The Sage Sorority

episode 058 - strangers by belle burden: what everyone is missingWe are back. And for the first episode of the new season, I'm doing something a little different, a full opinion piece on one of the most talked-about books of 2026.Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden is an instant New York Times bestseller, and with the Netflix adaptation just announced (Gwyneth Paltrow is set to play Belle), this book is about to get a whole second wave of attention. I listened to it on Audible, then bought the hardcover, and I have a lot of thoughts, including some that I haven't heard anyone else say yet.This is not a recap. This is my take.In this episode I get into why this book is being misread as a heartbreak memoir when it's actually a book about financial abuse and wilful self-erasure, why "James" deserves far more scrutiny than he's getting, what the prenup scene should teach every woman regardless of her relationship status, and why his family cutting Belle off after 20 years (!!!!) is one of the most important things in the entire book that nobody is talking about.I also get into the hot take I've been sitting on for years: a lot of women do not want to think for themselves, and this book is one of the clearest examples of what that costs.Strangers by Belle Burden is available on Audible, and in hardcover wherever books are sold. Highly recommend, especially if you're engaged, partnered, or thinking about either.Find me at @thesagesorority @shantelrousseau on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe to The Sage Sorority on Substack for essays and exclusive content.The Gathering Vol. 2 is coming. Stay close.--want to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3uewant to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - thesagesorority@gmail.comhave a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority--💘catch up with, our founder + host, Shantel instagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/ tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseau snapchat// https://snapchat.com/t/fb8LTRCm youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonline OUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseau OUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau💘

while we’re on a short production break, i’m revisiting an episode that speaks to a very specific feeling... when your life looks fine on paper, but something internally feels slightly off.this is a conversation about that in between space and what it actually means to live with intention rather than just momentum.if you’ve been feeling disconnected, or like you’re drifting without fully understanding why, this episode will likely resonate. If this episode resonates and you’re drawn to navigating life a bit more deeply these days, I offer 1:1 coaching, https://squ.re/45jq3ue--want to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - thesagesorority@gmail.comhave a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority💘SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesororityINSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesororityYOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSororitysubscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wOspotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhnapple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2THE SAGE SORORITY PODCAST - https://feeds.captivate.fm/thesagesorority/💘catch up with, our founder + host, Shantelinstagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseauSnapchat// https://snapchat.com/t/fb8LTRCmyoutube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonlineOUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseauOUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau💘

while we’re on a short production break, i’m revisiting one of the more personal episodes from the archive.this is a reflection on the lessons that have actually shaped how i think, move, and make decisions in my 30s... not the polished version, but the real ones that come from experience.if you’re in a season of reflection, or questioning where you are and where you’re going, this is one to sit with. If this episode resonates and you’re drawn to navigating life a bit more deeply these days, I offer 1:1 coaching, https://squ.re/45jq3ue--Turning 30 is a milestone but it’s also a mirror. In this episode, I share 30 of the most important lessons I’ve learned since stepping into this decade. Some are personal, some are practical, and all of them are rooted in lived experience. Whether you’re 25 or 45, I hope these reflections give you something to carry into your own life.Highlights include:The truth about love, money, and friendshipWhy saying no is as powerful as saying yesThe underrated art of self-respectINSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesororityYOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSororityCatch up with Shantel!Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/TikTok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseauYouTube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonlineShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseauLTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseauTIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction and Audio Disclaimer00:24 30 Lessons in My 30s: An Overview01:48 Health and Fitness Lessons02:40 Lesson 1: Your Body is Your Only Home04:32 Lesson 2: Enjoyable Workouts05:44 Lesson 3: Intuitive Eating07:22 Lesson 4: Strength Over Thinness09:07 Lesson 5: Daily Movement09:53 Lesson 6: Health is Wealth10:13 Lesson 7: Daily Laughter11:38 Lessons on People and Relationships11:49 Lesson 8: Politics vs. Morals12:57 Lesson 9: Reject Scarcity Mindset15:00 Lesson 10: Friends Grow Differently16:07 Lesson 11: Let People Leave16:25 Lesson 12: Delivery Matters17:25 Lesson 13: Misery Loves Company18:15 Lesson 14: Read More19:55 Lesson 15: Avoid 'Should' Traps21:23 Lesson 16: Reevaluate Beliefs21:48 Lesson 17: Life's Unfairness22:38 Career and Money Lessons22:43 Lesson 18: Earning Potential23:06 Women Excel in Sales and Investing23:40 Earning Potential and Self-Worth24:05 Taking Risks and Entrepreneurship24:54 The Importance of Appearance25:42 Quiet Confidence Over Loud Boasting26:43 Regret of Inaction27:31 Indecision is Still a Decision28:28 Standing Alone for What's Right29:15 Value of Vintage30:43 Rising from Rock Bottom31:21 Building Momentum in Life33:56 Done is Better Than Perfect35:33 Pushing Through the Dip37:31 Do You Like Him or the Idea of Him?38:41 Men as Followers41:10 Final Thoughts and Reflections

While we’re on a short production break, I’m revisiting one of the most important conversations we’ve had on The Sage Sorority.If you’re new here, this is the episode I’d tell you to start with. And if you’ve been listening for a while, it’s one that tends to land differently depending on where you are in your life. If this episode resonates and you’re navigating friendship dynamics more deeply, I offer 1:1 coaching, https://squ.re/45jq3ue--The Sisterhood Chronicles (Pt.1): Why Female Friendships Are So Complex (and Beautiful)Welcome back, ladies! Friendship is one of the most defining relationships in a woman’s life, yet we rarely talk about it with honesty. In this first instalment of The Sisterhood Chronicles, I take a deep dive into the beauty, the mess, and the unspoken truths of adult female friendships. From loyalty and love to boundaries and shifting seasons, we’ll explore what makes these connections so powerful and sometimes, so difficult.Mentioned in this episode:Signs of friendship red flags and green flagsWhy friendship breakups can hit harder than romantic onesHow female friendship evolves in your 30sIf you enjoyed this episode, you’ll also love [Episode 023: Making New Friends] and [Episode 025: The Friendship Audit] for more real talk on the complexities of sisterhood.Share your thoughts with me on Instagram @theSageSorority and let's keep the conversation going! Have a beautiful week, ladies xx!TT's that I mentioned...https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNddxrsjY/https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdd97wyd/--TIME STAMPS00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:33 The Complexity of Female Friendships02:34 The Importance of Female Friendships04:16 The Science Behind Female Friendships05:26 Authenticity in Female Friendships08:11 The Reciprocity in Friendships09:11 The Radical Significance of Female Friendships18:08 The Unrealistic Expectations of Romantic Partners25:55 Conclusion and Next Steps--INSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesororityYOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSororityCatch up with Shantel!Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/TikTok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseauYouTube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonlineShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseauLTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseausubscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) rating 💘youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wOspotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhnapple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2

57 episodes. Identity, love, friendship, philosophy, grief, reinvention, quitting, starting over, loneliness, ambition — and everything in between. This week we're picking up right where we left off.Consider this your orientation to The Sage Sorority, part two. We're covering episodes 26 through 55 — the second chapter of the show, where things got sharper, deeper, and a little more daring. Whether you're brand new here and need a map, or you've been listening since the beginning and need a reminder of everything you already know, this one is for you.We cover identity and self-concept, dating and love, friendship and sisterhood, philosophy and mindset — and close with a full TSS prescription so you know exactly where to go based on what you're navigating right now.episodes mentioned:Ep. 032 — How to Be More Interesting, Pt. 1 Ep. 033 — The Art of Charm: Storytelling, Niche Interests and Presence Ep. 034 — Autumn Energy: The Great Lock-In (Pt. 1) Ep. 035 — Autumn Energy Pt. 2: The Social Season Ep. 036 — Autumn Energy Pt. 3: Harvest What You Planted Ep. 037 — Autumn Energy Pt. 4: The Woman You're Becoming Ep. 038 — Autumn Energy Pt. 5: The Rebrand Era Ep. 040 — Why Philosophy Still Matters (Especially for Women) Ep. 041 — Attraction vs Compatibility vs Capacity Ep. 042 — 7 Years in London Ep. 044 — The Sisterhood Chronicles Pt. 4: Why Adult Friendships (Can) Feel Draining Ep. 045 — 3 Patterns I'm Noticing in Women's Dating and Friendships Right Now Ep. 048 — It's Quitter's Day, So Here's Your Permission Slip Ep. 049 — The Only Dating Advice You Need Ep. 051 — Why "Putting Yourself Out There" Isn't Working (And What to Do Instead) Ep. 054 — Stop Waiting. You're Already Her Ep. 055 — How to Be More Interesting, Pt. 2books + people mentioned:Matthew Dicks — Storyworthy (homework for life practice) Esther Perel — on anxiety vs attraction, and the pull of the familiar Seth Godin — The Dip (strategic quitting vs giving up) Maya Angelou — on knowing where you've been before you know where you're going James Baldwin — "not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced" Dr. Shelley Taylor (UCLA) — tend and befriend research on female friendship Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow — Big Friendship Katherine May — Winteringstay connected: Follow on Instagram for updates during the production break → https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/ Submit your anonymous questions for a future AMA → [https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority] Subscribe on Substack → https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesororityWe're taking a three-week production break after this episode. Episode 058 drops Thursday, April 9th. See you then. 🤍

If someone just sent you this episode, welcome. You landed in exactly the right place. This is The Sage Sorority - the podcast that feels less like advice from above and more like the group chat with your most thoughtful friend. Sharp, warm, honest, and always talking to your intelligence, never over it.In this episode, Shantel takes you back through the first 25 episodes of the show (!!!) Not as a sentimental look back, but as a practical roadmap. Whether you're brand new and don't know where to start, or you've been here since episode one and could use a reminder of how much ground you've already covered, this episode is your guide.We revisit the identity episodes that hit differently (episodes 5, 11, 12, and 19), the dating episodes that cut through the noise without handing you a rulebook (episodes 3, 7, and 17), and the friendship episodes that consistently generate the most DMs — because friendship grief, friendship confusion, and friendship loneliness are real, and women deserve more language for all of it (episodes 6, 10, 23, and 25).Shantel also shares exactly which episodes to go to depending on what you're navigating right now! Whether that's rebuilding after a hard season, questioning a relationship, feeling lonely in a way you can't quite explain, or just sensing that the version of you everyone expects has quietly become a bad fit.--want to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3uewant to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - thesagesorority@gmail.comhave a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority 💘SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesororityINSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesororityYOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSororitysubscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wOspotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhnapple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2 💘catch up with, our founder + host, Shantelinstagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseauSnapchat// https://snapchat.com/t/fb8LTRCmyoutube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonlineOUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseauOUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau💘

Looking for the foundations? Start with episode 33, How to Be More Interesting Part 1. BTW, consider this the definitive version of episode 033 (!!!) also, I kept saying episode 054, lol sorry! This is episode 055!Most of us are living interesting lives and telling them in the most boring way possible. Part two of one of The Sage Sorority's most popular episodes ever is finally here, and this one is about expression. How do you take everything you've built internally and actually let it land in conversation, on a date, in a work meeting, at a dinner party?In this episode, Shantel breaks down the art of storytelling, what genuine curiosity actually looks like in practice, and the specific habits that make a woman truly magnetic in any room.In this episode:Why most women are living interesting lives but narrating them in an uninteresting way, and how to fix itThe anatomy of a good story: the "so what" test, the power of specificity, and the difference between recounting something and actually telling itMatthew Dicks, record Moth StorySLAM champion and author of Storyworthy, and his philosophy of the five-second momentBrené Brown on why specificity and imperfection are what make stories land, not polishCuriosity as a competitive edge: why breadth beats performance and how to find your genuine pocket of depthThe science of presence: why full, unhurried attention is one of the most magnetic things a woman can offer in 2026What interesting women don't do: overexplaining, one-upping, performing curiosity, shrinking opinions to seem agreeableWhy mystery is criminally underrated in the era of "spend the day with me" contentICYMI: EPISODE 032 - how to be more interesting, pt.1 (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3IETywtviU47Hx0TfIi0t6?si=8X3KEMldT4Wae50UM_p5Uw)Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling - https://go.shopmy.us/p-44654010Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People - https://go.shopmy.us/p-44654099The Power of Vulnerability | Brené Brown - https://youtu.be/iCvmsMzlF7o?si=2qzjpZVrF4dekH_FVanessa Van Edwards (Science of People) | TED - https://www.scienceofpeople.com/ted/Julian Treasure (How to speak so that people want to listen) | TED - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIho2S0ZahI--want to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3uewant to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - thesagesorority@gmail.comhave a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority💘SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesororityINSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesororityYOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSororitysubscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wOspotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhnapple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2THE SAGE SORORITY PODCAST - https://feeds.captivate.fm/thesagesorority/💘catch up with, our founder + host, Shantelinstagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseauSnapchat// https://snapchat.com/t/fb8LTRCmyoutube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonlineOUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseauOUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau💘

A few weeks ago I was at a workshop and someone gave me the most annoyingly simple piece of advice I'd ever heard. I asked a published author and paid speaker how to become a published author and paid speaker. She said: speak and write. That's it.I laughed, because I knew she was right. And because I'd been doing both for ten years and still waiting for someone to make it official.This episode is about the version of yourself you keep putting off. The woman you're waiting to become when you're thinner, more ready, more settled, more certain. She's not coming to rescue you, because you're already her. You just have to decide to be.We get into the difference between performance and embodiment, why fake it till you make it gets a much worse reputation than it deserves, how the words we speak to ourselves become the house we live in, and four practical ways to actually stop waiting and start claiming. Oh, and it's the Year of the Fire Horse. This is the year to run.--want to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3uewant to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - thesagesorority@gmail.comhave a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority 💘 SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesorority INSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesororityYOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSorority subscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘 youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wOspotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhnapple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2 THE SAGE SORORITY PODCAST - https://feeds.captivate.fm/thesagesorority/ 💘catch up with, our founder + host, Shantel instagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/ tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseau youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonline OUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseauOUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau💘———

Join us IRL: The Gathering — Wine, Women & Conversation Thursday, March 5th | 6pm | London 🎟️ [https://luma.com/w6fxpy9w]One year of The Sage Sorority (!!!) 🤍 In this episode, we're unpacking the "high standards" discourse - when your standards are protecting you, and when they might actually be fear in disguise. We're talking attraction, compatibility, capacity, and the questions you need to ask yourself before you write someone off.In this episode:The difference between protecting your peace and controlling outcomesWhy attachment styles can masquerade as "standards"5 questions to ask yourself when evaluating someone (or your own patterns)The one question that changes everythingMentioned:The All-or-Nothing Marriage by Eli FinkelAttached by Amir LevineEpisode 041: Attraction vs Compatibility vs Capacity--want to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3uewant to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - thesagesorority@gmail.comhave a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority 💘SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesororityINSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesororityYOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSororitysubscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wOspotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhnapple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2💘catch up with, our founder + host, Shantelinstagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseauyoutube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonlineOUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseauOUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau💘———

We use "jealousy" as a catch-all for anything that feels gross and competitive. But envy and jealousy are actually two completely different experiences. One is giving you useful information about what you want. The other? That's fear wearing a really convincing disguise. Today we're unpacking both, how they show up in friendships (the part nobody talks about), and what to actually do when you feel them.In This Episode:→ The actual difference between envy and jealousy (and why language matters) → Envy is information. Jealousy is protection. → How both show up in friendships: promotions, new friends, weddings, glow ups → The Cool Girl monologue and friendship performance → Amadeus, Othello, Gone Girl → What social media has done to both emotions → What to do when you feel either oneReferenced Episodes:Episode 49: The Only Dating Advice You Need Episode 45: 3 Patterns I'm Noticing in Women's Dating & Friendships Right Now Episode 25: The Friendship Auditwant to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3uewant to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - thesagesorority@gmail.comhave a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority 💘SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesororityINSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesororityYOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSororitysubscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wOspotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhnapple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2 💘catch up with, our founder + host, Shantelinstagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseauyoutube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonlineOUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseauOUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau💘———Keywords/Tags:envy vs jealousy, difference between envy and jealousy, friendship jealousy, jealousy in friendships, green eyed monster, cool girl monologue, gone girl, female friendships, women in their 30s, modern womanhood, social media comparison

You've been doing everything right—the apps, the events, saying yes to every invite—and you're exhausted. What if the advice to "put yourself out there" is actually making things worse?This week we're talking about the difference between being available and being magnetic, why effort and outcome aren't always correlated in relationships, and when strategic retreat might be the smarter move for your dating life and your friendships.We're also covering: when you actually should be putting yourself out there, how to know if you're strategically retreating or just avoiding, and what it looks like to let yourself be found instead of constantly seeking.In this episode:Why "putting yourself out there" has become a moral imperative (and why that's a problem)The difference between depletion disguised as action and genuine effortHow to know when you're performing availability instead of cultivating magnetismA permission slip to pause the apps, the coffee dates, and the networking eventsWhat it means to exist fully in your actual life--want to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3uewant to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - thesagesorority@gmail.comhave a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority💘SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesororityINSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesororityYOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSororitysubscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wOspotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhnapple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2THE SAGE SORORITY PODCAST - https://feeds.captivate.fm/thesagesorority/💘catch up with, our founder + host, Shantelinstagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseauyoutube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonlineOUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseauOUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau💘

Welcome back to The Sage Sorority. Episode 050 (WOW!) is an Ask a Sage: an AMA-style episode where I answer your anonymous questions (link down below for submission).The questions that came through this time weren't really asking what to do. They were asking how to know. How to read people. How to tell if what you're seeing is the real thing.In this episode, we're covering: → How do you tell the difference between being private and being emotionally closed off? → Love or money and why it's a false binary → When you haven't spoken to someone in a while, do you delete the chat history?If you've ever wondered whether you're being perceptive or paranoid, this one's for you.Find me on Instagram @thesagesorority and TikTok @shantelrousseau. Don't forget to rate and share the podcast, it's how we grow the show.--want to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3uewant to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - thesagesorority@gmail.comhave a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority 💘 SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesorority INSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesororityYOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSororitysubscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wOspotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhnapple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2 💘catch up with, our founder + host, Shantelinstagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseauyoutube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonlineOUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseauOUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau💘

Episode 049: The Only Dating Advice You NeedJanuary is the busiest month for dating apps and also the peak month for breakups. So before you swipe, I want to give you the one piece of advice I think actually matters.My theory? The only dating advice a woman really needs is knowing when to walk away. That's it. Everything else stems from that.In this episode, I'm talking about why women are conditioned to stay, analyse, and build cases for men who aren't showing up and what it costs us when we do. We get into what walking away actually looks like (it's not dramatic), why we fall for potential instead of reality, and how discernment is the real flex in dating.This one's for the girls in their dating era and honestly, for the ones in relationships too.If this episode resonated, share it with a friend who needs to hear it. And don't forget to rate the podcast on Apple or Spotify; it really helps the show grow. Love you lots xxwant to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3uewant to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - thesagesorority@gmail.comhave a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority 💘SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesororityINSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesororityYOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSororitysubscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘💘catch up with, our founder + host, Shantel instagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/ tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseau youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonline OUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseauOUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau💘

Tomorrow is Quitter's Day y'all! The second Friday of January when 80% of people abandon their New Year's resolutions (crazy!) ...and while the internet is gearing up to tell you to push through, I'm offering a different perspective. What if those resolutions were never yours to begin with? What if the most aligned thing you can do this year is quit the goals that don't actually belong to you?Today we're unpacking where your resolutions are really coming from (you or Instagram?), the difference between hard and wrong, the art of the strategic quit, and why I'm swapping resolutions for intentions in 2026. Plus, I'm sharing the real story of how I walked away from my Pilates instructor training, money on the line and all and why that quit was one of the best decisions I've made.If you're a woman in your 30s or 40s already feeling drained by your goals and it's only week two, this one's for you.--want to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3ue want to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - thesagesorority@gmail.comhave a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority 💘 SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesorority INSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesororityYOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSororitysubscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wOspotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhnapple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2💘catch up with, our founder + host, Shantel instagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/ tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseau youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonline OUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseauOUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau💘

Happy New Year, and welcome to 2026. In this episode, Shantel shares an honest New Year’s Day reflection using a “Roses & Thorns” review of 2025, inspired by Tinx and her recent Roses & Thorns episode. The format is simple: a rose is what worked, grew, or surprised you, and a thorn is what hurt, stalled, disappointed you, or stayed unresolved. Shantel walks through her own Roses & Thorns across the categories of Work, Self, Travel/Fun, Health, Home, Love, and Friends, then gives a practical guide so you can do your own version in a way that feels grounding, not performative.💘want to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3uewant to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - thesagesorority@gmail.comhave a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority 💘 SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesorority INSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesororityYOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSorority subscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘 youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wOspotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhnapple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2THE SAGE SORORITY PODCAST - https://feeds.captivate.fm/thesagesorority/💘catch up with, our founder + host, Shantel instagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/ tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseau youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonline OUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseauOUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau💘———

Christmas Day can bring up more than we expect sometimes... joy, sadness, nostalgia, loneliness, relief and reflection, sometimes all at once (!!!)In this Christmas Day episode of The Sage Sorority, Shantel shares a quiet, honest reflection for women who may be spending Christmas alone or feeling alone, even while surrounded by people. This is not an episode about fixing, reframing or necessarily forcing gratitude. It’s about companionship, permission and staying with yourself through a tender, emotionally layered day.This episode explores the difference between being alone and feeling alone, why holidays can amplify unspoken emotions and how Christmas often brings past versions of ourselves, unfinished endings and cultural expectations into sharp focus.Shantel speaks to women who may be navigating family dynamics, single-hood, emotional disconnection or quiet grief during the holidays... offering presence rather than advice and steadiness rather than solutions.This episode may resonate if you are:spending Christmas alonefeeling emotionally alone while surrounded by othersnavigating complicated family dynamics during the holidaysreflecting on a year that didn’t unfold as plannedcraving a calm, thoughtful Christmas podcast without pressure or advicewant to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3uewant to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - thesagesorority@gmail.comhave a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority 💘 SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesorority INSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesororityYOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSorority subscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘 youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wOspotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhnapple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2 THE SAGE SORORITY PODCAST - https://feeds.captivate.fm/thesagesorority/ 💘catch up with, our founder + host, Shantel instagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/ tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseau youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonline OUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseauOUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau💘

I've been noticing three specific patterns showing up in conversations with women in their 30s and 40s! Patterns around dating, friendships, and how we're actually approaching connection right now. This episode connects some dots you might not have put together yet.Pattern 1: Why meeting new people suddenly feels... different. It's not that we're antisocial. Something else is happening here, and it's worth naming.Pattern 2: What we're actually missing when we say we miss someone. Spoiler: it's rarely about the actual person. There's something deeper going on that explains a lot about how we move through relationships.Pattern 3: The hidden cost of optimisation. We've gotten really good at protecting ourselves in dating and life. But we might be filtering out the exact things we're actually craving.If you've been feeling like your social life is shrinking, or dating feels more exhausting than exciting, this episode might give you some language for what's actually going on.--want to book a coaching session? all the info is here - https://squ.re/45jq3uewant to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - thesagesorority@gmail.comhave a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority💘SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesororityINSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesororityYOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSororitysubscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wOspotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhnapple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2💘catch up with, our founder + host, Shantelinstagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseauyoutube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonlineOUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseauOUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau💘

This week on The Sisterhood Chronicles, we’re talking about friendship fatigue and friendship compatibility, why so many adult friendships feel draining, confusing or slightly “off”, especially in your 30s and 40s.If you’ve ever felt like the reliable one, the planner, the deep listener, or the “strong friend” in your group and you’re quietly exhausted by it, this episode is for you! I’m breaking down what friendship fatigue actually feels like in real life, and how compatibility explains a lot of the tension in modern adult friendships: one-sided effort, mismatched energy, and friendships that only move when you move them.We get honest about the emotional reality of adult friendship, when you’re always showing up, but the reciprocity, consistency, or depth just doesn’t match and I walk you through four types of friendship compatibility that can help you see your relationships more clearly and calmly.In this episode, we explore:What friendship fatigue really is and how it shows up in adult friendshipsWhy you feel like the one who always checks in, plans, and holds spaceFour types of friendship compatibility: emotional, lifestyle, intimacy, and effortReal-life examples of incompatibility in friendships in your 30s and 40sSigns your friendship is quietly out of balance (without any big fallouts)What it means to be the “high-capacity friend” – and why that can feel lonelyHow to stop over-functioning in friendships and see the real dynamicSimple ways to recalibrate a friendship without drama or a big breakup talkThe grief of shifting a friendship out of “inner circle” status – and how to process itHow to focus on reciprocal, emotionally safe friendships going into a new yearThis episode will help if you’ve been asking yourself:“Why do my friendships feel one-sided or draining lately?”“Am I expecting too much, or is this actually unbalanced?”“How do I step back without causing a blow-up?”“What does a compatible, nourishing friendship even look like at this age?”If this conversation hits home and you want support untangling your own patterns in friendship, dating, or self-concept, I have limited 1:1 coaching spots open, you can book a single session or a bundle of three. https://squ.re/45jq3ueIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend who needs to hear it. It takes seconds and makes a huge difference in helping more women in their 30s and 40s find The Sage Sorority.want to partner w/The Sage Sorority Podcast? let’s chat - thesagesorority@gmail.comhave a question? send in an (anonymous) one for Q&A - https://tellonym.me/thesagesorority💘SUBSTACK// https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesororityINSTAGRAM// https://www.instagram.com/thesagesorority/TIKTOK// https://www.tiktok.com/@thesagesororityYOUTUBE// https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSororitysubscribe to The Sage Sorority Podcast + leave a (cheeky) 5* rating 💘youtube: http://bit.ly/45ei8wOspotify: https://spoti.fi/4iVPAhnapple: https://bit.ly/41ZNwO2💘catch up with, our founder + host, Shantelinstagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseauyoutube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonlineOUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseauOUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau💘

Welcome to the first episode of December and the final month of 2025 (!!!)Today we’re talking about Soft Girl December: the grounded, grown woman version of softness that helps you move through a loud month with clarity, calm, and intention.December can feel emotionally and socially overwhelming. Plans pile up, money moves fast, expectations rise, and the pressure to “end the year well” can feel like a lot. This episode is your antidote; a practical guide to protecting your peace, regulating your energy, and keeping December a vibe instead of a sprint.Inside this episode, we cover:✨ Soft StructureHow to manage your calendar without burning out. Why one or two meaningful plans per week is enough. How to add breathing room, buffer time, and emotional bandwidth back into your month.✨ Soft CommunicationWarm, clear, respectful boundaries during a chaotic season. How to decline plans without guilt. Why empathy and clarity go further than over-explaining.✨ Soft GlamFestive beauty and fragrance rituals that make you feel good in your body. Warm, sensual winter scents. Glowy skin, sexy lashes, red lipstick, and easy polished outfits for the cold months.✨ Soft Self-ConceptHow to reflect on your year with grace instead of panic. Why self-worth isn’t tied to December productivity. Staying grounded in who you're becoming not what you think you “should’ve” achieved.✨ Soft Expectations (Friendships + Relationships)Navigating holiday pressure, emotional tenderness, and birthday feelings. Noticing who shows up for you and who doesn’t. Letting December reveal what’s real, without letting it define your worth.✨ Soft Pleasure + Micro-JoySeasonal indulgence rooted in the senses. Festive coffees, candles at 4pm, cozy cashmere, body care, winter florals, and long walks in the cold. Grounding rituals that make December feel present, not blurry.Soft Girl December is about showing up calmly and clearly even when the month gets loud.You don’t need to rush, push, or perform. Stay connected to yourself and enjoy the sparkly ride.🧠 Coaching with Shantel - https://squ.re/45jq3ueIf you want emotional clarity, stronger boundaries, or direction going into 2026, coaching spots are open for the winter season. You can book a single session or a monthly series.💌 Submit an Anonymous Question - https://tellonym.me/thesagesororityFor the next Ask A Sage episode, you can ask anything: friendships, dating, work, boundaries, beauty, self-concept, or 2026 planning.⭐ Leave a 5-Star ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It genuinely helps the show grow and it means the world.📩 Join Our Substack - https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesororityThe Sage Sorority is expanding onto Substack in 2026 with deeper essays, audio notes and a paid community. Free to subscribe, paid option coming soon.Thank you for being here! Happy December, let’s make it soft, intentional and unforgettable.See you next Thursday.💘catch up with, our founder + host, Shantelinstagram// https://www.instagram.com/shantelrousseau/tiktok// https://www.tiktok.com/@shantelrousseauyoutube// https://www.youtube.com/@shantelrousseauonlineOUTFITS - ShopMy// https://shopmy.us/shantelrousseauOUTFITS - LTK// https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shantelrousseau💘

In today’s episode, I’m sharing the full, unfiltered story of my seven years in London — the quiet beginning, the heartbreak spring, the career resets, the immigration marathon, and the unexpected ways this city has shaped who I’m becoming.If you’re in a season of starting over, moving abroad, rebuilding your life, or simply trying to trust yourself again, this one’s for you.We explore:• The raw truth of moving abroad solo• Why my first six months were nothing like the movies• The heartbreak that changed how I saw myself• The reality of dating in London vs Toronto• How London humbled me professionally• Immigration stress and the emotional toll no one talks about• What this city awakened in me• What I’d tell the version of myself packing her bags• What London represents to me todayIf today’s episode resonates and you want deeper support, I’m offering private coaching sessions; everything from identity work and confidence to purpose, self-worth, and creating a life that actually feels aligned - https://squ.re/45jq3ueSubmit anonymous questions for upcoming Ask A Sage episodes; https://tellonym.me/thesagesororityFollow The Sage Sorority on Substack for essays, reflections, and behind-the-scenes insights from each episode; https://open.substack.com/pub/thesagesororityAnd if you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify — it truly helps more than you think. See you next Thursday!