
As the Season Turns
'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern (www.ffern.co) and presented by the nature writer Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of every month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below. Ffern is a natural fragrance maker based in Somerset. Working with the rhythms of the seasons, they blend, barrel-age and bottle four fragrances a year, released at the equinox and solstice. Each fragrance is made to order for the names on the Ffern production ledger. To join the ledger and find out more visit www.ffern.co
Latest episodes

Sep 13, 2024 • 19min
Found Sound for September: Roka Brings Flowers
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

4 snips
Sep 1, 2024 • 34min
September 24
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!

Aug 16, 2024 • 18min
Found Sound for August: Martha & Ella Webb
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

Aug 1, 2024 • 30min
August 24
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

Jul 19, 2024 • 15min
Found Sound for July: Sophie Sellu
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

Jul 1, 2024 • 31min
July 24
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.

Jun 14, 2024 • 14min
Found Sound for June: Chantal Lyons
For June's Found Sound, Alice meets science and nature writer Chantal Lyons at Woorgreens Nature Reserve in the heart of the Forest of Dean, to spot the elusive wild boar - learning about their habits, expressions and natural history along the way.
This episode was produced by musician and sound artist Alice Boyd, featuring music by herself and The Breath. Thanks go to Chantal Lyons.
'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

Jun 1, 2024 • 32min
June 24
For June, we spend time in the garden - with squirrels and foxes, nectar-rich flowers and a glut of early summer vegetables. The Breath play 'For You', and we consider the old names for the month and its moons. We delve deep into the Forest of Dean to look for rewilded boar, and recount a folktale about them from the Brothers Grimm.
'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

May 17, 2024 • 12min
Found Sound for May: JC Niala & Sam Skinner
This month, Alice meets writer and poet Dr JC Niala and artist Sam Skinner at Elder Stubbs Allotments in Oxford - where they have recreated a 1918-style allotment using heirloom seeds. They discuss healing and heritage, and learn how to grow the straightest carrots.
This episode was produced by musician and sound artist Alice Boyd, featuring music by herself and The Breath. Thanks go to Dr JC Niala and Sam Skinner.
'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

May 1, 2024 • 29min
May 24
In May's episode we explore the folklore of this lovely month - green men, Robin Hood, the moon and maypoles. We cook from the garden and make German May wine for parties. We hunt for swan's-neck thyme-moss, stay up til dawn watching the Eta Aquarids meteor shower and hear 'Land of My Other', a song from The Breath.
'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