Kathy Patalsky - Notes
Notes is the audio home for the writing and voice of Kathy Patalsky — an author, writer, and photographer living in Los Angeles.
It’s a collection of unfiltered short essays that say out loud the thoughts many people carry quietly, capturing modern life as it unfolds in real time.
A mother and creative entrepreneur, Kathy writes with emotional clarity and a sharp cultural lens, moving between personal reflection and cultural observation with ease.
An elder millennial with deep ties to pop culture, technology, and online storytelling, she has been creating on the internet since 2007 — moving through an iconic blog, cookbooks, screenwriting, paid brand collaborations, contributor roles, and digital media. A two-time cookbook author with a global audience, her career has unfolded publicly, alongside the culture itself.
Kathy Patalsky - Notes
open mic #1
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This is the first Open Mic episode — a more unedited check-in where I let myself talk without a script.
In this episode, I share why this podcast exists, why I started it quietly, and what it means to say things out loud in this season of motherhood, culture, ambition, community. It’s a mix of presence, pop culture, identity, and the small moments that don’t always have a place to land.
No advice. Just voice, energy, and company — the kind you put on and let play while you move through your day.
hosted by Kathy Patalsky
IG: KathyPatalsky + notes.kathy
Welcome to Notes with Kathy Patalsky This is open mic number one.
These open mic episodes are where I don't edit myself too much. I just kinda let my energy live. Just you and me having a conversation.
So that's what this is. Open mic session number one.
So I wanna tell you guys something I haven't actually told anyone I started a podcast yet. Not anyone. The only person who knows is my daughter.
I was in the car and I was listening to one of the episodes on Apple Podcast because I'm just so excited that I can play it in my car, see my little face pop up, like a professional, real podcast. I'm so proud of myself. This podcast has been in the making for five years.
And so I was listening to it in the car, quietly, while my daughter was in the backseat on our commute home, and she looked up and she said, "mama, that's you." I was turned around 'cause I didn't know, will she recognize my voice? I was like, "it is, you're right. That is me." And we just smiled at each other. I didn't say, oh, this is my podcast I started. I was just like, yep, you're right. It felt like a nice little secret to have with her and me.
The reason I started this podcast. I outgrew my blog as the container for certain thoughts.
If you gave motherhood a microphone, this is what would happen. These are my moments. They are moments that are universally felt.
from motherhood to ambition, to relationships, to pop culture and everything in between. That's what this is.
So, let me backtrack a minute. My name's Kathy Patalsky, and since 2007, I have written for my blog, healthy Happy life.com. I've written two cookbooks. I love that title of vegan food recipe person. I love that side of myself, but this is a different side.
You can flip this on when you're in your car driving to an activity with your kid, casually listen to someone else saying the things out loud that are in your head and you feel a little less alone. That's the whole point.
Who am I outside of motherhood? I am a 45-year-old. I am an elder millennial by trade. I love pop culture. Elder, millennial, you guys, it's a very specific type of person.
I live in LA for a reason. I love this community of writers, artists, people who like to express feelings, write stories and just, I love that all.
I love the world of celebrity. I am an extroverted introvert. I'm an Aquarius. I don't really believe in the horoscope stuff, but also I kind of do, because I am such an Aquarius and my daughter is such a Leo.
I like to turn on the Real Housewives. I like to watch whatever is trending, and I'm currently trying to make my way through heated rivalry. Even though it's like what am I watching? Why is this popular? I am entertained. I am thoroughly entertained, but I am still waiting for the point. I've been told there is one, so I'm gonna keep with it. Huge lover of pop culture before I was a mom, game of Thrones. Twilight, you guys. I went to a twilight marathon. That was me back in the day.
I am a wellness girly through and through. You'll get to know me through my writing. I'm just your average girl.
That's me.
This podcast, it's for moments that linger in my head. It is not for advice.
I'm just noticing things that shake me in some way. And letting them breathe, once they're said out loud.
Thank you for letting me fill the space when things are quiet.
This was Notes by Kathy Patalsky
For more, follow Kathy on Instagram or visit healthyhappylife.com