How do writers actually write?

In this fascinating behind-the-scenes episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari pull back the curtain on their individual writing processes—from the spark of an idea to the countless revisions that transform a rough draft into a finished manuscript. The conversation explores everything from outlining, character development, editing, and overcoming writer's block to finding inspiration through music, meditation, walks, and everyday life.

The hosts share the quirky rituals and routines that have shaped their own creative work, discuss the writing habits of legendary authors like Thomas Hardy, Jack Kerouac, Victor Hugo, Ernest Hemingway, and Anne Rice, and reflect on how every writer eventually discovers a process that's uniquely their own. They also offer practical advice about working with editors, handling feedback, cutting thousands of words from a manuscript, and learning that the first draft is only the beginning.

Whether you're an aspiring novelist, an experienced writer, or simply curious about how books come to life, this episode offers an honest, humorous, and encouraging look at the creative process—and a reminder that every finished story begins with a single imperfect page.

Send us Fan Mail

Email us at [email protected], and find us on all the socials. Be safe and be excellent to each other.

What was it really like to babysit in the 1980s?

In this nostalgic, funny, and unexpectedly unsettling episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari look back on the era when babysitting was practically a rite of passage for teenagers. From earning spending money and learning responsibility to staying up late watching cable TV and raiding someone else's snack cabinet, the hosts remember what made babysitting such a defining part of growing up.

But not every experience was picture-perfect. The conversation takes a surprising turn as each host shares unforgettable stories—from awkward first jobs and mischievous children to genuinely disturbing encounters with inappropriate adults and unsafe situations that would be unthinkable today. Along the way, they reflect on how parenting, trust, and childcare have changed over the decades, why teenage babysitters have become far less common, and what today's generation may have gained—and lost.

Equal parts hilarious, nostalgic, and thought-provoking, this episode is a candid look at growing up in the babysitting generation and the life lessons that came with it.

Send us Fan Mail

Email us at [email protected], and find us on all the socials. Be safe and be excellent to each other.

Can a festival really change your life?

In this fun, heartfelt, and often hilarious episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari explore the unique experiences that make music, arts, and cultural festivals unforgettable. The conversation centers on Heidi's first trip to Burning Man, where she shares what it was really like to build a temporary city in the Nevada desert, survive dust storms, discover incredible art installations, ride whimsical art cars, and experience the radical generosity and sense of community that keep people coming back year after year.

The hosts also swap stories about other iconic festivals, including Grateful Dead concerts, Phish festivals, regional Burns, and the history of gatherings that bring people together through music, creativity, and shared experiences. Along the way, they recount hilarious mishaps, unforgettable characters, themed porta-potties, unexpected friendships, and the moments that transformed complete strangers into lifelong connections.

Whether you've dreamed of attending Burning Man, love live music, or simply enjoy hearing outrageous travel stories with plenty of laughter, this episode celebrates adventure, creativity, human connection, and the joy of stepping outside your comfort zone.

Send us Fan Mail

Email us at [email protected], and find us on all the socials. Be safe and be excellent to each other.

In the conclusion of their conversation about Dr. Joe Dispenza's meditation retreats, the hosts of The Women Are Plotting dive deeper into the growing research on meditation, neuroplasticity, epigenetics, and the mind-body connection. They discuss studies emerging from Dr. Joe Dispenza's research team, exploring how meditation may influence stress, emotional well-being, and overall health while reflecting on the questions that continue to inspire both scientific curiosity and personal exploration.

The conversation also becomes deeply personal as Etienne, Heidi, and Jane share their own experiences with meditation, visualization, Reiki, sound baths, mindfulness, and healing. From reducing chronic stress and overcoming physical symptoms to processing trauma, finding emotional balance, and reconnecting with a sense of purpose, each host reflects on the transformative role that contemplative practices have played in their lives.

Whether you're a longtime meditator or simply curious about the intersection of science, spirituality, and personal growth, this episode offers an open-minded discussion about human potential, healing, and why a daily meditation practice might be one of the most valuable investments you can make in yourself.

Send us Fan Mail

Email us at [email protected], and find us on all the socials. Be safe and be excellent to each other.

Can meditation truly change your brain—and even your life?

In Part 1 of this two-part series, The Women Are Plotting explores the fascinating world of Dr. Joe Dispenza's meditation retreats after Etienne returns from attending one herself. She shares what it's really like to spend six days immersed in guided meditations, the surprising physical and emotional experiences she encountered, and why thousands of people travel from around the world seeking personal transformation through meditation.

The conversation dives into the science behind meditation, including neuroplasticity, the mind-body connection, visualization, stress reduction, and the growing body of research on how meditation affects the brain. The hosts also discuss hypnosis, mindfulness, healing, quantum physics, manifestation, and the intersection of science and spirituality, while sharing their own powerful stories of resilience, recovery, and personal growth.

Whether you're a longtime meditator, curious about Dr. Joe Dispenza's work, or simply wondering if the mind has greater healing potential than we've been taught, this episode offers an honest, thoughtful, and deeply personal introduction to one of today's most talked-about meditation movements.

Referenced in this episode:

https://sourcethefilm.org/

Send us Fan Mail

Email us at [email protected], and find us on all the socials. Be safe and be excellent to each other.

What fictional world would you choose if you could step inside it forever?

In this imaginative and nostalgia-filled episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari explore the books, movies, and television worlds they wish were real. From the magical landscapes of The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, A Discovery of Witches, and Outlander to the optimistic future of Star Trek and the epic adventures of Star Wars, the hosts share the fictional universes that shaped their dreams and inspired their lives.

Along the way, they discuss beloved classics like Dead Poets Society, Brave New World, 1984, The Stand, Twilight, Interview with the Vampire, Dune, and The Lord of the Rings, reflecting on everything from magical powers and time travel to teaching, storytelling, romance, and humanity's future. Filled with laughter, literary rabbit holes, movie debates, and plenty of Gen X nostalgia, this episode is a celebration of the stories that continue to transport us long after we've turned the final page.

Send us Fan Mail

Email us at [email protected], and find us on all the socials. Be safe and be excellent to each other.

In the conclusion of Martha's extraordinary story, The Women Are Plotting explores what happened after her life-changing endometriosis surgery—and the difficult road to recovery that followed. Martha candidly shares the unexpected complications she endured, including emergency surgeries, surgical menopause, hormone replacement therapy, and the long process of rebuilding her health after years of chronic pain.

Despite everything she endured, Martha explains how living without constant pain transformed her life in ways she never imagined. The conversation covers the importance of finding doctors who truly listen, why specialized care and MRI imaging can make a critical difference, the realities of hormone replacement therapy, and the need for a more holistic approach to women's healthcare.

The hosts also discuss the emotional impact of invisible illnesses, how chronic pain can affect mental health and relationships, and why women must feel empowered to advocate for themselves when something doesn't feel right. Filled with practical advice, hope, humor, and hard-earned wisdom, this episode is an inspiring reminder that healing is possible—and that no one should have to spend years convincing the medical system that their pain is real.

Yale article mentioned in part 1 & 2: 

https://medicine.yale.edu/news/yale-medicine-magazine/article/endometriosis/

Martha's doctors & surgeons mentioned in this episode: 

Dr. Rachel Cowherd

https://www.getcare.muschealth.org/providers/rachael-cowherd-1043604374

Dr. Thomas Curran

https://www.getcare.muschealth.org/providers/thomas-curran-1205147022

Dr. Cristian M. Thomae

https://www.getcare.muschealth.org/providers/cristian-thomae-1306934658

Heidi's surgeon in Bonita Springs, Florida:

https://providers.sharecare.com/doctor/dr-jorge-a-valle

Email us at [email protected] and find us on all the socials

Send us Fan Mail

Email us at [email protected], and find us on all the socials. Be safe and be excellent to each other.

In this powerful first installment of Martha's story, the hosts of The Women Are Plotting sit down with their friend and fellow healthcare professional to discuss her decades-long battle with endometriosis—a disease that affected nearly every aspect of her life before anyone would finally listen.

Martha shares the heartbreaking reality of experiencing debilitating pain, heavy bleeding, chronic fatigue, digestive problems, infertility concerns, and years of being dismissed by multiple doctors. She opens up about how endometriosis impacted her childhood, relationships, mental health, career, and self-esteem, while explaining how it took seven years and numerous physicians before receiving the diagnosis she already suspected.

The conversation also explores common misconceptions about endometriosis, the emotional toll of living with an invisible illness, the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, and why so many women suffer in silence for years before getting answers. Part 1 follows Martha's journey from her first symptoms through the shocking MRI results that finally revealed the severity of her stage IV endometriosis—and set the stage for the life-changing surgery discussed in Part 2.

This episode is both an educational conversation and a deeply personal story of resilience, validation, and the importance of advocating for your own health.

Yale article referenced in this episode: https://medicine.yale.edu/news/yale-medicine-magazine/article/endometriosis/

Martha's doctors/surgeons: 

Dr. Thomas Curran (https://www.getcare.muschealth.org/providers/thomas-curran-1205147022)

Dr. Cristian M. Thomae (https://www.getcare.muschealth.org/providers/cristian-thomae-1306934658)

Send us Fan Mail

Email us at [email protected], and find us on all the socials. Be safe and be excellent to each other.

Are twin flames real—or are they simply powerful relationships that push us toward healing? And how do they differ from true soulmates?

In this deeply personal episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari dive into one of the most debated topics in modern spirituality: twin flames, soulmates, synchronicities, and the search for lasting love. Heidi shares her own transformative journey through the twin flame phenomenon, explaining how intense relationships ultimately led her toward self-love, healing old wounds, and letting go of romantic fantasies that no longer served her.

The conversation explores psychic connections, dreams, intuition, spiritual awakenings, first loves, closure with former partners, and the surprising lessons that difficult relationships can teach us. The hosts also share stories of meeting lifelong soulmates, recognizing healthy love, the importance of laughter and emotional safety, and why the best relationships don't complete us—they complement us.

Whether you believe in twin flames, soulmates, or simply the power of personal growth, this episode offers an honest, compassionate conversation about love, healing, and becoming the person you're meant to be before finding the relationship you truly deserve.

Send us Fan Mail

Email us at [email protected], and find us on all the socials. Be safe and be excellent to each other.

Why does making friends become so much harder as we get older? And what makes the friendships that survive life's challenges so incredibly valuable?

In this heartfelt episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari explore the joys, heartbreaks, and lifelong importance of female friendships. They share personal stories about meeting friends later in life, navigating friendship breakups, surviving gossip and cliques, overcoming political and ideological differences, and learning when to let go—and when a difficult conversation is worth having.

The conversation also explores loneliness, trust, vulnerability, and the intentional effort it takes to build meaningful friendships in adulthood. Along the way, the hosts reflect on the friends who have shown up during life's hardest moments, the surprising ways new friendships begin, and why a simple code word like "bananas" can become a lifeline when someone you love needs you most.

Whether you've cherished the same friends for decades or you're still searching for your people, this episode is a reminder that genuine friendship is one of life's greatest gifts—and one that's always worth nurturing.

Send us Fan Mail

Email us at [email protected], and find us on all the socials. Be safe and be excellent to each other.