We recently connected with Eve Sturges and have shared our conversation below.

Eve, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

My fantasies of a “regular job” are all about resources and logistics. On the one hand, I love the flexibility of self-employment, especially since two of my children are still really young. On the other hand, My mental and emotional processing is at capacity from balancing so many different responsibilities. I love the idea of a job that I could “leave at the office.” I’m constantly battling stress and guilt about leisure time that could be spent working. But I know a job like that wouldn’t allow the scheduling flexibility or creative license I have now. The balance and boundaries are my biggest challenges; I imagine it will be a lifelong learning process. My podcast is an undeniably exhausting venture, but it has changed my life. I feel extremely fortunate to be able to create a schedule for myself that allows this creative outlet. I have met people from all around the globe, and created friendships with folks from all walks of life across America. A “regular job” would have made this entire project impossible.
When do I fantasize the most about “regular jobs?” When I think about being dependent on my husband for health insurance, which is precarious because he’s a writer. When I want to relax and watch a trendy TV show or movie after we’ve put the kids to bed,, but I have to work late instead. And of course, when I compare our life and income to those around us who have more. I try to remember that everything’s relative (Ha!), that I’ve experienced a lot of privilege in my life, and to be grateful.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I think a ven diagram best illustrates the overlap between my two lives as psychotherapist and podcaster. I have been a therapist for 10 years, and find that my eclectic approach of depth psychology theory and real talk resonates with clients on a deep and relatable level. Many of my clients have been with me for a very long time, and I’ve witness their lives change and grow in amazing ways.

Five years ago, I had the life-altering experience of a “DNA Surprise,” and the podcast was born. There is a global phenomenon, since the availability of direct-to-consumer DNA tests, of people discovering they are not who they thought they were, or aren’t related to the folks they thought were their parents. Secrets are uncovered like donor conception, adoption, and infidelity. I use my skills as a therapist to engage with my guests with empathy, to ask insightful questions, and reflect with listeners about broader implications of the human experience within the DNA-Discovery phenomenon. I’ve created a workbook for my audience, “Who Even Am I Anymore,” and facilitate writing workshops multiple times a year. As a therapist, I facilitate healing group sessions around the country at Hiraeth Hope and Healing Retreats. My podcast has brought me therapy clients in direct and indirect ways; about 30 percent of my clients come to me with shocking DNA results.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

This year has been a roller coaster for therapists. After three years of pandemic-induced consistency, all my clients went on vacation in 2023. I am still struggling to catch up, and still struggling to find balance between costs and benefits in my private practice. I have minimal overhead costs and still found myself struggling to make payroll or pay myself, more than once, this past year. Just like therapists are always reminding their clients that people’s lives on social media aren’t real or aren’t the whole story, the success of businesses we see on social media isn’t real either! (And/or isn’t the whole story.) Comparison has brought me nothing, so I try to stay focused on what’s best for me, my business, and my family. My accountant helps me stay grounded in reality.

If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?

I am always keeping my eyes and ears out for additional revenue streams and side hustles! I think it’s a survival skill I developed as a single-mom in LA. But specifically within my private practice, I have the workbook, “Who Even Am I Anymore: A Process Journal for the Adoptee, Late-Discovery Adoptee, Donor Conceived, NPE, and MPE Community”, which is for sale on Amazon. In conjunction with the journal, I facilitate writing workshops four times a year; its on zoom, and people join from all over the country.

After four years and over 100 episodes, my podcast has reached a place where ads bring in a small stream of revenue, though it still isn’t enough to cover production costs. One day, maybe…

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.evesturges.la/
• Instagram: @everythingsrelativepodcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/everythingsrelativepodcast
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/eve-sturges-a2662763
• Twitter: @evesturges
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@evestur
• Other: Podcast. Link, Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everythings-relative-with-eve-sturges/id1459167540