Loneliness can arrive quietly — in the middle of a bustling day, in a home filled with people, or even in a relationship where love is present but connection feels out of reach. In this solo episode of Write Your Own Story, Betsy opens her heart about the tender truth of loneliness: why it shows up, how it hides beneath busyness or overwhelm, and why no one else can truly fix it for us.

Through personal reflection and gentle guidance, Betsy shares the small, intentional shifts that can transform the way you feel — from taking stock of the little moments of connection, to reaching out, to nurturing the friendships that feed your soul. This is not about forcing more into your calendar, but about noticing, receiving, and creating the love and belonging your heart has been quietly asking for.

If you’ve been feeling unseen or disconnected, this episode is your reminder that you are not alone — and that you already hold the power to gently find your way back to yourself and to the people who matter most.

Support the show

Connect with Betsy:

Website: writeyourownstory.co

Email: betsy@writeyourownstory.co

Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo

Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

More:

SHOP MY AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/shop/write_your_own_story_co

FEMALE FOUNDERS MASTERCLASS: https://writeyourownstory.co/ffa-courses

HUNGRYROOT:
code: WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40

https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40&b=1197&utm_source=write-your-own-story&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=in-house

DONATE TO CINCY's CHILDREN HOSPITAL:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2270822/support

FLODESK

• Give your friends 50% off their first year of Flodesk and get $19 when they join!
  • https://flodesk.com/c/JX92HK

MANYCHAT

• First month free https://manychat.partnerlinks.io/ky00qzu6mn1r-ogcg6e

What does it mean to mother with joy—not martyrdom? In this heart-opening episode of Write Your Own Story, Betsy sits down with litigation strategist, writer, and mother Bernadette Catalana, whose book Daughter Lessons began as a private gift to her daughters and turned into a healing manifesto for mothers everywhere.

From navigating the heartbreak of divorce in her childhood to raising her own daughters with fierce love and lightness, Bernadette shares how choosing joy, rewriting generational narratives, and embracing imperfection became the cornerstones of her motherhood journey.

This conversation is a warm hug for every woman wondering: Will my kids be okay? Will they still need me? Will I still matter when they leave the nest?

Tune in for:

• Reframing the grief of empty-nesting
• Rewriting painful family legacies with grace
• The power of believing in your own story—and teaching your kids to do the same
• Why failure isn’t fatal, and rejection is redirection
• Daily rituals that ground, heal, and remind us what really matters

Whether you’re a new mom, an almost-empty-nester, or someone healing from a mother wound, this one will stay with you.

Grab your coffee. Take a deep breath. This one’s soul food.

Support the show

Connect with Betsy:

Website: writeyourownstory.co

Email: betsy@writeyourownstory.co

Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo

Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

More:

SHOP MY AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/shop/write_your_own_story_co

FEMALE FOUNDERS MASTERCLASS: https://writeyourownstory.co/ffa-courses

HUNGRYROOT:
code: WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40

https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40&b=1197&utm_source=write-your-own-story&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=in-house

DONATE TO CINCY's CHILDREN HOSPITAL:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2270822/support

FLODESK

• Give your friends 50% off their first year of Flodesk and get $19 when they join!
  • https://flodesk.com/c/JX92HK

MANYCHAT

• First month free https://manychat.partnerlinks.io/ky00qzu6mn1r-ogcg6e

What if recovery isn’t a clean line from sick to healed—but a lifelong dance in the middle?

In this honest and beautifully layered episode of Write Your Own Story, Betsy sits down with author, professor, and mom Mallary Tenore Tarpley, whose debut book Slip sheds light on the overlooked space between full recovery and active struggle with an eating disorder.

Mallary shares her deeply personal story—losing her mother at age 11, developing an eating disorder as a way to stay “small and safe,” and spending years stuck in a shame-filled cycle of relapse and perfectionism. But this conversation isn’t just about struggle—it’s about resilience, self-compassion, and redefining what progress looks like.

They talk about:
– The "messy middle" of recovery and what it really feels like
– How grief, trauma, and control intertwine with disordered eating
– Why body neutrality (not body positivity) might be the key to healing
– How to support your child if you notice disordered patterns
– The power of storytelling, self-reflection, and rewriting the narrative
– And why perfection is not the goal—presence is

This episode is a gentle yet powerful reminder that healing isn’t binary—and you don’t have to wait until you’re “all better” to live a full, meaningful life.

CONNECT WITH MALLARY AND PRE-ORDER HER BOOK:

Pre-order:  https://www.amazon.com/Slip-Middle-Eating-Disorder-Recovery/dp/1668035014/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2UCHT6P1W9XED&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.nRhn0CUYUiyfnkVFhvf0JA.3NXKK1Q3CjK1D3y3NjF9F7CWRb2GaFR8rEcwCXRYFoo&dib_tag=se&keywords=slip+mallary&qid=1752851594&sprefix=slip+mallary%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1 

Personal website: https://www.mallarytenoretarpley.com/

Book Tour Info:  https://mallary.substack.com/p/announcing-the-slip-book-tour

Weekly newsletter: https://mallary.substack.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mallarytenoretarpley/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallary-tenore-tarpley-6719484/

Support the show

Connect with Betsy:

Website: writeyourownstory.co

Email: betsy@writeyourownstory.co

Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo

Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

More:

SHOP MY AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/shop/write_your_own_story_co

FEMALE FOUNDERS MASTERCLASS: https://writeyourownstory.co/ffa-courses

HUNGRYROOT:
code: WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40

https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40&b=1197&utm_source=write-your-own-story&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=in-house

DONATE TO CINCY's CHILDREN HOSPITAL:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2270822/support

FLODESK

• Give your friends 50% off their first year of Flodesk and get $19 when they join!
  • https://flodesk.com/c/JX92HK

MANYCHAT

• First month free https://manychat.partnerlinks.io/ky00qzu6mn1r-ogcg6e

You’ve checked all the boxes—career, family, beautiful life—and yet, there’s that quiet voice asking, is this really it?

In this soul-stirring (and joyfully real) conversation, Betsy sits down with Cherylanne Skolnicki—founder of Brilliant Balance and beloved mentor to thousands of driven women—to unpack the hidden weight of success. Together, they explore the tension between ambition and presence, and how to finally stop doing it all so you can start living fully.

Cherylanne’s no stranger to high performance—she’s a former Procter & Gamble exec with a Cornell degree, an MBA from Emory, and decades of experience coaching powerhouse women across industries. But what makes her magical is how she helps you remember: you’re allowed to be wildly successful and wildly at peace.

They talk about:
– Why so many high-achieving women quietly feel unfulfilled
– The myth of “having it all” vs. the power of choosing what matters
– How to make space in your life without burning it all down
– Learning to trust future-you (she’s a badass, by the way)
– The difference between lowercase-t time and capital-T Time
– And why freedom—not perfection—is the new goal

This episode is your permission slip to let go of the “shoulds,” rewrite your own rules, and make space for the life you actually want.

Support the show

Connect with Betsy:

Website: writeyourownstory.co

Email: betsy@writeyourownstory.co

Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo

Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

More:

SHOP MY AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/shop/write_your_own_story_co

FEMALE FOUNDERS MASTERCLASS: https://writeyourownstory.co/ffa-courses

HUNGRYROOT:
code: WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40

https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40&b=1197&utm_source=write-your-own-story&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=in-house

DONATE TO CINCY's CHILDREN HOSPITAL:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2270822/support

FLODESK

• Give your friends 50% off their first year of Flodesk and get $19 when they join!
  • https://flodesk.com/c/JX92HK

MANYCHAT

• First month free https://manychat.partnerlinks.io/ky00qzu6mn1r-ogcg6e

If you’re in a relationship that looks fine from the outside — but inside you feel invisible, disconnected, and exhausted — this episode is for you. Whether you’ve tried therapy, countless conversations, or just kept pushing through, it still feels like you’re carrying the emotional weight of it all.

This week, Betsy sits down with Sophie Orozco, certified relationship coach and creator of the Relationship Miracle Method, who brings 20+ years of experience in emotional healing and behavior change. Sophie shares how she rebuilt her own marriage after her husband asked for a divorce, and how you can do the same — even if your partner has checked out, even if you feel like you’re the only one still trying.

Inside, you’ll learn:

• Why high-functioning women often feel most alone in their relationships
• The real reason resentment builds — and how to release it
• The difference between pushing for change vs. inspiring it
• How to reconnect with yourself and shift your energy to transform your relationship
• What to do when you’re ready to leave, but your heart isn’t

This isn’t about manipulating your partner or pretending everything is okay — it’s about reclaiming your power, seeing clearly, and making space for something better.

If you’re wondering whether your marriage can be saved… this is where to begin.

Support the show

Connect with Betsy:

Website: writeyourownstory.co

Email: betsy@writeyourownstory.co

Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo

Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

More:

SHOP MY AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/shop/write_your_own_story_co

FEMALE FOUNDERS MASTERCLASS: https://writeyourownstory.co/ffa-courses

HUNGRYROOT:
code: WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40

https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40&b=1197&utm_source=write-your-own-story&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=in-house

DONATE TO CINCY's CHILDREN HOSPITAL:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2270822/support

FLODESK

• Give your friends 50% off their first year of Flodesk and get $19 when they join!
  • https://flodesk.com/c/JX92HK

MANYCHAT

• First month free https://manychat.partnerlinks.io/ky00qzu6mn1r-ogcg6e

In this solo episode, Betsy opens up about the heavy anxiety so many of us are feeling right now—amid summer chaos, heartbreaking news out of Texas, and the emotional toll of simply trying to keep it all together.

She shares her own experience with anxious spirals and past panic attacks, and offers two simple, powerful tools that helped her move through a sleepless night: conscious breathing and a mindset reframe you can use anytime, anywhere.

This episode is not expert advice—it’s real talk, from one human to another. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Betsy’s here to hold space, share what’s helped her, and gently remind you: you are not crazy, broken, or weak. You're just human—and you’re doing your best.

In this episode, we talk about…
🌸 The mental load of summer parenting
🌸 How world events can trigger personal anxiety
🌸 Betsy’s past struggles with panic attacks
🌸 A breathing technique that helps calm the chaos
🌸 A simple mental exercise to stop spirals
🌸 Grounding tools using your senses (and a lemon 🍋)
🌸 Verified places to donate for Texas relief
🌸 A reminder to be gentle with yourself

TW: Mentions of anxiety, panic attacks, and child-related tragedy.
Real, raw, and straight from the heart. 💗

DONATE:

https://kerrvillepetsalive.com

https://convoyofhope.org/donate/disaster-relief/tx-floods-25/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CAM-007057&utm_content=Paid-TX&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22748880915&gbraid=0AAAAADsB1DCohTdk_u8_fJJkBEZDqP2K5&gclid=CjwKCAjwyb3DBhBlEiwAqZLe5D6KmAploIl2Nsak2-9K8HLDNXGnE48HDc_hKjMYxjxF0WwRTpnu0BoC45YQAvD_BwE

https://www.redcross.org/?srsltid=AfmBOoqA81oRuT3UZDpHcIUUlyseXSO4_QaGhSDMsirJf4jo1ujXkG39

https://cftexashillcountry.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4201

Support the show

Connect with Betsy:

Website: writeyourownstory.co

Email: betsy@writeyourownstory.co

Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo

Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

More:

SHOP MY AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/shop/write_your_own_story_co

FEMALE FOUNDERS MASTERCLASS: https://writeyourownstory.co/ffa-courses

HUNGRYROOT:
code: WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40

https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40&b=1197&utm_source=write-your-own-story&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=in-house

DONATE TO CINCY's CHILDREN HOSPITAL:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2270822/support

FLODESK

• Give your friends 50% off their first year of Flodesk and get $19 when they join!
  • https://flodesk.com/c/JX92HK

MANYCHAT

• First month free https://manychat.partnerlinks.io/ky00qzu6mn1r-ogcg6e

Brain fog? Palpitations? Random anxiety, stubborn weight, and sleep that straight-up vanished? Welcome to the chaos we never got the manual for: perimenopause. In this honest, hilarious, and hope-filled episode, Betsy sits down with women’s health expert and truth-teller Dr. Sara Rinala to pull back the curtain on the decade before menopause that no one talks about—but every woman deserves to understand.

Whether you’re 35 and confused, 43 and overwhelmed, or deep in the “WTF is happening to me” stage, this conversation will make you feel seen, supported, and strong. Sara keeps it real and breaks down what’s happening in your body, why you’re not “just tired,” and what options actually exist to help you feel like you again—without shame, fear, or BS.

This isn’t about shrinking, fixing, or hustling through. It’s about power. Ownership. And finally having the conversation we should’ve had years ago.

Because you’re not losing your mind. You’re finding your voice.
And this season? You’re writing it your way.

🎧 Listen now—and share with every woman you love.

Support the show

Connect with Betsy:

Website: writeyourownstory.co

Email: betsy@writeyourownstory.co

Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo

Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

More:

SHOP MY AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/shop/write_your_own_story_co

FEMALE FOUNDERS MASTERCLASS: https://writeyourownstory.co/ffa-courses

HUNGRYROOT:
code: WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40

https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40&b=1197&utm_source=write-your-own-story&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=in-house

DONATE TO CINCY's CHILDREN HOSPITAL:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2270822/support

FLODESK

• Give your friends 50% off their first year of Flodesk and get $19 when they join!
  • https://flodesk.com/c/JX92HK

MANYCHAT

• First month free https://manychat.partnerlinks.io/ky00qzu6mn1r-ogcg6e

What if happiness wasn’t something to chase… but something you create, even on the messiest days?

In this deeply personal episode of Write Your Own Story, we’re getting real about what happiness actually is—and what it isn’t. No toxic positivity. No shiny Instagram-filtered illusions. Just honest truths about grief, boundaries, acceptance, letting go, and the radical bravery it takes to choose joy over and over again.

Betsy shares her own journey through the “messy middle”—navigating heartbreak, overwhelm, and the fear of losing happiness once she’s found it. You’ll hear about the power of small rituals, the myth of “should,” how to shift from victim to creator, and the game-changing practice of writing your own rules.

This episode is your permission slip to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start loving the life right at your feet.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the middle of hard and hopeful, this one’s for you.

🎧 Highlights include:

• How to let go (again and again)
• The victim mindset and its silent cost
• Creating micro-moments of joy
• Setting emotional boundaries (with yourself and others)
• Why faith + self-trust are non-negotiables
• Practices to manufacture happiness—without faking it

Wherever you are right now—in chaos, stillness, grief, or grace—you’re not alone. And yes, you can feel better. Even today.

Support the show

Connect with Betsy:

Website: writeyourownstory.co

Email: betsy@writeyourownstory.co

Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo

Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

More:

SHOP MY AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/shop/write_your_own_story_co

FEMALE FOUNDERS MASTERCLASS: https://writeyourownstory.co/ffa-courses

HUNGRYROOT:
code: WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40

https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40&b=1197&utm_source=write-your-own-story&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=in-house

DONATE TO CINCY's CHILDREN HOSPITAL:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2270822/support

FLODESK

• Give your friends 50% off their first year of Flodesk and get $19 when they join!
  • https://flodesk.com/c/JX92HK

MANYCHAT

• First month free https://manychat.partnerlinks.io/ky00qzu6mn1r-ogcg6e

What if LinkedIn wasn’t just for job hunting—and actually became one of your favorite places to learn, connect, and grow your personal brand?

In this energizing episode of Write Your Own Story, host Betsy Leonis sits down with LinkedIn strategist and storytelling powerhouse Angie Snowball. Together, they bust the myths around LinkedIn (“Isn’t it just for finding a job?”), tackle imposter syndrome head-on, and unpack why every woman—from stay-at-home moms to small business owners and corporate climbers—should claim their space on the platform.

Angie shares her own reinvention journey, from corporate expat to English teacher to personal branding expert, and why storytelling isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a power move. This is the pep talk every woman needs to get visible, get clear, and start using LinkedIn as the professional playground it was meant to be.

You’ll learn:

Why visibility isn’t self-promotion—it’s self-respect
How to get started on LinkedIn without posting a single thing
What a “Social Selling Index” is and why it matters
How to think about your personal brand without needing a rebrand
Why now is always the best time to reinvent yourself
This is not just a conversation about LinkedIn. It’s a rallying cry to own your story, share it unapologetically, and build the future you actually want.

🔗 Ready to stop lurking and start leading?
 This one’s for you.

Support the show

Connect with Betsy:

Website: writeyourownstory.co

Email: betsy@writeyourownstory.co

Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo

Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

More:

SHOP MY AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/shop/write_your_own_story_co

FEMALE FOUNDERS MASTERCLASS: https://writeyourownstory.co/ffa-courses

HUNGRYROOT:
code: WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40

https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40&b=1197&utm_source=write-your-own-story&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=in-house

DONATE TO CINCY's CHILDREN HOSPITAL:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2270822/support

FLODESK

• Give your friends 50% off their first year of Flodesk and get $19 when they join!
  • https://flodesk.com/c/JX92HK

MANYCHAT

• First month free https://manychat.partnerlinks.io/ky00qzu6mn1r-ogcg6e

What if LinkedIn wasn’t just for job hunting—and actually became one of your favorite places to learn, connect, and grow your personal brand?

In this energizing episode of Write Your Own Story, host Betsy Leonis sits down with LinkedIn strategist and storytelling powerhouse Angie Snowball. Together, they bust the myths around LinkedIn (“Isn’t it just for finding a job?”), tackle imposter syndrome head-on, and unpack why every woman—from stay-at-home moms to small business owners and corporate climbers—should claim their space on the platform.

Angie shares her own reinvention journey, from corporate expat to English teacher to personal branding expert, and why storytelling isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a power move. This is the pep talk every woman needs to get visible, get clear, and start using LinkedIn as the professional playground it was meant to be.

You’ll learn:

• Why visibility isn’t self-promotion—it’s self-respect
• How to get started on LinkedIn without posting a single thing
• What a “Social Selling Index” is and why it matters
• How to think about your personal brand without needing a rebrand
• Why now is always the best time to reinvent yourself

This is not just a conversation about LinkedIn. It’s a rallying cry to own your story, share it unapologetically, and build the future you actually want.

🔗 Ready to stop lurking and start leading?
 This one’s for you.

Support the show

Connect with Betsy:

Website: writeyourownstory.co

Email: betsy@writeyourownstory.co

Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo

Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

More:

SHOP MY AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/shop/write_your_own_story_co

FEMALE FOUNDERS MASTERCLASS: https://writeyourownstory.co/ffa-courses

HUNGRYROOT:
code: WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40

https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40&b=1197&utm_source=write-your-own-story&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=in-house

DONATE TO CINCY's CHILDREN HOSPITAL:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2270822/support

FLODESK

• Give your friends 50% off their first year of Flodesk and get $19 when they join!
  • https://flodesk.com/c/JX92HK

MANYCHAT

• First month free https://manychat.partnerlinks.io/ky00qzu6mn1r-ogcg6e