Getting Your Ducks in a Row with Whitney English

Show Notes: Getting Your Ducks in a RowOld School with Michele Vrabel featuring Whitney EnglishIn this episode of Old School with Michele Vrabel, Michele sits down with Whitney English, author of Organize First, Decorate Second, to discuss her journey from entrepreneurship to writing, her creative process, and the inspiration behind her book. Whitney shares how her love for home and design led to a book about organizing with a maximalist approach, emphasizing stewardship, creativity, and meaningful relationships. The conversation dives into their shared Enneagram experiences, the challenges of parenting, and the spiritual lessons learned through life’s tensions, including Whitney’s insights on editing spaces and relationships for a more intentional home life.Key Topics DiscussedWhitney’s background as an entrepreneur and her transition to writing Organize First, Decorate SecondThe role of creativity and maximalism in home organization and designThe importance of editing spaces to create a functional and meaningful homeThe connection between mental wellness, clutter, and spiritual healthWhitney’s reflections on her Enneagram journey, exploring whether she’s a Four, Seven, or ThreeThe value of stewardship, resourcefulness, and repairing rather than replacing itemsNavigating parenting challenges, including a story about addressing her daughter’s messy room with graceThe spiritual principle of doing the right thing the right way, prioritizing relationships over outcomesGuest BioWhitney English is an interior designer, entrepreneur, and author of Organize First, Decorate Second. A mother of three, Whitney brings her passion for home, creativity, and stewardship to her work, encouraging others to create intentional, beautiful spaces that reflect their values. With a background in textiles and design, she advocates for a maximalist approach to organization that balances personal expression with functionality.Episode HighlightsWhitney shares how her childhood imagination of a “safe house” shaped her love for home and design.Michele and Whitney bond over their shared Enneagram Seven traits and discuss whether Whitney might be a Four, driven by creative expression.Whitney explains the origin of her book’s title, Organize First, Decorate Second, born from a personal mantra to tackle cleaning before decorating.The conversation explores the concept of “editing” spaces, inspired by Whitney’s mother leaving “edit, edit, edit” notes in her apartment.Whitney shares her “nugget” of wisdom: “Take care of the customer, and the commission will take care of itself,” emphasizing doing the right thing with love.Resources MentionedOrganize First, Decorate Second by Whitney English (releasing April 29, 2025)Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana K. White (referenced as Jesus Doesn’t Care About Your Messy House)George Carlin’s skit on “stuff” (recommended for humor)Joshua Becker’s minimalism books and podcastEnneagram resources, including Ian Cron’s workIsabell Ladd’s maximalist design work (mentioned for inspiration)KeywordsMaximalismOrganizationHome designStewardshipCreativityEnneagramParentingMental wellnessClutterSpiritual growthEditing spacesRelationshipsChapters00:00 - 03:06 Michele and Whitney Discuss Shared Connections and Enneagram Sevens03:06 - 06:47 Whitney’s Journey: From Entrepreneurship to Writing06:47 - 11:55 Exploring Enneagram Identity and Creative Expression11:55 - 17:38 The Inspiration Behind Organize First, Decorate Second and Maximalism17:38 - 24:01 Comparing Maximalism and Minimalism: Shared Values of Stewardship24:01 - 31:48 Parenting, Clutter, and the Power of Apology31:48 - 39:14 The Art of Editing Spaces and Whitney’s Organizing Tips39:14 - 46:48 Whitney’s Nugget of Wisdom and Where to Find Her WorkConnect with Whitney:www.whitneyenglish.comIG: @whitneyenglish