Gretel Le Maître Ponders Life and Loss with Bede and other guests

By Gretel le Maître

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Category: Spirituality

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Subscribers: 1
Reviews: 2
Episodes: 177

Sarah Baker
 Dec 8, 2024
Thoughtful, intelligent, calming, funny and charming


 Nov 16, 2024

Description

Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time.  She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture.  Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navigates the world a day at a time;  the podcast is unscripted, it’s ad-free, and you’re invited to join in.  There’s space in the warm tent for everyone; there’s tea in the pot 🫖.   It’s super unpolished and Gretel would be grateful for you to forgive her for that.  Polish would be too time-consuming 🤓Gretel loves the world and history, architecture, literature and people. And so is determined to walk this path with light footsteps and with humour and warmth.  🌞Please follow me on X @gretellemaitre. 🌳“Gretel le Maitre is a podcaster and host of the series Gretel Pod-Ponders Life and Loss with Bede and Other Guests. The podcast explores themes of grief, life transitions, and introspection, particularly focusing on her experiences as she anticipates the loss of her mother. In the series, she combines historical reflections—often inspired by the works of the Venerable Bede, an English monk and historian—with her own musings on architecture, literature, and the natural world. Gretel approaches these deep topics with warmth and humor, aiming to provide listeners a comforting space to explore complex emotions   .If you’re interested, you can listen to her podcast on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music, where she shares her reflections in episodes filled with gentle insights and an invitation to journey with her through challenging times  .”In a fast-paced world, Gretel Pod-Ponders Life and Loss provides a much-needed pause and sanctuary for those navigating life’s transitions and searching for deeper meaning. Hosted by Gretel Le Maitre, this unique podcast blends personal storytelling with historical insights from figures like the Venerable Bede, offering listeners an inspiring journey of healing and hope.With themes of grief, transformation, and spirituality, the podcast has earned praise for its calming tone, authenticity, and ability to connect on a deeply human level. As one listener shared, it feels like sitting down with a trusted friend who understands.Perfect for audiences seeking introspection, comfort, or simply a quiet moment of reflection, Gretel Pod-Ponders Life and Loss is available now on all major platforms.Please note, I get daily ad offers that I turn down to keep this an ad-free podcast.   So I’d be delighted if you could subscribe to help with my pot of tea and cake on my church crawls 🙋‍♀️

Episode Date
Origins St Gennys Church in North Cornwall; Today’s two Saints; and a warm Hello 👋
Apr 03, 2025
Dorset Smugglers; Naked Welsh Saints and the sound of the Atlantic Ocean. Welcome to Cornwall 🤗
Mar 29, 2025
The Alchemy of Poetry; More on Roman Roads; and Bede conjures up devilish imaginings
Mar 28, 2025
Evidence for Roman Roads into Cornwall; and Bede tells of testimony of a man who rose from death.
Mar 27, 2025
Commemorating today’s Saints; Early English architecture and our Gentle Bede
Mar 26, 2025
River sounds; Crying a river; Poorly Doggo and Marvellous Alfred.
Mar 25, 2025
Come to Thomas Hardy’s land of birth, passing a Roman Road; and then let’s hear of a double murder
Mar 24, 2025
Alfred the Great, master strategist, creates currency from oaths.
Mar 23, 2025
A spring visit to a pretty Dorset church; and King Alfred burns the cakes.
Mar 22, 2025
Live violin 🎻 magic from Dorset Fiddlers; and pondering that Wonder and Beauty often springs from cracks and imperfections.
Mar 21, 2025
A Grandson on losing his Grandma; and a return home to routine and restful reality.
Mar 20, 2025
The dreadfulness of crematoriums. Like celebrating Christmas in a dentist’s waiting room. What a forlorn end to a wonderful life. And so we read about Gothic architecture to clear the mind and cleanse the palette.
Mar 19, 2025
Histories of Four Saints and Throwing Control to the Four Winds; the Serenity to accept the Things we Cannot Change is Hard to Harness
Mar 18, 2025
We learn about popular Saint Patrick, for whom many Guinnesses will have been drunk today. Melancholy as a quiet, tidal emotion.
Mar 17, 2025
A Happy Sunday with Family and Sunshine; Wise words from a Young Girl; and Gentle Bede
Mar 16, 2025
A Few Quiet Readings.
Mar 15, 2025
Ponderings on the some of the consequences of the Norman Conquest; and Bede tells of yet another miracle
Mar 14, 2025
Churchill tells of early Celtic Christianity; and we progress with Bede as Doggo dreams fitfully ☺️
Mar 13, 2025
Leaning into the wind, with a few new books at my elbow; and Bede’s Fifth Book begun on Farne Island.
Mar 12, 2025
Winchester Cathedral offers balm to the soul after holding my mother’s hand for the last time.
Mar 11, 2025
Glorious, Delicious Southwark; a Forlorn return to Chelsea; and we close Bede’s 4th Book 🤓
Mar 10, 2025
The Making of the Thames and the Middlesex Saucer; Quiet Bede accompanied by the practising Choir of Sherborne Abbey
Mar 09, 2025
Do you know your ‘Wics’? Gretel goes deep into Middlesex; Poor Bede can’t let Cuthbert go; but he’s not like Binker
Mar 08, 2025
Grief is Tough; a Robin visits; the Irish Famine and the death of Cuthbert
Mar 07, 2025
Filial bell-ringing; Queen Victoria rejects anti-semitism; a word on Diocletian; and Cuthbert enthrals his fellows.
Mar 06, 2025
Calm readings with cat on lap, candles lit and tea by my side. In history we find comfort for it right-sizes the present times.
Mar 05, 2025
More Adventures in Stratford-upon-Avon, in the Guild Chapel, the Swan Theatre, and with actor Enzo Cilenti in the Dirty Duck pub.
Mar 04, 2025
A trip to Stratford-upon-Avon with Bede
Mar 03, 2025
Taking the Somerset air and contemplating a forthcoming exhibition Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300-1350; Roman roads and more chatterings from Bede
Mar 02, 2025
A second time in two weeks to lie next to a human in love and protection.
Mar 01, 2025
A Wessex Wander and Progress with Churchill and Bede’s histories. Aching for my mother. 😔
Feb 28, 2025
Darkness and Light after Death; and Tom Holland brings some Comfort 🌷
Feb 27, 2025
Oh Let us have Valiant Hearts; Gratitude for Kindness; and the Legacy of Hilde
Feb 26, 2025
The Church of Lady St Mary, Wareham; and Hilde of Whitby.
Feb 25, 2025
Ponderings on Grief, a little Mozart, and Venerable Bede tells of a Veritable Samson
Feb 24, 2025
Elgar’s Enigma Variations; Sea-Swimming and Gentle Bede
Feb 23, 2025
Exploring Wareham; the Romans look back to the Danube; and we prepare for Bede’s hymn to the Virgin Queen 😬🫖
Feb 22, 2025
A trip to Wareham to visit the Saxon church of St Martin; and Bede talks of bones, virgins and eels 🤓
Feb 21, 2025
Not Waving but Drowning; the Birds bring Joy; as do Books 📚
Feb 20, 2025
Boy, this is tough! Grief overwhelms; Suetonius finally overwhelms the Britons; and monks flock to hear chanting superstar John
Feb 19, 2025
A Candle lit in the Abbey; Early Roof Construction in Churches; and Dark Deals regarding the Isle of Wight are recounted by Bede
Feb 18, 2025
The Beginning of The Rest of My Life; Let’s Read about Chelsea
Feb 17, 2025
A Cold Day of Calm after the Storm;
Feb 17, 2025
Home for Respite after a terrible morning; Churchill tells us of Boudicca
Feb 16, 2025
Warrior Mother; Carlyle’s Truth-Forged approach to writing about the French Revolution 🇫🇷; and Venerable, gentle Bede.
Feb 15, 2025
By my bed stay awhile, and read of Thomas Carlyle
Feb 14, 2025
Episode 131, February 13th 🫖
Feb 13, 2025
Not ready! A foolish lament. Pubs as cosy cocoons; and Bede tries to get heard over the London punters. Wednesday oft is weaved of woe. 🫖
Feb 12, 2025
One Day at a Time, and Finding Peace within. With the help of gentle readings.
Feb 11, 2025
Good evening let’s ponder about London, hospitals and losing track in Bede’s narrative
Feb 10, 2025
A Dash from Dorset to London
Feb 10, 2025
Hallelujah, it’s time for Saturday histories.
Feb 08, 2025
Mr Katt battles for the lap as he’s told stories of Caesar and long-dead Nuns
Feb 07, 2025
February is Spring's Promise; A visit to a hidden Dorset hamlet ; and Caesar is surprised by the turning tides
Feb 06, 2025
A peek into Sherborne Abbey; Norman Churches; and the Iron Age
Feb 05, 2025
A Windy Bridge-Crossing and Historical Musings
Feb 04, 2025
High hopes and Gratitude are our Sword and Shield; Julius Caesar sniffs the English shores; and Bede records some sensible Synodical Decisions
Feb 03, 2025
Another visit to Mr Robin and the Church at Corton Denham; we finish Winston Churchill’s marvellous Preface to his History
Feb 02, 2025
Sadness; Sherborne’s Conduit; and Remembering Chad
Feb 01, 2025
Les oiseaux, Churchill’s History and Chad’s last hours; our first garden pot of tea 🫖
Jan 31, 2025
Sherborne Bells strike Twelve; Spring Birds Gladden the Heart; Churchill's Preface to his History; and Bede
Jan 30, 2025
Hallelujah for Handel; London Dining in 1915 and Catholicism blooms in England
Jan 29, 2025
Bell-ringing, AA Milne poetry and Book Four begun
Jan 28, 2025
The streets of London; listening in to Choir Practice (and weeping); A message of love to dear America 🇺🇸 and we close Book Three with Bede
Jan 27, 2025
Epiphany Service at Chelsea Old Church, Finding Peace in beautiful old Buildings, and Bede
Jan 26, 2025
A London Mooch About with Bede in my Back-Pocket
Jan 25, 2025
Rural society in the 1840s; the Ubiquity of Social Division; and our dear Bede
Jan 24, 2025
Seagulls swirl over Sherborne Abbey; their Freedom contrasting with the poor condemned of Newgate Gaol. Charles Dickens at his descriptive best.
Jan 23, 2025
A Visit, by Charles Dickens, to Newgate Gaol; and Bede tells of the Goodness of the Northumbrian Clergy
Jan 22, 2025
A Gentle Zooming in on Thomas Hardy’s Under The Greenwood Tree
Jan 22, 2025
Hope is the Thing with Feathers; a Walk in the Meadow; and Easter is settled
Jan 21, 2025
An introduction to Thomas Hardy from 1940 and more Easter arguments
Jan 20, 2025
Sunday is Music Day 😀; Saxon Costume; The Arguments about Easter rumble on
Jan 19, 2025
Housewives’ tips from the Abbey bench; Saxon clothing; and Bede frets again about Easter
Jan 18, 2025
Home Sweet Home with special guest Mr Katt as we read about the American Civil War before our friend Bede
Jan 17, 2025
Podcasting from a Battersea Care Home, Chelsea History, a Choir Practice and a Saxon Princess offered to God
Jan 16, 2025
Tony Slattery’s best friend Erica talks to the podcast of her sadness
Jan 15, 2025
An explanation for Episode 100 and a Bede tells of a boy’s survival
Jan 15, 2025
Noisy bird-fellows by the Thames; Friendship; Tea and Gentle Bede
Jan 14, 2025
A Full Moon in Vibrant London; in the company of our Venerable friend
Jan 13, 2025
Sunday remembrances of Flodden Field and the power of Iona
Jan 12, 2025
Hello let’s look at January’s sparkling 🌔 and wonder about life 🤗
Jan 11, 2025
Friday poems and readings: a gentle end to the week.
Jan 10, 2025
Welcome to Thursday night’s gentle pondering and readings
Jan 09, 2025
Love, not embarrassment, for one’s roots; Dick Dewy and Fancy Day get ready for their pretty marriage; and more wisdom from Ireland
Jan 08, 2025
A Joyful Tuesday of literature, children, birds and Bede
Jan 07, 2025
An Owl, Family Pressures and The Candle of the North 🕯️
Jan 06, 2025
The Three Kings Carol live from Sherborne Abbey and Aidan Protects Bamburgh from the Flames 🔥
Jan 05, 2025
The Still Small Voice of Wisdom; the Shape of Trees and Aidan’s Miracles
Jan 04, 2025
Frosty Friday the third; time to right-size and humble Aidan
Jan 03, 2025
A Winter’s Visit to a Secret Church, Self-Pity and Oswiu
Jan 02, 2025
A quiet start to 2025 with Pepys and Bede
Jan 01, 2025
A Happy New Year from Baedeker and Bede
Dec 31, 2024
A night in Oxford and a visit to the Ashmolean Museum
Dec 30, 2024
Syrian monasticism, Somerset Ham Stone and Miracles after the death of Oswald
Dec 29, 2024
Early Holy Land Monasticism; Charles II is visited by Russians and Oswald is killed in Battle
Dec 28, 2024
Twixt Yule and Year End 🕯️😊
Dec 27, 2024
Double Bede for Boxing Day
Dec 26, 2024
Christmas Day ⭐️
Dec 25, 2024
Music, Carols and Early Irish Christians ⭐️
Dec 24, 2024
Canadian wolves and bears; and St Columba is given Iona
Dec 23, 2024
Under the Greenwood Tree and the history of Oswald
Dec 22, 2024
The Sun Stands Still, and the wind curls round Gretel in Castleton
Dec 21, 2024
A Christmas Carol and King Oswald
Dec 20, 2024
A Thursday evening Robin and Bede takes us to Book Three
Dec 19, 2024
Achingly beautiful words by Walter Scott from 1806
Dec 18, 2024
Tuesday gratitude and the death of poor Edwin
Dec 17, 2024
Monday magic Moon and a reading by the Abbey
Dec 16, 2024
Completing Charles II Coronation Day and Bede
Dec 15, 2024
Organ Music, Tears, A Coronation and a Clever Pope
Dec 14, 2024
We march onwards with Bede
Dec 13, 2024
A day of bustle in festive Londres with Fabritius, the Christmas Tree and David Tennant
Dec 12, 2024
Rowdy London, Serene Leanda de Lisle and a 12th Century Church
Dec 11, 2024
Gretel takes you to a river and inside an Abbey for some quiet ponderings. 🎄😀
Dec 10, 2024
Old and New Sherborne Castles
Dec 09, 2024
Thomas Hardy’s Under the Greenwood Tree on Christmas morning; and King Edwin receives a holy visitor.
Dec 08, 2024
Sherborne, Betjeman and Bede. Welcome!
Dec 07, 2024
A Graveyard, an Apology, Pepys and a Wily Pope
Dec 06, 2024
Fifth day in December, by a Dorset river and listening to the extraordinary words of Pope Boniface to a long-dead British king ✨
Dec 05, 2024
Thomas Hardy and Pepys join Bede for todays episode with peaceful Gretel
Dec 04, 2024
Come inside an old Bishops Caundle Church 🤓
Dec 03, 2024
Fear, Families from the Past, Abbey Bells and a Pallium given
Dec 02, 2024
Winter and Advent Cometh 😊🔔
Dec 01, 2024
Must be Santa, Advent Eve, Cnut and Mellitus. 🔔
Nov 30, 2024
The Darkling Thrush, the Nightingale and the death of Aethelberht
Nov 29, 2024
Thursday shenanigans with Gretel 🥳
Nov 28, 2024
Gentle midweek pondering by river and readings in the darkening garden.
Nov 27, 2024
Hurrah for Home! And the return of our Venerable Bede.
Nov 26, 2024
Monday dash to London, leaving Bede in Dorset. Germany’s history to the rescue 🇩🇪
Nov 25, 2024
Thomas Hardy, John Clare and a stormy Sunday; while Augustine bullies the Britons
Nov 24, 2024
A windy walk to Sherborne Abbey, a look inside, and a famous passage from Bede’s history.
Nov 23, 2024
Pope Gregory dies and we look back on his life.
Nov 22, 2024
Thomas of Canterbury on a snowy Thursday, and a new book in Bede’s histories
Nov 21, 2024
Having courage of mind, English hedges, and our Venerable companion closes Book 1.
Nov 20, 2024
Dissonance, the marvellous Weekend Book and Pope Gregory charms King Aethelberht 🌳
Nov 19, 2024
The greatest treason: to do the right deed for the wrong reason
Nov 18, 2024
Sunday ponderings about Hampstead Heath, Byron and Pope Gregory's pragmatic view on pagan shrines
Nov 17, 2024
A Bleak Saturday dash to London
Nov 16, 2024
Country soundscapes, church crawling and Bede
Nov 15, 2024
Saxon Churches and Bede on a Thursday evening
Nov 14, 2024
Malmesbury ahoy! And Bede discusses the sin of night-time ‘illusions’.
Nov 13, 2024
Tuesday with Dunstan, Aldhelm and Bede
Nov 12, 2024
St Augustine asks his boss awkward questions about women, sex and menstruation
Nov 11, 2024
Remembrance; Bedlam Hospital and Bede.
Nov 10, 2024
Shelley, Sherborne, Scriptoriums and St Augustine 🍂
Nov 09, 2024
Overcoming dread, old Wessex and St Augustine give us a gentle time to pause
Nov 08, 2024
Gretel takes you inside a very old church in the Somerset Hills before our progress with St Augustine
Nov 07, 2024
Join me for a gentle twenty minutes of historical readings and a few ponderings.
Nov 06, 2024
A wearisome day, put to bed with our usual peaceful readings.
Nov 05, 2024
Cosy candle-lit readings and ponderings on a Monday afternoon 🤓
Nov 04, 2024
A drizzle, damp Sunday, with seagulls, history books and the wind for company
Nov 03, 2024
London churches and Bede
Nov 02, 2024
A new month of life and loss with Gretel and the ecclesiastical history of England with Bede 🤓
Nov 01, 2024
Halloween Thursday with Gretel and Bede. Families can be tricky
Oct 31, 2024
Please do join me as we continue with Bede’s progress 🤓
Oct 30, 2024
A quiet Tuesday in the new Anglo-Saxon Englannd
Oct 29, 2024
Quiet Monday at Rotten Row with our Venerable friend
Oct 28, 2024
Sunday with Mr Katt, Hyde Park and marauding Saxons 🤓
Oct 27, 2024
Gretel makes a mistake while the birds chirrup merrily and Bede tells of incoming Anglo-Saxons
Oct 26, 2024
Bede takes centre stage as we return to England 🌅
Oct 25, 2024
Thursday in Paris. A balmy day at the Louvre 🇫🇷
Oct 24, 2024
Bonjour! C’est Mercredi. Holiday ponderings and chaotic times told by Monsieur Vénérable 🤓🇫🇷
Oct 23, 2024
Bonsoir mes amis. 🌞 Paris, the National Anthem and Monsieur Bede
Oct 22, 2024
Monday good cheer and Bede
Oct 21, 2024
Welcome to Sunday rain, The Cheshire Cheese and Bede
Oct 20, 2024
A jittery Saturday from Bede to Tyburn Gallows
Oct 19, 2024
An eleventh day of short musings with Gretel, Bede and a bit of Baedeker’s Primrose Hill.
Oct 18, 2024
Shine on Harvest Moon with autumn 🍂 sunshine, Gretel and Bede
Oct 17, 2024
Please join me on day nine for nine quiet minutes. 🌳
Oct 16, 2024
Eleanor Farjeon and Bede share a platform on this eighth day of podpondering with Gretel 🙋‍♀️🌳
Oct 15, 2024
A Monday muse with Gretel, the dog and Bede. Come join us. 🤓
Oct 14, 2024
A potter with Bede around Corton Denham
Oct 13, 2024
A candlelight muse with Bede on a fifth day.
Oct 12, 2024
Gretel goes forth with Bede on day four. Wishing everyone a restful Friday evening.
Oct 11, 2024
The Birds and the Bede. Come join me for day three, walking in the Dorset woods.
Oct 10, 2024
Grief and Bede. Come join me in the library for day two.
Oct 09, 2024
Gretel, Grief and Bede. Let's kick things off..
Oct 08, 2024