Episode Details

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In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Becky Mollenkamp about navigating life’s most profound upheavals. Becky is based in St. Louis, Missouri. She shares about losing her brother to addiction, walking away from a “picture-perfect” marriage, and pivoting from print journalism to entrepreneurship. Listeners will discover practical wisdom on grief, resilience, and breaking free from “good girl” conditioning to create a life with more authenticity and meaning.

Becky Mollenkamp is a feminist business coach for service-based entrepreneurs who want to build human-first businesses that honor collective flourishing over profit-at-all-costs growth.

Main Topics Covered:

• Navigating the triple upheaval of divorce, the loss of a sibling to addiction, and an unexpected career shift.
• The emotional complexities of ending a relationship—even one that looks “perfect” from the outside.
• Surviving and healing through grief after losing a loved one to heroin overdose, and the impact of sibling bereavement.
• The personal and systemic challenges of mental health, addiction, and the stigma surrounding both in America.
• How running and movement became a pathway for processing grief and reconnecting with self.
• Transitioning from journalism and marketing to coaching—empowering other women to break out of “good girl” conditioning.
• The ongoing journey from needing external gold stars and validation to living a values-driven, self-defined life.
• Insights on embracing imperfect adulting, intersectional feminism, and helping others rewrite their stories.

Quote from the Episode: “I may have made the bed, but I can make a new bed. Like, I don't have to lie in this bed just because I made it. ... I get to make my own rules for my life.” — Becky Mollenkamp

Timestamps: [00:00:05] Amy welcomes Becky; St. Louis roots and sharing love for the Cardinals. [00:01:18] Amy reflects on Becky’s concise podcast pitch and their prior connection. [00:02:24] Becky details the July 4th, 2010 turning point—leading up to and after. [00:03:01] Setting the scene: Becky’s life before upheaval—successful freelance writing, wealth, custom home. [00:05:26] Becky’s journalism journey, newspaper work in California, shift to magazine publishing. [00:07:56] Three life changes: Divorce, family death, career—discussion on agency and choice. [00:08:09] Honest reflection on ending her marriage, infidelity, and personal responsibility. [00:12:01] Brother’s death from heroin overdose—grief, family dynamics, and reevaluating life. [00:13:51] The challenge of grieving when “everything looks good on paper”—stigma, guilt, and validation. [00:15:19] Family history of addiction; choosing tough love and wrestling with guilt. [00:18:47] Systemic issues—mental health, addiction, and the gaps in support. [00:21:00] Stigma surrounding death and overdose; Becky’s commitment to speaking openly. [00:23:17] The isolation and judgment parents face when children struggle or die by addiction. [00:24:08] The overlooked grief of adult siblings and “disenfranchised grief.” [00:25:27] How Becky attempted to outrun grief—and how it always catches up. [00:26:05] Somatic healing: Running, movement, and processing emotions. [00:32:03] Career transition—rediscovering purpose, letting go of “good girl” conditioning. [00:41:09] Building a new life—remarriage, parenting, fulfilling work, and redefining happiness. [00:42:28] Becky's lifelong feminism and evolution toward intersectionality. [00:43:31] Becky's podcast “Messy Liberation,” her upcoming book, and how listeners can connect.

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