Are you in midlife, staring at a packed closet, wondering why letting go is so tough? In this episode of The Grit Show, host Shawna Rodrigues invites the inspiring writer and creative Vickey Brown to unpack the real reasons behind our attachment to “stuff”—from childhood scarcity mindsets to inherited family blueprints. Discover how downsizing, intentional living, and even being a little “delusional” can open the door to new possibilities.

Curious about how meal planning, clutter, and shifting perspectives can truly transform your life? Tune in to hear practical stories and insightful reflections, all designed to help you make room for what’s next. This episode is perfect for anyone seeking personal growth, emotional healing, and a fresh take on midlife transitions.

Vickey Brown (writing as Ella Shawn)

Vickey Brown is a Southern speculative fiction author, hybrid publisher, and founder of SOMO Publishing House, LLC. Writing under the pen name Ella Shawn, she brings raw, unfiltered conversations on creativity, resilience, and the audacity to take up space in the literary world. Her work centers the complexities of Black womanhood through a sacred, spiritual, and erotic lens.

As a Southern Gothic erotic romance writer, Vickey is determined to "speak, so she can speak again." Heavily influenced by Zora Neale Hurston and William Faulkner, she endeavors to give voice to all the nameless people who were told to be quiet and "keep family secrets in the family." Through her Broken Souls series and as host of the Black Writer Therapy podcast, she champions the stories and lived experiences of unapologetic writers.

She weaves tales of marginalized Southern women through a lens of liberation, creating a sanctuary for discerning readers wise enough to see beyond the ordinary and bold enough to embrace the extraordinary.

Find her work:

• Substack: @vickeyellashawnbrown - My Chaotic Erotic Writer's Life
• Host of Black Writer Therapy podcast
• Author of the Broken Souls series

Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact.

She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.

Connect with her journey:

Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27

Follow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcasts

Grab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!

Are your daily habits and influences helping you thrive—or holding you back? In this re-release episode of The Grit Show, host Shawna Rodrigues explores the hidden power of the inputs in your life: everything from playlists and podcasts to friendships and social feeds. Shawna shares her own “input audit” story and offers creative tips for curating what you allow into your world, striking a balance between joy and purpose. She touches on social media, the books you read, and even the TV shows you choose—challenging you to get intentional about your environment. If you’re seeking more positivity, resilience, and authentic connection, this episode’s full of thought-starters and practical takeaways. Discover why your inputs are the seeds you sow for your future. Curious what you might need to shift? Join us and find out.

Other episodes referenced:

Conversation with Justin (61)-

Smash Limiting Belief Systems with These Clear Steps & Conquer Your Fears -61

Conversation with Laurie (54)-

Celebrating Time- The Anniversary of The Grit Show & How to Make/Keep Adult Friendships -54

Conversations with Matt-

Conquer the Stress Cycle & Focus on Your Well-Being- How to Escape Burnout: Part 1 -57

Actionable Solutions, Blissful Rest & Modern Stressors- How to Escape Burnout: Part 2 -58

Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact.

She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.

Connect with her journey:

Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27

Follow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcasts

Grab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!

https://ColoringPages.TheGritShow.com

You can also purchase the full-size gift worthy Color of Grit Adult Coloring Book here bit.ly/TGSMermaid

Really love us and want to show it??

Give us a review on your favorite platform and share this (or any) episode with a friend.

Word of mouth builds podcasts - we appreciate your support!!

Are you facing a wave of decisions after a breast cancer diagnosis? In this heartfelt episode of The Grit Show, host Shawna Rodrigues peels back the layers of what really matters when breast cancer turns life upside down. Shawna shares her personal journey through a double mastectomy, tips for navigating overwhelming choices, and why knowing your “North Star” is more vital than any research or treatment plan. Listeners will catch insights on single vs. double mastectomy, Oregon’s groundbreaking out-of-state reconstruction access, insurance curveballs, and the real questions every patient should ask before surgery.

Packed with candid storytelling and practical frameworks, this episode offers hope, clarity, and confidence to anyone touched by breast cancer. If you’re looking for support through Breast Cancer Awareness Month, decision-making tools, or just crave real talk about cancer, quality of life, and self-advocacy, you’ll find inspiration here!

As mentioned in this episode, continue the conversation and find more inspiration by listening to: 🎧 Be in the Present – Episode 119

Learn more about BRA Society - Breast Reconstruction Advocacy.

Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact.

She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.

Connect with her journey:

Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27

Follow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcasts

Grab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!

https://ColoringPages.TheGritShow.com

You can also purchase the full-size gift worthy Color of Grit Adult Coloring Book here bit.ly/TGSMermaid

Really love us and want to show it??

Give us a review on your favorite platform and share this (or any) episode with a friend.

Word of mouth builds podcasts - we appreciate your support!!

Ready to rediscover your creative spark? This episode of The Grit Show features author Laura Munson, whose new book "The Wild Why" inspires us to rethink creativity and wonder in our everyday lives. Host Shawna Rodrigues explores themes of self-expression, overcoming creative blocks, and finding awe—even in a world filled with distractions and self-doubt. Laura shares powerful stories about reclaiming your voice, the importance of curiosity, and how simple shifts—like changing the words you use—can help you unlock hidden inspiration.

Whether you think creativity is reserved for “artsy” types or you’re just feeling stuck, this conversation offers uplifting guidance, practical tips, and a reminder that magic is for everyone. Tune in to learn how Montana’s landscape sparked Laura’s insights and pick up teasers about her transformative writing retreats. Don’t miss out if you’re searching for motivation, self-development, or a creative reset!

Laura Munson is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the novel Willa’s Grove and the memoir This Is Not The Story You Think It Is. Founder of the acclaimed Haven Writing Retreats, she has been featured or published in Vanity Fair, Elle, Redbook, Time, Newsweek, The New York Times “Modern Love” column, The New York Times Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, and many others. She has appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, WGN, NPR, London’s This Morning, Australia’s Sunrise, and other global media outlets. She lives in Whitefish, Montana. For more information, visit: lauramunson.com.

Connect with her on social media:

Facebook- Laura Munson

Instagram- @lauramunsonauthor

LinkedIn- Laura Munson

Get her book here.

Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact.

She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.

Connect with her journey:

Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27

Follow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcasts

Grab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come...

Ever wondered how gratitude can survive when your world falls apart? On this powerful episode of The Grit Show, Shawna Rodrigues opens up about her own journey after receiving a life-changing breast cancer diagnosis right in the middle of recording. Shawna explores what it’s like when “the collapse” happens—when plans unravel, certainty disappears, and surface-level priorities burn away. Using compelling stories and nature-inspired metaphors like the serotinous pine cone, Shawna teases out how destruction can set the stage for unexpected growth.

If you’ve ever found inspiration in resilience, personal growth, or finding hope in difficult times, you’ll want to hear the three unique stages she reveals for moving from darkness to dawn. This episode is perfect for those searching for strength, mindful gratitude, and authentic hope amidst life’s toughest challenges.

Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact.

She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.

Connect with her journey:

Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27

Follow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcasts

Grab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!

https://ColoringPages.TheGritShow.com

You can also purchase the full-size gift worthy Color of Grit Adult Coloring Book here bit.ly/TGSMermaid

Really love us and want to show it??

Give us a review on your favorite platform and share this (or any) episode with a friend.

Word of mouth builds podcasts - we appreciate your support!!

Ever wonder why some people are confident in relationships while others are filled with anxiety or tend to withdraw? In this eye-opening episode of The Grit Show, Dr. Jaime Goff unpacks the hidden force shaping our adult behaviors: attachment styles. Discover why your leadership style at work and the way you connect with loved ones might both be rooted in your earliest relationships. Host Shawna Rodrigues and Dr. Goff use familiar pop culture examples—think Michael Scott’s neediness and Miranda Priestly’s icy exterior—to illustrate the three primary attachment patterns.

If you’re curious about how to improve your relationships, become a better leader, or simply understand yourself on a deeper level, this conversation offers actionable insights and a hopeful message for personal growth. Stay tuned and find out how your "blueprint" for connection can be transformed—no matter your past.

Dr. Jaime Goff is the founder of The Empathic Leader, LLC, where she specializes in helping leaders unlock their full potential through executive coaching, insightful workshops, and thought-provoking keynotes. With her unique blend of expertise in psychology and leadership development, Jaime helps individuals and teams navigate their toughest challenges, build resilience, and achieve transformative growth.

Dr. Goff’s thought leadership has been featured in academic journals and industry magazines. She shares her insights regularly on her blog and LinkedIn, where she engages a thriving community. A seasoned speaker, Jaime has delivered presentations and workshops at more than 30 professional conferences.

Jaime holds a PhD in Couple and Family Therapy from Michigan State University and a graduate certificate in executive coaching from Southern Methodist University. She is an ICF-certified coach and holds the SHRM-CP designation. With over 25 years of experience as a psychotherapist, professor, and executive coach, she is passionate about helping leaders craft empowering stories that help them become more secure.

When she’s not empowering others, you’ll find Jaime hiking with her husband, Eric; spending time with her dog Ursa and her cat Amos; painting, or building Lego sets.

Connect with Dr. Jaime:

Webiste- drjaimegoff.com

LinkedIn- Jaime Goff, PhD, ACC, SHRM-CP

Instagram- @dr_jaimegoff

Youtube- Jaime Goff

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of The Secure Leader: Discover the Hidden Forces That Shape Your Leadership Story-- And How to Change Them at Bookshop.org

Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact.

She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.

Connect with her journey:

Instagram

Ready to upgrade your approach to challenging conversations? In this episode of The Grit Show, Shawna Rodrigues uncovers the surprising science behind mirror neurons—those “copycat” brain cells at the root of empathy, communication, and even emotional contagion. Shawna shares a fascinating story from a groundbreaking 1992 study in Parma, Italy, showcasing how a monkey’s brain responded to a researcher eating ice cream, changing everything we know about human connection.

Curious why your mood sets the tone in any interaction, or why tension can seem contagious in a room? Discover how mastering your own emotional state can transform tricky discussions, both at work and at home. With real-life examples and practical tips, Shawna guides you to harness this brain science to create smoother, more empathetic conversations.

Tune in to start using your “superpower” for deeper, more meaningful connections!

Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact.

She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.

Connect with her journey:

Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27

Follow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcasts

Grab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!

https://ColoringPages.TheGritShow.com

You can also purchase the full-size gift worthy Color of Grit Adult Coloring Book here bit.ly/TGSMermaid

Really love us and want to show it??

Give us a review on your favorite platform and share this (or any) episode with a friend.

Word of mouth builds podcasts - we appreciate your support!!

Ever cross everything off your to-do list, only to feel your stress stubbornly hanging around? As part of our Summer of Encores series, The Grit Show brings back a fan-favorite with guest Matt McKinnon for a heartfelt encore focused on demystifying the “stress cycle.”

Revisit this powerful episode with host Shawna Rodrigues and Matt as they unpack surprising insights from the popular book Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily and Amelia Nagoski. They explore why simply solving problems doesn’t always clear stress from your mind and body—and share personal stories that reveal what really helps us complete the stress cycle. Expect smart, actionable tips involving laughter, movement, creativity, and even 20-second hugs! Whether you're navigating burnout, managing daily anxiety, or just looking for more effective self-care strategies—this episode is for you.

If you’d like to keep learning and explore into actionable solutions, blissful rest, and how to navigate modern stressors, don’t miss the follow-up episode: Actionable Solutions, Blissful Rest & Modern Stressors – How to Escape Burnout: Part 2 (Ep. 58).

Tune in for a fresh perspective on how to truly thrive, not just survive.

Our guest Matt McKinnon has a master's degree in social work with over 15 years of experience in home visiting. His most recent work supported individuals and families navigating the end of life through his work in hospice. Matt is passionate about helping individuals navigate difficult circumstances and supporting the journey towards well-being. Through his work and personal experiences, Matt brings a unique perspective to discussions on burnout, stress management, and self-care. With a compassionate and empathetic approach, he is someone learning alongside us, and providing the knowledge he's gained to positively impact others. Matt's expertise in social work combined with his commitment to improving mental health makes him a valuable voice in conversations surrounding burnout, stress, and emotional well-being.

Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact.

She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.

Connect with her journey:

Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27

Follow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcasts

Grab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!

https://ColoringPages.TheGritShow.com

You can also purchase the full-size gift worthy Color of Grit Adult Coloring Book here