Just Women Talking Shit: Real Conversations About Life, Mental Health, & Womanhood

In this solo episode, I take you on a late-night, unfiltered journey of change, courage, & choosing myself—even when it’s hard.

I recorded this one from my car after going to an open mic alone for the first time in almost seven years. I’m eating Taco Bell, hitting my vape pen, & reflecting on everything that’s shifted in my life—divorce, motherhood, personal evolution, & the messy but real work of showing up for myself.

This episode is me being honest about what it looks like to step into my own power while navigating uncertainty.

Stepping Into the Unknown

I talk about showing up alone as a newly single woman & performing at an open mic, even when the room was almost empty. It was nerve-wracking, but liberating. That night reminded me that finding your voice often means being uncomfortable—& leaning into it anyway.

Life Updates & Family

I share what life looks like right now—living with my mom & my kids, helping my family while my mom’s husband battles cancer, & juggling all the responsibilities that come with being a mom, daughter, & someone trying to rebuild her own life. It’s hard, but it’s also shown me how resilient I am.

Mental Health & Healing

I open up about my mental health journey, including therapy, medication, & learning how to prioritize myself while living with bipolar disorder & anxiety. Healing isn’t linear, & I want to normalize that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Letting Go & Choosing Growth

I talk about reducing my dependency on substances, including cannabis, as part of my personal evolution. These changes didn’t come from shame—they came from self-awareness & a desire to show up fully for myself & my kids.

Redefining Love & Relationships

I also touch on my soon-to-be ex-husband & why love alone wasn’t enough to sustain our marriage. Choosing my mental health & well-being over expectations wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. I hope it encourages you to examine your relationships honestly, too.

Finding Joy in the Simple Moments

I share a sweet moment with my kids eating Lunchables in our camper. It’s simple, but it felt grounding & joyful—a reminder that stability & happiness aren’t about perfection; they’re about presence, care, & creating safe spaces for the people we love.

Key Takeaways

From this episode, I hope you take away that:

• Growth often starts in discomfort
• Prioritizing your mental health is essential
• Letting go can be an act of love
• Choosing yourself doesn’t make you selfish—it makes you stronger
• Joy can be found in the smallest moments
  

If you’re navigating change, redefining yourself, or learning how to show up fully, this episode is for you.

Raising resilient teens isn’t about control, perfection, or fixing every problem — it’s about letting go, setting healthy boundaries, and staying emotionally present when things get messy.

In this episode, Jacquelynn Cotten sits down with parenting coach Randi Crawford to talk honestly about what parents of teens and tweens are facing today: emotional overwhelm, overparenting, pressure to perform, blended families, sports stress, and the fear of getting it wrong.

Together, they break down how parents can stop reacting, start responding, and raise confident, emotionally capable teens without losing connection or burning themselves out.

🧠 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What it really means to raise resilient teens
• Why letting go helps teens build confidence and independence
• How to set boundaries without controlling or micromanaging
• Why teens release emotions at home — and how to handle it calmly
• The long-term damage of overparenting and constant fixing
• How to stay present during teen emotional outbursts
• Parenting through divorce, blended families, and major transitions
• How listening builds trust more than advice or discipline
• Why resilience is built through struggle — not rescue

💬 Powerful Quotes from the Episode

“The greatest gift we can give our kids is independence.”

“We’re not first reactors — we’re first responders.”

“Your child is not a reflection of you.”

“Stop fixing. Start listening.”

👩‍👧 Who This Episode Is For

• Parents raising teens or tweens
• Moms feeling reactive, exhausted, or overwhelmed
• Families navigating blended households or big life changes
• Parents wanting to raise resilient, confident teens
• Anyone looking for realistic teen parenting advice
  
  

Send us a text

Life looked “fine” on the outside—but at home, everything was unraveling. I share why I left my marriage to protect my daughter’s mental health, my own sanity, and why starting over isn’t failure.

In this episode, I walk through real, repeatable tools for rebuilding:

• Mental health habits: quiet moments, weekly truth check-ins
• Body basics: hydration, short walks, small wins
• Spiritual grounding: energy checks and centering practices

We also cover practical strategies for messy transitions—working from coffee shops, car-living, micro-tasks, and minute-by-minute decisions when resources are tight.

If you’re stuck between “picture-perfect” and peace, this episode is your reminder: choosing yourself is courageous, not selfish.

Key Takeaways:

• Protecting kids’ mental health through hard choices
• Recognizing toxic patterns and ending cycles
• Truth-telling as the first step to change
• Non-negotiables for mind, body, and spirit
• Redefining success in hard seasons

Share this episode with someone who needs courage today, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help more women find it.

Want to help my children and I during this transition?

You can donate to our GoFundMe HERE.

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🌿 Ready to go deeper?

Join the waitlist for Wild Women Who Wander 2026 — the retreat for women ready to drop the masks, reclaim their power, and connect with their most authentic selves. 👉 Fill out the the Google Form HERE.

📲 Let’s stay connected:

1. Follow on Instagram: @justwomentalkingshit and @jacquelynncotten
2. Email your stories, questions, or advice requests: [email protected]
3. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber HERE.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views, opinions, and discussions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not constitute professional advice or services. Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for consultation with qualified professionals in areas such as medical, legal, financial, or mental health matters. Always seek the advice of an appropriate licensed professional for any questions or concerns you may have.

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What if eroticism is simply your life force—your aliveness—and not just a sexual act? In this episode, Jacquelynn Cotten talks with trauma-informed somatic educator Darshana Avila about reconnecting with your body, rewriting internalized shame, and building safety for authentic intimacy.

We discuss:

• What “erotic wholeness” really means
• How trauma, religion, and patriarchy disconnect us from pleasure
• Why talk therapy often is not enough without somatics
• How freeze responses and people pleasing show up in intimacy
• Consent as collaboration, not obligation
• Body-based tools: breath, movement, sound, self touch
• Myths about desire, pain, lube, and menopause
• Raising kids with healthy embodiment and curiosity instead of shame

Darshana shares simple practices for shifting from sexual performance to presence, so you can experience intimacy with clarity, consent, and sovereignty.

Connect with Darshana:
Instagram | Website

If this episode resonated, share it with a friend and leave a review telling us which old belief about sexuality you are ready to release.

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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🌿 Ready to go deeper?

Join the waitlist for Wild Women Who Wander 2026 — the retreat for women ready to drop the masks, reclaim their power, and connect with their most authentic selves. 👉 Fill out the the Google Form HERE.

📲 Let’s stay connected:

1. Follow on Instagram: @justwomentalkingshit and @jacquelynncotten
2. Email your stories, questions, or advice requests: [email protected]
3. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber HERE.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views, opinions, and discussions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not constitute professional advice or services. Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for consultation with qualified professionals in areas such as medical, legal, financial, or mental health matters. Always seek the advice of an appropriate licensed professional for any questions or concerns you may have.

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This episode dives into the emotional tug-of-war women face when we’re told to rise above, take the high road, and keep the peace — even when it costs us our truth. In this episode, Jacquelynn breaks down the difference between emotional maturity and emotional self-abandonment, how to set boundaries with integrity, and what it looks like to choose self-respect over silence.

This is your reminder that being the bigger person doesn’t mean shrinking who you are.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why “being the bigger person” is so often weaponized against women
• The difference between maturity and people-pleasing
• How to respond calmly without suppressing your emotions
• The signs you’re abandoning yourself in the name of peace
• What grace really looks like
• How to set boundaries without guilt
• Practical steps to protect your peace while staying aligned

Listen if you’ve ever been told:

• “Just let it go,”
• “Don’t stoop to their level,”
• “Be the bigger person.”

Because this episode is your permission slip to stop losing yourself for the sake of keeping everyone else comfortable.

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

🌿 Ready to go deeper?

Join the waitlist for Wild Women Who Wander 2026 — the retreat for women ready to drop the masks, reclaim their power, and connect with their most authentic selves. 👉 Fill out the the Google Form HERE.

📲 Let’s stay connected:

1. Follow on Instagram: @justwomentalkingshit and @jacquelynncotten
2. Email your stories, questions, or advice requests: [email protected]
3. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber HERE.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views, opinions, and discussions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not constitute professional advice or services. Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for consultation with qualified professionals in areas such as medical, legal, financial, or mental health matters. Always seek the advice of an appropriate licensed professional for any questions or concerns you may have.

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Why does desire fade—and how do we get it back? In this episode, we sit down with Athena Gayle, Sex Expert at Arya, to explore how long-term couples can revive intimacy, increase desire, and communicate needs without awkwardness or pressure. We unpack how to escape “roommate mode,” redefine sex as connection instead of performance, and try simple, low-pressure practices that build real desire over time.

In this episode, we discuss:

• why routine kills desire in long-term relationships
• rebuilding intimacy with touch, play & presence
• using skin-to-skin hugs & shower embraces
• yes–no–maybe lists for aligned desires
• safe ways to ask for fantasies or kinks
• how Arya’s curated Scenes reduce mental load
• audio erotica, prompts & erotic personas
• planning sex without losing spontaneity
• approaching threesomes, consent & boundaries
• exploring roleplay & dominance safely
• using AI tools to build connection & confidence

Athena also explains how Arya’s intimacy platform helps couples initiate closeness, spark novelty, and communicate needs with clarity and confidence.

Whether you’re seeking more closeness, more novelty, or just less pressure in the bedroom, this conversation offers real, usable practices that deepen desire and connection.

Find Athena / Arya
Instagram: @arya.fyi
Website: www.arya.fyi

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

🌿 Ready to go deeper?

Join the waitlist for Wild Women Who Wander 2026 — the retreat for women ready to drop the masks, reclaim their power, and connect with their most authentic selves. 👉 Fill out the the Google Form HERE.

📲 Let’s stay connected:

1. Follow on Instagram: @justwomentalkingshit and @jacquelynncotten
2. Email your stories, questions, or advice requests: [email protected]
3. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber HERE.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views, opinions, and discussions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not constitute professional advice or services. Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for consultation with qualified professionals in areas such as medical, legal, financial, or mental health matters. Always seek the advice of an appropriate licensed professional for any questions or concerns you may have.

Send us a text

In today’s episode, Jacquelynn dives into the messy middle where gratitude and honesty coexist. As women, we’re often taught to be endlessly grateful — even when we’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or hurting. But real emotional wellness requires both truth and thankfulness.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The myth that gratitude “fixes” everything
• Why women are conditioned to downplay our feelings
• How toxic positivity shows up in everyday life
• The difference between real gratitude and emotional denial
• How to practice gratitude without ignoring your reality
• Why holding dual emotions leads to better mental health
• Tools for emotional regulation & self-awareness
• How gratitude and honesty support healing & personal growth

If you’ve ever said “I’m grateful… but something still feels off,” this episode gives you permission to feel both — without guilt, shame, or self-silencing.

Listen now for a grounded, compassionate conversation about emotional maturity, womanhood, and the freedom that comes from being fully honest with yourself.

Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

🌿 Ready to go deeper?

Join the waitlist for Wild Women Who Wander 2026 — the retreat for women ready to drop the masks, reclaim their power, and connect with their most authentic selves. 👉 Fill out the the Google Form HERE.

📲 Let’s stay connected:

1. Follow on Instagram: @justwomentalkingshit and @jacquelynncotten
2. Email your stories, questions, or advice requests: [email protected]
3. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber HERE.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views, opinions, and discussions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not constitute professional advice or services. Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for consultation with qualified professionals in areas such as medical, legal, financial, or mental health matters. Always seek the advice of an appropriate licensed professional for any questions or concerns you may have.

Send us a text

Ever feel like business growth is a test you didn’t study for? In this episode, Tiffany McQuaid—marketer-turned-real-estate-leader—breaks down what it really takes to grow, lead, and scale without losing yourself in the process.

Tiffany shares her full journey: building an independent brokerage from scratch, navigating market challenges, and ultimately merging with Ryan Serhant’s organization to expand her mission. She opens up about what most founders don’t talk about—the fear of letting go, the pressure of leading a team, and the internal “test” that always shows up before the next level.

Inside this conversation, we dig into:

• The emotional side of scaling a business
• How to know when it’s time to partner instead of go it alone
• The mindset shifts that keep you moving through discomfort
• Quiet building, selective sharing, and protecting your momentum
• Daily habits that keep Tiffany grounded: pre-dawn mindset audio, gratitude laps, reframing
• How to lead through uncertainty and stay aligned with your bigger vision

Tiffany also shares tools and resources—like The The INth Degree: How to Stand Out By Going All In and her children’s book There Is Always Hope—that help entrepreneurs reset fear, strengthen clarity, and stay connected to what matters most.

If this episode resonates, follow the show, share it with a founder who needs this, and leave a review so more female entrepreneurs can discover these conversations.

Connect with Tiffany:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Support the show

🌿 Ready to go deeper?

Join the waitlist for Wild Women Who Wander 2026 — the retreat for women ready to drop the masks, reclaim their power, and connect with their most authentic selves. 👉 Fill out the the Google Form HERE.

📲 Let’s stay connected:

1. Follow on Instagram: @justwomentalkingshit and @jacquelynncotten
2. Email your stories, questions, or advice requests: [email protected]
3. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber HERE.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views, opinions, and discussions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not constitute professional advice or services. Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for consultation with qualified professionals in areas such as medical, legal, financial, or mental health matters. Always seek the advice of an appropriate licensed professional for any questions or concerns you may have.

Send us a text

The holidays are supposed to be joyful, but for many women, they can bring stress, overwhelm, and emotional burnout. In this episode of Just Women Talking Shit: Real Conversations About Life, Mental Health, & Womanhood, we talk about protecting your peace during the holidays and navigating everything that comes with the season—in-laws who push boundaries, co-parenting drama, uncomfortable social situations, backhanded compliments, pressure to drink, and even navigating physical boundaries with children.

I share actionable steps to help you:

• Identify your holiday stress triggers
• Set and maintain boundaries with family, friends, and yourself
• Prioritize self-care to preserve your mental health
• Manage expectations and release the pressure to be perfect
• Create intentional rituals to stay grounded and joyful
  
  

Whether you’re hosting, traveling, or trying to survive family gatherings, this episode is full of practical strategies for stress-free holidays, mindful living, and emotional well-being.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and start protecting your peace this season.

Episode Highlights:

• Recognizing common sources of holiday stress
• How to set boundaries without guilt
• Practical self-care tips for women during the holidays
• Managing expectations and redefining what success looks like
• Creating rituals that support mental health and emotional well-being

Support the show

🌿 Ready to go deeper?

Join the waitlist for Wild Women Who Wander 2026 — the retreat for women ready to drop the masks, reclaim their power, and connect with their most authentic selves. 👉 Fill out the the Google Form HERE.

📲 Let’s stay connected:

1. Follow on Instagram: @justwomentalkingshit and @jacquelynncotten
2. Email your stories, questions, or advice requests: [email protected]
3. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber HERE.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views, opinions, and discussions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not constitute professional advice or services. Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for consultation with qualified professionals in areas such as medical, legal, financial, or mental health matters. Always seek the advice of an appropriate licensed professional for any questions or concerns you may have.

Send us a text

Ever wonder how to pivot careers, tackle home DIY, and thrive as a single mom? Rebekah Higgs shares her journey from indie musician to Halifax’s iconic DIY Mom. Discover how she transformed her life, renovated her pink house on a budget, and built a brand that inspires creative women everywhere.

In this episode:

• Career reinvention and creative pivots
• DIY home renovation tips on a budget
• Balancing single motherhood with entrepreneurship
• Embracing creativity, ADHD, and imperfection
• How to take bold risks and grow an audience

Follow Rebekah:

• Website: diymom.ca
• Instagram: @diymom
• YouTube: @diymom

Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

🌿 Ready to go deeper?

Join the waitlist for Wild Women Who Wander 2026 — the retreat for women ready to drop the masks, reclaim their power, and connect with their most authentic selves. 👉 Fill out the the Google Form HERE.

📲 Let’s stay connected:

1. Follow on Instagram: @justwomentalkingshit and @jacquelynncotten
2. Email your stories, questions, or advice requests: [email protected]
3. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber HERE.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views, opinions, and discussions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not constitute professional advice or services. Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for consultation with qualified professionals in areas such as medical, legal, financial, or mental health matters. Always seek the advice of an appropriate licensed professional for any questions or concerns you may have.