Podcasts · Society & Culture

Note to Self

Dear Media

269 episodes

From Q&A’s and break up tips to simply navigating every stage of life, influencer-turned-entrepreneur Payton Sartain brings you the sisterly advice you didn’t know you needed and honest conversations you’ve always wanted. Whether it’s Payton alone or a conversation with a friend, Note to Self is a space to get grounded, explore new perspectives, and ultimately, empower yourself and others. Grab some wine or a mocktail and enjoy the conversation!

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. The Q4 Agenda: 20 Things to Do Before 2027

    · 55 min · Episode 273

    #268. Before I go on podcast-sabbatical, I’m leaving you with an assignment: your Q4 agenda. This isn’t a winter arc, a life reset, or a list of impossible habits to master before January; it’s 20 worthwhile things to…

  2. 3 Perspectives Making My Life Significantly Better Right Now

    · 51 min · Episode 272

    #267. This week, we’re talking about three ideas making my life materially better (none of them are for sale). Satisficing, raising my uncertainty threshold, and creating as a response to over-thinking. BTW– next…

  3. ASK P: breakups, post-college life, & virginity talk

    · 1 h 01 min · Episode 271

    #266. In this installment of ASK P, we’re hearing from listeners about surprise breakups, pending breakups, adapting to life post-college, and losing your virginity in your 20s. This is the last ASK P of 2026 — be back…

  4. Cozy Fall Favorites (!!!): Style & Trends, Beauty, Rituals, Home, & More

    · 57 min · Episode 270

    #265. I’m back with a quarterly favorites episode, this time helping you achieve your coziest fall ever. We’re starting with style– think investment pieces, trends, where to shop– moving on to beauty favorites, home…

  5. A Life Update: Grad School, LA & What I Learned This Summer

    · 1 h 07 min · Episode 269

    #264. Unfortunately, summer is coming to an end (though I'm not ready to admit it). Nonetheless, we have a lot to catch up on. I'm going through the whole summer — France, Texas, Joe's season, Los Angeles, Georgetown,…

  6. The Oxytocin Menu, Explained: What Your Nervous System Actually Wants

    · 59 min · Episode 268

    #263. Everyone's talking about the oxytocin menu, so this week I'm building mine — with a very honest look at what the research actually supports. Built like the dopamine menu, this episode includes Oxytocin appetizers…

  7. Beauty Maxxing: the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly, with Caroline Stern

    · 1 h 18 min · Episode 267

    #262. We’re talking about the realities of Beauty Maxxing, the good & the bad, with Caroline Stern. In this episode, we are sharing procedures we’ve undergone, what we regret, and touch on the emotional side of beauty…

  8. My Best Friends Host My Podcast: a Life Update with 3 Way (ft. Emon & Kristen)

    · 1 h 02 min · Episode 266

    #261. Kristen went on a date with her task rabbit. Emon can’t stop talking about 4d movies and her nemesis from 2nd grade. Your favorite girls from the now-defunct 3 Way podcast are back on the mic for a few very…

  9. ASK P: some tough-love advice from your stand-in big sister

    · 42 min · Episode 265

    #260. The men are not alright in today’s installment of ASK P. We’re talking about relationships, post-college life, guy friends & beyond this week. FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross…

  10. What I Needed to Give Up in Order to Gain Peace (*somewhat controversial)

    · 1 h 05 min · Episode 264

    #259. A re-release of a favorite, Things I Left Behind to Gain Peace, and some of these may be rather controversial. In every era of my life, whenever I notice I’m a little on-edge, I realize I’m more often in need of…

  11. How Hard Can It Be? Boys Do It — & Other Musings with MadsMitch

    · 58 min · Episode 263

    #258. Maddy has been one of my favorite people to follow on socials for years, so when I found out we were crossing paths in Los Angeles, I had to have her on NTS. We’re chatting about her fresh (somewhat…

  12. The Return of the Party Girl

    · 54 min · Episode 262

    #257. Why is the party girl suddenly everywhere again? This week I trace the shift from clean girl and tradwife aesthetics to a messier, freer moment — the culture, the politics, the history of partying through hard…

  13. The Non-Linear Career: How to Build Credibility, Wealth, and a Life You Love, with Kira Mackenzie Jackson

    · 1 h 03 min · Episode 261

    #256. I'm sitting down with brand strategist, angel investor, and Material Interest writer Kira Mackenzie Jackson to talk about building credibility and wealth when your career doesn't follow a straight line. We get…

  14. Am I Becoming My Mother?: on genetics, inheritance, and what you choose (with Genetics with Natalie)

    · 1 h 11 min · Episode 260

    #255. Am I slowly turning into my mother? I sat down with genetic counselor Natalie Samson to figure out how much of who we are is actually written in our DNA — and how much we get to choose. We get into inheritance,…

  15. ASK P: The Tough Love You Actually Need

    · 1 h 05 min · Episode 259

    #254. This week's ASK P tackles the questions you've been scared to ask out loud — navigating friendship breakups and having no close friends in your 20s, spending your birthday alone, advocating for your needs in the…

  16. Finding Out What My Best Friend Actually Does All Day (She’s a Celebrity Stylist), with Kristen Ritchie

    · 56 min · Episode 258

    #253. My best friend, Kristen Ritchie, has one of those jobs everyone's curious about and nobody really understands: she's a celebrity stylist— and she's annoyingly private about all of it. So I made her explain…

  17. Outgrowing Yourself on Purpose

    · 53 min · Episode 257

    #252. I’m mourning the loss of me… but, like, in a good way? In this episode, we are ending over a year of internal personal chaos with realizations about growth, releasing old versions of self, and stepping into a new…

  18. Summer Favorites: Beauty, Style, Splurge vs. Steals, Substacks & More

    · 59 min · Episode 256

    #251. Everyone’s favorite seasonal series – summer favorites! I’ve gathered a long list of summertime favorites, from skincare & makeup to most-listened-to podcasts and perspective-changing Substack articles. I’ll link…

  19. ASK P: Resentment & Judgement in Relationships, Stagnant Sex Lives, Glow-Up Tips, and Long-Distance Love

    · 51 min · Episode 255

    #250. In today’s ASK P, we are discussing mostly relationship-related topics, with a little glow-up note to lighten the mood. Listeners sent in sensitive topics, like “am I dating his potential or supporting him…

  20. How to Feel Like Yourself in Seasons of Instability

    · 40 min · Episode 254

    #249. If you’ve ever felt like you lost yourself in a season of constant change, this one’s for you. I’m sharing a few things that are actually keeping me grounded right now — from the simplest possible routine to why…

  21. The Personal Holiday: On Crafting the Perfect Solo Weekend Away

    · 46 min · Episode 253

    #248. Solo travel doesn't have to mean a flight, a passport, or a packed itinerary — it just has to be yours. I'm breaking down exactly how to craft the perfect solo weekend “away,” whether that's a staycation, a short…

  22. What TikTok Taught Me: Life Lessons I’ve Learned Following the Right People

    · 54 min · Episode 252

    #247. Social media gets a bad reputation — and usually earns it. But this week, I make the case for the other side: what happens when you curate your feed like a curriculum and actually pay attention. Five ideas worth…

  23. The Motherhood Conversation I Didn't Know I Needed, with What We Said (Jaci Marie & Chelsey Jade)

    · 1 h 03 min · Episode 251

    #246. Jaci Marie and Chelsey Jade of What We Said came prepared — and left me feeling like I actually might be too. We covered trimester zero prep, the surprising things motherhood teaches you about productivity and…

  24. ASK P: Age Gap Relationships, Moving Out of the US, The Best Part of Getting Older, & Situationship Drama

    · 45 min · Episode 250

    #245. In this installment of ASK P, listeners are asking questions about age gap relationships, making an international move, the positive side of getting older, and the push and pull of situationships. FOLLOW PAYTON:…

  25. 3 Way Pod Takeover: Catching Up & Single Girl Luck

    · 48 min · Episode 249

    #244. 3 Way Pod is taking over Note to Self in this chatty episode for the girls. Kristen is sharing how to manifest abundance and stay lucky (hint: it’s removing men from your life), Emon is asking very Emon…

  26. Going Back to School in my 30s, Getting Out of a Bad Luck Spiral, & Answering Listener Questions

    · 51 min · Episode 248

    #243. I’m going back to school! In this episode, we are discussing my choice to go back to school in my early 30s– the why, the what, the what happens next, and what to do when you find yourself in an era of bad luck.…

  27. From the Trenches: Becoming the Best Version of Yourself with Alexa Jay

    · 1 h 10 min · Episode 246

    #242. This week I’m sitting down with my friend Alexa for an honest conversation about what it actually takes to transform your life. Alexa shares how losing her grandfather sent her into one of the darkest periods of…

  28. Megan Roup on Pregnancy & Post-Partum Training, Protecting Your Peace, and Balancing It All as a Mother and a Founder

    · 58 min · Episode 245

    #241. Megan Roup is the founder of The Sculpt Society and one of the most sought-after celebrity trainers in the country. In this episode, we get into training through pregnancy & post-partum, the undeniable link…

  29. The Art of Curation: Build a Life That’s Unmistakably Yours

    · 42 min · Episode 244

    #240. Curation gets talked about like it's an aesthetic practice — a considered wardrobe, a beautiful home, a feed that looks a certain way. But the version I have been sitting with lately goes deeper than that. In…

  30. ASK P: On Love, Friendship, and Over-Analyzing vs. Self-Trust

    · 1 h 04 min · Episode 243

    #239. We've been handed every framework imaginable for navigating love — the checklists, the red flags, the attachment style deep dives. And somehow we're still confused. Because the problem was never information. It…

  31. Spring Favorites: Beauty, Style, Health, Podcasts, & More

    · 1 h 05 min · Episode 242

    #238. My spring favorites are here — beauty, fashion, tech, rituals, TV, people worth following, and a few random things I can't stop talking about. This one's a proper list episode: personal, specific, and full of…

  32. You’re Invited to My Wedding Weekend: Recap, Favorite Things, Regrets, & More

    · 1 h 26 min · Episode 240

    #237. YOU’RE INVITED. Because I’ve documented my love life on NTS since my now-husband and I met– from our early dating days, to moving in together & baseball craziness, to breaking up and not speaking for a year…

  33. Greta Louise Tomé: Moving in Together, The Baby Timeline, Forgetting Plan B & Being Sexy for Yourself

    · 48 min · Episode 239

    #236. I’m sitting down with content creator Greta Louise Tomé for a conversation that covers all the things your group chat has been debating. They get into the real rules around moving in together, why your community…

  34. ASK P: when to leave a relationship, adding more spice into your life, confidence in dating & learning to trust

    · 56 min · Episode 238

    #235. In this month’s installment of ASK P, we are tackling listener questions on topics like romantic relationships, to friendships, to knowing ourselves. What do I do when my life feels too boring? Should I leave my…

  35. Talia Hubble: On Heartbreak, Hosting, and the Healing Effects of a Dinner Party

    · 52 min · Episode 237

    #234. Talia Hubble has a theory: when life falls apart, you set the table. The content creator and hostess extraordinaire joins Payton for a conversation about her recent home renovation, navigating a breakup in her…

  36. How to Fall in Love with Yourself

    · 34 min · Episode 236

    #233: In a season that glorifies romantic love, this episode is your reminder that the most important relationship you’ll ever build is the one you have with yourself. We’re talking about falling in love with yourself…

  37. The Messy, Beautiful Work of Choosing Yourself Again and Again, with Brittany Ball

    · 1 h 04 min · Episode 235

    #232. Brittany Ball joins Payton to unpack what it really looks like to choose yourself over and over again through life’s biggest transitions. They talk about young motherhood, navigating divorce, co-parenting in a…

  38. Caring About the World (Without It Ruining Your Life)

    · 45 min · Episode 234

    #231. This episode is a candid life update and a values-driven conversation about navigating the current U.S. political climate as a woman who cares deeply but needs to take small moments for herself. We talk about…

  39. ASK P: Staying Motivated in Goal Setting, Maintaining Independence in a Relationship, Tough Family Dynamics & More

    · 47 min · Episode 233

    #230. In this Ask P episode of Note to Self, Payton answers listener questions about navigating life’s in-between seasons — from fresh breakups and New Year resets to long-term relationship “ebbs,” family dynamics,…

  40. How to Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Body

    · 44 min · Episode 232

    #229. If you’ve done the work but still don’t feel fully present, this episode is for you. We break down why getting out of your head isn’t a mindset shift but a nervous system one, and how embodiment creates calm,…

  41. Hot Girl Toolkit for 2026: Going Analog, Health & Wellness, Content Diet & More

    · 46 min · Episode 231

    #228. Welcome to the 2026 toolkit—a curated collection of what's working, what's worth it, and what creates the infrastructure for an intentional life. This isn't about perfection or having it all figured out; it's…

  42. The Annual Edit 2026: What I’m Keeping, What I’m Leaving & What I’m Creating

    · 39 min · Episode 230

    #227. January isn’t about becoming someone new—it’s about editing what already exists. This week, we’re talking about the art of curation: the rituals worth protecting, the urgency worth releasing, and the one thing…

  43. Diary of Your Dream Year: Journal Prompts to Create Your Best Year Yet

    · 1 h 01 min · Episode 229

    #226. This isn’t about resolutions—it’s about getting clear on the life you’re calling in. We’re walking through journal prompts for work, relationships, wellness, finances, and the aesthetic of your life so you can…

  44. What I’ve Learned on Note to Self This Year: Lessons from NTS Alumni

    · 57 min · Episode 228

    #225. This year brought some of the most incredible conversations with founders, creators, and women building lives on their own terms - and I’m breaking down the biggest lessons that stuck with me. From building…

  45. ASK P: Life Audit Framework, Advice to my 21-Year-Old Self, Staying Grounded & a New Year Check-In with your Partner

    · 1 h 04 min · Episode 227

    #224. In this Ask P episode, I’m answering four of your questions to close out the year: how to audit yourself honestly without self-destruction, what I’d tell my 21-year-old self about timelines and dating, how to…

  46. The Year That Unmade Me (Reckoning Before the Reset)

    · 1 h 00 min · Episode 226

    #223. This year was simultaneously the best and worst of my life, and I need to talk about it before we close out 2025. I got married and made a home, but I also fell apart—moved twice, worked through emotional…

  47. A Few Days After “I Do:” Ceremony Scaries, Unexpected Emotions & Favorite/Least Fav Moments (ep 222!)

    · 47 min · Episode 225

    #222. In a very special 222 episode of NTS, we’re catching up just 48 hours after our wedding day from an airport hotel on the way to our honeymoon destination. A few things about my wedding weekend definitely…

  48. A Few Days Before I Do (nervous pre-wedding thoughts & feelings)

    · 45 min · Episode 224

    #221. Wedding week is here! Today we’re chatting candidly about what I’m looking forward to, what I’m opting out of, what’s making me nervous, and more. This is a casual, chatty episode, especially for those of you who…

  49. Your Ultimate Gift Guide for Holidays & Beyond: For Her, For Him, Under $100 & Last-Minute Gifts

    · 53 min · Episode 223

    #220. Let’s talk about gifts that actually feel good to give and receive. I’m breaking down my ultimate gift guide by category: for her, for him, under $100, and last-minute saves that still feel intentional. Consider…

  50. Things I Left Behind to Gain Peace (maybe controversial)

    · 1 h 00 min · Episode 222

    #219. Your early thirties have a way of showing you what’s worth carrying and what you’ve been holding onto out of habit, fear, or someone else’s expectations. In this episode, I’m walking through the things I’ve…

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