The Feisty Heroine

What if a simple childhood card game held the blueprint of your deepest fears about womanhood? In this mini-sode of Feisty Fridays , I share a deeply personal, eye-opening moment that hit me hard while playing Old Maid with my cousin’s daughters. What started as innocent nostalgia turned into a powerful realization about how society has been programming women for generations to believe that if we’...

What happens when you leave behind everything you know to chase a dream? In this episode of The Feisty Heroine Podcast, Cheryl Orlov ( @fearlesswonderer ) shares her life-changing decision to move from Los Angeles to Albania, leaving behind societal expectations, relationship struggles, and the relentless pace of American work culture. We dive into: ✨ The power of solo living and finding fulfillm...

Who gets remembered, and who gets erased? In this Feisty Fridays mini-sode, Rachel exposes how Arlington National Cemetery quietly removed content about Black and female veterans—without explanation. But this isn’t just a website update—it’s historical erasure. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, this episode is a wake-up call on why women’s stories must be told, why our voices matter, and how...

In this episode of The Feisty Heroine podcast, host Rachel Beck sits down with a courageous guest who shares her journey as a single mother of two teenage girls, navigating life post-divorce. She opens up about the complexities of relationships, the burden of emotional labor, and the power of solo travel in redefining her sense of independence. The conversation delves into: - Embracing Singlehood:...

What happens when women hold power, wealth, and influence? They change the world. 💥 In this International Women's Day episode of Feisty Fridays, host Rachel Beck dives into the stark difference between how men and women wield power. From Melinda French Gates and MacKenzie Scott donating billions to uplift communities to fearless Caribbean women tackling the invasive lionfish crisis, women are...

What happens when the life you envisioned doesn’t unfold the way you expected? In this deeply personal episode of The Feisty Heroine Podcast , host Rachel speaks with a guest who chose to remain anonymous as she shares her journey of navigating relationships, fertility concerns, and the emotional toll of unfulfilled dreams. After investing years in a long-term relationship that didn’t lead to marr...

We hear it all the time—"de-center men." But what if that’s the wrong approach? In this Feisty Fridays episode, host Rachel Beck challenges the idea that men were ever meant to be at the center in the first place. Instead of focusing on removing them, it’s time to re-center women—not just on International Women’s Day, but every single day. Rachel dives into the historical erasure of wome...

In this episode of The Feisty Heroine podcast, Emily, a single, child-free woman of color in her 40s, shares her inspiring journey of breaking free from societal expectations and finding fulfillment through independence, courage, and personal growth. Emily reflects on the life-changing decision to break off her engagement, the challenges of navigating cultural pressures, and how decentering romant...

In this week’s Feisty Friday mini-episode, host Rachel Beck shares a story about an inappropriate joke from a male coworker—one she once considered a “nice guy.” She breaks down the societal gaslighting that often shifts blame onto women and explores why so many of us stay quiet in the workplace. From fear of backlash to navigating a system that wasn’t built to protect us, Rachel highlights why sp...

In this episode of The Feisty Heroine podcast, author Shani Silver joins me to discuss her mission to change the narrative surrounding single life. After 17 years of thriving as a single woman, Shani challenges the societal pressures women face to 'couple up' and critiques the damaging role dating culture plays in our self-worth. While Shani doesn’t position herself as an advocate for sing...

In this Feisty Friday mini-episode, I’m sharing a personal story about the societal pressure women face to always smile. Back when I worked in hospitality, male coworkers would constantly tell me to smile—exposing the double standards we deal with every day. This quick but powerful episode dives into why you don’t owe anyone a smile—or your energy. Together, we’ll unpack the “resting bitch face” l...

In this episode of The Feisty Heroine , I sit down with Dr. Yuthika Girme, Associate Professor of Psychology at Simon Fraser University and Director of the S.E.C.U.R.E. Lab (Singlehood Experiences and Complexities Underlying Relationships). We explore the increasing prevalence of singlehood globally, the societal pressures surrounding it, and the psychological impact of relationship pedestal belie...

Feisty Fridays are 5-10 minute mini-episodes released on alternating weeks when full episodes are not available. These bite-sized episodes deliver bold, empowering conversations on topics that matter to women everywhere. In this first Feisty Friday , we’re diving into: - Katherine Switzer’s groundbreaking fight for equality in sports. - The outdated narratives about women’s roles in athletics and...

Welcome to 2025, Feisty Heroines! In this empowering New Year’s episode, I’m diving into the magic of fresh starts and challenging the societal narratives around relationships. Let’s talk about why being single is not just okay—it’s a bold, beautiful choice. I’ll share insights on embracing independence, finding self-fulfillment, and showing up for yourself with confidence and joy. From redefining...

In this heartfelt solo holiday episode, Rachel reflects on her transformative Christmas in 2013, her first after divorce. Instead of returning to her hometown, she made the bold choice to travel solo to Bolivia, reimagining what the holiday season could look like. Through her journey, Rachel shares powerful lessons about prioritizing yourself, finding freedom in solitude, and embracing the magic o...

Breaking Free: Emmah’s Journey to Self-Worth and Empowerment Ready to break free from toxic relationships and rewrite your story? In this empowering episode of The Feisty Heroine Podcast , Emmah—an Australian amateur boxer and vet nurse—shares her journey of resilience, healing, and self-discovery. Here’s what you’ll learn: 🌟 How to recognize and leave unhealthy relationships 🌟 The impact of chi...

In this empowering episode of The Feisty Heroine , I sit down with Pip Brown, host of the One Single Woman podcast, to explore the transformative journey of embracing the single life and finding fulfillment beyond societal norms. Inspired by a podcast that celebrated being single and child-free, Pip shares her story of starting her own podcast to challenge societal pressures and foster diverse nar...

In this engaging conversation on The Feisty Heroine, stand-up comedian Teresa DeGaetano shares her journey from rural Pennsylvania to the bustling streets of New York City, discussing the challenges and triumphs of urban living, the comedy scene, and the complexities of dating in a city filled with options. She reflects on her experiences in the restaurant industry, the importance of independence,...

In this episode of The Feisty Heroine podcast, host Rachel Beck sits down with Tina Tallqvist, an English teacher from Sweden. Listen along as she shares her journey of embracing independence and living a fulfilling solo life. She opens up about navigating dating apps, resisting societal pressure to marry or have children, and finding joy in pursuing her own passions. Rachel and Tina also discuss...

In this episode of The Feisty Heroine podcast, host Rachel Beck sits down with Rianna Bowley, a fierce competitor from Australian Survivor , a paramedic, and a single lady living her best life. Together, they dive into Rianna’s unforgettable journey on the show, her passion for solo travel, and the rewarding challenges of renovating her own home. Rachel and Rianna also open up about navigating the...

In this special solo episode of The Feisty Heroine , I take you through a pivotal turning point in my life—the moment I realized that being single is not a detriment but an empowering choice. While I usually interview inspiring guests, today I’m sharing my personal #HeroineMoment, the catalyst that helped me embrace singlehood and redefine my path on my own terms. Join me as I explore how shedding...

Welcome to The Feisty Heroine, your go-to podcast for celebrating the strength, independence, and joy of single and uncoupled women living their best lives. This podcast is also for women who have found themselves in an unfulfilling relationship but may not have the courage to take the leap to end the relationship for fear of being single or the unknown. Here, we flip the script on the traditional...