Small Talk with Sheila

Hey it’s me.
In this bonus episode I’m sharing why I went on a short hiatus and what was happening behind the scenes.
Sometimes the most romcom thing you can do is pause, reset, and come back even more excited for what’s ahead.
If you’ve ever needed to step away from something you love in order to realign with yourself, this episode is for you.
Watch the romcom live:

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Hey you, it’s me…

If you’ve been in a reflective season lately, questioning things you thought you were sure about, this one might hit a little deeper.

Whenever I share something here, it’s because it feels aligned. Like the kind of conversation that lingers after you turn it off. The kind that makes you sit with yourself a minute longer than you planned to. This is one of those.

Today I’m sharing a special preview from the new season...

Hey you 🤍

If you’ve been wondering where I’ve been, I’ve been on a little hiatus of my own. Resting. Resetting. Living a little more quietly. And honestly, listening.

Don’t worry. I’m coming back with my own glow up on March 4th.

Whenever I step away, I always come back with conversations that feel intentional. The kind that make you pause and think, yes… this is the energy I want for the year.

This is one of those.

Today I’m sharing a...

What if abundance isn’t something you manifest, but something you practice?

In today’s episode, Sheila breaks down the concept of abundance in a way that actually makes sense. We start with a wild dream about her friend Sylvie (and a very full table), and use it as a jumping-off point to talk about lack, jealousy, action, timing — and cookies. Yes, cookies.

This episode is about learning to recognize where you’re feeling lack, trusti...

This week, Sheila opens up about her long and complicated history with social media, from deleting Facebook after her divorce to eventually working at Meta and finding herself back online again. Now, as a creator, she shares the lessons, surprises, and self-reflection that come with living online. Sheila talks about the good she sees in the social space, the pressure of the algorithm, and the importance of setting boundaries so soc...

Sheila explores how personal rituals can become anchors in a world where many of us feel between identities, cultures, or expectations. Instead of treating routines as chores, she shows how turning simple acts like morning coffee, journaling, walking, or preparing a Shabbat meal into rituals can create a sense of belonging that starts from within. Sheila opens a window into her own multicultural upbringing and shares how blending t...

Sheila flips the script on traditional gratitude by revealing why the real transformation happens when you finally learn to thank yourself. She walks you through a live internal gratitude practice, showing how specificity, honesty, and self-recognition can completely shift your confidence and self-trust. Through personal stories about consistency, boundaries, joy, and resilience, Sheila demonstrates how powerful it is to acknowledg...

In this anniversary episode, Sheila celebrates one year of Small Talk with Sheila and reflects on how podcasting helped her find her voice again. She revisits three favorite stories, the McBoogers burger saga, her breakup glow up experiment, and the real life meet cute with her husband. Along the way she shares the mindset shifts that helped her stop people pleasing, use a little "I will show them energy," and choose happ...

Making friends as an adult can feel awkward, but it gets easier when you lead with honesty, make the first move, and keep an open mind. Sheila shares real stories from LA industry meetups, belly dance class, and a post-divorce condo community to show how authentic moments spark lasting connections. You will learn practical ways to answer “how are you?” with something real, start conversations, say yes to invitations, and release ri...

Worry doesn’t prepare you for the future. It steals joy from the present. In this episode, Sheila shares three practical ways to quiet 3 a.m. spirals: personify your inner voices so you can choose which one to listen to, build a simple practice of faith or prayer to restore trust, and play both sides of the what-if game to balance fear with possibility. You’ll leave with tools to manage worry, not be managed by it. Perfect for anyo...

Sheila skips the fake Halloween scares and faces the real ones that keep many of us up at night. Through three funny and cringey Halloween memories, she reveals three honest fears that keep her awake at night. This episode is for anyone who wants relief from quiet anxiety and a practical way to move forward with more self‑compassion and momentum.

Get your FREE “Is It Me or My Cycle?” Guide: https://meormycycle.smalltalkwithsheila.co...

Burnout can sneak up on you in more ways than you think. In this episode, Sheila breaks down the surprising ways it shows up and how to catch it before it takes over. She shares real stories, practical resets, and a few eye-opening questions that help you figure out what’s really draining your energy. If you’ve been feeling tired, uninspired, or just not like yourself lately, this one will help you find your spark again. Perfect fo...

Sheila shares her breast cancer story to help anyone staring down callbacks, biopsies, and late-night what-ifs. You will learn why cancer exists on a spectrum, how to advocate for yourself when imaging is confusing, and when to push for the right radiologist or additional tests. She also shows how intuition can lead to life-saving decisions and a more meaningful life. Expect clear takeaways on navigating dense breasts, DCIS, and at...

Sheila reflects on the unique quirks, drama, and unconditional love of Persian moms. She shares funny and touching stories about her own mother’s superpowers—like lecturing, dramatic flair, and telepathic glances—while also highlighting the deep support and resilience mothers provide. Sheila explores the complexities of mother-daughter relationships, especially for first- and second-generation families, and encourages listeners to ...

Sheila explores the powerful concept from the book and rom-com "He's Just Not That Into You" and how it applies not only to dating but also to friendships, environments, and even career choices. Through personal stories of ghosting, shifting friendships, moving cities, and work struggles, Sheila shows how freeing it can be to recognize when something or someone simply isn’t aligned with you. This episode helps listene...

Sheila unpacks the chaos of modern life (politics, AI panic, and wellness fads) and explores how to find peace in the middle of it all. She shares personal stories about her marriage across cultures and religions, how AI both excites and scares her, and why rigid wellness trends left her feeling worse instead of better. Instead, she challenges listeners to trust themselves and follow what actually feels good. This episode is for an...

In this episode, Sheila gets candid about the dating rules that are keeping her friends single. From waiting to be pursued, to overanalyzing texts and emojis, to treating dating like a job interview, she breaks down the mistakes holding women back from finding real love. Sheila shares personal stories, playful rants, and a reminder that romance is meant to be messy, fun, and unpredictable. If you’ve been stuck in “single-ville,” th...

Sheila revisits the 90s classic "10 Things I Hate About You" and uncovers the deeper lessons hidden in Kat Stratford’s unapologetic authenticity. Sheila shares how Kat’s refusal to shrink inspired her to reflect on her own patterns of people-pleasing, even in something as small as a Zillow fight with her husband. You’ll learn why being true to yourself matters in both love and life, how to embrace your “inner shrew,” and ...

Have you ever wondered if it’s time to quit something you started with so much passion? In this episode, Sheila opens up about the raw, messy truth of podcasting—dealing with criticism from friends and family, the weight of everyday life, and the pressure of staying consistent. She shares why quitting felt tempting, but also why sticking with her creative journey matters more. 

CHAPTERS:

00:00 – Is it time to quit?

01:00 – Critici...