What happens when the life you planned completely unravels—and you’re forced to decide who you really are without the “shoulds”? In this episode of the Wild & Waking podcast, I’m joined by Jessica Frew, author of Shove Your Shoulds: Become a Decision-Making Badass to Live the Bold Life You Deserve. Jessica’s story of walking through divorce after her husband came out as gay, rebuilding her life, and ultimately creating a beautiful co-parenting dynamic is raw, courageous, and deeply inspiring. Her journey shows us what’s possible when we stop outsourcing our worth, release expectations, and start trusting ourselves again.

This conversation is packed with real-life wisdom, practical tools, and soul-level permission to choose yourself. Jessica and I talk about what it looks like to silence other people’s opinions, move beyond shame and judgment, and finally trust the quiet knowing inside you. Whether you’re navigating a major life transition, feeling paralyzed by indecision, or simply craving more confidence in your daily choices, this episode will remind you that you are safe to trust yourself and worthy of a life that feels aligned and expansive.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in people-pleasing, terrified of making the “wrong” choice, or burned out from living by everyone else’s expectations, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we explore:

• Jessica’s powerful personal story of navigating divorce, co-parenting, and remarriage—and how she learned to trust herself again after betrayal.
• The Be Gentle, Be Humble, Be Bold framework for decision-making and how to apply it in everyday life.
• How to identify the “shoulds” that keep you stuck in people-pleasing, perfectionism, and comparison.
• The role of micro-decisions (what you wear, what you eat, how you spend your time) in rebuilding self-trust and confidence.
• Why waiting for external proof keeps women paralyzed in indecision—and how to learn to trust your intuition instead.
• How to release shame, judgment, and outdated conditioning that disconnect you from your authentic self.
• The connection between decision-making, self-trust, and living a bold, aligned, and joyful life.
• Tangible next steps for starting your own “should challenge” to notice, reframe, and release the expectations that no longer serve you.

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Connect with Jessica:

• Instagram: @heyjessicafrew
• Website: www.heyjessicafrew.com
• Order the Book: Shove Your Shoulds: Become a Decision-Making Badass to Live the Bold Life You Deserve

Connect with Emily:

• Website: www.EmilyReuschel.com
• Instagram: @emilyreuschel
• Facebook: Emily Reuschel
• LinkedIn: Emily Reuschel
• Join my Book Insiders List: Sign up here!

Resources and Links:

• Sign up here to get the inside scoop to my book writing journey!
• Book me as a speaker for your next event - email inquiries to [email protected] or schedule a call here
• Wild & Waking – Produced by Jill Carr Podcasting | Learn More