For those of you who like fermented foods, and if you haven’t discovered it already, CultJar is the one to try. I fell in love with the brand when I first came across the very clever brand name! But not only is the logo pithy, so are the flavours with over 15 different ferments as well as nuts & seeds, pickles seasonings and shrubs. 

It is a privilege to welcome founder Peter Prescott onto the podcast today. Having perviously started restaurants including East London’s The Albion & The Boundary, he moved to Somerset just before lock down and found himself starting a surprise new venture in food preservation. It is clear that Peter has a specialists understanding of food, quality and taste - sensorially and also in discernment.

If you curious about the difference between a Kraut and a Kimchi or appreciate the local, sustainable and seasonal then this episode will be right up your street. 

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My guest this week is the artist Joel Parkes. His sculptures in stone, metal and wood are incredibly beautiful, transcendental and contemplative. Previously working in public art, Joel’s move into the world of fine art see’s a continuation in using rejected materials that reflect is interest in transformation and renewal. 

It’s hard not to talk about interesting ideas and concepts with Joel. We talk about spirituality, the oscillations of life, we talk about realisations and also about his process and thought’s on what art is. It’s a little longer than usual because we shoot the breeze a bit but he is refreshingly honest, funny and compelling 

Joel is a deep thinker and like his work, is interested in having a conversation so we get pretty philosophical in this episode which I enjoyed. Enjoy!

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Since moving to Somerset 10 years ago, I have been heading to the Beckford Inn’s in search of satiating that sense of true countryside; Heartening red wine, tasty food, cosy fires and those interiors that makes you feel like you’re back where you belong. Witnessing more pubs open by The Beckford Group over the years, it’s clear that they have a knack for knowing when it’s right, and an eye for how to do it well. And then of course, there’s Bramley, the bath and body brand, and perfect sister brand, with 23 products on offer as well as a treatment cabin ay their Longleat site, The Bath Bath Arms!

Having spent a lot of my annual income in one or another of their pubs, I was excited to meet the brains. We talk about values, when to thinkwhen thinking’s too much, we talk about community, connection and also the role a pub has in our villages. So today, I welcome co-founder Dan Brod and founder of Bramley, Chloe Luxton. 

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Welcome to Series 4 of The Caro Podcast. I am really excited to share the next season of episodes with you. Who have I been chatting to - chef’s, sculptors, ceramists, artists, business founders, pub owners, oh and and an ice-cream maker - and there's all on my door-step here in Somerset. Without further ado, let’s start with my first guest. 

Movement wasn’t exactly part of my childhood - I wasn’t encouraged with anything sporty and due to my lack of confidence, I didn’t really pursue anything either. What I didn’t realise when I found exercise as an young teenager, was that I had found a partner for life. A partner that was going to teach me about where my limit’s lie, and how pushing those limits, those edges, can build my physical strength but also my mental strength. It has taught me about myself in ways that I am very grateful for. 

So when I met the guest on this weeks podcast some years ago, I was keen to get to know her. Because not only is she a woman that has changed the culture of exercise in this country but she is also an ambassador for the power of movement - to make you stronger, happier and on top of your game. How you might ask? Hormones. And she’s talking about them in a fun and sexy way. 

Please welcome to the Podcast, the very smart, the very exuberant and lovely - with a very cool name - Pip Black of Move your Frame.

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This is the last episode of series 3. I have absolutely loved chatting to all the guests and feel very grateful for having met such inspiring people. 

Today’s conversation is with Rosanna Philpott, founder of Pygmalion, a dinner candle company launched in August of this year. Lighting a tall dinner candle in anticipation for the arrival of guests, really is the moment before the fun is about to commence. Rosanna has developed candles that capture this magic with designs that are modern, fun and look great placed on any table or mantle.

Rosanna and I chat through the story behind the name Pygmalion and how her painting and travels to Kenya have inspired the candle designs. I hear about how hard it was finding her factory and the disasters she’s had along the way. Rosanna really is finessing the art of multitasking. Not only does she run Pygmalion but she has a full time job as a features reporter for a large news network. Incredible. 

I am delighted to say that Pygmalion candles are part of the pop-up I’m doing in Bruton at the moment and they are flying off the shelves. They are the perfect gift this Christmas. Please welcome to the podcast, the very dynamic Rosanna Philpott. 

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Freight HHG has been on my radar for many years. With a paired back and tactile aesthetic, the acclaimed shop based in Lewes, Sussex understands the importance of materiality, beauty and the importance of creating atmospheric spaces. Launched in 2014, mother Helene, and daughter Adele, seem to have formed quite the duo with a wonderful mix of discernment, technical ability and the art of editing.

Freight HHG - standing for Household Goods - have been a benchmark for me with Caro, as my team will have testified, so it was an absolutely privilege to chat with Adele - especially as she only gave birth 5 weeks ago to her son Kit. With a business model based in uk production, I was curious to hear how they have got on amongst the turbulent few years we’ve had - but also about the journey they’ve had growing a business that has confidence and an abundance of charm.

Adele has such an eloquent way of talking shop. I am thrilled to say, I am selling their beautiful wares in my Pop Up - which is on now at The Space in Bruton until the 21st December - as well as on carosomerset.com

Please welcome Adele Adamczewski.

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Zara Peters is the lovely face behind the name Queen of Bows. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but bows are featuring in quite a gib way at the moment and I am certain that it is something to do with Zara’s bows because her’s aren’t just any bows. From giant, oversized bows to bows to put on cars, mantelpieces and front doors, Zara hand makes to order in a beautiful range of understated, natural fabrics. I am overjoyed to say that her bows, as well as her scrunchies will be at my pop-up starting this Saturday - at The Space in Bruton, please see my instagram profile for more details - Zara’s bows just have this way of making everything feel festive and special.

We have such a lovely conversation with rather a funny moment in the middle when we clear up a confusion we had around her thinking I called her a giant Elf - thank god we cleared that one up. As it’s Christmas, I ask a few festive inspired questions which had a heartwarming turn this episode - I have been inspired talking to Zara about her take on Christmas and the traditions she invites her family to take part in.

Lot’s jingly bells to all of you and enjoy this festive episode.

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The next few guests on the podcast are the founders of brands that I have invited to be a part of the Caro Pop-Up running for 2 weeks, starting on the 7th December in The Space in Bruton.

Katie Leamon, was the first stationery brand I bought for Caro. Introduced to me by a mutual friend, I remember the eponymous marble collection selling out extremely fast. You can now find her greetings cards, wrap and notebooks in a number of luxury stores across the world including Harrods, Fortnum & Mason & Selfridges as well as many independent shops.

We meet online and talk about the beginnings of her business - catapulted in 2010, after Liberty picked her up at one of their Open call days. We chat about how she’s grown her brand and seen various iterations of what that looks like as well as where Katie Leamon is heading. We chat about the memorabilia that inspires her and how her designs organically evolve with her aesthetic but also her customers. 

I am excited to introduce her ReLove Christmas Collection to the pop-up, with traditionally illustrated fathers Christmas’, reindeer and snow-topped cottages - it truly brings that nostalgic feeling we all love at this time of year. 

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A wellness brand steeped in sustainability and innovation, Commune have an attention to detail & quality that brings a level of prestige to their products. From the formulations of their scents, to the metal pump of the bottles, there is a seamless and beautiful experience for those that use their products. 

I have been aware of Commune since their launch in 2022 but sitting down with founders Kate and Remi really illuminated the sense of storytelling that falls across everything that Commune do. From their typographic logo and the archway motif on their bottle, to the conversations they have, the alliances they make and their approach to sustainability, Commune push the boundaries of design despite the challenges that might bring. 

With an ethos that is inspired by the abundance and generosity that nature delivers, it was gripping to hear Kate talk about creating her scents and likewise, the meticulous consideration when it comes to Remi’s design ethic.

With the opening of a physical space on Bruton High Street in the winter of 2023, Caro just missed the chance of becoming their neighbour. However, I am able to talk shop with them today - please welcome Kate Neal and Rémi Paringaux of Commune to this weeks episode. 

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Mud Australia is a brand known for their timeless porcelain homewares, minimalist aesthetic and their extensive colour palette. Since opening their first store in 2007, there are now 12 MUD stores all over the world. I am delighted to invite founder Shelley Simpson onto the podcast today. As a shopkeeper of just one little shop in Bruton, it was a privileged to chat to Shelley about how she grew Mud from making small runs of homewares to mass producing for a fleet of stores. From the conversation I had with Shelley, it is clear that she is not only a smart businesswoman, but that she has a fundamental ambition to work with people and on the ground, where the action is. We chatted about her personal experience in retailed aged 40, and how that inspired the ethos at Mud, and the different ways in which various cultures use her tableware depending on what they eat and the way they eat. 

We also talk about the Shelley Simpson Ceramic Prize held by Mud Australia every year - and this years winner, Alfred Lowe. I completely fell in love with Alfred’s pieces when I saw them - and more so when I read the inspiration behind them. He describes the importance of their bright colours and fun appearance in holding their presence in a room ‘ a presence that rejects expectations, ignores preconceptions and embraces a provocative sense of rebellion.’ It is initiatives like the ceramic prize that make Shelley Simpson a true inspiration. 

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