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Gretel le Maître Ponders, with Bede & other guests - Podcast

Gretel le Maître Ponders, with Bede & other guests


*700 downloads per week, Total 28k downloads 

Regular top ten spot in 3 categories GoodPods 

Ranked in Top 10 % of Global Rankings (Listen Notes)

No ads, team or subscription cost

Daily output 

Script-free*


Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time.  She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture.  


Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navigates the world a day at a time;  the podcast is unscripted, it’s ad-free, and you’re invited to join in.  It’s super unpolished and Gretel would be grateful for you to forgive her for that.   🤓

Gretel loves the world and history, architecture, literature and people. And so is determined to walk this path with light footsteps and with humour and warmth.  🌞

Please follow me on X @gretellemaitre. 🌳


Or email me: [email protected]


Gretel le Maitre is a podcaster and host of the series Gretel Pod-Ponders Life and Loss with Bede and Other Guests. The podcast explores themes of grief, life transitions, and introspection, particularly focusing on her experiences of the loss of her mother. In the series, she combines historical reflections—often inspired by the works of the Venerable Bede, an English monk and historian—with her own musings on architecture, literature, and the natural world. Gretel approaches these deep topics with warmth and humor, aiming to provide listeners a comforting space to explore complex emotions.


If you’re interested, you can listen to her podcast on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music, where she shares her reflections in episodes filled with historical and literary  insights.  


Hosted by Gretel Le Maitre, this unique podcast blends personal storytelling with historical insights from figures like the Venerable Bede, offering listeners an inspiring journey of healing and hope.


With themes of grief, transformation, and spirituality, the podcast has earned praise for its calming tone, authenticity, and ability to connect on a deeply human level. As one listener shared, it feels like sitting down with a trusted friend who understands.


Perfect for audiences seeking introspection, comfort, or simply a quiet moment of reflection, Gretel le Maître Ponders is available now on all major platforms.


It would be amazing to have one-off contributions to support this endeavour, as the podcast is and always will be free.  A little contribution here and there will go towards train fares, fuel, church and cathedral support pots and information booklets.  I’m also hoping not to have to go back to work again, so any generosity is hugely appreciated.  Thank you and follow this link: 🙂

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2412300/supporters/new

If it doesn’t work, please copy and paste into your web browser.  Thank you 🙋‍♀️





Faith Society & Culture Hope Places & Travel Spirituality Nature History Arts Books
Update frequency
every day
Average duration
24 minutes
Episodes
334
Years Active
2024 - 2025
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The Saxon Shore Fort and Monastery of Reculver; and Pepys eats Grapes and Melons (millons) for the first time

The Saxon Shore Fort and Monastery of Reculver; and Pepys eats Grapes and Melons (millons) for the first time

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Erratum: I say it’s Monday which……. it isn’t 😬🥴

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Top 10 in Global Rankings according to Listen Notes.

#1 GOODPODS PODCAST OF THE WEEK:

#1 in the Top 100 Places & Travel W…

00:26:14  |   Tue 19 Aug 2025
Wuthering Heights, seasoned with a little Pepys 🤓

Wuthering Heights, seasoned with a little Pepys 🤓

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Good evening and welcome to this episode where we conclude looking at E Brontë‘s startling novel, that takes an evening to read and a lifetime to digest.

Like the clouds above the moors,…

00:55:41  |   Sat 16 Aug 2025
Gentle routine resumes with our readings: Bede, Pepys, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and the Book of Saints, closing with some Bijan Omrani

Gentle routine resumes with our readings: Bede, Pepys, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and the Book of Saints, closing with some Bijan Omrani

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Good evening, I would be so honoured if you would join me for a long half an hour of gentle ponderings and readings, as we sit in a Dorset garden, and rejoice in the big skies and merry…

00:45:40  |   Fri 15 Aug 2025
Montmorency helps Pack; John Cannon helps us Diagnose the late Perpendicular; while the Sea creeps Closer 🌊

Montmorency helps Pack; John Cannon helps us Diagnose the late Perpendicular; while the Sea creeps Closer 🌊

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Good evening and thank you so much for joining me.

Thank you to my new subscriber Majorie: I really appreciate your support so very much.  

If you have time and appreciate anything about …

00:36:51  |   Thu 14 Aug 2025
Bad People created by Good Intentions; Heathcliff and Cathy; and a History of the Salt Combe

Bad People created by Good Intentions; Heathcliff and Cathy; and a History of the Salt Combe

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Hello and welcome to today’s episode.  Thank you so much for supporting this endeavour, with all its warts and all.  


Love Gretel xx 🪿

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Top 10 in Global Rankings according …

00:35:57  |   Wed 13 Aug 2025
Exploring the Wuthering and Extraordinary Heights; and Pondering the Problem with Ropes with Jerome K Jerome

Exploring the Wuthering and Extraordinary Heights; and Pondering the Problem with Ropes with Jerome K Jerome

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Welcome and thank you do much for your company 🌞

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Top 10 in Global Rankings according to Listen Notes.

#1 GOODPODS PODCAST OF THE WEEK:

#1 in the Top 100 Places & Travel …

00:33:56  |   Tue 12 Aug 2025
Bus, Dock and Hotel are locations for tonight’s episode where we Gaze into the 15th Century

Bus, Dock and Hotel are locations for tonight’s episode where we Gaze into the 15th Century

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Dear kind friends and (possibly bewildered) new friends, welcome to tonight’s usual slightly chaotic episode.  Thank you so very much for your kindness and support.

And do go very gently…

00:49:31  |   Mon 11 Aug 2025
Who thus define it, say they more or less // Than this, that happiness is happiness

Who thus define it, say they more or less // Than this, that happiness is happiness

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Hello and thank you for joining me for tonight’s episode from Devon, where we eavesdrop on an outdoor Sunday church service; we visit St Winwalloe’s hilltop church; we conclude wonderfu…

00:36:59  |   Sun 10 Aug 2025
Salcombe Hubub; Exhausting Parenting; and Heathcliffe begs Cathy to come home

Salcombe Hubub; Exhausting Parenting; and Heathcliffe begs Cathy to come home

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Top 10 in Global Rankings according to Listen Notes.

#1 GOODPODS PODCAST OF THE WEEK:

#1 in the Top 100 Places & Travel Weekly chart

#1 in the Top 100 Spirituality Week…

00:28:28  |   Sat 09 Aug 2025
The Waters Lap at my Feet while Pondering the Decorated phase of Gothic Architecture; and then we are Overcome by the Wiley Windy Moors

The Waters Lap at my Feet while Pondering the Decorated phase of Gothic Architecture; and then we are Overcome by the Wiley Windy Moors

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Top 10 in Global Rankings according to Listen Notes.

#1 GOODPODS PODCAST OF THE WEEK:

#1 in the Top 100 Places & Travel Weekly chart

#1 in the Top 100 Spirituality Week…

00:34:20  |   Fri 08 Aug 2025
The late Jon Cannon helps us to understand and diagnose the first stage of English Gothic: the Early English c.1190 - 1260

The late Jon Cannon helps us to understand and diagnose the first stage of English Gothic: the Early English c.1190 - 1260

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Top 10 in Global Rankings according to Listen Notes.

#1 GOODPODS PODCAST OF THE WEEK:

#1 in the Top 100 Places & Travel Weekly chart

#1 in the Top 100 Spirituality Week…

00:35:56  |   Thu 07 Aug 2025
How the Wind Blows around the Dreaded Matter of Class; and Thomas Hardy, by an admirer in 1940

How the Wind Blows around the Dreaded Matter of Class; and Thomas Hardy, by an admirer in 1940

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Hallo and thank you so much for joining me today.  There will be a second episode of our usual readings this evening.  


Love Gretel xx

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Top 10 in Global Rankings according …

00:36:54  |   Thu 07 Aug 2025
Sweet Cyder is a Great Thing, writes T Hardy; Pepys remarks on King Charles II Ordinary Mien; and we Learn how to Diagnose the Birth of Gothic Architecture

Sweet Cyder is a Great Thing, writes T Hardy; Pepys remarks on King Charles II Ordinary Mien; and we Learn how to Diagnose the Birth of Gothic Architecture

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Good evening dear friends, old and new.  This is more of an audio-journal than a podcast, so do bear that in mind and refrain, if at all possible, from giving me a low rating, which gri…

00:30:06  |   Tue 05 Aug 2025
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle; Fever breaks out in London in Summer 1661; and we Ponder the Pre-Reformation English Church

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle; Fever breaks out in London in Summer 1661; and we Ponder the Pre-Reformation English Church

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Top 10 in Global Rankings according to Listen Notes.

#1 GOODPODS PODCAST OF THE WEEK:

#1 in the Top 100 Places & Travel Weekly chart

#1 in the Top 100 Spirituality Week…

00:29:31  |   Mon 04 Aug 2025
Live at the Oval for Day 4 of the England/India Test; followed by Further Ponderings on the Cerne Giant

Live at the Oval for Day 4 of the England/India Test; followed by Further Ponderings on the Cerne Giant

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Hallo

This is not my usual type of episode so do skip if you prefer the quiet readings.  The noisy cricket lasts for ten minutes, followed by thoughts and readings about the Cerne Giant.…

00:44:23  |   Mon 04 Aug 2025
Norman/Romanesque Architecture; Cricket and Sidwell’s Feast Day

Norman/Romanesque Architecture; Cricket and Sidwell’s Feast Day

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In tonight’s episode we learn how to ‘diagnose’ Norman/Romanesque architecture, and catch up with the Saints and Mr Pepys. 


Thank you for joining me and do feel free to get in touch:  I’…

00:33:12  |   Sat 02 Aug 2025
A Pile of Books with Tea, a cat 🐈, a bat 🦇 and a hedgehog 🦔 in a Dorset Garden 📚🤓

A Pile of Books with Tea, a cat 🐈, a bat 🦇 and a hedgehog 🦔 in a Dorset Garden 📚🤓

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I am so glad you have decided to join me in my Dorset garden, in the dark on this Friday evening for a celebration of books.  Our guest authors tonight are:

-Professor Alice Roberts 

-Sam…

00:47:00  |   Fri 01 Aug 2025
A stroll through an Enchanted Graveyard, where a loving Cat appeared to soothe my heart; and poor Pepys has Broken Brains

A stroll through an Enchanted Graveyard, where a loving Cat appeared to soothe my heart; and poor Pepys has Broken Brains

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Hello dear friends and newcomers, welcome to my daily voice-note to you 🤗

Today I finish my Cerne Abbas pilgrimage with a wander around what remains of the monastery.  

At the moment, I e…

00:30:24  |   Thu 31 Jul 2025
We go in on a little Pilgrimage to the Holy Well in Cerne Abbas.  Come and touch the waters created [one understands 😬] by the Staff of St Augustine

We go in on a little Pilgrimage to the Holy Well in Cerne Abbas. Come and touch the waters created [one understands 😬] by the Staff of St Augustine

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Top 10 in Global Rankings according to Listen Notes.

#1 GOODPODS PODCAST OF THE WEEK:

#1 in the Top 100 Places & Travel Weekly chart

#1 in the Top 100 Spirituality Week…

00:36:09  |   Wed 30 Jul 2025
Saint Olaf becomes Sain Tooley Street; Bells ring out for Tuesday practice; and Cuthbert prays in the Suffolk sea

Saint Olaf becomes Sain Tooley Street; Bells ring out for Tuesday practice; and Cuthbert prays in the Suffolk sea

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Support the show

Top 10 in Global Rankings according to Listen Notes.

#1 GOODPODS PODCAST OF THE WEEK:

#1 in the Top 100 Places & Travel Weekly chart

#1 in the Top 100 Spirituality Week…

00:21:27  |   Tue 29 Jul 2025
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