What if the life you built looks right on the outside… but doesn’t feel right on the inside?

In this episode, I sit down with Michelle Dovey, artist and creator of The Naked Man Project, to talk about what it really means to reclaim yourself… especially in midlife.

Michelle shares her deeply personal journey through divorce, identity shifts, and learning to give herself permission to explore the parts of herself she had been taught to hide. What started as an artistic project became something much bigger… a path back to her voice, her desires, and her sense of aliveness.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level change. It’s about questioning the roles we’ve accepted, the rules we’ve followed, and the quiet ways we disconnect from ourselves over time.

We talk about how to start listening to what you actually want, how to rebuild self-trust, and why the things that feel “taboo” or uncomfortable might actually be the doorway to freedom.

If you’ve ever felt like something is missing, even when everything looks fine… this episode will hit home.

00:02:30 – Introduction to Michelle and her story

00:03:30 – Early experiences with art and hidden conditioning

00:05:00 – The moment that sparked The Naked Man Project

00:05:30 – Facing discomfort, resistance, and stepping into power

00:07:00 – Learning to ask for what you actually want

00:08:30 – Exploring taboo, freedom, and personal liberation

00:09:30 – Body shame in men vs. women

00:12:30 – Power dynamics, boundaries, and being seen

00:16:30 – Losing your voice in relationships

00:19:30 – Handling judgment and outside opinions

00:22:00 – Art as a form of healing and expression

00:24:00 – The “good girl” conditioning and internal voice

00:27:30 – Exploring the forbidden and creative expansion

00:30:00 – Trusting your desires as guidance

00:31:30 – Setting boundaries in everyday life

00:34:00 – Recognizing when you’ve crossed your own boundaries

00:36:30 – Quieting the inner critic

00:39:30 – Where to connect with Michelle

✨Connect with Michelle Dovey:

• Website: https://www.michelledovey.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelledoveyartis

· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.dovey.10

✨ Connect with Michele Simms:

• Website: thebeautyinthemess.com
• Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess
• LinkedIn: Michele Simms
• Facebook 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!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What would you do if your life changed in a single moment?

In this deeply emotional and eye-opening episode, I sit down with Dr. Lisa Thompson, a best-selling author, healer, and speaker, who shares her raw and powerful story of loss after discovering her husband had taken his own life, completely out of the blue.

We talk about the layers of grief that come with sudden loss, the unanswered questions, and what it really looks like to rebuild when everything you thought your life would be is gone.

This conversation goes beyond traditional grief. Dr. Lisa shares how she processed trauma, set boundaries with others during her healing, and began to find meaning again. We also touch on her spiritual experiences, including signs, intuition, and beliefs that may feel outside the norm—but at the heart of it all is a very human journey of love, loss, and learning how to keep going.

This episode may feel different than others, but if you’ve ever faced grief, identity shifts, or starting over… there is something here for you.

Grief doesn’t come with a roadmap. There’s no perfect way to navigate it… only your way.

If this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who may need it. And as always, thank you for being here and finding the beauty… even in the mess.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and may be difficult for some listeners.

 2:37 – Introduction to Dr. Lisa & her story

 3:10 – Discovering her husband’s sudden passing

 5:00 – The unique challenges of grieving suicide

 7:30 – Searching for answers and processing shock

 10:37 – Signs, symbols, and feeling connection after loss

 14:30 – Navigating grief while still showing up for life

 18:37 – Setting boundaries with others during grief

 23:30 – Trauma of discovery and emotional healing

 28:30 – Letting go of guilt and unanswered questions

 33:30 – Rebuilding life and allowing yourself to move forward

 37:30 – Identity shifts after loss

 41:30 – Finding meaning and purpose through pain

 45:00 – Raising your energy and creating a new path

 49:30 – Her healing method and helping others through grief

 53:00 – Final thoughts: You can get through anything

✨Connect with Dr. Lisa Thompson:

• Website: https://drlisajthompson.com
• Instagram / Facebook: Dr. Lisa Thompson

· Free Grief Resource: https://thelovethatremains.com

✨ Connect with Michele Simms:

• Website: thebeautyinthemess.com
• Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess
• LinkedIn: Michele Simms
• Facebook 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!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do we keep ending up in the same situations… even when we want something different?

In this episode of The Beauty In The Mess, I sit down with Genea Barnes, mentor, coach, and speaker, to talk about the deeper patterns that quietly shape our lives. Patterns in relationships, work, and even how we see ourselves.

Genea’s story is not an easy one. She experienced trauma, neglect, and instability at a young age, and like many, she carried those experiences into adulthood without fully realizing how much they were influencing her decisions.

For years, she found herself repeating the same cycles. Things would get better for a while, then fall apart again. It wasn’t until she began to understand what she calls the “invisible cage” that things started to shift.

We talk about how our early experiences shape our “frame of reality,” why the nervous system resists change, and how familiar patterns can feel safer than the unknown, even when they’re not serving us.

Genea also shares what it actually takes to begin breaking those patterns and creating lasting change, not just temporary improvement.

This is a deep, honest conversation about trauma, awareness, and what it really means to step outside of what’s familiar and build a life that feels like peace, joy, and freedom.

02:35 – Meet Genea Barnes and her journey into personal transformation

03:40 – Early trauma and the experiences that shaped her

05:35 – What the “invisible cage” is and how it forms

07:35 – Why we repeat patterns in relationships and life

09:35 – The role of the subconscious mind and familiarity

12:35 – How early experiences shape your “frame of reality”

15:35 – Why we tell ourselves we’re not enough

18:35 – What it feels like to step outside the cage

21:35 – Identity, self-sacrifice, and people pleasing

24:35 – Why major change often comes through crisis

27:35 – The collective “cage” and societal expectations

30:35 – Expanding what we believe is possible

33:35 – Healing modalities and what actually worked

36:35 – Helping others and deepening the work

39:35 – Why many people feel stuck or defeated

42:35 – Raising your frequency and what that really means

45:35 – Simple ways to access peace, joy, and freedom

48:35 – Recognizing different types of anxiety

51:35 – How to connect with Genea and her work

✨Connect with Genea Barnes:

• Website: https://bethewolfnow.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genea.barnes
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/genea.barnes

✨ Connect with Michele Simms:

• Website: thebeautyinthemess.com
• Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess
• LinkedIn: Michele Simms
• Facebook 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!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some of the hardest decisions we make are the ones we already know the answer to… but we’re not ready to face yet.

In this episode of The Beauty In The Mess, I sit down with Aimi Green, a self-love and empowerment coach who helps women raise their standards in love and fully embrace who they truly are. But her work didn’t start with confidence. It started with a six-year relationship that slowly chipped away at her self-worth.

Aimi shares her story of staying longer than she should have, hoping things would change, and the moment everything finally shifted. From catching her partner cheating to realizing she could not fix or save someone who wasn’t ready to change, she walks us through what it really takes to let go and choose yourself.

We talk about why women stay in unhealthy relationships, the fear of starting over, and how our brains try to keep us stuck in what feels familiar. Aimi also breaks down the difference between chemistry and true compatibility, why self-worth is the foundation of healthy love, and how taking time to reconnect with yourself can completely change the relationships you choose moving forward.

This is an honest, relatable conversation about breaking patterns, rebuilding confidence, and trusting yourself enough to walk away from what no longer serves you.

02:30 – Meet Aimi Green and her relationship background

04:30 – The six-year toxic relationship and staying too long

07:30 – The breaking point and catching him cheating

10:30 – Why women stay in unhealthy relationships

13:30 – Fear of the unknown vs comfort in what’s familiar

16:30 – Letting go of the life you thought you would have

19:30 – The role of self-worth in relationships

22:30 – Breaking patterns and choosing differently

25:30 – Taking time to reconnect with yourself

28:30 – Chemistry vs compatibility in relationships

31:30 – Important conversations before commitment

34:30 – Communication, expectations, and honesty

37:30 – Building a healthy, lasting relationship

44:30 – Advice for women who feel stuck

✨Connect with Aimi Green:

• Website: https://www.aimigreen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aimi.green

✨ Connect with Michele Simms:

• Website: thebeautyinthemess.com
• Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess
• LinkedIn: Michele Simms
• Facebook 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!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 'The Beauty In The Mess', host Michele sits down with Celeste Mergens, a renowned author and thought leader, who shares her inspiring journey from overcoming childhood poverty to becoming a global expert in menstrual and reproductive health. Celeste discusses the profound impact of period poverty on girls and communities worldwide and introduces her organization, Days for Girls, which provides sustainable menstrual health solutions. She also delves into personal narratives about dealing with trauma, the importance of mental and emotional well-being, and how little actions can lead to monumental societal changes. Tune in to explore how you too can be part of this impactful movement and learn the power of breaking stigma through awareness and cooperative effort.

She has been featured in Oprah’s O Magazine and Forbes and been named Conscious Company Global Impact Entrepreneur Top Ten Women, and Women's Economic Forum's Woman of the Decade, to name a few. Her #1 bestselling new book, The Power of Days–A Story of Resilience, Dignity, and The Fight for Women's Equity, shares proof that we can all make a difference.

02:25 Introduction and Welcome

02:40 Celeste's Journey and Early Life

03:55 Global Work and Menstrual Equity

05:48 Challenges and Sustainable Solutions

07:24 Dealing with Overwhelming Need

09:24 Starting Days for Girls

13:59 Trauma and Epigenetics

21:50 Mind the Gap Technique

27:57 Questioning the Negative Voice

28:59 The Power of Positivity and Its Pitfalls

29:31 Transforming Nightmares into Empowerment

32:06 The Impact of Unresolved Trauma

34:20 Finding Purpose in Unexpected Places

35:56 The Journey of Days for Girls

46:45 Breaking the Stigma of Menstruation

51:12 Conclusion and Call to Action

Connect with Celeste Mergens

• https://www.CelesteMergens.com
• https://www.facebook.com/celeste.mergens
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/celeste-mergens
• https://www.instagram.com/celestemergens

Let's Connect!

• The Beauty In The Mess
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/676609323457906
• https://thebeautyinthemess.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-simms-mba-a061b96a/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Mitchell joins me today. Sam was diagnosed at the age of 4 with high-functioning Autism. Sam wants people to know that he is not broken, and he doesn’t need to be fixed. He also wants people to know that there is no normal in this world. He embraces who he is and wants the same for everyone else. Period.

Sam is a successful podcaster, an advocate for Autism, a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and blogger. He has even published a Ted Talk. He has made it to the top 10 in the People's Choice Podcast Awards, placed second in the state of Indiana for the JAG Entrepreneurship project, was selected as the best business at the CEO trade show in Indiana, and he is in the top 200 podcasts in all of Canada.

Connect with Sam Mitchell:

• Website
• Podcast: Autism Rocks and Rolls

Let's Connect!

• Facebook: The Beauty in the Mess podcast
• Instagram
• Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Profile
• loribadry@gmail.com

Let's Connect!

• Facebook: The Beauty in the Mess podcast
• Instagram: the.beauty.in.the.mess
• The Beauty in The Mess Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hansen

05:04 Two Types of Clutter: Activated vs Practical

05:43 Emotional Aspect of Clutter

10:01 No Need to Rush to Get Rid of Clutter

10:55 Handing the Death of a Loved One

11:38 Organizing is Boundary Work

14:06 Guilt of Letting Things Go

26:31 Ancestral or Generational Clutter

46:47 Making Time for Yourself

47:03 Small Steps to Organizing

47:01 Consistency Over Time

47:28 Varying Levels of Engagement

50:31 Clutter In Every Room In Your Home Has a Different Meaning

Connect 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/starhansen

Let's Connect!

• The Beauty In The Mess
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/676609323457906
• https://thebeautyinthemess.com/

· https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-simms-mba-a061b96a/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.