Living a Nordic Life with Fiona McKinna

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 endle...

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/g...

What happens when you leave the green hills of southern England and make a life in the Nordic north? In this episode, Fiona reflects on the unexpected lessons she has learned from years of living in Norway. From embracing resilience and learning to thrive in long, cold winters, to discovering the Nordic habit of quiet perseverance and choosing joy even during life's hardest seasons, this is a...

Keeping chickens can be many people's idea of living a sustainable life with abundant eggs and a fun and entertaining animal in your life.  As much as chickens are wonderful to have around (in my opinion!), there are a plenty of reasons to think carefully about whether you are ready for them.  In this episode I share some amusing and not so savoury reasons why you might NOT want to keep hens....

Summer hygge is the softer side of Nordic living, where long light-filled days replace the need for cosiness by firelight. It is found in slow evenings outside, meals eaten without hurry, and the quiet permission to do less when the world feels full of light. This is a season of barefoot moments, open windows, and gentle rituals that ask nothing more than your presence. A reminder that warmth is n...

Simple living isn't about having less and paring your life down to the bare minimum.  It's about wanting less and feeling that gentle shift that is so liberating as we let go of the need to constantly strive for more. 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/livinganordic...

Spring in Norway doesn’t arrive loudly—it gathers, gently, in signs you could almost miss if you weren’t looking. The first flowers pushing through still-cold soil, bright and determined. Small flashes of colour after months of white and grey. It feels like a quiet promise that everything is starting again. In this episode of Living a Nordic Life , we’re stepping into those early spring rhythms—th...

From the outside, Nordic life can look simple—quiet homes, slow routines, and the ideas of hygge and lagom . But beneath that simplicity is something deeper. In this episode, we explore how Nordic living creates space for presence, meaning, and emotional depth. From nature and seasonal rhythms to silence and slower days, discover why a simpler life can feel richer—and how to bring that mindset int...

Hi I'm Fiona, the voice behind the Living a Nordic Life podcast and I'll like to introduce myself and welcome you to the podcast.  My journey to living a Nordic life began a long way from where I am in southern Norway and a life that was very different.  Join me in this episode for a glimpse into my life in Norway and what brought me here to the gentle, intentional Nordic life I live tod...

Picture this: you’re sipping coffee in a sleek Copenhagen café, laptop open, surrounded not by students but by nomads juggling clients across time zones. Scandinavia has quietly cracked the code—blazing internet, eco-friendly cities, and a culture that says yes to balance. Whether it’s kayaking after work in Sweden or networking in Oslo’s co-working hubs, the Nordics make remote work feel less lik...

Boost your wellbeing this winter with Nordic outdoor habits. From friluftsliv and forest walks to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sauna rituals, discover how Nordic practices help reduce stress, improve mood, and strengthen the body. Embrace winter like the Nordics and transform the cold months into a season of vitality, calm, and connection with nature.  Join me, Fiona, for some gentle enc...

Every year on 6 February , the Sámi people , the Indigenous inhabitants of northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia , celebrate Sámi National Day . It’s a powerful day of culture, identity, and resilience—honouring one of Europe’s oldest Indigenous communities. The date marks the first Sámi congress in 1917 , when Sámi leaders came together to fight for land rights, language preservation, and...

Start the new year with Nordic-style sustainability by embracing minimalism, mindful consumption, and slow living. Discover practical tips for eco-friendly home practices, seasonal routines, sustainable travel, and intentional goal-setting. Learn how simple, thoughtful habits inspired by Scandinavian culture can reduce waste, support the environment, and bring balance and purpose to your daily lif...

 Step into the deep midwinter of the Old Norse world and discover what January meant to the Vikings. In this episode, we explore Yule’s lingering echoes, seasonal rituals, blóts, and the quiet endurance of winter . Learn how Norse families kept culture alive through storytelling, work, and community , and how gods like Odin, Thor, and Freyr shaped life during the coldest months. A reflective journ...

Romjul is that time between Christmas and New Year that might feel a little bit of a non-event.  Here in the Nordics it has a special place and is a beloved tradition.  The beauty of a Nordic romjul is that you can embrace it wherever you are in the world, just as we do here. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nordic Life Fac...

 Christmas is a time for traditions — from family rituals to national customs — that connect us to our roots and bring warmth during the darkest season. In this episode, I share what Christmas looks like in my life in Norway, where Nordic winter landscapes, candlelight, snow, and festive gatherings set the scene. Join me as I explore cherished family and Norwegian traditions, including pepperkaker...

From stormy seas to streaming screens, Norse myths refuse to fade. The Eddas still shape Nordic identity—whispering of resilience, trickery, and hope. These aren’t relics of the past; they’re stories that live, adapt, and bind us across time. For exciting fiction and inspiring stories check out FictionMe – Read Thousands of Novels for free For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www...

Self care is more than a few fluffy blankets, an indulgent lunch or an hour in a bubble bath.  It's a deep, sustainable and grown up commitment to our own mental and physical wellbeing.  But how does that look and can we even achieve it? 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/group...

From London to the Mountains of Norway: Ben Ward swapped London life for a remote farm in the Norwegian mountains, and it hasn’t always been easy. In this episode, he opens up about the highs, lows, and unexpected challenges of living in such a remote place, the fame that followed his TV documentary, and the stories behind his life. Funny, honest, and full of adventure, Ben’s journey proves that c...

In this episode of Living a Nordic Life , we dive into the Norwegian word friluftsliv — “open-air living” — and how it shapes everyday life in the Nordics. More than just spending time outside, friluftsliv is a philosophy, a way of weaving the natural world into the rhythm of daily living. I’ll share how discovering this single word shifted my perspective, teaching me to seek out fresh air and qui...

Join me, Fiona of Living a Nordic Life, as I share my simple and seasonal morning routine in my little corner of southern Norway.  No 5am runs or fresh yaks milk here!!! 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 of Living a Nordic Life , we wander into the quiet beauty of the Nordic outdoors — not with skis or hiking poles, but with a slower, gentler pace. Discover how Nordic culture embraces the art of simply being outside: sitting on a bench with a cup of coffee, watching the shifting skies, or savoring the scent of pine and sea air. We’ll explore why “doing less” in nature can actually...

Step into the Nordic forest with me as we explore the story of lingonberries—Scandinavia’s tart red superberry. From ancient traditions and foraging tales to modern recipes and health benefits, this episode uncovers how lingonberries connect culture, nature, and flavour across the Nordic countries.  NEW BOOK now available -  UK -  Friluftsliv: How to love the outdoors like you're Nordic: Amaz...

In this episode of Living a Nordic Life , we explore one of the most beloved Nordic sayings: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” From rain-soaked autumn days to icy winter mornings, the Nordic approach to the outdoors is simple — nature is not something to avoid, but something to embrace. We’ll talk about how this mindset transforms everyday life, why going outside in all se...

Life can be pretty hectic whether we like it or not, but taking back some control can be simple and easy.  One of the ways we can be better organised and make life simpler is with some weekly menu planning.  It doesn't have to be boring with these easy-to-implement tips you can take the stress out of preparing meals and stop wondering "what's for dinner". Get your Living a Nord...