The Well Lived Podcast

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation on The Well Lived Podcast, Nicole sat down with Stafford House Studio’s operations manager Erica to explore the reality of working motherhood, building a business, and navigating career and family life as a modern working mom. In Part 2, we continue the conversation with co-founder Sydni, offering a different perspective on motherhood, identity, and what it...

In this episode, we’re joined by interior designer, business owner, and fellow mom, Jean Ross, founder of ROW Design Studio. From her early days in the fast-paced world of television design to building a studio rooted in authenticity and connection, Jean shares the deeply personal journey that shaped her approach to design and life. We talk about what it really means to create a home that reflects...

Sometimes you just need an episode that feels like catching up with your best friend, and this is exactly that. In this light, funny, and completely unfiltered episode of The Well Lived Podcast, Nicole and Sydni dive into their most hilarious unpopular opinions, real life mom moments, and the kind of conversations that only happen between two best friends who have seen it all. From strong takes on...

How do you balance motherhood and a career without losing yourself? In this episode of The Well Lived Podcast, we have an honest conversation about being a working mom, building a business, and navigating the reality of modern motherhood. Nicole sits down with Stafford House Studio’s operations manager Erica, who is preparing to become a first-time mom, to talk about what it actually looks like to...

Most people think interior designers come in after the renovation is finished to choose furniture and make the space look beautiful. In reality, the design process starts long before construction begins. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on what interior designers actually do and why hiring a designer early can completely change the outcome of your renovation or custom home build. We walk...

What actually makes a renovation worth seven figures? Are white kitchens over? Do designers secretly judge your house? And what does success look like when you’re building a business and raising babies at the same time? In this solo episode, Nicole answers your most asked questions about luxury renovations, timeless design, entrepreneurship, ambition, working mom guilt, and the messy reality behin...

What does it really mean to find your voice in your home, your work, and your life? In this episode of The Well Lived Podcast, we’re joined by fellow interior designer Samantha Brocca, founder of Studio Brocca, for a deeply honest conversation about authenticity, confidence, and designing from within. Together, we explore why personal style is not about trends, labels, or Pinterest-perfect rooms,...

In this episode of The Well Lived Podcast, Nicole and Sydni, founders of Toronto luxury interior design firm Stafford House Studio, invite listeners behind the scenes for an honest, unscripted conversation about life beyond beautiful rooms. As working mothers, entrepreneurs, and interior designers serving high-end residential clients across Toronto and the GTA, they share personal reflections on w...

In this episode of The Well Lived Podcast, we’re joined by our friend and fellow designer Katie Rempel, founder of Studio Sonny, for a conversation about building meaningful work in a crowded, competitive world. While our roots are in interior design, this conversation reaches far beyond one industry. We talk openly about what it feels like to create something of your own, navigate comparison, and...

If you have ever felt like you need to wait until the kids are grown to have a beautiful home, this episode is for you. In this conversation, Nicole and Sydni share tips to design a home that truly grows with you through every stage of family life. From kids and pets to everyday mess and movement, they talk about how to make thoughtful choices that support real living without sacrificing beauty. T...

Welcome to season 2! Renovations look sexy on TV. Real life can be a little more complicated. In our first episode of Season 2 (and kicking off 2026), we’re pulling back the curtain on what actually happens during a renovation: the timelines, the budgets, the messy middle, and the stuff no one tells you before you knock down a wall. We’re joined by our longtime collaborator, trusted contractor, an...

In this end of year wrap up episode, Nicole and Sydni reflect on 2025 through roses, thorns, and buds. To learn more about The Well Lived Podcast @thewelllivedpodcast on Instagram ⁠www.thewelllivedpodcast.com⁠ To learn more about our interior design firm, Stafford House Studio, follow along at: @staffordhousestudio on Instagram ⁠www.staffordhousestudio.com⁠ Please rate, review, and share The Well...

In this episode, Sydni and Nicole sit down with their dear friend, Brit Johnson, Owner and Principal Design of The Style Co., to explore the pressure of the picture-perfect home and why beauty alone isn’t enough. Together, they unpack how homes should support real life, meaningful rituals, and evolving seasons, not unrealistic standards. A conversation about belonging, intention, and what it truly...

In this deeply personal and wildly inspiring episode, Nicole sits down with her longtime friend, mentor, and former HGTV superstar Cheryl Torrenueva, a designer turned high performance coach whose life has been defined by bold pivots, unexpected plot twists, and the courage to reinvent herself in her 40s. Together, they peel back the curtain on Cheryl’s extraordinary career journey: From being dis...

It’s officially holiday season, which somehow means joy, nostalgia, and feeling like your home should suddenly look like a magazine spread. Spoiler: it doesn't have to. In this cozy, hilarious, and deeply personal episode, Sydni and Nicole dive into how each of them celebrates the holidays, from Hanukkah candlelighting traditions to chopping down real Christmas trees and navigating the pressur...

Running a business with a partner (and if you're like us, your best friend!) sounds like a dream… until you realize partnership comes with hard conversations, high-stakes decisions, and showing up for clients even on the days you barely held it together. In this episode, Nicole and Sydni get honest about what it really looks like to blend deep friendship with entrepreneurship with their reside...

In this episode of The Well Lived Podcast, we are breaking down some popular interior design myths that refuse to disappear and revealing what actually matters when you are creating a home you love. We also answer a listener question about artwork height (spoiler alert: you are hanging it too high), share stories from past projects, and finish with a fun rapid fire round that they are, unsurprisin...

This week on The Well Lived Podcast, we are joined by our dear friend, fellow interior designer and mega talent, Veronica Ng, founder of interior design firm, The Visionary Company. She is a mom of two and proof that you can build a thriving business while raising tiny humans. We dive into the real juggle of motherhood + entrepreneurship, from 5am wake ups and the chaotic after daycare red zone to...

We started with no plan, no formal business training, and babies on our hips, but somehow built a successful interior design firm anyway. It’s laughs, lessons, and a whole lot of figuring it out as we go. For more The Well Lived Podcast, follow along at: @thewelllivedpodcast on Instagram www.thewelllivedpodcast.com To learn more about our interior design firm, Stafford House Studio, follow along a...

In this episode of The Well Lived Podcast, Sydni engages in a deep conversation with Erica Zito, the operations manager at Stafford House Studio, about the intricacies of interior design, client relationships, and the challenges of balancing work and family life. They explore common misconceptions in renovation, the importance of budgeting, and the emotional impact of home design. Erica shares her...

Nicole shares simple, impactful design tips to help you refresh your home without a full renovation. From carpet runners and lighting to choosing personal art, she answers real listener questions and offers practical advice you can actually use to make your space feel beautiful, functional, and deeply personal. For more The Well Lived Podcast, follow along at: @thewelllivedpodcast on Instagram www...

With over a decade of experience in the design industry, creating one-of-a-kind homes for one-of-a-kind families, we’re spilling the tea about real tools we use in our own design firm. In this episode, we’re sharing practical strategies and insider tips to help you tackle renovations, refreshes, and furnishing purchases with confidence. Whether you're reimagining a single room or planning a full o...

TV taught us how to pivot, adapt, and deliver! In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on our HGTV days - the good, the glamorous, and yes, the gritty. We’re sharing what really went down behind the scenes, what we loved, what challenged us, and why we ultimately made the leap from working on set to working on-site full-time. We’ll also reflect on some unforgettable career highlights, incl...

In our first official episode, we dive into the beautiful, messy, and deeply personal journey of balancing motherhood, ambition, and running a business. Join us as we share candid stories about the challenges and triumphs of being career-driven moms, the importance of setting boundaries, and the art of designing a life and home that truly reflects who you are. Tune in for heartfelt conversations,...

Hosted by Nicole and Sydni, best friends, moms, and the powerhouse duo behind Toronto’s interior design firm Stafford House Studio, this podcast pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a beautiful life in business, at home, and within yourself. From HGTV sets to managing their own thriving design firm, and then into the unpredictable world of motherhood. Nicole and Sydni have taken...