Slow Living | Find Peace, Balance, and Calm in Hustle Society
If you are a busy woman trying to do all the things for all the people all the time and feel like whatever you do isn’t enough, this is the podcast for you. Maybe you have ADHD, maybe you don’t. Maybe you work full time and have kids, maybe you don’t. But whatever is happening in your life right now isn’t working and you aren’t sure what to do next. Deep breath in, deep breath out. Help is here. New York Times bestselling author and slow living expert Stephanie O’Dea is your friendly guide to creating a calm, peaceful, and purpose-filled life—without the burnout. This isn’t a pushy productivity or goal-setting show. Instead, Stephanie shares gentle, practical ways to simplify your routines, find work-life balance, and bring more peace and tranquility into your days. Through honest conversations and easy-to-follow tips, you’ll learn to slow down, realign your priorities, and create the space to truly enjoy your life. Each episode covers topics like: Creating simple, sustainable routines Parenting with presence and patience Mindful time management (without the hustle) Organization and decluttering for a calm home Finding peace in relationships and daily life In a world that moves too fast and constantly demands more, this podcast is your weekly reminder that you are already enough. You don’t need to chase perfection—you just need to slow down and live intentionally. Stephanie O’Dea is the New York Times bestselling author of Slow Living: Cultivating a Life of Purpose in a Hustle-Driven World and the creator of A Year of Slow Cooking, featured on Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show, and in major national publications. With a background in child development, psychology, and early childhood education, Stephanie has helped millions of busy families simplify, reconnect, and rediscover what truly matters. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband of 25+ years, their three kids, and their beloved dog, Sheldon—where they practice what she preaches: slowing down, unplugging, and savoring a peaceful life.
Episodes
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In this episode, Stephanie and Shelly share real-life updates from a hectic season at work to a sweet ice cream outing with Shelly’s dad. Shelly talks about shifting their relationship from caregiver to simply being his daughter. The conversation turns to end-of-life planning and why those uncomfortable talks still matter. Shelly also opens up about feeling overwhelmed by clutter, especially clothes ...
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In this episode, Stephanie and Shelly dive into a powerful self-reflection exercise, exploring the adjectives Shelly uses to describe herself and her current season of life. The conversation opens up into an honest discussion about health, menopause, and how ongoing struggles with doctors and health insurance have shaped Shelly’s mindset. With vulnerability and compassion, they talk about how discoura...
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Stephanie and Shelly kick off this episode with a fun chat about County Fairs, table scapes, and Stephanie’s entries in the Home and Hobby Garden. The conversation quickly shifts to Shelly’s new role at work and the challenge of creating a routine that actually works with her new hours. They dig into productivity, time management, and a time-blocking exercise that helped Shelly see where her time and ...
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In this honest and heartfelt episode, Stephanie and Shelly explore setting boundaries while caring for an aging parent, as Shelly shares the emotional realities of supporting her biological father. Drawing from Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson, they discuss acceptance, healing, and the importance of putting yourself first.
The conversation also touches on grief, family e...
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In this episode, Stephanie begins a powerful new coaching session with Shelly, who finds herself in a major life transition at 60. With a new role in a different industry, the aftermath of a corporate buyout, and the responsibility of caring for aging parents, Shelly shares how her once-stable routine now feels like a rut—and why she’s craving more joy, sparkle, and adventure in her everyday life.
St...
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This new year might be calling you to step into a softer version of yourself. In this episode, Stephanie—mom to three Gen Z kids—explores the rising soft living movement and why it’s resonating so deeply right now.
With burnout and overstimulation at an all-time high, soft living invites us to choose ease, gentleness, and rest as a meaningful way of life.
Stephanie also breaks down the difference betwe...
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Recorded on New Year’s Eve, this episode invites you to pause at the edge of a brand-new year and reflect on where you are right now. Rather than focusing on resolutions or January 1st pressure, Stephanie reframes this moment as the beginning of the rest of your life—one intentional choice at a time. It’s a gentle reminder to slow down, live quietly, and look within for what truly brings you peace.
Ste...
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In this reflective episode, Melessa and Stephanie talk about the end of one era and the beginning of another, exploring what it feels like when life starts to feel easier. Melessa shares her experience moving through big changes, questioning whether ease means something is wrong, and ultimately learning to trust the process. They also discuss the deep impact of close friendships, how those relationshi...
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In this heartfelt episode, Stephanie and Melessa open up about major life transitions—from closing the chapter on an old family home to embracing new routines, healthier habits, and the excitement of building fresh memories. Melessa shares the clarity she found after her Peace Corps session, realizing how grateful she is to downsize now rather than leave that burden to her kids later. She also dives in...
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Adult ADHD and Autism Diagnosis in Midlife: Coaching with Melessa
In this episode of the Slow Living podcast, Stephanie and Melessa have an open, compassionate conversation about receiving an adult ADHD diagnosis and a level-1 autism diagnosis later in life—and how finally having answers has completely changed the way Melessa understands herself, her past, and the world around her.
Melessa refl...
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In “Coming to Terms with Your Past,” Stephanie and Melessa start with a fun look at the arcade room in Melessa’s new home—fitting since she and her husband met in an arcade in the ’80s. They talk through the emotions of moving, surprising their family with the news, and why big decisions still make Melessa feel like she needs her parents’ approval. They also touch on manifestation and how it has show...
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In this episode, Stephanie and Melessa dive into their three-year goals, bucket-list travel dreams, and the very different ways they each experience adventure. From RV road-tripping fantasies to reflections on slow living, Melessa shares how revisiting Stephanie’s Peace Course feels easier this time around—and how she’s been putting real changes into practice. They open up about aging, retirement, an...
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Stephanie and Melessa are now two-thirds of the way through their sessions, and this conversation dives deep into rewriting old beliefs. Melessa opens up about her tendency to overcomplicate things—how her mind feels something must be “hard” to be worthwhile—and how she’s learning to embrace ease and flow instead. Together, they explore the question: Do you have to suffer to succeed? For Melessa...
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In this episode, Stephanie and Melessa dive into the power of routine—especially how simple habits like a nightly wind-down and consistent sleep with her CPAP have transformed Melessa’s energy and focus. She shares how she’s built a sustainable writing rhythm, dedicating a few hours several days a week to finish her book by year’s end (or stretch goal: March!). It’s all about creating structure that ...
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In this heartfelt episode, Melessa settles into her new home and begins mapping out her upcoming book. With Stephanie’s guidance, she revisits her goals and creates a fresh three-year plan that reflects who she is today. Together, they explore how to balance ambition, creativity, and self-compassion while embracing change.
Their conversation dives into motherhood, faith, and lifelong friendship. Meless...
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In this heartfelt conversation, Melessa opens up about the creative and emotional journey of writing her first book—a story shaped by resilience, self-discovery, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. As she works to narrow down her book’s focus, Melessa reflects on the pressure of putting her life on paper, from surviving an abusive relationship in her teens to her experiences within—and beyon...
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In this episode, Melessa and Stephanie catch up on her big move into a new home and the lessons that come with fresh beginnings. As she and her husband sort through what to keep and what to let go, Melessa reflects on how far they’ve come as a couple—learning to communicate better, compromise, and create a space that truly fits this new chapter of life.
Stephanie gives Melessa her latest “homework”: t...
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In this heartfelt continuation of Melessa’s first coaching session, she opens up about a recent autism diagnosis and how it’s helping her understand her past while embracing the woman she’s becoming. Together with Stephanie, she explores the “why” behind her life choices—what’s working, what’s not, and how to create more peace and structure in her days.
As the session unfolds, Melessa begins shaping a...
BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE!
In this first coaching session, we meet Melessa—an almost empty nester navigating a midlife transition. After raising five children, she’s now pursuing her dream of nonprofit grant writing, downsizing her home, and embracing the community she always hoped to live in. Diagnosed with ADHD at 50, she shares how cognitive behavioral therapy and tools like ChatGPT help her stay focused and manage life’s c...
BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! http://stephanieodea.com/slowlivingbook
In this episode, Stephanie explores the connection between slow living and feminism, reminding us that true empowerment doesn’t mean doing it all—it means discovering who you really are. She shares why slowing down allows women to honor both ambition and biology, while also reflecting on lessons from the “girl boss” era and the importance of defining feminism on...
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