In Episode 13 of Season 2, Ali Stofflet offers a refreshingly candid look at entrepreneurship, anxiety, and the myth of the “dream business.” With heartfelt honesty, she shares her journey from owning a holistic parenting product distribution company to reentering the workforce as the Director of Business Outreach and Growth at the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

Ali discusses how the pressure of business ownership triggered panic attacks and constant stress, ultimately leading her to seek stability, collaboration, and a sense of peace through a W-2 role. Her story challenges the glamorized narratives of small business ownership often found on social media, and instead highlights the invisible labor, emotional toll, and self-doubt that frequently accompany the entrepreneurial path.

This episode explores the deeper truth that ambition and anxiety often co-exist, and that success isn’t always about pushing harder. It’s sometimes about choosing differently. Ali discusses how communities can better support small business owners not just economically, but emotionally. She also unpacks the power of collaboration, the need for honest conversations about burnout, and the importance of shifting public perceptions around entrepreneurship.

In a surprising and metaphor-rich segment, Ali reflects on what beekeeping has taught her about business, community, and grace. Her reflections offer both personal insight and collective wisdom, especially for anyone questioning the roles they’re expected to play.

Guest Information:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-ali-stofflet-90a494a6/

References:

Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce – https://www.arvadachamber.org/

Porchlight Family Justice Center – https://www.porchlightfjc.org/

Arvada Sunrise Rotary – https://arvadasunriserotary.org/

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.

Credits and Acknowledgements:

Hosted, Produced, and Edited by Heather Pridemore. https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-pridemore-mba/

Thank you for tuning into small acts of rebellion. Ready to start a revolution? Please share it with others who aspire to redefine success on their own terms.

Don't forget to subscribe for more stories of personal and professional defiance. For additional content, follow us on Instagram @smallactsofrebellionpodcast & @PridemoreCoaching and visit us at PridemoreCoaching.com.

Keep owning your story!

In Episode 12 of Season 2, Gretchen Morgan, Managing Partner at the Center for Innovation in Education, shares her insights from decades of work across classrooms, state agencies, and national education initiatives. This episode explores the current challenges facing public education, the historic roots of standardized testing, and the widening debate over the value of public assets in American society.

Gretchen unpacks the concept of systemic symmetry: the idea that everything from curriculum to teacher support must align with how we expect learning to happen. She critiques the rise of national voucher programs and the potential erosion of public education as a shared societal investment, pointing to how privatization can reinforce social and racial inequities rather than solve them.

Despite the weight of these issues, the conversation remains grounded in possibility. Gretchen shares stories of hope from initiatives like Colorado’s Homegrown Talent Initiative and local coalition-building in places like Kentucky, Mississippi, and Vermont. She highlights how community-driven processes, when rooted in inclusion, empathy, co-creation, and reciprocity, can rebuild trust between schools and the communities they serve.

Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how public education reflects broader societal values and how intentional, human-centered change is both necessary and possible. This episode is essential for educators, parents, policymakers, and anyone invested in the future of equitable, responsive learning environments.

Guest Information:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-morgan-0145634/

References:

Center for Innovation in Education (CIE) – https://www.innovationed.org

Homegrown Talent Initiative (HTI) – Led by Colorado Succeeds and the Colorado Education Initiative (CEI)

CareerWise Colorado – Youth apprenticeship system

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.

Credits and Acknowledgements:

Hosted, Produced, and Edited by Heather Pridemore. https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-pridemore-mba/

Thank you for tuning into small acts of rebellion. Ready to start a revolution? Please share it with others who aspire to redefine success on their own terms.

Don't forget to subscribe for more stories of personal and professional defiance. For additional content, follow us on Instagram @smallactsofrebellionpodcast & @PridemoreCoaching and visit us at PridemoreCoaching.com.

Keep owning your story!

In Episode 11 of Season 2, Angela Martinez joins the show to share her extraordinary story of redemption, resilience, and reclaiming purpose. A first-generation college graduate and proud single mother of two, Angela reflects on her journey from a 10th grade dropout facing a 6–8 year prison sentence to graduating college with honors, earning 13 academic cords, and building a meaningful career dedicated to supporting others.

Angela discusses her pivotal turning points—including time in jail, recovery court, and transitional housing—and how she leaned into community, mentorship, and education as lifelines. Her story highlights the importance of programs like Thrive Transformation at Work, Women With a Cause, and Beyond Home in helping justice-impacted individuals and those in recovery rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. She also explores how self-advocacy, second-chance employment, and storytelling have been sources of personal power and transformation.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration, perspective on reentry and recovery, or an authentic conversation about how change is possible—even in the face of overwhelming odds. Angela’s voice is a powerful reminder that the road to success is rarely linear, and that sharing our full, unfiltered stories can create meaningful impact.

If you’ve ever doubted your ability to start over or wondered about the true role of community and support, this episode will leave you motivated, moved, and more committed than ever to owning your story.

Guest Information:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-martinez-b25764115/

References:

Thrive Home Page - Thrive - Employment Support: https://thrivecolorado.org/

GlobalMindED – Inclusive Success Network - Education Support: https://globalminded.org/

GlobalMindED - Emerging Leaders : Overview | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/globalmindedyp/?viewAsMember=true

BeyondHome (Arvada, CO) – Transitional housing program supporting families on the path to self-sufficiency: https://beyondhome.org/

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.

Credits and Acknowledgements:

Hosted, Produced, and Edited by Heather Pridemore. https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-pridemore-mba/

Thank you for tuning into small acts of rebellion. Ready to start a revolution? Please share it with others who aspire to redefine success on their own terms.

Don't forget to subscribe for more stories of personal and professional defiance. For additional content, follow us on Instagram @smallactsofrebellionpodcast & @PridemoreCoaching and visit us at PridemoreCoaching.com.

Keep owning your story!