In this episode of Slay the Gatekeeper, host Courtney Johnson is joined by Shannon McNamara—the sharp and witty voice behind FluentlyForward, the podcast that unapologetically dissects pop culture, celebrity conspiracies, and the sociological underbelly of fame. But today, Shannon’s not here to talk blind items—she’s here to talk breakups.

Together, Courtney and Shannon dive into the raw, messy, and often hilarious realities of heartbreak. They kick things off by calling out the most overused breakup clichés, then veer into refreshingly unconventional advice for actually moving on. From swapping out your phone wallpaper and rearranging your bedroom with breakup-focused feng shui, to turning ChatGPT into a personal healing coach and consulting psychics for clarity—you’ll hear it all.

Shannon opens up about her own toolkit for heartbreak: no-contact rules, massages for oxytocin, enrolling in self-help programs, and even the controversial—but honest—use of low-dose Xanax for sleep. The duo even tackles the fine art of gaslighting yourself with positive affirmations, because sometimes fake-it-til-you-make-it does work.

With equal parts humor, honesty, and a dose of the woo-woo, this episode is packed with unconventional strategies and emotional insight for anyone navigating the post-breakup fog. Whether you're newly single or still decoding texts from your ex, Courtney and Shannon offer a refreshing, nonjudgmental take on what healing actually looks like.

And if you’re not already a fan of FluentlyForward, you’re in for a treat—Shannon brings the same sharp perspective and pop-culture savvy that’s made her show a must-listen for anyone who loves decoding fame, gossip, and the strange little corners of celebrity culture.

🔗 Follow Shannon McNamara:
Instagram | Substack

Courtney Johnson Socials:

Insta: @courtlynnjohnson

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7oaV8L7rOBd878nlwydJrj

Tiktok: @courtney..johnson

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/courtneylynnjohnson

Newsletter: https://artisanal-originator-6888.kit.com/0e038bf26a

Work with Courtney:

Sunrise Content Club: https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/join-the-sunrise-content-club

Level Up on Linkedin: https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand

Short Form Video Accelerator: https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/get-started-with-this-amazing-course-2o7ml9sc