Welcome back to The Sage Sorority. Episode 050 (WOW!) is an Ask a Sage: an AMA-style episode where I answer your anonymous questions (link down below for submission).

The questions that came through this time weren't really asking what to do. They were asking how to know. How to read people. How to tell if what you're seeing is the real thing.

In this episode, we're covering:

→ How do you tell the difference between being private and being emotionally closed off?

→ Love or money and why it's a false binary

→ When you haven't spoken to someone in a while, do you delete the chat history?

If you've ever wondered whether you're being perceptive or paranoid, this one's for you.

Find me on Instagram @thesagesorority and TikTok @shantelrousseau. Don't forget to rate and share the podcast, it's how we grow the show.

--

want to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3ue

want to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - [email protected]

have a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority

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SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesorority

INSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/

TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesorority

YOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSorority

subscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘

youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wO

spotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhn

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catch up with, our founder + host, Shantel

instagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/

tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseau

youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonline

OUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseau

OUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau

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Episode 049: The Only Dating Advice You Need

January is the busiest month for dating apps and also the peak month for breakups. So before you swipe, I want to give you the one piece of advice I think actually matters.

My theory? The only dating advice a woman really needs is knowing when to walk away. That's it. Everything else stems from that.

In this episode, I'm talking about why women are conditioned to stay, analyse, and build cases for men who aren't showing up and what it costs us when we do. We get into what walking away actually looks like (it's not dramatic), why we fall for potential instead of reality, and how discernment is the real flex in dating.

This one's for the girls in their dating era and honestly, for the ones in relationships too.

If this episode resonated, share it with a friend who needs to hear it. And don't forget to rate the podcast on Apple or Spotify; it really helps the show grow. Love you lots xx

want to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3ue

want to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - [email protected]

have a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority

💘

SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesorority

INSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/

TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesorority

YOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSorority

subscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘

💘

catch up with, our founder + host, Shantel

instagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/

tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseau

youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonline

OUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseau

OUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau

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Tomorrow is Quitter's Day y'all! The second Friday of January when 80% of people abandon their New Year's resolutions (crazy!) ...and while the internet is gearing up to tell you to push through, I'm offering a different perspective. What if those resolutions were never yours to begin with? What if the most aligned thing you can do this year is quit the goals that don't actually belong to you?

Today we're unpacking where your resolutions are really coming from (you or Instagram?), the difference between hard and wrong, the art of the strategic quit, and why I'm swapping resolutions for intentions in 2026. Plus, I'm sharing the real story of how I walked away from my Pilates instructor training, money on the line and all and why that quit was one of the best decisions I've made.

If you're a woman in your 30s or 40s already feeling drained by your goals and it's only week two, this one's for you.

--

want to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3ue

want to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - [email protected]

have a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority

💘

SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesorority

INSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/

TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesorority

YOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSorority

subscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘

youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wO

spotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhn

apple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2

💘

catch up with, our founder + host, Shantel

instagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/

tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseau

youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonline

OUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseau

OUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau

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Happy New Year, and welcome to 2026. In this episode, Shantel shares an honest New Year’s Day reflection using a “Roses & Thorns” review of 2025, inspired by Tinx and her recent Roses & Thorns episode. The format is simple: a rose is what worked, grew, or surprised you, and a thorn is what hurt, stalled, disappointed you, or stayed unresolved. Shantel walks through her own Roses & Thorns across the categories of Work, Self, Travel/Fun, Health, Home, Love, and Friends, then gives a practical guide so you can do your own version in a way that feels grounding, not performative.

💘

want to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3ue

want to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - [email protected]

have a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority

💘

SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesorority

INSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/

TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesorority

YOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSorority

subscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘

youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wO

spotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhn

apple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2

THE SAGE SORORITY PODCAST - https://feeds.captivate.fm/thesagesorority/

💘

catch up with, our founder + host, Shantel

instagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/

tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseau

youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonline

OUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseau

OUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau

💘

———

Christmas Day can bring up more than we expect sometimes... joy, sadness, nostalgia, loneliness, relief and reflection, sometimes all at once (!!!)

In this Christmas Day episode of The Sage Sorority, Shantel shares a quiet, honest reflection for women who may be spending Christmas alone or feeling alone, even while surrounded by people. This is not an episode about fixing, reframing or necessarily forcing gratitude. It’s about companionship, permission and staying with yourself through a tender, emotionally layered day.

This episode explores the difference between being alone and feeling alone, why holidays can amplify unspoken emotions and how Christmas often brings past versions of ourselves, unfinished endings and cultural expectations into sharp focus.

Shantel speaks to women who may be navigating family dynamics, single-hood, emotional disconnection or quiet grief during the holidays... offering presence rather than advice and steadiness rather than solutions.

This episode may resonate if you are:

1. spending Christmas alone
2. feeling emotionally alone while surrounded by others
3. navigating complicated family dynamics during the holidays
4. reflecting on a year that didn’t unfold as planned
5. craving a calm, thoughtful Christmas podcast without pressure or advice

want to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3ue

want to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - [email protected]

have a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority

💘

SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesorority

INSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/

TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesorority

YOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSorority

subscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘

youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wO

spotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhn

apple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2

THE SAGE SORORITY PODCAST - https://feeds.captivate.fm/thesagesorority/

💘

catch up with, our founder + host, Shantel

instagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/

tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseau

youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonline

OUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseau

OUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau

💘

I've been noticing three specific patterns showing up in conversations with women in their 30s and 40s! Patterns around dating, friendships, and how we're actually approaching connection right now. This episode connects some dots you might not have put together yet.

Pattern 1: Why meeting new people suddenly feels... different. It's not that we're antisocial. Something else is happening here, and it's worth naming.

Pattern 2: What we're actually missing when we say we miss someone. Spoiler: it's rarely about the actual person. There's something deeper going on that explains a lot about how we move through relationships.

Pattern 3: The hidden cost of optimisation. We've gotten really good at protecting ourselves in dating and life. But we might be filtering out the exact things we're actually craving.

If you've been feeling like your social life is shrinking, or dating feels more exhausting than exciting, this episode might give you some language for what's actually going on.

--

want to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3ue

want to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - [email protected]

have a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority

💘

SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesorority

INSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/

TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesorority

YOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSorority

subscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating

💘

youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wO

spotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhn

apple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2

💘

catch up with, our founder + host, Shantel

instagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/

tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseau

youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonline

OUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseau

OUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau

💘

This week on The Sisterhood Chronicles, we’re talking about friendship fatigue and friendship compatibility, why so many adult friendships feel draining, confusing or slightly “off”, especially in your 30s and 40s.

If you’ve ever felt like the reliable one, the planner, the deep listener, or the “strong friend” in your group and you’re quietly exhausted by it, this episode is for you! I’m breaking down what friendship fatigue actually feels like in real life, and how compatibility explains a lot of the tension in modern adult friendships: one-sided effort, mismatched energy, and friendships that only move when you move them.

We get honest about the emotional reality of adult friendship, when you’re always showing up, but the reciprocity, consistency, or depth just doesn’t match and I walk you through four types of friendship compatibility that can help you see your relationships more clearly and calmly.

In this episode, we explore:

• What friendship fatigue really is and how it shows up in adult friendships
• Why you feel like the one who always checks in, plans, and holds space
• Four types of friendship compatibility: emotional, lifestyle, intimacy, and effort
• Real-life examples of incompatibility in friendships in your 30s and 40s
• Signs your friendship is quietly out of balance (without any big fallouts)
• What it means to be the “high-capacity friend” – and why that can feel lonely
• How to stop over-functioning in friendships and see the real dynamic
• Simple ways to recalibrate a friendship without drama or a big breakup talk
• The grief of shifting a friendship out of “inner circle” status – and how to process it
• How to focus on reciprocal, emotionally safe friendships going into a new year

This episode will help if you’ve been asking yourself:

• “Why do my friendships feel one-sided or draining lately?”
• “Am I expecting too much, or is this actually unbalanced?”
• “How do I step back without causing a blow-up?”
• “What does a compatible, nourishing friendship even look like at this age?”

If this conversation hits home and you want support untangling your own patterns in friendship, dating, or self-concept, I have limited 1:1 coaching spots open, you can book a single session or a bundle of three. https://squ.re/45jq3ue

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend who needs to hear it. It takes seconds and makes a huge difference in helping more women in their 30s and 40s find The Sage Sorority.

want to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - [email protected]

have a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority

💘

SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesorority

INSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/

TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesorority

YOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSorority

subscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘

youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wO

spotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhn

apple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2

💘

catch up with, our founder + host, Shantel

instagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/

tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseau

youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonline

OUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseau

OUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau

💘

Welcome to the first episode of December and the final month of 2025 (!!!)

Today we’re talking about Soft Girl December: the grounded, grown woman version of softness that helps you move through a loud month with clarity, calm, and intention.

December can feel emotionally and socially overwhelming. Plans pile up, money moves fast, expectations rise, and the pressure to “end the year well” can feel like a lot. This episode is your antidote; a practical guide to protecting your peace, regulating your energy, and keeping December a vibe instead of a sprint.

Inside this episode, we cover:

How to manage your calendar without burning out. Why one or two meaningful plans per week is enough. How to add breathing room, buffer time, and emotional bandwidth back into your month.

Warm, clear, respectful boundaries during a chaotic season. How to decline plans without guilt. Why empathy and clarity go further than over-explaining.

Festive beauty and fragrance rituals that make you feel good in your body. Warm, sensual winter scents. Glowy skin, sexy lashes, red lipstick, and easy polished outfits for the cold months.

How to reflect on your year with grace instead of panic. Why self-worth isn’t tied to December productivity. Staying grounded in who you're becoming not what you think you “should’ve” achieved.

Navigating holiday pressure, emotional tenderness, and birthday feelings. Noticing who shows up for you and who doesn’t. Letting December reveal what’s real, without letting it define your worth.

Seasonal indulgence rooted in the senses. Festive coffees, candles at 4pm, cozy cashmere, body care, winter florals, and long walks in the cold. Grounding rituals that make December feel present, not blurry.

Soft Girl December is about showing up calmly and clearly even when the month gets loud.

You don’t need to rush, push, or perform. Stay connected to yourself and enjoy the sparkly ride.

If you want emotional clarity, stronger boundaries, or direction going into 2026, coaching spots are open for the winter season. You can book a single session or a monthly series.

For the next Ask A Sage episode, you can ask anything: friendships, dating, work, boundaries, beauty, self-concept, or 2026 planning.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It genuinely helps the show grow and it means the world.

The Sage Sorority is expanding onto Substack in 2026 with deeper essays, audio notes and a paid community. Free to subscribe, paid option coming soon.

Thank you for being here! Happy December, let’s make it soft, intentional and unforgettable.

See you next Thursday.

💘

catch up with, our founder + host, Shantel

instagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/

tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseau

youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonline

OUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseau

OUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau

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In today’s episode, I’m sharing the full, unfiltered story of my seven years in London — the quiet beginning, the heartbreak spring, the career resets, the immigration marathon, and the unexpected ways this city has shaped who I’m becoming.

If you’re in a season of starting over, moving abroad, rebuilding your life, or simply trying to trust yourself again, this one’s for you.

We explore:

• The raw truth of moving abroad solo

• Why my first six months were nothing like the movies

• The heartbreak that changed how I saw myself

• The reality of dating in London vs Toronto

• How London humbled me professionally

• Immigration stress and the emotional toll no one talks about

• What this city awakened in me

• What I’d tell the version of myself packing her bags

• What London represents to me today

If today’s episode resonates and you want deeper support, I’m offering private coaching sessions; everything from identity work and confidence to purpose, self-worth, and creating a life that actually feels aligned - https://squ.re/45jq3ue

Submit anonymous questions for upcoming Ask A Sage episodes; https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority

Follow The Sage Sorority on Substack for essays, reflections, and behind-the-scenes insights from each episode; https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesorority

And if you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify — it truly helps more than you think. See you next Thursday!

In this episode of The Sage Sorority, we unpack one of the most important frameworks for modern dating and adult relationships: Attraction vs Compatibility vs Capacity. If you’re a woman in your 30s or 40s navigating dating, partnership, or long-term relationship decisions, this episode is for you.

We discuss...

• why attraction matters and what it does not tell you

• how lifestyle compatibility shapes long-term relationship success

• the real meaning of “relationship capacity”

• the difference between boyfriend energy, husband energy and fatherhood readiness

• how to spot emotional bandwidth vs emotional potential

• how to stop dating a projection and see what’s actually in front of you

• dating for potential... the honest risks, timelines and self-checks

• why clarity (not performance, not perfection) is the real power in dating

If you enjoyed this episode, please take 10 seconds to rate and review the show on Apple or Spotify, and share it with a friend in her dating era (!!!!)

--

want to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3ue

want to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - [email protected]

have a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority

💘

SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesorority

INSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/

TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesorority

YOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSorority

subscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘

youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wO

spotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhn

apple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2

THE SAGE SORORITY PODCAST - https://feeds.captivate.fm/thesagesorority/

💘

catch up with, our founder + host, Shantel

instagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/

tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseau

youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonline

OUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseau

OUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau

💘