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Join us on an engaging and delightful tour of Nordic culture, through traditional music, art, history, and language. You’ll be inspired by the stories of fascinating people who have done great things, but are otherwise just like you and me. We’ll also stretch your imagination with Nordic folktales, reflecting on how they speak to the common humanity in all of us.
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The Living a Nordic Life podcast is dedicated to helping you live a cosier, simpler and more intentional life the Nordic way. Hosted by Fiona McKinna, each episode shows you how to make life simpler, happier and healthier the way people in the Nordics live. From Nordic eating habits, to getting outdoors Nordic style, to Nordic habits that you need in your life. Tune in for inspiration, ideas and encouragement to embrace a simple, cosy and intentional life the Nordic way. Episodes published e ...
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Send us a Text Message. Den utedo or the Norwegian outside toilet is a slightly mysterious looking and rather cute building, but it also has a great deal of history and is an important part of Norwegian culture. Join me as we take a lighthearted look at the "utedo" For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or …
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Send us a Text Message. Changing our habits in small ways can have a huge impact on our lives, but we don't need to sweep everything off the table to make a difference and to feel great again. Nordic habits are the things that have had the greatest benefit on my life, and in this episode I want to share how they can help you too wherever you are in…
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Send us a Text Message. What makes a folk tale? In this episode I talk to Eric Stavney of Nordic on Tap about the importance of folk tales in our lives and what Nordic folk tales mean to him. Eric is a passionate podcaster and storyteller and his podcast is inspiring and enlightening. You can find Eric's podcast at www.nordicontap.com For more Nord…
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Send us a Text Message. In the late summer and early autumn the forests in Norway are full not only of berries, but berry pickers. It can be a bit of a surprise for those of us not born to it, but the annual berry picking trip is embraced with a huge amount of enthusiasm here. So how can we have own Nordic inspired berry trip? For more Nordic livin…
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Send us a Text Message. I am a firm advocate of keeping hens, but it's for more than simply to collect eggs. They offer us so many things including a wonderful benefit to our mental health. So if you are considering keeping chickens and not quite sure, let me share some reasons why you will love chicken keeping. For more Nordic living, visit the Li…
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Send us a Text Message. Nostalgia has a special way of raising our level of happiness and we don't even have to have experienced something to appreciate the nostalgia For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nordic Life Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/livinganordiclife…
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In this podcast we listen to the tales “Big Peter and Little Peter” from Norway and “The Merchant” from Denmark. We talk about how greedy people may acquire riches and become quite wealthy. Then there are wealthy people who come to be rich through hard work and dealing fairly with others. We look at how these folktales differentiate between wealth …
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Send us a Text Message. Nordic conversations are not quite the same as conversations we might have elsewhere. There are some subtle differences that you might miss if you weren't looking for them but I am going to share a few with you in this episode. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the…
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Send us a Text Message. 17 May is Norway's national day and after Christmas is probably the biggest celebration of the year for Norwegians. It's taken very seriously with parades, parties and nationwide festivities. But you don't have to live in Norway to celebrate like a Norwegian. Let me inspire you to create your own Syttende Mai celebration whe…
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Send us a Text Message. Hyttelivet or cabin life is an integral part of the Nordic life. Many people in Norway have access to a cabin either as owners or a family cabin and they are often in fairly remote areas. Hyttelivet is not just about spending time at your cabin; it's a whole way of life including certain activities, cabin friends and even wh…
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Send us a Text Message. Nordic schools are often hailed as being the best in the world and they are certainly ver good, but as a new parent in te Nordics (or one arriving from another country) what can you expect to find in a Norwegian school? In this episode I share my own experiences as a foreigner in Norway with 3 children and hopefully allay so…
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Send us a Text Message. Easter in the Nordics is a time of longer days, shorter evenings and some more unusual traditions that you might not expect like "påskekrim" or Easter crime. And no it's not a crazy festival of crime as you might at first suspect.... For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us …
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Send us a Text Message. After a long, dark winter the promise of spring is pretty exciting in the Nordics. And it's really embraced with gentle enthusiasm. The slight warmth from the sun is never wasted and you will find that normally reserved Norwegians are all out and about making the most of those first rays. It's an infectious time of joy and o…
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Send us a Text Message. The Nordic diet and way of eating has been popular for many years and there are lots of different resources showing us how to do it. But how do people eat here in the Nordics everyday? I invite into my life for a glimpse of how my family and I eat a Nordic diet (in Norway), the way we eat and foods we enjoy (and avoid). For …
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Send us a Text Message. So many of us enjoy gardening as a way to slow down and be more intentional and it's even more rewarding if we can grow something to eat. In this episode I am joined by guests Ines & Eric Batterton from My Nordic Garden who talk us through the initial steps to starting a beautiful, sustainable kitchen garden. You can visit I…
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Nordic society seems to be governed by a set of unspoken rules on how to behave around others. These rules or "laws" were first articulated by the Danish author, Aksel Sandemose in a novel that described life in a fictional town called Jante, ruled by a set of ten laws. The laws dictated that no one was to be boastful, to think they are more specia…
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Send us a Text Message. Sometimes even simple changes can make a difference to our lives and in my time living in Norway I have noticed a few things that have made really positive changes in my life. In this episode I share 5 simple ways that you can add some Nordic routine to your life. They are all easy to implement and the great news is that you…
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Send us a Text Message. Boring doesn't have to be...well... boring. It has a hidden power to it that takes a bit of digging to find. It can bring security and comfort. Let me tell you more.. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nordic Life Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/…
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Join us for a journey into Nordic crime fiction or noir with Dr. Jerry Holt as our guide. Fiction has the ability to transport us into worlds, cultures, geography, and the thoughts of heroes and villains that non-fiction just can't touch. And we are changed by those stories. At a time when we are home-bound due to social distancing, catching up on …
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Send us a Text Message. God jul fra Norge, Merry Christmas from Norway. Join me on a little journey through a Nordic Christmas as I paint you a picture of what Christmas is like in Norway with it's snow, pine trees and cosy winters. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nordic Li…
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Send us a Text Message. Nordic Christmases are as magical as you would imagine with snowy scenes, the smells of spices and hot gløgg and all the beautiful Christmas decor you would expect. But we don't need to live in the Nordics to bring some Nordic festive feel to our own lives. Let me give you some ideas to bring that into your own festivities. …
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Send us a Text Message. You might think that knitting is for grandmas, but I can assure you that knitting in the Nordics is something that is very much alive and well! Join me for a journey through Norwegian knitting culture as we look at it's origins from the 1500s right up to the present day and the most popular and recognisable pattern, the Mari…
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Send us a Text Message. Winter can be a daunting time for many people, but somehow everyone in the Nordics seems to look forward to it. So what is the secret to enjoying and embracing winter like you're Nordic? If you want to learn how to truly embrace winter like you're Norwegian then take a look at my Loving Winter Like You're Nordic course - htt…
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Send us a Text Message. The Nordic schooling system is often hailed as being one of the best in the world, but is it really like? My youngest daughter recently started kindergarten in our small village in Norway and I have been really impressed with it, so I thought it would be informative and interesting to share our experiences of a Norwegian kin…
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Send us a Text Message. In the Nordic countries and Scandinavia keeping traditions and skills alive is very important and because of this there is a deep appreciation of craftsmanship. Knitting, carving and ancient skills that have been passed down through generations and link us to the past are held in high regard and as such people who have these…
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An ocean-going ship has long been a metaphor for a journey, literal or spiritual, and model ships are still found in some Scandinavian Churches today. It was on a tall ship that immigrants from Scandinavia came to America, carrying their prized possessions in storage trunks, adorned with colorful flowers and vines - an art form called rosemaling. I…
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Send us a Text Message. Friluftsliv is such a huge part of life in the Nordics. It means outdoor living, but it is so much more than just getting outside. It's all about taking care of our mental and physical wellbeing by being outside in nature and enjoying all the benefits that has to offer to us. But why even bother? Let me give you a few reason…
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Send us a Text Message. As we head into autumn in the northern hemisphere we want to create cosy, welcoming homes ready for the colder days of winter. Lighting is something that can make us feel instantly warm and cosy, or conversely cold and uncomfortable. This is where the art of hygge lighting comes in... For more Nordic living, visit the Living…
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Send us a Text Message. No, not an actual law but a secret code of "rules" that influences every part of Nordic life from the way we treat others to the Nordic characteristic modesty. But what is it exactly? Let me tell you more about it.. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a No…
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Send us a Text Message. For some people autumn is an effortless love affair, but for others it's a tough season to love. I was one of those who dreaded autumn, but since moving to Norway I have learnt to love it and I want you to love it too. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a…
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Send us a Text Message. What a crazy statement to make and probably the craziest I have ever said! But it's a fact. In 2014 I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease and in 2022 with autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease), but both of these have forced me to choose healthy and intentional living. Nordic living and the Nordic habits have been my …
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In 1959, twenty-year-old Doug Warne and Ron Olsen agreed to produce the Scandinavian Hour, in order to keep this cherished radio program going. Olsen chose the music and Doug handled the guest list and sold the advertising. Thus began this remarkable story lasting for 48 years, and when Olsen passed away in 2008, Warne continued on himself. But in …
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Send us a Text Message. The summer holiday season it not over yet! Norwegians are very good at holidaying, but it might not be quite what you expect. Let me tell you how they holiday in Norway and really make the most of Norway itself. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nordic…
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Send us a Text Message. You love all things Nordic! Nordic living is something that you feel is in your blood. You are a Nordophile. A Nordophile is someone who loves all things Nordic. I want to share a fun, tongue-in-cheek episode with you where we explore some of things I think make you a Nordophile For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nor…
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Send us a Text Message. Having a baby can be a nerve-racking time, but having a baby out of you home country can be terrifying. Well, not so much if you are living in the Nordics. Let me tell you what it's REALLY like to be pregnant and have a baby in Norway. PS no TMI details, I promise! For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.l…
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Send us a Text Message. Travelling to any other country can be daunting and culture differences can always be surprising. So let me tell you a bit about Norwegian culture so you can look like a local when you are here. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nordic Life Facebook gr…
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Send us a Text Message. Living in Norway is very different to the life I was brought up with in England, but there are habits and traditions that I have learnt in Norway that I would take with me anywhere. Let me share with you the ones I would never be without. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or joi…
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Send us a Text Message. You might have asked yourself this question already and it's one that we often ask ourselves when we look at a new way of living. But if you answer "yes" to even one of my questions then Nordic living is right for you. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a…
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Send us a Text Message. If you are like me you might find yourself daydreaming of places you have visited or want to visit, but we don't have to visit Scandinavia to have a little piece of it in our lives every day. I have 7 ways to bring Scandinavia into your home right now. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordicl…
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Send us a Text Message. As you might already know gardening is a very popular hobby in Norway but you might not know that Nordics gardens tend to be much less formal and have a more natural look than in other countries. Gardening for wildlife is something that many people want to embrace, so let me tell you how I do it from my small piece of Norway…
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The Norwegian fjord horse or fjording is one of the oldest breeds of domesticated horses known from 4000 years ago. "Fjords" are masters the mountainous terrain on farms in Norway - surefooted, and pound for pound, the strongest breed of horse in the world. In this podcast, we meet Rory and Kristin Miller of Strawberry Hills Fjords in Chehalis, Was…
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Send us a Text Message. Midsommar or Sankthans is a fun and important celebration in the Nordic calendar and something we can celebrate wherever we are in the world. It's a great way to remind ourselves of the beauty of summer and mark the longest days with something special and memorable. To learn how to embrace a Nordic midsommar in all it's beau…
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Send us a Text Message. Getting outside is a core part of living a Nordic life and something that can benefit both our minds and bodies. But how do we even start? And can we ever be like they are in the Nordics? YES, we can. Let me tell you how. If you enjoyed this episode you will love my book, Friluftsliv: The Nordic Art of Loving the Outdoors. Y…
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Send us a Text Message. I talk a lot about all the wonderful Nordi habits we can embrace to make life simpler and cosier, but what does a Nordic life actually feel like? I invite into my life to hear what my Nordic life feels like to live in and all the things I do that keep me grounded and intentional in the way I live. For more Nordic living, vis…
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Send us a Text Message. I often hear myths about Nordic living and how you have to live to truly embrace a Nordic lifestyle. So I thought it would be fun to share this slightly tongue-in-cheek episode with you. Do you have any you can add? If so I'd love to hear from you. Drop me an email at fiona@livinganordiclife.com For more Nordic living, visit…
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Send us a Text Message. The Nordic countries are so often used as a shining example of how to live, but what makes people so happy here? There are some Nordic habits that we can all benefit from and bring into our lives wherever we are in the world. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the L…
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Send us a Text Message. What is Nordic living even?? It's something I am often asked and it can be a bit of a contentious subject! Let me tell you what Nordic living is from my point of view. It's certainly not all fluffy socks and candles, but it a deep seated and important part of life in the Nordics and something that we can all embrace wherever…
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Send us a Text Message. Velkommen to the Living a Nordic Life podcast. Join me for a journey into the simple, intentional and cosy life of Nordic living. I'll be sharing Nordic traditions, Nordic habits and everyday Nordic life from my home in southern Norway. Let me introduce myself... For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life website…
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Have you ever looked out over a lake at night, wondering if that splash you heard was something to worry about? Or the shriek and moan of the wind during a storm on the coast? Nordic folk have long had explanations for unexplainable things through folktales of strange and sometimes creepy supernatural creatures. In this podcast we look at the folkt…
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The Seattle Aquarium is expanding to include sharks from Indonesia. Is this for the entertainment value or is there an educational component as well? What is the role of aquariums regarding public education, anyway? Is it to appreciate and have empathy for the fish, otters, seals, penguins, etc. or motivate conservation and sustainable behavior? At…
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