What if transition didn’t mean chaos, but recalibration? In this episode, Denise and Jackie reconnect after a whirlwind of technical hurdles, moving boxes, and lunar energy shifts. Jackie settles into life in St. Louis, while Denise reflects on joy as an act of resilience—especially in a world that feels heavy.

Key Times:

00:00:00 – Remote tech drama: the first long-distance recording setup

00:01:36 – Jackie’s grumpy week and reflections on old habits returning

00:03:01 – Denise on lunar eclipses, sleep struggles, and finding spiritual balance

00:04:45 – Joy as resistance: focusing on community, meetings, and connection

00:06:03 – Denise’s workshop with Elise Lunen: “On Our Best Behavior” and the price of being good

00:08:50 – Reflections from the PCH: fire scars, beauty, and grief side by side

00:09:51 – Adjusting to Jackie’s absence: filling the space with new community

00:10:58 – Jackie’s update: life in St. Louis, tornado recovery, and studying again

00:12:46 – A clean slate: decluttering, new habits, and learning time management

00:14:30 – Drinking water, daily meditation, and showing up for class

00:15:38 – Trusting institutions, ethical questions, and the challenge of reform

00:17:00 – Campus connection: dialogue across difference and nonviolent communication

00:19:00 – Denise’s pride: from “stressy and depressy” to doing the work

00:21:00 – Jackie’s move recap: three-day drive, dog adventures, and sunset magic

00:22:00 – Settling in: heartbreaks, unpacking, and the art of letting go

00:22:55 – Closing reflections: gratitude, water, and staying connected

Show Notes / Episode Summary:

In this tender and grounding episode, Denise and Jackie record remotely for the first time since Jackie’s big move to St. Louis. Jackie shares her first month of transition—getting used to Midwest weather, managing grad school, learning new routines, and unpacking both literally and emotionally. She opens up about how it feels to rebuild her life in a new city while holding onto gratitude, joy, and the little victories.

Denise brings her signature warmth and reflection, sharing stories from a recent workshop inspired by On Our Best Behavior and her spiritual practice of staying present through discomfort. She explores how joy, community, and self-awareness can coexist with grief, outrage, and uncertainty—especially after witnessing local fire devastation and political exhaustion.

Together, mother and daughter explore the themes of growth, trust, and letting go. From crying over photos to laughing about dongles, they remind listeners that transformation is messy, human, and sometimes grumpy—but still beautiful.

Topics Covered:

• Jackie’s move to St. Louis and first month in grad school
• Long-distance recording and learning new tech setups
• Denise’s reflections on joy, grief, and spiritual grounding
• Lunar energy, burnout, and emotional regulation
• Feminine conditioning and “The Price Women Pay to Be Good”
• Nonviolent communication and dialogue across difference
• Healing through community meetings and connection
• The beauty and grief of fire-scarred California landscapes
• The mother-daughter bond across distance

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• Follow Denise: @denise.freed
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