20. If You Called Me Asking About a Life Change, This Is What I'd Say
In this solo episode, I’m opening up about my recent move from vibey Austin, TX to a small town in Pennsylvania—and why it felt like the right (but unexpected) next step. If you’re standing at the edge of a big life transition or wondering if it’s time for one, this chat is for you. I’m breaking down five ways to navigate life’s pivots with more clarity and less panic—including the exact practice I use when I need to make a big decision and don’t know what to do. Whether you’re in the in-between, resisting the nudge, or just craving change, this episode will leave you feeling seen and supported. What we cover: [00:58] Why I moved from Austin to Wayne [05:21] Noticing the nudge to move [09:45] How to utilize the exercise of ‘trying on’ a decision to make a life change [11:34] How to know WHEN it’s time to make a change [20:17] How to trust your gut [26:28] What to do during the in between time of a change [30:00] Does it ever feel like I’m going backwards when making a life change? Here’s to trusting the quiet nudges, making brave moves, and building a life that feels deeply aligned—even when it doesn’t make sense on paper. Follow Elizabeth on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethevans.co/ Read the Substack companion to this story here
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19. Soaring Like Eagles: Tori Bolt’s Journey from Tents to a Luxury Treehouse Empire
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/
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18. Girl Chat with Olivia Adriance! Business Building, BTS of her Beauty Routine, and Redefining Failure
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
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17. Champagne Sipping and Truth Telling with My Mom, Unapologetically Ann
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. Highlights from our conversation: 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 Ann's nuggets of wisdom/phrases: "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/
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16. Alexa PenaVega: We're All In Kind of People
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
Sometimes finding yourself in adulthood looks a lot like getting back to who you were as a child…
Welcome to the Napkin Notes Podcast! Hosted by me! Elizabeth Evans.
I want to help us pick back up the pieces of who we used to be, the pieces of ourselves we really loved and cherished, that somehow were left behind along the way. Helping to remind us all who we once were before the world told us who to be. And not necessarily through hard conversations or deep therapy (albeit, I'm a big fan of both). But simply through things like:
- Reminding ourselves how to be in community,
- Sharing our non-linear stories of stumbling into unexpected passions,
- Re-learning our favorite recipes,
- Chatting about our most-loved family traditions, and
- Throwing memorable, yet effortless girl’s nights.
And who am I you ask? I’m Elizabeth :) Owner+Founder of Elizabeth Evans Media. I began my agency in 2018 and have produced dozens of top podcasts from world renowned musicians, impactful content creators, and best selling authors.
One thing has remained true throughout this entrepreneurship journey: I love the feeling of connection through storytelling - with a little flair of southern hospitality.
So in that spirit, I’ll be inviting on guests that have a passion for connection, generosity, and of course, great taste, to keep us inspired to write out our own story well - while obviously giggling along the way.
You’ll hear from women like:
- Olivia Adriance about the tenacity of building a dream community of over 1 million likeminded food lovers and how a mother’s influence at a young age can bring about a tradition of making tasty meals.
- And from Cortney LaCorte of Cheesegal on her own Napkin Note moment that started her brand (that will soon materialize into a cookbook!) - and how an unexpected family friend cultivated her love of gatherings.
- And from Mallory Ervin about how growing up with 22 first cousins crafted her familial loyalty and how that support encouraged her to pursue big dreams from Miss America to the Amazing Race.
Essentially, if you love handwritten letters, flower arrangements, family traditions, intentional questions, and a good cocktail – I think you'll quickly find your place here.
I want to bring us back to ourselves, and I believe we can do that through inviting small Notes of Nostalgia into each of our days.
And I’m just so glad you’re here.
I’m Elizabeth and this is the Napkin Notes Podcast.
www.elizabethevans.co
USA