In this candid episode, Michelle records straight from her car to share a weekend of "messy magic." What started as a simple family movie night turned into a deep reflection on how we evolve in our relationships and the struggle of communicating with our kids when they think they already have all the answers.

Episode Timestamps;

00:00 Recording Mondays Now (Tuesdays Too Full)

01:24 Do You Wave at People Driving Your Car?

02:46 The Quality Time Mismatch

06:13 Madea's Wisdom: Build Fences Not Walls

08:41 "Say I Do to Multiple People"

10:42 Why We Watched Movies All Weekend

12:12 The "I Know" Trap

15:46 "You Have Grounding Energy"

19:09 Homework Gives Me Trauma

20:34 My ADHD Brain Can't Sit Still

23:31 We're Aware, No Solutions Yet

If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too.

And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs.

Let’s Connect!

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LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle

Michelle records from her car (not running because she's never let her electric battery get this low before and she's terrified) outside Ben's physio, reflecting on the slippery slope she's sliding down as spring market hits. She unpacks last week's flooded DMs—women who related to the work/kids/self-care juggle, plus women now caregiving for sick parents on top of everything else.

She breaks down why men and women carry mental load so differently, the quote that stopped her in her tracks ("Be the woman who honors her energy as much as her ambition"), and why she spent $700 on a mountain bike to save Ben from bullying (was that the right call?). From realizing her "self-care" was actually draining her energy to admitting she defaults to work talk during the only hour she has alone with Josh each night, this is about the impossible pressure to be financially successful, emotionally available, physically present, and still show up for your marriage. Plus: why she feels amazing after sex but can't turn her brain off to actually want it.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome & Spring Market Panic Mode

00:30 Slipping on Healthy Boundaries Already

03:00 Last Week's DMs: The Caregiver Generation

05:03 How Women and Men Carry Mental Load Differently

08:26 Now Add Sick Parents to the Mix

10:54 Why I Can't Turn My Brain Off for Intimacy

13:04 The $700 Bike Dilemma: Bullying vs Financial Pressure

17:40 "Honor Your Energy as Much as Your Ambition"

20:48 Self-Care That Actually Refuels vs Drains You

24:21 The Only Time We Have Alone (And We Talk About Work)

25:57 Josh Is a Saint

If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too.

And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs.

Let’s Connect!

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LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle

Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Bombshell. Michelle's brain is spinning after her DMs flooded with the same story from different women: burnt out, unable to communicate with partners, stuck between work mode and mom mode with no energy left for wife mode. Recording from her office at 3 PM (not her usual clear-headed 8 AM), she unpacks a generational realization—our mothers were raised to be moms, we're the first generation raised to be moms AND build empires, and we were never equipped for either. She breaks down the common threads: unmet expectations we can't articulate, partners who've lost compassion because we've been bitches, prioritizing kids over marriage (which burns out both), and the crisis years from 35-38 when everything implodes. From why "wife mode" never turns on to the desperate need for support spaces that aren't just complaining about husbands, this is the raw truth about modern motherhood, ambition, and barely surviving marriage.

Timestamps:

00:00 Afternoon Recording = Overstimulation

00:55 Our Mothers Were Raised to Be Moms. We Weren't.

03:13 The First Generation Choosing Career Over Kids

06:57 Why I Can't Turn On "Wife Mode"

09:36 My DMs Are Full of Women in Crisis

12:44 The Stress Epidemic We're Not Talking About

15:50 Common Thread: We've Lost Compassion for Our Partners

19:36 The Communication Death Spiral

22:53 Work First, Kids Second, Partner Last = Marriage Death

26:42 The Identity Crisis Years: 35-38

29:14 Why Your Partner Has No Compassion Left

32:06 Kids-First Mentality Burns Everyone Out

35:26 We Need Support Groups That Aren't Mom Groups

40:45 The Impossible Switch from CEO to Wife

42:27 You're Not Alone (Seriously, Check Your DMs)

If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too.

And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs.

Let’s Connect!

Follow Michelle Stokes on;

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle

Picture being married to someone who thinks 10 steps ahead, has standards stuck in their head (not on paper), assumes everyone should just know how to do things their way, and gets frustrated when people don't meet expectations they never articulated. Now, picture that person is you.

In this episode of Beyond the Bombshell, Michelle breaks down the annual Easter spat (it wasn't about the eggs, it was about the six other things from the past six weeks), why she can't build a policy and procedures manual for home life, and the impossible dynamic of being business partners with your spouse when you're opposites. From randomly stuffing plastic eggs with money to going to bed with an invisible shield between them, this is the reality of high standards, poor communication, and two people who both think the other is the problem. Plus, their one life hack: the 6 AM coffee talk after sleeping on it.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome & Being Married to an Overachiever

03:15 The Easter Egg Fight

07:42 When Your Brain Goes Down the Spiral

11:28 Who's to Blame? (Both of Us)

14:53 Business Partners + Life Partners = Chaos

18:07 The Invisible Shield Bedtime Routine

21:34 Our Life Hack: Morning Coffee Debrief

24:19 Why Opposites Attract (And Drive Each Other Crazy)

If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too.

And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs.

Let’s Connect!

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LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle

Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Bombshell. Michelle records another closet episode on an April Fools snow day after an emotional morning she couldn't yet explain to Josh. She opens up about how past unhealthy relationships can resurface unexpectedly, creating barriers around intimacy—and why that has nothing to do with him as her spouse. Then she reads and reacts to Hey it's Lex Carmen's viral post about "identity whiplash": the brutal shift working moms make from professional responsibilities to managing dinner chaos in minutes.

Michelle breaks down the third shift no one talks about—showing up for your partner after you've already been CEO and mom—and shares why her social battery crashes at 5 PM, how to create transition rituals between roles, and the importance of finishing work before walking through the door.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome & Snow Day Roulette

01:34 Why I Feel Guarded (And It's Not Josh's Fault)

03:13 When Intimacy Feels Unsafe

06:37 Processing Out Loud vs. With a Therapist

10:59 Identity Whiplash Explained

14:12 The Three Shifts: Work, Mom, Partner

16:53 Finding Your Transition Ritual

19:51 When Your Social Battery Crashes

21:48 Staying Connected Long-Term

24:34 Practical Hacks & Wrap-Up

If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too.

And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs.

Let’s Connect!

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LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle

In this episode of Beyond the Bombshell, Michelle keeps it 100% real—recording straight from her closet (the best sound booth ever!) during a snow day. She dives deep into the difference between waiting for "motivation" and practicing true discipline. Plus, she shares a massive "life hack" for parents surviving competition season: the power of a local staycation. Whether you’re a dance mom, a busy entrepreneur, or just someone waiting for a "perfect" vacation that feels miles away, this episode is your reminder to stop waiting and start creating the energy you want today.

Episode Timestamps;

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast

00:30 Discipline Over Motivation

03:03 Dance Comp Staycation Win

07:14 Dressing Room Emotions

09:16 It Takes a Village

13:28 Girls Trip Mindset Shift

19:36 Energy Sets the Tone

24:11 Staycation Challenge Wrap

25:06 Final Outro and Thanks

If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too.

And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs.

Let’s Connect!

Follow Michelle Stokes on;

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle

Michelle records her Tuesday-morning car episode of Beyond the Bombshell and shares an unconventional “life hack” for starting the day: instead of avoiding your phone, open Facebook (or another app) Memories first thing and scroll through your own past moments. What began as a strategic business habit to screenshot “home sweet home” client photos for Sold by Stokes became a daily personal ritual that feels like gratitude journaling without pen and paper—humbling, grounding, and often funny or emotional.

She recalls recent March memories, including her first nursing job, a pregnancy announcement with Josh, and Josh’s early real estate hustle posts, as well as pandemic-era team milestones, and encourages listeners to use memories as a positive conversation starter with their partner and a way to appreciate how far they’ve come.

00:00 Welcome to the Show

00:30 Car Recording Routine

01:42 Last Week Recap

03:22 Morning Memories Hack

04:39 How It Started 05:29 Why It Works

07:35 Milestones From Memories

10:41 Try This Tomorrow

15:43 Start With Your Life

18:55 Wrap Up and Goodbye

If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too.

And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs.

Let’s Connect!

Follow Michelle Stokes on;

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle

In this episode of Beyond the Bombshell, Michelle shares a real and honest reflection on the feeling many women experience but rarely talk about — living between two worlds as a boss and a mom.

While watching the sunrise and preparing for a busy day of leadership meetings, Michelle opens up about the internal struggle of balancing the different roles she plays. From being a mom and partner at home to stepping into leadership and building a business alongside her husband, she shares how confusing it can feel when those identities don’t seem to fully align.

Michelle talks about the pressure many women feel to show only one side of themselves to the world. The relatable, everyday version… or the driven, ambitious version. But what happens when both are true?

After months of personal growth, leadership development, and business restructuring, Michelle is realizing that hiding parts of herself no longer feels right. Instead of choosing between the “real life mom” and the “boss woman building something bigger,” she’s learning that both versions deserve to exist.

This episode is a reminder that you don’t have to shrink parts of yourself to fit into one box. You can be the woman building a business, having hard conversations, leading a team, and still be the one wearing cheetah print pajamas, navigating motherhood, and figuring life out one day at a time.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re being pulled between different versions of yourself — this conversation is for you.

Episode Timestamps;

00:00 – Welcome to Beyond the Bombshell

00:30 – Wearing Two Hats at Sunrise: Mom Life vs Business Leadership

03:05 – The Hidden Leader Side of Michelle

05:35 – Ice Rink Inspiration: Embracing Both Strength and Femininity

07:23 – What Happened to International Women’s Day Events?

08:50 – Planning Her First Ever Girls Trip at 39

12:34 – When Two Worlds Start Colliding

20:07 – Owning Both Sides: Mom Life and Boss Life

23:47 – Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

24:08 – Final Bombshell Reminder

If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too.

And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs.

Let’s Connect!

Follow Michelle Stokes on;

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle

In this episode of Beyond the Bombshell, Michelle is keeping it real about what she’s calling March Madness — and no, not the basketball kind.

Between kids in different schools, endless activities, work responsibilities, and trying to keep family life running smoothly, Michelle opens up about the chaos that many moms know all too well. From juggling packed calendars and mom guilt to realizing how quickly kids grow up, she shares honest reflections on this busy season of life.

Michelle also dives into an unexpected conversation she had with her husband during a walk that sparked a deeper discussion about relationships, intimacy, and how couples stay connected while raising kids and managing everyday life.

It’s a vulnerable, relatable conversation about marriage, parenting, communication, and learning how to reconnect with your partner—even during the busiest seasons.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your schedule, struggled to balance family and marriage, or wondered if other women are navigating the same challenges, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone.

Episode Timestamps;

00:00 Welcome to Beyond the Bombshell

00:30 March Madness Begins

01:24 Calendar Chaos and Guilt

02:35 Workload and Deadlines

03:56 Style Mood Boost

05:50 Forgetting the Meeting

08:07 Systems and Delegation

09:01 Impromptu Couple Time

12:14 Preteen Worries and Tracking

13:41 Mel Robbins Sex Reset

16:51 What It Means for Us

22:37 Mindset Shifts and Wrap

23:42 Final Outro and Thanks

If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too.

And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs.

Let’s Connect!

Follow Michelle Stokes on;

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle

Michelle opens up about what really happened at her recent conference: the mindset shifts, the emotional unraveling, the unexpected clarity, and the moment she realized she’s showing up differently as a woman, a wife, a leader, and a human.

Episode Timestamps;

00:00 Welcome to the Show

00:30 Audio Notes and Post Conference

01:27 Why Conferences Matter

04:09 Back to Work vs Reflecting

05:54 A New Conference Mindset

07:46 Marriage Takeaway on Attention

12:39 Prepping for Awards Night

13:07 Jay Shetty on Resilience

14:58 Cleaners Versus Healers Story

18:21 Not Just a Nurse

18:45 Seeing the Unseen

21:02 Not Just a Realtor

24:22 Culture as a Feeling

27:53 Inspirational Morning

32:10 Letting Go of Mom Guilt

34:06 Becoming the Mentor

37:08 Final Reflections

If you’re a woman who’s growing, healing, or simply becoming more aware of yourself… this episode will feel like sitting with a friend who finally says the thing you’ve been feeling but couldn’t put into words.

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Let’s Connect!

Follow Michelle Stokes on;

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle