Show Notes
Today I’m joined by artist, author, boutique hotel owner, and gatherer of beauty Betty Soldi, whose life has been shaped by light, alchemy, and the practice of noticing. Born in Florence into a family who has handcrafted fireworks for generations, Betty grew up surrounded by sparks and “recipes for the stars,” learning early that wonder is something we are meant to tend and share.
We talk about her moving from Florence to London, the walkable cities she loves that cause her to slow down and really look, and the creative weaknesses she’s turned into strengths. She shares how her handwriting has continued to evolve, how creativity is guided more by feelings than appearance, and why expression carries no objective beyond honesty.
As we close the year and open a new season of the podcast, Betty shares what she’s laying down, what she’s picking up, and how recent creative breakthroughs are guiding her into deeper exploration. This is a conversation about presence, expression, and making room for what comes next.
More from The Jeanne Oliver Podcast
Today I’m talking with potter, photographer, gardener, mother, and longtime friend Kimberly Taylor. Kim lives on a small island off the west coast of British Columbia, where she and her partner have built a home, studios, and gardens surrounded by the sea, trees, and a slower rhythm of life. We talk about how life and friendships change as we move through different seasons, from young motherhood and the early days of blogging to becoming empty nesters and choosing fewer, deeper relationships. Kim shares how those friendships have shaped her, encouraged her, and reminded her that we need women in our lives who have walked before us as well as women who are walking through seasons we have already known.
Today I’m talking with textile artist, author, and lifelong experimenter Jayne Emerson, whose work has been seen in fashion houses like Dior, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton, and whose heart now lives in teaching, generosity, and creative freedom through the No Rules Textile Society.
Today I’m talking with artist, writer, photographer, storyteller, mother, and co-founder of Peg and Awl, Margaux Kent, whose life and work are rooted in curiosity, handmade practice, rhythms, and nature. Margaux shares how journaling has been a lifelong touchstone for her creativity, and how she and Walter built their business by following their own needs and curiosities rather than a traditional plan.
Today I’m talking with artist, creative guide, author, muralist, podcaster, wife, and mother Brandi Hofer, who has spent the last twenty years building a life and business defined by experimentation and intuitive growth. Brandi shares how she rebuilt her creative life after burnout into something sustainable and how trying new things, even embarrassing things, is essential to finding what you truly love.
Today I’m talking with writer, artist, scholar, and theologian Tim Willard, whose work explores beauty, wonder, true presence, and how it shapes our lives. We dive into his essay The Art of Deep Creation, discussing how false light deceives us, how beauty grounds us, and what it takes to live and create intentionally.