S1 • #58 • The Cheese Lady - The making of Svetlana Kukharchuk •

Episode SummaryThis week on The Tea Mind, I’m joined by Svetlana Kukharchuk, founder of The Cheese Lady and author of The Cheese Connoisseur’s Handbook. Her journey takes us from Siberia to Scotland, via cheese counters in New York and caves in France - but really, this is a story about trusting your senses, building from joy, and choosing progress over perfection.Whether you're a fellow foodie or just trying to bring more presence and pleasure into your week, this conversation will ground you, inspire you, and maybe even change your next trip to the cheese aisle.In this episode, we cover:* The surprising way Svetlana fell into the world of cheese* What affinage really is (and why it’s so much more than ageing)* Why she believes joy should not be saved for Christmas* Starting a business with a newborn - and why she did it anyway* How her childhood in Siberia shaped her resilience* The one blue cheese and baked cheese you need to try this winter* Why movement, breath, and cheese boards might be your new go-to ritualsResources and Links* The Cheese Lady Website* The Cheese Connoisseur’s Handbook* Follow Svetlana on LinkedIn and The Cheese Lady on Instagram* Murray’s Cheese – NYC* Hervé Mons – French Affineur* The Chocolate Tree (UK chocolatier)* Make sure you’re getting eteaket’s Tea Mail to be the first to discover our awesome teas, Valentine’s shop now live.Thanks for pausing for tea with me today.If this helped, I’d love a quick comment, a heart, or a share. It genuinely helps this post reach more people who need a calmer next step.Erica xThe Tea Mind is reader-supported. To get new posts (and support my work), consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theteamind.substack.com/subscribe