Ayla and Potato3s: A Nightly Message From Your Best Friend

In this episode, I spend the day baking for the doormen and staff, making gooey butter bars in a Dutch oven, and getting a sweet surprise when one of them says the bars remind him of a childhood memory. I also think through my company, my logo, my next big pivot, and all the many thoughts that come with trying to trust what’s unfolding

In this episode, I get a major unexpected twist when a late-night idea turns into a real collaboration, and my friend and I decide to write a book together. I also clean the floors, walk the dog, test two cookies from Culture Espresso, and spend the rest of the day realizing that the moving pieces in my life might be leading to something bigger than I planned.

In this episode, I’m moving pieces around, literally and mentally, as I spend the day walking the beach, taking a train to see my friend, and floating a new idea that suddenly feels much bigger than I expected. I talk through how a simple conversation turned into a six-page concept, why I think this might be something only I could build, and how all the little moving pieces are starting to point s...

In this episode, I have an ordinary day that still feels full in its own way: I run errands for my brother, grab my favorite sandwich and boba, buy a new duster, and make a little progress on my hair with sock curls and the Dyson. I also talk through a class about product pivots, a thoughtful conversation about perseverance, and the quiet work of learning to trust myself a little more.

In this episode, I’m mostly playing it by ea r: recovering from travel, sleeping in when I can, and giving myself a softer first day in New York instead of forcing a plan. I walk the dog, make simple food , wash and blow-dry the pup, and let the day stay loose while I figure out what I need next.

In this episode, I have a very busy travel day, starting with almost no sleep, an early flight check-in, and a wild airport run where I end up handing out baked goods to the ticket counter agents and the flight attendants. I also arrive in New York, walk the dog, eat Thai food, watch a sci-fi movie, and somehow still manage to squeeze in a nap, a classmate meeting, and a lot of family time before...

In this episode, I have a very busy day from start to finish: checking in for my flight, meeting with my mentor, picking up prescriptions, and spending hours baking cookies, scones, and gooey butter cake for my family and the airport and plane staff. I also deal with a mom who wants to fight, a packed suitcase, and the messy reality of getting ready for New York while trying to keep my peace.

In this episode, I talk about what “not so traditional” looks like for me—spending Good Friday in my own rhythm, booking a spontaneous trip to West Palm Beach, and rethinking how I define success. I also share a movie outing, a big feelings conversation about the difference between what people do and what they only consider doing, and all the little “yeses” that are quietly shaping my 13 months of...

In this episode, I sit with my hopes and dreams while trying to give myself more credit for the work I’m already doing like creating A+ content, baking cookies, and building journals that help people feel less alone. I also share the spark of new inspiration that came from a future glass-making lesson, and I wrestle gently with the gap between where I am now and the bigger things I still want to c...

In this episode, I set my April theme to “activating actions” and finally start moving on the things I’ve been meaning to do like setting up Pinterest, downloading Word to my phone, and making progress on my Amazon listings. I also share a slower, more practical day with my sister, a trip to Ulta and Aldi, a movie night for Avatar: Fire and Ash, and a few travel-prep wins as I get ready for New Yo...

In this episode, I spend the day thinking out loud through errands, makeup counters, and a little self-doubt and also taking my sister to work, testing out new shampoo and conditioner, and wandering the Galleria while figuring out what my products, bruised leg, and travel plans need next. I also talk through a two-week experiment with my coloring book title, a Pinterest campaign, and what it feels...

In this episode, I’m thinking out loud about a slower, more mindful day : running errands for my upcoming trip, packing little things like shampoo, toothpaste, and chocolate chips, and trying to let the day be what it is instead of forcing productivity. I also talk honestly about feeling thrown off by stress, poor rest, and the messy reality of family dynamics, while reminding myself that I can so...

In this episode, I move through my day as I am: bruised leg, bad hair day, doctor visits, and all, while trying to stay gentle with myself. I share a lunch date at a new Malaysian spot, a return trip for a sweatshirt I couldn’t stop thinking about, and a few big-picture reflections on my work, my body, and what it means to keep showing up exactly as I am.

In this episode, I lean into my “golden era” and say yes to a pair of sparkly gold shoes I’d been wanting for years. I spend the day wandering stores, trying things on, updating my skincare and lashes, and thinking about how sometimes letting go of the old pair is really just making room for a brighter version of myself.

In this episode, I slow down and let myself take a real day off , skipping the gym, and realizing my body needed a bandaid more than a push. I talk about a mostly good day that still held tears, a surprising letter, a disappointing Chinese restaurant, and why I’m choosing to pause therapy for now because I need more protection than exposure

In this episode, I lean into “go with the flow”: a longer swim with my new goggles, an unexpected serenade and pickup-line in the sauna, and another small win on the pull-up bar. I also walk through redoing my “Color With Me” listing, sneaking in an impromptu movie (Project Hail Mary), and wrestling with what actually counts as “enough” for a full day.

In this episode, I share a bunch of little “odds and ends”: getting a 95 on my big assessment, a canceled gym class that turned into a much-shorter-than-planned swim, and realizing my arms are still recovering. I talk about rebuilding my coloring book and journal listings (including renaming “Create With Me” to “Color With Me” and retitling my 40-day journal), navigating odd gym-membership drama w...

In this episode, I share a soft, snack-filled kind of day: swimming laps until my arms ached, going to therapy, and then honoring my therapist’s advice to “take it easy” with a box of Triscuits and some supreme-pizza chips. I talk about my favorite comfort meal, tweaking my journals and book listings, and why the most freeing part of my retreat might have been not having to say “hi” to anyone unle...

In this episode, I kick off day one of my “13 months of yes” by finally joining AMC’s movie club, taking myself to see a film, getting my eyebrows done for the first time in years, and even buying myself a cookie. I also share the chaos of three separate Walmart trips, visiting my sister in the hospital, rethinking my book titles and listings, and the quiet excitement of slowly rebuilding my life...

In this episode, I’m back from my 10-day silent Vipassana retreat and trying to put words to an experience that was nothing like I expected. I share what it was like to wake up at 4 a.m., navigate long hours of meditation, and even become the accidental “snake hero” who calmly swept a surprise visitor out of the meditation hall

Content warning: This episode includes mention of suicidal thoughts and a situation where someone was planning to end their life. Please take care of yourself while listening Reminder: I am out of town until March 22nd In this episode, I reflect on “acts of kindness,” the ones I offer and the ones I receive. I talk about buying my friend a jacket she casually mentioned, finding out it literally ga...

In this episode, I actually let myself have a true “day of rest” for spring break aka no school, no big projects, just finishing a fantasy novel, picking up my new Aurora body wash, and taking a nap that confused my sense of time. I also share some tension with my dad about my upcoming silent retreat, what it means to choose this time away anyway, and the small, practical ways I’m getting ready fo...

In this episode, I celebrate a little “spring break” energy: I finally finished and embedded my quiz on the website, turned in my big school assessment at 23:23, and officially entered a week with no classes on my plate. I talk about family dinner, a new baby niece on the way, soft plans for reading and resting, and what it feels like to have a day without a thousand things tugging at me.

In this episode, I share a day that didn’t go how I expected , no mentor meeting, no quiz finished , but still somehow moved things forward with new writing and quiet progress on my books. I also talk about being able to give back financially to friends the way others once showed up for me, and how those moments remind me I’m loved, provided for, and allowed to trust that things work out in their...

TW: This episode contains mention of disordered eating patterns and body image struggles. If this is something you’re navigating personally, please be gentle with yourself today. In this episode, I give a late-night life update: accidentally nocturnal sleep, long chats about how broken school systems feel, and the surprising urge to start writing a new book about my upcoming “13 months of yes.” I...