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What happens when you’ve built a good life…but still can’t shake the feeling that something is missing?

In this episode of Badass Books and Besties, you’re invited inside a real Female Fiction Reads Book Club discussion as we dive into the first half of Your Second Life Begins When You Realize You Only Have One by Raphaëlle Giordano.

The novel follows Camille, a woman who seemingly has everything she should need to be happy, yet finds herself frustrated, disconnected, and stuck in a case of what the book calls “routine-itis.” When she meets Claude, she begins an unconventional journey of self-discovery filled with exercises designed to help her change her perspective, reconnect with herself, and begin creating a life that feels more fulfilling.

Our conversation goes far beyond reviewing the book. We talk about what it feels like to achieve the things you thought you wanted and still wonder, “Now what?” We explore childhood dreams, feeling guilty for wanting more, breaking out of routines, figuring out what you actually want, changing negative self-talk, creating a vision for the person you want to become, decluttering your physical and mental space, choosing role models, and taking responsibility for your own happiness.

We also get into one of the biggest questions raised by Camille’s transformation: What happens to your relationships when you start changing? Can your partner grow alongside you? Should you work on yourself first? And how much can changing your internal world affect the people and circumstances around you?

This is Part One of our Female Fiction Reads discussion of Your Second Life Begins When You Realize You Only Have One. Part Two, covering the second half of the book and Camille’s continued transformation, will be released in two weeks.

Female Fiction Reads is my FREE online book club for women who love reading, connection, meaningful conversation, and discovering the life lessons hiding inside a great story. Find out more about our community, here. 

If you’ve ever felt stuck, restless, unsure what you want next, or wondered why a perfectly good life doesn’t always feel completely fulfilling, this conversation is for you.

🎧 In this episode:

• What “routine-itis” looks like in real life
• Why having a good life doesn’t mean you have to stop wanting more
• Rediscovering childhood dreams and forgotten parts of yourself
• Figuring out what you actually want
• Vision boards for who you want to become—not just what you want to have
• Decluttering your surroundings and your thoughts
• Changing negative self-talk
• Finding women and role models who inspire you
• Personal growth inside long-term relationships
• How changing yourself can begin changing your external world
• Why knowing what to do and actually doing it are two very different things

Read along, listen in, and join us for a conversation about books, growth, relationships, happiness, and what it really means to create a life that feels like your own.

Support the show

Looking for your next great read? Download my free guide — 10 Books Every Badass Woman Should Read — a curated list of empowering books that inspire growth, confidence, and connection. Grab it ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠!

If you love conversations like this and want to read and reflect alongside other book-loving women, you’re invited to join Badass Book Besties — my book club community where we read together, meet live, and have real, honest discussions about books and life. 

And if you’re craving deeper support — whether that’s clarity, confidence, creative momentum, or building a life that actually feels like yours — I also offer one-on-one coaching for dreamers and writers. You can learn more about working with me at Badass Books and Besties Coaching Packages.

Thanks for being here, bestie. I’m so glad you’re listening.

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What if you could pursue your biggest goals without spending your entire life waiting to finally feel happy?

In this episode of Badass Books & Besties, I’m exploring Peace Is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh and the powerful lessons it offers about mindfulness, personal growth, inner peace, and learning to live more fully in the present moment.

We recently read Peace Is Every Step inside the Lotus Academy, the personal-growth book club within Badass Book Besties, and some of Hanh’s ideas challenged the way I think about ambition, happiness, hope, difficult emotions, relationships, and even success.

We talk about whether you can be goal-oriented while still appreciating the life you have right now, why hope can sometimes keep us focused on a future that hasn’t happened yet, and how mindfulness can show up in ordinary moments like eating, walking, driving, and spending time with the people we love.

We also dive into emotional healing, compassion, healthy boundaries, friendship, generational patterns, and an especially important question: Can you understand someone’s pain and still decide they no longer belong in your life?

If you love personal-development books, mindfulness, self-discovery, goal setting, and conversations about becoming the woman you want to be without missing the woman you already are, this episode is for you.

Because peace doesn’t have to be something you earn after everything finally works out. It can be something you practice while you’re still growing, dreaming, changing, and figuring it all out.

Support the show

Looking for your next great read? Download my free guide — 10 Books Every Badass Woman Should Read — a curated list of empowering books that inspire growth, confidence, and connection. Grab it ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠!

If you love conversations like this and want to read and reflect alongside other book-loving women, you’re invited to join Badass Book Besties — my book club community where we read together, meet live, and have real, honest discussions about books and life. 

And if you’re craving deeper support — whether that’s clarity, confidence, creative momentum, or building a life that actually feels like yours — I also offer one-on-one coaching for dreamers and writers. You can learn more about working with me at Badass Books and Besties Coaching Packages.

Thanks for being here, bestie. I’m so glad you’re listening.

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This week on the Badass Books and Besties, we’re diving into the inspiring journey of Kessa Scott—a lifelong book lover, former teacher, and now a writer and illustrator of children’s picture books.  

From teaching herself to read before kindergarten to cherishing magical trips to the library, Kessa’s passion for stories has shaped every step of her life. In this conversation, she shares how her years in education, her experiences as a mom, and her desire for real connection inspired her delightful Meet Catty series. We talk about the transformative power of picture books, the messy magic of parenting, and what it means to be an authentic, badass woman—on the page and in real life.

We explore:

• The magic of childhood favorites like Dr. Seuss and how they shaped Kessa’s view of storytelling
• The beautiful messiness of parenting and channeling its lessons into books that spark connection and resilience
• Navigating the challenges of self-doubt, creative risk-taking, and finding your identity as both a mom and a creator
• Why supporting each other's dreams—and modeling bravery for our kids—matters so much
• How stories can become bridges for meaningful conversations, encouraging self-acceptance, growth, and emotional connection

If you’re craving real talk about embracing imperfections, rediscovering your creative spark, and building confidence in community, this episode is for you. Whether you’re a book-loving mom, an aspiring writer, or someone on a journey to reconnect with your purpose, come find the encouragement and inspiration you need to take your next brave step.

Mentioned in this episode: Kessa Scott’s "Meet Catty" series, parenting wins and fails, tips for aspiring authors, and the enduring power of picture books.

For more on Kessa’s work or to join the conversation, visit kessascott.com.

Kessa Scott Bio: 

Kessa’s love for books started at a very young age. From teaching herself to read before Kindergarten to treasuring her trips to the community library, reading has been an integral part of Kessa's life. She has a special love for picture books and has taken the leap to write and now illustrate her own children's picture books. 

 Kessa brings over a decade of experience in education, having worked as both a classroom teacher and a Teaching and Learning Coach. Her many years in education inform and shape her writing as she seeks to create meaningful picture books that resonate with children and adults alike. 

 She lives in Washington State with her husband, daughter, and sweet dog. She draws much of her inspiration from her zesty daughter, Clara Joy, with whom she shares a love for discovering the magic of books. Kessa believes in the enduring power of picture books to spark imagination and encourage meaningful conversations.

 As a mom of a daughter who also LOVES to read and devours them as much as I do, this is definitely a conversation I am so intrigued to have! 

Support the show

Looking for your next great read? Download my free guide — 10 Books Every Badass Woman Should Read — a curated list of empowering books that inspire growth, confidence, and connection. Grab it ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠!

If you love conversations like this and want to read and reflect alongside other book-loving women, you’re invited to join Badass Book Besties — my book club community where we read together, meet live, and have real, honest discussions about books and life. 

And if you’re craving deeper support — whether that’s clarity, confidence, creative momentum, or building a life that actually feels like yours — I also offer one-on-one coaching for dreamers and writers. You can learn more about working with me at Badass Books and Besties Coaching Packages.

Thanks for being here, bestie. I’m so glad you’re listening.

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever finished a self-help book feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to change your life, only to realize a few weeks later that very little has actually changed?

The problem may not be that you are reading the wrong books. It may be that no one ever taught you how to turn what you read into meaningful action.

In this episode, Brianna explores why understanding a powerful lesson is not the same as applying it, how inspiration fades when we do not give it somewhere to go, and why reflection is the bridge between an author’s wisdom and your own life. You will also learn how small, intentional actions can help you build confidence, challenge limiting beliefs, and create lasting growth without feeling like you have to reinvent your entire life overnight.

You may not need another book telling you what to do. You may already have the wisdom you need and simply be ready to begin living it.

Ready to move beyond highlighting inspiring ideas and start applying them? Download the free Bloom With Books 5-Day Challenge and discover how to turn your love of reading into real-life growth, reflection, confidence, and meaningful action.

Download Bloom With Books: https://badassbookbesties.com/bloomwithbooks 

Learn more about Badass Book Besties: BadassBookBesties.com

Follow Brianna on Instagram: @badassbookbestie

Support the show

Looking for your next great read? Download my free guide — 10 Books Every Badass Woman Should Read — a curated list of empowering books that inspire growth, confidence, and connection. Grab it ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠!

If you love conversations like this and want to read and reflect alongside other book-loving women, you’re invited to join Badass Book Besties — my book club community where we read together, meet live, and have real, honest discussions about books and life. 

And if you’re craving deeper support — whether that’s clarity, confidence, creative momentum, or building a life that actually feels like yours — I also offer one-on-one coaching for dreamers and writers. You can learn more about working with me at Badass Books and Besties Coaching Packages.

Thanks for being here, bestie. I’m so glad you’re listening.

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever talked yourself out of something before you even started? Maybe you've convinced yourself you're not good enough, that you'll probably fail, or that you're "just an overthinker." The truth is, the stories we tell ourselves often shape our lives far more than we realize.

In this episode of the Badass Books and Besties Podcast, we're diving into Soundtracks by Jon Acuff—a book that explores how our thoughts become the stories we believe and how those stories influence our confidence, our decisions, and our ability to move forward.

We'll unpack why overthinking keeps us stuck, how broken "soundtracks" quietly become part of our identity, and what we can do to replace them with thoughts that actually help us grow. Along the way, I'll share some of my favorite concepts from the book, practical ways to challenge limiting beliefs, and simple strategies you can begin using today to create healthier thought patterns.

Whether you've struggled with perfectionism, self-doubt, or constantly feeling like you're one step behind, I think you'll walk away from this conversation with a new perspective on the voice inside your head—and the realization that you don't have to believe every thought you think.

In this episode, we'll discuss:

📚 What overthinking really is—and why it keeps us stuck
 🧠 How your internal "soundtracks" shape your beliefs and behavior
 ✨ Three questions that can help you challenge limiting thoughts
 💛 Why the goal isn't to eliminate negative thoughts, but to turn down their volume
 🚀 How taking action builds confidence and breaks the cycle of overthinking
 🌱 Practical ways to create healthier thought patterns that support the life you want to build

Reflection Question: What story have you been telling yourself lately—and if you could rewrite that story, what would it say instead?

Support the show

Looking for your next great read? Download my free guide — 10 Books Every Badass Woman Should Read — a curated list of empowering books that inspire growth, confidence, and connection. Grab it ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠!

If you love conversations like this and want to read and reflect alongside other book-loving women, you’re invited to join Badass Book Besties — my book club community where we read together, meet live, and have real, honest discussions about books and life. 

And if you’re craving deeper support — whether that’s clarity, confidence, creative momentum, or building a life that actually feels like yours — I also offer one-on-one coaching for dreamers and writers. You can learn more about working with me at Badass Books and Besties Coaching Packages.

Thanks for being here, bestie. I’m so glad you’re listening.

Send us Fan Mail

Dive into "Badass Books and Besties" as Brianna interviews romance writer Mallory Thomas in an inspiring, heartfelt episode. Mallory shares her journey from content creator and mother to published author, revealing how real-life moments pushed her to trade screen time for storytelling and reconnect with her passion for soft, swoon-worthy love stories. This episode covers her writing process, balancing family and creativity, overcoming challenges, and her unique Where Is Your Somewhere Project, where readers track her book’s global reach. Plus, get a sneak peek into her upcoming fiction and nonfiction releases, including "Somewhere Along the Line" and "Bottle Service." If you love cozy reads, author insights, and uplifting conversations about carving out space for yourself, tune in for book vibes that leave you warmer and more hopeful than your social feed.

If you'd love to follow or keep in touch with Mallory, you can find her here: 

o  Website

o  Instagram: Mallory Writes

o  TikTok

o  Where is Your Somewhere? 

o  Instagram: The Formula Mom

o  The Formula Mom Website

Support the show

Looking for your next great read? Download my free guide — 10 Books Every Badass Woman Should Read — a curated list of empowering books that inspire growth, confidence, and connection. Grab it ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠!

If you love conversations like this and want to read and reflect alongside other book-loving women, you’re invited to join Badass Book Besties — my book club community where we read together, meet live, and have real, honest discussions about books and life. 

And if you’re craving deeper support — whether that’s clarity, confidence, creative momentum, or building a life that actually feels like yours — I also offer one-on-one coaching for dreamers and writers. You can learn more about working with me at Badass Books and Besties Coaching Packages.

Thanks for being here, bestie. I’m so glad you’re listening.

Send us Fan Mail

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne has become one of the most widely discussed personal development books in the world, introducing millions of readers to the idea that our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs influence the experiences we create in our lives. At its core, the book explores the Law of Attraction and invites readers to consider how awareness of our inner world can shape the direction of our outer lives.

This episode explores the central concepts presented in the book, including the role of dominant thoughts, emotional awareness, gratitude, visualization, and the creative process of Ask, Believe, and Receive. Rather than treating these ideas as quick formulas for success, the conversation focuses on how they can be applied thoughtfully and realistically in everyday life. The discussion examines how our beliefs about money, relationships, health, and identity influence the way we move through the world, and how shifting our focus toward possibility and intention can open new pathways for growth.

Listeners will also explore practical ways to apply these ideas, including developing awareness of thought patterns, recognizing feelings as feedback, practicing gratitude in advance, and allowing space for the next step to unfold without needing to control every outcome. These reflections invite a deeper look at how mindset, attention, and emotional patterns influence personal transformation.

Books like The Secret can become powerful tools for reflection when they are explored slowly and intentionally. Engaging with these ideas in conversation, questioning them, and applying them to real life creates opportunities for meaningful growth. This episode offers a thoughtful exploration of the book’s teachings and invites listeners to consider how greater awareness, self-trust, and intentional focus can support the life they are ready to create.

Support the show

Looking for your next great read? Download my free guide — 10 Books Every Badass Woman Should Read — a curated list of empowering books that inspire growth, confidence, and connection. Grab it ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠!

If you love conversations like this and want to read and reflect alongside other book-loving women, you’re invited to join Badass Book Besties — my book club community where we read together, meet live, and have real, honest discussions about books and life. 

And if you’re craving deeper support — whether that’s clarity, confidence, creative momentum, or building a life that actually feels like yours — I also offer one-on-one coaching for dreamers and writers. You can learn more about working with me at Badass Books and Besties Coaching Packages.

Thanks for being here, bestie. I’m so glad you’re listening.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Brianna shares a thoughtful and realistic approach to building a writing habit that fits into real life, even when things feel busy, overwhelming, or unpredictable.

Drawing from a recent writing group session, she talks about why so many writers struggle with consistency, why motivation alone is rarely enough, and how small, flexible routines can make writing feel possible again.

You’ll learn how to design a writing habit that works with your energy, schedule, and responsibilities instead of against them, as well as how to let go of perfectionism and build forgiveness into your creative process.

If you’ve ever felt discouraged about “falling off” your writing routine or unsure how to stay connected to your creativity, this episode offers encouragement, practical guidance, and a gentle reminder that slow and steady progress truly counts.

Plus, learn how to join Brianna’s free book club for more connection, conversation, and support around books, writing, and creative life. Join us in the Badass Book Besties Community

Support the show

Looking for your next great read? Download my free guide — 10 Books Every Badass Woman Should Read — a curated list of empowering books that inspire growth, confidence, and connection. Grab it ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠!

If you love conversations like this and want to read and reflect alongside other book-loving women, you’re invited to join Badass Book Besties — my book club community where we read together, meet live, and have real, honest discussions about books and life. 

And if you’re craving deeper support — whether that’s clarity, confidence, creative momentum, or building a life that actually feels like yours — I also offer one-on-one coaching for dreamers and writers. You can learn more about working with me at Badass Books and Besties Coaching Packages.

Thanks for being here, bestie. I’m so glad you’re listening.

Send us Fan Mail

In this deeply personal episode of Badass Books and Besties, Brianna shares the five books that shaped her 2025 and explains why this year of reading meant more to her than any other.

After a year marked by grief, growth, and major life transitions, she reflects on how reading supported her emotionally, creatively, and personally during one of the most meaningful seasons of her life. These are not just favorite books, but the stories that helped her process loss, understand relationships more deeply, and reflect on the woman she is becoming.

In this episode, Brianna talks about:

• Why 2025 was such a meaningful reading year
• What kind of books she found herself craving during a season of grief and transition
• How reading became a form of emotional support and healing
• The five books that stayed with her long after she finished them

Featured books include:

• Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune
• Radium Girls by Kate Moore
• The Origins of You by Vienna Pharaon
• Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
• The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon

Brianna also shares why she created her free guide, 10 Badass Books Every Woman Should Read. This was created specifically for women who want to read with more intention and choose books that truly change how they think about their lives, their relationships, and themselves.

If you are a woman who loves reading, is navigating grief or personal growth, or simply wants better book recommendations, this episode is for you.

Support the show

Looking for your next great read? Download my free guide — 10 Books Every Badass Woman Should Read — a curated list of empowering books that inspire growth, confidence, and connection. Grab it ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠!

If you love conversations like this and want to read and reflect alongside other book-loving women, you’re invited to join Badass Book Besties — my book club community where we read together, meet live, and have real, honest discussions about books and life. 

And if you’re craving deeper support — whether that’s clarity, confidence, creative momentum, or building a life that actually feels like yours — I also offer one-on-one coaching for dreamers and writers. You can learn more about working with me at Badass Books and Besties Coaching Packages.

Thanks for being here, bestie. I’m so glad you’re listening.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Badass Books & Besties, we’re diving deep into Book Club Session 2 of Untamed by Glennon Doyle—and this conversation is honest, layered, and anything but surface-level.

Pulled straight from one of our live Badass Book Besties discussions, this episode captures real women reacting in real time to Untamed: what resonated, what challenged us, and what didn’t sit right. We talk openly about purpose, the pressure to be endlessly productive, and the complicated question of what it actually means to feel “enough”—especially as women navigating work, relationships, expectations, and identity.

This isn’t a polished book review or a highlight reel of quotes. It’s a candid book club conversation where we explore:

• How productivity and hustle culture get tied to worthiness
• Why rest can feel like failure—and why that’s so hard to unlearn
• The idea that heartbreak and anger might point us toward purpose
• Contradictions in Untamed that sparked debate and frustration
• Confidence, imposter syndrome, and why women downplay themselves
• What “being untamed” really looks like in real life—not just on the page

If you listened to Session 1, this episode builds on that foundation and goes deeper into the messy middle of the book—where inspiration, discomfort, and disagreement all collide. And if you’re new here, you’ll quickly learn this is a space where you don’t have to pretend a book worked for you just because it’s popular.

Whether Untamed empowered you, irritated you, or left you conflicted, this conversation invites you to think more deeply about your own relationship with purpose, productivity, and self-worth.

🎧 Press play, pour a drink, and join us for one of our most thought-provoking book club conversations yet.

Support the show

Looking for your next great read? Download my free guide — 10 Books Every Badass Woman Should Read — a curated list of empowering books that inspire growth, confidence, and connection. Grab it ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠!

If you love conversations like this and want to read and reflect alongside other book-loving women, you’re invited to join Badass Book Besties — my book club community where we read together, meet live, and have real, honest discussions about books and life. 

And if you’re craving deeper support — whether that’s clarity, confidence, creative momentum, or building a life that actually feels like yours — I also offer one-on-one coaching for dreamers and writers. You can learn more about working with me at Badass Books and Besties Coaching Packages.

Thanks for being here, bestie. I’m so glad you’re listening.