Advertise on podcast: Beyond the Bombshell: Confidence, Style, and Empowerment for Women

What happens when your partner looks at you and admits he feels like he’s in constant competition with the entire world just to get your attention? In this episode, Michelle delivers a raw, post-Thanksgiving "dear diary" check-in straight from her car. Fresh off a busy season of client moves, fall business planning, and a family getaway, Michelle gets candid about the addiction to social media dopamine hits, the bedtime phone battles in marriage, and the internal struggle high achievers face when deciding whether to be content or push for even greater impact. Episode Timestamps; 00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 00:30 Three Things on My Mind 03:26 Thanksgiving Reset and Busy Season 05:04 Craving More Purpose 06:04 Josh vs My Phone 10:25 Bedtime Scroll Cycle 15:37 Therapy and Communication Triggers 20:03 Saying Yes to Everyone 21:50 Small Circle and Turning 40 22:41 Ask for Your Advice 23:49 Closing and Goodbye This one’s for the ladies juggling busy schedules, screen time habits, and the constant urge to balance ambition with presence! If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too. And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs. Let’s Connect! Follow Michelle Stokes on; LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle Shop with Me: https://go.shopmy.us/join/michellestokes

What happens when you wake up, check your morning Facebook memories, and get jump-scared by a quote about single motherhood right in the middle of working on your marriage? In this episode, Michelle is coming off a massive mindset shift—complete with a fresh set of bangs and an unexpected high. From processing "choosing your hard" in marriage to an incredible surprise announcement from Josh for her upcoming 40th birthday, Michelle gets real about love languages, bi-weekly therapy awkwardness, and why grand gestures aren't shallow if they fuel your spark. Episode Timestamps; 00:00 Welcome to the Show 00:30 Harvest Moon Headspace 01:28 Why I Shut Down 02:19 Facebook Memory Trigger 04:42 Holding Others' Secrets 06:55 Showing Up Lighter 09:31 Outfit Links Break (Ad break) 10:16 Mexico Surprise Reveal 13:53 Love Languages and Effort 17:41 Therapy Reality Check 21:49 For Anyone Struggling 24:38 Wrap Up and Goodbye This one’s for the ladies who love a grand gesture, the wives doing the uncomfortable work in therapy, and the women ready to step into their 40s like a total goddess! If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too. And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs. Let’s Connect! Follow Michelle Stokes on; LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle Shop with Me: https://go.shopmy.us/join/michellestokes

What happens when you come off a vacation high straight into reality—complete with a broken hot water tank, foundation cracks in the garage, and an argument over Ziploc bag organizers? In this episode, Michelle delivers an incredibly raw, post-vacation "dear diary" check-in. From waking up at 5:27 AM in a funk to navigating therapy homework on a walk around South Brook Trail, Michelle gets brutally honest about what happens when high-achieving, independent women feel overwhelmed—and why a partner jumping into "fix-it mode" can sometimes trigger resentment instead of relief. Episode Timestamps; 00:00 Sponsor Message 00:20 Show Welcome 00:53 Vegas Memory Trigger 02:26 Morning Funk Spiral 05:50 Therapy Homework Stress 09:22 Walk Talk Breakdown 12:29 Phone Presence Tension 14:57 Dividing The Load 18:32 Why Im Always On 22:04 730 Walk Reset 23:33 Mindset Shift Perspective 27:21 Therapy Follow-Up 28:39 Harvest Moon Insights 30:28 Closing Outro This one’s for the ladies carrying a running mental checklist, the wives who need space to process, and the partners working through the uncomfortable side of therapy! If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too. And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs. Let’s Connect! Follow Michelle Stokes on; LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle Shop with Me: https://go.shopmy.us/join/michellestokes

Have you ever come home from a full-on family vacation needing a vacation from your vacation? In this episode, Michelle recaps her action-packed family trip to Toronto, from Great Wolf Lodge and Canada’s Wonderland to Niagara Falls, then a solo work conference in Halifax. Unpacking the hilarious dynamic between giving her kids epic core memories and craving a little "bad and bougie" downtime, Michelle shares her non-negotiable travel-return life hack to avoid a downward spiral. Episode Timestamps; 00:00 Welcome to Bombshell 00:30 Toronto Trip Tease 01:27 Mom Needs Downtime 05:11 The Buffer Day Rule 11:05 Surprise Perfume Twist 12:46 Love Languages Talk 16:49 Purpose Over Profit 20:53 Outfit Links Break 21:14 Toronto and Great Wolf 25:16 Canada's Wonderland Wins 28:07 Hotel Room Reality 32:54 Fall Travel Plans 34:50 Wrap Up and Goodbye This one’s for the ladies who love giving their kids core memories, but also need a quiet hotel room, a luxury robe, and a buffer day to recharge! If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too. And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs. Let’s Connect! Follow Michelle Stokes on; LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle Shop with Me: https://go.shopmy.us/join/michellestokes

Are back-to-school routines, endless activity pick-ups, and chaotic mornings leaving you in frantic overdrive? In this episode, Michelle is recording straight from her car outside gymnastics to share her ultimate, field-tested life hacks for busy moms and entrepreneurs. From establishing a sacred morning buffer before the kids wake up to outsourcing supper when life gets wild, Michelle breaks down practical, real-world systems to streamline your week, ditch the morning yelling, and bring sanity back to your schedule. Episode Timestamps; 00:00 Welcome to Beyond the Bombshell 00:30 When Tech Ruins Your Episode 02:06 Why Mornings Feel Chaotic 03:13 Sleep First and Wake Early 07:43 Divide and Conquer Mornings 09:24 Sunday Night Family Huddle 11:51 Build a Shared Family Calendar 13:42 Meal Prep Made Simple 15:27 Grocery Delivery Schedule Hack 17:49 Ask for Help Without Guilt 19:29 Make Time Just for You 21:44 Create a Launch Pad at Home 22:56 Permission to Mess Up 25:04 Wrap Up and Stay Connected This one’s for the ladies managing back-to-school chaos, streamlining their schedules, and giving themselves permission not to be perfect! If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too. And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs. Let’s Connect! Follow Michelle Stokes on; LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle Shop with Me: https://go.shopmy.us/join/michellestokes

Have you ever opened a jam-packed closet full of clothes and still felt like you had absolutely nothing to wear? In this episode, Michelle is taking you along for her seasonal closet swap—pulling out the fall fashion, packing away summer, and asking the hard questions about why we hold onto clothes we never actually wear. From finding four nearly identical purple knit sweaters to calling out the trap of keeping "someday" clothes for a future size, Michelle shares her practical, two-question rule to simplify your wardrobe and build a signature everyday style. Episode Timestamps; 00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 00:30 Why Fashion Episodes Matter 03:00 Closet Clutter and One-Off Buys 05:20 Seasonal Wardrobe Swap 07:47 Organizing Without Overwhelm 11:06 Two Questions Closet Audit 16:33 Donate Sell, and Upcycle Plans 18:49 Signature Style and Outfit Repeats 23:01 Packing for Toronto 26:19 Core Pieces and Final Pep Talk 28:09 Outro and Stay Connected This one’s for the ladies ready to clear out the closet chaos, stop holding onto "someday" sizes, and embrace clothes that actually make them feel confident today! If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too. And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs. Let’s Connect! Follow Michelle Stokes on; LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle Shop with Me: https://go.shopmy.us/join/michellestokes Mentioned in this episode: Shop Michelle’s Favorites Want to snag the looks, outfit inspo, or products discussed today? Head to the link above to shop Michelle’s personal collection and recommendations!

Have you ever let a tiny, arbitrary number on a clothing label completely dictate how you feel about your body? In today's raw, funny, and highly relatable episode, Michelle tackles the silent anxiety that almost every woman experiences in the dressing room: the sizing trap. Inspired by a rare sunny stretch in Newfoundland, a hot pink bikini, and a disastrous trip to a local boutique, Michelle is unpacking why aging is the ultimate key to body confidence and why we need to stop letting clothing tags define our worth. Episode Timestamps; 00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 00:30 Monday Routine and Outfit Diary 01:46 Where to Shop My Looks 02:04 Bikini Confidence and Body Talk 06:12 Stop Obsessing Over Sizes 12:16 Real Examples and Best Brands 13:48 Boutique Sizing and Curvy Fits 17:43 Awkward Store Experience 22:51 Fall Wardrobe Reset and Mindset 25:36 DM Me for Styling Help 27:09 Final Thoughts and Goodbye This one's for the ladies who are ready to let go of the number on the tag, find clothes that actually fit, and wear the bikini anyway! If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too. And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs. Let’s Connect! Follow Michelle Stokes on; LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle Shop with Me: https://go.shopmy.us/join/michellestokes

Michelle takes a deep breath and checks in on the three pillars of her life: self, relationships, and motherhood. From taking Calm pills for morning anxiety to shutting down Josh's romantic attempts because she couldn't stop thinking about the messy basement rec room and house repairs, Michelle is unpacking why turning off the female brain is easier said than done. Plus, she shares a tearful morning realization about connecting with her 13-year-old son Ben, and the simple car-ride trick that's helping her bridge the gap. Episode Timestamp; 00:00 Sponsor Message 00:17 Welcome to the Show 00:47 Three Pillars Update 01:52 Anxiety and Body Check-In 02:40 Supplements and Libido Shift 04:05 Bloat and Stress Spiral 06:44 Why I Keep Saying No 10:54 Therapy Questions Ahead 13:37 Mom Mode and Teen Worries 15:42 Connecting With Boys 18:53 Pushing Past Resistance 21:34 Wrapping Up and Next Week 23:03 Final Outro This one's for the ladies who need a car ride with their teenagers and a complete brain-reset with their partners. If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too. And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs. Let’s Connect! Follow Michelle Stokes on; LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle Shop with Me: https://go.shopmy.us/join/michellestokes

Have you ever announced something massive to the world, fully expecting it to break the internet, only to be met with complete radio silence? In this episode, Michelle is recapping the highly anticipated aftermath of her and Josh's first couples therapy session. While she expected her DMs to explode after opening up about getting professional help, she is sharing why she refuses to hide the messy, unfiltered reality of a normal, busy marriage. From showing up to the therapist's office without her wedding ring to getting a massive homework assignment she’s struggled to complete, Michelle is giving you the raw, behind-the-scenes scoop on what really happens when the "honeymoon" kid-free phase ends, and real life comes rushing back. Episode Chapters; 00:00 Welcome to the Show 00:30 Why We Started Therapy 02:53 First Session Storytime 04:50 Stigma and Breakthroughs 07:45 Homework and Nonnegotiables 09:24 Kids Return Reality Check 11:49 The Babysitter Blowup 14:20 Mental Load and Expectations 17:25 Sharing Online and Inviting DMs 19:10 Final Thoughts and Outro This one's for the ladies carrying the mental load, navigating the hard conversations, and realizing that sometimes, you just need a professional to help translate what your husband is actually trying to say. If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too. And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs. Let’s Connect! Follow Michelle Stokes on; LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle Shop with Me: https://go.shopmy.us/join/michellestokes Mentioned in this episode: Find Your Next Home Looking to buy, sell, or invest in real estate? Click the link above to explore current listings, real estate services, and connect directly with Michelle and the Sold by Stokes Team!

What happens when the kids go away to the grandparents' and you suddenly find yourself with nothing but space, time, and your husband? While the first few days feel like a honeymoon of HelloFresh dates, zero laundry, and absolute freedom, the silence can sometimes bring the loudest questions to the surface. In this raw, unfiltered, "dear diary" episode, Michelle shares a major wake-up call in her marriage. What started as a picture-perfect date at a Fairy Land picnic quickly derailed into a massive argument on the drive home—one where neither of them could even remember what actually started it. Tune in as Michelle gets incredibly candid about the realities of marriage behind the picture-perfect Instagram feed, unpacking: 00:34 Kids Away Unexpected Space 01:26 Fairyland Picnic Blowup 04:10 The Text That Changed Everything 06:22 What Happens Without Kids 07:38 A Day Later New Decisions 08:12 Why We Chose Counseling 11:43 The Cycle And Deeper Triggers 15:42 Walking Into Therapy Nervous 16:32 Money Mindsets And Friction 18:57 Asking For Counseling Advice 20:39 Hope For The Marriage 21:36 Final Takeaways And Goodbye This one's for the ladies who are brave enough to let the gates down, get uncomfortable, and do the hard work to save their marriages before things fall apart. If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too. And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs. Let’s Connect! Follow Michelle Stokes on; LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle Shop with Me: https://go.shopmy.us/join/michellestokes

Have you ever looked at old photos of yourself in your 20s and realized you actually look and feel younger, lighter, and more energized today? In this episode, Michelle is diving into what it means to truly come into your own as you approach 40. Inspired by a raw, eye-opening conversation with Josh during a rainy walk around Quidi Vidi, Michelle unpacks why aging is actually a beautiful glow-up of confidence, self-assuredness, and freedom from the insecurities that hold us back when we are younger. But "real talk" on this podcast means going beyond the surface. Michelle gets hilariously candid about the unsexy parts of wellness, her daily routines, and the lifestyle changes that have her feeling better than ever. Episode Timestamps; 00:00 Welcome to Bombshell 00:32 Rainy Newfoundland Vibes 01:15 Podcast Behind the Scenes 02:28 Finally Sharing Links 05:37 Confidence Compliments 07:03 Supplements and Routine 09:25 Josh on Getting Older 13:17 Gut Health Real Talk 14:27 Vaginal Health Chat 19:19 Movement and New Goals 20:23 Dance Class Leap 21:23 Wrap Up and Goodbye This one’s for the women who are finally coming into themselves, owning their confidence, and realizing that the older we get, the better it truly gets! If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too. And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs. Let’s Connect! Follow Michelle Stokes on; LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle Shop with Me: https://go.shopmy.us/join/michellestokes

Three years. 145 Mondays. Michelle takes a moment to thank everyone who's shown up, sent DMs, shared episodes, and trusted her with the messy parts of their lives before diving into the most relatable fashion crisis she's ever faced: a husband who deliberately wears the tropical palm tree hoodie just to prove a point. From the Gander parking lot incident where he showed up without his beard and she genuinely didn't want to look at him, to the quarterly solo shopping trips that come home with stripes, prints, and bright colors that sit in his closet with tags still on—this is Michelle processing the very specific pain of being someone everyone trusts for fashion advice except the one person she lives with. Episode Timestamps; 00:00 Welcome to the Show 00:30 Three Year Milestone 02:12 Meet and Greet Idea 03:33 Real Life Reality Check 04:37 Real Estate Gratitude 05:57 Today’s Episode Tease 06:21 August Life Update 07:01 Husband vs Fashion 12:14 Beard Drama Storytime 15:24 Affiliate Links and Finds 18:05 Why He Pushes Back 18:59 Final Sign Off If you have a partner who dresses himself just to test your limits, share this—and know you are not alone. If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation too. And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs. Let’s Connect! Follow Michelle Stokes on; LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle Shop with Me: https://go.shopmy.us/join/michellestokes

Michelle records on a Monday (applause, please) and opens with Scarlet on a steep hill in the freezing wind, saying "I can't" for the first time—and Michelle sees herself so clearly it hurts. Then she gets into the real thing: a meme that stopped her cold. "My toxic trait is that I want to stay home with the kids, but I also want a job, but not so many hours I miss the kids, but I also need a break from the kids, but I don't want anyone else watching the kids." That's the whole episode. From sneaking away from the office to grab Ben's X-ray requisition because she couldn't let Josh just handle it, to booking Brooklyn for the summer and then going home at 2 PM anyway because she wanted to be the one taking them swimming, to trying to secure a buyer inquiry from the passenger seat on the way to the pool—this is Michelle not knowing which version of herself she actually wants to be, and being very honest about it. Episode Timestamps; 00:00 Welcome to the Show 00:41 Last Week Reflection 01:00 Bike Ride Challenge 03:40 I Can't vs I Should 06:11 Dance Off Redemption 06:57 This Week's Topic Intro 07:16 Toxic Trait Post 08:02 Mompreneur Tug of War 08:59 Forgetting the X-Ray 09:55 Control Freak Confession 12:44 Summer FOMO Spiral 15:05 Real Estate Flexibility Myth 16:02 Working on the Way Swimming 17:01 Can You Have Both 18:23 Summer Plan and Wrap Up 19:37 Final Goodbye If you're stuck between boss mode and mom mode with no idea which one wins, share this with a friend who's fighting the same battle—misery loves company and so does self-awareness. And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs. Let’s Connect! Follow Michelle Stokes on; LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle

Michelle records from the physio parking lot with energy she hasn't had in weeks—because she's talking about clothes. This episode is part fashion therapy, part origin story. She unpacks why she still shows up every day, sharing outfits with no affiliate links, no store, and no financial incentive: because a habit built in a basement four years ago never went away, and because getting dressed is still the thing that sets her day. From the local boutique collab, she waited three weeks to accept until she had spent money saved, to stepping on a scale for the first time in four years (183 pounds, and she'll take it), to the real reason Bombshell closed—she bit off more than she could chew the same year she left nursing and started real estate. And if you need one thing for your summer wardrobe, it's a skort. She's very serious about this. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Beyond 00:30 Feedback and DMs 01:02 Hauls and Links 02:26 Gifting and Values 08:23 Quality Over Fast 09:35 Why I Share 12:00 Bombshell Origins 14:51 Summer Skort Must 17:24 Closing Bombshell 19:48 Final Thanks Outro If you've ever felt judged walking into a boutique or down on yourself scrolling someone else's outfits, share this—and then go get a skort. And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs. Let’s Connect! Follow Michelle Stokes on; LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle

Michelle records outside her office unpacking two phrases that are quietly doing damage—one she never says, one she says a million times a day without realizing it. She doesn't say "I can't." She figures it out, she does the thing, she makes it work. But then she gets stuck in the aftermath, replaying everything she should have done differently, should have bought, should have said. Josh finally called it out: every "I should have" is just self-blame in disguise, keeping her mentally stuck in the past instead of planning for the future. The reframe? Replace "I should have gotten hot dogs" with "next time I'll get hot dogs." Simple, but it changes everything. If you're an "I can't" person or an "I should have" person—or somehow both—this one's the mirror you didn't know you needed. Timestamps: 00:00 Two Phrases, Two Problems 03:14 I Don't Say "I Can't"—Here's Why 06:28 But I Say "I Should Have" Constantly 09:42 What "I Should Have" Actually Does to You 13:17 Josh Called It Out 16:44 The Reframe: "Next Time I'll..." 20:33 What Happens When You're Both 23:18 Take It Out of Your Vocabulary If you know someone stuck in "I should have" or "I can't," share this—sometimes you just need to hear it from someone else before it actually lands. And if you want to stay connected, you can find me on social media and on my website via the links below. I love hearing from you, so don’t be shy about jumping into my DMs. Let’s Connect! Follow Michelle Stokes on; LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bombshell.by.michelle