The Honest Pause

People often describe travel as life-changing. But what exactly changes? In this episode of The Honest Pause , we're taking a pause to explore the ways travel shapes us—sometimes in big, obvious ways, and sometimes in subtle ways we don't notice until much later. From navigating unfamiliar places and meeting new people to challenging assumptions and gaining perspective, we're discus...

This episode contains spoilers for Starside by Alex Aster. Welcome to another episode of The Honest Pause Book Club . Each week, we read a book and then take a pause—not just to discuss the plot, but to explore the bigger questions a story asks about our own lives. We host our book club on Fable, where readers from all over can read along with us, share their thoughts, and join the conversation. I...

Every reader has that one book. The one they can't stop recommending. The one that made them cry, think differently, dream bigger, or feel understood in a way they never had before. The one they still think about years after turning the final page. In this episode of The Honest Pause , we're talking about the books that change us. From childhood favorites and unforgettable fiction to tra...

You finally crawl into bed after a long day, exhausted and ready for rest. But instead of drifting off to sleep, your brain decides it's the perfect time to replay every awkward conversation, worry about tomorrow's to-do list, and wonder if you remembered to send that email three days ago. Sound familiar? In this episode of The Honest Pause , we're taking a pause to explore why slee...

When was the last time you went to the movies—not just watched something at home, but sat in a dark theater and gave your full attention to a story? In this episode, we're taking a pause to explore why going to the movies still feels so special in a world filled with endless streaming options and constant distractions. We talk about the simple magic of sharing an experience with strangers, th...

Are birds government drones? Is Finland real? Are cats secretly interdimensional beings? And if we are living in a simulation, would we even want to know? This week we're putting on our metaphorical tin foil hats and diving into some of the internet's strangest conspiracy theories. From UFOs and Atlantis to giant tree stumps disguised as mountains, we're asking the questions that ha...

This week on The Honest Pause , we’re talking about one of the quietest forms of heartbreak in adulthood: Realizing your friend stopped inviting you. No dramatic fight.  No big confrontation.  Just: fewer texts inside jokes you weren’t there for plans you found out about later and the strange feeling of slowly disappearing from someone’s life in real time In this episode, we unpack the emotional c...

This week on Pause on the Headlines , we’re talking about the return of disease-focused headlines — from Ebola outbreaks to hantavirus stories — and why health scares seem to hit our nervous systems differently now. Even when risks are statistically low for most people, the emotional impact of these headlines can feel enormous. Why? Because many of us are still carrying the psychological imprint o...

This week on The Honest Pause , we’re talking about one of the most emotionally complicated modern experiences: What do you do when you hate your job… but realistically can’t leave? Not everyone can quit dramatically, move across the country, start over, or “follow their passion.” Sometimes people stay because of: money insurance family responsibilities burnout fear the economy or simply not knowi...

This week on Pause on the Headlines , we’re talking about the rise of hockey romance books, sports TV shows, and why emotionally available fictional athletes suddenly became the internet’s favorite fantasy. From BookTok favorites like Icebreaker and The Deal to the explosion of sports documentaries and cozy team-centered storytelling, we unpack what this trend might actually be saying about modern...

When everything feels like too much, even the smallest thing can feel like the breaking point. In this episode, Maryam and Teryl talk about what overwhelm actually is — and why so many of us are living in a constant state of it. Overwhelm isn’t just having a full calendar or a long to-do list. It’s the feeling that everything is urgent, everything is loud, and your capacity to handle it all has ru...

There’s been a lot happening in the world lately. And if you’ve been feeling a little heavier, a little sadder, or just emotionally tired — you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re talking about what it means to feel sad in a world that often feels overwhelming . Sadness is often treated like something we need to fix, suppress, or move past as quickly as possible. But the truth is, sadness is a no...

Welcome to the first episode of The Honest Pause Book Club. 📚 Our first pick is We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark — a Roman-inspired romantasy filled with vampires, magic, political power, and gladiator-style combat. The story follows Arvelle , a woman forced into a deadly tournament to join the emperor’s elite guard. But she isn’t just competing to survive — she’s secretly been tasked with assassi...

When was the last time you asked yourself: Am I having fun? In this episode of The Honest Pause , Maryam and Teryl talk about joy — not as a personality trait or a reward for productivity — but as something we’re allowed to access right now. In a world that feels heavy, serious, and urgent, fun can feel frivolous. But it’s not. It’s regulating. It’s healing. It reminds our nervous systems that we...

Change is the only constant — and yet it’s the thing most of us resist the most. In this episode of The Honest Pause , Maryam and Teryl talk about what it actually means to live in a life that is always evolving. Roles shift. Relationships stretch. Bodies age. Dreams expand (or fall apart). Even when change is chosen, it can still feel destabilizing. We explore why our nervous systems crave predic...

When the world feels heavy and hard, it’s not just emotional—it’s physiological. Our nervous systems are constantly taking in headlines, alerts, images, and urgency, even when nothing is happening directly to us. And over time, that nonstop exposure can leave us feeling tense, exhausted, numb, or on edge without fully knowing why. In this episode, Maryam and Teryl explore what living in a 24/7 new...

When you hear the phrase self-care , do you think spa days and bubble baths? You’re not alone. But real self-care isn’t about indulgence—it’s about the small, consistent habits that keep you grounded in everyday life. In this episode, Maryam and Teryl unpack why so many people struggle with self-care and redefine it as something realistic, sustainable, and essential. They’ll share research-backed...

Have you ever reached the end of the day and thought, I was busy all day, but did I actually live it? In this episode, Maryam and Teryl explore how to move beyond the cycle of constant busyness and create days that feel balanced, energizing, and sustainable. Together, they break down why balance is so hard in today’s world of nonstop notifications and interruptions, then share simple “anchors” tha...

You send the text. Then you reread it 10 times. Then you wonder if it was too friendly… or not friendly enough. And by the time you’ve spiraled through every possible interpretation, the moment (and the conversation) has passed. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. In this deeply relatable conversation, Maryam and Teryl explore the all-too-familiar trap of overthinking: why we do it,...

Episode : Why Does Doing Nothing Make Me Anxious? Episode Description: You finally clear your schedule for a well-deserved break… and five minutes later, you’re reorganizing the pantry, answering emails, or deep-cleaning the bathroom “for fun.” Why does slowing down feel so uncomfortable—even when we want to rest? In this episode of The Honest Pause , Maryam and Teryl explore the quiet guilt that...

Episode  — “Why Is It So Hard to Say No to People?”  (aka: The Quiet Guilt, People-Pleasing, and the Courage to Choose Yourself) Episode Description: You said yes—again. Even though you didn’t want to. Even though you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or just not feeling it. So… why is it so hard to say no, especially to people we care about? In this episode of The Honest Pause , Maryam and Teryl dive de...

Episode — “What Is Intuitive Coaching—And How Can It Actually Help?”  (aka: It’s Not Woo. It’s You—Learning to Trust Your Inner Compass Again) Episode Description: Ever heard the term intuitive coaching and thought, “Cool… but what is that, actually?” You’re not alone. In this episode of The Honest Pause , Maryam gets curious and Teryl gets real about what intuitive coaching really is—and what it...

Episode  — “I Feel Lost—But Don’t Know Why” (aka: The Quiet Kind of Lost & How to Find Your Way Back) Episode Description: You’ve checked the boxes—career, relationships, routines—and from the outside, it all should feel fine. But inside? Something’s off. In this episode of The Honest Pause , Maryam and Teryl dive into that subtle, often silent experience of feeling lost… without a clear reaso...

Episode : Finding Sacred Stories in Modern Life (with Allison Stieger) Episode Description: What if the answers you’re searching for aren’t out there in the next achievement—but buried inside the stories you carry? In this episode, Maryam and Teryl sit down with mythologist, author, and storyshaper Allison Stieger to explore how ancient myths can help us navigate modern life. From personal transfo...

Episode Title: Episode 5- Is Everyone Just Making It Up as They Go? Episode Description: Ever looked around and thought, “Wait... who let me be an adult?” You’re not alone. In this episode of The Honest Pause , Maryam and Teryl unpack the quiet truth no one talks about: we’re all just winging it. Together, they explore: Why nobody actually has their life figured out (even the confident ones) How s...