So Can I

Join Lauren as she shares her detailed three-day itinerary exploring Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine, plus favorite stops along the coast from Boston to Kennebunkport. From biking Acadia’s carriage trails and hiking Jordon Pond to finding the best lobster rolls and blueberry ice cream, this episode is a full travel guide for anyone planning a trip to coastal Maine.

Lauren walks through what she loved most, what she’d do differently, and insider tips for visiting Cadillac Mountain, Jordon Pond House, Sand Beach, and more.

Whether you’re dreaming up a New England fall road trip or planning next summer’s getaway, this itinerary offers the perfect mix of scenic drives, local eats, and relaxing coastal charm.

In This Episode:

• Road-tripping from Boston to Bar Harbor
• Exploring Acadia National Park’s Park Loop Road
• Hiking Jordan Pond Trail (and what to expect)
• Biking the Tri-Lakes Loop on Acadia’s carriage trails
• Visiting Cadillac Mountain, Sand Beach, and Bar Island
• Favorite eats: MDI Ice Cream, Stewman’s Lobster Pound, CJ’s Blueberry Soft Serve, and Pat’s Pizza
• What Lauren would plan differently next time
• Tips for first-time visitors and best times to go

Read the full itinerary on Substack!

Today I am joined by Martha Midgette! Martha is a Raleigh, NC-based interior designer and lifestyle curator known for creating classic and colorful interiors—collected, curated, and elevated—that serve as the backdrop for life’s most cherished moments. As the founder of Martha Midgette Designs, she thoughtfully blends timeless tradition with contemporary touches, often incorporating meaningful pieces and family heirlooms that anchor each space in personal history.

Since founding her firm in 2019, Martha has led projects across North Carolina and the East Coast, encompassing a range of initiatives from large-scale renovations and new builds to individual room transformations. Her work reflects a deep appreciation for beauty, balance, and the lived experience of home—creating collected, curated, and classic interiors that honor tradition while embracing warmth and everyday livability.

Born and raised in Raleigh, Martha draws on over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector and project management. This background infuses her approach with empathy, clarity, and purpose—ensuring every design not only looks beautiful but functions seamlessly for the people who call it home.

Beyond interiors, Martha shares her favorite finds in home, fashion, and family—spotlighting both luxury and everyday pieces that reflect her graceful, refined style. A mom of two, she brings an authentic and approachable perspective to design and life, inspiring others to find beauty in balance and intention.

In this episode, Martha and I talk about her career in the nonprofit world, why it is so important to her to give back, how to take initiative, what it was like working two jobs for a few years, her interior design process and so much more!

Martha's Instagram

Martha's Website

Green Chair Project

Today I am joined by Rachel Clarke! Rachel is a visual strategist and photographer based in Greenville, SC. She works with founders and creative directors in the fashion, lifestyle, and travel industries.

In this episode Rachel and I chat about her time as a wedding photographer, how the pandemic influenced her business, why you should find your niche as a photographer, how to speak directly to your client, why she decided to rebrand to Clarke Narrative, and so much more! 

Rachel's Instagram

Rachel's Website

HunterSeven Foundation

Welcome back to The So Can I Podcast! Today’s episode is a full recap of our recent trip to Nantucket — from where we stayed and what we ate to the spots I absolutely recommend visiting if you’re planning a trip of your own.

We stayed at The Nantucket Hotel, and it could not have been more perfect. I’m walking you through our full itinerary — breakfast at Lemon Press, our 14-mile day exploring the island, the beautiful Bluff Walk in Sconset, and the meals that stood out most (Cru, Bar Yoshi, and the Juice Bar for ice cream, of course).

If you’ve ever wanted to visit Nantucket or you’re planning your first trip, this episode is for you!

I cover:

• Where to stay in Nantucket (and why we loved The Nantucket Hotel)
• Favorite meals: Lemon Press, Cru, Bar Yoshi, and Black Eyed Susan’s
• Exploring on foot — including Brant Point, Steps Beach, and the iconic Bluff Walk
• Using public transportation (the Nantucket Wave) to get to 'Sconset
• Why September might be the best time to visit
• What I’d do differently next time (e-bikes, anyone?)

Next Up:
Stay tuned for part two — our road trip up the coast of Maine, from Kennebunkport to Bar Harbor.

Subscribe to my Substack for more information & follow along on Insta for pictures!

Today I am joined by Catherine Martin! Catherine is a life + style chaos coordinator (aka content creator), showing busy gals how to mix and match with equal parts method & madness. Catherine is all about bold colorful fashion & home decor mixed with classic pieces, and using fashion, home, and LIFE to build community with other women. Her goal is to inspire women to be uniquely themselves in the most real way- from fashion to life- showing up just as they are and not being embarrassed by it or beating themselves up for not being perfect. 

Catherine's Website

Catherine's Instagram 

Catherine's Substack

Daystar Counseling 

Today I am joined by Jen Shoop! Jen is the founder and author of this Magpie by Jen Shoop. She holds an advanced degree in literature from Georgetown University and has enjoyed a varied career in non-profit management, technology, and product design. She considers writing her vocation, and will be releasing her first book in May 2026. Jen is an adoring wife to her husband, Landon (styled as Mr. Magpie on her blog), and a loving mother to two young children. She resides in Bethesda, Maryland.

In this episode Jen and I chat about how she shifted her career to become a full-time writer, where she gets her inspiration from, her new book, the daily practice of discipline, how to scale a writing business, her advice for writers, AI and how it could influence the writing industry, and so much more! 

Jen's Website

Jen's Instagram 

Good+

Welcome back to The So Can I Podcast! In today’s September book club episode, we’re diving into The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner — the perfect atmospheric, gothic mystery for fall.

If you missed it, go listen to Episode 155 where I interviewed Sarah herself. She’s the first fiction author I’ve had on the show, and it was such a joy hearing her story and journey to becoming a bestselling writer.

In this episode, I share my thoughts on The London Séance Society — including:

• Why I gave it 4.5 stars
• The gothic, spooky atmosphere that makes this a perfect autumn read
• The surprising twists and corruption at the heart of the London Séance Society
• My thoughts on the romance subplot 

After the review, I also share my Fall Reading List across romance, thrillers, fantasy, and witchy/magical reads. From cozy romances like Pumpkin Spice Café to thrillers like The Golden Spoon and fantasy favorites like Bride by Ali Hazelwood, there’s something here for every type of reader. Plus, I reveal our October book club pick: The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand.

Whether you’ve already read The London Séance Society or are just looking for your next perfect fall read, this episode is for you.

Books Mentioned in This Episode:

• The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner
• The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner
• The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
• Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore
• Cinnamon Bun Bookstore by Laurie Gilmore
• The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn by Valerie Bowman
• If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
• The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
• The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell
• And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
• The Guest List by Lucy Foley
• Shady Hollow series by Juneau Black
• The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
• Filthy Rich Fae series by Geneva Lee
• Bride (and upcoming Mate) by Ali Hazelwood
• The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
• From Blood and Ash and Flesh and Fire series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
• Quicksilver by Callie Hart
• Conform by Ariel Sullivan (forthcoming from Jenna Bush Hager’s imprint)
• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
• The Ex Hex and The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling
• The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
• A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
• Weyward by Emilia Hart
• The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand (October pick!)

✨ Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a book club chat, and let me know what fall reads are on your list!

Today I am joined by Ivy Odom! Ivy is a lifestyle and culinary expert and content creator. She is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at Southern Living magazine, where she hosts and produces cooking and lifestyle videos for television and social media platforms. She has had regular appearances on the TODAY Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and Good Morning America, and is the author of My Southern Kitchen, which comes out October 2025. Ivy was recognized as a 40 Under 40 honoree for the University of Georgia in 2023, and a FOLIO Top Women in Media Up and Comer in 2020. Outside of work, Ivy loves to travel, scope out new restaurants, work in her garden, and tackle as many home improvement projects as her schedule allows. She and her husband, Luis, live in Homewood with their dog, Basil. 

In this episode, Ivy and I talked about her journey through culinary school, her first role at Southern Living Magazine, the journey from intern at Southern Living Mag to Senior Lifestyle Editor, the power of video content, her brand new cookbook, and so much more!

Ivy's Instagram

Southern Living's Instagram

Southern Living's TikTok

CURE Childhood Cancer

Today I am joined by the ladies from Sips Club, Katy Monson and Kathleen Lynch! Sips Club was created by two moms and best friends on a mission to make family wellness easy & delicious. 

Co-founder, Katy Monson, brings 13 years of experience as a clinical and research lab scientist. Her lifelong passion for the sciences, combined with her commitment to family health, ensures that every product Sips Club offers is backed by rigorous research and the highest quality standards.

Katy’s best friend and co-founder, Kathleen Lynch, brings her remarkable problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of the demands of being a working mom. Her ability to balance the many facets of motherhood and career has been instrumental in creating Sips Club. 

Together, their shared dedication to motherhood and friendship is the heart of Sips Club. 

In this episode, we chat about their friendship, how being mothers led them to creating Sips Club, entering a crowded market, affiliate marketing, creating a community, and all about their product line! 

Sips Website

Sips Instagram

American Red Cross

Today I am joined by Lawson Park! Lawson is the founder and designer of Brooks Avenue, a womenswear brand celebrating color, craftsmanship, and self-expression. With a BA in Advertising, PR, and Design from UNC Chapel Hill and her MFA in Fashion Design from FIT, Lawson’s approach to design is rooted in color, texture, and storytelling. Her work is shaped by her creative upbringing in Charlotte, NC, blending artisanal techniques and timeless silhouettes into richly detailed, narrative-driven pieces. 

In this episode, Lawson and I talk about her childhood and how she has always been creative, her time at FIT, why she started her own brand, marketing strategies that have worked for her, how she views wholesale, and so much more! 

Brooks Avenue Website

Brooks Avenue Instagram 

Brooks Avenue TikTok

National Blood Clot Alliance