The Jeanne Oliver Podcast

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.

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. She speaks about her experience at art school, how community has shaped her work, and why efficiency in art is not cheating but a practical, time-saving strategy for artist with full lives. We discuss influence, authenticity, beginning mural work with no roadmap, and how she balances routine with creativity in her multifaceted business. Brandi also opens up about motherhood, what her children have taught her, and how artists can build routines that support creativity rather than suffocating it. This conversation is about bravery, experimentation, community, and the long journey of figuring it out over and over again.

Today, I’m talking with Cat Bude - an author, photographer, and recipe developer who’s spent the last decade and a half living, creating, and raising her family in the heart of Normandy. From vintage copper pots and homegrown meals to writing her cookbook French Kitchen Lessons and building an online shop with her husband, Cat shares how she turned her creative gifts into a thriving, multifaceted business. We talk about the rhythms of life in a 380-year-old farmhouse, the beauty of long meals and local markets, and how French culture has deeply shaped her values around food, creativity, and community. Cat also shares more vulnerable parts of her story—how her husband's cancer diagnosis impacted their family, what she's learned about showing up in the hard seasons, and how creativity helped her find her way back to herself. You’ll hear about community built through markets, beauty found in slowness, and the quiet courage it takes to keep showing up creatively, especially when life doesn’t go as planned.

In this episode Jeanne is talking with shop owner, market creator, furniture designer and beautiful artist in so many ways, Jana Roach. If you have ever felt like the "just follow one thing" in your business doesn't work for you...THIS podcast will feel like a breath of fresh air. Jana and her husband follow many different creative and business paths and it works well for them together and individually.

In this episode Jeanne is talking with baker, gatherer, author and The Pie Queen Tara Royer Steele. Tara shares about the loss of her mother and how that started a ripple effect of generosity that also helped her step into her calling in new ways. She also shares what she needed during the grieving process, how to love people well in the midst of grief and how to invite healing.

In this episode Jeanne is talking with artist Mary Gregory. In this interview Mary shares how she has been able to grow her original art and art prints through live markets like Round Top. Mary is a must stop for many twice a year during antiques week in Round Top, Texas and she is sharing how she started, what guides her decisions, where to put your money and how to truly connect with those coming to see you. If you have been dreaming about selling your art at Round Top you won't want to miss this episode!

In this episode Jeanne is talking with pastor and author Russ Ramsey. Led by his writings in Rembrandt is in the Wind they discuss community in the art world, the moments that define us, and the impact of connecting with the beauty around us. This discussion is for the art lovers and also those that just love good stories!

In this episode Jeanne is talking with author, speaker and artist Sarah Martin. What would our lives look like if we were intentional about how we see the face of God each day? In what ways are we leading distracted lives and finding ourselves constantly looking at what is glittery instead of seeing the value and worth of Christ in front of us? You will leave this discussion with new tools to incorporate in your faith, family and in your own day to day life.

In this episode Jeanne is talking with artist and teacher Christa Forrest. In this episode they discuss the fear of starting, when a childhood dream doesn't happen, hiring a business coach, creating the life you want and the grace that comes from painting self portraits.

In this episode Jeanne is talking with gatherer, lover of beauty, dancer, creative teacher, and leader of live adventures here and abroad, Daune Pitman. Join this discussion all about the real heart of hospitality, how to kick perfectionism to the curb when it comes to your home and gathering and how to have a heart for others as we head into the holiday season. The timing couldn't be more wonderful for this talk all about using what you have to make a huge impact on others.

In this episode Jeanne is talking with author, artist, and scholar, Timothy Willard. Chasing beauty is for sure a choice of seeing more than what can appear at the surface. The world has been extra loud and distracting lately. Don't miss this episode if you want to have eyes open to change how you walk through life with intention and beauty.

In this episode Jeanne is talking with artist, generous teacher and amazing you tuber Sandi Hester. Sandi has created a world of color and art in the midst of health issues for many years. This conversation dives deep into the lies of perfectionism and how perfectionism can disguise itself.