Awaken 2026: The Courage to Remember Who You Are

Awaken 2026: The Courage to Remember Who You Are

There comes a moment in life when the whisper becomes too loud to ignore. It isn't always a crisis. Sometimes your life is beautiful. The marriage is good. The business is thriving. The kids are growing. And yet, somewhere beneath the titles, responsibilities, and identities you've carried so faithfully, there is a quiet knowing that says, there is more. More truth. More joy. More of you. Growth asks us to grieve versions of ourselves we have outgrown and to loosen our grip on the labels that once kept us safe. Mother. Caregiver. Business owner. The dependable one. The strong one. The one who never asks for too much. But what if the fear you're feeling isn't a warning sign? What if it's an invitation? An invitation to remember the woman you were before the world told you who you had to be to reclaim the childlike wonder, curiosity, play, and courage that still lives inside of you. As I shared in this episode, "unless you're actually holding hands with that uncomfortableness...you're not growing." Awaken 2026 isn't about becoming someone new; it's about coming home to who you've always been. It's about asking the questions you've been too afraid to voice and giving yourself permission to want something different, even when what you have looks good on paper. It's choosing curiosity over certainty and courage over comfort. We don't reignite our fire by staying small; we reignite it by saying yes to the things that make us feel alive again to adventure, to community, to tears, to laughter, to the hard conversations, and to the dreams that won't leave us alone. Fear may be the first thing you feel when something is meant for you, but fear doesn't get the final say. If there is a flutter in your spirit as you read these words, don't dismiss it. Ask the question. Start the conversation. Take the baby step. Because the version of you waiting on the other side isn't asking you to be fearless. She's simply asking you to remember that you were born on purpose, for a purpose, and that the fire within you was never meant to go out. Find out all the details here: http://correeroofener.com/retreat [http://correeroofener.com/retreat] Contact Corree or find out more about Corree and learn about all the ways she does not choose to stay in one lane go here: https://correeroofener.com/ [https://correeroofener.com/] To Purchase Emotional Money click here: Emotional Money [https://a.co/d/08GWK2mP] Are you ready to walk with us for https:/https://fosteringthesummit.org [https://fosteringthesummit.org/]  Join us as we change the statistics for children aging out of foster care. Also, follow me on https://www.instagram.com/correeroofenercoach/ [https://www.instagram.com/correeroofenercoach/] for more inspiration and practical wisdom for your business and life.  Until next time, keep shining bright! - Corree

The Answer May Not Just Be More Homes with guest Miranda Green

This episode left me thinking about something I have wrestled with for years: the answer to foster care is not simply more homes. The answer is better support, better training, and a system that truly prioritizes the healing and stability of the children it was designed to protect. In my conversation with foster mom Miranda Green, we talked about the realities that so few people see the heartbreak of saying goodbye, the beauty of sibling connections, the importance of trauma-informed care, and the incredible impact one family can have on a child's life. What struck me most was the reminder that every move, every broken promise, and every delay in permanency becomes part of a child's story. These aren't just policies and case files; they are children whose hearts and identities are being shaped in real time.  One story in particular stayed with me: a little boy who spent five years in foster care before achieving permanency. Five years. As foster parents, we know that every day matters. Children deserve more than survival; they deserve consistency, connection, and adults willing to fight for what is best for them. Yet despite the challenges, Miranda's message was clear: fostering is worth it. The sleepless nights, the tears, the uncertainty, and yes, even the heartbreak of letting go are outweighed by the opportunity to love a child when they need it most. The truth is that children remember. They remember who showed up, who made them feel safe, and who reminded them they mattered. If you've ever felt the nudge to foster, advocate, mentor, or simply learn more, I hope this conversation reminds you that changing a child's story doesn't require perfection—it only requires the courage to say yes.  Contact Corree or find out more about Corree and learn about all the ways she does not choose to stay in one lane go here: https://correeroofener.com/ [https://correeroofener.com/] To Purchase Emotional Money click here: Emotional Money [https://a.co/d/08GWK2mP] Are you ready to walk with us for https:/https://fosteringthesummit.org [https://fosteringthesummit.org/]  Join us as we change the statistics for children aging out of foster care. Also, follow me on https://www.instagram.com/correeroofenercoach/ [https://www.instagram.com/correeroofenercoach/] for more inspiration and practical wisdom for your business and life.  Until next time, keep shining bright! - Corree

The Freedom of Financial Clarity: How to Transform Your Relationship with Money

In today's fast-paced world, many people find themselves overwhelmed by their finances, often feeling restricted by the idea of budgeting. But what if I told you that budgeting is not about limitations, but rather a pathway to freedom? In this post, we will explore how gaining clarity in your financial situation can empower you to make informed decisions and live a life aligned with your values. Let's dive into the insights shared during a recent conversation with financial expert Corree Roofener, who emphasizes the importance of intentional finances for both personal and business success. ## Understanding the True Purpose of a Budget Budgeting often gets a bad rap. Many view it as a restrictive practice that dictates what you can and cannot spend. However, Roofener challenges this notion, asserting that a budget should be seen as a tool for freedom and guidance. Here’s why: - **Clarity Over Confusion**: A well-structured budget provides a clear roadmap for your finances, helping you understand where your money is going and where it needs to go to meet your goals. This clarity can alleviate stress and empower you to make better financial decisions. - **Intentional Choices**: Every financial decision we make is a choice. By creating a budget that reflects your values and priorities, you can ensure that your spending aligns with what truly matters to you. Whether it’s saving for a vacation or investing in your health, a budget helps you prioritize your expenses wisely. ## The Importance of Intentional Financial Planning Roofener emphasizes that reaching financial freedom isn’t just about luck or circumstances; it’s about making intentional choices. Here’s how you can approach your financial planning: 1. **Set Clear Goals**: Define what financial freedom looks like for you. Is it saving for a dream trip, buying a new car, or simply having peace of mind? Clear goals will help you create a budget that serves your aspirations. 2. **Track Your Spending**: Understand your spending habits by tracking your expenses. This will help you identify areas where you may be overspending on non-essential items and allow you to redirect those funds towards your goals. 3. **Create a Flexible Budget**: Your budget should not be set in stone. Life changes, and so will your financial needs. Allow for adjustments as necessary, ensuring that your budget remains a living document that reflects your current situation and goals. ## The Role of a Financial Team For those running a business or managing complex finances, having a solid financial team is crucial. Roofener points out that many individuals wait until the end of the year to seek financial advice, which can be counterproductive. Instead, consider these tips: - **Build Relationships Early**: Establish connections with financial advisors, CPAs, or financial planners early in the year. This proactive approach allows them to understand your business and personal goals, enabling them to provide tailored advice. - **Seek Guidance, Not Just Services**: Look for financial professionals who are invested in your success. A good CPA or financial advisor should not only handle your taxes but also provide strategic advice to help you maximize savings and growth opportunities. - **Educate Yourself on Financial Matters**: Empower yourself by learning about financial principles. The more you know, the better equipped you'll be to ask the right questions and make informed decisions regarding your finances. ## Creating a Culture of Financial Awareness In conclusion, transforming your relationship with money requires a shift in mindset. Rather than viewing budgeting and financial planning as constraints, embrace them as tools for empowerment. Here are the key takeaways: - **Budgeting is Freedom**: A budget is not about restrictions; it’s about aligning your spending with your values and goals. - **Intentionality Matters**: Every financial decision is a choice. Make intentional choices that reflect what you truly want in life. - **Engage a Financial Team**: Surround yourself with professionals who understand your goals and can guide you effectively. By implementing these strategies, you’ll not only gain clarity in your finances but also create a life that resonates with your personal and financial values. So, take the first step today and reframe your approach to budgeting and financial planning – your future self will thank you. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the purpose of budgeting? Budgeting serves as a tool for clarity, helping you allocate your finances according to your values and goals rather than restricting your spending. ### How can I start budgeting effectively? Begin by tracking your expenses, setting clear financial goals, and creating a flexible budget that allows for adjustments as your circumstances change. ### Why is having a financial team important? A financial team can provide personalized guidance and strategies that help you maximize your financial potential, ensuring that your financial decisions align with your long-term goals. Contact Corree or find out more about Corree and learn about all the ways she does not choose to stay in one lane go here: https://correeroofener.com/ [https://correeroofener.com/] To Purchase Emotional Money click here: Emotional Money [https://a.co/d/08GWK2mP] Are you ready to walk with us for https:/https://fosteringthesummit.org [https://fosteringthesummit.org/]  Join us as we change the statistics for children aging out of foster care. Also, follow me on https://www.instagram.com/correeroofenercoach/ [https://www.instagram.com/correeroofenercoach/] for more inspiration and practical wisdom for your business and life.  Until next time, keep shining bright! - Corree

The Puzzle Was Always Being Built

There are moments in life that don't make sense when we're living them. Seasons of pain. Seasons of striving. Seasons where we are desperately trying to prove our worth, earn our place, or understand why our hearts keep pulling us toward something we can't fully explain. Looking back, though, I've begun to see that life isn't random. The pieces were always forming a picture. I just couldn't see it yet. As I've been writing my book this year, memories have resurfaced that have helped me understand parts of myself I've carried for decades. The little girl who felt deeply. The teenager who learned to listen to an unexplainable knowing. The woman who spent years believing she needed to earn love through performance, caretaking, and perfection. What I've discovered is that every chapter even the painful ones was preparing me for the work I am called to do today. My passion for foster care, my heart for children who feel unseen, my ability to sit with people in their pain, and even the courage to finally tell my story all trace back to pieces of a puzzle that have been quietly coming together my entire life. The older I get, the more I believe that some of the things we dismiss about ourselves are actually gifts waiting to be understood. The intuition we question. The dreams we keep pushing aside. The passions that refuse to leave us alone. Maybe they aren't random at all. Maybe they are invitations. Maybe the very thing you've spent years trying to explain away is the thing you were created to bring into the world. So today, I want to ask you the same question I've been asking myself: What keeps showing up in your life that you're afraid to trust? What story are you being called to tell? Because your experiences matter. Your journey matters. And perhaps the pieces of your puzzle are finally coming together exactly when they're supposed to. Contact Corree or find out more about Corree and learn about all the ways she does not choose to stay in one lane go here: https://correeroofener.com/ [https://correeroofener.com/] To Purchase Emotional Money click here: Emotional Money [https://a.co/d/08GWK2mP] Are you ready to walk with us for https:/https://fosteringthesummit.org [https://fosteringthesummit.org/]  Join us as we change the statistics for children aging out of foster care. Also, follow me on https://www.instagram.com/correeroofenercoach/ [https://www.instagram.com/correeroofenercoach/] for more inspiration and practical wisdom for your business and life.  Until next time, keep shining bright! - Corree

More Than a Foster Child: A Story of Healing and Hope with Solange Carlson

This episode isn't just about foster care. It's about grief. It's about identity. It's about what happens when a child loses not only their home, but their sense of safety, belonging, and sometimes even themselves. Solange Carlson's story is one that stayed with me long after we stopped recording. As a child, she was removed from her home and placed into a world she didn't understand. No one explained what was happening. No one gave her the language to process the fear, confusion, or loss. Like so many children in foster care, she was expected to adapt, survive, and keep moving forward. But what struck me most was not the removal itself—it was the invisible aftermath. The constant moving. The changing rules. The uncertainty. The way a child begins creating stories to fill in the gaps when no one explains the truth. Stories like, "I'm not worthy," "I'm a burden," or "I don't belong anywhere." Those stories don't disappear when a child leaves care. They often follow them into adulthood, relationships, careers, and parenting.  What Solange helped me understand at an even deeper level is that leaving foster care doesn't mean the journey is over. In many ways, it's just beginning. We expect young adults to age out of the system at eighteen and somehow know how to navigate life, relationships, emotions, jobs, and parenting. Yet many have never been taught how to regulate their nervous system, process grief, ask for help, or trust another human being. They carry the weight of losing biological family, foster families, siblings, friends, homes, schools, routines, and pieces of their identity—often over and over again. We talk about permanency, but we rarely talk about grief. We talk about outcomes, but we rarely talk about healing. And until we do, we will continue expecting children to build a life on a foundation that was never fully repaired.  What gives me hope is that Solange's story is also one of courage. She became the very thing she needed as a child. Through years of self-awareness, therapy, mentorship, and hard work, she chose to break cycles instead of repeating them. She chose healing. She chose to become present for her own children even when it meant facing painful memories she had spent years avoiding. Her story reminds us that healing is possible, but it should not be this lonely. Children in foster care don't just need homes. They need connection. They need consistency. They need adults willing to listen before they judge, to offer compassion before advice, and to leave the door open when a child isn't ready to walk through it yet. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply remind a child, "When you're ready, I'm here."  So let me ask you a question. What if awareness wasn't the finish line? What if it was the invitation? The invitation to notice the foster child sitting in your child's classroom. The invitation to support foster families in your community. The invitation to offer more grace, more patience, and more understanding to children whose behaviors may simply be speaking the pain they don't yet have words for. Because every child deserves more than survival. Every child deserves to feel seen, known, and valued. And no child should ever age out of needing a family.  Find Solange here; https://www.instagram.com/heal_loud_and_love_louder/ Contact Corree or find out more about Corree and learn about all the ways she does not choose to stay in one lane go here: https://correeroofener.com/ [https://correeroofener.com/] To Purchase Emotional Money click here: Emotional Money [https://a.co/d/08GWK2mP] Are you ready to walk with us for https:/https://fosteringthesummit.org [https://fosteringthesummit.org/]  Join us as we change the statistics for children aging out of foster care. Also, follow me on https://www.instagram.com/correeroofenercoach/ [https://www.instagram.com/correeroofenercoach/] for more inspiration and practical wisdom for your business and life.  Until next time, keep shining bright! - Corree