Mirror Mirror On the Mic

What If Your Life Doesn't Follow the Script?
From the time we're young, many women are handed the same blueprint: grow up, find a partner, get married, have children. But what happens when your life takes a different path? And why does that make so many people uncomfortable?
In this honest and heartfelt panel discussion, Malissa and Inez are joined by two incredible women who have chosen lives without children. Together, they explore the expectations society places on women, the questions they're constantly asked, the assumptions people make, and the freedom that comes from living authentically.
This isn't a conversation about whether women should or shouldn't have children. It's about something much bigger: honoring the fact that every woman's journey is different.
Whether you're a mom, child-free by choice, navigating infertility, still deciding, or simply someone who believes women deserve the freedom to define success for themselves, this episode invites you to listen with curiosity and compassion.
Because a meaningful life doesn't come from following someone else's script.
It comes from having the courage to write your own.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why women are so often expected to justify their life choices.
The difference between choosing a child-free life and grieving a life you hoped for.
How societal expectations shape our ideas of fulfillment.
Why empathy matters more than assumptions.
What it means to create a life that feels authentic to you.
✨ If this conversation resonated with you, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use the reminder that there is no one "right" way to build a beautiful life.
Connect with us:📱 Follow us on social: @mirrormirroronthemic
Interested in coaching or bringing Malissa to speak at your organization? Email me at mirrormirroronthemic@gmail.com 

What do aliens, stand-up comedy, mental illness, and chasing impossible dreams have in common?
More than you'd think.
This week on Mirror Mirror on the Mic, I sit down with comedian, writer, and creator Rosie Tran for a conversation that starts with one ridiculous question ("How would you explain humans to aliens?") and somehow turns into one of the most honest discussions we've had about resilience, rejection, and believing in yourself.
Rosie shares what it's really like to be a woman in comedy, the highs and lows of performing for live audiences, and why bombing on stage isn't the end of the world. She also tells the incredible story behind Rosie Tran Presents, the show she created after being told "no," choosing to invest her own life savings to bring her vision to life instead of waiting for someone else's permission.
One of my favorite moments comes when Rosie compares comedy to music. Not everyone loves jazz, and that doesn't make the musician bad. The same is true for comedians, creators, entrepreneurs, and honestly...all of us. You don't have to be for everyone. You just have to find the people you're meant to reach.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why rejection doesn't always mean you're on the wrong path
The reality of being a woman in stand-up comedy
Mental health and finding humor in life's hardest moments
What bombing on stage can teach us about resilience
Why waiting for permission keeps so many dreams on the shelf
The courage to keep going, even when the evidence says you shouldn't
Whether you're building a business, changing careers, pursuing a creative dream, or simply trying to trust yourself again, this conversation is a reminder that the people who eventually succeed aren't always the most talented. Often, they're the ones who decide to keep going anyway.
Connect with Rosie Tran on Instagram @rosietranpresntstvBe sure to check out Rosie Tran Presents and follow Rosie to see what she's creating next.
If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you. Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder to keep believing in themselves.
If you're looking for career coaching, leadership development, keynote speaking, or support as you navigate your next chapter, you'll find all of my coaching and speaking information @mirrormirroronthemic on Instagram 
Thanks for listening to Mirror Mirror on the Mic. ❤️

Do the stars determine how we handle heartbreak...or do they simply give us another way to understand ourselves?
In this solo episode of Mirror Mirror on the Mic, we're taking a lighthearted (and slightly unhinged) tour through all 12 zodiac signs to explore how each one might navigate divorce, breakups, and life's biggest endings. From Aries booking a flight before the ink is dry to Taurus emotionally attaching to throw pillows, Virgo creating color-coded spreadsheets, and Pisces making a heartbreak playlist worthy of an Oscar, no sign is safe.
But beneath the laughs is a much bigger conversation.
This episode isn't really about astrology. It's about the coping strategies we all develop when life falls apart. Why do some of us stay busy? Why do others analyze every conversation, cry for months, or completely reinvent ourselves? More importantly, how do we move from simply surviving heartbreak to intentionally healing?
Whether you're a devoted astrology enthusiast, a total skeptic, divorced, dating, healing from a breakup, or simply navigating a season of change, this episode will invite you to laugh, reflect, and maybe recognize a little more of yourself along the way.
Because self-awareness isn't about becoming someone else.
It's about finally understanding the person you've been all along.
✨ In this episode, you'll learn:
How each zodiac sign might respond to heartbreak and major life transitions
The hidden strengths and blind spots behind different coping styles
Why your default reaction to pain isn't your destiny
The difference between surviving and truly healing
How curiosity can replace self-judgment as you rebuild your life
💗 Ready to take the next step?
If this episode resonated with you and you're ready to stop surviving and start intentionally rebuilding your life, I'd love to support you.
➡️ Learn more about 1:1 coaching:https://stan.store/MalissaConnorsCoaching 
➡️ Book a free discovery call:mirrormirroronthemic@gmail.com 
➡️ Download my free resources:https://stan.store/MalissaConnorsCoaching/p/just-wait-guide 
📱 Connect with me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirrormirroronthemic
🎙️ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review. It helps more women find the show and join our growing community of people choosing healing, honesty, and growth.

What if the goal isn't to be perfectly okay?
This week on Mirror Mirror on the Mic, I sit down with forensic psychologist and author Amanda Landes to talk about perfectionism, authenticity, resilience, and what it means to embrace the messy middle of being human.
Amanda shares stories from her personal life, insights from her work with women navigating professional, romantic, and personal challenges, and the inspiration behind her book I'm Almost Okay. Together, we explore why so many of us feel pressure to have it all figured out, why vulnerability is actually a strength, and how owning our imperfections can create deeper connection with ourselves and others.
In a world that constantly asks us to be polished, productive, and perfect, maybe there's power in answering the question "How are you?" with a simple:
"Almost."
Not broken.Not failing.Not pretending.
Just human.
And honestly? Maybe we should start a trend.
In This Episode:
• The difference between being high-achieving and being trapped by perfectionism• Why authenticity creates deeper connection than perfection ever could• The stories women carry and the expectations they inherit• How to stop hiding your messy parts and start owning them• Why "almost okay" may be a healthier goal than "perfectly fine"
Connect with Amanda Landes
📖 Get I'm Almost Okay: https://a.co/d/02PiNm0v 
📱 Follow Amanda:Instagram: @amandaelandes Connect with Malissa
🎙️ Follow the podcast:Instagram: @mirrormirroronthemic
✨ Interested in coaching, speaking, podcast guest appearances, or collaborations?
📧 Email: mirrormirroronthemic@gmail.com
🔗 Work with me: https://stan.store/MalissaConnorsCoaching 
If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs permission to stop pretending they're perfectly okay.
Because sometimes the bravest answer isn't "I'm fine."
It's "I'm almost okay."

What if your emotions aren't the problem??
In this deeply personal episode of Mirror Mirror on the Mic, Malissa sits down with her own therapist, Dr. Kimberly Vay, to explore the life-changing principles of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by anxiety, grief, anger, shame, heartbreak, or simply the weight of being human, this conversation is for you.
Together, they unpack some of the most powerful metaphors used by Dr. Vay:
🌊 Why you can never step into the same river twice🎈 What happens when you keep trying to push your emotions down like a beach ball underwater🐟 Why fish don't know they're in water and how we often normalize unhealthy environments without realizing it
You'll learn why emotions aren't "good" or "bad," how emotional regulation actually works, and why so many of us spend years fighting feelings that are simply trying to give us information.
Malissa also shares how DBT became one of the most important tools in her own healing journey, helping her navigate grief, divorce, uncertainty, and the everyday challenges of being human.
Whether you're in therapy, considering therapy, or simply trying to understand yourself better, this episode offers practical wisdom, compassion, and hope.
In This Episode:
What DBT is and how it's different from CBT
Why emotions are neutral
The cost of emotional avoidance
Mindfulness in everyday life
Emotional regulation tools you can use immediately
How to stop fighting your feelings and start listening to them
Why healing isn't about becoming emotionless
Connect with Malissa
📱 Follow along on Instagram: @mirrormirroronthemic
🎙️ Listen to more episodes of Mirror Mirror on the Mic
✨ Interested in coaching, speaking, or podcast guest opportunities? https://stan.store/MalissaConnorsCoaching or email me at mirrormirroronthemic@gmail.com 
#DBT #MentalHealth #Therapy #EmotionalRegulation #DivorceRecovery #HealingJourney #Mindfulness #SelfGrowth #MirrorMirrorOnTheMic #KimberlyVay #LifeAfterDivorce

What happens when a family mystery refuses to let go?
This week on Mirror Mirror on the Mic, we sit down with author and violinist Brigid Kennedy to discuss her captivating novel, Lost: The Lost City of Incan Gold, a story inspired by her own family's history and a question that lingered for generations.
When Brigid’s great-grandfather disappeared into the Amazon and never returned, he left behind more than unanswered questions. He left behind a legacy of mystery, grief, and curiosity that would eventually inspire a novel decades later.
In this conversation, Brigid shares:✨ The real family story that inspired the book✨ How inherited grief can shape generations✨ Why she felt compelled to tell this story✨ What it was like to write her first novel as a professional violinist✨ How creativity often asks us to trust ourselves before we feel ready✨ The surprising ways storytelling can heal, connect, and transform families
This episode is about so much more than writing a book. It's about reclaiming history, honoring the people who came before us, and discovering the power of using your voice.
Whether you're a reader, a creative, a writer, or someone carrying a story of your own, this conversation will leave you asking an important question:
What story is waiting for you to tell it?
Connect with Brigid…🌿 Website: https://www.brigidkennedybooks.com 🌿 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrigidKennedyBooks
Connect with Mirror Mirror on the Mic:🎙 Instagram: @mirrormirroronthemic🎙 Work with Malissa: https://stan.store/MalissaConnorsCoaching or email me mirrormirroronthemic@gmail.com 🎙 Speaking, coaching, podcast appearances, and more available through the link above.
If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that their story matters.
#MirrorMirrorOnTheMic #BridgetKennedy #LostTheLostCityOfInkAndGold #AuthorInterview #Storytelling #FamilyLegacy #CreativeJourney #HealingThroughStorytelling #WomenWhoCreate #Podcast

Making friends as an adult feels weird... and somehow nobody warns you about it.
One day you're surrounded by classmates, coworkers, roommates, and spontaneous plans. Then suddenly you're juggling careers, kids, relationships, aging parents, and a calendar that somehow still has no room for meaningful connection.
In this follow-up to one of our most popular episodes, Friendship Audit, we're taking a deeper look at why so many women feel lonely, disconnected, or like they're the only ones struggling to find "their people."
In this episode, we talk about:
• The surprising statistics behind loneliness and adult friendship• Why making friends in your 30s, 40s, and 50s can feel so much harder than it used to• How motherhood, divorce, career changes, and big life transitions impact connection• We also answer questions about making new friends, healing from friendship hurt, and finding deeper relationships• Practical places to meet people, from Meetup groups to local classes and community organizations• Small, realistic ways to build meaningful friendships, even if you're busy and overwhelmed
If you've ever looked around and wondered, "Why does everyone else seem to have their people except me?" this episode is for you.
You're not behind. You're not awkward. And you're definitely not alone.
Grab your coffee, take us on your walk, and let's have an honest conversation about finding connection in adulthood. Because sometimes one text, one conversation, or one brave "yes" can change everything.

Swipe right at your own risk. 😳
This week on Mirror Mirror on the Mic, I sit down with author and storyteller Bren Marrick to talk about her hilarious, shocking, and sometimes downright terrifying experiences navigating the world of online dating.
Inspired by her book, Dicks I've Met Online, Bryn shares the stories that made her laugh, cringe, question humanity, and ultimately learn more about herself. From bizarre first dates and unbelievable messages to red flags that should have come with warning labels, this conversation is equal parts comedy, cautionary tale, and empowerment.
In this episode, we discuss:
✨ The wild reality of modern dating apps✨ How to spot red flags before you're in too deep✨ Why women often ignore their intuition (and how to stop)✨ The funniest and most unbelievable dating stories from Bryn's journey✨ What dating taught her about self-worth, boundaries, and resilience✨ Why sometimes the worst dates make the best stories
Whether you're actively dating, happily partnered, recently divorced, or simply here for the chaos, this episode will have you laughing, gasping, and texting your friends, "You HAVE to hear this."
Because sometimes the road to finding yourself is paved with a few dicks you met online.
🎙️ Follow, rate, and review Mirror Mirror on the Mic if you're enjoying the show. Every download helps us reach more women navigating life, relationships, healing, and the beautiful mess of starting over. 💜

In this episode of Mirror Mirror on the Mic, we unpack the pressure that often comes with the season: the expectation to create magical memories, keep the kids entertained, look a certain way in a swimsuit, take the perfect vacation, and somehow enjoy every minute of it.
We talk about the realities that don't always make it onto social media, including summer anxiety, body image struggles, parenting fatigue, financial stress, and the surprising fact that some people experience seasonal depression during the summer months.
If you've ever felt like everyone else is having the summer of their dreams while you're just trying to make it through the week, this conversation is for you.
In this episode, we'll discuss:☀️ Why summer can feel emotionally overwhelming☀️ The hidden pressure to create the "perfect" summer☀️ Body image challenges and comparison traps☀️ Surviving summer with kids without burning yourself out☀️ How to create a more intentional and enjoyable season☀️ Why you don't have to win summer to have a meaningful one
Because the goal isn't to have a perfect summer.
The goal is to actually be present for the one you're already living.
🎙️ New episodes of Mirror Mirror on the Mic drop every Thursday. If this episode resonated with you, be sure to follow, rate, and share it with someone who might need the reminder that enough is enough. 💛

Grief is not always loud. Sometimes it looks like scrolling your phone while trying not to cry. Sometimes it looks like laughing with friends and then breaking down in the car afterward. And sometimes it looks like grieving people who are still alive, the family you thought you’d have, or the version of yourself you thought you’d be by now.
In this episode of Mirror Mirror on the Mic, Malissa and Inez talk about the complicated reality of grief, estrangement, divorce, identity loss, motherhood, and the strange ways humor and heartbreak can coexist. They explore statistics around family estrangement, the emotional impact of losing connection with loved ones, and why grief is not something we “get over,” but something we learn to carry differently.
This conversation is vulnerable, funny, honest, and deeply human. From chaotic stories about kids and painters to deeper reflections on loss, shame, healing, and rebuilding, this episode is a reminder that sadness does not cancel out joy and that healing is rarely linear.
If you’ve ever felt alone in your grief, stuck in survival mode, or like life turned out differently than you imagined, this episode is for you.
And if you’re ready to reconnect with yourself in small, realistic ways, our 21-Day Reset is open now. The link is https://stan.store/MalissaConnorsCoaching/p/21-day-hot-girl-reset and don't forget to follow us @mirrormirroronthemic on Instagram!
 
and ps. The viral post is now at 1.1M 😊