Tell Me Over Tea

Show NotesTo celebrate 30 episodes of Tell Me Over Tea, I’m sharing another letter from my Dear Nan series — letters I’ve written to my nan since she died, as a way of processing grief and holding onto our story.This one turns the lens further back, to my nan’s parents — my great-grandparents, known in our family as Big Grandma and Big Grandpa. Piecing together old letters, family memories, and stories passed down from Nan and Grandpa and nan’s sister, I try to build a picture of who they really were: a father who drifted from job to job through the Depression, with a gambling habit, but who also wrote his wife tender letters that reveal a softer side. And a mother — practical, resilient, and shaped by loss from childhood — who raised siblings after being orphaned young, cooked for prisoners, and once talked her way out of more than one hospital stay through sheer stubbornness.It’s a letter about the contradictions that make our family human, and about how much there still is to uncover the more we ask.If this episode has you wanting to write your own letters — to a grandparent, a memory, or just to yourself — I’d love for you to join the Lovely Letters Project, my free pen pal exchange. Details are in the show notes below.In this episode we talk about:* Celebrating 30 episodes with a cup of tea from Sarah at Ettie & Dorrie* The Dear Nan letters and why I write them* Piecing together my great-grandparents’ story from old letters and family memory* A father shaped by the Depression, restlessness, and a gambling problem* A tender letter that revealed an unexpected softness* My great-grandmother’s resilience after losing both parents young* Family stories of home births, illness, and quiet determination* An invitation to join the Lovely Letters ProjectThe tea I sipped throughout this episode was gifted to me by the lovely Sara from Ettie and Dorrie. The tea I brewed today was called: Annette (The Home Blend) and it was a delicious, comforting tea with hints of maple syrup (though the extra addition was actually peach and peach blossom). If you’d like to get some of your own, you can do that here.If you enjoyed this episode, follow Tell Me Over Tea wherever you listen, and if you feel inclined, please leave a little review — it helps more story-lovers find their way here:)Kim xWhere to find me:✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories, Lovely Letters and the podcast.✨The Tea + Toast Letter Club! A little moment to pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy spot, and enjoy a letter (and some other goodies) in the mail every month. You can read more about it here. ✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project (it’s free!)✨To find out more about my memory writing program, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨I’ve created a simple and beautiful starting point for your own storytelling: The Five Minute Memory List.It’s a short, exercise (a cuppa’s worth), to help you gather memories and begin. It’s fun and easy peasey and it’s something you can use in your letter writing, journaling and personal life writing. You can grab that by subscribing to my newsletter (you’ll find it in the welcome letter one you’ve signed up): here✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteTell Me Over Tea is a cosy storytelling podcast about the stories that matter — one memory, and cuppa, at a time.Written and hosted by Kim, founder of Betty Mae Wrote — a slow-living space for letter writing, memory keeping, and everyday storytelling, from a tin cottage on the Far South Coast of NSW.Music: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon (thanks, Lew!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show NotesMaryAnn spent most of her life believing she simply wasn’t a writer. As a child she froze at the thought of writing from the heart, and by her final year of school she was navigating an unplanned pregnancy and marriage and the HSC. Mary Ann went on to become a mother of five by the age of twenty-five. At that time writing was the last thing on her mind.It wasn’t until grief entered her life — first the loss of her father, then her mother’s cancer diagnosis — that MaryAnn turned to journaling, just to get through. What began as a private coping habit slowly grew into something more: a voice, a practice, and eventually an identity she’d never imagined for herself.In this episode, MaryAnn shares how journaling led her to creative writing classes, poetry, and a manuscript inspired by her mother’s life as a young, unmarried mum.This is a conversation about the winding path to becoming a writer, and how it’s never too late to pick up the pen.Mary Ann also happens to be a part of my Little Life Stories program and it has been an absolute honour to work alongside her as she writes down her memories and shares her childhood stories. She is an inspiration to me, and I hope that Mary Ann’s writing journey also gives you that little spur on to consider picking up a pen and open a fresh blank notebook page and begin recording your own memories.If you’d like some support in doing that, please know that you are most welcome to join Little Life Stories. You can read more about that here.If you enjoyed this episode, follow Tell Me Over Tea wherever you listen, and if you feel inclined, please leave a little review — it helps more story-lovers find their way here:)Kim xWhere to find me:✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories, Lovely Letters and the podcast.✨The Tea + Toast Letter Club! A little moment to pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy spot, and enjoy a letter (and some other goodies) in the mail every month. You can read more about it here. ✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project (it’s free!)✨To find out more about my memory writing program, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨I’ve created a simple and beautiful starting point for your own storytelling: The Five Minute Memory List.It’s a short, exercise (a cuppa’s worth), to help you gather memories and begin. It’s fun and easy peasey and it’s something you can use in your letter writing, journaling and personal life writing. You can grab that by subscribing to my newsletter (you’ll find it in the welcome letter one you’ve signed up): here✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteTell Me Over Tea is a cosy storytelling podcast about the stories that matter — one memory, and cuppa, at a time.Written and hosted by Kim, founder of Betty Mae Wrote — a slow-living space for letter writing, memory keeping, and everyday storytelling, from a tin cottage on the Far South Coast of NSW.Music: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon (thanks, Lew!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show NotesPop the kettle on and pull up a chair — this is a Kitchen Table Letters episode, where I read letters sent in by listeners and members of the Betty Mae Wrote community, written in answer to a question I’ve set. This time, the question was simple:What’s something small in your daily life that brings you a quiet kind of joy?In this episode I read four beautiful letters — from Karan, Peggy, Jen, and Kim — each one a small window into an ordinary daily ritual that holds meaning. * Karan’s letter — winding her watch. A daily ritual of winding an analogue watch that can’t be rushed — and how it became a grounding practice after a period of burnout.* Peggy’s letter — the coffee run. A 15-minute drive to grab a takeaway coffee, and the noticing of the world along the way — from the different feel of each day of the week to memories of her mum and sister.* Jen’s letter — an evening (and a morning) at home. Written in two sittings, with candles, a writing lamp, and her dogs nearby — on chatting with her kids, her husband hanging out the washing, and her morning coffee.* Kim’s letter — journaling through it all. Started on a hard 30th birthday, her journals have carried her through divorce, loss, new love, and grandchildren — now lovingly nicknamed “The Book of Grandma” by her granddaughter.Want to write your own Kitchen Table Letter?The Kitchen Table Letters is open to anyone in the Betty Mae Wrote community — Instagram followers, newsletter subscribers, Lovely Letters Project members, Tea and Toast Club members, and podcast listeners alike. Email me: [email protected] to request the current list of questions, answer as many (or as few) as you like, pop a stamp on it, and post it in. Your letter might just be read on a future episode:)In today’s episode I also mention something utterly beautiful and in perfect keeping with the theme of today’s letters. Jenny of Nordic Stories — photographer and visual story teller, has created Nordic Chapters, a monthly club encouraging everyday photography as a way of noticing and remembering ordinary life and the small things that bring us joy. Jenny is welcoming in new members for September And the doors are opening next week for the brand new chapter. It is such a cosy, delightful space to enter into and as someone who is taking part, I could not think of a more lovely, gentle way of pausing and noticing the life around me. What a beautiful experience! You can read more about Nordic Chapters here, and find Jenny:* Instagram: @nordic_stories* Website: Nordic Stories If you enjoyed this episode, follow Tell Me Over Tea wherever you listen, and if you feel inclined, please leave a little review — it helps more story-lovers find their way here:)Kim xWhere to find me:✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories, Lovely Letters and the podcast.✨The Tea + Toast Letter Club! A little moment to pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy spot, and enjoy a letter (and some other goodies) in the mail every month. You can read more about it here. ✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project (it’s free!)✨To find out more about my memory writing program, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨I’ve created a simple and beautiful starting point for your own storytelling: The Five Minute Memory List.It’s a short, exercise (a cuppa’s worth), to help you gather memories and begin. It’s fun and easy peasey and it’s something you can use in your letter writing, journaling and personal life writing. You can grab that by subscribing to my newsletter (you’ll find it in the welcome letter one you’ve signed up): here✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteTell Me Over Tea is a cosy storytelling podcast about the stories that matter — one memory at a time.Written and hosted by Kim, founder of Betty Mae Wrote — a slow-living space for letter writing, memory keeping, and everyday storytelling, from a tin cottage on the Far South Coast of NSW.Music: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon (thanks, Lew!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Nan at 14Show NotesEpisode 27: Dear Nan — A 1930s and 40s ChildhoodA letter to my Nan about life growing up in the 1930s and 40s in AustraliaToday’s episode is another of my Dear Nan letters — the series I began after my nan died in 2022, as a way of processing grief, honouring our relationship, and making sure that this beautiful woman was never just a blip on this earth.Because she wasn’t. She was extraordinary. And her story is so worth hearing.In this letter, I write about my nan’s childhood — about growing up in 1930s and 40s Australia, during the Great Depression and World War Two. About a family that moved constantly, from Paddington to Narrabeen to Manly to Mona Vale, chasing the next opportunity, packing up in the middle of the night. About a dad whose gambling was quite possibly the invisible thread running through it all. About a mum who cooked and sewed and embroidered late into the night on Christmas Eve to make sure her children had something to wake up to.My nan never used the words we were poor. But she was. And it took me three years after she left this earth to put the pieces together and really understand what her childhood had been.This episode is also a little reminder of why I do what I do — why I help women write their memories down, why I believe so deeply that every ordinary life is full of stories worth keeping. Because we don’t always know what we’re losing until it’s gone. And the small jigsaw pieces our loved ones give us, if we’re lucky enough to gather them, are more precious than we ever realise at the time.I also have a little chat today about Little Life Stories — my memory writing program — which has just had a bit of a makeover and is now available for $97. More on that in the episode.Oh, and I’m sipping the most beautiful tea throughout — gifted to me by the lovely Sara from Ettie and Dorie. It’s called Dear Dorrie and it’s lemony comfort in a cup! If you love a good quality herbal tea, go and find her. You won’t regret it!Pour yourself a cuppa. If you enjoyed this episode, follow Tell Me Over Tea wherever you listen, and if you feel inclined, leave a little review — it helps more story-lovers find their way here:)Kim xNan with Felix (left)Where to find me:✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories, Lovely Letters and the podcast.✨To find out more about my memory writing program, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨I’ve created a simple and beautiful starting point for your own storytelling: The Five Minute Memory List.It’s a short, exercise (a cuppa’s worth), to help you gather memories and begin. It’s fun and easy peasey and it’s something you can use in your letter writing, journaling and personal life writing. You can grab that by subscribing to my newsletter (you’ll find it in the welcome letter one you’ve signed up): here✨The Tea + Toast Letter Club! A little moment to pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy spot, and enjoy a letter (and some other goodies) in the mail every month. You can read more about it here. Oh, and from July on, there will be an extra special little gift waiting for one lucky duck subscriber. A ‘golden ticket’ will be tucked inside one envelope. Who will July’s ticket finder be? ✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project (it’s free!)✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteWritten and hosted by Kim, founder of Betty Mae Wrote — a slow-living space for letter writing, memory keeping, and everyday storytelling, from a tin cottage on the Far South Coast of NSW.Music: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon (thanks, Lew!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Sarah’s photoShow NotesEpisode 26 Sarah Stamm from Salisbury and Maude: On Creativity, Courage and Making Things That MatterFrom a childhood surrounded by wool and fabric to a celebrated handmade brand in regional Victoria — this is Sarah's story.Today on Tell Me Over Tea I am sitting down with the lovely Sarah Stamm — the founder and creative director of Salisbury and Maude, a beautiful Australian brand known for its handcrafted artworks, botanical wreaths, quilts, knitting and fine art prints.I found Sarah the way I find most good things — over on Instagram, where all the lovely creators are. And if you haven’t been over to have a look at her work yet, I want you to go the moment this episode is done, because it really is just so gorgeous.What drew me to Sarah wasn’t just the beauty of what she makes — though it truly is stunning. It’s the way she makes it. Everything is bespoke. Every piece is released exclusively through Instagram and Facebook. She doesn’t have a website. She doesn’t take custom orders. There’s a quietness and an intention to the way Sarah works that feels very much at home here on Tell Me Over Tea.Sarah grew up the youngest of four children in Albury, with a mother who could spin, knit, weave and draw — a woman who made something beautiful out of whatever she had, always with joy, never as a chore. That love of making was woven into Sarah early, and it never left her.After more than 25 years in the world of interiors — from Westfield shop fits to magnificent old farmhouses across regional Victoria and New South Wales — something called Sarah back to making things with her own hands. Back to fabric. Back to craft. Back to the slower, more deliberate work of creating something from nothing.And Salisbury and Maude was born — right there in the beautiful little town of Beechworth, where it still lives today.In this episode we go right back to the beginning — to the little girl who painted everything she could get her hands on, to the teacher who let her borrow a Brett Whiteley book from her private library, to the sliding door moment that brought Sarah to Melbourne instead of Perth, and to the day she looked around at a room full of inherited fabric and decided to make her very first quilt.We also talk about the nine weeks she and her husband spent camping across Europe in 2024 — no plan, 8,000 kilometres, and a boot full of the most beautiful, sourced fabrics. And we talk about what it means to make something by hand and stitch a little of yourself into every single piece.This is such a warm and wonderful conversation. I think you’re going to love Sarah.Sarah’s photoA little something from this episode to take with you...“I looked at what I had — not what I didn’t have. And what I had was fabric.”And this, about her quilts:“When you’re feeling lonely or missing home — just wrap yourself in your quilt, and I’ll be close.”Sarah’s photo Where to find Sarah:Instagram & Facebook: @salisburyandmaude(This is the only place you’ll find her — and it’s well worth the visit)If you enjoyed this episode, follow Tell Me Over Tea wherever you listen, and if you feel inclined, leave a little review — it helps more story-lovers find their way here:)Kim xWhere to find me:✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories, Lovely Letters and the podcast.✨To find out more about my memory writing program, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨I’ve created a simple and beautiful starting point for your own storytelling: The Five Minute Memory List.It’s a short, exercise (a cuppa’s worth), to help you gather memories and begin. It’s fun and easy peasey and it’s something you can use in your letter writing, journaling and personal life writing. You can grab that by subscribing to my newsletter (you’ll find it in the welcome letter one you’ve signed up): here✨The Tea + Toast Letter Club! A little moment to pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy spot, and enjoy a letter (and some other goodies) in the mail every month. You can read more about it here. Oh, and from July on, there will be an extra special little gift waiting for one lucky duck subscriber. A ‘golden ticket’ will be tucked inside one envelope. Who will July’s ticket finder be? ✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project (it’s free!)✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteWritten and hosted by Kim, founder of Betty Mae Wrote — a slow-living space for letter writing, memory keeping, and everyday storytelling, from a tin cottage on the Far South Coast of NSW.Music: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon (thanks, Lew!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show NotesEpisode 25: Kitchen Table Letters: Windy Harbour, Grandparents & The Cosy Places From ChildhoodTwo letters, one thread — the places that never leave usIn today’s episode, I’m sharing two letters from the Kitchen Table Letters series — my project inviting women to answer reflective questions the old-fashioned way, with pen, paper, and a stamp.This episode’s theme is place, and by beautiful coincidence, both letters lead us to the same tender ground: memories of grandparents.First, we hear from Denise, (you can find Denise on Instagram), who takes us to Windy Harbour — her grandparents’ holiday house and a place that has been a constant in her life since childhood, still treasured by her and her own family today.Then, we hear from Kym, (Kym also has a substack), who shares the magic of her childhood holidays spent at her grandparents’ house. Grab a cuppa and settle in for a cosy one.Want to send me a Kitchen Table Letter?Email me at [email protected] to let me know you’d like to take part, and I’ll send you the questions and all the details.Want a pen pal?Join The Lovely Letters Project, my free snail mail exchange — details are here over oin the website. My mission is to keep letters and storytelling alive and well, and I’d love for you to be part of it.If you enjoyed this episode, follow Tell Me Over Tea wherever you listen, and if you feel inclined, leave a little review — it helps more story-lovers find their way here:)Kim xWhere to find me:✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories, Lovely Letters and the podcast.✨To find out more about my memory writing program, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨I’ve created a simple and beautiful starting point for your own storytelling: The Five Minute Memory List.It’s a short, exercise (a cuppa’s worth), to help you gather memories and begin. It’s fun and easy peasey and it’s something you can use in your letter writing, journaling and personal life writing. You can grab that by subscribing to my newsletter (you’ll find it in the welcome letter one you’ve signed up): here✨The Tea + Toast Letter Club! A little moment to pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy spot, and enjoy a letter (and some other goodies) in the mail every month. You can read more about it here. Oh, and from July on, there will be an extra special little gift waiting for one lucky duck subscriber. A ‘golden ticket’ will be tucked inside one envelope. Who will July’s ticket finder be? ✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project (it’s free!)✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteWritten and hosted by Kim, founder of Betty Mae Wrote — a slow-living space for letter writing, memory keeping, and everyday storytelling, from a tin cottage on the Far South Coast of NSW.Music: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon (thanks, Lew!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show NotesEpisode 24: Tess Lehman’s Story - Never Going Back in the BoxOn coming out, starting over, and learning to be exactly who you are(Trigger warning: this episode contains some swearing. Just so you know what you’re in for — but I promise it’s worth it.)Today I am joined by a woman I found the way I find most good things — scrolling Instagram at some point when I should have been doing something else.Tess Lehman is a photographer based in Newcastle, and her Instagram bio reads: Photos that feel like home. Rebellion and magic. Not your average. And honestly, right there tells you everything you need to know about Tess. She is as real and raw and as down to earth as they come. No bells and whistles. No performance. Just a woman with a big life and a beautiful, honest way of talking about it. What a life it has been.Tess grew up in a big, loud, blustery family on the edge of Inverell in northern New South Wales — one of seven kids, a voracious reader who hid in treehouses with her books so nobody could take them off her, a kid who threw down with her teachers (and won), and a teenager who, at eighteen, packed herself into a Subaru with her best mate and drove to Alice Springs because she knew if she didn’t leave, she never would.From Alice Springs to the mines of northern WA. From Perth to Indonesia to Canada. Selling cars, working bars, laying 90 square metres of turf with three small children watching from the deck.And then, at 33, painting a wall alone at 2 or 3 in the morning, she had a moment. A quiet, enormous, life-changing moment.In this episode, Tess talks about coming out as queer in her 30s, and what it felt like to finally give herself permission to be the person she actually was. She talks about her ADHD diagnosis, and the strange grief of realising that the things you thought were just your personality — both the good bits and the hard bits — were something else entirely. She talks about her photography, and the transformation she witnesses when she turns the lens on women and reflects back to them a version of themselves they’ve never been allowed to see before.And she talks about her precious sister. Her shining, hilarious, enormous-hearted sister, who saw Tess more clearly than almost anyone, and who died — and how you learn to live with that kind of missing.This is a big, beautiful, honest episode. I think …. wait … I know ….. you’re going to love Tess as much as I do.A little something from this episode to take with you...“I am never going back in that box. I’m never going to be quiet. I’m never going to stop saying the things that are true for me.” Tess LehmanWhere to find Tess:Instagram: @tessdoes_ and @wishmymothertoldmeThe Podcast: Wish My Mother Told MePhotography Bookings: www.tessdoes.comIf you enjoyed this episode, follow Tell Me Over Tea wherever you listen, and if you feel inclined, leave a little review — it helps more story-lovers find their way here:)Kim xWhere to find me:✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories, Lovely Letters and the podcast.✨To find out more about my writing program, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨I’ve created a simple and beautiful starting point for your own storytelling: The Five Minute Memory List.It’s a short, exercise (a cuppa’s worth), to help you gather memories and begin. It’s fun and easy peasey and it’s something you can use in your letter writing, journaling and personal life writing. You can grab that by subscribing to my newsletter (you’ll find it in the welcome letter one you’ve signed up): here✨The Tea + Toast Letter Club! A little moment to pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy spot, and enjoy a letter (and some other goodies) in the mail every month. You can read more about it here. Oh, and from July on, there will be an extra special little gift waiting for one lucky duck subscriber. A ‘golden ticket’ will be tucked inside one envelope. Who will July’s ticket finder be? ✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project (it’s free!)✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon (thanks, Lew!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show Notes Episode 23: The Kitchen Table Letters — Nadine’s LetterToday is a very special episode of Tell Me Over Tea, because today the Kitchen Table Letters begins.If you’ve been following along, you’ll know I’ve been talking about this for a little while now — an invitation for you, my listeners, to write me a letter. An actual, old fashioned, hand written, snail mail letter. And I’ll choose some to read here on the podcast.Because stories connect us. And the stories of our lives — the small ones, the quiet ones, the ones we think nobody wants to hear — are all that we leave behind. And having them written down somewhere is one of the most precious gifts we can give to the people who come after us.The very first letter comes from Nadine @rust_emporium, and it is a beautiful one to open this series with.Nadine writes about her mum being handed a bundle of letters — written by her great grandmother Lottie, who lived in Brisbane, to her grandmother Jane, who lived in Oxfordshire — spanning twenty odd years in the late 1880s. Written in copperplate on tissue thin paper, folded into tiny handmade envelopes that would fit in the palm of your hand. Two women who never once met in person, but who treasured each other across vast oceans through the written word alone.And Nadine asks the most beautiful question: what will my descendants think of me?She also shares a quieter, deeply personal story — the day she stepped into a pine forest in Victoria to gather pine cones for her shop window, and how the hush of those trees stopped her completely in her tracks and changed her life.This is an episode about letters and what they carry. About the forest and what it teaches. About slowing down before the world forces you to. And about the small, fleeting, everyday moments.A little reminder from this episode…They never met in person, Lottie and Jane.But they both treasured those pieces of paper until the day they died.And so did every daughter and cousin who came after them.No one is ever disappointed to find letters. Never ever never!Would you like to be part of the Kitchen Table Letters?I would love to read your letter on the podcast. All you need to do is get in touch via the email address in the show notes and I’ll send you a list of prompts to choose from. Write your response by hand, pop it in the post to my address, and your letter might just be read aloud right here on Tell Me Over Tea.You just need to be comfortable with me sharing bits and pieces — on the podcast, in my newsletter, or over on Instagram. If you’d prefer to keep some things private, just let me know and we’ll sort it out.If you enjoyed this episode, follow Tell Me Over Tea wherever you listen, and if you feel inclined, leave a little review — it helps more story-lovers find their way here 🙂Kim xWhere to find me:✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories, Lovely Letters and the podcast.✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨I’ve created a simple and beautiful starting point for your own storytelling: The Five Minute Memory List.It’s a short, exercise (a cuppa’s worth), to help you gather memories and begin. It’s fun and easy peasey and it’s something you can use in your letter writing, journaling and personal life writing. You can grab that by subscribing to my newsletter (you’ll find it in the welcome letter one you’ve signed up): here✨The Tea + Toast Letter Club! A little moment to pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy spot, and enjoy a letter (and some other goodies) in the mail every month. You can read more about it here. Oh, and from July on, there will be an extra special little gift waiting for one lucky duck subscriber. A ‘golden ticket’ will be tucked inside one envelope. Who will July’s ticket finder be? ✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project (it’s free!)✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon (thanks, Lew!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show Notes Episode 22: Thea - A Portrait of my MumIn this solo episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I give my mum, Thea, a little bit of the limelight she so richly deserves — and would almost certainly have hidden from if she were here.Following on from Episode 21, where I shared a letter to my Nan about the grief of losing five of her six children, I felt the pull to tell you more about the first of those children to leave us. My mum. The woman who shaped me more than anyone else in the world, in both her life and in her death.In this episode I wander back through her story — from Manly Hospital in 1954, through a Northern Beaches childhood full of siblings, Sunday school, Bob Dylan and that long, silky brown hair, right through to the weatherboard cottage on 105 acres in Bargo where she finally found the slow, earthy, rooted life she had always craved.Along the way you’ll hear about:* The hippie teenager who became a mother at 18 and never looked back* A Jersey cow named Blossom who was anything but angelic at milking time* Homemade bread, chocolate cake, and the most expensive milk in the Bega Valley* A rooster incident I will not forget* The mum who actually looked forward to school holidays* And the quiet, powerful way she showed us, every single day, that the simple things were everythingThis one is full of love, laughter, nostalgia and a few tears. So, pour yourself something warm, find a comfy spot, and come and meet my mum.Part two — her cancer, her dying, and the rest of her story — is coming in the next episode.A little reminder from this episode…She never put a name to it.She didn’t talk, talk, talk.She just did.But looking back now I can see so clearly what my mum was doing — living intentionally, choosing presence over things, building a home that felt safe and warm and full, no matter how humble its innards were.She was showing us every single day that homemade bread and a garden and a mum who wanted to be with you — that those things were everything.And they were.Something to do after you listen…This episode is an invitation to write about your own mum — or a motherly figure who shaped you. You don’t have to write the whole story. Start with one small memory. The smell of her kitchen. Something she always said. The way she laughed.Those small details are the ones that matter most, and they are the ones most at risk of being lost. Pick up your pen this week. Write it down. Pleasey.If you enjoyed this episode, follow Tell Me Over Tea wherever you listen — and if you feel inclined, leave a little review. It helps more story-lovers find their way here. Kim xWhere to find me:✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories, Lovely Letters and the podcast.✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨I’ve created a simple and beautiful starting point for your own storytelling: The Five Minute Memory List.It’s a short, exercise (a cuppa’s worth), to help you gather memories and begin. It’s fun and easy peasey and it’s something you can use in your letter writing, journaling and personal life writing. You can grab that by subscribing to my newsletter (you’ll find it in the welcome letter one you’ve signed up): here✨The Tea + Toast Letter Club! A little moment to pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy spot, and enjoy a letter (and some other goodies) in the mail every month. You can read more about it here. ✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project (it’s free!)✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon (thanks, Lew!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Back left - Robert, Mum Front left: Christine, RonShow Notes Episode 22: Dear Nan Too Much LossIn this deeply personal episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I read one of the most difficult letters I’ve ever written to my Nan. This episode contains discussion of child loss, cancer, death, and grief. Please listen with care if these topics feel tender for you. This is a letter about grief, loss, and the unimaginable reality of outliving five of your six children.From the baby she never had the chance to hold, to the adult children she lost over the decades, this episode explores the quiet resilience that carried my Nan through a lifetime of heartbreak. It is a story about motherhood, endurance, and the many ways people learn to live alongside grief.While this is a sad and emotional episode, it is also a tribute to a woman who continued to love, laugh, care for others, and embrace life despite carrying more loss than most of us can imagine.And, as always, there’s a cup of tea beside me while I read. In this episode I’m drinking the beautiful Madi blend from Ettie and Dorrie — a delicious, strong loose leaf black tea that’s perfect for that first morning cuppa or an afternoon pick-me-up. Hand blended by Sara, it’s exactly the kind of comforting tea you want in your hands during a reflective conversation like this.You can find Sara’s beautiful range of teas here:Ettie and Dorrie TeaYou can also find her on instagram here: @ettieanddorrieOkey doke, time to pop the kettle on, settle in, and join me.If this episode sparks memories you’d like to capture, I’ve created a free guide called The Five Minute Memory List.It’s a simple, gentle exercise designed to help you gather memories, story ideas, and moments from your life—one list at a time.You’ll find the link here and below in the show notes.If you know someone who might love this kind of conversation, please do pass it along, and if you enjoyed this episode, follow Tell Me Over Tea wherever you listen, and if you feel inclined, leave a little review — it helps more story-lovers find their way here.Kim xWhere to find me:✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories, Lovely Letters and the podcast.✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨I’ve created a simple and beautiful starting point for your own storytelling: The Five Minute Memory List.It’s a short, exercise (a cuppa’s worth), to help you gather memories and begin. It’s fun and easy peasey and it’s something you can use in your letter writing, journaling and personal life writing. You can grab that by subscribing to my newsletter (you’ll find it in the welcome letter one you’ve signed up): here✨The Tea + Toast Letter Club! A little moment to pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy spot, and enjoy a letter (and some other goodies) in the mail every month. You can read more about it here. ✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project (it’s free!)✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon (thanks, Lew!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show Notes Episode 20: Don’t Throw Away Your LettersIn this solo episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I share something that has been sitting on my heart ever since it found its way back into my hands — a letter I wrote to my Aunty Kathleen when I was just six years old.Two short pages in fat, six year old scrawl. And yet, the moment I read it again, the memories I hadn’t visited in decades began surfacing — slowly at first, and then all at once. Flooded!In this episode I read the letter aloud, and then wander through the memories it unlocked — a rogue young horse named Mischief, a little black rabbit called Cindy, the saleyards at Mudgee, a green and white school dress in a sea of brown and white ones, and the strange comfort of a cane sickbay bed when you’re the new girl and everything feels just a little out of sorts.It’s an episode about the power of ordinary letters. The ones we write without any thought of their future value. The ones that sit in shoeboxes and drawers for decades, filled with moments in time waiting to be rediscovered.So pour yourself a cuppa and come and sit with me for a little while.A little reminder from this episode…We don’t write letters thinking about the future. We write them because we’re excited about a horse. Because we have the measles but we’re nearly better. Because there’s a PS about a rabbit that simply can’t wait.And yet, forty, fifty years on, those small unselfconscious moments become something more priceless than we could ever have imagined.Don’t throw away your letters. Pleasey!Something to do after you listen…If you have old letters tucked away somewhere — in a drawer, a shoebox, a box at your mum’s house — go and find them. Read them. See what comes back to you.And if you don’t have old letters, or even if you do — write one this week. It doesn’t have to be long. It doesn’t have to be eloquent. A tiny note with a PS about your rabbit is more than enough.You have no idea what it might mean one day. To the person who receives it. Or to you, if it ever finds its way back home.Come and write letters with us…If this episode has nudged you toward picking up a pen, you’re warmly invited to join The Lovely Letters Project — my free snail mail exchange for women all over the world. With 900+ members across Australia, the US, the UK, Sweden, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Italy, Canada and beyond, it truly is the loveliest little community of letter writers.You can find the link here to sign up — it’s free, and once you’re on the list you’ll hear from me about the monthly exchange. You can choose a permanent pen pal or a fresh new one each month. Either way, I’d love to have you there.And if this episode stirred something in you — a memory, a story, a little nudge to begin writing — you are welcome to grab my free guide, The Five Minute Memory List, to help you make a start. You’ll find it in the welcome letter when you sign up to my newsletter at bettymaewrote.comIf you know someone who might love this kind of conversation, please do pass it along, and if you enjoyed this episode, follow Tell Me Over Tea wherever you listen, and if you feel inclined, leave a little review — it helps more story-lovers find their way here.Kim xWhere to find me:✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories, Lovely Letters and the podcast.✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨I’ve created a simple and beautiful starting point for your own storytelling: The Five Minute Memory List.It’s a short, exercise (a cuppa’s worth), to help you gather memories and begin. It’s fun and easy peasey and it’s something you can use in your letter writing, journaling and personal life writing. You can grab that by subscribing to my newsletter (you’ll find it in the welcome letter one you’ve signed up): here✨The Tea + Toast Letter Club! A little moment to pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy spot, and enjoy a letter (and some other goodies) in the mail every month. You can read more about it here. ✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project (it’s free!)✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon (thanks, Lew!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show Notes Episode 19: Baking Memories, Family Recipes & Finding Comfort in the Kitchen with Kath VincentIn this cosy and memory-filled episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I sit down with baker, recipe writer and storyteller Kath Vincent from Kulinary Adventures of Kath to chat about the deep connection between food, family and memory.Together we wander through childhood kitchens, handwritten recipe cards, pavlovas with perfect peaks, and that beautiful love language of baking for, and with, the people you care about.Kath shares precious memories of baking with her grandmother, the comfort of simple everyday recipes, and the special feeling of holding old family recipes written in familiar handwriting. The conversation also explores Kath’s own writing journey, her cookbooks, and the inspiration behind her much-loved recipe newsletters and baking projects.It’s an episode full of nostalgia, warmth, gentle reflection… and plenty of talk about tea and biscuits. So, make sure you have a cuppa and a bickie handy because you’re going to get hungry, I promise!About KathKath Vincent is the creator behind Kulinary Adventures of Kath, where she shares comforting recipes, thoughtful food writing, baking inspiration and beautiful photography.Kath has written several baking books including Everyday Bakes, Cozy Winter Bakes and Baking with Rose. She also writes a free and paid newsletter exploring recipes, food memories and treasured family baking traditions.You can find Kath here:* Kulinary Adventures of Kath* Kath’s Substack Newsletter* Kath on Instagramlove love love Kath’s book!A nice little reminder from this episode …Sometimes the recipes we inherit are more than instructions.They’re stories.They’re proof someone was here.A handwritten note in the margin, a smudge of flour on the page, a pavlova made the same way every Christmas… all of it becomes part of the family story we carry forward.Pop the kettle on, slice yourself a piece of cake, and enjoy this beautiful conversation with Kath.And if this conversation stirred something in you—perhaps a memory, a story, or a little nudge to begin writing—you’re warmly invited to grab my free and fun guide to help you make a start. It’s called: The Five Minute Memory List. You can find it in the welcome letter when you sign up to my newsletter. If you’ve already subscribed, and you can’t find your welcome email, please email me and I will send it directly to you. And if you know someone who might need this kind of conversation right now, feel free to pass it along.If you enjoyed this episode, follow Tell Me Over Tea wherever you listen, and if you feel inclined, leave a little review — it helps more story-lovers find their way here;)Kim xWhere to find me:✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories, Lovely Letters and the podcast.✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨I’ve created a simple and beautiful starting point for your own storytelling: The Five Minute Memory List.It’s a short, exercise (a cuppa’s worth), to help you gather memories and begin. It’s fun and easy peasey and it’s something you can use in your letter writing, journaling and personal life writing. You can grab that by subscribing to my newsletter (you’ll find it in the welcome letter one you’ve signed up): here✨The Tea + Toast Letter Club! A little moment to pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy spot, and enjoy a letter (and some other goodies) in the mail every month. You can read more about it here. ✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project (it’s free!)✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon (thanks, Lew!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

That’s my mum! Show Notes Episode 18: Dear Nan – Episode 18 | Parenting in The 50s and 60sGrowing a tribe of fiveIn this episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I’m sharing a letter to my Nan — written as I reflect on her years as a young mother, raising five children in the 1950s and 60s.This episode is also held within a tender moment of goodbye. My grandpa recently passed away at 95, just days before the anniversary of my Nan’s death. With his passing, it feels like the closing of a chapter — the end of an era that shaped so much of our family story.Through this letter, I return to the house on the hill in North Narrabeen… a place filled with baking days, childhood mischief, community, and the kind of everyday moments that became the legacy of my grandparents.It’s a story of parenting five children in the 1950s and 60s in Sydney, Australia, of changing times, of laughter and chaos, and of the love that holds it all together.Pop the kettle on and join me for this gentle remembering.In this episode, I share:* A personal reflection on loss and the end of an era* Memories of my grandparents’ and earlier years in North Narrabeen* A heartfelt letter exploring motherhood in the 50s and 60s* Family stories filled with humour, mischief, and affection* The contrast between past and present parenting styles* The power of ordinary moments to become lasting memoriesA gentle invitation:As you listen, notice the memories that surface for you — the small, seemingly ordinary ones. They’re often the doorway into the stories that matter most.Free Resource:I’ve created a simple and beautiful starting point for your own storytelling: The Five Minute Memory List.A short, exercise (a cuppa’s worth), to help you gather memories and begin. It’s fun and easy peasey and it’s something you can use in your letter writing, journaling and personal life writing.You’ll find it linked below.If this conversation stirred something in you—perhaps a memory, a story, or a little nudge to begin writing—you’re warmly invited to join me inside Little Life Stories, my membership for women who want to capture their stories in a supportive, heart-led way. The doors will be opening again next week, so please be sure to subscribe to this newsletter, so you don’t miss a trick when dates are released.And if you know someone who might need this kind of conversation right now, feel free to pass it along.If you enjoyed this episode, follow Tell Me Over Tea wherever you listen, and if you feel inclined, leave a little review — it helps more story-lovers find their way here;)Kim xWhere to find me:✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories, Lovely Letters and the podcast.✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨I’ve created a simple and beautiful starting point for your own storytelling: The Five Minute Memory List.It’s a short, exercise (a cuppa’s worth), to help you gather memories and begin. It’s fun and easy peasey and it’s something you can use in your letter writing, journaling and personal life writing. You can grab that by subscribing to my newsletter (you’ll find it in the welcome letter one you’ve signed up): here✨The Tea + Toast Letter Club! A little moment to pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy spot, and enjoy a letter (and some other goodies) in the mail every month. You can read more about it here. ✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project (it’s free!)✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon (thanks, Lew!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

photo credit: IlonaShow Notes Episode 17: Ilona’s StoryCreativity, Change, Health & Finding a New Way ForwardIn this episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I sit down with the wonderful and ever so creative, Ilona to explore a life shaped by creativity, unexpected change, and resilience.Ilona shares her journey from an unlikely beginning in pottery—despite once having no interest in clay—to building a deeply intentional creative business grounded in ethics, sustainability, and community.But her story doesn’t follow a straight line.When chronic illness entered her life, everything shifted. What followed was a period of uncertainty, adaptation, and ultimately, a reimagining of what a creative life could look like.Now, from her home, Ilona supports other quiet creatives in showing up online in a way that feels true to who they are—without the noise, pressure, or performance.This is a conversation about listening to your body, honouring your seasons, and finding new ways to create when life asks you to begin again.So pour yourself a cuppa, settle in, and step into Ilona’s story. Oooh, and for you gardening fanatics, there’s some lovely flower chat too:)photo credit: IlonaIn This Episode, We Talk About* Growing up surrounded by creativity and finding her own artistic path* How discovering locally sourced clay led Ilona into pottery* Building a slow, ethical creative business in the Barossa* The physical realities of working as a potter* Navigating chronic illness, including POTS and long-term fatigue* Letting go of a creative identity and finding a new one* The evolution of Instagram and what it means for quiet creatives* Creating and launching a course entirely from bed* Life on a multigenerational property and finding creativity in the garden* The small, everyday ways creativity can still exist in difficult seasons* If this conversation stirred something in you—perhaps a memory, a story, or a little nudge to begin writing—you’re warmly invited to join me inside Little Life Stories, my membership for women who want to capture their stories in a supportive, heart-led way. The doors will be opening again in April, so please be sure to subscribe to this newsletter, so you don’t miss a trick when dates are released.And if you know someone who might need this kind of conversation right now, feel free to pass it along.If you enjoyed this episode, follow Tell Me Over Tea wherever you listen, and if you feel inclined, leave a little review — it helps more story-lovers find their way to the kettle;)Kim x—Where to find Ilona - Instagram: @quietcreativesacademyWebsite: The Quiet Creatives AcademyIlona’s course: The Poppy (I’ve done it and it’s awesome!)Where to find me:✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories, Lovely Letters and the podcast.✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨If you’d like to make a start on writing your life stories, but you don’t feel ready to commit to Little Life Stories just yet, I’ve made a 39 page free guide to help you on your way. It’s called The Memory Cupboard and it’s jam packed with ideas to help you collect those memories and start writing. You can grab that here. ✨The Tea + Toast Letter Club! A little moment to pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy spot, and enjoy a letter (and some other goodies) in the mail every month. You can read more about it here✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project (it’[s free!)✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon (thanks, Lew!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show Notes Episode 16: Katie MastersWild Waters, Ocean Swimming & Finding Home in the SeaIn this episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I am joined by Katie Masters for a heartfelt conversation about ocean swimming, friendship, courage, and the deep pull of the sea.After responding to my Substack piece about a place that has your heart, Katie shared her own story — one rooted not in a house or a valley, but in the ocean.Pop the kettle on. This one is fresh and salt-kissed and oh, so inspiring.In this episode, Katie shares her story, and chats about:✨ Growing up in the Perth Hills and a childhood shaped by swimming pools, dams, and weekend race meets.✨ Walking away from competitive swimming as a teenager when pressure and body image overshadowed the joy.✨ Moving from Pemberton to the coast and finding community through a women’s ocean swimming group.✨ How ocean swimming transformed her relationship with her body, fear, friendship, and belonging.✨ Taking on epic open water swims — including the Port to Pub Swim and the Busselton Jetty Swim — not for podiums, but for connection and courage.✨ Why the sea feels like home, and how immersion in wild water brings calm, clarity, and strength.And, as always, we share a cuppa over our conversation.This is an episode about returning to what you love, finding your people as an adult, and discovering that sometimes home isn’t a house — it’s a horizon.So put the kettle on and join us for this fresh, salt-kissed conversation with the gorgeous Katie Masters.If you enjoyed this episode, follow Tell Me Over Tea wherever you listen, and if you feel inclined, leave a little review — it helps more story-lovers find their way to the kettle;)Kim x—I also have to mention the beautiful tea Katie and I were sipping during our chat. It was kindly gifted to us by the lovely Tanya from Inspirational Tea Co.If you’d like something delicious to brew while you listen (and truly, why wouldn’t you?), Tanya has created a special discount for listeners.Use the code STORIES to receive 15% off your order.A warm mug in your hands, a good story in your ears — that sounds just about perfect to me.Where to find Katie and have a sticky beak at her writing:Instagram: @wildwatersjournalSubstack: Wild Waters JournalWhere to find me:✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories, Lovely Letters and the podcast.✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨If you’d like to make a start on writing your life stories, but you don’t feel ready to commit to Little Life Stories just yet, I’ve made a 39 page free guide to help you on your way. It’s called The Memory Cupboard and it’s jam packed with ideas to help you collect those memories and start writing. You can grab that here. ✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon (thanks, Lew!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

All writing occasions must include tea and cake;)Show Notes Episode 15: I Don’t Know Where to Start Writing — and Why That’s EnoughDo you ever want to write your life stories, but find yourself thinking: “I don’t know where to start”? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m exploring why that feeling is perfectly normal — and why starting, even in a messy, imperfect way, is enough.I share personal reflections on my own writing practice, the moments of staring at a blank page, and the tiny steps that lead to a story beginning. We talk about:* Why the “perfect starting point” doesn’t exist* How meaningful writing begins in uncertainty* What starting really looks like — one memory, one image, one moment at a time* Why facilitation and support can make the first steps feel lighter* The power of writing alongside a community of like-minded womenI also share how Little Life Stories is designed to hold that space for you: a safe, supportive way to start your story with prompts, guidance, and a community that keeps you gently moving forward.Inside Little Life StoriesThis is the last time Little Life Stories is offered as it currently exists, as a founding member experience. After this week, it will become a separate program and membership.For $385, founding members receive:* A 1:1 Zoom chat with me (up to 1 hour) to help kickstart your story* Six weeks of weekly email content with guided prompts, writing invitations, tips, and encouragement* Short, manageable writing sessions you can do at your own pace* Ongoing email support from me throughout your time in the program* Access to a warm, monthly writing community where women share, encourage, and grow together* A compilation of your gorgeous stories to share with loved ones!You don’t need the whole story. You just need one place to begin. And sometimes, beginning together makes all the difference.📅 Last chance to join as a founding member: Monday, 2nd February (AEST)🔗 Join here: Little Life StoriesTakeawayStarting your story isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about taking the first step, giving yourself permission, and finding the right support to make that step feel lighter. In this episode, I hope you leave feeling encouraged, inspired, and ready to begin — one memory at a time.Kim xJoin Little Life Stories TODAY!✨Connect with me:Instagram: @bettymaewrote (I love a good old DM!)Email: [email protected]✨ Resources & Links:* If you’d like to start writing your own stories but feel a little overwhelmed, I’ve created a free guide to help you begin: Grab The Memory Cupboard guide here.* Join our Little Life Stories community newsletter for weekly prompts, gentle encouragement, and a space to start gathering your stories. You’ll also keep up to date with when the doors will open again to my Little Life Stories membership: Subscribe here.* I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories and the podcast. Oh, and of course, the Wild Wood folk too;) * If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join my snail mail exchange for women all over the world: The Lovely Letters Project* Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com* Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show NotesEpisode 14: Letters from Nan – The Early Years of Married Life and the Creation of HomeIn this episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I share another heartfelt letter from my Dear Nan series, reflecting on the early years of her marriage and the home she and Grandpa raised their family in. From the joys of newlywed life, to the challenges of family dynamics and work, this episode is a journey through love, resilience, and creating a home.You’ll hear stories about:* Their wedding day on 4th August 1951 at Saint Matthew’s Church, Manly* Their honeymoon in Yowie Bay (and how Felix came along for the ride!)* The Narrabeen House where they raised five children* Grandpa’s early work experiences, from “dunny man” to butcher* How they managed independence, first mortgages, and family challenges* The lessons, love, and legacy woven through everyday lifeI also share my reflections on listening to my Nan’s stories, discovering new details from Grandpa, and how the memories of home and family have shaped my own life and love of storytelling.Pour yourself a cup of tea, settle in, and join me in gently gathering the stories that matter—one memory at a time.Kim xResources & Links:* Grab my free guide The Memory Cupboard: a 39-page companion to help you start writing your life stories, organised into four themed shelves to get you unstuck and inspired. Connect with me:Instagram DMs: @bettymaewroteEmail: [email protected]✨ Extras* If you’d like to start writing your own stories but feel a little overwhelmed, I’ve created a free guide to help you begin: Grab The Memory Cupboard guide here.* Join our Little Life Stories community newsletter for weekly prompts, gentle encouragement, and a space to start gathering your stories. You’ll also keep up to date with when the doors will open again to my Little Life Stories membership: Subscribe here.* I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories and the podcast. Oh, and of course, the Wild Wood folk too;) * If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join my snail mail exchange for women all over the world: The Lovely Letters Project* Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com* Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show Notes Episode 13 - An Artist’s Story: Curbing Perfectionism and Embracing CreativityIn this first episode for the brand new year, I sit down with Canberra artist Julia from French Rose Studios for a lovely conversation about creativity, comfort, and becoming a ‘recovering perfectionist.’Julia shares how her love of art began early, nurtured by a wonderful high school teacher who taught her far more than technique. Through postcards, holiday paintings, and many encouraging nudges, she slowly discovered that art could be a safe place to land – somewhere free from competition, comparison, and the pressure to get everything perfect.You’ll hear Julia talk about finding flow state in her cosy home studio, why watercolour is the perfect medium for learning to let go, and how creativity can calm our busy minds and lower our stress levels. Her story is a gentle reminder that imperfection is not only normal, it’s often where the magic lives.Of course, as with all good chats, there is tea in hand. Julia reminisces about the delightful tea cafés of Lyon, France, where choosing a blend came with timers, patisserie treats, and shelves of loose-leaf possibilities. It’s enough to make any listener want to book a plane ticket and pack a sketchbook. I’m off!This episode also ties beautifully into a fresh start for 2026, with a reminder for listeners to grab my free guide, The Memory Cupboard – a bite-sized workbook designed to help you write those personal life stories in a simple, un-overwhelming way.And in perfect timing, Julia is launching her own beginner’s watercolour course, Nature’s Palette, offering podcast listeners a special discount during launch week.Here are the details for you who would love to learn how to watercolour:Nature’s Palette: Beginner’s WatercolourA self-paced course with lifetime accessUsual price: $168Launch week discount: 15% offUse code: LAUNCH (all capitals)Discounted price: $142.80Available: Jan 6 – Jan 13Pull up a chair, wrap your hands around a mug, and enjoy a heartfelt story about how creativity helps us feel a little safer in the world.If today’s episode sparked something in you – perhaps a memory, a creative itch, or the desire to try something new – let me know. I’d love to keep the conversation going.If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Your reviews help more people discover the joy of storytelling and connection over a cuppa.Thanks for listening, and here’s to more sharing and connecting over stories.Kim xPS I also wanted to mention, again, the delicious tea that Julia and I were sipping during our chat. It was kindly gifted to us by the lovely Tanya from Inspirational Tea Co So, so yummy!If you too would like to enjoy a yummy tea to sip whilst you listen to these podcast episodes, Tanya has created a discount code for my listeners. It will give you 15% off the regular price. How wonderful is that?Please be sure to use the discount code: STORIES to get 15% off. (thanks so much, Tanya!).* You can find Julia online at these places:Instagram & Facebook: @FrenchRoseStudiosWebsite: www.frenchrosestudios.comConnect with meInstagram DMs: @bettymaewroteEmail: [email protected]✨ Extras* If you’d like to start writing your own stories but feel a little overwhelmed, I’ve created a free guide to help you begin: Grab The Memory Cupboard guide here.* * Join our Little Life Stories community newsletter for weekly prompts, gentle encouragement, and a space to start gathering your stories. You’ll also keep up to date with when the doors will open again to my Little Life Stories membership: Subscribe here.* I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories and the podcast. Oh, and of course, the Wild Wood folk too;) * If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join my snail mail exchange for women all over the world: The Lovely Letters Project* Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com* Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show Notes Episode 12: Dear Nan — A Christmas Carol of SortsIn this Christmas-time episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I share a Dear Nan letter I wrote last December — one filled with memory, mess, food, family and love.This letter drifts back into Nan’s kitchen at Christmas: the peeling and chopping, the bossy instructions, the bone-handled butter knives, endless washing up, and the comforting chaos that came with feeding a house full of people. It’s a reflection on how food is so vivid in my memories, and how much connection happened inside that humble little kitchen with the bright yellow bench tops and the constantly filled-with-hot-sudsy water sink. This episode is my invitation to you, to slow down and take a moment for yourself during this Christmas season, to notice what you remember, feel the joy that memories can bring, and hopefully begin writing those memories down before they slip away. In this episode, we explore:* Christmas memories anchored in kitchens, food and family* The chaos and comfort of shared preparation* How traditions are passed down through generations* Why ordinary moments often become the most precious memories* The importance of writing your stories while you still canMentioned in this episode:My free guide, The Memory Cupboard — a cosy, practical guide to help you gently uncover memories and begin writing them down, one small moment at a time.You’ll find the link in the show notes to download your copy.A little reminder:You don’t need hours, confidence, or a plan to start writing your life stories. Five quiet minutes is enough. One memory is enough. The rest follows.Pop the kettle on, find a comfy spot, and let this Christmas letter carry you somewhere familiar.✨ Links and Extras* If you’d like to start writing your own stories but feel a little overwhelmed, I’ve created a brand-new free guide to help you begin: Grab The Memory Cupboard guide here.* Join our Little Life Stories community newsletter for weekly prompts, gentle encouragement, and a space to start gathering your stories. You’ll also keep up to date with when the doors will open again to my Little Life Stories membership: Subscribe here.* I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories and the podcast. Oh, and of course, the Wild Wood folk too;) * If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join my snail mail exchange for women all over the world: The Lovely Letters Project* Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com* Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteIf you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Your reviews help more people discover the joy of storytelling and connection over a cuppa.Thanks for listening, and here’s to more sharing and connecting over stories.A very Merry Christmas to you!Kim xMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show Notes Episode 11: The Joy of Connection – Cooking, Conversation, and Community with Mary from Happy Places and CoIn this episode, we sit down with Mary, the heart behind Happy Places and Co and a cherished member of Little Life Stories, to explore how food, friendship, and meaningful conversation can bring people together. From her earliest memories in her grandmother’s kitchen to creating vibrant events that nurture connection, Mary shares her story of how a love of cooking and authentic relationships has shaped her life and work.We journey through:* Family foundations of cooking and creativity: Mary recalls her grandmother’s warm, joyful kitchen and her mother’s thrifty, inventive approach to meals. From decorating wedding cakes to stewed apples and toasted jam-and-apple sandwiches, Mary’s childhood was filled with hands-on learning, laughter, and the joy of sharing food. These early experiences shaped not only her love of cooking but also her appreciation for the simple happiness that comes from being around loved ones.* Life lessons from the table: Mary shares how learning to cook while navigating challenges like her mother’s MS diagnosis taught her resilience, problem-solving, and the importance of routine, care, and shared moments at the table. Cooking became a way to connect with her family and honor her roots, and it continues to be a way for her to carry forward the legacy of love and creativity she inherited.* Happy Places and Co: Inspired by a lifetime of positive food experiences and her work connecting people in community, Mary created Happy Places and Co. Her events bring people together over good food, engaging conversation, and shared experiences, emphasising the importance of social wellness, presence, and belonging.* Curating experiences that matter: From the Millionaires Walk in Sorrento to International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day celebrations, Mary carefully plans events that blend activity, conversation, and delicious food. Each gathering is designed to be inclusive, thoughtful, and supportive, helping people form authentic connections that extend beyond the event itself.* Friendship and listening: Mary reflects on the profound impact of her friendship with Cheryl, who taught her the art of genuine listening and the value of deep, meaningful relationships. Cheryl’s influence threads through Mary’s approach to community-building and connection.* The power of community: Mary shares stories from her events and supper clubs, highlighting how simple moments—walking together, sharing a meal, and engaging in guided conversations—can create bonds, spark laughter, and foster lifelong friendships. She emphasises that authentic connections are built through presence, shared stories, and the simple joy of being together.* Practical tips and inspiration: Mary offers insights on hosting, creating beautiful food experiences, and cultivating meaningful connections in your own life, reminding us that the simple act of sharing a meal can nurture the soul.Connect with Mary:* Website: Happy Places and Co* Instagram: @happyplacesandco✨ Links and Extras* If you’d like to start writing your own stories but feel a little overwhelmed, I’ve created a brand-new free guide to help you begin: Grab The Memory Cupboard guide here.* Join our Little Life Stories community newsletter for weekly prompts, gentle encouragement, and a space to start gathering your stories. You’ll also keep up to date with when the doors will open again to my Little Life Stories membership: Subscribe here.* I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories and the podcast. Oh, and of course, the Wild Wood folk too;) * If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join my snail mail exchange for women all over the world: The Lovely Letters Project* Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com* Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteIf you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Your reviews help more people discover the joy of storytelling and connection over a cuppa.Thanks for listening, and here’s to more sharing and connecting over stories.Kim xMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show Notes Episode 10 – Dear Nan: When Betty Met CharlieWelcome to episode 10 of Tell Me Over Tea! Can you believe it? Ten episodes of gentle stories, reflections, and a little rambling from me. I’m so grateful that you take a moment from your day to pour a cuppa and join me—it really means the world.In this episode, I share another Dear Nan letter: ‘When Betty Met Charlie.’ It’s the story of how my Nan and Grandpa first met—a tale that’s not flashy or overly romantic, but one that perfectly captures the steady, uncomplicated love that carried them through seventy years together.From a shy hello over a painted fence in country Camden, to first dates arranged via Nan’s mum, to bicycle rides across paddocks and ferreting adventures—it’s a story of quiet courage, shared work, and simple joys. And as I write to Nan, I can’t help but smile at their early romance, imagining the smells of the dairy farm, the squeak of Grandpa’s rusty bike, and the laughter (and tears) over lost ferrets.This episode is an invitation to think about your own memories of love, family, and the nostalgia of a bygone era. ✨ Links and Extras* If you’d like to start writing your own stories but feel a little overwhelmed, I’ve created a brand-new free guide to help you begin: Grab The Memory Cupboard guide here.* Join our Little Life Stories community newsletter for weekly prompts, gentle encouragement, and a space to start gathering your stories. You’ll also keep up to date with when the doors will open again to my Little Life Stories membership: Subscribe here.* I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories and the podcast. Oh, and of course, the Wild Wood folk too;) * If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join my snail mail exchange for women all over the world: The Lovely Letters Project* Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com* Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteIf you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Your reviews help more people discover the joy of storytelling and connection over a cuppa.Thanks for listening, and here’s to cherishing the small, beautiful beginnings in our own lives.Kim xMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show Notes Episode 9 — Doing Life Differently with Mel PikeIn this episode, I sit down with Mel Pike, a warm and adventurous storyteller who has learned first-hand how travel can awaken the senses and nourish the soul.After two decades in Hobart, Mel and her husband Joe — along with their much-loved Labradors, Jasmine and Rosie — now call the Sunshine Coast home. In her fabulous fifties, Mel has spent years working in the public service, but it was a five-month solo stay in Thailand that truly changed how she sees and lives her life.In our chat, Mel shares:☕ the story behind her decision to live in Thailand on her own☕ what daily life looked like there — from learning the language to doing “nothing” (and loving it)☕ how she found connection and community, including her moving friendship with Pui, her Thai “sister”☕ what it felt like to come home — and how her time away continues to shape the way she lives todayWe also talk about Mel’s beautiful book, Doing Life Differently, which captures her reflections, lessons and experiences from Thailand. She opens up about the process of writing her story, the courage it takes to share your voice, and why she believes women’s stories matter so deeply.You can connect with Mel and find her book here:🌿 www.doinglifedifferently.com.au🌿 Instagram: @doinglifedifferentlyinthailand🌿 Facebook: Mel PikeListen to more episodes of Tell Me Over TeaYou can find all of my episodes here or wherever you listen to podcasts.You can also find me on Instagram @bettymaewrote or send me a note at [email protected] — I’d love to hear what memories this episode stirs for you.If you would like to enter our giveaway, for a chance to be gifted one of Mel’s lovely books, please pop on over to Instagram: @bettymaewrote , find the post introducing episode 9, and leave your answer to the question I ask: Where is you happy place? And why does it make you feel happy. Pop your answer to that in the comments, over on Instagram, and Mel and I will choose two lucky ducks to win a copy of her book! Exciting! Winners will be announced on Saturday the 22nd of November, over on Instagram.i also wanted to mention, again, the delicious tea that Mel and I were sipping during our chat. It was kindly gifted to us by the lovely Tanya from Inspirational Tea Co …. and guess what? Mel and I sipped Lemongrass and Ginger and it was oh so yummy! Such a soothing, grounding, calming, refreshing tea. If you too would like to enjoy a yummy tea to sip whilst you listen to these podcast episodes, Tanya has created a discount code for my listeners. It will give you 15% off the regular price. How wonderful is that?Please be sure to use the discount code: STORIES to get 15% off.Okey doke, well I hope you enjoy episode 9:)Until next time,Kim xIf you enjoyed this episode I would absolutely love it, if you would leave a review wherever you enjoy listening to these episodes. It’s the bestest way for us to get these precious stories into the homes of fellow story lovers and memory keepers.Links & Resources✨ Grab my free guide to starting your personal life story. It just starts with one memory and before you know it, you will have a beautiful compilation of stories to hold, share and treasure. It will take you 5 - 10 minutes a day and you will feel so good once you get started. I promise! Grab the guide here: Free Guide to Turning One Memory into a Written Treasure✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories and the podcast.✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories, you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨If you’d like to make a start with writing your own life story, you are very welcome to grab my free guide which helps you take one memory and turn it into a precious written story. You can grab that here: Free Guide✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show Notes Episode 8: Dear Nan – Treasures Inside a Pale Green Soap BoxIn this episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I open a small pale green soap box — once home to Cashmere Bouquet soap — and find a lifetime of stories tucked inside. Letters written by my Nan, her siblings, her sister-in-law, and her dad, all on one autumn day in 1949, after a family trip to the Sydney Royal Easter Show.These simple, handwritten notes were quite possibly, never meant to be kept, yet somehow, they survived — passed from hand to hand, house to house — until they found their way to me. Reading them feels like sitting in the middle of a bustling kitchen decades ago, hearing the chatter of everyday life: ironing, washing, missing someone far away, laughter over burst balloons and new bicycles and a day out in the ‘big smoke’.What I love most about these letters is their ordinariness — and how, over time, that’s become their magic. They remind me (and maybe you too) that the words we think are “nothing much” often become the most precious keepsakes of all.So pop the kettle on and settle in for a quiet cup of tea with me as we step gently into the past, one letter at a time.I also read the actual letters I find inside the box, in this episode, just so you get the full experience, the way I did when I first opened them. In this episode, you’ll hear:* The story of a pale green soap box filled with family letters* Five voices sharing one day in 1949 — from the Sydney Royal Easter Show to home in Camden* Glimpses of ordinary family life that have become extraordinary over time* Reflections on the value of letter writing and simple storytellingA little thought to take with you:Your everyday stories matter — the tiny details, the daily routines, the small kindnesses. They are the heart of a life remembered. Please don’t ever think your story is too small or not worthy. xPour yourself a cuppa, settle in somewhere quiet, and come with me back to an autumn day in Sydney, Australia, in 1949. Listen to more episodes of Tell Me Over TeaYou can find all of my episodes here or wherever you listen to podcasts.You can find me on Instagram @bettymaewrote or send me a note at [email protected] — I’d love to hear what memories this episode stirs for you.Until next time,Keep noticing, keep writing, and keep holding close the stories that made you.Kim xIf you enjoyed this episode I would absolutely love it, if you would leave a review wherever you enjoy listening to these episodes. It’s the bestest way for us to get these precious stories into the homes of fellow story lovers and memory keepers.Links & Resources✨ Grab my free guide to starting your personal life story . It just starts with one memory and before you know it, you will have a beautiful compilation of stories to hold, share and treasure. It will take you 5 - 10 minutes a day and you will feel so good once you get started. I promise! Grab the guide here: Free Guide to Turning One Memory into a Written Treasure✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories and the podcast.✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories, you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show Notes Episode 7: Brogo – The Home That Made MeIn this solo episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I pour a cup of English Breakfast (thank you lovely, Tanya, I love, love, love your Inspirational Tea Co tea!) and take you back to the home that shaped me — a weathered little cottage amongst the rolling hills, at the foot of a mountain, in the heart of Brogo.It’s the place where my parents traded city life for clean air, tiny rundown buildings, pit toilets, and makeshift showers were part of everyday life, and where childhood was filled backyard cricket, games of Kingi, horses, days at the river, and freedom. I share the sights, sounds and stories that made that tiny cottage feel like the whole world — from the smell of Mum’s baking and the warmth of the wood stove to the not so pretty outdoor showers and pit toilets!Through this story, I explore how place shapes who we become, and why writing about home — even just a small detail like a front door or a familiar sound — can open the door to deeper memories.I also invite you to write about your own safe place growing up. Listen to the end to grab this prompt:)In this episode:* A trip back to my childhood home, “The Pinch,” in Brogo* Simple country life in the 1980s — outdoor showers, wood stoves and paddock adventures* The power of writing about place as a starting point for your life story* A gentle writing invitation to reflect on the home that made youListen in:Pour yourself a cuppa, settle in somewhere quiet, and come with me back to Brogo — the home that made me.You can find me on Instagram @bettymaewrote or send me a note at [email protected] — I’d love to hear what memories this episode stirs for you.Until next time,Keep noticing, keep writing, and keep holding close the stories that made you.If you enjoyed this episode I would absolutely love it, if you would leave a review wherever you enjoy listening to these episodes. It’s the bestest way for us to get these precious stories into the homes of fellow story lovers and memory keepers.I also wanted to mention, again, the delicious tea that I was sipping during our chat. It was kindly gifted to me by the lovely Tanya from Inspirational Tea Co …. and guess what? If you too would like to enjoy a yummy tea to sip whilst you listen to these podcast episodes (and of course you do!), Tanya has created a discount code for my listeners (you!!!). It will give you 15% off the regular price. How wonderful is that?Please be sure to use the discount code: STORIES to get 15% off.I hope you enjoy it because we all know that stories and tea are best when shared;)Kim xLinks & Resources✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories and the podcast.✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show Notes In this episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I sit down with Melissa, who has been writing her life story over the past several months. Melissa reflects on how life’s small stories—moments that might seem ordinary or even “too small”—can carry meaning, connect us to others, and leave a quiet legacy.From childhood memories to adult reflections, she shares how writing has helped her see herself as a writer, embrace her experiences, and recognise the threads that tie her life together. Her journey reminds us that you don’t need a dramatic life or a grand story to make an impact—every memory, every story, every small act contributes to the tapestry of who we are and how we connect with others.This conversation is a gentle invitation to honour your own memories, trust in your stories, and embrace the joy of writing them down, no matter their size.So, pop the kettle on and join Melissa and I as she shares her wonderful story of life growing up in rural Australia in the 70s and 80s. What a great era that was too;) When you’ve had a listen please head on over to Instagram and say hi to Melissa. Her account is: @lemontreesandhoneybees Oh, and let me remind you who are looking for some writing help, the doors to my Little Life Stories membership are open right now — and this is the final chance to join in 2025. They are closing tonight, the 20th of October. Inside, you’ll find a gentle, supportive space to start writing your memories, with guidance, suggestions, prompts, encouragement, and a community that helps you keep going until your story is written. I’d love to help you get this precious story of yours written:)If you enjoyed this episode I would absolutely love it, if you would leave a review wherever you enjoy listening to these episodes. It’s the bestest way for us to get these precious stories into the homes of fellow story lovers and memory keepers.I also wanted to mention, again, the delicious tea that I was sipping during our chat. How serendipitous that Melissa mentioned a Moroccan Tea Ceremony, completely unaware that I was sipping on Tanya’s scrummy Moroccan Tea blend! It was kindly gifted to me by the lovely Tanya from Inspirational Tea Co …. and guess what? If you too would like to enjoy a yummy tea to sip whilst you listen to these podcast episodes (and of course you do!), Tanya has created a discount code for my listeners (you!!!). It will give you 15% off the regular price. How wonderful is that?Please be sure to use the discount code: STORIES to get 15% off.I hope you enjoy it because we all know that stories and tea are best when shared;)Kim xLinks & Resources✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories and the podcast.✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show Notes Have you ever thought, “Who am I to write my story? Isn’t that a bit self-indulgent?”If so, you’re not alone. This question comes up often for women who are about to begin writing their life stories. But here’s what I truly believe: writing your story isn’t selfish. It’s one of the most generous things you can do.In this solo episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I’m gently debunking the myth that life writing is indulgent — and instead showing you how it’s an act of love, connection, and legacy.We’ll talk about:✨ Why so many women hesitate to write their stories.✨ How life writing creates a legacy for those who come after us.✨ The way writing helps us connect with ourselves in the present moment.✨ How story work can be healing — even in small fragments.✨ The ripple effect of sharing our words with others.At the heart of this episode is a simple reminder: your story matters. Taking time to write it down is not indulgent — it’s essential.So, pop the kettle on and join me for this gentle encouragement. And if you’ve been waiting for the right moment to begin, now might just be it. The doors to my Little Life Stories membership are open right now — and this is the final chance to join in 2025. Doors close on the 20th of October. Inside, you’ll find a gentle, supportive space to start writing your memories, with guidance, suggestions, prompts, encouragement, and a community that helps you keep going until your story is written. I’d love to help you get this precious story of yours written:)Kim xPS If you enjoyed this episode I would absolutely love it, if you would leave a review wherever you enjoy listening to these episodes. It’s the bestest way for us to get these precious stories into the homes of fellow story lovers and memory keepers.Links & Resources✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories and the podcast.✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show Notes What happens when life asks you to lay down one creative tool and pick up another?In this heartfelt episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I’m joined by the wonderful Karen Colenso. Karen is now a member in my personal life writing membership: Little Life Stories, but writing is a very new craft in Karen’s plethora of creative pursuits. She has lived a life steeped in creativity — from childhood days in Melbourne sketching on butcher’s paper, to winning national art competitions, to a long career in illustration, design, and teaching.When health challenges meant she could no longer draw or paint, Karen discovered a new way forward: writing. Through words, she is now capturing her life story with the same artistry she once brought to the page with brush and pencil.In this episode, we chat about:✨ Growing up in Melbourne during the 60s and 70s and discovering a love of art early on.✨ The joy of teaching and creating in the art world for decades.✨ Facing the heartbreak of a health issue that caused her to let go of her tools.✨ How writing her memoir has become her new creative practice.✨ The importance of preserving memories and telling our stories in our own voices.And, as always, we share a cuppa over our conversation.This is an episode about resilience, creativity, and the way our stories continue to evolve, even when life changes the tools in our hands.So put the kettle on and join us for this tender and inspiring conversation with Karen Colenso.If you enjoyed this episode, follow Tell Me Over Tea wherever you get your podcasts, and ever so pleasey, leave a review — it helps more story-lovers find us.Kim xI also wanted to mention, again, the delicious tea Karen and I were sipping during our chat. It was kindly gifted to us by the lovely Tanya from Inspirational Tea Co …. and guess what? If you too would like to enjoy a yummy tea to sip whilst you listen to these podcast episodes (and of course you do!), Tanya has created a discount code for my listeners (you!!!). It will give you 15% off the regular price. How wonderful is that?Please be sure to use the discount code: STORIES to get 15% off.I hope you enjoy it. Where to find Karen and have a sticky beak at her beautiful art:Instagram: @karencolenso Join my 5 Day Challenge: Start Your Story✨ If you’d like to join my 5 Day Challenge: Start Your Story (which begins on the 6th of October, 2025), please make sure you sign up to it here: Start Your Story Challenge✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories and the podcast.✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show Notes In this episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I’m sharing something very close to my heart — the very first letter in my Dear Nan series.These letters are written to my beloved Nan, Betty Rae, who was not only my grandmother but one of the most important people in my life. They’re a way for me to hold onto our 50 years of connection, conversations, laughter, and love — and to honour the ordinary but extraordinary life she lived.In this episode, you’ll hear me read:💌 The first “Dear Nan” letter, written two years after she passed✨ Memories of childhood days at her home in Narrabeen🌿 Reflections on the gift of asking questions, listening, and writing things down💛 Why letters are my way of keeping connection aliveThis series is part remembrance, part storytelling, and part love letter to the power of memory. I hope, as you listen, it inspires you to think about your own family stories — and maybe even start writing them down.Pour yourself a cuppa and settle in at the kitchen table with me.I hope you enjoy this episode.Kim xPS I would absolutely love it, if you wouldn’t mind leaving a review. It’s the bestest way for us to get these precious stories into the homes of fellow story lovers and memory keepers.✨ If you’d like to join my 5 Day Challenge: Start Your Story (which begins on the 6th of October, 2025), please make sure you sign up to it here: Start Your Story Challenge✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories and the podcast.✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project ✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com ✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke😉 Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show Notes Kirstin’s teacup + teapot, gifted to her by her precious aunt and Nanna + French Early Grey tea from Inspirational Tea CoIn this episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I’m joined by my lovely friend Kirstin Bokor. Kirstin is a librarian, writer, and lifelong lover of stories whose life has been beautifully threaded through with books and words.in this episode Kirstin talks about:* The comfort of books during a childhood filled with change* How her Nannas influenced her love of reading and storytelling* The books that have stayed with her across decades (from childhood favourites to unforgettable adult reads)* Her own journey into writing her first novel* And yes — even her quirky ‘coffin list’ of books she’d want to take into eternity!It’s a rich, heartwarming chat about the ways stories connect us, shape us, and carry us through life’s seasons.Pour yourself a cuppa, settle in, and join us.Oh, and I wanted to also mention that when I have guests come on the podcast to share their stories, we will be sipping delicious tea together (of course!). The lovely Tanya from Inspirational Tea Co has kindly gifted myself and each guest some of her delicious teas and …. guess what? If you too would like to enjoy a yummy tea to sip whilst you listen to these podcast episodes (and of course you do!), Tanya has created a discount code for my listeners (you!!!). It will give you 15% off the regular price. How wonderful is that?Please be sure to use the discount code: STORIES to get 15% off.I hope you enjoy it. Kim xPS I would absolutely love it, only if you enjoy this podcast of course, if you wouldn’t mind leaving a review. it’s the way we can get these precious stories into the homes of fellow story lovers and memory keepers.Kirstin has kindly shared her list of books she mentioned throughout the episode. There are so many I want to go and check out!Paddington Bear by Michael BondSeven Little Australians by Ethel TurnerI Captured the Castle by Dodi SmithThe River Wife by Heather RoseThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldThe Turn of the Screw & The Aspern Papers by Henry JamesCandide by VoltaireAnna Karenina by TolstoyMadame Bovary by Gustave FlaubertOnce Upon a River by Diane SettlefieldLe Morte D’Arthur by Thomas MaloryTwilight by Stephanie MeyerTrue Blood by Charlaine HarrisMoon on the Water by Pamela Belle (Chains of Fate and Alathea)The Odyssey by HomerNever Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (his The Buried Giant is a coffin book)The Children’s Book by A.S Byatt Katherine Rundell – everything! – Wolf Wilder, Rooftoppers, The Thieves, Impossible Creatures, The Explorers Non-fictionThe Super-Infinite (about John Donne – seriously it’s brilliant), and The Golden Mole.The Golden Mole is a book I urge everyone to own, honestly it reminds you that the world is full of wonders. And Why You Should Read Children’s Books Even Though You Are Oh So Old And Wise.Anne of Green Gables by Lucy MontgomeryW Somerset Maugham (I recommend starting on The Merry-Go Round) The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan KunderaWuthering Heights Emily BronteJane Eyre by Charlotte BronteTess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas HardyThe Magic Far Away Tree by Enid BlytonIf you would like to follow Kirstin’s Coffin Book List you can do that over on Instagram: @the_coffin_booksAnd if you’re like me and enjoy a good old sticky beak at beautiful artworks, you can head on over to Kirstin’s husband’s Instagram account: @johnbokor It’s gorgeous!✨If you’d like to subscribe to my weekly newsletter, you can do that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter where I share stories there too and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote and the podcast.✨ If you’d like to get started with writing your own life story, please feel free to grab my free beginners guide. It helps you take one memory and turn it into a treasured story. You can grab that here: Free Guide✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project ✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com ✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke😉 Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

Show NotesWelcome to the first episode of Tell Me Over Tea, a podcast about life stories, memories, connection, and always with a cuppa in hand.In this very first episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I open the door and invite you to sit with me at my kitchen table. it’s a glimpse into my world — the memories, the people, and the threads that shaped my love of storytelling. From childhood letter-writing to the heartache of losing my mum and Nan, to the way I’ve come to see stories as an anchor, a comfort, and a legacy — this is the beginning of our journey together. In this episode, you’ll hear:* My earliest memories of letters, journals, and why writing always felt like home* How losing my mum at 18 shaped the way I think about memory, grief, and legacy* The influence of my Nan, Betty Rae, whose name lives on in my business Betty Mae Wrote* My years of teaching, unschooling, and learning alongside my son Lew (the artist behind the Wild Wood illustrations and my stationery)* Why I believe stories don’t have to be perfect to be precious* How memory works — and why sharing even small, ordinary moments matters* The heart behind Tell Me Over Tea and what you can expect in future episodesThis episode is part personal story, part love letter to the power of memory — and an invitation for you to pause, put the kettle on, and think about your own stories.Oh, and I wanted to also mention that when I have guests come on the podcast to share their stories, we will be sipping delicious tea together (of course!). The lovely Tanya from Inspirational Tea Co has kindly gifted myself and each guest some of her delicious teas and …. guess what? If you too would like to enjoy a yummy tea to sip whilst you listen to these podcast episodes (and of course you do!), Tanya has created a discount code for my listeners (you!!!). It will give you 15% off the regular price. How wonderful is that?Please be sure to use the discount code: STORIES to get 15% off.I hope you enjoy it. Kim x✨Please subscribe to my weekly newsletter here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter where I share stories there too and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote and the podcast.✨ If you’d like to get started with writing your own life story, please feel free to grab my free beginners guide. It helps you take one memory and turn it into a treasured story. You can grab that here: Free Guide✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project ✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com ✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke😉 Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com

I am so excited to be able to finally bring you the Tell Me Over Tea trailer for my brand new podcast, launching in September! It’s been so much fun to create. I’ve connected with some gorgeous people so far, recording guest’s stories, my own stories, some Dear Nan letters and sipping lots of delicious tea gifted to me, and to guests, generously by Tanya from Inspirational Tea. It’s been heavenly!If you’re hearing about Tell Me Over Tea for the very first time, let me explain:It’s a cosy storytelling space for those of us who want to reflect, remember, and begin writing down our own life stories. In each episode, I’ll be sharing gentle prompts, personal reflections, and real stories that remind us how much our memories matter.If you’ve ever wondered how do I even start writing my life story? or longed for a warm place to sit with your memories (and a cup of tea), you’ll feel right at home here.Subscribe to be a part of the very first season—I can’t wait to share stories, and sip tea, with you. Show Notes …Hello — and welcome to Tell Me Over Tea.I’m Kim — a life story writing mentor, letter writer, tea drinker, a garden potterer, and country girl at heart — and I’m so glad you’ve found your way here.This is a cosy storytelling podcast for those of us who know that life — and tea — are simply better when shared.Here, we slow down, pull up a chair at the kitchen table, and make space for the memories that matter.A little about me, so you know whose table you’re sitting at…I’m 53, and I’ve been writing ever since I can remember — scribbled notes tucked inside my favourite horsey books, letters to family and pen pals, and diary entries behind tiny lock and key.But the real heart of it all began when I lost my mum at 18.Suddenly, I realised how many questions I never got to ask her.How many stories I’d never get to hear.Years later, when I fell pregnant with my son, Lew, I made a quiet promise to myself:I’d write everything down — so he’d always know the story of us.And I did.From pregnancy right through his childhood and our homeschooling days — in notebooks, blog posts, and everyday reflections.That instinct — to gather and share stories before they slip through the cracks — has stayed with me.And it’s only grown stronger.In 2022, when my beautiful Nan passed away, another space opened in my heart. I began writing letters to her — month by month — sharing our bond, her story, and little treasures from her tattered old recipe book.You’ll hear some of those letters in this podcast too.And now, I’m on a mission to help other women write the stories of their own lives down — before they fade.Because the truth is, time moves fast.And our memories matter more than we sometimes realise.I’ve created a beautiful space called Little Life Stories — a cosy membership where I gently mentor women who don’t see themselves as writers (yet) and aren’t sure if their stories are worth sharing.Together, we start recording memories and shaping them into something lasting.Something to be shared and treasured.Because Tell Me Over Tea — just like my membership — is about remembering, connecting, and gently preserving the stories that make us who we are.In this podcast you’ll find:✨ Conversations with women sharing and writing their precious stories✨ Reflections from my own notebook✨ And gentle invitations to pick up your pen and begin writing down your own memoriesBecause stories connect us.They remind us we’re not alone in what we’ve lived, felt or wondered.They build humble bridges between us — one memory, one conversation, one cuppa at a time.This isn’t about perfect storytelling.It’s about honest moments — warm, real, and deeply human.So if you’ve ever felt the nudge to tell your story, or simply love listening to others’, pop the kettle on and make yourself at home.This is Tell Me Over Tea. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com