What happens when the life you thought you were supposed to want no longer feels like the life you truly want to live? ✨

In this powerful episode of Bring Your Fierce Energy, Stacey Kulongowski sits down with Genevieve Driezen to explore what it means to let go of expectations, rediscover yourself, and find the courage to build a life that feels authentically yours. For Genevieve, the journey began by following a path that looked familiar from the outside, building what seemed like the “imperfect perfect” relationship story, and becoming skilled at appearing vulnerable without revealing what was truly happening behind the scenes.

But when that chapter of her life came to an end, Genevieve faced a turning point. Instead of searching for the next assignment or following the path others expected her to take, she began asking a much more important question: What do I genuinely want? That shift in perspective opened the door to a new chapter, one shaped by personal discovery, a move to Scotland, marriage, and the creation of Fresh Starts Registry.

Along the way, Genevieve learned that choosing a different path doesn't always come with understanding or approval from others. Sometimes, the decisions that bring us closer to ourselves are the very ones that invite the most questions and criticism. Yet, by trusting her own vision and embracing the uncertainty of starting fresh, she began building a life that reflected her own desires rather than someone else's expectations.

This conversation isn't just about relationships, relocation, or starting a business. It's about recognizing when you've outgrown the story you've been living, finding the courage to question what you've always known, and giving yourself permission to write a new chapter—even when others don't understand it.

✨ In this episode, you'll learn:• How following the recognizable path can sometimes leave you disconnected from what you truly want• Why appearing vulnerable isn't always the same as allowing yourself to be fully seen• What it means to stop searching for the next assignment and start making intentional choices for yourself• How the end of one chapter can create space for unexpected opportunities and new beginnings• Why moving beyond societal expectations can be essential to building an authentic life• How Genevieve embraced major life changes, from moving to Scotland to building a new business• Why trusting your own decisions matters, even when others question or criticize them• How to find the courage to create a fresh start on your own terms

If this episode reminds you that you don't have to keep living a story simply because it's the one you've always known—and that it's never too late to choose a different path—don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it with someone who is ready to embrace their next chapter. ✨

Sometimes, the most powerful fresh start begins when you stop asking what you're supposed to do and start asking what you truly want.

To learn more about Genevieve, Fresh Registry, and her work, visit:

Fresh Registry: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry

IG: @freshstartsregistry

What if the life you’re supposed to want isn’t actually the life you want at all? ✨

In this powerful episode of Bring Your Fierce Energy, Stacey Kulongowski turns the conversation inward to explore what happens when you stop living by the expectations, rules, and “shoulds” that society has placed on you—and start listening to what you truly want for yourself.

From the pressure to follow a certain timeline to the expectations around success, relationships, careers, and who we’re supposed to become, Stacey dives into the invisible rules that can shape our decisions without us even realizing it. Because sometimes, the hardest thing to do isn’t figuring out what you want—it’s giving yourself permission to want something different.

Stacey shares an honest perspective on what it means to let go of the need to do life “the right way” and instead create a life that feels authentic, energizing, and aligned with who you are. She explores the courage it takes to disappoint expectations, redefine success, and trust yourself enough to choose a path that may look completely different from the one you were told to follow.

This conversation is a reminder that you don't have to earn permission to change your mind, rewrite the rules, or choose a different path. You don't have to keep doing something simply because you “should.” And you certainly don't have to live a life designed around making everyone else comfortable.

✨ In this episode, you'll learn:• Why we feel so much pressure to live according to society's expectations• How the “shoulds” can quietly influence our careers, relationships, and everyday choices• What it really means to stop living for other people's approval• Why choosing a different path doesn't mean you've failed• How to recognize when you're living according to expectations instead of your own desires• The courage it takes to redefine what success and fulfillment mean to you• How letting go of the “shoulds” can create space for more freedom, joy, and authenticity• Why your life doesn't have to look like anyone else's to be meaningful

If you've ever caught yourself thinking, “I should be further along,” “I should want this,” or “I should be doing what everyone else is doing,” this episode is your reminder to pause, question the rules, and ask yourself a different question: What do I actually want? ✨

Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this episode with someone who needs permission to drop the “shoulds” and start living life on their own terms.

What if the different chapters of your life aren’t separate stories—but invisible strings connecting you to where you’re meant to go next?In this powerful episode of Bring Your Fierce Energy, Stacey Kulongowski sits down with bestselling author, preservationist, and storyteller Sharon Virts to explore the unexpected connections woven throughout her life—and how every chapter has helped shape the woman, creator, and storyteller she is today.From her lifelong fascination with history and forgotten stories to becoming a bestselling author, restoring a historic Virginia estate, and earning recognition for her contributions to the arts and community, Sharon’s journey is a powerful reminder that our paths don't always make sense while we're living them. Sometimes, it's only when we look back that we can see the invisible strings connecting it all.Sharon shares how the experiences, passions, and opportunities throughout her life eventually led her to write richly layered historical fiction, including Veil of Doubt, The Grays of Truth, and the Field of Honor series. Along the way, she has followed her curiosity, embraced new chapters, and continued finding meaningful ways to preserve and bring stories from the past into the present.This conversation isn't just about success, writing, or history. It's about trusting the journey, recognizing the connections between seemingly unrelated chapters, and realizing that the things we experience along the way may be preparing us for something we can't yet see.✨ In this episode, you'll learn:• How the different chapters of Sharon's life became connected in unexpected ways• Why our passions and experiences can become invisible threads guiding our journey• What Sharon's path to becoming a bestselling author taught her about following curiosity• How embracing new chapters can lead to opportunities you never imagined• The connection between storytelling, preservation, and purpose• Why looking backward can sometimes help you understand where you're going next• How Sharon turned her fascination with the past into a body of work that continues to inspire othersIf this episode reminds you that no chapter of your story is wasted—and that the invisible strings may be connecting you to something you haven't discovered yet—don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it with someone who is learning to trust their own journey. ✨To learn more about Sharon Virts, her books, and her work, visit:🌐 The Art of Living History: http://www.theartoflivinghistory.comBookclub: #ReadWithSharon FB: SharonVirtsBooks IG: @sharonvirtsbooks