Best Tea Kettle Podcasts (2026)

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We don't have to do so much. 15:03

Play Pause

6d ago15:03

15:03

There’s nothing like being taken out with a bad cold in the first week of December to humble and hobble one’s best-laid holiday plans, is there? And even before I started getting the sniffles on December 1, I had the nagging feeling I was already behind. But…behind on what? What if the problem isn’t that the season (or the year!) is too short, but …

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Episode 1: Let's Get Kettle On - Soraya Vivian & Shaun Banger Scott - Special Guest Matt Healy 54:52

11d ago54:52

54:52

Let’s Get Kettle On Soraya Vivian and Shaun Banger Scott have teamed up together again for a brand new podcast ‘Let’s Get Kettle On’. Every episode features a special guest who will join them over a cup of tea and biscuits to share memories past and present of favourite meals and songs. Following their weekly radio show on GlitterBeam Radio, this p…

1
The Archaeology of Stone Tools - Ep 42 33:58

23d ago33:58

33:58

In this episode Matilda is diving far back into the earliest depths of human history to discuss when we first developed our love of stuff. From chimpanzee termite-fishing to complex flint-knapping technology, she explores how technological traditions developed alongside our own human evolution. Tune in to hear all about core preparation, mode class…

1
December Journal: Making 4:42

25d ago4:42

4:42

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com It's finally December, and my hands are itchy to make things. How about you? Today, I’m settling in with a cozy journal episode all about making (which includes, of course, baking)—the creative, connected kind that feels especially grounding this time of year. …

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The Voynich Manuscript with Dr Lisa Fagin Davis (part 2) - Ep 41 39:38

1M ago39:38

39:38

It’s part 2 of Matilda’s chat with expert paleographer Dr Lisa Fagin Davis, as we dive deeper into the fascinating research that has been done on the Voynich Manuscript. Tune in to learn about the exciting results revealed through multi-spectral imaging, how you too can start researching a mysterious object, and what the link is between Voynich and…

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The Voynich Manuscript with Dr Lisa Fagin Davis (part 1) - Ep 40 35:08

2M ago35:08

35:08

This episode, Matilda dives into the world of medieval manuscripts, accompanied by an expert in manuscript studies and palaeography: Dr Lisa Fagin Davis. Together, they discuss one of the most studied and yet most mysterious of medieval objects - the Voynich Manuscript. So much intrigue surrounds this extremely well-travelled manuscript, but what d…

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November journal: readying for retreat 3:53

2M ago3:53

3:53

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com This time of year brings with it a certain tension: we want to soak up every last moment of the waning warmer weather, while also preparing to turn inward for the colder, shorter days, and longer, cozy nights ahead. How can we ease that inner conflict to get wh…

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Pasts and Crafts: Book binding with Alexandra Sebire (part 2) - Ep 39 26:19

2M ago26:19

26:19

It’s part two of Matilda’s tea-break with Alexandra Sebire as the two chat about the traditional craft of book binding. In this episode, we dive a little deeper into the history and development of book binding, and Alexandra shares more about the different projects she’s working in, and why you don’t always have to take the traditional path. Transc…

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Diving more deeply into the world of tea 17:48

2M ago17:48

17:48

The history and tradition of tea is so much richer than indicated by that little row of boxes on the supermarket shelf. In this episode I’m taking you behind the scenes of the process I’m undergoing to become a Certified Tea Sommelier: what the program is like, what I’m learning, and how I hope to use my newfound knowledge as I dive more deeply int…

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Pasts and Crafts: Book binding with Alexandra Sebire (part 1) - Ep 38 27:12

3M ago27:12

27:12

By Host

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October journal: change 3:24

3M ago3:24

3:24

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com After spending nearly three weeks living in our RV in the Upper Peninsula, I’m back home and settling in, and in this month’s Journal - exclusively for paying members of The Kettle - I’m reflecting on my routines and priorities and how they evolve with the seas…

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The Archaeology of Notebooks - Ep 37 32:51

3M ago32:51

32:51

I hope that you have a writing utensil handy, because you’ll want to make some notes for this one! In this episode, Matilda takes a dive into the origins and archaeology of the simple notebook. But what actually is a notebook? What materials have they been made from throughout history? And did an ancient Egyptian king really predict AI? Listen in t…

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20th century tea rooms and citizen history with Jan Whitaker 39:23

3M ago39:23

39:23

Have you ever wondered about the different paths available to becoming a historian - and how historians choose the topic areas that fuel their passions? In this episode I chat with author and consumer historian Jan Whitaker to explore a fascinating corner of American history: the rise of rural tea rooms in the early 20th century. These small, often…

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Put the kettle on because we're back! - Ep 36 31:45

4M ago31:45

31:45

The kettle is boiled, the tea is stewing, and we’re ready to go! That’s right, Dr Matilda Siebrecht is back to join you onTranscript your tea-break, this time with a slightly new focus and a different name: Tea-break Archaeology. Listen in to hear all about Matilda’s research background, why she got into podcasting, and how she’s been inspired by “…

1
September journal: preparing 5:56

4M ago5:56

5:56

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com The idea of “prepping” often elicits eye-rolls. But you don’t have to be awaiting the apocalypse to find value in stocking your shelves. The truth is, a little pantry planning and preserving can help us ride out price spikes, lean times, and supply-chain issues…

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August journal: overwhelm 4:33

4M ago4:33

4:33

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com After a sad and stressful start to the month, I came home to a full house, stuffed fridge, bursting container garden, and some seriously disrupted routines. And while I once wouldn’t have recognized my all-over-the-place, can’t-focus-or-settle-down state of min…

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What is ours to do? 8:21

5M ago8:21

8:21

Hi friends. I usually publish my monthly Journal episode on the first of the month, but in the wake of a devastating loss in our family, I’m instead putting up a short (and, warning, hastily edited!) episode in the public feed. My sister-in-law, Jen, died on Tuesday, leaving behind her husband Adam (my stepbrother) and my niece and nephew Elia and …

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The joys of eating at home with CJ of A Well-Read Tart 42:41

5M ago42:41

42:41

Ever cringe at how much of your monthly budget goes to restaurants? Yeah, been there - and so has CJ, creator of the food and book blog, A Well-Read Tart and a self-described former “restaurant rover and takeout queen.” While CJ and I both know how easy it is for eating out to become the default solution for everything from boredom to overwhelm to …

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July journal: small 6:28

6M ago6:28

6:28

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com The July journal episode of The Kettle is all about the idea of “smallness” and what that means to me right now. In the episode I share some specific ways I’m leaning into smaller-scale efforts in my real life and the results. From working on my new book (a fic…

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The magic of good tea with Henrietta Lovell, the Rare Tea lady 42:42

6M ago42:42

42:42

Can you remember the first time you had a really good cup of tea, or maybe a tea experience that left you feeling inspired intrigued, and wanting more? Today’s guest Henrietta Lovell, the founder of the Rare Tea Company and author of the laugh-out-loud funny, informative, and inspiring memoir, Infused: Adventures in Tea, has made an entire career (…

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June Journal: Alive 3:32

7M ago3:32

3:32

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com Monthly Journal episodes and the accompanying post, which includes links to our upcoming community events, are a benefit for paying members of The Kettle. As a reminder, annual memberships to The Kettle are on sale through June 5 - just $30/year. Happy June, fr…

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May journal: generosity 19:42

8M ago19:42

19:42

Hello friend, Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve given eleven livestreamed interviews and three or four (or was it five?) podcast interviews. I’ve been on TV twice, done two in-person signing events and have two more coming this weekend. And my book has only been out for nine days. A launch is an exercise in stamina, and this one is hitting me pre…

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Experiencing family life in community, with Rebecca N. Thompson, MD 37:50

8M ago37:50

37:50

How might the experience of forming and raising a family change if we felt more able to share honestly and openly about our struggles, joys, and everything in between? Today I’m talking with Rebecca N. Thompson, MD, a family physician and public health physician who specializes in women’s and children’s health—and the author of the new book Held To…

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Japan - The Dancing Tea Kettle with Kaoru Watanabe and Bill Gordh 33:57

8M ago33:57

33:57

Send us a text The story follows an old man living in the mountains who discovers his leaking tea kettle has magical properties: When he tries to boil water, the kettle transforms into a tanuki (raccoon dog) who makes a mess of the old man’s house! Once the tanuki returns to being a kettle, the old man boxes it up and gifts it to his handyman frien…

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Gretchen Rubin on her "open door" approach to parenting young adults 36:41

9M ago36:41

36:41

When you think of your children growing up, do you view their leaving as the end of an era - or the beginning of something new? In this episode, renowned happiness expert, author, and podcaster Gretchen Rubin joins me to discuss her “open-door” approach to parenting young adults, her brand-new, instant-NYTimes-bestselling book Secrets of Adulthood,…

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April journal: planting seeds 16:50

9M ago16:50

16:50

This spring a lot of figurative “seeds” that I planted long ago, like my upcoming book launch and an expansion of my brick-and-mortar business, are starting to bear fruit - just at the time I am also hoping to literally put seeds in the ground. Sometimes, a bounty of good (but energy-consuming) things comes at the same time we’re also trying to inv…

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Is it possible to ditch the grocery store? 39:49

10M ago39:49

39:49

For most of us, getting groceries automatically equals “going to the supermarket.” But does that brightly-lit jumble of logos, packaging, and confusing nutrition labels have to be the only - or even the primary - way we fill our fridges and pantries? For the past few years, as I’ve been committed to sourcing more and more of my food locally and sea…

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Twice in a Blue Moon | DesiQuest Winter Special Episode 3 2:10:50

10M ago2:10:50

2:10:50

This episode, we meet Sitara and Laddoo Auntie - who have been welcomed as respected guests in the palace - after weeks of attempting to reason with the King, trying to exonerate Murkha & Raj who have been less fortunate, and accused of crimes they did not commit. Meanwhile, Ash has devoted himself to decoding the horoscope bestowed upon him by his…

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A Thorn By Any Other Name | DesiQuest Winter Special Episode 2 2:13:54

10M ago2:13:54

2:13:54

Our adventurers find themselves in a magical well that is actually a prison, encountering new friends, a human prisoner and also meets a man named Raj who is on his way to the city to become a bard. They'll have to figure out how to escape, deal with untrustworthy characters, and decipher the mysteries of the well. The adventurers must decide who t…

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Always Look A Gift Horse in the Mouth | DesiQuest Winter Special Episode 1 2:53:10

10M ago2:53:10

2:53:10

Welcome to Winter in Vehaar! Our story begins just as the seeds of war are beginning to sprout, between our adventurers' home of Vehaar and the neighboring kingdom of Sindcastlin. It is in this choked climate that we meet our beloved heroes of Season 1 - Ash, Laddoo Auntie, Murkha, and Sitara - in an entirely new light. Behold! DesiQuest has return…

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The healing power of herbs with Christine Koh 48:10

10M ago48:10

48:10

Are you even a midlife lady if you don’t suddenly drop everything and start a garden? In today’s episode, I talk with Christine Koh about our shared adult-onset passion for herbal medicine and our attempts - with varying degrees of success - at growing things. Christine shares how her adventures in gardening and herbalism - part of what she jokingl…

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Exiting Instagram and investing in the real world with Sarah Powers 56:28

12M ago56:28

56:28

More and more, people are talking about leaving social media for good. But how? It’s easy to feel trapped by these networks that have become so intertwined in every aspect of our lives, from shopping to socializing. In this episode of The Kettle, I catch up with my good friend and business partner Sarah Powers to discuss her decision to walk away f…

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January Journal: Easing into the New Year 26:59

12M ago26:59

26:59

Deep breath, friend: you don’t have to come into the New Year raring to go on January 1. In the first episode of the newly-named and slightly-refocused podcast, The Kettle (formerly The Tea’s Made) I take a different, slower approach. I reflect on my holiday celebrations, offer an alternative to the idea of ambitious (or restrictive) New Year’s res…

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Letting literature inspire you in the kitchen, with C.J. from A Well-Read Tart 46:32

1y ago46:32

46:32

What could be cozier than a holiday baking session based on your favorite book? In this episode I talk with CJ of A Well-Read Tart, a blog for book and food lovers, where CJ shares book reviews, food inspiration and recipes based on her favorite literature. Listen on to hear us share what we're each reading right now and some favorite cozy holiday …

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Let's take a break - Ep 35 47:25

1y ago47:25

47:25

This episode is a little different to usual, as Matilda discusses her background in archaeology and how she got to where she is today, as well as her inspiration for starting the podcast and how her experience has been for the last two years. Most importantly, she ends with the announcement that due to personal and professional priorities, Tea-brea…

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December Journal: Holiday Magic-Making For Moms Of Big Kids 25:58

1y ago25:58

25:58

In our monthly Journal, I share a special message for moms of older kids who aren't feeling quite so magical about the holidays these days, plus Christmas-inspired teas, my plans for decorating and baking, and some hopes for the Advent season. Listen for a cozy chat! Episode Links: November Journal episode Episode 37: Why connecting with our food m…

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It's all fun and games - Ep 34 57:32

1y ago57:32

57:32

The board is set as Matilda chats with Dr Alice Blackwell from National Museums Scotland all about the beautiful and iconic Lewis chess pieces. They’re one of the most recognisable objects at the museum, but how much do we actually know about them? Who made them and played with them? How similar was medieval chess to our modern version? And what do…

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What is the liturgical calendar and how is it relevant today? with Kristen Haakenson of Hearthstone Fables 47:40

1y ago47:40

47:40

Rooted in locality, seasonality, and agrarian living, the liturgical calendar - the feasts, celebrations, and other observations that made up the early church year - can help root us in the natural rhythms of life. But while most of us are familiar with a few holidays from the early church year, modern living doesn't make a lot of space for recogni…

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How to date an archaeologist: Stratigraphy - Ep 33 27:50

1y ago27:50

27:50

It’s time for the last in our series on dating methods for Tea-break Time Travel Training, and this time Matilda discusses the most common for of relative dating - stratigraphy. But what exactly is stratigraphy? Why are there so many rules and principles to something that seems extremely self-explanatory? And what does any of this have to do with d…

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India - A Flowering Tree with Saraswathi Ranganathan and Bill Gordh 36:53

1y ago36:53

36:53

Send us a text In a tiny village, sisters Gitika and Lalitika are on a mission to save their struggling mom by selling blossoms from Gitika, who can magically transform into a flowering tree and back to herself again - but only with very careful preparations. The blooms catch the eye of Neela, the king’s daughter, who wants to keep them all for her…

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November Journal 29:35

1y ago29:35

29:35

In this month's Journal, I share what's inspiring me going into November: my favorite cinnamon-spiced teas, embroidery projects as holiday gifts, making herbal tinctures, and an epic novel trilogy from medieval Norway. Episode Links: *most links are affiliates. If you make a purchase via my link, I will earn a small commission - a great way to supp…

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We're all dealing with content overwhelm (and what I'm doing about mine.) 14:59

1y ago14:59

14:59

Between social media platforms, email, blogs, podcasts, streaming video and all the rest, there are so many ways these days to consume (or create!) content. In this episode I share what taking social media breaks has done for my brain, how pressure to create and consume has impacted the way I feel about my work, and what I'm planning to do going fo…

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My name is Oss, you bent my sword, prepare to die! - Ep 32 57:34

1y ago57:34

57:34

This month we’re getting elite as Matilda chats all about chieftain burials with archaeologist, curator, editor, and model Dr Sasja van der Vaart-Verschoof (also known on her online platforms as The Overdressed Archaeologist). Well, they’re talking about one chieftain burial in particular - that found in Oss in the Netherlands - and they’re especia…

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How to date an archaeologist: Thermoluminescence Dating - Ep 31 26:50

1y ago26:50

26:50

In this month’s Tea-break Time Travel Training, Matilda is looking at yet another scientific dating technique used in archaeology: Thermoluminescence Dating! What is thermoluminescence? How you can use it to date ancient pottery? How does it compare to previous dating methods covered on the podcast? And are dreams made of atoms? Listen in to find o…

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5 simple kitchen routines that help my life work 27:48

1y ago27:48

27:48

When it comes to staying on top of meal planning and cooking, my solution to overwhelm and disorganization is simple: a series of weekly and daily routines that work for my home, family, and schedule. In this episode I share five kitchen routines that help me feel more connected and confident in my kitchen, from menu planning and grocery shopping t…

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What does it mean to have wealth? More conversation with Shannon Hayes, author of "Redefining Rich" 28:26

1+ y ago28:26

28:26

In our culture we put a lot of emphasis on building wealth - but what, exactly, does that mean, and how does our view of wealth contribute to (or detract from) our flourishing as humans? In this continuation of Episode 39's conversation with author and farmer Shannon Hayes, we delve more into the economics of home and family life, the difference be…

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The Road to Olmec - Ep 30 48:35

1+ y ago48:35

48:35

Matilda is joined this week by Raven Todd DaSilva (who you might recognise as the face behind the very popular “Dig It With Raven” YouTube channel), to talk about the colossal stone heads of the Olmec Culture. Why were these huge heads made? What do they have to do with rubber? And why hasn’t Raven posted a video on her channel for a year? Find out…

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The hidden cost (and value!) of food, with farmer and author Shannon Hayes 35:01

1+ y ago35:01

35:01

Everyone is talking about rising food prices these days, but we spend very little time talking about the value of food. In this episode I speak with Shannon Hayes, farmer and author, about her journey from academia back to the farm she grew up on. She tells us about her unconventional upbringing and how it led her to value a life connected to land …

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Eating locally, preserving, and establishing your own "flow" in the kitchen 33:51

1+ y ago33:51

33:51

Does shopping, cooking and eating locally and seasonally have to be time-consuming and difficult? As I've slowly added new kitchen skills to my repertoire, I've come to realize that the key to meal planning and preparation without burnout is developing the rhythms and routines that allow us to find "flow" in our kitchens. From preserving produce to…

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How to date an archaeologist: Dendrochronology - Ep 29 23:01

1+ y ago23:01

23:01

It's time for the next installment of Tea-break Time Travel Training and this month we're showing the trees some love and looking into the details of dendrochronology! It seems like a simple concept but how much do you really know about tree rings? How do they form? How can we use them to date a site that's thousands of years old? And what does all…