Key Times:

 00:00:00 – Introduction: It’s been a while! Catching up after months away

00:06:45 – The January fires: Devastation, grief, and survival

00:12:30 – Leading through crisis: Denise’s real estate world turned upside down

00:18:05 – Finding community: Donation efforts and mutual aid

00:26:30 – Jackie’s grad school applications and career shifts

00:30:40 – A car gets towed: Navigating unexpected hurdles

00:36:10 – Moments of unexpected kindness: A soap dish and a bouquet

00:42:00 – Closing thoughts: Gratitude, deep breaths, and looking ahead

Show Notes / Episode Summary:

In this emotionally charged episode, Denise and Jackie return after an extended hiatus, reflecting on what has been an unbelievably intense year. From devastating wildfires that left entire communities displaced to personal struggles with leadership, career changes, and even a chaotic car towing experience, they unpack the rollercoaster of events that defined the past several months.

Denise shares her firsthand experience of managing a real estate team through an unprecedented disaster, recounting the overwhelming grief and logistical challenges of helping clients and colleagues find stability in the aftermath of the fires. Jackie, on the other hand, navigates her own major life transitions, from leaving her grocery job to re-entering real estate full-time—all while applying to grad school and dealing with self-doubt along the way.

Through it all, they highlight the small moments of kindness and connection that helped them persevere, including a touching encounter involving a simple soap dish and a gifted bouquet. They close the episode with a grounding breathwork exercise, encouraging listeners to reflect on gratitude and resilience in their own lives.

Topics Covered:

• Processing grief and trauma after natural disasters
• The complexities of leadership during crisis situations
• The challenges of re-entering real estate in an unpredictable market
• Navigating self-doubt and imposter syndrome in grad school applications
• The unexpected stress of getting a car towed (and the financial burden that comes with it)
• Finding joy in small, everyday acts of kindness
• Cultivating resilience through community and mutual aid
• Follow Us:
• Follow Jackie: jackiefreed.la 
• Follow Denise: @denise.freed 
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