The Midlife Chrysalis: Transforming Crisis into a Calling with Dr. Devaa Haley Mitchell
Release Date: 05/29/2025
The Midlife Chrysalis: Transforming Crisis into a Calling with Dr. Devaa Haley Mitchell
Play It Brave Podcast
What if midlife wasn’t a crisis—but a chrysalis? In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, D’Arcy sits down with spiritual leader and transformational guide Dr. Devaa Haley Mitchell to reframe the way we view this pivotal life stage. Together, they unpack the idea of midlife as a sacred period of unraveling, reclaiming, and radiating—a time of deep transformation that prepares us to emerge more fully expressed, sovereign, and whole. From the rise of the Queen archetype to the cultural stories we’ve inherited about aging, this episode explores how truth-telling, community, and...
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The Power of Being Seen: Healing Shame and Reclaiming Love
Play It Brave Podcast
In this episode, D’Arcy and her sister April dive deep into what it means to reclaim love on your own terms—especially when you’ve spent years minimizing your needs, hiding your pain, or staying small to feel safe. Together, they explore how worthiness, visibility, and nervous system regulation play a role in opening yourself back up to being loved, seen, and supported. They reflect on how generational and cultural conditioning can disconnect us from our bodies and our truth—and how honoring your story, even the messy parts, is a radical act of love in itself. Through personal shares...
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Cracking the Luxury Code: How to Start Networking with High-End Wedding Planners
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Most luxury planners don’t work with just anyone—and if you’ve ever tried to get on their radar, you know how tough it can feel. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on what actually builds trust with high-end planners, how to navigate the “Catch-22” of not having luxury work yet, and how to start making meaningful connections with planners who are aligned with where you are now. Plus, I share: A real-life email that got me a rave review from a luxury planner My exact framework for building planner relationships post-wedding A mindset shift that will change the way you...
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Remembering Our Humanity Through Land, Ritual, and Community with Brooke Benincosa
Play It Brave Podcast
In this soul-nourishing episode, D’Arcy welcomes back her sister Brooke Benincosa to share the sacred story of how they co-steward Nightingale Cabin—a healing sanctuary tucked into the Utah mountains—and the vision they’re bringing to life through retreats, land rituals, and community gatherings. Together, they explore what it means to live in deep connection with nature, rhythm, and each other. Brooke shares how she was called to create healing spaces rooted in reverence for the land, and how her journey with nursing, healing, and intuitive wisdom shaped the work she now offers. They...
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From $250 to Luxury Senior Sessions: The Power of Connection & Confidence with Maria Ortiz
Play It Brave Podcast
In this episode, we sit down with Maria Ortiz—a talented photographer who has transformed her senior portrait business by infusing it with deep emotional connection, thoughtful communication, and bold pricing strategies. Maria shares how she brings excitement and warmth into every stage of her client process, from the first email to the session day. She discusses how her carefully crafted questionnaire helps her get to know each senior on a deeper level, asking questions like “If you could give a TED Talk, what would it be about?” or “What would your perfect Sunday look like?” These...
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The 20-Year Age Gap Between Me and My Man
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In this intimate and heart-opening episode, D’Arcy sits down with her partner, Tyler, for their first-ever podcast conversation together. What unfolds is a raw, funny, and deeply honest look into the real work of love—what it takes to build a conscious relationship, navigate hard seasons, and grow as individuals and a couple. They share the story of their romance, from meeting at a retreat in 2023 to reconnecting after a breakup in 2024, and everything in between. From mismatched attachment styles to breakdowns in communication, D’Arcy and Tyler don’t shy away from the truth:...
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I Checked Myself Into a Hospital in India for 21 Days
Play It Brave Podcast
I didn’t just go to India. I checked myself into a hospital for 21 days. I let go of my business, my routine, my Western way of life—and I surrendered to a deep, ancient healing process. I was bathed by women half my size, scrubbed down with herbs, and forced to slow down in a way I never had before. This is what happened. Why I Did This I reached a breaking point. Numb toes, neuropathy, panic attacks, extreme stress, feeling trapped in my body—it all led me to this decision. My body was screaming at me. And I knew I needed something more than another diet, another break,...
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10 Days in Silence: How Vipassana Meditation Rewired My Brain
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What happens when you sit in complete silence for 10 days—no talking, no technology, no eye contact, no distractions? In this episode, I take you inside my Vipassana meditation retreat, where I spent over 100 hours in silence and came face-to-face with my mind in ways I never expected. From nearly having a panic attack on Day 4, to watching a cobra almost kill my neighbor, to a tiny fly teaching me a profound lesson on suffering—this experience rewired my brain, changed how I see technology, and redefined what it means to be human in the modern world. What Is Vipassana Meditation?...
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Your Signature Style: Becoming an Industry of One
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What if your work was so distinct that people could recognize it instantly—without even seeing your name attached to it? That’s the power of a signature style. In today’s episode, I’m diving deep into what it really means to develop an artistic voice that sets you apart in the photography industry. If you’ve ever felt like your work blends in or that you’re creating for others instead of yourself, this episode is your wake-up call. Your signature style isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about confidence, perspective, and the energy you bring to your work. 🚨 Ready to refine...
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How to Create a Luxury Brand: The 4 Levels of Prestige Branding
Play It Brave Podcast
In this episode of Play It Brave, I sit down with Dr. Chelsea Shields, an expert in luxury branding and strategy for billion-dollar businesses. We dive deep into how prestige brands set themselves apart in the market and explore the essential elements that make a brand luxurious. Whether you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or creative professional, this episode will show you how to apply luxury branding principles to your business—no matter your size or industry.
info_outlineWhat if midlife wasn’t a crisis—but a chrysalis?
In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, D’Arcy sits down with spiritual leader and transformational guide Dr. Devaa Haley Mitchell to reframe the way we view this pivotal life stage. Together, they unpack the idea of midlife as a sacred period of unraveling, reclaiming, and radiating—a time of deep transformation that prepares us to emerge more fully expressed, sovereign, and whole.
From the rise of the Queen archetype to the cultural stories we’ve inherited about aging, this episode explores how truth-telling, community, and feminine leadership can help us navigate the unknown with courage and grace. If you're feeling the stirrings of change or longing to embrace your next chapter with intention, this one’s for you.
Key Takeaways:
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Midlife is not a breakdown—it’s a metamorphosis.
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The Queen archetype offers a fresh and empowering lens on aging and leadership.
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Cultural narratives about aging shape how we see ourselves—and we can rewrite them.
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Truth-telling is a liberating force for healing and connection.
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Feminine leadership is intuitive, inclusive, and deeply needed in today’s world.
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The chrysalis journey unfolds in stages: unraveling, reclaiming, and radiating.
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Community support is essential during times of transition.
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Embracing sensuality and creativity is key to holistic well-being.
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Awareness of societal conditioning can help us reclaim our power and purpose.
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The unknown isn’t something to fear—it’s an invitation to grow.
Whether you're in your thirties, forties, fifties, or beyond, this conversation is a gentle reminder: the unraveling is part of the becoming. And you’re not alone.
Meet Devaa:
For Dr. Devaa Haley Mitchell, transformation isn’t just a concept—it’s a way of life. She’s dedicated to helping people reconnect with their deepest selves, unlock their leadership gifts, and step into their full potential.
As the Co-Founder of The Shift Network, a multiple 7-figure educational platform, Devaa has helped bring life-changing programs to over 3.2 million students worldwide. She’s also built an online summit that served 130,000 women across 160 countries—all while growing her company from the ground up.
Through her private practice, Devaa supports her clients with Soul and Strategy Coaching to work on both the “inner” work of feminine leadership as well as the “outer” work of visionary strategy and implementation. She also leads women through a comprehensive Midlife Chrysalis process to gracefully navigate the many changes that happen in midlife. Finally, Devaa offers psychedelic integration as well as microdose coaching to enhance creativity and focus, while mitigating the impacts of anxiety and depression.
Devaa earned both her BA and MA from Stanford University. She received her Doctorate in Ministry from Wisdom University (now known as Ubiquity University) and is also an ordained interfaith minister. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for her ecological anthropology work with indigenous groups in the Brazilian Amazon. Devaa also completed her Psilocybin Guides certification through Bodhi Academy in Oregon.
Earlier in her career, Devaa was a Management Consultant at the Boston Consulting Group where she consulted with Fortune 500 Companies. She later worked as the founding Executive Director of the Full Circle Fund, a thriving venture philanthropy group, followed by a senior Director role at the Institute of Noetic Sciences. She is also a member of the prestigious Evolutionary Leaders group.
In her spare time, Devaa is a musician, and her songs fuse East and West with danceable grooves. Her most recent album, Rebirth, reached #1 on Amazon in the New Age Category.
Connect with Devaa:
Devaa’s course – Awaken Your Archetypal Feminine Codes: A Guided Initiation Into Your Sacred Power and Leadership – will go live on June 6, 2025.
Visit Devaa’s Website to learn more about her offerings and sign up for her Dynamic Manifestation Video Series, or follow along on Instagram.