
Episode #282
What Dolly Parton Taught Us About Living On Purpose (Part 1: The Personal)
Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026, at age 80, and in this episode of Brave Moves, Julie DeLucca-Collins opens up about the grief of losing a public figure you've never met, and what research says about why that grief is real. Julie then unpacks the personal side of Dolly's legacy: marrying young, before fame, and staying married for nearly 60 years without ever losing her name, ambition, or identity to it; never having children, yet nurturing millions through the Imagination Library; and being kind without ever being mistaken for weak. Julie explores why Dolly's record-breaking favorability rating — outpacing every major political figure in a recent national poll- wasn't built on staying neutral, but on decades of quiet, consistent love that made room for her to say hard things without losing anyone. This is Part 1 of a two-part series; Part 2 covers Dolly's business acumen. In this episode: What parasocial grief is, and why it's real Marriage, identity, and nurturing without motherhood Kindness without weakness, ambition without apology The record-breaking favorability poll, and why it wasn't built on neutrality This week's Brave Move + Recalibrate Women's Retreat 2026 If you loved this episode, text me and let me know what you though. Support the show For more about the Recalibrate Retreat, visit my website . Join the Community Brave Moves is a daily confidence and personal growth podcast for ambitious women, women entrepreneurs, and leaders who are ready to overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and take bold action in business and life. Each short, practical episode blends mindset science, decision-making psychology, and real-life stories to help you strengthen your confidence, rewire negative thought patterns, and create meaningful forward momentum. If you are navigating career pivots, burnout, reinvention, or leadership growth, Brave Moves gives you the tools to think differently, act bravely, and design a future aligned with your values and vision. Because confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build, one brave move at a time. Liked this episode? Share it with your midlife woman, entrepreneur friends! Love this show? Let us know how we helped you increase your confidence by leaving a review. If you’re looking for support to grow your business faster, be positioned as an authority in your industry, and impact the masses, schedule a call to explore if you’d be a good fit for one of my coaching programs. ...

