Amy Says…
Hello {{first_name}} , Editorial note from Amy
Exciting news from my life: I got a new sunhat. I know it's still wintery in most of North America, but I live in the land of Spring Break. You'd think that living this close to the tropics, I'd always be prepared for the sun. And yet, this is the season where it catches even long-time residents off guard. At least once a year, I end up with a pink nose and pink shoulders before I even see it coming.
That's exactly what happened last week. I was walking to a festival and felt that uncomfortable roasting sensation on my skin, which I'm convinced is a midlife thing. I don't remember noticing it when I was younger. Hit reply and tell me if you think I'm wrong. Thankfully, I passed a booth where an artist was selling colorful straw hats and grabbed one on the spot. Bonus: you absolutely cannot miss me in a crowd now.
sun safety…check. easy to spot in a crowd…check. tremendous potential to embarrass my kids…check. Is my aloe plant in need of some tlc?…yes, it is.
This week there are three articles based on new episodes of the show. Emily Paulsen shares how she made the decision to be child-free. Kristina Heaugh-Avritt talks about her shift from classroom teaching to helping families with homeschooling. And Cristina Ramirez and I chat about what I'm calling her reverse uno move. She was headed one direction professionally, pivoted, then pivoted back. Cristina is also a real-life friend, which made it an especially fun conversation.
One more thing, and this one is a little different from my usual content. I rounded up two of my podcasting besties for a conversation about podcast awards. If you have a podcast, or have ever thought about starting one, you might enjoy this. And if you're thinking "wait, there are podcast awards?" — yes, there are. I recorded it as a live stream and you can find it here on YouTube.
I hope you enjoy the stories this week. Be sure to check out the special offers from the guests, and if you'd like to support The Art of Adulting, you can always leave us a tip.
Table of Contents
Family | How to Talk About Being Child Free With Family and Friends
Emily Paulsen
The question people seem to ask isn't whether you'll have children: it's when. At least, that's the assumption baked into countless conversations at family dinners, workplace small talk, and even medical appointments. But for a growing number of people, particularly women, the answer is simply: never. Emily Paulsen, host of "Curious Life of a Child Free Woman," has built her career around exploring what happens when you reject that predetermined life path. Her journey from private decision to public advocate reveals just how much resistance still exists to a choice that, statistically speaking, is becoming increasingly common.
This conversation matters for anyone questioning whether parenthood is right for them, anyone feeling pressured to justify their reproductive choices, or anyone curious about why declining birth rates have become such a cultural flashpoint.
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Homeschool | Why This Teacher Left Public Schools for Homeschool Coaching
When Kristina Heaugh-Avritt walked away from 27 years as a second and third-grade teacher, she carried with her something most education consultants never have: the complete picture. She'd spent nearly three decades managing classrooms of eager 7, 8, and 9-year-olds, those "cute ones who are ready to learn and they have enough skills to actually produce and do some things and they're still super, super curious," as she describes them. She'd also navigated the education system as a parent raising two boys, including one with special needs. She sat through countless IEP meetings, experienced the full spectrum of parent-teacher interactions, and watched the system transform from both vantage points simultaneously.
Kristina Heagh-Avritt
Kristina has a podcast: Bringing Education Home - https://feeds.captivate.fm/bringing-education-home/
Special offer from Kristina for you:
Education at Home in 10 Simple Steps eBook is a guide for those who are ready to get started on their homeschool journey. Free.
https://link.vibrantfamilyeducation.com/widget/form/RZnPGWRIufhO8paew0I4
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Thank you KymCoco for these kind words about the show. We think you’re pretty great too!
I Love the insightful tips Amy and her guests provide to thrive at an optimal level in spite of challenges. A must follow—and listen to regularly—show!
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Grief | Personal Transformation from Run Club to Resilience
Cristina M. Ramirez
When Cristina Ramirez started a small after-school run club in Miami, her only goal was to make $500 a month to cover her kids' music lessons. She had no grand vision, no business plan, no idea that grief would eventually reshape everything and lead her program to reach over 12,000 children across 41 states. The story of how she got from that modest beginning to building DashStrom into a national movement isn't about strategic planning or perfect execution. It's about what happens when life forces your hand, when loss cracks you open, and when the only way forward is to keep doing the next right thing, even when you're not sure what that is.
You can find Cristina’s Book:
You can find Cristina’s Book, Empowered by Discomfort here https://bookshop.org/a/87491/979898785600
📕 🎧 Things Worth Your Time
This is where we share the cool suggestions for books, podcasts, gadgets that make life better and other fun stuff that our guests share during their interviews.
Kristina suggests Homegoods or Marshalls for picking up last minute gifts.
Cristina suggests adventures on “rails to trails” paths if you have them near where you live. Find out more here: https://www.railstotrails.org/