We’re looking forward to introducing you to Madison Marcus-Paddison. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Madison, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Thanks so much for having me back! I recently started line dancing. I used to do Zumba and had an amazing teacher whose infectious energy made every class feel joyful and motivating—it never felt like exercise, even though I was getting an incredible workout. When he stopped teaching, I struggled to find another instructor who created that same atmosphere. I wanted to do something similar because I’ve found that focusing on steps helps me practice mindfulness; it keeps me fully present and stops my mind from wandering or worrying. I found a line dancing class nearby, and I’ve enjoyed it so much that I’ve rearranged my schedule so I can go more often. I highly recommend!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a therapist at Bright Spot Counseling. I specialize in working with highly anxious, perfectionistic, sleep-deprived people pleasers- those are my people! I’m a recovering people pleaser- perfectionist myself, and that shared experience allows me to deeply understand the struggles my clients face. I find so much fulfillment in helping clients move from burnout and self-doubt toward balance, authenticity, and peace. Beyond my clinical work, I’m passionate about supporting our practice in creating a meaningful and lasting impact within our community.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
Ginger Houghton, the owner of Bright Spot—my boss and friend—has profoundly influenced both my professional journey and personal growth. She’s taught me so much about what it truly means to work in this field and has helped shape the person and clinician I am today. Through her guidance, I’ve had the opportunity to grow in ways I never expected—gaining advanced skills, specialized trainings, and a stronger sense of my professional identity. Just as importantly, she’s supported me in recognizing and embracing my own strengths, helping me see how they enrich both my work and my life.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell myself not to take life so seriously. The moments that feel like they’ll last forever are often fleeting, and everything—circumstances, emotions, even the way I see myself—can shift so quickly. With time and perspective, I’ve learned that change is constant, and that offers both relief and freedom.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Great question! I think there are incredibly smart people who have become so attached to their personal ideologies that they completely reject the opportunity to connect with and engage in real conversations with others who hold opposing views. It feels like our culture has shifted away from curiosity, discovery, and authentic discussion- and toward shutting people down, making sweeping judgments, and defining others by singular beliefs or moments. When we stop talking to each other, we stop learning.
I really hope that we can move back toward curiosity, compassion, and a genuine willingness to understand perspectives different from our own. I have a hard time with cancel culture—the idea of writing people off without dialogue or assigning them an entire identity based on one belief or experience. When people say things like, “If you believe this, delete me,” it feels reductive and harmful. It not only divides us further but also pushes honest conversations into secrecy, limiting opportunities for growth, empathy, and collective understanding.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Something I understand deeply—and that many may not—is what it’s like to want something so profoundly, to fight for it with every part of yourself, and still not be able to achieve it… to understand and accept that life goes on… your identity, your wants and needs can shift and it can actually be really healing. For most of my life, I dreamed of becoming a mother. It was a desire that shaped so many of my hopes and choices, but due to things beyond my control, that dream wasn’t possible for me. I know the ache of longing, the exhaustion of trying, and the cost—emotionally, physically, and financially—of pursuing something that remained out of reach.
But I also know what it’s like to meet that reality with acceptance and to allow myself to evolve beyond it. Over time, I discovered that I am so much more than that one dream. The parts of me that have flourished since—my sense of purpose, my capacity for connection, my joy in the life I’ve built—feel expansive and deeply fulfilling. The moments of longing still surface, but now they come as gentle echoes rather than overwhelming waves. I once believed I would always carry devastation and grief, but through personal work, reflection, and healing, I’ve reached a place of profound gratitude. I can honestly say that not achieving that dream has allowed me to fall in love with the life I have now.
Thank you so much for having me!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brightspottherapy.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madisonmarcuspaddison/
