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

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]

Pause Before You Say Yes: The Secret to Stronger Boundaries with Melissa Crook

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] Do you find yourself automatically saying "yes" when someone asks for a favor, only to regret it later? In this empowering episode of The FEEL Podcast, Melissa Crook explores the power of the pause and why creating space before responding can strengthen healthy boundaries, improve emotional wellness, and support long-term personal growth. Many people who struggle with people pleasing are conditioned to respond immediately, prioritizing the needs of others before considering their own capacity, energy, or desires. But what if the most empowering response isn't an instant yes or no? What if it's a pause? Melissa shares practical self-care strategies and boundary-setting tools designed to help listeners make intentional decisions that align with their values, priorities, and available energy. By practicing intentional decision making, you can reduce resentment, strengthen self-worth and boundaries, and stop overcommitting to things that no longer serve you. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why people pleasing makes it difficult to say no without guilt • The benefits of pausing before making commitments • How to set healthy boundaries with confidence and clarity • Why overexplaining can weaken your confidence building efforts • Simple phrases to buy yourself time before responding • How to make decisions aligned with your priorities and values • The connection between self-worth, boundaries, and people pleasing • Why protecting your energy is essential for emotional wellness and work-life balance Melissa also explores how emotional intelligence and mindfulness can help you become more aware of your automatic responses. Through mindset transformation and intentional reflection, you'll learn how to honor your needs without guilt while maintaining authentic relationships. Healthy boundaries are not about pushing people away. They're about creating relationships built on honesty, respect, and mutual understanding. When you give yourself permission to pause, you create space for choices that support your wellbeing rather than drain it. Ways To Engage: Before saying yes or no, give yourself 24 hours whenever possible. Take time to evaluate your schedule, energy levels, priorities, and desires before making a commitment. A thoughtful pause supports healthier communication, better decision-making, and stronger personal boundaries. Before saying yes or no to a request, practice waiting 24 hours whenever possible. • Consider your schedule and available energy • Reflect on whether the request aligns with your priorities • Decide how you want to communicate your response • Remember that your feelings are valid and your boundaries matter • Avoid overexplaining, a clear and respectful response is enough Then give yourself time to reflect before making a decision. Your time, energy, and wellbeing deserve thoughtful consideration. #PeoplePleasing #HealthyBoundaries #PersonalGrowth #MindsetShift #BoundariesMatter #EmotionalWellness #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfWorth #ConfidenceBuilding #IntentionalLiving #PersonalDevelopment #StressManagement #WorkLifeBalance #SelfImprovement #MindfulLiving #RelationshipAdvice #Empowerment #ProtectYourEnergy Original Music by Valencia & Rio 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 [https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad] Book a complimentary 30-minute session to deepen to start overcoming your over-explaining today - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact] 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 [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021]

The Truth About Skin Health, Inflammaging, and Beauty Industry Myths with Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu

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] What if your skin could reveal more about your overall health than you realize? In this eye-opening episode of The FEEL Podcast, Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu—scientist, entrepreneur, and author of Empire of Mirrors: Exposé of Beauty Untold—joins Melissa for a powerful conversation about skin health, chronic inflammation, healthy aging, and the science behind wellness. Drawing from her extensive research and advocacy work, Dr. Karpuzoglu helps listeners better understand what truly impacts skin health and how to make more informed decisions in an industry often driven by marketing rather than education. A major focus of this conversation is inflammaging—the connection between chronic inflammation and accelerated aging. Dr. Karpuzoglu explains how stress, elevated cortisol levels, environmental factors, lifestyle habits, and inflammation can influence not only skin aging but overall health and longevity. By understanding these connections, we can take a more holistic approach to wellness and aging well. We also explore the hidden realities of the beauty industry, including common skincare marketing tactics, misleading claims, and the importance of transparency in skincare products. Dr. Karpuzoglu encourages listeners to become more informed consumers by looking beyond advertising messages and learning to evaluate products through a science-backed lens. Beyond skincare, this episode touches on women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, and the importance of supporting female-led businesses. Dr. Karpuzoglu challenges the scarcity mindset that often fuels comparison and competition, advocating instead for collaboration, education, and collective success. This conversation is for anyone interested in healthy aging, holistic skin wellness, stress management, and understanding how overall health is reflected through the skin. In This Episode, We Explore • What inflammaging is and how it impacts skin aging • The relationship between chronic inflammation and overall wellness • How stress and cortisol affect skin health • Common beauty industry myths and marketing tactics • Science-backed approaches to healthy aging and longevity • The importance of transparency in skincare products • Women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and collaboration #SkinHealth #SkincareTips #HealthyAging #Inflammaging #WellnessPodcast #BeautyIndustry #WomensEmpowerment #ChronicInflammation #HolisticHealth #SkinWellness #SelfCare #Longevity #HealthyLifestyle #BeautyTruths #WellnessJourney #StressManagement #FemaleEntrepreneurs Timestamps: Prioritizing Self Care - ( 3:51 ) Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 10:35 ) Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 16:58 ) Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 23:36 ) Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 33:14 ) Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 44:54 ) Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 51:52 ) Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 54:04 ) 5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 57:48 ) 5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 1:00:03 ) 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.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021]