Your Cool Aunts

Sam goes back in time with Claire to a small village in France during WWII and into the Diary of another young woman - as she learns to live, love and survive in the caves of Champagne during the Nazi occupation. It's thrilling and charming with a bit of love tension in between - not to mention the characters and family that make this village a very special place in the caves of Champagne.

Sam narrates an especially touching episode with two of Claire's Diary entries. In the first entry Claire describes her feelings about being in Laurente's company - just being and thinking with her too. The second entry covers Claire's delayed return to her favorite French Village along with the people there - a time to remember and cherish too.

Claire departs from her usual format as she writes a letter to the Listeners and Readers of the YourCoolAunts Podcast. She tells the inside story on how her Diary became a podcast with the help of Sam and Ted

This episode will keep you entertained as Sam narrates a few classics. Sam dives into Claire's Diary entries from her college summers in France as a tour guide in the Champagne caves with: Common Traits, Adopted by a French Village, Decision Made and A Champagne Harvest Celebration

Summer Binge Series - This time Sam revisits four of Claire's Diary entries from (mostly) Season II:  Common Traits, A French Village, Decision Made and Champagne Harvest Celebration 

The Summer Binge Series continues with Sam as she narrates a revisit of Claire's early memories in her Diary stories with: Ultimate Passport, Things You Love and String of Pearls

(Apologies - There might be a minor glitch in the opening) Get to know the Cool Aunts in Claire's life with Sam as she narrates these 3 classics from the Diary: Ultimate Passport, Things You Love and String of Pearls. 

Get to know all of the characters in Claire's travels to the vineyards and villages of France. This Binge series continues with new takes on three favorites from Claire's early Diary entries. In this episode Sam narrates 5. Champagne Internship, 6. Becoming and 7. Diary Legacies. Visit YourCoolAunts.com for her Diary texts, original photography and much more. 

For New Listeners or a re-visit - either way it's perfect for a Summertime Binge - newly recorded there are 3 of Claire's Diary entries in every podcast hosted by Sam. In this episode you'll hear listener favorites from the earliest days of Claire's Diary: Laurente's Arrival, Details Matter and Lost and Found.

It's the Season IV Finale where Claire ties up several loose ends. The Diary legacy that was picked up by Claire years ago will continue for generations to come. There are many more of the old diaries from the Village -  Laurente and Elle DeLaVigne have been making plans once again. . .Claire picks up the mantle, and then makes her feelings for Alexandre official while Remi is never far away.

One of Claire's most exciting diary entries where she recounts the final days of this mystery and investigation. A few more details before The Wine Merchant closes the file for the client Madame DeLaVigne and the mystery surrounding the counterfeit wine. A sad day for Alexandre is turned around as Claire waits her turn. Patiently.

Alexandre's cousin Robert runs out of luck but thinks he still has one more chance. He has lost touch with his own reality. The family vineyard is safe in Alexandre's hands and there are still a number of mysteries for Claire to solve with Analise and her pack of 'little wolves' - (mes petit loups).

This is it. The time has come to execute our plan ‘L'Operation' and kill at least two birds with this one stone we hold. Fingers crossed – allons-y. 

Analise Huron uses the skills she learned in the Resistance. Thank god for Analise, no doubt that she's a CoolAunt. She stepped into The Wine Merchant without knowing and without asking. She accepted things as they are and the people too. She never criticizes and she always finds a way to make the best of every thing and every situation. The label of optimist falls short as well as that of leader. Analise is so much more to each and every one of us. I think she has well-earned another Legion of Honor medal.

Claire's quiet Sunday is turned around by Barret's call from Hong Kong and this changes everything. Alexandre learns the fate of his wine through Analise and Brigitte's brilliant idea. The Resistance lives on through Analise.

Things are heating up as Claire and Brigitte get into Alexandre's case of the missing wine. 

Everything is moving along with Alexandre's 'situation' - until Laurente calls for an ungent meeting of The Wine Merchant. Her dear and very important friend needs their help immediately. It's an all hands on deck moment so Alexandre will have to go it alone for now - or will he?

Claire thought things were moving along smoothly, until they weren't. So much was happening and there were so many things moving in different directions. Everyone seems to have an old friend but this one is for Analise's.  Henri was a true blue good friend dating back to the Resistance and she has always kept an eye out for his family even though he's  gone. Now it's all about the vineyard he built. 

Claire has decided to help Alexandre. There is something very wrong with the wine from his family's vineyard and he needs help finding the problem and the culprit. All this action against the backdrop of maybe something more than 'a friendship' developing between the two of them. Brigitte plays a significant role as they begin to assess and investigate the problem. 

The Wine Merchant is real. I am back in France and the shop has everything I wanted in terms of look and feel

Alexandre turns to Claire for some help. He didn't know what he was getting into - and neither did she.

Claire has returned to France to start her new business. She found a shop and it's perfect. Brigitte was instrumental in finding the right place. Claire calls it equal parts wine shop, cafe and bookstore. Have a seat and stay for a while.

Laurente has inspired Claire once again and now she is ready to work with the members of The Wine Merchant.Claire  could never pass on the chance to join these women at The Wine Merchant to defend and protect not only their products, but also the terroir - the reputation of the source. It's the only thing that truly matters.

When Grace needed help Laurente answered her call but there was so much more to be done.  As the village's defacto mayor, Laurente cared about the reputation of the place and the wine. As to the farmers and vintners; she amassed their information, knew things the Committee could never penetrate and importantly, she cared at least as much as they did - sometimes more so. Laurente was the right woman at the right time and this time, it was she who needed assistance helping the others. This is part of Claire's interest and her professional calling.

Grace shares the details of how she became involved with the wine business - and how she called upon Laurente for help with a very serious  client problem.

Claire needed Grace and Sid to answer a few more questions before she spoke to Barret and Laurente. She reminisces about her career path in the wine business - it's about the good and the not-so-good people and their intentions. Her decision is obvious, but she wants to go into this business arrangement with her eyes wide open - no more surprises.

Grace and Sid create a new business plan for Claire. The new plan offers Claire a pathway for her new business to succeed. But first, Claire must agree to absolute secrecy. Relieved and shocked Claire listens to their plan and agrees to think about the offer overnight.  Her last question is a broad one - is there anyone else involved that I should know about? Their answer shocks her once more - Claire cannot believe that she is the last to know. How could this have happened without her knowing and right under her nose? 

Claire is back with a letter and she tells us that she's on the cusp of something that will change everything - in a good way. Luckily she was locked down for the pandemic on a vineyard in Northern California with an amazing group of people. Her wine importing business idea has been waiting for her attention. Grace and Sidonie are the experts and they are here to help.

Alexandre leaves Natalie's vineyard and heads home to France and leaving Claire at her new home in the refrubished Barn to weather the shutdown - insecure and feeling a little down. But not an hour passes when out of the dust trail appears Claire's oldest friend from college Grace - pulling an Airstream trailer into the Vineyard. A reunion and much laughter ensues on the porch of the Beekeeper's Cottage. Once installed, Grace and Sidonie plan to start their business on the West Coast but first, they will help Claire with her new business plans. It's going to be a great day. Again - because unexpected visits are always the best.

An emotional turn around as Claire struggles after Alexandre's departure - his return to France has left her wondering if they would have anything like a future together. Barret is there for her - to offer advice as CoolAunts always manage to do. Claire is uninspired and without any ideas for her next move, until she is surprised by the unexpected arrival of her dear friend Grace. As is her usual, Grace arrives in a big way with another friend in tow - and a 25 foot long Airstream trailer. Like Claire, both of them are now unemployed - they'd just driven across country to escape the city, help Claire with her new business and to start something new too. Sidonie and Grace will be staying on at the vineyard once the trailer is installed by Claire's newly remodeled barn. It's a 'turn-around' kind of day for everyone at the vineyard on this quiet Sunday afternoon.

The Barn remodel is just about finished. Everyone has pitched in on the work in the Barn and the vineyard too. Natalie's first harvest with the new water supply is saved when Barret comes up with a plan to step in for the absent pickers. Throughout the pandemic shut down everyone at the vineyard picks up on whatever needs doing and gets it done. Barret steps in again for Claire - she's collected an inspiration file for Claire by listening to her and her dreams for collecting art and furnishing the Barn - now Claire's home. Cool Aunts come in all forms, including mothers.

Like everyone, Claire plans have been upended by the pandemic. She has just left her job to start a wine and spirits import and export business. Laurente has left on the last flight out to Paris. Caught up in the lockdown, Claire is inspired by the diaries in Love War Champagne once again and lives the value of being in the moment she has. Claire, Barret, Natalie, Tim and Alexandre are a force together - they manage to complete Natalie's vineyard harvest, maintain the vineyard and remodel the Barn -  Claire's future home. Every day ends on the BeeKeeper's porch with a glass of wine - love is in the air.

In this season finale, good things fall into place for Claire and seemingly everyone around her too. Tim's big brother/hero status is secured and the future of Natalie's vineyard is bright as her grandfather's struggle is resolved. All of this happens with some help from the new comer Alexandre. Of course, Laurente's fingerprints are found on the 'unlikely coincidence' of two seat mates finding one another on a flight from Paris. Love is in the air.

Nearing the end of Season III Claire has a few surprises from her Diary. Knowing this will be a significant event, Claire wants to savor, notice and share as much as she can - such that she'll be able to return to this time in memory and to share it with as many details as possible . There are heroes, beekeeping, surveys, villains and new friends with blue skies every day. Better than a romance novel or any other fiction, this is Claire's Diary life for real.

Feeling nostalgic on her return to her mother's home, Claire has decided to leave her job and to start her own business. She will be importing the artisanal wines and spirits she was unable to buy for her now former employer - that 'big box' corporation. She also shares some thoughts about what she calls 'memorable moments' - those places and times when you want to lock it into your memory bank - so you can return to it again. This visit with her mother is one of those ‘moments’ from the beginning and for more than one reason.

Claire has been traveling throughout France constantly. A dream job for sure, but her work as a wine buyer for a 'big box' store has its downside too. She's been in constant motion for a few years at this point and so much so that she doesn't even maintain her own home. That is about to change.In need of a break, she heads for her mother's home - The Beekeeper's Cottage - in California. Along the way Claire meets a French winemaker and Laurente's fingerprints seem to be everywhere Claire turns.

After a long travel delay, Claire returns to Champagne for the annual Celebration - it's her first time back to the village as a 'working woman' in the wine business. It's also an intense rush of emotion and memory when Claire is put on the spot to speak to the gathered celebrants. There's important history from the postmistress and Legion of Honor recipient - Madame A Huron, who finally reveals her mysterious first name to Claire - and why it has been a secret all this time. While not a part of the Love War Champagne diary from World War II, Claire shares a few details she learned about some of the villagers who survived the war in the cave - and their participation in the Resistance. She's also begun to put together some missing details from that diary.

Love War Champagne series continues with another diary entry where a young woman leads her village in the Resistance in the caves of Champagne of war time France. American soldiers accompany them on their journey of survival, love and espionage. The future is so uncertain - can they resist falling in love?

Love War Champagne - Part 3. A relationship grows amidst wartime life in a Champagne cave. Cooperation and creativity displace dwindling supplies and everyone benefits. She's able to write in her diary again with the Christmas gifts from the American. Hope is afoot, the two leaders grow close - enough so that she shares her diary with the book starved, curious American. She wants him - and anyone who might read her diary in the future - to understand why they fight so hard for this place - Champagne.

Love War Champagne - The 2nd in a multi-part series. Claire is reading from an old inherited diary - a young woman deals with life (and love) in the Champagne caves of wartime France. With little more than her determination, creativity and the company of her diary, she manages a day at a time. A wayward group of American soldiers joins them in the cave where they figure out how to work together to survive.As Claire reads the diary, she becomes deeply intrigued by the degree to which she identifies with its writer - how could they have so much in common . . . ?

Love War Champagne - First in a multi-part series - Laurente shares an inherited diary with Claire that brings her into the world of Diary Legacies. Here, Claire shares selected diary entries from the women of Champagne who lived it - war, pestilence, economic devastation - and wrote their way through it all. Learning to love during war, surviving in the caves of Champagne and so much more. Although they are living in very different times and places; these women and their diaries have much more in common than Claire could ever have imagined.

Claire recalls some moments as a tour guide intern in France. Brigitte is a kid from the village and is an old soul and wise one too even though she is much younger than any of the tour guides in this group of friends. There are nine young women in the group and they all intend on being a 'big sister' to Brigitte or even better, a CoolAunt. Brigitte surprises them all with her stories and local wisdom and at the end of the day they wonder who is leading whom? Have they formed a surrogate family while they're away from home or is Brigitte a CoolAunt to the tour guides?

The art of being fully in the moment - on a long awaited get together Laurente and Claire get into a conversation about lingering. What they think of when they engage in lingering - how and when to do it, define it and perfect the art of lingering.

Season III opens with a Special Edition - A Letter From Claire to the Readers, Listeners and Followers of YourCoolAunts - All of the Nieces, Aunts and Friends out there in the world of CoolAunts. Claire tells us how her diary became a podcast with the help of Sam&Ted.

Claire and friends - CoolAunt admirers all - regularly get together for dinner at their favorite restaurant. There's always someone new joining the group, so the notion of CoolAunts needs to be explained - or does it? Doesn't everyone have a CoolAunt?

Please leave a review wherever you listen. Claire spends another Sunday morning at Laurente's NYC townhouse and once again learns something new about Laurente and herself. The lesson for Claire is a reminder to be open, seek out new things or change - and most of all - never make assumptions concerning Laurente.

Claire always admired her mother's knitting skill but never learned until now. She sets out to find a way to start knitting and finds the math and community alongside of the craft.

On a stopover to San Francisco Claire engages in one of her favorite pass times - roaming the shops of Japantown. With no particular destination or mission, Claire is determined to let go for a while and just follow the path wherever it may lead - this time it's into an intriguing shop with an even more intriguing shop keeper - or should we say matchmaker? The shop keeper's regal, full length kimono commands attention - but her spirit soon takes hold of the moment as she finds a perfect match that Claire cannot refuse. It's all about trust.

A biography for Claire's flight to Paris turns into a worldwide journey with the Queen of The Desert, an intrepid mapmaker more interested in diplomacy than notoriety. Claire finds more meaning in the book than expected, especially when she returned it to Laurente.

Claire's photo journey encounters a mystery in one special photograph of Laurente. Claire keeps it for herself - for awhile. From vintage black and whites to recent color snapshots and everything in between - Claire has a plan to digitize the lot but first she needs to identify and sort the people and places.