Living a Nordic Life with Fiona McKinna

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

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 gentle conversation about the values that shape a Nordic life. Join me as I share how Norway changed my perspective on hardship, happiness, and what it truly means to live well. Whether you're drawn to Nordic culture or simply looking for a little more calm and contentment in your own life, I hope these lessons inspire you as much as they have inspired me. Hilsen fra Fiona. 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

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. 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

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 not only winter’s gift, but something the sun can give too. 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

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/livinganordiclife

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—the ones that centre around home and preparation. Gardens slowly coming back to life, people out tidying, sweeping, clearing away the last traces of winter. There’s a shared sense of getting ready, of making things feel fresh again, especially with 17th May on the horizon. You notice it in the shops too. The shift is subtle but unmistakable—shelves filling with fresh fruit, lighter foods, the colours changing almost overnight. It’s as if daily life itself is waking up. This time of year isn’t about perfection. It’s about small resets. Opening the door, clearing a space, noticing what’s growing. And in those simple, everyday acts, there’s a quiet kind of joy that feels deeply rooted in the Nordic way of living. 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

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 into your own life. A gentle shift in perspective: what if a good life isn’t a louder one, but a deeper one? 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

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 today 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

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 like a grind and more like a lifestyle upgrade. Being a digital nomad in the Nordics is something special and different. And increasingly easier to aspire to. It also helps to have a safe and reliable internet connection like this one from VeePN - https://veepn.com/vpn-apps/download-vpn-for-pc/ 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

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 encouragement to hep you embrace winter like you're Nordic. 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

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 cultural recognition. Today, the celebration includes flag-raising, traditional joik music, gákti clothing, parades, and Sámi food , from hearty reindeer stew to smoked meats and berries. In this episode, we explore the history of Sámi National Day , what the symbols really mean, and how to celebrate respectfully—whether you’re in the Nordics or learning from afar. If you’re curious about Indigenous cultures, Nordic history, or Sámi traditions , this is a story worth hearing. 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

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 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

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 journey through Viking winter traditions, Norse mythology, and the Old Norse calendar , perfect for history lovers and mythology enthusiasts. 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

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 Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/livinganordiclife