The Honest Pause

Women’s sexual health is a huge part of overall well-being, but it’s still something many of us were never taught how to talk about openly.

In this episode of The Honest Pause, we’re joined by Dr. Lisa for an honest, approachable conversation about women’s sexual health, the questions people are often too embarrassed to ask, and why so many women go years thinking certain symptoms, changes, or concerns are simply something they have to live with.

We talk about how sexual health can change throughout different stages of life, what can affect desire and intimacy, and the complicated relationship between hormones, stress, relationships, body image, physical health, and pleasure. We also unpack some of the myths and expectations women are surrounded by—and why having better information about our bodies can make such a difference.

Do you ever feel like work follows you everywhere?

Maybe you're answering emails after dinner, checking Slack before you even get out of bed, thinking about tomorrow's meetings while you're watching a movie, or feeling guilty every time you take a vacation day.

If so, you're not alone.

In today's world, work doesn't always end when we leave the office. Technology has blurred the lines between our professional and personal lives, making it harder than ever to truly disconnect. And while many of us dream of achieving "work-life balance," it often feels like something that's easier said than done.

In this episode of The Honest Pause, we're taking a pause to explore what work-life balance actually means, why so many of us struggle to find it, and the practical changes that can help us create a healthier relationship with work.

Together, we discuss:

• Why work-life balance looks different for everyone
• The hidden cost of always being available
• Burnout, stress, and why being busy isn't the same as being productive
• Setting boundaries with work, coworkers, and yourself
• Why we often tie our identity to our careers
• The guilt many of us feel when taking time off
• How remote work has changed the way we disconnect
• Small habits that make a big difference in protecting your personal time
• Creating a life you don't constantly need a vacation from

We also ask ourselves:

• When was the last time you truly disconnected from work?
• Why do we feel guilty for resting after being productive all day?
• How much of your identity is tied to your job?
• Are you living to work—or working to live?
• If your job disappeared tomorrow, who would you still be?

Whether you love your career, feel stuck in a demanding season of life, or are simply trying to be more present with the people you love, this conversation is a reminder that success shouldn't come at the expense of your well-being.

Take a pause with us as we explore how to build a life where work has an important place—but not the only place.

Have you ever looked at your life and thought, This version of me doesn’t fit anymore?

Maybe you’ve outgrown your job, your routine, your relationships, your style, or even the way you’ve always described yourself. Nothing may be obviously wrong, but something still feels off. You know you want change—you just aren’t sure where to begin.

In this episode of The Honest Pause, we’re talking about how to reinvent yourself without feeling like you have to blow up your entire life.

Reinvention doesn’t always mean quitting your job, moving across the country, changing your appearance, or becoming a completely different person. Often, it begins quietly: trying something new, questioning an old belief, returning to a forgotten interest, or deciding that you no longer want to live according to everyone else’s expectations.

Together, we discuss:

• What it really means to reinvent yourself
• How to recognize when you’ve outgrown your current life
• Why it can feel embarrassing to change
• The identities and labels that keep us stuck
• Reinventing yourself after a breakup, career change, loss, move, or major life transition
• How to become a beginner again
• The difference between reinvention and running away
• Why other people may resist your growth
• How your habits, environment, and relationships shape who you become
• Small, realistic ways to begin creating a new chapter

We also ask:

• Who are you when you’re not trying to meet everyone else’s expectations?
• What parts of yourself have you ignored because they didn’t seem practical?
• Are you afraid of changing—or afraid of being seen trying?
• What would you do if you knew you didn’t have to be good at it immediately?
• Which parts of your life still feel chosen, and which parts simply feel familiar?

Whether you’re rebuilding after a difficult season, entering a new stage of life, or simply feeling restless in a life that used to fit, this conversation is a reminder that you are allowed to evolve.

You don’t have to remain the person everyone remembers.

You’re allowed to meet yourself again.

Have you ever agreed to something you didn't want to do simply because you didn't want to disappoint someone?

Do you answer work emails long after your day has ended? Feel guilty saying no to friends or family? Worry that setting boundaries will make you seem selfish, difficult, or uncaring?

If so, you're not alone.

In this episode of The Honest Pause, we're taking a pause to explore one of the most talked-about—and most misunderstood—concepts in modern life: boundaries.

Boundaries aren't about shutting people out or building walls. They're about understanding your limits, communicating them with honesty, and creating healthier relationships with yourself and the people around you. Yet for many of us, setting boundaries feels uncomfortable because we've spent years prioritizing other people's needs, avoiding conflict, or believing that our worth is tied to always being available.

Together, we discuss:

• What boundaries actually are (and what they aren't)
• Why saying "no" can feel so difficult
• The connection between boundaries, people-pleasing, and burnout
• How to recognize when your boundaries are being crossed
• Setting boundaries with family, friends, coworkers, and romantic partners
• Why healthy boundaries often strengthen relationships instead of hurting them
• Practical phrases you can use when setting boundaries without overexplaining
• How to stop feeling guilty for protecting your time and energy
• The role technology plays in making boundaries harder than ever
• Why some people may resist your boundaries—and why that doesn't mean you're doing something wrong

We also reflect on questions like:

• Why do we often feel responsible for other people's emotions?
• How do childhood experiences shape the boundaries we have as adults?
• What's the difference between being kind and being a people-pleaser?
• How do you know when it's time to protect your peace instead of keeping everyone else happy?
• What would your life look like if you stopped saying yes out of obligation?

Whether you're learning to leave work at work, navigating complicated family dynamics, creating healthier friendships, or simply trying to reclaim a little more time for yourself, this conversation offers encouragement, practical ideas, and a reminder that boundaries are an act of self-respect—not selfishness.

Take a pause with us as we explore why every healthy "no" creates space for a more meaningful "yes."

In this episode, we mention:

• People-pleasing
• Burnout and emotional exhaustion
• Healthy communication
• Work-life balance
• Family relationships
• Friendship dynamics
• Emotional labor
• Self-care vs. self-sacrifice
• Managing guilt
• Setting expectations
• Mental well-being

Join the Conversation

What's one boundary you're working on right now?

Share your thoughts with us on Instagram @thehonestpause or leave a comment wherever you're listening. We'd love to hear your experiences and continue the conversation.

If you enjoyed this episode, consider following The Honest Pause, leaving a rating and review, and sharing this episode with someone who could use permission to protect their time, energy, and peace.

Because sometimes the most loving thing you can say—to yourself and to others—is simply, "That doesn't work for me."

Thanks for taking an Honest Pause with us. 💜

⚠️ This episode contains spoilers for Into the Blue by Emma Brodie.

Welcome back to The Honest Pause Book Club.

Each week, we read a book together and then take a pause—not just to talk about the story, but to explore the questions it asks about our own lives. We host our book club on Fable, where readers can join the conversation, share favorite quotes, and reflect together. We'd love for you to read along with us.

We're also excited to be hosting upcoming reading retreats, where book lovers can unplug, connect with one another, and spend intentional time reading, reflecting, and slowing down. We hope you'll join us.

This week, we're discussing Into the Blue by Emma Brodie.

Rather than giving a traditional review, we're exploring the themes that stayed with us long after we turned the final page. We talk about the complicated idea of "home," what it means to reinvent yourself, how our past continues to shape us, and whether it's ever possible to truly leave an old version of yourself behind.

Throughout the episode, we discuss questions like:

• Can you ever really go home again?
• How much of our identity comes from where we grew up?
• What parts of ourselves change over time—and what parts never do?
• When is it worth giving someone a second chance?
• How do we carry grief, love, and hope into the next chapter of our lives?

We also share our first impressions of the book, favorite characters and moments, surprising twists, and the scenes that lingered with us after we finished reading.

Whether you've already read Into the Blue or you're planning to pick it up soon, we hope this conversation encourages you to pause, reflect, and consider your own journey.

Because at The Honest Pause, we don't just review books.

We pause.

📚 Read with us: Join The Honest Pause Book Club on Fable and be part of the conversation.

💜 Reading Retreats: Looking for space to slow down, read, and connect with fellow book lovers? Join our reading retreat waitlist to hear about upcoming retreats.

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @thehonestpause for behind-the-scenes content, book announcements, and weekly reflections.

⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you followed the podcast and left a review. Your support helps more readers discover The Honest Pause and become part of our community.

People often describe travel as life-changing. But what exactly changes?

In this episode of The Honest Pause, we're taking a pause to explore the ways travel shapes us—sometimes in big, obvious ways, and sometimes in subtle ways we don't notice until much later. From navigating unfamiliar places and meeting new people to challenging assumptions and gaining perspective, we're discussing why stepping outside our everyday routines can have such a profound impact on how we see the world and ourselves.

We talk about confidence, adaptability, cultural experiences, travel mishaps, and the lessons that come from being far away from everything familiar. We also explore whether travel truly transforms us or simply reveals parts of ourselves that get buried beneath the routines and responsibilities of daily life.

Whether you've traveled across the world, across the country, or simply taken a weekend away, this conversation is about the growth that happens when we leave our comfort zones and say yes to new experiences.

Take a pause with us as we reflect on the journeys that shape who we become.

✨ Follow us on Instagram: @thehonestpause

✨ Follow @honestpauseretreats to learn about upcoming retreats designed to help you disconnect from everyday stress and reconnect with yourself.

🌿 Need a pause? Join our retreats.

This episode contains spoilers for Starside by Alex Aster.

Welcome to another episode of The Honest Pause Book Club.

Each week, we read a book and then take a pause—not just to discuss the plot, but to explore the bigger questions a story asks about our own lives. We host our book club on Fable, where readers from all over can read along with us, share their thoughts, and join the conversation. If you love books that spark meaningful discussions, we'd love to have you join us.

This week, we're diving into Starside by Alex Aster.

Instead of a traditional book review, we're asking questions like:

✨ Do you run from conflict or face it head-on?

✨ If you were handed an ancient sword, what would you name it—and why?

✨ How much of your life is shaped by destiny, and how much by your own choices?

✨ What expectations are you carrying that no longer belong to you?

✨ What are you willing to sacrifice for the life you want?

Along the way, we share our favorite moments, surprising twists, character opinions, and the scenes we're still thinking about long after turning the final page.

Whether you've already finished Starside or you're reading along with our book club, we hope this conversation leaves you with a few new questions to reflect on in your own life.

Because at The Honest Pause, we don't just review books.

We pause.

📚 Join our Fable Book Club: Read with us each week and be part of the conversation.

💜 Reading Retreats: Looking for a weekend to unplug, read, reflect, and connect with other readers? Learn more about our upcoming retreats and join the waitlist.

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @thehonestpause

⭐ If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love it if you'd follow the show and leave us a review. It helps more people discover The Honest Pause and join our growing community of thoughtful readers.

Every reader has that one book.

The one they can't stop recommending. The one that made them cry, think differently, dream bigger, or feel understood in a way they never had before. The one they still think about years after turning the final page.

In this episode of The Honest Pause, we're talking about the books that change us. From childhood favorites and unforgettable fiction to transformative nonfiction and unexpected reads that arrived at exactly the right moment, we're exploring why certain books stay with us long after we've finished them.

We discuss the power of stories, the characters who feel like friends, the lessons we carry into our own lives, and how books can challenge our perspectives, expand our empathy, and help us understand ourselves a little better.

We'll also share the books that have had the biggest impact on us, the titles we recommend over and over again, and the stories we'd love to experience for the first time all over again.

Whether you're an avid reader or someone looking for their next great book, this episode is a celebration of the stories that shape who we are.

Take a pause with us and reflect on the books that have left their mark on your life.

✨ Follow us on Instagram: @thehonestpause for episode updates, book recommendations, and behind-the-scenes content.

✨ Follow @honestpauseretreats for updates on future retreats where we create space for connection, reflection, and meaningful conversations.

🌿 Need a pause? Join our retreats.

You finally crawl into bed after a long day, exhausted and ready for rest. But instead of drifting off to sleep, your brain decides it's the perfect time to replay every awkward conversation, worry about tomorrow's to-do list, and wonder if you remembered to send that email three days ago.

Sound familiar?

In this episode of The Honest Pause, we're taking a pause to explore why sleep can feel so elusive, even when we're desperately tired. We talk about anxiety, stress, bedtime procrastination, the pressure of modern life, and why our minds often seem busiest when the world gets quiet. We also discuss how our relationship with rest has changed, the impact of technology on sleep, and the habits that might be keeping us awake without us realizing it.

Whether you're someone who falls asleep in five minutes or someone who spends hours staring at the ceiling, this conversation is a reminder that you're not alone—and that sleep struggles are often about much more than simply being tired.

Take a pause with us as we explore what it means to rest in a world that constantly asks us to stay connected, productive, and alert.

✨ Follow us on Instagram for more conversations and behind-the-scenes content: @thehonestpause

✨ Looking for a deeper pause from the busyness of everyday life? Follow @honestpauseretreats for retreat updates and future opportunities to reconnect with yourself and others.

🌿 Need a pause? Join our retreats.

When was the last time you went to the movies—not just watched something at home, but sat in a dark theater and gave your full attention to a story?

In this episode, we're taking a pause to explore why going to the movies still feels so special in a world filled with endless streaming options and constant distractions. We talk about the simple magic of sharing an experience with strangers, the comfort of movie-going rituals, and why a couple of hours without multitasking can feel surprisingly restorative.

We also dive into the nostalgia that movies create, the emotions they help us access, and how the theater may be one of the last places where we're encouraged to simply sit, be present, and let ourselves get lost in a story.

Whether you're a frequent moviegoer or haven't stepped into a theater in years, this conversation is a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful pauses come from the simplest experiences.

So grab your popcorn, settle into your seat, and join us as we celebrate the magic of the movies.