The Art Of Imperfect Adulting

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Quincy Tessaverne about her powerful journey of coming out with her sexuality after 16 years of marriage. Quincy opens up about the evolution of her self-awareness, navigating family and community responses to her transition, and how the experience shaped her identity as a parent, partner, and person.

About the Guest:

Quincy Tessaverne is a writer, entrepreneur, and podcast host living in Los Angeles. With a background that spans parenting, advocacy, creative projects, and LGBTQ+ community building, Quincy brings humor, honesty, and insight to conversations about identity, relationships, loss, and growth. She is the founder of the new podcast Cocoon After Dark, dedicated to sharing real stories from LGBTQ+ and BIPOC voices, especially from a Gen X female perspective.

Main Topics Covered:

• Discovering and understanding sexuality in a conservative 1980s environment
• The experience and challenges of coming out after a long, “traditional” marriage
• Maintaining a supportive co-parenting and friendship dynamic post-divorce
• The societal and family impacts of coming out, including community rejection and finding new belonging
• Supporting children through family transitions and honoring authentic parenting
• The importance of representation and storytelling for the LGBTQ+ community
• Launching Cocoon After Dark: why sharing diverse stories matters

Quote from the Episode:

“It’s important because while so many people are trying to shed labels, I think it’s still important, because it’s still not accepted in so many parts of this country and this world… To see people, regular, normal people—your neighbors, your friends, classmates, parents… LGBTQ people are around you and have just as normal lives as you do. We just love different people than you love.”—Quincy Tessaverne

Timestamps:

[00:00:05] Quincy’s favorite way to transition to downtime

[00:01:52] Early awareness of sexuality & formative experiences

[00:06:36] Navigating changing friendships and family norms in the 1980s

[00:09:59] Marriage, honesty with a partner, and why she chose not to “play both sides”

[00:13:24] The turning point and emotional aspects of coming out

[00:21:25] Impact on daily life, family, and loss of friend group—finding community

[00:27:07] The crucial role of chosen family and supporting children

[00:34:36] Why representation and sharing LGBTQ+ stories still matters

[00:39:03] Launching Cocoon After Dark & how to tune in

[00:43:16] Fun questions—favorite books, sunsets, and music

Connect with the Guest:

• Instagram: @cocoonafterdark
• Podcast: Cocoon After Dark https://cocoonafterdark.buzzsprout.com/ 

Special Offer from the Guest: Be among the first to listen to Cocoon After Dark and share your story! If you are an LGBTQ+ or BIPOC person interested in being interviewed, mention “TAOIA” in your application for priority consideration during the first season (offer valid through December 2025).

Note from the show: Guest offers are often limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming the guest offer please reach out to the guest or vendor directly.

If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/support

We invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.

Why subscribe?

• Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast app
• Get guest offers delivered straight to your inbox
• Access all important links in one convenient place
• Catch the highlights even when you don't have time to listen

Are you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com

If you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Pitch yourself at https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guest

Here are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)

For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69

Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi

Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590

Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofj

For Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stone

before that I used Kit.

Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Christie Kaplan. Kaplan is a Dallas-based entrepreneur, mother, and founder of Startup Design Partners. They chat about navigating massive life transitions: career pivots after new motherhood, financial uncertainty following a layoff, and how losing security in traditional employment pushed her to create her own design venture. Christie shares candid stories about managing chaotic postpartum days, leaning on her spouse through stress, and reclaiming autonomy by launching a business that reflects both her creative skillset and her needs as a parent.

About the Guest:

Christie Kaplan is a holistic venture designer, community builder and fine artist. Her why? She believes intentional systematic design has the power to reshape industries for the better of humanity. Every company should be design-led, that's her mission at Startup Design Partners.

Main Topics Covered:

• Navigating the emotional roller coaster of new motherhood and being laid off 8 weeks postpartum
• Planning for financial security and facing unexpected setbacks
• Managing postpartum recovery while job searching
• Maintaining a strong partnership and communication during periods of stress
• Making a career pivot from traditional employment to entrepreneurship
• How the illusion of security in full-time roles inspired Christie’s business path
• Building a design consultancy and collaborative network to empower indie creators

Quote from the Episode:

“I never want to go through that again. Even the story I told you about, you know, being on the toilet and finishing up a pumping session, I just, I was like, this is not—I don't ever want to have to be forced to do this. Like I want that to be a choice.” — Christie Kaplan

Timestamps: [00:00:05] Intros; Christie calls Dallas home

[00:00:57] Transitioning from busyness to downtime through art

[00:02:17] Laid off 8 weeks postpartum—setting the stage

[00:03:43] Financial planning, unexpected expenses, and startup realities

[00:06:48] The shock of layoffs and postpartum job hunting

[00:08:09] Preparing for maternity leave and returning to work

[00:11:17] Recovering from a complicated delivery

[00:11:55] The day of the layoff and making plans as a couple

[00:15:07] Stress-testing the relationship and effective communication

[00:19:09] Being told you're “too young” for a promotion—igniting the spark to start her own business

[00:24:25] The decision that made her career pivot possible

[00:30:43] What Startup Design Partners does and its vision

[00:36:21] The gig economy, community building, and supporting founders

[00:38:35] The final three fun questions: TV habits, reusable water bottles, and parental fears in an AI world

Special Offer from the Guest:

Offer:

A One Hour Complimentary Venture/Product Advisory Session To collect offer please email: [email protected]

Note from the show: Guest offers are often limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming the guest offer please reach out to the guest or vendor directly.

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Dominique Levesque about the realities of rebuilding a life from the ground up after sudden upheaval. Dominique shares the challenges she faced after losing everything, including her business and community in Central America, and how she transformed the crisis into a journey of healing, self-truth, and creating new belonging from within.

About the Guest:

Dominique Levesque is an intuitive coach and color energy healer. She helps sensitive, soul-led humans reconnect with their inner wisdom through color, aura work, and sacred geometry. 

Main Topics Covered:

• The experience and reality of being a global nomad
• Losing everything: sudden business loss and expulsion from a chosen community
• How conditioning shapes decisions, risk, and belonging
• Survival mode and rebuilding from the inside out
• The power of intuition, somatic wisdom, and self-acceptance
• Creating authentic community versus seeking belonging at any cost
• Embodying learned knowledge and setting new personal guide rails

Quote from the Episode:

"When you're living from your conditioning, you're always losing because you're not aligned. And there are a lot of choices to make in that not alignment. And those choices are hard because you have to look at yourself and you have to understand, see the red flags and have people that care enough to really tell you what is going on." — Dominique Levesque

Timestamps:

[00:00:06] Welcomes, intros, and the life of a nomad

[00:01:24] Dominique’s journey: From thriving business to losing everything

[00:03:32] Impacts of community loss and forced expat experience

[00:07:03] Business, relationships, and the power of conditioning

[00:10:11] What is conditioning and why are red flags hard to see?

[00:13:07] Survival mode, somatics, and rebuilding after crisis

[00:17:40] Questioning beliefs and facing uncomfortable truths

[00:20:44] Intuition: From impulsive adventure to embodied guidance

[00:24:13] Practical steps for rebuilding: Workshops, community, and values

[00:27:58] Commitment to truth over belonging

[00:32:29] Life today: Authentic connection, color, and creating safe spaces

[00:34:18] Dominique’s intuitive coaching in color and energy

Special Offer from the Guest:

Take Dominique’s free Intuitive Color Quiz to discover what color you’re resonating with right now and gain insight into your personal energy and alignment. Visit www.intentioninflow.com/quiz .

Note from the show: Guest offers are often limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming the guest offer, please reach out to the guest or vendor directly.

If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/support

We invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.

Why subscribe?

• Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast app
• Get guest offers delivered straight to your inbox
• Access all important links in one convenient place
• Catch the highlights even when you don't have time to listen

Are you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com

If you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Pitch yourself at https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guest

Here are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)

For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69

Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi

Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590

Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofj

For Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stone

before that I used Kit.

Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Stacie Walker. Walker is a Colorado-based entrepreneur, digital marketing mentor, and founder of Unleash Your Ambition. They talk about her profound journey from a chaotic, unhealthy lifestyle in her 20s through a near-death health crisis, to a life of sobriety, purpose, and success. Stacie shares candidly about the wake-up call that forced her to reevaluate her choices, the long recovery that followed, and how she rebuilt her life, health, and career into something she once thought impossible.

About the Guest:

Stacie Walker is a Marketing & Business Strategist and the founder of Unleash Your Ambition. Her mission is to help her clients design an aligned $100K+ business foundation without sacrificing their health, sanity, or values.

Main Topics Covered:

• What life looked like for Stacie before her health crisis: codependency, unhealthy choices, and overwork.
• The warning signs and realities of severe liver failure in her 20s, and how it became a near-death experience.
• How her road to recovery (including a year of healing) sparked immediate and lasting sobriety.
• Reimagining her career after illness, building an online business from her bed, and discovering the power of the digital community.
• The importance of self-care: mental, physical, and spiritual health practices adopted during recovery.
• How significant life challenges clarified Stacie’s purpose, deepened her relationships, and transformed her approach to life and business.
• Advice for others who may be ignoring their health or feel stuck in unhealthy patterns.

Quote from the Episode:

“I felt my soul, my spirit, drifting away… That was my wake-up call, you know, that’s what I needed in order to get my life in order and to really think about how I wanted to live moving forward.” – Stacie Walker

Timestamps: [00:00:12] Welcome and Stacie’s background; Colorado roots

[00:01:14] Compliments, kindness, and setting the pre-crisis scene

[00:04:54] The health crisis of 2008: symptoms, missteps, and hospitalization

[00:13:37] Instant sobriety and facing recovery after a near-death warning

[00:19:11] Rebuilding health: habits, routines, and mindset shifts

[00:22:12] Stacie today: entrepreneurship, family, and finding fulfillment

[00:25:14] The power and importance of online communities for support

[00:28:39] Reflections: Would change have happened without hitting rock bottom?

[00:30:41] Stacie’s business, Unleash Your Ambition, and how she helps clients

[00:33:39] Final fun questions: reality TV, dog hair, and chocolate

Special Offer from the Guest:

Complimentary Business Breakthrough Session. (Valued at $1,000) Book your session at: https://www.unleashyourambition.com/breakthrough

Note from the show: Guest offers are often limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming the guest offer, please reach out to the guest or vendor directly.

If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/support

We invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.

Why subscribe?

• Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast app
• Get guest offers delivered straight to your inbox
• Access all important links in one convenient place
• Catch the highlights even when you don't have time to listen

Are you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com

If you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Pitch yourself at https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guest

Here are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)

For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69

Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi

Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590

Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofj

For Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stone

before that I used Kit.

Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Sara Thornhill—Florida-based meditation coach, relationship expert, and founder of Prana Tova—about transforming panic attacks into powerful peace through authenticity, sobriety, and self-discovery. Sara candidly shares her journey through coming out, divorce, trauma, and embracing her truth, offering actionable insights on how ambitious women can break the cycle of people-pleasing and anxiety to find greater peace within themselves.

About the Guest:

Sara Thornhill is the founder of Prana Tova and creator of the BreathWORTH™ method. A master coach in nervous system regulation and subconscious reprogramming, Sara blends science-backed breathwork with vibrational healing to help you reset, release, and reclaim power from within. 

Main Topics Covered:

• Turning panic attacks, trauma, and anxiety into self-acceptance and personal peace
• Coming out, surviving two divorces, and breaking free from religious and family expectations
• The power of breathwork, meditation, and solo retreats in healing emotional wounds
• People-pleasing as a root of anxiety and the freedom in learning to say “no”
• The physiology of panic attacks and why highly sensitive people are spiritually primed for evolution
• The importance of building supportive environments and boundary setting for lasting change

Quote from the Episode:

"The secret is that I stopped people pleasing. People pleasing causes panic attacks. We are shoving down who we are. We're hiding our needs because of some perception of trying to get approval or avoid rejection or any number of core wounding... The biggest difference is I live my authenticity." — Sara Thornhill

Timestamps: [00:00:06] Introduction, warm-up questions, and Sara’s location

[00:01:26] Amy introduces Sara’s story and major life transitions

[00:02:02] Sara’s marriage/divorce timeline, coming out, and journey through sobriety

[00:05:48] Living the “perfect” life and waking up to authenticity

[00:08:55] Suppressing identity, masking pain with drinking, and early signs of trouble

[00:12:43] Discussing coming out, identity, and ending a marriage

[00:15:27] First panic attack, trauma history, and early coping strategies

[00:20:01] The physical experience and physiology of panic attacks

[00:29:09] Sara’s full “reset” via solo silent retreats and deep self-work

[00:32:22] Boundary setting, removing toxic influences, and finding support

[00:36:59] The impact of change: from anxiety to authenticity

[00:38:55] Childhood programming and why self-compassion matters

[00:41:04] Could transformation have happened without adversity?

[00:44:10] Sara’s work: helping ambitious women transmute panic into peace

[00:46:20] Where to connect with Sara, free masterclass, and support groups

[00:47:02] Final three questions (documentaries, skeeball, tornadoes)

Special Offer from the Guest:

Sara offers a Free Masterclass Watch the free masterclass here: https://sarahthornhill.com/register

Note from the show: Guest offers are often limited-time and limited-quantity. If you have an issue redeeming the guest offer, please reach out to the guest or vendor directly.

If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/support

We invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.

Why subscribe?

• Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast app
• Get guest offers delivered straight to your inbox
• Access all important links in one convenient place
• Catch the highlights even when you don't have time to listen

Are you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com

If you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Pitch yourself at https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guest

Here are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)

For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69

Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi

Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590

Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofj

For Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stone

before that I used Kit.

Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Gwendolyn Dolske. Dolske is aLos Angeles-based philosophy professor, writer, and host of the podcast Good Is in the Details. Gwendolyn shares her journey from academic routine to creative exploration, the vulnerability of stepping into the media space, and the transformative surprise of becoming a parent alongside launching her show.

About the Guest:

Gwendolyn Dolske PhD is a writer, educator, speaker, and producer of the award winning podcast Good Is In The Details. In all areas, her work focuses on using the wisdom of thinkers from her studies in Philosophy to navigate and explore issues of today.  She is the author of Tips From The Professor. A Guide to College Success, Philosophy Unplugged, and scholarly articles emphasizing Existentialism. Gwendolyn has taught Philosophy at Loyola Marymount University, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Fullerton, and Gonzaga University. 

Main Topics Covered:

• Academic comfort zones and why Gwendolyn chose philosophy
• Navigating career satisfaction, routine, and intellectual curiosity
• The decision to launch a podcast as a midlife creative leap
• Vulnerability, self-doubt, and being a woman in a public, media-facing role
• Unexpected personal growth through parenting and embracing imperfection
• How podcasting provided a space for curiosity and community
• The value of learning new things, risking discomfort, and living authentically

Quote from the Episode:

“The desire for a perfect presentation—I was almost forced to let go of it. And I’m glad I did, because now when something goes a little bit sideways, it doesn’t bother me as much. I’m like, oh, this is life. That’s what makes life good. That’s what makes life fun.” — Gwendolyn Dolske

Timestamps: [00:00:23] Gwendolyn calls Los Angeles home

[00:00:38] Transitioning from busy to downtime with mystery novels

[00:02:52] Routine life as a professor and academic comfort zone

[00:05:08] Why philosophy? Childhood curiosity and passion for deeper meaning

[00:07:37] Life applications for a philosophy degree

[00:10:36] Relationship changes and creating space for new adventures

[00:15:37] Starting a podcast outside her comfort zone

[00:22:10] Addressing vulnerability as a woman of “a certain age” in media

[00:29:05] 2019: Embracing podcasting and unexpected new motherhood

[00:33:24] Letting go of perfectionism and embracing imperfect adulting

[00:36:19] What Good Is in the Details is all about

[00:39:02] The podcast as a space for deep thinking and growth

Connect with the guest at GoodIsInTheDetails.com

Join the conversation on social. Find the Art of Imperfect Adulting on Instagram @theartof_imperfect_adulting YouTube @imperfectadulting and TikTok @imperfectadulting

If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/support

We invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.

Why subscribe?

• Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast app
• Get guest offers delivered straight to your inbox
• Access all important links in one convenient place
• Catch the highlights even when you don't have time to listen

Are you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com

If you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Pitch yourself at https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guest

Here are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)

For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69

Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi

Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590

Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofj

For Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stone

before that I used Kit.

Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Lyn Delmastro-Thomson—an Arizona-based energy healer and coach who helps sensitive, visionary leaders heal visibility issues and step into their power. Lyn opens up about her deep-rooted fear of the spotlight, how childhood bullying and overprotection shaped her self-expression, and the transformative journey that allowed her to claim her place on stage, both in business and in life.

About the Guest:

Lyn Delmastro-Thomson helps sensitive, soul-led visionaries and healers stop leaking energy and start leading from their power—without guilt and burnout. She’s the go-to guide for sensitive, soulful healers and visionary women who are ready to feel safe being seen and fully expressed, set boundaries that honor their energy, and grow their business without self-abandonment.

Through her Stand in Your Power method, Lyn helps you energetically recalibrate, set embodied boundaries that actually hold, and feel safe being seen in your full truth—so your business and life can expand without draining your system.

Main Topics Covered:

• How childhood bullying and classroom anxiety lead to “playing small” as an adult
• The impact of family dynamics and learned helplessness on confidence
• Navigating professional and networking situations while managing fear of being seen
• Lyn’s pivotal moment stepping on stage and the healing power of community support
• The importance of nervous system safety in building confidence and visibility
• Strategies for rewiring fear, building self-advocacy, and translating confidence into relationships
• How Lyn helps clients heal their own “visibility wounds” for personal and professional growth

Quote from the Episode:

"It was like my inner child who had been bullied and bullied and bullied, received this, like, complete shift of, oh, there's people actually who are not going to laugh at me...I was accepted. And that kind of gave me the courage to start putting myself out there." — Lyn Delmastro-Thomson

Timestamps: [00:00:06] Lyn’s Arizona roots & transition rituals

[00:01:49] Hiding in plain sight—fear of the spotlight as a teen

[00:06:10] How those patterns showed up in adulthood and business

[00:10:10] Family influences and learned helplessness

[00:12:53] The breakthrough: claiming the stage at a women's conference

[00:15:51] Dancing vs. public speaking: Exploring safety and self-expression

[00:20:45] Uncovering roots of visibility fear and the healing journey

[00:26:44] How life and business transformed by claiming visibility

[00:28:29] Lyn’s work today: helping others heal visibility wounds

[00:30:56] Special visibility reset toolkit for listeners

[00:31:22] Quick fun questions: travel snacks and pet peeves

Special Offer from the Guest:

The Visibility Reset Kit

A nervous system-safe toolkit to help you feel grounded, clear, and embodied before you speak, post, or share your work.

Use the code IMPERFECT to save 100% off

https://heartfirehealingllc.com/visibility-reset-kit/

Note from the show: Guest offers are often limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming the guest offer, please reach out to the guest or vendor directly.

If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/support

We invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.

Why subscribe?

• Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast app
• Get guest offers delivered straight to your inbox
• Access all important links in one convenient place
• Catch the highlights even when you don't have time to listen

Are you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com

If you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Pitch yourself at https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guest

Here are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)

For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69

Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi

Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590

Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofj

For Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stone

before that I used Kit.

Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Bronwen Sciortino, a Perth-based author and burnout recovery expert, about her deeply personal journey from high-achieving perfectionist to a life rebuilt after shattering burnout and a health crisis. Bronwen shares the unexpected wake-up call that forced her to confront her own limits, her experience of losing her identity, and the powerful process of reclaiming a more authentic, aligned self.

About the Guest:

Bronwen Sciortino is an internationally renowned author and speaker who helps people redefine success without burning out. After pushing herself past the point of exhaustion, she rebuilt her life from the ground up—ditching perfectionism for purpose and pressure for peace. Through her work, she teaches people how to create a life that’s perfect just for them—one that allows them to be healthy, happy AND highly successful. She now guides others to live in a way that’s simpler, slower, and far more sustainable. Bronwen invites people to stop performing and start living—imperfectly, but powerfully.

Main Topics Covered:

• Bronwen's personal story: from ignoring warning signs to a life-altering medical diagnosis
• What “shattering” from burnout really looks and feels like
• The silence, stigma, and shame surrounding mental health and perfectionism
• The small, practical steps Bronwen took to redefine success and self-worth
• Reclaiming identity, self-compassion, and the power of asking: “What if they’re wrong?”
• The importance of intuition, permission, and micro-choices in healing
• Support systems, the role of partners, and practical tips for resilience

Quote from the Episode:

“I really lost who I was in the process of being what everyone expected me to be. The process that I went through was about reclaiming me and really owning the perfection of who I am as an individual.” — Bronwen Sciortino

Timestamps:

[00:00:07] – Introductions and Bronwen’s home in Perth, Australia

[00:01:09] – Cats, play, and transitions from busy to downtime

[00:03:39] – The health crisis and the moment of “shattering”

[00:07:18] – Burnout: definitions, stigma, and the perfectionist trap

[00:16:40] – The emotional and practical experience of collapse

[00:26:14] – Healing: practical changes, asking “what if they’re wrong?”

[00:29:38] – Permission, intuition, adventure, and micro-steps

[00:36:20] – Support systems: partner, animals, creativity, and nature

[00:39:04] – Reclaiming identity, self-worth, and bioindividuality

[00:42:40] – Bronwen’s current work, books, and ways to connect

[00:44:15] – Special offer details and final rapid-fire questions

Special Offer from the Guest:

The Reset Session. A 1-hour Reset Session to help you pause, reflect, and take the first step toward a life that feels clearer, lighter, and right for you.

Value of the product offered: $597.00

Special offer for the listeners of the show: $400 discount using the below link and coupon code

Link: https://bsciortschool.mysamcart.com/checkout/the-reset-session

Coupon: SAVE400

Note from the show: Guest offers are often limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming the guest offer please reach out to the guest or vendor directly.

If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/support

We invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.

Why subscribe?

• Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast app
• Get guest offers delivered straight to your inbox
• Access all important links in one convenient place
• Catch the highlights even when you don't have time to listen

Are you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com

If you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Pitch yourself at https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guest

Here are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)

For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69

Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi

Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590

Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofj

For Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stone

before that I used Kit.

Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Rose Sprinkle. Sprinkle is a parenting educator, children’s author, and self-awareness advocate. We talk about her journey navigating the trauma of losing a close friend, learning to cope with PTSD, and how these experiences inspired her work empowering children and parents through emotional regulation and core virtues. Rose opens up about the realities of grief, the limits of traditional self-care, and how tools like EMDR therapy helped her heal and ultimately led to the creation of her Little Virtues book series.

About the Guest:

Rose Sprinkle is a Washington-based children’s book author, graphic designer, and founder of the Little Virtues series, which helps kids build self-worth, emotional intelligence, and character through storytelling. Driven by her own healing journey, Rose blends her background in teaching and design to create accessible resources for families, emphasizing resilience, compassion, and growth.

Quote from the Episode:

“It was kind of like I was bringing a hose to a fire, but what I really needed was the whole fire department.” — Rose Sprinkle

Main Topics Covered:

• Coping with the sudden, unexpected loss of a close friend and the realities of trauma
• Discovering and understanding PTSD outside of commonly held stereotypes
• The importance of support systems—and the challenges of losing support through major life changes
• How trauma can manifest physically, and recognizing when traditional coping mechanisms aren’t enough
• Learning about EMDR therapy and the science behind trauma healing
• Moving from pain to purpose: How Rose wrote her first children’s book as a tool for her own healing and to help others
• Building The Little Virtues book series and supporting children in emotional regulation and self-worth
• The messy, lifelong journey of self-awareness, changing attachment styles, and embracing imperfect adulting

Timestamps:

[00:00:06] Welcome, Rose’s home base, and personal warmups

[00:01:11] The loss of a friend, initial trauma response, and relocation

[00:04:29] Support systems and grieving in isolation

[00:06:33] Self-judgment, shame around trauma, and the absence of language for PTSD

[00:10:46] Leaning on coping skills and the realization that more help was needed

[00:12:58] Introduction to EMDR therapy and the turning point in recovery

[00:14:42] What EMDR is (and why it sounded like “voodoo”—but works)

[00:17:02] Triggers, recurring trauma, and compounding experiences

[00:18:33] From trauma to growth: Finding meaning and new purpose

[00:20:40] Teaching, creating, and writing as forms of healing

[00:25:38] The organic birth of The Little Virtues books

[00:31:02] Series overview, the difference between values and virtues

[00:34:13] New curriculum for parents, practical tools for social-emotional learning

[00:35:20] Rose’s childhood favorites and the power of reading with kids

[00:37:46] Final questions: dream vacations, reading habits with young kids, karaoke styles

Special Offer from the Guest:

The Little Virtues Character Development Guide for Kids. A 236 page parent led guide for social emotional learning. Normally $97 but you can get it for $37 https://thelittlevirtues.com/pages/guide 

If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/support

We invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.

Why subscribe?

• Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast app
• Get guest offers delivered straight to your inbox
• Access all important links in one convenient place
• Catch the highlights even when you don't have time to listen

Are you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com

If you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Pitch yourself at https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guest

Here are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)

For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69

Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi

Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590

Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofj

For Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stone

before that I used Kit.

Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Paulette Rigo—divorce coach, credentialed mediator, and founder of Better Divorce Academy—to explore the realities of surviving and rebuilding after a high-conflict, litigated divorce. Paulette shares her personal story of a twenty-one-year marriage that ended in an eight-and-a-half-year court battle, how it sparked a total life transformation, and her mission to disrupt the divorce industry by empowering others through education, support, and mediation.

About the Guest:

Paulette Rigo is the CEO of Better Divorce Academy as a Credentialed Private ADR Mediator, Certified Divorce Coach, Speaker, Podcast Host and Author.

Main Topics Covered:

• Paulette’s origin story: Growing up in a legacy-driven ballet family, marrying young, and living by others’ expectations
• The realities of high-conflict divorce: An eight-and-a-half-year court battle, financial and emotional toll, and learning the legal system from the inside
• Breaking family and cultural taboos around divorce, especially in faith-based upbringings
• The psychological and practical steps required for rebuilding after divorce—“exfoliating the soul and the body and the mind”
• Why divorce is a $50+ billion industry and how mediation can save time, money, and sanity
• The importance of self-awareness, learning to say “no,” and reclaiming one’s passions
• How Paulette turned her pain into purpose, and positioned herself as a disruptor and educator in the divorce space
• Strategies for preserving dignity, managing court requirements, and building a new life after leaving a consuming relationship

Quote from the Episode:

“My whole life felt like it wasn’t my life. I felt like I was being an actress and I was pretty good at it. Even my best friend said, ‘I had no idea.’ … It was an exfoliation of the soul and of the body and the mind.” — Paulette Rigo

Timestamps: [00:00:05] Paulette’s introduction and background (Boston, Belize, Atlanta)

[00:00:50] Favorite ways to transition to downtime

[00:01:45] Meeting her ex, marrying young, and family pressures

[00:05:43] Growing up with Catholicism and inherited divorce stories

[00:11:11] On recognizing the signs, power dynamics, and ignoring inner doubts

[00:18:23] Stepping into family business and building a consuming life

[00:22:08] The tipping point: resentment, self-reflection, and quitting the job

[00:27:58] An eight-and-a-half year divorce, the court system, and financial realities

[00:32:08] Mediation, legal complexities, and why mediation sometimes fails

[00:38:53] The aftermath: changing everything, self-discovery, and new beginnings

[00:47:10] Becoming a mediator and advocate for change in the divorce process

[00:50:15] The true cost of divorce and how Paulette’s work saves others time and money

[00:53:17] Closing questions and Paulette’s plant-based lifestyle

Special Offer from the Guest:

Paulette is offering a FREE digital version of her book and workbook, Better Divorce Blueprint, for listeners. Visit betterdivorceacademy.com to download.

Note from the show: Guest offers are often limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming the guest offer, please reach out to the guest or vendor directly.

If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/support

We invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.

Why subscribe?

• Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast app
• Get guest offers delivered straight to your inbox
• Access all important links in one convenient place
• Catch the highlights even when you don't have time to listen

Are you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com

If you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Pitch yourself at https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guest

Here are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)

For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69

Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi

Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590

Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofj

For Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stone

before that I used Kit.

Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors