Ever argued with your toaster and realized the fight wasn’t about breakfast? In this solo episode of Embers After Midnight, Alex gets real about burnout, boundaries, and the quiet art of protecting your peace. With humor, heart, and a dash of honesty, she reflects on what it means to revisit your creative self, stop performing calm, and start living it.
Learn how to rebuild your boundaries, say “no” without guilt, and remember — peace isn’t passive; it’s a practice.

If this spoke to you, share it with someone walking their own kind of fire.
Subscribe, leave a note, or send me your ember story — I’d love to hear it.

And remember: the fire we tend together always burns brighter.

What if better communication isn’t about saying more — but saying it with care?
In this warm, funny episode of Embers After Midnight, Alex reflects on 36 years of marriage, four very opinionated dogs, and the everyday art of listening. From leash-chaos diplomacy to “Gemini-approved” dog treats, she explores how humor, gratitude, and genuine curiosity can turn misunderstandings into moments of connection. Along the way, she shares three small but powerful conversations that remind her what really matters most — family, presence, and the courage to keep talking kindly.

Lighthearted, heartfelt, and perfectly imperfect — this one’s for anyone learning to build bridges instead of walls.

If this spoke to you, share it with someone walking their own kind of fire.
Subscribe, leave a note, or send me your ember story — I’d love to hear it.

And remember: the fire we tend together always burns brighter.

In this episode, we dive into the messy, hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking art of communication. From well-meaning words that backfire, to lessons from our children and students that remind us presence matters more than perfection, we explore how to repair, clarify, and return to curiosity in every conversation.

You’ll laugh, reflect, and maybe even recognize yourself in these moments — because miscommunication is universal, and growth often comes from the awkward, heartfelt “afterword.”

Ember Practices for This Week:

• Pause before you react, reply, or correct. Ask: Am I trying to connect, or to convince?
• Lead with curiosity: “Can you tell me more about what you meant?”
• Reach out to someone who’s taught you something — even in small ways — and let them know you noticed.

Because peace isn’t quiet — it’s honest.

💛

If this spoke to you, share it with someone walking their own kind of fire.
Subscribe, leave a note, or send me your ember story — I’d love to hear it.

And remember: the fire we tend together always burns brighter.