Better To... Podcast with D. M. Needom
The Better To Podcast is a place where we'll discuss what was the inspiration for their perspective projects and how it all came about. Sometimes, we’ll take a deeper dive into that moment that placed them on the creative path. On the podcast, we honor achievements, discuss new projects, and reflect on life lessons and the beginnings of the creative journey.
Better To... Podcast with D. M. Needom
The Sage & Story Dream - Amanda Brown
Amanda stops by the show to discuss her dream of building a bookstore, Blind Date With a Book Boyfriend, and more.
****Side note - in my wrap up I mention that no harm that also included animals.****
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My love for reading began at a young age—curled up with a book, a fluffy blanket, a warm candle flickering nearby, and a cup of London Fog tea from Harney & Sons in hand. There’s nothing quite like escaping into another world, especially a good dystopian novel (bonus points if it’s by Tahereh Mafi, my favorite author).
When I moved to Yuma, Arizona, in 2023, I was surprised to find how limited the local bookstore scene was. Aside from a small, soon-to-close shop downtown and the ever-reliable Barnes & Noble, there weren’t many spaces for readers to gather, connect, or simply exist in the cozy, book-loving atmosphere I’d always craved.
That’s what inspired me to create Sage and Story—a place that’s more than just a bookstore. I wanted to offer the community a true literary haven: a welcoming, peaceful space to read, chat over tea, join a book club, or just browse without the pressure of big-name retail.
I started small, selling used books from home with a dream of one day opening a storefront. For now, it’s all about small steps and shared stories. By this time next year, I hope to be running Sage and Story from a cozy, shared space—turning a passion into a full-time purpose.
Sage & Story is a cozy, community-minded bookstore dream growing in the heart of Yuma, Arizona.
Rooted in the peaceful energy of the desert, we believe in the quiet power of books to inspire, heal, and connect.
What started as a small idea — a few donated books and a love for stories — is becoming a space where neighbors swap stories, slow down, and rediscover joy through reading.
We sell gently used books, and the goal to some day build a reading space that's calm, inclusive, and full of soothing, cafe vibes. Whether you're a lifelong reader or just curious, you’re always welcome here.
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If you would like to contact the show about being a guest, please email us at Dauna@bettertopodcast.com
Upcoming guests can be found: https://dmneedom.com/upcoming-guest
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Intro and Outro music compliments of Fast Suzi
©2025 Better To...Podcast with D. M. Needom
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