The Beauty in the Mess

The Art of Parenting Adult Children with Lori Badry Many of us have children who are now adults or will be before we know it. There is a difference in how you parent your children when they are minors versus how you parent them as adults. The role you play in their lives, whether we like it or not, changes. It must change.I’m joined by Lori Badry, who is a Christian woman with a wonderful husband, 3 adult children, and 3 beautiful grandchildren. Education was her career of choice as she was a teacher for 34 years. Now she is happily retired, with a side gig that brings her a lot of joy.Lori had to learn the transition to parenting adult children the hard way. She made a mistake, and it forced the need changes in her life. She wanted God to put instructions on a neon sign, but instead He told her to be still and look inward. Through a journey of personal development, growing closer with the Holy Spirt, and growing closer with her husband she has found peace and balance in her life. Now she wants to share with other parents how to navigate parenting adult children so that they don’t find themselves in a perfect storm the way she did. She is so open and vulnerable and so willing to help. You will enjoy listening to her journey.Tune in to this 8th episode of The Beauty in the Mess to hear about how Lori’s experiences and wisdom are now helping other parents navigate this new way of approaching parenting of adult children.Some Questions Asked:What do you think she meant at the time (speaking to the fact that her therapist had just told her that she ‘was not that important’)? (08:59)Do you think some of that micromanaging your children was just the need to be needed? (10:46)So, for people that want to avoid that perfect storm but still have the same results you’ve had, what do you think the number one thing to do is? (14:54)So, is he (husband) kind of on the same path? Was he doing the prayer and the personal development as well or was that mostly your journey? (18:30)How do you do that without feeling guilty that you are not offering that solution (to your kids)? (23:69)What does strengthening your relationship with your husband look like now (26:69)?In This Episode, You Will Learn:You are not as important as you think you are (08:58)Find personal development material that will help you grown and find your purpose (15:24)Find a therapist to help you work through things if needed (16:19)Prayer before anything (17:30)Talk About It Saturdays (17:69)Reconnect with your spouse (18:68)Ask Adult children if they are wanting a sounding board or advice (19:74)Kids change from your kids to your friends (30:58)Don’t let your emotions be the decisive factor in your decisions (31:61) Connect with Stephanie:Lori Badry's Facebook Profileloribadry@gmail.com Let's Connect!Facebook: The Beauty in the Mess podcast Instagram: the.beauty.in.the.messThe Beauty in The Mess Website

In this insightful episode, Michele welcomes Star Hansen, a certified professional organizer and author, to discuss the emotional and psychological dimensions of clutter. Starr shares her expertise on how clutter impacts our lives, the types of clutter, and practical tips for overcoming it. The conversation dives deep into personal stories, ancestral clutter, and actionable strategies for managing both practical and activated clutter.Star Hansen is a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO©) and Clutter Whisperer on a mission to help you banish your personal Clutter Monster, take control of your stuff, and create a life you’re truly proud of. Star looks at the deeper meaning of your stuff to help you figure out WHY you feel overwhelmed by your clutter in the first place. Star’s best-selling book, “Why the F*#@ Am I Still Not Organized?”, has inspired countless individuals to tackle their clutter head-on and find lasting solutions. She has appeared on over 30 TV shows, given a TEDx talk, and shared her fitted sheet folding secrets with Oprah & her fans. Her unique methodology has helped thousands of people get (and stay!) organized when nothing else worked. 02:20 Introduction to Star Hansen05:04 Two Types of Clutter: Activated vs Practical05:43 Emotional Aspect of Clutter10:01 No Need to Rush to Get Rid of Clutter10:55 Handing the Death of a Loved One11:38 Organizing is Boundary Work14:06 Guilt of Letting Things Go26:31 Ancestral or Generational Clutter46:47 Making Time for Yourself47:03 Small Steps to Organizing47:01 Consistency Over Time47:28 Varying Levels of Engagement50:31 Clutter In Every Room In Your Home Has a Different MeaningConnect with Star Hansen:·       https://www.starhansen.com/podcast·       https://www.starhansen.com/freeresources·       https://www.tiktok.com/@starhansen·       https://www.facebook.com/starhansen·       https://www.instagram.com/star.hansen·       https://www.starhansen.com/book·       https://www.youtube.com/starhansenLet's Connect!The Beauty In The Messhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/676609323457906https://thebeautyinthemess.com/·        https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-simms-mba-a061b96a/

Sometimes the Biggest Loser is the Biggest Winner with Megan Hoffman Today’s special guest is Megan Hoffman from the USA’s Biggest Loser. She was the At-Home Winner of the show’s reboot season in 2020. She is a model, Keynote Motivational Speaker, and Author who primarily focuses on Personal Development, Health & Wellness, and Body Positivity. She has been a leader in the Fitness Industry for over a decade and after overcoming her own weight loss battle has made it her life’s passion to help other break free from self-imposed limitations. She has been featured on People, E-news, USA, The Reality TV, Women’s Health, PC Pop culture, Floor 8, Blog talk Radio, the Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Deadline, Prevention, and Simi Valley Acorn.She is not only gorgeous on the on the outside, but she is just as beautiful on the inside. Her motto is, “you don’t have to be the fastest, you don’t have to be the strongest, you just have to keep going,” and that she has. She has not only worked tirelessly on her body, but she has worked tremendously hard on her mindset as well, and she is happy to share all that she has learned.Tune in to this 11th episode of The Beauty in the Mess to hear about Megan’s experiences and learn from her wisdom.Some Questions Asked:How do you sit with that emotion and not go to food? (07:57)She found confidence and the self-love before the weight loss. (11:20)What do you think that Biggest Loser taught you that you hadn't already learned on your own? (32:44)Do you feel like they prepped you well mentally? Or do you feel like you had done most [00:38:00] of that? What they taught you already? (37:53)What do you think the key, as far as the losing weight part has been for you, is it the macros or just the consistency or meal prep or what do you think? All the above? (41:40)Prior to the surgery, what was your total weight loss? Or even now? (01:00:11)In This Episode, You Will Learn:The trap of romanticizing weight loss. (02:06) (13:56)Cleaning up your social media. (03:52) (19:58)The importance of keeping promises to yourself. (05:35) (12:54)Learning not to numb out on food. (07:57)Never start over again. (16:22)Consistency is key. (18:43) (41:52)Setting yourself up for success; asking for help; finding support and accountability. (19:41) (35:31) (43:55) (52:57)What got you to the point of weight loss is what will keep you there. (49:34)Just get started. (56:06)God has a way for you to succeed. (01:03:19)Connect with Megan:Megan Hoffman on Instagram: @iamhoffyMegan Hoffman's Facebook Profile·        http://iamhoffy.com/Kelly Hudson’s Book available on Amazon:Losing, Learning, and Loving: Through Christ's Example, Learn How Contestants on a Reality Weight-Loss Show Achieve Wellness by Healing Body, Mind, and Soul Let's Connect!Facebook: The Beauty in the Mess podcast Instagram: the.beauty.in.the.messThe Beauty in The Mess Website

Parenthood rarely looks the way we imagine it will. For Jennifer Celeste Briggs, that realization came when her daughter Sarah began missing developmental milestones and was later diagnosed with autism. What followed was a journey filled with uncertainty, grief, resilience, and ultimately deep transformation. In this honest and hopeful conversation, Jennifer shares how she discovered the Son-Rise approach (now called Do Autism Differently) and built a unique home-based program centered on connection, play, and following her daughter's lead. Through years of dedication, volunteering, creativity, and plenty of messy moments along the way, Jennifer found not only ways to support Sarah’s growth but also powerful lessons about letting go of expectations, trusting intuition, and learning to love without conditions. Jennifer is the author of Watching Sarah Rise, a deeply personal memoir that chronicles her family's experience raising a child with autism while discovering unexpected strength and joy along the way. This episode is for any parent who has faced uncertainty, felt overwhelmed, or wondered if they are doing enough. Jennifer’s story is a reminder that progress often happens slowly, love shows up in imperfect ways, and hope can grow even in the hardest seasons. 2:30 – Meet Jennifer Celeste Briggs and her journey into autism advocacy 3:40 – Early signs something was different with Sarah 5:00 – Discovering the Son-Rise program and choosing a new path 6:30 – What the program actually looks like in daily life 8:00 – The role volunteers played in Sarah’s development 9:30 – Sarah today: school, piano, swimming, and growing independence 11:20 – Processing the emotional shock of an autism diagnosis 13:30 – Letting go of expectations and learning to accept reality 16:00 – Parenting through frustration, guilt, and emotional burnout 18:30 – Support systems and the importance of community 20:10 – Navigating worries about the future 22:30 – Sleep struggles and sensory tools that sometimes help 24:50 – The parenting beliefs Jennifer had to unlearn 26:45 – What this journey ultimately taught her about resilience 29:10 – Why caring for yourself matters as a parent 31:00 – Writing the memoir Watching Sarah Rise 34:20 – Feedback from readers and the autism community 37:30 – Advice for parents feeling isolated or overwhelmed 48:30 – Where to find Jennifer and her book ✨Connect with Jenny Briggs:Website: https://watchingsarahrise.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifercelestebriggsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifercelestebriggsauthorBook: Watching Sarah Rise✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!

What happens when homeschooling doesn’t just change your child’s education… but exposes your own wounds? In this powerful conversation, Julieta Duvall shares how what began as a chaotic homeschooling decision during the pandemic turned into a deep personal reckoning. She opens up about anger, control, guilt, perfectionism, and the painful realization that she wasn’t showing up as the safe space she wanted to be for her children. This episode goes far beyond curriculum and learning styles. It’s about deconditioning the beliefs we inherited about education, success, and parenting. It’s about healing ourselves so we don’t pass down what hurt us. If you’ve ever felt triggered in motherhood… this one is for you. [2:30] Julieta’s early life, perfectionism, and how her upbringing shaped her parenting[5:10] The pandemic shift and how homeschooling exposed her anger[7:15] “I wasn’t a safe space.” Facing emotional regulation and control[10:30] Guilt, healing, and the evolving relationship with her oldest son[16:30] Was homeschooling part of her own healing journey?[19:00] Deconditioning: questioning the belief that learning only happens at school[21:30] Redefining education, success, and what achievement really means[26:30] Homeschooling stigma before and after the pandemic[30:30] Socialization myths and what thriving really looks like[38:30] The chaos of leaving traditional school and “deschooling”[44:00] The fear of meeting state requirements and testing expectations[48:00] Teaching adaptability in a world where jobs don’t even exist yet[50:30] Listening to your body, intuition, and raising aware children[53:00] Julieta’s work helping parents transition into homeschooling ✨Connect with Julieta Duvall:The Unschooling Lifestyle PodcastWebsite: https://unschoolinglifestyle.com✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!

Progress doesn’t always look like momentum. Sometimes it looks like losing everything you thought defined you. Starting over. Rebuilding quietly while questioning your own direction, identity, and worth. In this episode of The Beauty In The Mess, I sit down with Sofia Pedroso, founder of Shiffully. Sofia works with entrepreneurs to address the emotional and nervous-system patterns that often sit beneath inconsistent growth, burnout, and self-doubt. But her work didn’t begin with theory. It began with her own lived experience of losing everything and having to rebuild from the inside out. We talk about what it means to hit rock bottom, how emotional patterns quietly shape our outcomes, and why traditional strategies often fail when deeper nervous-system patterns are driving our behavior. Sofia shares how she rebuilt her identity, developed self-trust, and began helping others do the same. This conversation is a powerful reminder that feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re broken. It often means there’s something deeper asking to be understood. 04:32 — Sofia’s rock bottom and losing everything 08:15 — Moving back in with her parents and rebuilding identity 12:40 — Why progress felt slow and invisible 17:05 — Emotional patterns and nervous-system responses 21:30 — Why strategy alone doesn’t create real change 26:10 — Recognizing the patterns that keep us stuck 30:55 — Learning to rebuild self-trust 35:20 — How her experience led to creating Shiffully 40:05 — Helping others break cycles and grow sustainably✨Connect with Sofia Pedroso:Website: https://shiffully.comUnlock Growth Community: https://www.skool.com/unlock-growth-4645 ✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!

Some of the people who help us most are the ones who have walked through the darkest things themselves. In this episode of The Beauty In The Mess, I sit down with Stacy Schaffer, MA, LPC, a children’s therapist with over 20 years of experience working with grief, trauma, and anxiety. Stacy is also a survivor of childhood trauma, and she brings that lived wisdom into every conversation she has with families, educators, and young people. We talk openly about how trauma shows up in kids, why silence in families can be dangerous, and how play, safety, and relationship are often the real medicine. Stacy shares what she wished she’d had as a child, what she now creates for others, and why healing is not a destination but a practice. This is a tender, honest, and deeply practical conversation for parents, teachers, caregivers, and anyone who cares about breaking generational cycles with compassion instead of shame.  05:10 — Stacy’s childhood story and what shaped her calling 09:25 — How trauma quietly shows up in kids 13:50 — Why family silence keeps wounds alive 18:15 — The healing power of play therapy 22:40 — Grief beyond death and why it matters 27:05 — Warning signs parents should not ignore 31:30 — Repair, safety, and relationship as medicine 36:10 — What Stacy wishes every parent knew 40:55 — How to break generational cycles with love✨Connect with Stacy Schaffer:Book: With Love From a Children’s Therapist: #lessonsihavelearnedalongthewayWebsite: https://authorstacyschaffer.com ✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!

Courage doesn’t always look like heroics. Most of the time it looks like ordinary people choosing to do the right thing when it’s risky, uncomfortable, or unpopular. In this episode, I sit down with John Graham, Executive Director of the Giraffe Heroes Project and known to many online as Badass Granddad. John has lived a life shaped by extremes: war zones, revolutions, a catastrophic shipwreck, and near-death experiences. But the heart of his work isn’t adrenaline, it’s meaning. We talk about what real moral courage looks like, why stories move people more than speeches, how polarization erodes trust, and why “sticking your neck out” is more necessary than ever. John shares how his own life cracked open, how the Giraffe Heroes Project was born, and why honoring everyday courage can actually change culture. This is a conversation about responsibility, hope, and the quiet power of people who refuse to stay silent when it matters. 04:10 — John’s early life and experiences that shaped his worldview 07:45 — The shipwreck and what it taught him about risk 11:20 — From adrenaline to meaning 15:05 — How the Giraffe Heroes Project began 19:00 — What makes someone a “Giraffe Hero” 23:10 — Why stories change people more than arguments 27:25 — Courage in a polarized world 31:50 — How ordinary people can practice moral courage 36:15 — What John hopes the next generation learns 40:40 — Why sticking your neck out still matters ✨Connect with John Graham:Giraffe Heroes Project: https://giraffe.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnagraham1/Search “Badass Granddad” on TikTok/Instagram to follow his socials✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!

Would you help your Ex if they needed support? It’s a question that creates an immediate reaction in people,  discomfort, curiosity, or a quiet “I don’t know… maybe.” And yet almost no one talks about it publicly. Today’s guest, Elizabeth Verwey, spent years researching this question and discovered that caring for an ex is more common than most people realize. Through surveys in 21 countries, interviews with 53 people, and 30 deeply personal stories, she uncovered a new and quiet post-divorce stage that sits somewhere between closure and compassion. In this conversation, we explore the emotional, relational, cultural, and logistical sides of caring for an ex — why people choose to step up, why they stay silent about it, what it means for current relationships, and how these acts can become deeply healing without ever leading to reconciliation. This episode offers a fresh way of understanding endings, relationships, and the forms of love we rarely have language for. 05:10 — The question that sparked the research: Would you help your ex? 08:45 — Caring for an ex as a new post-divorce stage 12:20 — Why people keep this kind of caregiving private 17:05 — Cultural and gender differences in caregiving 21:30 — Boundaries, current partners, and navigating complexity 26:40 — Does caring for an ex reopen wounds or create healing? 31:15 — The difference between reconciliation and compassion 36:00 — What people gained from saying yes to helping 40:50 — How this research changed Elizabeth’s view of endings 45:30 — What she hopes listeners will reconsider about love ✨Connect with Elizabeth Verwey:Website: https://www.elizabethverwey.comBook: Brave New EndingsPrograms & Workshops: Listed on her site✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!