The Tortoise with Brooke McAlary

10 things you might not know about us...

31 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

When Brooke and Ben had a last minute interview cancellation earlier this week, they thought it might be a good opportunity to do another hostful, but...

Meditation Basics - Thoughts

28 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Brooke has invited Kevin Janks from Centred Meditation back for the next three Monday shows, and together they’ve designed three mini-meditation...

Tsh Oxenreider on slow living as a wandering homebody

24 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The last time Tsh Oxenreider appeared on the poggie, she and her family had just returned to the States after a year-long, round-the-world adventure. ...

Start the day with gentleness

21 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A couple of weeks ago Brooke came across an article on parent.co talking about the benefits of starting a day with gentleness and decided that she rea...

Advice to my 18-year-old self...

17 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

It's hostful time again on the podcast and this time (as always) the questions are SOLID.  Brooke and Ben have fun answering your questions, incl...

Creating Empty Space

14 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Ben and Brooke are back with another simple experiment for you this week, and it’s all about empty space. Emptiness gets a pretty bad reputation...

Bronnie Ware on finding comfort in discomfort

10 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

After her blog post, 'Top 5 Regrets of the Dying' went viral in 2009, Bronnie Ware was catapulted in to the limelight. Her words impacted countless pe...

It’s Great to Suck at Something

07 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In a recent New York Times article, journalist Karen Rinaldi ruminated on the benefits of sucking at things: “The notion of sucking at something...

Sarah Wilson on going slow and the power of a good flâner

03 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Today Brooke chats with the wonderful, challenging, inspiring author Sarah Wilson. Sarah is someone Brooke has admired for years - not only for the wo...

Your Why: Putting it in to practice

30 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Today marks the final episode of Ben and Brooke’s series on uncovering and harnessing your Why.   As Brooke mentioned last week, she’...

Sunday funday, managing emails and our favourite beers

26 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

It’s hostful time again and the questions Brooke and Ben answer today are, as always, complete crackers. Do you have any tips on managing email...

Your Why: Values

23 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Last week Ben and Brooke both went fairly deep in to the idea of legacy. Brooke spoke about her eulogy and Ben spoke about the things that drive him i...

The Slow WIP (aka a Work in Progress podcast)

19 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

When is a hostful not actually a hostful? When it's a WIP! (Otherwise known as a Work In Progress).  In this episode Brooke and Ben talk about th...

Your Why: Legacy

16 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Last week Brooke and Ben spoke about the idea of developing your Why - specifically, what it is and why it’s important. Today they con...

The Art of Frugal Hedonism with Annie Raser-Rowland

12 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever had a conversation that changes your entire outlook on the world? One that shifts your worldview in monumental ways? That challenges and...

Your Why: Why start with why?

09 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This year our Monday shows are focused on small, bite-sized actions you can take that will help you move towards living a slower, simpler life. The pa...

How to meditate with Kevin Janks

05 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A few weeks ago Brooke sat down to chat all things meditation with Kevin Janks - founder of Centred Meditation in Sydney. It was a fascinating look in...

Slow Home: Rhythms

02 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In the final cleaning related episode (many of you have found these really helpful, which is awesome, but truth be told, Brooke is looking forward to ...

Slow camping and dealing with doubters

29 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

It’s that time of the month again! Where Ben and Brooke sit down and answer some of your questions about all things slow living, and try to keep...

Slow Home: Minimise Cleaning Waste

26 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

One of the biggest changes Brooke and Ben have made in cleaning their house over the past few years (aside from their love of vinegar and citric acid!...

Purpose (and planet) beyond profit with Dane O'Shanassy of Patagonia

22 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

As someone who espouses simplicity and buying only what we need, Brooke has an uneasy relationship with the idea of capitalism. But as a business-owne...

Slow Home: Green Cleaning Tips

19 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Honestly, Brooke and Ben thought they might be testing the friendship by having a series of shows about cleaning, but it turns out many of you are kee...

Presence over perfection with Dr Justin Coulson

15 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Justin Coulson is one of Australia's leading parenting experts - a father of six, a doctor of psychology and a passionate advocate for intentional ...

Creating a Slow Home with Amelia Lee

08 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Brooke and Ben often talk about the idea of creating a home that works for you, and how that will look different to each of us, depending on lifestyle...

Slow Home: Vinegar

06 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Let us give you fair warning: the next few Monday shows are all about cleaning your home BUT BEFORE YOU GO AWAY BECAUSE THAT SOUNDS INSANELY BORING ju...

Rituals: Gratitude

05 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode Brooke and Ben are wrapping up the simple rituals series with a poggie all about gratitude. Brooke believes that gratitude ge...

Finances, shopping and rediscovering your Why

01 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Hostful time! And, like every single month, in today’s episode Ben and Brooke answer some super insightful listener questions: What ...

Rituals: 3 Things

26 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Brooke and Ben talk through the 'three things' idea. That is, limiting our to-do lists to three main tasks every day, rather than ...

One Part Plant with Jessica Murnane

22 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A few years ago Jessica Murnane was on the verge of major surgery, a last resort to help manage her endometriosis. After a friend recommended her tryi...

Rituals: Brain Dump

19 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

You know those days where there are too many thoughts, too many ideas and too many tasks zooming around the confines of your brain, all wanting your a...

The simple art of meditation with Kevin Janks

15 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In May 2016 Ben and Brooke completed a month-long daily meditation experiment, which proved to be one of the most positive changes Brooke made last ye...

Rituals: Unplugging

12 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode Ben and Brooke look at a very simple daily ritual that can help you break the habit of constant connection. Learning to unplu...

How to take time off as a self employed person, slow food and dealing with clutter intolerance.

08 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Since launching the podcast almost two years ago the hostful Q&As have grown to be one of the most popular each month. Not only does it give you t...

Rituals: Single-Tasking

05 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the first Monday show of the year! As Brooke and Ben mentioned last week, these Monday episodes are going to be a little different in 2017....

Slow Living in Japan

01 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We’re baaa-aaaack! After taking some much-needed time off to disconnect/reconnect after a busy 2016 though, Brooke and Ben are back in the pogpa...

Does slow living have a branding problem? With James Wallman - The Slow Home Summer Series

25 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

WELCOME TO THE SLOW HOME SUMMER SERIES! BROOKE AND BEN ARE TAKING A BREAK OVER JANUARY, SO WE'RE WE REVISITING SOME OF THE BEST EPISODES OF THE P...

Happiness and habits with Gretchen Rubin - The Slow Home Summer Series

18 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

WELCOME TO THE SLOW HOME SUMMER SERIES! BROOKE AND BEN ARE TAKING A BREAK OVER JANUARY, SO WE'RE WE REVISITING SOME OF THE BEST EPISODES OF THE P...

Unsubscribe from the rat race with Paul Jarvis - The Slow Home Summer Series

11 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

WELCOME TO THE SLOW HOME SUMMER SERIES! BROOKE AND BEN ARE TAKING A BREAK OVER JANUARY, SO WE'RE WE REVISITING SOME OF THE BEST EPISODES OF 2016....

How slow living can save you… in a zombie apocalypse - The Slow Home Summer Series

04 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

WELCOME TO THE SLOW HOME SUMMER SERIES! BROOKE AND BEN ARE TAKING A BREAK OVER JANUARY, SO WE'RE WE REVISITING SOME OF THE BEST EPISODES OF 2016....

How to Live a Good Life with Jonathan Fields - The Slow Home Summer Series

28 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

WELCOME TO THE SLOW HOME SUMMER SERIES! BROOKE AND BEN ARE TAKING A BREAK OVER JANUARY, SO WE'RE WE REVISITING SOME OF THE BEST EPISODES OF 2016....

The Long-Lost Hobbit Poem Revealed!

25 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

For years people would ask Brooke what her biggest decluttering regret was and she never had a good answer because she genuinely couldn’t think ...

Happy Holiday Hostful

21 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s poggie, a special ‘year in review’ kind of hostful, Brooke and Ben talk about the good, the bad and the ugly of 2016. The...

Slow December #3

18 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This is the final Slow Home Experiment episode of 2016 (next Monday is Boxing Day and there’s something a little special planned for you!) and B...

Getting Off The Wheel with Caro Ryan

14 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode - the last non-hostful conversation of the year - Brooke has the pleasure of chatting with Caro Ryan, whose story is an amazi...

Slow December #2 (or is that #1?)

11 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

After the slightly hectic end to November, Ben and Brooke decided to make their final Slow Home Experiment of the year a simple one - to make time for...

How to get back on the slow living wagon

07 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Yes, it’s the most wonderful time of the…month. It’s hostful pogpast time, and as is now customary, Brooke and Ben answer some incr...

Same, same but different with Andy McLean

30 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

One of the things you requested from our recent listener survey was that Ben take the reigns and do more poggies featuring conversations with other me...

Play #4

27 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This has been an unexpectedly challenging experiment for Brooke, and while she and Ben originally chose the theme of ‘play’ as a respite f...

From the City to the Bush - The Realities of a Tree-Change with Bele Masterman

23 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Bele Masterman returns for her fourth appearance on the poggie, and this week she and Brooke sit down face-to-face and talk about the realities a very...

Play #3

20 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Three weeks in to this month's play-centred Slow Home Experiment, and yet again, Brooke and Ben get a little emotional. Brooke has had a tough couple ...

Coping with news and social media overwhelm

16 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

It might have been the after effects of a tumultuous, emotional week or possibly the fact that they had to record this episode twice (no word on whose...

Play #2

13 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This is the second full week of the November Slow Home Experiment of daily play, and in today’s episode Ben and Brooke talk about their progress...

Ethical Fashion with Melinda Tually of Fashion Revolution

09 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In another deep-dive episode, Brooke chats with Mel Tually, the co-ordinator of Fashion Revolution in Australia and NZ.  Fashion Revolution was s...

Play #1

06 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

A new month rings in a new Slow Home Experiment, and after the fairly heavy workload of last month’s decluttering experiment, in November Brooke...

Fermenting: A Thousand Year Old Food Trend with Jaimee Edwards

02 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode Brooke chats with Jaimee Edwards, who, as a professional fermenter, has one of the coolest job titles ever. Fermenting is hav...

Decluttering #5

30 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Today marks the final day of the October Slow Home Experiment of daily decluttering, and the big question is - how did they go after last week? Brooke...

How to Live a Good Life with Jonathan Fields

26 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode is such a treat, as Brooke sits down with Jonathan Fields - founder and host of The Good Life Project, author, father, life-long l...

Decluttering #4

23 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This month’s Slow Home Experiment is proving to be quite the emotional roller coaster for Ben and Brooke! After a strong start and a shaky Week ...

Grow Just One Thing with Kyrstie Barcak

19 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Brooke chats with the wonderful Kyrstie Barcak - a passionate gardener and educator - about the slow living benefits of growing even one edible plant,...

Decluttering #3

16 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In last week’s episode Ben and Brooke spoke about how tough they’d been finding this month’s decluttering experiment, and how they&r...

How slow living can save you… in a zombie apocalypse

12 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In last week’s hostful, Brooke and Ben answered some excellent listener questions about birthday presents, advice for their 20-year-old selves, ...

Decluttering #2 - The Slow Home Experiment

09 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Brooke was feeling quite optimistic at the beginning of this month’s decluttering experiment, certain she could find 500 items to let go of betw...

Birthday Parties and the Zombie Apocalypse

05 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Today is another hostful episode and Brooke and Ben try their best to answer some cracking good questions. Including: I'm a 20 year old university st...

Decluttering #1 - The Slow Home Experiment

02 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

It's the beginning of a new month, which means the start of a new Slow Home Experiment. In today's episode Brooke and Ben talk about their declut...

Conscious Capitalism with Carolyn Tate

28 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Last week you heard the first part of Brooke’s chat with Carolyn Tate - founder of The Slow School of Business and founding member of Conscious ...

Random Acts of Kindness #4 - The Slow Home Experiment

25 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

“You will never regret being kind.” Turns out, not only is this an internet-friendly quote thrown around online a great deal, but it&rsquo...

It's the Journey, Not the Destination with Carolyn Tate

21 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Today Brooke chats with Carolyn Tate, co-founder of The Slow School of Business and Conscious Capitalism Australia. She’s an ex-marketing execut...

Random Acts of Kindness #3 - The Slow Home Experiment

18 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

More than halfway through this month’s Slow Home Experiment and Brooke is discovering that the impact a random act of kindness can have stretche...

Listener Chat with Joshua

14 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for another listener chat on the pogpast, and Brooke’s guest Joshua is a warm and generous delight of a person whose openness le...

Random Acts of Kindness #2 - The Slow Home Experiment

11 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Brooke and Ben knew that the Random Acts of Kindness experiment would shift the way they viewed the world, but what they didn’t expect was the h...

100th Episode Celebration and AMA

07 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

When they started The Slow Home Podcast 18 months ago, Brooke and Ben had no idea it would work out the way it has. More than 1.2 million downloads, n...

Random Acts of Kindness #1 - The Slow Home Experiment

04 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This month’s Slow Home Experiment is only a few days old and Brooke and Ben are super excited to see how many people have decided to join in on ...

Back to where it all began

31 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

As Brooke and Ben prepare for the 100th pogpast episode next week, they thought it would be fun to take a look back at the very beginning. N...

Screen-Free Bedroom #5

28 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The end of the month is near which means it’s time to wrap up the August Slow Home Experiment and introduce a new one for September. This month&...

Create More, Consume Less with Margy Heuschele

24 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode Brooke chats with the utterly lovely Margy Heuschele - a teacher-librarian from Toowoomba in Queensland - who has gradually s...

Screen-Free Bedroom #4

21 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

As they roll into the fourth week of their screen-free bedroom experiment, Brooke and Ben talk about this week's challenges as well as some of the sel...

Listener Chat with Colleen

17 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This week Brooke chats with listener Colleen Valles, who has managed to slow down and simplify her life to amazing lengths, despite a full and busy li...

Screen-Free Bedroom #3

14 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, Brooke and Ben talk some more about their current Slow Home Experiment - creating a screen-free bedroom - and the surprising i...

Combining Simple Living and Kids with Rachel Jonat

10 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Rachel Jonat is back for her second visit to the pogpast and, as always, it’s such a great conversation. Last they spoke, Rachel and her family ...

Screen-Free Bedroom #2

07 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Ben and Brooke are in to the second week of their screen-free bedroom experiment and enjoying it SO MUCH. As Brooke mentioned in last week’s epi...

The Making of Men with Dr Arne Rubinstein

03 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s episode is the first to feature Ben behind the microphone, as he interviews the inspiring Dr Arne Rubinstein - a doctor, counsellor and ...

Screen-Free Bedroom #1

31 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

A new month means a new Slow Home Experiment, and in August Ben and Brooke are going screen-free in the bedroom. And while this seems like something t...

Small Acts and Big Impact with Jono Fisher

27 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, the idea of making a real change in the world can feel impossible. In today’s episode Brooke meets the human antidote to these feelin...

Plastic Free July #2

24 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

After committing to cut back on all plastics as part of Plastic Free July., Ben and Brooke are back to talk about the experience. While they were look...

The Problem with Minimalism

20 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

After a mid-year break, Ben and Brooke are back in the podcasting chair, and in today’s episode they talk about their time off and a little of w...

Plastic Free July

29 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that every single piece of plastic ever produced still remains somewhere on earth today?  Before Ben and Brooke decided to take some...

8 Hours Sleep #4

26 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

It’s well documented that Ben is a Big Fan of sleep, so this past weekend when he took part in a 24-hour walking challenge for a mentoring progr...

Day in the Life

22 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Fearing it would be too boring for most people, Brooke has been putting this episode off for months. But after being asked countless times for more de...

8 Hours Sleep #3

19 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

After a very chilly camping trip Ben and Brooke are back to regular sleep patterns, and in today’s episode they talk about pre-sleep rituals, whethe...

Live Immediately with Mike Campbell

15 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of Brooke’s guests over the past couple of months have spoken about making big life changes - travel, a shift in career or moving to a dif...

8 Hours Sleep #2

12 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This month’s Slow Home Experiment sees Ben and Brooke trying to get 8 hours sleep every night, and, well, it’s been pretty straightforward...

Rewilding with Joel Zaslofsky

08 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Joel Zaslofsky is one of the kindest, most encouraging people Brooke’s had the fortune of meeting, and today he’s back for his second visi...

8 Hours Sleep #1

05 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Brooke and Ben have started a new Slow Home Experiment this week, and it's one that plays directly into Ben's strengths - sleep. Specifically, th...

Caring more and caring less with Erin Loechner

01 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode Brooke chats with Erin Loechner - author, design-y creative, mum and slow living advocate. They talk minimalist wardrobes, sl...

Meditation #5

29 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

It’s almost time to wrap up this month’s Slow Home Experiment, with only a couple of days of meditation left, so Ben and Brooke talk about...

The Live (Not Live) Hostful

25 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In this month’s Q&A hostful episode, Brooke and Ben curse slow Australian internet, lament their inability to do a Facebook live video chat this mon...

Meditation #4

22 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In last week’s episode Brooke said that this meditation challenge has already been a life-changer for her, so there’s actually a limit to ...

Slow Tech with Janell Burley Hoffman

18 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Learning to live mindfully alongside modern technology can be one of the biggest tensions in slowing down. For better or worse, technology keeps us co...

Meditation #3

15 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We’re only halfway through the daily meditation Slow Home Experiment and Brooke’s already calling it: this one is a life-changer. She&rsqu...

Listener Chat with Juanita

11 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

One of the best parts of the Listener Chat episodes are the insights into how people apply slow living to their everyday - without a blog or a book or...