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hi, i'm ash!
Creator of the New Travel & Design Series, 'OTHER PEOPLE'S HOUSES.'
Travel writer & host, cultural explorer, and architecture & interiors freak.
Meet ash >
I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈
I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈ I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT ✈
The Newsletter
Every week, we're exploring global culture through the lens of the home. From floorplans to fixtures, we examine how houses are built, designed, and decorated around the world (with a side of sass, of course!)
The Podcast
The only podcast where we pass on the pyramids and poke around in the plumbing. I’m Ash, and I'm, exploring the strange, smart, and wonderful ways houses are built, designed, and decorated around the world.
The Books
A new series of OTHER PEOPLE'S HOUSES books designed to help you try on a new life in different places around the world—by getting to "go behind closed doors" inside local homes to discover what it's really like to live there.
1 of many reasons I love reading your writing is that you spark so many thoughts that make me stop and write. I consume a lot of content for work or entertainment. Your writing both entertains and gets me to write in a way that none of the productivity apps and calendar blocks do.
Best compliment EVER. I love this idea. I always used to read Bryson when I needed a creativity kick in the ass, so I *completely* get it (and am overjoyed that you view my writing in the same way). Maybe someday I’ll make an Ash Ambirge writing app that will be one-part writing inspo, one-part drill sergeant. Ha!!!
I feel the same!
Same!
Oh, Ash – do I ever relate! But, honestly… when do I *not* relate to your writing‽
My local newsletter has taken me farther than I ever could have imagined after only 8 months.
In 2025 I accomplished:
1) won my first-ever business grant for $1250 (hello, new computer!)
2) published at least once EVERY week since I started June 1
3) increased to publishing twice a week since August 1
4) earned my first $600.
In 2025 I did NOT accomplish:
1) land a single local sponsor
2) cross the 1000 subscriber threshold
3) network with ANY local businesses
4) earn sustainable income
Okay – that’s not entirely true.
I didn’t land any sponsors because I didn’t try.
I didn’t get 1000 subscribers, but I was close! Over 900…but then I decided to clean up my list and I’m back down to 600 (and I haven’t ran Meta ads).
I networked with 2 businesses *intentionally* via one-on-one visits and 20-25 by attending 3 local mixers/luncheons. But I’d be hard passed to call my activity there networking… it felt more like barely surviving without looking like I was drowning.
And I do break even every month – my ad revenue covers my monthly subscription fees.
So, yes… lots of wins. But all I can see write now is the ONE HURDLE between me and the things I did NOT accomplish. I’m scared to put myself out there. I don’t feel prepared. I don’t have the confidence, and I’m scared that I might never feel confident enough to make an offer. I don’t know why I don’t put myself out there, but if I had to identify a reason I would say lack of safety. The 2 businesses I intentionally met with were safe spaces – inclusive, LGBTQ+ businesses, young owners (one woman + one non-binary).
I don’t feel comfortable selling myself because I don’t want to have to convince the middle-aged/boomer white males that my offer is valuable. We don’t align on a lot of beliefs, and they make it pretty clear on their social media accounts. Every day I inch closer & closer toward becoming the voice for progressive women in Hanover, but I don’t share those beliefs because I’m scared it will prevent me from monetizing with a good chunk of local businesses. Who knows, maybe it would also land me sponsors with amazing local businesses that do align.
I really want to know how to show up and make offers. I believe in my newsletter, but I don’t believe in the people I’m trying to get sponsors from. And I feel like I, too, have to code-switch in order to get their approval. I have to softer, less opinionated, more docile… And if I play that role too much, I lose confidence in my ability to convey the value of my offer.
And the cycle repeats.
Miss you, miss the group in Circle. If you ever open up calls again for consultations – send ya girl an email. I’m too ADHD to check my personal email consistently. Your newsletter is the ONLY one I read every issue of – but rarely on time.
Sending love, sending telepathic courage, sending you all the grace you need to forgive yourself when you can’t show up. Knowing your limits is equally as important as showing up consistently. You can’t pour from an empty cup. So what if they only get to experience you inconsistently on YOUR terms… especially if this allows you to show up WHOLLY AS YOURSELF… with your boobies safely secured in your wireless bra.
P.S. Since when do bras sound like they have Bluetooth? Why do we even say that‽
P.P.S. OHHHHhhhhhHHHHhh! It’s because A MAN created it.
I have such a hard time with social media for this exact reason. I hate the idea of trying to turn myself into a brand. It’s not that I don’t want to market myself, I just find it exhausting.
I also grew up in a small, rural town, and I don’t think I could even count how many differences there are to what I grew up around and what I experience now living in a 8-million plus city in the Arabian Peninsula.
I have my Saudi personality and way of interacting with people, and understand the nuances of the culture here, and speak Arabic frequently.
But when I go back to my parents town (a different rural town smaller than the one I grew up in) I can easily slip into that personality as well and feel right at home.
What a fascinating juxtaposition our realities can be.
This sounds SO like a book I would love to read!!! Hint, hint!!!!!!!
And, isn’t it fascinating how many things can be true all at once, when it comes to who you are????
Very!! Hint taken!! 😉 I do want to write about my experiences. But I can’t quite figure out how I want to frame it. Still at the brainstorming phase, I suppose.
A beautiful cadence of a message – as always. Just reading it made me feel like I WAS LIVING in the country TOO. Thank you for all the words that sculpt well-landed messages. Appreciate you! 🤍🤍🤍
Thank you SO much for taking the time to leave me this comment – I appreciate the vote of confidence, and am excited to keep writing!!!!! THANK YOUUUUUUUU, REBECCA!!!!!!! 💛💛💛💛💛
I love this Ash! I am so grateful I grew up in a small town and I love going back to visit. It feels very comforting, and yes I completely agree that who we are is not so much objective, but contextual. Shape-shifting based on environment is so interesting because all of my “shapes” feel so authentic while being wildly different!
So much of what you describe I can completely relate to. Thank you for being so thoughtful and self aware. Your insights help me process and gain greater insights into my own experiences! You’re the best! ❤️
Hello, Miss Arhaus Spring Edition!!!!!!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉 Still reeling over that! You must tell me about those hydrangeas. Do you have deer where you are now, or do they just not bother that variety?! This is my new challenge in life, lol: planting sneaky things the animals don’t want to eat.
First I love the podunk bar in the middle of nowhere as I find they are the friendliest places. I do try to find the ones that at least carry some form of Prosecco lol but I can suffer thru most any wine except Chardonnay as I feel like it tastes like gasoline but I can always switch to some form of beer if Chard is all they got. I about fell over with the line “Please hook me up with the largest glass of wine you can legally pour without going to jail” because this is me anywhere I go! Even in the 5 star fancy steak restaurant in downtown Denver. Might provoke a look or two but I’ve never been one to care what others thought. I’ve lived in the heart of Denver, to the rural of the plains/mountains of Colorado but Alaska is my favorite of all places to be. Here you can be yourself and like most of rural American, as you say, no one cares what you look like only that you show up. Showing up is important here as sometimes it means the difference between life and death (think car broken down in -60 you want someone to show up) You can go to a fancy restaurant here and see everything from someone coming out of the bush that hasn’t had a bath in a month to black tie formal all in the same room. No one judges, no one cares. Except maybe tourists…they stare at us like we’re aliens. We care that if we’re in trouble or need help you show up. I do wish the bill was 21.00 tho lol. I do like going home to a small town in Illinois as it’s like that there but here still expensive as places are few and far between and stuffs expensive to ship here.
Oh I bet it’s expensive with getting things shipped there! When I was in Venice I did some extensive chatting and, yes, this was the toughest thing: everything having to be brought in from the outside and, as a result, costing more too.
But to your point: heck yes I love a friendly podunk bar, though it pains me that most stock Woodbridge as the standard wine, and no one considers the margin they could make if they brought in something decent that would appeal to outsiders. BUSINESS BRAIN, ACTIVATED! But seriously. And no matter what brand it is, I probably won’t be having the Chardonnay either! Even though my friend who works in wine swears that it’s getting its groove back and is no longer branded as “tired mom wine,” and the right kinds are life-changing. I don’t know if I believe her hahahahahhshshahahahahahah!!!!!!!!
LOL I don’t believe her, no offense. Although a friend buys the Kirkland (Costco) brand and I can drink it, and will admit once past the first glass and my taste buds asking me WTH is wrong with me, the second glass goes down a little easier, but I still vote for no Chard. I’m a German girl. Give me a Riesling or Dornfelder any day, but since most restaurants here don’t even know what those are Prosecco is always a safe bet lol.
Podunk? Girl????
One of these days you need to join me in *the only* bar on this Lake Huron island known as Bob-Lo. Dude, if you want a Manhattan, you have to bring your own vermouth and cherries (<
DON’T YOU KNOW I WILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Actually, that sounds like a biking-for-beginners experience you need to put together, including a visit to this bar. 🤣
Also: the concept of “biking for beginners” is so droolworthy. Would join!
Don’t think I haven’t thought about it. I might just have to put it on *the list* with your encouragement 🤞.
God I would love that. I desperately want to go biking on Vermont’s trails, but am wayyyyyyy too intimidated, even just by not knowing “biking culture.” Know what I mean? There is a place for us in the market, lol!!!!
“Biking culture” is supremely annoying in that is scares away would-be participants. Don’t get me started.
(Though you may find that when you actually go to the trails, the riders –with their kits, and all– can be actually lovely and quite helpful. They usually want to welcome people to the sport.)
Hahahahaha I just learned the word “kit” the other day and that was enough to be like, OH GOD, IT’LL BE TOO OBVIOUS AND MORTIFYING