Tori shares her remarkable story of meeting her husband Seth (previous bass player of NEEDTOBREATHE) during a news interview, their whirlwind romance, and their leap into the world of hospitality. From living in tents and campers to creating a multi-million dollar treehouse retreat, Bolt Farm Tree House, Tori's journey is filled with unexpected twists, setbacks, and triumphs.

You'll hear about the challenges they faced, including community opposition and financial setbacks, and how they overcame them through determination and a willingness to invest in themselves. Tori opens up about the personal growth required to transition from hands-on building to leading a team of 37 employees.

Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:

• How a bald eagle sighting led to a life-changing decision
• Why failure can be a better teacher than success in business
• How to balance big vision with practical risk management
• The importance of mentorship in scaling a business
• Transitioning from doing everything yourself to becoming an effective leader

Tori's story is a testament to the rewards of pursuing your passion, even when it means taking the road less traveled. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply looking for inspiration to chase your dreams, this episode is packed with valuable insights and heartwarming moments.

So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and prepare to be motivated by Tori's journey from news anchor to treehouse tycoon. Who knows? You might just find yourself booking a stay at Bolt Farm to reconnect with nature - and yourself.

Follow Tori Here! https://www.instagram.com/toribolt/

Follow Bolt Farm Treehouse Here! https://www.instagram.com/boltfarmtreehouse/?hl=en

Follow Elizabeth here! https://www.instagram.com/elizabethevans.co/

Book you stay here! https://www.boltfarmtreehouse.com/

I'm thrilled to welcome back our first-ever Napkin Note repeat guest, our girl, Olivia Adriance! Since our last chat, life has taken some exciting turns for this gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free recipe creator.

Today we are chatting about:

• Building a Business with Heart: We dive into the behind-the-scenes of content creation, from handling overflow email, and hiring the right support to iterate on processes and tuning into what actually energizes versus drains us in business.
• Pregnancy & Life Changes: Olivia shares how her life has shifted since her last appearance—she’s now in her third trimester! She opens up about listening to her intuition, adjusting her workflow, and the ways she’s preparing both mentally and practically for motherhood.
• Confidence, Capacity, & Community: We talk candidly about real confidence coming from lived experience—not just “faking it til you make it.” We also touch on finding value and purpose, expanding your capacity for what matters most, and letting yourself grow by redefining what “failure” even means.

My friendship with Olivia is something I truly cherish and her willingness to dig both deep and light make this episode one you’ll leave feeling inspired, informed, and a little more joyful about walking your own path.

Dream big, trust your own journey, and don’t forget—a little delusional confidence (and some good friends) just might get you where you’re destined to go!

Follow Olivia here: https://www.instagram.com/olivia.adriance/

Follow her Substack here: https://oliviaadriance.substack.com/

Follow Elizabeth here: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethevans.co

Links from the episode:

Energy Audit from our business coach: https://open.substack.com/pub/pareabooks/p/paving-a-path-to-rejuvenation?r=1utjxr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

Austen Netzley's Book, 2-week Vacation: https://amzn.to/3YQy5a5

Olivia's Radiant Skin E-Book: https://oliviaadriance.shop/products/radiant-skin-reset

The episode we have all been waiting for! I sat down with my mom, Ann Evans (or perhaps Mrs. Evans to you), to explore the tapestry of family stories, friendship, and the art of being true to oneself.

From carrying a briefcase to junior high to rocking animal print sleeping bags before they were cool, Ann shares her journey of embracing her unique style. We dive into the importance of trusting your intuition, especially as women, and how this has shaped both our lives.

• The origin of "unapologetically Ann" and why it's essential to be true to yourself
• How my mom's discernment has protected her and others throughout her life
• The power of long-lasting friendships, from childhood besties to 20-year Bible study groups
• Hilarious family moments, including a Christmas surprise gone awry
• Parenting wisdom passed down through generations

• "In for a pound, in for a penny" - going all in on your decisions
• "Chickens come home to roost" - what goes around comes around
• "You can let the birds fly around your head, but don't let them make a nest" - dealing with temptation

We also touch on my upcoming move back to the East Coast and how it feels to have your children spread their wings. My mom shares her perspective on balancing the pride of raising independent children with the heartache of having them far away.

This episode is a testament to the enduring power of family bonds, the importance of staying true to yourself, and the beauty of embracing life's journey - complete with all its twists, turns, and unexpected moments of joy.

Follow Elizabeth here: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethevans.co

Follow my mom here: https://www.instagram.com/annevans3900/

Today’s Napkin Notes episode is with actress, author, and mother, Alexa Penavega. If you’re like me, you probably first experienced Alexa on the big screen with the mega franchise hit, Spy Kids. But throughout the years, it felt like we grew up together with the movie Sleepover, Hallmark movies, and now - Great American Family. But we’re talking so much more than Hollywood in today’s episode (okay, okay - we talk about it a little bit because it’s fun, ya know?!).

In our convo, Alexa opens up about her unique childhood in the entertainment industry, how her faith has been the anchor through life's storms, and the importance of intergenerational friendships.

She candidly shares about:

• The transition from living on a houseboat to settling in Tennessee
• Balancing a successful acting career with family life
• How to maintain a soft heart despite life's challenges
• Starting a production company with her husband and close friends
• Practical advice for being more present in daily life

For fans of Alexa's work, she provides some exciting insights into her recent projects:

• The making of "Get Him Back for Christmas" and working with Mario Lopez
• Potential future collaborations, including a possible "Sleepover" remake
• Her transition to Great American Family

This episode is a heartfelt conversation about faith, family, and finding purpose in every season of life.

Whether you're a long-time fan or new to Alexa's story, this episode promises to leave you feeling uplifted and motivated to embrace life's journey with grace and trust in God's plan.

Follow Elizabeth here: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethevans.co

Follow Alexa here: https://www.instagram.com/vegaalexa/

Subscribe to their YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@LaVidaPenaVega

Have you ever felt stuck in a pattern of behavior you just can't seem to break? In this episode, I sit down with Ian Morgan Cron, author, therapist, and Enneagram expert, to explore how the 12 steps of recovery can offer a path to transformation for everyone - not just those struggling with substance abuse.

Think: People Pleasers, Approval Seekers, Overthinkers.

Ian shares his personal journey of overcoming alcoholism and how it led him to become a therapist and author. But even more than that, we talk a lot about his upbringing because Ian has the most interesting stories (like when he was a jingle singer in New York in the 80s).

We chat about:

• Ian's perspective on finding your life's purpose without the pressure of one perfect calling
• How admitting powerlessness (and God’s all powerful nature) can actually be the first step to freedom
• Why the 12 steps aren't just for addiction recovery, but for any unhealthy attachment
• The importance of spiritual practices like centering prayer in personal growth
• The impact of key figures in our lives growing up

Whether you're curious about the 12 steps or simply looking for a fresh approach to personal growth, this conversation offers valuable insights on breaking free from limiting patterns and embracing transformation.

Follow Elizabeth here: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethevans.co

Follow Ian here: https://www.instagram.com/ianmorgancron/?hl=en

Buy his book, The Fix, here: https://ianmorgancron.com/books

Have you ever felt the lingering effects of childhood bullying well into adulthood? It may seem trivial-- juvenile even, but those hurtful words/behaviors at an impactful age can stay with us into adulthood - holding us back from who we were made to be.

In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with licensed, professional therapist, Laura Williams, to explore the lasting impact of high school bullying on women and how to heal other deep-seated wounds.

We chat about:

• How we can stop people pleasing and become like ourselves
• The importance of validating your emotions, even years later
• Recognizing core wounds and the beliefs we falsely hold on to from them
• What reparenting is and how it can heal our younger selves
• How to build healthier boundaries as an adult

This conversation offers a compassionate look at a painful topic many of us have experienced. Laura's wisdom provides a roadmap for reclaiming your power and healing old hurts.

Whether you're struggling with the effects of past bullying or want to better support others, this episode offers valuable tools for growth and healing. Join us as we navigate this sensitive subject with care and insight.

Follow Elizabeth here: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethevans.co

Follow Laura here: https://www.instagram.com/laurawilliamslpc

Listen to Laura’s podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jGFRvNDRLo5HIWg6Wguch?si=06e2bc7941604962

Welcome to the February Letter from the Editor episode! I'm excited to release again a fresh twist on podcast delivery - releasing four episodes at once, inspired by the nostalgic comfort of flipping through a magazine. Each episode stands alone, yet weaves together to create a cohesive theme.

The theme of this edition: NOTICE + NOURISH.

This "letter from the editor" episode sets the stage for our exploration of noticing and nourishing in 2025, and is my heart to yours.

Drawing inspiration from 2 Kings, we'll explore how Biblical wisdom applies to our fast-paced lives today. Learn how to:

• Listen for God's guidance
• Watch for His signposts
• Observe what He requires

In a world that often feels like it's moving at breakneck speed, let’s nurture the parts that need a little extra care.

This episode, along with the accompanying interviews, offers a blend of emotional reflection and tangible exercises. It's an opportunity to slow down, ponder, and take steps towards living more intentionally.

Are you ready to notice the beauty in your everyday life and nourish the aspects that truly matter?

Follow Elizabeth here: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethevans.co

If you’ve followed Cleere Reaves, who you probably know as CleerelyStated, on Instagram for even just 5 minutes, you know she has the gift of putting into words what God is laying on our hearts. From almost a collective, societal perspective! I don’t know how, but she does. It is a miraculous thing.

And my conversation with her felt like her writing coming to life. If you’re ready for a girl’s girl kind of conversation, wrapped with God’s Truth about who HE says you are, and also feels kind of like a calming hug because someone GETS you, then signed, sealed delivered - this episode is yours.

In my chat with Cleere, we cover:

• Why obedience is really an invitation and privilege in who you get to become
• Why it’s important to be courageous twice
• Why anger can be a hard emotion for women to access
• The difference between a peacemaker and a peacekeeper
• How our biggest regrets are not seeking out our full potential of our giftings

I hope you have a big smile on your face after listening to this. Because I know I sure did after having this conversation.

Follow Cleere on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/cleerelystated/?hl=en
Purchase her latest devotional her: https://amzn.to/3ZKe1qz

Want to start your own podcast? Jump into my Podcast Creation Cohort! Learn more here! https://elizabethevans.co/podcastcohort