Advertise on podcast: Take This Personally with Morgan Huelsman

Money isn’t just math. It’s memory, identity, fear, hope, and survival. Shannah Game, certified financial planner and author of Unraveling Your Relationship with Money, shares why so many of us feel anxious, ashamed, or stuck around money... regardless of how much we make. We talk about financial trauma (the obvious kind and the subtle kind), why “being good with money” is a myth, how shame keeps us frozen, and why women in particular carry so much silent stress around finances. Shanna shares her own story of losing everything after divorce, the patterns she sees again and again in high-performing women, and simple ways to start rebuilding trust with money without perfection or punishment. 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast for more episodes. 📲 Follow @shannahgame on Instagram. 📖 Buy her book Unraveling Your Relationship with Money. 📲 Follow @takethispersonally on Instagram. 📲 Follow @webgirlmorgan on Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when you finally reach the goal you’ve been chasing and it doesn’t feel the way you thought it would?  I’m joined by Nick Shelton, a U.S. Air Force veteran, bestselling author, and speaker who has lived multiple lives, sometimes by choice, sometimes by necessity. Nick opens up about growing up painfully shy, being mistaken for hearing impaired as a child, and slowly learning how to navigate social connection as an introvert by breaking it down into small, manageable steps. And on the flip side, Nick shares what no one really talks about: the identity crisis that hit after retiring early at 49, the quiet loneliness that followed “success,” and the unexpected grief of losing structure, purpose, and visibility. We talk about what it feels like to fade into the background, how relationships shape opportunity, and why reinvention doesn’t require a rock bottom, just a willingness to show up. 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast for more episodes. 📲 Connect with Nick Shelton on LinkedIn. 📲 Follow @takethispersonally on Instagram. 📲 Follow @webgirlmorgan on Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica Buchanan was a schoolteacher from Ohio who followed a calling to serve overseas. That calling led her to East Africa, meaningful humanitarian work, and eventually into one of the most terrifying experiences imaginable. Jessica shares the full story of how she was kidnapped in Somalia, held hostage in the desert for 93 days, and ultimately rescued by SEAL Team Six. She opens up about the moments leading up to her capture, the role intuition tried to play, what captivity was really like, and how she survived mentally when survival felt impossible. We also talk about the aftermath from PTSD, rebuilding identity, motherhood, faith, and what it means to “survive survival.” 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast for more episodes. 📲 Follow @jessicacbuchanan on Instagram. 📲 Follow @takethispersonally on Instagram. 📲 Follow @webgirlmorgan on Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Braden is officially back, but this time as my fiancé. 🤍 We are sharing the entire engagement story from both perspectives: designing the ring, coordinating the surprise with my family, the chaos leading up to the proposal at Botanica… and yes, the peacoat that almost caused our biggest fight right before he proposed. From the moment he asked my dad for permission to the exact words he planned to say on one knee, nothing is left out. Braden shares the ring details including the story he was trying to tell with the hidden halo meaning, why the Christmas scene felt right, and Remi's very on-brand reaction to her permanent dad. 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast for more episodes. 📲 Follow @takethispersonally on Instagram. 📲 Follow @theoriginalbraden on Instagram. 📲 Follow @webgirlmorgan on Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From growing up without modern technology to teaching English, raising children, exploring archaeology, flying planes, riding motorcycles, and living alone on the land she loves for over three decades, my 87-year-old Grandma Bernie reflects on the choices that shaped her life and the lessons she’s still learning. I sit down with her on the Kansas farm she’s called home for decades. What unfolds is an honest, curious, and adventurous conversation about independence, love, regret, science, nature, and what it really means to live a full life. This episode is all about resilience, questioning what we think we know and some of the most powerful advice you may hear today "don't hate. grab life and go!" 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast for more episodes. 📲 Follow @takethispersonally on Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if new parents aren’t failing, but simply unsupported? Morgan sits down with Michelle Pool, nurse at Maven Clinic and the person behind One Minute Milk Bites, for an honest, deeply validating conversation about breastfeeding, postpartum mental health, and why modern parents feel so overwhelmed. Michelle shares her own journey from struggling new mom to lactation expert, breaking down why breastfeeding can feel impossibly hard, how baby instincts actually work, and why the “breast is best” messaging has caused more harm than help. Together, they explore postpartum depression, the loss of the village, C-sections vs. vaginal birth, and the quiet identity shift that happens after a baby arrives. This episode is for: New and expecting parents Partners who want to show up better Anyone who’s ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?” If you’ve ever felt alone, unsure, or like you’re not enough, this conversation is your reminder: your best is good enough, and you are the perfect parent for your baby. 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast for more episodes. 📲 Follow Michelle on Instagram @one_minute_milk_bites 📲 Follow @takethispersonally on Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s episode is equal parts chaotic, honest, and deeply meaningful as Morgan is joined by her sister Taylor and her 11-week-old niece, Collyns for a special holiday week conversation. Taylor opens up about becoming a first-time mom, what no one truly prepares you for after birth, and how motherhood reshapes everything. From marriage and identity to sleep, patience, and trust in your own instincts. They talk candidly about pregnancy plans going out the window, postpartum realities, breastfeeding struggles, Bell’s Palsy in the midst of recovery, and the emotional weight of those early weeks that don’t get talked about enough. From choosing the right partner, navigating life with dogs and a newborn, and leaning on community, to trusting your “mom gut” and tuning out outside noise, this episode is an honest look at what it really means to bring a life into the world. It’s a sister conversation filled with love, laughter, tears, baby noises, and perspective for anyone who’s a mom, hopes to be one someday, or just wants a deeper understanding of this season of life. 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast for more episodes. 📲 Follow @takethispersonally on Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The holidays can be magical: full of twinkly lights, sweet treats, and time with people we love. But they can also shine a spotlight on grief, change, loneliness, and the complicated emotions so many of us quietly carry this time of year. In this episode, Morgan shares vulnerable listener voice notes about the real struggles happening behind the highlight reels. From divorce, illness, mental health battles, and career changes to navigating grief after losing parents, partners, or friends, these stories remind us we’re never as alone as we think. Morgan opens up about her own mixed year and responds to each message with empathy and honesty, creating space for anyone who’s simply doing their best to make it through the season. If this time of year feels heavy, messy, bittersweet, or complicated… this episode is for you. 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast for more episodes. 📲 Follow @takethispersonally on Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rhaina Cohen (author of The Other Significant Others) joins us to reframe how we think about friendship: past, present, and possible futures. Rhaina explains why intense platonic bonds once held public, ritualized importance (think “sworn brotherhoods” and romantic friendships of the 17th–19th centuries), how marriage’s role shifted to demand emotional everything-ness, and why that cultural shift squeezed out space for friendships. What you'll get out of this episode: The friendship that inspired Rhaina's book Historical models of deep same-sex friendship and how they differ from modern assumptions Why modern romantic relationships often eclipse friendship and why that harms us Real-life choices Rhaina and her husband made (communal living, prioritizing friends) and practical tips to preserve friendships How to be a better friend: rituals, calendars, play, and honest conversation Handling jealousy and myths about opposite-sex friendships If you want to build stronger platonic connections, rethink where you live and who you share life with, or simply appreciate how friendship can anchor a life, this episode is for you. 📕 Get The Other Significant Others on Amazon 📲 Follow Rhaina Cohen on social media: @rhainacohen 📲 Follow the podcast: @takethispersonally See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media is everywhere and it’s changing the way we think, feel, and interact. Amanda White, licensed therapist and host of Nuance Needed, returns to unpack the real impact of viral trends, rage bait, and online advice on our mental health. Amanda shares practical strategies for: Recognizing and avoiding misleading or extreme content online. Reclaiming your attention in a world designed to distract you. Practicing psychological flexibility and healthy boundaries in daily life. Taking small, intentional steps toward balance and wellbeing. Whether you scroll daily or just peek at trends, this conversation will make you rethink how you interact with social media and help you take back control of your mind. 🎧 Follow Amanda’s podcast Nuance Needed for even more insights into mental health and navigating the online world.  📲 Follow Amanda on social media: @therapyforwomen 📲 Follow the podcast: @takethispersonally See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Morgan shares the most personal and transformative part of her health journey yet, the cleanse and lifestyle overhaul she’s been doing to heal from long COVID and chronic inflammation. Joined by integrative nutritionist Cara Clark, the two walk through every step of Morgan’s process: the hard conversations, the dietary changes, the mindset shifts, and the surprising challenges of trying to stay healthy in a world that doesn’t always make it easy. Morgan opens up about: ✨ What finally pushed her to start a full-body reset ✨ The emotional and physical challenges of her 8-week protocol ✨ What she learned about inflammation, stress, and her own habits ✨ How long COVID affected her body more than she realized ✨ Why “feeling fine” is not the same as feeling good ✨ The meals, routines, and supplement habits that helped ✨ How her boyfriend supported the process (and felt better too!) ✨ The truth about online wellness trends, including parasite cleanses ✨ Why healing is slow, individual, and absolutely worth it Whether you're struggling with chronic symptoms, curious about functional healing, or just trying to feel better in your everyday life, this candid conversation offers guidance, encouragement, and a reminder that you don’t have to accept feeling “not great” as normal. Follow Cara: @caraclarknutrition Cara's website for more information: www.caraclarknutrition.com Follow Morgan: @webgirlmorgan Follow Take This Personally: @takethispersonally See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Microplastics are everywhere. In the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. In this episode, Morgan talks with Microplastics researcher Dana about how microplastics affect our health and the environment. Dana breaks down the science behind primary and secondary microplastics, explains how everyday items like tires and plastic products contribute to the problem, and shares practical ways we can all reduce our plastic footprint. Learn why microplastics are a growing threat to food security and plant growth, and discover the hope in knowing that small changes, combined with community and governmental action, can reverse their effects.  Follow Dana: @dankazh Get the Free Microplastic Scanner App: App Download Link Follow Morgan: @webgirlmorgan Follow Take This Personally: @takethispersonally See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Baxie: a 78-year-old teacher, wife, mother and grandmother who has lived a life full of love, laughter, and resilience. From a chance-meeting college romance to raising three kids, decades in the classroom, and caring for her husband through Alzheimer’s, Bax shares the lessons that have guided her through life’s toughest and most joyful moments.  Learn more about Abe's Garden: www.abesgarden.org Follow Morgan: @webgirlmorgan Follow Take This Personally: @takethispersonally See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ninety-three years. No electricity growing up. Raising a family. Adapting through every wave of change, from outhouses to iPhones to AI. Loving a husband whose memory now slips like sand through fingers. And still waking up every morning determined to learn something new and squeeze joy out of the day.  Margaret shares the life lessons only time can teach: why regret is useless, why change is necessary, how to age with humor, how to stay curious, and how to love someone through memory loss. A masterclass in living well, loving deeply, and staying present in the one life we get. Learn more about Abe's Garden: www.abesgarden.org Follow Morgan: @webgirlmorgan Follow Take This Personally: @takethispersonally See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not everything you see online is actually meant for you, we're talking online boundaries!! Plus, we dive into what it really means to share (or not share) your relationship online. From “hey girl” DMs to moving in together, we talk about the pros, cons, and triggers of public vs. private love. Plus, we unpack Kim Kardashian’s viral podcast interview, Keith Urban's final show, Megan Moroney's new era, and a famous couple kept their relationship secret for 16 years. Follow Morgan M: @morganmassengill Follow Morgan H: @webgirlmorgan Follow Take This Personally: @takethispersonally See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.