Self Care, Healing & Authentic Living: A Guide to Women’s Empowerment with Melissa Crook

Money Mindset, Financial Boundaries & Guilt-Free Spending with Linda Grizely

Become a Paid Subscriber and help us continue creating conversations, resources, and community that remind women they are valuable because of who they are, not what they do. -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast]⁠https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Money is about more than finances—it's closely connected to our mindset, emotions, confidence, and self-worth. In this empowering episode of The FEEL Podcast, financial coach and author Linda Grizely joins Melissa to explore how developing a healthy money mindset, setting financial boundaries, and creating intentional spending habits can lead to greater financial confidence and long-term freedom. Linda explains why so many women experience guilt when spending money on themselves and how shifting your relationship with money can transform both your financial wellness and your overall well-being. She introduces her simple but impactful "Me Money" budget, a practical budgeting strategy that encourages intentional spending without shame while still supporting your long-term financial goals. Together, we discuss how limiting beliefs, emotional spending, and money anxiety influence everyday financial decisions, and why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to personal finance. Linda emphasizes the importance of creating a personalized financial plan that aligns with your values, lifestyle, and current season of life, helping you build sustainable habits rather than striving for perfection. Whether you're just beginning your budgeting journey or looking to strengthen your financial literacy, this episode offers practical tools for managing money with confidence, reducing financial stress, and building a healthier relationship with your finances. • Developing a healthier money mindset • Building financial confidence without guilt • Creating a personalized budgeting plan • Setting healthy financial boundaries • Managing emotional spending and money anxiety • Small habits that support long-term financial freedom Ways To Engage: Create your own monthly "Me Money" budget. Choose an amount dedicated entirely to yourself. Whether you save it for something meaningful or spend it on something you enjoy, allow yourself to do so without guilt. Financial wellness includes giving yourself permission to enjoy what you've worked hard to earn. #MoneyMindset #PersonalFinance #FinancialFreedom #Budgeting #FinancialWellness #WomenAndMoney #MoneyManagement #FinancialLiteracy #WomenEmpowerment #FinancialConfidence #BudgetTips #MoneyGoals #SelfCare #MindsetMatters #FinancialPlanning #WealthBuilding #PersonalGrowth #WomenInBusiness #FinancialEducation #Podcast Timestamps: Prioritizing Self Care - ( 3:09 ) Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 8:33 ) Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 15:40 ) Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 24:33 ) Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 29:19 ) Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 31:29 ) Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 33:47 ) Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 38:18 ) 5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 39:29 ) 5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 40:22 ) Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis ✨ Free Download: Embracing a FEEL 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 FEEL Podcast? - Send Melissa Crook a message on PodMatch, here:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.p [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021]⁠ [https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact]odmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021]

Summer Body Expectations: Building Body Confidence, Setting Boundaries & Embracing Self-Acceptance with Melissa Crook

Five Years Of FEEL! - We’re aiming for 500 Paid Subscribers for $5/mo or $50/year by July 31st, 2026! Become a Paid Subscriber and help us continue creating conversations, resources, and community that remind women they are valuable because of who they are, not what they do. -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast]⁠⁠https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast]Summer has a way of bringing sunshine, vacations, and opportunities to make memories, but for many women, it also brings something much heavier. The pressure to have the "perfect summer body." Suddenly we're questioning whether we should wear the shorts, buy the swimsuit, take the family photo, or simply enjoy being present without worrying about how we look. We've been taught that confidence comes after we change our bodies. But what if confidence was never meant to be dependent on your appearance? This week's Empowerment Tuesday episode of The FEEL Podcast is an invitation to challenge the expectations we've carried for far too long and begin building a healthier relationship with our bodies. In this conversation, we explore: * Why "summer body" culture continues to affect so many women * How unrealistic beauty standards influence our confidence and emotional well-being * Why comments about someone's body, whether intended as compliments or criticism, can leave lasting impact * How to establish healthy boundaries around appearance-based conversations * Why every body deserves dignity, respect, and the freedom to take up space One of the most important reminders in this episode is this: Your value has always existed because of who you are, not whether your body fits some unrealistic, untrue, societal standard. That doesn't mean loving every part of your body every single day. It means learning to treat yourself with the same kindness, compassion, and respect you so freely offer to others. It means choosing comfort over comparison. Joy over judgment. Presence over perfection. As you listen to this episode, I invite you to reflect on these questions: * What expectations about your body have you been carrying that no longer serve you? * What would change if you stopped waiting for your body to be "good enough" before fully living your life? * How can you begin speaking to yourself with greater compassion today? Because confidence isn't something you earn once your body changes. It's something you build by recognizing your worth has never wavered. 💛 You are worthy. 💛 You are valuable because of who you are, not what you do. 💛 And you get to choose. I'd love to hear from you in the comments: What's one thing you appreciate about your body today? If today's conversation resonates with you, here are a few ways to continue investing in yourself: ✨ Download the free Embracing a FEEL Fueled Life sample https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad [https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad] ✨ Schedule a complimentary 30-minute conversation with me if you're ready to take the next step toward living in alignment with your values - https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact [https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact] ✨ Our Embracing Layers Network online courses are 50% OFF through August 31! https://www.patreon.com/cw/EmbracingLayersNetwork/shop [https://www.patreon.com/cw/EmbracingLayersNetwork/shop] Use promo codes: CLEANSE50 ESSENTIALS50 VIP50 These courses are designed to help you strengthen your self-worth, develop healthier boundaries, and embrace every layer of who you are. Thank you for being part of this community. Let's create a space where we celebrate ourselves, not because we've achieved perfection, but because every body deserves kindness, respect, and the freedom to simply be.#BodyConfidence #BodyImage #SelfAcceptance #BodyNeutrality #SelfLove #SummerBody #EmotionalWellness #MentalHealth #HealthyBoundaries #WomenEmpowerment #SelfWorth #Confidence #PersonalGrowth #TheFEELPodcast #MelissaCrook #FindingEmpowerment #EmbracingLayers ⁠⁠⁠ [https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad] Want to be a guest on The FEEL Podcast? - Send Melissa Crook a message on PodMatch, here:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021]

The Power of Putting Yourself First with Val Jones: Overcoming People Pleasing & Embracing Self-Care

Support our work by becoming a Paid Substack Subscriber Here -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast]https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0]⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of emotional abuse. In this empowering episode of The FEEL Podcast, Val Jones shares her journey from chronic people-pleasing and "Good Girl Syndrome" to living with confidence, healthy boundaries, and self-worth. Through honest reflection, she explains how choosing to put herself first transformed her mental wellness, relationships, and personal growth. Together, we explore why self-care is not selfish, how emotional abuse and people-pleasing can disconnect us from our authentic selves, and what it takes to break free from patterns rooted in guilt and perfectionism. Val encourages listeners to redefine "selfish" as an act of self-respect, showing that prioritizing your needs allows you to show up more fully for yourself and others. Drawing from her book, The Selfish Year: The Power of Putting Yourself First, Val shares practical insights on building confidence, setting healthy boundaries without guilt, and reconnecting with your mind, body, and values. This conversation is a reminder that emotional healing begins with self-awareness, curiosity, and giving yourself permission to live authentically. If you've ever struggled with burnout, low self-worth, or the pressure to constantly put others first, this episode offers encouragement to reclaim your voice, embrace self-love, and create lasting mindset shifts. Ways To Engage: Instead of asking yourself, "What's wrong with me?" try asking: "What's wrong?" Approach yourself with curiosity rather than criticism. The way you speak to yourself has the power to shape your healing. National Domestic Violence Hotline 📞 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) 📱 Text START to 88788 #SelfCare #PersonalGrowth #WomenEmpowerment #PeoplePleasing #SelfLove #MentalHealth #HealingJourney #Boundaries #SelfWorth #AuthenticLiving #PersonalDevelopment #MindsetShift #EmotionalHealing #WomenSupportingWomen #ConfidenceBuilding #BurnoutRecovery #EmpoweredWomen #TraumaRecovery #LifeTransformation #PodcastForWomen Timestamps: Prioritizing Self Care - ( 4:12 ) Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 14:34 ) Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 21:31 ) Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 29:36 ) Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 35:04 ) Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 41:47 ) Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 45:05 ) Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 55:47 ) 5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 58:59 ) 5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 1:02:31 ) Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis ✨ Free Download: Embracing a FEEL Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad [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 FEEL Podcast? - Send Melissa Crook a message on PodMatch, here:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021]

Communicating Boundaries & Expectations: The Missing Piece of Healthy Relationships with Melissa Crook

Five Years Of FEEL! - We’re aiming for 500 Paid Subscribers for $5/mo or $50/year by July 31st, 2026! Become a Paid Subscriber and help us continue creating conversations, resources, and community that remind women they are valuable because of who they are, not what they do. -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast]⁠https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast⁠⁠] Setting boundaries is important, but communicating them is essential. Melissa continues the FEEL conversation by diving into one of the most overlooked aspects of personal growth, emotional wellness, and healthy relationships: communicating your boundaries and expectations clearly and confidently. Many people struggle with being misunderstood, feeling overwhelmed, or becoming resentful because they assume others should automatically know their needs. The truth is that no one is a mind reader. If we want to be respected, supported, and understood, we must learn how to communicate our needs openly. Melissa shares practical examples of boundary-setting in everyday life, including workplace expectations, personal relationships, self-care practices, and accountability. You'll discover why clearly expressing your limits is an act of self-respect, how communication creates stronger connections, and why speaking up is one of the most powerful forms of self-advocacy. This episode explores: * Why communicating boundaries is just as important as setting them * How to express expectations without guilt or fear * The role of healthy communication in relationships * Building confidence through boundary conversations * Accountability and personal growth through honest dialogue * How supportive people respond when you communicate your needs * Recognizing relationships that honor or violate your boundaries * Why communication is an act of kindness, not selfishness * Practical ways to start small and strengthen your communication skills Remember: A closed mouth doesn't get fed. The more you communicate your needs, the more empowered, respected, and aligned your life becomes. Ways to Engage: Think about your expectations and boundaries, and think about the last time you properly communicated them. Choose someone close to you, a safe person, and try communicating these things to them. Get practice, even starting small if you need, and start working towards a greater scale to become more confident in your abilities.  Ready for deeper support? ✨ Free Download: Embracing a FEEL Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- ⁠⁠https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad [https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad]Schedule a complimentary 30-minute session with Melissa and learn more about communicating boundaries, self-advocacy, emotional wellness, and personal empowerment: https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact [https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact] Join Melissa every Tuesday at 8 AM PST / 11 AM EST on Substack for live empowerment conversations, Q&A sessions, and community discussions focused on personal growth, emotional intelligence, boundaries, and living a FEEL-fueled life. #Boundaries #HealthyBoundaries #CommunicationSkills #PersonalGrowth #SelfImprovement #MentalHealth #EmotionalWellness #HealthyRelationships #SelfAdvocacy #EmotionalIntelligence #PersonalDevelopment #MindsetShift #ConfidenceBuilding #SelfRespect #RelationshipAdvice #EmpowermentPodcast #Accountability #BoundarySetting #WomenEmpowerment Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis ⁠ [https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad] Want to be a guest on The FEEL Podcast? - Send Melissa Crook a message on PodMatch, here:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021] ⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast⁠⁠]

Fertility, Empowerment, Healthy Boundaries & Reproductive Education with Bilge Apak Sato and Valerie Kvita

Five Years Of FEEL! - We’re aiming for 500 Paid Subscribers for $5/mo or $50/year by July 31st, 2026! Become a Paid Subscriber and help us continue creating conversations, resources, and community that remind women they are valuable because of who they are, not what they do. -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast]https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast⁠⁠] In this empowering episode of The FEEL Podcast, we welcome Bilge Apak Sato and Valerie Kvita, co-founders of The Tiny Pea, for an important conversation about fertility education, reproductive health, family planning, and making informed decisions about your future. Together, they are working to transform how we talk about fertility by replacing fear, stigma, and misinformation with education, compassion, and empowerment. Bilge and Valerie share insights into the emotional realities of fertility and infertility, discussing the challenges many individuals and couples face while trying to conceive. They explain why fertility conversations are often surrounded by silence and uncertainty, and how reproductive education can help people feel more confident, informed, and supported throughout their journey. This conversation also explores the connection between mental health, emotional wellness, and reproductive health. From setting healthy boundaries during vulnerable life stages to protecting your peace while navigating fertility-related stress, Bilge and Valerie offer practical guidance on prioritizing self-care and maintaining emotional well-being. We also discuss the impact of social media on fertility journeys, including managing emotional triggers, creating digital boundaries, and avoiding comparison during deeply personal experiences. Understanding reproductive health empowers individuals to make choices aligned with their values, goals, and circumstances. Bilge and Valerie also share the inspiration behind their book, I Am Magic: The Ultimate Fertility Workbook for Empowerment, Choice, & Self-Love, a resource designed to help individuals build knowledge, confidence, and self-trust around reproductive choices and family planning. This episode is for anyone interested in fertility awareness, reproductive wellness, emotional health, and learning how education can create greater confidence and empowerment in every stage of life. In This Episode, You'll Learn • Why fertility education matters for everyone • The emotional realities of infertility and reproductive challenges • How to set healthy boundaries during vulnerable life experiences • The connection between mental health, self-care, and fertility • Managing social media triggers while protecting emotional wellness • Why men should be included in fertility and reproductive health conversation #FertilityAwareness #FertilityEducation #InfertilitySupport #TryingToConceive #ReproductiveHealth #WomensHealth #MensHealth #FamilyPlanning #FertilityJourney #MentalHealthMatters #HealthyBoundaries #SelfCareJourney #Empowerment #HealthPodcast #WellnessPodcast #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalWellness #ReproductiveRights #ParenthoodJourney Timestamps: Prioritizing Self Care - ( 7:58 ) Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 13:13 ) Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 20:22 ) Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 31:55 ) Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 43:21 ) Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 49:40 ) Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 57:39 ) Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 1:02:17 ) 5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 1:06:35 ) 5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 1:14:41 ) Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis ✨ Free Download: Embracing a FEEL Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad [https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad] Want to be a guest on The FEEL Podcast? - Send Melissa Crook a message on PodMatch, here:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021]