Melanie grew up in a world where faith was law, obedience was survival, and questioning the rules came at a cost. For years, she tried to fit the mold—silencing doubts, suppressing her true self, and sacrificing personal freedom for acceptance. But beneath the surface, a storm was brewing—unresolved religious trauma, addiction, and a desperate need for something real.

This is probably one of the most real and raw podcast interviews I have done. Melanie's story is deep and powerful, and has made her into the amazing and strong woman she is today.

To follow more of Melanie Rudd, head on over to Instagram @ms_melanie_michelle

To grab Melanie's book Irreverent: A Memoir of Reckless Hope, Unexpected Love, and Finding My Voice - https://www.amazon.com/Irreverent-Memoir-Reckless-Unexpected-Finding/dp/B0F24XQH26

To follow more of me, head on over to Instagram @youmatterbymegan

For a signed copy of my new boo,k From Zero To Four- https://meganlynnmay.com/collections/from-zero-to-four-book

If you are a gift-giving enthusiast like me, check out www.youmatterboutique.com

Or to truly see all the irons I have in the fire head on over to https://www.meganlynnmay.com/

Today, let's talk about comparison, as it is a very real topic that many of us get caught up in daily.

Yes, it is a thief; it can steal our Joy. It can rob us of living our best life in who we were made to be in this world.

However, what if we change the narrative of comparison and use it as a tool for the better? In today's episode, I talk about that. I hope it inspires you to use it for good!

To follow more of me, head on over to Instagram @youmatterbymegan

For a signed copy of my new boo,k From Zero To Four- https://meganlynnmay.com/collections/from-zero-to-four-book

If you are a gift-giving enthusiast like m,e check out www.youmatterboutique.com

Or to truly see all the irons I have in the fire head on over to https://www.meganlynnmay.com/

In a world of instant gratification, it is hard to be patient. We hate hearing that something good is going to take time. However, it's true, and in this episode, I explain it further, as well as share with you something from my own life that has taken a lot of time and how it's so worth it right now!

To follow this exciting journey of ours, head on over to Instagram @maysstays

To follow more of me, head on over to Instagram @youmatterbymegan

For a signed copy of my new book, From Zero To Four- https://meganlynnmay.com/collections/from-zero-to-four-book

If you are a gift-giving enthusiast like me, check out www.youmatterboutique.com

Or to truly see all the irons I have in the fire head on over to https://www.meganlynnmay.com/

Believe it or not, while recording this episode, I am sitting in a closet in Captiva, Florida. It is a big deal since I came from the Minnesota cold.

But here is why. Our family has some crazy changes happening this year. The changes will be hard and beautiful and will make it a crazy busy summer. But on the forefront of it all, we also know we have about four summers left with our oldest daughter, and that hit us hard.

So we pulled the kids out of there last week of school and headed down to sunny Florida for a week with no regrets.

Time is a thief, and we are not promised anything. So my friend, let the excuses go and book that trip. I have never heard anyone say they "regretted" making memories together.

To follow more of me, head on over to Instagram @youmatterbymegan

For a signed copy of my new boo,k From Zero To Four- https://meganlynnmay.com/collections/from-zero-to-four-book

If you are a gift-giving enthusiast like me, check out www.youmatterboutique.com

Or to truly see all the irons I have in the fire, head on over to https://www.meganlynnmay.com/

My husband and I made a big decision, and the thing that caught me off guard the most with this decision was how people I knew (or don't even know) had no problem sharing their opinion about this decision.

It sucked. And here is the deal: We have all sucked or fallen short with our opinions of others around us. So, let's talk about this. How do we handle this? What can we do about it? What choice do we have after hearing the opinions of others? Most importantly, how can we do better for ourselves by supporting others around us?

In this episode, I am calm, a bit fiesty, and most importantly, I hope it all helps us move forward in a better direction.

To follow more of me, head on over to Instagram @youmatterbymegan

For a signed copy of my new boo,k From Zero To Four- https://meganlynnmay.com/collections/from-zero-to-four-book

If you are a gift-giving enthusiast like me, check out www.youmatterboutique.com

Or to truly see all the irons I have in the fire head on over to https://www.meganlynnmay.com/

I had a birthday! I am officially 38 years old, and when I was doing my podcast recording, I also realized that it hit episode 70 of The Megan May Podcast! I was shocked!!! There was definitely a time when I didn't think I would make it past five episodes, and here I am still showing up because of YOU!!!

Enjoy this small yet big celebration with me!

To follow more of me, head on over to Instagram @youmatterbymegan

For a signed copy of my new boo,k From Zero To Four- https://meganlynnmay.com/collections/from-zero-to-four-book

If you are a gift-giving enthusiast like me, check out www.youmatterboutique.com

Or to truly see all the irons I have in the fire, head on over to https://www.meganlynnmay.com/

You are in for quite a treat on this interview. Somer Colbert, both a biological and adoptive mom, is a wealth of knowledge in the Foster and Adoption space, having truly lived out both beautiful and hard seasons in Adoption. She has also had many interviews with others in this space on her own, Called to Love Podcast.

Her southern charm and love for Jesus are contagious as she shares the very real parts of navigating different seasons of her adoption journey, what she has learned, and her calling to be a part of the Adoption and Foster Care Ministry.

To follow more of Somer, head on over to her Instagram @somercolbert, also her Podcast Called to Love is a "must listen" if you are in this space or simply want to be more educated in the Foster and Adoption space.

Also, head on over to https://www.somercolbert.com/ to see more of what Somer does.

To follow more of me, head on over to Instagram @youmatterbymegan

For a signed copy of my new book, From Zero To Four- https://meganlynnmay.com/collections/from-zero-to-four-book

If you are a gift-giving enthusiast like me, check out www.youmatterboutique.com

Or to truly see all the irons I have in the fire, head on over to https://www.meganlynnmay.com/

This was not the episode I wanted or expected to record. This episode was meant to be the exact opposite of what happened. A couple of months ago, I launched this amazing event, only to end up canceling it after putting in all the work and effort and planning to make it all happen. The ticket sales weren't coming, and the timing of this event was very wrong. I wanted to hide, felt super embarrassed, and act like it didn't happen.

But it did.

And in this episode, I talked about the lesson learned in it and how we can all fail forward when that idea or dream doesn't come to life!

To follow more of me, head on over to Instagram @youmatterbymegan

For a signed copy of my new boo,k From Zero To Four- https://meganlynnmay.com/collections/from-zero-to-four-book

If you are a gift-giving enthusiast like me, check out www.youmatterboutique.com

Or to truly see all the irons I have in the fire head on over to https://www.meganlynnmay.com/