In this solo episode of The FEEL Podcast, Melissa Crook introduces The Boundary Blueprint, a practical, compassionate framework for setting clear yeses and nos in your life without guilt or over-explaining.

If the word boundaries feels triggering, Melissa reframes it as a platform, framework, or calendar blueprint, a way to intentionally design your life so your time and energy align with your values. This episode is especially powerful for anyone who feels overworked, overgiving, emotionally drained, or stuck in people-pleasing or codependent patterns.

Melissa explores why we say yes when we want to say no, how guilt and fear of rejection keep us stuck, and why “no” is a complete sentence. She breaks down how boundaries directly impact mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health, and why listening to your body’s signals is essential for sustainable well-being.

You’ll learn:

• How to confidently set and communicate boundaries without guilt

• Why every yes is also a no and how to choose wisely

• The importance of giving yourself a 24-hour pause before committing

• How to stop over-explaining and trust your decisions

• Scripts and strategies for navigating difficult conversations

• How honoring your energy leads to deeper, more authentic relationships

Melissa also invites listeners who struggle with chronic people-pleasing, guilt, or codependency to seek one-on-one coaching support through The Boundary Blueprint. This episode closes with a powerful reminder: You are worthy, you are valuable, and you get to choose.

Learn more or work one-on-one with Melissa at embracinglayers.com

#HealthyBoundaries

#BoundarySetting

#PeoplePleasing

#ProtectYourEnergy

#SelfWorth

#PersonalGrowthJourney

#EmotionalWellness

#SelfCareTools

#WomenEmpowerment

#MindsetShift

#CodependencyRecovery

#InnerWork

#LifeAlignment

#IntentionalLiving

#ConfidenceBuilding

#EmotionalHealth

#AuthenticLiving

#HealingJourney

Welcome to a brand-new year and a brand-new rhythm on The FEEL Podcast with host Melissa Crook. As we step into 2026, Melissa introduces an exciting new format designed to support women with quick, practical encouragement they can apply right away.

Starting this year, you’ll hear short, 10–15 minute episodes on Tuesdays focused on helping you engage The FEEL Framework (Finding Empowerment, Embracing Layers) in your everyday life, whether you’re commuting, walking, working out, or enjoying a quiet moment with your coffee. Thursdays will continue to feature in-depth guest conversations using the FEEL talking points you already love.

In this kickoff Tuesday episode, Melissa introduces the FEEL Reset, a powerful self-reflection and alignment practice for women who are feeling burned out, disconnected, overwhelmed, or stuck in roles and responsibilities.

You’ll learn how to:

• Reconnect with who you are beyond your titles

• Identify activities that truly nourish your soul

• Clarify how you want to feel over the next six months

• Create a simple, sustainable self-care blueprint

• Set healthy boundaries that support alignment and freedom

• Listen to your body’s cues for emotional, mental, and physical well-being

  
  

Melissa explains how small, intentional shifts (like reviewing your calendar, practicing aligned “yes” and “no” decisions, and honoring your values) can lead to greater clarity, energy, productivity, and peace.

This episode is an invitation to stop performing for others and start honoring what you actually need, so you can live in alignment and show up fully resourced for yourself and the people you love.

Free Resource:
Check the show notes for a downloadable FEEL Reset PDF to help you reflect on nourishing activities, desired feelings, identity, and alignment.

Ready for deeper support?
Visit embracinglayers.com to schedule a free 15–30 minute session with Melissa or learn more about the FEEL Reset one-on-one empowerment program.

Let 2026 be the year you reset, realign, and reconnect with yourself.

#SelfCareForWomen
#WomenEmpowerment
#PersonalGrowthJourney
#EmotionalWellness
#MentalHealthAwareness
#BurnoutRecovery
#SelfCareBlueprint
#LifeAlignment
#WomenSupportingWomen
#MindBodyConnection
#IntentionalLiving
#PersonalDevelopmentPodcast
#WomenInMidlife
#SelfDiscoveryJourney
#BoundariesForWomen
#HolisticWellness
#FindYourWhy

Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 2:34 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 8:03 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 9:46 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 22:56 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 28:45 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 32:07 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 36:47 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 40:11 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 45:45 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 52:59 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

✨ Free Download: Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad

In this empowering bonus resource, we’re giving you a free sneak peek into the Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life course! This downloadable PDF guides you through reconnecting with who you truly are—beyond your roles, responsibilities, and expectations.

Want to be a guest on The F.E.E.L. Podcast? - Send Melissa Crook a message on PodMatch, here:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or complete our contact form here:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact ⁠⁠

Welcome to a brand-new year and a brand-new rhythm on The FEEL Podcast with host Melissa Crook. As we step into 2026, Melissa introduces an exciting new format designed to support women with quick, practical encouragement they can apply right away.

Starting this year, you’ll hear short, 10–15 minute episodes on Tuesdays focused on helping you engage The FEEL Framework (Finding Empowerment, Embracing Layers) in your everyday life, whether you’re commuting, walking, working out, or enjoying a quiet moment with your coffee. Thursdays will continue to feature in-depth guest conversations using the FEEL talking points you already love.

In this kickoff Tuesday episode, Melissa introduces the FEEL Reset, a powerful self-reflection and alignment practice for women who are feeling burned out, disconnected, overwhelmed, or stuck in roles and responsibilities.

You’ll learn how to:

• Reconnect with who you are beyond your titles

• Identify activities that truly nourish your soul

• Clarify how you want to feel over the next six months

• Create a simple, sustainable self-care blueprint

• Set healthy boundaries that support alignment and freedom

• Listen to your body’s cues for emotional, mental, and physical well-being

Melissa explains how small, intentional shifts (like reviewing your calendar, practicing aligned “yes” and “no” decisions, and honoring your values) can lead to greater clarity, energy, productivity, and peace.

This episode is an invitation to stop performing for others and start honoring what you actually need, so you can live in alignment and show up fully resourced for yourself and the people you love.

Free Resource:
Check the show notes for a downloadable FEEL Reset PDF to help you reflect on nourishing activities, desired feelings, identity, and alignment.

✨ Free Download: Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad

Ready for deeper support?
Visit https://www.embracinglayers.com and click on the Contact tab to schedule a free 15–30 minute session with Melissa or learn more about the FEEL Reset one-on-one empowerment program.

Let 2026 be the year you reset, realign, and reconnect with yourself.

#SelfCareForWomen
#WomenEmpowerment
#PersonalGrowthJourney
#EmotionalWellness
#MentalHealthAwareness
#BurnoutRecovery
#SelfCareBlueprint
#LifeAlignment
#WomenSupportingWomen
#MindBodyConnection
#IntentionalLiving
#PersonalDevelopmentPodcast
#WomenInMidlife
#SelfDiscoveryJourney
#BoundariesForWomen
#HolisticWellness
#FindYourWhy

We’re closing out 2025 with a powerful and inspiring double feature on The Embracing Layers Network. In this special end-of-year podcast blog, we welcome two incredible women, Maureen Considine and Janie Jurkovich, for an honest and empowering conversation about boundaries, self-worth, and personal growth.

Maureen Considine describes herself as courageous, adventurous, driven, and of service. She shares a meaningful reframe on boundaries: it’s not about what you say no to, it’s about what you say yes to. As we enter a new year filled with opportunities and challenges, Maureen reminds us that constantly saying yes can leave us depleted and disconnected from what truly nourishes our soul. Healthy boundaries require commitment, consistency, and the courage to honor your needs, even when others push back.

Our second guest, Janie Jurkovich, a member of the Fresno County Women’s Chamber of Commerce, brings a practical and refreshing perspective. Like many women, Janie didn’t realize boundaries were something she was allowed to have. Over time, she learned that “No” is a complete sentence with no explanation required. Janie explains how boundaries teach others how to treat us and why practicing them consistently builds confidence, respect, and emotional well-being.

Both guests emphasize that people-pleasing is not your responsibility, and someone else’s discomfort is not your burden to carry. Boundaries are a skill, and like any skill, they improve with practice. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone stepping into 2026 with the intention of prioritizing self-care, emotional health, and empowered decision-making.

Episode Release Dates• Maureen Considine — Tuesday, December 30• Janie Jurkovich — Thursday, January 1

As we wrap up the year, we hope these conversations inspire you to honor your worth, protect your energy, and commit to boundaries that support your growth. Thank you for an incredible year with The Embracing Layers Network. We’ll see you in 2026!

Hashtags

#HealthyBoundaries#PersonalGrowthJourney#WomenSupportingWomen#SelfWorthMatters#EmotionalWellness#SelfCarePractices#WomenInLeadership#BoundarySetting#EmpoweredWomen#MindsetShift#PeoplePleasingRecovery#ConfidenceBuilding#LifeBoundaries#WomenEntrepreneurs#IntentionalLiving#NewYearGrowth#PodcastForWomen

Keywords for this episode

Self-care and boundaries,Emotional wellness tips,People pleasing recovery,Women in leadership stories,Confidence and self-worth,New year personal growth,Setting boundaries in relationships,Women supporting women podcast,Mindset and boundaries,Life balance for women,Intentional living strategies,Female entrepreneurship mindset

Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 4:39 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 8:38 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 13:11 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 19:47 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 29:28 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 34:47 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 41:35 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 42:20 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 51:05 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 54:45 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

✨ Free Download: Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad

In this empowering bonus resource, we’re giving you a free sneak peek into the Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life course! This downloadable PDF guides you through reconnecting with who you truly are—beyond your roles, responsibilities, and expectations.

Want to be a guest on The F.E.E.L. Podcast? - Send Melissa Crook a message on PodMatch, here:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or complete our contact form here:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact ⁠⁠

Trigger Warning: Abuse (Emotional & Spiritual)

In this powerful and deeply honest episode, we sit down with Daphne McGee, a writer, podcaster, and advocate for women reclaiming their faith, autonomy, and self-worth. Recommended by Neva Talladen, editor of Embracing Layers Unapologetically, Daphne is no stranger to courageous conversations and has previously joined us on panel discussions around being child-free and child-less.

Raised in a Baptist church in Texas, Daphne grew up believing in sacrifice, obedience, and trusting God to provide. While she was a self-described rule follower, her natural curiosity often challenged the rigid expectations of church culture. That curiosity planted seeds of questioning about faith, identity, and whether there was more beyond what she had been taught.

Daphne shares how her divorce became her greatest act of self-care, freeing her from emotional and spiritual abuse. She speaks candidly about how her body physically responded with relief once she honored herself and chose safety, healing, and truth over societal and religious approval.

By sharing her story online, Daphne connected with thousands of women navigating similar struggles. This journey led to her upcoming book, God Loves Divorce, which challenges harmful religious narratives and opens space for compassionate, faith-centered conversations around divorce, autonomy, and healing. Daphne explores how leaving both her marriage and her church allowed her to find a supportive community aligned with her values.

Though she didn’t initially label her actions as self-care, Daphne reflects on how she had been practicing it all along by listening to herself, honoring her boundaries, and choosing authenticity. Her belief that self-care is community care underscores the impact of sharing our stories to help others heal.

We also discuss her podcast, Love Is A Trip, where she continues to explore love, faith, and life with honesty and humor. This episode is a testament to resilience, faith reconstruction, and the power of living life on your own terms.

Ways to Engage:
Reflect on traits you had as a child that you were encouraged to suppress. Were you told not to question, feel, or express yourself fully? Explore how reconnecting with those parts of yourself can help you live more authentically and out of your own expectations.

Resources:
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, support is available.
Call 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788 (National Domestic Violence Hotline).

#ReligiousTraumaRecovery
#SpiritualAbuseAwareness
#FaithDeconstruction
#HealingFromAbuse
#ChurchTrauma
#ChristianWomenPodcast
#WomenSupportingWomen
#GodLovesDivorce
#BreakingReligiousCycles
#EmotionalAbuseRecovery

Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 3:10 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 21:01 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 29:54 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 35:42 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 42:54 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 51:16 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 52:20 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 1:01:10 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 1:03:34 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 1:10:03 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

✨ Free Download: Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad

In this empowering bonus resource, we’re giving you a free sneak peek into the Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life course! This downloadable PDF guides you through reconnecting with who you truly are—beyond your roles, responsibilities, and expectations.

Want to be a guest on The F.E.E.L. Podcast? - Send Melissa Crook a message on PodMatch, here:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or complete our contact form here:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact ⁠⁠

In this inspiring episode of The F.E.E.L Podcast, we welcome our Podmatch guest Shannon Russell, host of Second Act Success and a shining example of what it looks like to boldly reinvent your life. Shannon radiates positivity, ambition, and courage as she shares her journey of leaving a successful 16-year career in television to pursue a new passion: helping others create meaningful second acts of their own.

Shannon opens up about the pivotal shift that pushed her to walk away from a job that no longer fulfilled her and build a business that aligns with her values, purpose, and personal “why.” She believes that loving your life and loving your work is possible, and she’s on a mission to show people how to get there without waiting for permission.

We explore how focusing on your why makes living out of your own expectations easier and frees you from the pressure of what others expect. Shannon talks about how family and friends initially reacted to her career change, and how confidence, clarity, and staying grounded in her values helped her move forward anyway.

Shannon also shares the trial-and-error of finding the right path. Not everything she tried felt aligned at first, but instead of getting discouraged, she kept experimenting. She reminds us that sometimes the stress we feel in our new endeavors can be a healthy stress, which is a sign of growth, alignment, and possibility.

Her story illustrates how transformation doesn’t happen overnight. Like a puzzle, you build your second act piece by piece, trusting the process and celebrating small steps. Shannon is still building her business, but she knows she’s exactly where she’s meant to be.

This episode is a powerful invitation as we head into the new year: It’s not too late to start living the life you want. Shannon’s journey shows that change is possible at any stage, and that your next chapter can be your most fulfilling one.

Ways to Engage

Replace scrolling time with intentional actions. Put your phone down during a movie, at dinner, or when you’re with loved ones. Be fully present with yourself and the people who matter most.

📣Hashtags

#SecondActSuccess

#CareerChange

#LifeReinvention

#FindYourWhy

#PurposeDrivenLife

#IntentionalLiving

#MindsetShift

#PersonalGrowthJourney

#CareerPivot

#DoWhatYouLove

#FulfillmentFirst

#WomenInBusiness

#EmpoweredLiving

#ReinventYourLife

#PositiveMindset

#FollowYourPassion

#SelfDiscoveryJourney

#TransformationStory

#NewBeginnings

#LiveOnPurpose

Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 2:10 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 3:56 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 10:40 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 18:33 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 27:48 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 29:46 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 34:02 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 39:26 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 40:52 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 42:13 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

✨ Free Download: Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad

In this empowering bonus resource, we’re giving you a free sneak peek into the Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life course! This downloadable PDF guides you through reconnecting with who you truly are—beyond your roles, responsibilities, and expectations.

Want to be a guest on The F.E.E.L. Podcast? - Send Melissa Crook a message on PodMatch, here:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or complete our contact form here:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact ⁠⁠

In this week’s empowering episode, we sit down with Barbara Howlin, a creative, passionate, and deeply intuitive human who guides us through what it truly means to shed expectations and embrace your authentic self. Barbara opens up about dismantling “good girl syndrome,” breaking free from external validation, and learning to live life from the inside out.

Through her vulnerable storytelling, Barbara reminds us how easy it is to slip back into people-pleasing or approval-seeking patterns, yet how transformational it is when we pause, question our intentions, and realign with our own truth. She shares the internal questions that helped her grow:

Am I proving myself or expressing myself? Am I living from the inside out? Am I acting from love or searching for it?

We explore the power of slowing down, lifting our heads up, and fully experiencing the present moment instead of rushing through life. Barbara also walks us through her grounding morning routine with journaling, reiki, and movement in nature and how this 30-minute ritual keeps her centered and nourished.

A major turning point in Barbara’s journey was burnout recovery, which forced her to reclaim her intuition and rebuild a sense of safety within her nervous system. She explains how embracing the layers of your past is essential for healing and how reconnecting with your inner child can restore balance and emotional resilience.

Barbara’s story is a heartfelt reminder that caring for ourselves isn’t optional—it’s foundational. Her wisdom encourages us to prioritize what truly matters, to let go of shame, to honor our personal layers, and to live boldly with joy and purpose.

Ways to Engage:

Reflect on the “glass” items in your own life. What cannot be dropped without shattering? What will bounce back if you let it fall? Keep these priorities close as you walk your own path.

This is an episode you’ll want to revisit whenever doubt creeps in. Let Barbara’s insights guide you back to yourself.

📣 Hashtags

#GoodGirlSyndrome

#BurnoutRecovery

#InnerChildHealing

#NervousSystemRegulation

#SelfDiscoveryJourney

#AuthenticLiving

#SelfHealing

#PeoplePleasingRecovery

#ReclaimYourPower

#IntuitionDevelopment

#SelfCareMatters

#HolisticWellness

#EmotionalWellbeing

#MindfulnessPractice

#SpiritualGrowth

#HealingJourney

#PersonalGrowth

#MentalHealthAwareness

#LiveWithIntention

#EmpoweredLiving

Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 3:20 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 5:20 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 10:58 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 19:35 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 26:14 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 33:35 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 44:14 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 50:44 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 57:18 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 58:10 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

✨ Free Download: Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad

In this empowering bonus resource, we’re giving you a free sneak peek into the Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life course! This downloadable PDF guides you through reconnecting with who you truly are—beyond your roles, responsibilities, and expectations.

Want to be a guest on The F.E.E.L. Podcast? - Send Melissa Crook a message on PodMatch, here:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or complete our contact form here:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact ⁠⁠