First Frost Rediscovered
Alexis Sanborn Alexis Sanborn

First Frost Rediscovered

October 23 - November 6. In this chilly (and chilling!) episode, Kit and Alexis journey through the eerie, melancholy season of Halloween and the Day of the Dead; will they escape alive, or will they meet their grim deaths as predicted in their calaveras literarias?! In Hiro’s Corner, a closer look at the seasonal concept of “Winter’s Neighbor,” or departing autumn.

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Cold Dew Rediscovered
Alexis Sanborn Alexis Sanborn

Cold Dew Rediscovered

October 8 - 22. Alexis and Kit take an autumn walk in this episode, "Cold Dew." What autumnal surprises await as they wander through the apple orchard and the pumpkin patch? Will they make it back to the kitchen before October mist sets in? In Hiro's Corner, we take a delightful look at an unusual seasonal transformation.

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Autumn Equinox Rediscovered
Alexis Sanborn Alexis Sanborn

Autumn Equinox Rediscovered

September 22 - October 7 . In this exuberant episode, Alexis and Kit are joined by Annie Patterson and Peter Blood of “Rise Up & Sing” in discussing songs and music of the harvest season. Our co-hosts explore the community-driven traditions around the harvest and thanks-giving, and celebrations of the equinox around the world. In Hiro’s Corner, we gain perspective on rice paddies drying up.

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White Dew Rediscovered
Autumn Alexis Sanborn Autumn Alexis Sanborn

White Dew Rediscovered

Rediscovering Season by Season. The mini-season known as “White Dew” spans from September 7 - 22, and reflects a changing of the light and the beginning of autumnal journeys for Alexis and Kit; a moon-viewing party brings together famous voices in haiku; and "Hiro's Corner" is particularly fruitful in an exploration of grapes.

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Spring Equinox
Alexis Sanborn Alexis Sanborn

Spring Equinox

March 20 - April 4. In this reflective episode, Alexis and Kit joyfully welcome brighter days, remember springs past amid wildflower meadows and cherry blossoms, and look forward to the shining future. Hiroaki Sato leaves “Hiro’s Corner” to join our co-hosts for an interview about haiku.

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Snow Becomes Rain
Alexis Sanborn Alexis Sanborn

Snow Becomes Rain

February 19 - March 4. In this stirring episode, Alexis and Kit return to the garden just as it is re-awakening with early flowers, and eagerly expect the spring thaw. In Hiro’s Corner, a look at the peach blossom and the spring festival it inspired.

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Deep Cold
Alexis Sanborn Alexis Sanborn

Deep Cold

January 20 - February 2. In this fortifying episode, Alexis and Kit weather the coldest days of the year by taking part in indoor pleasures, admiring the austere beauty of the winter landscape, and looking forward to spring. Hiro’s Corner takes a deeper look at the seasonal phrase “big cold.”

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The Winter Solstice
Alexis Sanborn Alexis Sanborn

The Winter Solstice

December 21 - January 5. In this special double-length episode, Alexis and Kit celebrate the long Winter Solstice night with music, recipes, books, and joyful traditions of the holiday season. Together, they look forward to the coming new year: the Year of the Tiger.

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Light Snow
Alexis Sanborn Alexis Sanborn

Light Snow

November 22 - December 6. This reflective episode features an interview with special guest Lev Parikian, author of the book “Light Rains Sometimes Fall.” Alexis and Kit share Thanksgiving memories and mouthwatering recipes as they welcome in a flamboyantly festive time of year. Hiro’s Corner takes a look at the coats that warm us in winter.

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First Frost
Alexis Sanborn Alexis Sanborn

First Frost

October 23 - November 6. In this chilly (and chilling!) episode, Kit and Alexis journey through the eerie, melancholy season of Halloween and the Day of the Dead; will they escape alive, or will they meet their grim deaths as predicted in their calaveras literarias?! In Hiro’s Corner, a closer look at the seasonal concept of “Winter’s Neighbor,” or departing autumn.

Read More
Autumn Equinox
Alexis Sanborn Alexis Sanborn

Autumn Equinox

September 22 - October 7 . In this exuberant episode, Alexis and Kit are joined by Annie Patterson and Peter Blood of “Rise Up & Sing” in discussing songs and music of the harvest season. Our co-hosts explore the community-driven traditions around the harvest and thanks-giving, and celebrations of the equinox around the world. In Hiro’s Corner, we gain perspective on rice paddies drying up.

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Fading Heat
Alexis Sanborn Alexis Sanborn

Fading Heat

August 22 - September 6. In this very vegetal episode, author John Forti joins Alexis and Kit to discuss his new book “The Heirloom Gardener.” Our co-hosts take a look at the bounty of the late summer vegetable garden and admire a beautiful visitor to the garden: the dragonfly.

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Sweltering Heat
Alexis Sanborn Alexis Sanborn

Sweltering Heat

July 22 - August 6. This balmy episode features special guest Elijah Sobel, discussing swimming holes. Alexis and Kit chill out by finding ways to stay cool during record-breaking hot temperatures, focusing on “cooling things” such as iced tea, goldfish, and “uchimizu.” In Hiro's Corner, a refreshing look at the coolness of far-away twinkling lights.

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Summer Solstice
Kit Lanthier Kit Lanthier

Summer Solstice

June 20 - July 7. In this mouth-watering episode, Kit and Alexis celebrate the longest day of the year by dining al fresco! Our co-hosts prepare for picnics and barbecues, consider the outdoor activities of berry picking and fishing, and savor cooling foods. In Hiro's Corner, an examination of what we enjoy about shorter nights.

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Fine Weather
Alexis Sanborn Alexis Sanborn

Fine Weather

May 21 - June 5. Join Alexis and Kit for a sunny day in the garden in this episode celebrating “the season when the weather becomes fine and everything starts to go well,” or Fine Weather. Birdsong and the delight of growing things await us during the brighter days of this fine season. In Hiro’s Corner, we look at three rare kigo of early summertime.

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Grain Rain
Alexis Sanborn Alexis Sanborn

Grain Rain

April 18 - May 5. In this bounteous episode, "Grain Rain," Alexis and Kit are full of anticipation for a season in full bloom, beginning with the branching out from April’s ripeness into May’s freshness. Author Winifred Bird joins our co-host for an interview discussing her new book, “Eating Wild Japan” from Stonebridge Press.

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Wintering Insects Awake
Alexis Sanborn Alexis Sanborn

Wintering Insects Awake

March 5 -20. In this invigorating episode, "Wintering Insects Awake," Alexis and Kit are swept away by March winds to the mountains and the seaside as they traverse this season of awakenings. Our co-hosts reflect on a year of Season by Season, while looking forward to the seasons still to come. In Hiro's Corner, a trio of fragrant plants are on the menu: ninniku, nira, and nobiru.

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The Beginning of Spring
Kit Lanthier Kit Lanthier

The Beginning of Spring

February 4 - 20. In this hopeful episode, "The Beginning of Spring," Alexis and Kit notice signs of winter's end among the scents of the trees, the songs of birds, and a special, perhaps romantic, feeling in the air. Hiro's Corner takes a look at a boggy perennial.

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Early Cold
Kit Lanthier Kit Lanthier

Early Cold

January 5 - 20. In the first Season by Season episode of the New Year, Alexis and Kit prepare for the upcoming year while discussing the season of keeping resolutions, visits from snow crows, windy winter weather, and early growing plants that herald the coming spring. Hiro's Corner takes a closer look at the Japanese calendar and the naming of the month of January.

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Heavy Snow
Kit Lanthier Kit Lanthier

Heavy Snow

December 6 - 20. This episode of Season by Season finds Kit and Alexis preparing for the darkening days of winter. Together they discuss cold weather and snow, are cheered by winter birdsong, and find light and warmth in friendship during this merry season. Hiro's Corner explores the snowy landscapes that shape our artistic ideas of wintertime.

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