Small Talk with Sheila

Sheila Kazan
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Welcome to Small Talk with Sheila, where the mundane meets the magical in the most delightful and humorous ways! Imagine Bridget Jones had a self-help podcast, and you’re pretty close to the charming chaos that is Sheila’s world. In each episode, Sheila takes you on a journey through her daily adventures, reflecting on everything from her self-help obsession to the peculiarities of her neighbors (including that one who always flips her off). With a blend of wit, warmth, and wisdom, Sheila shares the stories and life lessons that have shaped her into the person she is today.

  1. 4D AGO

    I Called His Work Because I Thought He Died…

    He stopped texting. I assumed he was dead. I called his work. He was not dead. He was just ghosting me.We've all been there. Waiting for those three little dots, making every excuse in the book. He's probably sick. His mom is sick. Maybe he's just really busy. It doesn't matter. The waiting is the same.In this episode, I'm not here to tell you he's just not that into you. I'm the bestie getting you through to the other side — and honestly? To something way better.Here's what I know: the minute you fall in love with yourself, everyone falls in love with you. And those three dots? You won't even care anymore.IN THIS EPISODE→ Why you're in love with an idea — not an actual person→ The list that will save you from texting him→ How to take yourself on the date you've been waiting for→Why falling in love with yourself is the only move that mattersTHE 4 TIPS✨ Tip 1: You don't even know if you like him. You like the idea of him.✨ Tip 2: Make the list — and work the list.✨ Tip 3: Take yourself out on the date you were waiting for.✨ Tip 4 (the bonus and the whole point): Fall in love with yourself.THE SHEILA SCIENCE™ REFRAMEWhen someone likes you, they will move oceans and seas to be with you. So in the meantime — move oceans and seas for yourself. In every small moment. Because all the small moments add up to the big moment where you are the main character of your own life.Email me: sheila@smalltalkwithsheila.com📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTokFighting the urge to text him right now? DM Sheila everything you want to say to him. She'll keep you accountable. Just don't text him. 💗If this episode helped you, hit Subscribe, leave a review, and send it to the friend who's waiting on those three dots right now.And this rom-com? It's just getting started. 🩷CHAPTERS0:00 The Cold Open: I Called His Work1:07 Welcome to Small Talk with Sheila1:42 Tip 1: You Like the Idea of Him — Not Him2:39 Tip 2: Make the List and Work the List4:33 Tip 3: Take Yourself Out on the Date5:45 Tip 4 (Bonus): Fall in Love With Yourself6:30 The Sheila Science Reframe7:03 Your Homework and How to Find SheilaEND CREDITS — ROLLING LIKE A ROM-COMProduction and audience development by PodVisionCreated, written, and hosted by Sheila KazanExecutive Producer of Her Own Life: Also Sheila KazanEmotional Support and Occasional Reality Check: Hezi (my husband)Tiny but Mighty Energy: Love (my pup)No three dots required. No callback needed. Just one woman who decided she was worth the date.

    8 min

  2. MAY 10

    Devil Wears Prada Made Me Realize It's Okay to Be Ambitious

    Devil Wears Prada 2 is in theaters! And watching it made me ask: why does society still make ambitious women feel bad for wanting more? About a month ago, I asked 20 people in my life to describe me in one word. Anonymous. No context. Just: who is she to you? When "ambitious" showed up, my reaction surprised me. First: "Heck yeah." Then: "Wait... is that bad?" If you've ever felt cringey when someone called you ambitious — this episode is for you. I'm Sheila-Sciencing the four biggest myths about ambitious women, using Miranda Priestly and Andy Sachs as my case study. Because here's what I know: ambition isn't ego. It's not a character flaw. It's a personality trait. And it's time we owned it. In this episode:→ Why ambitious women get a bad reputation (and why it's wrong)→ The real difference between Miranda Priestly and Andy Sachs — and what it tells us about ambition→ How to balance ambition with the people you love→ Why ambition has nothing to do with your job title→ How to stop feeling ashamed of wanting more Message me: sheila@smalltalkwithsheila.comInstagramTikTok CHAPTERS00:00 Devil Wears Prada 2, Ambitious Women, and the Cold Open01:00 Welcome to Small Talk with Sheila01:52 Story Time: I Asked 20 People to Describe Me03:30 Let's Sheila Science This03:37 Myth #1: Ambition Is Ego and Greed05:36 Myth #2: Ambitious Women Don't Care About Their People07:57 Myth #3: Ambition Only Lives in Power Titles09:45 Myth #4: Ambitious People Are Loners11:00 Own Your Ambition: Final ThoughtsEND CREDITS — ROLLING LIKE A ROM-COMProduction and audience development by PodVisionCreated, written, and hosted by Sheila KazanExecutive Producer of Her Own Life: Also Sheila KazanEmotional Support and Occasional Reality Check: Hezi (my husband)Tiny but Mighty Energy: Love (my pup) No Chanel bag required. No corner office needed. Just one very ambitious woman, finally owning it.

    14 min

  3. MAY 1

    Three Ways I'm RomCom'ing My Life

    Three ways I’m rom-comming my life in real time — glow ups, home vibes, and rediscovering pure fun.Short and sweet is back! This week I’m sharing three ways I’m rom-comming my life right now — in real time — to inspire you to do the same. There’s a beauty obsession I literally had to get on a waitlist for, a home glow up powered by ChatGPT (yes, really), and a therapy session that reminded me I forgot how to just have fun. Champagne in hand. Let’s get into it.Three Ways I’m Rom-Com'ing My Life 01 · The Outer Glow Up: Victoria Beckham Foundation DropsI hunted these down across every Nordstrom, got on a waitlist, and zero regrets. The number five light is now a permanent fixture in my life. Plus, why Victoria Beckham is the ultimate main character (watch the documentary — trust me). Here is the link. 02 · The Environment Glow Up: ChatGPT-ing My Home, One Nook at a TimeLA dreams are on hold (love interest said not yet), so I’m channeling that energy into making every corner of my home feel like me. I took a photo of my entryway, dropped it into ChatGPT, and the result was honestly pretty awesome. You don’t have to spend a lot — sometimes it’s just a mirror swap.03 · The Inner Glow Up: Reclaiming Fun — No Productivity AllowedMy therapist asked what I do for fun and I had no answer. So I made a list: the mall, paint by numbers, memorizing a song. Things that don’t lead anywhere. Sheila Summer of Fun is officially on.Chapters 00:00 Short & sweet is back — champagne and all00:48 Outer glow up: the Victoria Beckham Foundation Drops obsession01:48 Why Victoria Beckham is the ultimate main character02:39 LA dreams: the love interest says not yet03:38 Home glow up: ChatGPT-ing my nooks and crannies04:48 You don’t need to spend money to upgrade your environment05:12 Therapy homework: what do you do just for fun?06:55 The fun list — mall, paint by numbers, memorizing a song07:23 Cheers to the Sheila Summer of FunWatch the Romcom Live https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkwith_sheilahttps://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkwithsheilahttps://www.tiktok.com/@smalltalkwithsheilaNow I Want to Hear from YouWhat are the three things you want to do just for fun this summer? No goals, no productivity, just pure joy.Comment on YouTube, DM me on socials, or email me. And if you know someone who’s forgotten how to have fun… send them this episode.Email: sheila@smalltalkwithsheila.comEnd CreditsRolling like a romcomProduction and audience development by PodVisionCreated, written, and hosted by Sheila KazanExecutive Producer of Her Own Life: Also Sheila KazanEmotional Support: Hezi (my husband)Tiny but Mighty Energy: Love (my pup)

    8 min

  4. APR 25

    It's Okay to Change Your Mind

    What if the detours in your life weren't mistakes… but the actual road?In this episode, we're wrapping up the Romcom Your Work Life series by talking about something nobody wants to admit: changing your mind. About your career. Your dreams. Your path. The thing society tells you to be ashamed of — the pivot, the plot twist, the lily pad jump — is exactly what we are here to celebrate.Because here's the truth: your work life doesn't have to look like a LinkedIn highlight reel. It gets to be messy. It gets to change. It gets to make sense only to you.Here's the truth I want you to walk away with: you are allowed to change your mind. Your life doesn't have to be linear to be meaningful. It just has to be yours.We talk: Why changing your mind is not something to be ashamed ofThe myth of "all or nothing" in Hollywood, in corporate America, and everywhere in betweenBeing an "and" because you don't have to pick just one thingWhy your detours are part of your story, not a detour from itWatch the romcom live: Instagram YouTube TikTokNow I want to hear from you…What's your plot twist? What's the career detour that actually led you somewhere better?Comment on YouTube, DM me, or email me at sheila@smalltalkwithsheila.comAnd if you know someone who thinks their entire work life is a mistake… send them this episode.End Credits "rolling like a romcom"Production and audience development by PodVision Created and produced by Sheila Kazan Emotional Support: Hezi (my husband) Tiny but Mighty Energy: Love (my pup) No lily pads were harmed in the making of this episode. Just one very messy, magical career story, told exactly as it happened. This romcom is just getting started. 🤍

    14 min

  5. APR 17

    Persistence Is How I Got Into Hollywood

    What if the life you want isn’t built through one big lucky break… but through the small ways you choose yourself every single day? In this episode of Small Talk with Sheila, we continue the Romcom Your Work Life series with my Hollywood assistant era. Yes, the one where I was trying to break into one of the hardest industries out there, getting rejected left and right, working for free, emailing people nonstop, and refusing to give up until someone finally gave me a shot. And while this episode starts with stories from my entertainment days, it becomes something much deeper.Because looking back at younger versions of myself made me realize something: she had tenacity. She believed in herself. She said yes. She was persistent. And somewhere along the way… I may have lost a little of that. So this episode is about getting it back. It’s about remembering that betting on yourself is not a one-time act. It’s a daily practice. It’s reaching out. Trying again. Being brave again. Staying in motion when results are slow. It’s remembering that main character energy often looks less like glamour… and more like consistency. Here’s the truth I want you to walk away with:You do not become the main character once and stay there forever. You have to keep choosing yourself. Again and again.We talk: My Hollywood assistant story and how I broke into the film industry Why persistence matters more than being “qualified” The traits I had when I was younger that I want back now Creating a “Betting on Myself” spreadsheet Watch the romcom live: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkwith_sheila YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkwithsheila TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@smalltalkwithsheila Now I want to hear from you…How are you betting on yourself right now?Comment on YouTube, DM me, or email me at sheila@smalltalkwithsheila.comAnd if you know someone who needs this… send it to them.Watch the romcom live:End Credits “rolling like a romcom”Production and audience development by PodVisionCreated, written, and hosted by Sheila KazanExecutive Producer of Her Own Life: Also Sheila KazanEmotional Support and Occasional Reality Check: Hezi (my husband)Tiny but Mighty Energy: Love (my pup)No overnight success was required in the making of this episode.Just persistence, a spreadsheet, and audacity.This romcom is just getting started. 🤍

    20 min

  6. APR 11

    Boundaries Are Cute… But What If You Said Yes Instead?

    You know how everyone right now is talking about boundaries? Say no. Protect your peace. Don’t overextend. And listen… I love a boundary. But I have a theory. I think some of us are saying no a little too fast… and missing the very things that could actually change our lives.Because when I look back, the moments that shaped me most didn’t come from perfect plans. They came from saying yes. Like Radio Disney. Not my forever, not even “the plan,” but it opened doors I didn’t even know existed. All it took was a gut feeling, a little delusion, and honestly, a little Jim Carrey energy from "Yes, Man!"In this episode, we’re flipping the script. Because saying yes doesn’t mean forever. It just means you’re open to what could happen. And that… is how you start rom-coming your work life.Here’s the truth I want you to walk away with: not everything you say yes to will be “the thing,” but it might lead you to it. You don’t need a perfect plan. You need momentum.We talk: Why “say no” culture might be holding you back The power of temporary yeses How one yes can completely change your path Now I want to hear from you…What are you going to say yes to this week?Comment on YouTube, DM me, or email me at sheila@smalltalkwithsheila.comAnd if you know someone who needs this… send it to them.Watch the romcom live: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkwith_sheila⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkwithsheila⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@smalltalkwithsheila⁠End Credits “rolling like a romcom”Production and audience development by Pod.VisionCreated, written, and hosted by Sheila KazanExecutive Producer of Her Own Life: Also Sheila KazanEmotional Support and Occasional Reality Check: Hezi (my husband)Tiny but Mighty Energy: Love (my pup)No long-term commitments were required in the making of this episode. Just one very powerful yes.

    14 min

  7. APR 3

    I Thought I Was the Problem… Until I Spoke Up

    You know in Legally Blonde when Elle Woods walks into Harvard Law and everyone looks at her like she doesn’t belong? Yeah… that happened to me. Except it wasn’t Harvard. It was a very grumpy law firm in San Jose where people stole my mouse and threw staplers. And I remember thinking… wait. Why does everyone think this is normal? In this episode, we’re talking about that moment. The moment something in your work life doesn’t feel right, but instead of speaking up, you start wondering if you’re the problem. I’m taking you back to my very first “real” job. I was 21, tiny but mighty, and completely unprepared for what I walked into. A workplace where people weren’t kind, toxic behavior was normal, and I started questioning myself.Until one night, I hit my limit. I quit. No notice. No plan. And what happened next changed everything. We talk: The moment you realize “this is not normal”… and what you do next How we end up thinking we’re the problem in toxic environments The difference between being “emotional” and knowing your worth What it looks like to speak up… and romcom your work life I also share what happened when I went back to that job to explain myself… and how, for the first time, I realized I wasn’t the problem. Here’s the truth I want you to walk away with: just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s normal. And just because everyone else is tolerating it doesn’t mean you have to. We spend more time working than we do in almost any other part of our lives, so why are we so quick to accept environments that make us miserable? You are allowed to speak up. You are allowed to ask for more. You are allowed to leave. That’s what it means to romcom your work life. If this episode landed for you, send it to someone who needs to hear this. And if you’re in it right now, this is your reminder… you are not stuck. You are the main character. And you get to decide what happens next. Watch the romcom live: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkwith_sheila⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkwithsheila⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@smalltalkwithsheila⁠ Or email me directly at sheila@smalltalkwithsheila.com End Credits “rolling like a romcom”Production and audience development by PodVisionCreated, written, and hosted by Sheila KazanExecutive Producer of Her Own Life: Also Sheila KazanEmotional Support and Occasional Reality Check: Hezi (my husband)Tiny but Mighty Energy: Love (my pup)No staplers were thrown in the making of this episode.But one very important boundary was. This romcom is just getting started. 🤍

    16 min

  8. MAR 27

    I Loved Myself & Finally Said I'm Done

    You know that line in Bridget Jones's Diary… when Mark Darcy says, “I like you very much, just the way you are”? Yeah. We all melt.But here’s the real question: Do you?In this episode, we’re talking about self-love. Not the Instagram version. Not the bubble baths and face masks (although we love those too). I’m talking about the real, grounded, sometimes hard version of self-love. The kind that shows up when everything is falling apart. I share the story of the moment I finally chose myself. After years of back and forth, leaving and returning, I reached a point where I didn’t need someone else to stay… because I had finally stayed for me.We talk: Why self-love isn’t just “treating yourself”… it’s consistency and self-devotion The difference between caring for yourself and being kind to yourself (you need both) How self-love gives you the strength to walk away from what no longer serves you A simple but powerful exercise using a photo of your younger self CHAPTERS: 00:00 Self love question do you love yourself?01:00 Story choosing yourself after repeated heartbreak02:30 Building habits that led to self love04:00 Choosing yourself and walking away fully04:45 What self love actually looks like06:00 Consistency devotion and being kind to yourself07:00 Practicing self love on hard days08:30 Healing reconnecting and loving yourself again10:00 Final message self love is daily practice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkwith_sheilaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkwithsheilaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@smalltalkwithsheilaI also share one of the books that supported me during this time: Radical Awakening. If you’re in a season of coming back to yourself, it’s a powerful one.And yes… I recorded this episode on one of those days. Nothing working. Camera issues. Internet down. Fully not in the mood. And still… I showed up. For you, but more importantly, for me. Because that’s what self-love looks like in real life.We also talk about Sex and the City, the movie— specifically Carrie after everything falls apart, and how her assistant Louise (played by Jennifer Hudson) helps her come back to herself. That’s the kind of love we’re building here.You can choose yourself… right now.If this episode landed for you, share it with your friends. Send it to someone who needs a reminder to stop abandoning themselves. Send it to someone who needs to come back home to who they are.And I mean it… I want to see little you. Send me your baby photos. DM me. Email me. Drop them in the comments. I want to know: what does loving that version of you look like? 🤍Watch the romcom live:Or email me directly at sheila@smalltalkwithsheila.comEnd Credits "rolling like a romcom"Production and audience development by PodVisionCreated, written, and hosted by Sheila KazanExecutive Producer of Her Own Life: Also Sheila KazanEmotional Support and Occasional Reality Check: Hezi (my husband)Tiny but Mighty Energy: Love (my pup)No bubble baths were required in the making of this episode. A woman choosing herself was.This romcom is just getting started. 🤍

    13 min
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5
out of 5
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About

Welcome to Small Talk with Sheila, where the mundane meets the magical in the most delightful and humorous ways! Imagine Bridget Jones had a self-help podcast, and you’re pretty close to the charming chaos that is Sheila’s world. In each episode, Sheila takes you on a journey through her daily adventures, reflecting on everything from her self-help obsession to the peculiarities of her neighbors (including that one who always flips her off). With a blend of wit, warmth, and wisdom, Sheila shares the stories and life lessons that have shaped her into the person she is today.

Information

  • Creator
    Sheila Kazan
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sheila Kazan
  • Show Website
    Small Talk with Sheila