Big Girls Don't Cry Podcast

Georgie and Shanleigh
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Weekly

What started as two friends stepping outside their comfort zones unexpectedly became a podcast. Big Girls Don’t Cry is hosted by Georgie and Shan, two South African friends who believe that everyone has a story worth telling. Through honest conversations, we explore resilience, reinvention, heartbreak, courage, laughter, and the moments that shape us. Life is rarely a straight line. Join us as we uncover the stories that connect us, challenge us, and remind us of one simple truth: To be human is to have a story.

Episodes

  1. 6 days ago

    Plot Twist with Alli Frank and Asha Youmans

    Co-Authors · Former Educators · Storytellers Alli Frank and Asha Youmans met through education and eventually discovered that their individual voices worked rather brilliantly as a duet. Their writing uses humor, compassion and cultural observation to open conversations about race, religion, class, privilege, parenting, education, friendship and identity. Their BGDC conversation looks behind the polished author bios and into the reality of creating together: trust, criticism, ethical storytelling, creative disagreement — and the courage required to throw away something you’ve worked incredibly hard to build. FIND ALLI + ASHA Official website alliandasha.com About Alli + Asha Meet Alli Frank + Asha Youmans Instagram @alliandasha Facebook Alli & Asha X | Twitter @alliandasha Their website is the central home for their books, author biographies, events and press. GIVEAWAY FOR BGDC LISTENERS Alli Frank and Asha Youmans are excited to gift three Big Girls Don’t Cry winners a book set of their five novels: Tiny imperfections, Never Meant to Meet You, The Better Half, Boss Lady and Run for Your Life, Callie Kingman. Head over to www.biggirlsdontcrypodcast.com and enter through the contact us page with your best response to, “Big girls don’t cry they?” We will contact the winners via email and announce it on @biggirlsdontcryclub. The competition is US only. Limited time only, competition closes Nov 30, 2026.

  2. 28 Oct

    The Edit with Samantha Yanks

    SAMANTHA YANKS Editor-in-Chief · Co-Founder, The Connecticut Edit · Creative Strategist Samantha Yanks has spent more than two decades working at the intersection of editorial, fashion, luxury, branding and storytelling. Her career has included American Vogue, where she became the first fine jewelry and watch editor; work with Oprah Winfrey, including helping launch the O List; and more than a decade with Niche Media/Modern Luxury, where she rose from fashion director to Editor-in-Chief of Hamptons and Gotham. After leaving traditional magazine leadership, Samantha launched Samantha Yanks Creative. But the next real reinvention arrived closer to home. Samantha and her daughter Sadie couldn’t find local Connecticut coverage that reflected the world they were interested in — so they created it themselves. The Connecticut Edit was born. Today Samantha is also Editor-in-Chief of Westport, Weston & Wilton Magazine and works across television, content, branding and community-building. Her BGDC materials also reference her monthly work with NBC Connecticut. FIND SAMANTHA: Samantha Yanks samanthayanks.com The Connecticut Edit theconnecticutedit.com About Samantha + The Connecticut Edit Meet the team Instagram — The Connecticut Edit @theconnecticutedit

  3. 21 Oct

    The Parts We Hide with Kaitlyn Lynch

    Kaitlyn Lynch is a licensed psychotherapist and the founder of Coalesce & Co., where her work focuses on anxiety, trauma, maternal mental health and the transitions that rearrange a life. She is also the author of The Calm Mama Workbook, a practical toolkit designed to help mothers move through overwhelm with greater presence, confidence and intention. Her conversation Georgie and Shan explores anxiety, depression and trauma; motherhood and identity; matrescence; EMDR and Internal Family Systems; and the idea that meaningful change can begin with incredibly small experiments. Kaitlyn’s underlying philosophy is beautifully simple: Understand first. Change second. Coalesce & Co.Website: coalesceandco.com Instagram: @coalesceandco The Calm Mama Workbook Details: A therapist-guided workbook exploring thoughts, emotions, values and identity shifts in motherhood through CBT, mindfulness and values-based tools: Explore The Calm Mama Purchase: The Calm Mama Workbook on Amazon Free Calm Mama 6-Step Reset For clinicians: A free, therapist-created 10-minute reset designed to help mothers reconnect with themselves: Explore Calm Mama resources Kaitlyn also offers resources for clinicians interested in bringing Calm Mama into their practices: Explore Coalesce & Co. clinician resources OFFER FOR BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY PODCAST LISTENERS: For Therapists: Complimentary 30-Minute Maternal Mental Health Group Strategy Session For Moms: Complimentary 30-Minute Calm Mama Strategy Session  To activate send a request to her contact us page: https://www.coalesceandco.com/contact

  4. 14 Oct

    The Stories That Keep Us Stuck with Joy Poole

    After two decades in high-level corporate leadership, Joy Poole began questioning a definition of success built around achievement, progression, recognition and bigger titles. An experience with an executive coach helped change the trajectory. Then, during COVID, Joy resurfaced a childhood dream her husband David had once shared with her: What ever happened to sailing around the world? Six weeks later, they were staring at a quote for a boat. In December 2024, Joy, David and their son set sail on an 18-month voyage around the world. Joy’s conversation with Shan and Georgie is ultimately less about sailing than it is about self-leadership, values, fear, self-trust and choosing a life that feels aligned. Links and Resources: Joy Poole Website: joypoole.com Instagram: @joypooleleadership LinkedIn: Joy Poole Coaching: Explore Joy’s coaching Speaking: Explore Joy Poole OFFER FOR BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY PODCAST LISTENERS: Free Next Chapter Clarity Call plus 20% off her Progress with Purpose program. Access the offer here: joypoole.com/biggirls

  5. 7 Oct

    When the Plan Falls Apart with Johno Meintjes

    Johno Meintjes’ story is one of building, losing and rebuilding. After a career in elite sports conditioning — including work across cricket, field hockey and South African rugby — Johno moved into entrepreneurship and built JEFF Fitness, a remote fitness business that grew rapidly during the pandemic. After the breakdown of that business and a painful separation from an investor/partner, Johno started again. He self-funded The Daily J, building a new wellness community around movement, nutrition, wellbeing and connection. His conversation with Georgie and Shan explores what happens when the company you built is taken away, the grief that follows, what betrayal teaches you about trust and governance, and how to rebuild without simply recreating what existed before. Links and Resources: The Daily J Website: dailyj.co.za Meet Johno + The Daily J team: Meet the Daily J Team Instagram: @johnomeintjes and @dailyj_fitness OFFER FOR BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY PODCAST LISTENERS Johno is offering our listeners 50% off his membership to the Daily J, access the link here for the offer: 50% off DailyJ

  6. 30 Sept

    So… What Now?

    After a season spent talking about resilience, we realized there was another question waiting for us: what happens after you’ve made it through? In the opening episode of Season Two, Reinvention, we turn the microphones on ourselves. We talk about the versions of us we’ve outgrown, the identities we’ve held onto, the things we’re still figuring out — and what it really looks like to begin again when you don’t have the whole plan mapped out. We also share something new that has grown from this little podcast and the incredible community around it: the Big Girls Don’t Cry Podcast Club. A place to take the conversations beyond the episode, with reflections, tools and resources designed to help you explore your own story — starting with our free Embers worksheets, and The Rekindle Guided Journal coming soon! Because maybe reinvention isn’t about becoming someone completely new. Maybe it’s about asking yourself, honestly… So, what now?

  7. 21 Jul

    Unlearning Resilience with Natasha Dehesh

    Natasha Dehesh joins Georgie and Shan to reframe resilience: how strength can become armor, why softness is its own power, and what it looks like to raise grounded kids in a very different world. Tender, practical, and refreshingly honest — this episode offers simple daily practices for nervous-system regulation, real talk about parenting without guilt, and a new way to move from surviving to designing a meaningful life. Tune in for warmth, clarity, and actionable takeaways. Links and Resources: ​Website: natashadehesh.com​IG: @natasha.dehesh​Elizabeth Gilbert — TED talk “Your Elusive Creative Genius”: www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius​Glucose Goddess IG: @glucosegoddess website glucose goddess.com

  8. 14 Jul

    Finding Grace in the Hard with Rhodie Lorenz

    Rhodie Lorenz knows that life rarely unfolds the way we imagine. In this deeply honest conversation, she shares how navigating unexpected change and uncertainty has shaped her perspective on resilience, gratitude, and what it truly means to keep moving forward. Contact Rhodie: Website: https://rhodielorenz.com IG: @rhodielorenz Links and Resources: - Song by David Guetta & Sia: Titanium  - The Artist’s Way — Julia Cameron: https://juliacameronlive.com/the-artists-way - Lotus and the Mud — by Elisabeth Schilling: The "lotus and the mud" is a profound Buddhist metaphor signifying that personal awakening, peace, and beauty cannot exist without struggle. The phrase "lotus in the mud" represents the human capacity to rise above adversity and achieve spiritual enlightenment, mental clarity, or personal growth. It symbolizes resilience—showing that beauty, wisdom, and strength can emerge from the darkest and messiest parts of life https://feminismandreligion.com/2016/11/08/lotus-in-the-mud-a-metaphor-for-humanity-on-our-darkest-days-by-lachelle-schilling.

  9. 7 Jul

    Marni Lane: Resilience, Advocacy & the Beauty of the Pivot

    Marni Lane shares her journey from breaking news to Olympic storytelling, motherhood, and the heartbreaking loss of her firstborn after a heart transplant. With honesty, warmth, and wisdom, she reflects on how grief shaped her, why advocacy matters, and how moving forward doesn’t mean leaving love behind. Resources and links: Rowboat: First You Have To Row A Little Boat - Richard BodeHoward Stern: https://www.howardstern.comContact Marni Lane: LinkedIn:marni-harriman-laneIG: @kriskeylane

  10. 1 Jul

    Wall Street to Wellness with Lynn Mull

    Episode 2 featuring Lynn Mull What happens when success no longer feels aligned with who you’re becoming? Lynn Mull shares her journey from Wall Street to Wellness, exploring resilience, reinvention, and the courage to trust a new path. A powerful conversation about change, growth, and finding alignment. Big Girls Don’t Cry - because to be human is to have a story. Show note links and resources: Website: https://www.lynnmull.comIG: @_lynnmull/Resources: IFS Institute: https://ifs-institute.com/ and Book: No Bad Parts, Author: Richard Schwartz: https://ifs-institute.com/nobadpartsIna Garten — Barefoot Contessa: https://barefootcontessa.comByron Katie — The Work: https://thework.comBrené Brown — official site / books: https://brenebrown.comShonda Rhimes — The Year of Yes: https://www.shondaland.com/shonda/year-of-yes Songs:  Baby Steps by Olivia DeanBanana Pancakes by Jack Johnson

  11. 29 Jun

    Our Story

    What started as two friends stepping outside their comfort zones unexpectedly became a podcast. Big Girls Don’t Cry is hosted by Georgie and Shan, two South African friends who believe that everyone has a story worth telling. Through honest conversations with people from all walks of life, we explore resilience, reinvention, heartbreak, courage, laughter, and the moments that change us. Some stories are extraordinary. Most are beautifully ordinary. All of them remind us that life is rarely a straight line. So whether you’re navigating a challenge of your own or simply curious about the human experience, pull up a chair and join us. Because to be human is to have a story. Show notes and resources: Media and Branding Services:  https://www.zwaanz.com/solutionshttps://switchonmymedia.comBGDC host photos by: https://privateportraits.com

  • 11 Episodes

About

What started as two friends stepping outside their comfort zones unexpectedly became a podcast. Big Girls Don’t Cry is hosted by Georgie and Shan, two South African friends who believe that everyone has a story worth telling. Through honest conversations, we explore resilience, reinvention, heartbreak, courage, laughter, and the moments that shape us. Life is rarely a straight line. Join us as we uncover the stories that connect us, challenge us, and remind us of one simple truth: To be human is to have a story.

Information

  • Creator
    Georgie and Shanleigh
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Georgie and Shanleigh
  • Show Website
    Big Girls Don't Cry Podcast

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