WildHER Wisdom

Hosted by Inspiring Insights with Shelley & Mary

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May 2026

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WildHER Wisdom is the podcast where sassy meets savvy! Our podcast is your go-to source for inspiration, laughter, and learning. Join us as we celebrate the wild and wise woman in you! wildherwisdom.substack.com

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36 recent

May 27, 202644 min

Season 4 Episode 7

What happens when you stop waiting for permission and finally choose yourself? In this episode of WildHER Wisdom, Shelley and Mary unpack the seasons of change they’re living through right now. From career pivots and empty nesting to confidence glow-ups, wigs, leadership, and redefining success, this conversation is equal parts honest, funny, and deeply empowering. Shelley opens up about leaving corporate stability to pursue her calling full-time, stepping into new leadership roles, and what alignment feels like after years of chasing achievement. Mary shares her unexpected journey of confidence through hair loss, wigs, and learning to show up unapologetically as herself. Together, they explore authenticity, reinvention, difficult transitions, and the freedom that comes when you stop shrinking and start writing your own story. If you’ve been standing at the edge of change, questioning your next chapter, or wondering whether it’s too late to become who you’re meant to be, this episode is your reminder: confidence is freedom, growth is uncomfortable, and the glow-up often starts the moment you stop asking for permission. Because around here… bold women, messy seasons, and real conversations are always welcome. Get full access to WildHER Wisdom: Inspiring Insights with Shelley & Mary at wildherwisdom.substack.com/subscribe

May 6, 202638 min

Season 4 Episode 6

This episode? It’s the one where everything gets a little more real. The Core4 is back, and Polo and Trish bring their own WildHER perspective to the table, grounding this conversation in honesty, growth, and the kind of truth you can’t fake. Instead of polished wins and highlight reels, we’re talking about the kind of growth that actually changes you. The messy, uncomfortable, liberating kind. There are swimsuits worn after decades of hiding.Helicopter rides taken while terrified.Big goals chased.Even bigger truths spoken out loud for the first time. And somewhere in the middle of all of it, a theme emerges: We’re not becoming someone new.We’re finally allowing ourselves to be who we’ve always been. Shelley shares the moment she stopped leading with credentials and started leading with truth. A teenage mom walking into corporate spaces, figuring it out the hard way. That story didn’t weaken her leadership. It defined it. Mary reflects on what it feels like to reach a stage in life where clarity replaces pressure, and self-trust replaces perfectionism… a shift that changes not just how you live, but how you lead. And the conversation lands on something that hits deep: Authenticity isn’t about adding more to who you are.It’s about letting go of everything you’re not. This is where the work of real leadership begins. Because when you strip away expectation, noise, and performance, what’s left is alignment. And aligned leaders don’t just feel different… they lead differently. They communicate with clarity. They build trust faster. They create environments where people can actually show up and perform. There’s also this beautiful, almost rebellious realization woven throughout the episode. Life doesn’t shrink as you get older. It expands. Especially when you stop performing for the room and start honoring your own voice. This one is about alignment.It’s about truth.It’s about the quiet, powerful moment when you realize…You don’t need permission to be fully seen. Get full access to WildHER Wisdom: Inspiring Insights with Shelley & Mary at wildherwisdom.substack.com/subscribe

April 8, 202630 min

Season 4 Episode 5

In this bold, no-filter episode, Mary flips the script and puts Shelley and special guest Polo REO Tate in the hot seat to talk about what it really takes to use your voice and be unapologetically heard.This conversation goes beyond surface-level confidence. It dives into the real reasons women shrink, over-explain, and second-guess themselves in the moments that matter most. From nervous system responses to lifelong conditioning, Shelley and Polo unpack why speaking up can feel so hard and why it is absolutely essential.They break down the difference between being heard and being understood, the power of boundaries that actually protect your peace, and what it means to walk away from a conversation knowing you showed up fully, even if you did not “win.”You will hear real talk about:* Why confidence is a skill, not a personality trait* How to stop softening your message and start owning your truth* What happens when you finally use your voice, and people are not ready for it* The role of alignment in powerful communication* How to navigate high-stakes conversations without abandoning yourselfThis episode also introduces the heart behind the Unapologetically Heard workshop, designed to help women move from knowing who they are to actually expressing it with clarity, confidence, and presence.If you have ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “I wish I would have said that,” this one is for you.Because being heard is not about being louder.It is about being aligned, grounded, and fully expressed. Get full access to WildHER Wisdom: Inspiring Insights with Shelley & Mary at wildherwisdom.substack.com/subscribe

April 1, 2026Episode 447 min

Season 4 Episode 4

What if the thing you were taught to hide… was actually your greatest source of confidence?In this episode of WildHER Wisdom, we sit down with Nicole Brown and Angela Emmons, the powerhouse co-founders behind LOX Wigs, for a conversation that goes far beyond hair.From deeply personal experiences to building a purpose-driven brand, Nicole and Angela share how alternative hair became a pathway to freedom, identity, and self-expression. Angela brings over 28 years behind the chair, along with her own lifelong journey wearing wigs. Nicole, a U.S. veteran turned content creator, opens up about how wigs helped her reclaim creativity and individuality after years of structure and uniformity.Together, they are not just selling wigs. They are reshaping the narrative.We talk about:* The emotional and psychological impact of hair loss and transformation* Why wigs are not about hiding, but about choice, power, and freedom* The gaps in the industry that led them to build something different* How community, transparency, and education are changing the conversation* What it really looks like to build a business as mothers, partners, and women leading with purposeMary also shares her personal experience with wigs, offering a relatable, honest lens on what it means to try something new and build confidence later in life.This episode is a reminder that confidence is not about becoming someone new. It is about giving yourself permission to fully express who you already are.Because sometimes the boldest thing you can do is show up as yourself. Fully. Freely. Unapologetically. Get full access to WildHER Wisdom: Inspiring Insights with Shelley & Mary at wildherwisdom.substack.com/subscribe

February 11, 202631 min

Season 4 Episode 3

In this episode of WildHER Wisdom, Tamara Glenn of Be Love shares her journey from a demanding finance career to becoming a meditation teacher, Reiki healer, and consciousness coach. A car accident in 2010 opened the door to stillness, and over time, meditation became her anchor through the pressures of corporate life and motherhood.Tamara breaks down the basics of mindfulness, helping us understand how presence and self-compassion can reshape our inner and outer worlds. She offers practical insights on using meditation to reduce stress, support leadership, and deepen personal alignment. If you’re craving a more grounded, conscious approach to life and leadership, this conversation offers both wisdom and an invitation to begin within. Get full access to WildHER Wisdom: Inspiring Insights with Shelley & Mary at wildherwisdom.substack.com/subscribe

January 28, 2026Episode 240 min

Season 4 Episode 2

What does it really mean to know your rights and trust yourself enough to use them?In this honest and grounding conversation, Shelley and Mary sit down with Attorney Tiffany DeBruin, a criminal defense and family law attorney who knows what it means to stand beside someone in their most vulnerable moments.Tiffany opens up about her unexpected journey from aspiring prosecutor to building her own defense practice in East Lansing, Michigan. She shares why authenticity is her superpower in the courtroom, how she’s learned to trust herself through trial and error (literally), and what people really need to know when interacting with law enforcement or navigating charges, big or small.From traffic stops and domestic disputes to the nuances of concealed carry laws and diversion programs, this episode is full of calm clarity. Tiffany helps us remember that legal systems don’t have to feel inaccessible or cold, and that having the right guidance can shift everything.Whether you’re parenting a college-aged kid, facing something yourself, or just want to walk through the world a little more prepared, this conversation is here to support you. Get full access to WildHER Wisdom: Inspiring Insights with Shelley & Mary at wildherwisdom.substack.com/subscribe

January 14, 202653 min

Season 4 Episode 1

WildHER Wisdom is back, and Season 4 kicks off with a powerful evolution. Shelley Davis Boyd and Mary Gajda officially introduce the WildHER Wisdom Core4, welcoming regular contributors Polo REO Tate and Trish Johnson into the circle.This episode is all about intention, identity, and unapologetic growth as the Core4 share the words, themes, and inner shifts guiding them into 2026. From authenticity and freedom to being downright unstoppable, the conversation invites listeners to stop shrinking, start aligning, and fully own who they are becoming.You’ll hear soulful reflections on emotional fitness, self-talk, and why tending to your inner world matters just as much as setting goals. The group also explores what it means to curate your life with intention, release what no longer fits, and trust the version of you that is emerging.Equal parts grounded and expansive, this episode sets the tone for a season rooted in truth, transformation, and choosing yourself without apology.✨ New season. New voices. Same WildHER Wisdom. Get full access to WildHER Wisdom: Inspiring Insights with Shelley & Mary at wildherwisdom.substack.com/subscribe

November 19, 202541 min

Season 3 Episode 12

In this heartfelt episode of WildHER Wisdom, we welcome the legendary Sheri Jones, longtime news anchor, advocate, and founder of Sheri Jones Creative Media. After 37 impactful years in broadcast journalism, Sheri is not retiring; she is resetting with purpose and passion.Sheri shares how she is embracing this new chapter by following her intuition, staying grounded in authenticity, and trusting the quiet wisdom that comes with stillness. She reflects on the lessons she learned through storytelling, the value of presence, and the meaningful connections that shape a life. Whether she is recognized at a Michigan State basketball game or leading global service trips, Sheri carries grace and impact wherever she goes.The conversation explores the mental health ripple effects of the pandemic, the importance of self-care, and the power of speaking openly—especially in communities where stigma still runs deep. We also talk about the role of soft skills in an AI-driven world, and why human connection will always matter most.Sheri gives us a glimpse into her next act, which includes media coaching, writing, and a motivational book centered on victims’ rights and compassionate journalism. She reminds us that fulfillment is not reserved for the first half of life. For many, it begins right where you are, no matter your age or stage.This episode is an invitation to honor your journey, listen within, and live your dash with intention.As we release our final WildHER Wisdom episode of the year, we’re feeling deeply grateful for this community—your presence, your shares, your stories, and your hearts.We’ll be pausing through the holidays and returning with fresh episodes in January. Until then, we invite you to revisit some of our most soul-stirring conversations on our website and stay connected with us on social.Wishing you a joyful, nourishing, and restful holiday season. May you find wisdom in the quiet moments and inspiration in the unexpected.~Shelley & Mary Get full access to WildHER Wisdom: Inspiring Insights with Shelley & Mary at wildherwisdom.substack.com/subscribe

October 22, 202525 min

Season 3 Episode 11

Some conversations just feel like sunshine, and this one’s a whole mood. In this episode, Shelley and Mary sit down with Nikki Thompson Frazier, CEO of Sweet Encounter Bakery Café and the creative force behind the nationally shipped Cupcakes in a Jar, an allergy-friendly dessert brand changing how people gift, celebrate, and connect.A former journalist turned culinary entrepreneur, Nikki built her gluten-free bakery to honor her daughters’ food allergies and, in doing so, created a purpose-driven company with heart, flavor, and nationwide reach. Her story reminds us that sweetness often rises out of challenge.The conversation is warm, inspiring, and grounded in purpose. Nikki shares how she’s grown her brand, from winning the Clover x Shark Tank Pitch Competition in Las Vegas to appearing on Food Network’s Bakers vs. Fakers, and how every milestone has been guided by her belief that success tastes best when it’s shared.Beyond the bakery, Nikki’s passion for empowerment shines through. She’s the author of A Life Worth Tasting, a guided journal for living intentionally, and the host of Sweet Life w/ Nikki on YouTube, where she offers joy-filled wisdom for nourishing both body and spirit. Through it all, she reminds us that purpose and pleasure aren’t opposites—they’re ingredients in the same recipe.💋 WildHER Wisdom TakeawayThe sweetest encounters happen when you blend heart, hustle, and hope. Nikki shows us that you can build an empire, raise a family, and change the world with frosting on your fingers and joy in your soul. Get full access to WildHER Wisdom: Inspiring Insights with Shelley & Mary at wildherwisdom.substack.com/subscribe

October 8, 202541 min

Season 3 Episode 10

In this episode of WildHER Wisdom, Shelley and Mary sit down with the force of nature that is MiChaela Barker—a powerhouse professional who blends boardroom brilliance with entrepreneurial magic and late-night music sessions. By day, she leads strategic projects at a Fortune 1000 company. By night (and every other spare moment), she’s the founder of Matcha Scrubs and a soulful singer-songwriter and producer.From launching a line of protective and stylish medical scrub caps inspired by her physician mother’s less-than-stellar experience with traditional caps to dropping songs that double as therapy, MiChaela is redefining what it means to live a multidimensional life with purpose and power. She walks us through how structure fuels her creativity, why sleep is a luxury she negotiates with grace, and how being “extra, determined, and blessed” is her brand of brilliance.We get real about generational wealth, women supporting women, and the unglamorous parts of entrepreneurship (hello, IP filings). MiChaela shares why she’s done with toxic ties, why you need to start before you’re ready, and how being over-prepared helps her show up as her most authentic self in rooms not built for her—but now better because she’s in them.Tune in for a masterclass in doing it all—on your own terms and get inspired to:✨ Lead with ambition and alignment✨ Blend passion and profession unapologetically✨ Build a legacy that’s loud, loving, and lastingFollow MiChaela on Instagram and LinkedIn to keep up with her fast-paced life (we promise you...she’s going places!) Get full access to WildHER Wisdom: Inspiring Insights with Shelley & Mary at wildherwisdom.substack.com/subscribe