Sep 30, 2026 · 6 min listen · Last updated September 30, 2026
From storyflo. This is your daily audio brief. Chloe, September 30th. Quick run through ten health stories — let's start with the longevity piece. Let's get into it. First, from shona40. Life’s tonics - surviving when you’re under the weather.
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Daily Health & Wellness Brief · September 30th
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Daily Health & Wellness Brief · September 30th · Storyflo
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Life’s tonics - surviving when you’re under the weather
The author shares their experience of being laid up with a bug, craving comfort in the form of soup and hot drinks. They mention a friend’s ginger and turmeric congee, but stick to a simpler remedy of fresh ginger, honey, and lemon, emphasizing the importance of broths and stocks for recovery.
Amidst the illness, they find solace in reading, currently engrossed in Ione Sky’s Hollywood memoir, which they describe as messy and heartfelt. They also catch up on London Fashion Week from bed, noting a humorous Gucci film that critiques the fashion industry while showcasing Demna’s first collection post-Michele.
On a lighter note, the author shares their bulb-planting adventures, focusing on dark tulips and their beloved paperwhites, which bring a cheerful scent to their home. They highlight a podcast they’re enjoying, “This Cultural Life,” featuring Alicia Vikander, and wrap up by mentioning their cozy Tekla pajamas as the perfect autumn staple.
Fashion seems to be finding its spark again after a period of feeling a bit stale. This season, with numerous changes in creative directors, has brought some refreshing energy. Notably, Bottega Veneta's new head, Louise Trotter, has delivered a standout collection filled with impressive craftsmanship and stunning accessories. It’s a bit disappointing that out of 15 new directors, only two are women and one is a person of color, but Trotter’s work is definitely a highlight.
Loewe also impressed with its new duo, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, who infused their debut collection with vibrant artistic elements, creating a joyful atmosphere. Meanwhile, Dior, under Jonathan Anderson, showcased an array of covetable pieces, embracing experimentation rather than sticking rigidly to tradition. This willingness to innovate has sparked excitement among fashion enthusiasts, with quick adaptations seen on platforms like TikTok.
Overall, it feels like designers are embracing their legacies while also pushing boundaries, which is a refreshing shift. If you’re curious about Jonathan Anderson’s approach, there’s a podcast called "This Cultural Life" that dives into his work. Let me know what else you’re interested in exploring!
Autumn has a way of slowing things down, and it seems like the author is feeling that shift. They recently finished “Raising Hare” by Chloe Dalton, a gentle read about a political speechwriter caring for a wild hare during lockdown. It’s a reminder to pay attention to nature’s subtle changes, especially as the seasons shift.
They also visited Marina Abramović’s new exhibition, where they had the chance to hear her speak candidly about art and love. It was an inspiring experience that prompted a re-listen to her episode on “This Cultural Life.”
On the entertainment front, “Slow Horses” has returned, delivering its usual brilliance, and they recommend checking out Gary Oldman’s appearance on “Table Manners” for a warm, funny conversation. For a light-hearted listen, “SmartLess” with Julia Roberts is a must.
In the kitchen, they’ve found joy in two new recipes: Rigatoni with Pork Ragu from the River Café Kids cookbook and Cacio e Pepe Borlotti Beans from Amelia’s Bold Bean book. Both are simple and delightful, perfect for cozy family dinners. Sounds like a lovely way to embrace the season!
Visiting art exhibitions can be a transformative experience, and last weekend in Yorkshire was a perfect example. At Salts Mill, Ann Hamilton’s installation, “We Will Sing,” invites visitors to engage with the space through sound and fabric, creating a personal connection. One touching moment was when my daughter Maud wrote a letter to the future, which was read aloud by a volunteer, leaving me a bit teary-eyed.
The next day featured the Turner Prize shortlist, showcasing vibrant works like Zadie Xa’s immersive underwater world and Nnena Kalu’s intricate sculptures. Then, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park offered a standout exhibition by William Kentridge, where film and music blended beautifully, creating a powerful visual and emotional experience.
If you’re planning a trip to Yorkshire, don’t miss the Andy Goldsworth Hanging Stones, a circular walk with art installations that requires advance booking. It’s all a reminder of how art can uplift and inspire us, making us feel more connected to the world.
As we head into December, it’s that time of year when everything feels a bit hectic but also cozy. The writer shares some favorites to help navigate the holiday season. For planning Christmas meals, they recommend “The Sportsman” cookbook for its beautiful recipes, and Alison Roman’s new book, especially her overnight lamb and potatoes, which they describe as “ludicrously good.” They also hint at “The Four Horsemen” book from a restaurant they love in Brooklyn.
If you’re feeling crafty, they suggest making homemade gifts, like quince jelly, which can be a lovely touch this year. For some entertainment, they mention theater recommendations from a friend, including “Oh Mary” and “Into the Woods.”
On the music front, Rosalía’s new album is a mood-lifter, particularly the track “La Perla.” For podcast lovers, there are some intriguing listens: Rosalía discussing fashion, Jennifer Lawrence sharing her insights, and Zadie Smith’s captivating conversation with Adam Buxton. The writer wraps up by asking if anyone wants a more detailed gift guide next week.
A small festive curation of things worth giving (or keeping)
Who do I think I am, attempting a festive gift guide? A fair question. But here we are. And seeing as this newsletter has, in under a year, reached 3,700 followers and 700 subscribers (I also don’t fully understand what that means either), I’ve decided to lean in. Consider this not a “must-buy list,” but a curated tonic…. items that taste brilliant, smell fantastic, or lend a bit of delight to daily life.
Life’s tonics - my festive food picks (informed by a lot of Ottolenghi eavesdropping)
This week feels very much like the part of December where every conversation involves people asking “But what are YOU cooking at Christmas - turkey?, Christmas Eve fish pie?, turkey curry?, boxing day sandwich?” Being in the universe, I’ve tried a frankly unreasonable number of recipes this year (somebody has to), overheard every test-kitchen whisper, plus I get a front row seat to what’s trending on Substack and Instagram - so consider this my personal staff-room cheat sheet.
There’s so much pressure around the New Year. Reinvention, resolutions, dramatic declarations. I’m feeling far more drawn to the basics this time round - doing a few good things, a little more often. I slowed right down on reading towards the end of 2025, when work got properly busy. But reading more is a definite New Year resolution — not in a rigid way, just finding my way back to it.
I started this week with real ‘I’ve got this’ energy. Full. Nourished. Buoyed by family time, good food, seaside walks - that rare feeling of being properly topped up. And then… the first week back in Jan energy did it’s thing. The freezing temperatures. The darkness. The grind of being back at work. I love my job - truly - but the snap back into focus, deadlines, decision-making, and the realisation that you’re no longer watching films or lighting fires at 11am does take its toll. So what’s pulling us through? Well first up: get yourself to see Hamnet in the cinema.
I had a draft of this week’s Life’s Tonics ready to go (well, still need sat morning edit). Then a late-night The New York Times alert stopped me. Catherine O’Hara had died, and suddenly it felt wrong to send anything else without marking how much she’s shaped my humour and my go to comfort viewing - she’s also been my Slack avatar for years - which probably tells you everything. Last night I saw a line from Lena Dunham that landed immediately- raise your hand if Catherine O’Hara taught you weird girls to the front. And I thought: yes. Exactly that.
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