Girls Night with Stephanie May Wilson

Hey friend! Welcome to Girls Night — your home as you navigate your Everything Era. I'm Stephanie May Wilson, and if you've ever had to excuse yourself to cry in a bathroom at someone else's celebration, this episode is for you. You know the feeling, right? You're genuinely happy for your friend who just got engaged, promoted, or pregnant — but there's this other part that feels like each piece of good news for someone else somehow makes your own dreams less likely to come true. If you've ever wondered how to be happy for friends when you're struggling with jealousy of friends' success, you're absolutely not alone. Today, I'm giving you a complete survival kit for celebrating friends' success when you're still waiting for your own good news. We'll talk about navigating wedding jealousy when you're single, baby shower jealousy when you're trying to conceive, and promotion parties when you're job searching. But first, let me tell you about the day before my husband Carl proposed to me, when one of my good friends got engaged — and I completely broke down at an Italian restaurant. Because here's what I learned that changed everything: just because someone else got something before you doesn't mean they got it instead of you. Your story is still being written, and someone else's timeline doesn't determine yours. So grab your coffee, put in those earbuds, and let's dive in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into the chaos of significant life decisions and the emotional rollercoaster that follows! Explore the common struggle of second-guessing your best choices, and discover how fear can masquerade as wisdom. Hear a personal story about facing panic and uncertainty before a big move. Learn to differentiate between genuine mistakes and the discomfort of new experiences, empowering you to trust your instincts. Embrace the journey of self-awareness to navigate life's transitions with confidence!

Kelsey Bennett, a therapist, mom of two, and co-creator of a course for new mothers, joins her best friend to discuss their recent move to Spain. They share the emotional rollercoaster of relocating, from the excitement to the bittersweet goodbyes. The duo reflects on the importance of open communication in family decisions and the challenges of maintaining friendships during big life changes. Listeners are encouraged to embrace uncertainty and focus on taking actionable steps toward their next right decision.

Hey friend! Welcome to Girls Night! It's hot here in Granada, Spain - my family and I moved here last summer - which means I'm instantly desperate for a pool. I cannot wait to go swimming this summer, and as we speak, I'm trying to wiggle one last weekend getaway out of our hotel points before we head back to the US for the summer. But naturally, just like summer means swimming, swimming means swimsuits, which means we're all going to be dealing with our feelings about our bodies in a way we don't have to quite as directly when we're covered in spring dresses or winter coats. Today I wanted to get a little candid - okay, a LOT candid - and share with you what I've been sharing with my in-person friends at my real-life girls' nights lately. And that's how I'm feeling about my body these days, especially considering me and everybody else is about to see a lot more of it. If you're someone who dreads swimsuit season, who starts panicking about "getting beach body ready," or who has ever felt like your worth is tied to the number on the scale or the size of your jeans, this episode is for you. We're going to talk about what it really means to get your body image ready for summer - and spoiler alert, it has nothing to do with losing weight. Before we dive in, I want to acknowledge that everyone's experience with their body is different — and that for a lot of us, the one we have with our body is by FAR our hardest relationship. For some of us, talking about body is tender, for some of us, it’s THE MOST TENDER THING. And my hope for this episode is that I’ve been able to create a safe space for you to process, no matter your experience. And if you find a place where I inevitably fell short, please forgive me in advance. If you've struggled with your weight your whole life, if you've been in a bigger body and faced discrimination because of it, if you've dealt with health issues - your experience is valid, and your feelings are valid. This conversation isn't meant to dismiss the real challenges that some people face, including the very real ways that society treats different bodies differently. What I am saying is that regardless of your starting point, regardless of your body size or shape, you deserve to feel at home in your body. You deserve to define what health means for you. And while mindset work can't erase societal discrimination, it can help you reclaim some power in how you relate to your own body. We’ll chat more about this in the episode. Let’s dive in! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey friends! Welcome to Girls’ Night! I’m so excited. We’re officially back for Season 21 of the Girls Night Podcast! Can you believe it? Twenty-one seasons of this show started in my bedroom closet when Carl and I were newlyweds and trying to figure out life, and here we are - still figuring it out together, just in different ways. This season, we're going back to the heart of Girls Night. This show has always been for women in their twenties and thirties who are navigating the biggest decisions of their lives. Maybe you're single and wondering if you'll ever meet your person. Maybe you're newly married and trying to figure out how to blend two lives into one. Maybe you're thinking about having kids but you're not sure about the timing, or the finances, or if you even want to be a mom at all. Maybe you love your job but you're wondering if there's something else out there for you. Maybe you're feeling stuck, or lost, or like everyone else got a playbook that you never received. If any of that is you - you are in exactly the right place. Now, I have to tell you something. This summer, I'm doing something that feels pretty scary to me, but scary in the way where I know, "Oh gosh, this is definitely what I'm supposed to do." I'm going to be doing more solo episodes. Just me, talking to you, like we're having coffee together or texting back and forth. No guests, no interviews – just the conversations I wish we could have if we were sitting across from each other right now. I'm trying to listen and follow where I feel led, and this is where it's taking me. So we'll see where it goes! But I'm excited to go there with you. Before we dive in, I want you to know something: this is a safe space. You don't have to have it all figured out here. You don't need a polished answer to "So what's next for you?" In fact, if your honest answer right now is "I have absolutely no idea," you are in exactly the right place. Today we're talking about something I know so many of you are feeling – that nagging sense that you're falling behind in life. That everyone else figured out the secret playbook while you were... what? Making coffee? Scrolling Instagram? Living your actual life? Here's what I want you to know right up front: You're not falling behind. You're not broken. And there's nothing wrong with you. What you're experiencing? It's not a you problem - it's an us problem. I’ll tell you what I mean by that in the episode. Let’s dive in! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey friends! Welcome to Girls’ Night! I’m so excited about today’s episode. Today we’re talking about how to stop letting fear run your life. If you're like me, you have a vision for your life and career and your family- but somehow, fear, self-doubt, and uncertainty keep creeping in, whispering that you're not enough or that you're just not ready. Well, it's time to silence those voices and start living the life you ACTUALLY want to live. Our guest for today’s episode is my friend, Mary Marantz. Mary is the three-time bestselling author of Underestimated, Dirt, and Slow Growth Equals Strong Roots, as well as the host of the popular podcast The Mary Marantz Show. She grew up in a trailer in rural West Virginia and was the first in her family to go to college before going on to Yale for law school. I was so blown away by Mary’s story. She's teaching us how to reclaim our power from fear and create a new narrative for our lives. This is seriously one of my favorite episodes ever! I know I say that all the time, but it’s true. I can’t wait for you to hear from her!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey friends! Welcome to Girls’ Night! I’m so excited about today’s episode. Today we’re addressing one of the most common root causes of tension and resentment in marriage. The things we’re talking about in this episode are so universal and so pervasive and so toxic (when left unchecked), my friends and I have been talking about this a TON in person, and that’s why I’m so glad to be talking about it here on the show. Our guest for today’s episode is my new friend, Paige Connell. Paige is a working mother of four who works to highlight the everyday experiences of women balancing motherhood, careers, and relationships. Known for her candid insights on the mental load of motherhood and the challenges of creating equity at home and work, Paige’s content resonates with millions.  And I have a feeling you’ll resonate with her as well.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey friends! Welcome to Girls’ Night!I’m so excited about today’s episode. Today we’re talking about why your closet may be full but you still feel like you have nothing to wear!Getting out the door in the morning can be a struggle, and for many of us, the hardest part is figuring out what to wear. Finding that perfect balance between style and practicality can be a challenge, and it's even harder when you're not sure where to start or what pieces to invest in.To help us with this, I invited my new friend, someone I’ve followed for years, Conni Jespersen. Conni is the educational wardrobe stylist behind Art in the Find. Over the last 10 years, Conni has worked with countless style clients in person and virtually all over the world, helping them to craft an intentional wardrobe that feels personal, pulled together, and practical for the rhythms of their daily life.Conni is offering her best advice on finding clothing that truly resonates with us, and sharing practical tips to make getting dressed easier and more enjoyable.After chatting with her, I already feel like I have a way better understanding of my personal style and a practical plan for improving my closet. I know you'll find her advice just as helpful! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey friends! Welcome to Girls’ Night!I’m so excited about today’s episode. Today we’re talking about what’s going on in the United States politically — how to wrap our minds around it, how to stay informed without losing our minds, and how to participate in a way that creates the real, lasting change we want to see for our communities.A few caveats here: Why are we talking about politics? Because I don’t know about you, but this topic DEFINITELY is coming up at my girls nights. And if we talk about something at our real life girls nights, I want to make sure we’re talking about it here too! I know that not all of our listeners live in the United States. I actually don’t currently live in the United States. But the majority of our listeners are in the States, and as I’m learning as a US citizen living abroad, the things that are happening back in my home do really affect the rest of the world. But if this episode doesn’t really apply to you, feel free to skip! We’ll catch up with you at the next one. So, who’s going to walk us through all of these questions and help us find some peace and clarity? My friend, Sharon McMahon, of course. After years of serving as a high school government and law teacher, Sharon McMahon took her passion for education to Instagram, where more than a million people rely on her for non-partisan, fact-based information as "America's Government Teacher." In a time where flashy headlines and false information often take the spotlight, Sharon is a reliable source for truth and logic.In this episode I ask her if what’s happening in the US is truly unprecedented and how it measures up to other seasons our country has been through. We talk about how to get along with people who think differently from you and what that looks like, how to stay sane while also staying informed, and how to make the real, lasting change we want for our communities. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or unsure about what’s been happening in our country the past several months, you’re not alone. In these uncertain times, it's refreshing to hear a voice of clarity and hope. That's exactly what Sharon brings to the table. I can’t wait for you to hear from her!One last thing before we dive in: This season, we’re doing a really fun giveaway each week as a thank you for supporting this show (and the women who put it together!).This week, we’ll be picking one winner of a $50 visa gift card — perfect for hosting a girls night of your own!To enter, all you have to do is take a screenshot of the show as you’re listening, and share it on social media. Make sure to tag me! I’m @SMayWilson.One last thing: I know that some of our episodes are pretty personal (in fact, a lot of them are) and so I want you to know that you don’t have to share the exact episode you’re listening to in order to enter the giveaway. You can just share the show in general.(That way you’re not accidentally giving your Aunt Susan and all your old high school friends information about your personal life that you don’t necessarily want them to have!) Okay, with that said, let’s dive into my conversation with Sharon!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey friends! Welcome to Girls’ Night!Today we’re sharing one woman’s courageous journey of living with an autoimmune disorder and navigating the challenges of motherhood. I know there are women listening who dream of being a mother. But for those living with chronic illness or other health complications, that dream can come with uncertainty and doubt. Even if you haven't walked this path, you may know the ache of longing for something that feels just out of reach. Today's conversation is for anyone who has ever wondered if their dream of motherhood will ever become a reality.Our guest for today’s episode is my new friend, Ashley Fenker. Ashley is the author of a new book called Good (Enough) Mother. In this new collection of stories and essays, Ashley explores the complexities of chronic illness, modern motherhood, and faith. Ashley’s story is full of hope and resilience – I was so inspired by it and I know you will be too!One last thing before we dive in: This season, we’re doing a really fun giveaway each week as a thank you for supporting this show (and the women who put it together!).This week, we’ll be picking one winner of a $50 visa gift card — perfect for hosting a girls night of your own!To enter, all you have to do is take a screenshot of the show as you’re listening, and share it on social media. Make sure to tag me! I’m @SMayWilson. One last thing: I know that some of our episodes are pretty personal (in fact, a lot of them are) and so I want you to know that you don’t have to share the exact episode you’re listening to in order to enter the giveaway. You can just share the show in general.(That way you’re not accidentally giving your Aunt Susan and all your old high school friends information about your personal life that you don’t necessarily want them to have!) Okay, with that said, let’s dive into my conversation with Ashley! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices