As the Season Turns

This month, Alice is with ecological food grower, forager and cook Poppy Okotcha in her garden in Devon - where they plant beans, make compost and discuss how gardens can help us envision alternative ways of living. This episode was produced by musician and sound artist Alice Boyd, featuring music by herself and The Breath. Thanks go to Poppy Okotcha. 'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern in collaboration with Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of the month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below. Found Sounds are released on the middle Friday of the month. Ffern is an organic fragrance maker based in Somerset. You can learn more about Ffern's seasonal eau de parfum at ffern.co

This month's discussion dives into the rich tapestry of November traditions, from the ancient festival of Samhain to the salmon harvest celebrated by various cultures. They explore the captivating folklore around fire, including stories like the daring quest for fire led by Grandmother Spider. The haunting emotions of loss and longing for home add depth to the conversation. Musical interludes, like a moving song by The Breath, enhance the ambiance of this dark yet vibrant month filled with mystical tales and natural beauty.

Join a tranquil journey through an ancient woodland, where the beauty of autumn unfolds. Discover the intricate ecosystems as the hosts search for unique fungi hidden among fallen leaves. Delve into the art of mushroom foraging, highlighting the amethyst deceiver and sharing tips for beginners. Gain insight into the challenges of identifying edible mushrooms and the camaraderie that blossoms from shared foraging experiences. It's a celebration of nature's wonders and the connection we forge with the season.

October is prime season for mushrooms - and we find them in the ancient woodland and in fairy rings, exploring the best kinds to eat and the folklore surrounding them. We identify Heath Star Moss and hear the tale of Herne the Hunter (be warned - this tale is a little scary!), while The Breath play 'Little One', a song for autumn babies. 'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern in collaboration with the nature writer and author of the Seasonal Almanac, Lia Leendertz. Lia is joined by novelist Zoe Gilbert and folk musicians Ríoghnach Connolly and Stuart McCallum of The Breath. Geoff Bird produces and Catriona Bolt is Ffern's in-house production coordinator. Each episode, released on the first of the month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below. Ffern is an organic fragrance maker based in Somerset. You can learn more about Ffern's seasonal eau de parfum at ffern.co

This month, Alice meets Roka from Roka Brings Flowers on her narrowboat ‘Leafy Lady’. Roka is a florist and craft maker living a nomadic life on the British waterways. As she and Alice discuss the ups and downs of this way of life, they discover ripe tomatoes, dried elderflower - and the experience of going through a lock. This episode was produced by musician and sound artist Alice Boyd, featuring music by herself and The Breath. Thanks go to Roka of Roka Brings Flowers. 'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern in collaboration with Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of the month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below. Found Sounds are released on the middle Friday of the month. Ffern is an organic fragrance maker based in Somerset. You can learn more about Ffern's seasonal eau de parfum at ffern.co

In this engaging discussion, Zoe Gilbert, a captivating novelist, and Lia Leendertz, a nature writer and author of the Seasonal Almanac, explore the vibrant themes of September. They celebrate this month of abundance, highlighting folklore surrounding orchards and the joyous festivities of harvest time. Listeners are taken through enchanting stories, including the tale of Fenn and the Salmon of Knowledge, and enjoy the whimsical imagery of the harvest moon and unique fragrances inspired by the season. A delightful dive into nature's wonders awaits!

For August's Found Sound, Alice meets sisters Martha and Ella Webb, a clothes maker and scientific illustrator, in their studios in Stroud, Gloucestershire. The sisters demonstrate their creative processes, discussing how they find inspiration in nature and each other. This episode was produced by musician and sound artist Alice Boyd, featuring music by herself and The Breath. Thanks go to Ella and Martha Webb. 'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern in collaboration with Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of the month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below. Found Sounds are released on the middle Friday of the month. Ffern is an organic fragrance maker based in Somerset. You can learn more about Ffern's seasonal eau de parfum at ffern.co

August is the first real harvest month - so we go foraging in the ancient woodland, delving into the folklore of blackberries, elder and rowan along the way. Zoe tells a familiar tale from the herb garden, and The Breath sing 'Harvest', one of the first songs they wrote together. Our moss of the month takes us underground, while in the sky above we look out for meteors. An excerpt from Seamus Heaney's poem 'Blackberry-Picking', published by Faber in 'Death of A Naturalist' (1966), is read with the kind permission of his estate. 'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern in collaboration with the nature writer and author of the Seasonal Almanac, Lia Leendertz. Lia is joined by novelist Zoe Gilbert and folk musicians Ríoghnach Connolly and Stuart McCallum of The Breath. Geoff Bird produces and Catriona Bolt is Ffern's in-house production coordinator. Each episode, released on the first of the month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below. Ffern is an organic fragrance maker based in Somerset. You can learn more about Ffern's seasonal eau de parfum at ffern.co

This month, Alice meets artist and woodworker Sophie Sellu on the way to her studio ‘Grain and Knot’ in south-east London, where Sophie discusses her artistic practice and Alice collects some soothing woodworking sounds. This episode was produced by musician and sound artist Alice Boyd, featuring music by herself and The Breath. Thanks go to Sophie Sellu and Stanley. 'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern in collaboration with Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of the month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below. Found Sounds are released on the middle Friday of the month. Ffern is an organic fragrance maker based in Somerset. You can learn more about Ffern's seasonal eau de parfum at ffern.co

The podcast delves into the hot-weather roots of July's names, provides charms against pests, and offers gardening tips. It features a folktale about fairies and a song capturing childhood summers. The episode also includes a short performance, original music, and insights on fragrances and nostalgia of July.