Taking Up Space with Jordan

No one really talks about the grief that comes with growth. When you stop shrinking to make other people comfortable, you start to lose people: friends, family, partners and it hurts. Even if it was the right choice.

In this episode, I’m opening up about what it feels like to grieve people who are still alive but no longer in your life. The ones who couldn’t love the version of you that finally chose herself. We’ll talk about the quiet moments of grief, being alone (but not lonely), and why missing someone doesn’t mean you want them back.

This one’s for the version of you that had to let go, just to become who you were always meant to be.

We’re officially in the second half of the year — and if you’ve been chasing goals, you might be feeling a mix of things: behind, ahead, burnt out, or maybe all of the above. (Hi, I’m option D.)

In this episode, I’m doing a personal check-in. I’m sharing what’s working, what’s still a work in progress (hello, finances), and how I’m shifting my mindset so I don’t end the year burnt out or out of alignment. I also created a free downloadable guide to help you do your own mid-year reset with clarity and compassion.

Plus, if you're craving community, check out Soft Hustle Society — my free online space for women who are dreaming big and building soft, intentional lives.

Let this be your reminder: You’re allowed to shift, rest, and still be proud of how far you’ve come.

This week we’re breaking down the unspoken rules that keep women shrinking and feeling guilty for putting themselves first.

You’ll hear why:
💛 Boundaries don’t make you a bad friend — they make you honest.
💛 Real love is mutual — you shouldn’t disappear to please your partner.
💛 Family obligations shouldn’t control your happiness.

Ready to stop people-pleasing and start taking up space? You deserve it — guilt free.

💫 Listen now, share with a friend who needs this, and join Soft Hustle Society if you’re ready to rewrite the rules with support.

#Boundaries #UnspokenRules #PeoplePleasing #TakeUpSpace

Learn how to spot the beliefs keeping you small, unpack them with compassion, and rewrite your story — one tiny choice at a time.

Plus, join the Soft Hustle Society to heal and grow with women just like you. 💫

Ready for community support? Join my new Soft Hustle Society Discord - the space for women who want to dream big, set gentle boundaries, and build lives they love without the burnout.

Marketing with Mackenzie: From 9–5 to Full-Time Creative

In this episode of Taking Up Space, I sit down with Mackenzie —social media manager, content creator, and full-time entrepreneur. Mackenzie shares how she left the safety of her 9–5 to build a creative business on her own terms.

From the messy middle of self-employment to dreaming big about storefronts and scaling a team, Mackenzie gets real about what it takes to grow. We dive into the power of authenticity, building a brand that reflects who you really are, and why having a support system makes all the difference.

Whether you're building your side hustle or already running your own business, this conversation is packed with insights (and inspiration!) you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Listen now and let’s take up space—together.

Want to check Mackenzie's skills out? Follow the link.

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This week’s episode is a little different — no script, no outline, just me and the mic. I’m sharing a real-time journal moment about what it feels like to be in the in-between — that awkward, uncertain space where you’re not quite where you were, but not yet where you want to be.

I started this podcast to empower women who feel alone in their growth journeys, and this episode is for anyone navigating big decisions, burnout, or the quiet question: Am I still on the right path?

We talk about the pressure to figure everything out, the tug-of-war between stability and purpose, and why it’s okay — even powerful — to not have all the answers. Because sometimes, the transition is the transformation.

Other episodes to check out:

Saying Yes Again: Your Next Step After Healing

What If It All Works Out? A Mid-Quarter Reflection

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction to the Journey
01:43 – Navigating the In-Between Space
05:33 – The Pressure of Expectations
09:05 – Embracing the Present Moment
12:48 – The Beauty of Transition
15:50 – Finding Freedom in Choices
18:57 – Conclusion and Reflection

🎧 If this episode resonates, don’t forget to follow, rate, or share it with a friend who needs the reminder that they’re not behind — they’re just in the in-between. 💛

What happens when you’ve healed, set the boundaries, built the life you dreamed of — and still feel stuck? Welcome to the Plateau Stage. In this episode of Taking Up Space, we’re talking about the sneaky phase of healing no one prepares you for: the point where life feels safe but stagnant.

I’m breaking down the real reason you might feel unfulfilled even after doing everything right — and how saying yes again might just be the key to moving forward. We’ll dive into the healing journey stages, the dangers of staying too comfortable, and how to open yourself up to new opportunities without losing the boundaries that protect you.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, craving more, or just need permission to dream bigger again, this conversation will show you how small yeses can reignite your life in powerful ways.

🎧 Listen now to learn:

• The 5 stages of healing and how the Plateau Stage sneaks up on you

• Why “protecting your peace” can sometimes keep you stuck

• How to reassess your boundaries without losing yourself

• Practical, low-stakes ways to start saying yes more

• How to move from maintenance to growth — and feel alive again

✨ This is your invitation to step out of survival and into expansion.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who’s ready to say yes to their next era.

#healingjourney #personalgrowth #boundaries #intentionalliving #selftrustSaying Yes Again: Your Next Step After Healing

In this powerful episode of Taking Up Space, I’m joined by Austin Marie aka The NeuroSpicy Mama for a heart-centered conversation on neurodivergence, motherhood, and the healing journey. As a neurodivergent single mom and podcast host, Austin shares her story of building a safe space for those who’ve ever felt “othered,” while navigating the invisible labor, emotional weight, and resilience of parenthood.

We explore what it means to parent with a neurodivergent brain, how language shapes identity, and why teaching kids about boundaries and consent is a radical act of love. From spoon theory to TikTok community-building, Austin brings her signature warmth and wisdom to this candid conversation.

✨ Whether you’re a parent, healing your inner child, or just looking for language that makes you feel seen this episode is for you.

Find Austen:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/welcome-to-116418701

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theneurospicymompod

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/the_neurospicymama/

🎧 Tune in for:

• The power of the word yet and embracing a growth mindset

• How trauma shapes our energy, capacity, and identity

• Teaching kids to self-advocate and express their emotions

• Building community when you’re starting over

• The dream of a healing homestead for women and children

  
  

In this episode of Taking Up Space, I’m getting real about the pressure to follow picture-perfect routines—and what it means to finally build rhythms that actually support your brain, your healing, and your real life.

I share my personal journey with trauma, burnout, and feeling like I was constantly failing at “doing life right.” From overstimulation and emotional exhaustion to breaking up with hustle culture, I’ve learned that rigid routines weren’t helping me heal—they were keeping me stuck.

We’ll talk about:

• Why vulnerability is a strength, not a setback

• How trauma changes the way we process structure and stress

• What burnout really looks like (spoiler: it’s not always dramatic)

• Why it’s okay to let routines break—and how to gently rebuild

• How I’ve reshaped my own rhythms to fit my brain, not the algorithm

If you’re craving routines that feel like self-trust—not self-punishment—this one’s for you.

✨ Sound bites from this episode:
"Your routines are meant to hold you."
"We need to let the system break."
"Your life is your choice."

🗂️ Chapters:
00:00 — Introduction to Taking Up Space
00:05 — Creating Safe Spaces for Vulnerability
06:16 — Rethinking Routines and Systems
12:50 — Understanding Trauma and Its Impact
17:35 — Recognizing Signs for Change
20:41 — Building Personalized Routines
26:55 — Embracing Flexibility in Routines

🎧 Keywords: vulnerability, routines, trauma, mental health, healing, self-care, burnout, authenticity, personal growth, self-trust

This episode is dedicated to the hard, vulnerable work my mom and I have both done to rebuild our relationship.

It hasn’t been an easy journey—navigating the wounds of a complicated childhood, the effects of narcissistic abuse, and years of emotional distance. But through therapy, reparenting, and a willingness to see each other as we are now—not who we used to be—we’ve slowly built something real.

In this episode, I share what it’s looked like to reparent myself while also choosing to reconnect with my mom. It’s about healing, yes—but also about the courage it takes to trust again, to love again, and to let go of the fantasy in order to make space for something honest.

This isn’t a perfect mother-daughter story. It’s a story of growth, grace, and mutual effort. And I hope it reminds you that relationships can evolve—even the ones that once felt impossible to fix.

takeaways

• Empowerment starts with taking small, consistent steps.
• Building your dream life often involves uncomfortable self-reflection.
• Growth can feel slow, but progress is real.
• Reparenting is about meeting your own emotional needs.
• Healing from narcissistic relationships requires understanding and compassion.
• Setting boundaries is essential for emotional safety.
• Trust must be rebuilt after trauma.
• Healed love is about choosing connection on your own terms.
• You can love someone while still honoring your pain.
• Healing is a messy, nonlinear journey.
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Chapters

00:00Empowering Women to Dream Big

01:54Navigating Family Dynamics and Personal Growth

05:30The Journey of Reparenting

09:04Letting Go of Resentment and Guilt

12:37Building Trust and Connection

16:34Healing and Understanding Complex Relationships

19:50The Reality of Rebuilding Relationships