Newsletter for October 3, 2025

Hard Choices: When Loving Someone Means Letting Go

Isn't it funny? You meet someone, and a voice whispers, "This is it! They were sent from God! We're going to be together forever." Then, as the seasons change, life happens. You get to know the person beyond the veneer, and you realize nothing is ever truly easy.

This week, my conversation with Holly Thornton on the podcast affected me deeply. She shared her story of being married to an active alcoholic, trying desperately to help him as his health deteriorated. They had three children together, and yet, she couldn't get him to stop drinking. I could absolutely relate.

So many people battling addiction are lost. The light is nearly impossible for them to grasp. I've known countless individuals who simply cannot muster through the pain—and pain, after all, either propels us forward or it debilitates.

Watching family members process their loved one’s addiction in the moment is incredibly difficult. I, for one, always want to fix it! This week, I was listening to Mel Robbins talk about her concept of "Let Them," and it resonated so much. When you can’t fix someone, it’s like banging your head against the wall. Our efforts, our will, and our plans often fail and can even push them further away.

Having Holly on the podcast was educational, even for me, who has been in this field for decades. She perfectly described what it’s like when your partner is in active addiction: it’s like having a crazy person in your home. The person looks like the sweet partner you knew before, but they are no longer in their body. The alcohol or drugs have taken over, and no human power can change them.

Almost two decades ago, when I started attending AA meetings, I learned that a belief in a higher power—who I call God—is where I could find peace. We can't navigate this world alone; there is simply too much distraction and confusion. Trying to change another person is like trying to get the waves to stop crashing. We have to live and let live.

I love the idea of "Let Them." While our instincts tell us to fix, the truth is that we don’t have the right tools—only God does.

Practice letting go and letting them this week, and let me know how you do!

Have a wonderful weekend,

XO

Bizzy

Puppy Training: The Unexpected Guide to a Better Life

Elliott aka Ellie

Good afternoon! Sorry this newsletter is late—I've been fully immersed in training our new puppy, Elliott (aka Ellie)!

What this whole exercise has taught me is that it takes four things: consistency, patience, praise, and discipline. And the huge reminder for me is that life requires the exact same four things.

Consistency & Discipline

I’ve grouped these two because they go hand-in-hand. Consistency in things like daily prayer, writing, and meditating brings me so much joy and takes me away from all the surrounding noise.

Discipline is simply the self-control that makes us do what we know we should do instead of defaulting to scrolling. LOL! It's the discipline to sit down in the morning and ask God to guide your day. God has a plan for you, but it takes discipline to stop, ask, and meditate to actually hear that plan. Not grabbing your phone the second you wake up? That’s discipline, too.

This Sunday, we’re implementing a phone-free weekend! The phones go off Saturday night and won’t be turned on until Monday morning. It’s a major challenge, and I’m ready for it. Are you?

Patience

Patience is a real struggle for me! We live in a world where we can order something and have it delivered almost instantly. Yet, when it comes to decisions and people, I have to wait. That’s tough. The line is really drawn when I get stuck on wanting things—and people—to be exactly my way.

Praise

It's easy to praise others, but giving ourselves a break? That's the hard part. We constantly compare ourselves to the outside—what they're wearing, what they drive, the perfect life they portray on Instagram or TikTok. Where is the internal praise? When we carry the shame and remorse from yesterday (or even five minutes ago), we’re just judging ourselves. Stop and give yourself a mental "like" or a "heart." Tell yourself: "I'm doing a good job. It may not be pretty, but I am showing up and trying."

Living in the Now

In closing, this puppy has taught me that I spend way too much time in the past or the future. I must be in the now! I have to live one minute at a time. My current job is to be present and know when Ellie needs to go out, or I’ll be on my hands and knees cleaning up a mess because I was completely checked out.

Let’s commit to staying in the moments together. I know God is in the moments and not in my past or my future—He is here now!

Have a wonderful weekend. Sending you all love and blessings.

P.S. How do you manage to stay present in your day? Share your tips with me!

XOXO

Bizzy

Newsletter for September 19, 2025

Restless…

We are living in a world with so much violence, so much hate. People sit on either side of the aisle, convinced to their core that they are right and the other side is wrong. It’s complete black-and-white thinking.

But I believe there’s a rainbow in between the black and the white—so many colors, so many beliefs, so many people who hold a little of this and a little of that. I don’t think most of us live fully in one camp. Deep down, we believe parts of what others believe, too. The hard part is humility—the ability to look at yourself not as you wish you were, but as you really are when you look in the mirror.

Back to the noise and restless feelings…

For years, I’ve grounded myself. And you might be scratching your head, thinking, What does that mean? No, I don’t dig a hole and plant myself in the yard. What I do is step outside barefoot, look up to heaven, and say, God, Your will be done. I’m out of the way. Just having my skin touch the grass or dirt is grounding. It’s soothing. Don’t believe me? Try it.

Right now, I’m willing to do anything to quiet this restlessness.

Decades ago, I heard: If you don’t know what to do, do nothing. That sounded impossible to me. My nickname is Bizzy for a reason. Sitting still meant something was wrong. Because when I stopped moving, feelings showed up—and who wants feelings? Not me. Feelings were overwhelming. Fear came like a freight train whenever I tried to sit still.

Our ancestors ran when fear showed up—when a tiger was near, they had to. And today, that same physical reaction can come just from a text message or something we see on TV. My instinct was always to run.

But now, decades later, I do something different. I sit with the fear, the uncertainty. I don’t run anymore. I’m too sick and tired of running. And deep down, I believe these feelings will not last forever. I trust that I’ll know where I’m supposed to go when my soul tells me.

When I used to run, fear controlled me—I moved simply to get away. Today, I can see the fear and know: walking toward it will be uncomfortable, but it won’t kill me. It isn’t a tiger.

So if you’re feeling restless, know this: it’s normal. You’re not broken. And this too shall pass.

Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful weekend.

XOXO,
Bizzy

Newsletter for September 12, 2025

Charlie….

Hey Bizzy Fam,

This week’s been heavy—Charlie Kirk’s tragic killing, the school shooting in Colorado, and the lingering pain of 9/11 still weigh on our hearts. 💔 I’m distraught, but I’m also fired up. Why? Because Charlie was a warrior for truth, encouraging young people to think for themselves and challenge the status quo. He wasn’t preachy—he was real, patriotic, and unashamed of his love for God and America. I didn’t know him personally, but I followed his work closely, and he opened my eyes to what’s broken in our schools. He gave kids the guts to stand up, ask questions, and fight for what’s right.

When I sent my kids to college, I had no idea how much leftist ideology had taken over. Charlie showed us the truth and inspired students to wrestle with ideas. Crowds lined up to debate him, and he welcomed it all—until a single shot at Utah Valley University took him from us. He’s with Jesus and our Blessed Mother now, but his light still burns. Whoever did this evil act didn’t win. They silenced his voice, but his legacy? We’ll carry it forward.

I’m proud to be a God-fearing, sober woman—19 years strong in recovery. I’m proud to be a MAGA supporter, to love Jesus, Mary, and America. My life’s messy, but my strength comes from faith, not perfection. In a world where weed’s legal and God’s pushed aside, I’m calling it out: enough! Life’s hard—since Adam and Eve, it’s been a struggle. If you’re numbing out, I’m praying for you. Gratitude and faith get us through, like I shared in episode 571 about being powerless over change. Watch it: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethchance.

The Colorado school shooting at Evergreen High School, where a student took their own life after injuring two classmates, breaks my heart . It’s another reminder of our broken systems. And 9/11, 24 years later, still stings—yet it calls us to stand stronger. Let’s honor Charlie by living like he did: smile at your neighbor, even if they don’t smile back. Forgive those who hurt you, even when it’s tough. Don’t let these tragedies make you hopeless—let them make you proud. Fly your American flag, your MAGA flag, and stand tall in your faith.

Try this: write down one way you’ll carry Charlie’s legacy—maybe it’s speaking up or loving louder. Share it with me at elizabeth@elizabethchance.com.

Let’s keep pushing for change, Bizzy fam—together, we’re unstoppable.

Connect with Bizzy:
🎙️ Patreon: patreon.com/elizabethchance
💙 Facebook: facebook.com/itsbizzypodcast
📸 Instagram: @itsbizzypodcast
▶️ YouTube: @elizabethchance
🎵 TikTok: @bizzychance
🐦 X: @itsbizzypodcast
📌 Pinterest: @BusyLivingSober
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/elizabethchance
💌 Updates: eepurl.com/iDtRnw

Sending big hugs and love,
Bizzy ❤️
#LiveLoudLoveBig #itsbizzy #bizzysays

Newsletter for September 5, 2025

From Penelope’s Loss to a New Pup: Change Is Our Teacher

Hey Bizzy Fam,

It’s been just over a week since I lost my Penelope, my heart and shadow for nearly 15 years. 🐾 I still see her bowls, her toys, that click of her paws—and my 5-year-old Cavapoo, Lele, is lost without her sister. So, call me crazy, but today we’re bringing home a new puppy! Some might say, “Whoa, that’s fast,” but I’ve always loved having two dogs, and my heart’s ready to grow again.

How long should you grieve? There’s no rulebook, fam. In episode 570, Becky Shippos and I dive into change—messy, beautiful, and real. Losing Penelope gutted me, but my 19 years in recovery taught me we all grieve differently. Some days I cry, others I laugh at her memory. We’re not robots; we’re humans, and that’s the beauty of it. Instead of judging someone’s process, let’s love and respect their journey. Be kind to yourself—take the time you need, no more, no less.

This new pup? I’m nervous! It’s been five years since we had a puppy tearing through the house, chewing shoes, and waking us up at dawn. I’m out here buying collars, bowls, food, and booking vet appointments to make sure our little girl’s healthy and vaccinated. Intimidating? Heck yes! But I’m reminding myself: she’s gonna chew, and that’s okay. Patience is the name of the game, just like navigating change.

September’s all about change on It’s Bizzy. In episode 569, I talked about embracing it, whether it’s a choice (like getting this pup) or something that just happens, like kids going back to school. Change is life’s constant—you can’t dodge it, so why not see it as a chance to grow? Sometimes it’s messy, sometimes it’s like dancing through without missing a beat. Either way, you’re not alone. I’m rereading A Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, and it’s hitting home: God made us perfectly, with a purpose that might hide but never fades. Give yourself grace, love yourself, and lean into courage to hear God’s dreams for you. Want to chat about finding yours? Hit me up at elizabeth@elizabethchance.com.

So, picture me with sleepless nights, puppy chaos, and a heart full of hope. Wherever you are in your grief—whether it’s a pet, a person, or a chapter—embrace how you feel. There’s no right or wrong, and comparing yourself to others steals your joy. Try this: write down one thing you’re letting go of (for me, it’s Penelope’s empty bed) and one thing you’re embracing (puppy cuddles!). Share it with me—I’d love to hear.

Check out episode 570 for more on finding joy in change: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethchance. You’re never alone, Bizzy fam—let’s keep loving big!

Connect with Bizzy:
🎙️ Patreon: patreon.com/elizabethchance
💙 Facebook: facebook.com/itsbizzypodcast
📸 Instagram: @itsbizzypodcast
▶️ YouTube: @elizabethchance
🎵 TikTok: @bizzychance
🐦 X: @itsbizzypodcast
📌 Pinterest: @BusyLivingSober
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/elizabethchance
💌 Updates: eepurl.com/iDtRnw

Sending big hugs,
Bizzy
#LiveLoudLoveBig

Newsletter for August 29, 2025

Goodbye, My Sweet Girl 💔

Yesterday, I said goodbye to my best friend of almost 15 years. She wasn’t just a dog—she was family, my constant companion, my shadow. She loved me with that pure, unconditional love that only a dog can give.

Today, the house feels empty. I keep looking for her bowls, her toys, her favorite bones tucked in little corners of the house. I still expect to hear the click of her paws on the floor or feel her presence next to me. Grief sneaks in through all of those missing pieces.

Losing a pet is a pain that so many of us go through, and yet it never feels any easier when it’s our turn. Our pets don’t live as long as we do, and that truth hurts. But what a gift it is to love and be loved by them for the time we do have.

My heart aches, and yet, I also feel gratitude—for the walks, the cuddles, the joy she brought into my life every single day. I know my little cavapoo Lele feels it too; she’s lost her companion. That’s why I find myself thinking about welcoming another pup one day, not to replace my sweet girl, but to honor her by keeping that circle of love going.

Loss is terrible. It shakes us, breaks us, and leaves holes in our days. But how do we grieve and still carry on? Maybe the truth is—we don’t get a choice. We grieve and we carry on. Slowly, tenderly, with tears and with memories.

If you’re grieving today—whether it’s a pet, a person, or a part of your life you’ve had to let go—know that you’re not alone. The love we shared is never wasted, and in some mysterious way, it carries us forward.

With love,
Bizzy

Newsletter for August 22, 2025

Why One Try Isn’t Always Enough

Hey Bizzy Fam!

Have you ever had one of those moments where something nudges your heart, and you realize later it wasn’t just coincidence—it was a God wink?

For me, one of those moments was with Al-Anon. At first, I didn’t think it was for me. I went to a meeting, and honestly, it felt just… okay. Nothing clicked. Part of me thought, well, maybe this isn’t it.

But something in me (and I believe it was God) nudged me to keep going. I gave it another try. And another. By the sixth meeting, something shifted. I got into the groove. I started hearing the message in a new way. I realized that God was speaking to me through those rooms, through the people, through the stories.

That experience taught me a powerful lesson: we can’t always expect the first time to feel perfect. Whether it’s a meeting, a prayer practice, a new habit, or even a friendship, sometimes it takes time to settle in. Sometimes God winks through consistency, not instant clarity.

And this is true in life, too. Growth and healing rarely come in one big moment—they come from showing up again and again, even when it feels awkward or uncertain. That’s where the transformation happens.

So, if you’ve tried something once and thought, “meh, not for me”—I encourage you to pause and ask: Is God nudging me to give this another chance?

✨ Have you had a God wink lately—a moment where persistence opened a new door for you? I’d love to hear your story. Just hit reply.

Have a fantastic weekend and thanks for being you.

Reach out with any comments or questions to elizabeth@elizabethchance.com.

With love and faith,
Bizzy

#itsbizzy #bizzysays #LiveLoudLoveBig

Newsletter for August 15, 2025

Before I quit drinking and a photo from today

19 years of sobriety!

Who would have thought I would have been the one to put down the drink and change? Not me. I was in love with alcohol from the age of 13! It took away all the feelings, it was magic I’d have a sip and it would hit my lips run down my throat and a warmth would immediately appear, and awe the fear, remorse, regret, shame, comparison went right out the window. My insane thoughts disappeared, and I was free!

WOW!

Who would have thought at the age of 37 I would have been brought down to my knees by that same magic! It took over my life, it was all I thought about. When can I get it, and will it be enough? Obsessive thoughts...When I had plans to go meet friends at a bar, party, wedding I needed 2 bottles of wine. One to have while I got ready and the other to have when I came home from wherever I went. I was not a daily drinker; I was what they call a binge drinker. When I drank, I drank.

I am a social butterfly; I absolutely love humans. My energy comes from other people. When I was young, I used to love to sing and dance and put on shows for my parents. I don’t know if they were well received. Or that my parents really had any interest in what I was doing. It doesn’t really matter. I still remember prepping my dances and my songs and all I wanted was someone to see me and hear me….

Profound right… I don’t think I am alone in these feelings.

Fast forward to August 14, 2006. I am so so grateful for that day. I put down my magic and reached for a new set of tools.

Sitting here writing this on my anniversary brings back so many memories. I remember telling my then brother-in-law (he was in long term recovery back then…not my story to tell he helped me) that I was going to quit! He was shocked! But after convincing him that this is what I want to do he connected me with one of his friend’s wives. She had a lot of sobriety, she is a Mom and has three children also. She is different not the same type of person that I was used to hanging out with. She had gone to an ivy league school, and we had different drugs of choice. And guess what we voted completely different in general elections, but she had what I wanted. SOBRIETY, SERENITY, and a CALM HOME! She had what I was longing for, and she helped me in my first year.

The first year in sobriety is so important in my opinion. It is where you learn so, so much (if you are open to it) and I compare it to planting a palm tree. I needed to learn, spread my roots. I needed to learn how to use these new tools and how to deal with my head, my thoughts and my feelings. That person helped me! She taught me so much in that first year and I feel like I was a sponge, ready to jump when she said jump.

Here I sit 19 years from when I quit, and I am so grateful! I was a train wreak back then I had no clue who I was, what I wanted, or what I even liked I had lived life like a chameleon

Today I feel so close to God and that has always been my mission even though I didn’t know it. I have been given so much grace and love on my journey!

19 years ago, I was scared! Looking back, I understand where my fear came from but today, I know those feelings were a waste of time and energy, everything is going to work out the way God wants it to.

We all need to trust!

Have a fantastic weekend and thanks for being you.

Reach out with any comments or questions to elizabeth@elizabethchance.com.

Love you all.

XO

Bizzy

#itsbizzy #yougotthis #bizzysays

Newsletter for August 8, 2025

Time…

Time is such a gift—and yet so many of us (myself included!) ignore it. Why is that? Ego? Distraction? Or maybe it’s just the habit of living in the future or the past. I think it’s all of that.

This week, I heard about someone I used to cross paths with when I lived in Philly. We weren’t close, but I knew him. He was my age—maybe a little younger. He went to sleep and didn’t wake up. He passed away in his sleep.

That hit me hard. It reminded me that this could happen to any of us.
This could be our last day. Our last hour. Our last second.
We just don’t know.

Now I’m not saying this to depress anyone or send you into a tizzy—
I’m saying it because peace and joy only live in one place: right now.
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow isn’t here. All we have is this moment.

I spent so many years looking back—wishing I could undo things, replay moments, make different choices. What a waste of time. We can glance back to reflect, sure. But not to relive. The goal is to learn, not to punish ourselves.

Going over and over something you can’t change? That’s insanity.
Trust me, I’ve been there.

July brought a lot to the surface for me—fears, regrets, realizations.
I found myself staring at old versions of me. But I can’t go back to 40, or 50.
What I can do is reflect, grow, and pivot.

That’s the key: pivoting.
I need to change. And saying that? It’s humbling.

Humbling is different than humble.
Humbling is looking at who we are—not with shame—but with honesty.
It’s saying: this is me. This is how I’ve shown up. And now I want to do better.

When people talk about end-of-life moments, it’s always the highlights they remember. Never the mess. Never the pain. It’s the joy. The good stuff.

So here’s my challenge for the weekend:
🌿 Stay in the present.
🌿 Wiggle your toes.
🌿 Breathe.
🌿 Pray.

And every time you drift into the past or future, come back.
Take a bird’s eye view of your life. Find the good. Let go of the rest.
All you have is now. Embrace it.

And one last thing?
💛 Hug your loved ones.
💛 Say hi to a stranger.
It just might change your whole perspective.

Thanks for reading.
Have a beautiful weekend.

XO,
Bizzy

 #bizzysays #conversationswithbizzy

Newsletter August 1, 2025

Patience, Your Superpower!

Pause, Pray, Prevail!

A virtue right!!! Oxford’s dictionary definition of patience, is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.

I have had to be patient for the month of July and not make any decisions because I don’t have all the facts! To be completely honest I don’t know what to do! I have made so many rash decisions in my life that in the end I have regretted!

For instance, during Covid my car totally died, the drive shaft had split into two! After taking the car to the dealership, I really had no options but to buy a car! I knew I couldn’t afford a brand-new car, so I was looking for a used car. The options if you recall during Covid were abysmal! I mean buying a used car was like knowing that you were going to be ripped off! It was like going to a store when you are in distress and the only thing that fits is retail price and you have no other options but to get the dress! I have regretted buying that car since I got it! But what could I have done? I thought I had no options but that was the lie! The salesman won! I didn’t give myself the time and grace to go home without a car and just sit until I had the chance to make a rational decision.

Life is full of these instances where one is in a panic mode, and they believe there are no other options but to jump! And let’s face it, none of these situations is like the Titanic where your only option was to get on a lifeboat or you’re going down with the sinking ship.

Ironically enough most don’t have such dire decisions to make thank you God! But what we all do have is time. Time is the biggest gift we have and none of us know how much time we all really have but we should cherish our time and use it wisely.

It has taken me so long…to realize that time is a gift and I need to use it! Presently I have some really hard decisions to make, and I don’t know what to do. I want to react and go to option 1 or option 2 but I don’t know the right answer! I am stumped! Each day I pray and pray and pray and no answers come so I must sit! I can’t make another rash decision again! Time and time again after making rash decisions the results leave me in a state where I am always questioning why did I make this choice? I would imagine you reading this can completely relate.

My advice is not doing anything when you don’t know what to do. Yes, it will be uncomfortable, and you will want to do something because doing nothing is so impossible! We sometimes just decide because the uncomfortable feelings are too overwhelming that we jump! Don’t JUMP!

Sit, breathe and relax, go for a walk, journal and talk to friends (but don’t ask too many what their opinions are that makes it even more impossible) until the time comes where you know what to do! You know in your heart and in your soul that yes this is going to be the best decision for me, and I don’t think I will regret this!

Yes, you still can have regrets, but you will know that the decision you made was after long contemplation and prayer!

Lastly, I am excited that today is August 1, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, and Tuesday the first podcast for this season is going to drop! I promise you don’t want to miss it!

Have a stupendous weekend and know this you are not alone! Reach out any time with questions and comments.

Thanks for taking your time to read this.

XOXO

Bizzy

#conversationswithbizzy #bizzysays