The Clearing with Katherine May cover art

The Clearing with Katherine May

The Clearing with Katherine May

By: Katherine May
Listen for free

About this listen

Where would you go to rest and retreat, in good times and bad?


Katherine May, author of Wintering and Enchantment, asks her guests to share their idea of a perfect sanctuary. Drawing on memory, inspiration and imagination, she explores the things we seek out when we need to restore our joy, hope and energy.


It begins with a forest clearing. What will we find there? A log cabin or a grand hotel? What cherished object or talisman would you bring? And what single work of art, be it a book, record, film or something else, would provide you with enough sustenance to see you through the darkness and remind you of the good times?

In a series of frank, thoughtful and deeply personal conversations, The Clearing will explore the cultural, social and spiritual mindset needed to survive difficult times.


Katherine's Links:


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


Buy Katherine’s books: Enchantment | Wintering | The Electricity of Every Living Thing: UK / US


Follow Katherine on Instagram

Visit Katherine’s Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Copyright © Katherine May Art Hygiene & Healthy Living Literary History & Criticism Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Jackie Morris & Robert Macfarlane ‘dream of nest’

    Jackie Morris & Robert Macfarlane ‘dream of nest’
    Apr 30 2026
    A beautiful, bird-filled episode from the wonderful collaborative duo of writer Robert Macfarlane and illustrator Jackie Morris. Together they have created some of the best-loved books on the natural world in recent years, including The Lost Words.In this transcendent episode they share their quite different visions of what rest looks like for them. Robert conjures a wild, bird-filled landscape in the Scottish Cairngorms whilst Jackie imagines taking a sentient ship to a melding of The Rain Wilds and Earthsea. Full of wonder, wild knitting, ‘glacial erratics’, laughter and of course plenty of nature chat, this episode is a true salve for the soul.Links from the episodeThe Book of Birds by Jackie Morris and Robert MacFarlane The Lost Words by Jackie Morris and Robert MacFarlane The Lost Spells by Jackie Morris and Robert MacFarlaneJackie’s InstagramJackie’s websiteRobert’s InstagramDeep Deep Light pain brushes and paints https://deepdeeplight.com/ A Wizard of Earthseaby Ursula K. Le GuinThe Rain Wild Chronicles by Robin HobbThe Illustration Department PodcastArtist David GentlemanRead about Albrecht Dürer’s painting Young Hare here The Living Mountain by Nan ShepherdRead about artist Mark Rothko on the Moma websiteVisit The Clearing website www.theclearingpod.com for a full transcript and to discover how to enjoy the episodes ad free and to access our bonus contentBuy Katherine’s books: Enchantment | Wintering | The Electricity of Every Living Thing: UK / USFollow Katherine on InstagramVisit Katherine’s WebsiteProduction CreditsGuest Booker and Admin Support - Meghan HutchinsSubstack Manager - Rebecca ArmstrongProducer - Alice LloydMusic - The Leaf Library @theleaflibrary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • Season Two Trailer

    Season Two Trailer
    Apr 23 2026

    We’re back! After a small, restorative break, we are excited to bring you a new season of The Clearing, where Katherine will explore visions of rest and retreat with some more wonderful guests.


    Visit The Clearing website www.theclearingpod.com to discover how to enjoy all episodes ad free and to listen to bonus content as it’s released.


    Buy Katherine’s books: Enchantment | Wintering | The Electricity of Every Living Thing: UK / US

    Follow Katherine on Instagram

    Visit Katherine’s Website


    Production Credits


    Guest Booker and Admin Support - Meghan Hutchins

    Substack Manager - Rebecca Armstrong

    Producer - Alice Lloyd

    Music - The Leaf Library @theleaflibrary

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 min
  • Carissa Potter’s hot springs artist retreat

    Carissa Potter’s hot springs artist retreat
    Mar 21 2026

    California-based illustrator, author and Instagram phenomenon Carissa Potter chats to Katherine about the complexities of taking rest during challenging times.


    In a masterclass of self-reflection, Carissa questions whether the political left have failed to cultivate tolerance and understanding, if we should brand people as evil and how to ‘show up’ when you are the caregiver of a child with complex medical needs.


    It is no surprise that someone who thinks so deeply about the world has also developed a fully formed fantasy of where she would go to get away from it all; just her and her ‘platonic love at first sight’ creating art together and dipping in the waters at Indian Springs Calistoga. Bliss.


    Links from the episode:


    Carissa’s website

    Carissa’s Instagram

    Carissa’s Substack

    Carissa’s online shop People I’ve Loved


    Visit The Clearing website www.theclearingpod.com for a full transcript and to discover how to enjoy the episodes ad free

    Buy Katherine’s books: Enchantment | Wintering | The Electricity of Every Living Thing: UK / US

    Follow Katherine on Instagram

    Visit Katherine’s Website


    Production Credits


    Guest Booker and Admin Support - Meghan Hutchins

    Substack Manager - Rebecca Armstrong

    Producer - Alice Lloyd

    Music - The Leaf Library @theleaflibrary

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 3 mins
All stars
Most relevant
I discovered Katherine May on Audible. She is a beautiful writer and I enjoy the tone of the podcast

Gentle and insightful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.