The Art Of Imperfect Adulting

Precious Burger taught art to more than 20,000 students over 30 years, staying after school, grading, and fighting for her kids until autoimmune disease forced her to step away. She left the classroom at 53, lost her identity as an educator, and only then picked up her own paintbrush.Precious shares how her world was built around being a teacher. When chronic illness made basic tasks impossible, she took medical leave and fully expected to return. Instead, she listened to the quiet realization that she could not give her students what they deserved. For the first time, she faced the "messy middle" without any plan. She talks about seeing herself more as a teacher than an artist, feeling pressure to overwork, and how she didn't ask for help until she had no other choice. Now she describes her second act as a mixed media artist and what it's like to finally create for herself.In this conversation:Precious explains why she never saw herself as an artist, even while teaching art full time.She talks about growing up with the "starving artist" message and why she aimed for stability.She describes losing her professional identity overnight and the grief that followed.She shares why perfectionism and workaholism felt like the only options for teachers.She describes relearning how to rest, ask for help, and bring wonder into her own adult life.Chapters00:00 Meet Precious Burger00:41 The classroom that became home02:17 Why she chose art education06:43 Starting out and finding her first teaching job08:42 Getting sick and being forced to step away12:54 Why she never called herself an artist15:43 Childhood dreams and the "starving artist" story19:58 Losing her teacher identity22:16 What she wishes she knew at the start25:09 Realizing she was out of balance29:37 Workaholic role models and pressure in schools34:13 Becoming a working artist in her fifties35:45 Why she shares her storyAbout Precious BurgerPrecious Burger is a contemporary mixed media artist, longtime art educator, and passionate believer in the transformative power of wonder, creativity, and joy.Website: https://preciousburger.comAbout the ShowThe Art of Imperfect Adulting is a podcast and video show about reinvention, starting over, and the choices that shape a life. Host Amy Stone talks with real people who have already been through some hard stuff, so you don't feel alone while you're figuring out your own life.Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imperfectadultingMore episodes and articles: https://www.imperfectadulting.comIf you are looking to be a guest on the show, visit https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guest/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.If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/supportNever 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 listenAre you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com

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/supportAbout 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 reinventionTimestamps:[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 thoughtsABOUT 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.comMEGHAN’S PODCAST: WAIT - WHAT DO YOU DO AGAIN? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wait-what-do-you-do-again/id1754539882Join the conversation on social. Find the Art of Imperfect Adulting on Instagram @theartof_imperfect_adulting YouTube @imperfectadulting and TikTok @imperfectadultingNever 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 listenAre you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.comIf 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-guestHere 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=amy69Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofjFor Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stonebefore that I used Kit. Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors

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/supportMain 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 DoyleTimestamps:[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 colorABOUT 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/dependencyNote 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 listenAre you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.comIf 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-guestHere 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=amy69Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofjFor Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stonebefore that I used Kit. Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors

If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/supportAmy 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 CarmenTimestamps: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 closeABOUT 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/id1295280626Never 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 listenAre you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.comIf 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-guestHere 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=amy69Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofjFor Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stonebefore that I used Kit. Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors

If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/supportAmy 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 connectionABOUT 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 listenAre you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.comIf 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-guestHere 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=amy69Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofjFor Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stonebefore that I used Kit. Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors