by Shannon Ables
The simple sophisticate is someone who prefers quality over quantity, sensible living over mindless consumption, personal style instead of trendy fashions, has an insatiable curiosity for life’s endless questions and a desire to live a truly fulfilling life rather than being led around by the nose. Inspired by her lifestyle blog The Simply Luxurious Life, Shannon Ables (the original Simple Sophisticate) shares with listeners tips on how to live a refined life on an everyday income, a life of true contentment. Founded on the principle of the art of living a life of quality over quantity, episodes explore topics ranging from creating an everyday life you love living, strengthening mindfulness practices, preparing seasonally delicious meals, building a capsule wardrobe, traveling the world (Francophiles and Anglophiles tune in as France as well as the Britain are favorite destinations), and living life to the fullest without breaking the bank because living well is really quite simple. *illustration by artist Sarah Löcker exclusively commissioned for the show
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
8/18/2014
Email Addresses
1 available
Phone Numbers
0 available
April 16, 2025
<p> </p> <p class= "has-text-align-center has-brand-dark-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size"> <strong>"With the right training, nutrition, lifestyle strategies, and the power of the mind, women in their fifties and beyond can still [accomplish amazing feats] . . . women prove every day that our best years can be ahead of us no matter how old we are now . . . you've accumulated hard-earned wisdom and power over the years. You're higher on the totem pole of life. There are countless opportunities that lie ahead."</strong> —Dr. Stacy Sims, phD, International exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist</p> <p>The beautiful gift of stepping into another year of life is that we have the opportunity, but not the promise, to enjoy the application of wisdom learned along the way.</p> <p>As someone who lives with awareness and pays attention to the reality of life, we know that our bodies need to be taken care of properly so that they can take care of us. Knowing how our bodies change as we age is crucial to knowing how to give it the care it needs for optimal quality of living. Which brings me to a reality that <strong><a title="" href="https://www.drstacysims.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr. Stacy T. Sims</a></strong>, an exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist, pointed out in a recent interview on <strong><a title="" href= "https://open.spotify.com/episode/2EV0Mv07qs5XzmYwfJZg08?si=NtnVu-TvQP-Sp6P8w5_vog&nd=1&dlsi=a9e367373f0d4c83" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Mel Robbins podcast</a></strong> (listen <strong><a title="" href= "https://open.spotify.com/episode/2EV0Mv07qs5XzmYwfJZg08?si=NtnVu-TvQP-Sp6P8w5_vog&nd=1&dlsi=a9e367373f0d4c83" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></strong>), the majority, and arguably supermajority of all fitness studies and how the body responds to exercise for weight loss and strength building has been done with men as their test subjects, and the few studies that did involve women, were women who were pre-menopausal age. In fact, she points out in her latest book <a title="" href= "https://amzn.to/4lBUMIU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Next Level: Your Guide to Kicking Ass, Feeling Great, and Crushing Goals Through Menopause</a> that in a 2019 study published by the Mayo Clinic Proceedings "found that of 177 resident physicians in family medicine, internal medicine, and even obstetrics/gynecology who were surveyed, 20 percent received zero lectures on menopause during their training. Fewer than 7 percent reported feeling prepared to help manage the care of women through their menopausal years."</p> <p>However, thankfully, awareness and discussion and knowledge are being more readily shared thanks to many high profile individuals - <strong><a title="" href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2gNARxAHvs" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Michelle Obama</a></strong>, <strong><a title="" href= "https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a63901995/oprah-menopause-revolution-tv-special/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oprah</a></strong>, Naomi Watts, <strong><a title="" href= "https://wwd.com/pop-culture/celebrity-news/celebrities-menopause-perimenopause-1236289108/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Halle Berry</a></strong>, Katie Couric, Maria Shriver and more. What is most important is understanding what we can do and how it will benefit us not only in the short-term but in the long-term. And as someone who has been active all of my life, and now am at the age of 46, I began to realize I need to learn more about what I can do to keep my body strong, reduce the symptoms and continue to enjoy working out while seeing results. That is why I was thrilled to be introduced to Dr. Stacy Sims, and I have a long-time TSLL reader and member to thank for this - Janet M. Janet sent me <strong><a title="" href= "https://open.spotify.com/episode/2EV0Mv07qs5XzmYwfJZg08?si=NtnVu-TvQP-Sp6P8w5_vog&nd=1&dlsi=a9e367373f0d4c83" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the link to the Mel Robbin's podcast episode with Dr. Stacy Sims</a></strong> that essentially just blasts so many myths out of the water about how to eat, workout and think about what we do to ourselves as women as we step into the perimenopausal and then postmenopausal period of our life, which is the rest of our life - we think we need to eat less and work out more and the exact opposite is true. I cannot tell you how refreshing, validating and inspiring <strong><a title="" href= "https://open.spotify.com/episode/2EV0Mv07qs5XzmYwfJZg08?si=NtnVu-TvQP-Sp6P8w5_vog&nd=1&dlsi=a9e367373f0d4c83" target="_blank" rel="noopener">that episode</a></strong> was, so I encourage you to listen to it so you can meet Dr. Stacy Sims and get an introduction to what we're going to talk about today and why I highly recommend picking up her latest book <strong><a title= "" href="https://amzn.to/4lBUMIU" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Next Level</a></strong>.</p> <p>With all of that said, I have simultaneously been reading a book about how to strengthen our memory to do all that we can, whatever our age, to prevent dementia and Alzheimer's, and what I discovered, which will not likely surprise you, is that so much of what we can do for our physical health that will also benefit our brain health and strong memory. So today's episode is the episode that will share with you 17 specific life habits, practices and approaches to keep both your body and mind healthy for the rest of our lives, specifically dedicated to women as we move through perimenopause, then menopause (which is essentially one day), and the postmenopause which will be for the rest of our lives. Why not discover how to thrive and enjoy this awesome time of our lives because as a favorite quote of my shares, "The climax of the story always occurs in the second act. It's the best part." as written for the dramatized show Julia about Julia Child.</p> <p>The other reason I wanted to bring this episode to you is because the more we talk about and celebrate and model how to live amazingly through this inevitable change, we destigmatize what has been for centuries seen as a negative along the journey of womanhood. No longer! And that can only change with women - the words we use, how we talk about it, how we live, etc. The mindset we bring, the attitude, the wisdom, the support, it will all make a powerful difference that not only will help each of us, but those around us and those who will arrive into the latter half of their life after us undaunted and eager to do so because of the women who came before who refused to be seen as less-than or a incapable of achieving amazing things.</p> <p>~Find the Show Notes on The Simply Luxurious Life blog — <a href="https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/podcast402">https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/podcast402</a> </p>
April 2, 2025
<p class= "has-text-align-center has-brand-dark-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size"> <strong>“France is Europe’s most diverse, tasty, and exciting country to explore. It’s a cultural bouillabaisse that surprises travelers with its varied, complex flavors.” </strong>—Rick Steves</p> <p>The rain in Bretagne/Brittany. The dry hot heat in Provence. The bustle of Paris. The butter in Normandy (and Brittany). I could go on and on about the specialty delights and signature details in each of the many regions of France because as many of you know who have had the special opportunity to spend time on the terra firma of France, France is full of wonder and deliciousness to savor. To have only remained in Paris is to have seen just one gorgeous, yes, indeed magnificent spectacle at the Olympics, so to speak. When we travel beyond the capital, we further deepen our appreciation for a country, as Rick Steves notes above that is diverse, tasty and exciting in ways unique to each region.</p> <p>Having just returned from my seventh trip to France, three of which gave me the opportunity to spend a great deal of time in <strong><a title="" href= "https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/city-guides-by-country/?c=france" target="_blank" rel="noopener">four different regions of France</a></strong>, each time I visit I am reminded why the French culture resonates so sincerely with both my temperament but also my predilections as it pertains to passions and approach to daily life.</p> <p>Over the years here on TSLL I have written many posts sharing lists of what France has taught me, so I will refer you to those at the end of today's post as I will try not to repeat myself here today. No doubt all of those lessons remain present with each visit, but I want to share the new ahas that were unearthed on this particular trip taken just this past March for over two weeks - one week in Paris and one full week in north Brittany.</p> <p>Let's dive right in.</p> <p>Explore the full Show Notes on The Simply Luxurious Life blog - <a href= "https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/podcast401">https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/podcast401</a> </p> <p><strong>To advertise on this podcast please email: <a href= "mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel= "noreferrer noopener">[email protected]</a> or go to</strong> <a href= "https://advertising.libsyn.com/thesimplesophisticate">https://advertising.libsyn.com/thesimplesophisticate</a> </p>
March 19, 2025
<p>When beginning this journey back in September 2022, I never imagined I would feel comfortable speaking French without thinking too far ahead of myself nor caring if I spoke incorrectly (which is still quite often), but two and a half years later, it has happened!</p> <p>Imperfect French is being spoken and the fundamentals are more confidently understood than ever before. Wahoo!</p> <p>While having attempted to take a French language class here and there over the past two years beginning when I was 20 back in college, I never made it past the 103. It took me three attempts, but finally, I made it all the way to completing FR 204 with the instruction of <strong><a title="" href= "https://francedc.org/index" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Washington D.C.'s Alliance de Française</a></strong>.</p> <p>Back in September 2022 I enrolled at the very beginning yet again, and told myself that B1 completion was my goal, so finishing FR 204. As I shared in <strong><a title="" href= "https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/podcast349/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">episode #349</a></strong>, in part four of this series, “On ne comprend jamais tout à fait une langue avant d’en comprendre au moins deux.” And finally, the phrase rings more true than ever. To learn a second language, if one doesn't know well their first, is to more fully know their primary language well. And appreciate their knowledge of it as well. Humility is a muscle strengthened while stumbling over the rules of a new language and not being able to speak near as well as a toddler in the language you wish to know.</p> <p>So with my humility taken to the workout gym regularly twice a week, every week (minus the two week and annual four-week break between courses), attempting to speak French is no longer fearful, but absolutely not perfect. However, as my instructor for the past three courses reminded us repeatedly, practice, practice, practice. That is how we acquire into our long-term memory a language, by using, however, imperfectly from time to time.</p> <p>And so on February 13th, just over a month ago, I celebrating concluding FR 204.</p> <p>What I would like to share with you today are the key lessons learned during FR 203 and FR 204 as our last part of this series - part huit - covered up through my FR 202 class conclusion.</p> <p>Tune in to the episode to discover the 12 things I Learned in French Class So Far . . . , Part Neuf.</p> <p>Explore the detailed Show Notes on The Simply Luxurious Life blog - <a href= "https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/podcast400">https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/podcast400</a> </p>
Tonya Leigh
Jennifer Mackey Mary
Bespoke FM
Heather Riggs - Stylist, Image Consultant & Color Analyst for Women
Ballard Designs
Alice Lane
Chairish Inc.
Christine Koh
Deanna Yates | Professional Organizer, Decluttering Coach, Wannabe Minimalist
Katy Wells
Mel Robbins
Cloud10
Clutterbug
Stephanie Seferian
Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at [email protected] for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.