Living a Nordic Life with Fiona McKinna
The Living a Nordic Life podcast is dedicated to helping you live a cosier, simpler and more intentional life the Nordic way. Hosted by Fiona McKinna, each episode shows you how to make life simpler, happier and healthier the way people in the Nordics live. From Nordic eating habits, to getting outdoors Nordic style, to Nordic habits that you need in your life. Tune in for inspiration, ideas and encouragement to embrace a simple, cosy and intentional life the Nordic way.
Episodes published every other Friday.
You can also visit my website for some instant ways to start living the Nordic way. www.livinganordiclife.com and find me on Instagram at www.instagram.com/nordiclife_podcast
Episodes
86 episodes
86: Simple Living isn't About Owning Less, it's about Wanting Less
Simple living isn't about having less and paring your life down to the bare minimum. It's about wanting less and feeling that gentle shift that is so liberating as we let go of the need to constantly strive for more.
85: Everyday Life in Spring in the Nordics
Spring in Norway doesn’t arrive loudly—it gathers, gently, in signs you could almost miss if you weren’t looking. The first flowers pushing through still-cold soil, bright and determined. Small flashes of colour after months of white and grey. ...
84: Why a Nordic Life Looks Simple but Feels Deep
From the outside, Nordic life can look simple—quiet homes, slow routines, and the ideas of hygge and lagom. But beneath that simplicity is something deeper.In this episode, we explore how Nordic living creates space for...
83: Hi I'm Fiona, let me introduce myself
Hi I'm Fiona, the voice behind the Living a Nordic Life podcast and I'll like to introduce myself and welcome you to the podcast. My journey to living a Nordic life began a long way from where I am in southern Norway and a life that was v...
82: The Rise of the Digital Nomad in Scandinavia
Picture this: you’re sipping coffee in a sleek Copenhagen café, laptop open, surrounded not by students but by nomads juggling clients across time zones. Scandinavia has quietly cracked the code—blazing internet, eco-friendly cities, and a cult...
81: Nordic Winter Outdoor Habits to Improve Wellbeing
Boost your wellbeing this winter with Nordic outdoor habits. From friluftsliv and forest walks to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sauna rituals, discover how Nordic practices help reduce stress, improve mood, and strengthen the body. Emb...
80: Sami National Day: How to Prepare & Celebrate
Every year on 6 February, the Sámi people, the Indigenous inhabitants of northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia, celebrate Sámi National Day. It’s a powerful day of culture, identity, and resilience—honouring o...
79: Starting the New Year with Nordic Sustainability
Start the new year with Nordic-style sustainability by embracing minimalism, mindful consumption, and slow living. Discover practical tips for eco-friendly home practices, seasonal routines, sustainable travel, and intentional goal-setting. Lea...
78: January in Old Norse Culture; Fire, Ice & Kinship
Step into the deep midwinter of the Old Norse world and discover what January meant to the Vikings. In this episode, we explore Yule’s lingering echoes, seasonal rituals, blóts, and the quiet endurance of winter. Learn how Norse fa...
77: Romjul, a Very Nordic Post Christmas Tradition
Romjul is that time between Christmas and New Year that might feel a little bit of a non-event. Here in the Nordics it has a special place and is a beloved tradition. The beauty of a Nordic romjul is that you can embrace it wherever...
76: Norwegian Christmas Traditions my Family & Friends Love
Christmas is a time for traditions — from family rituals to national customs — that connect us to our roots and bring warmth during the darkest season. In this episode, I share what Christmas looks like in my life in Norway, where Nordic ...
75: How Norse Mythology Still Matters; The Epic of the Eddas
From stormy seas to streaming screens, Norse myths refuse to fade. The Eddas still shape Nordic identity—whispering of resilience, trickery, and hope. These aren’t relics of the past; they’re stories that live, adapt, and bind us across time.
.png)
74: What is self care and do we even care?
Self care is more than a few fluffy blankets, an indulgent lunch or an hour in a bubble bath. It's a deep, sustainable and grown up commitment to our own mental and physical wellbeing. But how does that look and can we even achieve ...
73: Ben Ward: Remote Norway, TV Fame and the Simple Life (or Not!)
From London to the Mountains of Norway: Ben Ward swapped London life for a remote farm in the Norwegian mountains, and it hasn’t always been easy. In this episode, he opens up about the highs, lows, and unexpected challenges of living in...
72: Friluftsliv: The Word That Changed How I Live
In this episode of Living a Nordic Life, we dive into the Norwegian word friluftsliv — “open-air living” — and how it shapes everyday life in the Nordics. More than just spending time outside, friluftsliv is a philoso...
71: My Nordic Morning Routine
Join me, Fiona of Living a Nordic Life, as I share my simple and seasonal morning routine in my little corner of southern Norway. No 5am runs or fresh yaks milk here!!!
70: Simple Pleasures, Slow Days: The Nordic Art of Doing Less Outside
In this episode of Living a Nordic Life, we wander into the quiet beauty of the Nordic outdoors — not with skis or hiking poles, but with a slower, gentler pace. Discover how Nordic culture embraces the art of simply being outside: sit...
69: Lingonberries in Scandinavia: Nordic Nature's Wild Treasure
Step into the Nordic forest with me as we explore the story of lingonberries—Scandinavia’s tart red superberry. From ancient traditions and foraging tales to modern recipes and health benefits, this episode uncovers how lingonberries connect cu...
68: There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather: Why the Nordics Go Outside Anyway
In this episode of Living a Nordic Life, we explore one of the most beloved Nordic sayings: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” From rain-soaked autumn days to icy winter mornings, the Nordic approach to...
67: How to Make Life Easier with Menu Planning
Life can be pretty hectic whether we like it or not, but taking back some control can be simple and easy. One of the ways we can be better organised and make life simpler is with some weekly menu planning. It doesn't have to be bori...
66: Getting Prepared: School Starts Soon in Norway
The middle of August is the start of the new school year in Norway. It's a time of excitement and a few nerves, but before school starts we have to get some supplies in. Join me in this episode as I discuss what my three children ne...
65: What is a Norwegian Confirmation?
All throughout the whole of Norway in April, May and June you will people celebrating in a very traditional way. It's all part of the "konfirmasjon" or confirmation, an ancient rite of passage for 15 year olds.
64: Why are Scandinavians so Happy?
Why are people in Scandinavia and the Nordics so happy? There are lots of factors that contribute to happiness and wellbeing in these countries. Let's explore why and how they make people here so happy and how we can embrace that in...
63: Perennials: A Game Changer for Your Edible Kitchen Garden
Creating an edible garden or kitchen garden is incredibly rewarding and it's fun to replant every year, but for something more sustainable that will produce year after year, perennials are a game changer. Perennials are plants that keep g...
62: How to Throw a Nordic Midsummer Party
Midsummer and the celebrations around it are a big deal in the Nordics. We love to throw a party and celebrate the longest day of the year. It's a beautiful season with long, long days, warm sun and an abundance of flowers and folia...
