I am Stephanie Thornton Plymale, CEO of Heritage School of Interior Design, and the author of American Daughter! My memoir is about my journey of overcoming the trauma of my childhood, mending my relationship with my severely mentally ill mother, and discovering my heritage.
After 50 years of keeping my past a secret, I shared my story with the world. Now, I feel free! I never expected my story to resonate with so many people all around the world, it has truly changed my life. Since publishing my memoir, I have met so many people who have overcome staggering odds and will be sharing some of their inspirational stories through my podcast, Overcoming – coming this spring!
Being the CEO of Heritage has allowed me to help hundreds of students achieve their dream careers with an affordable, accessible, education. I also get to do what I love – interior design! I am passionate about giving back to my community and am honored to support organizations like Project Lemonade, William Temple House and Treehouse For Kids. You can learn more about my partnerships with these organizations on the Foundation page of my website here.
Through my blog I’m excited to share more about my life, family, fashion, design, and more! Keep an eye on the American Daughter website and my Instagram @stephaniethorntonplymale for all of the latest updates and read below to find out what’s coming!
What’s Coming
My Podcast “Overcoming”
In early spring 2021, I will be releasing six fabulous episodes of my new podcast, Overcoming! In this podcast, I will be talking to extraordinary guests who have overcome the staggering odds, and will be asking the hard questions about their powerful stories. I’m so excited to share these stories with you and I can’t wait to hear what you all think of the series!
10 Hottest
Follow me on my Instagram @stephaniethorntonplymale to watch my new IGTV, 10 Hottest! I will be co-hosting with Portland’s local celebrity and award-winning stylist, Brandon Gaston of Palatte Agency. On our show we will be answering the top 10 questions from our followers about fashion, relationships, marketing, lifestyle, and so much more! The first episode will go live on Tuesday, February 23rd at 11am PST.
Style & Sustainability for Social Good
On Tuesday, April 20th at 12pm PST I will be a keynote speaker for the William Temple House annual fundraising event! I will also be designing a room with items from their thrift shop. William Temple House restores hope and renews strength in individuals and families in a welcoming and respectful atmosphere. They provide low- and no-cost mental health counseling, social services, and spiritual care – such an amazing organization!
Podcasts & Radio
I am currently on a virtual book tour, being interviewed by incredible people all around the world! Visit the Events page of my website here for a list of all of my upcoming appearances.
Top Reviews of American Daughter
“A gut-wrenching and absorbing portrait of one family’s legacy of mental illness and childhood trauma.” — Booklist
“Impressive…Moving…Readers will find themselves recalibrating their judgments about villains and victims and questioning how one family could fall so far down through the cracks… American Daughter will resonate” — BookPage (starred review)
“In this sharp, heartrending work, Plymale reconciles with the truth of her mother’s life, finding forgiveness, hope, and even pride. Her testimony, while painful to read, is vital.” — Library Journal
“[A] poignant and often distressing memoir….The writing is shatteringly candid but never overwrought, the story a stark reminder that ‘the most difficult people are often suffering in ways we can’t fathom.'” — Shelf Awareness
“[Plymale’s] lineage, which she traces back to the Revolutionary War, represents a sort of inverse American dream…Her people become less respectable through the generations until the line arrives at Plymale herself, whose own life marks the point where the needle begins to move in a positive direction once again. It’s a story of redemption and forgiveness.” — Mary Beth Keane, New York Times Book Review