Litigation attorney turned entrepreneur Cassandra Burnett joins Joy Makers to talk belonging, grief, people-pleasing, and the joy practices that keep her grounded. On founding Lizzie’s Love Cakes, the Hey Girl Women’s Conference, and The Aunties podcast — plus why pausing is the bravest thing you can do.

What happens when you stop trying to fit in and start letting yourself belong?

This week on Joy Makers, I sat down with Cassandra Burnett — litigation attorney turned entrepreneur, community builder, and the founder behind Lizzie’s Love Cakes, the Hey Girl Women’s Conference, and the Hey Girl Fund nonprofit. She also hosts The Aunties podcast.

Cassandra has spent years being “the one” in professional rooms — and that experience shaped a deep calling to build spaces where women can drop the titles, lower the guard, and quit the comparison game.

We get into the hard, beautiful stuff: how losing her mother and then her father set off what she calls a “great untethering” — the unraveling that finally freed her from people-pleasing and reconnected her to who she actually is. She shares how grief deepened her marriage, why she stopped apologizing for being multi-passionate, and how she learned to tell a healthy space from one that’s quietly draining her.

We also talk about rest as a calling (not a reward), capacity over hustle, and the daily joy practices — devotional time, movement, community, affirmations — that keep her tethered now.

If you’ve been running on empty, performing belonging instead of feeling it, or wondering whether the pause you keep craving is allowed — this one’s for you.

• Why belonging beats fitting in — and how to tell the difference
• How to stop apologizing for being multi-passionate
• The link between people-pleasing and losing yourself
• What grief can teach you about identity, marriage, and joy
• Why pausing protects your peace, capacity, purpose, and rest
• Simple daily joy practices you can actually keep
• How gratitude rewires your brain (and why Cassandra leans on it)

00:00 — Podcast Welcome

00:33 — Meet Cassandra Burnett

02:24 — Why Safe Spaces Matter

06:28 — Belonging Over Fitting In

08:12 — Stop Apologizing for Being Multi-Passionate

09:27 — Losing Yourself to People-Pleasing

12:28 — Grief and the Great Untethering

14:50 — Marriage Through Major Change

21:51 — The Joy of Grief

24:01 — Motherhood Identity Shift

26:14 — Go Find Yourself

28:32 — Choosing to Pause

30:16 — Capacity Over Hustle

32:51 — Rest as a Calling

35:54 — Set-Apart Identity

37:17 — Brave Faith and Joy

39:11 — Feel It and Release

40:50 — Daily Joy Practices

46:18 — How Gratitude Rewires the Brain

48:06 — The Perfect Three Hours

50:47 — Connect and Closing

Cassandra is a litigation attorney turned entrepreneur and community builder. She founded Lizzie’s Love Cakes in honor of her late mother, created the Hey Girl Women’s Conference and the Hey Girl Fund nonprofit, and produces The Aunties podcast. Through monthly baking workshops, she brings women together to bake, connect, and honor their ancestors.

Connect with Cassandra:

https://www.instagram.com/cassandraburnett_/

Connect with Nichole:

www.nicholemchphotography.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholemhoward/

@IamNicholemch on Insta and TikTok! - https://www.instagram.com/iamnicholemch/

Free Resources -

Dream life blueprint/Calculator - total value $497 yours free for listening https://nicholemchcoachingandphoto.myflodesk.com/dreamcalculator

If you’ve ever felt like you needed to “fix” your body before fully showing up in your life… this episode is for you. 💛

In this conversation, I sit down with therapist and eating disorder specialist Gabby Morreale to talk about body image, perfectionism, healing, and the pressure women carry to constantly change themselves before feeling worthy.

Here’s what we unpack:

• Why so many women delay visibility until they “look different” • The deeper roots of comparison and perfectionism • How diet culture shapes the way we see ourselves • Why “your body is not your currency” • Gabby’s recovery journey from anorexia and infertility • The importance of community, support, and self-compassion • Small resets for hard days and overwhelming seasons

This episode is such an important reminder that your worth was never meant to be measured by your body. ✨

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:31 Why This Topic Matters 02:15 Healing Shapes Leadership 04:17 Building the Practice 06:51 Pandemic Demand and Hiring 08:39 Fertility Journey and Growth 10:28 Support Over Perfection 12:43 Releasing Perfection and Comparison 16:02 Body Is Not Currency 17:09 Delaying Visibility and Root Causes 18:46 Why Body Messages Stick 22:58 Hard Days and Impermanence 24:19 Winter Survival and Reset 27:09 Friendship as Self Care 30:18 Sparkle Round Rapid Fire 32:14 Closing and Where to Find Gabby

Gabby is the Owner and Clinical Director of Recovered & Restored Eating Disorder Therapy Center, based in Ambler and serving clients across PA, NJ, DE, MD, CT, VT, FL, and SC. What began as her personal calling has grown into a thriving group practice of 8 therapists and 3 therapy dogs, all rooted in providing compassionate, trauma-informed care.

She is an eating disorder therapist and HAES-aligned provider specializing in the treatment of anorexia, bulimia, orthorexia, binge eating disorder, OCD, and maternal mental health challenges, as well as supporting individuals and families navigating anxiety, trauma, and infertility.

Gabby’s work is deeply personal—she is fully recovered from anorexia herself and an IVF warrior, which allows her to bring lived experience, empathy, and understanding into the healing space she creates for others.

Outside of her work, Gabby is a mom, wife, and aunt who finds her greatest joy in time with her daughters, niece, and family. She loves the beach, glitter, cooking, fitness, and cozy reality TV nights, and is passionate about living a life rooted in both purpose and joy.

Connect more with Gabby here -

http://facebook.com/RecoveredandRestoredTherapy

https://www.instagram.com/gabriellelpc/

https://www.tiktok.com/@Gabriellelpc?lang=en

and with Nichole here -

www.Nicholemchphotography.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholemhoward/ @IamNicholemch on Insta and TikTok! - https://www.instagram.com/iamnicholemch/

Free Resources -

Dream life blueprint/Calculator - total value $497 yours free for listening https://nicholemchcoachingandphoto.myflodesk.com/dreamcalculator

#BodyImageHealing #EatingDisorderRecovery #SelfWorthJourney #WomenSupportingWomen #HealingJourney #PerfectionismRecovery #MentalHealthPodcast #JoyMakersPodcast

If you've ever felt overwhelmed planning a Disney trip or thought you had to hit all four parks to make it "worth it," this episode is for you.

Nichole sits down with Tighler, Disney travel specialist and content creator, to reimagine what a Disney vacation can look like—especially for families with kids four and under. Tigh shares why focusing on Magic Kingdom (instead of park hopping like crazy) creates more joy and fewer meltdowns, plus practical strategies for making the most of your time without burning out.

What You'll Learn:

✨ Disney Planning Strategy:

Why slow and intentional beats rushing through all four parks

The Magic Kingdom advantage for families with young children

What "rope dropping" means and how to do it effectively

Transportation trade-offs: free Disney options vs. paid rideshares

💰 Cost-Saving Tips:

When annual passes actually save you money (hint: two visits per year)

How flexible travel dates can slash your costs

The surprising math on driving vs. flying to Disney

Budget-friendly planning hacks for families

📸 Content Creation & Instagram Growth:

How Tigh turned Disney outfit posts into a massive following

Using your marketing background to grow authentically

Creating content that's actually fun (not just another job)

Networking strategies that accelerate growth

Finding your niche with Disney products and Amazon finds

Whether you're planning your first Disney trip or your fiftieth, this conversation will shift how you think about Disney vacations—and maybe even inspire you to share your own Disney content.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome And Guest Intro

00:24 - Name Story And Background

01:59 - First Disney Trip Memories

05:01 - Slow And Intentional Disney

09:26 - Planning Priorities For Families

12:05 - Rope Dropper Strategy Explained

13:37 - Transportation And Time Hacks

15:47 - Why Become A Disney Specialist

17:24 - How Often She Visits Disney

21:19 - Favorite Character And Classics

24:24 - Disney Princess Strength Ariel

26:50 - Saving on Disney Tickets

27:52 - Annual Pass Perks

29:20 - Flights vs Road Trips

30:27 - Last Minute Planning

32:51 - Disney Outfit Strategy

40:33 - Shopping and Amazon Finds

43:12 - Social Media Growth Secrets

49:11 - Personal Brand and Inspiration

54:45 - Where to Find Tigh

About Tigh

Tigh is a Disney Travel Specialist, content creator, and founder known for blending elevated vacation planning with impactful digital storytelling. Through her platform, she partners with leading family and lifestyle brands while creating thoughtfully curated content that inspires modern families to experience Disney in a more seamless, intentional way. As a wife, mother, and business owner, Tigh brings both expertise and authenticity to her work, bridging the gap between aspirational travel and real-life execution.

Connect more with Tigh here -

https://www.instagram.com/travelbytigh/

https://www.tiktok.com/@travelbytigh

https://www.facebook.com/people/Travel-By-Tigh/

and with Nichole here -

www.Nicholemchphotography.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholemhoward/ @IamNicholemch on Insta and TikTok! - https://www.instagram.com/iamnicholemch/

Free Resources -

Dream life blueprint/Calculator - total value $497 yours free for listening https://nicholemchcoachingandphoto.myflodesk.com/dreamcalculator

Keywords:

Disney travel planning, Disney with toddlers, Disney kids under 5, Magic Kingdom tips, rope drop Disney, Disney transportation, Disney annual pass, budget Disney vacation, Disney content creator, Instagram growth tips, Disney outfits, Disney Amazon finds, slow travel Disney, intentional Disney trip, Disney travel specialist

Andrea Martin, a nurse practitioner and founder of Glow Health, a women’s telemedicine practice focused on sexual health, perimenopause, and menopause, and Nichole discuss how women are often brushed off by the medical system and emphasizes the need for preparation and education about perimenopause, which can affect many body systems and feel isolating. She reviews common symptoms (brain fog, sleep disruption, mood and anxiety changes, pain with sex, vaginal dryness, low libido), explains how cyclic patterns can help identify hormonal shifts, and notes that hormone labs are often unhelpful in perimenopause, though other tests like anemia and vitamin levels may matter. They clarify differences between birth control hormones and menopause hormone therapy, including bioidentical hormones, and explore libido myths, responsive desire, mental load, and tools like clitoral suction devices and magic wands. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:22 Instagram Education and Consistency 02:16 Why Women Feel Brushed Off 03:32 Googling Symptoms and Confusion 04:49 Oil Change Analogy for Perimenopause 07:01 Voice Note on Common Symptoms 08:48 Is It Stress or Hormones 12:08 Hormone Therapy Basics Explained 14:43 Not Feeling Like Myself Signals 17:03 Testing and Lifestyle Foundations 19:57 Libido Myths Midlife 21:05 Spontaneous vs Responsive 22:58 Pleasure Needs First 25:22 Orgasm Reality Check 26:54 Mental Load Kills Mood 29:16 Toys and Clit Anatomy 32:36 Aging Body Identity 33:56 Menopause Mindset Shift 36:13 Where to Find Andrea 37:27 Final Wrap and Review

You can reach Andrea here:

https://www.instagram.com/andrea.sexplains.it.all/

Grab her freebie here!: https://glowhealthbyandrea.myflodesk.com/dlx3ti0bt8 You can reach Nichole here:

www.Nicholemchphotography.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholemhoward/ @IamNicholemch on Insta and TikTok! - https://www.instagram.com/iamnicholemch/

Free Resources -

Dream life blueprint/Calculator - total value $497 yours free for listening https://nicholemchcoachingandphoto.myflodesk.com/dreamcalculator

www.Nicholemchphotography.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholemhoward/ @IamNicholemch on Insta and TikTok! - https://www.instagram.com/iamnicholemch/

Free Resources -

Dream life blueprint/Calculator - total value $497 yours free for listening https://nicholemchcoachingandphoto.myflodesk.com/dreamcalculator

Andrew Elkan, CPA, is the founder of his own tax preparation and advisory practice, where he helps individuals and small businesses navigate tax strategy with clarity and confidence.

After beginning his career in financial planning at Northwestern Mutual, Andy earned his Master of Accounting from Villanova University and went on to pass all four sections of the CPA exam on his first attempt. He then spent five years at Grant Thornton, working with a wide range of clients before launching his own firm to provide more personalized, strategic support to entrepreneurs and families.

Andy specializes in helping business owners understand not just what they owe, but why — breaking down complex tax concepts into clear, practical guidance that empowers better financial decisions year-round.

Outside of the office, he’s a proud season ticket holder of the Philadelphia Eagles and once crossed “compete in a professional wrestling match” off his bucket list — in a match against his brother, no less.

You can connect more with Andy here:

https://www.andrewelkancpa.com/

And with Nichole here:

www.Nicholemchphotography.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholemhoward/ @IamNicholemch on Insta and TikTok! - https://www.instagram.com/iamnicholemch/

Free Resources -

Dream life blueprint/Calculator - total value $497 yours free for listening https://nicholemchcoachingandphoto.myflodesk.com/dreamcalculator

In this expanded version of the previous episode, Nichole speaks to moms building businesses who feel guilt or emotional exhaustion around being visible online. After experiencing a “wired and tired” vulnerability hangover herself, she explores how modern motherhood, nervous system changes, and cultural pressure make visibility feel heavier than it should.

She explains the biology behind mom guilt — from postpartum brain shifts to stress hormones — and why it’s not a mindset problem to push through. Instead, she offers a compassionate approach: regulate first, question the guilt story, prioritize presence over proximity, and redefine courage as vulnerability plus self-trust so showing up can feel safer and more sustainable.

00:00 Why Visibility Feels So Hard for Mom Entrepreneurs (Episode Setup)

01:09 The “Wired & Tired” Vulnerability Hangover: A Personal Story

05:20 From Quiet Work to Personal Brands: How Business Changed

09:19 The First Generation Asked to Do Both: Motherhood + Visibility

12:21 Mom Guilt Explained: The Caregiving Brain & Threat Response

14:33 Hormones, Stress, and the Body Signals Behind Guilt

16:55 Regulate First: Grounding Practices Before Mindset or Strategy

18:50 Reframing the Story: Presence Over Proximity

22:31 Mantras That Your Nervous System Can Believe

25:13 Quiet Courage & Worthiness: Showing Up Without the Armor (Wrap-Up)

www.Nicholemchphotography.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholemhoward/ @IamNicholemch on Insta and TikTok! - https://www.instagram.com/iamnicholemch/

Free Resources -

Dream life blueprint/Calculator - total value $497 yours free for listening https://nicholemchcoachingandphoto.myflodesk.com/dreamcalculator

Showing up on social media as a mother can feel heavier than anyone prepares you for.

In this episode, we explore why personal branding on social media feels so different after motherhood—and why visibility can feel exhausting, vulnerable, and emotionally loaded for moms in business.

Through a personal story and an honest conversation about motherhood, biology, and cultural expectations, this episode unpacks the real reasons visibility feels hard—not because of strategy, but because of the internal and societal pressure mothers carry. We talk about the “wired and tired” feeling so many moms experience, how perfectionism shows up online, and why courage—not confidence—has to come first when building a personal brand.

Inspired by Brené Brown’s work on wholehearted living, this episode invites you to rethink how you show up on social media, release the pressure to perform, and lead with authenticity instead of exhaustion.

You’ll hear about:

• Why social media visibility feels emotionally different after motherhood
• The biological, cultural, and internal pressures moms face online
• Personal branding through the lens of courage, worthiness, and vulnerability
• How to show up on social media without burning out or abandoning yourself
• Redefining success and visibility as a mother and entrepreneur

If you’re a mom navigating social media, personal branding, and the desire to be seen without losing yourself, this episode is for you.

www.Nicholemchphotography.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholemhoward/ @IamNicholemch on Insta and TikTok! - https://www.instagram.com/iamnicholemch/

Free Resources -

Dream life blueprint/Calculator - total value $497 yours free for listening https://nicholemchcoachingandphoto.myflodesk.com/dreamcalculator