The Happily Never After
"The Happily Never After" is a podcast that features stories of big endings that led to personal breakthroughs. While endings can hurt, they also provide closure, provide opportunities to grow, and sometimes, they can even set us free. One thing we know for sure: if life is full of endings, it’s full of new beginnings too, and that’s what we’re here to talk about (alongside a good dose of humor too!) Welcome to "The Happily Never After", where sometimes the end is just the beginning. Learn more at https://heathermcg.com/
Episodes
January 26, 2026 • 16 mins
The Messy Middle features casually unhinged bonus episodes while The Happily Never After is between seasons. Short and sweet, they get right to the point. Today we're talking about how you can be a good friend to someone in your life who is in trenches of the divorce process.
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January 16, 2026 • 19 mins
The Messy Middle features casually unhinged bonus episodes while The Happily Never After is between seasons. Short and sweet, they get right to the point. Today we're talking about the origins of self care, and why it's rooted in social justice.
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December 2, 2025 • 46 mins
In the season two finale of The Happily Never After, host Heather McG welcomes bestselling author Stefanie Wilder-Taylor to discuss her journey with alcohol and sobriety. Stefanie candidly shares her experiences, from the role alcohol played in her life to the pivotal moment that led her to getting sober. The conversation delves into self-awareness, acceptance, and how to change the things in our life that aren't serving us.
ABOUT ...
ABOUT ...
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November 25, 2025 • 45 mins
Carrie Hauskens is here to talk about why she is happily childfree after a long journey through infertility. After surviving treatments, surrogacy, and devastating loss, Carrie has redefined her life's plan, and it turns out, life today is pretty great. She's sharing all that she has learned through this experience with incredible candor, emotional meaning, and the kind of humor you develop after making it through the deep trenches...
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November 18, 2025 • 42 mins
Drea Renee is here to share what she's learned about love, and why we all need to get more comfortable when relationships don't work out. She's talking about taking control of her love life, creating a full, happy life, and the life decision that changed everything for her. This is a conversation about leveling up by letting go, and it all starts with you.
ABOUT DREA
Drea Renee is a media personality, host, and longtime poker insider...
ABOUT DREA
Drea Renee is a media personality, host, and longtime poker insider...
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November 11, 2025 • 47 mins
In this episode of The Happily Never After, host Heather McG welcomes Vanessa Bennett, a licensed depth psychotherapist and author, to discuss the profound journey of resilience and self-discovery following life's unexpected challenges. Vanessa has worked with so many via her professional expertise as a therapist, but this year she was personally challenged as she lost her home in the devastating Altadena fires. She will talk to us...
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November 4, 2025 • 52 mins
In this episode of "Happily Never After," host Heather McG welcomes Dr. Nellie Tran, a professor at San Diego State University and daughter of Vietnamese refugees. Together, they explore the profound impact of generational trauma, the experience of migration, and the resilience found in connecting to your roots. Nellie shares her family's harrowing escape from Vietnam, the challenges they had to overcome, and the reclaiming of her ...
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October 28, 2025 • 49 mins
In this compelling episode of The Happily Never After, host Heather McG welcomes Kate Anthony, renowned author and host of The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast. Together, they delve into the complexities of divorce, exploring Kate's personal journey and her work as a divorce coach. Discover insights on navigating emotional abuse, the importance of self-discovery, and the societal challenges women face in leaving toxic relationships. ...
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October 21, 2025 • 45 mins
In this heartfelt episode of The Happily Never After, host Heather McG welcomes Denise Hendricks, an award-winning television producer and proud mom, to share her journey to motherhood through adoption. From her early career days at The Oprah Show to navigating the complexities of adoption, Denise opens up about the challenges and joys of becoming a mother. Tune in to hear about the emotional highs and lows, the importance of a sup...
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October 14, 2025 • 52 mins
Shayna Ferm and her co-founder Tracey Tee designed The Pump and Dump Show to connect to new moms about the realities of motherhood with humor, music, and community. Their show was growing exponentially, until in 2020 the covid-19 pandemic brought about an unexpected collapse. Today, Shayna is sharing candid reflections about her journey in forging a new path as a women's fiction author. Join us for an inspiring conversation about r...
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October 7, 2025 • 42 mins
Host Heather McG sits down with debut author Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez, who survived eight years of conversion therapy then began his empowering journey to healing and belonging. He discusses the challenges and revelations that led him to co-found an organization that helps queer individuals find affirming faith communities. Timothy's story, featured in major outlets like NBC and Vice, is a testament to resilience and courage. Tu...
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September 30, 2025 • 36 mins
In this episode of "Happily Never After," host Heather McG sits down with Ish, a comedian and former lawyer, to explore the tumultuous journey of recovering from a toxic relationship. Ish candidly shares her experiences with a narcissistic partner, the emotional rollercoaster of breaking free, and how she transformed her pain into a viral TikTok series. Through humor and raw honesty, Ish discusses the complexities of revenge, heali...
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September 23, 2025 • 59 mins
In this episode of The Happily Never After, host Heather McG welcomes Andrea Rappaport, co-host of top How Not to Suck at Divorce. Andrea shares her journey of overcoming an abusive marriage, the impact of her childhood on her adult relationships, and her path to healing and self-discovery. She discusses the importance of recognizing red flags, the challenges of rebuilding life post-divorce, and the ongoing process of personal grow...
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September 16, 2025 • 51 mins
Shaka Senghor is a resilience expert and bestselling author who shares his transformative journey from incarceration to freedom. Shaka discusses the hidden prisons we all face, the importance of vulnerability, and how shame and guilt can hinder personal growth. He reflects on his early life, the role of reading and writing in prison, and the impact of solitary confinement. Shaka emphasizes the power of active journaling, mindfulnes...
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August 19, 2025 • 64 mins
In this season finale, Heather McG shares her personal journey deprogramming from a fundamentalist Christian environment. Joined by guest host Sydney Davis Jr. Jr., Heather talks about what it was like growing up with 21 siblings, confronting the beliefs that no longer served her as an adult, and redesigning her life from the ground up. Heather and Sydney explore the complexities of fundamentalism, the impact made on their lives, a...
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August 12, 2025 • 60 mins
In this conversation, Sydney Davis Jr. Jr. shares her harrowing experience of being hit by a car and the subsequent challenges she faced, including dealing with the insurance company and the emotional toll it took on her life. She discusses the longterm impact of stress, the journey of working through trauma, and finding new purpose after a life-altering event. The conversation emphasizes the need for vulnerability, courage, and de...
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August 5, 2025 • 33 mins
SUMMARYRavayna Coe is the mother and wife of loved ones who are autistic, and she explores the multifaceted nature of autism, challenging the traditional narrative that frames it as an ending. Ravayna shares the story of her neurodivergent household as she herself has ADHD, as well as discussing the spectrum of autism, the importance of early intervention, and the diverse experiences within the autism community. She emphasizes the ...
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July 29, 2025 • 41 mins
SUMMARYAlicia Parrott, a street artist known as ShePosse, shares her inspiring journey of recovery from addiction, emphasizing the transformative power of art and community. She reflects on her past struggles, the importance of being present, and the lessons learned throughout her recovery process. Alicia discusses how her art serves as a form of expression and connection, highlighting the significance of vulnerability and breaking...
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July 22, 2025 • 31 mins
In this conversation, Heather McG interviews ultra endurance athlete Manika Gamble, who shares her journey from sprinting to ultra running, the challenges she faces in endurance sports, and the importance of finding one's 'why'. Manika discusses her experiences in the Namib race, the lessons learned from DNF (Did Not Finish) experiences, and the joy she finds in pushing her limits. She emphasizes the significance of igniting streng...
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July 15, 2025 • 31 mins
In this conversation, Kit Morgan, a licensed clinical social worker, shares their journey of healing from religious trauma and the impact of growing up in a fundamentalist Christian environment. They discuss the complexities of family dynamics, the process of grief and healing, and the power of finding joy and gratitude in life. Kit emphasizes the significance of self-discovery, empowerment, and the challenges of navigating estrang...
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