January 8, 2025 • 9 mins
🎙️ Welcome to Her Time to Talk! 🌟
In this heartfelt inaugural episode, Meagan Clark, licensed professional counselor and founder of Her Time Therapy, shares the deeply personal story that inspired her to create a space for women’s voices, stories, and mental health journeys. From navigating grief and caregiving to building a thriving practice dedicated to supporting women, Meagan opens up about the challenges and triumphs that shaped her mission.
Join us as Meagan introduces Her Time to Talk—a podcast where women can find connection, empowerment, and evidence-based tools to prioritize their mental health. This episode is all about creating meaning out of loss, turning pain into purpose, and fostering resilience.
✨ What to Expect from This Episode:
- Meagan’s inspiring journey from English teacher to therapist and advocate for women’s mental health
- Insights into the unique challenges women face as caregivers and leaders
- A sneak peek at upcoming episodes, focused on healing, connection, and practical mental health strategies
Whether you're navigating trauma, grief, anxiety, or chronic stress—or simply looking for a supportive space to learn and grow—this podcast is for you. 💖
🔗 Subscribe now to ensure you never miss an episode, and connect with us on social media @hertimetotalk for updates and tips. Ready to take the next step? Visit Her Time Therapy to learn more or schedule an appointment.
💡 Your story matters. Your voice is powerful. Your mental health is worth it. Let’s talk. 💬
#HerTimeToTalk #MentalHealthMatters #WomenSupportingWome
Stay Connected + Support the Show
- Follow us @HerTimeToTalk
- Visit our website to connect with a therapist or learn more
- Become a patron and support the podcast
If this episode moved you, empowered you, or taught you something new—be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs to hear it.
This is your time. Your story matters. Your voice is powerful. And your mental health is worth prioritizing.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
meagan-clark--she-her-_2_01- (00:01):
Hi everyone and welcome to the very
first episode of Her Time toTalk.
I'm Megan Clark and I'm soexcited you're here.
As a licensed professionalcounselor and the founder of Her
Time Therapy, a group practicededicated to supporting women's
mental health, creating thispodcast has been a dream of mine
for a long time.
Her Time to Talk is more thanjust a podcast.
(00:22):
It's a space, a community wherewomen's voices are heard, where
our experiences are validatedand where we empower each other
to take charge of our mentalhealth in a world that often
doesn't make it easy for us todo so.
In this inaugural episode, Iwant to introduce myself, share
a bit about my journey, and giveyou a glimpse into what you can
expect from this podcast.
Earlier in my professionalcareer, I worked as an English
(00:44):
teacher and adjunct professor.
This was a career I loved andthrough which I built a lot of
confidence, found an outlet forcreativity and a passion for
education.
But then, life threw me one ofthe hardest challenges I've ever
faced.
My mom was diagnosed with stagefour esophageal cancer.
It was July, 2013, and I hadjust graduated with a master's
degree in English.
I was enrolled and ready tostart a PhD program in August,
(01:07):
which was a crucial step towardsfulfilling my original dream of
being an academic and spendingmy life working in higher
education.
But in a matter of weeks,everything changed.
Faced with the traumatic newsthat the person I love the most
in the world had been diagnosedwith cancer.
I made the difficult decision toturn down my doctoral program
acceptance.
I found a job as a secondaryeducation language arts teacher
(01:29):
in Denver, and I applied for anon traditional teaching license
to do that job.
I packed up my life, and Ichanged course.
What followed was a three yearjourney of caregiving that
shaped me in ways I never couldhave imagined.
I became my mom's primarycaregiver, spending countless
days and hours with her inhospital rooms, chemotherapy
clinics, and doctor's offices.
(01:49):
I held her hand throughprocedures, advocated for her
care and navigated theoverwhelming and often very
unjust and broken medicalsystem.
24 years old, I eventually hadbecome her medical power of
attorney and had to makeincredibly difficult decisions,
such as enrolling her in hospicecare.
It was a role that I took onwith love and without
hesitation, but it was alsoemotionally and physically
(02:11):
exhausting at levels that backthen I didn't even understand.
All of this was happening whileI was starting a new career.
A very demanding one as ateacher in secondary education.
During this time I was alsoplanning my wedding and I was
juggling many stressors thatcome with being in your early
20s and figuring out your lifeand who you are and what you're
supposed to be doing.
(02:32):
It was this experience of beinga caregiver while managing so
many other responsibilities thatwas profoundly challenging for
me.
Yet, it taught me how to managechronic stress, it taught me
about grief and anxiety, andultimately helped me to find
bright spots, even in life'smost challenging and darkest
times.
During all of this, we developedmeaningful relationships with my
(02:53):
mom's care team, as well asother patients and caregivers
that were around us in theclinics and in the hospital
spaces.
It was these interactions thatgave me unique insight.
I began to notice somethingstriking.
Wherever I looked, whether itwas the hospital, the doctor's
offices, clinics, a lot of thepatients caregivers and medical
professionals around us were allwomen.
(03:13):
Women truly are the caregiversand the caretakers of the world.
And as such, we bear anincredibly heavy burden and we
take it on without hesitationand without issue yet the mental
health support that's availableto us, especially in moments of
profound stress and trauma areoften lacking.
When my mom and I sought mentalhealth support from her cancer
clinic, we were sent to an inhouse social worker who
(03:36):
essentially was very nice, buthanded us forms to fill out for
financial and insuranceassistance.
And that was it.
There was really noacknowledgement or treatment
offered for the immense levelsof grief trauma and anxiety that
she was experiencing as apatient.
And I was experiencing as.
Her caregiver, and as a personwho loved her and was afraid of
(03:57):
what was to come and all thatwas happening under the weight
of this kind of diagnosis.
that gap in the care systemreally stayed with me.
It fueled my desire to make adifference.
not just for myself, but for allthe women who find themselves
carrying the world on theirshoulders without the support
that they deserve.
As a part of my own griefprocess, I made the decision to
shift my career after joining ayoung adult parent loss support
(04:20):
group and experiencing howincredibly healing it can be to
come into community with otherswho understand your pain.
I decided to embark on a careertransition and become a
therapist by enrolling inanother graduate program, this
time focused in school andclinical mental health.
I became a mental healthcounselor to create a space that
would provide the kind of carethat my mom and I needed, but we
didn't receive.
(04:41):
I decided as a therapist tofocus on women's issues because
I saw firsthand how much wecarry and how little support is
offered to help us manage theweight of it all.
2016.
And that was a defining momentin my life, just like her
diagnosis was.
And it sent me into a longgrieving process that, years
later, I'm still in.
(05:02):
But I'm starting to see all thestages of grief manifest and
cycle through my life.
The sixth stage of grief ismaking meaning out of loss.
And for me, that's really whather time therapy is all about.
It's about turning the pain, thesuffering, and the love from
that chapter of my life intosomething that can help others.
This may sound like a big dealor a big endeavor, but looking
(05:23):
back, I realize now that my momset the groundwork for her time
therapy, and even for thispodcast, long ago.
My mother was also a businessowner, and I had the privilege
of watching her open and run abusiness for years during my
childhood.
I knew I could do this becauseshe had set the example.
Before my mom passed away, shestated to me that my joy was
important to her.
I know it is important to herand I spend my life doing
(05:45):
something that I love that Icare about and have passion for
because of her.
She's what motivates me to dothis work.
This podcast is an extension ofthat mission and of her.
And it's way to reach even morewomen to offer connections,
support, and practical tools forhealing and thriving.
Her Time Therapy and thispodcast, Her Time to Talk, are
both spaces where women canshare their stories and feel
(06:06):
seen, supported, and empoweredby doing so.
As a therapist, I work withwomen navigating trauma, grief,
anxiety, chronic stress, and somuch more.
Women's Issues is a largeumbrella with a lot of things
that fall under it.
I also have a team of incrediblewomen who are clinicians who
share my passion for helpingwomen overcome challenges and
thrive.
(06:26):
Together we've built a spacethat prioritizes compassionate,
feminist, client centered carethat is tailored to the unique
experiences of women.
now through this podcast, we'reexpanding that mission to reach
even more people.
So what can you expect from hertime to talk?
Each episode, we'll dive deepinto topics that matter to
women.
From setting boundaries andpracticing self care to healing
(06:50):
from the deepest traumas andbuilding resilience in the face
of some of the darkest thingsthat life will inevitably bring
us.
I'll bring you evidence basedtools and strategies that you
can use in your everyday life,and we'll explore these topics
through a mix of expertinterviews, personal stories,
and practical advice.
But this podcast isn't justabout sharing information.
It's about connection, and it'sabout the stories that women
(07:12):
have that need to be told, thatdeserve air time and to live in
the light of the day.
It's about breaking down thestigma around mental health and
creating a space where you canfeel inspired to make positive
changes in your life.
Whether you're dealing withburnout, navigating a tough
relationship, or working throughtrauma, I hope you'll find
encouragement here.
And if you're someone who hasn'tbeen able to access therapy or
(07:34):
is hesitant to do so, my hope isthat this podcast can serve as a
bridge, a way for you to startexploring your mental health and
learning tools to take care ofyourself.
I also want this podcast to feelpersonal because I've been where
you are.
I've felt the weight of anxiety,the sting of grief, and the
uncertainty of navigating life'schallenges.
But I've also found strength onthe other side of those
(07:55):
experiences, and I've seenothers do the same.
I'm here to tell you that youare stronger and more resilient
than you might realize, and mygoal is to help you uncover that
resilience and strength withinyourself.
Before we wrap up today, I wantto take a moment to say thank
you.
Thank you for pressing play, forgiving yourself the time to
explore your mental health, Andfor choosing to join me on this
(08:16):
journey, I'm so excited to sharethis space with you and to learn
and grow together.
Our first full episode is comingsoon, and it's all about setting
compassionate goals in therapyand how to start making
resolutions that nurture yourwell being instead of adding
more pressure to your life.
It's a perfect starting pointfor this podcast, and I can't
wait to share it with you.
In the meantime, make sure tosubscribe so you don't miss an
(08:38):
episode.
If you're feeling inspired, orthis has made you reflect or
feel something deeper, pleaseleave us a review or share this
podcast with someone who youfeel might benefit from it.
You can also follow us on socialmedia at her time to talk for
more updates and mental healthtips.
And if you're ready to take thenext step in your mental health
journey, or you would like to bea guest on our podcast, visit
(08:59):
her time therapy.
com and schedule some time totalk with us.
Thank you for taking the time totalk today.
Remember, your story matters,your voice is powerful, and your
mental health is worthprioritizing.
Until next time, take care ofyourself.
This is your time.
Hi everyone and welcome to the very
first episode of Her Time toTalk.
I'm Megan Clark and I'm soexcited you're here.
As a licensed professionalcounselor and the founder of Her
Time Therapy, a group practicededicated to supporting women's
mental health, creating thispodcast has been a dream of mine
for a long time.
Her Time to Talk is more thanjust a podcast.
(00:22):
It's a space, a community wherewomen's voices are heard, where
our experiences are validatedand where we empower each other
to take charge of our mentalhealth in a world that often
doesn't make it easy for us todo so.
In this inaugural episode, Iwant to introduce myself, share
a bit about my journey, and giveyou a glimpse into what you can
expect from this podcast.
Earlier in my professionalcareer, I worked as an English
(00:44):
teacher and adjunct professor.
This was a career I loved andthrough which I built a lot of
confidence, found an outlet forcreativity and a passion for
education.
But then, life threw me one ofthe hardest challenges I've ever
faced.
My mom was diagnosed with stagefour esophageal cancer.
It was July, 2013, and I hadjust graduated with a master's
degree in English.
I was enrolled and ready tostart a PhD program in August,
(01:07):
which was a crucial step towardsfulfilling my original dream of
being an academic and spendingmy life working in higher
education.
But in a matter of weeks,everything changed.
Faced with the traumatic newsthat the person I love the most
in the world had been diagnosedwith cancer.
I made the difficult decision toturn down my doctoral program
acceptance.
I found a job as a secondaryeducation language arts teacher
(01:29):
in Denver, and I applied for anon traditional teaching license
to do that job.
I packed up my life, and Ichanged course.
What followed was a three yearjourney of caregiving that
shaped me in ways I never couldhave imagined.
I became my mom's primarycaregiver, spending countless
days and hours with her inhospital rooms, chemotherapy
clinics, and doctor's offices.
(01:49):
I held her hand throughprocedures, advocated for her
care and navigated theoverwhelming and often very
unjust and broken medicalsystem.
24 years old, I eventually hadbecome her medical power of
attorney and had to makeincredibly difficult decisions,
such as enrolling her in hospicecare.
It was a role that I took onwith love and without
hesitation, but it was alsoemotionally and physically
(02:11):
exhausting at levels that backthen I didn't even understand.
All of this was happening whileI was starting a new career.
A very demanding one as ateacher in secondary education.
During this time I was alsoplanning my wedding and I was
juggling many stressors thatcome with being in your early
20s and figuring out your lifeand who you are and what you're
supposed to be doing.
(02:32):
It was this experience of beinga caregiver while managing so
many other responsibilities thatwas profoundly challenging for
me.
Yet, it taught me how to managechronic stress, it taught me
about grief and anxiety, andultimately helped me to find
bright spots, even in life'smost challenging and darkest
times.
During all of this, we developedmeaningful relationships with my
(02:53):
mom's care team, as well asother patients and caregivers
that were around us in theclinics and in the hospital
spaces.
It was these interactions thatgave me unique insight.
I began to notice somethingstriking.
Wherever I looked, whether itwas the hospital, the doctor's
offices, clinics, a lot of thepatients caregivers and medical
professionals around us were allwomen.
(03:13):
Women truly are the caregiversand the caretakers of the world.
And as such, we bear anincredibly heavy burden and we
take it on without hesitationand without issue yet the mental
health support that's availableto us, especially in moments of
profound stress and trauma areoften lacking.
When my mom and I sought mentalhealth support from her cancer
clinic, we were sent to an inhouse social worker who
(03:36):
essentially was very nice, buthanded us forms to fill out for
financial and insuranceassistance.
And that was it.
There was really noacknowledgement or treatment
offered for the immense levelsof grief trauma and anxiety that
she was experiencing as apatient.
And I was experiencing as.
Her caregiver, and as a personwho loved her and was afraid of
(03:57):
what was to come and all thatwas happening under the weight
of this kind of diagnosis.
that gap in the care systemreally stayed with me.
It fueled my desire to make adifference.
not just for myself, but for allthe women who find themselves
carrying the world on theirshoulders without the support
that they deserve.
As a part of my own griefprocess, I made the decision to
shift my career after joining ayoung adult parent loss support
(04:20):
group and experiencing howincredibly healing it can be to
come into community with otherswho understand your pain.
I decided to embark on a careertransition and become a
therapist by enrolling inanother graduate program, this
time focused in school andclinical mental health.
I became a mental healthcounselor to create a space that
would provide the kind of carethat my mom and I needed, but we
didn't receive.
(04:41):
I decided as a therapist tofocus on women's issues because
I saw firsthand how much wecarry and how little support is
offered to help us manage theweight of it all.
2016.
And that was a defining momentin my life, just like her
diagnosis was.
And it sent me into a longgrieving process that, years
later, I'm still in.
(05:02):
But I'm starting to see all thestages of grief manifest and
cycle through my life.
The sixth stage of grief ismaking meaning out of loss.
And for me, that's really whather time therapy is all about.
It's about turning the pain, thesuffering, and the love from
that chapter of my life intosomething that can help others.
This may sound like a big dealor a big endeavor, but looking
(05:23):
back, I realize now that my momset the groundwork for her time
therapy, and even for thispodcast, long ago.
My mother was also a businessowner, and I had the privilege
of watching her open and run abusiness for years during my
childhood.
I knew I could do this becauseshe had set the example.
Before my mom passed away, shestated to me that my joy was
important to her.
I know it is important to herand I spend my life doing
(05:45):
something that I love that Icare about and have passion for
because of her.
She's what motivates me to dothis work.
This podcast is an extension ofthat mission and of her.
And it's way to reach even morewomen to offer connections,
support, and practical tools forhealing and thriving.
Her Time Therapy and thispodcast, Her Time to Talk, are
both spaces where women canshare their stories and feel
(06:06):
seen, supported, and empoweredby doing so.
As a therapist, I work withwomen navigating trauma, grief,
anxiety, chronic stress, and somuch more.
Women's Issues is a largeumbrella with a lot of things
that fall under it.
I also have a team of incrediblewomen who are clinicians who
share my passion for helpingwomen overcome challenges and
thrive.
(06:26):
Together we've built a spacethat prioritizes compassionate,
feminist, client centered carethat is tailored to the unique
experiences of women.
now through this podcast, we'reexpanding that mission to reach
even more people.
So what can you expect from hertime to talk?
Each episode, we'll dive deepinto topics that matter to
women.
From setting boundaries andpracticing self care to healing
(06:50):
from the deepest traumas andbuilding resilience in the face
of some of the darkest thingsthat life will inevitably bring
us.
I'll bring you evidence basedtools and strategies that you
can use in your everyday life,and we'll explore these topics
through a mix of expertinterviews, personal stories,
and practical advice.
But this podcast isn't justabout sharing information.
It's about connection, and it'sabout the stories that women
(07:12):
have that need to be told, thatdeserve air time and to live in
the light of the day.
It's about breaking down thestigma around mental health and
creating a space where you canfeel inspired to make positive
changes in your life.
Whether you're dealing withburnout, navigating a tough
relationship, or working throughtrauma, I hope you'll find
encouragement here.
And if you're someone who hasn'tbeen able to access therapy or
(07:34):
is hesitant to do so, my hope isthat this podcast can serve as a
bridge, a way for you to startexploring your mental health and
learning tools to take care ofyourself.
I also want this podcast to feelpersonal because I've been where
you are.
I've felt the weight of anxiety,the sting of grief, and the
uncertainty of navigating life'schallenges.
But I've also found strength onthe other side of those
(07:55):
experiences, and I've seenothers do the same.
I'm here to tell you that youare stronger and more resilient
than you might realize, and mygoal is to help you uncover that
resilience and strength withinyourself.
Before we wrap up today, I wantto take a moment to say thank
you.
Thank you for pressing play, forgiving yourself the time to
explore your mental health, Andfor choosing to join me on this
(08:16):
journey, I'm so excited to sharethis space with you and to learn
and grow together.
Our first full episode is comingsoon, and it's all about setting
compassionate goals in therapyand how to start making
resolutions that nurture yourwell being instead of adding
more pressure to your life.
It's a perfect starting pointfor this podcast, and I can't
wait to share it with you.
In the meantime, make sure tosubscribe so you don't miss an
(08:38):
episode.
If you're feeling inspired, orthis has made you reflect or
feel something deeper, pleaseleave us a review or share this
podcast with someone who youfeel might benefit from it.
You can also follow us on socialmedia at her time to talk for
more updates and mental healthtips.
And if you're ready to take thenext step in your mental health
journey, or you would like to bea guest on our podcast, visit
(08:59):
her time therapy.
com and schedule some time totalk with us.
Thank you for taking the time totalk today.
Remember, your story matters,your voice is powerful, and your
mental health is worthprioritizing.
Until next time, take care ofyourself.
This is your time.
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