On the Table with Ashley

Olvera Street is on the Table Today! Today we are joined by Christina Mariscal Pasten. As the daughter of merchants herself, Christina is a founding board member of The Olvera Street Merchants Association. Olvera Street is a historical street in Los Angeles, which served as the center of Spanish and Mexican life in the early 1900s. The merchants on Olvera Street have been celebrating Dia De Los Muertos for decades with a 9 day long festival. The celebration incorporates the pre-Columbian, Aztec, Mayan and Catholic rituals surrounding death. This conversation explores the rich history and cultural significance of Olvera Street and the celebration of Dios de los Muertos. Christina Mariscal Pasten shares her personal connection to Olvera Street, her family's legacy, and the role of the Olvera Street Merchant Association Foundation in preserving traditions. What results is a beautiful conversation about cultural exchange and understanding, as well as the personal practices that keep the memory of loved ones alive. Learn more about Olvera Street Merchants Association here. Read Rain of Gold by Victor Villansenor. Listen to Brains On. Listen to Greeking Out. Listen to Work Life with Adam Grant. Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Secular Funerals are on the table today! For the third episode of our Death Rituals Series, we are joined by Blake Hutchings. Blake Hutchings is a Humanist Celebrant accredited by Humanists UK. He creates non-religious ceremonies for weddings, funerals, and naming days, working closely with individuals and families to ensure each ceremony reflects their values, stories, and relationships. Outside of his celebrant work, he is a musician, an active participant in amateur theatre, a writer, and a father of two. Blake takes us behind the scenes of what it means to be a humanist celebrant - from the multi-stage training process to the emotional and practical realities of meeting with families, writing personalized tributes, and guiding people through one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives from a secular lens. The conversation offers insight into the inner-workings of a secular funeral and the ways we can honor, think about, and remember death both inside and outside of organized religion. At its heart, this conversation reflects on how working so closely with death often becomes an exercise in learning how to live. Blake and Ashley talk about grief, legacy, and the importance of confronting mortality. Like many conversations On the Table With Ashley holds around death and dying, this episode ultimately becomes a conversation about life. Listen to the Skeptics Guide to the Universe podcast. Find out more about Humanists U.K. Learn more about Blake Hutchings.Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Journeying through death and grief is on the table today! In part 2 of this 2 part conversation, we are once again joined by Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez. Genevieve is a U.S. Army veteran who began her career as a medic, serving on military death response teams before transitioning into the funeral profession. She’s now the President and CEO of the National Museum of Funeral History in Houston. Genevieve holds degrees in psychology and mortuary science, as well as a master’s in nonprofit and association management — and she’s dedicated her career to helping people better understand death, grief, and remembrance. In this episode, Ashley and Genevieve dig deep, contending with the nuances, contradictions and lived realities of grief. Together, they explore the role that religion and funerals play in comforting the living while honoring the dead. From death photography to Jazz Funerals, Genevieve walks us through the different customs and traditions that help us process loss, and what these rituals teach us about how we grieve. Recorded just days after the death of her own mother, Genevieve generously opens up about her own grief journey, affording us a rare look into the magnitude of grief in motion, the contradictions and ever-evolving feelings that accompany it, and the healing that happens when we discuss this topic with an open mind and an open heart. Listen to the full episode, out now on your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about The National Museum of Funeral History. Listen to The Final Curtain Never Closes. Follow The National Museum of Funeral History on Instagram. Read The History of American Funeral Directing by Robert W. Habenstein and William M. Lamers. Learn more about INELDA. Explore the Association of Death Education and Counseling. Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Death rituals around the world are on the table today! In the first episode of our Death Rituals series, we are joined by Genevieve Keeney Vasquez for a conversation about death rituals, cultural practices, and the power of honoring the dead with intention. Genevieve Keeney Vazquez is a U.S. Army veteran who began her career as a medic, serving on military death response teams before transitioning into the funeral profession. She’s now the President and CEO of the National Museum of Funeral History in Houston. Genevieve holds degrees in psychology and mortuary science, as well as a master’s in nonprofit and association management — and she’s dedicated her career to helping people better understand death, grief, and remembrance. Her path from the military to mortuary science to museum leadership offers such a fascinating window into how we find meaning, even in life’s most difficult moments. Recorded just days after the loss of Genevieve’s mother, this episode holds space for grief in real time. In part 1 of this 2 part episode, Genevieve shares how early experiences with death shaped her life’s path, from a childhood fascination sparked by a tragic news story to her time as a U.S. Army medic stationed in Germany. Together, Ashley and Genevieve discuss why we avoid talking about death, how that avoidance impacts families when loss occurs, and why having conversations about burial, cremation, and memorial wishes ahead of time is an act of love. Listen to the full episode, out now, on your favorite podcast platform. Explore the Association of Death Education and Counseling Explore the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Services Learn more about The National Museum of Funeral History Listen to The Final Curtain Never Closes Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Today, we have an abbreviated, bonus re-release of our episode with Palliative care doctor, Dr. Alex Gamble. Dr. Gamble graduated from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 2010, completed his residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in 2015, and pursued his fellowship at the University of Kansas in 2016. He specializes in improving the quality of life for patients nearing the end of life, drawing from his deep expertise in palliative care. Dr. Gamble sits down with Ashley to discuss his experiences as a palliative care physician and the profound lessons his patients have taught him about life, death, grief, and emotional maturity. Their conversation explores the philosophical aspects of death anxiety and dives into the diverse emotional landscapes of his patients. Death Anxiety is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, influencing many of the choices we make in an effort to mitigate our fears surrounding mortality. With this episode, and the series as a whole, we aim to foster open dialogue about this often-uncomfortable topic. We believe that through tough conversations, we can find inner peace. No subject is off-limits in our pursuit of meaningful connection. You can learn more about Dr. Gamble and his practice at North Kansas City Hospital's page as well as on Stanford University's academic staff page. Links to resources mentioned by Ashley and Dr. Gamble in today’s episode: ‘‘And Yet It Was a Blessing’’: The Case for Existential Maturity - special report by Linda L. Emanuel, MD, PhD, Neha Reddy, BA, Joshua Hauser, MD, and Sarah B. Sonnenfeld. Plato's Allegory of the Cave The Death Cafe Movement The Death Positive Movement A Beginner's Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death - by B.J Miller, MD and Shoshana Berger Recompose Follow Dr.Gamble on X Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Nutrition is on the table today! For the final episode of our wellness series, we are joined by Nutritionist Joan Salge Blake. Dr. Salge Blake is a Clinical Professor and Dietetic Internship Director at Boston University (BU) and was awarded the prestigious Whitney Powers Excellence in Teaching Award from the University. Currently, Joan is a nutrition blogger for US News & World Report’s Eat + Run Column and the host of SpotOn!, the hit nutrition, health, and wellness podcast. She has conducted over 2,000 media interviews on numerous nutrition topics and was named by Good Housekeeping Magazine as the expert to follow on Twitter for healthy eating. Dr.Salge Blake joins us to break down the misinformation and disinformation surrounding nutrition in our current landscape. The two engage in a robust discussion about small ways to improve our nutritional outcomes in everyday lives, and the importance of nutrition education for all. In a field dominated by influencers and unlicensed experts, Dr.Salge Blake provides an unbiased, educated perspective on how to best live a truly nutritious lifestyle. Listen to the full episode, out now, on your favorite podcast platform. Follow Dr. Salge Blake on Facebook. Follow Dr. Salge Blake on Twitter. Follow Dr. Salge Blake on Instagram. Explore the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Check out the TV Show Chef’s Table Listen to the Spot On Podcast Read Eat Right the E.A.S.Y Way by Joan Salge Blake Read Nutrition & You by Joan Salge Blake Read Nutrition from Science to You by Joan Salge Blake Explore Oldways Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

In the seventh episode of our wellness series, we are joined by Autumn Bear and Dr. Kelly Woodward. Autumn Bear is the founder of the Autumn Bear Wellness Collective, a space where modern medicine meets ancient healing. Trained in Chinese medicine and acupuncture, Autumn blends traditional medicine and spirituality to guide people toward deeper wellness and self-connection.Autumn holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Arizona. Her work focuses on whole-person healing, community connection, and empowering people to take an active role in their health. Dr. Kelly Woodward is a Preventive and Family Medicine physician with over 30 years of experience in lifestyle and integrative health. With a career that includes serving as a consultant in public health and a 22+ year tenure in the U.S. Air Force (retiring as Colonel), Dr. Woodward brings deep expertise in chronic disease prevention, longevity, and lifestyle medicine. After leading wellness programs at Intermountain Park City Hospital, he joined the Autumn Bear Wellness Collective, where he focuses on helping patients thrive through balance, longevity, and mindful living. In part 2 of this 2 part conversation, Dr. Woodward and Autumn join us to discuss the critical role that connection and community play in health and healing. They share powerful stories from their practices illustrating how genuine human relationships, persistent compassionate care, and having meaningful roles within the community can transform patient outcomes. The conversation explores how healthcare practitioners can balance technical expertise with emotional investment, and practical ways to practice wellness in everyday life. Read My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. Read Here If You Need Me: A True Story by Kate Braistrup. Read Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. Read Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. Read Life After Dead Pool:Lake Powell's Last Days and the Rebirth of the Colorado River by Zak Podmore. Read the periodical Science News. Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. Learn more about Autumn’s practice here. Learn more about Dr.Woodward here. Follow Autumn on Instagram and Tiktok. Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at onthetablewithashley@ameatendre.com.

Send us a text Sleep and Simple Movement is on the Table today! In the sixth episode of our wellness series, we are joined by Autumn Bear and Dr.Kelly Woodward. Autumn Bear is the founder of the Autumn Bear Wellness Collective, a space where modern medicine meets ancient healing. Trained in Chinese medicine and acupuncture, Autumn blends traditional medicine and spirituality to guide people toward deeper wellness and self-connection.Autumn holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Arizona. Her work focuses on whole-person healing, community connection, and empowering people to take an active role in their health. Dr. Kelly Woodward is a Preventive and Family Medicine physician with over 30 years of experience in lifestyle and integrative health. With a career that includes serving as a consultant in public health and a 22+ year tenure in the U.S. Air Force (retiring as Colonel), Dr. Woodward brings deep expertise in chronic disease prevention, longevity, and lifestyle medicine. After leading wellness programs at Intermountain Park City Hospital, he joined the Autumn Bear Wellness Collective, where he focuses on helping patients thrive through balance, longevity, and mindful living. In part 1 of this 2 part conversation, we slow things down and talk about the real foundations of health: sleep, movement, and the art of listening to your body. Autumn and Dr.Woodward remind us that before we chase the next big fitness trend or wellness hack, we need to start with the basics. We also dig into movement - not the kind that leaves you exhausted or chasing a new personal record, but the everyday, natural movement our bodies were designed for - whether it's walking, stretching, gardening, vacuuming. These simple acts nourish our body in ways we often overlook. Together, we explore how slowing down, moving with intention, and getting back to what’s essential can bring more energy, balance, and ease into our lives. Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. Learn more about Autumn’s practice here. Learn more about Dr.Woodward here. Follow Autumn on Instagram and Tiktok. Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at onthetablewithashley@ameatendre.com

Send us a text Wellness for Midlife Women is on the table today! For the fifth episode of our Wellness Series, we are joined by Linsly Donnelly. Linsly Donnelly is a Mindset and Longevity Coach, Board Executive, and Motivational Speaker. As a strategy consultant turned entrepreneur turned “citizen scientist”, she became inspired to partner with midlife women with a simple goal: Help midlife women build and sustain their energy in order to craft their next decades to be ones full of purpose and joy - on their own terms. Linsly offers different types of wellness classes as well as personalized coaching to women searching for solutions or next steps in their mid lives. In her work, Linsly has helped hundreds of women define the next chapter of their lives. Linsly joins us to explore what wellness truly looks like for women, particularly those in midlife. Describing midlife women as the “superheroes” of wellness, she examines how traditional wellness systems have often failed them, and reveals new, more authentic ways to define and nurture well-being. This thoughtful and empowering conversation reflects Linsly’s core philosophy: we are both responsible for and deeply deserving of prioritizing our personal wellness. Learn more about The Oura Ring. Listen to It’s Time with Dr.Jen and Linsly. Follow Linsly on Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin. Sign up for Linsly’s masterclass or book a consultation. Read The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Anchor. Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at onthetablewithashley@ameatendre.com

Send us a text Holistic Psychology is on the table today! In the fourth episode of our Wellness series, we are joined by Psychiatrist, Dr. Rinat Tal. Dr. Tal’s connection to mental health began in childhood, shaped by her ancestors’ experiences as Holocaust survivors. Growing up in this environment fueled her desire to understand both herself and those around her on a deeper level. Dr. Tal’s work combines medical practices with a holistic perspective, considering the mind, body, and emotions as interconnected elements of well-being. In addition to her practice, Dr. Tal teaches workshops at the Free Association Clinic for Existential Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis centered around the philosophical underpinnings of human emotions. Dr. Tal joins us to delve into some of the most contested topics in wellness; topics that define her work. She unpacks the mechanics of generational trauma, her perspective uniquely informed by being the granddaughter of 4 holocaust survivors, and grapples with the complexities of prescribing medication as a fix-all. Dr. Tal’s wise insights remind us of the importance of viewing mental health through a holistic lens, one that requires patience, exploration and community. Learn More about Dr.Rinat Tal and her Psychiatric Practice. Explore The Sigmund Freud House. Read The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell. Read Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Finally, Really Grow Up by James Hollis. Read From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur C. Brooks. Read Training in Compassion: Zen Teachings on the Practice of Lojong by Norman Fisher. Read The World Could be Otherwise: Imagination and the Bodhisattva Path by Norman Fisher. Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a l

Send us a text Natural fertility is on the table today! In episode 3 of our wellness series, we are joined by Natalie Crawford, MD. Dr. Natalie Crawford is a double board-certified fertility specialist in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility. She is the co-founder of Fora Fertility in Austin and Pinnacle, a leadership community for women in medicine. Dr. Crawford also serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas. She is the host of the popular As a Woman podcast and the author of the upcoming book The Fertility Formula. Having experienced infertility herself, Dr. Crawford combines evidence-based medicine with a holistic approach to empower and educate patients. In this episode, Dr. Natalie Crawford joins us to unpack the intricacies of women’s health and natural fertility through the lens of her new book, The Fertility Formula. From hormonal conditions to the role of cortisol, she tackles the conversations too often downplayed in traditional medicine while revealing the powerful links between our physical and cognitive health. Dr. Crawford’s insights cut through the noise and bring much-needed attention to a field that remains underrepresented and underresearched: women’s health. Learn more about Dr.Crawford's practice, Fora Fertility. Listen to Dr.Crawford's podcast, As a Woman. Pre Order Dr.Crawford’s forthcoming book, The Fertility Formula. Follow Natalie Crawford on Instagram. Read The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life by Suleika Jaouad. Read The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and the Facts by Dr. Mary Claire Haver. Read Detoxify: The Everyday Toxins Harming Your Immune System and How to Defend Against Them by Aly Cohen, MD. Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Send us a text Strengthening the mind and body is on the table today! In the second episode of our Wellness series, we are joined by Cara Baxter, P.T. Cara is the owner of Motion Physical Therapy in Park City, Utah, and the former head physical therapist for the 2018 Olympic Freeski Halfpipe Team. She has worked with rehabbing athletes from the NFL, NHL, MLB, United States Figure Skating, and United States Ski and Snowboard team. Outside of her professional work, Cara was an elite figure skater, and is now an avid backcountry skier and amateur mountain bike racer. Cara joins us to discuss her career as a P.T, and share insights on serving a variety of people, from patients with chronic pain to Olympic athletes. Cara’s wisdom reminds us that there is no “one size fits all” for recovery. True wellness means tailoring your lifestyle to your needs - not anybody else's. Listen to the full episode, out now, on your favorite podcast platform. Check out Cara Baxter’s PT Practice, Motion Physical Therapy. Read Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb. Learn more about Kutcher Clinic for Sports Neurology. Learn more about The Conscious Leadership Group. Follow Motion Physical Therapy on Instagram Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Send us a text Breathwork as Medicine is on the table today! In the inaugural episode of our Wellness series, we are joined by Dr.Amit Anand, a distinguished Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine physician based in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 27 years of experience in his field, Dr.Anand integrates traditional medical practices with ancient yogic breathing techniques to promote holistic health and well-being. For the past 25 years, he has been actively involved in teaching at esteemed institutions such as Harvard and Tufts Medical Schools. Beyond his medical practice, Dr. Anand is a certified yoga instructor and a practitioner of Pranayama—a branch of yoga focused on breath control. In his quest to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western health practices, Dr. Anand co-founded Breathonance, a platform that combines traditional Pranayama techniques with modern music to enhance the effectiveness of breathwork. Dr. Anand joins On the Table to discuss the importance of breathwork, and how it can be used as a tool to connect the mind and body in ways that heal and transform. He also discusses his own journey into the field of breathwork, and how he integrates his work into his medical practice. What results is a powerful conversation about the power of presence, mind and body connections, and how something as small as breathing can have a profound impact on your health. Explore Dr.Anand’s new breathwork repository, Breathonance Learn more about the work of Clint Valladares Learn more about the Yogic Practice Pranayama Learn more about Ujjayi breathing Read the research of Luciando Bernardi Read Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nester Read Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda Follow Breathonance on Instagram, Linkedin and Facebook. Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Send us a text Today, we have an abbreviated, bonus re-release of our episode on clean living with Dana Grinnell on the table. You can listen to the full episode here. Dana Grinnell is the founder of Free Living Co, an educational platform and shop dedicated to helping people lead healthier lifestyles by providing accessible strategies and products for replacing harmful chemicals in homes across the country. She joins Ashley to talk about her personal journey into the world of clean living, how to identify harmful products, effectively replace them and how transitioning to clean living doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice price point, routine or that one product you just can’t live without. You can learn more about Dana Grinnell and Free Living Co at www.freelivingco.com or on Instagram @_freelivingco. You can shop in person at the Free Living Co. store in Park City, UT, which offers clean products for home and body along with a selection of the Âme Atendre collection. Free Living Co. also ships nationwide and provides free delivery within the Park City area. Links to products and topics mentioned by Ashley and Dana in today’s episode: EWGMade Safe Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram @onthetablewithashley On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. Follow Âme Atendre on Instagram @amatendre

Send us a text Reading Overseas is on the table today! In the final episode of our Book Club mini-series, we’re joined by voracious reader and book club veteran Linda Buday. Linda shares what it was like to be part of a book club while living in Switzerland, an experience that deepened her commitment not only to reading but also to community. She walks us through her long lineage of book clubs, starting with her very first group in 1991, made up entirely of working women, to the one she helped start in Switzerland in 2003. Along the way, Linda offers thoughtful insights and practical tips for building and sustaining a successful book club; from the ideal number of participants to the shared commitment that makes these groups thrive. Linda’s story is a perfect bookend to a series that celebrates the power of language and the connections we build through it. Read Blindness by Jose Saramago. Read Blood, Bones and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton. Read Regeneration by Pat Barker. Read The Things They Carried by Tim Obrien. Read Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Send us a text A lifetime of reading is on the table today! In episode 2 of our book club mini-series, Ashley sits down with Nan Williamson - a lifelong reader and book club veteran who has co-founded two long-running book clubs over the years. Nan opens up about her journey from a child with undiagnosed ADHD and difficulty focusing to a voracious reader and community-builder through books. Together, Ashley and Nan explore the emotional heart of what makes a book club more than just a reading group: the stories that shape us, the friendships that form around shared pages, and the quiet magic of gathering to feel, reflect, and connect. Nan shares her favorite reads, the secrets that keep her club thriving, and why book clubs can be a powerful form of community care. What results is a tender, vulnerable conversation that mirrors the emotional intimacy of a book club itself, and will leave you wanting to start (or restart) one of your own. Read A Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. Read Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix. Read Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann. Read A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them by Timothy Egan. Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Send us a text A lifetime of reading is on the table today! This week, we're kicking off a special book club mini-series with a guest who has been part of the same men's book club since 1997. Hugh Williamson joins Ashley to talk about what it means to commit to reading in community over decades- through life changes, shifting interests, and a whole lot of paperbacks. In this conversation, Hugh reflects on how this book club has evolved, what keeps the group together, and titles that have sparked meaningful discussions. What results is a warm and meaningful look at the power of shared stories. Explore Thrift Books. Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Send us a text Design Psychology is on the table today! Rounding out our From Brain to Home series, we are joined by Amber Dunford, a former mental health clinician turned interior stylist and one of only a handful of design psychology consultants with expertise in the connection between space design and mental health. Amber spent years in private practice as a therapist before merging her passions for design and psychology by developing a college course on the relationship between the two. She joins Ashley to discuss the powerful and often underrated, correlation between our mental wellbeing and the spaces we inhabit. Amber talks about her work as a “design psychologist”, explaining how she pulls from her background in counseling psychology to design a space. From treatment plans to client intake sessions, she understands the way a space makes her client feel as the foundation for her designs. Amber peels back the layers on our subconscious, acutely tying our childhood memories, our comforts and discomforts, and our familiarities to the ways in which we interpret our four walls. What results is an eye-opening conversation that is about so much more than interior design. It’s about our past, our emotions and the ways we interpret the world around us. Follow Amber Dunford on Instagram. Explore Amber Dunford’s website. Listen to our conversation with Dr. Anjan Chatterjee Listen to our conversation with Dr. Yvonne Jewkes Listen to our conversation with Dr. Mariana Figueiro Learn about The Church of Bones in Czechoslovakia Listen to the Business of Home Podcast Read The Great Indoors: The Surprising Science of How Buildings Shape Our Behavior, Health, and Happiness by Emily Anthes Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Send us a text Sustainable Design is on the table today! In this episode, we are joined by San Francisco-based designer, artist, and climate activist, Verda Alexander. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts from San Jose State University and advanced studies in landscape architecture at Harvard Graduate School of Design, Verda co-founded Studio O+A. Studio O+A is a design firm renowned for creating innovative workspaces for leading technology companies such as Facebook, Microsoft, and Slack. Beyond her design practice, Alexander is the Editor-at-Large at Metropolis Magazine, where she expands conversations around design, climate activism, social justice, and art. Alexander also engages audiences through "Break Some Dishes," a podcast addressing design's role in climate change. Verda Alexander joins Ashley to discuss what she has learned about productivity and comfort in the workspace from designing for some of the biggest tech companies in the world. The two dive deep into Verda’s climate activism and the ways in which climate change, sustainability and design intersect. What results is an astute conversation that interrogates the ways capitalism informs design, and the intentionality necessary to create designs that help our planet and the people living on it. Follow Verda on Instagram. Listen to Verda’s Podcast Break Some Dishes Check out Studio X+O Read Food for Thought Truck by Studio X+O Check out the Alternative Practice Project Read Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport Learn More about John Muir’s Alarm Clock Bed Read The Eco Playbook Read Metropolis Magazine Read Invisible Women - Exposing Data in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez Read How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Send us a text The magic of everyday objects is on the table today! In Part 2 of this two-part conversation, Ashley is joined by designers Hannah Bigeleisen and Alyssa Gerasimoff for a thoughtful exploration of the joy of color, the value of small-batch bespoke and custom production, and the creative potential found in the everyday. Alyssa Gerasimoff, a 2020 graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in furniture design, founded Erria—a digital platform connecting artists, designers, suppliers, and fabricators—in 2023 after seeing many of her peers struggle to launch their creative careers. She’s now preparing to roll out Erria 2.0, a more sustainable, evolved version of the platform. Hannah Bigeleisen is a Brooklyn-based designer celebrated for her sculptural furniture and lighting. With a foundation in sculpture, she brings a playful yet refined approach to her work. Since launching her practice in 2020, her collections have been showcased at Brooklyn Designs, Collectible Design, and Sight Unseen Offsite Online, and featured in Domino, Architectural Digest, Elle Decor España, Vogue, Luxe, and Interior Design Magazine. Her latest collection will debut at Wanted Design in 2025. Joined by Dylan Williamson, Principal Designer at Âme Atendre, this episode dives into the creative brainwork behind design. Hannah and Alyssa share the moments of inspiration they find in the world around them—from the shifting light in nature to unexpected patterns in vintage rugs—and how these observations inform their work. They discuss the craftsmanship and intention behind hand made goods, offer insights on sustainability through quality, and reflect on how they stay creatively energized day to day. The result is a rich, accessible lesson in design, beauty, and mindful consumption—encouraging listeners to shop with both intention and imagination. Check out Erria Design Follow Hannah and Alyssa on Instagram. Follow Erria on Instagram. Explore Hannah’s website Read Homemade Russia: Post Soviet Folk Artifacts. Read Fewer, Better Things: The Hidden Wisdom of Objects by Glenn Adamson Learn more about An Incomplete Manifesto for Growth by Bruce Mau Learn more about 3pts. Listen to Brene Brown’s Podcast. Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok. On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters.