• What inspired you to start the podcast?
  Since we live in 2 different states with two different time zones, Natalie & I primarily chat on the phone as our schedules allow. We have an 8-year age gap, but as we’ve gotten older, we’ve found that we have many things in common. We like to catch up & chat about random stuff at least once a week (and more if possible). I am an avid podcast listener & I always tell Natalie what I learn from my “podcast friends.” One day, we were chatting about how it would be fun to do a podcast together & let people listen to all of the “Good Points” we make when we chat, and this podcast was born as a result.
  

• What's the best advice you've ever received?

  I have received a lot of good advice throughout my life. It is tough to think of the “best.” As you will soon learn, I am generally afraid of committing to these types of sentiments at all for fear of offending anyone who has given me great advice that I didn’t choose as the “best,” and what if I choose something that seems like good advice now, but later I remember the actual best advice I have received and all of you think that the second best advice I have received is actually the best advice? See my dilemma? Alas, I think the best advice comes from my sister Natalie: “It just doesn't have to be that serious.”
  

• Who's been your biggest influence, and why?

  Again, with the definitive questions! I have had so many wonderful influences throughout my life, many just for a season. However, the most consistent would be my mom. She has been the most significant influence since she has been the most consistent. Plus, we are exactly alike, aside from the fact that I am sassier and swear more (although she has been known to occasionally sprinkle in some fun language).
  

• What's the biggest takeaway you hope listeners learn?
  I hope listeners learn a little about a lot! I am in love with learning and knowing a little something about a wide variety of topics. It is incredible to me how much there is to know about our world; podcasts make that knowledge easily accessible. I also want this to be a fun podcast where listeners get some laughs, and our unique perspectives leave them saying “good point” throughout each episode.

My name is natalie and I am a co-host of the Good Points Points podcast with my sister Hillary. I grew up on the west coast of Michigan & graduated from a small private school. After High School, I went to Cosmetology school and worked in salons for a few years. I eventually made my way to a traditional 4-year University in Springfield, MO where I graduated with a B.A. in Communications, Broadcast and a minor in Biblical Studies. After graduation, I promptly moved further West to Los Angeles, CA and I’ve been living here since 2010.

I wanted to share a little bit more about myself as well as why Hillary & I decided to start this Podcast.

• What inspired you to start the podcast?  
  
  Since we live in 2 different states with 2 different time zones, Hillary & I primarily chat on the phone as our schedules allow. We have an 8-year age gap, so as we’ve gotten older we’ve found we have many things in common. We like to catch up & chat about random things at least once a week (and more if we can). Hillary is an avid podcast listener & I always joke with her about her “podcast friends”. One day, we were chatting about how it would be fun to do a podcast together & let people listen to all of the “Good Points” we make when we chat, and this podcast was born as a result.
  

• What's the best advice you've ever received?
  

  I’ve been given a LOT of advice over the years, but I think that one thing that’s really stuck with me throughout my life is a piece of advice my mom gave me in high school. I really felt a lot of pressure to know what I wanted to do with the rest of my life when I graduated & it was stressing me out. My mom and I were chatting one day & she said “There is no magic order or way to do life” and that has been such a comforting phrase ever since. She & I revisit it from time to time since then, and I really feel that it’s such a freeing way to look at options & opportunities. There is only one me, and I can do things in any order or way that makes sense to me. Society has so many expectations and the pressure of existing gets to be a lot. In the words of President Theodore Roosevelt: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” & I feel that whenever I start to lose that perspective - I just remember that there’s no magic way to do it. Everyone is making it up as they go, and there’s no need to try to fit into some mold or timeline.
  

• Who's been your biggest influence and why? 
  

  I have had many people influence and impact me over the course of my life. I often find myself thinking about the famous phrase by Jim Rohn “You are the sum of the 5 people you spend the most time with.” As I think about this question, I’ve taken stock of some of the great influences in my life & I could easily say it was a teacher from elementary school, or my parents. I could point to friends, or celebrities or athletes like Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant. If I’m being honest though, I don’t know that I could say that one person has been my biggest influence - other than myself. I often reflect on past versions of myself and who I’ve been throughout the course of my life. I look at how I’ve changed over time as I both grow & am affected by things
  

• What's the biggest takeaway you hope listeners learn? 
  
  When we started discussing hosting a podcast, it was mostly as a joke. We come from a line of unserious people and we have a generally unserious approach to life most of the time. We both love to laugh and often find ourselves cracking up during conversations with each other. Over time, as we played around with the idea, it’s formed into something we’re excited about. At minimum, I hope that our listeners are entertained & find us funny. (because we think we’re hilarious.) On a deeper level, I hope listeners learn something helpful.