ROUTINES & RUTS

Conversations about the daily rhythms and inevitable stumbles in life, work and creative.

SEASON 3

On the antidote to being afraid of the work

In this final episode of season three, Madeleine explores the fear behind perfectionism — and how often the only antidote to being afraid of the work, is to do the work.  

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On writing, publishing, and the snowball of courage

In this special episode, Madeleine answers all your questions on writing and publishing a book — with answers exploring themes such as courage, process, and patience that are relevant to any project or endeavour.  

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On ten lessons for self-doubt (and life)

In this week's quandary, Madeleine answers her own quandary! With her first book I Didn't Do The Thing Today now in book stores, Madeleine offers herself some timely advice for addressing self-doubt when putting something into the world—which is advice that also doubles as advice for living.

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On asking: what if nothing changes?

This week's quandary is all about making and sticking to resolutions—and why it might be more worthwhile to expand ourselves, rather than fixate on changing ourselves.

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On feeling guilty for resting when there's still more to do

This week's quandary is about how to know when you need to go easy on yourself and rest, and when you need to push through complacency to get things done.

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On being consistently inconsistent

This week's quandary is about being inconsistent. Madeleine shares how she embraced one of her biggest productivity-guilt stumbling blocks.

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On moving out of the indecision spiral

This week's quandary is about how to make a decision when you're caught in a yes/no spiral. Madeleine unpacks the standstill of indecision, how to handle the regret we can feel, and mixes many metaphors!

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On overcoming the hesitation behind asking "how"

This week's quandary is several in one: how to know if something is good enough, how to determine your life purpose, and how to know where to start. Madeleine unpacks the hesitation behind asking how, so you can overcome it and step into the moment in front of you.

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Season 3: Introducing productivity-guilt therapy(ish)

To introduce season three, host Madeleine Dore reflects on disappearing for a while to write her first book, I Didn't Do The Thing Today.

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SEASON 2

Wrap episode: Lessons on wobbling

To wrap the second season of Routines & Ruts, host Madeleine Dore shares lessons on modulating and embracing the ebb and flow in our daily lives.

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R&R mini: On the beauty in the break

This this week's mini episode asks, how do we find the beauty in the break and our preference for rest?

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Annie Raser Rowland on frugal hedonism and living more creatively with less

Artist, horticulturist and author Annie Raser Rowland shares how spending less can enliven us to a magnificent spectrum of pleasures.

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R&R mini: On 'puddle theory' and how to do things you're putting off

In this mini episode, Madeleine shares her trusted "puddle theory" from the DIY workbook

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Hilary Jacobs Hendel on types of shame, slowing down and how feelings just are

Psychotherapist and author Hilary Jacobs Hendel shares her deep knowledge of emotions and how we can use the change triangle to get reacquainted with the ebb and flow of feelings, our defences, and inhibitory emotions.

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R&R mini: On ruminating and worrying about what people think

This week's mini episode asks, how do we spend less time ruminating and worrying about what other think?

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Greg Quicke on the life lessons we find in the cosmos

Self-taught astronomer and author of Is The Moon Upside Down? Greg Quicke shares the everyday lessons we can find amongst the stars—from finding our flow, to worrying less about what other might people think.

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R&R mini: On the practice of saying no

This week's mini episode asks, how do we learn to ask generously and say no kindly?

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Kylie Maslen on invisible illness, boundaries and shared understanding

Writer and critic Kylie Maslen on living with an invisible illness, decision fatigue, burnout, the ableist idea of equating output with our worth, boundaries and community.

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R&R mini: Allowing for distraction

This week's mini episode asks, how do allow both attention and distraction into our days?

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Tyson Yunkaporta on how creativity is inseparable from life

Author, academic, educator, and maker Tyson Yunkaporta on routine as the death of relation to people and place, the involuntary ruts we experience, and how ambition can be directed towards leaving tools for generations to come – the most powerful being story.

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R&R Mini: Letting go and how to survey your ‘shoulds’

This week's mini episode asks, how do we let go of what we think we 'should' be doing?

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Pandora Sykes on finding the rightful, good enough life

Writer, journalist and broadcaster Pandora Sykes on the arrival fallacy, letting go, healthy boredom, how a gain sometimes involves a loss, and finding our own version of what is rightful, rather than right.

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R&R Mini: Indecision and the fear of better options

This week's mini episode asks, how can we get out of the indecision spiral?

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Sarah Wilson on showing up, going to your edge, and living an enlarged life

Best-selling author and activist Sarah Wilson on using routine to bookend your days, tilting rather than abiding by strict rules, cool aloneness as an antidote to loneliness, and showing up to our appointment in life – in our own way.

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R&R mini: Empty time and not feeling crammed

This week's mini episode asks, can empty time be a gift—and can we find it in a crammed life?

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Kemi Nekvapil on defining your own relationship to routine and diminishing self-judgement

Coach, author and speaker Kemi Nekvapil on letting go of shoulds, having a weekly routine, the creative process, and the importance of defining your own relationship to routine.

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R&R MINI: Let your pile of good things grow

This week's mini episode asks, can a small good thing help with overwhelm?

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Lucy Peach on the connection, creativity and truth in our cycles

Folk singer, theatre performer and author of 'Period Queen' Lucy Folk shares how to zoom out and look at the four phases of the menstrual cycle – and the power within each.

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R&R mini: On doing your thing

This week's mini episode explores the different types of doing – and what gets in the way of doing our thing. 

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Hugh Mackay on where we hide and compassionate love as a daily discipline

Social researcher and best-selling author Hugh Mackay talks about our top twenty hiding places – and how we must look inside ourselves to find our common humanity.

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Season 2 TRAILER: What replenishes you?

Routines & Ruts with Madeleine Dore is returning soon for season two to explore daily rhythms and inevitable stumbles – and what it means to replenish.

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SEASON 1

Ingrid Fetell Lee

Designer, author and joy-finder Ingrid Fetell Lee explores the powerful connection between our surroundings and our emotions, and shares how we can find more joy in daily life – even in difficult times. Read more →

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Matthew Evans

Former chef and food critic turned gourmet farmer Matthew Evans on feeling stifled during times of crisis, how it's okay to be behind, the importance of boredom, and how we are still the same people even if we have more time. Read more →

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SPECIAL — Pandemic routines: There is no one way

In this special collection, more than 60 people share how they are navigating their daily routines, reflections on creative life, and open up about how they are coping during these times. Read more →

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Kira Puru

Performer, photographer, visual artist, DJ and vocal powerhouse Kira Puru explores the tension between gently going with the flow and finding a routine, giving yourself leeway to be overwhelmed, and the beauty of mistakes. Read more →

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Kylie Lewis

Coach, creative business consultant, author, and Certified Dare to Lead™ and Daring Way™ Facilitator, Kylie Lewis discusses navigating our days imperfectly, self-compassion, boundaries and aiming for enough. Read more →

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Luke Currie-Richardson

Storyteller Luke Currie-Richardson discusses how it's not what you do, but the way that you do it, having a routine centred around priority than rigid structures, and the power of asking for help and taking care of your mental health. Read more →

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Sarah Jane Adams

Antique jewellery dealer, designer and model Sarah Jane Adams on how her daily life resembles a sliding tile puzzle toy, living with openness and joy, solitude, and pressing the reset button. Read more →

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Jai Long

Creative entrepreneur, educator and photographer Jai Long shares the story behind his success, confidence and drive – and the times he has been forced to press the reset button, or chosen to let go. Read more →

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Samuel Leighton-Dore

Satirical cartoonist, painter, ceramic artist, filmmaker, and writer Samuel Leighton-Dore shares his three-tiered approach to balancing various projects and untangling your identity from creative success. Read more →

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Beci Orpin

Designer, artist, and illustrator Beci Orpin talks about how busyness is often what helps her sustain momentum, the importance of resilience and communication. Read more →

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Pip Lincolne

Writer, crafter and blogger behind Meet Me At Mikes, Pip Lincolne on the winding path she took to her creative career and how to take care of yourself after loss. Read more →

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Annie Louey

Comedian, presenter, actor, celebrant and producer Annie Louey on how to step into being an artist even when you don’t feel ready, setting targets, and taking the longview in your career. Read more →

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Oliver Burkeman

British author and journalist Oliver Burkeman on our relationship to time management, limitations, embracing our human tendency to be flawed. Read more →

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Tina Essmaker

Coach, writer and speaker Tina Essmaker talks about navigating uncertainty in our careers and lives and remembering the magic is in you. Read more →

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Lauren Martin

Writer and creator of the beloved project Words of Women, Lauren Martin, talks about embracing pressures and tension, what we learn from the times we feel lost, and how routine helped her move through a rut. Read more →

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Vanessa marian

Dancer, movement director and founder of Groove Therapy, Vanessa Marian Varghese, shares how embracing failure and being a learner are two key traits to building a creative career and life. Read more →

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Ryder Carroll

Author, digital product designer, and inventor of the Bullet Journal method Ryder Carroll discusses how we can intentionally track the ebb and the flow of our creative lives and reflect on the deep reasons why we do the things we do. Read more →

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Amanda palmer

Singer, songwriter, and multi-disciplinary artist Amanda Palmer discusses being mid-air in daily life while on tour, why we need blanket compassion and the art of defining your own internal measures of success. Read more →

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Adriana Picker

Illustrator Adriana Picker discusses a particular variety of burnout that comes with working on dream projects and the ordinary, mundane, domestic version of self-care that helped pull her out of a rut. Read more →

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Benjamin Law

Writer, author and columnist Benjamin Law discusses the difference between being a time optimist and time realist, and the ordinary things we can do to navigate post-project blues. Read more →

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Clare Bowditch

Singer, actress, storyteller and entrepreneur Clare Bowditch shares how smaller day-to-day ambitions and patience can offer us hope during difficult times. Read more →

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Episode 0: Introducing Routines & Ruts

Routines & Ruts is a celebration of the humdrum, a peak behind the highlight reel, and an investigation into the ebb and the flow. Enjoy this preview of what’s to come!

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