Living a Nordic Life with Fiona McKinna

Food preservation has long been an important part of life in the Nordics, but in recent generations has evolved into a part of Nordic food culture.  It's a link to past generations and an ancestry of preparing for harder times that our grandmothers and  great-grandmothers knew only too well.  But we don't need to live in the Nordics to enjoy the simple pleasure of seeing a well stocked pantry full of food that has been prepared in the way that hasn't changed for hundreds of years.

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

Do you have to live in Scandinavia to enjoy the benefits of a Nordic lifestyle? I don't think so.

In this episode of Living a Nordic Life, we explore what it really means to live a Nordic life and why it's about so much more than where you live.  There are many Nordic habits we can bring into our lives wherever we call home.

You don't need a Norwegian cabin, a forest on your doorstep or long winter evenings to embrace this gentler way of living. It's about small, intentional choices that help us feel calmer, more connected and more content with the lives we already have.

Join me as we discover how to bring a little Nordic wisdom into everyday life, wherever in the world you may be.

Because a Nordic life isn't somewhere you have to move to. It's a way of living you can begin right where you are.

Thank you for listening to Living a Nordic Life.

Find more inspiration at https://www.livinganordiclife.com/

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

Autumn is the perfect time to slow down a little and unplug from technology.  Just a few hours with some simple hobbies and no phone or TV can make a huge difference to our mental health.  Join me, Fiona, for this episode where I share some ways to have an unplugged autumn, the Nordic way.

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

Step into the world of Nordic Grannycore—a quietly powerful aesthetic rooted in slow living, seasonal rhythm, and everyday craftsmanship. In this episode, we explore the comforting rituals that define it: knitting warm gifts for winter, baking with butter and memory, cooking from scratch, tending small northern gardens, fermenting as a form of patience, and taking slow hikes through wild, quiet landscapes.

This isn’t nostalgia for its own sake—it’s a living tradition of care, resilience, and connection to place. Join us as we talk about why these old skills feel newly relevant, and how they offer a gentler way of moving through modern life.

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

After years of living in Norway, I’ve started asking myself a question I never expected: could I ever leave Norway?

In this personal episode, I reflect on life in Norway, Norwegian culture, belonging, and what it means to call somewhere home — while quietly wondering whether my future might eventually take me back to the UK.

A personal reflection on living in Norway, moving abroad, returning home, and finding where you truly belong.

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

In this episode, we dive into the Nordic obsession with wild swimming—why people across Scandinavia willingly plunge into icy lakes, fjords, and seas the moment summer arrives. It looks extreme from the outside, but for locals it’s pure joy, ritual, and a way of fully stepping into the season. We explore the shock, the stillness that follows, and the quiet magic of cold water in a place where summer never lasts long enough.

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

Hustle culture is on the demise, and people are beginning to choose slow, intentional living. The days of measuring worth and value by productivity need to stop and we need to start to think about our mental and physical wellbeing and what impact long days and constant work are having on us in the longterm.  Join me, Fiona, in this episode as we explore the benefits of choosing slow living.

You can read the article here - https://www.livinganordiclife.com/post/why-more-people-are-choosing-slow-living-over-hustle-culture
For tips on managing tech -  https://moonlock.com/

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

Travelling with autistic children can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to mean staying at home. In this episode of Living a Nordic Life, I share what I've learned from 17 years of travelling with my three autistic children. From planning ahead and avoiding sensory overload to finding calm in nature and using airport assistance, these practical tips can help make family adventures less stressful and much more enjoyable for everyone.

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

Buzzsprout Episode Description

What is it really like to live with the midnight sun? In this episode of Living a Nordic Life, we're exploring one of the most remarkable aspects of a Nordic summer: the light. From bright evenings that stretch towards midnight to spontaneous swims, outdoor dinners and the challenge of convincing yourself it's actually bedtime, we'll look at how endless daylight shapes daily life in Norway and across Scandinavia. Join me for a gentle reflection on summer in the north, and why these fleeting weeks of light feel so precious.

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

In Norway, 15 year olds are given the chance to be confirmed in a traditional ceremnoy and rite of passage.  In this episode join me, Fiona, for a personal look at the time leading up to the confirmation and special day with family and friends.  

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