The Art Of Imperfect Adulting

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Barbara Hemphill about how a Nebraska farm upbringing, international adventures, and a knack for noticing everyday problems led her to launch a multi-decade organizing career. Barbara shares how listening to fellow parents on a New York City playground inspired her very first business and sparked a movement, and how she turned setbacks and skepticism into opportunities for innovation and legacy-building.

About the Guest:

Barbara Hemphill is a celebrated productivity expert, speaker, and founder of the Productive Environment Institute. With a career spanning over four decades, Barbara’s journey began with a $7 classified ad and evolved into a global movement, bestselling books, and training programs for aspiring organizing consultants. Her expertise bridges the gap between physical, digital, and emotional clutter, helping countless individuals and organizations transform chaos into clarity.

"My business is based on four words, which I learned from clothes closets: Clutter is postponed decisions." — Barbara Hemphill

Main Topics Covered:

• How Barbara’s childhood on a Nebraska farm instilled entrepreneurial thinking and resourcefulness
• The backstory of adopting three children in India and starting over in New York City
• Listening on the playground: discovering the real-world pain points of busy families
• Launching an organizing business with a $7 classified ad, and what happened next
• Early challenges as a woman entrepreneur and how persistence led to innovation
• Myths about organization and why “handle it only once” doesn’t always work
• Building a company designed to last beyond her lifetime
• The emotional and spiritual side of clutter—and how to finally clear it

Quote from the Episode:

“Clutter is postponed decisions. The reason your closet fills up is you haven't decided if you'll lose the ten pounds or play tennis again... Take it to the digital world and people wake up, open and close their emails, and forty minutes go by with no decisions.” — Barbara Hemphill

Timestamps: [00:00:05] Barbara’s welcome and introduction

[00:01:42] Why listening on the playground sparked her organizing business

[00:02:48] Barbara’s unconventional path from Nebraska to India to NYC

[00:07:19] Family background and the entrepreneurial spirit of farming

[00:15:39] How farm life systems became the seeds of her business

[00:17:08] Reading Stephanie Winston and launching her first ad

[00:20:42] Lessons learned from early clients and media pitches

[00:27:08] Facing skepticism and gender bias in business environments

[00:29:00] The organizing business boom and the birth of national associations

[00:33:38] Organization myths and managing realistic clutter

[00:35:43] What’s changed (and what hasn’t) in the organizing industry

[00:39:11] Building a legacy business and the impact of emotional clutter

[00:43:24] Barbara’s favorite reads and her go-to potluck dish

Special Offer from the Guest:

Access the Productive Environment Institute’s “Success Scorecard: The Art of Managing Information” and the Less Clutter More Life 12-minute training video at www.LessClutterMoreLife.com

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 Amy Bartko about the hidden challenges of entrepreneurship, finding community as an adult, and how seeking the right support network can change everything. Amy Bartko opens up about balancing single motherhood, burnout, and her journey from isolation to connection after joining an online mastermind of like-minded women. Together, the Amys break down the myths of community in adulthood and explore what happens when you intentionally build the network you actually need.

About the Guest:

Amy Bartko is the founder of Chatterbox PR & Marketing, a boutique agency known for helping lifestyle, baby, and wellness brands gain visibility through media, TV, and celebrity product placement. With over 20 years of experience, Amy has landed clients in top outlets like Forbes, Good Morning America, and blockbuster films. She's also a 2x best-selling author and speaker, passionate about teaching entrepreneurs how to build credibility and profit through visibility. When she's not helping brands shine, she's raising two amazing boys and soaking up sunshine in Phoenix, Arizona.

Main Topics Covered:

• The loneliness of solopreneurship and single parenting
• How Amy’s experience at the Mom 2.0 conference was a game changer
• Why support from fellow entrepreneurs can be different from (and just as vital as) family or mom friends
• The changing landscape of community: from in-person clubs to online masterminds
• The value of stepping out of your comfort zone and becoming visible
• Navigating shifting relationships when you become more authentic and open about your business
• Advice for adults who feel isolated and need help finding their community

Quote from the Episode: “There are other people that are in the exact same space that you are … There are groups out there that can help you. You don’t have to do it alone.”—Amy Bartko

Timestamps: [00:00:05] Amy Bartko’s intro & “toasty” life in Phoenix, AZ

[00:01:43] Transitioning from busy to downtime: meditation and sound healing

[00:03:09] Realizing the need for community as a solopreneur

[00:05:10] Amy’s PR journey, family changes, and single motherhood

[00:10:02] Childhood, being an only child, and support in groups

[00:13:43] How Mom 2.0 conference and an unexpected podcast panel changed everything

[00:15:35] The power of joining an entrepreneurial mastermind

[00:20:10] Gaining confidence and allowing yourself visibility

[00:23:40] Navigating changing friend groups and self-presentation

[00:27:20] Building lasting adult friendships, Enneagram personalities, and showing up authentically

[00:28:26] Finding communities at different life stages—from mom clubs to entrepreneur masterminds

[00:32:41] Advice to younger self and to adults seeking community now

[00:33:47] Why you have to “get out there” to find your people

[00:34:52] Trial and error: not every group will be the right fit

[00:35:25] The power and challenge of searching for community as an adult

[00:36:25] Amy’s PR business, tagline, and special offer

Connect with the Guest:

Website: https://chatterboxprandmarketing.com

Instagram: @chatterboxprandmarketing

Special Offer from the Guest: The PR Formula Academy (Self-Paced Course)

This self-paced course teaches you the exact system we use to get clients featured in Forbes, GMA, Scary Mommy, and more. Inside, you'll get pitch templates, media strategies, and insider guidance to help you confidently land powerful media placements—without hiring a publicist.

Value of the product offered:

$397

Special offer for the listeners of the show:

Get the full PR Formula Academy for just $197—save $200!

Visit https://chatterbox.mykajabi.com/offers/5ekNF5HJ and use coupon code IMPERFECT at checkout.

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.

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

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

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

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 Emry Kettle about the wild, winding journey from evangelical upbringing to a major adult awakening in Austria. Emry shares their experience of growing up in a turbulent, religious household in the Pacific Northwest, finding safety in church while missing out on some pretty big scientific facts (dinosaurs!), and how moving overseas led to questioning, self-discovery, and a total shift in identity and beliefs.

About the Guest:

Emry Kettle is a Child Behavior & Family Support Specialist helping overwhelmed parents break harmful cycles and build relationships rooted in connection, boundaries, and self-trust. Based in Austria, they bring humor, warmth, and lived experience to the messy, meaningful work of raising kids and healing ourselves.

Main Topics Covered:

• How unstable family life and the search for connection can draw kids (and adults) into religious communities
• What it’s like to discover—as an adult—that dinosaurs are, in fact, real
• The process of unraveling childhood indoctrination, questioning faith, and redefining personal values
• Navigating family systems, belonging, and the grief/joy of losing and building community
• Emry’s radical self-discovery around sexuality, gender, and the importance of values-based parenting
• The practical work of helping parents shift away from inherited dogma and write their own family stories

Quote from the Episode:

“It was like the Truman Show. Like, you guys are all freaking lying to me this entire time. Are you kidding me? And now I have to figure it out in my 30s. How dare you.” — Emry Kettle

Timestamps: [00:00:05] Emry calls in from Vienna, Austria & self-care confessions

[00:04:23] Discovering the “truth” about dinosaurs—and biblical alternatives

[00:09:23] Turbulent family life, church as a safe haven, and Sunday school

[00:18:26] Science vs. faith at public school in Washington State

[00:20:36] Moving to Austria and the start of deconstruction

[00:29:53] Sex, values, and how research and relationships changed everything

[00:35:21] “Plinko” moment: connecting the dots and a trip to the Natural History Museum

[00:40:52] The freedom of letting go, the betrayal of indoctrination, and processing anger

[00:48:12] Emry’s work helping parents define values after leaving religion

[00:54:10] Rapid-fire questions: the Sound of Music, dogs, and outer space

Special Offer from the Guest:

Defining Your Parenting Values Guide. 

A self-paced guide that can help you uncover the values that actually matter to you—so you can parent with more confidence, clarity, and connection. 

Normally €19 50% off for the audience of Imperfect Adulting.

Use code IMPERFECT at checkout: https://payhip.com/b/pUubj 

Note from the show: guest offers are almost always limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming this offer please reach out directly to the guest.

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 Lisa Smith about her experience as a parent loving and supporting a son navigating substance use disorder and mental health challenges. Lisa opens up about the heartache, resilience, and hard-earned wisdom that comes from shifting from “fixing” to genuinely “loving” someone in active addiction. Together, Amy and Lisa dive into the realities of family stress, the limits of traditional support systems, and the power of radical acceptance and connection.

About the Guest:

Lisa Smith is the founder and CEO of Parallel Recovery, an organization providing comprehensive family recovery support for those impacted by substance use and mental health disorders. As a certified Peer Recovery Specialist with over 20 years of experience in education and family systems, Lisa brings deep expertise to her work empowering families on the parallel healing journey alongside loved ones.

Main Topics Covered:

• Parenting a young adult in active addiction: shifting roles, boundaries, and hopes
• The difference between “fixing” versus “loving” a child in crisis
• The shortcomings of traditional support resources and the concept of “detaching with love”
• Family systems, shame, and societal stigma when a loved one struggles with substance use
• Building sustainability, resilience, and connection through radical acceptance and self-reflection
• Practical communication strategies and the limits of advice versus lived experience
• Lisa’s creation of Parallel Recovery and the release of her new book

Timestamps: [00:00:04] Welcome & Lisa’s life in Colorado

[00:00:51] Transitioning from busy to downtime: walking dogs (without the phone!)

[00:01:47] Lisa’s relationship with her son and the realities of substance use

[00:06:27] Diagnosis, home dynamics, and early treatment attempts

[00:08:10] Family stress and the myth of “lowering the temperature”

[00:09:35] The “gut check” moment and finding clarity as a parent

[00:12:52] Radical acceptance and learning to step back

[00:14:37] The difference between “fixing” and “loving” in family conversations

[00:18:19] Searching for resources and the problems with “detachment with love”

[00:25:10] Internal work, research, and shifting the family system

[00:31:27] The lack of support for families in the crisis cycle

[00:35:06] Shame, societal judgment, and learning to separate behavior from identity

[00:43:52] Lisa’s support philosophy, Parallel Recovery, and her new book

[00:47:10] Knitting, cheese platters, and fun wrap-up questions

Connect with the Guest:

Website: https://parallelrecovery.com

Instagram: @parallelrecovery

Find Lisa’s Book, Parallel Recovery: A Guide for Those Who Love Someone with Substance Use Disorder, is now available on Amazon. https://a.co/d/fgmD9Vn

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 Sheryl Ramstad about resilience, life-changing trauma, and finding meaning through unexpected adversity. Sheryl shares the riveting story of surviving a solo plane crash at age 29, her arduous physical and emotional recovery in a burn unit, and the surprising turn her career and personal life took as a result.

About the Guest:

Sheryl Ramstad is a survivor, trailblazer, and lifelong advocate for service. She has had successful careers in law, healthcare, and teaching. Above all, she treasures her role as a mother to three adult children and grandmother to six. Sheryl resides in Minneapolis with her husband, Lee.

"I would say that the prevalent thought I kept having was to not ask, why me? But what next? And that's what guided me throughout the rest of my decisions." — Sheryl Ramstad

Main Topics Covered:

• Sheryl’s path from aspiring lawyer and pilot to surviving a fiery plane crash on her first solo flight
• The intersection of elective change (choices) and changes thrust upon us by fate
• Details of her crash, the critical actions that saved her life, and the realities of acute trauma
• The long and disempowering recovery from burn injuries, and the power of friends, family, and faith
• How the accident reshaped her identity, career, and drive—and inspired her late-in-life nursing career
• The importance of patient voices in medical care, and giving back as a way to heal
• Writing her memoir and the role of honesty about faith in her storytelling
• Endurance running after burns, facing public curiosity, and building a full life beyond trauma

Quote from the Episode:

"I would say that the prevalent thought I kept having was to not ask, why me? But what next? And that's what guided me throughout the rest of my decisions." — Sheryl Ramstad

Timestamps: [00:00:05] Welcome & intros; where Sheryl calls home

[00:02:17] Surviving a plane crash at 29—Sheryl’s life before and after

[00:05:02] Being a female pilot in 1979 and solo flight details

[00:08:18] The crash, emergency decision-making, and escaping the wreckage

[00:13:33] Trauma memory, hospitalization, and the emotional toll

[00:17:24] Type A recovery struggles and loss of independence

[00:24:20] Channeling adversity into a career in nursing and supporting burn survivors

[00:28:40] Perseverance, faith, and support systems in healing

[00:43:15] Could her growth have happened without the accident?

[00:44:19] Writing Living Life Full Throttle—why and how

[00:49:39] Integrating faith into her story

[00:50:18] Book availability and final questions

Find Sheryl’s Book on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/a/87491/9781960876805 

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.

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

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

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

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 Kathy Barron about launching a niche digital magazine for women podcasters, building creative community, and the realities of independent media. Kathy shares her unconventional journey into publishing, her motivations for centering and promoting women in the podcasting sphere, and her new initiatives to support indie creators at every stage.

About the Guest:

Kathy Barron is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Women Who Podcast magazine, author of fiction and children’s books, and videographer. With a passion for supporting women podcasters  be successful in their craft, Kathy has become a trusted resource for women in podcasting. Women Who Podcast magazine celebrates women podcasters all over the world by giving them the accolades they deserve. Kathy is creating a safe space where women’s voices and stories matter. She strives to be a forum for fans and podcasters to reach out to one another for support, collaboration, and inspiration. Her vision is to create scholarships and mentorships to future podcasters, organize symposiums, and build a learning community. 

Main Topics Covered:

• The inspiration behind Women Who Podcast Magazine and its unique focus on women in audio media.
• Kathy's creative background and unconventional entry into digital publishing.
• The challenges and rewards of sustaining both a magazine and a podcast as an indie creator.
• Why community-building and mentorship matter for women podcasters.
• The launch and goals of the Women Who Podcast Awards.
• Addressing representation, burnout, and the need for supportive spaces for indie women in podcasting.
• Exploring growth, collaboration, and how listeners can get involved.

Quote from the Episode:

"I want it to be personable. I want to talk to the podcasters. I want to hear their story... everyone has their own unique background, why they started their podcast, what their story is, and some of them are just hilarious. So I enjoy that part—to get to know the podcasters." — Kathy Barron

Timestamps: [00:00:00] Meet Kathy Barron & her Bay Area roots

[00:00:43] A recent compliment: the Women Who Podcast Awards

[00:02:15] What is Women Who Podcast Magazine?

[00:03:12] Starting the magazine: pandemic inspiration & building from scratch

[00:05:15] Kathy’s creative background and confession: “I don't listen to podcasts!”

[00:07:22] Podcast origins with Women Who Sarcast

[00:10:44] Why a magazine versus other formats?

[00:12:54] The power of personal interviews & tackling meaningful topics

[00:14:33] Representation stats and the importance of women’s spaces

[00:18:09] Startup story & early issues

[00:20:52] Community, service, and supporting others through media

[00:23:04] Why a scholarship/mentorship program matters

[00:26:12] What keeps Kathy going as an indie creator

[00:28:32] Hopes for magazine growth and mentoring new writers

[00:30:19] How podcasters can get involved

[00:32:03] The very first issue & honoring a lost friend

[00:33:02] Growth, momentum, and the role of awards

[00:33:50] Ways to support and engage with Women Who Podcast Magazine

[00:34:52] Get to know Kathy: Fun questions and more!

Connect with the Guest:

• Website: womenwhopodcastmag.com
• Instagram: @womenwhopodcastmagazine

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

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

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

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 Nicole Havelka—burnout recovery coach, ordained pastor, and founder of Defy the Trend—about the journey from institutional frustration in religious administration to finding wholeness at the intersection of spiritual practice and organizational change. Nicole opens up about the realities of working in faith-based organizations, facing resistance as an innovator, navigating personal burnout, and how yoga, meditation, and a spirit of “both/and” led to her latest chapter as a coach and podcaster.

About the Guest:

Nicole Havelka believes you are inherently worthy of rest — no productivity required. She’s a burnout coach, mindfulness teacher and founder of the Defy the Trend coaching community, which supports helpers, healers, activists and artists in reclaiming rest as a radical act. With more than 20 years of experience in spiritual leadership and wellness, Nicole will soon launch Burnout Tips for Everyday Radicals: Just Rest for world changers who are tired but not giving up, a podcast for those resisting grind culture one deep breath at a time. 

Main Topics Covered:

• Nicole’s career journey: from journalist to minister, then to burnout recovery coach
• The inside story of church administration, institutional resistance, and advocating for organizational change
• How burnout showed up—and why yoga became a lifeline and “both/and” practice
• The importance of spiritual practice for navigating tough decisions and personal pivots
• Reclaiming faith and belonging: Nicole’s journey through disillusionment, leaving and returning to faith, and finding community again
• Practical discussions on salaries, money, and sustainability in religious work
• How integrating yoga, meditation, and rest into leadership can support more humane organizations
• The launch of Nicole’s new podcast: Just Rest—Burnout Tips for Everyday Radicals

Quote from the Episode: "What if it’s not either/or, but both/and?" — Nicole Havelka

Timestamps: [00:00:05] Introductions and where Nicole calls home

[00:01:22] Recent acts of kindness and everyday grace

[00:03:11] Frustrations and burnout in faith-based administrative work

[00:09:50] How Nicole became a denominational leader and the reality of church job searches

[00:15:06] Evolving passions: from youth work to organizational change

[00:20:07] Faith, the church, and leaving/returning to community

[00:29:13] When journalism isn’t enough: becoming a participant, not just an observer

[00:33:09] Returning to church and finding a new kind of home

[00:34:43] Money talk: salaries and living as a faith worker

[00:37:34] The parallel path of yoga: teacher training and integration with ministry

[00:44:54] The both/and moment: when leaving doesn’t have to mean abandoning

[00:47:26] Advice for those facing black-and-white decisions

[00:49:54] Nicole’s current work, podcast, and where to connect

[00:53:41] Fun wrap-up questions: coffee cake vs donut, favorite summer drink, friendship & support

Special Offer from the Guest:

Read more about her radical rest quest on her Substack newsletter, Just Rest, where you'll be the first to hear about the podcast launch and how to support it. www.defythetrend.substack.com.

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.

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 Kellie Grutko about the winding roads of creative ambition, career pivots, and rediscovering purpose after corporate life. Kellie candidly shares the story of following her dream to pitch a TV travel show pilot, why it never made it to air, and how the lessons from that risk-taking adventure eventually led her to coaching women through major life and career changes.

About the Guest:

Kellie Grutko is a women’s transition coach and founder of Purposeful Pivot. With a professional background in marketing and media, Kellie now helps women translate decades of corporate experience into fulfilling new phases of work and life. Her journey from high-powered executive, to travel show dreamer, to empowerment coach inspires her mission to support others navigating big changes.

Main Topics Covered:

• Kellie’s leap from corporate marketing to pitching a travel TV show pilot.
• The realities of navigating creative dreams outside one’s comfort zone and network.
• Lessons learned from “failure” and the value of trying, even if the project doesn’t take off.
• Identity, reinvention, and finding your next chapter after leaving a traditional corporate role.
• The importance of support systems, introspection, and celebrating small wins during transitions.
• How Kellie now guides women through similar transitions as a certified coach.

Quote from the Episode: “A lot of people would have the idea and never even give it a shot. I looked at it as, you know, I had an idea, I followed through. It didn’t work, but I learned from it. I had fun doing it. And eventually, in a weird, like you said, thread kind of way, it led me to where I am.” — Kellie Grutko

Timestamps: [00:00:04] Kellie’s background and move from Pennsylvania to Charlotte

[00:01:34] Life and career at a Fortune 50 company; the origins of her TV show idea

[00:08:59] Turning a dream into action: how Kellie developed, shot, and pitched her pilot

[00:14:03] Financial realities, support from her husband, and staying motivated

[00:21:03] The afterlife of a shelved project—accepting change and evolving goals

[00:23:10] Transition coaching: redefining career and identity for women

[00:28:22] Connecting the threads from past dreams to new purpose

[00:32:59] Being brave, introverted, and going after what you want

[00:33:39] Kellie’s business, Purposeful Pivot, and her “Celebrating Small Wins” offer

[00:35:17] Fun closing questions: monkeys, turn signals, and thermostat negotiations

Special Offer from the Guest:

Creating Small WIns Worksheet  https://www.purposefulpivot.net/small-wins

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.

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

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

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

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 Katrina Sawa—Northern California-based business coach, author, and publisher—about the pivotal moments that led her to leave situations that no longer served her, from quitting a draining corporate job to making bold moves in her personal and professional life. Katrina shares how her clarity around self-worth and refusal to settle shaped her journey into entrepreneurship, and offers insights for anyone feeling “stuck” or undervalued in their work or relationships.

About the Guest:

Business Coach & Book Publisher, Katrina Sawa, is CEO of JumpstartYourBizNow.com and JumpstartPublishing.net. For over two decades, Katrina has been helping entrepreneurs of all kinds get more comfortable and clarity around marketing, pricing to their worth, packaging and selling themselves. As the creator of the Jumpstart Your Sales & Systems Bootcamp, International Speaker and International Best-Selling author with 22 books, she hosts and speaks at events, workshops and webinars online and in person all year long and she’s been doing it since 2002. Katrina lives in Northern California with her husband Jason, stepdaughter Riley and their loving dog Luna. She loves entertaining, cooking, wine tasting and speaking to groups of all sizes.

Main Topics Covered:

• What it feels like to be in a job (or relationship) that’s no longer serving you
• How workplace burnout and a lack of support catalyzed Katrina’s leap into entrepreneurship
• The role of intuition, self-worth, and risk-taking in moving forward
• Practical support systems—from family help to lines of credit—that make transitions possible
• Identifying when you’re “settling” and why it’s okay (and necessary) to say no
• Parallels between quitting a job, leaving a relationship, and ending a business offer
• Navigating unsupportive relationships and finding people who lift you up
• Advice for anyone feeling stuck or undervalued in any area of life

Quote from the Episode:

“I want to empower people just to stop settling for not being totally happy. We deserve this. Life could be short. ... Let’s make it our happiest, most amazing life ever, with the right people around us, doing the things that we love and just embracing it all.” — Katrina Sawa

Timestamps: [00:00:04] Warm welcome & where Katrina calls home

[00:00:49] Katrina’s philosophy on kindness and real-life support

[00:02:36] The experience that led to leaving her last job

[00:07:03] Self-worth, intuition, and walking away from “bad bosses”

[00:10:32] Laying groundwork for entrepreneurship: networking & coaching

[00:12:11] The leap into business ownership: excitement, nerves, and risk

[00:15:26] What settling feels like—patterns in work and relationships

[00:17:39] The crucial role of family support and financial planning

[00:19:48] Are you a risk-taker? Katrina’s perspective

[00:22:23] Recognizing settling and trusting your gut

[00:26:34] The gentle process of deciding it’s time to move on

[00:28:31] Parallels in quitting jobs, relationships, and business offers

[00:29:19] Money, letting go, and making room for better opportunities

[00:30:10] Katrina’s work today—business coaching and book publishing

[00:31:32] Fun questions: favorite TV, networking, and desert island meals

Special Offer from the Guest:

Get a free audio version of Katrina’s book Love Yourself Successful and explore resources for launching your own story via collaboration or solo publishing. Visit LoveYourselfSuccessful.com for more details.

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.

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

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

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

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 Julia Chien—Vancouver-based registered dietitian and passionate world traveler—about the life-changing impact of booking a one-way ticket and embracing adventure after heartbreak. Julia shares her story of leaving behind a comfortable routine, overcoming the limitations of chronic eczema, and discovering both freedom and loneliness during her years of solo travel across Central and South America, Europe, and Asia.

About the Guest:

Julia Chien is a registered dietitian based in Vancouver, BC, specializing in holistic nutrition and the root causes of chronic inflammation. Through her own journey healing from eczema and building a location-independent business, Julia helps others find balance and empowerment in their health and careers. She is also an avid solo traveler, digital nomad, and advocate for growth through risk-taking and self-discovery.

Main Topics Covered:

• What inspired Julia's decision to buy a one-way plane ticket to Costa Rica at the end of a long-term relationship.
• Navigating the healing journey from chronic eczema and what newfound health enabled Julia to do.
• The logistics, emotional experience, and practical strategies of working remotely while traveling solo through multiple countries.
• How spontaneous decision-making, risk-taking, and meeting new people shaped Julia’s self-discovery and spiritual healing.
• The challenges of being a digital nomad—including loneliness, burnout, finances, and adapting to different cultures.
• Insights into Julia’s work as a holistic dietitian and the unique pressures of entrepreneurship.
• Learning to nurture one’s own wellbeing and redefine what “home” and “success” mean.

Quote from the Episode:

“Traveling really showed me how much out there there is that we haven’t really seen as people... it was healing in the sense where I kind of finally was able to do things for myself, because I realized that I poured so much into my business... I started to not really do things for myself.”—Julia Chien

Timestamps: [00:00:06] Welcome & intros; where Julia calls home

[00:01:39] A one-way ticket to Costa Rica: the catalyst moment

[00:02:20] Healing, heartbreak, and remote work: what led to travel

[00:04:56] Leaving a healthy long-term relationship and mindset shifts

[00:06:46] Booking the ticket: doubts, freedom, and practicalities

[00:09:00] Choosing Costa Rica and first days as a solo traveler

[00:12:02] Combining work and adventure as a digital nomad

[00:14:25] From Costa Rica to Colombia: the spark for indefinite travel

[00:16:47] How Julia chose her next destinations and the power of nature

[00:18:25] Deciding how long to stay and returning home for milestones

[00:19:57] Letting go of “home” and going all in as a digital nomad

[00:21:48] Navigating logistics: connectivity, finances, and minimalism

[00:25:43] Solo travel: from loneliness to community

[00:27:11] Expanding to Europe and Asia: the full world tour

[00:29:38] Living from a suitcase; how her travel rhythm evolved

[00:31:13] Spiritual lessons, self-discovery, and redefining success

[00:34:56] Adventures, risk-taking, and pushing boundaries

[00:39:44] Could this transformation happen without travel?

[00:41:57] Julia’s business, nutrition practice, and special offer

[00:43:23] Fun questions & rapid-fire favorites

Special Offer from the Guest:

Journalling Guide for Busy Entrepreneurs 

Value: $29 USD Special offer: FREE - https://julia-chien.mykajabi.com/journalling-guide

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.

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