‘Better With Time’, Not With Scrolls: Stefanie Michaela Gets Real
- Dead Horse Branding
- Sep 18
- 8 min read
Stefanie Michaela’s back. After years of silence, five kids (two sets of twins), and a career that nearly slipped away, she returns with Better With Time. This soulful pop anthem rips into ageism, burnout, and the myth of “too late.”
Produced by Grammy-nominated Nash Overstreet, the track flips resilience into rebellion, proving reinvention doesn’t come with an expiration date.
We sat down with Stefanie to talk about taking the mic back, chasing realness over filters, and why Turning Pages marks not just a comeback — but a total reset.
We can get so caught up doomscrolling that it consumes us for hours, but how far does that really take us? Scrolling endlessly won’t get us anywhere.
Better With Time flips the script on ageism in music. Was there a moment you stopped asking for permission — and just decided to take the mic back?
When I realized I needed to make a change to feel fulfilled, I accepted the fact that it was literally now or never. I found myself constantly watching videos on social media of people singing, performing in the studio, and all the things I grew up loving—and still love to this day. I fell into a downward spiral, going down a complete rabbit hole on social media, feeling lost because I wasn’t able to incorporate what I love into this current chapter of my life.
You’re raising five kids (including two sets of twins) and launching a soulful pop comeback. Which is harder — the industry or bedtime?
Right now, I’d say you have to stay constantly focused and positive when building a career in the spotlight. You find yourself waiting for opportunities and hoping that something you create resonates with others, which can mess with your mind at times. You have these visions of what you want and hope for, so it can be tricky.
Being a mother, on the other hand, is the most consistent and rewarding feeling—you always have a soft place to fall. Both are absolutely wonderful and fulfilling, but at this stage, music is my passion, even though it can be very stressful.
I wouldn’t have it any other way because I’m so grateful to be able to balance my life by doing all the things I love—creating pieces that tell a story I hope others can relate to.
While everyone else is chasing youth, you’re chasing realness. What does reinvention look like when you’re done pretending and finally know who the hell you are?
It’s amazing to reach a place where you truly feel like you’ve found the real you. For a long time, I was Stephanie—the singer and mother—but I hadn’t yet tapped into the authentic, new version of myself that’s possible today. Of course, we all want to feel good about ourselves and look a certain way, but there comes a time when we have to accept where we are and be the best version of ourselves in that moment.
Right now, I strive to be the best version of Stefanie Michaela I can be—and that doesn’t mean looking perfect or having the perfect body. Life isn’t about filters; it’s about authenticity and showing the world who we really are.
We can get so caught up doomscrolling that it consumes us for hours, but how far does that really take us? Scrolling endlessly won’t get us anywhere. It’s about putting the phone down and going after what we want to achieve.
I accept my faults and flaws, and I’m committed to sharing the true version of myself—that’s it. I’m tired of people pretending. Strip away the act, be who you are, and watch how people respond.
Working with Nash Overstreet added a whole new edge to your sound. What did he challenge you on creatively — and what did you push back on?
Working with Nash created a cool, laid-back sound. Being able to sing like I talk has always been a challenge I wanted to take on. When you sing the way you speak and find that sweet spot, anything becomes possible—you can play around with sounds and emotions that people truly feel and want to sing along to.
I usually focus on clear enunciation because that’s my style, but this track is more of a cool, swaggy vibe. My hope was that you’d want to play the song on repeat—it’s laid-back, chill, fun, and relatable. Who doesn’t feel the emotions I’m singing about?
We all feel like there’s an expiration date on what we’re capable of, but if no one saw what we looked like, would there really be an expiration date? What are we basing everything on?
You talk about “doomscrolling” and mental pressure in your music. What’s one toxic message about womanhood or motherhood that you’re actively unlearning?
We all get caught up on our phones—I’m definitely guilty of it—scrolling for hours. One post leads to another page, and before you know it, we’re zooming in on photos, comparing ourselves. It’s honestly pretty unhealthy. We start wondering why we’re not on that beautiful vacation, why we don’t have the perfect photos with friends, with crossed legs, turned heads, and flawless hair. Why isn’t our life as exciting as theirs?
We end up looking at follower counts, likes, and comments, getting sucked into it all. This can change our mood in an instant. Of course, I also look at photos of musicians and influencers, but once I reconnected with my passion, it lessened. I stopped dwelling on comparisons and started creating my new version of myself.
I felt confident by doing so, accepting that people will either like me or not—but at least I’m completing my projects and feeling proud of my accomplishments.
Focusing on what you love is not only healthy but also teaches your children that you don’t have to give up on your dreams as you get older. My kids see and hear all my songs. Even as a mother, I watch their faces light up when I create new music, when they’re in the studio with me, or when they watch my performances. That joy makes it all worth it.
Adele and Sara Bareilles are in your DNA — but this record is all you. What part of yourself did you finally stop editing out of your songs?
I will never lose the emotional depth in my lyrics. Feeling is what makes a song truly relatable. People don’t want to hear a singer who doesn’t sound believable or like an imposter in their own body. They want authenticity—they want to feel real emotion. So, I’ll never shy away from being emotional in my sound, even if it sometimes comes across as theatrical, which comes from my musical theater background. That raw emotion is what people truly connect with in my music.
How do you write honestly about motherhood without getting reduced to just “mom artist” — or worse, being treated like a niche?
As an artist, I’ve been singing since I was two. We all go through a lot of experiences, and because of what I faced in my early 20s in the music industry, it left a bad taste in my mouth. I didn’t realize there were actually people out there who would root for me and be trustworthy.
I see my career as having hit a bump in the road. I took a break, and now I’m re-entering the path I was always meant to be on. This is my time—it’s when it was meant to be. When I was younger, I don’t think I would’ve been as emotionally secure and successful as I am now.
There will always be people watching everything you do, who won’t compliment you or even pretend to be happy for you. I’ve accepted that and learned to keep a small circle around me—people who lift each other up.
I don’t see myself as a “mom artist” who’s stuck. I have a family, yes, but this is a continuation of what I was meant to do since I was little. I hope to inspire other moms to keep pursuing what they love. It doesn’t have to be starting a new passion—it can be continuing something you’ve always been drawn to, even if it’s just a little bit each day.
It’s not always easy to go full throttle. Sometimes you feel overwhelmed, wondering how to juggle it all. And sometimes you just can’t. That’s when you take a step back, reevaluate, and find ways to organize and strategically tackle your goals. If you can’t do it all at once, doing a little each day will change your mood and keep you moving forward.
Better With Time feels like a self-pep talk and a battle cry. What’s something you’re finally done apologizing for?
I often find myself worrying about age and time, but I realize I need to be more present and appreciate the people in my life. I have to stop letting outside noise distract me and stay focused on the path that truly makes me happy. What others think isn’t my business, so if I stop worrying about that and simply do what brings me joy, I believe that’s enough.
I remind myself there’s no expiration date on potential—there’s never a “too late” to pursue what you love. Sometimes we put blinders on and listen to negative voices, but no one has the right to judge us. We do what we can, at any age or stage, driven by passion and what fulfills us.
For a while, I was missing something—I was living life feeling empty. How did I let that happen? Why did I push my dreams aside? Maybe I felt my time was over. Did I feel bitter? Yes. But I also realized how upset I was for not following my dreams.
So now, I’m giving it my all—while raising a family. That inspires my children, and that’s how I choose to live my life now.
Your EP Turning Pages is all about growth. What chapter of your life did you have to burn to write this one?
I’ve realized there’s no better time than the present to show the world how amazing it is to do what you love while raising a family. My goal is to inspire those around me. When things get overwhelming, I take a step back and figure out how to keep doing what I love—just at a slower pace if needed.
I don’t go crazy traveling everywhere and leaving my kids behind. Balance is key. When it feels like too much, we have honest conversations about it. I create a safe space for myself and surround myself with people who lift me up and bring positive energy.
I truly believe we absorb the energy of those around us. So, I’ve learned to spend time only with people who genuinely root for me—and I do the same for them. Keeping a small circle of supportive friends keeps me grounded and positive. I don’t need a large group, just a close-knit circle.
When I love, I love deeply, and I will always support those I care about.
Music isn’t always kind to artists who start over. What do you say to women who think they’ve missed their window — in music, in art, or in life?
Now is the time to tune out the outside noise. We make music for the love of it, creating stories we want to share. Taking a break because the timing didn’t feel right or because we lost trust is okay—who says you can’t finish your story later in life, even with a family? Who can judge how you look or how you parent?
Let’s lift each other up and create a space that makes us happy and comfortable. I say go for what brings you joy, so you won’t be left wondering “what if” or “should’ve, could’ve.” That feeling of regret isn’t worth it.
Whether it’s your first, second, or third time chasing a dream, doing what you love will help you grow into a fuller version of yourself. You never know—you might like this new version even more than the last.
You’ll notice a shift in those around you too. Some will stay, some won’t—but through it all, you’ll discover who your true people are. There may be tears, there may be smiles, but you’ll never know unless you try.
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