Sheila explores how personal rituals can become anchors in a world where many of us feel between identities, cultures, or expectations. Instead of treating routines as chores, she shows how turning simple acts like morning coffee, journaling, walking, or preparing a Shabbat meal into rituals can create a sense of belonging that starts from within. Sheila opens a window into her own multicultural upbringing and shares how blending traditions with her husband helps them build a home that feels emotionally safe and spiritually nourishing. Her stories about energy clearing and Persian practices like burning rue seeds highlight how rituals can protect your peace and help you reset when life feels heavy. By the end, you will feel inspired to design rituals that help you stay grounded, intentional, and connected to who you want to become.

Get your FREE “Is It Me or My Cycle?” Guide: https://meormycycle.smalltalkwithsheila.com

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Holidays, being between cultures, and why rituals matter01:30 Sheila’s gentle morning ritual of coffee, journaling, and intention setting03:50 Turning walking into an energy-releasing ritual you actually look forward to05:57 Creating an interfaith Shabbat ritual as a weekly reset with her husband08:13 Persian evil eye traditions and clearing bad energy from your home10:32 How to design rituals that make you feel grounded, seen, and at home in yourself

For more Sheila, check out:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkwith_sheila/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallTalkWithSheila

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1wWNmpNuoA9grBPHRVXNGG

KEYWORDS:

holiday rituals, personal rituals, morning ritual, morning routine, journaling, gratitude practice, walking ritual, Shabbat dinner, Jewish rituals, interfaith marriage, Persian culture, Iranian American, evil eye, burning rue seeds, energy clearing, spiritual rituals, creating traditions, self care, grounding practices, Small Talk with Sheila

Sheila flips the script on traditional gratitude by revealing why the real transformation happens when you finally learn to thank yourself. She walks you through a live internal gratitude practice, showing how specificity, honesty, and self-recognition can completely shift your confidence and self-trust. Through personal stories about consistency, boundaries, joy, and resilience, Sheila demonstrates how powerful it is to acknowledge the ways you’ve shown up for your own life. This episode is vulnerable, fun, awkward in the best way, and packed with real tools you can use today. By the end, you’ll feel inspired, lighter, and ready to celebrate yourself with a whole new level of self-appreciation.

Get your FREE “Is It Me or My Cycle?” Guide: https://meormycycle.smalltalkwithsheila.com

CHAPTERS

00:00 Flipping the script on gratitude and why internal gratitude matters01:28 Why thanking yourself feels awkward and how to make gratitude specific03:45 Consistency in coaching and podcasting and showing up even when it is hard06:11 Building self trust through boundaries, tough conversations, and trusting your gut08:32 Choosing joy in a challenging year and using music, humor, and small rituals10:51 Your homework a three part internal gratitude practice for the year

For more Sheila, check out:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkwith_sheila/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallTalkWithSheila

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1wWNmpNuoA9grBPHRVXNGG

KEYWORDS

self gratitude, internal gratitude practice, gratitude for yourself, building self trust, setting boundaries with family, choosing joy after a hard year, Small Talk with Sheila, Sheila Kazan podcast, self worth and confidence, gratitude season

In this anniversary episode, Sheila celebrates one year of Small Talk with Sheila and reflects on how podcasting helped her find her voice again. She revisits three favorite stories, the McBoogers burger saga, her breakup glow up experiment, and the real life meet cute with her husband. Along the way she shares the mindset shifts that helped her stop people pleasing, use a little "I will show them energy," and choose happiness on purpose. This episode is for anyone who feels like they lost their creative spark in career or adulthood and wants practical encouragement to take up space again and go after what they want.Get your FREE “Is It Me or My Cycle?” Guide: https://meormycycle.smalltalkwithsheila.comCHAPTERS:00:00 Celebrating one year of Small Talk with Sheila and why she started the show02:24 The McBoogers story and how people pleasing shaped Sheila’s choices04:45 Breakup glow up energy without the breakup and using I will show them motivation07:13 Tapping into a little delulu confidence and backing it up with daily action07:50 Sheila’s rom com worthy meet cute with her husband and burning the old journal09:37 Choosing happiness on purpose and trusting something magical will happen11:51 Three big lessons from year one and what Sheila wants for year two listenersFor more Sheila, check out:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkwith_sheila/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallTalkWithSheilaSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1wWNmpNuoA9grBPHRVXNGGKEYWORDS:Small Talk with Sheila, Sheila Kazan, podcast anniversary, finding your voice, people pleasing, breakup glow up, I will show them energy, delulu confidence, rom com meet cute, choosing happiness, creative self expression, women in tech careers, storytelling podcast, self help with humor, personal growth stories

Making friends as an adult can feel awkward, but it gets easier when you lead with honesty, make the first move, and keep an open mind. Sheila shares real stories from LA industry meetups, belly dance class, and a post-divorce condo community to show how authentic moments spark lasting connections. You will learn practical ways to answer “how are you?” with something real, start conversations, say yes to invitations, and release rigid expectations so friendships can ebb and flow. These tips will help you build community in any season of life.

Get your FREE “Is It Me or My Cycle?” Guide: https://meormycycle.smalltalkwithsheila.com

CHAPTERS:

00:00 – Making friends as an adult is complicated and awkward

01:20 – Be real like a kid again: authenticity invites connection

03:29 – The LA CineLadies moment: honest feelings created instant friendship

05:49 – Make the first move with potential friends

08:06 – Say yes and stay open-minded to different people and seasons

10:20 – Let friendships ebb and flow without heavy expectations

For more Sheila, check out:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkwith_sheila/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallTalkWithSheila

KEYWORDS:

adult friendship tips, how to make friends as an adult, be real not fine, make the first move, open-minded friendship, friendship expectations, ebb and flow, Sheila Kazan, Small Talk with Sheila, building community

Worry doesn’t prepare you for the future. It steals joy from the present. In this episode, Sheila shares three practical ways to quiet 3 a.m. spirals: personify your inner voices so you can choose which one to listen to, build a simple practice of faith or prayer to restore trust, and play both sides of the what-if game to balance fear with possibility. You’ll leave with tools to manage worry, not be managed by it. Perfect for anyone who lies awake thinking through worst-case scenarios and wants a calmer, kinder brain.

Get your FREE “Is It Me or My Cycle?” Guide: https://meormycycle.smalltalkwithsheila.com

CHAPTERS:

00:00 — Why worry steals joy and what we’ll cover

01:23 — Name your voices: Fear as Bee, Love as Sassy

03:44 — When to listen to each voice and how naming helps

06:02 — Faith and prayer as everyday antidotes to worry

08:24 — The what if game: play both sides, not just worst cases

10:49 — Bringing it together and your listener challenge

For more Sheila, check out:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkwith_sheila/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallTalkWithSheila

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1wWNmpNuoA9grBPHRVXNGG

KEYWORDS:

worry, anxiety vs worry, inner voices, personification, Bee and Sassy, faith, prayer, what if game, mindset, self compassion, stress management, sleep anxiety, personal growth, mental health tools, resilience

Sheila skips the fake Halloween scares and faces the real ones that keep many of us up at night. Through three funny and cringey Halloween memories, she reveals three honest fears that keep her awake at night. This episode is for anyone who wants relief from quiet anxiety and a practical way to move forward with more self‑compassion and momentum.

Get your FREE “Is It Me or My Cycle?” Guide: https://meormycycle.smalltalkwithsheila.com

CHAPTERS:00:00 – Why Sheila hates Halloween and what really scares her00:52 – Halloween Trauma 103:13 – Real Fear 103:14 – Halloween Trauma 204:40 – Real Fear 205:37 – Halloween Trauma 307:54 – Real Fear 310:23 – Three gentle resets

For more Sheila, check out:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkwith_sheila/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallTalkWithSheilaSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1wWNmpNuoA9grBPHRVXNGG

KEYWORDS:Small Talk with Sheila, Halloween, real fears, fear of not reaching potential, people pleasing, caring what others think, time anxiety, mindfulness, being present, self compassion, personal growth, confidence, creative goals, productivity, mental health, anxiety relief, story time, haunted house, childhood memories

Burnout can sneak up on you in more ways than you think. In this episode, Sheila breaks down the surprising ways it shows up and how to catch it before it takes over. She shares real stories, practical resets, and a few eye-opening questions that help you figure out what’s really draining your energy. If you’ve been feeling tired, uninspired, or just not like yourself lately, this one will help you find your spark again. Perfect for anyone who wants to keep growing without burning out in the process.

Get your FREE “Is It Me or My Cycle?” Guide: https://meormycycle.smalltalkwithsheila.com

CHAPTERS:00:00 — The sneaky symptoms of burnout and why it creeps up01:13 — Type 1: From excitement to exhaustion and losing your identity in work02:58 — Boundaries and living spherically instead of only one priority04:33 — Type 2: Perfectionism that steals joy from creativity06:54 — Throw it away: acting class lesson that frees your voice09:06 — Type 3: When your life and environment are not aligned11:10 — Audit your city, job, and routines for fit13:25 — Your happiness is your responsibility and the monthly inventory ritual

For more Sheila, check out:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkwith_sheila/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallTalkWithSheila

KEYWORDS:

burnout recovery, perfectionism, boundaries, creative burnout, work identity, life alignment, Orange County story, monthly life inventory, happiness responsibility, Small Talk with Sheila, Sheila Kazan, career overwhelm, reset routine

Sheila shares her breast cancer story to help anyone staring down callbacks, biopsies, and late-night what-ifs. You will learn why cancer exists on a spectrum, how to advocate for yourself when imaging is confusing, and when to push for the right radiologist or additional tests. She also shows how intuition can lead to life-saving decisions and a more meaningful life. Expect clear takeaways on navigating dense breasts, DCIS, and atypia without spiraling. You will leave with a simple practice to reassess your priorities every six months.

Get your FREE “Is It Me or My Cycle?” Guide: https://meormycycle.smalltalkwithsheila.com

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Why this episode matters and who it is for

01:16 The first lump scare, urgent imaging, and a cheeseburger of relief

03:21 Callback, biopsy week, and an atypia diagnosis that leads to surgery

05:23 Navigating fear and loneliness while waiting for results

07:47 Cosmetic surgery surprise: pathology finds DCIS, stage zero

10:02 What DCIS means and why early detection changed everything

12:15 Six months of waiting, the Italy list, and starting this podcast

14:30 Cancer is a spectrum and why self-advocacy matters with dense breasts

16:37 Trust your gut, make a six-month bucket list, and schedule your mammogram

For more Sheila, check out:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkwith_sheila/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallTalkWithSheila

KEYWORDS:

breast cancer awareness, DCIS, atypia, diagnostic mammogram, dense breasts, biopsy anxiety, self advocacy, women’s health, intuition, six month bucket list, early detection, radiologist, ultrasound, MRI, pathology

Sheila reflects on the unique quirks, drama, and unconditional love of Persian moms. She shares funny and touching stories about her own mother’s superpowers—like lecturing, dramatic flair, and telepathic glances—while also highlighting the deep support and resilience mothers provide. Sheila explores the complexities of mother-daughter relationships, especially for first- and second-generation families, and encourages listeners to appreciate their moms for who they are. This conversation blends humor with tenderness, reminding us of the irreplaceable love and lessons only moms can give.

Get your FREE “Is It Me or My Cycle?” Guide: https://meormycycle.smalltalkwithsheila.com

CHAPTERS:

00:00 – Everyone loves my Persian mom

01:21 – Persian mom superpowers

03:42 – The drama school of Persian moms

05:56 – Nasiat: The art of lecturing

07:30 – Complicated but powerful mother-daughter relationships

For more Sheila, check out:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkwith_sheila/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallTalkWithSheila

KEYWORDS: Persian moms, mother-daughter relationships, cultural identity, family stories, Persian culture, parenting humor

Sheila explores the powerful concept from the book and rom-com "He's Just Not That Into You" and how it applies not only to dating but also to friendships, environments, and even career choices. Through personal stories of ghosting, shifting friendships, moving cities, and work struggles, Sheila shows how freeing it can be to recognize when something or someone simply isn’t aligned with you. This episode helps listeners cut through excuses, stop forcing connections, and start embracing the spaces where they are truly wanted. The message is clear: life is better when you invest your time and energy into people and places that are genuinely into you.

Get your FREE “Is It Me or My Cycle?” Guide: https://meormycycle.smalltalkwithsheila.com

CHAPTERS:

00:00 – The book that started it all

01:46 – Dating and ghosting lessons

04:04 – Friendships and unspoken truths

06:24 – Work, validation, and moving on

08:46 – Living where you’re wanted

For more Sheila, check out:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkwith_sheila/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallTalkWithSheila

KEYWORDS:

Sheila Kazan, Small Talk with Sheila, he’s just not that into you, dating advice, ghosting, friendships, career growth, work validation, moving cities, personal growth, boundaries, relationships