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.

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

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

We invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.

Why...

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...

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Quincy Tessaverne about her powerful journey of coming out with her sexuality after 16 years of marriage. Quincy opens up about the evolution of her self-awareness, navigating family and community responses to her transition, and how the experience shaped her identity as a parent, partner, and person.

About the Guest:

Quincy Tessaverne is a writer, entrepreneur, and podcast host living in Los Angeles. With a background that spans parenting, advocacy, creative projects, and LGBTQ+ community building, Quincy brings humor, honesty, and insight to conversations about identity, relationships, loss, and growth. She is the founder of the new podcast Cocoon After Dark, dedicated to sharing real stories from LGBTQ+ and BIPOC voices, especially from a Gen X female perspective.

Main Topics Covered:

• Discovering and understanding sexuality in a conservative 1980s environment
• The experience and challenges of coming out after a long, “traditional” marriage
• Maintaining a supportive co-parenting and friendship dynamic post-divorce
• The societal and family impacts of coming out, including community rejection and finding new belonging
• Supporting children through family transitions and honoring authentic parenting
• The importance of representation and storytelling for the LGBTQ+ community
• Launching Cocoon After Dark: why sharing diverse stories matters

Quote from the Episode:

“It’s important because while so many people are trying to shed labels, I think it’s still important, because it’s still not accepted in so many parts of this country and this world… To see people, regular, normal people—your neighbors, your friends, classmates, parents… LGBTQ people are around you and have just as normal lives as you do. We just love different people than you love.”—Quincy Tessaverne

Timestamps:

[00:00:05] Quincy’s favorite way to transition to downtime

[00:01:52] Early awareness of sexuality & formative experiences

[00:06:36] Navigating changing friendships and family norms in the 1980s

[00:09:59] Marriage, honesty with a partner, and why she chose not to “play both sides”

[00:13:24] The turning point and emotional aspects of coming out

[00:21:25] Impact on daily life, family, and loss of friend group—finding community

[00:27:07] The crucial role of chosen family and supporting children

[00:34:36] Why representation and sharing LGBTQ+ stories still matters

[00:39:03] Launching Cocoon After Dark & how to tune in

[00:43:16] Fun questions—favorite books, sunsets, and music

Connect with the Guest:

• Instagram: @cocoonafterdark
• Podcast: Cocoon After Dark https://cocoonafterdark.buzzsprout.com/

Special Offer from the Guest: Be among the first to listen to Cocoon After Dark and share your story! If you are an LGBTQ+ or BIPOC person interested in being interviewed, mention “TAOIA” in your application for priority consideration during the first season (offer valid through December 2025).

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

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

We invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Christie Kaplan. Kaplan is a Dallas-based entrepreneur, mother, and founder of Startup Design Partners. They chat about navigating massive life transitions: career pivots after new motherhood, financial uncertainty following a layoff, and how losing security in traditional employment pushed her to create her own design venture. Christie shares candid stories about managing chaotic postpartum days, leaning on her spouse through stress, and reclaiming autonomy by launching a business that reflects both her creative skillset and her needs as a parent.

About the Guest:

Christie Kaplan is a holistic venture designer, community builder and fine artist. Her why? She believes intentional systematic design has the power to reshape industries for the better of humanity. Every company should be design-led, that's her mission at Startup Design Partners.

Main Topics Covered:

• Navigating the emotional roller coaster of new motherhood and being laid off 8 weeks postpartum
• Planning for financial security and facing unexpected setbacks
• Managing postpartum recovery while job searching
• Maintaining a strong partnership and communication during periods of stress
• Making a career pivot from traditional employment to entrepreneurship
• How the illusion of security in full-time roles inspired Christie’s business path
• Building a design consultancy and collaborative network to empower indie creators

Quote from the Episode:

“I never want to go through that again. Even the story I told you about, you know, being on the toilet and finishing up a pumping session, I just, I was like, this is not—I don't ever want to have to be forced to do this. Like I want that to be a choice.” — Christie Kaplan

Timestamps: [00:00:05] Intros; Christie calls Dallas home

[00:00:57] Transitioning from busyness to downtime through art

[00:02:17] Laid off 8 weeks postpartum—setting the stage

[00:03:43] Financial planning, unexpected expenses, and startup realities

[00:06:48] The shock of layoffs and postpartum job hunting

[00:08:09] Preparing for maternity leave and returning to work

[00:11:17] Recovering from a complicated delivery

[00:11:55] The day of the layoff and making plans as a couple

[00:15:07] Stress-testing the relationship and effective communication

[00:19:09] Being told you're “too young” for a promotion—igniting the spark to start her own business

[00:24:25] The decision that made her career pivot possible

[00:30:43] What Startup Design Partners does and its vision

[00:36:21] The gig economy, community building, and supporting founders

[00:38:35] The final three fun questions: TV habits, reusable water bottles, and parental fears in an AI world

Special Offer from the Guest:

Offer:

A One Hour Complimentary Venture/Product Advisory Session To collect offer please email: hello@startupdesignpartners.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.

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Dominique Levesque about the realities of rebuilding a life from the ground up after sudden upheaval. Dominique shares the challenges she faced after losing everything, including her business and community in Central America, and how she transformed the crisis into a journey of healing, self-truth, and creating new belonging from within.

About the Guest:

Dominique Levesque is an intuitive coach and color energy healer. She helps sensitive, soul-led humans reconnect with their inner wisdom through color, aura work, and sacred geometry.

Main Topics Covered:

• The experience and reality of being a global nomad
• Losing everything: sudden business loss and expulsion from a chosen community
• How conditioning shapes decisions, risk, and belonging
• Survival mode and rebuilding from the inside out
• The power of intuition, somatic wisdom, and self-acceptance
• Creating authentic community versus seeking belonging at any cost
• Embodying learned knowledge and setting new personal guide rails

Quote from the Episode:

"When you're living from your conditioning, you're always losing because you're not aligned. And there are a lot of choices to make in that not alignment. And those choices are hard because you have to look at yourself and you have to understand, see the red flags and have people that care enough to really tell you what is going on." — Dominique Levesque

Timestamps:

[00:00:06] Welcomes, intros, and the life of a nomad

[00:01:24] Dominique’s journey: From thriving business to losing everything

[00:03:32] Impacts of community loss and forced expat experience

[00:07:03] Business, relationships, and the power of conditioning

[00:10:11] What is conditioning and why are red flags hard to see?

[00:13:07] Survival mode, somatics, and rebuilding after crisis

[00:17:40] Questioning beliefs and facing uncomfortable truths

[00:20:44] Intuition: From impulsive adventure to embodied guidance

[00:24:13] Practical steps for rebuilding: Workshops, community, and values

[00:27:58] Commitment to truth over belonging

[00:32:29] Life today: Authentic connection, color, and creating safe spaces

[00:34:18] Dominique’s intuitive coaching in color and energy

Special Offer from the Guest:

Take Dominique’s free Intuitive Color Quiz to discover what color you’re resonating with right now and gain insight into your personal energy and alignment. Visit www.intentioninflow.com/quiz .

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

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

We invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.

Why subscribe?

• Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast app
• Get guest offers delivered straight to your inbox
• Access all important links in one convenient place
• Catch the highlights even when you don't have time to listen

Are you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com

If you have a story to share and you'd like to...

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Stacie Walker. Walker is a Colorado-based entrepreneur, digital marketing mentor, and founder of Unleash Your Ambition. They talk about her profound journey from a chaotic, unhealthy lifestyle in her 20s through a near-death health crisis, to a life of sobriety, purpose, and success. Stacie shares candidly about the wake-up call that forced her to reevaluate her choices, the long recovery that followed, and how she rebuilt her life, health, and career into something she once thought impossible.

About the Guest:

Stacie Walker is a Marketing & Business Strategist and the founder of Unleash Your Ambition. Her mission is to help her clients design an aligned $100K+ business foundation without sacrificing their health, sanity, or values.

Main Topics Covered:

• What life looked like for Stacie before her health crisis: codependency, unhealthy choices, and overwork.
• The warning signs and realities of severe liver failure in her 20s, and how it became a near-death experience.
• How her road to recovery (including a year of healing) sparked immediate and lasting sobriety.
• Reimagining her career after illness, building an online business from her bed, and discovering the power of the digital community.
• The importance of self-care: mental, physical, and spiritual health practices adopted during recovery.
• How significant life challenges clarified Stacie’s purpose, deepened her relationships, and transformed her approach to life and business.
• Advice for others who may be ignoring their health or feel stuck in unhealthy patterns.

Quote from the Episode:

“I felt my soul, my spirit, drifting away… That was my wake-up call, you know, that’s what I needed in order to get my life in order and to really think about how I wanted to live moving forward.” – Stacie Walker

Timestamps: [00:00:12] Welcome and Stacie’s background; Colorado roots

[00:01:14] Compliments, kindness, and setting the pre-crisis scene

[00:04:54] The health crisis of 2008: symptoms, missteps, and hospitalization

[00:13:37] Instant sobriety and facing recovery after a near-death warning

[00:19:11] Rebuilding health: habits, routines, and mindset shifts

[00:22:12] Stacie today: entrepreneurship, family, and finding fulfillment

[00:25:14] The power and importance of online communities for support

[00:28:39] Reflections: Would change have happened without hitting rock bottom?

[00:30:41] Stacie’s business, Unleash Your Ambition, and how she helps clients

[00:33:39] Final fun questions: reality TV, dog hair, and chocolate

Special Offer from the Guest:

Complimentary Business Breakthrough Session. (Valued at $1,000) Book your session at: https://www.unleashyourambition.com/breakthrough

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

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

We invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.

Why subscribe?

• Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast app
• Get guest offers delivered straight to your inbox
• Access all important links in one convenient place
• Catch the highlights even when...

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Sara Thornhill—Florida-based meditation coach, relationship expert, and founder of Prana Tova—about transforming panic attacks into powerful peace through authenticity, sobriety, and self-discovery. Sara candidly shares her journey through coming out, divorce, trauma, and embracing her truth, offering actionable insights on how ambitious women can break the cycle of people-pleasing and anxiety to find greater peace within themselves.

About the Guest:

Sara Thornhill is the founder of Prana Tova and creator of the BreathWORTH™ method. A master coach in nervous system regulation and subconscious reprogramming, Sara blends science-backed breathwork with vibrational healing to help you reset, release, and reclaim power from within.

Main Topics Covered:

• Turning panic attacks, trauma, and anxiety into self-acceptance and personal peace
• Coming out, surviving two divorces, and breaking free from religious and family expectations
• The power of breathwork, meditation, and solo retreats in healing emotional wounds
• People-pleasing as a root of anxiety and the freedom in learning to say “no”
• The physiology of panic attacks and why highly sensitive people are spiritually primed for evolution
• The importance of building supportive environments and boundary setting for lasting change

Quote from the Episode:

"The secret is that I stopped people pleasing. People pleasing causes panic attacks. We are shoving down who we are. We're hiding our needs because of some perception of trying to get approval or avoid rejection or any number of core wounding... The biggest difference is I live my authenticity." — Sara Thornhill

Timestamps: [00:00:06] Introduction, warm-up questions, and Sara’s location

[00:01:26] Amy introduces Sara’s story and major life transitions

[00:02:02] Sara’s marriage/divorce timeline, coming out, and journey through sobriety

[00:05:48] Living the “perfect” life and waking up to authenticity

[00:08:55] Suppressing identity, masking pain with drinking, and early signs of trouble

[00:12:43] Discussing coming out, identity, and ending a marriage

[00:15:27] First panic attack, trauma history, and early coping strategies

[00:20:01] The physical experience and physiology of panic attacks

[00:29:09] Sara’s full “reset” via solo silent retreats and deep self-work

[00:32:22] Boundary setting, removing toxic influences, and finding support

[00:36:59] The impact of change: from anxiety to authenticity

[00:38:55] Childhood programming and why self-compassion matters

[00:41:04] Could transformation have happened without adversity?

[00:44:10] Sara’s work: helping ambitious women transmute panic into peace

[00:46:20] Where to connect with Sara, free masterclass, and support groups

[00:47:02] Final three questions (documentaries, skeeball, tornadoes)

Special Offer from the Guest:

Sara offers a Free Masterclass Watch the free masterclass here: https://sarahthornhill.com/register

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

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

We invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down...