This may be the final episode of The Bitter Pill.

In this episode, Kirk Sheppard reflects on closing one chapter and stepping into another—through wrestling, writing, Disney, burnout, kindness, and the idea of alignment.

We start by honoring John Cena’s final match and what it means to “leave the business better than you found it.” From there, Kirk revisits the core themes of Soul Audit: values, authenticity, boundaries, and becoming the best version of yourself as an ongoing process.

The episode also includes stories from a recent Disney World trip—unexpected kindness, the limits of roller coasters, hypervigilance, and what exhaustion is really made of.

Finally, Kirk shares what’s next: retiring The Bitter Pill, rebranding Happy Monday as 50, choosing threshold as the word for 2026, and introducing what’s coming with This Is 50.

👉 Read the full show notes and transcript on Substack.

Today, Kirk talks about cultural and occupational alignment.

This content for is educational and entertainment purposes only.

Go to kirksheppard.com for more info.

Today, Kirk talks about FORGIVENESS and how that relates to soul alignment.

This content for is educational and entertainment purposes only.

Go to kirksheppard.com for more info.

This week, Kirk talks about Chapter 12 of "Soul Audit," all about grief and loss. He also talks about heel turns in pro wrestling and dicussses why those stories work.

THIS CONTENT IS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.

Happy Halloween! This week, Kirk talks about Chapters 9 & 10 of "Soul Audit," all about shame and vulnerability. He also teaches us a little bit about wrestling psychology and why the babyface in peril works as a storytelling - and connection - device.

Here's a link to the TEDTalk Kirk referenced from Brene Brown: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability?language=en

THIS CONTENT IS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.

This week, Kirk talks about Chapters 6 & 7 of "Soul Audit," all about spiritual alignment - what it is and what it is not.

THIS CONTENT IS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.

This week, Kirk talks about Chapter 5 of "Soul Audit," all about being present.

THIS CONTENT IS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.

This week, Kirk talks about "What's Paaapin!," his appearance tomorrow at the Lousiville Book Festival, and Chapter 4 of "Soul Audit: Relational Alignment & Boundaries!"

THIS CONTENT IS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.

Today, Kirk talks about self-care not always being what you think it is as well as Chapter 3 of “Soul Audit,” all about emotional alignment.

THIS CONTENT IS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.

On today's episode, Kirk talks about boundaries, the psychology of the ring ropes, and discusses chapter two of his book, Soul Audit - all about "VALUES."

Welcome fans of Happy Monday! Please continue to read the blog - but going forward the podcast will now be "The Bitter Pill," Kirk's wild mashup of self-improvement with a pro-wrestling overlay!