A Storied Table

Amy Kathleen Smith

A Storied Table is a laid-back podcast about life, travel, hospitality, and home — and the stories that naturally weave their way through it all. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair with a friend you love to hang out with. We talk about food, gathering with your people, travel, imperfect homemaking, and everyday life. Faith shows up here in a real-life way — honest, approachable, and never forced. It’s just part of the conversation, woven in, the same way it shows up in everyday life. You’ll hear stories, laughs, fun conversations, and the kind of honest openness that tends to happen when people relax and stay awhile. If you love good food, adventures in traveling, intentional living, and conversations that feel easy and real, you’re in the right place.  Welcome to a storied table. I’m so glad you’re here.

  1. APR 2

    Travel | Florence, Italy: The Wild Tuscan Drive That Kicked Off Our Next 20 Years

    Text me! Tell me something good! He thought my “weather problem” meant a helicopter tour. I told him to put his shoes on anyway, and off we went into a rainy Florence evening—no clue a bright red Ferrari was waiting across the Arno. Michael joins me at the table to relive our Florence, Italy stop—part of our Italy trip. We chat about the hotel that felt wildly fancy for the price, the river rushing from epic rain, and the scramble it took to pull off his 20th anniversary gift. I share the story behind booking a Tuscany Ferrari driving experience the hard way, why WhatsApp saved the day, and how we got a route through the Tuscan countryside—no boring track circles here! Then, we dive into the good stuff: meeting Stefano (yes, a former Ferrari racer), learning the car’s personality, and hearing that engine echo through tunnels with Stefano counting us in: “one, two, three, go.” We swap a Chianti Classico tip (look for the rooster!), talk aperitivo and orange wine, and share those simple Florence moments—from a wine window near the Duomo to Mercato Centrale to that legendary Florentine steak. If you’re up for a ride through Florence and Tuscany—Ferrari engines and all—hit play! And hey, if it made you smile or dream, share it with a friend who loves a great adventure! Hosts:  Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable | www.astoriedtable.com  Edited by:  Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/ *starting with episode 60

    45 min
  2. MAR 19

    Travel | Rome, Italy: 24 Rainy Hours That Started It All

    Text me! Tell me something good! Rome in the rain is still Rome—but it will test your plan fast. We land on a tight timeline and decide to do the thing anyway: squeeze a lifetime of wonder into about 24 hours, fueled by jet lag, stubborn optimism, and a lot of espresso. In this episode, I walk through how this Italy birthday and anniversary trip came together at the last minute—using credit card points and travel portals to book flights, boutique hotels, and a Vatican tour. I also share what didn’t match the booking promises, what a Jubilee year changes inside Vatican City, and the small tweaks that would have made the day smoother. If you’ve ever searched “Vatican tour skip the line” and felt overwhelmed, this will help you know what to look for (and what to ask before you book). Then we get to the fun part—stumbling into Sant’Eustachio Caffè near the Pantheon and getting our first real taste of Roman coffee culture, followed by a Michelin-star dinner that felt more like art than a meal. The next morning, we hop on a tuk-tuk tour for a quick pass through the Colosseum, ancient ruins, and a few surprises we didn’t expect. And then, my favorite moment from Rome: the Orange Garden, a quiet little viewpoint with a perspective trick that stops you in your tracks—and a sax player who somehow shows up at exactly the right moment to play Happy Birthday. One of those “God wink” kind of moments you couldn’t plan if you tried. If you’re planning a Rome itinerary, dreaming about Italy travel, or just love stories that mix the practical with the meaningful, this one’s for you. __________________________________________________________________________________ If you'd like links and more details on this leg of the trip, visit my blog at www.astoriedtable.com.  Hosts:  Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable | www.astoriedtable.com  Edited by:  Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/ *starting with episode 60

    33 min
  3. 10/22/2025

    Travel | A Mountaintop Escape

    Text me! Tell me something good! What if the best part of your trip all started with a mindless mistake? We booked a few quiet days while the boys were at camp and ended up on a cliff in Tennessee—inside a geodesic dome at Bolt Farm Treehouse with views that made time actually slow down. The funny part? I’d accidentally booked the wrong dates. But instead of it turning into a mess, their team turned it into the most amazing stay. This episode’s all about the kind of travel that helps you reconnect with your person. We spent our mornings chasing waterfalls around Chattanooga and tackling trails that tested both our balance and our grit (pretty sure “rope-assisted descent” wasn’t in the brochure).  Then we’d come back to the domes for slow afternoons—hot tubs overlooking the valley, somewhat tenacious games of corn hole, and Smith in charge of a pizza oven that made dinner an adventure of its own.  Every detail there—handwritten notes, conversation cards, all of it—made it feel like hospitality done right. Simple, thoughtful, and somehow exactly what we needed. We also got to meet the owners, Seth and Tori, and hear the heart behind Bolt Farm—how faith and a few big pivots shaped the whole thing. And then there’s Candi, the “Dreamweaver,” who made the place feel like home and became my biggest cheerleader.  If you need a reset, want a little Chattanooga travel inspiration, or just love hearing about places that value connection as much as design, this one’s for you. _______________________________________________________ Hosts: Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable | www.astoriedtable.com Edited by: Ben Hill | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/ References: Bolt Farm Treehouse | boltfarmtreehouse.com “Before I forget…” Axis Conversations | Biblical Resources to Help Parents Disciple Their Teens | Podcast Hosts:  Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable | www.astoriedtable.com  Edited by:  Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/ *starting with episode 60

    32 min
  4. 09/24/2025

    At the Table | Danielle Elliot (Climbing the Walls)

    Text me! Tell me something good! When you hear “ADHD,” do you picture a little boy who can’t sit still in class—or maybe an adult who keeps forgetting their keys? That’s the story we’ve been told, but it’s not the whole truth. This week I’m visiting with documentarian and journalist Danielle Elliott, who created the podcast series Climbing the Walls. She’s digging into what ADHD really looks like for women—the messy, complicated, real-life version that doesn’t fit the stereotypes. We talk about everything from the winding road of diagnosis to treatment options that go way beyond just medication, and how shame sneaks in when women hold themselves to impossible standards. Danielle also shares why hormones might be one of the most important missing pieces in ADHD research and how hearing other women’s stories can be such a lifeline. If you’ve ever wondered what’s actually behind the headlines about ADHD—or if you’ve quietly asked yourself, “Could this be me?”—you’re going to want to hear this one. And when you’re done, go check out Danielle’s series Climbing the Walls—it’s packed with powerful stories and perspectives that every woman should hear. If this episode speaks to you, I’d love to hear your story—click the “Tell Me Something Good” button or send me a DM over on Instagram @astoriedtable. _________________________________________________________________________________ Hosts: Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable | www.astoriedtable.com Edited by: Ben Hill | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/ References: Danielle Elliot | danielleelliot.com  Understood.org | Climbing The Walls Podcast Series Hosts:  Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable | www.astoriedtable.com  Edited by:  Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/ *starting with episode 60

    42 min
  5. 05/29/2025

    Emotions | ADHD & the Inner Critic

    Text me! Tell me something good! Have you ever wondered if those critical voices inside your head might actually be your greatest enemies? I had a bit of a breakthrough on my recent weekend at Base Camp—a retreat created by Jen Jett Barrett of the Well Summit. Listen and hear about this stat I learned about where people see God as angry, distant, and critical. Honestly?... That number made way too much sense.  As I sat with it, I started to see the connection between my ADHD and the constant self-talk that says I’m not measuring up. That maybe—just maybe—my own unrealistic expectations were warping how I thought God saw me, too. Through one of the exercises at Base Camp, I had a moment that honestly felt like a full-on spiritual gut check. (Yes, I’m sharing it here. No, I can’t believe it either.) It was messy and freeing and exactly what I didn’t know I needed. Whether or not you’re working (or re-working) your way through life with ADHD, if you’ve ever wrestled with shame, misunderstood yourself, or struggled to believe that God could still love you in the middle of all your mess—pull up a chair.  Have a seat... and not at just any table, but the one intentionally set for you opposite all the mess in your head. And hopefully, your soul will find just exactly what it’s been needing. References & Resources: Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts | by Jennie Allen  The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves | by Curt Thompson Uncommon Valor: Faith-centered Healing for Hurt, Loneliness, & Heartbreak | Michelle Donnelly UncommonValor.coInquire about Inner Healing Sessions with Michelle Hosts:  Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable | www.astoriedtable.com  Edited by:  Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/ *starting with episode 60

    35 min
5
out of 5
47 Ratings

About

A Storied Table is a laid-back podcast about life, travel, hospitality, and home — and the stories that naturally weave their way through it all. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair with a friend you love to hang out with. We talk about food, gathering with your people, travel, imperfect homemaking, and everyday life. Faith shows up here in a real-life way — honest, approachable, and never forced. It’s just part of the conversation, woven in, the same way it shows up in everyday life. You’ll hear stories, laughs, fun conversations, and the kind of honest openness that tends to happen when people relax and stay awhile. If you love good food, adventures in traveling, intentional living, and conversations that feel easy and real, you’re in the right place.  Welcome to a storied table. I’m so glad you’re here.