Learning to Choose Yourself

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.

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.