I'm delighted to have the prolific author Santa Sebag Montefiore as my special guest. We reminisce about our early days and dive into Santa's successful writing career, including her latest book in the Pixie Tate series. Santa shares insights into her writing process, the inspiration behind her characters, and her love for weaving spiritual themes into her novels. We also discuss the challenges of breaking into the literary world and the importance of hope and faith for young people today. Join us for a heartfelt conversation filled with personal anecdotes and fascinating stories.

00:45 Santa Montefiore's Writing Journey

01:38 The Time Slide Series

03:51 Spiritual Themes in Writing

06:17 Early Inspirations and Writing Beginnings

09:34 First Publishing Success

16:49 International Book Tours and Challenges

23:44 Personal Spiritual Experiences

You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/

New episodes are published on the first day of every month.

Lady Carnarvon welcomes Harriet Evans, a former publisher turned writer, to Highclere Castle. Harriet discusses her journey from working at Penguin Books to becoming a successful author. They delve into her latest book, 'The Treasures,' part of the Seven Stones Trilogy, which is rich in historical and geographical details. Harriet shares her writing process, her love for creating vivid settings, and the influence of her literary family. The conversation also touches on overcoming insecurities, the importance of good editors, and the challenges of choosing book titles and covers. Lady Carnarvon and Harriet bond over their shared appreciation for history, places, and the personal treasures that inspire their works.

00:45 Harriet's Early Writing Journey

02:02 Family Influence and Writing Motivation

02:46 Challenges and Growth as a Writer

04:10 The Importance of Place in Writing

07:11 Career Beginnings and Publishing Insights

10:23 Research and Writing Process

15:20 Historical Inspirations and Personal Stories

18:42 Reflecting on Youth and Memories

19:19 The Significance of Letters and Treasures

21:53 Writing and Publishing Journey

23:07 Challenges and Triumphs in Writing

24:32 Navigating the Publishing Industry

30:06 The Importance of Covers and Titles

32:05 The Value of Books and Reading

32:54 Highclere Castle Garden Party

You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/

New episodes are published on the first day of every month.

 I welcome my dear friend Callie Coles to the podcast. Callie, the author of a fabulous new book and the first of a trilogy, shares whimsical tales from her bucolic life on the Devon-Cornwall border. We delve into her enchanting Instagram account, which offers a nostalgic glimpse into her world filled with ponies, dogs, and her picturesque home. We discuss Callie's unique and therapeutic relationship with her pony, Sparky, whose presence has become a ray of sunshine in their already idyllic life. Callie also talks about her writing journey, balancing her creative endeavors with the lively chaos of family life and the adventures that inspired her book set in Newmarket. Join us as we explore the joys of animals, the magic of rural life, and the emotional rollercoaster of being an author. Finally, Callie shares her insights into the highs and lows of the writing process and offers a sneak peek into her next literary endeavors.

01:01 Life in North Devon

01:39 Meet Sparky the Pony

03:06 The Story of Sparky's Arrival

08:07 Writing Amidst Chaos

08:53 Racing Adventures in Newmarket

13:47 Self-Publishing Journey

14:41 The Rollercoaster of Writing

15:21 The Editor's Red Pen

16:19 Recording the Audiobook

17:41 The Book Club Journey

22:21 Drawing from Life Experiences

23:36 Ponies and Childhood Memories

25:59 Living with Horses

27:38 The Charm of Stately Homes

You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/

New episodes are published on the first day of every month.

Today, I am delighted to be joined by Owen O'Kane, an expert psychotherapist specializing in anxiety. Owen shares his unique perspective on viewing anxiety as an ally that can be positively harnessed when understood properly. We dive into his latest book, which provides not only a deep insight into anxiety but practical steps to manage it. Owen opens up about his personal experiences with anxiety, his professional insights from working in palliative care, and his childhood in Northern Ireland. We also discuss the therapeutic benefits of connecting with animals and simple moments of contentment in life. Join us as we explore transforming anxiety into a source of strength and clarity.

01:20 Discussing the Book and Anxiety

02:18 Personal Experiences with Anxiety

04:15 Therapeutic Approaches to Anxiety

06:41 Analogies and Real-Life Examples

07:46 The Role of Animals in Therapy

13:10 Final Thoughts and Reflections

You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/

New episodes are published on the first day of every month.

I'm delighted to welcome the wonderful Miranda Hart to our podcast. We cover many topics, from the importance of joyfulness and humor in life to her iconic character Ms. Bates in Jane Austen's 'Emma'. 

Miranda opens up about the challenges she faced during her career and the inspiration behind her book, 'I Haven't Been Entirely Honest With You'. 

We chat about the intricacies of British humor, the pressures of performing in front of a studio audience, and the technical aspects of comedy. 

Miranda also shares personal stories about her health struggles, finding strength in vulnerability, and her unique approach to writing, which includes 'treasures of darkness' she discovered through her own experiences. Join us for this heartfelt and humorous conversation, complete with aspirations for future gallops around the garden and cherished moments of British comedic history.

00:56 Discussing British Humor and Sitcoms
01:45 Miranda's Memorable Roles and Experiences
03:00 The Art of Comedy and Scriptwriting
07:51 Challenges and Vulnerability in Acting
09:24 Miranda's Book and Personal Treasures
13:08 Living with Chronic Illness
19:39 Finding Joy and Future Plans

You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/

New episodes are published on the first day of every month.

I'm thrilled to welcome the incredibly talented craftsman, Matthew Edley, known as Ted. Sitting down at Highclere Castle, we delve into Ted's journey from a punk rocker with a distinct red Mohican to a renowned metalwork master. We talk about his meticulous work repairing and conserving the castle’s historical candelabra and lamps, including converting them from candlelight to electric while maintaining their historical integrity. Ted also shares his experiences as a part of the TV series 'The Restorers,' where he showcases the art of craftsmanship and restoration. We discuss the importance of using traditional techniques and materials to preserve history and how these skills are transferred across various trades. Join us as we celebrate the blend of modern restoration with historical preservation at Highclere Castle.


00:43 Ted's Craftsmanship and Metalworking
01:20 Challenges of Restoring Highclere Castle
03:17 Conservation vs. Restoration
07:44 Ted's Television Career
09:11 The Art of Traditional Techniques
11:52 Future Projects and Collaborations
14:53 Reflections on Highclere Castle

You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/

New episodes are published on the first day of every month.

In this podcast episode, I am delighted to welcome author Sinclair Mackay to discuss his captivating book on Winston Churchill, which delves into 90 meetings over Churchill's 90-year life. Our conversation covers Churchill's diverse roles and personal attributes, from his military valour to his romanticism, and even his encounters with notable figures like Einstein and Queen Elizabeth II. Sinclair shares how Churchill's fearless and multifaceted nature made him an extraordinary figure, one who continually adapted to monumental changes in society. We also touch on Churchill's lasting impact on today's world and the different generations' perceptions of him. It's a thoroughly engaging discussion filled with fun anecdotes and thought-provoking insights about one of history's most complex characters.

00:36 Churchill's Fascinating Encounters

01:07 Writing Style and Approach

02:14 Churchill's Relationships and Personal Life

04:42 Churchill's Military and Political Career

06:25 Churchill's Emotional Depth and Romanticism

10:52 Churchill's Social and Financial Challenges

14:42 Churchill's Diverse Friendships and Interests

15:32 Highclere Castle and Social Changes

16:09 Churchill's Lifespan and Historical Impact

18:26 Churchill's Fearlessness and Adventures

21:10 Churchill's Post-War Vision and Legacy

24:45 Churchill's Relationships and Influence

27:40 Reflections on Churchill's Complex Legacy

You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/

New episodes are published on the first day of every month.

In this episode, I sit down with the immensely talented artist and illustrator, Lucy Clare Dunbar, at Highclere Castle. Lucy shares her journey into becoming an illustrator, influenced by her father's artistry, and her love for drawing from a young age. She discusses the challenges she faced, particularly losing her sight due to health issues, and how drawing became a form of therapy for her. 

Her sight eventually returned, giving her a profound appreciation for life. We delve into her book 'The Book of Gifts,' which combines her heartfelt sketches and words that reflect her personal experiences and hopes to uplift others. Lucy also talks about her creative family, her process of combining words with sketches, and how she draws inspiration from everyday moments and her beloved pets. Her story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the importance of living in the present.

01:35 Lucy's Artistic Journey

02:00 Overcoming Adversity

03:43 Family of Artists

04:37 The Book of Gifts

06:42 The Creative Process

13:16 Love for Animals

16:18 Living in the Moment

You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/

New episodes are published on the first day of every month.

Today, I'm thrilled to welcome one of my favorite historians, Alice Loxton, to the castle. We discuss her fascinating book 'Eighteen', which delves into the lives of historical figures when they were 18 years old. Alice shares her passion for medieval history and reveals how @history_alice came into being. We explore her unique approach to writing, imagining historical characters in modern settings to bring them to life. I was particularly intrigued by her diverse selection of characters, from Bede to Vivienne Westwood, and how she makes history accessible and engaging for everyone.

00:22 Exploring Historical Layers
01:04 The Book 'Eighteen' and Its Unique Approach
04:13 Diverse Historical Figures
09:49 Social Media and History
18:04 Writing and Research Process
25:37 Future Plans

You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/

New episodes are published on the first day of every month.

In this episode, I sit down with aviation author Rowland White to discuss Geoffrey de Havilland's remarkable contributions to aviation, focusing on the iconic Mosquito plane. We explore de Havilland's early failures and eventual successes, including his innovative use of wood to construct aircraft. 
We also delve into personal stories connected to Highclere Castle and discuss
ongoing efforts to restore Mosquito planes to flying condition!

You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/

New episodes are published on the first day of every month.