Working Moms in Tech Pushing Past Career Barriers with Joanne Gates
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Joanne Gates about navigating motherhood, career ambition, and the realities of working in the male-dominated tech industry. Joanne, joining from Scottsdale, Arizona, recounts her move from Boston to Seattle, her nearly 30-year career at Microsoft, and the pivotal choices she made as both a mom and a leader. Listeners will discover how Joanne carved out success in corporate America, confronted workplace bias, and now channels her expertise into coaching women to thrive at work and at home.About Joanne Gates:Joanne Gates is a certified executive life coach who helps professional women in tech and male-dominated industries unlock their career potential with clarity, confidence, and purpose. After a 30-year career at Microsoft—rising from entry-level to executive—Joanne now empowers women to overcome imposter syndrome, people-pleasing, and perfectionism while building authentic leadership presence. She’s especially known for helping women get promoted into senior leadership roles and then kick ass once they’re there—navigating high-stakes environments with emotional intelligence, strategic influence, and unapologetic power. Joanne blends deep empathy with sharp business acumen to help her clients lead boldly, drive impact, and rewrite the rules of leadership.Main Topics Covered:The life-altering impact of motherhood on career paths, especially for women in tech and male-dominated corporate environments.Facing and overcoming gender bias and assumptions about working mothers in the workplace.The challenges and family dynamics of being the primary breadwinner and having a stay-at-home dad partner in the late '90s and early 2000s.Navigating pivotal career decisions, missed opportunities, and the trade-offs of prioritizing family vs. pursuing senior leadership.Advocating for oneself in corporate hierarchies, especially when faced with unfair evaluations or lack of managerial support.The evolution (and limitations) of maternity leave policies and the importance of workplace systems that genuinely support parents.Joanne’s transition from a senior leader at Microsoft to executive and life coaching for women, with a focus on helping others define and achieve their own success.Practical tips for protecting your career trajectory, handling performance reviews, and knowing when (and how) to escalate workplace concerns.Quote from the Episode:"I felt like I had to, like, shake him by the shoulders… How many guys have to have this conversation? That just pisses me off. We have to because, obviously, it’s pretty apparent that we’re having a child." — Joanne GatesTimestamps: [00:00:04] Welcome, Joanne’s location, and adjusting to life in the desert [00:00:46] Childhood winter activities and chasing the sun [00:01:37] Introducing today’s topic: balancing motherhood and career [00:02:29] On generational change—and how much (or little) has shifted for working women [00:03:19] The Covid reset and women leaving corporate roles; Joanne’s new passion for helping women succeed [00:04:24] Joanne’s career start, move to Microsoft in the dot-com era [00:07:21] Early influences, engineering in college, and professional aspirations in a male-driven world [00:11:19] On early career choices, family expectations, and the pressure to decide your future “from a very young age” [00:13:14] Strategic family planning vs. reacting to life—how Joanne and her husband made tough choices [00:17:55] Deciding which parent would stay home, and the financial/logistical realities in a pre-remote work world [00:19:25] The loneliness and community gap for stay-at-home dads [00:22:18] Microsoft’s corporate culture around mothers in the ’90s/early 2000s—assumptions, bias, and policy limitations [00:25:27] The invisible penalty of motherhood: performance reviews, pay, and navigating “fairness” [00:31:10] Maternity leave policies then and now—fears around job security and returning to work [00:36:32] Systemic challenges: why do big companies struggle to change on women and family policy? [00:38:25] Lack of diversity, groupthink, and the value of disruptors in changing corporate culture [00:41:46] How Joanne stayed and thrived at Microsoft, even as most opted out [00:42:03] Major trade-offs: missing opportunities for the sake of family [00:47:06] Facing career setbacks, fighting for promotion, and deciding not to “rage quit” [00:53:12] Tactical advice: documenting your worth, knowing when—and how—to advocate for yourself [00:55:01] Joanne’s mission now: mentoring and coaching women in corporate life [00:56:08] What’s different for working women today, and a special offer for listeners [00:57:27] Lightning round: morning routines, relaxation, and spending on selfABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.GET JOANNE GATES’ SPECIAL OFFER: 4 Steps to Navigate Your Career Journey workbookA Free PDF that provides actionable steps to demystify the steps to landing your next job, or that job several years in the future.Link to download the pdf: https://www.execcoachjoanne.com/4stepsworkbookIf 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. Click here and pitch yourself. 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.comHere are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FMWebsite hosting with Siteground Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic For Email I recently switched to Beehiiv before that I used Kit. Online Shopping Cart: ThriveCartNetworking and support with Entreprenista LeagueConnection with Polka Dot PowerhouseBooks I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.orgGrab a $20 coupon for Nutrafol hereDo you need a bank account? Ally
Finding Self-Worth and Love with Lilli Bewley
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Lilli Bewley about breaking relationship patterns, healing childhood wounds, and rediscovering identity through the lens of love and dating. Calling in from sunny Phoenix, Arizona, Lilli shares her transformative journey as a self-described “cycle breaker,” moving from performing life to authentic alignment and connection. Listeners will gain insight into how childhood experiences shape adult relationships, the power of inner work, and how clarity on needs and self-worth can radically transform one’s dating experience and overall well-being.About Lilli Bewley: Lilli Bewley is a Dating Coach for Finding Love with over 10 years of experience in personal development. She, herself, went from just surviving in life to thriving in love & purpose. Currently, she is helping single & successful women love dating & find true love.Main Topics Covered:The role of childhood patterns and family models in shaping adult relationships and self-worth.Recognizing and breaking unhealthy cycles as a conscious, courageous act—and what it means to be a “cycle breaker.”Moving from high achievement and people-pleasing to inner alignment and authentic identity.The importance and challenges of communicating needs rather than just emotions, especially for women who have experienced trauma or dysfunction.How “performing life” and transactional self-worth show up in dating, career, and family—and the work required to shift toward true fulfillment.Faith, spirituality, and overcoming religious trauma as sources of guidance and healing, regardless of doctrine.Why inner transformation is the foundation for success in dating—and how dating apps can be used as a practice ground for self-awareness and boundary-setting.Lilli’s framework for feminine dating archetypes and the “magnetic woman,” and how understanding these archetypes accelerates healing and connection.Quote from the Episode: “There are parts of us that believe that we have to be bright and shiny, we have to be a certain way, we have to be a certain weight, we have to have a certain number in our bank account. Most women are in this transactional relationship with self, with love, and with performing—meaning, ‘If I’m sexy, then I’ll get love.’”—Lilli BewleyTimestamps: [00:00:04] Amy welcomes Lilli Bewley and asks about her location in Phoenix, AZ[00:01:10] Lilli shares her love for Phoenix’s winter weather and outdoor activities[00:02:10] Pivot to love, relationships, and the theme of alignment and identity[00:03:26] Lilli describes the impact of childhood patterns, early trauma, and the start of her inner healing journey over a decade ago[00:06:25] Moving through high achievement, validation-seeking, and emptiness to see root causes of self-worth issues[00:08:58] Amy and Lilli discuss awareness of recurring patterns and what it means to break cycles, especially as the oldest sibling[00:10:23] Lilli explains her life situation at the turning point—working in corporate America and in an unfulfilling relationship[00:12:10] The nuanced challenge of communication: expressing needs and understanding core wounds[00:14:07] Amy relates mediation and conflict patterns to relationship dynamics[00:16:19] Lilli reflects on her past—chameleon tendencies, people pleasing, feeling unsafe to be herself, and lack of purpose[00:19:45] Lilli describes reaching a glass ceiling and catalyzing transformation with support from books, therapy, and her niece/nephew[00:23:23] Lilli shares her experience of deep crisis and hearing “God’s voice” as a turning point in her healing journey[00:25:58] Spirituality and faith—Lilli’s journey from religious trauma to finding purpose and identity[00:29:52] The concept of performing life versus living in alignment; unpacking transactional worth[00:33:35] Societal pressures and social media—why these cycles persist for younger generations[00:34:41] Transitioning from a corporate job to becoming a dating coach focused on inner transformation[00:35:55] Lilli’s feminine dating archetypes and the “magnetic woman”—attracting healthy love from a place of alignment[00:39:00] Coaching focus and inclusivity—working primarily with women, but on identity and self-first foundations[00:40:21] The role of dating apps, changing patterns, and using apps for practice and self-growth[00:44:45] Lilli’s shoutout to her podcast and quiz; final rapid fire questions on sunrises, Amazon blue blockers, tipping, and gratitudeABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: Feminine Dating Archetype Quiz: DatingArchetype.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. Click here and pitch yourself. 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.comHere are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FMWebsite hosting with Siteground Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic For Email I recently switched to Beehiiv before that I used Kit. Online Shopping Cart: ThriveCartNetworking and support with Entreprenista LeagueConnection with Polka Dot PowerhouseBooks I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.orgGrab a $20 coupon for Nutrafol hereDo you need a bank account? Ally
Diet Culture, Menopause, and Finding Your Voice with Susan Hyatt
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Susan Hyatt about the realities and myths of diet culture, beauty standards, and the rise of "menopause culture." Broadcasting from Indiana in the Midwest, Susan shares her journey as a life coach and author, unveiling the motivations behind her anti-diet philosophy and the process of publishing her book, "Bear." Together, Amy and Susan candidly explore the evolving influence of social media, the challenge of visibility for women, and how aging and menopause are newly commodified—and what it means to choose self-support instead of self-policing.About Susan Hyatt: Susan Hyatt is a Master Certified Life Coach, Bestselling Author, and TEDx Speaker. She’s on a mission to ignite 'Big Yes Energy' in women everywhere. From boosting your bank account to supercharging your self-confidence, from elevating your energy levels to amplifying your joy, Susan is the go-to expert for women who want more.With 18 years of coaching experience under her belt, Susan has guided thousands of women through their personal revolutions. She's a crusader against diet culture and a vocal advocate for closing gaps – in wages, confidence, and yes, even orgasms.She is also the creator of BARE - a groundbreaking process that’s inspired women all over the world to stop shrinking their bodies and start expanding their lives.Susan's impactful work has graced national TV, leading podcasts, and top magazines including O: The Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, Woman’s World, and Call Her Daddy. Her dedication to women's empowerment and entrepreneurship also earned her a spot as a finalist for the prestigious Athena Award.When she's not hyping up her clients, leading epic retreats, or making a scene, Susan can be found weightlifting, marathon training, globetrotting, or cozying up in her hygge corner. She’s also not shy about advocating for equality at home, regularly reminding her husband about the importance of sharing the "invisible workload," so she can continue to earn big and play big.Main Topics Covered:How Susan’s anti-diet philosophy was born from personal experience and coaching hundreds of women.Navigating the publishing industry: the challenges, rejections, and creative solutions Susan found on her way to releasing "Bear."Unpacking "diet culture," "beauty culture," and "menopause culture"—what these terms mean and how they impact women.The emotional risk and motivation behind becoming a visible voice for body freedom and wellness.The backlash and online criticism women face when sharing their stories—and how to use privilege for advocacy.Aging, menopause, and influencer advice: noticing the parallels between traditional diet culture and new "menopause fixes."The importance of quality information, body intuition, and skepticism amid wellness fads and changing research.Creating sustainable health and strength in midlife, beyond competitive extremes and compliance for its own sake.Building offline and online communities for support and connection in the age of instant digital feedback.Quote from the Episode: "I'm not gonna shut up because I have big boobs and blonde hair and blue eyes. Like, that's ridiculous. And also, like, oh, so the only people who get to speak out about this are the most oppressed, or is this the oppression Olympics? ...I still have experienced these things over here. And there are a lot of women who benefit from me speaking up and telling my story." — Susan HyattTimestamps: [00:00:04] Welcome to Susan Hyatt; Midwest roots and prepping for a winter release [00:01:05] Discussing comfort with cold and extreme weather [00:01:17] The decision to write a book about diet and beauty culture [00:02:06] How coaching women sparked the Bear philosophy [00:03:29] Susan’s publishing journey: self-publishing vs. traditional, agent search, and rejections [00:08:11] The motivation behind pushing through barriers—helping women be free of diet culture rules [00:10:53] Definitions of diet culture, beauty culture, menno culture [00:12:18] The courage to be publicly visible and tell your story [00:13:54] Navigating online backlash—privilege, representation, and “oppression Olympics” [00:19:09] Aging and new forms of diet culture targeting menopause and longevity [00:21:33] Why influencer solutions often mirror old food rules, and the importance of discernment [00:25:51] Responsibility in sharing wellness information and empowering body intuition [00:27:50] Functional strength, quality of life, and rethinking longevity goals [00:32:10] Personal experiences with perimenopause and advocating for health support [00:34:07] Growing up with Southern “nice girl” messaging and the evolution of openness [00:36:55] How to filter wellness information and cope with changing recommendations [00:39:07] Trying different approaches and honoring individual guidance [00:40:59] Consistency over competition in health and fitness routines [00:41:58] Instant feedback culture online and its impact on sharing stories [00:43:04] Finding community online and offline; building supportive spaces [00:47:09] Susan’s current programs, retreats, and resources for women [00:48:41] Rapid-fire favorites—book recommendations and travel dreams [00:51:19] Closing gratitude and anticipation for the episode airingABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: https://www.susanhyatt.coIf you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/supportIf 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. Click here and pitch yourself. 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.comHere are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FMWebsite hosting with Siteground Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic For Email I recently switched to Beehiiv before that I used Kit. Online Shopping Cart: ThriveCartNetworking and support with Entreprenista LeagueConnection with Polka Dot PowerhouseBooks I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.orgGrab a $20 coupon for Nutrafol hereDo you need a bank account? Ally
The Reality of Switching Careers After Thirty with Kimberly Brown
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Kimberly Brown about navigating major career transitions, the search for authentic self-fulfillment, and the power of mindfulness and meditation in overcoming anxiety. Joining Amy from New York City, Kimberly opens up about leaving behind years of psychoanalytic training in favor of a path rooted in Buddhist-inspired meditation. Listeners will learn how Kimberly’s journey through personal anxiety and professional “wrong turns” led her to a sense of belonging, self-compassion, and a thriving vocation as a meditation teacher.Kimberly Brown is a meditation teacher and author. She leads classes and retreats that emphasize the power of compassion and kindness meditation to reconnect us to ourselves and others. She studies in both the Tibetan and Insight schools of Buddhism and is a certified mindfulness instructor. Her latest book, Happy Relationships: 25 Buddhist Practices to Transform Your Connection with Your Partner, Family, and Friends, was recently released by Rowman & Littlefield. You can learn more about Kimberly at www.meditationwithheart.comMain Topics Covered:Coping with the pressure and expectations to “get it right” in career and education choices.The impact of post-9/11 life changes and the urgent drive for deeper meaning.Why traditional psychoanalysis and diagnostic labels didn’t resonate—and how compassion shifted her approach.Transforming painful anxiety and panic attacks into motivation for personal growth.The science and practice of mindfulness and meditation, including Buddhist perspectives.How belonging and acceptance—both internally and within a community—can heal and empower.Overcoming the belief that something is “wrong” with you and embracing inherent goodness.Building a business and life around self-compassion, meditation, and helping others connect authentically.Quote from the Episode: "I began to feel that there was nothing wrong with anybody. And I don't... that doesn't mean we all have troubles. I just never felt like, well, anybody's really broken, right? We just have our stuff and we have to, you know, take care of it and understand it." — Kimberly BrownTimestamps: [00:00:04] Introduction & warm-up: New York roots, upstate escapes, and favorite flowers[00:02:34] Career change: From HR and psychoanalytic training to questioning the diagnostic process[00:09:02] 9/11 as a catalyst for dramatic life transitions[00:12:07] The essential role of a healing therapist and the inspiration to help others[00:13:31] The drive to return to school, lifelong learning, and giving oneself grace in change[00:17:27] Discomfort with diagnosing mental health, and the story of an authentic therapeutic relationship[00:21:19] Discussion of Freud, medical coding, and the industrial complex of American healthcare[00:26:56] Struggles with professional modality and the need for real human connection[00:30:49] Personal challenges: panic attacks, anxiety, and unexpected traumas[00:34:01] Discovering meditation and mindfulness through yoga and Buddhist centers[00:37:27] Building a new path—belonging, retreats, teaching, and gratitude for healing[00:41:12] The power of acceptance, belonging, and Buddhist teachings in everyday life[00:45:41] Science catches up: neuroscience validates the benefits of meditation and compassion[00:46:39] Inherent capacity for compassion and re-framing cultural narratives around brokennessABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.GET KIMBERLY BROWN'S SPECIAL OFFER: Free One Month Subscription to my weekly Substack newsletter, Meditation with Heart email kim@meditationwithheart.com to redeem this offer.If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/supportIf 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. Click here and pitch yourself. 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.comHere are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FMWebsite hosting with Siteground Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic For Email I recently switched to Beehiiv before that I used Kit. Online Shopping Cart: ThriveCartNetworking and support with Entreprenista LeagueConnection with Polka Dot PowerhouseBooks I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.orgGrab a $20 coupon for Nutrafol hereDo you need a bank account? Ally
Boudoir Photography Transforming Personal Self-Image with Sabrina Harrison
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Sabrina Harrison about body image, self-acceptance, and the transformative power of boudoir photography—both behind and in front of the lens. Joining from Westminster, Colorado, Sabrina shares her personal experience of gifting boudoir photos to her husband, which unexpectedly became a journey of reclaiming her own confidence and reshaping her photography business. The conversation explores how images impact self-concept, the realities of postpartum body changes, and actionable strategies to build self-love.About Sabrina Harrison: Sabrina has a degree in photography from the University of Virginia. She moved to Colorado in 2016 with her husband and 2 dogs. She is currently working as a boudoir, retreat, and branding photographer in Westminster, Colorado. Sabrina is a huge reader and personal development junkie. She loves skiing, hiking, tea, tacos, and eclairs. Sabrina is the proud mother of 3 children, 2 bio and 1 bonus. Sabrina is a seasoned expert in confidence coaching and brand strategy, dedicated to empowering individuals to embrace themselves and unlock their potential through art and capturing their true essence behind her lens.Main Topics Covered:How boudoir photography can become an act of self-love and empowerment.The emotional journey of stepping in front of the camera as a photographer, including vulnerability, trust, and letting go of control.The impact of postpartum body changes on confidence and identity, and how photography can help reframe these experiences.Specific techniques for cultivating self-acceptance, including affirmation strategies and mirror work.Challenging social beauty standards and learning to see yourself with compassion.How Sabrina’s personal photo session led her to niche her business and help other women transform their own self-image.The philosophy behind presenting images as a “kinder lens” compared to self-critique.Practical tips for anyone feeling critical or uncomfortable in front of a camera, starting with small steps and mindset shifts.Quote from the Episode: "This is literally looking at myself through a kinder lens than I do maybe in the mirror. And I really wanted to try to create that for other people." — Sabrina HarrisonTimestamps: [00:00:05] — Welcome & introductions; Sabrina shares where she calls home [00:00:30] — Warm-up questions on Valentine’s Day gifts and personal preferences [00:02:18] — Episode focus: the meaning behind boudoir photography and Sabrina’s story [00:02:49] — Sabrina’s roots in photography: family legacy and first camera memories [00:06:10] — The origin story: deciding to gift boudoir photos to her husband after childbirth [00:07:47] — Insights from Rumi: action creates clarity [00:11:00] — What is boudoir photography? Sabrina explains the spectrum of style and comfort [00:12:00] — Facing nerves and the reality of body image post-baby; not being documented in family photos [00:13:13] — Surrendering creative control; empathy for clients’ experience [00:16:06] — How the experience unexpectedly transformed Sabrina’s business [00:17:16] — Shedding mental baggage and embracing new self-love postpartum [00:19:15] — Common body image fears, dysmorphia, and how photography can heal [00:21:25] — Confronting “imperfections” vs. seeing yourself as you are through photos [00:24:37] — Uncovering childhood limiting beliefs and the emotional impact of being photographed [00:28:03] — The ongoing process of building confidence and putting yourself out there [00:29:49] — First impressions of seeing photos: relief, pride, and letting go of old stories [00:31:16] — From personal transformation to business niche: helping others love themselves [00:34:07] — Sabrina’s approach to client self-confidence: mirror work, neutral affirmations, and ask-formations [00:36:10] — Where to find Sabrina Harrison Photography online and details of her free confidence workshop for listeners [00:37:36] — Fun closing questions: travel tips, online shopping, and favorite low-stakes holiday moviesABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: @sabrinaharrisonphotography on InstagramIf you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/supportIf 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. Click here and pitch yourself. 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.comHere are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FMWebsite hosting with Siteground Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic For Email I recently switched to Beehiiv before that I used Kit. Online Shopping Cart: ThriveCartNetworking and support with Entreprenista LeagueConnection with Polka Dot PowerhouseBooks I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.orgGrab a $20 coupon for Nutrafol hereDo you need a bank account? Ally