Life doesn’t always follow the plan we set for it. Bernadette Smith knows this well. From her early days as an “activist wedding planner” helping same-sex couples celebrate love, to her work today leading Equality Institute, she’s built a career on courage, authenticity, and connection. Along the way, she’s navigated personal and professional pivots that reshaped not only her business, but the way she sees herself.

Her story is filled with lessons about resilience, trusting yourself when the ground shifts, and finding joy even in the toughest transitions. At the center of it all is a belief that life is richer and lighter when we build real relationships across differences, and bring a little good energy wherever we go.

In this episode:

• What it takes to start over when the old path no longer fits
• The mindset shifts that helped Bernadette move from scarcity to abundance
• Why leaning on others makes the journey lighter and more meaningful
• A simple daily tool for building authentic connections

Connect with Karen:

• Clarity Planning
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Instagram

Connect with our guests: 

• Bernadette Smith on LinkedIn
• Equality Institute