Girls Night with Stephanie May Wilson

Hey friends! Welcome to Girls’ Night!I’m so excited about today’s episode. Today we’re talking about how to have more fun and why fun is so important. Let’s be honest: being an adult is hard. There’s so much to navigate, so much to balance, so much to figure out. We’re figuring out work, and bills, and health insurance, and our living situations. For so many of us, we wake up FAR earlier than we want to, work all day at school or at our offices, eat lunch at our desk, and then come home at the end of the day feeling totally and thoroughly spent.The things we’re doing are good, and important, and necessary. But as we’re making time for all these important things, we also need to make sure we’re having some fun.Our guest for today’s episode is my new friend, Annie F. Downs. Annie is an amazing Author, Podcaster, and Speaker. She has a new devotional book called, Chase the Fun: 100 days to discover fun right where you are. And that’s exactly what we’re talking about in today’s episode!We’re talking about: Why having fun matters (it actually matters — for our brains, and our bodies, and Annie and I both agree that fun is an important spiritual practice!) How to figure out what sounds fun to us and how to actually do those thingsPractical ways to make more time for fun (even with super busy schedules!) How to embrace the things we find to be fun (even if those things aren’t necessarily cool)How to start a new hobbyAnd so much more!Friends, if you’ve been itching to add more fun and joy into your life, but don’t know where to start, this episode is for you!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey friends! Welcome to Girls’ Night!I don’t think I’m telling you anything new when I say that there have been a lot of hard things happening in our country and in our world recently. It seems like bad news hits us and before we can even take a breath or process what just happened, it hits us again. And if I’m honest, this has been weighing really really heavily on my mind and my heart lately. It’s something my family and friends and I have all been talking about a lot — we’ve all just been feeling heavy, and tired, and at times even a little bit hopeless about the state of things. (Side note: If you’re wondering what I’m referring to, I don’t have a specific event in mind from this week’s headlines. I’m actually recording this two weeks in advance — so I have no clue what’s happening in the news on the day this comes out. But so much has happened in the last few months and last few years, I’m just feeling the weight of it overall.)And I figured that if I’m feeling this way, and my friends and family are feeling this way, that you might be feeling this way too. And that’s why I’m excited about today’s episode. When I’m trying to process bad news in the world, I always find myself thinking back to one of our Girls Night episodes. It’s the conversation I had with Danielle Coke back in Season 13 of the podcast. Dani has a way of taking really important, really complex issues and making them more digestible and helping us figure out what to do with them. And so today I’m actually going to be re-sharing the conversation I had with her, because I have a feeling we could all use these reminders today. Here are just a few of the things I ask Dani in this episode:When the whole world feels like one big ball of bad news, how do we process this? How do we care about the people who are hurting in the world without getting so overwhelmed by the hurt in the world that we just shut down? How do we identify the cause or mission that is our thing? How do we figure out where and how we can help and actually make a difference?Once we figure out what our mission is, what do we do with everything else? When something crazy or hard or heartbreaking happens in the world, how do we process it? How do we both care and help without losing focus on the thing that is our thing? How do you figure out what to say, when you should speak out, and how to do it? And I asked her about how to get through the fear that you’re going to say the wrong thing. (Does anyone else have that fear? Is that just me?) Friends, if you’re feeling discouraged by all of the bad news or tragic events happening in our world, I’m right there with you, but there is hope! This episode is seriously life-giving and has practical advice on how we can process our feelings and make a difference in our world and community today!I can’t wait to share it with you.  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 you’ll be hearing part two of my conversation with my amazing therapist, Christen Reed, from Ready Nest Counseling in Nashville! If you haven’t listened to the part one episode, make sure you go back and listen to that one first.In this two-part episode, we’re talking about becoming a mom — why it’s such a big transition, what you can do to prepare for it, and some really practical pieces of advice and wisdom to help you through it. (Especially in those first few months).Like I said, if you didn’t listen to part one, go back and listen to that part first. But today in part two, we’re focusing on:How to ask for help as a new mom — and why needing help is NOT a sign of failure or weakness or a sign that we’re somehow a bad momWhy it’s so important for us to take care of ourselves, how to actually do that, and how to drop the guilt so many of us feel when we doHow to filter through all of the advice that’s out there for first time moms, so we can figure out what’s best for us, our family, and our new babyAnd moreAnd then at the end of the episode, since Christen is my therapist, we talk about therapy — why it’s so important, how it can help, and how to find the right therapist for you (even if you’ve struggled to find someone who is a good fit in the past!).I said this last week, but this is a pretty vulnerable topic for me. Becoming a mom is by far the hardest transition I’ve ever been through. But I wanted to share the whole story of how this went for me, because if you’re struggling in the same ways I was, it’s so important to me that you know you’re not alone.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey friends! Welcome to Girls Night!Our guest for today’s episode is Christen Reed. Christen works as a licensed marriage and family therapist at Ready Nest Counseling here in Nashville. And not only is she an amazing therapist, she’s MY therapist. Christen has been there with me every step of the way as I’ve gone through the most gigantic transition of my entire life — becoming a mom. And that’s what we’re talking about today. We’re talking about becoming a mom — why it’s such a big transition, what you can do to prepare for it, and some really practical pieces of advice and wisdom to help you through it. (Especially in those first few months).Now, I have a few disclaimers to share with you before we dive in: First: I mentioned this last week, but it is a tad unconventional for you to be meeting my therapist. (She and I had tons of talks and signed lots of papers having to do with boundaries and confidentiality and making sure that we keep our therapist/client relationship as safe and sacred as it’s always been!) So I just wanted to let y’all know that.Second: I wanted to let you know that this is a pretty messy, vulnerable topic for me. In this episode, you’ll hear why I had such a hard time in the first few months of being a mom — why I say that it’s the hardest transition I’ve ever gone through. And the reason I want to be so honest about this is not to be discouraging (that’s the LAST thing I would want to be), but it’s because I don’t ever want you to have to go through any of this alone.I was actually talking to my sister about this a few weeks ago.Maybe your first few months of mom life won’t be that hard, and if that’s the case, AMAZING! I’m so so happy for you.But if this is really hard for you — I want you to know that you’re not alone in that. You’re not weak, you’re not a bad mom. This is hard. And you’re not alone in feeling that way. One last thing I wanted to say: Christen and I had so much to talk about in this episode that we actually had to split it into two parts. But trust me, it’s so worth it. So today you’ll be hearing part one of our conversation, and next week we’ll air part two.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey friends! Welcome to Girls Night!A few summers ago — the summer of 2018, to be exact — was one of the toughest, darkest, saddest, most difficult times of my whole entire life. I found myself in an absolute tailspin of anxiety and depression.And as the anniversary of this season rolls around each year, I always find myself remembering with striking clarity how it all felt. As the weather grows warmer and summer sets in, I always feel a fresh wave of gratitude for the fact that I'm not stuck in that dark place anymore. And I tear up every single time I think of the women who carried me through it.Our guest for today’s episode is my former therapist — the one who walked me through that dark season in 2018 and so much more — Blake Blankenbecler. And today I’ve invited her on the show to talk about people-pleasing.People-pleasing and how to set boundaries are things she and I talked about a LOT during the years I was seeing her. And I cannot even begin to tell you how much freedom I was able to step into as a result.Friends, if you’re a people-pleaser, if you have a hard time saying no, feel guilty for setting boundaries, worry constantly about how other people are perceiving you, and often feel resentful because you feel so depleted from it all — this episode is for you. (Quick disclaimer here: Confidentiality is something that is taken really seriously when it comes to counseling and therapy. And so it’s pretty unconventional for me to be introducing you to my counselors — both former and current — and for us to be sharing some of what we’ve talked about in our sessions. I just wanted to let you know that we’ve had all of the conversations and signed all the necessary paperwork when it comes to the ethics of having them on the show — especially with my current therapist who you’ll meet next week — we’ve done all the work to make sure to protect my privacy, the work we’ve done together, and the integrity of our therapeutic relationship. Just wanted to make sure to say that.) 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 travel solo. I love this topic because traveling is absolutely one of my favorite things to do and has played an irreplaceable role in my story! I’ve had the privilege of visiting places all around the world and every time I come back feeling more inspired and more full of life and just more like myself.But while I love traveling, I know firsthand how hard it can be to actually make a trip happen. Sometimes it’s finances that get in the way, sometimes it’s work, and a lot of times, we find that we don’t have anyone to go with! That’s why I’m so excited to have my dear friend Gennean Woodall back on Girls Night to talk us through this. Gennean is a travel planner and content creator, and she has traveled to places all around the world… all by herself.Like most of us, she had some major reservations about traveling solo. (Is it safe? Will I be lonely? Can I actually do this?!) But she’s figured out a formula that really works and now, traveling solo is her favorite way to go.She also has grown so much as a person through these solo trips. I honestly can’t wait to take one myself! Friend, if you’ve been dreaming of taking a trip and are ready to actually make it happen — this episode is for you.Gennean equips and empowers us to do the things we’ve been dreaming about for so long, and I’m so excited to share this conversation with you.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey friends! Welcome to Girls Night!I’m so excited to be back for Season 15 of the Girls Night podcast — and we’re kicking off this season with a really wonderful episode. We’re talking about why it’s so important to celebrate the big things (and the little things) in our lives — and how to practically do that!I love this episode because I always find myself craving delight and whimsy and celebration (and popsicles!) more in the summer than any other time of year.But this episode is actually so much deeper than just having more parties.Something I learned in this episode is that joy is one of the most vulnerable things we can ever feel.It’s WAY less vulnerable to feel disappointment, to imagine worst-case-scenarios, and to rehearse bad things happening. It’s like, if you’re preparing for the worst, it won’t hurt so much if it happens.Whereas if you really open your arms and your heart to something good, and embrace it, then if it gets taken away, you feel like you’ll be crushed. (Even more so because you didn’t see it coming!)It’s like naming a puppy you’re not going to get to keep. It feels easier just not to name it.But actually, it doesn’t work this way. I can’t wait for you to hear why!Our guest walking us through this incredible topic is my friend Nicole Zasowski. Nicole is a Marriage and Family Therapist as well as an author. She recently wrote a book called, What If It’s Wonderful?: An Invitation to Release Your Fears, Choose Joy, and Find the Courage to Celebrate.Friends, if you’d like to feel more joy and contentment in your life (that’s all of us, right?) this episode is for you. I can’t wait to dive in! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey friends! Welcome to Girls Night!We know that sex is an important part of marriage, but because it’s such a personal, intimate thing, it’s often the area of marriage where we have the least amount of help, guidance, and support. If sex is uncomfortable, or if it hurts, or if it’s just not as good as you thought it would be — or if you find yourself wanting to have sex more often or less often than your partner and it’s causing some tension between you — or if one of you is struggling with porn, or if you’re just not feeling as connected or free in your intimacy as you want to feel — we don’t necessarily know where to turn for help.And while there are some books and resources available to us — a lot of the advice out there about sex and intimacy just honestly isn’t that good. Sometimes it’s not just unhelpful, it’s actually damaging.A lot of us are suffering as a result of the bad advice we’ve been given in the past, sometimes without even realizing it. All of that is exactly why I’m so excited about today’s episode. Our guest this week is author and sex expert, Sheila Gregoire. Sheila has written several books, but two of my favorites are The Great Sex Rescue, and The Good Girls Guide to Great Sex.These are incredible resources. Sheila has helped so many couples grow in their connection, passion, and intimacy, and that's why I’m so excited for you to get to hear from her.In this episode she’s talking to us about:  How often we should be having sex Libido differences: What to do if one person wants to have sex more than the other What to do if sex is painful, uncomfortable, or honestly just not that good What to do if shame is keeping us from being able to feel free in our sex lives How to undo some of the harmful messages that have had a negative impact on our view of sex What to do if your spouse struggles with porn And so much more Friend, if you’re struggling — with literally anything — in your sex life, you are SO not alone. And you also don’t have to walk through this alone either.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey friends! Welcome to Girls Night!So today is a bit of a departure from what I had originally planned. Instead of a new episode, today you’re going to hear an episode that originally aired in 2019. And the reason we’re doing this repeat is because honestly… I need to. We have had a few crazy, CRAZY weeks in our house — traveling, a family wedding, the wonderful people who normally help us take care of the girls have been out of town, and then just when we thought life was about to get back to normal — we all got sick. (Which, if I sound weird, or suddenly start coughing, that’s why!)The fact that we’re all sick has meant lots of time together as a family, which has actually been really sweet. But it’s meant absolutely ZERO time for anything else. Seriously, you should see my inbox, and the piles of laundry in our house. So, while we’re all recovering, and resting, and wading through piles of laundry, and trying to pull ourselves back together, I thought that in the name of simplicity, we should do a repeat episode — especially because it was such a good one.Our guest for this episode, Emily Ley, is a woman I’m constantly learning from. Not only is she the maker of my all-time favorite planner, The Simplified Planner. But she’s an incredible author, podcaster, speaker, entrepreneur, mom (she also has twins!), and in all of those areas of her life, she’s both an incredible teacher and student of what it means to live a simplified life. She also has a gorgeous new kids book coming out here in a few weeks. I just pre-ordered my copy. It’s called You're Always Enough: And More Than I Hoped For and I can’t wait to read it to my girls!In this episode she teaches us how to make our lives more meaningful and less stressful. We’re talking about:What living a simplified life practically looks likeHow to rework our day-to-day routine and keep ourselves from overcommittingHow to prioritize our time so we’re spending less time on things that stress us out and more time with the people we lovePractical tips for simplifying our use of social mediaHow to shift our mindset from always wanting more to loving the amazing and beautiful things that we already haveAnd more. I can’t wait for you to hear from her. You ready? 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 get out of debt!I wanted to do an episode on this topic because I know there are so many women in our community who are really struggling with their finances right now.There are so many things you dream of doing in life, but debt is standing in the way of all of them. You want financial freedom, but reaching that point seems confusing, daunting, and like it will require an unthinkable amount of sacrifice to achieve.I totally understand that feeling. I’ve been there too. But the things we’re talking about in today’s episode have helped me so much to get control of my financial life, and I truly believe they’ll do the same for you.And to help us with this, I invited my friend Rachel Cruze back on the show! Rachel is an author, financial expert and host of The Rachel Cruze Show. I knew I needed to have Rachel on for this episode because she’s helped countless people get out of debt and achieve financial freedom — and the way she does it is so approachable and actually doable.I can’t wait for you to hear from her. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices