Why Laura Hall lay her head in water

Standard Issue Podcast

Standard Issue

Society & Culture

4.7 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 12 January 2026

⏱️ 25 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Feeling bogged down by meetings and out of her depth at work, travel writer Laura Hall quit her job and embarked on a fresh challenge to get her life back on track. Her new book, The Year I Lay My Head in Water: Swimming Scandinavia in Search of a Better Life, documents the year that followed, spent cold-water swimming around Scandinavia. Jen chats to Laura about the book, the appeal of the sea, the insanity of cold-water swimming, and the absolute joy of taking on a daft challenge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Get closer to the magic this summer and step aboard our three or four-night Disney Cruise Line sailings from Southampton.
0:08.2	Dance with some of your favorite characters. Be enchanted by West End-style shows.
0:14.0	Become immersed in imaginative dining experiences and more.
0:19.1	Create magical family memories that will last a lifetime.
0:23.4	Book now at Disneycruise.co.uk.
0:26.6	Subject to availability and conditions, see more on Disneycruise.co.com.
0:30.2	Olivia Coppo here to tell you all about the launch of the new Abercrombie Spring Denom Collection,
0:35.6	made the way denim should feel.
0:38.8	Their denim has always been a staple in my wardrobe and has a wide range of fits, styles, and washes. Every gene is available in both
0:44.5	their classic fit and viral curve love. Shop in the app, online, and in stores. Standard issue for all women.
1:01.0	Hello there, Jen here to tell you about today's episode of the standard issue podcast.
1:06.1	But before I do, here's what else we've got coming up this week.
1:10.0	Tomorrow, Hannah chats to Holocaust
1:11.6	historian Elizabeth Hyman about her new book, The Girl Bandits of the Warsaw Ghetto. Wednesday is
1:18.0	rated or dated and get your big earrings and your two-step ready because we are watching
1:23.2	2001's Save the Last Dance themes. On Thursday, Mick and Hannah will be on Bush
1:28.9	Telegraph duties and it's them again on Friday. They're joined
1:32.8	by resident film buff Josra Osman for the first
1:35.8	flicking of the year. This time is to chat about last year's
1:39.6	films, so 2025 starting with a real pain which
1:42.8	I know was one of Hannah's favourites of last year,
1:46.3	and which you will also know if you've listened to our review of the year.
	...

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