“Far from a fleeting moment in history, or a stack of stones, the open museum of Sardinia recounted the story of foundations; the story of birth and rebirth, of endurance and resilience, and reuse, and a story of rituals and cross cultural ways that had made the island, the staging ground of civilizations that not only shaped its own peoples, but the rest of the Mediterranean” - Jeff Biggers, In Sardinia: An Unexpected Journey  Welcome to Episode #76, Today, I have a wonderful conversation with Jeff Biggers - Historian, Journalist, Author and Travel Writer about his new book: In Sardini ..read more

"What if you could somehow create an expansive enough life that you could synchronize seemingly incongruous opposites into a world view that excludes nothing?” - Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat Pray Love Can a book be mythical and kind of a life time journey.  Yes it can!  This a story about the book Eat Pray Love and the journey I have had with this book…. Episode #75 Find all Show Notes and details mentioned at: michellejohnston.life You can now Support the Podcast and send your encouragement. © 2023  A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life Music Composed by Richard Johnst ..read more

"The Black Madonna represents a time of direct connection.  She is the spiritual connector.  She is the energy behind creation. We are to bring our thinking into our heart and have this influence our deeds" - Stephanie Georgieff,  The Black Madonna: Mysterious Soul Companion Stephanie Georgieff is the host of the Black Madonna Speaks Podcast.  We had a most marvellous and deep conversation about her work, books and her journey with the Black Madonna.   The questions and quotes from this episode are related to her book The Black Madonna: Mysterious Soul Companion if yo ..read more

"It was only decades later, in my little house here in the shadow of the Apennines, that I was completely free to forge my own path"  Shadow of the Apennines, Kimberly Sullivan Welcome to Episode 71: Kimberly Sullivan works in International Development by day and moonlights as a fiction writer by night.  Kimberly has written three books that she has Independently Published, and her fourth book is due out very soon Drink Wine and Be Beautiful.   Kimberly lives in Rome Italy, and is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and the Historical Novel Society.  H ..read more

"In writing about Peggy, it's important to listen to one's own instincts. Don't listen to critics.  What do they know? What one should say about Peggy is, simply, that she did it. That no matter what her motivations were, she did it"  - Lee Krasner Welcome to Part 2 of my epic share on the 20th Century Art Collector and Art Patron Peggy Guggenheim... Here is the story of Peggy's life in Venice..... and what happened next! Enjoy Find all Show Notes and details mentioned at: michellejohnston.life You can now Support the Podcast and send your encouragement. © 2023  A Writer In ..read more

“I have never been in a city that gave me the same sense of freedom” - Peggy Guggenheim, Out of this Century: Confessions of an Art Addict Welcome to Episode #69: Are you dreaming of visiting Venice and one of the iconic galleries  on the Grand Canal - The Peggy Guggenheim Collection? If you would like to know more about Peggy Guggenheim (1898-1979) listen to the story of her life and how she found herself searching for a palazzo and a place to share her art collection with the world.  Here is the kaleidoscope of Peggy’s life and how she became a 20th Century icon in the art world ..read more

“I have never been in a city that gave me the same sense of freedom” - Peggy Guggenheim, Out of this Century: Confessions of an Art Addict Welcome to Episode #69: Are you dreaming of visiting Venice and one of the iconic galleries  on the Grand Canal - The Peggy Guggenheim Collection? If you would like to know more about Peggy Guggenheim (1898-1969) listen to the story of her life and how she found herself searching for a palazzo and a place to share her art collection with the world.  Here is the kaleidoscope of Peggy’s life and how she became a 20th Century icon in the art world ..read more

"The old cypress trees along the ancient noble roads stand tall as if to welcome you into their home"  -  Sheryl Ness, Love in a Tuscan Kitchen Welcome to Episode #68, This week I share Part 2 of my conversation with Author Sheryl Ness about life in Tuscany and the writing of her book Love in a Tuscan Kitchen: Savouring Life Through the Romance, Recipes and Traditions of Italy. Today we talk about the traditions at the Italian table, book authors, writing, the writing process, language studies and more.  I must add this book is for someone who enjoys the sensual pleasures of l ..read more

"Everything around me gave me a feeling that I was at home, from the foods to the people and the unique landscape.  I was falling in love"  -  Sheryl Ness, Love in a Tuscan Kitchen Welcome to Episode #67, Today I share a wonderful conversation with Sheryl Ness about her time in Tuscany and her memoir, Love in a Tuscan Kitchen: Savouring Life Through the Romance, Recipes and Traditions of Italy.  I think Sheryl’s story is very special because she had a connection to Italy without understanding exactly why.  But she followed the thread and the inkling, and something ve ..read more

“The appeal of this floating city built on stilts in a lagoon is real.  Venice remains a place always beckoning me to return.  Far from perfect, this island shaped like a fish entices me” -  Margie Miklas, Introduction, The Venice I Know Welcome to Episode 66, Margie Miklas has a special connection to Italy as a second generation Italian/American.  Come along for a sweet conversation about Margie’s Italy.   We discuss her book and travel guide “The Venice I Know”.  And lots more on travel writing, favourite places in Italy, solo adventures, films set in Venice an ..read more