Never Stop Dreaming Biggie

In Episode 82 of Never Stop Dreaming Biggie, I'm sharing the dream I've been saying no to for years: writing my book. Fresh back from Bourbon & Beyond, I open up about the signs God kept sending (the clouds, the people, the "you should write a book" comments I've heard since I was young) and why I finally signed up for Lauren Eastman's four-week writing course. I also break down the real costs and trade-offs of traditional publishing, self-publishing, and hybrid options, and the biggest thing holding me back: telling a story that involves people who could be hurt by it.

This is a deeply personal episode. I share how prayer has given me clarity, how faith carried me through 30 years of depression, and why I can now say I'm two years depression-free. I also give an update on the Holmestead Hideaway in Bequia, including the many no's we've heard while raising funds and why I'm choosing to keep going anyway.

If there's a dream you keep pushing away because it feels too big, too expensive, or too scary, this episode is for you. You'll walk away encouraged to take one real step toward it today.

The "B" in Biggie stands for Believe, and this episode is all about
believing in the vision God placed in your heart, even when the answer you keep hearing from the world is no.

Key Takeaways:

·       Recognize the repeated signs, people, and nudges pointing you toward your calling

·       Stop saying no to the dream that keeps coming back

·       Compare traditional, self-publishing, and hybrid routes before choosing your book path

·       Weigh the real costs of writing a book, in time, money, and emotion

·       Consider how sharing your hard story could help someone going through the same thing

·       Build a prayer practice that brings clarity to your biggest decisions

·       Treat rejection and no's as timing, not the final answer

·       Take one concrete action toward your dream today

·       Share your dream out loud so others can support and pray for you

·       Remember that no dream is too small, whether it's a book, a family, or a home

Connect
with Us: 🎙
@neverstopdreamingbiggie 📱 @angelpholmes 🌐
sipindipity.com 📧 [email protected]

Learn
More: 🌴
The Holmestead Hideaway ✍️ Lauren Eastman, https://atelierattache.com/ ☁️ In the Clouds on Substack https://substack.com/@angelpholmes 📖 Lead with Prayer (the book I mentioned) https://www.leadwithprayer.com/

If you or someone you love is struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, you're not alone. In the US, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or reach out to me for the resources I've gathered.

In Episode 81 of Never Stop Dreaming Biggie, I'm coming to you straight from a hotel room in Asheville on our way to Bourbon & Beyond. It's about as real as it gets! This solo episode dives deep into something I've been seeing everywhere lately: people love to support success, but not always the journey that gets someone there.

I share the story of landing my first job out of college with no experience by taking an entry-level role and offering to do PR on the side. That PR work ended up landing national press and convincing the firm to hire its first full-time PR person. I also get honest about what happened when I left the Charleston Wine + Food Festival, and what it taught me about who shows up when you're no longer in a position to help. Then I bring it home to The Holmestead Hideaway: why "I can't wait until it's open" isn't enough, and how our Homestead Angels are helping make this dream a reality before the doors ever open.

If you've ever been the one with the big dream and not enough believers, or if you've been cheering from the sidelines waiting for someone else to "make it," this episode is for you. It's a reminder that the people who show up early are the ones who make everything else possible.

The "B" in Biggie stands for Believe, and this episode is all about believing in someone's vision before anyone else can see it.

Key Takeaways:

• Create your own opportunity when "no experience" is the barrier by offering a win-win
• Prove your value in the role you have while working toward the one you want
• Recognize the difference between people who support your success and people who support your journey
• Notice who stays when you're no longer in a position to help them
• Show up for people while they're building, not just after they've arrived
• Support in ways beyond money: share, pray, make introductions, and spread the word
• Plant seeds now, because you'll need your own early believers someday
• Explore legacy giving through naming opportunities for a bar, bungalow, pool, or entertainment room
• Pledge your support toward a milestone without giving anything until the goal is reached
• Join the Homestead Angels (74 and counting, with over $13,000 raised) on the way to 100

Connect with Us:
🎙 @neverstopdreamingbiggie 📱 @angelpholmes 🌐 sipindipity.com 📧 [email protected]

Learn More:
🌴 The Holmestead Bar & Retreat
👩‍💼 The Brighter Side Society
😇 Become a Homestead Angel
🏝 The Holmestead First Look & Mini Wellness Retreat in Bequia, first week of November. Only 2 spots left, and Angels get first priority. Email Angel to join the list.

We're re-sharing this episode because the message is just as powerful now as it was when we first released it! Due to a recording hiccup with this week's new episode (hey, it happens!), we're bringing back one of our most meaningful conversations to date.

In this episode, Brian and I pull back the curtain on The Holmestead Hideaway—our revolutionary Caribbean bar and retreat concept where 100% of profits go to charity. If you've ever dreamed of building a business with purpose, wondered how to create a social impact venture, or want to understand what it takes to launch a giving-focused hospitality experience, this episode reveals the complete vision, mission, and path forward for this legacy project.

We share the divine calling behind The Holmestead and the charitable mission that drives everything. This isn't just another bar or retreat; it's a giving bar that will transform lives on Caribbean islands and support disaster relief efforts worldwide through The Holmestead Angels nonprofit. From supporting local island entrepreneurs with grants to providing hospitality training and disaster relief, this project is about building something that matters far beyond profit.

In This Episode You'll Discover:

• Why The Holmestead will be an unforgettable Caribbean experience
• The complete story of how God called us to create The Holmestead over 10 years
• What makes a "giving bar" different from traditional hospitality businesses
• The two charitable legs: 50% to local island communities, 50% to disaster relief
• How The Holmestead Angels nonprofit was born from Hurricane Helene relief work
• Real examples of island projects we'll fund (boat upgrades, artist support, entrepreneur grants)
• Educational programs: bartending, hospitality training, marketing, and sustainability
• Why we're seeking capital stewards instead of traditional investors
• The financial structure that prioritizes giving over personal profit
• How we're integrating faith while remaining inclusive and welcoming to all
• Behind-the-scenes property search updates
• The hospitality experience philosophy: making everyone feel like a rockstar
• Legacy over accumulation: why this project matters more than material wealth
• How grief and loss shaped our desire to create lasting impact
• Open invitation for capital stewards who want to be part of this mission

Connect with Us:

🎙 @neverstopdreamingbiggie

📱 @angelpholmes and @theholmesteadhideaway

🌐 sipindipity.com

📧 [email protected]

Learn More:

🌴 The Holmestead Bar & Retreat

Interested in becoming a Capital Steward for The Holmestead Hideaway? Email [email protected]

In this episode of Never Stop Dreaming Biggie, I'm introducing a brand-new segment we're calling "Brian Be Honest" — an unscripted, unfiltered Q&A with my husband Brian, where he has no idea what's coming and (mostly) no chance to edit his answers. This one's personal, playful, and a little bit vulnerable, all at once.

Before we get into it, I share where things stand with the Homestead Hideaway — the property we've found, the funding push we're in the middle of, and how you can become one of our "Angels" supporting this legacy project. Then Brian sits down for round one of questions he didn't prep for: our very first date (a strict one-hour interview that almost didn't go his way), his honest fear about taking on something this big, and whether he actually believes we can raise $5 million.

The "G" in BIGGIE stands for Grow — and this episode is exactly that: growing through the uncertainty of a huge dream, and being willing to let people see the honest, unpolished parts of building it together.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover the story behind our new "Brian Be Honest" segment and why we started it
• Get an update on the Homestead Hideaway property and how you can get involved as an Angel supporter
• Hear the real story of our first date — and the one-hour rule that started it all
• Learn Brian's honest answer about his biggest fear in building the Homestead from scratch
• Understand why we believe we can raise $5 million — and the track record behind that confidence
• Get a behind-the-scenes peek at our frozen cocktail testing (and why I need a real slushy machine)
• Discover how faith shapes the way Brian and I approach this project and our marriage
• Hear what makes Brian happiest outside of the business — Clemson football, mountain biking, and family
• Find out how to submit your own questions for future "Brian Be Honest" episodes

Connect with Us: 🎙 @neverstopdreamingbiggie 📱 @angelpholmes 🌐 sipindipity.com 📧 [email protected]

Learn More: 🌴 The Homestead Hideaway 👩‍💼 The Brighter Side Society

In this episode of Never Stop Dreaming Biggie, I'm taking you behind the bar at the Homestead OG — the original house in Park Circle, Charleston, where Brian and I are building something we've dreamed about for years. This one's personal: the bar itself was custom-built by a local carpenter after one too many rental bar bills, and it's dedicated to my dad, Ernie Passailaigue, whose Senate memorabilia sits right at the head of it.

I walk you through the philosophy behind our bar program — curated, professional-quality cocktails inspired by island culture, without competing with the local bars we'll one day sit alongside — and test out four signature drinks live, mistakes and all. Along the way I get real about what it actually looks like to build something from scratch: the memory blocks, the supply challenges, the late nights figuring out what works and what doesn't.

The "G" in BIGGIE stands for Grow — and that's exactly what this episode is about. Growing through the process, not around it, and being willing to let people see the messy, unfinished parts of building something you love.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover the story behind the Homestead's custom-built bar and why it's dedicated to my dad
• Learn how a frustrating rental bar situation led to building one from scratch
• Understand the philosophy behind curating a bar program that complements local island bars instead of competing with them
• Follow along as I make four signature cocktails live: the Flo-Rida, the Wake Up Call, Out of Office, and the Sweet G
• Hear why Brian and I built our bar sections around our own spirit preferences — his bourbon, my gin
• Discover our plans for quarterly guest bartenders who'll train island locals in cocktail-making
• Get an honest look at what building a hospitality brand actually looks like behind the scenes
• Understand why every object behind our bar tells a story, and how personal meaning shapes brand identity
• Learn about our approach to sponsorships and donor-named cocktails
• Get a preview of what's coming next: the Homestead's charitable mission

Connect with Us: 🎙 @neverstopdreamingbiggie 📱 @angelpholmes 🌐 sipindipity.com 📧 [email protected]

To watch the episode with her dad Ernie Passailaigue, visit https://youtu.be/gFm6nvJn6yY

Learn More: 🌴 The Holmestead Bar & Retreat 👩‍💼 The Brighter Side Society

In this episode of Never Stop Dreaming Biggie, I'm joined by celebrity stylist Chellie Carlson, founder of the Magnetic Style Method and the Style Society, for a conversation that's about so much more than clothes. Chellie shares her journey from spending 20 years in the intimate apparel industry to launching her own styling business at 40 with almost no resources — and going from unemployment to seven figures in just four years.

We talk through what it actually takes to reinvent yourself in midlife, the $3,000 investment in a coach that changed the trajectory of her business, and why she believes most women are one wardrobe reset away from feeling like themselves again. Chellie also opens up about the shame so many of us carry around our bodies and our closets, and how getting dressed with intention can change the way you move through the world.

The "E" in BIGGIE stands for Elevate — and that's exactly what this conversation is about. Elevating your standards, your confidence, and the way you show up, starting with something as simple as what you put on your body every day.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover how Chellie went from unemployment to seven figures in four years, starting at age 40
• Learn why most women are wearing the wrong bra size — and why that matters more than you'd think
• Understand the difference between shopping to feel good for a second and dressing with real intention
• Hear how Chellie's Magnetic Style Method delivers permanent transformation in under three sessions
• Get her take on why "less is more" when it comes to building a wardrobe you actually love
• Learn how investing in a personal stylist can save you time, money, and decision fatigue
• Discover why finding your signature look builds trust with the people around you
• Hear how Chellie built a seven-figure business and 32,000-person community through word of mouth alone
• Get her simple daily challenge for getting out of your workout clothes and into pieces that reflect who you're becoming
• Understand why investing in yourself — whether it's coaching, style, or mindset — is never really optional

Connect with Us: 🎙 @neverstopdreamingbiggie 📱 @angelpholmes 🌐 sipindipity.com 📧 [email protected]

Learn More: 👗 Chellie Carlson: @chelliecarlson and https://www.chelliecarlson.com/

In this episode of Never Stop Dreaming Biggie, I'm joined by my youngest son, Chase, for a fun and heartfelt conversation — his second time on the podcast, and this one couldn't have come at a better time. He's heading into his senior year at James Island High School, and we dig into everything from his plans for the future to what he's actually picked up from watching me build businesses.

We talk through Chase's plans for Trident Tech and eventually College of Charleston, his interest in business (and maybe running the bar down in the Caribbean one day), and where scuba diving and video games fit into it all. We also get into faith — why the people you surround yourself with matter so much for growing in your relationship with God, and why your faith should feel like any other relationship, not just something you turn to when you need something.

After Chase heads out, I go solo to reflect on purpose and what it really means to be "anointed." I share an update on the Homestead Hundred campaign, now at 63 donors, and why every single person's story behind their gift has meant more to me than I expected.

The "G" in BIGGIE stands for... actually, this one's less about the framework and more about the proof of it — watching your kids grow into the values you've been living out loud, even when you didn't know they were paying attention.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover Chase's plans for Trident Tech, College of Charleston, and starting his own business
• Learn what it's really like being the son of an entrepreneur — the good, the funny, and the "he uses ChatGPT as his business partner"
• Understand why community is essential for growing your faith, not just your business
• Hear Chase's honest take on senior year, scuba certification, and life goals
• Get Angel's breakdown of what it means to be "anointed" and find your God-given purpose
• Learn why asking for what you want is the first step toward receiving it
• Get an update on the Homestead Hundred campaign and the stories behind the donors
• Find out why sharing your story — even the small parts — creates a ripple effect you may never fully see

Connect with Us: 🎙 @neverstopdreamingbiggie 📱 @angelpholmes 🌐 sipindipity.com 📧 [email protected] Learn More: 🌴 The Homestead Hideaway: theholmesteadhideaway.com 👼 The Homestead Angels: homesteadangels.org

In this episode of Never Stop Dreaming Biggie, I'm joined by my husband Brian for our once-a-month update — and this one comes to you a little tired, a little chaotic, and completely real, straight from our new house in Charleston's Liberty Hill neighborhood.

We just moved in, we're still hanging things on the walls (150+ items and counting), and between Brian working full days and me juggling three days at Paradiso plus a full plate of Homestead projects, we almost didn't get this episode recorded at all. But showing up consistently matters more to us than showing up perfectly, so here we are.

We catch up on everything happening with The Homestead Hideaway, our nonprofit bar and wellness retreat coming to Bequia in the Caribbean — including the Homestead Angels campaign, where we've raised over $10,000 in just over a month, and the brand-new Homestead 100, which opens up giving to anyone who wants to be part of this story starting at just $10. We also share details on our upcoming Charleston fundraiser at Graze, our plans for Homestead Angel Boxes to support hurricane relief, and an exciting new partnership bringing meals and resources to schoolchildren in Bequia through the Grenadines Initiative.

The "B" in BIGGIE stands for Believe — and this episode is proof that belief doesn't require perfect timing or a fully unpacked house. Sometimes it just means showing up, one tired Monday at a time, for the dream you're building.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover how the Homestead Angels campaign raised over $10,000 in just 30 days
• Learn why we opened the Homestead 100 to make giving accessible to everyone
• Get the details on our Charleston fundraiser at Graze on September 6th
• Understand how Homestead Angel Boxes will provide hurricane relief supplies to families in need
• Hear about our new partnership supporting schoolchildren in Bequia through the Grenadines Initiative
• Find out what it really takes to raise $5 million for a mission-driven nonprofit
• Get a glimpse into life in Charleston's historic Liberty Hill neighborhood
• Learn how corporations and family foundations can get involved through sponsorships and matching pledges

Connect with Us: 🎙 @neverstopdreamingbiggie 📱 @angelpholmes 🌐 sipindipity.com 📧 [email protected] Learn More: 🌴 The Homestead Hideaway: theholmesteadhideaway.com 👼 The Homestead Angels: homesteadangels.org

In this episode of Never Stop Dreaming Biggie, I'm celebrating my birthday in the best way possible — with my firstborn, Riley, joining me for his very first podcast appearance ever, after two years of asking (and two years of him saying no!).

Riley is nineteen, studying computer science at UNC Asheville, and somehow both completely different from me and exactly like me in all the best ways. We talk about how he found his people through the UNC Cosplay Club, the wild and wonderful world of GalaxyCon (yes, Darth Vader was there), and the courage it took to drive himself across North Carolina for the first time — while his Mama Bear texted the whole way.

We reminisce about the Lego years, the Pokémon years, the Yu-Gi-Oh tournament where he schooled a total stranger, and our James Beard dinner trip to New York when he was ten. But the real heart of this episode is Riley himself — his quiet consistency (he's sent our whole family a good-morning text every single day for years), his kindness, and his own version of a big dream: to travel and live abroad someday.

The "B" in BIGGIE stands for Believe — and this episode is a reminder that believing in your dream doesn't always look loud or ambitious. Sometimes it looks like a nineteen-year-old who just wants to go with the flow, see the world, and show up for the people he loves every single day.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover how Riley found his community through UNC Asheville's Cosplay Club
• Hear the story behind Riley's first solo road trip and his GalaxyCon adventure
• Understand why small, consistent acts of kindness (like a daily text) matter more than grand gestures
• Relive throwback memories of Lego builds, Pokémon meetups, and Yu-Gi-Oh tournaments
• Learn what "big dreams" look like when they're about travel, not business
• Get a glimpse into the mother-son bond that shaped both of our biggest dreams
• Hear why Riley says he'd rather "go with the flow" than chase one big dream — and why that's okay too

Connect with Us: 🎙 @neverstopdreamingbiggie 📱 @angelpholmes 🌐 sipindipity.com 📧 [email protected]

Learn More: 🌴 The Holmestead Hideaway: theholmesteadhideaway.com 👼 The Homestead Angels: homesteadangels.org

In this episode of Never Stop Dreaming Biggie, I'm celebrating my birthday week (53 on Friday!) and episode 73 — my lucky number — with a guest I know God lined up perfectly: bestselling author and speaker Amberly Lago.

I met Amberly at a conference last month and was instantly moved by her story. She's the survivor of a horrific motorcycle accident that led to 34 surgeries, an incurable nerve disease called CRPS, and a battle with addiction — and somehow, she's built a life defined not by what happened to her, but by the joy she's chosen on the other side of it.

We talk about the moment everything changed on a California boulevard, waking up from an induced coma to a 1% chance of saving her leg, and the years that followed — chasing relief through 73 homeopathic pills a day, spinal cord stimulators, and eventually, alcohol. Amberly opens up about the shame that kept her isolated, the courage it took to walk into her first recovery meeting, and why she now celebrates five years of sobriety. We also get into brain mapping, reframing an ADHD diagnosis as a strength instead of a struggle, and how faith and gratitude became her non-negotiables.

The "G" in BIGGIE stands for Grow — and this episode is proof that growth doesn't always come from the mountaintop moments. Sometimes it comes from rock bottom, and the decision to get radically honest and ask for help.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand why the hardest part of Amberly's journey wasn't the accident — it was what came after
• Hear the honest story of how chronic pain led to addiction, and how she found her way back
• Learn why Amberly believes "the opposite of addiction is connection"
• Discover what brain mapping revealed about her trauma, resilience, and ADHD — and why she now calls it a gift
• Get real talk on why asking for help felt scarier than any surgery she went through
• Understand how gratitude and non-negotiable morning rituals help her spark joy, even in grief
• Hear about her new book, Joy Through the Journey, and why joy can be a business strategy
• Learn about her free tool where you can ask her 300+ podcast guests your biggest questions

Connect with Us: 🎙 @neverstopdreamingbiggie 📱 @angelpholmes 🌐 sipindipity.com 📧 [email protected] Learn More: 🌴 The Holmestead Hideaway: theholmesteadhideaway.com 👼 The Homestead Angels: homesteadangels.org

Connect with Amberly: 🌐 amberlylago.com/podcast 📱 @unstoppablelifewomen @amberlylagomotivation