Podcast
The Simple Sophisticate - Intelligent Living Paired with Signature Style
Hosted by Shannon Ables · EN
The simple sophisticate is someone who prefers quality over quantity, sensible living over mindless consumption, personal style instead of trendy fashions, has an insatiable curiosity for life's endless questions and a desire to live a truly fulfilling life rather than being led around by the nose. Inspired by her lifestyle blog The Simply Luxurious Life, Shannon Ables (the original Simple Sophisticate) shares with listeners tips on how to live a refined life on an everyday income, a life of true contentment. Founded on the principle of the art of living a life of quality over quantity, episodes explore topics ranging from creating an everyday life you love living, strengthening mindfulness practices, preparing seasonally delicious meals, building a capsule wardrobe, traveling the world (Francophiles and Anglophiles tune in as France as well as the Britain are favorite destinations), and living life to the fullest without breaking the bank because living well is really quite simple.
*illustration by artist Sarah Löcker exclusively commissioned for the show
31episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Un Moment de Méditation: No. 19 — How to Find Peace
4d ago00:08:04Tap to summarizeFind the text for this mini-episode on The Simply Luxurious Life - https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/moment19
Transcribe →425: The Intermezzo Effect: Chess Champion Jennifer Shahade Teaches How to Win at Life
1w ago00:37:19Tap to summarizeChess. At first, the idea of thinking like a chess champion may sound like an impossible feat if we do not know how to play the game, but as winner of two U.S. Women's Chess Championships and the first woman to win the U.S. Junior Chess Open, Jennifer Shahade shares in her new book, it all comes down to thinking well. Or to put it more precisely, thinking sideways. In my conversation with Jennifer, who is also a two-time Global Poker Award winner and silver Olympic medalist, she will share what she means by her chosen title, and then we will dive into specific decision-making strategies that champion chess players like herself use and how they also translate into creating a life we love living. Be sure to tune in to the audio version of our conversation as we will talk about the power of embracing intermezzos, why presence is crucial to seeing and then seizing opportunity, why focusing on our strengths is far more valuable than zeroing in on our weaknesses, and many more worthwhile pieces of life advice as witnessed through the lens of the game of chess. I do hope you enjoy the episode as Jennifer was a great guest and shared freely. And her Petit Plaisir offers a new perspective on a word we may have unfairly defined negatively. Find the Show Notes for the episode on The Simply Luxurious Life blog - https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/podcast425
Transcribe →Un Moment de Méditation: No. 18 — Where We Find Stability
2w ago00:07:57Tap to summarizeFind the text for this mini-episode on The Simply Luxurious Life - https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/moment18
Transcribe →Un Moment de Méditation: No. 17 — A Curious Mind's Gift
3w ago00:07:46Tap to summarizeFind the text for this mini-episode on The Simply Luxurious Life - https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/moment17
Transcribe →Un Moment de Méditation: No. 16 — Relaxation as the Byproduct
4w ago00:08:46Tap to summarizeFind the text for this mini-episode on The Simply Luxurious Life - https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/moment16
Transcribe →424: Talking with Sharon Santoni about the Art of Antiquing in France
Apr 1500:54:52Tap to summarize"The key is to enjoy the moment, and never stop learning along the way." —Sharon Santoni encouragement to explore France's many antique and vintage markets, fairs and shops France. The history, the ambiance, the food, ahhh, and the antiques and vintage treasures. If you've ever dreamed of traveling to France or have traveled to France and have wanted to know how to navigate the many brocantes, antique fairs and markets, a new book has been written for you. Sharon Santoni, founder of My French Country Home - the blog, the magazine, the travel tours and the seasonal boxes filled with treasures, has spent years traveling around France treasure hunting, and mostly in the wee hours of the morning. A mother of four, now a self-described empty-nester, she and her husband had their home to furnish, and so it was to the French brocantes they went to do so. Thus began an adventure and sparked a passion for French antiques. In our conversation talking about her new book - The Art of Antiquing in France, Sharon will share how her introduction into this wonderful world of treasures and French history began, who guided her through and welcomed her into the community of dealers that find themselves at various markets and fairs over the calendar year, and she generously shares insights of where to go, what to look for and how to connect with the dealers to learn more about what catches your eye. She will also share what the true test of a good buy is when it comes to purchasing antiques, and how to hone your eye, taste and judgment so you can feel confident with your choices. Listen to the episode, #424, to hear our entire conversation and find the Show Notes on The Simply Luxurious Life blog - https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/podcast424
Transcribe →Un Moment de Méditation: No. 15 — The Easiest Task of All
Apr 1200:06:58Tap to summarizeFind the text for this mini-episode on The Simply Luxurious Life - https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/moment15
Transcribe →Un Moment de Méditation: No. 14 — Give Yourself Patience
Apr 500:06:58Tap to summarizeFind the text for this mini-episode on The Simply Luxurious Life - https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/moment14
Transcribe →423: How to Live in Sync with Your Inner Compass
Apr 100:37:45Tap to summarizeMy niece is graduating from high school this year, and as an aunt, it is a practice in letting go and trusting the amazing person that she is that she will find her way in life. If I were her parent, it would be different, as there is more direct support involved. This has been a great practice in exemplifying what is talked about here on TSLL: Living with intention, having clarity, being loving and kind while honoring our integrity in all interactions, but not clinging, controlling or manipulating. Our life is our own, and every other person has their own life journey to travel. Often, when a younger generation is reaching a milestone we too have passed through, we project our experience onto them, errantly making assumptions that we know what they are going through, what they will want and need. But the truth is, while the fundamentals may largely be the same, just as the fundamentals for surviving as a human being are the same for each of us – fresh air, water, sleep, food, shelter, etc., the details of how life will be lived to be fulfilling and enriching for each individual will be unique to them. Now, let's flip the script and examine the journey as the journeyperson trying to figure out their path forward. How do we find ease with where we are going and how we are living? It often can be easier to tell others how to live their life than to examine whether or not we are living well our own. So the question then becomes, How do we know, without knowing, that we are heading in the best direction for our life journey? Let's explore the four approaches to incorporate into our daily life to ensure we are living in sync with our inner compass. Find the detailed Show Notes on The Simply Luxurious Life blog https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/podcast423
Transcribe →Un Moment de Méditation: No. 13 — Becoming the Chooser of Our Thoughts
Mar 2900:06:58Tap to summarizeFind the text for this mini-episode on The Simply Luxurious Life - https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/moment13
Transcribe →