Episode 12: The Good Life at La Tavola Marche - In Conversation with Ashley Bartner
Welcome to Episode #12: We kick off Season 2 with a wonderful conversation with the delightful Ashley Bartner of La Tavola Marche, a Cooking School, Farm and Agriturismo in rural Italy.
Ashley and her husband Jason moved to Italy thirteen years ago with a plan to create their own business off the beaten track in the region of Le Marche. With a big dream in their back pocket and hearts full of enthusiasm they both ventured into the world of farm life, cooking schools and the Italian Lifestyle.
It wasn't without its trials and tribulations (whatever good thing ever is?) and that is a testament to their ability to keep moving forward no matter what the universe threw their way.
I loved this conversation for a bunch of reasons. Not only is Ashley full of heart and zest for life but she is a generous person who not only loves what she does but shares it in spades in this conversation and in life.
Ashley and Jason have pooled their talents to create a successful business and a hands on experience for the travelers who come from around the world to participate in their workshops and the region of the Le Marche.... the place they call home.
(Photo Credit: www.latavolamarche.com)
We discuss:
Present Life in Le Marche, this conversation took place in early December 2019.
How and why Ashley and Jason came to the decision to leave New York and move to Italy at the ripe old age of twenty-five.
What gives them most joy living on the farm somewhere between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine Mountains in a town called Piobbico.
How they marry the world of hospitality, seasonal food and life on the farm for their guests.
The book she casually wrote and shared on the Podcast they co-host - Podcast From Italy.
Detail: I share with Ashley how I had the random idea to share my own bookwork on a podcast of my own literally a week before I discovered their podcast and felt ‘well if she can do it so can I’......thank you Ashley.
(Photo Credit: www.latavolamarche.com)
Shownotes:
Podcast From Italy by Ashley and Jason Bartner on I-Tunes or your favourite Podcast App
Find Ashley and Jason Bartner at www.latavolamarche.com
Ashley mentions in Episode 12:
Oprah, the film ‘A League of Their Own’ - the quote “It’s the hard that makes it great”, and the famous quote she says, “Build it and they will come” is a version we all know from the Kevin Costner film Field of Dreams.... the original quote: “If you build it, he will come”.
And lastly visiting Boltzano for the christmas lights beginning in November if you are in Italia......
Only in Amalfi / Michelle Johnston
Music composed by dear husband Richard Johnston - My right hand man when in need of music, tech support or whatever (he knows I don't like reading instructions or small print for that matter!!! And every now and then is a real help when I am stuck mid production........)
Below is the back story of the writing journey and how this podcast came about........
Five years ago Michelle Johnston traveled to Italy to create space for herself and her writing. Michelle traveled solo giving herself time to recalibrate after many years of parenting and life in general. Leaving her husband to take care of the family she reconnected with her writing, her art and love of travel. And yes this little adventure turned into a memoir of sorts……In the Shadow of a Cypress: An Italian Adventure
The beauty of Rome / Michelle Johnston