Shhh! Don't Talk About It

This week we are coming back briefly to announce the end of the podcast. We are so grateful for the time we got to spend making space for difficult conversations, and we have reached a natural ending point. No, we did not have a falling out, yes we are still besties - our lives have just changed tremendously since we started this conversation in December 2020. Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who joined us along the way as a listener, guest, and supporter. We love you all and we hope you had as much fun on this ride as we did. Tune in for our final conversation and let us know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer has officially begun. Which made me think about bodies, body, body bodies. Right? Um, so we are going way back when to season one, episode four.  Ooh, look at that body.  And I chose this episode because we talk about all the things you, all we talk about our insecurities, we talk about some of the work that we've done to help with some of those insecurities and kind of. You know, just kind of open up a little bit about the industry. W what it means to like want to this body, whatever this is to you or means of for you, everyone has their own idea of what they like to look like and where the idea came from may not be so healthy. So we definitely talk about those things. And I thought it was relevant to bring it up now because it's summer and bodies are out and mine is out too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's summer re-mix we're sharing an interview we did during season 2 with our friend Shafina, who lost her second child when he was stillborn. This is a heavy topic but - as we discuss in the episode - it needs to be discussed. Each year about 21,000 babies are born stillborn and because we live in a society that says some kinds of grief are bigger than others (e.g. "stillborn child is not as painful as losing a child later in life"), that's 21,000 families with disenfranchised grief and no one to hear their story. Shafina does a beautiful job helping us step inside her story, get to know her son, and experience her loss, pain, and eventual understanding of what happened to her and her family. Years later we still get chills when we think about this interview. From Megan on her choice to release this episode: I decided to choose this episode to re-release because it hits close to home for me. I had a brother, Daniel, who died the day he was born. He wasn't stillborn, but my parent's experience was very close to Shafina's. Growing up I thought a lot about Daniel. I wanted to know him, I wished I could talk to him... but I at least wanted to be able to talk about him. I think my parents didn't quite have the words to help us understand who this baby that came before me was for them, and I wanted to re-share Shafina's story for other parents and families who might be feeling lonely in this loss in the same way I remember my family feeling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's summer re-mix series Reyna chose "Power" from season 2 with the incomparable Ambrosia Carey from Successful Stylist academy. We could all use some inspiration and motivation as we head into summer and this episode has tons of it. Ambrosia's story starts with the birth of her first child when she was a teenager. Instead of letting that hinder her dreams, early parenthood pushed her forward. As a teen mom and a woman of color she became the owner of multiple successful businesses and has helped others achieve their dreams of doing the same. Along the way she learned her purpose is to educate and empower others to become successful no matter what life throws at them. Make sure to show your support and give this classic episode a listen. If you like what you hear from Ambrosia (especially if you work in the beauty industry) you can also tune into her pod Successful Stylist Academy on all platforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy June/Happy Pride! For this week's summer re-mix we are reissuing our season 4 conversation about bisexuality with the team from Catcall Magazine . This was such a fun conversation, and also served as Megan's first official "coming out" on the pod. We wanted to reissue this one because at a time when anti-trans, homophobic, hate is spreading we think its important to center queer joy and queer thinkers and queer conversations. In this episode we cover: Coming out as bisexual Bisexual erasure and biphobia The importance of community organizing and building community to fight back against bigots. Thank you to the team for sharing your stories so openly! This was so fun for us! About Catcall: Catcall is a digital collective uplifting Midwest writers, photographers, and artists. We focus on telling important community stories through an intersectional feminist lens that call out and dismantle systemic inequalities; uplift and illuminate the experiences of women, non-binary folks, the queer community, and allies in the Midwest; and connect us all as we catcall back at the patriarchy. This week's guests are:  Kelcie McKenney, Editor-In-Chief / Founder Kelcie (she/her) is a writer, editor, and artist who is passionate about intersectional feminism, local activism, queer representation, and strengthening community. You can find Kelcie reading (probably smut or Twilight), talking astrology, hanging with her three-legged cat and four-legged dog, or trying to overthrow the patriarchy. Emily Park, Managing Editor Emily (she/her) is a Kansas City-based journalist, passionate about giving a voice to those who don't always have one. From news to features to business-to-business reporting, she's done it all. In her free time, you can find Emily reading (probably fantasy smut), playing board games with her partner, or cuddling up with her dogs and cat. Max Sheffield-Baird, Contributing Writer Max Sheffield-Baird (they/them) is a writer and marketing strategist who's passionate about racial and economic justice. Max is a parent of a rambunctious infant and is a student at Colorado State University and is expected to graduate in July 2021. In their dwindling free time (hello parenthood!), they enjoy podcasts, reading fantasy and non-fiction, and educating people on kyriarchy on the internet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's summer season re-issue Reyna chose Season 1, Episode 8, Love Sees Color. In this episode Reyna opened up and shared with Megan what it was like for her to grow up biracial, raised by her white mom who taught her and her siblings to be "colorblind." Reyna shares the journey she's been on to connect to her heritage and develop a sense of self as an adult, after growing up socialized not to see or talk about race. From Reyna on the episode: I chose this one to re-issue for our summer re-mix because May is known for AAPI month, and I thought it would be fitting to talk about my journey and challenges finding my identity as a biracial Filipino in a white dominant culture in the 80s/90s where "Love Sees No Color" was the main theme. I want to pay respects to my Filipino heritage, especially after years of feeling like I wasn't able to talk about it or allowed to notice or own that part of myself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While we are on our season break each of us are picking out favorite episodes from seasons past to share. This week, for our first re-issue Megan picked "Period Peace" (Season 1, Episode 3). From Megan: I just love this episode even though it's from the very early days of the pod and a little rough around the edges. Things get super serious around here and so much of the first season was the two of us processing grief. This episode is focused on period shame and is really just the two of us gossiping about ourselves, giggling, and remembering how mystifying it was to use a tampon for the first time. Hope you enjoy this re-issue and the other ones we have coming up! We will be back with fresh content in late summer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the season 5 finale! This week we reflect on the season, adding new thoughts and new stories about each topic we covered. We also do a quick mental health check in (having kind of a hard time!) and talk about how to be ok and accepting of wherever we are - without pressure to pretend to feel anything we don't. We wrap up the episode with a sneak peek of the bonus content we'll be putting out on Patreon between seasons - Megan introduces Reyna to Reddit and "Am I the Asshole" and asks her to rule on the age old rivalry between dogs and babies (and their parents). While we are between seasons you can join the Solid Listen Patreon for $5 a month for access to our bonus content, as well as other shows on the network. You'll also get access to episodes early and ad free. Starting next week we'll also be re-issuing our favorite shows from past seasons (before we joined SL) with new introductions and reflections on each topic. And if you REALLY miss us.. we have a phone number now: 909-859-0559. Have a secret you need to get off your chest? Just wanna call and say hi? Leave a message and let us know. We'll keep the identity of all callers anonymous and confidential, but we will respond to messages on bonus episodes. We'll be back with Season 6 in late July! KIT! See you soon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are joined by Alaina Wrencher, host of the Bipolar Buzz podcast. Alaina became a mental health advocate after experiencing a manic episode that landed her in the hospital in 2017. She recounts the challenges she faced during her stay in the hospital, how it helped her gain a better understanding of her condition, and what her road to recovery was like. She also shares her experience of postpartum psychosis, a rare but serious mental health condition that affects women after childbirth. Despite the difficulties she faced, Alaina's story is one of hope and resilience. She talks about how she found the strength to overcome her condition and how it has changed her life. She also discusses her passion for advocating for better mental health care in America, drawing on her personal experience to fuel her advocacy efforts. Alaina's story is an inspiring reminder that recovery is possible, and that those who live with mental health conditions should never lose hope. Her advocacy work serves as a call to action for all of us to work towards improving mental health care in America and ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to lead fulfilling and healthy lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we talk with the incredible advocate and stand up comedian Laura High about donor conception. Laura is a self described "sperm donor baby" dedicated to bringing ethics, regulation, and bravery to the infertility industry. This is the third in our series on this topic starting last season with friend of the pod Alexis from the DNA Surprises podcast, who shared her non-paternal event DNA surprise with us, along with our episode with Megan's sister and sister in law who talked about their IVF and donor experience on the road to becoming parents. Laura rounds this topic out sharing her experience as a donor conceived person. Laura is a fierce advocate, Tik Toker, and host of the Insemination podcast, who walks us through the dark side of the fertility industry with grace, humor, and incredible empathy for everyone (except the dirty industry insiders and capitalists making money off people's trauma) caught up in the multi billion dollar donor conception industry. If you are inspired by Laura's story and advocacy please sign on to the efforts to pass HR 451 to make fertility fraud illegal - preventing sexual assault and fraud in the fertility industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are joined by wonderful couple Jonathan and Nato to learn about their journey with polyamory. They walk us through how they met, the process of opening their relationship up, and what they are learning about taking care of themselves and each other through it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week dive into long term relationships - what makes them work, how to keep growing in them, and when to call it quits. We each explore and share our very different relationship histories and what we've learned about ourselves through the process of making it work with someone else. Reyna has been in her relationship almost 19 years and shares her insight on how to keep things fresh, how to avoid codependence, and how she's grown with her partner from her 20s to her 40s. Megan has an entire Lifetime movie of toxic relationships, heartbreak, and bad dates to talk about and shares how she was finally able to make the leap from codependent serial dater into a securely attached relationship. This episode is for anyone - single or attached - trying to relate romantically to another person and figure out how to go the distance. Do you have your own relationship success story or dating horror story to share? Email us and let us know at info@ shhhdonttalk.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Reyna and Megan open up about their greatest fears and phobias. Some are heavy and rooted in trauma, others are just weird and we have no idea where they came from but we do our best this episode to try and figure it out. In this episode we cover Aerophobia: Fear of flying Fear of being attacked at night (doesn't have an official name but it should!) Nyctophobia: Fear of the dark Ichthyophobia: Fear of fish Achievemephobia: Fear of success Can you guess which one of us is afraid of what? How about which one of us sleeps with a knife under her pillow? You'll have to tune into find out, and let us know your own fears and phobias on our Insta Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're talk with Oliver James, a motivational speaker who's catch phrase on TikTok "What's up, I can't read" caught our attention and brought us into his incredible journey as he teaches himself to read at age 34. It's rare to hear someone talk about struggling to read as an adult, but in reality 21% of the adult population in America can't read and 54% read at a 6th grade level or lower. Oliver isn't alone, he's just one of the few people brave enough to talk about it. He's also spent the last year teaching himself how to read and is inspiring thousands of people to take on big challenges by documenting the process. His story is one of systemic abuse and neglect in the education system, childhood wounding, and overcoming major adversity. We were SO inspired by his journey and are honored to bring him to the pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Content warning: This episode discusses suicide, suicidal ideation, and (briefly) sexual assault. At Shhh! Don't Talk About It we believe these topics must be discussed - and that talking about them freely and without shame saves lives. However, sensitive listeners should take care of themselves throughout the episode. Feel free to take in slowly, and take breaks as you listen but we hope you'll stick with us through this difficult - but ultimately hopeful - episode. This week Megan and Reyna are joined by Nancy Nettles to discuss surviving suicide. Nancy is a mother, grandmother, mental health therapist, educator, opera singer and... three time suicide attempt survivor. On this episode she graciously shares her story and what it took for her to overcome her darkest hours to build the beautiful, full, life she is living today. In this episode we cover: What leads to suicidal ideation - and what can help prevent it. Models for treating suicidal ideation and suicide prevention that go beyond the Euro-centric medical model used by most mental health providers in America. How to talk to and show up for loved ones that are experiencing suicidal ideation. The importance of TALKING ABOUT IT without shame or judgement. The importance of building community support around people suffering from suicidal impulses and thoughts. Thank you so much to Nancy for being so open, compassionate, and fierce in her drive to normalize talking about suicide. Stories like hers save lives. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis please reach out to your local crisis line, or call 988. This episode is not a substitute for therapy. We dedicate this episode to our friend Joseph Brandon Smith who died by suicide July 12, 2020. We're glad Nancy stayed and we wish Joe did too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Reyna and Megan take a deep dive into their mental health and well being for the first time in two years. We explore and talk about What we've learned in two years of working on our mental health. What therapy works for us, what therapy doesn't work. The benefits and limits of getting a diagnosis. How childhood trauma and attachment wounding has followed us into adulthood - and what we're doing about it now. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Bipolar 2 Disorder. Our most effective coping skills and tools - including Reyna's amazing tips for reluctant meditators. Content warning: Brief mention of a friend who died by suicide. If you are in need of mental health support contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness at 800-950-6264. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis please call 988 for help and someone to talk to.

Megan and Reyna are back for Season 5 with more to talk about than ever. This week's episode sets up the theme of this coming season - Leap of Faith. This season we'll be going deeper into taboos and topics that we've looked at before, focusing on letting go of shame, but also finding the wisdom and lessons in difficult things we all go through in life. To that end, we're proud to announce our own leap of faith: we have officially joined the Solid Listen podcast network and are honored to be joining such an amazing group of podcasters. Stay tuned this season for bonus content available on the network's Patreon. Join us this week as we take a look back at the show's origins, reflect on how we've grown, and get hyped for what's ahead. Content warning: This week's episode briefly mentions death by suicide as we discuss the loss that sparked us to start the pod back in July 2020.

This week is our season 4 finale! In the last episode of the season we look back at the season, look ahead to 2023, and revisit our thoughts on holiday traditions and boundaries. Oh yeah AND we're celebrating a big milestone… last week we passed 5,000 downloads. Amazing! Thank you SO much to all of you for sticking with us this season. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review and we'll see you in a few months. 

When you're struggling with your mental health and wellbeing it's tempting to pretend that "everything's fine" - even when it's not. (And even when  you run a podcast that's premise is talking about hard things!) This week we get more vulnerable about our mental health than we've had the chance to in a long time. Long time listeners know both of us struggling with depression, anxiety, and PTSD - and the last several months have been super hard on both of us. This week we catch up on our current mental health, what it's like to be in a state of burnout and overwhelm, how we're coping with emotional distress and set backs, and what we're learning along the way. 

This week Megan and Reyna are talk with new parents Emily and Amber who join us to share their experience with fertility treatments and their journey to becoming parents. Emily and Amber's story started in 2018 with their first attempt at pregnancy and ended in 2022 with the birth of their daughter, conceived via in vitro fertilization. The couple graciously shares with us their experience with the fertility industry and topics covered includefertility treatments in vitro fertilization the ethics of donor conceptionhow to talk to children about donor conception same sex parenting and the experience of the non-carrying parent.Thank you so much to Emily and Amber for sharing their story! 

This week Reyna and Megan are joined by guest Tyler to talk about what it's like to get a vasectomy. In light of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade we are proud to make space for a conversation about how men can step up and protect their partners from unwanted pregnancy. In this episode we talk about The reasons for a vasectomy and letting go of stigma about the procedure. What the procedure itself is like. Why men should be focusing on their reproductive health and decisions just as much as their partners in our current political climate. Thanks to Tyler for sharing his story! Content warning: The start of this episode discusses some aspects of child birth that may be difficult for sensitive listeners. 

This week Reyna and Megan are joined by three guests from Catcall Magazine to talk about bisexuality. We cover coming out as bisexual, the challenges and excitement of figuring out our sexuality, bisexual erasure and biphobia, and what it means to find community in the LGBTQIA+ community. Catcall is a digital collective uplifting Midwest writers, photographers, and artists. We focus on telling important community stories through an intersectional feminist lens that call out and dismantle systemic inequalities; uplift and illuminate the experiences of women, non-binary folks, the queer community, and allies in the Midwest; and connect us all as we catcall back at the patriarchy. This week's guests are: Kelcie McKenney, Editor-In-Chief / FounderKelcie (she/her) is a writer, editor, and artist who is passionate about intersectional feminism, local activism, queer representation, and strengthening community. You can find Kelcie reading (probably smut or Twilight), talking astrology, hanging with her three-legged cat and four-legged dog, or trying to overthrow the patriarchy.Emily Park, Managing EditorEmily (she/her) is a Kansas City-based journalist, passionate about giving a voice to those who don't always have one. From news to features to business-to-business reporting, she's done it all. In her free time, you can find Emily reading (probably fantasy smut), playing board games with her partner, or cuddling up with her dogs and cat.Max Sheffield-Baird, Contributing WriterMax Sheffield-Baird (they/them) is a writer and marketing strategist who's passionate about racial and economic justice. Max is a parent of a rambunctious infant and is a student at Colorado State University and is expected to graduate in July 2021. In their dwindling free time (hello parenthood!), they enjoy podcasts, reading fantasy and non-fiction, and educating people on kyriarchy on the internet.

This week Megan & Reyna tackle recovering from and surviving infidelity. We share our personal experiences with affairs and breaches of trust in romantic relationships and focus on how to rebuild trust and self confidence after an affair. Infidelity is something that creates shame for everyone involved, and we believe it's important talk about it - cheating happens in a large number of adult relationships and it's time to stop pretending it doesn't happen. In this episode we coverWhy affairs happen.How to talk to your partner about cheating and your boundaries in relationships (ideally *before* an affair happens.)What to do if you find yourself living through a breach of trust or an affair. What to do if you want to stay in your relationship after an affair... and what to do if you can't. 

This week Megan and Reyna are honored to talk with Alexis Hourselt, host of the DNA Surprises podcast, about her own DNA discovery. In the summer of 2021 Alexis had an experience that is becoming more and more common, but is still rarely talked about. Upon receiving the results of a commercial ancestry DNA test she learned that one of the parents who raised her was not her biological parent, leading her down a path of uncovering family secrets, discovering a new self-identity, and learning to deal with the repercussions of decisions her parents made when she was just a baby. Alexis's experience - known as a "non parental event" or "not parent expected" - has become more and more common with the rise of at home DNA tests and she has excellent advice for others who find themselves in the same position. Her story is an inspiring one of growth, healing, forgiveness, and self discovery. Thank you Alexis for coming on the pod to share! 

This week Reyna and Megan continue the conversation about drinking, drinking culture, and alcohol abuse. Inspired by last episode's conversation with Morgan about her journey with alcohol addiction, Megan and Reyna look at their own drinking habits and explore their relationship with alcohol. According to the National Institutes for Health, millions of Americans struggle with binge drinking, problem drinking, and alcohol addiction leading to significant legal problems and health issues and 14.5 million Americans are diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder and 95,000 people die from alcohol use a year.Curious if you're drinking has reached a problematic point? Check out this 10 question survey to assess where you are at. If you are worried about your alcohol use and would like to seek help check out the resources below: SAMHSA HelplineAlcoholics Anonymous find a meetingDharma Recovery SMART Recovery 

On today's episode Reyna and Megan are joined by Morgan who shares her experience navigating alcohol addiction from the start of her problem drinking, through her journey with addiction, to hitting her "rock bottom," and starting down the path to recovery.  Morgan is currently four years sober, and her story is one of pain, courage, healing, and growth. Thank you so much to Morgan for her courage in sharing her story. According to the National Institutes for Health, millions of Americans struggle with binge drinking, problem drinking, and alcohol addiction leading to significant legal problems and health issues and 14.5 million Americans are diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder and 95,000 people die from alcohol use a year. Curious if you're drinking has reached a problematic point? Check out this 10 question survey to assess where you are at. If you are worried about your alcohol use and would like to seek help check out the resources below: SAMHSA HelplineAlcoholics Anonymous find a meetingDharma Recovery SMART Recovery 

Megan and Reyna are back for season 4, broadcasting from a whole new city. Last time you heard from us, we were recording from an empty living room in Portland, Oregon just a few weeks away from our big move to Los Angeles. Now that we're settled in we're launching season 4 with an update on our lives and lessons learned from uprooting our lives. This episode covers:Tips and tricks for a major cross country move. (Wait until you hear what happened to Reyna's stuff on the way down!) The importance of having courage to chase your dreams. What it's like to make major life changes in your 30s and 40s. Adjusting to life in a new city. We can't wait for you to see what's in store for the rest of season 4, so stay tuned in all season long. Special acknowledgement: This episode is coming out 7/12/22 on the two year anniversary of our friend Joseph's death. His passing was a major inspiration for this podcast, and we thank him for all that he brought to our lives during the years we were connected. Thanks Joe Joe, we miss you! 

Reyna and Megan are back from break with a bonus episode and some big news - we are moving to Los Angeles! In this episode we talk about what it's like to re-locate to a new city in mid life (it's a lot harder than just picking up and going in your 20s), why we each decided to move (turns out the last two years of trauma were a great motivator), and what we are learning as we navigate this major life transition. We hope you enjoy this between season episode, and we'll be back full time for season 4 in June.  

The holiday season is supposed to be a time for joy, connection, and celebration - but for most of us it's really a time for experiencing the stress, anxiety, and feeling totally overwhelmed. Does it have to be this way? This week Megan and Reyna tackle how to break free from the expectations that come with the holidays and how to stay connected to ourselves during the most triggering time of the year. We also tell on ourselves sharing stories of times that we've ruined family holidays (oops!) and talk about what we are hoping 2022 will bring us. To all our listeners, thanks for sticking with us this year! We will be on hiatus until early 2022 so that we can practice what we preach, relax, and take care of ourselves. 

Astrology and tarot are two of the oldest tools for divination and developing self understanding, so why are they frequently treated as frivolous or fake? This week we are fortunate to talk with career astrologer and energy worker Cara Villareal about the complexity of astrology and what our birth charts have to teach us about our life path, intuition, relationships, self concept, and  personal shadow work, as well as how astrology can be used as a tool for collective healing and harnessing the wisdom of community. On the episode Cara provides us each with a reading, using the readings as a tool to teach listeners how to better understand their own charts. Listeners may want to have their own birth charts handy to follow along. To find your birth chart visit Cafe Astrology and enter your birth date, birth time, and birth location for access to a natal chart. To learn more about Cara and book a reading you can visit her website, instagram, or on TikTok at CaraStateof Mind.  

This week we are honored to join our friend Drew to talk about the impact of unhealthy or "toxic" masculinity on men's well being. The patriarchy and misogyny hurts women, trans people, and non-binary people in explicit, clear, and overt ways, which we believe are important to acknowledge and talk about. But, what isn't talked about as frequently is how misogynistic ideas about what it means to "be a man" hurts and dehumanizes men as well. Men are more likely than women to die by suicide, are more frequently diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, and are less likely to seek mental health support due to unhealthy ideas about what it means to be a man, and toxic cultural norms that equate vulnerability with weakness. In this episode we unpack and explore how men are impacted and harmed by patriarchal systems, why this is so damaging to people of all genders, and what we can do to push back against harmful socialization about manhood and masculinity. Thank you so much to Drew for sharing his story! 

What happens when we die? Is there anything on the other side? Can our loved ones who have passed on contact us? These are some of life's biggest questions, and while there's no way to know for sure, many people report paranormal or experiences and contact with "the other side." This week Megan and Reyna talk about their own experiences with hauntings and spiritual contact, make their own guesses about what happens when we die, and share whether or not they're afraid to die. 

Have you ever wondered what it's like to work as a stripper or in the sex industry? This week we are joined by our friend Camille to talk about her career as a dancer. We cover what it's really like to work as a stripper, club etiquette, the ins and outs of the industry, what you need to know if you're thinking about this line of work, as well as advocacy/needed on the job protections for sex workers. 

Healthy boundaries are an essential part of self care, balance, and healthy relationships, but they are challenging to set and difficult to enforce. We believe boundaries are an invitation to connection and that setting them is a great act of love, but both of us have struggled to feel "allowed" to set them in the past. This week we dive into talking about the what boundaries are, how to figure out yours, and share tips for setting them with friends, family and loved ones from a place of kindness, self love and respect. 

Making friends as an adult, especially in your 30s and 40s, is so hard! As we get older it's harder to meet new people, old friends drift away to start families or to focus on careers, and starting a new friendship can feel more awkward than going on a first date. This week we are joined by our friend Anna Parmeter to talk about keeping  long term friendships connected and healthy, how to make new friends without seeming like a total creep, navigating friendships as life circumstances change, and why it's important to invest the same amount of emotional energy into keeping and supporting friendships as we do pursuing romantic partners.  You can find Anne and her amazing artwork at @anneparmeter on all platforms and you can find us on Instagram at @shhh_donttalkaboutitpod 

On this week's pod Megan and Reyna talk about cosmetic enhancement and procedures they've had done themselves including: Botox, Infini, microblading, micro needling, IPL, lip filler, CoolSculpting, and liposuction. They talk about what was worth it, what was so NOT worth it, and how to make decisions about cosmetic enhancement in an embodied and empowered way.  

This week Reyna and Megan talk with Katherine H. about her choice to have an abortion. We cover difficulties in accessing abortion care, what it's like to decide to make the decision to end a pregnancy, and the unnecessary stigma and shame placed on people who choose abortion as a part of their medical care. In light of the Supreme Court upholding Texas' restrictive abortion law we invite listeners to consider Katherine's story and donate to organizations that support bodily autonomy and the right to choose abortion as an option when pregnant: Planned ParenthoodNARAL Fund Texas Choice The Stigma Relief Fund Center for Reproductive Rights Frontera FundIndigenous Women Rising  Thank you to Katherine for sharing her story and helping us remove the stigma from this topic and choice. 

 Megan and Reyna kick off season 3 and dive right back into talking about their favorite things:  self love, relationships, therapy, and healing. The girls share  their summer time mental health journeys, including  what EMDR therapy is and why it works so well for healing trauma, the work it takes to build and maintain a health romantic relationships, and why rest, relaxation, and time off are important ingredients in cultivating self love and preventing burnout. We're excited to be back and still talking about hard things with all of you. Don't forget to rate, review, subscribe, and share us with your friends! Instagram: shhh_donttalkaboutitpod Email: Info@shhhdonttalk.com 

For the last 9 weeks we have interviewed and shared the stories of incredibly strong and resilient women who have overcome many forms of hardship and trauma. From childhood sex abuse, to losing a child, to overcoming sex and love addiction, to figuring out how to build a business empire, our guests this season poured their hearts out and have given us the gift of incredible wisdom. In the Season 2 finale Megan and Reyna reflect on what they learned from guest interviews and how they've changed as a result. Thank you to everyone who has tuned in and we will see you back here in August for Season 3! 

This week Reyna and Megan talk with the incredibly resilient Shafina F., about her experience with stillbirth. In early 2016 Shafina and her family experienced the devastating loss of her son due to complications during pregnancy. She shares her journey through grief and stigma, with a message of healing and hope. Shafina, thank you for sharing your story and your son with us and our listeners! 

This week Megan and Reyna talk to Morgan E., a sexual violence prevention educator, about ending rape culture and building a culture of consent. We talk about what consent is, what it isn't, why consent can feel so confusing at times, and how to make open communication with your sexual partners sexy instead of awkward. Content warning: This episode contains brief references to sexual assault, but does not discuss details. 

This week Reyna and Megan talk with stress resilience coach, Jessica Patching-Bunch, about how to manage and work with stress, how to work through past trauma, and the inner resilience all people have within themselves- if we can learn how to tap into it. Jessica is the survivor of multiple forms of past trauma and she uses her lived experience and her training as a neuropsychologist to help others deepen their brain-body connection and build skills to manage and reduce toxic levels of stress. You can find her (and sign up to work with her) at her website https://www.brain-bodyresilience.com/,  on her own podcast Brain Body Resilience, or on Instagram jbp.brainbodyresilienceContent warning: This episode contains brief references to childhood sexual abuse and suicide loss. No details are discussed. 

Everyone wants to live a successful and abundant life, but in our social media/image obsessed culture, we spend way too much time focused on the appearance of success, and hardly any time at all talking about what it takes to actually get there. This week Reyna and Megan are joined by Ambrosia Carey, a hairstylist, coach, and owner of multiple six and seven figure companies about how she went from teen mom to entrepreneur. Turns out, she did it by empowering others, sharing her knowledge generously, and focusing on how to help others.... NOT by focusing on image or material wealth. Join us to learn more about what it really takes to get to the top of your field and stay there. 

This week Megan and Reyna are joined by Natalie, a therapist and mother of twin boys ... one of whom died two months after he was born. Natalie tells us what it has been like for her to cope with the death of child, parent through grief, and shares advice for other parents who are coping with the loss of a child. The grief resource mentioned in this episode is Refuge in Grief, a community led by psychotherapist and author Megan Devine. 

This week Reyna and Megan are joined by Haley to talk about what it's like to have a loved one in prison. A few years ago Haley's world was turned upside down when her husband was sentenced to three years in prison, leaving her and their young son to navigate life without him. She shares with us what it's been like to stay connected with him while he serves his time, what she's learned about the prison system, how COVID has impacted them both, and how she refuses to give into the shame or stigma society attaches to the loved ones of incarcerated people. 

Content Warning: This episode discusses childhood sexual abuse. If you or a loved one are impacted by sexual abuse or assault and you need support, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673, or check out available resources at RAINN.org. This week we are joined by Kourtney, a successful realtor, mother, and survivor of childhood sexual abuse. She shares what it was like for her to break the silence surrounding her abuse, how she has healed and recovered from the experience, and gives insight into how to support and care for survivors.  

On today's episode Alexis from the Future Regrets podcast joins us to share her experience with a little talked about issue: postpartum anxiety. Before this episode we didn't know postpartum anxiety existed, and Alexis shares the signs and symptoms, how she was impacted by it, and what she thinks new parents need to know. 

Welcome back! We're kicking off season 2 talking with actress, producer, director, writer, and podcaster Brianne Davis about sex and love addiction.  Brianne is 11 years sober from her sex and love addiction and has dedicated herself to helping others find their path to recovery. We talk about what sex and love addiction is (and isn't), how to figure out if you are struggling with this addiction, and the road to recovery. Check out Brianne's podcast Secret Life, and make sure to get your hands on her first book (and #1 bestseller!) Secret Life of a Hollywood Sex and Love Addict.  

Content Warning: In this episode we discuss suicide and self harm. If you or a loved one are struggling with thoughts of suicide please call the National Suicide Hotline at 800-273-8255. In July 2020 Megan and Reyna lost a close friend to suicide. In this episode they talk about what it is like to experience this kind of loss, navigating the grieving process, learning how to heal, as well as practical tips for how to support a loved one who is experiencing suicidal ideation.  

Content warning: This week's episode discusses sexual assault. We believe it is important to discuss this topic  as a way to honor survivor voices, and we also understand the subject may be difficult for some listeners. If you find yourself feeling activated or upset by listening we invite you to step away, care for yourself, and come back to the episode when/if you are able. If you or a loved one has experienced an assault and needs support please call the national sexual assault hotline at 800-656-4673. On this week's episode Megan and Reyna share their stories as survivors of sexual violence, talk about the importance of building a consent culture, and discuss what has helped them on their journey to recover and heal from assault. If you are a survivor and need support, RAINN has excellent resources here. RAINN also has resources and support for friends and family of assault survivors here. We see you, we believe you, and we love you. 

On this episode Reyna shares with Megan what it was like to grow up bi-racial, raised by a white mother and her journey to create a connection to her heritage and sense of self as an adult after a childhood of being socialized not to talk about or outwardly notice race. Theme song is "Workin it Out" by Manimalhouse, thank you so much to them for letting us use it!