Ep 16 Backstage with Sophie Hansen from Local Is Lovely!

A woman with generosity in spades, Sophie Hansen has turned her background in publishing into a force for good. For the last decade, she’s been plating up important messages about slow living, local produce and reverence for farmers (disguised as lip smacking seasonal recipes) on her exceedingly popular blog: Local Is Lovely. Sophie takes us backstage to life on a deer farm, her city-to-rural transition, raising contented kids, sharing with abandon and letting her love of great food take her in all manner of delicious directions.This chat is satisfying listening for anyone who thinks a better world starts with the simple act of coming together over food.SHOW NOTESHow she nearly ended up as a news journalist before getting distracted by food. What she learned at Australian Table magazine.Her Slow Food internship in Italy.Why and how she started Local Is Lovely after moving to rural NSW and craving a creative outlet. How she turned her existing skills into a career that fit her life.The beauty of an unpredictable life path.The launch of her third cookbook.Trusting your path when venturing out as a freelancer.Managing imposter syndrome.Her 'Rules of Engagement' for social media.Why diversifying her freelance work means spreading risk.Her approach to kids: helping them stay curious, open minded and confident to ask the hard questions.Her early bird daily rhythm and preferred work schedule.Balancing living generously without running out of time.The importance of putting down the smart phone.Life on her community-filled country lane.Why she oscillates between sheer panic and the realisation she's doing her best.Her advice to take baby steps and start by thinking about where your food comes from.The value of making a fuss at meal times.Why to make an effort to create daily rituals.LINKS YOU'LL LOVERecipe & Food Inspo:Michael PollanMidnight Chicken - Ella RisbridgerNigel SlaterNigella LawsonDiana HenryPodcasts:The High LowThe Daily - NTYRadio Cherry Bombe7AMDesert Island DiscsInstagram favourites:@sue_singingmagpicproduce @anjadunkSupport the show