In this engaging conversation, Heather McG interviews Clothilde Ewing, exploring her nonlinear career journey from producing for Oprah to her current role in nonprofit communications and as an author of children's books. They discuss the importance of being open to change, the impact of significant career endings, and the inspiration behind Clothilde's Stella series. The conversation also touches on motherhood, the vulnerability of sharing personal stories, and the lessons learned through life's transitions.

TAKEAWAYS

• Being open to change has led to more fulfilling opportunities.

• Finding meaning in work is essential for personal fulfillment.

• Just because work is meaningful doesn't mean it is the right path for you specifically.
• Vulnerability in sharing stories can lead to deeper connections.
• Owning one's truth can lighten the emotional burden.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:05 Navigating Career Endings and Beginnings

04:50 The Importance of Being Open to Change

07:27 Reflections on The Oprah Show's End

10:09 Finding Meaning in Work

12:35 The Journey of Writing the Stella Series

19:34 The Impact of Storytelling on Children

21:44 Lessons in Parenting and Personal Growth

23:07 Navigating Vulnerability in Creative Expression

26:17 The Power of Connection Through Storytelling

28:47 Creativity as a Journey of Imagination

31:41 Embracing Change and Life's Endings

33:41 What We Know for Sure About Growth

36:46 The Freedom of Owning Your Truth

ABOUT CLOTHILDE EWING

Clothilde has spent her career communicating through journalism, entertainment. politics and nonprofits. The throughline with all of these jobs is that she was doing her thing behind the scenes. That all changed when she had kids. She was inspired to start writing after reading a New York Times opinion piece by her now-editor, Denene Millner, titled: “Black Kids Don’t Want to Read About Harriet Tubman All the Time.” Her goal is for people to see more children of color in books that are not defined primarily by race or struggle, but belonging and joy. She lives in Chicago with her husband and two children.

• Follow Clothilde on Instagram: @clothildeewing or @stellalovesroger
• Find Clothilde online: https://www.clothildeewing.com/

ABOUT THE HAPPILY NEVER AFTER

The Happily Never After is a podcast that features stories of big endings that led to personal breakthroughs. While endings can hurt, they also provide opportunities to heal and grow, and sometimes, they even set us free. Endings can offer an opportunity to begin anew, in a better way, and that’s what we’re here to talk about.

• New episodes every Tuesday.
• Follow @thatheathermcg on IG for related content and discussion.
• Read The Happily Never After on Substack at https://thehappilyneverafter.substack.com/
• Learn more about Heather McG at https://heathermcg.com/

In this conversation, Alex George shares her powerful journey of surviving Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, and the profound lessons she learned along the way. From her initial diagnosis and the challenges of navigating the medical system to the emotional toll of chemotherapy and the unexpected loss of her job during treatment, Alex's story is one of resilience, humor, and personal growth. She emphasizes the importance of finding joy in small moments, the role of family support, and the transformative power of pursuing one's passions. Ultimately, Alex encourages listeners to embrace life fully, take risks, and believe in themselves, as life is too short to wait for the 'right' moment to pursue happiness.

TAKEAWAYS

• Alex's journey through cancer taught her the importance of resilience.
• Finding joy in small moments can be a powerful coping mechanism.
• The support of family and friends is crucial during tough times.
• Navigating the medical system can be challenging and frustrating.
• Humor can help lighten the burden of serious situations.
• Chemotherapy is a difficult process that varies for each individual.
• Sharing our stories gives hope to others that they can find their way home.

• Pursuing passions can lead to unexpected opportunities and fulfillment.
• We only get one life (as far as we know!), so make the most of it.
• Believing in oneself is essential for personal growth and happiness.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Alex's Journey

03:28 The Early Career Struggles

05:09 The Health Crisis Begins

10:43 The Diagnosis of Ewing's Sarcoma

18:58 Coping with Cancer and Humor

20:00 Navigating Family Dynamics During Health Crises

25:09 The Power of Laughter in Difficult Times

29:22 Understanding the Chemo Experience

35:24 The Impact of Employment Loss During Illness

42:16 The Weight of Shared Trauma

44:54 Finding Hope Through Shared Stories

47:17 Moments of Realization in Recovery

50:06 Baking as a Healing Journey

53:28 Turning Passion into Purpose

56:47 Lessons from Adversity

01:00:16 Embracing Life's Uncertainties

ABOUT ALEX GEORGE

Alex is a baker, recipe developer, and content creator who is currently working on her debut cookbook! As a self-taught baker who abides by the philosophy that more is more, Alex wants to encourage people to be creative in the kitchen- go ahead and take a risk.

Alex is ecstatic to join Heather for season 1 of The Happily Never After podcast. As a cancer survivor, she knows first-hand how life can change in an instant. For Alex, those changes led her to a whole new second life.

• Follow Alex on Instagram at @lilypcrumbs
• Follow Alex on TikTok at @lilypcrumbs
• Learn more about Alex on her website at https://lilypcrumbs.com/

ABOUT THE HAPPILY NEVER AFTER

The Happily Never After is a podcast that features stories of big endings that led to personal breakthroughs. While endings can hurt, they also provide opportunities to heal and grow, and sometimes, they even set us free. Endings can offer an opportunity to begin anew, in a better way, and that’s what we’re here to talk about.

• New episodes every Tuesday.
• Follow @thatheathermcg on IG for related content and discussion.
• Read The Happily Never After on Substack at https://thehappilyneverafter.substack.com/
• Learn more about Heather McG at https://heathermcg.com/

In this conversation, Julie and Yue tackle the evolving landscape of modern dating, emphasizing the importance of emotional availability and vulnerability. They share personal stories of heartbreak and the lessons learned from past relationships, highlighting the significance of intentionality in dating. The discussion also touches on the current love crisis, particularly among women, and the need to shift expectations in relationships. Ultimately, Julie and Yue encourage listeners to confront their fears of heartbreak and embrace the growth that comes from difficult experiences.

TAKEAWAYS

• People are increasingly looking for emotional availability in relationships.
• Gen Z is shifting dating norms towards more intentional relationships.
• Endings in relationships can lead to new beginnings and personal growth.
• Love alone is not enough to sustain a relationship; commitment and compatibility are crucial.
• It's important to avoid bringing baggage from past relationships into new ones.
• Intentionality in dating is key to finding meaningful connections.
• Women are increasingly choosing to remain single or avoid dating due to negative experiences.
• The narrative we choose to believe about dating can shape our experiences.
• Confronting heartbreak can lead to valuable life lessons and personal development.
• It's essential to recognize that not all past experiences define future possibilities.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Modern Dating Dynamics

01:56 Defining 'Dateable' in Today's Context

03:31 The Impact of Generational Shifts on Dating

06:28 Navigating Breakups and Heartbreaks

09:16 Lessons Learned from Past Relationships

11:40 The Role of Commitment in Relationships

14:57 Transforming Endings into New Beginnings

17:42 Understanding Baggage and Moving Forward

20:41 Conversations About Cheating and Trust

25:32 Understanding Relationship Patterns

29:20 The Aftermath of Breakups

33:11 The Dating Landscape Today

42:16 Reflections on Heartbreak and Growth

ABOUT YUE AND JULIE

Julie Krafchick and Yue Xu are active daters turned dating insiders, and top influential voices of modern dating, relationships, and connection in the digital world. They’re the co-hosts of the hit podcast Dateable and the authors of How To Be Dateable: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Person and Falling in Love, which was recently published by Simon & Schuster. Drawing on a decade’s worth of research from speaking to thousands of daters and world-renowned experts, Julie and Yue have learned what it takes to find love in today’s dating world. Their work has been featured by The New York Times, CNN, The Huffington Post, Oprah Daily, and more.

ABOUT THE HAPPILY NEVER AFTER

The Happily Never After is a podcast that features stories of big endings that led to personal breakthroughs. While endings can hurt, they also provide opportunities to heal and grow, and sometimes, they even set us free. Endings can offer an opportunity to begin anew, in a better way, and that’s what we’re here to talk about.

• New episodes every Tuesday.
• Follow @thatheathermcg on IG for related content and discussion.
• Read The Happily Never After on Substack at https://thehappilyneverafter.substack.com/
• Learn more about Heather McG at https://heathermcg.com/

In this heartfelt conversation, Ashley Desanno shares her journey through grief following the loss of her father. She discusses the complexities of anticipatory grief, the impact on family dynamics, and the lessons learned through the grieving process. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-care, the mind-body connection, and how to support children through loss. Both Ashley and Heather reflect on the different ways people grieve and the significance of keeping memories alive while navigating the emotional landscape of loss.

TAKEAWAYS

• Grief can manifest in unexpected ways, including physical exhaustion.

• Anticipatory grief can prepare you for loss but doesn't eliminate pain.

• It's important to allow yourself to feel and express grief in your own way.

• Family dynamics can complicate the grieving process, requiring understanding and respect.

• Creating memories and talking about the deceased helps keep their spirit alive.

• Self-care is crucial during grief; you can't support others if you don't support yourself.

• Grief is a personal journey; there's no right or wrong way to grieve.

• Children process grief differently; it's important to communicate openly with them.

• Support from friends can be more meaningful when it acknowledges the complexity of grief.

• Finding ways to fill the void left by loss with love and positivity can aid healing.

ABOUT ASHLEY

Ashley Desanno is a content creator (@lotsamiles), a mom, and a marathon runner. She is also the co-owner of a small business called The Creepy Book Club that she started with her best friend, and together they host a podcast called Books with Your Besties, building community all along the way. She tries to keep all the plates spinning—with coffee, laughter, and a lot of TMI.

ABOUT THE HAPPILY NEVER AFTER

The Happily Never After is a podcast that features stories of big endings that led to personal breakthroughs. While endings can hurt, they also provide opportunities to heal and grow, and sometimes, they even set us free. Endings can offer an opportunity to begin anew, in a better way, and that’s what we’re here to talk about.

• New episodes every Tuesday.
• Follow @thatheathermcg on IG for related content and discussion.
• Read The Happily Never After on Substack at https://thehappilyneverafter.substack.com/
• Learn more about Heather McG at https://heathermcg.com/
  

Life is full of endings, isn’t it? Whether the endings were our choice or out of our control, they can set us spiraling. Sometimes they can even make us feel like a failure.

However, whether we’re talking about loss, grief, heartbreak, a crisis of faith, or a big move, endings also push us to grow in unexpected ways. The Happily Never After is a podcast that features stories of big endings that led to personal breakthroughs. While endings can hurt, they also provide closure, provide opportunities to heal and grow, and sometimes, they even set us free. Endings can be an opportunity to begin anew, in a better way, and that’s what we’re here to talk about (alongside a good dose of humor too!)

One thing we know for sure: if life is full of endings, it’s full of new beginnings too. Welcome to The Happily Never After, because sometimes the end is just the beginning.

• New episodes every Tuesday.
• Follow @thatheathermcg on IG for related content and discussion.
• Read The Happily Never After on Substack at ⁠https://thehappilyneverafter.substack.com/⁠
• Learn more about Heather McG at ⁠https://heathermcg.com/