Virginia, forging strong bonds despite their parents' dysfunction.
The story spans five decades, exploring themes of family, love, loss, and the ownership of stories, particularly when one of the children, Franny, shares their family history with a novelist, leading to a bestseller that exposes their personal stories to the world.
Patchett's writing is characterized by its balance of humor and heartbreak, vivid character descriptions, and poignant observations on relationships and life.
Man's Search for Meaning
Viktor Frankl
The book is divided into two parts.
The first part recounts Frankl's harrowing experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, between 1942 and 1945.
He describes the inhumane conditions and the psychological and emotional struggles of the prisoners.
The second part introduces Frankl's theory of logotherapy, which posits that the primary human drive is the search for meaning, rather than pleasure.
Frankl argues that meaning can be found through three main avenues: work (doing something significant), love (caring for another), and suffering (finding meaning in one's own suffering).
The book emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life, even in the most adverse conditions, as a key factor in survival and personal growth.
The writing life
Annie Dillard
In 'The Writing Life', Annie Dillard offers a candid and insightful look into the life of a writer.
The book is a series of essays that delve into the struggles, triumphs, and philosophical dilemmas faced by writers.
Dillard shares her own experiences, from the isolation and discipline required for writing to the emotional and intellectual challenges of capturing the world in words.
She discusses the importance of courage in the editing process, the need for writers to follow their ideas to their limits, and the inevitable gap between the writer's vision and the finished product.
The book is both a personal memoir and a guide for aspiring writers, filled with metaphors, anecdotes, and reflections on the nature of writing and creativity.
Sorrow and Bliss
Meg Mason
What if a simpler life could help you feel more grounded — right where you are?
In one of the most popular conversations on the Imprint Podcast, Jodi Wilson shares her story of Practising Simplicity — and what it really takes to live a life less distracted.We explore the unexpected lessons she learned during her family's two-year caravan journey around Australia, and how those insights led to lasting change — not just in location, but in mindset.
We talk about the creative process, the challenges of embracing less, and how to create more meaning through small, sustainable choices. If you've ever longed for more spaciousness in your days or a stronger connection to your values, this conversation is for you.
Come listen to a gentle yet powerful reminder: you don’t need to change your entire life to live more simply — you just need to start where you are.
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