We have a really special episode today–our very first guest interview!! Ashley Strong Smith is a multi-passionate entrepreneur, coach, writer, podcast host, ceremony-grade cacao facilitator, retreat host, and photographer who has spent years learning what it really means to slow down, honor the season you're in, and build a life that actually reflects your values. Her message couldn't feel more timely, and this is a conversation we think a lot of you will want to hear right now too. We talk about the pressure women and entrepreneurs feel to constantly produce and grow, what it actually looks like to honor a slower season without feeling like you're falling behind, the difference between habits, routines, and rituals, and how small intentional daily actions compound into massive transformation over time. About Ashley Strong Smith Ashley Strong Smith is a deeply curious soul who believes that although this life is finite, we are infinite in our capacity to grow, heal, create, and become. A multi-passionate entrepreneur, coach, writer, podcast host, ceremony-grade cacao facilitator, retreat host, and photographer, Ashley supports women in remembering who they are, reconnecting with their hearts, and creating lives that feel deeply aligned, intentional, and truly their own. Through her work, she helps women understand the why behind their thoughts, actions, feelings, and truths, so they can live more intentionally, authentically, and in alignment with their soul's truth. Topics We Cover How Joanna and Ashley met through a mastermind and a shared Nashville hotel roomWhy Ashley made the decision to end her podcast after almost four yearsWhat it means to honor the season you're in versus forcing yourself into the season you think you should be inAshley's powerful personal story of her life imploding across every category at once and what it taught herThe difference between slowing down and being intentional (and why you can't have one without the other)How to trust a slower season as an entrepreneur without feeling like you're losing momentumTips for new moms trying to balance business and presence in those early monthsMoving through the senses as a practice for being more present in everyday momentsHow guilt shows up for women whether or not they have kids and what to do about itAshley's weekly schedule broken down by day type: content creation days, meeting days, and writing daysWhy holistic lifestyle habits like sleep, movement, and nourishment support your creative outputHabit stacking and why adding habits to existing habits works better than building new ones from scratchHow rituals bring intention and presence to the things you're already doingAshley's heart-centered foundation: eight questions to reconnect with your values and your whyWhere to start if you want to live more intentionally but have no idea where to beginThe power of pausing between the doing Time Stamps 00:23 – How Joanna and Ashley met: mastermind, Nashville, and a shared hotel room 01:12 – Ashley's philosophy on clothing as a reflection of internal truth 06:25 – Why this conversation matters for entrepreneurs who are used to pushing and producing 07:25 – What it means to honor the season you're in 08:00 – Why Ashley made the decision to end her podcast after almost four years 11:24 – Is it more about slowing down or being intentional? (The answer: both) 12:10 – How to trust a slower season without feeling like you're falling behind 12:27 – Ashley's powerful personal story: when her life imploded across every category at once 15:44 – What she learned from being brought down to her bones 16:40 – One small adjustment to start creating more stillness in your life 17:09 – Dianna's personal share: ignoring nudges while preparing to become a mom for the first time 17:36 – Tips for new moms trying to balance business and presence in those early months 19:07 – Moving through the senses as a practice for being more present in everyday moments 21:10 – How guilt shows up for women whether or not they have kids 22:41 – How presence softens guilt 23:36 – When one thing is succeeding, another thing is failing — and why that's okay 24:54 – How to continue nurturing your dreams while honoring your current capacity 25:30 – Ashley's holistic approach to structuring her days 27:00 – Ashley's weekly schedule broken down: content creation days, meeting days, and writing days 30:37 – Why this schedule took three years of finessing to get right 31:00 – Small intentional daily action compounds into major change 32:03 – Habit stacking: why adding to existing habits works better than building new ones 33:57 – The difference between habits, routines, and rituals 35:10 – How rituals bring intention and presence to the things you're already doing 36:57 – Where to start if you want to live more intentionally 37:27 – The power of pausing between the doing 38:10 – Ashley's heart-centered foundation: eight questions to reconnect with your values and your why 39:44 – Where to find Ashley and her free Heart-Centered Foundation Guide 40:48 – Random question: If you could only eat from one fast food restaurant for the rest of your life, what would it be? Where to Find Ashley Instagram: @ashleystrongsmith_ Website: ashleystrongsmith.com Podcast: Living an Intentional Life Free resource: Creating a Heart-Centered Foundation Guide Links & Resources Mentioned Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com
