Bring Your Big Energy Podcast

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.

Learning to Choose Yourself

What happens when life forces you to start over — and you never saw it coming? In this powerful episode of Bring Your Big Energy, Stacey sits down with author and speaker Amy DeAnne to talk about healing, reinvention, and the courage it takes to choose yourself. After the end of a 29-year marriage and finding herself living alone for the first time during the pandemic, Amy faced a crossroads: stay stuck in anger, isolation, and heartbreak, or begin the journey back to herself. Amy shares the honest realities of healing — the setbacks, the fear, the baby steps, and the surprising lessons she discovered along the way. From “dating yourself” and trying new experiences to practicing vulnerability and releasing expectations, this conversation is full of practical wisdom and hope for anyone navigating a major life transition. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why healing isn't a destination — it's a journey • How to stop staying stuck in the "should've, could've, would've" cycle • The power of vulnerability and why it can become your superpower • How gratitude and forgiveness can help release anger • Why learning to trust yourself changes everything • What life can look like on the other side of healing If you're standing at your own intensity point and wondering what's next, this episode is your reminder that your story isn't over — it may just be beginning. Keep bringing that big energy.

Grab Your Permission Slip

She went back to the place that broke her… to heal the version of herself she left there. 🇮🇹✨At 20 years old, Mari was studying abroad in Florence, Italy when her life completely changed. Pregnant, alone, heartbroken, and overwhelmed, she spent months in deep despair before eventually returning home and building what looked like the “perfect life.”Fast forward 20+ years later:✔️ Married for 20 years✔️ 3 kids✔️ Businesses✔️ Success on paper…but internally, she was falling apart.So she did something most people would never dare to do:She left for Italy alone during Thanksgiving week with nothing but her old journals and a need to feel her feelings instead of outrunning them.What happened there changed everything.In this episode, we talk about:✨ Healing your younger self✨ The danger of living life on “default”✨ Why women wait for permission to choose themselves✨ Burnout, identity, and learning to trust yourself again✨ What it really means to create a life you love waking up to“One of the saddest seasons of my life became the place that healed me.” 🤍This conversation is your permission slip to stop sleepwalking through your life.

Embracing Second Chances

In this heartfelt episode of Bring Your Big Energy, Stacey sits down with author, musician, and retired clinical social worker Jeanine M. Jones for a deeply honest conversation about burnout, healing, faith, and second chances. With over 38 years in mental health, Jeanine shares the powerful personal story that changed the course of her life — a terrifying health scare in her late 20s that forced her to confront perfectionism, chronic stress, and the pressure of trying to carry everything for everyone. What followed was a life-changing moment of surrender, spirituality, and rediscovery. Together, Stacey and Jeanine explore: * The hidden signs of burnout and overwhelm * How trauma can shape perfectionism and people-pleasing * The connection between mental health, music, and healing * Why listening is one of the greatest gifts we can give * How to find the right therapist and prioritize self-care * What it means to move toward purpose, passion, and peace in every stage of life Jeanine also shares insights from her book God Gives Second Chances and opens up about how faith, music therapy, journaling, and learning to let go helped her rebuild a more meaningful life. This episode is a reminder that healing doesn’t always happen all at once — sometimes it begins with a whisper, a song, or a moment that asks us to finally listen.