The FEEL Podcast: Women’s Empowerment, Emotional Wellness and Self-Leadership with Melissa Crook

🎙️ The F.E.E.L Podcast – Episode: Rooted in Purpose: How Values Shape Holistic Therapy with Valerie RiveraHost: Melissa Crook | Guest: Valerie Rivera | Written by: Jessica Garrison In this powerful return episode of The F.E.E.L Podcast , host Melissa Crook is joined once again by Valerie Rivera—holistic therapist, founder of Inner Solace Therapy, and the woman behind one of the show’s most quoted...

🎙️ The F.E.E.L Podcast – Episode: Releasing Guilt & Embracing Boundaries: How to Journal Through Self-Doubt with Callie Martin Host: Melissa Crook | Guest: Callie Martin | Written by: Jessica Garrison In this empowering episode of The F.E.E.L Podcast, host Melissa Crook is joined by entrepreneur and boundary-setting enthusiast Callie Martin for a heartfelt conversation about the emotional weig...

🎙️ The F.E.E.L Podcast – Episode: Motherhood Without the Mask: Identity, Boundaries & Postpartum Truths with Marissa ZwetowHost: Melissa Crook | Guest: Marissa Zwetow | Written by: Jessica Garrison In this raw and empowering episode of The F.E.E.L Podcast , therapist, author, and mother Marissa Zwetow returns for a deeply validating conversation about what motherhood really looks and feels like. T...

🎙️ The F.E.E.L Podcast – Episode: Breaking the Caregiver Cycle: Self-Awareness, Survival Mode & Loving Fiercely with Lynette Weldon Host: Melissa Crook | Guest: Lynette Weldon | Written by: Jessica Garrison In this powerful and deeply emotional episode of The F.E.E.L Podcast , we welcome the resilient and passionate Lynette Weldon—caregiver, mother, and advocate—who shares her journey of break...

🎙️ The F.E.E.L Podcast – Episode: Mental Health Days, Neurospicy Life & Self-Care with Amy Taylor - Host: Melissa Crook | Guest: Amy Taylor | Written by: Jessica Garrison In this heartfelt and empowering episode of The F.E.E.L Podcast , we welcome the compassionate and self-aware Amy Taylor—educator, mother, and mental health advocate—for a powerful conversation about radical self-care, mental...

In this soul-nourishing episode of The F.E.E.L Podcast, we welcome nurse, author, and multitasking mom Jennifer Johnson for a powerful conversation on burnout, healing, and reclaiming your energy. Jennifer opens up about the toll of night shifts, the sacrifices of motherhood, and how sleep has become her ultimate act of self-care. From working through the peak of COVID to writing her book Nursing...

In this powerful and heart-centered episode of The F.E.E.L. Podcast , Melissa Crook welcomes Vesta Hurlbutt —host of Open Heart Healing —for a vulnerable and inspiring conversation on healing, releasing expectations, and embracing self-love . Vesta opens up about the pressure of living by others’ standards and how she found freedom by living for herself instead. Together, they explore the reality...

In this vulnerable and empowering episode of The F.E.E.L. Podcast , Melissa Crook is joined by Laura Helgeson —a returning voice from the Embracing Layers community—to dive deeper into the often-overlooked relationship between physical health, emotional healing, and spiritual well-being . Laura shares her personal journey living with chronic UTIs , a condition she’s experienced since childhood and...

In this soul-nourishing episode of The F.E.E.L. Podcast , Melissa Crook welcomes the insightful and vibrant Amy Donovan to explore what it means to truly honor your energy—especially during life’s most chaotic seasons. From setting emotional boundaries to letting go of societal timelines, Amy shares how she’s learned to prioritize wellness without apology. Together, they unpack how self-care isn’t...

In this episode, we’re joined by the curious, empathetic, and passionate Jewel Hohman to explore the importance of boundaries and the power of self-compassion in the journey of personal growth. Jewel’s unique experiences and insights offer valuable takeaways for anyone navigating the often non-linear process of change. Jewel and Melissa dive into the realities of setting boundaries—not just for th...

In this bold and dynamic episode, we’re joined by Keldamuzik—recording artist, producer, entrepreneur, and unapologetic force in the entertainment industry. Known for her fearless confidence and unwavering authenticity, Keldamuzik opens up about what it truly means to live unapologetically in a world that often tries to box women in. From her journey in the music industry to launching her own bran...

In this empowering episode, we sit down with Lisa McCourt , bestselling author, founder of The Joy School , and a passionate advocate for authentic living, mental wellness , and LGBTQ+ inclusion . Lisa shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming people-pleasing tendencies and how embracing self-love and emotional healing has transformed her life—and the lives of so many others. From her insig...

In this empowering episode of The F.E.E.L. Podcast , we sit down with the incredible Andrea Pass to discuss the importance of authenticity, setting healthy work-from-home boundaries, and honoring your personal and professional integrity. 🌟 Andrea shares honest, relatable stories from her career journey, including the challenges of remote work, the pitfalls of overworking, and the transformation t...

In this deeply honest and powerful episode, Leslie Draffin joins us to share her 20-year journey living with an undiagnosed eating disorder and the lifelong impact of societal pressure around body image and weight. We unpack the harmful misconceptions tied to the BMI scale, explore the prevalence of disordered eating in women, and discuss the silent struggles many face when they “look healthy” on...

We’re thrilled to welcome back a cherished friend of our network, Tara Mae Temple , in this powerful and heart-centered episode of the podcast. You may remember her from previous guest appearances on The Embracing Layers Radio Show, like The Value of Introducing Yourself Via Character Traits , The Power of Knowledge , and The Role of Pets in Our Wellness —all available now on our Substack. Tara br...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with the insightful and empowering Stacey Olson , a mindfulness expert who is helping women everywhere say “no” with confidence and without guilt . Stacey is a firm believer in walking the talk—showing up in the world with optimism, integrity, and grace —and she’s on a mission to help others do the same. Through her own personal journey of burnout and redisco...

In this powerful episode, we welcome the insightful and fearless Kat Newport , a compassionate leader and strategic problem-solver who is redefining what it means to be a purpose-driven woman . With a voice rooted in wisdom, empathy, and accountability , Kat offers real tools and guidance to help women overcome people-pleasing tendencies and build unshakable boundaries . Kat speaks openly about di...

Today's guest is the radiant and grounded Arlene Miller , a woman whose core qualities— authenticity, compassion, courage, and loyalty —shine through every word. Arlene brings a deeply soulful and sacred lens to the conversations we’ve been having, reminding us that how we treat ourselves and others must begin with curiosity, not judgment . In this powerful episode, we dive into the concept of liv...

In this deeply moving and eye-opening episode, we’re honored to welcome the multifaceted and inspiring Carrie Pierce . Known for her compassion, strategic insight, and quiet strength , Carrie has worn many hats—from Hollywood makeup artist and licensed aesthetician to full-time caregiver and healing advocate . 🎧 This episode unpacks: The physical and emotional toll of caregiving Surviving caregiv...

In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode, we welcome the irreverent, insightful, and wildly entertaining Suzanne Culberg , also known as The Nope Coach . With her signature blend of humor, empathy, and radical honesty , Suzanne takes us on a journey of self-awareness, boundary-setting, and learning how to say “no” without guilt. 💡 Key Takeaways from This Episode: The importance of self-ca...

This week’s episode features the incredibly insightful and open-hearted Leigh Shulman , a fierce advocate for gender inclusivity and prioritizing self care and emotional growth. Leigh joins us to unpack a range of powerful topics—from dismantling harmful gender stereotypes to raising thoughtful children and creating inclusive spaces for creative expression to knowing finding time for rest is not l...

Get ready to be uplifted by this week’s incredibly inspiring guest, Comfort Woods —an intuitive, kindhearted, and deeply empowered woman who turned her healing journey into a mission to help others rise. In this soul-stirring episode, Comfort shares her story of breaking free from the chains of people-pleasing , setting healthy boundaries , and learning to live for herself . ✨ Key Themes in This...

If you've tuned in to our radio show episode “The Role of Safety in Embracing Our Layers,” you may recognize this week’s guest: the witty, compassionate, and trauma-informed powerhouse Beth Sandlin . In this full-length podcast conversation, we take a deeper dive into Beth’s transformative approach to Pilates, nervous system regulation, and holistic wellness —and trust us, you’ll want to take...

This week on the F.E.E.L. Podcast , we kick off a powerful two-episode lineup with the bold, unapologetic, and deeply compassionate Ellen Smith —a self-proclaimed “suburban troublemaker,” author, activist, and boundary-setting boss. Ellen is known for standing up for the underdog, speaking truth to power, and fiercely combating racism, antisemitism, and injustice in all forms. In this candid conve...

Trigger warning: sexual abuseIn this empowering episode of the F.E.E.L. Podcast , host Melissa is joined by the unapologetically bold and deeply insightful Eve Hall , a powerful voice in the movement to destigmatize women’s sexual health . Eve is on a mission to help women reclaim pleasure, embrace body confidence , and challenge toxic cultural narratives that have long shamed women for their sexu...