She Laughs: The Cool Girl's Guide to Courage

Send us Fan Mail

It was a random Friday afternoon in August 2021. Julia Myers was sitting at her desk when the right side of her vision closed like a curtain. Five surgeries later, the best specialists at Johns Hopkins told her there was nothing left to try. This was her new normal.

Julia had spent 15 years in healthcare as a pharmacist and clinical leader, the woman who could command a room and run the numbers. Losing her sight took all of that off the table, and what came next was not a comeback story. It was a full stop. Thirty days with no information, no new commitments, no noise. Just a garden and some music.

Then her five-year-old asked at the dinner table, “Mom, are we rich?” Her 17-year-old answered before Julia could. That single exchange became the foundation for Generational Wisdom, Julia's work helping successful parents raise grounded, grateful, financially wise kids.

This conversation covers loss, identity, surrender, and the difference between what you leave in your children's hands and what you leave in their hearts.

What we cover:

• The Friday afternoon Julia's vision went dark and what a retinal detachment actually does
• Five surgeries, a resident with no bedside manner, and the moment medicine ran out of options
• Why the surrender came from exhaustion of options, not from faith at first
• How much of her identity was tied to being the capable one, and what happened when that broke
• The 30-day information fast and the “parking lot” system she built to make stillness possible
• Freedom Fridays, quarterly priorities, and why you only get three to five things
• The dinner table question that changed everything: rich versus wealthy
• Why the money conversation starts as soon as a child learns to share
• The family constitution as a parenting tool, and why Julia calls it the get out of jail free card
• What your schedule and your budget actually say about your values
• Why wealth without wisdom is wasted
• Turning toward the sun like a sunflower, and what lets Julia laugh without fear of the future

Connect with Julia:

• Website: juliamyers.com
• TEDx Talk: “Losing My Sight Taught Me to See”

Send us Fan Mail

Mark Holloway is back, and this conversation goes even deeper. The New Zealand author of The Freedom Diaries returns to the She Laughs Podcast to tackle the big questions: What have we gotten wrong about God because of religion? How do you actually hear his voice? And what do you do when you doubt?

Mark breaks down how religion has shaped our picture of God in ways that don't line up with the full story of scripture, and why that matters for anyone trying to get close to him. He walks through his method of written conversation with God step by step, addresses the fear of getting it wrong, and talks about how even the strongest believers, John the Baptist included, wrestle with doubt.

This is one of those conversations that will shift something in you.

What we cover:

• What religion has gotten wrong about God and what scripture actually says about his character
• A fresh look at John 3:16 through the original Greek and what it changes
• The theology of penal substitution: what it is, when it started, and why it matters
• How your relationship with your parents shapes your picture of God
• The step-by-step method for having a written conversation with God and what to do when you get stuck
• Why you will doubt what you hear and how to keep going anyway
• What to ask God when you feel far from him or unworthy of his attention
• How the enemy uses shame and distraction to keep you from hearing God's voice
• How Mark reached a vegan skeptic without ever mentioning Christianity
• Why asking and keep asking is the whole thing, Matthew 7:7

Mark's book: 📖 The Freedom Diaries — available wherever books are sold

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, we sit down with Debbi Chesney — community chaplain, lifelong friend, and one of the most faithful (and funniest) people you'll ever meet. Debbi shares what it really looks like to walk alongside people through life's hardest and most sacred moments, from grief and loss to baptisms and celebrations — and yes, even a hamster blessing.

We talk about what it means to be called by God to something you didn't expect, how to carry the weight of others without letting it crush you, and why presence matters more than having the right answers. Debbi also opens up about her own struggles with anxiety and doubt, what she does when faith feels distant, and the profound moment that changed her ministry forever.

If you've ever wondered where God is in the middle of the mess — or if you've been afraid to take a step forward in your faith — this episode is for you.

What we cover:

• What a community chaplain actually does (and why Debbi can't believe she gets paid for it)
• How to be present with people in pain without carrying what isn't yours to carry
• Why feelings are liars and how to anchor yourself in God's word instead
• The power of humor in ministry and how laughter opens doors faith talk can't
• Debbi's most unforgettable moment in ministry — a story about a fallen soldier and showing up when you feel completely unqualified
• What to do when you feel overwhelmed, alone, or like you're not enough
• How to invite God into every single moment, not just the big ones
• Generational faith — the seeds we plant that we may never see grow

Connect with Debbi: 📧 [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Episode Overview

In this episode of She Laughs, host Nancy sits down with entrepreneur and spa owner Tori Clark for a deeply personal and inspiring conversation. Tori shares the formative moments that shaped her resilience, from being raised by her father after her mother left at age two, to witnessing her family's home go into foreclosure as a child, losing her father at 20, and ultimately inheriting a failing bus company at 24. Rather than walking away, Tori chose to fight, restructuring the business and growing it before selling it successfully at 28. She then channeled all she had learned into her newest venture, Spa Lux, a hospitality-first luxury spa with locations in Georgetown and Austin, Texas.

This episode is packed with raw honesty, faith, grit, and wisdom for any woman standing at the edge of a brave decision.

About Tori Clark
  - Owner and founder of Spa Lux, with locations in Georgetown and Austin, Texas
  - Former owner of Clark Travel, a charter bus company she inherited at age 24 and sold successfully at age 28
  - Grew up in the family charter bus and tour business, leading multi-day tours as young as age 8
  - Mentored early in life by entrepreneurial grandparents who also ran the bus company
  - Board member and participant in the Texas Business Hall of Fame community
  - Driven by faith, grit, and a hospitality-centered philosophy of leadership

Resources and Links Mentioned
  - Spa Lux Georgetown and Austin, Texas
  - Texas Business Hall of Fame
  - Wesley Pruitt, attorney (still Tori's attorney today)

Connect With Tori Clark
  - Find Spa Lux and follow Tori's journey through the Spa Lux website and   - social channels.

About She Laughs Podcast
She Laughs is hosted by Nancy and is a podcast where real women get vulnerable, get personal, and get real. Each episode features conversations with inspiring women sharing their smarts and their hearts. As Nancy says: inside each one of us is a cool girl.

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend who needs a little courage or a reminder that she is not alone. Every share helps more women find their inner cool girl and kick fear to the curb.
Find us on social: @SHeLaughsPodcastOfficial

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, we sit down with Dallas-based registered dietitian Caroline Green to cut through the nutrition noise and talk about what actually works for women's health.

Topics Covered

• How Caroline found her calling in nutrition (inspired by her grandmother's cancer journey)
• What Nourish is and how to get telehealth nutrition counseling covered by insurance
• The truth about GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy) — and who they're really for
• Gut health testing: what the GI-MAP stool test reveals and how to prep for it (~$350–400 out of pocket)
• Building a balanced plate: protein + healthy fat + fiber at every meal
• Real protein targets: aim for 1.2–1.5g per kg of body weight, spread across meals
• Healthy grab-and-go snacks Caroline actually eats: Hornbills, True Fru, Magic Spoon minis, IQ Bar, nuts & seeds
• Overcoming food guilt and building a healthier mindset around eating

Work with Caroline

All sessions are virtual via Zoom and covered by most insurance carriers.

📲 Instagram: @caroline_green_nutrition — booking link in bio 🌐 Or search her name at usenourish.com

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when the life you thought you had turns out to be a lie?

In this deeply personal and powerful episode, Nancy sits down with her sorority sister and longtime friend Carey Clancy, a woman who walked through one of the most devastating betrayals imaginable and came out on the other side softer, wiser, and more beautifully herself than ever.

Carey's story is not for the faint of heart, but it is for every woman who has ever asked, "Who am I now?" after loss. It's about a 20-year marriage that hid a double life. It's about discovering that every account had been drained: her savings, her children's college funds, her late grandmother's inheritance, all gone. It's about cancer, divorce, rebuilding on a shoestring, and somehow, someway, finding that God's economy doesn't follow our math.

But it's also a story about a tiny house in Richardson with Adirondack chairs and a fire pit that her kids now call the best time of their childhood. About a business born from a love of color that turned into a ministry of beauty and connection. And about a love story so good, so full, so mutual that she calls it "the greatest love affair of all time."

Heartbreak does not get the final word. This episode is proof.

In This Episode You'll Discover:

• Why divorce can feel like a death no one prepares you for, and what grief in the aftermath really looks like
• How Carey discovered her then-husband had been living a secret life of addiction, gambling, and financial betrayal for over a decade
• What it's like to open a bank account expecting to find your grandmother's life savings, and find $7
• How her faith (and her mom's singing voice) kept her from completely falling apart
• The unexpected gift of downsizing: how a small house became the place where her family healed
• How God's economy covered three college tuitions on paper that should not have worked
• Why Carey launched Your Color Plan, a color analysis business that's less about fashion and more about helping women see themselves
• The difference between someone saying "I love your top" vs. "Your skin looks radiant" (and why it matters more than you think)
• Six months on Match.com, one blind date in a parking lot, and the man her friends called "The Nordic": the love story you didn't see coming
• What shared depth, loss, and empathy look like in a second marriage, and how it's different from settling
• Why shared faith is a non-negotiable, not a nice-to-have, in relationships
• The advice she'd give her younger self and every young woman dating today about not settling and not completing someone
• The one thing she'd whisper to herself at her lowest point: "You are being cradled in God's arms. Just rest."

About Carey Clancy

Carey Clancy is a personal color analyst and the founder of Your Color Plan, based in Dallas, Texas. After a 15-year corporate career at The Container Store, Carey completed advanced color analysis training (including a master certification with the late creator of the method) and now works one-on-one with women (and occasionally men!) to help them discover the colors that bring out their natural radiance. Her studio sessions run 90 minutes and are as much about real conversation as they are about color swatches. She also hosts fun color parties with wine, cheese, and a whole lot of glow-up included.

Find Carey: 📱 Instagram: @yourcolorplan 📍 Dallas, TX: studio sessions available, or book her for a girls' party near you (she will fly to you!)

Connect With She Laughs:

📸 Instagram: @shelaughspodcastofficial ▶️ YouTube:

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when the dream you built becomes the cage that traps you?

In this episode of She Laughs, Nancy sits down with the vibrant and inspiring Cody Wassel, America's Joy Catalyst, who built a thriving $500K doggy daycare business from the ground up, only to realize she had become a prisoner of her own success. From burnout and bankruptcy to boundless joy, Cody's story is proof that it's never too late to pivot, play, and rediscover yourself.

Cody opens up about the moment a duck's little feet popping up out of a pond changed everything, how she went from grinding in survival mode to coaching women to live with intention and delight, and why slowing down might actually be the fastest path to the success you've been chasing.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why your four quadrants of life matter more than your to-do list
• How curiosity can replace anxiety and road rage in seconds
• The power of nano-moments and why joy lives in the small stuff
• Why boundaries aren't walls, they're the door to your freedom
• How to stop waiting until life calms down to actually start living

Whether you're a frustrated entrepreneur, a woman running on empty, or simply someone who forgot how to laugh, this episode will leave you feeling seen, fired up, and ready to choose yourself.

Connect with Cody: codywassel.com | Instagram: @thecodyfactor

Send us Fan Mail

Summary
In this episode of the She Laughs podcast, Theresa Moore, a mental health therapist, discusses the importance of understanding ourselves to improve our relationships. She emphasizes the foundational elements of human connection, the role of curiosity in self-discovery, and the impact of childhood experiences on adult behavior. The conversation also covers effective communication strategies, the significance of emotional awareness in conflict resolution, and the necessity of taking time-outs during heated discussions. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the importance of respect and communication in relationships, exploring how childhood experiences shape adult responses. They discuss the significance of building trust, self-regulation, and emotional awareness, while also providing practical exercises to enhance emotional vocabulary and understanding. The dialogue emphasizes the need for personal growth and the role of therapy in navigating complex emotions and relationships.

Takeaways
Understanding ourselves helps bring people together.
Curiosity is essential for self-awareness and growth.
Childhood experiences shape our emotional responses.
Anger can signal that something needs to change.
Using 'I' statements fosters better communication.
Emotional awareness is crucial in conflict resolution.
Taking time-outs can prevent escalation during arguments.
History serves as a learning tool for personal growth.
Relationships are built on foundational elements of connection.
Self-reflection is key to breaking negative patterns. Respect is foundational for effective communication.
Understanding behaviors can clarify feelings of disrespect.
Building trust requires commitment to difficult conversations.
Childhood experiences influence adult emotional responses.
Self-regulation is key to managing emotional triggers.
Emotional awareness helps in responding rather than reacting.
Practicing emotional vocabulary can enhance communication.
Therapy can provide tools for emotional processing.
It's important to assert oneself in relationships when necessary.
Sharing experiences with others fosters community and support.

Sound Bites
"Why did I say that?"
"Curiosity is what we need."
"History is a learning tool."
"We need to feel safe enough."
"Anger is a good feeling."
"What do I want out of this argument?"
"I need to know that you respect me."
"I want to be here to resolve this."
"It's rejection. Bottom line."
"Make a list, get a piece of paper."

Chapters
00:00 Understanding Ourselves: The Foundation of Relationships
03:08 The Role of Curiosity in Self-Discovery
06:04 Child Development: The Building Blocks of Emotions
09:11 The Impact of Parenting on Self-Perception
12:01 Navigating Conflict: The Importance of Emotional Awareness
14:56 Breaking Patterns: The Path to Self-Reflection
17:58 Effective Communication: Using 'I' Statements
21:00 Managing Anger: The Need for Time-Outs
24:11 Finding Resolution: Steps to Healthy Conflict Resolution
29:40 Understanding Respect and Communication
32:40 Building Trust in Relationships
36:15 Childhood Triggers and Adult Responses
41:32 Self-Regulation and Emotional Awareness
46:39 Practical Exercises for Emotional Vocabulary

Send us Fan Mail

Valentine's Day, dating, and relationships—let's get real! In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Styers, America's go-to relationship expert and one of the top 10 relationship experts in the country. Jennifer has been a Fox News radio relationship expert for the past 10 years and shares practical advice on dating, self-awareness, and finding love that lasts.

We dive deep into what role faith plays in relationships, how to trust God's timing instead of forcing our own will, and why women need to stop squinting at red flags until they look pink-ish! Jennifer shares real stories from her 30 years of coaching and matchmaking, talks about the difference between masculine and feminine energy in dating, and reminds us why holding our standards high actually attracts the right person.

If you're single, dating, or just want honest relationship advice rooted in faith and real-life experience, this episode is for you!

Find Jennifer: 

Website: www.lovejenn.com 

Instagram: @jennifer_styers 

Podcast: LoveAbility Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Episode Overview: Join us for an inspiring conversation with Tonya Shellnut, a successful real estate professional who has built a thriving business while staying true to her values and faith. Tonya shares her journey from corporate America to real estate entrepreneurship, the importance of building genuine relationships, and how she balances business success with family and community impact.

Key Topics Discussed:

Getting Started in Real Estate

• Tonya's transition from corporate work to real estate
• Why she chose real estate as a career path
• The importance of having the right support system and mentorship
• Learning the business through hands-on experience

Building a Successful Real Estate Business

• The power of building authentic relationships over transactions
• How referrals and repeat clients fuel sustainable growth
• Creating systems and processes for consistency
• The importance of knowing your market inside and out
• Working with investors and understanding their unique needs

Faith and Business

• How faith guides business decisions and client relationships
• Treating every client with integrity and respect
• The importance of being honest, even when it's difficult
• Giving back to the community as a cornerstone of success

Team Building and Leadership

• Growing from solo agent to team leader
• Finding and developing the right people
• Creating a culture of excellence and accountability
• Balancing support with high standards

Market Insights and Strategy

• Understanding local market dynamics
• Working with different types of buyers and sellers
• Navigating challenging market conditions
• The importance of education and staying informed

Work-Life Balance

• Managing a demanding career while prioritizing family
• Setting boundaries and protecting personal time
• The role of faith in maintaining perspective
• Building a business that supports your lifestyle, not controls it

Advice for Aspiring Real Estate Professionals

• Start with education and find a great mentor
• Focus on building real relationships, not just closing deals
• Be willing to work hard, especially in the beginning
• Stay consistent and don't give up when things get tough
• Let your faith and values guide your business decisions

Key Takeaways:

• Success in real estate is built on relationships, not just transactions
• Integrity and honesty are non-negotiable, even when it costs you a deal
• Faith and business can work together beautifully
• Building a team allows you to scale while maintaining quality
• Community impact should be part of your business model
• Work-life balance is possible with intentional boundaries