Just Women Talking Shit: Real Conversations About Life, Mental Health, & Womanhood

In this solo episode, I take you on a late-night, unfiltered journey of change, courage, & choosing myself—even when it’s hard.I recorded this one from my car after going to an open mic alone for the first time in almost seven years. I’m eating Taco Bell, hitting my vape pen, & reflecting on everything that’s shifted in my life—divorce, motherhood, personal evolution, & the messy but real work of showing up for myself.This episode is me being honest about what it looks like to step into my own power while navigating uncertainty.Stepping Into the UnknownI talk about showing up alone as a newly single woman & performing at an open mic, even when the room was almost empty. It was nerve-wracking, but liberating. That night reminded me that finding your voice often means being uncomfortable—& leaning into it anyway.Life Updates & FamilyI share what life looks like right now—living with my mom & my kids, helping my family while my mom’s husband battles cancer, & juggling all the responsibilities that come with being a mom, daughter, & someone trying to rebuild her own life. It’s hard, but it’s also shown me how resilient I am.Mental Health & HealingI open up about my mental health journey, including therapy, medication, & learning how to prioritize myself while living with bipolar disorder & anxiety. Healing isn’t linear, & I want to normalize that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.Letting Go & Choosing GrowthI talk about reducing my dependency on substances, including cannabis, as part of my personal evolution. These changes didn’t come from shame—they came from self-awareness & a desire to show up fully for myself & my kids.Redefining Love & RelationshipsI also touch on my soon-to-be ex-husband & why love alone wasn’t enough to sustain our marriage. Choosing my mental health & well-being over expectations wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. I hope it encourages you to examine your relationships honestly, too.Finding Joy in the Simple MomentsI share a sweet moment with my kids eating Lunchables in our camper. It’s simple, but it felt grounding & joyful—a reminder that stability & happiness aren’t about perfection; they’re about presence, care, & creating safe spaces for the people we love.Key TakeawaysFrom this episode, I hope you take away that:Growth often starts in discomfortPrioritizing your mental health is essentialLetting go can be an act of loveChoosing yourself doesn’t make you selfish—it makes you strongerJoy can be found in the smallest momentsIf you’re navigating change, redefining yourself, or learning how to show up fully, this episode is for you.

Raising resilient teens isn’t about control, perfection, or fixing every problem — it’s about letting go, setting healthy boundaries, and staying emotionally present when things get messy.In this episode, Jacquelynn Cotten sits down with parenting coach Randi Crawford to talk honestly about what parents of teens and tweens are facing today: emotional overwhelm, overparenting, pressure to perform, blended families, sports stress, and the fear of getting it wrong.Together, they break down how parents can stop reacting, start responding, and raise confident, emotionally capable teens without losing connection or burning themselves out.🧠 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:What it really means to raise resilient teensWhy letting go helps teens build confidence and independenceHow to set boundaries without controlling or micromanagingWhy teens release emotions at home — and how to handle it calmlyThe long-term damage of overparenting and constant fixingHow to stay present during teen emotional outburstsParenting through divorce, blended families, and major transitionsHow listening builds trust more than advice or disciplineWhy resilience is built through struggle — not rescue💬 Powerful Quotes from the Episode“The greatest gift we can give our kids is independence.”“We’re not first reactors — we’re first responders.”“Your child is not a reflection of you.”“Stop fixing. Start listening.”👩‍👧 Who This Episode Is ForParents raising teens or tweensMoms feeling reactive, exhausted, or overwhelmedFamilies navigating blended households or big life changesParents wanting to raise resilient, confident teensAnyone looking for realistic teen parenting advice

Send us a textLife looked “fine” on the outside—but at home, everything was unraveling. I share why I left my marriage to protect my daughter’s mental health, my own sanity, and why starting over isn’t failure.In this episode, I walk through real, repeatable tools for rebuilding:Mental health habits: quiet moments, weekly truth check-insBody basics: hydration, short walks, small winsSpiritual grounding: energy checks and centering practicesWe also cover practical strategies for messy transitions—working from coffee shops, car-living, micro-tasks, and minute-by-minute decisions when resources are tight.If you’re stuck between “picture-perfect” and peace, this episode is your reminder: choosing yourself is courageous, not selfish.Key Takeaways:Protecting kids’ mental health through hard choicesRecognizing toxic patterns and ending cyclesTruth-telling as the first step to changeNon-negotiables for mind, body, and spiritRedefining success in hard seasonsShare this episode with someone who needs courage today, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help more women find it.Want to help my children and I during this transition?You can donate to our GoFundMe HERE. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show🌿 Ready to go deeper?Join the waitlist for Wild Women Who Wander 2026 — the retreat for women ready to drop the masks, reclaim their power, and connect with their most authentic selves. 👉 Fill out the the Google Form HERE.📲 Let’s stay connected: Follow on Instagram: @justwomentalkingshit and @jacquelynncotten Email your stories, questions, or advice requests: [email protected] Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber HERE. Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views, opinions, and discussions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not constitute professional advice or services. Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for consultation with qualified professionals in areas such as medical, legal, financial, or mental health matters. Always seek the advice of an appropriate licensed professional for any questions or concerns you may have.

Send us a textWhat if eroticism is simply your life force—your aliveness—and not just a sexual act? In this episode, Jacquelynn Cotten talks with trauma-informed somatic educator Darshana Avila about reconnecting with your body, rewriting internalized shame, and building safety for authentic intimacy.We discuss:• What “erotic wholeness” really means • How trauma, religion, and patriarchy disconnect us from pleasure • Why talk therapy often is not enough without somatics • How freeze responses and people pleasing show up in intimacy • Consent as collaboration, not obligation • Body-based tools: breath, movement, sound, self touch • Myths about desire, pain, lube, and menopause • Raising kids with healthy embodiment and curiosity instead of shameDarshana shares simple practices for shifting from sexual performance to presence, so you can experience intimacy with clarity, consent, and sovereignty.Connect with Darshana: Instagram | WebsiteIf this episode resonated, share it with a friend and leave a review telling us which old belief about sexuality you are ready to release. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show🌿 Ready to go deeper?Join the waitlist for Wild Women Who Wander 2026 — the retreat for women ready to drop the masks, reclaim their power, and connect with their most authentic selves. 👉 Fill out the the Google Form HERE.📲 Let’s stay connected: Follow on Instagram: @justwomentalkingshit and @jacquelynncotten Email your stories, questions, or advice requests: [email protected] Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber HERE. Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views, opinions, and discussions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not constitute professional advice or services. Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for consultation with qualified professionals in areas such as medical, legal, financial, or mental health matters. Always seek the advice of an appropriate licensed professional for any questions or concerns you may have.

Send us a textThis episode dives into the emotional tug-of-war women face when we’re told to rise above, take the high road, and keep the peace — even when it costs us our truth. In this episode, Jacquelynn breaks down the difference between emotional maturity and emotional self-abandonment, how to set boundaries with integrity, and what it looks like to choose self-respect over silence.This is your reminder that being the bigger person doesn’t mean shrinking who you are.In this episode, we explore:Why “being the bigger person” is so often weaponized against womenThe difference between maturity and people-pleasingHow to respond calmly without suppressing your emotionsThe signs you’re abandoning yourself in the name of peaceWhat grace really looks likeHow to set boundaries without guiltPractical steps to protect your peace while staying alignedListen if you’ve ever been told:“Just let it go,”“Don’t stoop to their level,”“Be the bigger person.”Because this episode is your permission slip to stop losing yourself for the sake of keeping everyone else comfortable. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show🌿 Ready to go deeper?Join the waitlist for Wild Women Who Wander 2026 — the retreat for women ready to drop the masks, reclaim their power, and connect with their most authentic selves. 👉 Fill out the the Google Form HERE.📲 Let’s stay connected: Follow on Instagram: @justwomentalkingshit and @jacquelynncotten Email your stories, questions, or advice requests: [email protected] Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber HERE. Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views, opinions, and discussions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not constitute professional advice or services. Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for consultation with qualified professionals in areas such as medical, legal, financial, or mental health matters. Always seek the advice of an appropriate licensed professional for any questions or concerns you may have.