Trust Me I'm a Decorator

Trust Me I'm a Decorator Podcast

Trust Me... I'm a Decorator! is a podcast hosted by renowned television personalities and designers Debbie Travis and Tommy Smythe. While you may know them best as decorators, they'll be covering all of their favourite things; travel, relationships, food and more with many special guests along the way.  Debbie Travis is an international television host and producer, best-selling author, sought-after public speaker, and designer of the Debbie Travis Home Collection and holds women’s retreats at her villa in Tuscany. She is also the creator and host of Debbie Travis' Painted House, Debbie Travis' Facelift, From the Ground Up, All for One and La Dolce Debbie. She has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Regis and Kelly, The Today Show, The Marilyn Denis Show and has been featured everywhere from Marie Clare to People Magazine, Hello Magazine, The Telegraph and The Globe and Mail. Tommy Smythe spent almost two decades working with HGTV star Sarah Richardson on various shows and he’s a highly sought-after guest expert on national television including The Marilyn Denis Show and Breakfast Television. He recently started his own interior design firm called TOM Design Studio where he combines his love for both traditional and modern design. Off camera, he maintains an international portfolio of private residential design projects as well as an active presence in print media.

  1. AUG 26

    Frances Mayes Returns: A Good Marriage

    Debbie and Tommy welcome the fabulous Frances Mayes back to the podcast! The international bestselling author behind the now-classic Under the Tuscan Sun is back with a new book, and her third novel, A Great Marriage. When a perfect wedding is called off just days before the big event, it sends two people—and their families—reeling, in this poignant novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Under the Tuscan Sun and Women in Sunlight. Dara Willcox, in New York for a weekend, meets Austin Clarke at an art gallery. If love at first sight can happen, it happens to them. These two vivid, ambitious people are on different courses—he’s British, working temporarily in New York. She’s from North Carolina, set on law school. They don’t care. They will make their lives together happen. At their April engagement dinner at Dara’s family home, her mother, Lee, sets a beautiful table, and the family and close friends gather to celebrate. Rich, Dara’s father, raises a toast. Suddenly, Lee spills the wine, a brilliant red stain splashing onto the tablecloth and onto Austin. Days later, Austin hears unsettling news from London that wrecks their plans. Dara abruptly cancels the wedding. She refuses to reveal the reason, not even to her best friends or her parents or grandmother, disrupting their family tradition of openness. As everyone knows, Lee and Rich have a great marriage, and Charlotte, her grandmother, had a colossal one, to the late Senator Mann. Charlotte literally wrote the book on the subject: She’s the author of international bestsellers on what makes a good or possibly a great marriage.  While Dara escapes to California and Indigo Island, South Carolina, Austin, back in London, faces a major tragedy, the consequences of which are life-altering. But it’s Lee, Dara’s mother, whose impulsive visit to London alters their fate. With her signature warmth, humor, and incisive style, beloved author Frances Mayes creates a multigenerational probe into the complexity of love and the great mystery ride of marriage. A novel of casual choices and fateful consequences, A Great Marriage introduces two unforgettable families and the arrival of a stranger who rearranges their futures. Her other international bestsellers include Bella Tuscany, Everyday in Tuscany, A Year in the World, Women in Sunlight, and Bringing Tuscany Home, among others. She has written six books of poetry and The Discovery of Poetry. Debbie and Tommy also discuss her most recent cookbook, Pasta Veloce: Irresistibly Fast Recipes from Under the Tuscan Sun. Her books have been translated into more than fifty languages! She and her husband divide their time between North Carolina and Tuscany. Get A Great Marriage, a new novel by Frances Mayes HERE. Find out more about Frances Mayes and her work HERE. Follow along on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thetrustmepod/ Leave us a voice message on our website: https://www.thetrustmepod.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    55 min
  2. AUG 12

    Beaches, Banana Hammocks & Budgie Smugglers

    Debbie and Tommy discuss their summer holidays including family visits in Tuscany, Tommy's summer at the Lake, and the challenges of traveling during peak season. They share their experiences in different vacation destinations and the cultural differences they encountered. Debbie talks about the Italian holiday Ferragusto and the crowded beaches in Italy during August. They discuss the importance of creating memories during family gatherings and the dynamics of hosting large groups with some valuable tips for managing family vacations including renting a house during the off-season for more affordable and authentic travel experiences. They also touch on their favorite summer reads as they tease their upcoming episode with author Frances Mayes! Summer reads mentioned in this episode: The Friday Afternoon Club: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203708995-the-friday-afternoon-club Thursday Night Murder Club: https://www.goodreads.com/series/299267-thursday-murder-club Strange Sally Diamond: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62322008-strange-sally-diamond Pre Order Debbie's Book: https://debbietravis.com/laugh-more/ Frances Mayes 'A Good Marriage:' https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706935/a-great-marriage-by-frances-mayes/ Chapters (00:00) Introduction and Summer Holidays (08:12) Crowded Beaches and Cultural Differences (14:01) Family Gatherings and Creating Memories (19:03) Managing Large Groups and House Rules (23:07) Funny Anecdotes and Tips for Family Vacations (28:23) Camping Adventures and Funny Travel Stories (34:22) Renting a House Off-Season for Authentic Travel (39:07) Exploring Historical Sites: The Colosseum and More (41:30) Summer Reads: 'Strange Sally Diamond' and 'The Thursday Night Murder Club' (43:17) Upcoming Podcast with Author Frances Mayes & Happy Summer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    50 min
  3. JUL 29

    Chef Lynn Crawford: Grow, Share, Devour!

    In this conversation, Chef Lynn Crawford discusses her move to the country, her passion for gardening, and her upcoming book. She emphasizes the joy of growing and cooking with fresh ingredients and the importance of sharing food with family and friends. Tommy and Debbie ask her about creating new communities through food and the benefits of planting food to live off your land. They also touch on the challenges of being a chef and the decision to leave the restaurant industry. Listeners also get to hear about Chef Lynn's upcoming plant-based cookbook. Chapters (00:00) Living a Connected Life: Chef Lynn Crawford's Journey to the Country (09:20) The Joy of Gardening: Teaching Children About Food (18:06) Preserving the Harvest: Tips for Preserving Tomatoes (23:57) The Generosity of Cooking: Sharing Food with Others (24:44) Creating New Communities Through Food (25:40) The Benefits of Working from Home (27:23) The Next Chapter: Leaving the Restaurant Industry (31:06) Surrounding Oneself with the Best People (48:26) Chef Lynn's Upcoming Plant-Based Cookbook More about Chef Lynn Crawford: Acclaimed Food Network celebrity chef and bestselling author, Chef Lynn Crawford has over 25 years of culinary experience, including many years as executive chef for the Four Seasons Hotels in Toronto and New York. One of the highest profile chefs in the country and a genuine household name, she is continually sought after as a dynamic host, public speaker, brand ambassador, spokesperson and mentor. Chef Lynn has released three best-selling cookbooks “Pitchin’ In” (2012), “At Home with Lynn Crawford” (2013) and the award winning “Farm to Chef” (2017). Chef Lynn is the winner of the 2017 Gourmand World Cookbook Award, and recipient of the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award by Canada’s 100 Best. Chef Lynn starred in Food Network’s hit series Pitchin’ In, which was nominated for Gemini Awards, both as a series and for her dynamic hosting, in 2010, 2011 and 2013. She can also be seen competing as an Iron Chef in Kitchen Stadium on Iron Chef Canada. Chef Lynn has appeared as a competitor on Top Chef Masters and Iron Chef America. Chef Lynn was a regular judge on Top Chef Canada and Chopped Canada, co-host of The Great Canadian Cookbook and Restaurant Makeover and is an Expert on the Marilyn Denis Show. Chef Lynn, a longtime supporter of the farm-to-table movement and sustainability, is also the Chef Ambassador for Egg Farmers of Canada. She is a dedicated philanthropist, giving back by participating in several charitable initiatives. Follow her adventures on Instagram  and Twitter or visit her website: https://cheflynncrawford.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min
  4. JUL 15

    Cynthia Loyst: The Social, Burnout, and Following Your Intuition

    Television host Cynthia Loyst joins the show this week, a long-time friend of Tommy Smythe who is widely recognized as one of the hosts on popular Canadian television show The Social. They discuss their friendship, the early days of The Social, cancel culture, and the challenges of being in the public eye. They also talk about the importance of speaking your mind and the pressure to please everyone. Cynthia opens up about her experience with burnout and depression, and the need for rest and self-care. They touch on the impact of social media and the lack of nuance in online discussions. Cynthia and Debbie discuss the fear and worry associated with the future and the need to question societal scripts and carve out a life that reflects one's values. Cynthia shares her three-step formula for dealing with burnout: stop, drop, and roll. They emphasize the importance of planting seeds of dreams and finding joy in life. More about Cynthia Lloyst: Cynthia Loyst is a National Bestselling Author, Producer, Television Host, and self-described “Professional Sensualist.” She is also the creator of Find Your Pleasure, a popular online destination that celebrates decadence, indulgence and pure, unadulterated joy. Throughout her award-winning career, Cynthia has become one of Canada’s most recognized and respected TV personalities and producers. She is also a WXN Top 100 Women Award Winner - recognizing women who have shaped Canadian thinking, communications and culture. Co-hosting CTV’s popular daytime talk show, The Social, Cynthia shares her fresh and genuine views to help people learn to appreciate life and all the pleasures it brings. She is also the go to relationship expert on Virgin Radio and has appeared on many other programs including The Marilyn Denis Show, CTV News, Etalk, and more. Most recently, Cynthia was the recipient of the Best Host award in the Lifestyle Category for The Social at the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards. In 2023, Cynthia launched Cynthia and Josie’s Unmentionables, a successful podcast which has consistently been on the Top 10 streamed podcasts in Canada on Apple and Spotify. Her debut book, Find Your Pleasure, was published in early 2020, where it gained praise and notability on the Toronto Star and The Globe & Mail’s Best Selling Lists. Follow Cynthia Loyst: Cynthia Loyst Instagram | Twitter: @cynthialoyst Find Your Pleasure Instagram | Twitter: @fypleasure Website: www.findyourpleasure.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min
4.8
out of 5
90 Ratings

About

Trust Me... I'm a Decorator! is a podcast hosted by renowned television personalities and designers Debbie Travis and Tommy Smythe. While you may know them best as decorators, they'll be covering all of their favourite things; travel, relationships, food and more with many special guests along the way.  Debbie Travis is an international television host and producer, best-selling author, sought-after public speaker, and designer of the Debbie Travis Home Collection and holds women’s retreats at her villa in Tuscany. She is also the creator and host of Debbie Travis' Painted House, Debbie Travis' Facelift, From the Ground Up, All for One and La Dolce Debbie. She has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Regis and Kelly, The Today Show, The Marilyn Denis Show and has been featured everywhere from Marie Clare to People Magazine, Hello Magazine, The Telegraph and The Globe and Mail. Tommy Smythe spent almost two decades working with HGTV star Sarah Richardson on various shows and he’s a highly sought-after guest expert on national television including The Marilyn Denis Show and Breakfast Television. He recently started his own interior design firm called TOM Design Studio where he combines his love for both traditional and modern design. Off camera, he maintains an international portfolio of private residential design projects as well as an active presence in print media.

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