about navigating the emotional landscape and practical challenges of raising a child with unique genetics and an autism diagnosis. Jennifer shares her family’s journey from uncertainty and medical crises to building a supportive community and ultimately founding Sarah Rise, an adaptation of the Sunrise Program, to help her daughter flourish. The conversation dives into the realities of parenting through unpredictability, the importance of asking for help, and finding empowerment and self-acceptance along the way.

About the Guest:

Jennifer Celeste Briggs has a BA in English Literature from Swarthmore college. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and two daughters. Her daughter Sarah has a genetic anomaly and autism. Organizing hundreds of hours of therapeutic play time for Sarah, Jenny trained and coordinated multiple volunteers to help Sarah thrive. Jenny's book about this experience is called Watching Sarah Rise: A Journey of Thriving with Autism.

Main Topics Covered:

• Early parenting challenges, medical uncertainty, and journey to a genetic and autism diagnosis
• The emotional impact of developmental differences and letting go of expectations
• The discovery and adaptation of the Sunrise Program (Sarah Rise) for family and community support
• Intentional choices, asking for help, and building a reliable support network
• Balancing the needs of two children and preserving family connections
• Accepting imperfection and finding joy in the parenting journey

Quote from the Episode:

"Look, you can be a totally imperfect parent and you can still make a huge difference for your child, and your child could still need a ton of help... but also, we can just go to the pool and she can swim and she can go for a bike ride... I feel like I can relax and enjoy her and she can enjoy her life and her connections with people." — Jennifer Celeste Briggs

Timestamps: [00:00:08] Meet Jennifer Celeste Briggs & warmup questions

[00:01:51] Introducing Sarah: early challenges, seizures, and medical specialists

[00:07:43] Discovering developmental differences and the emotional rollercoaster

[00:11:38] Grieving, self-blame, and finding support

[00:15:58] Redefining expectations: before and after motherhood

[00:23:03] The strain—leaning into support, family networks, and volunteers

[00:28:03] Discovering and launching the Sarah Rise program

[00:30:44] The path to authorship and sharing the journey

[00:35:45] How to connect with Jennifer & audience special offer

[00:36:59] Final questions: introvert/extrovert, nostalgic music & dream vacation

Special Offer from the Guest:

If you purchase Watching Sarah Rise and contact Jennifer, letting her know you found the book through The Art of Imperfect Adulting, she’ll send you a free signed book plate. www.watchingsarahrise.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.

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Why...

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Lauren Roche about her transformative experience living as a digital nomad during the pandemic. Lauren is a Washington, D.C.-based wellness advocate, remote work consultant, and host of The Naked Truth with Lauren podcast. Lauren shares her honest reflections on hitting the road at 23, navigating remote work across multiple U.S. cities, the realities of loneliness and workplace stress, and the power of building resilience and community while on the move.

About the Guest:

Lauren Roche is a wellness entrepreneur, transformation coach, and podcast host dedicated to destigmatizing mental health and building supportive communities. With a background in consulting and user experience design, Lauren leverages her own journey—from Maryland to a year of nomadic living—to help others embrace vulnerability, gratitude, and growth. She is the founder of The Naked Truth with Lauren, an omnichannel brand focused on mindfulness, mental health, and manifestation.

Main Topics Covered:

• The impetus and planning behind Lauren’s year as a digital nomad (2021–2022)
• The unique challenges and joys of working remotely while traveling across the U.S.
• Coping with uncertainty, isolation, and career transitions on the road
• How to build connections and maintain mental health during big life changes
• The impact of support systems: family, friends, and virtual therapy
• Lessons in resilience, resourcefulness, and intentional living
• Lauren’s mission to break the stigma around mental health and foster genuine community

Quote from the Episode:

"I built so much resilience with the things that, like, weren't on my bingo card or went sideways or went wrong. And having to be on our toes, moving around a month or two at a time...dealing with stuff that comes up that you're not expecting because you're still living everyday life." — Lauren Roche

Timestamps:

[00:00:14] Lauren calls Washington, D.C. home and shares her downtime rituals

[00:01:20] Launching her digital nomad journey during the Covid-19 pandemic

[00:03:03] Testing out new cities and searching for a long-term fit

[00:05:05] Finding a travel companion and planning the adventure

[00:07:21] Family and friends’ reactions; packing and storage logistics

[00:08:42] Using travel nurse housing platforms for extended stays

[00:10:41] Planning vs. spontaneity; dealing with last-minute housing issues

[00:13:26] Making friends and exploring communities on the road

[00:16:38] Work-life balance, bucket lists, and exploring new cities

[00:18:07] Social and work challenges: isolation and changing teams

[00:23:18] Adapting to new work environments and managing technology needs

[00:24:58] Favorite memories and weekday adventures in different time zones

[00:27:17] West coast exploration, wrap-up, and returning home

[00:28:53] Health on the road: dealing with Covid and finding a dentist

[00:32:58] The essential role of support systems

[00:34:37] Lasting skills and lessons: resilience, mental stamina, and seeking therapy

[00:39:48] Lauren’s current work and details about The Naked Truth with Lauren

Special Offer from the Guest:

Join Lauren’s free weekly Gratitude Newsletter to kick-start your abundance mindset and stay looped in for future events and workshops. Sign up at thenakedtruthwithlauren.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.

ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life.

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Kaitlin Cuevas about navigating the emotional complexities of leaving a family business, finding alignment in work as a mother, and building a new life that honors both ambition and family. Kaitlin shares her journey from working in her father's B2B marketing company to launching her own business aimed at helping moms declutter their physical and mental spaces, all while honoring her values and forging a new path.

About the Guest:

Kaitlin Cuevas is based in Houston, Texas. She is an author, podcast host, and the founder of Think Happy, where she provides coaching and resources to help moms organize their homes and minds for a more joyful, intentional life. Drawing on her experience in both corporate marketing (with Chick-fil-A and a family business) and entrepreneurship, Kaitlin speaks candidly about change, motherhood, and pursuing fulfillment beyond expectations.

Main Topics Covered:

• Growing up in a close-knit family and working in a multi-generational family business
• Realizing her passion for leadership and business ownership, and why she walked away from running the family company
• The emotional weight and complexity of stepping away from her father's "retirement plan"
• Navigating big life changes: shifting from corporate to entrepreneurship after motherhood
• The role of support systems when making major personal and professional decisions
• How starting her own business has impacted her daily life, values, and family relationships
• Kaitlin’s advice for working moms struggling with alignment and career decisions

Quote from the Episode:

“With a lot of risk comes a lot of reward... Every coaching call I get on is an opportunity that I have created for myself. And that just feels so freaking awesome.” – Kaitlin Cuevas

Timestamps: [00:00:05] Kaitlin’s Houston roots & family business introduction

[00:01:07] Transition rituals from busy to downtime

[00:02:53] What is B2B marketing? Defining the family business

[00:04:35] Working in the business as a teen and young adult

[00:07:44] Rethinking her teaching career and pivoting to marketing

[00:08:44] Early jobs at Chick-fil-A and discovering business interests

[00:13:47] Returning to the family business & career crossroads

[00:17:32] Realizing the restaurant industry wasn’t a fit

[00:20:19] The “whisper” of change and writing her first book

[00:23:47] Motherhood, work/life balance, and growing side hustles

[00:25:20] The impact of a parent’s illness and the pressure of being the “retirement plan”

[00:28:14] Why the work only felt right with her dad present

[00:31:46] The pros and cons list, risks, and leaving stability

[00:34:37] Breakthrough conversations and family dynamics

[00:38:51] Building a new business: fulfillment, structure, and uncertainty

[00:40:47] Connect with Kaitlin & the special playroom session offer

Special Offer from the Guest:

Kaitlin is offering listeners a free 30-minute Playroom Optimizer Session (normally $97), a 30-minute call to transform your playroom into a space that works for both you and your kids

Normally $97 Special offer for the listeners of the show: FREE https://think-happy-co.kit.com/playroom

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

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

If you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that...