A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life

"The Black Madonna represents a time of direct connection.  She is the spiritual connector.  She is the energy behind creation. We are to bring our thinking into our heart and have this influence our deeds" - Stephanie Georgieff,  The Black Madonna: Mysterious Soul Companion

Welcome to Episode #72:

Stephanie Georgieff is the host of the Black Madonna Speaks Podcast.  We had a most marvellous and deep conversation about her work, books and her journey with the Black Madonna.   The questions and quotes from this episode are related to her book The Black Madonna: Mysterious Soul Companion if you are curious to know more.  

Black Madonnas are scattered all over the globe, yet Italy is one of the places they seem to proliferate (France and Spain too).  You can visit places like Venice, Positano, Loreto, Rome, Tropea, Naples and Sicily to see the shrines and sacred sites, if of course you haven’t already.  

There are Marian trails and pilgrimage routes all over Italy and a vast history that has many people exploring Europe and beyond to know more.  Stephanie’s devotion to uncovering the heart of the Black Madonna is quite a triumph.  She describes herself as a practical mystic and each week on her Podcast shares a unique story, of a unique Black Madonna, from a unique place at  The Black Madonna Speaks

You are welcome to email me at [email protected] if you would like to share your story or experience of The Black Madonna….

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"It was only decades later, in my little house here in the shadow of the Apennines, that I was completely free to forge my own path"  Shadow of the Apennines, Kimberly Sullivan

Welcome to Episode 71:

Kimberly Sullivan works in International Development by day and moonlights as a fiction writer by night.  Kimberly has written three books that she has Independently Published, and her fourth book is due out very soon Drink Wine and Be Beautiful.   Kimberly lives in Rome Italy, and is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and the Historical Novel Society.  Her books trace themes of identity and women’s lives.  

This is a fun chat about Italy, books, self publishing, writing resources and of course the writing process (the fun part!) And any time great authors like Jane Austen, Edith Wharton, EM Forster, Lord Byron and Henry James come up in a conversation well, all is well in my world.  Enjoy.

Visit for books, news, blog and travel news:     Kimberly Sullivan   &  @kimberlyinrome

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© 2023  A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2023

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"In writing about Peggy, it's important to listen to one's own instincts. Don't listen to critics.  What do they know? What one should say about Peggy is, simply, that she did it. That no matter what her motivations were, she did it"  - Lee Krasner

Welcome to Part 2 of my epic share on the 20th Century Art Collector and Art Patron Peggy Guggenheim...

Here is the story of Peggy's life in Venice..... and what happened next!
Enjoy

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© 2023  A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2023

* Note: The Picasso art mentioned in the podcast in the gallery detail (18.30min)  is - On the Beach, 1937....

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“I have never been in a city that gave me the same sense of freedom” - Peggy Guggenheim, Out of this Century: Confessions of an Art Addict

Welcome to Episode #69:

Are you dreaming of visiting Venice and one of the iconic galleries  on the Grand Canal - The Peggy Guggenheim Collection?

If you would like to know more about Peggy Guggenheim (1898-1979) listen to the story of her life and how she found herself searching for a palazzo and a place to share her art collection with the world. 

Here is the kaleidoscope of Peggy’s life and how she became a 20th Century icon in the art world. 

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© 2023  A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2023

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"The old cypress trees along the ancient noble roads stand tall as if to welcome you into their home"  -  Sheryl Ness, Love in a Tuscan Kitchen

Welcome to Episode #68,

This week I share Part 2 of my conversation with Author Sheryl Ness about life in Tuscany and the writing of her book Love in a Tuscan Kitchen: Savouring Life Through the Romance, Recipes and Traditions of Italy.

Today we talk about the traditions at the Italian table, book authors, writing, the writing process, language studies and more. 

I must add this book is for someone who enjoys the sensual pleasures of life.  It is a tale that talks to the heart of taking risks, weighing up the possibilities and then leaping into the great unknown.  I love that not only is this a memoir, but a cookbook too.  I think these days this is one of my favourite genres in writing where both parts weave seamlessly as the journey evolves.

Visit Sheryl Ness Love in a Tuscan Kitchen

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© 2022 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2022

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"Everything around me gave me a feeling that I was at home, from the foods to the people and the unique landscape.  I was falling in love"  -  Sheryl Ness, Love in a Tuscan Kitchen

Welcome to Episode #67,

Today I share a wonderful conversation with Sheryl Ness about her time in Tuscany and her memoir, Love in a Tuscan Kitchen: Savouring Life Through the Romance, Recipes and Traditions of Italy. 

I think Sheryl’s story is very special because she had a connection to Italy without understanding exactly why.  But she followed the thread and the inkling, and something very interesting happened.  She found the one.  And it didn’t just happen in a linear or obvious way.  Her path lead her from one thing to the next, then it happened rather last minute, quite randomly, over a piece of chocolate cake!  

There is so much I love about this book…Taking risks and following the heart’s needle, and really trusting the bigger picture, that something very beautiful wants to be revealed.  In this case, it turned into a great Tuscan adventure and one that continues to delight and surprise you.

Visit Sheryl Ness Love in a Tuscan Kitchen

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© 2022 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2022

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“The appeal of this floating city built on stilts in a lagoon is real.  Venice remains a place always beckoning me to return.  Far from perfect, this island shaped like a fish entices me” -  Margie Miklas, Introduction, The Venice I Know

Welcome to Episode 66,

Margie Miklas has a special connection to Italy as a second generation Italian/American.  Come along for a sweet conversation about Margie’s Italy.  
We discuss her book and travel guide “The Venice I Know”.  And lots more on travel writing, favourite places in Italy, solo adventures, films set in Venice and more… 

Enjoy, 

Book:  The Venice I Know by Margie Miklas

Visit the website:   Margie in Italy
Instagram:                  Margie Miklas

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© 2022 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2022

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"And we travel, in essence, to become young fools again - to slow time down and get taken in, and fall in love once more"  -  Pico Iyer,  'Why We Travel'

Welcome to Episode #65:

The thing is Italy has so much to offer.  Twenty regions and each with something special and unique.  I wanted to share all of the beautiful things about the city of Padova or Padua (in English) in the Veneto and give you a dose of what is possible if visiting the Veneto.  I loved staying in this city as a base to explore the region, and then went back for more of the Northern Italy in April this year…. 

Here is a window into the many reasons you need to go, and some of the history and ambience on the historical and cultural gem of a place.

Enjoy, and email or DM me if you get inspired to go. I would love to hear!!

See show notes for every place/link/book detail shared.  And a photo montage if wanting a visual snapshot of Padova.....

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© 2022 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2022

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Welcome to Episode #64:

I couldn’t resist but share a few books and artists that are truely inspiring me and feeding my spirit in the realm of Muse Italia.

Enjoy,

The Art of Excellent Products: Enchanting Customers with Premium Brand Experiences by Riccardo Illy 

A Place in the World:  Finding the Meaning of Home by Frances Mayes

Visit:  Frances Mayes for the Book Club Questions and Reading Guides….

Discovering Vegan Italian, The Second Edition by Nadia Fragnito…. Visit:  The Vegan Italian Kitchen

The Silver Spoon: Naples and the Amalfi Coast by Phaidon

Italian Film Festival in Australia…. St Ali Italian Film Festival

La Torta (2019) by Gabrielle Gregoire and Olivia Lawson
Visit:  Gabrielle Gregoire
Instagram:   @gabrielle_gregoire

Visit:  Film Residency in Calabria
The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel…

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© 2022 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2022

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The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware“ - Henry Miller

Welcome to Episode #63

This podcast share is a great window into my world…

Have you ever wondered why a place is calling you, why you cannot stop thinking about it or more so, why you want to visit, or stay forever?  Well this share might shed some light on how a particular location is aligned for you.  

Recently I shared some time with Astrologer and Podcaster Lynnette Wennerstrom who gave me a great insight into my cosmic map for astrology.  Basically it turns out that Italy was destiny and that is that.  But certainly I was curious about the placements of my astrology and how they look on the world map and potentially how they could effect my life.   

Locational astrology is the kind of thing you can look into when you go beyond a natal chart.  It mirrors the same alignments but on the world stage you could say.  

Enjoy this Episode and if you are new to astrology you can get a sense of what is possible.
My AstroMap to check out!   https://www.michellejohnston.life/episodes/episode-63-1

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Visit: Lynette.... Cosmic Moves: Holistic Astrology

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© 2022 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2022

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