Advertise on podcast: Tides of Change

Every year, as the busy season winds down, I start dreaming about all the things I'll finally have time to do. House projects, getting organized, taking better care of myself, catching up with friends, and maybe even a little relaxing. But here we are, almost November, and somehow my days are just as full as ever. In this episode of Tides of Change, I'm sharing the reality of off-season life, where no two days look the same, a thousand little responsibilities compete for attention, and it's surprisingly easy to feel busy without feeling accomplished. But it's also got me questioning something bigger: What if the goal isn't to get everything done, but to decide what actually deserves to get done? We're talking about the hidden challenges of flexibility, the difference between making progress and feeling productive, and why the things that matter most don't always come with deadlines. Because having freedom over your time is one thing. Learning how you really want to spend it is another.

Have you ever looked at a life you're genuinely grateful for and realized there's a part of yourself you miss? I've spent the last few years building a life with more freedom, flexibility, and opportunities to do things differently. And while I wouldn't trade so much of what I've created, lately I've been feeling a little stuck. In this episode, I'm reflecting on the ambitious, confident, challenge-loving version of myself I remember from my corporate career, the unexpected trade-offs of choosing a different path, and the difference between being busy and feeling fulfilled. From leading disaster response teams to learning how to lobster fish, I've taken on some pretty big challenges. But somewhere along the way, I've lost a little of that excitement about what comes next. I don't have a big revelation or a five-step plan. Just an honest conversation about ambition, identity, changing priorities, and finding ways to reconnect with the parts of ourselves we miss.

What happens when the busy season ends… but life doesn’t actually get less busy? I’ve been trying to record an episode called When the Busy Stops for weeks, which feels increasingly ironic. Joey’s has mostly wrapped for the season, but consulting work, a new board appointment, travel, time with friends and all the things I put off during the summer have quickly filled the space. In this episode, I’m reflecting on what it really means to transition between seasons, why having more freedom over my time doesn’t necessarily mean having more free time, and the difference between a full life and an overworked one. After a restorative weekend away reminded me what it feels like to genuinely unplug, I’m also asking: What actually restores us? How do we protect the space we worked so hard to create? And what do we want to make room for as the next tide comes in? Maybe the goal isn’t for the busy to stop completely. Maybe it’s getting better at choosing what fills the space.

It’s the last day of another tourism season, and this year I’m crossing the finish line differently: tired, ready for a break, but not completely empty. In this episode, I’m reflecting on the small things that helped me protect my energy this summer, why a day off isn’t always enough to truly disconnect, and the pressure tourism operators can feel to keep pushing long after the demand, finances, or energy make sense. After eight summers of running Joey’s, I’m learning to trust myself when it comes to knowing when enough is enough. Maybe a successful season isn’t one where we squeeze out every possible booking, dollar, or day. Maybe it’s one where we stop with enough left in the tank to eventually want to do it all again.

What if balance isn’t something we find? After working 11 days in a row during one of the busiest stretches of my summer, I expected to feel completely depleted. But surprisingly, I feel pretty good. In this episode, I’m reflecting on what I’ve done differently this season: letting non-urgent things wait, making time for workouts and rest, asking for help, and getting more comfortable with the idea that just because I could be doing something doesn’t mean I should be. Maybe balance isn’t about giving everything equal time. Maybe it’s about giving yourself what you need for the season you’re in.

Do you ever look outside on a beautiful summer day and feel guilty for staying inside? In this episode, I'm unpacking something that's been on my mind lately: the pressure to "make the most" of summer. After a conversation with a friend, a few days off that didn't go as planned, and one too many scrolls through social media, I realized how easy it is to compare our real lives to everyone else's highlight reel. We talk about the invisible checklist we've created for summer, why sometimes the best choice is staying home, and how to stop measuring your days by what they look like and start measuring them by what actually feels right for you. Maybe making the most of summer isn't about doing more. Maybe it's about being exactly where you want to be. I'd love to hear your thoughts after listening. Send me a message on Instagram @julieanngauthier and let me know... have you ever felt like you were doing summer wrong?

We hear it all the time. Be consistent. Stay consistent. Success comes from consistency. But what if your life changes with the seasons? In this episode, I'm sharing what the transition from lobster fishing to tourism season has taught me about routines, values, and learning to adapt without losing yourself. If you work in tourism, hospitality, farming, fishing, or any seasonal business, I hope this episode gives you permission to stop chasing the perfect routine and start building one that fits the season you're actually in. Because maybe consistency isn't about doing the same thing every day. Maybe it's about continuing to show up for yourself as life changes.

It's the night before landing day, the final day of the 2026 lobster season. In this episode, I'm reflecting on another spring spent fishing with my dad, moving into my renovated home, learning to rest when I need it, and preparing for the transition into summer at Joey's Deep Sea Fishing. A conversation about seasons, change, and giving ourselves grace when life feels full.

In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of setting day here on PEI — from the 3:45am alarm and crowded wharf to the chaos of getting 300 traps in the water before the first haul of the season. I’m also answering your questions about lobster fishing life: how crews are paid, what happens to female lobsters carrying eggs, what a typical day looks like on the boat, how the catch gets sold, and what fishermen actually do in the off-season. But beyond the logistics, this episode is really about adjustment — returning to a physically demanding schedule, balancing house renovations and exhaustion, and remembering how to live by the rhythm of the season again. It’s tiring. It’s beautiful. And somehow, every year, we come back anyway.

In this episode, I’m sharing a real-time reflection from a transition season, right before lobster fishing begins, where life feels full, but unstructured. I talk about navigating days without routine, the mental load of “time freedom,” stepping away when you hit a wall, and learning to trust yourself without rigid expectations. If things feel a little off or uncertain right now… maybe you’re not stuck. Maybe you’re just between tides.

Coming back from vacation didn’t feel like a reset. I got sick, my energy was low, and with lobster season around the corner, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t ready. In this episode, I’m sharing what it’s been like to move through that space — the in-between where you’re not fully rested, but not yet in your next season either. This is about letting go of the pressure to feel ready… and trusting that you will be when the time comes.

What’s the thing you’ve been dreaming about doing but haven’t started yet? In this episode, we’re talking about why waiting until you feel “ready” can keep you stuck — and why confidence and clarity actually come after you take the first step. I’m sharing my own experience of leaving my full-time job, how our paths often evolve in ways we can’t predict, and why the biggest regret for most people isn’t failing… it’s never trying. If there’s something calling you to step outside your comfort zone, this episode is your reminder: you don’t need the whole plan — you just need the courage to begin. 🎙️

If you live or work in seasons, you know the tension of wanting to prepare for a busy stretch without wishing away the slower one you’re in. In this episode, I’m sharing what it feels like to stand in the in-between — finishing a house renovation, soaking up a lighter schedule, and knowing lobster fishing and tourism season are right around the corner. We’ll talk about how ambition shifts in different seasons, the difference between planning and anxiety, and simple ways to prepare for what’s next without burning yourself out early. Because ambition isn’t about constant hustle — it’s about honoring the rhythm of your life.

Contract work can feel energizing, purposeful, and exciting — but what happens when the project ends? In this episode, I’m sharing the emotional highs and energy crash that can come with contract work, freelance projects, conferences, and seasonal careers. After coming home from a week of high output and social energy, I found myself deeply exhausted and struggling with motivation — and it made me reflect on something we don’t talk about enough: the nervous system swings and seasonal rhythms that come with project-based work. We’ll explore the adrenaline and identity boost that happens when you’re “on,” why the post-project crash is completely normal, and how contract work often operates in energy cycles rather than steady productivity. If you’ve ever felt unmotivated or drained after something that went really well, this episode will help you understand why — and how to honor your recovery season instead of fighting it. Whether you work contract-to-contract, freelance, seasonally, or simply experience intense bursts of work followed by slower periods, this conversation will help you reframe exhaustion, motivation dips, and energy fluctuations in a healthier, more sustainable way.

When the world feels heavy, overwhelming, or emotionally exhausting, it can be hard to know how to stay grounded without completely disengaging. In this episode, we’re talking about how to cope when the world feels overwhelming and how to stay emotionally grounded during uncertain and stressful times. This is not political commentary or hot takes. Instead, it’s a calm, compassionate conversation about emotional resilience, nervous system regulation, and caring deeply without burning out. You’ll learn how to acknowledge heavy emotions without amplifying fear, how to identify what is and is not yours to carry, and how to stay informed without becoming consumed by anxiety or overwhelm. I also share simple grounding practices to help you regulate your emotions and stay present when everything feels like too much. If you’ve been feeling anxious, sad, emotionally drained, or overwhelmed by what’s happening in the world, this episode will help you feel less alone—and offer practical tools to help you stay steady, grounded, and compassionate during heavy seasons.