You know that friend who's been there longer than any boyfriend? The one you joke with saying "I'll be at your wedding, but he might not be"? That's soul-deep connection - and science says it might be saving your life. This Galentine's Day, let's celebrate the power of female friendship.

Here's what we're exploring about women supporting women:

 * The science behind female friendship (oxytocin, stress response, and community-seeking)
 * How women with close friends survive spouse loss without health decline
 * Why "I'll be at your wedding but your boyfriend won't" isn't just a joke - it's staying power
 * Breaking the myth that women are catty (we're each other's lifelines)
 * Different types of friendships worth celebrating (childhood, work, mom friends, long-distance)

From understanding that Galentine's Day started on Parks and Rec to discovering that female friendships create soul-deep bonds where you can be 100% yourself, this episode celebrates the relationships that might be your most important ones. Your friendships are literally protecting your health.

Subscribe. Share. Remember that your female friendships might be your most profound relationships.

Small steps, big healing. Keep growing! ✨

Join the conversation! How are you celebrating your Galentines this year? DM me on Instagram @YourCoachMari [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/] and tag your ride or die!

💬 LET'S CONNECT:

Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@yourcoachmari]

Growing with Sol Podcast [https://www.instagram.com/growingwithsolpod/]

Buy Me a Cafecito [https://hustling-innovator-3453.kit.com/products/buy-me-a-cafecito]

Send in questions: contact+podcast@marisolmoran.com

We might just have the same taste in books. Check out my Book List [https://bookshop.org/shop/Marisol-Book-List]

(Bookshop affiliate)

🌱 LET’S GROW TOGETHER

→ Schedule your discovery call [https://calendly.com/yourcoachmari/30-minute-discovery-call]

→ 1:1 Life Coaching Coaching [https://www.marisolmoran.com/]

Why Female Friendships Matter More Than You Think: Galentine's Day Special

Everyone wants the benefits of a village, but nobody wants to be a villager. We all want community, support, and deep connections - but we're terrified to actually be vulnerable ourselves. With Valentine's Day and Galentine's Day this week, let's talk about what's really at the foundation of every meaningful relationship: emotional intimacy.

Here's what we're exploring about building deeper connections:

 * Why sharing difficult things from your past doesn't always mean you're being vulnerable
 * The village paradox: everyone wants community benefits but nobody wants to be a villager
 * How vulnerability is actually an act of radical self-love (not weakness)
 * The communication pitfalls that destroy emotional intimacy without you realizing
 * Why you need to be choosy about who you practice vulnerability with

From understanding that emotional intimacy is the ability to share your true self and feel safe doing so, to recognizing the paradox of wanting to be there for others while not believing anyone can be there for you, this episode challenges how you think about vulnerability.

Think about your best friend - that person you can call to complain, to process the same thing 20 times, to show up however you are. That's emotional intimacy. And you can have it in all your relationships.

Vulnerability is scary, especially when you're unpracticed. But it's the gateway to genuine connection. And it requires you to accept something about yourself before you can share it with someone else.

Subscribe. Share. Remember that vulnerability is strength, not weakness.

Small steps, big healing. Keep growing! ✨

Join the conversation! Who is your safe person for vulnerability? DM me on Instagram @YourCoachMari [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/]!

💬 LET'S CONNECT:

Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@yourcoachmari]

Growing with Sol Podcast [https://www.instagram.com/growingwithsolpod/]

Buy Me a Cafecito [https://hustling-innovator-3453.kit.com/products/buy-me-a-cafecito]

Send in questions: contact+podcast@marisolmoran.com

We might just have the same taste in books. Check out my Book List [https://bookshop.org/shop/Marisol-Book-List]

(Bookshop affiliate)

🌱 LET’S GROW TOGETHER

→ Schedule your discovery call [https://calendly.com/yourcoachmari/30-minute-discovery-call]

→ 1:1 Life Coaching Coaching [https://www.marisolmoran.com/]

Emotional Intimacy: Building Deeper Connections Through Vulnerability and Authentic Communication

This is the very first episode of 2026 - and we're starting the year by stepping into our power. If you have goals you want to reach this year, things you want to change, or you're ready for real growth, this episode is for you.

Here's what we're exploring about stepping into your power:

 * Why your definition of power might not actually be yours (and how social media messes with this)
 * The perfectionism trap disguised as preparation - and why it keeps you stuck
 * How to build momentum when you're paralyzed by overthinking
 * The energy audit introverts naturally do (that everyone else should learn)
 * Why "I don't mind being around you" is the highest compliment an introvert can give

From recognizing that done is better than perfect to understanding that boundaries aren't selfish, this episode breaks down exactly how to stop playing small in 2026.

You can't make powerful moves without stepping into your power first. And that means defining success for yourself, taking imperfect action, and protecting your energy fiercely.

If you're thinking "I want to create a powerful 2026 but I need support" - that's exactly what coaching is for. Sometimes we need accountability, clarity, and someone who sees our potential when we can't.

Subscribe. Share. Remember that your power is personal. Define it, act on it, protect it.

Small steps, big healing. Keep growing! ✨

Join the conversation! What does stepping into your power look like for you in 2026? DM me on Instagram @YourCoachMari [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/]!

💬 LET'S CONNECT:

Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@yourcoachmari]

Growing with Sol Podcast [https://www.instagram.com/growingwithsolpod/]

Buy Me a Cafecito [https://hustling-innovator-3453.kit.com/products/buy-me-a-cafecito]

Send in questions: contact+podcast@marisolmoran.com

We might just have the same taste in books. Check out my Book List [https://bookshop.org/shop/Marisol-Book-List]

(Bookshop affiliate)

🌱 LET’S GROW TOGETHER

→ Schedule your discovery call [https://calendly.com/yourcoachmari/30-minute-discovery-call]

→ 1:1 Life Coaching Coaching [https://www.marisolmoran.com/]

3 Tips to Step Into Your Power in 2026 

This is your New Year's week book episode to send off 2025 right - wrapping up the year with all the books I read, from the emotional to the adventurous to the absolutely spicy, complete with reading stats and spice levels. If you're looking for book recs to start 2026, this is it.

2025 READING STATS:

 * 27 books read (goal was 35, but last year was only 25 total!)
 * 9,954 pages
 * 12 days average per book
 * Top moods: Emotional, Adventurous, Funny
 * Top genres: Fantasy, Romance, Contemporary

MY ONLY 5-STAR READ: The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood - inhaled in under 24 hours, Adam Carlson is a certified yearner, low spice but exquisite tension

4-STAR READS:

 * Hot for Slayer by Ali Hazelwood (vampires! low spice, Buffy vibes)
 * Deep End by Ali Hazelwood (medium spice, steamy, one triggering scene - check warnings)
 * The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
 * Master of Me by Keke Palmer (audiobook win)
 * All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks
 * Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas (my book husband is in this one)

HONORABLE MENTION: Knot Falling For You by Winnie Aster (3.75 stars but lives rent-free in my brain) - cozy Omegaverse, my first in the genre, perfect balance of cozy barista life and medium spice with a doting partner who only wants the best for her (life goals), when you get to the spice it's CAP LOCKS BOLD ITALICS

From discovering that Ali Hazelwood owns my heart to realizing Omegaverse might be my new obsession, this year taught me that books give us the emotional, adventurous, and fun experiences we deserve.

We deserve levity. We deserve to do shit just because it brings us joy. These books brought me joy.

Subscribe. Share. Remember that reading for pleasure is valid and valuable.

Small steps, big healing. Keep growing! ✨

Download the free 2025 reading list! [https://shop.beacons.ai/yourcoachmari/b0ad76fe-6559-4226-aa73-4cabbd4ec2ab]Organized by genre, ratings, and spice level - includes all books through December.

Join the conversation! What was your top read of 2025? DM me on Instagram @YourCoachMari - I need recs for next year!

Related Episodes: All About Love discussion, Empire of Storms Pt. 1 & 2, Heir of Fire analysis

💬 LET'S CONNECT:

Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@yourcoachmari]

Growing with Sol Podcast [https://www.instagram.com/growingwithsolpod/]

Buy Me a Cafecito [https://hustling-innovator-3453.kit.com/products/buy-me-a-cafecito]

Send in questions: contact+podcast@marisolmoran.com

We might just have the same taste in books. Check out my Book List [https://bookshop.org/shop/Marisol-Book-List]

(Bookshop affiliate)

🌱 LET’S GROW TOGETHER

→ Schedule your discovery call [https://calendly.com/yourcoachmari/30-minute-discovery-call]

→ 1:1 Life Coaching Coaching [https://www.marisolmoran.com/]

What I Read This Year: From the Good and the Great to the Spicy 🌶️

This is your holiday special of Stories that Shape Us, because sometimes curling up with a good book discussion is exactly what you need.

This is part 2 of the Empire of Storms analysis. We break down why Aelin's self-sacrifice is actually tragic, how keeping secrets is a trauma response, and why Rowan's love is the kind we all deserve.

🚨 Spoiler Alert 🚨

Here's what we're exploring about Aelin's journey in Empire of Storms:

 * Secret-keeping as trauma: Aelin tells half-truths because she's afraid of disappointing people (hide the failure if you fail alone)
 * Self-sacrifice from unworthiness: willing to burn herself out, thinking love and friendship were gifts she didn't deserve
 * Rowan seeing all of her: flaws, destructive power, trauma - and saying "you do not face this alone"
 * SJM characters feeling undeserving: they believe they don't deserve life and good things, so they self-sacrifice
 * The vulnerability of love: Aelin had never let herself be that vulnerable, never felt something so consuming

From recognizing that secret-keeping makes it look like you're not trying, to understanding that Rowan's respect for Sam shows the love Aelin deserves, this episode explores what Empire of Storms teaches about accepting you're worthy.

Aelin has so much love for everyone except herself. She thinks of happiness as borrowed time. That's trauma, not strength. But Rowan doesn't just love her despite her flaws - he sees her completely and chooses to work through it together. He respects her past, her power, her struggles. That's what we all deserve.

Subscribe. Share. Remember that self-sacrifice from unworthiness isn't noble - healing means accepting you deserve good things.

Small steps, big healing. Keep growing! ✨

Join the conversation! Are you Team Rowan or Team Lorcan? Do you relate to Aelin's self-sacrifice? DM me on Instagram @YourCoachMari [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/]!

🎧 Related Episodes: Stories that Shape Us: Empire of Storms Pt. 1 [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1eQv9L8NDkEi4jkI3U0a7T?si=L4fr-NTYTfue6zP7jdGynA]



💬 LET'S CONNECT:

Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@yourcoachmari]

Growing with Sol Podcast [https://www.instagram.com/growingwithsolpod/]

Buy Me a Cafecito [https://hustling-innovator-3453.kit.com/products/buy-me-a-cafecito]

Send in questions: contact+podcast@marisolmoran.com

We might just have the same taste in books. Check out my Book List [https://bookshop.org/shop/Marisol-Book-List]

(Bookshop affiliate)

🌱 LET’S GROW TOGETHER

→ Schedule your discovery call [https://calendly.com/yourcoachmari/30-minute-discovery-call]

→ 1:1 Life Coaching Coaching [https://www.marisolmoran.com/]

Stories that Shape Us: Empire of Storms Pt. 2 - The Journey to "I Love You" and Self-Worth

This is the year-end reflection that goes beyond productivity and asks what truly mattered this year. Life isn't just work and achievements - it's the fun moments, the love you experienced, the calm quiet peace you created. This reflection includes all five guided steps with every question to help you honestly assess your year while celebrating the joy and growth that can't be measured by goal completion alone.

THE 5-STEP YEAR-END REFLECTION:

1️⃣ Step 1: Revisit Your Goals Look at goals from January and midyear. What changed? All progress counts - even dropped goals teach you what aligns with your values.

2️⃣ Step 2: Where Are You Now? Assess progress on kept goals. What emotions come up? How can you process them healthily?

3️⃣ Step 3: Be Brutally Honest What roadblocks got in your way? No shame, no guilt. Sometimes emotions derail us. We're one person - compartmentalizing isn't always possible.

4️⃣ Step 4: What Supported Your Success? What helped you make progress? Inner work? Community? Accountability? Identify what actually worked.

5️⃣ Step 5: The Questions That Actually Matter Beyond productivity metrics, these questions reveal what made life worth living:

 1. List 3 memories from 2025 that bring you happiness
 2. What lessons did you learn this year?
 3. What did you learn about yourself? What impact has this had?
 4. How much fun did you have this year?
 5. How could you make 2026 more fun?

Being a sensitive person who feels emotions intensely isn't a flaw. Joy is resistance even when the world feels crazy. You deserve a joyous, beautiful life.

If you're realizing 2026 needs to be different - more support, accountability, or joy - that awareness is your first step. Sometimes having someone in your corner makes all the difference.

Subscribe. Share. Remember that life is more than productivity.

Small steps, big healing. Keep growing! ✨

Join the conversation! Download the free Year-End Reflection Cards through the show notes. DM me on Instagram @YourCoachMari [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/]!

Download the free Year-End Reflection Cards [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qGD7ogwn99VY4S4K8cWaYXFCETuPheW0/view?usp=sharing] to work through all these questions at your own pace!

💬 LET'S CONNECT:

Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@yourcoachmari]

Growing with Sol Podcast [https://www.instagram.com/growingwithsolpod/]

Buy Me a Cafecito [https://hustling-innovator-3453.kit.com/products/buy-me-a-cafecito]

Send in questions: contact+podcast@marisolmoran.com

We might just have the same taste in books. Check out my Book List [https://bookshop.org/shop/Marisol-Book-List]

(Bookshop affiliate)

🌱 LET’S GROW TOGETHER

→ Schedule your discovery call [https://calendly.com/yourcoachmari/30-minute-discovery-call]

→ 1:1 Life Coaching Coaching [https://www.marisolmoran.com/]

Year-End Reflection Practices: Guided Exercises for Reviewing 2025

This is why doing nothing is the most revolutionary thing you can do this holiday season - and why you desperately need to reclaim rest.

Here's what we're exploring about rest as revolution:

 * The competition problem: 43% say holiday stress interferes with enjoyment, 36% say holidays feel like competition
 * Hustle culture invades holidays: pressure to ace it, attend everything, find perfect gifts, create Instagram moments, make it magical
 * Why rest is revolutionary: in the US we're expected to always be productive - even rest should be "productive" - so just being is radical
 * Practical rest practices: say no, take micro-breaks (5 min in car), create cozy rituals, digital detox (grayscale phone mode)
 * Redefining productivity: measure success by how you feel, not by parties attended or gifts bought

From understanding that rest is viewed as laziness to recognizing it's actually radical self-care and boundary setting, this episode challenges you to refuse participation in toxic productivity.

About half of people aren't enjoying the holidays because there's so much pressure to perform, get it right, be better than someone else. It doesn't have to be that way.

Rest is resistance. When you honor what your body needs over external expectations, you model healthy behavior for others. You lead by example.

Subscribe. Share. Remember that rest isn't lazy - it's revolutionary.

Small steps, big healing. Keep growing! ✨

Join the conversation! What's your rest practice this holiday season? DM me on Instagram @YourCoachMari [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/]- let's normalize rest!

💬 LET'S CONNECT:

Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@yourcoachmari]

Growing with Sol Podcast [https://www.instagram.com/growingwithsolpod/]

Buy Me a Cafecito [https://hustling-innovator-3453.kit.com/products/buy-me-a-cafecito]

Send in questions: contact+podcast@marisolmoran.com

We might just have the same taste in books. Check out my Book List [https://bookshop.org/shop/Marisol-Book-List]

(Bookshop affiliate)

🌱 LET’S GROW TOGETHER

→ Schedule your discovery call [https://calendly.com/yourcoachmari/30-minute-discovery-call]

→ 1:1 Life Coaching Coaching [https://www.marisolmoran.com/]

Rest as Revolution: Embracing Rest and Rejuvenation During the Holidays

This is the unconventional new year prep you actually need: releasing what no longer serves you before you add anything new.

Here's what we're exploring about letting go rituals:

 * What to release: limiting beliefs, toxic relationships, old habits, grudges, past failures - things emotionally tied to your self-concept
 * Burning ceremony ritual: write it down, safely burn it, watch it physically release (turns intangible mental stuff into tangible release)
 * Forgiveness practice: daily meditation releasing anger toward yourself (feminine rage about other stuff can stay)
 * Physical decluttering: releasing emotional baggage attached to items (that post-depression clean energy)
 * Mental release: constant reminders you're not that limiting belief and you're capable of achieving great things

From doing forgiveness meditation daily for months to learning that being introverted isn't something to fix, this episode challenges you to stop focusing only on what to add and start with what to release.

These things literally hold you back from reaching goals and feeling joy. Think about how amazing you'll feel once you truly release them. That's what you're stopping yourself from achieving by holding on.

Create space for growth, new opportunities, and positive energy by letting go first. Sometimes it's therapy or coaching. Sometimes it's a burning ceremony or decluttering your closet and facing what items represent emotionally.

Subscribe. Share. Remember to release before you restart.

Small steps, big healing. Keep growing! ✨

Join the conversation! What are you releasing before 2025? DM me on Instagram @YourCoachMari - let's do this together!

Related Episode: Ep138 - Thankful for Growth (reframing past failures) [https://open.spotify.com/episode/0dJYZNNKvbOW8WhiztBGT0?si=da8a256c1bb74cb5]

💬 LET'S CONNECT:

My Insta [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/]

My TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@yourcoachmari]

Growing with Sol Podcast [https://www.instagram.com/growingwithsolpod/]

Buy Me a Cafecito [https://hustling-innovator-3453.kit.com/products/buy-me-a-cafecito]

Send in questions: contact+podcast@marisolmoran.com

We might just have the same taste in books. Check out my Book List. [https://bookshop.org/shop/Marisol-Book-List]

(Bookshop affiliate)

🌱 LET’S GROW TOGETHER

→ Schedule your discovery call [https://calendly.com/yourcoachmari/30-minute-discovery-call]

→ 1:1 Life Coaching Coaching [https://www.marisolmoran.com/]

Stop Adding, Start Releasing: New Year Rituals That Actually Work

This is the uncomfortable gratitude practice you need - being thankful for your failures, setbacks, and the hard things that shaped you.

Here's what we're exploring about reframing failure:

 * Why looking back at setbacks is difficult but necessary: avoiding them means missing powerful lessons
 * The self-forgiveness journey: facing every moment of self-betrayal through daily meditation (gut-wrenching but fruitful)
 * Reframing the question: instead of "why did this happen to me?" ask "what did this teach me? who did I become?"
 * Growth Inventory exercise: identify three past failures and find at least one skill/insight gained from each
 * Healing holds deeper lessons: sometimes what you learn from the recovery process matters more than the experience itself

From doing self-forgiveness meditation daily during depression recovery to recognizing there are reasons you're where you are (many out of your control), this episode challenges you to expand your gratitude practice beyond the good stuff.

Nobody loves looking at failures. We'd rather focus on successes and achievements. But when we avoid examining setbacks, we miss out on lessons about resilience, redirection, and what we truly value.

Be thankful for the challenges that made you stronger, the losses that taught you what matters, the failures that redirected you toward your purpose. Appreciate how far you've come.

Subscribe. Share. Remember that gratitude can include the hard things that shaped who you are.

Small steps, big healing. Keep growing! ✨

Join the conversation! What's one failure you're actually grateful for? DM me on Instagram @YourCoachMari [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/]- I want to hear about your growth!

💬 LET'S CONNECT:

My Insta [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/]

My TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@yourcoachmari]

Growing with Sol Podcast [https://www.instagram.com/growingwithsolpod/]

Buy Me a Cafecito [https://hustling-innovator-3453.kit.com/products/buy-me-a-cafecito]

Send in questions: contact+podcast@marisolmoran.com

We might just have the same taste in books. Check out my Book List. [https://bookshop.org/shop/Marisol-Book-List]

(Bookshop affiliate)

🌱 LET’S GROW TOGETHER

→ Schedule your discovery call [https://calendly.com/yourcoachmari/30-minute-discovery-call]

→ 1:1 Life Coaching Coaching [https://www.marisolmoran.com/]

The Unconventional Gratitude Practice: Being Thankful for Your Failures

This is why being single in your 30s isn't the problem everyone makes it out to be - and why it might actually be the best thing for you right now.

Here's what we're exploring about being single in your 30s:

 * Why acceptance doesn't mean settling: you can embrace where you are without loving it forever
 * The confidence factor: you're finally secure enough to show up fully yourself in every area of life
 * Knowing what you want: you're not exploring anymore - you know what works and what doesn't (weeding out bad matches is growth)
 * Better communication skills: you can articulate what you want, assess emotions, and relay them effectively
 * Intentional vs serious dating: you can want a relationship and still have fun without treating dating like a grave problem to fix

From seeing everyone struggle to find someone to understanding that failed dates aren't failures when you know yourself well enough to recognize bad matches, this episode reframes what it means to be single in your 30s.

A lot of us have healed from people pleasing. We communicate like badasses. We're confident and secure. Dating in your 30s means you're not wasting time on situations that won't work. That's not picky - that's powerful.

The intention is to get to know somebody, have fun, and see who fits. If they don't fit, move on to the next person. Stop making it so serious.

Subscribe. Share. Remember that being single in your 30s allows you to date with intention and exit romantic situations gracefully.

Small steps, big healing. Keep growing! ✨

Join the conversation! Are you single in your 30s? DM me your experiences on Instagram @YourCoachMari [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/]- girl, you got this!

💬 LET'S CONNECT:

My Insta [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/]

My TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@yourcoachmari]

Growing with Sol Podcast [https://www.instagram.com/growingwithsolpod/]

Buy Me a Cafecito [https://hustling-innovator-3453.kit.com/products/buy-me-a-cafecito]

Send in questions: contact+podcast@marisolmoran.com

We might just have the same taste in books. Check out my Book List. [https://bookshop.org/shop/Marisol-Book-List]

(Bookshop affiliate)

🌱 LET’S GROW TOGETHER

→ Schedule your discovery call [https://calendly.com/yourcoachmari/30-minute-discovery-call]

→ 1:1 Life Coaching Coaching [https://www.marisolmoran.com/]

Being Single in Your 30s: Embracing Independence and Rewriting the Narrative

Life's Little Lessons with a Big Impact.

Welcome to Growing with Sol, where we explore the moments and stories that shape who we're becoming. I'm Sol, and this is my space for real conversations about growth, self-discovery, and learning to put yourself first.

Whether we're diving into books that change our perspective or unpacking personal experiences that teach us something new, this podcast is for women who are done playing small and ready to embrace their own journey.

If you've struggled with putting everyone else first or battled self-doubt, you're in the right place. This isn't about perfection—it's about the messy, beautiful process of growing into yourself.

Come grow with me 🌱

Let's stay connected! Join our growing community @YourCoachMari [https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachmari/] and @GrowingWithSolPod [https://www.instagram.com/growingwithsolpod/] on Instagram, and catch me on TikTok @YourCoachMari [https://www.tiktok.com/@yourcoachmari] for bite-sized growth tips between episodes.

Marisol Moran

Shows