In this end of year wrap up episode, Nicole and Sydni reflect on 2025 through roses, thorns, and buds.
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@thewelllivedpodcast on Instagram
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Please rate, review, and share The Well Lived Podcast. It helps us reach more women, mothers, creatives, and entrepreneurs navigating the messy, beautiful, and deeply personal journey of building a life well lived.
In this episode, Sydni and Nicole sit down with their dear friend, Brit Johnson, Owner and Principal Design of The Style Co., to explore the pressure of the picture-perfect home and why beauty alone isn’t enough. Together, they unpack how homes should support real life, meaningful rituals, and evolving seasons, not unrealistic standards. A conversation about belonging, intention, and what it truly means to design a well-lived space.
Connect with Brit
Website: www.thestyleco.ca
Instagram:@t.h.e.style.c.o
To learn more about The Well Lived Podcast
@thewelllivedpodcast on Instagram
To learn more about our interior design firm, Stafford House Studio, follow along at:
@staffordhousestudio on Instagram
Please rate, review, and share The Well Lived Podcast. It helps us reach more women, mothers, creatives, and entrepreneurs navigating the messy, beautiful, and deeply personal journey of building a life well lived.
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
In this deeply personal and wildly inspiring episode, Nicole sits down with her longtime friend, mentor, and former HGTV superstar Cheryl Torrenueva, a designer turned high performance coach whose life has been defined by bold pivots, unexpected plot twists, and the courage to reinvent herself in her 40s.
Together, they peel back the curtain on Cheryl’s extraordinary career journey:
Cheryl shares for the first time publicly her identity crisis, postpartum struggles, health challenges, and the heartbreaking moment she realized the dream she had worked toward for 20 years was no longer her dream at all.
And then?
She rebuilt.
From scratch.
Into something more aligned, authentic, and powerful than she ever imagined.
Today, Cheryl is the founder of Nueva Rosa, where she mentors interior designers, CEOs, creators, and on camera talent through career and personal goals, life pivots, career shifts, and personal transformation, blending mindset, strategy, data, and deep human connection.
This episode is for anyone standing at a crossroads. Anyone craving change. Or anyone who has ever looked in the mirror and thought, “I don’t recognize this version of me anymore.”
Cheryl’s surprising entry into television and how she built a 20 year on camera career
The pressure, adrenaline, and loneliness behind the scenes of design TV
The Netflix opportunity that came at the exact moment she discovered she was pregnant
The identity unraveling that happened in early motherhood
The postpartum fog, anxiety, and internal “cracked open” moment
The painful mourning of her old self and why reinvention requires grief
How she redefined success, purpose, and alignment
The moment she knew interior design was no longer the path
Why pivoting is not failure, it is transformation
How Cheryl now coaches designers, creatives, and CEOs through their biggest life transitions
The power of choosing yourself, even when it terrifies you
Anyone navigating a big life or career pivot
Mothers adjusting to identity shifts
Interior designers, creatives, or entrepreneurs feeling stuck
High achievers who feel lost despite checking all the boxes
Anyone craving permission to start over
Connect with Cheryl Torrenueva
Website: Nueva Rosa Coaching: www.nuevarosa.com
Instagram: @nuevarosa_coaching & @cheryltorrenueva
To learn more about The Well Lived Podcast
@thewelllivedpodcast on Instagram
www.thewelllivedpodcast.com
To learn more about our interior design firm, Stafford House Studio, follow along at:
@staffordhousestudio on Instagram
www.staffordhousestudio.com
Please rate, review, and share The Well Lived Podcast. It helps us reach more women, mothers, creatives, and entrepreneurs navigating the messy, beautiful, and deeply personal journey of building a life well lived.
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
It’s officially holiday season, which somehow means joy, nostalgia, and feeling like your home should suddenly look like a magazine spread. Spoiler: it doesn't have to.
In this cozy, hilarious, and deeply personal episode, Sydni and Nicole dive into how each of them celebrates the holidays, from Hanukkah candlelighting traditions to chopping down real Christmas trees and navigating the pressure of “perfect” holiday decor.
They share their best design-insider tips for creating a warm, meaningful holiday home:
✨ Choosing whites that never look sterile (yes… we talk undertones)
✨ Why legacy decor beats buying a new theme every year
✨ How to build a holiday collection you’ll love forever
✨ Sentimental ornaments, velvet bows, and the magic of warm lighting
✨ Hosting without losing your sanity (or burning the mulled wine)
PLUS: Rapid-fire questions about matching PJs, favourite holiday movies, mulled wine vs. tea, and the universal existence of an Aunt Kathy.
Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, both, or just “holiday vibes,” this episode will make you laugh, exhale, and remember what actually matters: connection, nostalgia, and showing up for yourself.
A holiday episode that feels like sitting by the fire with two friends, with zero pressure and all the magic.
For more The Well Lived Podcast, follow along at:
@thewelllivedpodcast on Instagram
www.thewelllivedpodcast.com
To learn more about our interior design firm, Stafford House Studio, follow along at:
@staffordhousestudio on Instagram
www.staffordhousestudio.com
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
Running a business with a partner (and if you're like us, your best friend!) sounds like a dream… until you realize partnership comes with hard conversations, high-stakes decisions, and showing up for clients even on the days you barely held it together.
In this episode, Nicole and Sydni get honest about what it really looks like to blend deep friendship with entrepreneurship with their resident third brain and reality check, Erica.
They unpack creative differences, emotional support, the importance of shared values, how they divide and conquer projects, and why vulnerability is the number one non negotiable in any partnership.
Whether you're thinking about starting a business with someone or you're just curious how these two keep Stafford House Studio running while raising four kids and a company, this episode gives you a raw, heartfelt, and surprisingly hilarious look behind the curtain.
For more The Well Lived Podcast, follow along at:
@thewelllivedpodcast on Instagram
www.thewelllivedpodcast.com
To learn more about our interior design firm, Stafford House Studio, follow along at:
@staffordhousestudio on Instagram
www.staffordhousestudio.com
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
In this episode of The Well Lived Podcast, we are breaking down some popular interior design myths that refuse to disappear and revealing what actually matters when you are creating a home you love.
We also answer a listener question about artwork height (spoiler alert: you are hanging it too high), share stories from past projects, and finish with a fun rapid fire round that they are, unsurprisingly, terrible at sticking to.
Whether you are renovating, re-freshing, or simply design curious, this one is packed with real talk, practical wisdom, and the kind of honest conversations you only get from two best friends who also happen to be designers and moms.
Send us your dilemmas and we might feature yours next!
For more The Well Lived Podcast, follow along at:
@thewelllivedpodcast on Instagram
www.thewelllivedpodcast.com
To learn more about our interior design firm, Stafford House Studio, follow along at:
@staffordhousestudio on Instagram
www.staffordhousestudio.com
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
This week on The Well Lived Podcast, we are joined by our dear friend, fellow interior designer and mega talent, Veronica Ng, founder of interior design firm, The Visionary Company. She is a mom of two and proof that you can build a thriving business while raising tiny humans.
We dive into the real juggle of motherhood + entrepreneurship, from 5am wake ups and the chaotic after daycare red zone to carving out time for yourself without drowning in guilt.
Veronica shares her leap from a fast paced events career to launching her own design firm, growing a team and figuring out boundaries that actually protect her energy including scheduled emails.
Plus, we get into:
Why support systems matter more than ever
Pilates, osteopathy and skincare rituals that keep her grounded
The restorative magic of girlfriend time and dressing up just for fun
This episode is your reminder that caring for yourself is not selfish. It is how you show up better for everyone else.
Grab your matcha and join us for a warm and relatable conversation on finding yourself in the middle of the mess.
Connect with Veronica
Website: www.designbyvisionary.com
Instagram: @the.visionary.co
For more The Well Lived Podcast, follow along at:
@thewelllivedpodcast on Instagram
www.thewelllivedpodcast.com
To learn more about our interior design firm, Stafford House Studio, follow along at:
@staffordhousestudio on Instagram
www.staffordhousestudio.com
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
We started with no plan, no formal business training, and babies on our hips, but somehow built a successful interior design firm anyway. It’s laughs, lessons, and a whole lot of figuring it out as we go.
For more The Well Lived Podcast, follow along at:
@thewelllivedpodcast on Instagram
www.thewelllivedpodcast.com
To learn more about our interior design firm, Stafford House Studio, follow along at:
@staffordhousestudio on Instagram
www.staffordhousestudio.com
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
In this episode of The Well Lived Podcast, Sydni engages in a deep conversation with Erica Zito, the operations manager at Stafford House Studio, about the intricacies of interior design, client relationships, and the challenges of balancing work and family life. They explore common misconceptions in renovation, the importance of budgeting, and the emotional impact of home design. Erica shares her insights on project timelines, the role of interior designers, and the significance of trust in client-designer relationships. The discussion also touches on personal routines, motherhood, and the evolving nature of work-life balance.
For more The Well Lived Podcast, follow along at:
@thewelllivedpodcast on Instagram
To learn more about our interior design firm, Stafford House Studio, follow along at:
@staffordhousestudio on Instagram
Erica Zito’s Bio
Erica is the operations manager with Stafford House Studio, amongst other design studios and industry professionals. With a strong background in project management and deep roots in the design industry, Erica has launched her own operations firm, dedicated to helping creative professionals streamline their businesses. From day-to-day administration to long-term development strategies, Erica and her team provide the operational support that allows designers, trade professionals and their teams to thrive in all areas of their business. If you’re interested in working with Erica reach out to info@ezadminandmanagement.com.
What Erica's Loving
Every Summer After Book Series by Carley Fortune - https://amzn.to/479Gha1
The Him & Her Podcast by The Skinny Confidential - https://tscpodcast.com
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
Nicole shares simple, impactful design tips to help you refresh your home without a full renovation. From carpet runners and lighting to choosing personal art, she answers real listener questions and offers practical advice you can actually use to make your space feel beautiful, functional, and deeply personal.
For more The Well Lived Podcast, follow along at:
@thewelllivedpodcast on Instagram
www.thewelllivedpodcast.com
To learn more about our interior design firm, Stafford House Studio, follow along at:
@staffordhousestudio on Instagram
www.staffordhousestudio.com
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
With over a decade of experience in the design industry, creating one-of-a-kind homes for one-of-a-kind families, we’re spilling the tea about real tools we use in our own design firm. In this episode, we’re sharing practical strategies and insider tips to help you tackle renovations, refreshes, and furnishing purchases with confidence. Whether you're reimagining a single room or planning a full overhaul, these are the tools that will help ensure your design decisions feel as good as they look. Trust us, this is one you'll keep coming back to!
For more The Well Lived Podcast, follow along at:
@thewelllivedpodcast on Instagram
www.thewelllivedpodcast.com
To learn more about our interior design firm, Stafford House Studio, follow along at:
@staffordhousestudio on Instagram
www.staffordhousestudio.com
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
TV taught us how to pivot, adapt, and deliver! In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on our HGTV days - the good, the glamorous, and yes, the gritty. We’re sharing what really went down behind the scenes, what we loved, what challenged us, and why we ultimately made the leap from working on set to working on-site full-time.
We’ll also reflect on some unforgettable career highlights, including projects with Michelle Obama, Melissa McCarthy, Nate & Jeremiah, and the Property Brothers. These incredible experiences (and some serious trial by fire) taught us lessons we carry into every design today. Whether it's a small fix or a total transformation, we’ve learned how to make just about anything work beautifully.
For more The Well Lived Podcast, follow along at:
@thewelllivedpodcast on Instagram
www.thewelllivedpodcast.com
To learn more about our interior design firm, Stafford House Studio, follow along at:
@staffordhousestudio on Instagram
www.staffordhousestudio.com
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
In our first official episode, we dive into the beautiful, messy, and deeply personal journey of balancing motherhood, ambition, and running a business. Join us as we share candid stories about the challenges and triumphs of being career-driven moms, the importance of setting boundaries, and the art of designing a life and home that truly reflects who you are. Tune in for heartfelt conversations, laughter, and insights on creating a life well-lived.
Please send in any burning interior design (or other) questions or comments via Instagram or to hello@thewelllivedpodcast.com.
Until next time!
With love,
Nicole & Sydni x
For more The Well Lived Podcast, follow along at:
@thewelllivedpodcast on Instagram
www.thewelllivedpodcast.com
To learn more about our interior design firm, Stafford House Studio, follow along at:
@staffordhousestudio on Instagram
www.staffordhousestudio.com
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
Hosted by Nicole and Sydni, best friends, moms, and the powerhouse duo behind Toronto’s interior design firm Stafford House Studio, this podcast pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a beautiful life in business, at home, and within yourself. From HGTV sets to managing their own thriving design firm, and then into the unpredictable world of motherhood. Nicole and Sydni have taken leaps most would only dream of. Now, they’re sharing the real stories: the unfiltered motherhood moments, the truths about entrepreneurship no one tells you, and the power of creating spaces that are deeply personal to who you are. Whether you're a new mom, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a design lover craving more meaning in your day-to-day, you’ll feel right at home here.
These are the conversations you won’t find in parenting books, business school, or glossy design magazines.
Just two women building lives that feel as good as they look, and inviting you to do the same.
Tune in weekly, your new besties are waiting. This is the Well Lived Podcast.
For more The Well Lived Podcast, follow along at:
@thewelllivedpodcast on Instagram
www.thewelllivedpodcast.com
To learn more about our interior design firm, Stafford House Studio, follow along at:
@staffordhousestudio on Instagram
www.staffordhousestudio.com
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
Hosted by Nicole and Sydni—best friends, moms, and the powerhouse duo behind Toronto’s luxury interior design firm, Stafford House Studio—this podcast is about more than just beautiful spaces. It’s about building a beautiful life.
From HGTV sets to running their own thriving design studio, and from late-night client calls to sleepless nights with babies, Nicole and Sydni have taken bold leaps most would only dream of. Now they’re pulling back the curtain on it all—the raw motherhood moments, the behind-the-scenes truths of entrepreneurship, and the magic of creating spaces (and lives) that feel as good as they look.
These are the conversations you won’t find in parenting books, business school, or glossy design magazines. Just two women navigating the messy, meaningful, and deeply personal journey of living well—and inviting you to do the same.
Tune in starting October 6th. Your new best friends are waiting.