This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit meaganfrancis.substack.comMonthly Journal episodes and the accompanying post, which includes links to our upcoming community events, are a benefit for paying members of The Kettle. As a reminde

Hello friend,Over the past couple of weeks, Ive given eleven livestreamed interviews and three or four (or was it five?) podcast interviews. Ive been on TV twice, done two in-person signing events and have two more coming this weekend. And my book has o

How might the experience of forming and raising a family change if we felt more able to share honestly and openly about our struggles, joys, and everything in between? Today Im talking with Rebecca N. Thompson, MD, a family physician and public health ph

When you think of your children growing up, do you view their leaving as the end of an era - or the beginning of something new? In this episode, renowned happiness expert, author, and podcaster Gretchen Rubin joins me to discuss her “open-door” approach t

This spring a lot of figurative seeds that I planted long ago, like my upcoming book launch and an expansion of my brick-and-mortar business, are starting to bear fruit - just at the time I am also hoping to literally put seeds in the ground.Sometimes,

For most of us, getting groceries automatically equals going to the supermarket. But does that brightly-lit jumble of logos, packaging, and confusing nutrition labels have to be the only - or even the primary - way we fill our fridges and pantries? For

Have you ever heard the phrase March is the hungry month? In this months Journal episode, I discuss how scarcity can actually help us more deeply appreciate abundance, thoughts about how 24/7 supermarket shopping skews our perception of foods value, a

Are you even a midlife lady if you dont suddenly drop everything and start a garden? In todays episode, I talk with Christine Koh about our shared adult-onset passion for herbal medicine and our attempts - with varying degrees of success - at growing t

Its February, and that meanswe made it through January! In this episode I share my thoughts on the grounding joys of giving care. I also explore two beekeeping saints, teas with rose petals, new adventures in sourdough, some cozy reads and PBS shows to

More and more, people are talking about leaving social media for good. But how? Its easy to feel trapped by these networks that have become so intertwined in every aspect of our lives, from shopping to socializing. In this episode of The Kettle, I catch