Conversations with the Hostess

In this episode, I talk with Alison Bell who is a military spouse, photographer, and coach for other photographers.  We talk about so many things in this episode from hosting parties, being a military family and having to move, how moving requires you to reestablish your community and in osme caes your business.  Alison offers us her advice on marketing your business when you're in a new place and...

Does cleaning up after a party sound so awful that it holds you back from hosting?  I know this is a common concern for a lot of people and this week we're tackling the issue.  I share ways to make th clean up process so much easier and not feel like a hurdle to overcome in order to host.  I give you easy ideas to implement if you're hosting at home or at a party venue.  Don't let cleaning up from...

This week I share about a really fun experience getting to help set up a graduation party in a venue.  It was fun, but challenging given our short time line to get everything set up.  In the episode I give you all the tips and tricks I learned through the experience to help you set up any kind of party venue and to do it quickly.  Bingeing Segment If you need a show to watch with your spouse, the...

In this episode, I talk with Katie Thompson who has built an incredible community of volunteers that are giving back of their time, talent, and treasure.  She not only leads up a foundation that builds homes in impoverished areas around the world, but she also builds connections among women in her local community by giving them a place to showcase their own businesses.  Listen in today!  Links You...

Do you ever get the urge to host something, but you just don't have a reason to do it at your house?  today's podcast is all about how to get involved with hosting events for other groups.  Things like your PTO, HOA, interest groups and more.   I thoroughly enjoy the planning and prep work of hosting so this is a great exercise in getting to do those things, but not necessarily always having to ho...

This week's guest is all about viewing this crazy military lifestyle with a little perspective and a lot of humor!  Karen from Sailor and Sons shares her journey as a military family through many moves and helath struggles, all while keeping things light and funny.  She also shares how she gets inspiration from the various places they've lived, and how to reintegrate celebrating with your family a...

I had an amazing follower on Instagram ask a great question in my DM's and this week I'm answering her dilemma on the podcast.  If you've ever wanted to host a recurring party each week or month, I dive into the best ways to do it on this episode.  If you want to have an open house style party this is a great episode too.   I share best ways to motivate your guests to show up, keep coming back eac...

Have you ever thought about connecting with someone through cake?  Well, this week Karen Hetz from Kids Cake Boxes shares the story behind her company, where you can bake memories with your family.  Her time as a military spouse inspired her to create a product that can bring people together to celebrate even when they are separated by long distances.  She also has so much wisdom when it comes to...

This week I'm sharing a ton of really fun ways to host a Galentine's Day party.  I've never hosted one, but after talking about it so much I really, really want to.   I share great theme ideas, activities you can do with your friends and fun food ideas that are strictly for the girlies.  Want to get your gal pals together and share a fun party with them?  Listen in to see if you can incorporate an...

This week Veteran and military spouse Kasie Purvis is here and she is talking with us about why it's important to gather those around us that are scattered.  She and her family have moved regularly with the military and have developed great connections along the way by gathering their people around them. She has so much great wisdom to share and you should listen in now! Links You'll Need Find mor...

This week Susan Vernick is here from Etiquette Chics and she's sharing all the tools to be a great party guest and host.  I lover her perspective that etiquette is not a bunch of rules, but a way to do things better.   Those better ways will make you feel more confident and successful not just at parties, but in your everyday life too.  Listen in now to get ready for all of those upcoming holiday...

Have you ever wanted a professional event stylist to weigh in on your party?  This week we have the pleasure of hearing from Joseph Marini, author of Mastering the Art of Entertaining, and event stylist that's been featured in Oprah, The New York Times, Better Homes & Gardens, and more.  His decades of experience in the party industry shines through everything he shares with us and I know you will...

This week I am talking with my gym buddy about how she celebrates sports.  Alice Elrod is on the podcast and she shares all about hosting sporting watch parties, how to do it smoothly, and how to do it with little kids around as well.  I know you're going to get a lot of value and hosting tips from this episode.  Listen in now!  Links You'll Need Find more from Alice by following along on her Inst...

This week I'm sharing my experience at my recent high school reunion.  It is crazy to think it's been 20 years since high school, and it was such a fun thing to go to and reminisce about all the memories from that time.   It did get me thinking though about how you can really make a high school reunion such a fun event, getting teh attendees involved, the school and students involved.  This week I...

This week we are talking all about how humor can bring you together with others.  Angelica Hanley, from, A Couple Puns is sharing about how her business of funny, pun-filled cards gives her a creative outlet, a community, and a way to share humor with others.  She's a military spouse that started her business and has been successful throughout numerous moves and life changes all while her business...

Want to get ahead of the game and feel more prepared this holiday season?  Don't we all!  Listen to the episode this week to hear all kinds of easy to do hacks that will get you ready for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas so you can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying the season with your friends and family.  Links You'll Need I have several documents, trackers, and planning work...

Have you ever felt like you couldn't host or didn't want to go to something because you didn't feel confident in what you were wearing?  It happens to the best of us.  Today on the podcast, personal stylist, Laura Longmire from Where Life Meets Style is sharing her wisdom on how to dress with confidence for any occasion.  Spoiler alert it doesn't take a ton of new clothes to do it either.   Links...

As the "Ber" months are upon us (September, October, November, December), you will probably start to have more guests staying with you overnight.  Or you may be a guest at someone's house during the holidays.  This podcast episode shares my experience over many years hosting overnight guests, and being hosted by others.  I give you some of my best tips to make it the best experience for both those...

It's Olympic week!  The Summer 2024 Olympics start this week and this podcast episode is going to give you all the details and inspiration you need to host a fun watch party, themed neighborhood, tournament, or delicious Olympic inspired potluck.  Listen in for lots of ideas then click through the links below to find everythign you need for a great party.  Will you be watching the opening ceremoni...

Who needs an adventure in their life?  Well this week's guest and her family went on the ultimate adventure when they traded in the American dream and moved their family onto a large catamaran and sailed around the world.  Along the way they used thier adventures at sea to build community with other sailors and the local communities they visited.  Tanya has so much wisdom to share with us about bu...

Do you ever want to bring something healthy to a party or potluck?  Well, this week's guest, Esther Avant is a health and wellness coach with some great advice for being healthy and hosting.  She's a military spouse that has moved around and helped lots of women get healthier even in the midst of transition.  I loved her perspective on figuring out how to enjoy hosting especially if it's not somet...

We made it to 100 episodes!!  Feel free to share this podcast or any of the others you like to spread the fun we have over here at Conversations with the Hostess.  This week, I'm interviewing Dawn Benson who is an author and travel coach for women going through major life transitions.  Her wisdom comes from first hand experience of going through a big change and using travel to help her through th...

This week is so exciting and it's because it's all about one of my favorite shows, Bridgerton!  The new season is airing on Netflix soon and I want to celebrate because it's been nearly two years since the last season. If you love the show too, listen in to hear all about why I do, what the show encouraged me to start doing, and how you can get your own Bridgerton party plan.  I've put together a...

Who is ready to spend some time outside on your street getting to know their neighbors?  No more awkward waves to people you don't know as you drive by.  This week we're talking all about how to get to know your neighbors, with a little help from a FREE downloadable introduction card, and I share a ton of ways to spend time with your neighbors.  There are ideas for any favorite pastime, from celeb...

I hope this never happens to you, but if you plan a party, celebration, or holiday event and no one can come we're going to talk about it on the podcast today.  I go over how to mitigate this situation before it even happens, what to do if it turns out no one can come, and how to respond if you're the person that can't attend an event you were invited to.   It's a little personal and a little rant...