Ep 46: Five Seasons in Seoul: A Journey Through Culture and Connection with Christine Newell
Release Date: 05/18/2025
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info_outlineIn this inspiring episode, we chat with author Christine Newell about her beautiful memoir, Five Seasons in Seoul, which chronicles her transformative year living and teaching in South Korea.
Christine opens up about the personal challenges that led her to seek a fresh start, her deep cultural immersion, and the powerful impact of Korean traditions—especially the symbolic “five seasons” shaped by Yin and Yang philosophy. She shares how community, kindness, and resilience helped her find healing, purpose, and creative spark.
We also explore the emotional journey of writing a memoir, the vulnerability of putting your story on the page, and the surprising ways her time in Seoul has shaped her life and career back in Australia.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
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Why Christine went to South Korea—and how it changed her
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The meaning behind “Five Seasons” and how it shaped her year abroad
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Cultural rituals, food, and unexpected moments of connection
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Grief, growth, and resilience while living far from home
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The process of writing a memoir and what it’s meant to readers
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Her love of Korean dramas, memoir recommendations, and what’s next on her travel list
Books Christine recommends:
📚 Breaking Badly by Georgie Dent
📚 True Friends by Patti Miller
📚 Bewildered by Laura Waters
Where to find Christine’s book:
Five Seasons in Seoul is available at most bookstores and online.