The Pause We Didn’t Plan and the Growth We Needed

Summary:

After more than six months away, DeAnna and Cristie are back behind the mic. In this return episode, they share what life looked like during the break, from caregiving, grief, and family changes to career growth, creativity, and writing a book. They talk honestly about what it means to navigate loss, step into a new season in midlife, and intentionally rebuild a life that feels aligned. They also share what’s ahead for Pieces of a Woman, including more video, more guests, and more conversations around leadership, reinvention, and real life.

Our next episode will be out in two weeks, and moving forward, Pieces of a Woman will be a biweekly podcast.

Key Takeaways:

1. 00:00 Welcome back after more than six months away, and the decision to bring the podcast back with video and more consistency
2. 02:27 DeAnna shares why she stepped down from her brokerage role, how caregiving shaped the last two years, and what it was like to walk her mom through the final chapter of life
3. 07:05 DeAnna opens up about the emotional toll of aging parents, her daughter’s traumatic separation, and why 2026 feels like a fresh start and a new design season
4. 09:23 A conversation about being in your 50s, living intentionally, staying open to life, and not saying no too quickly in this “go-go years” season
5. 11:47 Cristie shares how an intense leadership role, family life, travel, and even Lego became part of her coping, growth, and creative outlet over the last two years
6. 14:09 Cristie reveals she is writing a book about her childhood, leadership journey, motherhood, and loss, and explains why it feels like legacy work
7. 16:29 DeAnna and Cristie talk about reconnecting, returning with a new studio setup, and what listeners can expect next, including leadership topics and local guests

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

1. Garbage Bag Girl: Finding Hope and Healing After Trauma with Celeste Edmunds
2. Garbage Bag Girl by Celeste Edmunds and Richard Paul Evans
3. Caring for Aging Parents and Navigating the Unknown
4. Youth of Our Senior Years
5. The Past That Shapes You – Cristie North
6. DeAnna Robbins | Elevated Edge Coaching
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