The Thought Snob Podcast with Paula Swope

One Question Reveals Your Purpose

In this unscripted and off-the-cuff episode, Paula sits down with her husband, Will, for another spontaneous conversation — no notes, no prep, just pure in-the-moment wisdom (and a few laughs along the way).
This week’s topic: advice for young people searching for their life purpose. Paula shares powerful insight on why the world’s opinions can lead you off track, and how true purpose is found by tuning out external noise and tuning in to what lights you up.
At the heart of the episode, Paula reveals the one question everyone should ask themselves to uncover their passion — a question that holds the key to both fulfillment and financial freedom. Because when you make money doing what you love, it never feels like work.
Whether you're just starting out or reevaluating your path, this conversation offers profound yet straightforward guidance to help you align with your true calling.

How Thought SNOBs Travel

Are you a Thought SLOB or a Thought SNOB when you travel?
In this lighthearted yet transformational episode, Paula compares two trips to France—one taken in 1999 as a chronic worrier (aka a Thought SLOB), and one she’s about to take as a grounded, expectation-aligned Thought SNOB. Spoiler: the mindset you pack matters more than your suitcase.
She shares the hilarious (and slightly chaotic) story of her first France trip, from lost luggage and pigeon attacks to a full-blown worry-induced illness. But more importantly, she breaks down how her inner shift transformed the entire experience this time around—and how you can shift too.
You’ll learn:
Why your thoughts are the real itinerary
How to stop mentally rehearsing worst-case scenarios
Tips to replace fear with joyful expectation
Why Thought SNOBs get better experiences—by design
Whether planning a vacation or just trying to stress less, this episode will help you pack lighter—emotionally, mentally, and energetically.

Why Vision Boards Work

If you've ever wondered whether vision boards really work—this episode is your confirmation.
Paula shares the science and soul behind why vision boards are so powerful: they help your subconscious mind adopt a new, more empowered narrative. By seeing your desires daily, you begin to expect them, and expectation is one of the key ingredients in the secret sauce of manifestation.
You’ll hear:
The wild story of Paula’s first vision board and how the exact engagement ring she chose years earlier ended up on her finger
How the most successful people use visual storytelling to shape reality
Tips for making your vision board magnetic: including using your fingerprint, your own handwriting, and a recent photo of yourself
Plus, Paula gives a sneak peek into the vision board she's creating for 2026—and how she's already aligning with it.
Whether you're a vision board newbie or a seasoned manifestor, this episode will show you how to create a board that doesn’t just look good—it brings your dreams to life.

Releasing Emotional Trauma

What if the emotional heaviness you carry isn’t your personality—it’s unprocessed trauma?
In this deeply personal episode, Paula opens up about a kind of trauma many people don’t recognize: emotional trauma. She shares how, for years, she associated trauma only with physical pain—until her body, relationships, and inner world told a different story.
You’ll hear how Paula discovered the lingering impact of her parents’ brutal divorce, how it led her to believe she was unlovable, and how meditation opened a door to emotional release, forgiveness, and healing.
She discusses:
The surprising signs of hidden emotional trauma
How meditation naturally surfaced solutions
Mirror work and seeing the "villains" as teachers
What it really takes to feel lighter and forgive
This episode is for anyone who’s carrying invisible wounds—and ready to lay them down.

The Freedom Vaccine

If there were a vaccine for emotional freedom, this episode is it. Today, Paula shares one of the most liberating mindsets you can adopt: immunity to both criticism and flattery. With personal stories (including a hilarious cryotherapy moment) and a grounding practice to center your energy, she shows you how to reclaim your emotional power.
You'll learn:
Why emotionally intelligent people don’t flinch at feedback
The hidden danger of compliments
How SNOB thinking (See New Objective Beliefs) helps separate facts from opinions
Why you should always consider the source
This episode is a must-listen if you're ready to stop outsourcing your confidence and start living with unshakable self-worth.

Understanding Soul Contracts

What if the people who hurt you weren’t mistakes — but part of a plan you chose? In this episode of The Thought SNOB Podcast, Paula explores the idea of soul contracts: the unseen agreements we make before birth to experience growth, challenge, and healing. She shares personal stories of painful relationships that ultimately shaped her strength, explains how to recognize when a soul contract is complete, and offers a powerful new way to find meaning in the mess. 
 
If you’ve ever struggled to understand why certain people entered your life, this episode will change your perspective forever.

This is Your Brain. This is Your Brain on Luck: The Psychology of a Mansion-Level Manifestation

What if I told you that luck isn’t random, but neurological? In this solo commentary episode, Paula shows you how to activate the psychology of luck using brain science, intention, and a little bit of bold belief. You’ll learn how the reticular activating system, prefrontal cortex, and neuroplasticity work together to create the filter through which you experience life—and how you can flip that filter to align with synchronicity, serendipity, and success.
Then, Paula will take you inside one of the most exclusive places in the world—The Mansion at Churchill Downs—and share how a chance encounter with a woman named Sophia from Park Avenue became a mirror for everything she has healed. This episode is about brain training, emotional growth, and what’s possible when you refuse to believe luck belongs to someone else.

Heather Yerrid: What Number Sequences Are Trying to Tell You

"Our conversation was days ago, and I'm still thinking about it." ~Paula Swope
 
This week on The Thought Snob Podcast, Paula is joined by the incredible Heather Yerrid — founder of Selfcessful™ and a life coach who helps people build unshakable self-certainty and lead themselves (and their businesses) with clarity, strength, and pride. Heather’s journey from journalism to corporate leadership to personal reinvention across the country gives her a perspective that’s as rare as it is refreshing. She’s the person people turn to when they’re ready to stop performing and start becoming, not just in business, but in life. Her fierce honesty, deep compassion, and practical brilliance leave a lasting impact on everyone lucky enough to cross her path.
 
Paula and Heather didn't just talk about leadership and resilience, though. In true Thought Snob style, they dove into something unexpected: number sequences and the hidden messages they carry during life's biggest transitions. The two female powerhouses compared personal experiences, swapped synchronicity stories, and explored what it means when the universe sends signs you can’t ignore. 
 
Having a grounded, brilliant mind like Heather’s weigh in on these experiences was nothing short of a gift — and a reminder that sometimes the most powerful leaders are also the most spiritually in tune. 
 
Connect with Heather at https://heatheryerrid.com/. 

Jason Staats: Red Flags, Modern Stigmas, and the Mental Health Conversation

In this week’s Thought Snob Podcast, Paula sits down with Jason Staats, CEO of SUN Behavioral Kentucky, for a powerful conversation about the shifting landscape of mental health awareness and care. After the interview, Paula said, "Jason made me rethink some things. Parents should never assume their children are just on their phones. We need to know how to spot silent mental health struggles." 
Jason shares how the stigma around mental health has changed throughout the years—and why we must stay vigilant to avoid becoming desensitized to the struggles others may silently face. From his work as a licensed counselor to leading a team of over 300 professionals across Kentucky, Jason offers a unique lens on how compassionate, patient-centered care changes lives.
You'll learn what makes SUN Behavioral Health stand out, its critical services, and why mental health doesn't take a summer vacation. Whether you're personally struggling or supporting a loved one, especially a child or teen, Jason delivers practical advice you won’t want to miss.
🌞 Tune in for:
A fresh perspective on the evolving mental health stigma
What sets SUN Behavioral Kentucky apart
Tips for supporting children and teens this summer
Insightful parenting advice that could change the way you connect with your child
To learn more about SUN Behavioral Health, visit sunbehavioral.com.

Jessica Mathis - Wired Differently, Winning Big

Paula got one whiff of Jessica Mathis's energy and was adamant about getting her in the podcast studio. When these two ladies sat down, almost two hours passed before either realized it. Paula said, "We went from neurodivergence to Ron Howard to levitating to foster care to premonitions...it was awesome!" Jessica is a beacon of storytelling, so their conversation took off and kept gaining momentum.
Jessica Mathis (aka Divinity Rose) is an award-winning producer, screenwriter, director, comedian, and CEO of She Dreams Entertainment, a female-owned and operated entertainment company dedicated to creating female-forward content that embraces diversity and inclusion.
Jessica has produced and performed in over 500 live events showcasing Kentucky artists and has worked on productions ranging from indie films to major television projects like American Idol. Her screenwriting projects have won festival awards and landed her as a finalist in prestigious fellowships, including Disney/ABC, Sundance Episodic Labs, and Ron Howard's Imagine Impact.
Learn more about Jessica and get in contact with her here: https://shedreamscontent.com/.