The Happily Never After

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault, non-consensual intimate image sharing, and self-harm. Please check the show synopsis before continuing. A note before we get into the episode: Maddie's story stems from very recent events with potential legal ramifications. While we set context, there are certain subjects we set aside or refer to only on a surface level so as not...

Sarah Hilmer is a mother of three, a social advocate, a trail runner, and someone who has spent the last four years learning how to live a life that looks much different than the one she planned. In 2021, Sarah's daughter Juju was born healthy by every visible measure. But in the months that followed, signs of a feeding problem led to a hospitalization, then an X-ray that showed something unexpect...

You don't need new relationship energy to have the best sex of your life. You need a recipe. Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons is an award-winning psychologist, Emory University professor, and author of Good Sex: Stories, Science, and Strategies for Sexual Liberation. She's visiting The Happily Never After to dismantle basically everything we were taught about sex growing up. We cover a lot of ground in...

In this episode, author Rebecca Minor, talks about how supportive parenting can transform your child's well-being. Rebecca shares her messaging framework developed over a decade of working with queer and trans youth. Discover how gender works beyond binary myths and why understanding distinctions between gender identity, biological sex, and cultural expectations is crucial. Explore practical steps...

Most people don’t realize how much emotional and practical support you need when going through a divorce, until they're in the thick of it. Olivia Howell, a pioneering founder of the first-ever divorce support ecosystem, reveals how her personal journey through divorce inspired the groundbreaking Fresh Starts Registry, founded by Olivia and her sister Genevieve "Jenny" Dreizen. This first of its k...

Society embraces the narrative that adoption is simple, but the truth is much more complex. By centering adoptee voices, we can speak more truthfully about the adoption experience. Anna Bryant’s journey into her Black identity, her reunion with family of orgin, and her search for belonging reveal the fuller side of adoption.  In this episode, you’ll discover how societal narratives around adoption...

In this episode of The Happily Never After, host Heather McG is talking with Phillip Klapperich, a writer and friend who was diagnosed with ALS about a year ago. Phillip shares how his diagnosis has connected the dots of his life, leading to epiphanies of presence, love, gratitude, and ultimately, grace. This is a compelling conversation with deeply meaningful takeaways for any listener. ABOUT PHI...

Tia Levings is talking to The Happily Never After about her escape from Christian fundamentalism, domestic abuse, and her journey to healing. She is the New York Times bestselling author of The Well-Trained Wife . Her new book I Belong to Me offers a first-hand account of overcoming deep indoctrination, psychological abuse, and building a new, authentic life. Tia talks about the links between her...

Laura Danger, a licensed educator and domestic equity advocate, shares her personal and professional insights into the hidden traps of the toxic American dream. Laura’s powerful book, No More Mediocre, unveils how societal norms keep us stuck and offers a radical re-imagining of relationships and personal fulfillment. She explores how stress, gendered expectations, and societal myths have created...

Author, journalist, and small business owner L’Oreal Thompson-Payton visits The Happily Never After to talk about her experience with infertility. L'Oreal pulls back the curtain on excruciating fibroid battles, heartbreaking IVF disappointments, and her battle with post-partum depression. She talks about writing her upcoming memoir, Infertile Black Girl , to be released in 2027. L'Oreal shares how...

In this raw episode of The Happily Never After , Esther Kim Varet, a congressional candidate and granddaughter of North Korean refugees, shares her personal abortion stories, revealing the complexities of reproductive choices and the fight for women’s autonomy in America. In this episode, Esther discusses her abortions at ages 21 and 41, highlighting the social and political forces that challenge...

In this episode, Dr. Naomi Bernstein explores how hidden shame can sabotage relationships and peace of mind. She reveals how understanding the two core types of shame—what's happened to you versus what you've done—can empower healing and authentic connection. She provides frameworks, mindsets, and practical trauma healing techniques to help listeners understand and confront all the ways shame show...

The Messy Middle features casually unhinged bonus episodes while The Happily Never After is between seasons. Short and sweet, they get right to the point. Today we're talking about how you can be a good friend to someone in your life who is in trenches of the divorce process.

The Messy Middle features casually unhinged bonus episodes while The Happily Never After is between seasons. Short and sweet, they get right to the point. Today we're talking about the origins of self care, and why it's rooted in social justice.

In the season two finale of The Happily Never After , host Heather McG welcomes bestselling author Stefanie Wilder-Taylor to discuss her journey with alcohol and sobriety. Stefanie candidly shares her experiences, from the role alcohol played in her life to the pivotal moment that led her to getting sober. The conversation delves into self-awareness, acceptance, and how to change the things in our...

Carrie Hauskens is here to talk about why she is happily childfree after a long journey through infertility. After surviving treatments, surrogacy, and devastating loss, Carrie has redefined her life's plan, and it turns out, life today is pretty great. She's sharing all that she has learned through this experience with incredible candor, emotional meaning, and the kind of humor you develop after...

Drea Renee is here to share what she's learned about love, and why we all need to get more comfortable when relationships don't work out. She's talking about taking control of her love life, creating a full, happy life, and the life decision that changed everything for her. This is a conversation about leveling up by letting go, and it all starts with you. ABOUT DREA Drea Renee is a media personal...

In this episode of The Happily Never After , host Heather McG welcomes Vanessa Bennett, a licensed depth psychotherapist and author, to discuss the profound journey of resilience and self-discovery following life's unexpected challenges. Vanessa has worked with so many via her professional expertise as a therapist, but this year she was personally challenged as she lost her home in the devastating...

In this episode of "Happily Never After," host Heather McG welcomes Dr. Nellie Tran, a professor at San Diego State University and daughter of Vietnamese refugees. Together, they explore the profound impact of generational trauma, the experience of migration, and the resilience found in connecting to your roots. Nellie shares her family's harrowing escape from Vietnam, the challenges they had to o...

In this compelling episode of The Happily Never After , host Heather McG welcomes Kate Anthony, renowned author and host of The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast . Together, they delve into the complexities of divorce, exploring Kate's personal journey and her work as a divorce coach. Discover insights on navigating emotional abuse, the importance of self-discovery, and the societal challenges women...

In this heartfelt episode of The Happily Never After , host Heather McG welcomes Denise Hendricks, an award-winning television producer and proud mom, to share her journey to motherhood through adoption. From her early career days at The Oprah Show to navigating the complexities of adoption, Denise opens up about the challenges and joys of becoming a mother. Tune in to hear about the emotional hig...

Shayna Ferm and her co-founder Tracey Tee designed The Pump and Dump Show to connect to new moms about the realities of motherhood with humor, music, and community. Their show was growing exponentially, until in 2020 the covid-19 pandemic brought about an unexpected collapse. Today, Shayna is sharing candid reflections about her journey in forging a new path as a women's fiction author. Join us fo...

Host Heather McG sits down with debut author Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez, who survived eight years of conversion therapy then began his empowering journey to healing and belonging. He discusses the challenges and revelations that led him to co-found an organization that helps queer individuals find affirming faith communities. Timothy's story, featured in major outlets like NBC and Vice , is a tes...

In this episode of "Happily Never After," host Heather McG sits down with Ish, a comedian and former lawyer, to explore the tumultuous journey of recovering from a toxic relationship. Ish candidly shares her experiences with a narcissistic partner, the emotional rollercoaster of breaking free, and how she transformed her pain into a viral TikTok series. Through humor and raw honesty, Ish discusses...

In this episode of The Happily Never After, host Heather McG welcomes Andrea Rappaport, co-host of top How Not to Suck at Divorce. Andrea shares her journey of overcoming an abusive marriage, the impact of her childhood on her adult relationships, and her path to healing and self-discovery. She discusses the importance of recognizing red flags, the challenges of rebuilding life post-divorce, and t...