staceybooks

Imagine a community where people who made mistakes were not just punished but also given a pathway to redemption. A place where individuals who had served their time were met not with closed doors, but with opportunities. That’s not just an idealistic vision, it’s a public safety strategy backed by data, experience, and a little…

Have you ever found yourself in a conversation, a relationship, or even a workplace dynamic where, no matter what you did, you felt stuck, misunderstood, overwhelmed, or just plain exhausted? If so, you may have unknowingly stepped into the Karpman Drama Triangle. I’ve been there, more than once. The triangle has three roles: the Persecutor,…

Most people don’t see the battle. They see my job title, the events I host, the programs I lead. They see the smiles in the photos, the passion in my voice when I talk about second chances and justice reform. They see a woman who came out of prison and built something powerful, a wife,…

As life keeps moving, faster than we ever seem ready for, I’ve come to realize that the things that matter most aren’t things at all. They’re people, they’re moments, they’re the quiet, simple truths that sit in your chest long after the chaos has died down. For me, what’s most important in life can be…

There’s something magical about a road trip. Not the traffic, not the gas station snacks (okay, maybe those too), but the playlist, that sacred lineup of songs that turns a simple drive into a full-blown concert tour. My 8-hour travel playlist isn’t just music, it’s an experience. It’s a genre-jumping, mood-swinging, nostalgia-triggering masterpiece. From powerful…

Ah, the Pringles can. A tall, slender symbol of snacking genius, or pure frustration, depending on who you ask. We’ve all been there: reaching for that last perfectly curved chip and realizing our hand is about to get stuck like Winnie the Pooh in a honey jar. You twist, tilt, and tap, hoping gravity and…

Today I found myself in one of the most uncomfortable places I’ve been in over twenty years…the bowling alley. Not just any bowling alley, but the one tied to some of the most complicated memories of my life. It was once owned by two people I considered my best friends. People I trusted. People I…

There are perfect days, and then there are beach days with your kids and grandsons. The kind that imprint on your soul forever. It starts with the chaos, of course. The cooler won’t close, someone forgot the towels, and there’s sand in places sand should never be. But somehow, even in the mess, there’s magic.…

Change is one of the few constants in life, yet it’s also one of the most resisted. In organizations, in families, in relationships, and within ourselves, change is rarely embraced with open arms. Why? Because it’s uncomfortable. It’s disruptive. It forces us to look at things differently, shift routines, let go of control, and sometimes…

There’s a version of this blog I could write that sounds strong, confident, and healed…but that wouldn’t be honest. The truth is, some days I struggle to love the person in the mirror. We hear a lot about “self-love” these days. It’s in books, podcasts, sermons, and social media quotes with pretty fonts and pastel…