Ava is joined by recipe developer Megan Sheley for a conversation about food and cooking as a lens for self-exploration. Megan takes us through her journey from working a 9-5 to taking the leap into recipe development, including the TikTok moment that changed everything when her Lasagna Soup went wildly viral, and what she has learned about herself along the way.

Megan Sheley is a foodie-turned full-time recipe developer known for clean food and a dirty mouth. Food is at the center of Megan’s world, and she believes it is one of the best ways to bring people together. From viral recipes on TikTok to competing on Next Level Chef, and from van life to eat-pray-loving her way around the world, Megan uses food as a vehicle for self-exploration and personal growth. Through her work as a recipe developer, Megan inspires and empowers others to reconnect with food and create a life where eating is fun, tasty, and makes you feel good.

In this episode Megan shares behind-the-scenes stories from competing on Season 4 of Next Level Chef under the mentorship of Gordon Ramsay, including the hard decision to step away for health reasons, and what it taught her about boundaries, identity, and making aligned decisions.

Ava and Megan conclude their conversation with a deep dive into Megan’s travels and how they influence Megan’s day-to-day life as a recipe developer. From an Eat Pray Love-style chapter abroad to the expansion in the kitchen that comes from experiencing global flavors, Megan shares what cooking can teach you about creativity, nourishment, and making eating fun.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Megan Sheley

03:00 Becoming a full-time recipe developer

05:50 What it’s like to take the leap

07:47 Day to day as a recipe developer

10:44 Life changing Lasagna Soup

17:14 Competing on Next Level Chef with Gordon Ramsay

26:08 Megan’s choice to leave the tv show

29:02 Managing stress with an autoimmune disease

31:42 The benefits of setting boundaries

34:51 Eat pray love in Spain

42:00 Culinary travel: Eating and drinking around the world

46:08 The key to food, cooking, and nourishment

50:15 Cooking tips for home chefs

53:05 Living that gluten-free life

55:25 Following the call to move across the country

1:00:22 Living in alignment to be more you

Resources

Connect with Megan Sheley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megansheley/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@megansheley

Website: https://megansheley.com/

Connect with Ava Beilke

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avabeilke/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avabeilke

Website: https://theavaverse.com/

Rate, review, and subscribe to MORE with Ava Beilke wherever you listen to podcasts.

Subscribe to watch @themorepod on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themorepod

Follow @themorepod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themorepod/

Follow @themorepod on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themorepod

More at: https://www.themorepod.com/

Ava shares her 72-hour San Francisco adventure blending wine education, city exploration, and short-distance travel in this travel talk episode. The trip served multiple purposes: attending a sommelier deductive tasting workshop, exploring the city with her partner, and embracing the concept of local travel from her California home base.

She makes a compelling case for short-distance travel, reflecting on how moving to California has shifted her perspective from seeking far-flung destinations to appreciating what's closer to home. Perhaps even inspiring your own short-distance travels in 2026.

Ava shares travel tips and recommendations for spending a weekend in San Francisco, California that balances exploration with relaxation. The two-day itinerary features a Saturday stroll through North Beach and a visit to SFMOMA, a life-changing chocolate almond croissant, a Golden Gate Park sit, a memorable first (and maybe last) Waymo ride, and of course - plenty of dining recommendations. And, the trip culminates with an intensive day of wine education, where Ava blind-tasted 20 wines as part of her sommelier certification journey.

Whether you're planning your own short-distance adventure, a visit to San Francisco, or even start your own sommelier journey, this episode offers plenty of ideas to spark your next adventure.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

04:22 The case for short-distance travel

06:55 Getting to San Francisco

08:09 Where to stay in San Francisco

09:00 Day 1 Itinerary: Exploring North Beach and SFMOMA

17:16 Waymo self-driving car experience

25:26 Day 2 Itinerary: Good Eats and Golden Gate Park

34:10 Sommelier certification journey and wine tasting workshop

43:00 San Francisco travel tips and planning considerations

Episode Resources

The Coffee Movement: https://www.thecoffeemovement.com/

City Lights Bookstore: https://citylights.com/

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art: https://www.sfmoma.org/

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar: https://www.absinthe.com/

Ariscault Bakery: https://arsicault-bakery.com/

The Laundromat SF: https://www.thelaundromatsf.com/

Barcha: https://www.barcha-sf.com/

Court of Master Sommeliers: https://www.mastersommeliers.org/

Connect with Ava Beilke

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avabeilke/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avabeilke

Website: https://theavaverse.com/

Rate, review, and subscribe to MORE with Ava Beilke wherever you listen to podcasts.

Subscribe to watch @themorepod on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themorepod

Follow @themorepod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themorepod/

Follow @themorepod on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themorepod

More at: https://www.themorepod.com/

Ava welcomes the podcast’s resident astrologer KJ Atlas back for a special three-month astrology guide to Fall 2025 in the Northern Hemisphere. Learn about the most influential astrology of Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius seasons from September 22 – December 21, 2025, and how you can best use the energy to manifest original rich-bixch experiences this fall.

The season begins with the Fall Equinox on September 22 although it may feel less than celebratory. The first week of fall is dense with post-eclipse energy so it’s best to give it a week before diving into your spooky season to-dos.

The theme of this time period is unfinished business. If there were things that you really wanted to make happen earlier this year but faced blockages, now is the time to get back to work and manifest. Three key dates in October, November, and December will support your forward momentum.

Ava and KJ discuss all the major astrological transits of Fall 2025 including a Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius and Scorpio, a Moon Wobble in Sagittarius, some big shifts of the outer planets, and of course, a gorgeous set of new moons for manifesting and full moons for releasing. Tune in to learn how to best work with the energy, live in greater alignment, and manifest powerfully this season.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to KJ Atlas

03:05 Eclipse season concludes

05:36 Fall 2025 astro weather at-a-glance

07:58 Fall equinox on September 22

09:57 Key astrological transits this season

10:05 Mercury retrograde November 9

13:24 Upcoming Mars transits

17:10 Lucky dates for forward momentum

20:28 Moon wobble in Sagittarius

23:38 Dark moon phase years 2025-2026

27:23 Outer planet transits – Saturn and Uranus influence

32:34 Justice for the Pluto in Scorpio generation

46:05 New moons for manifesting this fall

46:54 New Moon in Libra October 21

48:47 New Moon in Scorpio November 19

49:47 New Moon in Sagittarius December 19

52:32 Full moons for releasing this fall

52:38 Full Moon in Aries October 6

53:30 Full Moon in Taurus November 5

55:03 Full Moon in Gemini December 4

58:41 Looking ahead to winter solstice

1:05:17 A reminder to make room for fun

Episode Resources

Work with KJ Atlas: https://www.kjatlas.com/

Connect with KJ Atlas

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kj.atlas/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kj.atlas

Website: https://www.kjatlas.com/

Connect with Ava Beilke

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avabeilke/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avabeilke

Website: https://theavaverse.com/

Rate, review, and subscribe to MORE with Ava Beilke wherever you listen to podcasts.

Subscribe to watch @themorepod on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themorepod

Follow @themorepod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themorepod/

Follow @themorepod on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themorepod

More at: https://www.themorepod.com/

Ava is joined by hypnotherapist Leo Max for a conversation about hypnosis, how the practice heals the mind, body, and soul, and leveraging hypnotherapy to help us become more of who we truly are.

Leo Max is a spiritual hypnotherapist based outside of NYC. He offers deep journeys into the subconscious mind for people to heal from the roots up. His work is a blend of roughly 8 styles of therapy rolled into one powerful service. As the founder of Restorative Hypnosis, he serves people who are tired of talk therapy, know there’s more to healing, and are ready for the transformational power of truth.

Ava and Leo dive into the fascinating world of hypnotherapy starting with the basics of how hypnosis works, what hypnotherapy actually is, and what first-timers can expect. Leo speaks to the benefits of working with the subconscious mind in this practice, and breaks down why hypnotherapy goes where talk therapy cannot. Keeping it to just the basics would be boring - so they also touch on some of the more mystical aspects of his practice like parts work and entity removal. Spoiler alert: If you need an entity guy… Leo’s the one to call.

Ava shares her personal experience with one-on-one hypnotherapy and how the sessions have transformed her reality. They wrap up with an exploration of Leo's beautiful perspective that "the more you heal, the more your soul emerges.” Ultimately, deep healing work just reveals more you. Tune in to explore the realm of hypnosis, healing, and truth.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Leo Max

03:22 Defining hypnosis and hypnotherapy

06:20 Leo’s personal journey to becoming a hypnotherapist

14:25 Conscious vs subconscious mind – how hypnotherapy works

20:05 The mind, body, and soul topics hypnosis can heal

22:00 What to expect in a hypnotherapy session

31:55 Victim mentality - who struggles the most in hypnotherapy

35:15 How long the effects “last” compared to other therapies

39:30 How hypnosis helps us become more of who we truly are

52:10 Parts work and entity removals

1:05:20 Self-development journey – what Leo’s loving now

1:12:41 Encouragement to keep experimenting with the healing process

Episode Resources

Connect with Leo Max

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restorativehypnosis/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@restorativehypnosis

Website: https://restorative-hypnosis.com/

Connect with Ava Beilke

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avabeilke/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avabeilke

Website: https://theavaverse.com/

Rate, review, and subscribe to MORE with Ava Beilke wherever you listen to podcasts.

Subscribe to watch @themorepod on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themorepod

Follow @themorepod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themorepod/

Follow @themorepod on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themorepod

More at: https://www.themorepod.com/

Ava recounts her summer getaway to Portland Oregon, the city of roses, fresh air, and natural wine bars, and a day trip to the Oregon Coast in this travel talk.

Her journey began with some travel woes when what could have been a 3-hour flight from LA turned into a 20-hour odyssey through Salt Lake City and Seattle. Fortunately, an urgent visit to Portland's Rose Garden provided the perfect vibe check, aura cleanse, and attitude adjustment, and the summer vacation commenced. Thank god for roses.

Ava shares her travel tips and suggestions for spending a weekend in Portland, including an Anthony Bourdain recommended (haunted?) hotel. Her detailed day-by-day itinerary features a day of garden exploration and shopping, a Portland wine bar crawl brimming with natural wine and good times, and a day trip to Cannon Beach on the beautiful Oregon coast.

Whether you're already planning your own Portland adventure or are just considering adding it to your bucket list now, this episode offers insights on how to make the most of a weekend in Portland Oregon, and some excellent places to pass time.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:05 Exploring new U.S. cities

04:02 Summer travel challenges

11:41 Where to stay in Portland

14:00 Anthony Bourdain hotel recommendation

16:57 Perfect weekend itinerary

26:14 Portland wine bar crawl

34:29 Day trip to Cannon Beach Oregon

39:40 Oregon coast landmarks allegedly?

42:11 Portland travel tips and final recommendations

Episode Resources

Heathman Hotel

Portland Rose Garden

Portland Japanese Garden

Heavenly Creatures

Portland Saturday Market

Company Wine Bar

Nil Wine Bar

Ecola Seafood Cannon Beach

Ava Genes

Connect with Ava Beilke

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avabeilke/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avabeilke

Website: https://theavaverse.com/

Ava is joined by PR Strategist Tiff Knighten for a critical conversation about public relations, the messages we’re communicating, the media we’re consuming, and how to best publicly position ourselves for impact in a way that authentically aligns with who we are.

Tiff Knighten is an award-winning PR strategist, brand consultant, and Founder of Brand Curators, a public relations and management agency helping influential people and businesses build, amplify, and monetize their brands. Recognized by Business Insider as a Top PR Pro in the Creator Economy, Tiff is also the host of Main Character Energy with Tiff Knighten podcast, creating space for conversations on personal growth, mental health, and overcoming imposter syndrome.

Ava and Tiff explore public relations and the great value it holds for brands and individuals. They cover identifying the basic building blocks of PR, how to determine your own PR-readiness, and how to best break through the noise with strategies and stories that matter - even amidst the ever-chaotic news cycle. Tiff shares why using your voice and telling your story matters more now than ever, and offers tips for overcoming hesitation.

They also discuss strategies and tools for being a better contributor to and consumer of media. From navigating the complexities of cancel culture (and how to get "un-canceled") to the need for increased media literacy while we're flooded with propaganda, AI, and misinformation, these are conversations that matter now.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Tiff Knighten

04:11 Becoming a PR Power Girl

08:26 How to leverage public relations for growth

15:52 Indications that you’re PR ready

19:32 Everyone has a story to tell

22:02 Effective PR during chaotic news cycles

27:14 Different types of media placements

35:53 Using your authentic voice

45:53 Navigating cancel culture as brands and individuals

54:00 Media literacy 101: Critical consumption in the digital age

1:08:05 Why your story matters now!

Episode Resources

Explore Tiff’s Public Relations Agency Brand Curators: https://www.brandcurators.co/

Connect with Tiff Knighten

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiff_or_die

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tiffknighten

Website: https://www.tiffknighten.com/

Connect with Ava Beilke

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avabeilke/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avabeilke

Website: https://theavaverse.com/

Rate, review, and subscribe to MORE with Ava Beilke wherever you listen to podcasts.

Subscribe to watch @themorepod on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themorepod

Follow @themorepod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themorepod/

More at: https://www.themorepod.com/