This week on the blog I interview women who just completed 13 weeks of the Dream Academy! In this blog, these brave women open up about loneliness, burnout, and the challenge of helping others while trying to care for themselves. From single motherhood to creative renewal and peer support dreams, this conversation is full of real talk, heartfelt moments, and reminders that you are not alone. Whether you’re a parent, a helper, or someone at a crossroads, their stories will inspire you to reconnect with yourself and find the courage to reach out. Ready to dive in? Let’s go.
Stacey: Creating Belonging Through Presence and Compassion
Stacey begins the conversation with a quiet strength, sharing how she works daily with at-risk children and youth. Her reach extends from her city to national and international communities, always creating spaces where people feel welcome.
When I asked her, “What does it take to be connected?” Stacey’s answer was simple yet profound: “For people to have a space where they can show up as they are and be welcomed.” Whether someone needs to simply take a breath or share their story without anyone trying to fix it, Stacey’s goal is to create a space of mutual belonging.
Raised in a family rooted in generosity and care, Stacey recalls how her home was always open—whether for Sunday dinners or supporting young athletes far from home. That legacy has shaped the way she now supports others.
Her hope? To see a ripple effect—others inspired to offer the same care and create a collective impact far beyond her own reach.
Maggie: Building Sisterhood Through Joy and Connection
Maggie brings an infectious energy to the room. “I’m just dreaming of continuing the connection,” she says. For her, every day is a new opportunity to turn strangers into friends.
She is like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, inspired by the movie of the same name. It’s a celebration of womanhood, mutual support, and growing together with love, laughter, and respect. Maggie embodies those values and believes deeply that connection should be fun. “There’s got to be fun every single day,” she says. “There’s no point in getting up if it’s not going to be fun.”
Her mission is about intimacy through shared spaces—inviting others into our homes, offering coffee or a meal, and being available for genuine connection. “You might get an invite,” she smiles. “And if you don’t, just ask—you’re welcome.”
Jasmine: Transforming Generational Pain into Hope
Jasmine speaks from the heart about her mission to raise awareness and acceptance for those living with addiction.
As an Indigenous woman, she shares how addiction has been present in her life for as long as she can remember, shaping her childhood and family experiences. After finding herself in the same struggles, Jasmine made a life-changing decision to break the cycle. “I realized I had a choice,” she says. “I didn’t have to live the way I grew up.”
Now sober, Jasmine is raising her children and caring for her niece and other family members, modeling what it means to be selfless and strong. In her recovery journey, she asked herself, “Who am I as a sober person?” That question led her to become someone who offers love, acceptance, and care to others—especially those often overlooked.
“I wanted to be an example for my kids and for any other kids who look up to me, that you could be different—that you could care for people.”
Sandy: Cultivating Creativity and Community
Sandy is an artist with deep roots in creativity. “I’ve been drawing since I was a toddler,” she laughs, recalling how she transitioned from traditional graphic arts to marketing and promotion in the digital age. But her love for art has never faded.
Her dream is to bring back the strong, close-knit feel that once defined Ogden. “It’s still one of the nicest neighborhoods in the city,” she says. “But I want people to feel secure and that they belong.”
That desire comes from her own experiences with bullying and exclusion. Now, she channels that into community leadership—running a youth leadership program, contributing to a community garden, and leading an art initiative that welcomes all skill levels.
She’s excited about the growth of her art program and the grant in the works to support the local hub. “A community that has art is a community that’s thriving,” Connie echoes—and Sandy is helping her community flourish.
Brittny: Standing in the Gap for Lonely Parents
Brittny has a heart for parents—especially those who feel lonely.
“I always want a mom to feel like she can be connected. Not be lonely,” she said. “And maybe not just a mom, but a dad too.”
Having been a young single mom, Brittny knows firsthand how isolating those years can be. You learn who your friends really are—and who isn’t there for you. Even now, she acknowledges that loneliness still shows up. That’s why she’s passionate about making sure no parent feels alone or unsupported.
“Be brave. Reach out,” she encourages. “There’s never a bad question.”
We often feel we should know what to do as parents. But Brittny reminds us that each child is different—and so is every season of parenting. Even if you’ve had siblings or spent your life around kids, parenting is a whole different ballgame.
“I have 16 nieces and nephews,” she said. “And I still ask.”
Paige: Finding Purpose After Addiction
Paige shares her personal story of transformation since achieving sobriety. “You lose all your references when you’ve been using for a long time,” she says. “You lose confidence—from others and in yourself.”
But through hard work, support, and reconnection with her family—particularly her grandparents—Paige has rediscovered her sense of self and her drive to help others.
There are moments of doubt, but encouragement from those around her keeps her going. “I’ve had people say, ‘I’m only doing this because you’re doing it.’ That gives me the drive to keep going.”
“I’m at a crossroads,” she said. “I want to keep helping people, but I also need to help myself.”
This honest admission is one so many can relate to—especially those who’ve always prioritized others. She is beginning to wonder what it might look like to do both: support others and support herself. One path she’s considering is becoming a peer support worker—a role that would allow her to use her lived experience to walk alongside others in meaningful, compensated ways.
Elizabeth: Finding Joy in Creativity and the Everyday
Elizabeth also spoke about the simple joy she finds in creating—particularly when she’s refinishing vintage furniture or painting something special for her daughter.
“I was able to shut my mind off and just let everything flow creatively,” she said. “That’s where I’m in my element.”
Creating for the sake of fun—not perfection—is a powerful act of self-connection. Elizabeth, who also homeschools her daughter and manages a household, reflected on how art helps her embrace the ebbs and flows of life. Some days are tidy and ordered. Others are a “chaotic mess.” And that’s okay.
The furniture business she runs is more than a hustle—it’s a legacy. Growing up, Elizabeth’s mother taught her how to find treasure in thrift stores and garage sales. Now, she does the same with her daughters.
“It’s like that little special Kinder Surprise of life.”
What a beautiful metaphor for everyday delight.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone
These stories—raw, real, and relatable—are a reminder that you’re not alone. Whether you’re wrestling with your next steps, longing for connection, or rediscovering who you are through art or purpose, there is space for you here.
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to keep showing up—honest, brave, and open to connection.
To every woman who shared so vulnerably: thank you. Your courage paves the way for others. Let’s keep the conversation going.
Watch the YouTube Interview by clicking here
Bravely Connected 
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