Trust Me I'm a Decorator

Debbie Travis and Tommy Smythe are thrilled to welcome Fashion television icon Jeanne Beker to the show this week! She shares her journey through the fashion industry, her experiences as a journalist, and the personal stories that shaped her life. From her early days in media to her battle with cancer, Jeanne reflects on the lessons learned. The discussion previews her memoir, 'Heart on My Sleeve,' which intertwines fashion with personal anecdotes.

More About Jeanne Beker:

Jeanne Beker was the host of the hit show Fashion Television, which aired in over 130 countries for twenty-seven years and was one of the most successful shows in Canadian TV history. Prior to that, she hosted the groundbreaking show The NewMusic and was a founding member of MuchMusic. A seasoned newspaper and magazine columnist, Jeanne was editor-in-chief of FQ and SIR magazines from 2003 to 2009. Currently, she is a frequent keynote speaker and style editor for TSC, where she hosts her eponymous show Style Matters. Jeanne has received honorary doctorates from St. Mary’s University and OCAD University. She was named to the Order of Canada in 2013, inducted into the American Marketing Association’s Hall of Legends in 2015, and received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2016. Jeanne lives in Toronto, Canada.

Order Jeanne Beker's new memoir Heart on My Sleeve: Stories from a Life Well Worn

Follow along with Jeanne Beker on her website: https://www.jeannebeker.com/

Follow Jeanne Beker on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejeannebeker/?hl=en

Follow Debbie & Tommy's podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thetrustmepod/

Watch some of the interviews referenced in this episode:

Andy Summers & The Bath Tub: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4DPoVtsw5Q

Iggy Pop Being Too Cool: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xthwpp

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The changing of the seasons has hosts Debbie Travis & Tommy Smythe reminiscing about their summer experiences and childhood experiences returning to school. They reflect on the reinvention of identity, explore the concept of manifesting a desired identity and the importance of positivity. Tommy shares about his summer in Muskoka, reminiscing about family traditions and a magical place. Debbie talks about hosting family, friends & retreats. They also touch on the importance of summer traditions, the challenges tourism in Europe faces, and summer cooking.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and School Stories

03:04 Inventing a Persona and Manifesting

05:56 Emulating Inspiring Figures

09:27 The Power of Positivity

12:01 Childhood Summers in Muskoka

15:51 Traditions and Memories

19:02 Family Gatherings and Joy

23:40 Nostalgic Memories and Childhood Stories

32:15 Extravagant Summer Parties and Royal Encounters

37:47 Delicious and Simple Summer Recipes

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Debbie and Tommy welcome the fabulous Frances Mayes back to the podcast! The international bestselling author behind the now-classic Under the Tuscan Sun is back with a new book, and her third novel, A Great Marriage.

When a perfect wedding is called off just days before the big event, it sends two people—and their families—reeling, in this poignant novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Under the Tuscan Sun and Women in Sunlight.

Dara Willcox, in New York for a weekend, meets Austin Clarke at an art gallery. If love at first sight can happen, it happens to them. These two vivid, ambitious people are on different courses—he’s British, working temporarily in New York. She’s from North Carolina, set on law school. They don’t care. They will make their lives together happen. At their April engagement dinner at Dara’s family home, her mother, Lee, sets a beautiful table, and the family and close friends gather to celebrate. Rich, Dara’s father, raises a toast. Suddenly, Lee spills the wine, a brilliant red stain splashing onto the tablecloth and onto Austin.

Days later, Austin hears unsettling news from London that wrecks their plans. Dara abruptly cancels the wedding. She refuses to reveal the reason, not even to her best friends or her parents or grandmother, disrupting their family tradition of openness. As everyone knows, Lee and Rich have a great marriage, and Charlotte, her grandmother, had a colossal one, to the late Senator Mann. Charlotte literally wrote the book on the subject: She’s the author of international bestsellers on what makes a good or possibly a great marriage. 

While Dara escapes to California and Indigo Island, South Carolina, Austin, back in London, faces a major tragedy, the consequences of which are life-altering. But it’s Lee, Dara’s mother, whose impulsive visit to London alters their fate.

With her signature warmth, humor, and incisive style, beloved author Frances Mayes creates a multigenerational probe into the complexity of love and the great mystery ride of marriage. A novel of casual choices and fateful consequences, A Great Marriage introduces two unforgettable families and the arrival of a stranger who rearranges their futures.

Her other international bestsellers include Bella Tuscany, Everyday in Tuscany, A Year in the World, Women in Sunlight, and Bringing Tuscany Home, among others. She has written six books of poetry and The Discovery of Poetry. Debbie and Tommy also discuss her most recent cookbook, Pasta Veloce: Irresistibly Fast Recipes from Under the Tuscan Sun. Her books have been translated into more than fifty languages! She and her husband divide their time between North Carolina and Tuscany.

Get A Great Marriage, a new novel by Frances Mayes HERE.

Find out more about Frances Mayes and her work HERE.

Follow along on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thetrustmepod/

Leave us a voice message on our website: https://www.thetrustmepod.com/

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Debbie and Tommy discuss their summer holidays including family visits in Tuscany, Tommy's summer at the Lake, and the challenges of traveling during peak season. They share their experiences in different vacation destinations and the cultural differences they encountered. Debbie talks about the Italian holiday Ferragusto and the crowded beaches in Italy during August. They discuss the importance of creating memories during family gatherings and the dynamics of hosting large groups with some valuable tips for managing family vacations including renting a house during the off-season for more affordable and authentic travel experiences. They also touch on their favorite summer reads as they tease their upcoming episode with author Frances Mayes!

Summer reads mentioned in this episode:

The Friday Afternoon Club: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203708995-the-friday-afternoon-club

Thursday Night Murder Club: https://www.goodreads.com/series/299267-thursday-murder-club

Strange Sally Diamond: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62322008-strange-sally-diamond

Pre Order Debbie's Book: https://debbietravis.com/laugh-more/

Frances Mayes 'A Good Marriage:' https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706935/a-great-marriage-by-frances-mayes/

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction and Summer Holidays

(08:12) Crowded Beaches and Cultural Differences

(14:01) Family Gatherings and Creating Memories

(19:03) Managing Large Groups and House Rules

(23:07) Funny Anecdotes and Tips for Family Vacations

(28:23) Camping Adventures and Funny Travel Stories

(34:22) Renting a House Off-Season for Authentic Travel

(39:07) Exploring Historical Sites: The Colosseum and More

(41:30) Summer Reads: 'Strange Sally Diamond' and 'The Thursday Night Murder Club'

(43:17) Upcoming Podcast with Author Frances Mayes & Happy Summer

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In this conversation, Chef Lynn Crawford discusses her move to the country, her passion for gardening, and her upcoming book. She emphasizes the joy of growing and cooking with fresh ingredients and the importance of sharing food with family and friends. Tommy and Debbie ask her about creating new communities through food and the benefits of planting food to live off your land. They also touch on the challenges of being a chef and the decision to leave the restaurant industry. Listeners also get to hear about Chef Lynn's upcoming plant-based cookbook.

Chapters

(00:00) Living a Connected Life: Chef Lynn Crawford's Journey to the Country

(09:20) The Joy of Gardening: Teaching Children About Food

(18:06) Preserving the Harvest: Tips for Preserving Tomatoes

(23:57) The Generosity of Cooking: Sharing Food with Others

(24:44) Creating New Communities Through Food

(25:40) The Benefits of Working from Home

(27:23) The Next Chapter: Leaving the Restaurant Industry

(31:06) Surrounding Oneself with the Best People

(48:26) Chef Lynn's Upcoming Plant-Based Cookbook

More about Chef Lynn Crawford:

Acclaimed Food Network celebrity chef and bestselling author, Chef Lynn Crawford has over 25 years of culinary experience, including many years as executive chef for the Four Seasons Hotels in Toronto and New York. One of the highest profile chefs in the country and a genuine household name, she is continually sought after as a dynamic host, public speaker, brand ambassador, spokesperson and mentor.

Chef Lynn has released three best-selling cookbooks “Pitchin’ In” (2012), “At Home with Lynn Crawford” (2013) and the award winning “Farm to Chef” (2017). Chef Lynn is the winner of the 2017 Gourmand World Cookbook Award, and recipient of the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award by Canada’s 100 Best.

Chef Lynn starred in Food Network’s hit series Pitchin’ In, which was nominated for Gemini Awards, both as a series and for her dynamic hosting, in 2010, 2011 and 2013.

She can also be seen competing as an Iron Chef in Kitchen Stadium on Iron Chef Canada. Chef Lynn has appeared as a competitor on Top Chef Masters and Iron Chef America. Chef Lynn was a regular judge on Top Chef Canada and Chopped Canada, co-host of The Great Canadian Cookbook and Restaurant Makeover and is an Expert on the Marilyn Denis Show.

Chef Lynn, a longtime supporter of the farm-to-table movement and sustainability, is also the Chef Ambassador for Egg Farmers of Canada. She is a dedicated philanthropist, giving back by participating in several charitable initiatives.

Follow her adventures on Instagram  and Twitter or visit her website: https://cheflynncrawford.com

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Television host Cynthia Loyst joins the show this week, a long-time friend of Tommy Smythe who is widely recognized as one of the hosts on popular Canadian television show The Social.

They discuss their friendship, the early days of The Social, cancel culture, and the challenges of being in the public eye. They also talk about the importance of speaking your mind and the pressure to please everyone. Cynthia opens up about her experience with burnout and depression, and the need for rest and self-care. They touch on the impact of social media and the lack of nuance in online discussions. Cynthia and Debbie discuss the fear and worry associated with the future and the need to question societal scripts and carve out a life that reflects one's values. Cynthia shares her three-step formula for dealing with burnout: stop, drop, and roll. They emphasize the importance of planting seeds of dreams and finding joy in life.

More about Cynthia Lloyst:

Cynthia Loyst is a National Bestselling Author, Producer, Television Host, and self-described “Professional Sensualist.” She is also the creator of Find Your Pleasure, a popular online destination that celebrates decadence, indulgence and pure, unadulterated joy.

Throughout her award-winning career, Cynthia has become one of Canada’s most recognized and respected TV personalities and producers. She is also a WXN Top 100 Women Award Winner - recognizing women who have shaped Canadian thinking, communications and culture.

Co-hosting CTV’s popular daytime talk show, The Social, Cynthia shares her fresh and genuine views to help people learn to appreciate life and all the pleasures it brings. She is also the go to relationship expert on Virgin Radio and has appeared on many other programs including The Marilyn Denis Show, CTV News, Etalk, and more. Most recently, Cynthia was the recipient of the Best Host award in the Lifestyle Category for The Social at the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards.

In 2023, Cynthia launched Cynthia and Josie’s Unmentionables, a successful podcast which has consistently been on the Top 10 streamed podcasts in Canada on Apple and Spotify. Her debut book, Find Your Pleasure, was published in early 2020, where it gained praise and notability on the Toronto Star and The Globe & Mail’s Best Selling Lists.

Follow Cynthia Loyst:

Cynthia Loyst Instagram | Twitter: @cynthialoyst

Find Your Pleasure Instagram | Twitter: @fypleasure

Website: www.findyourpleasure.com

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On this episode, Tommy Smythe interviews his dear friend Debbie Travis to celebrate the cover reveal of her next book, 'Laugh More: Stories from An Unexpected Life'. The book is a collection of funny and poignant stories from Debbie's life, with each story sparking memories from different stages of her life. She includes tales of her grandmother, her experiences in Italy, and her adventures in Vietnam. The book aims to bring joy and laughter to readers and remind them to find humour in life's ups and downs. She emphasizes the need for laughter and positivity in today's world and hopes that her book will bring joy to readers. She also touches on the artist who helped bring the stories to life through illustration!

Find out more and pre-order the book: https://debbietravis.com/laugh-more/

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Hosts Debbie Travis and Tommy Smythe welcome back Nutritional Therapist Jacky Brown to discuss ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and their impacts on our health. They explore the additives and preservatives commonly found in our foods, and the potential health risks associated with consuming them. They also touch on the importance of cooking with whole foods, the benefits of eating seasonally and locally, and the need to be mindful of food labels and ingredients. They also remind listeners about the benefits of shopping at farmer's markets and exploring different cuisines for inspiration. As always, they encourage listeners to be their own health warriors and make conscious choices about the food they consume.

Learn more about nutrition from Jacky: www.jackybnutrition.com

Follow Jacky on Instagram @jackybrownnutrition

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Debbie and Tommy recap their recent cruise in Eastern Europe, specifically Budapest and Vienna. They share funny and memorable experiences, such as Tommy's adventure in a Turkish bath and their visit to the magnificent library in Vienna. They detail their delightful trip with Scenic Cruises Debbie and Sarah recap their recent river cruise experience, highlighting the beautiful destinations, the exceptional service from the staff, and the wonderful people they met along the way. They discuss the magical Rose Garden in Vienna, the hilarious incident of Debbie hanging from a branch, and the devoted butlers who made their trip memorable. They also share their travel mishaps, including a glass door mishap and lost luggage. Despite the challenges, they emphasize the joys of travel and the importance of exploring new places.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction and Setting the Scene

(08:44) Sailing Down the Danube and Arriving in Vienna

(13:48) A Hilarious Library Misadventure

(22:09) Exploring Beautiful Destinations on a River Cruise

(24:24) Exceptional Service and Devoted Butlers

(26:18) Travel Mishaps: Glass Doors and Lost Luggage

(39:06) The Joys of Meeting New People and Experiencing Different Cultures

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Anya Lautenbach is a mum, a columnist, and a money-saving gardener. Anya returns to the podcast promote her new book, The Money-Saving Gardener: Create Your Dream Garden at a Fraction of the Cost.

As we all face a cost-of-living crisis, The Money-Saving Gardener is packed with tips and tricks to help gardeners keep costs down without compromising on style or impact. With creative advice on everything cost saving, from how to consciously buy and waste less, repurpose what you have and find, make the most of so-called garden "waste", to how to boost your plant collection with easy-to-follow seed-saving and propagation tips throughout the seasons.

The Money-Saving Gardener encourages patience when gardening to avoid waste, and urges those with a new garden to take time to get to know their plot so they don’t rip out any hidden horticultural treasures.

Anya, reveals her favourite hardworking plants and shrubs to grow, that are not only beautiful but give the best long-term value for money, while also supporting wildlife and helping the planet.

Her lifetime of budget gardening began in Poland where she grew up surrounded by resourceful family and friends who were passionate about nature and, through necessity, never wasted anything. She was taught self-sufficiency by her mother and shown how to collect seed and propagate plants at the age of 12. “Growing your own food and flowers wasn’t a choice – it was a necessity to survive and stay sane,” Anya writes. 

Those practical skills enabled Anya to grow and create her own beautiful garden in the UK, all on a tiny budget. She started to share her tips and personal gardening journey with others in lively posts across her social media platforms, and a loyal following of gardeners of all ages and abilities quickly blossomed.

Advocating the mental health benefits of gardening, Anya believes getting your bare hands into soil is something everyone should experience. Taking cuttings and the positivity she gains from seeing their first roots grow, has given her strength throughout her life, particularly in times of family grief and her own ADHD ‘superpower’ diagnosis.

She says: “A passion for propagation has helped me enormously on my journey, and I have never stopped propagating since I left home over two decades ago...I know by sharing my knowledge I can make gardening and propagating more accessible, helping people to create the garden of their dreams at a fraction of the cost of going out and buying what they need.”

Order The Money-Saving Gardener HERE!

Anya grew up in Poland surrounded by people who were passionate about nature and simple pleasures which is now her chosen way of life. She loves to prioritize mental health discussions and bring the future of our planet to the forefront of conversations on and off social media. Anya is also very passionate about raising awareness about neurodivergence and in particular ADHD, dyslexia, and autism; she's been diagnosed with ADHD and traits of autism in adulthood and one of her sons is dyslexic. Follow along with her on Instagram where she is the most active in sharing tips & tricks: https://instagram.com/anya_thegarden_fairy

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