The Art Of Imperfect Adulting

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Kimberly Brown about navigating major career transitions, the search for authentic self-fulfillment, and the power of mindfulness and meditation in overcoming anxiety. Joining Amy from New York City, Kimberly opens up about leaving behind years of psychoanalytic training in favor of a path rooted in Buddhist-inspired meditation. Listeners will learn how Kimberly’s journey through personal anxiety and professional “wrong turns” led her to a sense of belonging, self-compassion, and a thriving vocation as a meditation teacher.

Kimberly Brown is a meditation teacher and author. She leads classes and retreats that emphasize the power of compassion and kindness meditation to reconnect us to ourselves and others. She studies in both the Tibetan and Insight schools of Buddhism and is a certified mindfulness instructor. Her latest book, Happy Relationships: 25 Buddhist Practices to Transform Your Connection with Your Partner, Family, and Friends, was recently released by Rowman & Littlefield. You can learn more about Kimberly at www.meditationwithheart.com

Main Topics Covered:

1. Coping with the pressure and expectations to “get it right” in career and education choices.
2. The impact of post-9/11 life changes and the urgent drive for deeper meaning.
3. Why traditional psychoanalysis and diagnostic labels didn’t resonate—and how compassion shifted her approach.
4. Transforming painful anxiety and panic attacks into motivation for personal growth.
5. The science and practice of mindfulness and meditation, including Buddhist perspectives.
6. How belonging and acceptance—both internally and within a community—can heal and empower.
7. Overcoming the belief that something is “wrong” with you and embracing inherent goodness.
8. Building a business and life around self-compassion, meditation, and helping others connect authentically.

Quote from the Episode: "I began to feel that there was nothing wrong with anybody. And I don't... that doesn't mean we all have troubles. I just never felt like, well, anybody's really broken, right? We just have our stuff and we have to, you know, take care of it and understand it." — Kimberly Brown

Timestamps: [00:00:04] Introduction & warm-up: New York roots, upstate escapes, and favorite flowers

[00:02:34] Career change: From HR and psychoanalytic training to questioning the diagnostic process

[00:09:02] 9/11 as a catalyst for dramatic life transitions

[00:12:07] The essential role of a healing therapist and the inspiration to help others

[00:13:31] The drive to return to school, lifelong learning, and giving oneself grace in change

[00:17:27] Discomfort with diagnosing mental health, and the story of an authentic therapeutic relationship

[00:21:19] Discussion of Freud, medical coding, and the industrial complex of American healthcare

[00:26:56] Struggles with professional modality and the need for real human connection

[00:30:49] Personal challenges: panic attacks, anxiety, and unexpected traumas

[00:34:01] Discovering meditation and mindfulness through yoga and Buddhist centers

[00:37:27] Building a new path—belonging, retreats, teaching, and gratitude for healing

[00:41:12] The power of acceptance, belonging, and Buddhist teachings in everyday life

[00:45:41] Science catches up: neuroscience validates the benefits of meditation and compassion

[00:46:39] Inherent capacity for compassion and re-framing cultural narratives around brokenness

ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.

GET KIMBERLY BROWN'S SPECIAL OFFER: Free One Month Subscription to my weekly Substack newsletter, Meditation with Heart email [email protected] to redeem this offer.

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 Sabrina Harrison about body image, self-acceptance, and the transformative power of boudoir photography—both behind and in front of the lens. Joining from Westminster, Colorado, Sabrina shares her personal experience of gifting boudoir photos to her husband, which unexpectedly became a journey of reclaiming her own confidence and reshaping her photography business. The conversation explores how images impact self-concept, the realities of postpartum body changes, and actionable strategies to build self-love.

About Sabrina Harrison: Sabrina has a degree in photography from the University of Virginia. She moved to Colorado in 2016 with her husband and 2 dogs. She is currently working as a boudoir, retreat, and branding photographer in Westminster, Colorado. Sabrina is a huge reader and personal development junkie. She loves skiing, hiking, tea, tacos, and eclairs. Sabrina is the proud mother of 3 children, 2 bio and 1 bonus. Sabrina is a seasoned expert in confidence coaching and brand strategy, dedicated to empowering individuals to embrace themselves and unlock their potential through art and capturing their true essence behind her lens.

Main Topics Covered:

1. How boudoir photography can become an act of self-love and empowerment.
2. The emotional journey of stepping in front of the camera as a photographer, including vulnerability, trust, and letting go of control.
3. The impact of postpartum body changes on confidence and identity, and how photography can help reframe these experiences.
4. Specific techniques for cultivating self-acceptance, including affirmation strategies and mirror work.
5. Challenging social beauty standards and learning to see yourself with compassion.
6. How Sabrina’s personal photo session led her to niche her business and help other women transform their own self-image.
7. The philosophy behind presenting images as a “kinder lens” compared to self-critique.
8. Practical tips for anyone feeling critical or uncomfortable in front of a camera, starting with small steps and mindset shifts.

Quote from the Episode: "This is literally looking at myself through a kinder lens than I do maybe in the mirror. And I really wanted to try to create that for other people." — Sabrina Harrison

Timestamps: [00:00:05] — Welcome & introductions; Sabrina shares where she calls home [00:00:30] — Warm-up questions on Valentine’s Day gifts and personal preferences [00:02:18] — Episode focus: the meaning behind boudoir photography and Sabrina’s story [00:02:49] — Sabrina’s roots in photography: family legacy and first camera memories [00:06:10] — The origin story: deciding to gift boudoir photos to her husband after childbirth [00:07:47] — Insights from Rumi: action creates clarity [00:11:00] — What is boudoir photography? Sabrina explains the spectrum of style and comfort [00:12:00] — Facing nerves and the reality of body image post-baby; not being documented in family photos [00:13:13] — Surrendering creative control; empathy for clients’ experience [00:16:06] — How the experience unexpectedly transformed Sabrina’s business [00:17:16] — Shedding mental baggage and embracing new self-love postpartum [00:19:15] — Common body image fears, dysmorphia, and how photography can heal [00:21:25] — Confronting “imperfections” vs. seeing yourself as you are through photos [00:24:37] — Uncovering childhood limiting beliefs and the emotional impact of being photographed [00:28:03] — The ongoing process of building confidence and putting yourself out there [00:29:49] — First impressions of seeing photos: relief, pride, and letting go of old stories [00:31:16] — From personal transformation to business niche: helping others love themselves [00:34:07] — Sabrina’s approach to client self-confidence: mirror work, neutral affirmations, and ask-formations [00:36:10] — Where to find Sabrina Harrison Photography online and details of her free confidence workshop for listeners [00:37:36] — Fun closing questions: travel tips, online shopping, and favorite low-stakes holiday movies

ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: @sabrinaharrisonphotography on Instagram

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 Brittany Cano about navigating burnout, trauma, and transformation as an ICU nurse during the COVID pandemic. Based in Florida, Brittany shares her shift from hospital nursing to holistic wellness coaching. Listeners will discover insights about nervous system regulation, overcoming grief, and redefining adult identity after major life transitions.

About Brittany Cano:

Brittany Cano is a Holistic Nurse Coach and wellness expert with over 20 years of nursing experience and a decade of running her own holistic wellness practice. Her work was born from her personal healing journey, transforming shame, perfectionism, and self-criticism into self-compassion, embodiment, and wholeness. Drawing from her background in nursing, somatic healing, and holistic coaching, Brittany helps others reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and reclaim their energy and worth. She is passionate about guiding others to move beyond burnout and live in alignment with their most authentic selves.

Main Topics Covered:

1. Facing trauma and burnout as an ICU nurse in New York and Baltimore during the first wave of the COVID pandemic.
2. Navigating cultural contrasts in pandemic response between Northeast cities and Florida.
3. The psychological impact of working in intensive care and why teamwork and humor were survival tools.
4. The move from traditional nursing to holistic wellness coaching—motivated by a desire to focus on prevention, longevity, and emotional well-being.
5. Recognizing burnout through physical symptoms and exploring the deep connection between mind, body, and trauma.
6. Using self-reflection, nervous system regulation, and somatic practices to heal and support others.
7. Overcoming guilt and identity challenges when leaving behind a respected profession for more authentic life and work.
8. Brittany’s approach to holistic healing: biopsychosocial-spiritual, including retreats, coaching, and innovative tools like peptide protocols.

Timestamps:

[00:00:07] Amy welcomes Brittany & introduces Thanksgiving leftovers conversation

[00:01:46] Shifting from holiday talk to Brittany’s pandemic experience as an ICU nurse

[00:02:45] Standing out moments from early COVID, patient stories, teamwork, emotional toll

[00:05:03] Navigating uncertainty, hazmat suits, and contrasting pandemic cultures in Florida vs. Northeast

[00:08:07] Brittany’s holistic wellness side hustle and the motivation to leave bedside nursing

[00:09:43] The importance of preventative health and avoiding hospitalization

[00:13:02] Early career decisions: psychology dreams, practical nursing choices, and college costs

[00:15:01] Grief, personal trauma, and the healing power of holistic coaching

[00:18:58] Defining “holistic”—mind, body, social, and spiritual interconnectedness in wellness

[00:21:16] Brittany discovers the root of her burnout and GI symptoms, and the need for deeper healing

[00:26:27] The challenge of self-awareness during burnout; learning from “rushing woman syndrome”

[00:29:59] Ayahuasca experience, trauma healing, and how divine timing guided Brittany’s journey

[00:33:33] How pandemic trauma reverberates for healthcare workers and all adults

[00:34:28] Key choices: Slowing down, quitting alcohol, retreat to India, and leaving hospital work

[00:38:22] Letting go of job identity and security blanket challenges during adult reinvention

[00:44:28] Reflections on childhood grief, therapy, and what adults can do for grieving kids

[00:48:28] Brittany outlines her holistic coaching offers, retreats, and peptide protocols for healing

[00:51:51] Final questions: Morning routines, reading habits, and travel preferences

ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.

GET BRITTANY CANO'S SPECIAL OFFER: Discover Elevated WellBeing Consult:a 45-minute holistic wellness consultation designed to help you gain clarity on what’s draining your energy and what your body truly needs to heal. You’ll receive a guided assessment and compassionate support to uncover the root causes of stress, fatigue, or imbalance. Walk away with personalized insight, practical next steps, and a clear path to elevate your wellBeing. Visit www.HolisticNurseCoaches.com to schedule.

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 Colette Fehr about marriage, divorce, and the impact of family dynamics on adult relationships. Based in Orlando, Florida, Colette candidly shares her journey from growing up in a traditional, conflict-filled New York household to navigating her own early marriage, divorce, and eventual career as a couples therapist. Listeners will gain insights into how childhood experiences unconsciously shape relationship choices, why emotional disconnection—not conflict—is a leading destroyer of marriages, and how to have the difficult conversations that lead to lasting love.

About Colette Fehr:

Colette Jane Fehr is a licensed psychotherapist and nationally recognized relationship expert. She’s the author of The Cost of Quiet: How to Have the Hard Conversations That Create Secure, Lasting Love, coming out February 2026 from Putnam and Penguin Random House. Colette co-hosts the hit podcast Insights from the Couch: Real Talk for Women at Midlife and Love Thy Neighbor: The Relationship Show, and her TEDx talk Secrets of a Couples Therapist was selected as a TED Editors’ Pick.

Main Topics Covered:

1. How childhood family dynamics, including loud conflict and divorce, shape unconscious patterns in adult relationships and marriage
2. The myth that successful relationships are free of conflict, and why learning to handle conflict constructively is essential
3. Colette’s experience of getting married young, going through divorce, and raising children—often counter to her peer group’s expectations
4. The societal and generational stigmas around divorce, especially for women, and why leaving can be the healthiest choice
5. The journey from “good girl” people-pleasing and self-abandonment to finding one’s voice and boundaries in relationships
6. Recognizing fawning and people-pleasing as trauma responses—and the path to unlearning them for healthier love
7. The importance of seeking skilled, specialized couples therapy (including discernment counseling) and not all therapists are equally equipped
8. Colette’s book "The Cost of Quiet: How to Have the Hard Conversations That Create Secure, Lasting Love," with practical tools for women to confidently express their needs

Quote from the Episode: "The number one factor that destroys relationships is emotional disconnection. Not arguing, not having differences, not even infidelity. It’s disconnection." — Colette Fehr

Timestamps: [00:00:06] Introduction and guest welcome; Colette shares her New Yorker roots and years in Orlando, Florida

[00:00:43] What Colette loves about Orlando: eternal sunshine and multiculturalism

[00:01:02] Introducing today’s topic: marriage and divorce

[00:01:21] Colette’s personal history: two marriages, one divorce

[00:01:45] Early marriage story—married at 24, divorced at 31, balancing motherhood and changing social circles

[00:04:13] How parents’ marriage and conflict modeled relationship dynamics for Colette

[00:06:51] The myth of “no conflict” in healthy relationships and the real importance of constructive communication

[00:08:37] How Colette’s childhood influenced her career choice as a therapist

[00:10:55] The cultural stigma of divorce in Irish Catholic New York during the 1980s

[00:13:01] Research on divorce: why co-parenting quality, not marital status, predicts child well-being

[00:15:07] Divorce as a part of social change: women initiating divorce and the evolving expectations of marriage

[00:16:55] How early family wounds and societal narratives unconsciously shaped Colette’s partner choice

[00:18:32] Unpacking the unconscious versus lessons learned only through experience

[00:21:01] The “representative” self in courtship versus the reality of living together

[00:22:14] Colette’s road to becoming a couples therapist after a bad counseling experience

[00:27:43] The pitfalls of seeking therapy only at the “brink of divorce” and losing one’s voice in marriage

[00:28:44] People-pleasing, trauma, fawning, and self-abandonment explained

[00:31:51] Strategies to shift from survival (fawning) to authentic communication

[00:32:15] Who Colette told first about her decision to divorce, and the resulting social fallout

[00:34:31] Colette’s professional platforms: her podcasts, radio presence, TEDx talk, and new book

Colette’s TedX Talk can be found here:https://youtu.be/8tSUOB2yEd0?si=XdHPdEwuSJeyzkRv

Website: https://www.insightsfromthecouch.org/

Book: The Cost of Quiet https://bookshop.org/a/87491/9780593852743

ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.

Note from the show: Guest offers are almost always limited-time and limited quantity. If you have any trouble redeeming the offer please reach out directly to the guest for 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

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 Holly Bot about the dramatic realities of incarceration, stigma, and transformation following a prison sentence. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Holly shares her deeply personal story of serving eight years in prison, the personal and social challenges she faced, and the path toward self-forgiveness and growth. The conversation explores how shame, desperation, and loneliness can lead to life-altering decisions—and how humility, faith, and compassion became central to Holly’s journey beyond incarceration.

Holly Bot is a speaker, author and IT professional living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Above all she treasures her roles as wife and mother. She is the author of From Surviving to Living, a memoir of her prison experiences.

Main Topics Covered:

1. The hidden realities and emotional shock of the criminal justice process, from arrest to sentencing to prison life.
2. Generational and cultural stigma around women, motherhood, and criminal behavior—and its ripple effects on family and identity.
3. Mental health, burnout, and the consequences of isolation, particularly for mothers and caregivers in crisis.
4. How shame, secrecy, and lack of support can escalate risky decisions—and what ignoring “red flags” can look like in real life.
5. The complex, lasting stigma of being labeled a felon or sex offender, including public perception and daily-life limitations post-release.
6. Holly’s revelations in self-identity, humility, and personal growth through faith while incarcerated.
7. The role of compassion—for oneself and others—when reckoning with past mistakes and striving to help others avoid similar pain.
8. Candid discussion of re-entry into society, employment challenges, and creating hope for those affected by incarceration.

Quote from the Episode:

“I created my most worst nightmare and then was forced to live it out. The stigma is real. I think that any prison sentence is a life sentence, even if you only served a year on the facility, because you are a felon forever.” — Holly Bot

Timestamps: [00:00:05] Warm-up questions and introduction; Holly’s home in Minneapolis

[00:01:14] Setup of today’s dramatic conversation about incarceration

[00:02:07] Holly explains the lead-up and facts about her crime and sentencing

[00:06:39] Life before prison: family background, isolation, and mounting emotional stress

[00:12:53] Examining the motivations, confusion, and factors leading to life-altering choices

[00:18:43] The power of loneliness and unmet validation; lack of support network

[00:23:42] How desire to be seen and desperate problem-solving played into criminal behavior

[00:27:02] What prison was really like for women in Minnesota

[00:30:41] Finding humility, faith, and inner change during incarceration

[00:37:01] Stigma, public shame, and how Holly’s crimes affected her children and family

[00:43:07] Lasting consequences of a felony conviction and life post-release

[00:46:13] Employment, transparency, and reintegration into the community

[00:48:27] Why Holly wrote her book—to give others hope earlier in the healing process

[00:51:13] Compassion, self-forgiveness, and understanding others’ pain

[00:52:19] Book information and a special offer for listeners

[00:53:06] The final three rapid-fire questions—morning routines, online shopping, and lottery dreams

ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.

GET Holly’s Book: From Surviving to Living https://bookshop.org/a/87491/9781257952328

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 Lindsey Tague about the realities and transformations of embracing a full-time nomadic lifestyle. Based out of New York but self-described as a true global citizen, Lindsey shares her journey from corporate burnout to launching a freelance business and ultimately untethering herself from a traditional home. Listeners will gain honest insights into the logistics, myths, emotional shifts, and practicalities of going nomadic, including how Lindsey balanced work, travel, safety concerns, and building a remote community.

About Lindsey Tague :Lindsey Tague is a freelance content marketing consultant, brand storyteller, Substack creator of "A Life By Design", and a full-time digital nomad currently based in Mexico City. My passion besides latin dancing is to inspire others to break free from the matrix to discover what their life by design looks like.

Main Topics Covered:

1. Breaking free from corporate burnout and launching a location-independent freelance business.
2. Overcoming fears, family risk narratives, and the myths around solo travel for women.
3. The critical importance of connecting to one’s “why” when setting (and sustaining) ambitious life goals.
4. Step-by-step logistics of transitioning from a stable home base to global nomadism: moving out, purging belongings, managing storage, and letting go of a car.
5. Navigating finances, location choices, and the realities of working while traveling abroad—especially the time zone challenge between US and Europe.
6. Methods for building connection and finding community on the road—Facebook expat groups, WhatsApp chats, and hostel culture.
7. Evolving travel rhythms: shifting from rapid destination hopping to longer stays and considering where to potentially “set down roots.”
8. The creation and philosophy behind Lindsey’s “Life by Design” substack, and her new offer to help other women build their own sustainable nomadic lifestyles.

Quote from the Episode: "You cannot plan this lifestyle. Even just the transition, the leap... you can say, I’ll pick where I want to go and for how long, but the logistics and figuring things out, you don’t know what it’s going to be like until you’re there." — Lindsey Tague

Timestamps: [00:00:06] Introduction & Lindsey’s nomadic definition of “home” [00:01:03] Lindsey’s strategy for sticking with big goals—connecting to “why” [00:02:14] Origin of the travel dream and decision-making process [00:05:41] Leaving corporate, working at a startup, and burnout triggers [00:08:32] Laid off, starting a freelance business, and monetizing skills [00:12:24] Pandemic timeline, moving out, and managing belongings [00:14:45] Logistics: purging, storage unit, selling furniture, and handling a car [00:19:06] Anticipated myths and fears, especially about safety and money [00:21:19] First step: solo travel to Tulum, Mexico, and lessons learned [00:23:44] Work-life balance and time zone tips for digital nomads [00:29:13] Building community while traveling—Facebook groups, WhatsApp, and hostels [00:32:22] Shifting travel rhythms and the search for belonging [00:34:25] Lindsey’s evolution: freelance business, substack, and new coaching offer [00:37:40] Rapid fire: making new places feel homey, travel hacks, and favorite books [00:41:31] Closing thoughts and where to find Lindsey’s resources and special offer

Find Lindsey Tague on Substack: https://lindseytague.substack.com/p/a-life-by-design-and-what-five-years

ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: Find Lindsey Tague on Substack: https://lindseytague.substack.com/p/a-life-by-design-and-what-five-years

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 Mary Alice Stephens about her journey from high-functioning alcoholic housewife to sobriety and self-acceptance. Based in Marin County, California, Mary Alice Stephens shares candid reflections on growing up in a family with a deep culture of drinking, how alcohol shaped her adult social and professional life, and the pivotal moment that led to quitting for good. This conversation is packed with insights for anyone sober-curious, struggling with social anxiety, or navigating recovery—highlighting the emotional transformation and lasting inner peace Mary Alice discovered on the other side of addiction.

Mary Alice Stephens is a creative nonfiction storyteller. A former television writer-producer for HGTV, Food Network, and other media outlets, Mary shares her powerful story of alcoholism, recovery, and starting life anew at 45 in her debut book, Uncorked: A Memoir of Letting Go and Starting Over, which was an Amazon #1 new release in both alcoholism recovery and midlife self-help. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Dominican University of California and lives in Northern California.

Main Topics Covered:

1. Family dynamics and the impact of generational drinking culture on identity.
2. The connection between alcohol use and social anxiety, especially in adolescent and young adult years.
3. Why high-functioning alcoholism often goes unseen and unaddressed.
4. The emotional patterns underlying compulsive drinking and attempts to “fit in.”
5. How motherhood, social circles, “wine o’clock” culture, and marketing influence women’s relationship with alcohol.
6. The myth of needing alcohol for fun, relaxation, and connection.
7. Breaking through denial: recognizing the “noise” and compulsion around drinking.
8. Mary Alice’s turning point—her emotional “bottom” moment—and the first steps she took towards sobriety.
9. The role of AA, supportive friendships, and the shift to genuine self-acceptance.
10. What life after drinking really looks like: socializing, cravings, and building authentic peace.

Quote from the Episode: "It was the first time that I thought quitting would bring relief." — Mary Alice Stephens

Timestamps: [00:00:05] Welcome and intro; Mary Alice’s Marin County roots

[00:00:55] Mary Alice’s approach to planning and organization; past career as a producer

[00:01:29] The fabric of family drinking—Irish Catholic traditions and first encounters with alcohol

[00:03:54] Family sobriety “lore,” exposure to addiction, and role models

[00:05:06] Alcohol as a social coping strategy—high school, college, TV & advertising industry culture

[00:07:21] Early awareness of problem drinking; risky behavior and denial

[00:08:26] Serious consequences: breaking her back while drinking abroad, denial, and hiding issues

[00:09:35] The “happy drunk” vs. other archetypes, and why her habits flew under the radar

[00:11:28] Drinking as self-medication—connection, anxiety reduction, grief, loneliness

[00:13:24] Childhood social anxiety, disconnection, and perceptions of ease in others

[00:16:37] Facing what quitting means—social isolation, mom groups, and the grip of habit

[00:21:18] Emotional bottom: blackout in front of kids and the decision to quit

[00:23:53] Turning to AA and finding help through community

[00:25:00] Understanding alcoholism as compulsion and internal noise

[00:27:16] Double standards and gender roles—women, moms, and the marketing of alcohol

[00:30:19] The real first step towards sober living

[00:32:23] Relief and internal transformation—moving away from shame, anxiety, and mom judgment

[00:33:31] Life after alcohol—socializing, cravings, what changes

[00:34:46] Favorite sober beverages and handling social situations

[00:36:46] Comparing 2010 drinking days to life now—contentment and inner peace

[00:38:25] Mary Alice’s book, memoir details, and listener special offer

[00:39:25] Fun lightning round—potluck dish, favorite books, self-care splurges, and final goodbyes

Free copy of the book to the first person who messages Mary at her instagram account. @maryalicestephenswrites

ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.

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 D'Layne Benson about navigating burnout, self-abandonment, and the transformative power of breathwork for overwhelmed women. D'Layne shares her journey from the ski resort town of Haley, Idaho, highlighting the impact of over-functioning as a nurse, the emotional toll of family demands, and the personal reckoning brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This conversation is packed with actionable insight on nervous system regulation, finding joy, and creating boundaries—key lessons for anyone feeling stretched too thin.

D'Layne Benson is a former nurse turned nurse coach and breathwork facilitator, devoted to helping perfectionist, people-pleasing, and overachieving women move from overwhelm to balance, joy, and self-acceptance. Based in Idaho, she draws on her own experience of burnout, family caregiving, and personal growth to support women in uncovering their patterns and building tailored strategies for healing. D'Layne offers both group breathwork classes and one-to-one coaching, specializing in trauma-informed, transformative methods for nervous system regulation.

Main Topics Covered:

1. Caring for others vs. caring for yourself: How self-abandonment develops and shows up in high-achieving women
2. The realities of burnout as a nurse in rural and pandemic-era Idaho
3. Understanding the freeze response and nervous system dysregulation beyond “fight or flight”
4. Breaking patterns of people-pleasing and perfectionism, especially at midlife
5. The intersection of personal upheaval (career, health, family illness) and hormonal changes (perimenopause)
6. How breathwork can foster insight, healing, and tangible emotional release
7. Steps for moving from overwhelm to joy: list-making, boundaries, and intentional transitions
8. The value of finding fun, building presence, and redefining achievement beyond productivity

Quote from the Episode: "I was trying to control my husband, I was trying to control my stepson, I was helicopter momming him, I was trying to control my in-laws, I was trying to control my parents. I was trying to control every aspect of life. ... While I felt the control was giving me safety, it was actually the thing that was keeping me from living a beautiful life and thriving." — D'Layne Benson

Timestamps: [00:00:06] Welcome to The Art of Imperfect Adulting; D'Layne’s Idaho mountain home

[00:01:21] Motivation and how to find the fun in tough projects

[00:02:55] List-making, overwhelm, and the power of single-task focus

[00:05:33] Life before the pandemic: nursing, family setup, and being “the rock”

[00:09:44] Family relationships: husband’s brain injuries, stepson, and self-development

[00:14:13] Everything collapsing: pandemic stress, family illness, perimenopause

[00:19:34] Why nursing and “helping” became an identity; childhood patterns of achievement and abandonment

[00:26:50] Freeze response explained: hidden anxiety in high-performing women

[00:32:11] Journey to breathwork: when self-help shifted from helping others to herself

[00:39:29] Breakthrough in breathwork: realizing control and safety patterns

[00:43:11] Explaining transformative breathwork vs. “just taking a deep breath”

[00:47:34] What life looks like now: presence, intention, and happiness after transformation

[00:51:27] D'Layne’s current work, virtual breathwork classes, and where to find her

[00:54:24] Special listener offer: free live breathwork class (code: imperfectadulting)

[00:54:10] Final lightning round: streaming apps, grocery cravings, best social media buy

[00:56:06] Closing thank you and reflection on the episode

ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: [Guest Name]'s website and social media links

GET D’Layne Benson’s SPECIAL OFFER: Free Virtual Transformative Breathwork Class Use code IMPERFECTADULTING at checkout to join one live breathwork class of your choice — completely free. https://linktr.ee/dlaynebensonwellness?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=16708a11-6fed-4dc3-a19c-a46b7ad33c66

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 Joanna Lilley about supporting young adults who are struggling in college and navigating transitional moments in early adulthood. Joanna, based in Traverse City, Michigan, shares her experience as a therapeutic consultant working with students who step away from college, as well as the challenges faced by their parents. Joanna offers actionable insights for parents navigating this stage, highlights the developmental shifts in emerging adulthood, and discusses her journey from higher education to entrepreneurship.

About Joanna Lilley: Since 2016, Lilley Consulting has been helping young adults (18+) find mental health, substance use, and wellness resources.  Joanna dedicates herself to working solely with emerging adults who unravel in college or aren’t thriving in adulthood. She also hosts the “Success is Subjective” podcast, which can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio.

Main Topics Covered:

• The realities and pressures facing college students—including mental health, substance use, and identity formation.
• Why stepping away from college isn't a failure, and how families can reframe this experience for growth.
• The impact of technology and social media on young adult connection, comparison, and wellbeing.
• How parents can support their young adults with boundaries, communication, and community—especially when navigating house rules and independence.
• Joanna’s story: The pivotal moment when a student asked for direct help and how it led her to launch her consulting practice.
• Why stigma, secrecy, and “highlight reel” culture make it difficult for families to seek support when young adults struggle.
• The business side of helping families: Joanna’s role as a therapeutic consultant, speaking to both parents and young adults as distinct clients.
• The importance of community for parents of young adults—resources, vulnerability, and how to find safe spaces.

Quote from the Episode: “It really begins with a reflection. Last year, how did things go? What are the areas that I want to work on? ... It starts with the reflection first and foremost to get that baseline and then identify kind of the visioning for change for the future.”— Joanna Lilley

Timestamps: [00:00:06] Amy greets Joanna Lilley, who calls Traverse City, Michigan home. [00:01:19] Joanna discusses her approach to fresh starts rooted in self-reflection. [00:02:39] Joanna explains her former role as a college success coach and involvement in a suspension deferral program for students with substance issues. [00:04:37] Joanna describes her non-linear path into higher ed and passion for supporting young adults. [00:09:58] Joanna defines her current practice: helping “stepping away” college students—and why college isn’t for everyone. [00:12:21] The perfect storm facing today’s young adults: autonomy, connection, and the impact of tech and social media. [00:19:35] Tips for parents: shifting to a “parenting young adults” mindset, setting collaborative house rules. [00:23:50] The vulnerability and isolation of parents whose children struggle; finding supportive communities. [00:25:29] Joanna’s “lightning bolt” moment—helping a student who had been suspended and how institutional limitations inspired her business model. [00:31:01] Joanna navigates the intersection of service and entrepreneurship, helping parents and young adults. [00:39:20] Joanna’s official business description, what therapeutic consulting looks like, and how to get in touch. [00:41:26] Fun Questions: Joanna shares her passion for metalsmithing and a joyful home improvement. [00:44:29] Closing thanks and episode wrap-up.

Connect with the guest: https://lilleyconsulting.com/ 

ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.

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 Penny Rose about the wild adventure of downsizing, embracing nomadic living, and designing a work-life balance fueled by intention and financial freedom. Penny shares her journey from a packed 1,640 square foot “sticks-and-bricks” house to 250 square feet on wheels, revealing the joys, logistical hurdles, and inner mindset shifts that paved the way for her and her husband’s life on the road.

About the Guest:

Penny is a CPA who helps multi-six-figure creative business owners gain financial confidence, make fearless decisions, and unlock the freedom they crave. Her journey began not in a business school, but in a high-stakes, freedom-limiting career as a forensic accountant at the FBI. While chained to a traditional office, she knew that to achieve true location and time freedom, she had to build a bulletproof financial system for her own remote business. She successfully created that system, and it became her escape plan.

Main Topics Covered:

• Why Penny and her husband downsized and chose the RV lifestyle—including insurance headaches and financial motivations.
• The planning, mindset, and logistical challenges of letting go of stuff, brick-and-mortar commitments, and local ties.
• Emotional resilience in the face of change and feedback from friends/community.
• The nuts and bolts of RV living: creating new traditions, maintaining community remotely, and the realities of “traveling too fast.”
• Domiciling in Florida and the tax/legal intricacies for nomads and creators.
• How Penny’s business “Penny in Your Pocket” supports influencers and travel creators with sound financial strategy—and her new micro podcast and online course for beginners.

Quote from the Episode:

“We obviously weren't using our space for very much besides storing stuff, stuff that we couldn't even get to... Once I met someone, I'm not only maintaining contact, I'm growing the community as I meet more people.” — Penny Rose

Timestamps: [00:00:05] Welcome & where Penny calls home (Orlando, FL—and half the year on the road)

[00:01:11] New Year’s traditions and Jeep culture

[00:02:43] First RV night: breaking free at the end of 2019

[00:03:26] Dreaming, planning, and facing “sticks and bricks” hassles

[00:07:52] Financial and emotional motivation for hitting the road

[00:09:00] How much stuff? Merging homes and the problem of “too much”

[00:10:59] Cutting other ties—work, clubs, church, and setting a departure deadline

[00:13:23] Early retirement timing and the role of benefits

[00:17:12] Downsizing method and COVID-era logistics; avoiding the storage unit trap

[00:20:13] Emotional vs. logistical challenge of letting go

[00:22:59] Community response: safety concerns, admiration, and surprise

[00:26:41] RV travel rhythm: “living” vs. “touristing,” building connection across states

[00:31:13] Domiciling 101: Florida, Texas, South Dakota, and tax homes

[00:34:43] Maintaining community online and in-person as a nomad

[00:37:56] Boundaries while working and traveling; not “traveling too fast”

[00:41:01] RV park favorites and growing new traditions

[00:43:58] How Penny’s work supports creators staying on the road

[00:46:53] Penny’s new micro podcast and online course for influencer finances

[00:51:31] Favorite RV kitchen gadget—a countertop dishwasher!

[00:53:27] Podcast recommendation: Ramit Sethi’s Money for Couples

[00:54:14] What makes RV life “homey”: a cherished quilt from Penny’s grandmother

Connect with the Guest:

Website: https://pennyinyourpocketcpa.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.