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!
#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 times — plus the party girl commandments and my hoe theory. FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartain ross SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
The Non-Linear Career: How to Build Credibility, Wealth, and a Life You Love, with Kira Mackenzie Jackson
1 hr 3 min
#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 into following a "random" interest until it becomes real expertise, the entry-level truth about angel investing, and Kira's rule for balancing consistency with the innovation that keeps you feeling alive — plus honest talk on motherhood and building an ambitious career that still leaves room for a life. FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartain ross SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 Sponsors: ResortPass: Visit resortpass.com/notetoself to get $20 off your first booking of $100 or more Opill: Preventing pregnancy is as easy as Opill Tumble: Machine Washable Rugs, Made Better. For a limited time only, our listeners get 10% off + free shipping at tumbleliving.com/NOTETOSELF #Tumble #ad See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Am I Becoming My Mother?: on genetics, inheritance, and what you choose (with Genetics with Natalie)
1 hr 11 min
#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, the traits that surprise you, and why your genes are a starting point, not a life sentence. FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartain ross SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 Sponsors: Quince: Go to Quince.com/payton for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns ResortPass: Visit resortpass.com/notetoself to get $20 off your first booking of $100 or more IM8 Health: Go to IM8HEALTH.com/notetoself RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code note to self for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
ASK P: The Tough Love You Actually Need
1 hr 5 min
#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 bedroom, walking away from a situationship, and moving to a big city on your own. It's a little tough love, a lot of validation, and a reminder that you're allowed to want more. Send me your own ASK P questions using the link below. 🤍 FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartain ross SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 Sponsors: Quince: Go to Quince.com/payton for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Resortpass: Visit resortpass.com/notetoself to get $20 off your first booking of $100 or more Olive and June: Visit OliveandJune.com/NOTETOSELF for 20% off your first System Rula: Visit Rula.com/notetoself to get started See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Finding Out What My Best Friend Actually Does All Day (She’s a Celebrity Stylist), with Kristen Ritchie
55 min
#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 herself. We get into what a day on set actually looks like, how she built a career by leaning on her friends and saying no to almost everything, and why she'd rather let the work speak than post about it. Plus a proper summer style Q&A: the staples, the sneakers, and how to actually survive business casual. FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartain ross SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 Sponsors: Square: Right now, listeners can get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/notetoself Quince: Go to Quince.com/payton for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Outgrowing Yourself on Purpose
52 min
#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 phase of life. This episode is very much giving *classic* NTS, and for that, we are thankful. FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartain ross SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 Sponsors: Square: Right now, listeners can get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/notetoself Resortpass: Visit resortpass.com/notetoself to get $20 off your first booking of $100 or more Quince: Go to Quince.com/payton for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Summer Favorites: Beauty, Style, Splurge vs. Steals, Substacks & More
59 min
#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 everything linkable on ShopMy, of course. Xx ShopMy links: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/5876064 FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartain ross SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 Sponsors: Note to Self: code NOTETOSELF at IM8HEALTH.com/NOTETOSELF Olive and June: Visit OliveandJune.com/NOTETOSELF for 20% off your first System See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
ASK P: Resentment & Judgement in Relationships, Stagnant Sex Lives, Glow-Up Tips, and Long-Distance Love
51 min
#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 through a period of growth?,” non-existent sex lives, and sacrifices in closing the distance gap in a relationship. The source content: Reality Disruption: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8S6oa/ Dealing with Uncertainty without Rumination: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8UrtQ/ Chasing Failure: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8A2HK/ 5 No’s a Week: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p89WNb/ Joe Dispenza Meditation Review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8XPeG/ Play The Game By Your Rules: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8qQ8Q/ FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartain ross SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 Please note that 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. Sponsors: Let yourself run, lift, fail, try and go. Explore Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com Quince.com/payton for free shipping and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too! Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
How to Feel Like Yourself in Seasons of Instability
39 min
#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 having a responsibility (even a four-legged one) might be the most stabilizing thing in your life. Consider this your permission slip to stop waiting for things to calm down before you start feeling like yourself again. The source content: Reality Disruption: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8S6oa/ Dealing with Uncertainty without Rumination: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8UrtQ/ Chasing Failure: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8A2HK/ 5 No’s a Week: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p89WNb/ Joe Dispenza Meditation Review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8XPeG/ Play The Game By Your Rules: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8qQ8Q/ FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartain ross SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 Sponsors: Rula: Visit Rula.com/notetoself to get started Peloton: Go to onepeloton.com Lola Blankets: For a limited time, our listeners can get 40% OFF select Lola Blankets products with code NOTETOSELF at checkout Olive & June: Visit OliveandJune.com/NOTETOSELF for 20% off your first System! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
The Personal Holiday: On Crafting the Perfect Solo Weekend Away
46 min
#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 drive, or anywhere in between, plus the must-haves that make it worth it on any budget. This is your sign to book a solo weekend sabbatical asap. The source content: Reality Disruption: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8S6oa/ Dealing with Uncertainty without Rumination: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8UrtQ/ Chasing Failure: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8A2HK/ 5 No’s a Week: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p89WNb/ Joe Dispenza Meditation Review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8XPeG/ Play The Game By Your Rules: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8qQ8Q/ FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartain ross SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
What TikTok Taught Me: Life Lessons I’ve Learned Following the Right People
53 min
#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 stealing, from the people worth following. The source content: Reality Disruption: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8S6oa/ Dealing with Uncertainty without Rumination: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8UrtQ/ Chasing Failure: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8A2HK/ 5 No’s a Week: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p89WNb/ Joe Dispenza Meditation Review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8XPeG/ Play The Game By Your Rules: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p8qQ8Q/ FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartain ross SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 Sponsors: Quince: Go to Quince.com/payton for free shipping and365-day returns Peloton: Go to onepeloton.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
The Motherhood Conversation I Didn't Know I Needed, with What We Said (Jaci Marie & Chelsey Jade)
1 hr 3 min
#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 identity, and the parts of yourself that are absolutely worth protecting. The motherhood conversation every woman deserves to have before she needs it. FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartain ross Sponsors: Quince: Go to Quince.com/payton for free shipping and365-day returns IM8: Go to IM8HEALTH.com/NOTETOSELF and use code NOTETOSELF for aFree Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order. Peloton: Go to onepeloton.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
ASK P: Age Gap Relationships, Moving Out of the US, The Best Part of Getting Older, & Situationship Drama
44 min
#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: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartainhh SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 Sponsors: Rula: Visit Rula.com/notetoself to get started IM8: Go to IM8HEALTH.com/NOTETOSELF and use code NOTETOSELF for aFree Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order. Peloton: Go to onepeloton.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
3 Way Pod Takeover: Catching Up & Single Girl Luck
48 min
#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 questions, and the girls descend into chaos by the end of the episode (probably from the many beverages consumed before and during recording). Happy 3 Way day! FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartainhh SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 Sponsors: Free People: Visit www.freepeople.com/notetoself to shop their full line of activewear and workout gear See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Going Back to School in my 30s, Getting Out of a Bad Luck Spiral, & Answering Listener Questions
50 min
#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. Consider this a bit of a life update and release of the negative energy I’ve been accidentally absorbing for the last 2 weeks. It’s a spoken evil eye of sorts. Then, we’re answering listener questions from recent Instagram Q&As. Overall, a very chatty, girly episode. FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartainhh SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 Sponsors: Wayfair: Head to Wayfair.com April 25th through the 27th to shop Way Day Free People: Visit www.freepeople.com/notetoself to shop their full line of activewear and workout gear See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
From the Trenches: Becoming the Best Version of Yourself with Alexa Jay
1 hr 10 min
#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 her life — and how she came out the other side genuinely the best version of herself. We get into body positivity, manifestation, and what the process of rebuilding really looks like when you’re starting from the bottom. FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartainhh SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 Sponsors: Free People: Visit www.freepeople.com/notetoself to shop their full line of activewear and workout gear IM8: Go to IM8HEALTH.com/NOTETOSELF and use code NOTETOSELF for aFree Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order Lola Blankets: Get 40% off select Lola Blankets products at Lolablankets.com by using code [NOTETOSELF] at checkout. Experience the world’s #1 blanket with Lola Blanket See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Megan Roup on Pregnancy & Post-Partum Training, Protecting Your Peace, and Balancing It All as a Mother and a Founder
57 min
#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 between fitness and mental health, and what it really looks like to build a business while raising children. FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartainhh SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 Sponsors: Quince: Go to Quince.com/payton for free shipping and365-day returns Rula: Visit Rula.com/notetoself to get started See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
The Art of Curation: Build a Life That’s Unmistakably Yours
41 min
#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 this episode, I make the case that a truly curated life isn't built for presentation; it's built for self-knowledge. The things you keep, the rituals you protect, the choices you make when no one is watching — they aren't a mood board. They’re part of a larger portrait. This is about learning to tell the difference, and how fun life can become when you do. FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonross https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartainhh SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 Sponsors: Lola Blankets: Get 40% off select Lola Blankets products at Lolablankets.com by using code NOTETOSELF at checkout. Experience the world’s #1 blanket with Lola Blanket Free People Movement: Visit www.freepeople.com/notetoself to shop their full line of activewear and workout gear See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
ASK P: On Love, Friendship, and Over-Analyzing vs. Self-Trust
1 hr 3 min
#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 was nerve. This week on Ask P, we're getting into the questions you actually sent — two crushes in the same friend group, holding your standards after a great relationship ends, rebuilding trust after a breakup, the name change debate, and how to show up for a friend who keeps choosing someone wrong for her. This one is for every woman who already knows the answer and just needs permission to trust it. SHOP THE EPISODE: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/4429102 FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonsartain https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartainhh SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 Sponsors: Free People Movement: Visit www.freepeople.com/notetoself to shop their full line of activewear and workout gear Wayfair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Spring Favorites: Beauty, Style, Health, Podcasts, & More
1 hr 4 min
#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 things that have actually been making my life better lately. Consider this your permission to add to cart. SHOP THE EPISODE: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/4429102 FOLLOW PAYTON: https://instagram.com/paytonsartain https://www.tiktok.com/@paytonsartain https://youtube.com/c/paytonsartainhh SUBMIT TO NOTE TO SELF: → Ask P: Advice Column: https://forms.gle/avvSu4ibYygZP5rq8 Sponsors: Free People Movement: Visit fpmovement.com to shop their full line of activewear and workout gear Nuuly: That’s nuuly.com and code NOTETOSELF for $28 off your first month See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
