Coming to Terms with Your Past. Melessa Session 5 (Part 1)
BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! In “Coming to Terms with Your Past,” Stephanie and Melessa start with a fun look at the arcade room in Melessa’s new home—fitting since she and her husband met in an arcade in the ’80s. They talk through the emotions of moving, surprising their family with the news, and why big decisions still make Melessa feel like she needs her parents’ approval. They also touch on manifestation and how it has shown up in her life.Melessa opens up about her mirror homework—telling herself “there is nothing wrong with me”—and why it was harder than expected. The conversation shifts to family patterns, generational ties, and the stories behind old family photos. She reflects on shame, hidden secrets, and her lifelong urge to call out what’s right. It’s an honest, heartfelt episode about self-healing, family history, and personal growth.Past Episodes You May Love: Episode 12: Taking Stock of the Here and NowEpisode 14: Motivation is a ChoiceEpisode 20: Coaching Follow-Up -- Real Clients, Real ResultsEpisode 88: Internal DialogueWant to know more about living a slowed down life?!Simple Shortcuts to Peace Course - https://stephanieodea.com/peaceNew Year, New You Mini Challenge - https://stephanieodea.com/newyouJoin me for my LIVE Masterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/Website - https://stephanieodea.comBlog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/Slow Living Podcast - https://stephanieodea.com/podcastSpeaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/
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37:56
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37:56
Writing Out Your Bucket List. Melessa Session 4 (Part 2)
BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! In this episode, Stephanie and Melessa dive into their three-year goals, bucket-list travel dreams, and the very different ways they each experience adventure. From RV road-tripping fantasies to reflections on slow living, Melessa shares how revisiting Stephanie’s Peace Course feels easier this time around—and how she’s been putting real changes into practice. They open up about aging, retirement, and the unique challenges of long-term planning when you’re raising a big family.The conversation flows into decluttering, time-blocking, and why structure with flexibility helps Melessa stay focused on big goals like writing her book. Stephanie encourages her to approach her creative projects the same way she tackles real-life responsibilities—with intention, deadlines, and heart. They wrap up with a nostalgic look at their teen years and a powerful challenge: to write her own obituary as a way to reflect on her journey and everything she’s accomplished so far.Past Episodes You May Love:Episode 150: Quarter and Midlife CrisisEpisode 155: BurnoutEpisode 170: Reinventing YourselfEpisode 175: Bringing Your Vision to LifeEpisode 189: Do It BadlyWant to know more about living a slowed down life?!Simple Shortcuts to Peace Course - https://stephanieodea.com/peaceNew Year, New You Mini Challenge - https://stephanieodea.com/newyouJoin me for my LIVE Masterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/Website - https://stephanieodea.comBlog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/Slow Living Podcast - https://stephanieodea.com/podcastSpeaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/
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38:09
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38:09
Being Truly You. There is Nothing Wrong. Melessa Session 4 (Part 1)
BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! Stephanie and Melessa are now two-thirds of the way through their sessions, and this conversation dives deep into rewriting old beliefs. Melessa opens up about her tendency to overcomplicate things—how her mind feels something must be “hard” to be worthwhile—and how she’s learning to embrace ease and flow instead. Together, they explore the question: Do you have to suffer to succeed? For Melessa, this marks a powerful shift away from her old patterns and toward a mindset that allows success to come without struggle.The episode also takes a heartfelt turn as Melessa shares how she’s mapping out her upcoming book in three parts—her childhood, young adulthood, and family life—and how this process ties into her growth. She and Stephanie talk about the joy of her family’s move into a new home and how it’s brought them closer. As Melessa reflects on her daughters, she hopes her story shows them strength, resilience, and the beauty of transformation.Past Episodes You May Love: Episode 11: How Woo are You - intersecting belief with actionEpisode 42: Listening to The UniverseEpisode 104: 3 Year PlanEpisode 106: Manifestation vs Magical ThinkingEpisode 153: Slow Parenting Series: Adult Years and EstrangementWant to know more about living a slowed down life?!Simple Shortcuts to Peace Course - https://stephanieodea.com/peaceNew Year, New You Mini Challenge - https://stephanieodea.com/newyouJoin me for my LIVE Masterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/Website - https://stephanieodea.comBlog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/Slow Living Podcast - https://stephanieodea.com/podcastSpeaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/
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35:06
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35:06
Stop Asking for Permission. Melessa Session 3 (Part 2)
BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! In this episode, Stephanie and Melessa dive into the power of routine—especially how simple habits like a nightly wind-down and consistent sleep with her CPAP have transformed Melessa’s energy and focus. She shares how she’s built a sustainable writing rhythm, dedicating a few hours several days a week to finish her book by year’s end (or stretch goal: March!). It’s all about creating structure that supports both creativity and self-care.Melessa also opens up about the deeper layers of her family story—balancing honesty and respect as she writes about the women who shaped her. She reflects on the contrast between traditional and nontraditional roles and how she’s learning to honor both perspectives. This conversation is an inspiring look at growth, forgiveness, and finding your authentic voice—perfect for anyone walking their own journey of healing and creative expression.Past Episodes You May Love: Episode 91: Time BlockingEpisode 96: Feeling the FearEpisode 97: Faking ItEpisode 134: Unconditional Love with Love Notes from MomEpisode 163: Are You a Perfectionist?Episode 164: Recovering from People PleasingWant to know more about living a slowed down life?!Simple Shortcuts to Peace Course - https://stephanieodea.com/peaceNew Year, New You Mini Challenge - https://stephanieodea.com/newyouJoin me for my LIVE Masterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/Website - https://stephanieodea.comBlog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/Slow Living Podcast - https://stephanieodea.com/podcastSpeaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/
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42:31
There is Nothing Wrong With You - Melessa Session 3 (Part 1)
BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! In this heartfelt episode, Melessa settles into her new home and begins mapping out her upcoming book. With Stephanie’s guidance, she revisits her goals and creates a fresh three-year plan that reflects who she is today. Together, they explore how to balance ambition, creativity, and self-compassion while embracing change.Their conversation dives into motherhood, faith, and lifelong friendship. Melessa shares how her Mormon upbringing shaped her family life—and how those influences remain even after leaving the church. Stephanie also challenges Melessa and her husband to imagine their retirement and the later stages of life, sparking a meaningful reflection on growth, purpose, and what truly matters.Past Episodes You May Love: Episode 26: Stop Delaying HappinessEpisode 33: Healing Childhood TraumaEpisode 36: Becoming Resillient Episode 37: How to Find Your PurposeEpisode 38: Chasing Happiness Want to know more about living a slowed down life?!Free Daily Journaling Worksheet: stephanieodea.com/dailySimple Shortcuts to Peace Course - https://stephanieodea.com/peaceNew Year, New You Mini Challenge - https://stephanieodea.com/newyouJoin me for my LIVE Masterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/Website - https://stephanieodea.comBlog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/Slow Living Podcast - https://stephanieodea.com/podcastSpeaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/
About Slow Living: Find Peace, Balance, and Calm in Hustle Society
New York Times bestselling author and slow living expert Stephanie O’Dea is your friendly guide to creating a calm, peaceful, and purpose-filled life—without the burnout.
This isn’t a pushy productivity or goal-setting show. Instead, Stephanie shares gentle, practical ways to simplify your routines, find work-life balance, and bring more peace and tranquility into your days.
Through honest conversations and easy-to-follow tips, you’ll learn to slow down, realign your priorities, and create the space to truly enjoy your life.
Each episode covers topics like:
Creating simple, sustainable routines
Parenting with presence and patience
Mindful time management (without the hustle)
Organization and decluttering for a calm home
Finding peace in relationships and daily life
In a world that moves too fast and constantly demands more, this podcast is your weekly reminder that you are already enough. You don’t need to chase perfection—you just need to slow down and live intentionally.
Stephanie O’Dea is the New York Times bestselling author of Slow Living: Cultivating a Life of Purpose in a Hustle-Driven World and the creator of A Year of Slow Cooking, featured on Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show, and in major national publications.
With a background in child development, psychology, and early childhood education, Stephanie has helped millions of busy families simplify, reconnect, and rediscover what truly matters. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband of 25+ years, their three kids, and their beloved dog, Sheldon—where they practice what she preaches: slowing down, unplugging, and savoring a peaceful life.
Listen to Slow Living: Find Peace, Balance, and Calm in Hustle Society, The Wealthy Barber Podcast and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app