This week on Tales from The Lane, I'm joined by Dr. Kristen Strom — speaker, author, former English professor turned transformational wellness coach — for a deeply real, encouraging conversation about what it actually takes to stop surviving and start thriving.

Kristen built the career she thought she always wanted: PhD, professor, teacher educator, mom of three, leadership roles—all the boxes checked. But behind the scenes? She was exhausted, burned out, and increasingly disconnected from herself.

A single photo of her on a walk with her kids changed everything.

In this episode, Kristen shares:

✨ How success on paper can mask deep misalignment ✨ The moment she realized no one was coming to save her ✨ The 3 pieces of the wellness puzzle ✨ The Be–Do–Have framework and how it can change everything ✨ One small, smart step you can take today to shift your momentum

We also talk about the lies we tell ourselves ("later, later, later…"), the danger of thinking being busy means being fulfilled, and how to rebuild a life that aligns with who you've become—not who you were five years ago.

This is the perfect episode to listen to during Thrive Fest, where hundreds of us are taking small steps every day to reset our energy and reclaim our clarity. (Join us anytime!)

Resources & Links: Join Thrive Fest: Holiday Edition Get my book Beyond Potential: A Guide for Creatives Who Want to Re-Assess, Re-Define, and Re-Ignite Their Career Connect with Kristen: IG: @dr_kristenstrom and @lifewithdrkristen, FBk: Dr. Kristen Strom; Linkedin: Dr. Kristen Strom

If you've been feeling stretched thin, stuck, or out of sync with your own life, this episode will feel like a deep breath. Kristen's story is proof that change doesn't require an overhaul—just one small, smart step at a time.