The Art Of Imperfect Adulting
Welcome to The Art of Imperfect Adulting. This is a show where we explore the beautiful mess of real-life decisions that shape who we become. Real life doesn't come with an instruction manual. Most of us make decisions without as much information or confidence as we'd like, and our stories don't fit neatly into highlight reels or cautionary tales. In a world of picture-perfect posts and reality TV extremes, this show carves out space for everyday adults figuring things out as we go. Each episode features honest conversations with guests sharing the choices, changes, and challenges that defined their journey. These aren't stories of flawless triumph or epic disaster. They're real accounts of life's pivotal moments, big and small. From choosing unconventional paths and setting unexpected boundaries to moving cross-country or reinventing yourself entirely, we explore decisions that seemed simple at the time but changed everything. Your host is Amy Stone. She's an adult herself—mortgage, stretch marks, and wisdom highlights to prove it. Amy brings warmth and authenticity to each conversation, drawing out the subtle turning points and quiet revelations that make up adult life. Whether it's a career pivot, personal transformation, comeback story, or simply choosing to do things differently, these conversations remind us there's no single "right way" to navigate life's challenges. Our guests aren't gurus or influencers. Instead, they're real people sharing real experiences. The "adultier adults" who've walked similar paths and can offer insights from the other side of change. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com
Episodes
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Laura Ericson about the bold journey of leaving a secure career to build an adventurous life and business around world travel. From her base in Eau Claire, Wisconsin (when she's actually home!), Laura details her transformation from director at a technical college to the founder of a thriving group travel company, designing immersive cultural experiences for cu...
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Lesley Jones about the journey of ditching alcohol and embracing sobriety without waiting for a traditional "rock bottom." Lesley offers candid insights on redefining what it means to have a problem with drinking, the invisible emotional battles behind high-functioning adulthood, and how choosing sobriety has transformed her sense of peace and purpose. The epis...
Happy New Year from your host, Amy Stone.
This is a short introduction to season 2 of The Art of Imperfect Adulting.
The purpose of this new short audio trailer is to wake up your podcast feed and let the robots know that new episodes are coming soon. Yay for technology!
The mission of the show as we begin 2026 is to amplify voices of individual experience.
Fresh and fun interviews coming up next.
Amy Stone, host of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, wraps up her milestone year with episode #178, reflecting on launching the show in January 2025sharing honest lessons learned as a creator in the world of imperfect adulting and personal growth.
Topics Amy babbles about in this episode include:
• Amy’s heartfelt gratitude for listeners, supporters, and guests—plus a special shoutout to her running buddy Pepe
• Behind-the-scenes recap: ...
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Austin, Texas-based Megan Okonsky about the realities of letting go of “dream plans,” adulting without a roadmap, and how turning disappointment into adventure can lead to unexpected personal and professional rewards. Megan shares her journey from college graduation and Peace Corps rejection to two years of solo international travel, eventually making a home an...
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Los Angeles- based Missy Toy Ozeas about the transformative journey from people-pleasing and hiding one’s true self to embracing intuition and stepping fully into a new life purpose. Missy shares her story of leaving a decades-long television career after a powerful intuitive message, the challenges of honoring inner guidance after a lifetime of masking, and ho...
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Texas-based Claudette Fette about raising her son Aaron through schizoaffective disorder, the complexities of finding proper support, and the painful realities of imperfect systems and desperate decisions. This frank, compassionate conversation explores multi-generational trauma, the struggle for diagnosis, and the human side of surviving—and learning from—the ...
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Chicago-based Valerie Friedlander about how intentional choices, including something as small as changing the music you listen to, can lead to major life shifts. Valerie opens up about her journey from family dynamics shaped by addiction, to her self-awareness breakthroughs in college, and her long-standing love affair with music as a tool for emotional process...
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Connecticut based Karen C.L. Anderson about her decision to go “no contact” with a parent, the impact of childhood trauma and shame, and the path to healing and self-acceptance. Karen shares her own story of estrangement from her mother, breaking generational cycles, and creating a life rooted in intentional identity and boundaries.
About the Guest:
Karen C.L. An...
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Emily Guerra. Emily is a Los Angeles native, productivity coach, and founder of The Productivity Flow. The conversation is about navigating unexpected career upheaval, redefining family support systems, and finding mindful balance amid major life transitions. Emily shares her journey from collegiate event planner with a clear path, to a pandemic-induced detour ...
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Sarah Waldbuesser, attorney, entrepreneur, and founder of Destination Legal and Twist Law, about her remarkable journey from a “dream job” in global health law to building a thriving online legal business, all sparked by the inspiration of a podcast. Sarah shares what it was like to walk away from a traditional legal career, cash in her 401(k), and take a leap ...
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Stephanie Sanz. Stephanis is a Brooklyn-based therapist, coach, and founder of her own private practice. They talk about her life-altering experience with a panic attack on the New York City subway and how it shaped her professional and personal journey. Stephanie dives deep into her history of anxiety, overcoming a nontraditional and challenging upbringing, an...
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Lindsey Kaszuba about the lifelong journey to trusting your own body. Lindsey is a New York City-based integrative nutrition health coach and founder of Kaszuba Health. She candidly shares her experiences growing up in Florida, navigating diet culture, the pressures of postpartum weight loss, and how motherhood and self-reflection transformed her approach to we...
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Carah Elizabeth about navigating a major career transformation, overcoming professional burnout, and healing from the fear-based patterns that once shaped her life and work. Carah shares candidly about her journey from rigorous clinical training and private practice ownership to embracing the world of coaching and holistic healing, offering wisdom for anyone co...
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Monica McKitterick about her journey from nurse practitioner to business owner, how she navigated stepping into the CEO role with no formal business training, and the profound impact that competing in a reality TV competition had on her definition of success, freedom, and personal fulfillment. Monica is an Austin-based founder and CEO of Impact Family Wellness ...
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Carrie Veatch about her decision to leave a successful nonprofit executive role and embark on a transformative journey living and working around the world. Carrie is an entrepreneur, coach, and freedom advocate in Denver, Colorado when this was recorded. Carrie opens up about what inspired her to create her own “mini-retirement,” how she rebuilt her career with...
about navigating the emotional landscape and practical challenges of raising a child with unique genetics and an autism diagnosis. Jennifer shares her family’s journey from uncertainty and medical crises to building a supportive community and ultimately founding Sarah Rise, an adaptation of the Sunrise Program, to help her daughter flourish. The conversation dives into the realities of parenting through unpredictability, the import...
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Lauren Roche about her transformative experience living as a digital nomad during the pandemic. Lauren is a Washington, D.C.-based wellness advocate, remote work consultant, and host of The Naked Truth with Lauren podcast. Lauren shares her honest reflections on hitting the road at 23, navigating remote work across multiple U.S. cities, the realities of lonelin...
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Kaitlin Cuevas about navigating the emotional complexities of leaving a family business, finding alignment in work as a mother, and building a new life that honors both ambition and family. Kaitlin shares her journey from working in her father's B2B marketing company to launching her own business aimed at helping moms declutter their physical and mental spaces,...
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Quincy Tessaverne about her powerful journey of coming out with her sexuality after 16 years of marriage. Quincy opens up about the evolution of her self-awareness, navigating family and community responses to her transition, and how the experience shaped her identity as a parent, partner, and person.
About the Guest:
Quincy Tessaverne is a writer, entrepreneur, ...
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.