Kristen LaValley is a writer, speaker, and author whose work explores the intersection of faith, trauma, and belonging. Through her books, courses, and online community, she creates space for honest conversations about spiritual struggle, mental health, identity, and what it means to rebuild a life after certainty falls apart.

In this conversation, we explore the relationship between healing and storytelling, the tension between vulnerability and boundaries, and how personal experiences shape the work we're called to create. Kristen shares why moving through anger is different than living from it, how to know which parts of your story belong to you, and why finding people who are genuinely happy to be with you can change everything.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Writing for catharsis vs. writing for craft
• How to share your story without turning your pain into content
• Finding belonging after identity shifts and spiritual change

CONNECT WITH KRISTEN LAVALLEY:

• Website: https://www.kristenlavalley.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristen.lavalley/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/172

Stone Stafford spent more than two decades in the music industry as an artist, songwriter, producer, and trusted advisor to creators with big dreams and even bigger ambitions. But what drew me to Stone’s work wasn't his résumé…it was his philosophy of "quietly taking over."

In this conversation, we explore the tension between impact and attention, why meaningful work often requires stepping away from the noise, and what it looks like to build something that truly matters without chasing the spotlight.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Building quietly: Why you don't need to announce every move to make a meaningful impact
• Trending up vs. going deep: How creators can choose depth over dopamine without losing their audience
• Value over volume: Why a smaller, more engaged audience creates deeper impact

CONNECT WITH STONE STAFFORD:

• Website: https://www.stonestafford.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stoneoo7/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/171

Ana Urban is an ADHD coach, educator, and creator who helps people better understand their minds and build lives that work with their brains instead of against them. After being diagnosed with ADHD at nineteen, Ana spent years navigating procrastination, perfectionism, shame, and self-worth struggles before discovering a more sustainable approach to growth and personal transformation.

In this conversation, we explore one of the most thought-provoking ideas I've heard in a long time: the difference between your fantasy self and your future self. We talk about why so many people get trapped chasing an imaginary version of themselves, how perfectionism disguises itself as self-improvement, and why lasting change comes not from fixing yourself, but from learning to trust the person you're becoming.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• The difference between your fantasy self and your future self
• How perfectionism and self-criticism keep us stuck
• Why small identity shifts create lasting transformation

CONNECT WITH ANA URBAN:

• Website: https://www.anaurban.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhd.untamed/
• Untamed: https://www.anaurban.com/untamed

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/170