It’s the final episode of our magical midsummer season and today all three of the Small Ways to Live Well podcast hosts have come together to talk about the most magical moments of this special time of year. Join Lisa Sykes (editor, The Simple Things), Becs Frank (Wellbeing editor) and Jo Tinsley (regular contributor and author of The Slow Traveller) as we discuss midsummer feasts and rituals, wonderful places to enjoy the solstice, the art of storytelling, and how dreams help us process emotions (and how to decode them).  

If you are in the UK, you can choose an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here

Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett

On the blog:

Midsommartårta (midsummer strawberry cake) recipe

Lemon basil spritzer recipe

Wild midsummer cocktails 

To read:

Decode Your Dreams: Unlock your unconscious and transform your waking life by Ian Wallace (White Lion Publishing)

Lucid dreaming – find out more about directing your dreams in our wellbeing bookazine, Flourish (Volume 3) buy it here

The Slow Traveller : An intentional path to mindful adventures by Jo Tinsley 

In The Simple Things

From the June SOAR issue (156)

Midsummer short story writing competition To celebrate National Flash Fiction Day this month we’re launching our search for your best short stories, themed around ‘The Longest Day'. Send your entry of 300 words max to [email protected]with the heading MIDSUMMER MICROFICTION. Closing date 31 July. Full details in our June issue

What happens at Stonehenge? Read about this and other seasonal ideas including making a fairy-lit garden room in our monthly Almanac

Buy June issue here and on the newsstand until 24 June

In the July FRUIT issue (157) 

Tomato leaf martini – a fabulously fragrant summer tipple

Sleepless in summer – how to get the rest you need in the warmest months

Magical creatures: Purple emperor butterflies

Subscribers will receive the July issue from 20 June when pre-orders will also open at picsandink.com or you can buy on the newsstand from the 25 June. Find out how to subscribe here

Check out The Simple Things Anthology Volume 4: A Year of Celebrations for any excuse to celebrate with the food, flowers and decorations for every occasion