Kidney Disease, Losing a Parent, and Career Upheaval with Julie Marty-Pearson

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson—an organizational psychologist, podcast host, and advocate for women’s voices—to explore what happens when life shifts beneath your feet. Julie opens up about her cascade of personal challenges, including a chronic illness diagnosis, the loss of her father, job upheaval, a major surgery, and the reckoning that came with the COVID lockdown. Through these tough transitions, she shares how she redefined her sense of self, found healing in storytelling and podcasting, and discovered a new purpose beyond the "traditional path."

About the Guest:

Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson is a Podcaster, Speaker, Coach, & Advocate empowering women to share their stories through podcasting. She coaches women to be awesome podcast guests and helps women launch and host their own show without breaking the bank. Julie has two podcasts, Podcast Your Story and The Story of My Pet. She also created the Women's Podcaster Party Networking Community and Podcast Your Story Community Membership to further support women and non-binary podcasters, podcast guests, and speakers.

Main Topics Covered:

• Navigating chronic kidney disease and the limits it set on Julie’s life and work
• The death of a parent and lessons in anticipatory and personal grief
• Losing jobs, financial anxiety, and the challenge of rebuilding in midlife
• The emotional toll of a hysterectomy and the stigma around being “childless”
• How COVID lockdown prompted a reevaluation of purpose and creativity
• Finding healing, identity, and connection through podcasting and storytelling
• The unseen value of women who don’t follow the traditional path of marriage and children
• Building community as a “proud auntie,” animal advocate, and support network for others

Quote from the Episode:

“I talk openly about a lot of this experience because I know so many people are going through it, either watching it happen or it already has happened and they don’t know what to do. And I think I’ve also found that podcasting is very therapeutic.”—Julie Marty-Pearson

Timestamps:

[00:00:05] Julie’s roots and home in Bakersfield, CA

[00:03:16] The “cascade” of life events: illness, bereavement, job loss

[00:08:34] How work and commuting shaped her relationships and self-image

[00:10:17] Chronic kidney disease diagnosis and learning to advocate for her needs

[00:16:53] Losing her father: anticipatory grief and community support

[00:33:49] Job losses, marriage stress, and the breaking point

[00:36:53] Hysterectomy, menopause, and identity as a woman without children

[00:44:16] Pandemic lockdown as a catalyst for reinvention

[00:46:09] Moving into coaching, animal care, and podcasting

[00:52:01] Spirituality, seeing “signs,” and learning from the universe

[00:55:14] Women’s invisible roles, “auntiehood,” and advocating for childfree women

[01:02:03] What Julie is doing now: podcasting, advocacy, and helping women share their stories

[01:03:36] Quickfire questions: routines, reading, and dream vacations

Special Offer from the Guest:

Julie is offering a complimentary “Podcast Clarity Call” to listeners of The Art of Imperfect Adulting. If you’re curious about guesting on podcasts, launching your own, or simply want to explore how to share your story, mention this episode when reaching out! https://www.juliemartypearson.com/

Note from the show: Guest offers are often limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming the guest offer please reach out to the guest or vendor directly.

Join the conversation on social. Find the Art of...