Because Someone Has to Say It

Because Someone Has to Say It

What is life really like as a military spouse? How do you navigate grief, mental health, resilience, and finding your identity when life keeps asking more of you?In this episode of the Bring Your Big Energy Podcast, host Stacey sits down with Allison Burton—author, military spouse, advocate, and speaker—for an honest conversation about grief, military family life, mental health, resilience, personal growth, and finding your voice.After unexpectedly losing her mother while living overseas, Allison found herself navigating overwhelming grief, anxiety, depression, deployments, solo parenting, and the invisible challenges that so many military spouses face. Her upcoming book, Silent Ranks, Loud Burdens, shines a light on the untold realities of military family life and empowers women to speak their truth with courage.Whether you're a military spouse, veteran family member, working mom, caregiver, or someone struggling with grief, burnout, anxiety, or identity, this episode will remind you that you're not alone—and that healing begins when we tell the truth about what we're carrying.In this episode, you'll learn:✔️ The hidden realities of military spouse life✔️ How grief can impact your mental health and relationships✔️ Why asking for help is one of the strongest things you can do✔️ How therapy helped Allison rediscover herself✔️ Finding purpose through pain and adversity✔️ Letting go of perfection and embracing authenticity✔️ Why women need to stop waiting for "their turn"✔️ How sharing your story can create healing for others🎙️ Follow Bring Your Big Energy on Spotify for inspiring conversations about personal growth, mindset, entrepreneurship, women's empowerment, resilience, healing, mental health, leadership, and living with purpose.

From Homeless & Addicted to Building a New Life

What if the biggest thing standing between you and the life you want isn't your circumstances—but what you believe about yourself? In this deeply moving episode of Bring Your Big Energy, Stacey sits down with Mishkin Cyr, whose life has taken him from surviving childhood trauma in Africa, to homelessness, addiction, and rock bottom, before rebuilding a life filled with purpose, family, and meaningful work. Mishkin shares the raw truth about addiction, self-worth, resilience, and why recovery isn't about becoming someone new—it's about uncovering who you were underneath the pain all along. Together, Stacey and Mishkin dive into: * Why addiction is often a symptom—not the root problem. * How trauma quietly shapes our decisions and relationships. * The connection between self-worth, values, and lasting change. * Why perfection keeps us stuck—and "workable" is a better goal. * How to rebuild trust in yourself after you've lost everything. * The simple mindset shift that helped him transform his entire life. Whether you've struggled with addiction, perfectionism, burnout, people-pleasing, or simply feel like you're carrying the weight of your past, this conversation will remind you that your story isn't over. Sometimes your greatest struggle becomes the very thing that allows you to change someone else's life. This episode is an honest, hopeful reminder that healing is possible—and that your past does not get the final say.

The Pen is in Your Hand

What if the story you've been telling yourself isn't the truth—and it's the very thing keeping you stuck? In this deeply moving conversation, Stacey sits down with bestselling author, speaker, and narrative coach Carrie Casey West to explore how the stories we inherit, absorb, and repeat shape every aspect of our lives—from relationships and self-worth to career choices and personal growth. Carrie shares her powerful personal journey of growing up in a home where she felt unwanted, the devastating loss of her father at age 24, and the life-changing realization that the narratives she believed about herself were never actually hers to carry. Through years of therapy, personal development, and eventually studying storytelling at the prestigious American Film Institute, she discovered a transformational truth: when you change your story, you change your life. Together, Stacey and Carrie unpack: ✨ Why awareness is the first step toward lasting change ✨ How childhood experiences quietly shape adult relationships ✨ The hidden patterns that keep us repeating the same struggles ✨ Why we cling to what's familiar—even when it hurts ✨ The power of compassion, forgiveness, and self-discovery ✨ How to identify the "characters" and "plots" driving your life story ✨ Practical ways to begin rewriting your next chapter If you've ever felt defined by your past, trapped in old patterns, or ready for a fresh start, this episode is an invitation to pick up the pen and become the author of what's next. Because your story isn't finished—and your best chapter may still be ahead. 🎧 Listen in and discover how to rewrite your life from the inside out.

The Gift of Goodbye

What if the conversations you're avoiding today could become the greatest gift you ever give someone you love? In this heartfelt and deeply moving episode, Stacey sits down with author, storyteller, and end-of-life conversation advocate Yvonne Caputo to discuss the unexpected journey that transformed her relationship with her father—and forever changed the way she thinks about life, death, and love. What began as a simple question about her father's experiences in World War II opened the door to years of meaningful conversations, deeper trust, and a profound connection she never expected. Through those conversations, Yvonne not only preserved her father's remarkable stories but also helped ensure his final wishes were honored in a way that brought peace, dignity, and even joy. Together, Stacey and Yvonne explore: ✨ How curiosity can heal and strengthen family relationships ✨ The hidden power of truly listening to the people we love ✨ Why end-of-life conversations are acts of love, not fear ✨ The importance of advance directives and communicating your wishes ✨ How honoring a loved one's final requests can transform grief ✨ The surprising connection between preparation and peace ✨ Why it's never too early to start the conversations that matter most Yvonne shares the unforgettable moment she witnessed her father's final smile after his wishes had been fulfilled—a moment she describes as a profound sense of sacred joy that remains with her to this day. This episode is an invitation to stop avoiding the elephant in the room and start creating the conversations that bring clarity, connection, and comfort long before they're needed. Because the greatest gift we can leave behind isn't just our legacy—it's the peace of knowing our loved ones understand our wishes and our hearts. 🎧 Tune in for a powerful conversation about family, forgiveness, storytelling, and the courage to talk about what matters most before it's too late.

Why Fitting In Was Holding Her Back

What happens when the career that looks successful on paper no longer feels right? In this episode of Bring Your Big Energy, Stacey sits down with branding strategist and founder of Flower Buds Creative, Nikki Holbrook, to explore the journey from corporate burnout to building a business rooted in purpose, authenticity, and personal values. After spending nearly a decade climbing the corporate ladder in marketing and UX design, Nikki found herself exhausted, disconnected, and questioning whether success was supposed to feel this way. A breaking point during the pandemic forced her to listen to what her body had been telling her all along: she was living out of alignment with who she truly was. Together, Stacey and Nikki discuss: ✨ Recognizing the warning signs of burnout before they become impossible to ignore ✨ Why trying to "fit in" can keep you from finding the right path ✨ The role therapy played in Nikki's transformation ✨ How to identify your mission, values, and North Star as a business owner ✨ Building confidence through branding and authentic storytelling ✨ Letting go of perfectionism and embracing imperfect action ✨ Defining success beyond corporate titles, KPIs, and paychecks ✨ Why authenticity matters more than ever in an AI-driven world Whether you're considering a career pivot, building a mission-driven business, or searching for work that feels more aligned with who you are, this conversation offers both practical guidance and inspiration for taking the next step.