We’ve all been there—pushing ourselves to the limit, running on empty, and waking up one day wondering, Is this really the life I wanted?

In this episode of Unfinished Stories: The Next Chapter, I sit down with Magali Mathieu, a former tech entrepreneur who found herself caught in the relentless cycle of hustle culture. After years of grinding, burnout hit her like a tidal wave, forcing her to face the reality that her body, mind, and spirit were calling for change.

Magali takes us through her deeply personal journey from exhaustion to transformation—one that led her from the high-pressure startup world to embracing a life of balance, healing, and purpose. Together, we unpack the signs of burnout, why so many of us resist making changes, and how we can shift our mindset to pursue success without sacrificing ourselves in the process.

If you’ve ever felt drained, uninspired, or afraid to step away from what’s no longer serving you, this episode is for you.  Tune in now, subscribe to Unfinished Stories: The Next Chapter, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear they’re not alone. Let’s continue writing our next chapter—together.

In today’s episode, Stephanie welcomes Dedee Cai, founder of Fit to Profit, a holistic coaching practice that empowers entrepreneurs to align their self-worth with their net worth. Through her personal story of overcoming burnout, loss, and limiting beliefs, Dedee shares how self-care, setting boundaries, and nurturing your emotional well-being are pivotal to unlocking the life you deserve. From navigating a deep personal loss to building a thriving business, Dedee’s journey is a testament to the power of reinvention and the importance of self-worth in achieving success. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will help you get unstuck and find purpose in your own challenges.

Discussion Highlights:

Ready to embrace your own messy, beautiful story? Tune in now, subscribe to Unfinished Stories: The Next Chapter, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear they’re not alone. Let’s continue writing our next chapter—together.

Welcome to Unfinished Stories: The Next Chapter. In this episode, we dive headfirst into the beauty of imperfection with Anne Lepelaars, a somatic trauma therapist whose journey from debilitating panic attacks to guiding others through life's most turbulent challenges is nothing short of inspiring.

Together, Anne and I explore how our "mess" isn’t something to hide but a treasure trove of growth, transformation, and self-discovery. From surviving her first panic attack at 16 to working in conflict zones like Afghanistan, Anne shares how saying "yes" to life’s invitations has transformed her path—and how it can do the same for you.

Highlights from this episode:

Ready to embrace your own messy, beautiful story? Tune in now, subscribe to Unfinished Stories: The Next Chapter, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear they’re not alone. Let’s continue writing our next chapter—together.

Have you ever felt like you've missed your moment? That your dreams belong to a version of yourself that no longer exists? In this premiere episode of Unfinished Stories: The Next Chapter, I'm inviting you into my own journey—one filled with detours, self-doubt, and a creative spark that refused to go out.

For over four decades, I wrote in private, convinced my stories weren’t worth sharing. But life has a way of pulling us back to the things that matter most. Through unexpected challenges, personal reinvention, and a move that reset my entire life, I rediscovered my passion for storytelling. Now, I’m stepping out of the shadows, embracing the uncertainty, and finally sharing the stories that have been waiting to be told.

If you’ve ever put a dream on hold—whether for a season or for a lifetime—this episode is for you. Let’s talk about fear, imposter syndrome, and the courage it takes to pick up the pen and start again. Because no matter how long it’s been, your story isn’t over.

So grab a coffee, settle in, and start this new chapter—together.

Join host Stephanie Essary for a special monthly episode of Unfinished Stories: Next Chapter. Each month, we bring together an inspiring panel of writers, creatives, and individuals navigating personal and professional transformations. Alongside mental health professionals, wellness experts, and industry insiders, we explore what it means to reclaim your story, rewrite your narrative, and embrace your next pivotal moment.

Whether you're healing, creating, or reimagining your path, The Writers Room delivers practical advice and real-life stories to guide you forward with intention. Packed with thought-provoking discussions, this series is a powerful reminder that no matter how unfinished or messy your story feels, you hold the pen.

Don’t miss this month’s panel—subscribe now to Unfinished Stories: Next Chapter on your favorite podcast platform and join us in The Writers Room.

Welcome to Unfinished Stories: The Next Chapter, a podcast for anyone who's ever felt stuck between who they were and who they want to become. In this series, we'll explore the messy, beautiful journey of reclaiming our paused dreams and abandoned goals.

Each week, we'll dive into different aspects of this journey:

You'll hear raw, honest stories from me and others who've walked this path. We'll bring in experts who can help us understand the psychology of unfinished dreams, and practical tools to move forward.

Because here's what I've learned - sometimes our greatest setbacks are actually setups for our strongest comebacks. If you're ready to dust off your unfinished story and start writing again, this is your invitation to join us.

This is Unfinished Stories: The Next Chapter, because your story isn't over - it's just waiting for its next beginning.