10/11/2026
Today I’m excited to kick off our fall Sunday Shares with my friend Susie Garlick Susie Garlick who recently opened The Nest on Central, a welcoming Phoenix space for classes, workshops, and community gatherings.
Susie and I go way back! Years ago, she taught parenting classes in the suite adjoining my Jewel Ya studio. In fact, she’s the reason I found that space and moved Jewel Ya out of my home. Working next door, we became close friends, and now, years later, we’re just a few doors apart again.
If you haven’t met Susie or heard of her work with parents and families, she’s a rare find. I’ve taken several of her classes and turned to her for guidance while raising my boys. She’s approachable, thoughtful, and has a way of helping you see things differently. Her advice has made a real difference in my life.
Susie began her career as an elementary school teacher. But after becoming a mom to Ryan, Macy, and Kenzie, she found that managing a classroom sometimes felt easier than parenting at home. That realization led her to explore why we react the way we do as parents, earn a master’s in counseling, and work as a mental health and school counselor.
In 2016, she opened At the Parenting Place, offering classes and one-on-one guidance, and has written two parenting books. Her message is clear: it’s not about being perfect. It’s about understanding ourselves so we can build more confident, connected relationships with our kids.
Last October, as Susie was finishing her school counseling career and wondering what was next, she was caught off guard and diagnosed with breast cancer. After a double mastectomy and four rounds of chemotherapy, she received encouraging news about her prognosis. That difficult experience gave her time to reflect on what matters most: connection, creativity, and growth. From that came The Nest, a place to gather, talk, laugh, and learn. She’s also offering parenting classes and individual sessions there.
Outside of work, Susie loves cooking for family, golf, and seeing Broadway shows. Continued in comments..
