Episodes

  • Episode 18: From Pain to Purpose: Healing the Stories Stored in Your Body ft. Shelly Henk
    Jan 19 2026

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    In this episode, Ashton takes the mic solo while Amanda is in full-on moving mode (Danville ➝ Indiana chaos… the real pain body trigger 😅) and she brings in someone perfectly matched for the topic: Shelly Henk, former nurse turned “artist of the soul,” co-author of the bestselling book Just Say No, and featured in the PBS documentary Medical Stories Under Control.

    Together, they dive into pain..not just as a feeling, but as a force: how unprocessed emotional wounds live in the body, how they get “reactivated” by everyday triggers, and why symptoms like anxiety, chronic fatigue, migraines, inflammation, and even burnout can be your body waving a giant red flag that something deeper needs to be witnessed.

    Using Eckhart Tolle’s concept of the pain body as a launching point, Shelly breaks it down with a more grounded lens: emotions are real, measurable, stored in tissue and they don’t disappear just because we “move on.” Ashton shares her own raw experience with what it looks like when a carefully-built emotional fortress finally cracks, and why true healing often requires something many high achievers avoid: an empathetic witness, a safe space, and the courage to actually feel.

    They also explore why so many high performers are driven by trauma responses, why our culture is terrible at grief and emotional processing, and how healing isn’t just about “fixing the past” - it’s about rewriting the story, reclaiming wholeness, and turning pain into purpose.

    Shelly closes by sharing how she helps clients through her signature process, Artful Story Work, using the canvas as a tool for emotional release and transformation- moving through the four elements: Feel, Heal, Dream, and Create.

    If you’ve ever felt like your reactions are “too big,” your body is carrying something your mind won’t name, or you’re ready to stop surviving and start living -this conversation will meet you right where you are.

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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Episode 17: When Being “Nice” Costs You Your Power
    Jan 12 2026

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    Girls aren’t taught what to do when someone crosses a line.
    So we giggle. We fawn. We freeze. We try to keep the peace.

    In this episode of The Audacity!, Amanda and Ashton unpack the female experience of disrespect—from sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior to people-pleasing, shame, and self-abandonment. We talk candidly about real stories, why setting boundaries feels so hard, and how to protect yourself without compromising your character.

    This conversation is about self-respect, safety, and learning when to speak up, when to walk away, and when silence is power.

    If you’ve ever struggled to say no, felt guilty for setting a boundary, or carried shame for something that was never your fault—this episode is for you.

    🎧 Listener discretion advised.
    Topics include sexual harassment, assault, and emotional trauma. Feel free to skip or pause if needed.

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    48 mins
  • Episode 16: Audacity Over Fear: The Entrepreneur Mindset
    Jan 5 2026

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    It’s our first episode of 2026..and we’re still kind of shook that the podcast has 1,100+ downloads across 19 countries. (Japan?! Singapore?! Hi besties. 👋)

    Today we’re switching gears from goofy relationship chaos to something we actually know a lot about: entrepreneurship. We share our real stories from Amanda’s 13-year journey (distillery → hog operation → personal training → insurance/financial advising) to Ashton’s path of founding nonprofits, building community programs, commercial property development, and running a consulting company with multiple clients.

    We break down the skills and mindset entrepreneurs need to survive (and thrive): discipline without a boss, tolerance for discomfort, handling rejection, delayed gratification, being misunderstood, and the biggest one-disconnecting your identity from your business results. Because your revenue can fluctuate… but your worth doesn’t.

    If you’re building something (or dreaming of it), this episode is your permission slip to stop playing small, think bigger than your zip code, and keep going even when the doubt spiral hits.

    Want us to answer your business question on the show? DM us...we LOVE this stuff. And if you’re here for the “tea,” at least learn something while you sip. ☕😅

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    58 mins
  • Episode 15: The Audacity to Make 2026 Your Best Year Yet (Without the Toxic New Year’s Resolutions)
    Dec 29 2025

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    Forget “new year, new you.” In this episode, we talk about how to actually make 2026 your best year yet—without burnout, shame, or resolutions that die by February.

    We reflect on the real lessons of 2025, unpack why motivation isn’t enough, and explain why the biggest changes come from small, daily habits—not dramatic overhauls. From self-trust and discipline to gratitude, boundaries, and handling life’s curveballs, this conversation is honest, practical, and a little unhinged (in the best way).

    If you’re ready to stop quitting and start building, this episode is for you. Audacity required. Taco Bell optional.

    Takeaways

    • 2025 was a year of significant change and growth.
    • Navigating relationships requires self-respect and love.
    • Career transitions can lead to newfound freedom and alignment.
    • Emotional turmoil can lead to shedding what no longer serves you.
    • Shifting from goals to actions can create a more fulfilling life.
    • Adding positive habits is more effective than removing negative ones.
    • Self-reflection is crucial for understanding patterns in life.
    • Life's unpredictability requires a purposeful approach to living.
    • Gratitude for small joys can enhance overall happiness.
    • Building self-trust is essential for personal growth.

    https://www.melrobbins.com/bestyear/

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Episode 14: Villain Era & When Being Misunderstood Is Actually Freedom
    Dec 18 2025

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    In this episode of The Audacity!, we’re talking about villain energy-and why being misunderstood might be the most freeing thing that ever happens to you. 😈✨

    This isn’t about manipulation or “playing the game.” It’s about becoming the hero in your own story… which means some people will absolutely cast you as the villain the moment you stop people-pleasing, stop over-explaining, and stop betraying yourself to keep others comfortable.

    We unpack the shift from “princess era” (palatable, approved, performing) to “villain era” (self-assured, calm, unapologetically authentic), why projection isn’t feedback, and how your “no” can trigger people who benefited from your old availability. Plus, we pull in Wicked/Elphaba energy, the drama triangle, and real-life stories about boundaries, dating, and choosing peace over perception.

    If you’re in your season of saying, “I’m not your hero—I’m mine,” this one’s for you.

    In this episode, we cover:

    • What “villain era” actually means (and what it’s not)
    • Why being misunderstood can be a sign you’re healing
    • The difference between people missing you vs. missing your availability
    • Projection vs. truth: how to stop taking other people’s stories personally
    • Why freedom often looks like a smaller circle
    • How to choose yourself without guilt (and without ghosting)

    🎧 Listen now and tell us: Are you in your villain era-or just done betraying yourself?

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    53 mins
  • Episode 13: Your Self-Worth Is Not a Group Project
    Dec 8 2025

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    In this audacious episode, Amanda and Ashton dismantle one of the biggest traps women fall into: outsourcing their identity to everyone around them. From childhood labels, to gossip-fueled small towns, to the constant pressure to win social approval, we explore why so many women abandon themselves in exchange for acceptance.

    The girls get real about how social and biological hardwiring can blur the line between belonging and self-betrayal, how people-pleasing becomes a survival strategy, and how external validation can feel like a drug that keeps you small, silent, and stuck.

    They dive into the shadow work, the gossip cycles, the rumors, the friendships that fall apart, the friendships that evolve, the dating patterns that expose everything you haven’t healed yet, and the soul-level shift that happens when you finally decide:

    “I trust ME more than I trust the crowd.”

    If you’ve ever changed your personality to fit in, asked ten people for advice before making a decision, shaped yourself around someone else’s comfort, or felt crushed by others’ opinions—this is your episode.

    Get ready for self-awareness, humor, a little chaos, a LOT of honesty, and the permission slip you didn’t know you needed:

    Your self-worth belongs to you. Stop letting the group chat run your life.

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    50 mins
  • Episode 12: Is Having a Boyfriend… Embarrassing Now?
    Dec 1 2025

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    In this episode, Amanda and Ashton dive into the viral Vogue article asking the question: “Is having a boyfriend embarrassing now?” From soft-launching relationships on Instagram to the new “flex” of being single and hyper-independent, they unpack why partnership has started to feel juvenile, cringey, or even politically loaded for modern women.

    They explore how women’s empowerment and financial independence have shifted the dating landscape, why so many men aren’t stepping into healthy masculinity, and how emotional resilience is missing on both sides. They get real about lazy partners, weaponized independence, p*rn culture, and the loneliness epidemic while also reminding you that good love and conscious relationships still exist.

    You’ll hear personal stories, spicy takes, and a loving call to raise your standards without hardening your heart. Because spoiler: it’s not embarrassing to have a boyfriend… it’s only embarrassing to stay with someone who isn’t really your partner.

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    54 mins
  • Episode 11: The Need to Be Chosen: Healing the Root of Worthiness
    Nov 19 2025

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    In this episode, Amanda and Ashton explore the deep-seated need to be chosen, examining its roots in cultural conditioning and personal experiences. They discuss how this need manifests in relationships, particularly for women, and the importance of self-worth and internal validation. The conversation highlights the impact of childhood experiences on adult relationships and emphasizes the necessity of setting healthy boundaries. Listeners are encouraged to engage in conscious dating, recognize their own worth, and teach self-awareness to future generations. The episode concludes with actionable steps for healing and personal growth.

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    44 mins