The Clearing with Katherine May Ece Temelkuran’s landscape of belonging
Jan 24, 2026
Ece Temelkuran, writer and political commentator who warned about rising authoritarianism, reflects on exile, home and rebuilding belonging. She talks about putting her heart on ice, finding comfort in small rituals, treasured objects and food, and how trees and landscapes shape moral life. Short, intimate scenes of rest, ritual and the slow work of repair.
01:00:31
Early Warnings Met Denial
- Temelkuran warned Western audiences about creeping authoritarianism well before many accepted it, and found denial tiring.
- She notes the shift as editors later accepted 'fascism' as an apt subtitle, showing changing recognition of threats.
Practice Humility Publicly
- Embrace humility and compassion publicly, even in political contexts, to foster the relationships needed to rebuild communal homes.
- Overcome neoliberal fear of equality by practicing humility as a civic value.
Meditative Sea View From Izmir
- Ece describes a restorative scene: branches framing a Mediterranean sea with cicadas and cypress scent from her childhood in Izmir.
- She meditates there by doing nothing and simply listening until exhaustion fades.
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Intro
00:00 • 8min
Ece's decade-long exile and book context
08:25 • 3min
Transforming the book for the world
11:17 • 3min
How to Lose a Country and being ahead of history
13:47 • 3min
Putting her heart in the freezer
16:42 • 3min
Defining the 'unhoming' of our times
19:29 • 2min
Humility, equality and rebuilding home
21:20 • 5min
Ece's restorative landscape: sea and trees
26:50 • 3min
Objects and memories that feel like home
30:10 • 4min
Trees, forests and political care
33:54 • 2min
Food as the truest home signifier
35:49 • 4min
Ad break
39:46 • 1min
Personal objects: the cardigan cocoon
40:49 • 3min
How Ece rests: TV, music and rituals
43:42 • 3min
Writing routines, ritual and fear of starting
47:10 • 3min
Taking a deliberate break from writing
49:56 • 5min
Exile's parallel life and creative survival
55:10 • 2min
Notebook and pen: creation as solace
56:40 • 1min
Knowing when rest ends and creativity resumes
57:51 • 3min
Transitioning to a restorative phase
01:00:39 • 4min
Outro
01:04:16 • 1min
#8124
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
How to Lose a Country
The 7 Steps from Democracy to Dictatorship
Ece Temelkuran
Ece Temelkuran's "How to Lose a Country" meticulously outlines the seven steps through which democracies can descend into dictatorships.
Drawing on her experiences in Turkey under Erdogan's rule, the book provides a stark warning about the gradual erosion of democratic institutions and freedoms.
Temelkuran's analysis is both insightful and timely, offering a framework for understanding the rise of authoritarianism globally.
The book's strength lies in its blend of personal narrative and political analysis, making it accessible and engaging for a wide audience.
It serves as a crucial guide for citizens and activists seeking to protect and strengthen their democracies.
#10311
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Nation of Strangers
Rebuilding Home in the 21st Century
Ece Temelkuran
Nation of Strangers is a politically attuned and deeply personal series of letters from one stranger to another, exploring the evolving concept of home amid global displacement, rising fascism, and climate crisis.
Temelkuran reflects on the growing number of refugees, exiles, and the politically and economically homeless, offering a poetic yet precise meditation on alienation and belonging.
The book challenges traditional notions of home and citizenship, proposing a new understanding of community and solidarity in an increasingly fragmented world.
It follows Temelkuran's previous acclaimed works on political commentary and exile.
#1856
• Mentioned in 23 episodes
Together
The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World
Vivek Murthy
In this book, Dr. Vivek Murthy makes a compelling case for loneliness as a major public health concern, comparable in harm to smoking.
He argues that loneliness affects not only individual health but also societal cohesion, contributing to issues such as addiction, violence, depression, and anxiety.
The book is divided into sections on understanding loneliness and building more connected lives, offering strategies like spending time with loved ones, focusing on each other, embracing solitude, and helping others.
Murthy draws from personal experiences, scientific research, and community examples to illustrate the negative impacts of loneliness and the healing power of human connection.
#1633
• Mentioned in 26 episodes
Wintering
The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times
Katherine May
In 'Wintering', Katherine May shares her personal experiences of coping with illness, career changes, and family challenges, and how she found strength and healing through the concept of 'wintering'.
The book draws on lessons from literature, mythology, and the natural world, highlighting the importance of rest, retreat, and embracing the cyclical nature of life.
May discusses various cultural and spiritual practices related to winter, as well as her own experiences with cold-water swimming and other winter activities, to illustrate how winter can be a time of renewal and growth.
#28436
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Women Who Blow on Knots
Ece Temelkuran
Ece Temelkuran's "Women Who Blow on Knots" is a novel that delves into the experiences of women in the face of political oppression.
The novel uses fictional characters to explore themes of resistance, resilience, and the human spirit's capacity to endure hardship.
Written during a period of intense political turmoil in Turkey, the novel reflects the author's own experiences and observations.
The characters' struggles against authoritarian forces resonate with readers who have faced similar challenges.
The novel's exploration of female solidarity and the power of storytelling in the face of adversity makes it a compelling read.
#6620
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
The Electricity of Every Living Thing
Katherine May
Katherine May's "The Electricity of Every Living Thing" is a memoir that intertwines personal reflections on her midlife autism diagnosis with observations of the natural world.
May's writing style is introspective and lyrical, exploring themes of sensory experience, self-acceptance, and the search for meaning in everyday life.
The book delves into the challenges and joys of living with autism, offering a unique perspective on neurodiversity.
Through vivid descriptions of nature walks and personal anecdotes, May invites readers to connect with their own bodies and find solace in the present moment.
The book's exploration of self-discovery and acceptance resonates deeply with readers seeking understanding and connection.
#2492
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
Enchantment
Katherine May
Katherine May's "Enchantment" is a captivating exploration of the power of wonder and the importance of reconnecting with the natural world.
May weaves together personal anecdotes, philosophical reflections, and scientific insights to illuminate the ways in which enchantment can enrich our lives.
The book encourages readers to cultivate a sense of awe and curiosity, fostering a deeper appreciation for the beauty and mystery of the world around them.
It's a thoughtful and inspiring read that reminds us of the magic that exists in everyday life.
May's writing style is both lyrical and accessible, making this book a pleasure to read for anyone seeking a deeper connection to themselves and the world.
A modern sage who forewarned the world of the rise of fascism, writer Ece Temelkuran explains why she ‘put her heart in the freezer’ ten years ago when she fled her country of birth and how finding traces of home all around are helping her to heal.
From a beloved old cardigan to episodes of Downton Abbey, from being surrounded by Turkish food in Berlin to talking to her three favourite trees in the park; in this moving conversation Ece reveals the power of finding joy in the little things, as we collectively go through what she calls our ‘winter of humanity’.
A powerful call to arms and a must-listen for those of us searching for hope in difficult times.
Links from the episode:
Ece’s Instagram
Buy her latest book Nation of Strangers here
Buy How to Lose a Country here
Visit The Clearing website www.theclearingpod.com for a full transcript and to discover how to enjoy the episodes ad free
Buy Katherine’s books: Enchantment | Wintering | The Electricity of Every Living Thing: UK / US
Follow Katherine on Instagram
Visit Katherine’s Website
Production Credits
Guest Booker and Admin Support - Meghan Hutchins
Substack Manager - Rebecca Armstrong
Producer - Alice Lloyd
Music - The Leaf Library @theleaflibrary
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