What if the biggest thing standing between you and the life you want is the conversation happening in your head?

In this episode of The Shared Diary Podcast, Lori Phillips and Nicole Cowley explore why we talk ourselves out of the choices we secretly want. They share personal stories about the pressure of "being logical," dealing with the fear of failure, and the relief that comes from finally taking that first step. Whether you are stuck in overthinking or waiting for the "perfect" time, this conversation offers practical shifts to help you build confidence and momentum.

Learn more at: https://shareddiarypodcast.com/

What happens when you spend your whole life trying to fit in, only to realize you’ve lost the real you in the process?

In this honest episode of The Shared Diary Podcast, Lori Phillips and Nicole Cowley explore the courage it takes to be fully seen. Together they share personal stories about being "chameleons" in social settings, the fear of rejection, the habit of rehashing conversations in our minds, and the journey of reclaiming the truest version of ourselves.

They discuss why it's so comfortable to be who others want us to be, how to recognize the signals in our body when we are "contracting," and the freedom that comes from finally opening the diary and being authentic without apology.

If you have ever felt like you were wearing a mask just to belong, this conversation will remind you that your truest energy is your greatest gift.

Learn more at: https://shareddiarypodcast.com/

Watch the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@shareddiarypodcast

Why do so many women feel guilty for wanting more?

In this honest episode of The Shared Diary Podcast, Lori Phillips, Debbie Prediger, and Nicole Cowley explore the guilt that often comes with growth, success, and believing you are meant for something bigger. Together they share personal stories about ambition, self worth, comparison, and the fear of leaving people behind as your life begins to change.

They discuss why so many women apologize for wanting more, the invisible limits we place on ourselves, the difference between guilt and gratitude, and how giving yourself permission to grow can inspire the people around you to do the same.

If you've ever questioned whether it's okay to dream bigger, pursue more, or create a different life than the one you expected, this conversation will remind you that wanting more does not make you selfish. It makes you human.

Learn more at: https://shareddiarypodcast.com/

Watch the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@shareddiarypodcast

What happens when everyone sees you as "the strong one," but no one asks how you're really doing?

In this heartfelt episode of The Shared Diary Podcast, Lori Phillips, Debbie Prediger, and Nicole Cowley explore the emotional weight of always carrying everything for everyone else. Together they share personal stories about vulnerability, crying, asking for help, setting boundaries, and learning that true strength isn't pretending everything is okay.

They discuss why so many women struggle to say "I need help," the pressure to appear strong, the reality of people pleasing, and the freedom that comes from allowing yourself to be fully seen.

If you've ever felt responsible for everyone else while quietly carrying your own burdens, this conversation will remind you that you don't have to do it alone.

Learn more at: https://shareddiarypodcast.com/

Watch the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@shareddiarypodcast

If you have ever made the “safe” choice and later wondered what would have happened if you had trusted yourself... this episode is for you.

In Episode 3, Lori Phillips, Debbie Prediger, and Nicole Cowley share the small decisions that erode self-trust and the practical, everyday shifts that rebuild it. We tell real stories, offer tools you can use today, and finish with a one-sentence permission exercise to help you choose differently tomorrow.

For the full transcript and resources, visit: https://shareddiarypodcast.com/

Inside the conversation:

• [02:10] A choice I wish I had trusted myself on
• [15:30] Turning regret into a roadmap
• [30:45] Small habits that rebuild confidence
• [45:20] Q&A: How to stop second-guessing
• [58:05] Closing prompt: Your permission sentence

The Shared Diary Questions

What's bringing you joy right now?

What's challenging you right now?

What's inspiring you right now?

What's one thing you're grateful for this week?

What would be different in your life if you trusted yourself just 10% more?

Bonus: What's one small thing you did this week that felt like trusting yourself?

Final Question: "If you wrote one sentence at the bottom of today's diary entry, what would it say?"

SHARE IN THE COMMENTS! WE WANT TO KNOW!

If you’re waiting for the day when everything finally feels "settled" and you have all the answers—this episode is your permission to stop waiting.

We grow up believing that by 40, 50, or 60, we’ll eventually reach a "finish line" of certainty. But what happens when the life you imagined at 20 doesn’t match the life you’re living today? In this episode of The Shared Diary, Lori Phillips and Nicole Cowley (with Debbie Prediger) strip away the pressure of the midlife "shoulds" and get honest about the reboots life asks for.

For the full transcript, show notes, and resources from today’s episode, visit: https://shareddiarypodcast.com/

Inside the conversation:

• [02:12] The myth of "having it all figured out"
• [25:11] When life asks for a total reboot vs. a small tweak
• [39:04] Identifying where the "shoulds" and external pressures come from
• [53:43] The unexpected gifts of midlife: confidence, boundaries, and community
• [01:10:05] Closing the entry: Your one-sentence diary prompt

Connect with the Hosts:

• Lori Phillips: https://thebeawesomenetwork.com
• Debbie Prediger: https://debbieprediger.com
• Nicole Cowley: https://www.nextstepwithnicolerenee.com

Join the Tribe: What is one "should" you are officially letting go of today?

• Empowering You Free Group
• Be Extraordinary Network
• The Be Awesome Network

New episodes of The Shared Diary are released every Friday at 2:00 PM Eastern.

Three Women. No Secrets. Just Life.

Welcome to the very first entry of The Shared Diary. In this premiere episode, hosts Lori Phillips, Debbie Prediger, and Nicole Cowley pull back the curtain on why this podcast exists: to create a space where women in the thick of midlife and reinvention can finally find a seat at the table.

No highlight reels. No "perfect" scripts. Just the unpolished truth about navigating life’s biggest shifts—from loss and divorce to career pivots and the courage to begin again. Whether you’re rediscovering who you are after years of caring for others or navigating a transition you didn't see coming, we're here to remind you that you don't have to do it alone.

In this episode, we explore:

• The "Why-Yes" moments that led us to start this show.
• Ditching the curated backgrounds for a life of authenticity.
• How our hardest chapters became our greatest assets.
• Rapid-fire "get to know us" (the coffee, the mountains, and the messy bits).

New episodes drop every Friday at 2:00 PM Eastern. Subscribe to join the circle—because your story matters, and there are no secrets here.

Recorded remotely between the sun-drenched coast of Sarasota, Florida, and the landscapes of Alberta, Canada.