This episode is about love, responsibility, anticipatory grief, and the hard part no one prepares you for: the after. When the role ends, the routines disappear, and you are left asking, “Who am I now?”

In this episode, Derek Canty joins me to share what it was really like before and after he became his mother’s caretaker following her cancer diagnosis.

Derek opens up about the tension of being both “the responsible one” and still just a son, trying to stay present while the ground is shifting underneath you.

We talk about the role you take on before you are ready, and how caretaking can blur everything, including your identity, your emotional capacity, and even your relationship with the person you love most.

We also talk about what it feels like to lose a loved one in real time, how grief can pull you so far from yourself you barely recognize who you are, and what happens to a family when loss touches everyone in different ways.

Life is not about holding everything together. It is about knowing what to release. Kristen Crockett unpacks the emotional and practical parts of letting go in life, leadership, and identity. A grounding, eye opening episode for anyone ready to creat more space for happiness, joy, and alignment.

In this Episode:

-Why letting go is a leadership and life skill -How holding on to old identities blocks clarity, joy, and next level opportunities

-The connection between grief, growth, and alignment

-Why shrinking yourself disconnects you from your power

-A powerful leadership lesson

-How to identify the one thing you are currently carrying that is draining you

-Why making space is the real beginning of alignment

In this powerful and unforgettable episode of The Plastic Couch Podcast, Yarbrah shares her experience transitioning into a C-suite role as Chief Program Officer before she made the difficult decision to choose herself and quit her job. She also talks about the physical and mental toll of burnout, being the problem solver, pushing beyond capacity, how childhood experiences shaped her identity as a high achiever, her struggle with perfectionism, and the breaking point that led to her decision to leave her role despite feelings of guilt and responsibility.

[00:00] Introduction to episode about being the "strong friend"

[01:00] Yarbrah describes her breaking point and decision to quit

[02:00] Host Kristen welcomes Yarbrah to the podcast

[04:00] Yarbrah describes herself in three words: empowering, anxious, leader

[07:00] Yarbrah discusses quickly being promoted to Chief Program Officer

[10:00] Trying to maintain a confident facade while struggling

[14:00] Childhood experiences as the "good girl" who achieved[18:00] Comparison with her sister and internalizing problems

[23:00] Discussion about perfectionism and avoiding activities not immediately good at

[27:00] Internal struggle of feeling responsible for fixing everything[32:00] Kristen spotting signs of Yarbrah's struggle

[36:00] Never learning when something was "too much"

[40:00] Physical symptoms of burnout

[45:00] Moment of truth – seeing herself in the mirror

[50:00] Returning from vacation and decision to quit[55:00] Friend pointing out she picked herself, not just let others down

[59:00] Unrealistic plans for productivity during time off

[01:04:00] Challenge of truly resting for the first time

[01:08:00] Closing advice about identifying people who see you

[01:22:00] Closing thanks and sign-off

If you have ever wondered about Reiki, what it is, and how it can help you, this is the episode for you. We're about to embark on an exploration of Reiki with Brandi, Reiki Practitioner and Healer. This episode just might change the way you think about health, wellness, grief, and healing.

Connect with Brandi on IG at @itsreikilove

Sign up for Ascend at https://kristencrockett.com/ascend

Join the Sisterlift™ community at sisterlift.com

In this episode, Kristen is interviewed by Lillian Seidel as they go deep into the journey of self-discovery and the importance of learning to listen to yourself. Kristen and Lillian explore how inner wisdom is an essential tool for personal growth. They share experiences with resistance, self-sabotage, and imposter syndrome, offering insights on overcoming these obstacles.

You'll hear about the balance between seeking external knowledge and trusting your instincts, the power of creating space for reflection, and the value of embracing vulnerability. Whether you're navigating career pivots or striving for deeper connections, this episode will inspire you to follow your passion, purpose, and authentic self.

Ascend - Ready to Craft a Resume and Authentic Brand That Stands Out? http://www.ascendcareeradvancement.com/

Kristen's profile on Road Trip Nation https://roadtripnation.com/leader/syr/5a74b5b97ebc328bb0d4e371

Lillian's substack: https://lillianseidel.substack.com/

Become a Member of Sisterlift https://www.sisterlift.com/

Welcome to your guide to Human Design. In this episode, you'll learn what human design is, how to use it in life or at work, and how to look up your chart. Human design is all about how to manage your energy.

To look up your Human Design chart, go here: https://myhumandesignguide.com/

To download your personalized Human Design Clarity Guide ⁠https://myhumandesignguide.com/shop/⁠

To book a Human Design session with Kristen, go here:

https://calendly.com/kristen-crockett/human-design-session-with-kristen

To follow Kristen on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekristencrockett/

Kristen sits down with executive recruiter and career coach, Monica York, to discuss the power of authenticity in leadership and navigating career transitions. Monica shares her journey into recruiting, the challenges of working in male-dominated industries, and how she helps leaders align their strengths and professional goals to attract the role that is aligned for them.

Whether you're looking to level up in your career or make a bold transition, this conversation is packed with insights to help you gain clarity and confidence in your next steps. Plus, get an exclusive peek into ASCEND, a transformational career coaching experience with Kristen and Monica.

http://ascendcareeradvancement.com/

Monica on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicanyork/

Monica's website: https://www.matriarchsolutions.com/

• Monica’s Journey
• Challenges in Male-Dominated Industries
• Hiding vs. Being Her Authentic Self in Leadership
• Career Transitions
• Clarity - The Key to Finding The Right Career
• ASCEND Career Coaching Experience with Kristen Crockett and Monica York

Author Ayoka B. joins me on the Plastic Couch for a beautiful conversation about reiki, joy, and all of the things that prevent us from truly stepping into experiencing our joy. Ayoka shares her personal journey to joy, including her move to Costa Rica, and tips for discovering joy on your own terms.

Join the Sisterlift™ community

Check out Ayoka's book on:

Bookshop.org

Amazon