The Clearing with Katherine May

chevron_right

Cariad Lloyd’s mossy, mythical retreat

Dec 6, 2025

Guest

Cariad Lloyd

Cariad Lloyd, a British actor, comedian, and author known for Griefcast, shares her whimsical vision of a dream retreat in a mossy, Tolkien-esque woodland filled with mythical creatures. She emphasizes the importance of rest in today's chaotic world and describes her ideal sanctuary complete with a cozy treehouse and a charming pantry. The conversation touches on the joys of reading and writing, the pressures of professional literary obligations, and the comfort of family music memories, all wrapped in a delightful journey through imagination.

01:16:00

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

insights

INSIGHT

Sustaining Rest Amid Continuous Crises

We are living with prolonged, overlapping crises that produce a continuous, collective tiredness.
Katherine May and Cariad Lloyd argue that preserving restful, imaginative spaces is necessary to survive long-term social challenges.

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Prioritize Rest To Sustain Action

Do take breaks even when they feel indulgent because restoration enables long-term action.
Cariad and Katherine stress that privileged rest helps sustain those working toward systemic change.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

A Mossy, Mythic Woodland Retreat

Cariad imagines an ancient, slightly spooky English/Welsh woodland filled with moss, moving trees and fairies.
She places herself at the edge of Rivendell-style magic, wanting mystery rather than sanitised countryside.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Why retreat matters now

01:46 • 25min

chevron_right

Cariad’s mossy, Tolkien-esque clearing

26:38 • 2min

chevron_right

Seasonal mood: spring and autumn

28:30 • 3min

chevron_right

Treehouse with Brambly Hedge charm

31:31 • 2min

chevron_right

Domestic comforts and practicalities

Treasured objects and sensory anchors

37:54 • 4min

chevron_right

Fairy helpers and not wanting total silence

41:28 • 2min

chevron_right

Solo time versus bringing people

43:17 • 60sec

chevron_right

Reading and writing as retreat activities

44:17 • 4min

chevron_right

A perfect armchair and a room of one’s own

48:30 • 5min

chevron_right

The burden of being given books

Curators, curation and modern discovery

01:01:56 • 15sec

chevron_right

Choosing a single cultural comfort: Joni Mitchell

01:02:10 • 3min

chevron_right

Family vinyl memories and music’s role

01:05:11 • 4min

chevron_right

Knowing when to return

01:09:40 • 4min

chevron_right

Fairy tap to bring you back

01:14:06 • 32sec

chevron_right

What to bring home from retreat

01:14:38 • 3min

chevron_right

Integrating retreat into daily life

• Mentioned in 200 episodes

Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen

Published in 1813, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a novel that revolves around the lives of the Bennet family, particularly the second eldest daughter, Elizabeth. The story is set in the early 19th century and explores themes of love, societal expectations, and personal growth. The novel centers on Elizabeth's tumultuous relationship with the wealthy and proud Mr. Darcy, whose initial arrogance and reserve gradually give way to a deeper understanding and mutual respect. Through their interactions, both characters learn to overcome their prejudices and flaws, leading to a transformative journey of self-discovery and redemption. The novel also delves into the societal pressures on women to secure marriages, the importance of family, and the nuances of social hierarchy during the British Regency period.

Lydia Marmalade and the Christmas Wish Tastor

Cariad Lloyd

#52384

Introducing Mrs Collins

Rachel Parris

Introducing Mrs Collins is a sequel to Pride and Prejudice, exploring the life of Charlotte Lucas after she marries Mr. Collins. The story begins at the point where Charlotte accepts Mr. Collins' proposal and follows her journey beyond the original novel. It delves into themes of duty, routine, and unexpected change when an unexpected visitor arrives at Rosings Park.

• Mentioned in 427 episodes

The Lord of the Rings

J.R.R Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings, written by J.R. R. Tolkien, is an epic high fantasy novel set in Middle-earth. The story follows Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who inherits the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo. The Ring, forged by Sauron, holds the power to control all other Rings of Power and must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom to prevent Sauron's return. Frodo is joined by a fellowship of other characters, including Gandalf the Grey, Samwise Gamgee, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir, as they embark on a dangerous quest across Middle-earth. The novel explores themes of good vs. evil, the corrupting influence of power, and the struggle between fate and free will.

#876

• Mentioned in 34 episodes

Persuasion

Jane Austen

Published posthumously in December 1817, *Persuasion* is Jane Austen's last completed novel. The story revolves around Anne Elliot, a 27-year-old woman who, at the age of 19, was persuaded to break off her engagement to Captain Frederick Wentworth due to his lack of wealth and connections. Eight years later, Anne and Captain Wentworth, now a successful naval officer, meet again, setting the stage for a second chance at love and marriage. The novel explores themes of love, social class, regret, and the consequences of pride and persuasion, reflecting the societal norms and expectations of the Regency era in England.

#138

• Mentioned in 121 episodes

The Hobbit

or There and Back Again

J.R.R Tolkien

Published in 1937, 'The Hobbit' is a children's fantasy novel that introduces readers to the richly imagined world of Middle-earth. The story follows Bilbo Baggins, a home-loving hobbit, who is persuaded by Gandalf to join Thorin and his twelve dwarves on a quest to reclaim their treasure from the dragon Smaug. During the journey, Bilbo encounters various creatures, including trolls, goblins, and the mysterious Gollum, and discovers a magical ring that renders the wearer invisible. The novel is a prequel to 'The Lord of the Rings' and explores themes of personal growth, courage, and unexpected heroism.

#232

• Mentioned in 85 episodes

Das Kapital

Karl Marx

Katherine launches her new podcast The Clearing with British actor, comedian, author and 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction judge Cariad Lloyd. Together they explore Cariad’s vision of a dream retreat; a place she would conjure given the opportunity, and of course the privilege, to rest and retreat.

The result is pure joy. A Tolkien-esque riot of ancient oak trees, moss and mythical creatures merging into a Brambly Hedge world replete with tiny mice making jams and apple crumble.

At a time when the world feels more uncertain than ever, allowing ourselves to dream of hope and rest feels indulgent but also vital and restorative. Cariad does not hold back in letting her imagination run wild, dancing her way through the chaos and sharing with us, briefly, the blissful, joyous and often hilarious inside of her brilliant mind.

Cariad’s Links

Cariad's Instagram

Cariad's Substack

Cariad's website where you can order her books

Sara & Cariad's Weirdos Book Club - Podcast

Things mentioned in the episode

Empire - Podcast

Brambly Hedge (@bramblyhedgeofficial) • Instagram photos and videos

Blue - Album by Joni Mitchell | Spotify

Mothers Who Write

Winterfold candles

Visit The Clearing website https://katherine-may.co.uk/the-clearing-podcast to discover how to enjoy the episodes ad free