The Feisty Heroine

In this personal solo episode, I’m sharing why I’ll be pressing pause on The Feisty Heroine Podcast this summer as I prepare for surgery, focus on healing, and reflect on what’s next for this journey. As spring blooms across the Midwest, I’ve been thinking a lot about seasons of change, rest, legacy, and what it means to truly honor yourself. From the irises blooming around my family’s farm—flower...

In this episode of Feisty Fridays, I’m diving into a realization that stopped me in my tracks this week. I heard that we may soon have our first trillionaire. And instead of feeling inspired… I felt unsettled. Because while the world tells us to work harder, climb higher, and chase more, so many women are feeling burnt out, disconnected, and stuck in cycles that don’t actually fulfill them. In thi...

What if the reason you’ve never felt fully “at home”…is because you’ve been looking for it in the wrong places? In this deeply personal solo episode, Rachel shares her journey through small-town life, big-city independence, and everything in between—from living in New York City and buying her first apartment to returning to her hometown and questioning what “home” really means. Inspired by the mov...

Why are women still being judged… just for existing? In this Feisty Fridays episode, we’re diving into the pressure women face to look, act, and show up a certain way just to be accepted and what happens when we start opting out of that performance. From the recent backlash toward Lana Condor on the red carpet, to everyday expectations around appearance, behavior, and “being enough,” this episode...

What actually happens after you finally choose yourself? Not the polished version. Not the “everything falls into place” fantasy. But the real, messy, in-between. In this revisit episode, I’m joined again by Joanna Lay, licensed psychotherapist and returning guest, whose life has completely transformed since our first conversation. (Make sure to listen to her first episode released on 9/10/2025) E...

Let’s talk about something that honestly shouldn’t still be happening—but is. In this Feisty Fridays episode, I’m diving into a story that stopped me in my tracks… and might just do the same for you. Professional runner Emma Bates lost a sponsorship—not because she failed, not because she broke a contract—but because she chose to have a baby. And here’s the truth, heroine… this isn’t just about ru...

Where are the women in history… and why were their stories erased? In this episode of The Feisty Heroine Podcast, I sit down with historical fiction author and women’s history advocate Kerry Chaput, creator of Badass Women in History , to uncover the truth about the women history forgot. We dive into how historical narratives shaped the way women see themselves today, from relationships to self-wo...

Feeling overwhelmed by the noise of the world right now? You’re not alone. What if the exhaustion you’re feeling isn’t burnout… but awareness? In this Feisty Fridays mini-sode, we’re talking about what it really means to slow down in a loud, chaotic world—from constant news cycles and social media pressure to the deeper awakening that happens when you start questioning everything. Rachel shares he...

In this deeply moving episode of The Feisty Heroine Podcast, Rachel Beck sits down with Gabi for an honest conversation about grief, widowhood, motherhood, healing, and what it means to rebuild your life after loss. Gabi shares her story of being widowed after nearly 17 years of marriage, raising four children, navigating trauma and survival mode, and slowly finding her way back to herself. Togeth...

In this Feisty Friday mini-episode of The Feisty Heroine Podcast , Rachel Beck shares a personal moment that sparked a deeper reflection about marriage, independence, and why women deserve time to truly know themselves before making life-changing commitments. After seeing a young bride-to-be celebrating her engagement, Rachel reflects on her own experience getting engaged at 24 and how cultural ex...

In this episode of The Feisty Heroine Podcast, Rachel Beck sits down with Mandy Mercy GK, a Singaporean South Asian teacher and writer who knew from childhood she did not want children. Mandy chose sterilization (tubal ligation) at 26, entered an arranged marriage fully transparent about being childfree by choice, and then faced pressure, manipulation, and shaming when her husband and in-laws trie...

Emotional Labor, Dating Red Flags, and Raising Your Relationship Standards It was "Valenhell" (Valentine's Day) weekend. The restaurant was packed. And one couple reminded me exactly why so many women are exhausted in modern dating and relationships. In this Feisty Friday episode of The Feisty Heroine Podcast, I share a real story from working in hospitality and the powerful lesson i...

In this episode of The Feisty Heroine Podcast, host Rachel Beck sits down with Melissa Rodway—Canadian writer, global traveler, and host of the adventure travel podcast Fly Travel Radio . ( @fly_travel_radio ) Melissa shares how solo travel becomes a powerful act of self-trust, personal growth, and freedom—especially for women navigating societal pressure around relationships, timelines, and “sett...

In this week’s Feisty Friday, I’m sharing the powerful story of Taryn Smith—a woman who went from lost in love to fiercely unstoppable. Her journey is one of raw truth, painful patterns, and the kind of comeback that makes you believe in your own power again. Taryn’s story isn’t just inspiring—it’s a mirror for every woman who’s ever stayed too long, settled too low, or silenced her own voice for...

The ultra‑thin “waif” body ideal of the 1990s is quietly making a comeback, and it’s showing up everywhere from fashion trends to weight‑loss drugs to so‑called wellness culture. In this powerful solo episode, host Rachel Beck, a Gen X woman who grew up in the height of 90s diet culture, reflects on her own experiences as a three‑sport athlete, cheerleader, and later a marathon runner who learned...

Are women losing the right to stay single without consequence? In this week’s Feisty Friday, host Rachel Beck unpacks a growing trend in policy, media, and culture — one that quietly pressures women to marry, settle down, and shrink their independence. From think tanks promoting marriage mandates to subtle shifts in government agendas, the freedom to live solo is being reframed as a societal probl...

In this powerful solo episode, Rachel Beck returns to The Feisty Heroine Podcast with a bold message for 2026: you are not a crisis, and you are not broken for choosing a different path. Rachel opens up about her own healing journey after divorce, the harmful narratives still pushed on women—from fairy tale endings to pronatalist policies—and why it's time to stop swimming upstream and start l...

More women are single — and some people are calling it a crisis. We call it a revolution. In this Feisty Friday mini-sode, Rachel Beck unpacks the real reasons behind the rise of singlehood — and why it’s actually a sign of female empowerment, not a problem to be fixed. From her personal pandemic experience to rejecting the narrative that women are "too picky," Rachel shares why choosing...

This New Year’s Eve, we’re not making resolutions. We’re starting revolutions. In this special comeback episode, I’m sharing the story — how I spent years chasing the fairytale, only to find that the most powerful love story was the one I had with myself. I’ll take you through the lessons I learned, the traditions I’ve changed, and how I’m entering 2026 more rooted than ever before. Plus, I’m anno...

This isn’t goodbye — it’s an intentional pause. In this final episode of the year, I’m unpacking the viral “boyfriend is embarrassing” trend, why I’m tired of women being treated like fads, and what it really means to choose yourself without apology. While I step back to build the next evolution of The Feisty Heroine Project, stay connected with me here: 📲 Instagram: @thefeistyheroine 🌐 Website:...

After a life-changing breakup, 36-year-old chef Zoe Annett didn’t fall apart—she reimagined everything . In this inspiring episode, Zoe joins host Rachel Beck to share how she left behind the “shoulds” of life, became a certified chef, and set off solo across Southeast Asia through the Workaway program. From volunteering in beach towns to journaling in the jungles of Sri Lanka, Zoe reveals how hea...

This week, Rachel sits down with  Jess , an attorney from New Mexico and the managing partner of a women-led law firm who’s rewriting what fulfillment looks like at 50. For two decades, she’s guided clients through divorce with clarity and compassion—while quietly defying the script herself. Jess shares how growing up in a generation where women couldn’t even get their own credit cards shaped her...

AI dating isn’t sci-fi anymore — it’s here. In 2025, people are building “perfect” AI partners through platforms like Replika or even ChatGPT, choosing how they look, act, and respond. But here’s the catch: most of these bots are designed as women. In this episode, Rachel Beck breaks down why AI chatbots and humanoid “AI girlfriends” aren’t just harmless fantasy. What does it mean when technology...

This week marks one year since I hit publish on The Feisty Heroine Podcast—and what a ride it’s been. In this special solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing more of my own story: what it means to grow up emotional in a non-emotional family, to follow the “safe” script of marriage and career, and to finally break free and choose my own road. From counseling teens in NYC public schoo...

In this episode of Feisty Fridays on The Feisty Heroine Podcast , Rachel Beck explores the hidden cost of chasing validation — from relationships, family, society, and even social media. Validation can feel sweet in the moment, but what happens when it costs you your peace? Rachel shares personal stories and lessons about learning to stop performing for approval, trust your gut, and reclaim your s...