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PODCAST

Alternative Living Chat

Alternative Living Chat is the podcast that dives into the lives of people who’ve stepped off the beaten path and chosen to live differently. From vanlifers to off-grid adventurers, canal boat dwellers to tiny home pioneers—each episode explores the why, how, and what it’s really like to live a life outside the norm.I ask my guests to be completely open and honest, so you’ll hear the highs, the lows, the challenges, and the unexpected joys of alternative living. If you’re curious about escaping the

society & culture documentary

All Episodes

34:37

Little Miss Sunshine: Music, Mishaps and Life Aboard...

Alternative Living Chat ·

2025/11/05

Maxine chats with Patrick, who has lived on his 70-foot narrowboat Little Miss Sunshine for over a decade. They discuss the joys & challenges of canal life, the tight-knit boating community, practical realities of living afloat and some memorable moments — from sinking mishaps to a swimming squirrel.Patrick also explains how he & friend Timothy turned canal-inspired poems into a folk album recorded on the boat, their plans for gigs and community-focused songs that call out canal maintenance

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23:09

Never Too Late: Life Afloat on a Converted Fishing Boat

Alternative Living Chat ·

2025/10/16

Maxine chats with Michelle, who left a 14-year rented home to live on a 35ft converted fishing boat at Denton Island near Brighton. Permanently moored and mains-plumbed, Michelle describes the cosy setup with a wood burner, shower, shed with appliances, and a close-knit community of liveaboards. She still works part-time delivering, enjoys the relaxed lifestyle, and plans to bring a smaller cruiser for occasional trips. Her advice: research your options and go for it — it saved money, brought

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24:23

Widebeam Living: Sunrises, Woodstoves and Raising...

Alternative Living Chat ·

2025/09/24

Maxine chats with Jen, who lives on a 65ft widebeam with her two children and runs holistic therapies while navigating the realities of off-grid boat life.They cover continuous cruising, finding a mooring, winter challenges, solar power, family routines, and Jen’s YouTube channel Whole Again that shares honest, practical insights into living slowly and connected to nature.

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34:40

From Bungalow to Bow: Building a 55ft Dream on the...

Alternative Living Chat ·

2025/09/10

Host Maxine chats with Amy and Will about leaving rented life to live on a 36ft narrowboat while building a custom 55ft hull. They share stories of cruising, marina life, wildlife encounters, and the freedom of life on the water.The episode covers DIY refit work, electrics and solar plans, choosing diesel, painting challenges, documenting the build on social media, and practical tips like getting a survey and asking for help. Listeners get a candid glimpse of the highs, lows, and community spirit

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38:08

Four on a 50ft: Family Life Afloat

Alternative Living Chat ·

2025/08/27

Maxine chats with Andy — known as Four Boys on a Boat — about life aboard a 50ft narrowboat with his three sons. He describes the transition after the boys moved on board, how the family copes in a small space, and the strong canal-community support that helps them thrive.Andy also covers homeschooling decisions, earning a living through photography and social media, the boat’s solar and lithium power setup, and why the nomadic freedom of canal living has been transformative for their

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28:37

Redefining Life on the Water: A Journey of Loss and...

Alternative Living Chat ·

2025/08/13

In this episode of Alternative Living Chats, host Maxine welcomes Paula, a liveaboard boater, who shares her inspiring journey of living on a narrowboat with her husband and their dog, Daisy. After experiencing the profound loss of her eldest son, Paula made the courageous decision to re-evaluate her life priorities and embark on a path filled with freedom and self-reliance.Paula opens up about the challenges and joys of living on a narrowboat, from the daily responsibilities and adapting to the

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27:15

From Narrowboats to New Beginnings: Roz's Journey...

Alternative Living Chat ·

2025/08/04

Join Maxine on this captivating episode of Alternative Living Chats as she reconnects with Roz, who shares her ongoing journey aboard a narrowboat with her husband and two playful cockapoos. Having lived on their narrowboat for over three years, Roz opens up about the changes and challenges they've faced since first appearing on the podcast. Discover the highs and lows of winter cruising, including being frozen in before Christmas and navigating muddy towpaths. Learn how Roz and her husband adapted

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35:58

Living Life on the Road: From Software Engineer to...

Alternative Living Chat ·

2025/07/09

In this episode of Alternative Living Chat, Maxine delves into the adventurous life of Alex, a former software engineer who has turned his passion for music into a full-time career. They discuss his unique journey from the tech world to living in a 2006 Vauxhall Movano van, previously a speed camera police van, and his experiences as a musician on the road.Alex shares insights into his new lifestyle, including the challenges and joys of van living, finding safe park-ups, and adapting to a

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37:48

Life Afloat: Narrowboat Living with Sarah Kent

Alternative Living Chat ·

2025/06/25

Welcome back to Alternative Living Chat — the podcast where we explore the paths less traveled and the people living them.In today’s episode, I’m joined by Sarah Kent, a transformational coach who’s embraced life on the water. From the cozy charm to the daily challenges, Sarah shares what it’s really like living on a narrowboat — the joys, the woes, and everything in between. Whether you’ve dreamed of ditching the house keys for a boat key, or you’re just curious about alternative ways of living,

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28:12

Pizza on the Water: Life Aboard Lola with Keith & Claire

Alternative Living Chat ·

2025/06/11

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Keith and Claire, the warm-hearted duo behind Lola, the charming café boat serving up fresh pizza, coffee, and cakes along the canals. They share what it’s really like to live and work on the water — from firing up the pizza oven to finding community on the towpath. Come aboard and hear how they turned a narrowboat into a floating slice of heaven.lolathecafeboat.co.uk pizza@lolathecafeboat.co.uk instagram.com/lolathecafeboat facebook.com/lolathecafeboat

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24:39

From Land to Water: Tracy's Boat Living Adventure

Alternative Living Chat ·

2025/05/30

Welcome to this week's episode of the Alternative Living Chat podcast! Join us as we dive into the captivating journey of Tracy, a former occupational therapist who, together with her husband, traded a traditional home for a life aboard a narrowboat. Discover the adventures, challenges, and joys they encountered as they embraced this unique lifestyle.From surviving winter floods with her pets to building a vibrant community on the river, Tracy shares her inspiring story of resilience and

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34:48

Life Off-Grid: Sue and Ian's Journey from a Derelict...

Alternative Living Chat ·

2025/05/14

In this episode of the Alternative Living Chats podcast, we dive into the inspiring journey of Sue and her husband Ian, who spent 20 years renovating a derelict farmhouse in Spain and living off-grid. Situated two hours south of Barcelona in Tortosa, Sue shares the hardships and joys of their unique lifestyle, from enduring cold winters in a caravan to thriving in their self-sufficient home powered completely by solar energy.Listen as Sue reveals the challenges and rewards of keeping an array of

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24:12

Sailing Through Life: Sandra's Journey from Career to...

Alternative Living Chat ·

2025/04/30

Join us in this captivating episode of the Alternative Living Chat Podcast, where host Maxine welcomes Sandra Willis, an inspiring individual who has embraced an unconventional lifestyle. Having lived on a narrowboat for 13 years, Sandra shares her unique journey from the bustling life of running an events company to the tranquil existence on the waterways of Ireland and Great Britain.Discover the challenges and joys Sandra encountered as she transitioned from a busy career to the peacefulness of

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05:23

"Navigating Life Aboard: Maxine's Alternative Living...

Alternative Living Chat ·

2025/04/23

Join host Maxine on the Alternative Living Chats podcast as she explores the unique lifestyles of those who have chosen to live differently—from narrowboats to tiny homes, and everything in between. Dive into the adventures of living on the water, hear firsthand accounts of embracing the off-grid life, and discover the pros and cons of stepping away from the traditional. Learn more about Maxine's personal journey, her inspirations, and the creative endeavors she and her partner pursue while living

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14 results

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