🎙️ The F.E.E.L Podcast – Episode: Mental Health Days, Neurospicy Life & Self-Care with Amy Taylor - Host: Melissa Crook | Guest: Amy Taylor | Written by: Jessica Garrison

In this heartfelt and empowering episode of The F.E.E.L Podcast, we welcome the compassionate and self-aware Amy Taylor—educator, mother, and mental health advocate—for a powerful conversation about radical self-care, mental health days, and living with authenticity.

Amy shares her lived experiences of navigating bipolar disorder, a later-in-life thyroid cancer diagnosis, and the realities of balancing work, family, and personal wellness. With honesty and humor, she reminds us that taking care of our minds and bodies isn’t selfish—it’s essential.

Together, we explore:🧠 The value of taking mental health days🌙 How sleep and routines help manage bipolar disorder💬 Life after a thyroid cancer diagnosis💛 The importance of a loving support system🏡 Real talk about parenting, teaching, and healing in community🌿 How Amy nourishes herself through food, rest, and connection

Whether you’re a mom, teacher, survivor, or simply someone trying to keep it all together, Amy’s story is a reminder that healing isn’t linear—and you are never alone.

🎧 Tune in now to hear how embracing your truth can lead to deeper wellness, joy, and connection.

📌 Keywords:Mental Health Day, Self Care Tips, Living with Bipolar Disorder, Mental Health Awareness, Women’s Mental Health, Self Care for Moms, Coping with Cancer Diagnosis, Work-Life Balance, Mental Health and Family, Authentic Living, Importance of Sleep for Mental Health, Support System for Mental Health, Teacher Mental Health, Progressive Parenting, Taking a Break for Mental Health

Blog Excerpt: Diagnosed with bipolar disorder in her 30s and thyroid cancer in her 50s, Amy Taylor has chosen to live her truth out loud. Her story is one of resilience, vulnerability, and radical honesty. Whether it’s through deep rest, time with loved ones, or simply getting out of the house on hard days, Amy’s practices are powerful reminders that self-care can look different for everyone—but it matters for us all.

💛 Ways to Engage:Take a mental health day. It’s a challenge and a privilege to take time off of work when you need it the most, but if you’re able, take a day off to replenish and nourish your body the way it deserves to be.

#MentalHealthMatters#SelfCareSunday#TakeAMentalHealthDay#BipolarAwareness#WomenSupportingWomen#AuthenticLiving#MentalHealthAwareness#FamilyFirst#HealingJourney#ThyroidCancerSurvivor#ProgressiveParenting#SupportSystem#MindBodyConnection#TeacherWellbeing#YouAreNotAlone#FEELPodcast

Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 4:06 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 10:06 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 12:37 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 16:16 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 19:03 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 24:06 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 26:48 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 29:46 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 39:08 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 40:11 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

Want to be a guest on The F.E.E.L. Podcast? - Finding Empowerment Embracing Layers? Send Melissa Crook a message on PodMatch, here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or complete our contact form here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact ⁠

In this soul-nourishing episode of The F.E.E.L Podcast, we welcome nurse, author, and multitasking mom Jennifer Johnson for a powerful conversation on burnout, healing, and reclaiming your energy.

Jennifer opens up about the toll of night shifts, the sacrifices of motherhood, and how sleep has become her ultimate act of self-care. From working through the peak of COVID to writing her book Nursing Intuition, she shares hard-won wisdom on what it truly means to live in alignment with your health—mind, body, and soul.

Together, we explore:

• 🛏️ The link between sleep and emotional wellness

• 👩‍⚕️ Surviving burnout in caregiving roles

• ✨ The power of spiritual grounding and self-reflection

• 🔁 Balancing family, work, and rest in real life

• 📖 Lessons from Nursing Intuition—and why your story matters

  
  

Whether you’re a healthcare worker, a tired parent, or someone craving deeper rest and renewal, Jennifer’s insights will inspire you to listen to your body and nurture yourself from the inside out.

🎧 Tune in now to discover why rest isn’t optional—it’s transformational.

📌 Keywords:Nurse Burnout Recovery, Sleep and Mental Health, Women’s Wellness Podcast, Self-Care for Healthcare Workers, Emotional Wellness, Spiritual Healing, Empowered Women Stories, Authentic Living, Nursing Intuition, Night Shift Wellness, Rest as Self-Care

Blog Excerpt: Professionally, Jennifer is a nurse, and there isn’t much she hasn’t seen through this line of work. From nursing school to rigorous COVID shifts, Jennifer has needed to pay extra attention to her physical, mental, and spiritual health.

💛 Ways to Engage: Start focusing on your sleep schedule. Are you getting enough hours of rest? Do you wake up a lot throughout your sleep cycle? Are you on your phone right before bed or as soon as you wake up? Sleep is one of the most important aspects of your health—treat it like it matters.

#TheFEELPodcast #SelfCareMatters #NursingWellness #WomenEmpowerment #EmotionalHealth #AuthenticLiving #SleepAndHealing #HealthcareHeroes #RestIsRevolutionary #MentalHealthAwareness #FeelToHeal

Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 3:30 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 12:05 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 24:30 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 34:39 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 53:56 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 1:00:33 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 1:06:39 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 1:14:36 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 1:18:33 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 1:19:49 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

In this powerful and heart-centered episode of The F.E.E.L. Podcast, Melissa Crook welcomes Vesta Hurlbutt—host of Open Heart Healing—for a vulnerable and inspiring conversation on healing, releasing expectations, and embracing self-love.

Vesta opens up about the pressure of living by others’ standards and how she found freedom by living for herself instead. Together, they explore the reality that loving yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. From practicing body acceptance while desiring change to holding space for emotional duality, this episode is a meaningful guide for anyone navigating the tension between self-growth and self-acceptance.

Whether you’re learning to forgive yourself, redefining your expectations, or just starting to prioritize emotional wellness, Vesta’s story will speak directly to your heart.

Listeners will walk away with tools to:🌱 Let go of unrealistic expectations and live by your truth💛 Practice self-forgiveness and cultivate self-worth🧠 Embrace both joy and sadness in your healing journey🌸 Love your body while working toward positive change🤝 Create or find a community rooted in healing and inclusivity

🎧 Tune in now to reconnect with your inner self, honor your journey, and live unapologetically—with love at the center.

📌 Keywords: Self-love for women, Emotional wellness, Releasing expectations, Body positivity and self-improvement, Mental health for women, Personal growth podcast, Self-forgiveness, Empowering women, Authentic living, Healing communities, Self-acceptance, Open Heart Healing, Mind-body connection, Living unapologetically

Ways to Engage: Take the time to recognize people in your life who you love unconditionally and vice versa. It might even help to write them down for times when you’re feeling unloved, depressed, lonely, etc. Unconditional love is a beautiful thing and you are worthy of experiencing it.

Blog Excerpt: The overall conversation of expectations is valuable, so much so that Vesta has an episode dedicated to it on her own podcast, Open Heart Healing. If you’re trying to live out of someone else’s expectations, you’ll start to feel bad about yourself because you’re not fulfilling your own desires.

#SelfLoveJourney#HealingThroughSelfLove#ReleaseExpectations#AuthenticLiving#EmpoweredWomenEmpowerWomen#EmotionalWellness#MentalHealthMatters#BodyPositivityMovement#SelfForgiveness#WomensEmpowerment#OpenHeartHealing#LiveUnapologetically#InnerHealingJourney#PersonalGrowthPodcast#FEELPodcast#VestaHurlbutt#EmbracingLayersNetwork#LoveYourBodyLoveYourself#WomenSupportingWomen#HealingConversations

Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 2:44 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 10:54 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 24:35 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 35:07 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 42:55 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 47:03 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 55:31 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 1:03:00 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 1:08:44 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 1:11:08 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

In this vulnerable and empowering episode of The F.E.E.L. Podcast, Melissa Crook is joined by Laura Helgeson—a returning voice from the Embracing Layers community—to dive deeper into the often-overlooked relationship between physical health, emotional healing, and spiritual well-being.

Laura shares her personal journey living with chronic UTIs, a condition she’s experienced since childhood and long kept hidden due to stigma and misinformation. Her courage to speak out shines a light on the importance of releasing shame, advocating for your own health, and unlearning the societal messages that tell us to stay quiet about our bodies.

Through this intimate conversation, Melissa and Laura explore how self-care, advocacy, and even the smallest acts of kindness toward ourselves can have a major impact on how we live, heal, and connect with ourselves more fully.

Listeners will walk away with tools to:
🌿 Understand the emotional toll of chronic health conditions
🧠 Break cycles of shame surrounding physical symptoms
💛 Advocate for your wellness when resources are lacking
✨ Strengthen the mind-body-spirit connection
🌸 Take small steps that lead to lasting healing

🎧 Tune in now to hear how Laura is turning her pain into purpose—and inspiring women to become their own best health advocates.

📌 Keywords: Chronic UTI awareness, Mind-body-spirit healing, Women’s health advocacy, Emotional wellness and physical health, Breaking health taboos, Releasing shame, Living unapologetically, Chronic illness in women, Self-care mindset, Healing through honesty, Holistic health journey, Spiritual wellness for women, Personal growth podcast, Women’s empowerment and health

Ways to Engage:
Do something kind for yourself today. Get a large coffee instead of medium, take yourself out to a restaurant you’ve been wanting to try, stay in for the evening instead of going out. Whatever it may be, do something kind for yourself—it doesn’t have to be big. The little things add up.

Blog Excerpt:
Laura Helgeson has returned to share her journey with transparency, compassion, and courage. Her struggle with chronic UTIs, a condition affecting millions yet rarely discussed, has transformed her into a trailblazer. She’s not just navigating her own health—she’s starting conversations, filling knowledge gaps, and becoming the very resource she once searched for. Laura reminds us that even the smallest acts of self-kindness can sustain us through life's hardest seasons. Her voice is powerful, her message is clear: women deserve to heal without shame, speak without fear, and live with full-body freedom.

#WomensHealthAdvocacy #ChronicUTIAwareness #EmotionalHealing #WholeBodyWellness #SelfCareForWomen #TheFEELPodcast #BreakingStigma #MindBodyConnection #WomenSupportingWomen #SpiritualHealing #ShameFreeLiving #HolisticHealthJourney #LiveUnapologetically #HealingThroughHonesty #EmpoweredWellness

Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 2:55 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 5:19 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 8:32 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 14:10 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 23:15 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 35:07 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 38:16 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 43:34 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 55:49 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 57:09 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

In this soul-nourishing episode of The F.E.E.L. Podcast, Melissa Crook welcomes the insightful and vibrant Amy Donovan to explore what it means to truly honor your energy—especially during life’s most chaotic seasons. From setting emotional boundaries to letting go of societal timelines, Amy shares how she’s learned to prioritize wellness without apology.

In this episode, we’re joined by the curious, empathetic, and passionate Jewel Hohman to explore the importance of boundaries and the power of self-compassion in the journey of personal growth. Jewel’s unique experiences and insights offer valuable takeaways for anyone navigating the often non-linear process of change.

In this bold and dynamic episode, we’re joined by Keldamuzik—recording artist, producer, entrepreneur, and unapologetic force in the entertainment industry. Known for her fearless confidence and unwavering authenticity, Keldamuzik opens up about what it truly means to live unapologetically in a world that often tries to box women in. From her journey in the music industry to launching her own brand and advocating for women’s empowerment, she shares how creativity, boundaries, and representation intersect to create lasting impact.

Whether she’s speaking her mind in a room full of decision-makers or championing inclusive storytelling through her work, Keldamuzik is a vibrant example of what happens when women step fully into their power. This episode is an invitation to reclaim your voice, own your identity, and find confidence in being exactly who you are—no apologies needed.

📌 Keywords: Living unapologetically, Women in the music industry, Creative entrepreneurship, Building confidence, Personal empowerment podcast, Media representation matters, Self-expression through music, Setting boundaries for growth, Women’s voices in entertainment, Black women creatives, Authentic leadership, Music and personal development, Representation in media, Inspiring interviews with women, Confidence and mindset podcast, Artistic freedom and self-worth

Ways to Engage: Everything Keldamuzik creates includes the word “diva”—a word she defines as confident, independent, and empowering. What’s your word? Choose one that reflects your strength and essence. Keep it close, use it as an affirmation, and return to it when you need to tap back into your power.

Blog Excerpt: You may know our next guest as a singer, but you may not know Keldamuzik as the entertaining, courageous, creative, ambitious, outgoing, and passionate woman she has always been. She supports women in living unapologetically just by being her confident and genial self. From setting boundaries to speaking up for others, her leadership is a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and using your platform for good. Her confidence radiates, and her story uplifts—making her a true inspiration for listeners everywhere.

• #LivingUnapologetically
• #WomenInMusic
• #ConfidenceAndCreativity
• #RepresentationMatters
• #EmpoweredWomen
• #AuthenticLiving
• #CreativeEntrepreneurs
• #MusicIndustryVoices
• #BlackWomenInEntertainment
• #SelfLoveAndExpression
• #BoundariesAndConfidence
• #TheFEELPodcast
• #PersonalGrowthJourney
• #InspiringWomenVoices
• #PodcastForEmpowerment

Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 2:23 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 4:45 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 10:44 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 15:54 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 20:09 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 22:39 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 26:48 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 34:12 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 35:38 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

Want to be a guest on The F.E.E.L. Podcast? - Finding Empowerment Embracing Layers? Send Melissa Crook a message on PodMatch, here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021⁠⁠⁠⁠ or complete our contact form here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact ⁠

In this empowering episode, we sit down with Lisa McCourt, bestselling author, founder of The Joy School, and a passionate advocate for authentic living, mental wellness, and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Lisa shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming people-pleasing tendencies and how embracing self-love and emotional healing has transformed her life—and the lives of so many others.

From her insights on releasing guilt and shedding societal expectations, to her courageous advocacy for her trans daughter and her leadership within PFLAG, Lisa opens up about the importance of living from a place of joy, truth, and compassion.

Whether you’re battling burnout, trying to break free from perfectionism, or wanting to support loved ones in the LGBTQ+ community, this episode offers a soulful, heartfelt invitation to show up as your truest self.

Resources - https://pflag.org/

https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq/transgender-people-gender-identity-gender-expression

📌 Keywords: How to stop people pleasing, Emotional healing journey, Authentic self-expression, Living your truth, Breaking free from guilt, Self-love and acceptance, Healing from perfectionism, Mental health awareness podcast, Support for trans youth, Parenting LGBTQ+ children, LGBTQ ally resources, Joy School Lisa McCourt, Personal development podcast, Spiritual self-growth, Letting go of expectations, Compassionate parenting, Mindfulness and self-compassion, Rewire your mindset, Inclusive mental health conversations, Empowerment through vulnerability

Ways to Engage: Next time someone asks you to do something, think about if you’re being authentically yourself with them or if you’re just doing it to please others. Think about if this action aligns with your own values before automatically agreeing to it.

Blog Excerpt: Lisa McCourt is a forever learner of new things, a mama bear, a collaborator, and she is dedicated to making the world a better place. Her founding of the Joy School has changed the lives of so many and has allowed people to begin their journey towards healing and feeling joy.

• #MentalHealthPodcast

• #PersonalGrowthJourney

• #HealingThroughJoy

• #AuthenticLiving

• #SelfLoveMatters

• #EmotionalWellbeing

• #InnerHealing

• #StopPeoplePleasing

• #LiveYourTruth

• #RewireYourBrain

Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 2:08 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 5:08 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 9:52 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 13:23 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 25:20 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 31:03 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 37:55 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 42:37 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 47:25 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 47:44 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

Want to be a guest on The F.E.E.L. Podcast? - Finding Empowerment Embracing Layers? Send Melissa Crook a message on PodMatch, here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021⁠⁠⁠ or complete our contact form here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact ⁠