The Art Of Imperfect Adulting

Amy Stone
  • 5.0 (63)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Semiweekly

The Art of Imperfect Adulting is an interview-format audio podcast and video show about reinvention and starting over, hosted by journalist and entrepreneur Amy Stone. Episodes feature honest conversations with women who have been through a major life change. Topics include divorce, career reinvention, caregiving, women’s health, sobriety, menopause, fitness, money and relocating or nomadic living. Guests share what the transformation was really like, the choices that shaped it and what helped them through it. These are real women, not celebrities, telling their stories from the other side of lived experience and change. Whether you are facing a turning point or already in the middle of one, you will find validation, practical insight and actual examples that a new chapter is possible at any age. Your host is Amy Stone, a Gen X woman, journalist and entrepreneur who knows what it means to be overlooked, underestimated, surprised by the impact of both small decisions and sudden life shifts, and expected to just figure it out. It turns out that might be exactly the right training for hosting a show about choices and change. She brings warmth, zero pretense, and a talent for drawing out the quiet turning points that rarely make it into anyone's highlight reel. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and be sure to join the email community at https://www.imperfectadulting.com

  1. 3d ago

    Overcoming Identity Loss and Personal Reinvention with Megan DeFord

    Amy Stone speaks with Meghan DeFord about the journey of personal reinvention following unexpected career loss and the end of a long-term marriage. Based in South Florida, Meghan unpacks how simultaneous upheaval in her job and relationship during the early days of lockdown led to a period of deep self-examination, professional pivoting, and confronting mental health challenges. Listeners will learn about the interplay of identity, shame, and resilience, and take away practical wisdom for navigating career transitions, coping with divorce, and building a new path forward. 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 About Megan DeFord: Meghan DeFord is a professional women’s coach, speaker, and retreat facilitator based in South Florida, working with women across the country. After nearly twenty years in nonprofit leadership and philanthropy, she founded DeFord Coaching & Consulting to help women turn ambition into follow-through, because ready isn’t a feeling, it’s a decision. She’s the host of Wait — What Do You Do Again?, where she talks with interesting people about the choices, careers, pivots, and stories. Off the clock, she’s a mom to two kids and two cats, a runner who leads a local women’s running group, a meditation practitioner, and a devoted lover of great TV. Main Topics Covered: The emotional impact of experiencing both job loss and divorce in quick succession, and the different challenges when a change is chosen versus forcedHow career identity can be disrupted by sudden change, and why grieving the loss is essential for moving forwardThe realities of depression during life transitions, including how symptoms can surprise even the most optimistic individuals and why seeking support is crucialDestigmatizing career setbacks and divorce by normalizing discussion and sharing lived experiencesWhy “doing what you know” isn’t always the healthiest response, and the importance of pausing to reevaluate goals and desiresThe limiting beliefs and inherited narratives around work, security, and self-worth—especially for women raised in single-parent householdsLearning to let go of external validation, process difficult emotions, and cultivate the confidence to switch careers later in lifePractical advice for embracing being a beginner again and the iterative nature of confidence and reinvention Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction; Amy welcomes Meghan and talks South Florida living [00:00:39] The joy of local birdwatching; “elder millennial” identity [00:02:07] Framing the episode: personal reinvention around career and relationships [00:02:37] Meghan’s marriage and professional background [00:03:28] Divorce finalization over Zoom; clarifying timing and method [00:04:15] Which changes were initiated by Megan and which were surprises [00:05:21] The aftermath: confronting uncertainty and loss of direction [00:06:46] The shock of sudden job loss and the threat to identity [00:07:48] Shame, depression diagnosis, and the weight of simultaneous transitions [00:08:59] Identity and grief in both career and relationships; societal silence about job loss [00:10:34] The stigma of discussing being fired and how grief surfaces later [00:12:10] Navigating job searches, dating, and a changing home life during lockdown [00:13:10] A firsthand account of unexpected depression and its physical symptoms [00:14:42] Accessing mental health resources via telehealth; normalization and gratitude [00:16:02] Medication, stigma, and sharing both depression and divorce stories [00:18:02] Unexpected reactions from peers; giving others permission for honesty [00:19:40] Reentering the dating world after 17 years; the pandemic’s additional challenges [00:21:06] The concept of “dream jobs,” security, and inherited beliefs about achievement [00:27:00] Patterns learned from upbringing: hard work, shame, and playing it safe [00:31:05] Realizing it’s time to switch paths, letting go of fundraising, and embracing uncertainty [00:34:08] How unresolved emotions drive career decisions; therapy as a catalyst for change [00:36:17] Experiencing and processing grief; shedding the need for external validation [00:38:48] The daunting freedom of endless possibilities; “where do I start?” [00:39:43] Longitudinal research on post-divorce recovery [00:41:08] Starting a coaching business in 2024; the iterative steps to self-employment [00:43:10] Building confidence through small actions and increasingly public visibility [00:44:41] Navigating integrity when developing a personal brand separate from a day job [00:46:14] The discomfort adults feel as beginners; the necessity of practice to gain confidence [00:48:13] Embracing flexibility, giving oneself permission, and the “how” behind big choices [00:50:30] The alternative life—what if the dream job appeared? Reflections on motivation and real goals [00:54:18] The creativity and joy of entrepreneurship and new offerings [00:56:37] Megan’s podcast and where to find her online [00:57:29] Recommendations: Book (Circe by Madeline Miller), podcast (Diabolical Lies), and HBO’s Industry [00:59:16] Unsupervised online shopping confessions [01:01:22] Amy’s wrap-up, community invites, and closing thoughts ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting shares authentic conversations with and for women about the choices and decisions that shape a life. These are the choices that nobody gives you an instruction book to handle. Topics include: career reinvention, divorce and starting over, caregiving for aging parents, getting sober, menopause, and healing from abuse and trauma and more. These are stories of lived experience, not advice because there's a difference between being told what to do and hearing how someone else actually navigated a similar crossroads. CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: www.megdeford.com MEGHAN’S PODCAST: WAIT - WHAT DO YOU DO AGAIN? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wait-what-do-you-do-again/id1754539882 Join the conversation on social. Find the Art of Imperfect Adulting on Instagram @theartof_imperfect_adulting YouTube @imperfectadulting and TikTok @imperfectadulting Never Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe 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 appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch 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

  2. Oct 27

    Selling A Non-Medical Home Healthcare Franchise After 10 Years with Sailynn Doyle

    Amy Stone speaks with Saylinn Doyle about the realities of career reinvention, entrepreneurial burnout, and the transformative power of systems in business. Based in sunny South Florida, Saylinn shares her journey from launching a senior home care franchise to the pivotal moment when business success left her burnt out instead of celebrating. The episode dives into how implementing systems not only saved her business but also gave her back her freedom, highlighting lessons on building support networks, the hidden challenges of scaling service businesses, and redefining personal success. About Saylinn Doyle: Sailynn Doyle is a Business Strategist who helps women owners build businesses that don’t depend on them. 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 Main Topics Covered: Overcoming entrepreneurial burnout and the myth that business ownership guarantees freedom.The hidden realities of running a service-based franchise and why revenue doesn't always equal happiness.How lack of systems creates bottlenecks and personal exhaustion—and the process of building effective systems that empower teams.Understanding the difference between a franchise’s framework and the need for customized operational systems.The challenges of caregiver staffing and retention in the senior home care industry.The importance and impact of a strong support network during business crises.Saylinn's path to “retiring” by age 40, including the emotional aftermath of exiting her business.Lessons on not sacrificing relationships and personal wellbeing for business growth. Quote from the Episode: "If this is what success is, then maybe this isn't what I'm meant to do." — Sailynn Doyle Timestamps: [00:00:00] Welcome & intros; Saylinn calls sunny South Florida home [00:01:35] The decision to pivot careers and buy a senior home care franchise [00:02:08] A million-dollar milestone—and the burnout that came with it [00:05:41] 80-hour work weeks, networking demands, and entrepreneurial fatigue [00:06:52] Early warning signs: exhaustion, relationship breakdowns, and physical symptoms [00:08:11] The breaking point: tears in a client’s driveway instead of joy [00:10:15] Feeling trapped and exploring perceived options [00:11:03] Turning point: family intervention and meeting with a business coach [00:13:14] Clarifying the business model: non-medical home care and staffing challenges [00:14:05] Market realities: client growth is easy, caregiver recruitment and retention are not [00:16:01] The role of support networks (and what happens when they’re thin) [00:18:03] The simple, powerful answer: building business systems [00:20:32] Why “putting systems in place” is more than creating pretty documents [00:21:19] Franchises vs. custom systems—what’s provided and what’s missing [00:25:25] The grind of 40 networking visits per week and strategies to make it work [00:28:23] Systematic reinvention: how Saylinn went from 80-hour weeks to business freedom [00:33:26] Today’s work: business strategy, coaching, and helping others escape their ops [00:39:05] Hours, money, and life after burnout—designing a sustainable future [00:42:59] Lessons from working with seniors: nobody wishes they’d worked more [00:44:28] Free resource: $1 Million Plus Business Owner’s Blind Spot Guide and contact info [00:46:05] Book recommendation: Kim Perell, “The Mistakes That Made Me a Millionaire” [00:46:37] Hot pink jacket and life after Massachusetts—embracing change and color ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting shares authentic conversations with and for women about the choices and decisions that shape a life. These are the choices that nobody gives you an instruction book to handle. Topics include: career reinvention, divorce and starting over, caregiving for aging parents, getting sober, menopause, and healing from abuse and trauma and more. These are stories of lived experience, not advice because there's a difference between being told what to do and hearing how someone else actually navigated a similar crossroads. CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: https://www.passionpurposeposture.com/ GET SAILYNN'S SPECIAL OFFER: The $1M+ Business Owner's Blind Spot Guide. Why your business still runs through you (even with a team in place) https://www.passionpurposeposture.com/dependency 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. Never Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe 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 appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch 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

  3. Oct 20

    Life After Divorce and Women’s Financial Realities with Allison Carmen

    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 Amy Stone speaks with Allison Carmen about rebuilding life and identity after the abrupt end of a long-term marriage. Based in the heart of Greenwich Village, New York City, Allison shares her journey from being blindsided by divorce after 27 years of marriage to reinventing herself as a financially self-sufficient and resilient advocate for women. Listeners will learn about the emotional upheaval of unexpected change, the importance of financial and emotional independence, and how embracing uncertainty can help lead to a more authentic and empowered life. About Allison Carmen: An author, podcaster, TEDx speaker, COO/General Counsel of the Motherhood Center (NYC), Allison Carmen writes for many national publications including Salon.com, Katie Couric Media, Maria Shriver Sunday Paper, Psychology Today and more on various topics from finances to women’s health and more. Main Topics Covered: Navigating the shock and aftermath of an unexpected divorce after 27 years of marriage.Building financial independence and addressing the risks of not pre-planning for uncertainty.The reality of co-parenting and supporting children through family upheaval.Why clinging to certainty can obscure our appreciation of life’s moments and derail personal growth.The value of maintaining hope, flexibility, and self-reliance through uncertain times.Challenges women face when stepping away or re-entering the workforce after prioritizing family.Societal messaging to young women about love, marriage, and practical planning for the unknown.Finding balance between open-heartedness and personal preparedness in relationships. Quote from the Episode: "When we cling to anything, we don't pay as much attention to it because we think we're always going to have it. ...People close their hearts so easily after pain, after disappointment. But if we could kind of live with the uncertainty and still love deeply, but always be able to take care of ourselves, I think that's the thing that I'm most concerned about." — Allison Carmen Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction; Allison joins from Greenwich Village, NY01:18 – Discussing life in New York and generational identity02:55 – The moment Allison learned her marriage was ending06:46 – Processing shock, making choices after someone else’s decision09:53 – Life before the divorce: perceived wholeness, career, and family11:45 – Grappling with not seeing the signs and society’s discomfort with uncertainty14:50 – Any signs in hindsight? Learning to leave unanswerable questions behind18:35 – No financial pre-planning or prenup: why, and advice to younger women23:54 – Reconciling belief in forever with the need for practical independent planning26:06 – Luck, setbacks, and taking opportunities for reinvention after loss30:21 – Are younger women better prepared? Effects of societal narratives33:41 – Interpreting life data and statistics vs. living your own reality35:44 – The impact of divorce on children and prioritizing stability40:00 – Advice for one’s younger self: on love, self-reliance, and open-heartedness42:49 – How Allison’s life is different today: financial, emotional, and personal growth48:28 – Where to find Allison, her work, and personal recommendations51:33 – Lighthearted wrap-up: unsupervised online shopping and episode close ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting shares authentic conversations with and for women about the choices and decisions that shape a life. These are the choices that nobody gives you an instruction book to handle. Topics include: career reinvention, divorce and starting over, caregiving for aging parents, getting sober, menopause, and healing from abuse and trauma and more. These are stories of lived experience, not advice because there's a difference between being told what to do and hearing how someone else actually navigated a similar crossroads. CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: https://www.allisoncarmen.com/ Allison’s Podcast: 10 Minutes to Less Suffering https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10-minutes-to-less-suffering/id1295280626 Never Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe 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 appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch 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

  4. Oct 13

    Latinas in Podcasting and Overcoming Industry Challenges with Paulette Erato

    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 Amy Stone speaks with Paulette Erato about building inclusive podcasting communities and the challenge of sustaining access-driven creative spaces. Based in California, Paulette discusses her journey as a community founder and event planner, the story behind Latinas in Podcasting, and her mission to create spaces that elevate and support underrepresented voices in the podcasting industry. Listeners will learn about the realities of community building, the financial realities of sustaining open-access groups, and how Paulette’s personal transformation led to a vibrant, collaborative network for Latina podcast creators. About Paulette Erato: Paulette Erato is a speaker, podcaster, and founder of Latinas In Podcasting. She shows Latinas how to design their best lives without abandoning their roots. Because liberation isn’t about turning your back on la cultura. It’s about deciding what you carry forward. In her free time, Paulette enjoys living near the beach with her husband, savoring a local craft beer, deadlifting more than her bodyweight, and simply living her vida más chévere. Main Topics Covered: The lack of diversity in the podcasting industry and Paulette’s motivation for founding Latinas in PodcastingHow to build a supportive, access-driven community from scratch—challenges, mistakes, and strategies for growthThe importance of creating collaborative, “middle-out” leadership models rather than traditional hierarchiesFinancial transparency: how Paulette funds the community, the costs of inclusive events, and sustainable membership modelsThe impact of grief and personal challenges on leadership, and how authentic community support can step inWhy pod fade is real: sustainability, creative breaks, and the need to normalize non-linear podcasting “careers”Barriers women and BIPOC creators face in accessing industry resources, and how anti-DEI trends threaten community sustainabilityThe shifting landscape of in-person versus digital events, and Paulette’s vision for meaningful, IRL connection ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting shares authentic conversations with and for women about the choices and decisions that shape a life. These are the choices that nobody gives you an instruction book to handle. Topics include: career reinvention, divorce and starting over, caregiving for aging parents, getting sober, menopause, and healing from abuse and trauma and more. These are stories of lived experience, not advice because there's a difference between being told what to do and hearing how someone else actually navigated a similar crossroads. CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: https://pauletteerato.com/ GET PAULETTE'S SPECIAL OFFER: LIP Podcast Episode Blueprint. A free plug-and-play PDF template that walks you through structuring engaging podcast episodes, whether you're flying solo or interviewing a guest. Join Latinas In Podcasting and get instant access to the Podcast Episode Blueprint, plus our free Slack community, bi-monthly coworking sessions, monthly cafecitos, and our weekly newsletter. Todo gratis. Visit LatinasInPodcasting.com/join to subscribe. You'll receive the Blueprint immediately, along with access to all our free community resources. 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. Never Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe 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 appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch 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

  5. Oct 6

    Raising Body-Positive Daughters as a Gen X Mom with Evelyn Levasseur

    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 Never Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe 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 appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch the highlights even when you don't have time to listen Are you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Evelyn Levasseur about breaking generational cycles of body image struggles and the transformative journey to self-acceptance as a woman and a mother. Evelyn, based in Connecticut, shares how her lived experience as a Puerto Rican woman, chronic dieter, and eventually mother of two daughters shaped her understanding of self-worth, health, and identity. Listeners will gain actionable insight into recognizing damaging cultural narratives around body image, the complex intersection of motherhood and self-care, and how Evelyn learned to parent in a way that centers self-love, not self-neglect. About Evelyn Levasseur: Evelyn LeVasseur is the host of The Self-Centered Mom Podcast, a speaker, and founder of The Self-Centered Mom, a coaching brand for mothers who refuse to be defined by the roles they were given. A former educator turned Identity Coach, Evelyn helps mothers rebuild the architecture of their lives so that they can live like they matter, without blowing up their relationships or feeling "selfish". Main Topics Covered: Generational Impact of Body Image Messaging: How comments from family and pervasive diet culture shaped Evelyn’s early views on self-worth and appearance.Breaking the Diet Cycle: Evelyn’s realization of the yo-yo dieting trap, external validation, and what it takes to replace shame-based behaviors with healthy self-acceptance.Parenting Through Body Positivity: The intentional steps Evelyn took to raise daughters who love and accept themselves, and how that demanded deep self-reflection—and change.The Complicated Role of Food as Love: Exploring food as a signal of family, comfort, and celebration alongside contradictory cultural standards about appearance.Navigating Identity and Worth Beyond Motherhood: Evelyn’s journey through pregnancy loss, body changes, and redefining self-worth outside of reproductive identity.Moving from People-Pleasing to Centering Yourself: Why self-neglect is not a virtue, and the practical mindset shifts required to break the martyrdom cycle for women.Living and Coaching in Alignment: The transformation of Evelyn’s coaching practice to prioritize intrinsic self-worth and authentic connection, moving beyond quick-fix external changes. Quote from the Episode: "There's a difference in me lifting her up and putting myself down. I want her to love herself so deeply. And I'm not showing her how to do that. That is where I was able to say: something's gotta give." — Evelyn Levasseur Timestamps: [00:00:19] Introduction: Evelyn shares her Connecticut roots and what she loves about her home [00:01:18] The topic: Body image, raising kids, and body positivity [00:02:23] Childhood memories: Growing up Puerto Rican, favorite family foods, art, and athletics [00:03:19] First body image messages and early cultural conditioning [00:05:02] College, weight gain, crash diets, and the reinforcement of thinness [00:07:54] Middle school peer comparisons and body talk in athletics/media [00:10:11] When compliments reinforce unhealthy cycles [00:12:27] Distinguishing between health and worth, the complex role of food as love [00:14:36] Becoming a mother and intentionally raising daughters differently [00:17:00] Pregnancy loss, body trust, and the emotional toll of early motherhood [00:22:58] Navigating complicated advice, family support, and internalized pressure [00:24:55] Why self-neglect is mistakenly glorified for women [00:26:49] The moment Evelyn decided self-love was non-negotiable [00:28:16] Cycle-breaking as a mother and the pivotal picnic incident [00:31:18] Practical mindset and behavior changes Evelyn made for herself and her family [00:36:27] Celebrating intrinsic worth, not external appearance [00:38:42] The Self-Centered Mom podcast: Naming, intention, and centering the self [00:41:38] Evelyn’s favorite books and podcasts for further inspiration [00:43:13] Closing out, offers for listeners, reflection on the power of self-acceptance ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting shares authentic conversations with and for women about the choices and decisions that shape a life. These are the choices that nobody gives you an instruction book to handle. Topics include: career reinvention, divorce and starting over, caregiving for aging parents, getting sober, menopause, and healing from abuse and trauma and more. These are stories of lived experience, not advice because there's a difference between being told what to do and hearing how someone else actually navigated a similar crossroads. CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: https://www.theselfcenteredmom.com/ The Self-Centered Mom, https://feed.podbean.com/evelynlevasseur/feed.xml 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

  6. Sep 29

    Redefining Success After Divorce and Midlife Change with Camille Miller

    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 Never Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe 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 appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch the highlights even when you don't have time to listen Are you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com Amy Stone speaks with Camille Miller about redefining success, breaking societal molds, and reinventing life after a major personal and professional crossroads. Camillie is from the East Coast, with her story rooted in New Jersey and a new chapter beginning in Delaware. Camille shares how checking all the life boxes, like, career, marriage and kids ultimately led to exhaustion and a complete overhaul of her life's definition of fulfillment. Listeners will learn about the real emotional and logistical challenges of stepping away from traditional success markers, the importance of self-work, and the empowering process of building an authentic life by your own design. About Camille Miller: Camille L. Miller is an entrepreneur, business strategist, author, and founder of the Soul Professional® Movement, a global initiative redefining success through purpose, authenticity, and conscious leadership. A former MBA professor and nonprofit CEO, Camille has spent more than a decade exploring what happens when we stop following traditional formulas for success and begin building our lives and businesses from the inside out. Her work brings together business strategy, personal growth, and subconscious transformation to help people create success that reflects who they truly are. She is the author of three bestselling books and host of The Soul Professional Podcast. Main Topics Covered: Breaking out of traditional definitions of success—and why achievement alone often leads to burnout for womenThe impact of unequal household labor and the mental load on working momsHow subtle (and not so subtle) cracks in life and relationships lead to radical transformationLetting go of external expectations: marriage, career identity, material markersNavigating divorce, entrepreneurship, and single motherhood simultaneouslyRedefining family and holidays—forging new, self-honoring ritualsThe process and necessity of inner work for personal reinvention and authentic leadershipHow Camille helps others through her Soul Professional Movement and what it means to lead a soul-led business and life Timestamps: [00:00:19] Welcome & Camille’s East Coast roots and move to Delaware [00:01:52] Decisions that sparked deconstructing and rebuilding her life [00:02:49] Life “before”—career, family, and hidden exhaustion [00:04:35] The problem with “having it all” and what’s missing underneath [00:06:09] Inequity of workload in marriage and recognizing invisible labor [00:07:22] Generational myths about having it all and the reality of burnout [00:10:09] How caregiving and job shifts led to new questions about fulfillment [00:14:09] Inheritance, money, and “the final crack” that led to divorce [00:17:48] Defining success as a Gen Xer: chasing material markers in the ’80s and ’90s [00:20:44] What would have helped: the importance of support and equitable partnerships [00:23:03] Recognizing patterns, overperformance, and how therapy shifted Camille’s self-perception [00:27:42] Redefining success after divorce: from status to experiences and connection [00:31:39] The challenge of “seeing” unhealthy patterns while living them [00:34:40] Navigating divorce, single parenting, money narratives, and boundaries [00:41:01] How Camille’s values changed—authenticity, freedom, travel, and showing a new model for her kids [00:46:01] Building the Soul Professional Movement and helping others lead with purpose [00:47:27] What Camille hopes other overworked women will realize and why she shares her story [00:50:37] Reinventing holidays and family traditions to fit her own definition of joy [00:51:40] Show & Tell: Camille’s favorite podcasts by women [00:54:10] Camille’s recent unsupervised online shopping and life as a newly minted empty nester ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting shares authentic conversations with and for women about the choices and decisions that shape a life. These are the choices that nobody gives you an instruction book to handle. Topics include: career reinvention, divorce and starting over, caregiving for aging parents, getting sober, menopause, and healing from abuse and trauma and more. These are stories of lived experience, not advice because there's a difference between being told what to do and hearing how someone else actually navigated a similar crossroads. CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: https://www.soulprofessional.com/ GET CAMILLE’'S SPECIAL OFFER: FREE WORKBOOK, A guide on how to become a soul-led business owner and learn to lead your life with purpose! https://www.soulprofessional.com/ 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 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

  7. Sep 22

    Career Change After 50 Trusting Intuition for a New Life with Meryl Hayton

    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 In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Meryl Hayton about embracing radical inner change, following intuition, and reinventing life after decades in the same career. Based in a vibrant beach community in New Jersey, Meryl shares her journey from salon owner to inner peace specialist, exploring the intersection of spirituality, self-development, and creating a life aligned with her deepest desires. Listeners will discover the power of small, intuitive decisions, overcoming fear of the unknown, and practical steps for transforming burnout into renewed purpose and joy. About Meryl Hayton: Meryl Hayton is an Inner Peace Specialist, Advanced Certified Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Practitioner, Reiki Practitioner, and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-500). As the creator of The Clearing Method, Meryl has spent years refining an integrative approach to healing that addresses the mind, body, and subtle energy field. Main Topics Covered: How following intuition—rather than logistics—drove Meryl's biggest life changes and career reinvention.The emotional challenges of closing a 28-year brick-and-mortar business and saying goodbye to loyal clients.Discovering and integrating practices like yoga, energy healing, and EFT tapping for personal transformation and supporting others.Facing financial fear, letting go of security, and building trust in uncertainty during major transitions.The physical and emotional tolls of service work, and the necessity of self-care and boundary setting.The power of micro-decisions and support—from yoga teachers to business coaches—to make impossible-seeming dreams (like moving to the Jersey Shore) attainable.How Meryl’s daily life and mindset shifted from fear to freedom, connection, and self-trust after embracing her new path.Why sharing her story is essential for inspiring others to take courageous steps toward their own growth, even when the path is messy and non-linear. Quote from the Episode: "You really do have a choice, right? You do have a choice to stay stuck where you're at, or you have the choice to take the leap to really what you want to do or be." — Meryl Hayton Timestamps:00:00 Intro & Amy welcomes Meryl Hayton; New Jersey beach life and what home means01:17 Meryl’s career origins—creativity, familial expectations, and early choices after loss04:07 The impact of her father’s passing and reorienting career ambition06:57 Realizations: grief, intuition, and how loss shaped her freedom08:21 Building a salon business from scratch and sustaining it for nearly three decades10:11 The decision to close the salon, burnout, and the journey to becoming a yoga teacher12:27 Spiritual awakening, training in mind-body medicine, and discovering EFT tapping16:01 The sequence: closing the salon, a physical injury, and learning to trust the next right step18:07 Turning dreams into reality—testing life at the shore and finally making the big move22:22 How long change really takes: fears, financial worries, loyalty, and letting go27:44 Why the salon industry can be so physically and emotionally taxing29:49 Transitioning fully to coaching, energy healing, and yoga instruction29:53 How life, mindset, and relationships look now—living from trust, joy, and abundance33:58 Why sharing this journey matters: inspiring others to take leaps, big and small35:04 Identifying the very first small step that set transformation in motion36:03 Meryl Hayton’s special offer: The Clearing Method Workbook and how to connect37:00 Show & Tell: podcast recommendation (“Wiser Than Me” with Julia Louis-Dreyfus)38:26 Unsupervised online shopping and the magic of cacao ceremonies41:18 Amy’s wrap-up, audience invitation, and show credits ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting shares authentic conversations with and for women about the choices and decisions that shape a life. These are the choices that nobody gives you an instruction book to handle. Topics include: career reinvention, divorce and starting over, caregiving for aging parents, getting sober, menopause, and healing from abuse and trauma and more. These are stories of lived experience, not advice because there's a difference between being told what to do and hearing how someone else actually navigated a similar crossroads. CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: https://www.merylhayton.com/ MERYL'S SPECIAL OFFER:The Clearing Method Workbook - A Self Care Guide to Happier Healthier Relationships and More Joy in Your Life. It's free for everyone with a $47 value because of its evergreen life long use. https://mailchi.mp/bd554dfe90df/ycy7syhk6b 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. Never Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe 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 appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch 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

  8. Sep 15

    Deconstructing Religious Identity to Embrace Authenticity with Bekah Slider

    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 In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Bekah Slider about the journey of deconstructing and rebuilding personal identity after leaving evangelical Christianity and a decades-long marriage. Based in Ohio, Bekah shares her path from corporate America to church leadership, and later, her transformations through coaching and creating adult content on OnlyFans. This episode does not ignore the tough questions. We go deep into themes of authenticity, the cost of belonging, overcoming shame, and ultimately, learning to refuse self-abandonment in the search for external validation. About Bekah Slider: Bekah Slider is an identity coach, speaker, and creator of The Inevitable Woman methodology. After deconstructing her faith, leaving a 22-year marriage, and rebuilding her life from the ground up, she went on to become a top 1% OnlyFans creator—one chapter in a much larger story about choosing herself before her life made sense. Today, she helps high-achieving women stop renegotiating who they've already decided to be and trust themselves before the evidence arrives. Her work challenges the belief that clarity comes first, arguing instead that self-loyalty is what changes everything. Main Topics Covered: Deconstructing faith and identity after growing up in conservative evangelical Christianity.What it means to stop negotiating with yourself and start asking hard personal questions.Navigating the complexity of sexuality, shame, and coming out as bisexual after years of compartmentalization.The ripple effect of major identity shifts: leaving church leadership, ending a 22-year marriage, and finding autonomy.Exploring creativity, empowerment, and stigma as a top 1% OnlyFans creator.Real talk on the skills gained from preaching, coaching, and content creation—and how they overlap in unexpected ways.The pain and liberation of losing relationships (including family) in order to live authentically.Practical steps for reconnecting to one’s body, intuition, and self-trust after living under external authority. Quote from the Episode: "I would rather live true to myself even if that meant losing people than continue to fragment myself in a way that I had been doing my entire life at that point." — Bekah Slider Timestamps:00:18 Meet Bekah Slider—origins, nature-loving in Ohio, and generational identity02:10 Bekah’s path: corporate work to lay church leadership to pastor03:21 What being a (female) pastor in a nondenominational evangelical church meant06:27 Growing up in conservative Christianity—strict home, questioning faith in adolescence08:06 What does “stopping negotiating with yourself” really mean?11:36 Identity bricks: reconciling sexuality, faith, and harmful constructs13:25 The ongoing, painful choice of releasing old identity—fear of hell and the unknown15:33 Timeline: leaving pastoring, deconstruction, ending marriage, and exploring sexuality17:51 Coaching, speaking, open marriage, then the decision to become an OnlyFans creator20:57 The decision process: sitting with potential stigma, honesty with children21:40 First baby steps: reconnecting to body, unshaming mistakes, intuitive self-trust24:33 OnlyFans Q&A—creative intentions, what content Bekah created, and surprises26:02 Stigma versus reality: intimacy, connection, and authenticity on OF28:06 Pre-deconstruction self—sexuality, shame, and differing conceptions of “freedom”31:28 Skill overlaps: how being a pastor shaped Bekah’s OnlyFans and coaching persona33:09 Wrapping up OnlyFans, why Bekah walked away despite financial success35:58 The high personal cost—losing family, refusing to abandon yourself for others41:24 Book & podcast recommendations: "You Are a Badass" and The Courage to Fully Live43:22 Recent online purchase: rainbow-colored mini mic windscreens for creative joy and self-expression44:32 Final reflections: the journey from external validation to feeling at home with yourself ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting shares authentic conversations with and for women about the choices and decisions that shape a life. These are the choices that nobody gives you an instruction book to handle. Topics include: career reinvention, divorce and starting over, caregiving for aging parents, getting sober, menopause, and healing from abuse and trauma and more. These are stories of lived experience, not advice because there's a difference between being told what to do and hearing how someone else actually navigated a similar crossroads. CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: https://theliberationlounge.netlify.app/ GET BEKAH'S SPECIAL OFFER: "Almost" A workshop for women who are done living one decision away from the life they want. Value $33 - free, link: https://theinevitablewoman.myflodesk.com/almost 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. Never Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe 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 appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch 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

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The Art of Imperfect Adulting is an interview-format audio podcast and video show about reinvention and starting over, hosted by journalist and entrepreneur Amy Stone. Episodes feature honest conversations with women who have been through a major life change. Topics include divorce, career reinvention, caregiving, women’s health, sobriety, menopause, fitness, money and relocating or nomadic living. Guests share what the transformation was really like, the choices that shaped it and what helped them through it. These are real women, not celebrities, telling their stories from the other side of lived experience and change. Whether you are facing a turning point or already in the middle of one, you will find validation, practical insight and actual examples that a new chapter is possible at any age. Your host is Amy Stone, a Gen X woman, journalist and entrepreneur who knows what it means to be overlooked, underestimated, surprised by the impact of both small decisions and sudden life shifts, and expected to just figure it out. It turns out that might be exactly the right training for hosting a show about choices and change. She brings warmth, zero pretense, and a talent for drawing out the quiet turning points that rarely make it into anyone's highlight reel. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and be sure to join the email community at https://www.imperfectadulting.com

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