In this heart-centered crossover episode of The F.E.E.L. Podcast, we're joined by the incredible Mary Rothwell, host of No More Shrinking Violets. Fresh off Melissa’s appearance on her show in the episode “Embracing All Your Layers: The Path to Authentic Living”, Mary is now here with us, bringing her authentic, grounded, and nature-inspired wisdom to the mic.

This episode dives into setting healthy boundaries, understanding the toll of invisible labor, and recognizing the signals our bodies give us when we’re overstretched. Mary uses her love for gardening to describe how pruning, trimming, and creating space are necessary not just for plants—but for people too. Her metaphors are not only beautiful, they’re practical, and remind us that boundaries are about growth, not restriction.

We also talk about the emotional and physical effects of poor boundaries, why women disproportionately carry invisible labor, and how to reclaim your time and energy by honoring your needs and self-worth. Mary is an empowering voice for anyone feeling overlooked, overextended, or on the verge of burnout.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to set boundaries that nurture rather than restrict

• The impact of invisible labor—and why it often falls on women

• Physical signs that you need stronger boundaries

• Gardening metaphors that make boundaries feel natural and intuitive

• Why evolving boundaries are a sign of personal growth

• The connection between authentic living and self-preservation

• Practical ways to wind down and honor your sleep hygiene

About Mary Rothwell:

Mary Rothwell is the host of No More Shrinking Violets, a podcast centered on authenticity, empowerment, and emotional wellbeing. With her blend of introspection, humor, and creativity, she encourages women to embrace every part of themselves—flaws, layers, boundaries, and all.

Ways to Engage:

• Practice a 2-hour wind-down before bed: Limit screen time, stretch, read, or color to help your brain slow down.

• Tune into your body: Listen when it tells you it’s tired, overwhelmed, or overworked.

• Acknowledge the invisible labor in your life and community—and express gratitude.

• Revisit Melissa’s guest appearance on No More Shrinking Violets to explore both sides of this empowering conversation.

Connect With Us:

• Subscribe to The F.E.E.L. Podcast

• Leave a review and share what resonated most with you

• Follow us @thefeelpodcast for behind-the-scenes and bonus content

#AuthenticLiving

#HealthyBoundaries

#InvisibleLabor

#WomenEmpowerment

#EmotionalWellness

#SelfCareMatters

#BurnoutRecovery

#NoMoreShrinkingViolets

#EmbraceYourLayers

#SelfWorth

Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 2:05 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 8:48 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 21:41 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 32:53 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 44:44 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 51:31 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 59:31 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 1:02:30 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 1:07:22 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 1:07:40 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

✨ Free Download: Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad

In this empowering bonus resource, we’re giving you a free sneak peek into the Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life course! This downloadable PDF guides you through reconnecting with who you truly are—beyond your roles, responsibilities, and expectations.

Want to be a guest on The F.E.E.L. Podcast? - 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 ⁠⁠

To bookend the beginning of Season 9 of The F.E.E.L Podcast, we welcome the refreshingly honest and chronically curious Kelly Anne Carter. She’s unafraid of liminal spaces, passionate about truth over filters, and fully dedicated to the journey of self-discovery and deconstruction.

In this powerful and introspective episode, Kelly invites us into her process of breaking free from the expectations of others and rebuilding a life rooted in her own beliefs, voice, and identity.

• The raw experience of deconstructing belief systems

• Reclaiming curiosity after growing up in restrictive environments

• Letting go of people-pleasing to rediscover your authentic self

• Accepting your humanity and embracing your emotional layers

• Nervous system awareness as part of personal healing

• Giving yourself permission to change your mind and evolve

• Self-dating, inner child joy, and building your own sense of identity

Kelly reminds us that discovering who you are isn’t a destination—it’s an ongoing, compassionate process. There’s no shame in slowing down, making mistakes, or rewriting your narrative.

This episode is for anyone feeling stuck in societal or familial expectations, navigating a faith transition, or ready to reclaim their inner authority.

Listen now and start your journey toward radical self-acceptance, emotional healing, and layered living.

#SelfDiscoveryJourney #DeconstructToRebuild #HealingIsMessy #BreakFreeFromExpectations #LiveAuthentically #RadicalSelfAcceptance #CuriosityHeals #EmbraceYourLayers #LiminalSpaces #InnerChildHealing #FaithDeconstruction #EmotionalWellness #SelfEmpowerment #HealingThroughStorytelling #MentalHealthAwareness #PeoplePleasingRecovery #WomenWhoHeal #TheFEELPodcast #PodcastForGrowth #AuthenticConversations

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Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 2:40 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 8:34 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 16:50 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 31:19 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 44:17 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 48:57 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 1:01:48 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 1:14:05 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 1:22:31 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 1:23:14 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

✨ Free Download: Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad

In this empowering bonus resource, we’re giving you a free sneak peek into the Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life course! This downloadable PDF guides you through reconnecting with who you truly are—beyond your roles, responsibilities, and expectations.

Want to be a guest on The F.E.E.L. Podcast? - 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 ⁠⁠