In this powerful episode of The Feisty Heroines Podcast, Rachel sits down with Cheri Bergeron—author, life coach, and founder of the nonprofit Cheri’s Choice—to unpack the messy, beautiful truth about motherhood on your own terms.

From navigating fertility treatments and donor conception, to challenging toxic relationships and outdated societal timelines, Cheri shares her personal journey to becoming a solo mom later in life—and the hard-earned wisdom that came with it.

Together, we explore:

• Fertility education and the myths women still aren't taught

• What it means to plan for motherhood without a partner

• The emotional and legal hurdles Cheri faced—and overcame

• Why trusting your instincts is the ultimate rebellion

• And how Cheri’s nonprofit is supporting women to choose motherhood with clarity, courage, and community

If you’ve ever questioned the fairytales we’re sold—or wondered if it’s “too late” to become a mom—this conversation will meet you right where you are.

🖊️ Grab her memoir Mission: Motherhood
🌐 Learn more about Cheri’s work at cheribergeron.com
💛 Support women taking bold paths to parenthood at cherischoice.com

✨ Keywords: fertility education, motherhood after 40, solo parenting, Cheri Bergeron, donor conception, IVF, women’s empowerment, maternal health, nontraditional motherhood, personal resilience, planning for motherhood, reproductive freedom, Feisty Heroines Podcast, single mom by choice, life after toxic relationships

In this Feisty Fridays mini-sode, Rachel dives into the growing tension between two extremes of modern womanhood: the boss babe hustle and the tradwife trend. Both claim to empower women—but do they really offer freedom?

With the rise of right-wing female influencers and performative femininity on one side, and burnout culture on the other, Rachel calls for a new path—one where women reclaim their time, their voice, and their own damn lives.

She also shares a quick reflection on being featured in a recent Wall Street Journal article exploring how younger generations are redefining success—and why that redefinition matters now more than ever. Link to the article: https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/why-success-is-quieter-for-younger-americans-6979e048?st=MaAZkG&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

If you're tired of trying to be everything for everyone—or shrinking yourself to fit outdated expectations—this one's for you.

✨ It’s not about choosing a side. It’s about choosing yourself.

🔑 Keywords: modern womanhood, tradwives, boss babe burnout, right-wing influencers, Wall Street Journal, redefining success, feminism, solo journey, financial independence, Feisty Heroines, women’s empowerment

What happens when a successful attorney trades the office for the open road? In this episode, Sara Wardlow (@justiceonthemove) shares her journey into van life and solo travel, revealing how a nomadic lifestyle opened the door to deep personal growth, healing, and radical self-discovery.

We talk about challenging societal expectations, redefining success, and the freedom that comes from living on your own terms. From balancing a legal career with adventure to understanding attachment styles and cultivating financial independence, Sara’s story is a bold reminder that women don’t have to follow the script—they can write their own.

🎙️ Topics we cover:

Van life and nomadic living

Solo female travel and empowerment

Financial independence and self-worth

Redefining success, career, and relationships

Reinvention, healing, and choosing freedom

Please follow/contact me at:

Instagram: @thefeistyheroine

Website: thefeistyheroine.com

Email: [email protected]

This week, I’m sharing what happened when I finally sat down to watch Barbie with my mom—and why it didn’t go the way I hoped. From smashed baby dolls to America Ferrera’s monologue, the film hit me in all the ways it was meant to… but for my mom? Not so much.

In this episode, I unpack the generational gap between women who grew up surviving patriarchy and those of us now daring to question it. We talk about marriage, independence, motherhood, and the quiet tension between honoring where we come from—and building something different.

If you’ve ever felt misunderstood by your mother or struggled to explain your freedom to someone who didn’t have that luxury, this one's for you.

Follow me/contact me:

Instagram: @thefeistyheroine

Website: thefeistyheroine.com

Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Feisty Heroine Podcast, Rachel Beck speaks with Janel Forsythe about her experiences as a single woman in her early thirties navigating societal expectations and cultural pressures regarding marriage and relationships. Janel shares her journey of self-discovery, the impact of literature on her perspective, and the importance of community and self-love. They discuss the evolving narrative around womanhood, the significance of embracing solitude, and the need for women to redefine their identities beyond traditional roles. Janel emphasizes the importance of setting personal terms for happiness and fulfillment, regardless of societal norms.

In this engaging conversation, Rachel Beck and Janel Forsythe explore the complexities of modern relationships, the joys of being single, and the transformative power of solo travel. They discuss their personal experiences with dating apps, the societal pressures surrounding singlehood, and the importance of self-discovery and community. Janel shares valuable advice for women navigating their own journeys, emphasizing the significance of trusting one's instincts and finding joy in life regardless of relationship status.

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Instagram: @thefeistyheroine

Website: thefeistyheroine.com

Email: [email protected]

Keywords: singlehood, societal expectations, women empowerment, cultural differences, marriage, self-love, community, personal growth, solitude, redefining womanhood, dating apps, singlehood, solo travel, personal growth, relationships, self-discovery, empowerment, happiness, community, life advice

Have you ever been called "too much" for simply showing up as your full self? In this Feisty Friday mini-sode, host Rachel Beck dives into what that label really means—and why it’s often more about others' discomfort than your truth.

From leveling up in life to facing fragile egos at work and in relationships, Rachel unpacks the pressure women face to shrink, soften, and silence themselves. She shares a personal story from her NYC career days, reminds us that speaking up isn’t a threat—it’s power—and offers a love note to every woman who’s ever been told to "tone it down."

💥 Whether you’re too loud, too direct, or just too real—this mini-sode is for you.

🎙 Topics: female empowerment, self-worth, emotional growth, people-pleasing, workplace sexism, fragile masculinity, personal boundaries, women’s voices, self-expression, identity
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Instagram: @thefeistyheroine

Website: thefeistyheroine.com

In this powerful episode, Rachel Beck sits down with Casey Engles, a young widow, mother, and soon-to-be podcast host, to explore her deeply personal journey through grief, cancer, widowhood, solo parenting, and healing.

After losing her husband Joel to cancer, Casey found herself navigating motherhood alone at 35 years old, while also confronting the emotional toll of caregiving, fertility preservation, and the overwhelming shifts in identity that follow profound loss.

She opens up about the complexities of faith after loss, the strength required to ask for help, and the messy, courageous process of reclaiming independence.

This conversation is a raw and relatable reflection on resilience, personal growth, community support, and why grief needs space to be shared. Whether you’re walking through widowhood, caregiving, or simply reimagining life after loss, this episode is a reminder that healing doesn’t mean fixing—it means telling the truth, being seen, and finding your way forward.

Stay tuned for Casey's podcast! It's called The Widow's Fire, and it's coming soon!!

🔹 Keywords: grief, widowhood, motherhood, solo parenting, cancer, support systems, self-care, identity, healing, faith, personal growth

In this empowering episode of Feisty Fridays, Rachel Beck unpacks the emotional undercurrents of weddings, love, and societal expectations—especially for women who are single, healing, or simply choosing a different path. Drawing from her personal story and cultural critique, Rachel challenges the belief that marriage equals worth and shares why real fulfillment starts with self-acceptance and personal freedom.
This episode is your invitation to reclaim your story, break free from outdated expectations, and celebrate the most important relationship in your life—the one with yourself.
🎧 Tune in for truth, sass, and soul-level reminders that you don’t need a ring to be radiant.

Key themes: wedding season, self-worth, emotional healing, societal pressure, individuality, love, marriage, empowerment, and choosing yourself.

In this empowering solo episode of The Feisty Heroine Podcast, host Rachel Beck reflects on what it really means to turn 45 in a world that tries to convince women their value has a deadline. From burning bridges that no longer serve you to embracing reinvention and rewriting your story, Rachel shares five raw and transformative lessons she's learned on her journey.

Whether you're approaching a milestone birthday or simply feeling stuck in society's timeline, this episode is your reminder: you are not behind, your worth doesn’t expire, and it’s never too late to choose yourself.

Tune in for real talk on aging, self-worth, growth, and finding freedom in the unexpected chapters of your life.

✨ Topics: aging, women's empowerment, reinvention, self-worth, personal growth, life transitions, turning 45, feisty and free

In this episode of Feisty Fridays, host Rachel Beck shares what it felt like to get a message from a man who disappeared without a trace—18 months later. Old Rachel might’ve read it with hope. But the woman she is now? Unbothered. Clear. And not here for weak comebacks.

This mini-sode is a love letter to every woman who’s ever felt flattered by crumbs—and is now reclaiming her peace, her power, and her hell no.

We’re talking:
✨ Why absence doesn’t earn access
✨ The power of boundaries and self-respect
✨ How to recognize when you’ve outgrown the chaos
✨ And the truth: you are not an emotional Airbnb

Just because they remember you, doesn’t mean they deserve you.

Follow me/contact me here:

Website: thefeistyheroine.com

Instagram: @thefeistyheroine

YouTube: @thefeistyheroine

Email: [email protected]