In this heartfelt Spark Short, Liz and Michele share how this holiday season is bringing surprising joy, deeper connection, and fresh starts—even in the middle of big life changes.

From a relaxed, sun‑soaked Thanksgiving at a North Carolina beach house to a bustling family gathering back home with all the classic recipes, they show how traditions can evolve and still feel just as rich and meaningful.

Liz talks about trading a 20‑person Thanksgiving for a smaller, more intimate celebration that left space for real conversation, laughter, and the cherished ritual of toasting loved ones who are no longer at the table—making her even more grateful for everyone who still is.

Michele celebrates a house full of family, a beloved pre-Thanksgiving tradition of walking around the lake as a family, and the overwhelming joy of watching her son choose to lean into healing and EMDR trauma work so he can step more fully into his future.

Work and purpose are in a season of growth too. Michele shares the excitement of her firm’s new merger and the energy of collaborating with trusted partners, plus the thrill of earning recent AIA design awards on projects that create community and honor courage. Liz reflects on cheering on the latest Amplify women’s leadership cohort, the unexpected delight of being told her work and this very podcast are changing lives, and the quiet power of helping women step into their leadership.

The conversation wraps with two perfectly timed book recs for the season: Liz’s pick, Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, a warm, hope‑filled novel about a mysterious stranger whose quiet kindness and gift of “seeing” people transforms an entire town. Michele’s pick, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, offers empowering, practical ideas for parents and communities who want to help kids (and themselves) spend less life on screens and more life in the real world.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• How to reimagine traditions so they reflect who you are now

• Simple ways to turn errands, walks, and dinners into lasting memories

• Why naming what you “see” in someone might be the greatest gift you give this year

• How work, purpose, and healing can all flourish—even during the holidays

Resources & Mentions

Books:

• Theo of Golden — Allen Levi

• The Anxious Generation — Jonathan Haidt

Links:

• LayerX Architecture — https://layerxstudio.com/

• Amplify Women’s Leadership Program — https://leadershipnortheast.org/programs/amplify-womens-leadership-certificate-program/

Keep Sparking

If this conversation resonated with you:

• Follow Spark Me wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a Spark Short
• Share this episode with a friend navigating grief, shifting traditions, or seeking presence this season
• Leave a rating or review — it helps other women in their second act discover the show
• Tag us when you’re listening and tell us: What are you most grateful for right now?