I'll Meet You There

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In this episode of I’ll Meet You There, host Paige Nolan sits down with author, podcaster, publisher, bookstore owner, and literary community-builder Zibby Owens for a conversation about books, ambition, connection, and the many ways stories bring people together.

Zibby shares how her lifelong love of reading gradually grew into a multifaceted business centered on books and community. What began during a season of personal transition — as a stay-at-home mom, aspiring author, and newly divorced woman trying to find her voice — eventually became a creative platform that includes podcasting, publishing, a bookshop, retreats, events, and a thriving literary community.

Their conversation also explores Zibby’s own writing life, including her memoir Bookends, her novel Blank, and the deeply personal work of editing On Being Jewish Now. Zibby also previews her upcoming essay collection, Between Chapters, and shares a few upcoming reads she’s excited about. This episode is a thoughtful look at creativity, reinvention, entrepreneurship, and the power of staying connected through books, conversation, and shared stories.]

00:00 Origins and Surprise Growth

01:42 From Mom to Podcaster

05:16 Building Skills and Speed

07:04 Never Giving Up Writing

08:57 Creating On Being Jewish Now

13:07 Between Chapters and Substack Essays

15:53 Ambition and Publishing Realities

18:19 Retreats and In Person Community

22:08 Hiring and Evolving the Team

27:46 Reading for Joy and Book Picks

31:34 Wrap Up and Gratitude

“I’ve figured out the secret to the world, which is making what you have to do the thing you love to do the most.”

“You’re never really alone, I feel like, with another book lover.”

“When the world is changing so fast, you have to keep swimming. You can’t just stay or you’ll be washed away.”

“I have a master class in life, in creativity and resilience and all these things. I’m so lucky.”

Zibby Media

Zibby's Bookshop Santa Monica, CA

Websites - www.zibbymedia.com and www.zibbyowens.com

Instagram - @zibbyowens, @zibbybookshop, @totallybookedwithzibby, @zibbypublishing

Website - https://paigenolan.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paigenolanwrite

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/paigenolanwriter

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-nolan-0932751/

🎙️

Music by Boyd McDonnell

Cover art photography by Innis Casey

Podcast production & marketing by North Node Podcast Network

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In this episode of I’ll Meet You There, host Paige Nolan sits down with her friend Amelia for a candid and inspiring conversation about living intentionally, reclaiming joy, and the winding path that led to her Substack newsletter, Happy on Purpose.

Amelia reflects on her joyful, fearless early childhood in Australia before dysfunction and violence changed life at home. Leaving at 19 became the first step toward building a life of her own—one that would take her from London to New York, where she gradually found a sense of belonging after 9/11, met her husband Jim, and began raising a family. Along the way, she navigated fertility challenges, the adoption of her second child, and growing dissatisfaction with careers in financial services and nonprofit fundraising. In midlife, therapy helped Amelia confront long-held fears, reconnect with the spirited “little girl” she once was, and begin defining work that felt genuinely meaningful.

The conversation explores how Amelia turned her desire to publish into a newsletter, gradually embraced writing about happiness and habits, and built a community of 16,000 readers through persistence, experimentation, and thoughtful outreach. She also shares what inspired her to launch a second niche newsletter for women who love recreational tennis. This episode is a heartfelt reflection on reinvention, purpose, and the courage to create a life that feels joyful by design.

00:04 - The Breaking Point: A Career Change

02:26 - Finding Purpose Through Adversity

30:08 - Navigating Career Transitions and Personal Growth

40:38 - Navigating the Journey of Self-Expression

01:03:05 - Finding Fulfillment in Midlife

"You can't think your way out of a feeling problem."

"It just feels so terrifying before you say it, but then once you say it, it's just not that big." — 32:39

"If you can add passion to your discipline and your hard work and your motivation, wow, you can really do a lot."

The Artist's Way — morning pages exercises

Substacks by Amelia Wilson:

Happy on Purpose

Tennisette

The North Star by Martha Beck — referenced career/self-help book

The Well column (The New York Times)

Real Simple magazine

Previous episode of I'll Meet You There with Trey Callaway (screenwriter/showrunner) —

Website - Substack

LinkedIn - Amelia Wilson

Instagram - @amelia.w.wilson (personal) @thetennisette

Website - https://paigenolan.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paigenolanwrite

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/paigenolanwriter

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-nolan-0932751/

🎙️

Music by Boyd McDonnell

Cover art photography by Innis Casey

Podcast production & marketing by North Node Podcast Network

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In this episode of I’ll Meet You There, host Paige Nolan sits down with actor and entrepreneur Adam Shapiro for a funny, heartfelt, and inspiring conversation about creativity, parenthood, reinvention, and the winding road that led to Shappy Pretzel.

Adam shares how simple act of cooking with his son during Covid lockdowns soon became an obsession: recreating the perfect Philadelphia soft pretzel. After Ryan Seacrest mentioned the pretzels on-air, what started as a playful idea quickly grew into Shappy Pretzel, drawing local demand, press attention, and a wave of unexpected momentum.

Paige and Adam talk about the realities of entrepreneurship, the nonstop problem-solving behind the scenes, and the many twists the business has taken through production partnerships, bakery moves, and community support. Adam also reflects on balancing acting, theater-company work, fatherhood, and business ownership, while staying connected to authenticity, nostalgia, and the creative community that keeps him grounded.

00:00 Before Times Setup

00:17 Morocco to Lockdown

01:42 Pregnancy and Isolation

03:35 Cooking with Albie

04:21 Philly Pretzel Quest

05:07 Seacrest Sparks Demand

06:57 Driveway Pickup Goes Viral

07:49 From Hobby to Business

09:31 Scaling with Bakeries

12:27 Finding a Stable Home

14:47 Branding Gets Authentic

22:40 Juggling Acting and Pretzels

25:49 Theater Company Origin Story

29:56 Mentorship and Gatekeepers

34:14 Family of Educators

35:39 Philly Roots and Fandom

36:07 Raising Kids in LA Sports

37:19 Best Soft Pretzel Debate

38:43 Pretzel Baker Road Trip

40:06 Pretzel Community on Set

42:14 Mentorship and Paying It Forward

46:19 Learning LA and Parenting

52:24 LA Creativity and Culture

54:40 Entrepreneurship Reality Check

59:05 Imposter Syndrome and Confidence

01:01:40 Acting and Pretzels Collide

01:03:44 Wrap Up and Next Bake

Shappy Pretzel

Website - http://www.shappypretzel.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shappypretzel/ & https://www.instagram.com/shappyshaps/

Website - https://paigenolan.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paigenolanwrite

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/paigenolanwriter

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-nolan-0932751/

🎙️

Music by Boyd McDonnell

Cover art photography by Innis Casey

Podcast production & marketing by North Node Podcast Network

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In this episode of I’ll Meet You There, Paige explores growth and evolution through yoga with renowned Los Angeles instructor Alicia “ACE” Easter. In their conversation, Ace recalls an early childhood move from Baltimore to Atlanta that brought forth feelings of cultural and racial isolation while experiencing an escalation of physical abuse at home. It was during those days that Ace learned to use her smile as a defense and turned to sports as an outlet.

After her mother’s death, Ace continued pushing forward without fully grieving until discovering yoga. She shares how yoga opened her to physical and emotional healing, including understanding trauma and grief in the body. After training as a yoga teacher and overcoming fear and perfectionism to find her authentic teaching voice, she began serving others through yoga and embodiment practices, culminating in her latest offering, “Peace in the Pause”, which combines yoga, meditation, breathwork, somatic practices and sound to support response over reaction.

00:00 Early Joy Origins

00:55 Move and Isolation

03:47 Smile as Armor

09:58 Sports and Mentors

13:15 Yoga Awakening

16:57 Grief and Purpose

21:30 Teaching and Voice

33:04 Spiritual Trust

37:32 Peace in the Pause

44:04 Yoga for Kids

50:13 Future Joy Vision

"I'm gonna choose it. . . . this peace, being the ultimate goal of joy, and being peaceful with who I am, peace in my divine feminine, peace in every- in just the full embodiment of who I am."

"But my favorite thing is when it comes to teaching, is witnessing the newness and the brightness and the compassion that people have for themselves in class."

aceyogala.com

Website - aceyogala.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aceyogala/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciaceaster/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/aceyogala/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@joyforlifewithace

Website - https://paigenolan.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paigenolanwrite

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/paigenolanwriter

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-nolan-0932751/

🎙️

Music by Boyd McDonnell

Cover art photography by Innis Casey

Podcast production & marketing by North Node Podcast Network

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In this episode, host Paige Nolan explores the depth and breadth of healing with her guest Will Amason, whose near-fatal car incident shortly after college prompted deep questioning about why he survived and activated a new path of service for him. Will shares his evolution through modalities such as the Silva Method, Religious Science prayer work, becoming a Reiki master teacher and numerologist, all while building a decades-long career in fitness.

They discuss how his healing and fitness worlds converged through understanding group energy fields, improvisational teaching, and moving people through brainwave states to achieve their desired outcomes. Will’s work in numerology has helped hundreds of people make better choices in work, health, and home life. Their conversation explores the basics of numerology using name and birthdate calculations, including the meanings of numbers 1-9 and master numbers like 11 as tools for self-understanding.

00:00 Miraculous Near Miss

01:13 Show Intro And Guest Setup

04:01 Will’s Origin Story

08:34 Silva Method To Reiki

13:21 Brainwaves And Meditation

18:02 Service Path And Reiki Lessons

20:16 Fitness Career Parallel Track

23:11 Group Energy And Protection

30:44 Numerology Basics Explained

34:51 Calculate Your Life Number

36:25 Meaning Of Number One

37:41 One Energy Action

38:03 Two Energy Diplomacy

39:20 Master Number Eleven

40:25 Three Creative Authenticity

42:24 Four Structure Foundations

45:15 Five Expansion Flow

47:49 Six Service Heart

50:42 Seven Inner Wisdom

52:48 Eight Manifesting Leadership

55:32 Nine Completion Humanitarian

58:30 How Numerology Helps

01:00:23 Reading People Quickly

01:04:20 Host Reading Takeaways

01:07:24 Closing Reflections Thanks

The Silva Method of Mind Development

Gregg Braden

willamason.com

Website - www.willamason.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TransformWithWillAmason

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-amason-70124313/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/divine.will.i.am

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@WILLAMASON

Website - https://paigenolan.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paigenolanwrite

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/paigenolanwriter

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-nolan-0932751/

🎙️

Music by Boyd McDonnell

Cover art photography by Innis Casey

Podcast production & marketing by North Node Podcast Network

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In this episode, guest Amy Rush delves into her early life experiences with spirituality and her profound mystical memories. Raised in a Catholic family in St. Louis, Amy recounts an early out-of-body experience during a childhood emergency. This event ignited her curiosity about metaphysical realms, leading her to explore self-help literature and spiritual teachings throughout her youth. As an adult, Amy faced the deaths of her father and grandmother, which served as transformative experiences that guided her towards becoming a death doula and medium. She sheds light on how she navigates grief, the ethics of her work, and the power of intentionality in mediumship. Through her unique approach, grounded in love and support, she aims to help individuals connect with their own divine nature and provide comfort in times of death and dying.

00:00 Introduction and Early Childhood Memories

01:12 First Mystical Experience

04:02 High School and Self-Help Exploration

09:08 College and Young Adulthood

17:22 Discovering the Role of a Death Doula

32:16 Early Days of Mediumship

33:58 Family Support and PowerPoint Presentation

36:17 Trusting the Process and Creative Work

38:04 Experiences with Mediumship

38:36 Validating Mediumship Through Personal Loss

42:01 Grandmother's Messages and Personal Growth

53:36 The Role of Symbols in Mediumship

58:27 Intentionality in Mediumship

01:04:15 The Power of Love and Connection

01:07:07 Hopes for the Future of Mediumship

Website - www.amy-rush.com

Instagram - instagram.com/amyrushofficial

Website - https://paigenolan.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paigenolanwrite

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/paigenolanwriter

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-nolan-0932751/

🎙️

Music by Boyd McDonnell

Cover art photography by Innis Casey

Podcast production & marketing by North Node Podcast Network

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In this episode, Paige sits down with Dr. Laura Berman, a renowned sex and couples therapist, to discuss the transformative power of 'Sex Magic,' a practice that elevates intimacy and connection in relationships. Laura shares her personal journey, driven by her childhood experiences and professional insights, to becoming a therapist focused on the intersection of love, sex, and spirituality. The conversation delves into quantum love, the impact of manifesting through sexual energy, and practical exercises for enhancing sexuality and intimacy. With engaging anecdotes and actionable advice, this episode offers listeners an eye-opening look into making profound emotional and physical connections with their partners and themselves.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection

00:37 Laura Berman's Journey to Becoming a Therapist

01:06 Challenges and Discoveries in Sex Therapy

04:52 Evolution of Couples Therapy

09:08 Impact of Personal Loss and Illness

12:05 Quantum Love and Energetic Coherence

23:17 Embodiment and Overcoming Trauma

27:29 The Evolution of Multitasking

28:05 Scheduling and Preparing for Intimacy

28:36 Understanding Male and Female Differences

29:11 The Importance of Embodiment

30:24 Introduction to Sex Magic

31:23 The Power of Full Body Orgasms

32:32 Spicing Up Long-Term Relationships

37:13 Techniques for Deepening Intimacy

45:17 The Science of Manifestation

50:51 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections

http://www.drlauraberman.com

Oprah Winfrey Network

Oprah Radio

Website - www.drlauraberman.com

Facebook - @griefhealingcollective

Instagram - @griefhealingcollective

Youtube - @drlaurabermanofficial

Website - https://paigenolan.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paigenolanwrite

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/paigenolanwriter

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-nolan-0932751/

🎙️

Music by Boyd McDonnell

Cover art photography by Innis Casey

Podcast production & marketing by North Node Podcast Network

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In this episode of I’ll Meet You There, host Paige Nolan sits down with executive coach and author Danielle Baldwin for a thoughtful conversation about the relationship between inspiration and motivation—and why we need both. Together, they explore how inspiration acts as a pull toward purpose, while motivation becomes the push that helps us keep going when clarity fades or challenges arise.

Paige and Danielle reflect on why inspiration can feel elusive in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, and why it can’t be forced. Drawing from Danielle’s work and her book Sparking Greatness, the conversation highlights three conditions that invite inspiration to emerge: spaciousness, stillness, and self-forgetfulness. They discuss how creating space, quieting distraction, and shifting attention beyond the self can reconnect us with what truly matters.

Touching on leadership, burnout, and the experience of losing sight of one’s “why,” this episode offers grounded insights and gentle reminders that inspiration often shows up in ordinary moments—when we slow down enough to notice.

00:02 - Understanding Motivation and Inspiration

02:58 - Danielle's Journey to Executive Coaching

11:34 - The Dynamics of Inspiration: Understanding the Psychological Frame

22:40 - The Importance of Connection in Community

28:56 - Inspiration and Self-Forgetfulness

35:42 - Navigating Overwhelm and Burnout in Leadership

40:48 - Navigating the Helium Hand: Finding Your Own Space

54:25 - Finding Spaciousness During Overwhelm

57:40 - The Journey of Inspiration and an Invitation

"Because what happens is when we get overblown, like we think that we're like doing this great thing and we show up crappy. And so all this help and love and we're doing it for all these other people and we're not showing up --- 'cause we're empty."

"The easiest way that I describe motivation and inspiration is inspiration is the pull and motivation is the push. "

Sparking Greatness by Danielle Baldwin

Ryan Holiday: https://ryanholiday.net

On Being with Krista Tippett

The Questions that Fail Us by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Website - https://www.daniellebbaldwin.com

Facebook - @danielle.b.baldwin

LinkedIn - @danielle-bruno-baldwin

Instagram - @_dbbaldwin

Website - https://paigenolan.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paigenolanwrite

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/paigenolanwriter

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-nolan-0932751/

🎙️

Music by Boyd McDonnell

Cover art photography by Innis Casey

Podcast production & marketing by North Node Podcast Network

📺 Watch & Subscribe on YouTube

In this reflective and introspective episode, Paige Nolan offers listeners a profound exploration of gratitude and its transformative power as she concludes the season. The episode is steeped in the understanding that as we create meaning in our lives, we simultaneously expand our capacity for connection and engagement, which in turn nourishes the essence of our being.

Paige invites her audience to engage in a series of poignant reflective questions, designed to elicit personal insights from their experiences over the past year. Each question serves as a catalyst for deeper self-exploration, encouraging listeners to distill their life events into central themes that resonate with their personal journeys. She shares her own answers with candor, revealing how the process of reflection has illuminated her understanding of the emotional landscape, particularly in terms of vulnerability and the heart’s capacity to endure and learn from pain.

Ultimately, these reflections culminate in a message of hope and intentionality, urging listeners to carry forward the insights gained into the upcoming year, armed with the knowledge that their emotional truths are integral to their ongoing journey of self-discovery and connection with others.

00:13 The Meaning of Our Experiences

02:56 Reflecting on the Heart's Journey

09:21 Exploring Emotional Resilience

12:34 Navigating Emotional Resilience

16:41 The Healing Power of Community

21:46 Reflections and New Beginnings

www.livelikebraunfoundation.org

https://www.eliseloehnen.com/onourbestbehavior

Website - https://paigenolan.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paigenolanwrite

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/paigenolanwriter

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-nolan-0932751/

🎙️

Music by Boyd McDonnell

Cover art photography by Innis Casey

Podcast production & marketing by North Node Podcast Network

📺 Watch & Subscribe on YouTube

In this episode of I’ll Meet You There, Paige and her guest, Steph Wagner, illumiinate a path toward financial freedom.  Steph shares the dramatic ups and downs of her journey with money - from early childhood influences to a successful career in investment banking to leaning out of her financial life while starting a family.  She discusses the devastating divorce that became her catalyst for regaining financial autonomy.  Their conversation moves through the practical steps Steph took, from understanding and controlling her outflow to leaning on foundational financial skills, which shape the premise of her new book, Fly:  A Woman’s Guide to Financial Freedom and Building A Life You Love.

Throughout the conversation, Steph emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, emotional healing, and having honest conversations about money.  She provides actionable insights for women at various life stages, underscoring the value of empowerment, self-awareness, and long-term vision in achieving financial security.

00:00 Introduction and Early Life

00:35 Realization of Financial Insecurity

02:12 Career Beginnings and Marriage

03:12 Loss of Financial Autonomy

05:10 The Wake-Up Call

08:37 Rebuilding After Divorce

10:41 Empowerment and Financial Planning

15:29 Vision and Goal Setting

22:11 Tracking and Managing Finances

24:50 Girl Time and Financial Awareness

25:13 Empowering Teenagers with Financial Exercises

26:15 The 45-20-35 Model Explained

26:39 Avoiding Budgets and Building Confidence

28:48 Investing in Your Future

30:56 Making Financial Planning Fun

38:00 The Importance of Money Dates

“Do we have a framework in place? Do we have a plan to become intentional with how we’re gonna grow wealth, protect wealth, and eventually obtain security to make sure that we don’t run out of money . . .?”

“So this (investing) is not meant to be a DIY job.  It is meant for us to get in the game, lay the foundation, learn the tools so we can make confident decisions, and then go to the next step.”

Northern Trust

Fly: A Woman's Guide to Financial Freedom and Building The Life You Want

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Website - https://paigenolan.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paigenolanwrite

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/paigenolanwriter

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-nolan-0932751/

🎙️

Music by Boyd McDonnell

Cover art photography by Innis Casey

Podcast production & marketing by North Node Podcast Network