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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

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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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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

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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 happens when the labels get louder than your own voice? In this episode of Just Women Talking Shit, Jacquelynn gets real about identity loss, burnout, and mental health—the moments when “mom,” “partner,” or “coach” start to drown out you. Through honest storytelling and practical mindset tools, you’ll learn how to separate who you are from what you do, rebuild self-trust, and find clarity again.

She shares three actionable steps to help you reconnect with yourself: remember who you were before the noise with a quick journal prompt, audit your mental inputs with a 24-hour detox, and use a five-second rule to take small, brave action that reignites momentum. Expect relatable examples, laughter, and grounded advice for women in transition, healing, or evolution.

If you’ve ever asked, “Who am I beneath all this?”—this episode is your sign to begin again. Follow Just Women Talking Shit for more real conversations about womanhood, mental health, and personal growth.

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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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What if the plan that looks perfect on paper leaves you empty when the noise dies down? We sit with Giovanna Silvestre—creator of Confused Girl and author of Confused Girl: Find Your Peace in the Chaos—to explore how chasing boxes, status, or a picture-perfect family can’t touch the deeper ache for self-worth. Giovanna walks us through leaving Hollywood, almost taking over her family’s restaurant, and choosing uncertainty over a life that didn’t fit. That choice cracked open depression, then clarity, and eventually the practices that helped her build a bottom to her cup so joy could finally stick.

You’ll hear practical tools you can use today: short daily solitude, self-talk that heals instead of harms, and simple rituals to release shame and guilt. Not a visualizer? Try embodied grounding—yoga, swimming, dance, or even structured “rage” release—to remind your nervous system you are worthy of joy. We unpack the comparison trap amplified by social media, and Giovanna offers two powerful reframes: bless what you desire when you see it, and turn envy into curiosity by asking mentors how they did it. These shifts move you from lack and timeline panic to alignment and forward motion.

We also dig into why women carry inherited shame around bodies, sex, and aging, and how naming it breaks its spell. Giovanna shares the long road to publishing her book—years of writing, rejection, and then a breakthrough right before her father passed—underscoring a bigger theme: trust the timing of your life. If you’ve felt confused, behind, or secretly hollow while “doing everything right,” this conversation will help you choose from your true nature, not from fear. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to tell us the one illusion you’re ready to release.

Follow Giovanna on Instagram:
www.instagram.com/ConfusedGirlLA

Buy Giovanna's book:
https://amzn.to/4qBjZ8X 

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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Waiting to “feel ready” is the biggest lie keeping you stuck. In this episode, we expose the myth of readiness—and how fear, conditioning, and your nervous system quietly trap you in familiar pain while costing you confidence, joy, and growth.

Through real stories of launching a first retreat while terrified and leading it year after year, we unpack why confidence doesn’t come before courage—it comes from it. You’ll learn how to train confidence like a muscle through small, repeatable actions that build self-trust and momentum.

We dig into the psychology of delay, exploring how avoidance protects you from rejection but reinforces self-doubt—and how to rewrite that story using proof from your own resilience.

You’ll walk away with three practical tools to break patterns today:

1. Do one thing differently to interrupt your habit loop.
2. Speak a hard truth out loud to release shame.
3. Ask directly for support so help stops being a guessing game.

We share simple, science-backed examples—from changing your morning phone routine to walking instead of numbing—to help you rewire your nervous system for progress, not perfection. Healing isn’t a moment; it’s a lifestyle that compounds over time.

💬 If this message resonates, share it with someone who needs a loving nudge. Follow on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and leave a quick review—it helps more women around the world find the courage to start before they feel ready.

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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Your pelvic floor is not a mystery—it’s a masterpiece of support, sensation, and stability that quietly shapes how you move, pee, and experience pleasure. We sit down with Heather Florio, CEO of Desert Harvest, to demystify the “hammock” of muscles that holds your organs, why tension often masquerades as strength, and how to fix pain without making it worse. From birth recovery to everyday stress, we map the signals of dysfunction—leaking, painful sex, low back aches—and share practical ways to release first, then rebuild.

Heather brings two decades of global education and research to the mic, translating clinical insights into everyday steps. We talk pelvic wands and why glass can be a cleaner, safer choice than silicone. We unpack tantric-informed breath and sensory pacing to calm the nervous system and increase orgasm quality. We even challenge a common myth: sometimes Kegels are the villain if your floor is already too tight. Consider this your toolkit for resolving hypertonicity, finding comfort, and restoring confidence.

Then we get chemical: vaginal pH and osmolality. You’ll learn why an isoosmolar lubricant around 290 mOsm/kg protects your epithelial barrier, how many popular lubes overshoot into tissue-damaging territory, and how to spot red flags on labels. We cover FDA clearance, biome-matched washes and wipes, smarter strategies for recurrent UTIs, and new, chemical-free period wear designed from aloe-based fabrics. Along the way, we tackle sexual shame, advocate for pelvic PT as standard prenatal care, and share ways to raise kids with body literacy and consent as their compass.

If you’re ready to replace confusion with clarity—and pain with possibility—this conversation gives you science you can feel. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway so we can keep these essential conversations flowing.

Find Desert Harvest online at:
https://desertharvest.com/
https://www.instagram.com/desertharvestaloevera/

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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Ever had a song transport you back to childhood, unlocking memories both beautiful and painful? That's exactly what happened when Tracy Chapman's soulful voice came through my speakers during a solo road trip to Phoenix. What began as a simple drive turned into a profound journey through the landscape of family relationships, healing, and the courage to share our stories authentically.

The catalyst was a recent "rupture" with my mother—one of those conversations that leaves you raw, questioning everything. Her comment that I'd "forgotten where I came from" initially stung but ultimately sparked deep reflection. Had I truly forgotten? Or was I simply trying to forge my own path while carrying the complicated legacy of my upbringing?

Driving through Texas with miles of open road ahead, memories flooded back: my mother playing Tracy Chapman albums, trying to create normalcy amidst chaos, handmaking costumes when money was tight despite my father's wealth. I remembered witnessing domestic violence, feeling the weight of knowing too much as a child, and the ongoing search for approval that still affects my relationships today. These patterns don't disappear—they transform, appearing in new relationships unless we consciously work to heal them.

This podcast explores the tension between honoring our roots and defining ourselves on our own terms. I believe sharing our stories helps others feel less alone in their struggles. When I was at my lowest points, strangers on social media who vulnerably shared similar experiences gave me hope and validation. That's why I refuse to be silenced—by family, in-laws, or anyone uncomfortable with authentic expression.

Whether you're navigating difficult family dynamics, healing from childhood wounds, or finding the courage to share your own story, remember this: you can acknowledge where you came from without being limited by it. Your perspective matters, even when it differs from others'. And sometimes, the most healing moments come unexpectedly—through a song on the radio, a long drive, or the courage to finally speak your truth.

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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What does it mean to be "sober curious" in a culture where drinking is the default social activity? In this raw and revealing conversation, Jacquelynn starts with a deeply personal confession about her own struggles with alcohol, sharing recent setbacks despite her previous confidence in having overcome her unhealthy relationship with drinking.

Leanna, a self-described "retired party girl turned event planner and blogger," joins the conversation and unpacks the nuanced territory between traditional alcoholism and casual drinking. Having spent years binge drinking three to five nights a week to the point of blackout, her journey toward sobriety offers profound insights for anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol.

The discussion takes unexpected turns as both women share vulnerable stories about identity, friendship loss, and those painful moments when alcohol turned them into people they didn't recognize. "I like to say that now I'm making memories instead of losing them," Leanna reflects, capturing the essence of what sobriety offers beyond just abstinence.

Beyond the emotional and social aspects, they explore the physical impacts of alcohol—how it disrupts sleep rather than improving it, increases anxiety despite temporarily relieving it, and takes a toll on overall health. For those who've built their social lives and identities around being "the life of the party," the fear of who they'll become without alcohol is real and daunting.

Whether you're firmly committed to sobriety, simply "sober curious," or just intrigued by the growing movement challenging alcohol's central role in society, this conversation offers compassionate wisdom without judgment. The message resonates clearly: your relationship with alcohol doesn't define you, and exploring life without it might reveal a more authentic, energized version of yourself you never knew existed.

How might your social life, health, and self-understanding transform if you questioned your relationship with alcohol? Listen to find out, and consider joining the conversation about making memories instead of losing them.

Find Leanna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leannamariarlee
Website link: https://sippingongratitude.c

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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Have you ever felt that persistent emptiness inside—the void that no amount of success, money, or relationships seems to fill? You're not alone, and the answer might lie in reconnecting with your inner child.

In this profound conversation with Shubhangi Shukla, a women's empowerment coach from India, we explore how emotional disconnection can happen in any childhood, even materially comfortable ones. She shares her personal journey from trying to fill her void through external achievements to discovering that true healing comes from within.

Discover the three unmistakable signs that your inner child needs attention: not knowing your authentic self, becoming emotionally overwhelmed when triggered, and losing connection with your creative, playful nature. We discuss how these wounds create what Shubhangi calls an "avoidance void"—where we stack protective layers around our pain rather than processing it.

The most transformative insight? Understanding that healing is never a destination but an ongoing journey. As Shubhangi explains, "Rather than seeing it as personal development, if we see it as personal developing, I think it's a beautiful shift in awareness." Just as we wouldn't expect physical fitness after three months of exercise followed by abandoning healthy habits, our emotional wellbeing requires consistent nurturing.

We also venture into the realm of intuition and psychic abilities—gifts Shubhangi believes we all possess but often suppress. Through vulnerable sharing and practical wisdom, this episode provides a roadmap for breaking free from avoidance patterns and embracing radical self-love.

Whether you're beginning your healing journey or seeking deeper understanding of your emotional patterns, this conversation offers the compassionate guidance you need to face your shadows with love. As Shubhangi reminds us in her closing message: "When love ceases to exist, you cease to exist. So take step forwards with love."

Instagram:

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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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We've made progress talking about mental health, but why does your voice still shake when you admit "I'm not okay"? Why do we hesitate to reach out for help? Today, we're getting loud about what keeps us silent.

Half of us will face mental health challenges, yet a third suffer alone because of shame. This episode unpacks how our upbringing literally rewired our brains to suppress emotions. Remember hearing "stop crying before I give you something to cry about"? That childhood conditioning creates adult anxiety around vulnerability. A 2015 study shows this isn't just emotional—it's neurological.

I share my own childhood panic attacks that were dismissed as "being dramatic," revealing how toxic positivity and the false association between mental health struggles and weakness keep us isolated. The research is clear: avoiding uncomfortable emotions directly contributes to psychological distress.

But this isn't just venting—it's about reclaiming your power through actionable, science-backed strategies. Learn how naming your emotions aloud calms your brain's fear center (UCLA research confirms this works). Discover why finding just one safe person for honest conversations matters more than money for long-term happiness (Harvard's longest study proves it). I'll guide you through building a daily emotional check-in habit that research shows reduces depression symptoms over time.

Your healing journey doesn't have to be solo. Tag me @JustWomenTalkingShit with one thing you're giving yourself permission to feel today. Send questions to [email protected] for personalized advice on future episodes. 

Your emotions are valid, your healing is allowed, and your voice deserves to be heard.

Disclaimer: The purpose of Just Women Talking Shit is to entertain, encourage, and inspire. This advice in this episode is not meant to replaced by help of a licensed professional. 

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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.