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In this episode, Meagan sits down with Her Time Therapy clinician Melanie Maldonado to talk about identity, feminism, and what it really means to live the “life of a healing girl.” Drawing inspiration from Taylor Swift’s newest era, The Life of a Showgirl, they explore how women are taught to perform—both in work and relationships—and what it takes to shift from performance to presence.

Melanie shares her own story of pivoting from pre-med to mental health counseling and the identity crisis that followed, offering insight into how self-assessment, boundaries, and emotional regulation can help women reclaim balance and fulfillment. Together, they unpack the pressure to “have it all,” the judgment women face for choosing softness or ambition, and how joy itself can be an act of resistance in a world that profits off burnout.

They also dive into feminism as choice—reminding listeners that empowerment doesn’t come from fitting into one version of womanhood, but from allowing yourself to define what wholeness and success mean for you. Whether you’re in your “showgirl era” or deep in your “healing girl era,” this episode is an invitation to choose yourself, again and again.

Resources Mentioned:

• Values Card Sort
• Self Care Wheel
• Learn more about Melanie

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