A Storied Table

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At our 20th anniversary lunch in Tuscany, the family who made the wine we were drinking was sitting right behind us. It’s one of the best moments I keep coming back to when I think about our stay at Monteverdi, a restored village in the Val d’Orcia.

In this episode, Smith and I are sharing what it felt like to spend time there, from walking the narrow paths of the village to getting to know the incredible people working there. We saw the level of thoughtfulness that went into the entire restoration, right down to the smaller details, including a gift shop filled with artisan work by locals right in that area.

Of course, there are a few stories that went differently than expected, including a horseback ride that turned out to be much steeper and rockier than we had imagined. I’m also talking about the spa’s cave-like pools and outdoor baths overlooking the countryside, along with an olive oil and wine tasting with Simone that had us considering how a fabric’s texture might relate to the wine in our glasses.

Looking back, I keep thinking about the pride people took in what they shared with us. We were there for a visit, but this was their work, their craft, their everyday life. Now, when I remember the wine we had or the art we brought home, there are people and rich memories attached to them.

Listen as Smith and I sit on the couch and recap our stay at one of our favorite places, where we wrapped up this little Italian road trip.

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Monteverdi | www.monteverdituscany.com

The Monteverdi Story & Founder, Michael L. Cioffi | monteverdituscany.com/our-story

Elia Sanchini, Handmade Leather Goods | @elia.sanchini 

The Reluctant Traveler | AppleTV Show

Hosts:  Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable 

Edited by:  Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/

*starting with episode 60

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We didn't return to Venice because we'd run out of places to visit. We came back because 25 years ago, this city quietly became part of our story. 

Come wander Venice with us as we revisit old memories, discover a few new favorites, and share the moments that reminded me it's the people around the table—not the way it's set—that make a life full.

References:

• Hotel: Sina Centurion Palace 
• The Pork Chop Restaurant: Trattoria Vini Da Arturo
• "Somebody Feed Phil": Venice Episode

Hosts:  Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable 

Edited by:  Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/

*starting with episode 60

Text me! Tell me something good!

He thought my “weather problem” meant a helicopter tour. I told him to put his shoes on anyway, and off we went into a rainy Florence evening—no clue a bright red Ferrari was waiting across the Arno.

Michael joins me at the table to relive our Florence, Italy stop—part of our Italy trip. We chat about the hotel that felt wildly fancy for the price, the river rushing from epic rain, and the scramble it took to pull off his 20th anniversary gift. I share the story behind booking a Tuscany Ferrari driving experience the hard way, why WhatsApp saved the day, and how we got a route through the Tuscan countryside—no boring track circles here!

Then, we dive into the good stuff: meeting Stefano (yes, a former Ferrari racer), learning the car’s personality, and hearing that engine echo through tunnels with Stefano counting us in: “one, two, three, go.” We swap a Chianti Classico tip (look for the rooster!), talk aperitivo and orange wine, and share those simple Florence moments—from a wine window near the Duomo to Mercato Centrale to that legendary Florentine steak.

If you’re up for a ride through Florence and Tuscany—Ferrari engines and all—hit play! And hey, if it made you smile or dream, share it with a friend who loves a great adventure!

Hosts:  Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable 

Edited by:  Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/

*starting with episode 60

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Rome in the rain is still Rome—but it will test your plan fast. We land on a tight timeline and decide to do the thing anyway: squeeze a lifetime of wonder into about 24 hours, fueled by jet lag, stubborn optimism, and a lot of espresso.

In this episode, I walk through how this Italy birthday and anniversary trip came together at the last minute—using credit card points and travel portals to book flights, boutique hotels, and a Vatican tour. I also share what didn’t match the booking promises, what a Jubilee year changes inside Vatican City, and the small tweaks that would have made the day smoother. If you’ve ever searched “Vatican tour skip the line” and felt overwhelmed, this will help you know what to look for (and what to ask before you book).

Then we get to the fun part—stumbling into Sant’Eustachio Caffè near the Pantheon and getting our first real taste of Roman coffee culture, followed by a Michelin-star dinner that felt more like art than a meal. The next morning, we hop on a tuk-tuk tour for a quick pass through the Colosseum, ancient ruins, and a few surprises we didn’t expect.

And then, my favorite moment from Rome: the Orange Garden, a quiet little viewpoint with a perspective trick that stops you in your tracks—and a sax player who somehow shows up at exactly the right moment to play Happy Birthday. One of those “God wink” kind of moments you couldn’t plan if you tried.

If you’re planning a Rome itinerary, dreaming about Italy travel, or just love stories that mix the practical with the meaningful, this one’s for you.

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If you'd like links and more details on this leg of the trip, visit my blog at www.astoriedtable.com. 

Hosts:  Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable 

Edited by:  Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/

*starting with episode 60

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A wobbly start to the year brings us back to the table—a finished attic buildout, an eighteenth birthday, an ice storm that turned our home back into Fort Smith, and knee surgery that reset expectations. 

We’re also previewing the Italy series and what you can expect from a new story-first Italy series featuring Rome, Florence, Venice, and the Tuscan countryside.

Want a breakdown? Here you go…

• being honest about inconsistency and choosing to start anyway

• finishing the upstairs build and hosting a teen party

• a sudden knee setback, surgery, and next steps

• ice storm adventures with boys, a side by side, and a kayak

• feeding a house full of teens and finding joy in the mess

• why plans bend when family needs rise

• previewing a story-led Italy tour through Rome, Florence, Venice, and Tuscany

• a recommendation to John Mark Comer’s imaginative prayer episode

• inviting listeners to share what life has thrown at them

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“Before I forget…”
 John Mark Comer | Imaginative Prayer Episode

Hosts:  Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable 

Edited by:  Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/

*starting with episode 60

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What if the best part of your trip all started with a mindless mistake?

We booked a few quiet days while the boys were at camp and ended up on a cliff in Tennessee—inside a geodesic dome at Bolt Farm Treehouse with views that made time actually slow down. The funny part? I’d accidentally booked the wrong dates. But instead of it turning into a mess, their team turned it into the most amazing stay.

This episode’s all about the kind of travel that helps you reconnect with your person. We spent our mornings chasing waterfalls around Chattanooga and tackling trails that tested both our balance and our grit (pretty sure “rope-assisted descent” wasn’t in the brochure). 

Then we’d come back to the domes for slow afternoons—hot tubs overlooking the valley, somewhat tenacious games of corn hole, and Smith in charge of a pizza oven that made dinner an adventure of its own. 

Every detail there—handwritten notes, conversation cards, all of it—made it feel like hospitality done right. Simple, thoughtful, and somehow exactly what we needed.

We also got to meet the owners, Seth and Tori, and hear the heart behind Bolt Farm—how faith and a few big pivots shaped the whole thing. And then there’s Candi, the “Dreamweaver,” who made the place feel like home and became my biggest cheerleader. 

If you need a reset, want a little Chattanooga travel inspiration, or just love hearing about places that value connection as much as design, this one’s for you.

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Hosts:

Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable | www.astoriedtable.com

Edited by:

Ben Hill | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/

References:

Bolt Farm Treehouse | boltfarmtreehouse.com

“Before I forget…”

Axis Conversations | Biblical Resources to Help Parents Disciple Their Teens | Podcast

Hosts:  Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable 

Edited by:  Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/

*starting with episode 60

Text me! Tell me something good!

This week started with me getting ambushed by yellow jackets (and yes, I went full Olympic dive into the pool… phone in pocket). It ended with the kind of “turning 45” rite of passage that comes with too much Gatorade and not enough solid food.

But in the middle? A summer storm rolled through, a friend walked in carrying more than just rain on her shoulders, and by the end of the night we were witnessing the biggest rainbow I’ve ever seen!

It was the kind of week where you realize two things:

1. Pressure always finds a way to release.
2. God has a sense of timing… and humor.

Stick around—this one has stings, storms, and even a little rainbow magic.

Hosts:  Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable 

Edited by:  Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/

*starting with episode 60

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What if the peace you’re desperate for isn’t about doing more, but about giving yourself permission to do less?

Because let’s be honest—life can feel like a treadmill set a few speeds too high. In this episode, I share the real (and sometimes funny) ways I learned to breathe, and reset. Think "yellow dinners", imperfect school projects, and even a car nap at swim practice.

It turns out, giving yourself permission might be the very thing that brings back peace, joy, and the ability to actually savor the life right in front of you.

*New this week!* 

I love sharing things I've found or come across with friends. It's what we do, right? I've decided to use the end of each episode (or at least most episodes) to tell you about or connect you with those things. 

And to stay on the trend with the typical flow of what all we talk about here... there will likely be no rhyme or reason of when, how, or what I might share. Yet again, you can bank on total randomness. But, it'll be fun! 

Please feel free to send me any ideas you have or things you love for me to check out and share with everyone here. I'd love to hear about them!

Hosts:  Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable 

Edited by:  Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/

*starting with episode 60

Text me! Tell me something good!

When you hear “ADHD,” do you picture a little boy who can’t sit still in class—or maybe an adult who keeps forgetting their keys? That’s the story we’ve been told, but it’s not the whole truth. This week I’m visiting with documentarian and journalist Danielle Elliott, who created the podcast series Climbing the Walls. She’s digging into what ADHD really looks like for women—the messy, complicated, real-life version that doesn’t fit the stereotypes.

We talk about everything from the winding road of diagnosis to treatment options that go way beyond just medication, and how shame sneaks in when women hold themselves to impossible standards. Danielle also shares why hormones might be one of the most important missing pieces in ADHD research and how hearing other women’s stories can be such a lifeline.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s actually behind the headlines about ADHD—or if you’ve quietly asked yourself, “Could this be me?”—you’re going to want to hear this one. And when you’re done, go check out Danielle’s series Climbing the Walls—it’s packed with powerful stories and perspectives that every woman should hear.

If this episode speaks to you, I’d love to hear your story—click the “Tell Me Something Good” button or send me a DM over on Instagram @astoriedtable.

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Hosts:

Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable | www.astoriedtable.com

Edited by:

Ben Hill | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/

References:

Danielle Elliot | danielleelliot.com 

Understood.org | Climbing The Walls Podcast Series

Hosts:  Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable 

Edited by:  Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/

*starting with episode 60

Text me! Tell me something good!

Have you ever wondered if those critical voices inside your head might actually be your greatest enemies? I had a bit of a breakthrough on my recent weekend at Base Camp—a retreat created by Jen Jett Barrett of the Well Summit.

Listen and hear about this stat I learned about where people see God as angry, distant, and critical. Honestly?... That number made way too much sense. 

As I sat with it, I started to see the connection between my ADHD and the constant self-talk that says I’m not measuring up. That maybe—just maybe—my own unrealistic expectations were warping how I thought God saw me, too.

Through one of the exercises at Base Camp, I had a moment that honestly felt like a full-on spiritual gut check. (Yes, I’m sharing it here. No, I can’t believe it either.) It was messy and freeing and exactly what I didn’t know I needed.

Whether or not you’re working (or re-working) your way through life with ADHD, if you’ve ever wrestled with shame, misunderstood yourself, or struggled to believe that God could still love you in the middle of all your mess—pull up a chair. 

Have a seat... and not at just any table, but the one intentionally set for you opposite all the mess in your head. And hopefully, your soul will find just exactly what it’s been needing.

References & Resources:

Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts | by Jennie Allen 

The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves | by Curt Thompson

Uncommon Valor: Faith-centered Healing for Hurt, Loneliness, & Heartbreak | Michelle Donnelly

• UncommonValor.co
• Inquire about Inner Healing Sessions with Michelle

Hosts:  Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable 

Edited by:  Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/

*starting with episode 60