The Tortoise with Brooke McAlary

To strive is human, to saunter divine. Welcome to The Tortoise - a podcast that digs deep into the power of slow. Brooke McAlary (author of "Slow", "Care" and "Destination Simple") is joined by her husband Ben for a monthly deep dive into the realities of trying to live slow in a world that won't stop racing. On the third Thursday of every month, join Brooke and Ben for an unscripted, unedited, always candid and usually fun conversation about slow living and how embracing our inner tortoise can impact every part of life: relationships, work, family, community, tech, health, care, personal growth. If you’re burnt out, overwhelmed, frustrated at the sheer pace of life or just looking for a sign to slow down, this is the podcast (a plodcast!) for you.

https://brookemcalary.substack.com/

subscribe
share






episode 8: Beth Kempton on the slow way of wabi sabi


This season has been an exploration of slow living through a variety of different lenses, looking at what constitutes ‘slow’ from new perspectives.

Today’s episode, the second-last of the season, is no different as Brooke chats with author and Japanologist Beth Kempton about slow living through the lens of Japanese culture. Or more specifically, through the lens of wabi sabi.

Complex to define, wabi sabi is an exploration of acceptance and contentment. An acknowledgement of the true nature of life and as such is a really powerful way of shifting our worldview.

Beth introduces Brooke to this complex nature of wabi sabi and they discuss how the idea of perfect imperfection can impact the way we purchase and consume things, the way we connect with people and the environment around us, and how it’s a welcome respite in a world that calls us to constant comparison and competition.

They discuss whether wabi sabi, or any personal philosophy really, has the power to change the world as well as the beauty of creating and honouring pockets and rituals of slowness in a busy life.

Questions featured in this episode: 

  • What is wabi sabi?
  • Wabi sabi is the opposite to many of the things harming people and planet – mass consumption, convenience, keeping up with the Joneses etc. Do you think it has the power to change the world?
  • You write that wabi sabi helps us to seek meaning beyond materialism. How does it do that?
  • Do you think that contentment – as opposed to outright brilliant happiness – is something worth striving for?
  • What are some small rituals that we can adopt in to our lives now that help us to bend and stretch time, slowing it down and making it feel abundant?

    Looking for more Slow?

    • Find show notes, resources and links at slowyourhome.com/season3
    • Follow us on Instagram @slowhomepod
    • Sign up for our love letters
    • Join the Slow Experiment Club over on Patreon
    • Or leave a rating or review in iTunes

    As always, thank you for listening!

    Join The Tortoise Community: https://brookemcalary.substack.com/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    fyyd: Podcast Search Engine
    share








     September 4, 2019  51m