What I'm Up To
Hello my dear friends and supporters! Every year I imagine how much I'd like to contribute posts and resources to this page more, and have never gotten around to it. Thankfully last year it was due to being so busy with acting work, that I just about managed to keep the podcast afloat. This year, I'm back at my tour-guiding job and as always, ushering in Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin, until more acting work comes up. Such is the way of the industry! Ahead of season SIX (woah, time is flying!), I have some free time with which I'd like to share some thoughts, tips and resources.
Firstly, I'm excited to announce I'm challenging myself to buy no new items for the year, and documenting it! So many people in the environmental movement already do this, myself included - from avoiding fast fashion to sourcing furniture on freecycle. Yet there's still so much overconsumption happening, so I thought if I share my journey on how I source the things I need (and want), more people might be encouraged to do the same. Though I already caved and bought something...all will be disclosed in a vlog! The first of which will be incoming before Summer. Here's a snap from that:
There are things I'll still buy like books and pieces of art and experiences like trips to the theatre. Food and toiletries are obviously included, else I'd be a very hungry activist with un-brushed teeth... This week I got a new second hand desk and love it so much I've been eating snacks at it!
A Request from Me to You
As you've probably heard in my last few episodes, episode ONE HUNDRED is coming up, and though it's an arbitrary number, I'm so proud of all the work I've put in to Book of Leaves and learnings I've had - not to mention the gratitude I feel for you, listeners and supporters, as well the amazing guests I've had on. I'd like to celebrate this with featuring listener stories in the 100th episode.
There's been a hundred and more 'leaves' added our books of eco-friendly living. From giving up animal products to taking up beach cleaning or participating in protest. Have you added a leaf to your book? How did it impact you or those around you? Are there any 'leaves' we've not yet had on the podcast that you would like to share? What has been a stand-out episode for you? I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on any of the above. You can send me a voice note on WhatsApp here, comment below, message me, or email [email protected] with an attached audio recording or text, and I'll edit them all together for a celebratory episode. I'm also gathering little eco-friendly bits to make a small hamper that everyone who sends something will be entered in to a draw to win! I mean, one hundred episodes and 6 years of work is worth making a song and dance about, I think ;)
What I'm Reading
Now. A guest of last year's season, Roisin Markham who chatted about doughnut economics, mentioned how it might be useful if I share a bit about the books I've read and find useful for the movement. I love getting recommendations so I imagine some of you may also like to receive them! While travelling, I finished a book by Amitav Ghosh called The Nutmeg's Curse: Parables for a Planet in Crisis. It was a beautiful though at times tough read (both emotionally and linguistically) yet I would thoroughly recommend it. For the first time in my own research, it went beyond capitalism as the root of the crisis we're in. We could rid the world of capitalism, but without dismantling the deeply entrenched systems of oppression, something else as terrible, or worse, could take its place.
If you'd like to stay up to date with my reading list (and ever growing To Be Read list, you can follow my GoodReads account here!).
What I'm Listening To
I've recently found meditation to be crucial in assisting me to function as a compassionate human recently. The work of Thich Nhat Hahn (which I only read into last year for the first time) has been a huge help and the podcast they run -The Way Out Is In - is a very nourishing listen. So much of what I listen to is about the multiple crisis our planet is facing which drains energy. This podcast adds. Adds to my energy, my soul, gives me tools to sustain myself as an activist. I'm really enjoying it and you might too. Here's an episode I'd recommend to start with, especially if you're terrible at regular mediation (like me!): The Heart of Meditation: Part One
Where I'm Going
This Saturday the 17th of February, I'll be heading to Dublin city centre to join a march for Palestine at 1pm. I would love to see you there. My hope in humanity is really being challenged these days, as I'm sure yours is as well. But seeing the crowds of people that show up to chant and call for peace on our precious planet, helps keep the hope in me alight.
If you've found this update helpful, I'd love to know! Time is also approaching to begin reaching out to my next podcast guests so if you have any requests or suggestions, send them my way - as well as any content you'd like to see here, if at all.
Thank you so so much for your support. Forever grateful,
Ceara x