In this heartfelt pre-Christmas episode, Megan thanks her listeners for supporting her podcast journey through a difficult year.

Megan is grateful for the community that's helped her heal and believe in herself again.

She hopes The Megan Talks podcast has made listeners feel seen and less alone, and wishes everyone a Christmas filled with warmth, connection, and joy - reminding those struggling during the holidays that brighter days are coming.

Megan Talks' planned Christmas podcast with a best friend became unusable due to technical audio issues.

What started as frustration over the mistake quickly spiralled into self-doubt and harsh self-criticism, "I'm not cut out for this" and "I'm not good enough."

Megan realized we often internalize setbacks, comparing our "chapter one" to others' "chapter 29" and forgetting that everyone's polished success hides countless failures.

The shame of being new at something, especially as adults, makes us feel like we should already be experts.

Instead of quitting, Megan reframed the experience:
Failure isn't things going wrong; failure is stopping because you're embarrassed.

Today we dive into 3 key lessons:

1. Feedback is not failure - it's guidance from people who care
2. You can't skip the learning phase - skill requires repetition
3. Doing it imperfectly still counts - progress over perfection

My message:

Plans change, mistakes happen, and doubt shows up - but none of that disqualifies you.

Keep showing up, keep learning, and keep going.

Join me today on Megan Talks into the holiday season with a fresh perspective.

You deserve a holiday season that meets you where you are.

Holiday Reality vs. Expectations
The holidays are portrayed as perfect on social media, but the reality is often messy and hard.

Slow down, protect your energy, and say no when needed.

Joy exists in small moments - cozy nights, nostalgic memories, winter walks.

Gift-Giving & Financial Boundaries
Gift-giving brings pressure to overspend and keep up with others.

Set honest boundaries about your budget - your presence is the real gift.

Mental Health & Small Joys
If you're struggling, you're not alone.

Megan Talks behind the scenes with Sweetheart Events and Stephanie's Journey to being a triple threat as The Wedding Planner.

Stephanie founded Sweetheart Events 13+ years ago after working with luxury and budget wedding companies in Vancouver.

She identified a market gap - couples wanting focus on their marriage story, not just aesthetics.

Her signature 8-week takeover service includes curated planning workbooks, timeline creation, vendor coordination, and full-day execution with a dedicated team that stays from setup to final cleanup.

Why Wedding Planners Matter?

Planners handle invisible work couples don't anticipate:

• Crisis management: Missing linens, weather pivots, wardrobe malfunctions, vendor no-shows
• Behind-the-scenes coordination: Hundreds of emails, floor plans, power requirements, dietary restrictions
• Day-of execution: Room transformations, timeline management, ensuring couples eat and stay hydrated
• Experience creation: Designing meaningful moments that authentically represent the couple
• Stephanie warns against "day-of coordinators"—couples deserve support throughout planning, not just the final stressful weeks.

Essential Advice:

Speeches: Maximum 5 at 2-3 minutes each. Do 1-2 upfront, then let guests enjoy dinner uninterrupted.

Don't forget: Deodorant, phone chargers, safety pins, sewing kit, backup shirt, comfortable shoes, sunscreen for outdoor weddings.

Bottom line: "Two strangers' paths crossed—that's worth celebrating. Turn off the noise, ignore others' opinions, and make it about you and your partner.

The wedding will be beautiful because it represents you, regardless of budget.

Megan is also creating an ebook with daily routines, supplements, playlists, journal prompts, and mindset tips

DM your email to receive it first

Megan's Instagram at @megantalks

Megan discusses managing seasonal depression and shares practical strategies for maintaining energy and joy during darker months.

Core Message

* Winter blues are temporary
* Lean into the season as a time for rest and reflection
* Small daily actions and self-compassion make all the difference

Why Winter Blues Happen

* Less sunlight reduces vitamin D, serotonin, and disrupts melatonin
* Causes sluggishness, fatigue, and low mood
* Darkness during commutes intensifies the effect

Mindset Shift

* Accept rather than avoid - don't try to "outrun" winter blues
* Give yourself permission to slow down
* Reframe winter as a season for inner focus and self-reflection
* Think of it as "planting seeds" that will bloom in spring

Practical Strategies

* Get Outside: 10 minutes of fresh air daily
* Light Therapy: Sunrise lamps, open blinds, cozy morning routines
* Stay Connected: Schedule social plans—connection is crucial
* Move Your Body: Exercise for emotional release
* Fuel Properly: Balance nutrition; check vitamin D/iron levels
* Find Daily Joy: Notice small moments—candles, playlists, cozy clothes
* Protect Mental Space: Avoid doom-scrolling; practice gratitude
* Reset When Needed: Change environment, call a friend
* Use Affirmations: "Even when it's dark, I can still be the light"

Announcement

* Megan is creating an ebook with daily routines, supplements, playlists, journal prompts, and mindset tips
* DM your email to receive it first

Megan's Instagram at @megantalks

Megan Talks shifts from deep topics to focus on small things that bring joy - like morning coffee, the right playlist, or confidence-boosting jeans.

Megan advocates for a "less is more" mindset, explaining how focusing on smaller joys, less overthinking, helping people and reduced clutter has brought more clarity and happiness to her life.

Megan shares several practices that have enhanced her joy, including:

• Decluttering her living space
• Borrowing instead of buying
• Prioritizing herself - Focusing on people who lift you up and encourage authenticity
• Daily movement - Energy through fitness classes, hikes, and sports
• Fashion as confidence
• TV watching

The episode concludes with community responses about small joys, from heartwarming moments to humorous relationship observations.

Megan encourages listeners to identify what lights them up daily, emphasizing that joy exists in the present moment rather than waiting for major life events, and advocates for sharing these small joys to maintain perspective and find peace.

Megan's Instagram at @megantalks

** The Mindset Shift - From Workout to Movement **

Megan transformed inconsistent exercise habits by focusing on how movement feels mentally/emotionally rather than physical appearance.

She reframes "workouts" as "daily movement" - spin classes, weightlifting, walking, stretching, dancing, or any heart-pumping activity.

This removes gym pressure and increases accessibility by chasing confidence and energy rather than calories or scale numbers.

** Building Discipline Through Practical Strategies**

Instead of relying on motivation, Megan builds discipline through:

• Sleep: Schedule for adequate energy
• Nutrition: Sufficient fuel to power activities
• Habit Stacking: Prepare
• Accountability:

Making movement non-negotiable for long-term success.

** Energy Through Movement **

Core principle: "Energy doesn't magically appear - it is built through movement"

• Energy comes from movement (increased circulation, endorphins), not before it
• Start small and sustainable rather than overwhelming daily commitments
• Find fun, community-based activities to reduce the chore factor
• Challenge: Pick one small daily movement for a week and observe energy shifts
• Progress requires time and self-compassion

Megan's Instagram at @megantalks_

Megan launches "Megan Talks," a podcast about confidence, mindset, and personal growth, after years of letting imposter syndrome and self-doubt prevent her from pursuing this dream. She found the courage to start independently rather than waiting for a collaborator, expressing overwhelming excitement about sharing joy with listeners through biweekly episodes.Her passion for leadership developed naturally as people consistently sought her guidance, from high school confidants to professional mentorship. A stranger's observation that she "brightened up" when discussing leadership confirmed this was her calling. This passion for developing others, combined with her desire to discuss everything from self-development to personal stories, inspired her podcast concept.Megan's breakthrough came after overcoming lifelong depression through therapy in her early thirties, which gave her the energy and confidence to finally launch her show. Believing that "everything happens for a reason," she encourages listeners not to abandon their dreams despite poor timing, emphasizing that those who feel alone or struggle with self-doubt can achieve their goals by trusting the process and believing in themselves.

Find Megan on Instagram at @megantallks_