Welcome back to Just One More Thing — the Substack-only bonus where I ask our guests a few quick, candid questions that didn’t make it into the full For the Love conversation.
This week on the podcast, Jay Stringer, author of Desire, joined us for a powerful conversation about desire — not as something to suppress or fix, but as a signal pointing toward what makes us feel most alive. In the full episode, Jay explores how our desires are shaped by our stories, wounds, and longings, and how learning to listen to them can lead us toward deeper connection and freedom.
👉 You can listen to the full episode here.
But in this bonus moment, Jay shared a few beautifully vulnerable reflections:
🎶 A secret dream: To learn to sing and maybe even play guitar someday — stepping into creativity and risk in a whole new way.
🥐 A tiny thing bringing joy: In the middle of a demanding season, joy has been hard to find. Right now, it shows up in small places… like a good pastry.
🔥 A brave journey: From writing and recording his book to tracing the courage of his ancestors, Jay reflected on what it means to keep moving forward even when you feel like you’re “above the tree line,” forging a path without clear markers.
This one is tender and honest — a reminder that courage doesn’t always look loud. Sometimes it looks like staying open, even in the wilderness.
🎥 Watch the Just One More Thing bonus above — and don’t miss Jay’s full For the Love conversation.
Stay Awake With Us
If something in this piece stirred something in you, that’s exactly why I created The AWAKE Collective.
It’s a quiet, ongoing space on Substack for women in midlife who are paying attention — not to fix themselves, but to stay awake in real life.
Inside The AWAKE Collective, you’ll receive:
Monthly Awake Videos — grounded check-ins to help you orient to the season you’re in
Monthly Live Gatherings — honest conversations and light coaching
Monthly Reflection Kits — gentle prompts and practical tools for real life
Private Community Conversation — a members-only space to process without pressure
Weekly Substack essays + bonus voice notes shared more personally and more deeply
The AWAKE Collective is included with a paid subscription to Letters from the Middle for $8/month (cancel anytime).
There is room for you.
