In this episode of North of Normal, Amanda McKeen sits down with Stacey Doll of Rooted by Stacey to talk about what she discovered when she stepped away from a busy life, social media, and the pressure to always be doing more. What began as a pause became something much deeper: a chance to pay attention, reconnect with the people around her, and rethink what balance, purpose, and community can actually look like.
Stacey and Amanda talk about permaculture, regeneration, and the surprising connection between caring for the land and caring for ourselves and our communities. They explore the difference between being connected online and being truly connected to the people in our lives, and why sometimes the best thing we can do is stop, observe, and listen before deciding what comes next.
Stacey also shares how stepping back changed the way she thinks about her work, her relationships, and the kind of community she wants to help create. It’s a conversation about slowing down, trusting the unknown, and remembering that real connection doesn’t always require a screen.
