Surprise & Delight
I’ll never forget those two words, scrawled across a whiteboard during a town-hall meeting for the staff of “The Martha Stewart Show,” where I began my career.
The new mantra, written in blue marker by our executive producer, were meant to focus us in our development of segments for the daytime show. Our job was to produce content that inspired, informed, and educated our viewers, but above all, would leave them feeling surprised and delighted by what they just saw.
By virtue of my work with America’s Domestic Goddess, I became absorbed in the ethos of the show. I tried out new recipes in my apartment’s tiny kitchen in Queens, got to know amazing artisans, experts, and makers from all over the world, and hosted a few great holiday parties (if I do say so myself.)
The hours were long and the work was hard, but the show ignited a creative spark within me, and I’ve leaned into the pursuit of beauty, hospitality, and living well ever since. A few years later when I began getting curious about faith-based media, I realized just how much God, the *ultimate creator*, can be found in all of that, well, creating.
These days, my life and my writing are deeply informed by spirituality. Specifically, Catholic spirituality, and even more specifically, Ignatian Spirituality. I’ve been heavily influenced by the Jesuits (thanks to Fordham) and the Paulists (thanks to St. Paul the Apostle NYC and Busted Halo). I believe you can find grace in all things, even if it occasionally feels more like grace…ish.
I hope to share insights on faith in everyday life, speckled with stories about food, music, design, work, family life, and honestly who knows what else because I like to keep my options open and, ya know, we all contain multitudes.
I’m happy to have you here!
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