S2-E32~Midlife Friendships with Embracing Layers Founder Melissa Crook

What happens when professional connections turn into real, life-giving friendships?In this special episode of The Whole Woman Podcast, co-hosts Kim and Rachel welcome their very first guest, their dear friend Melissa Crook, founder of the Embracing Layers Network and creator of the FEEL Framework (Finding Empowerment + Embracing Layers).This is a heartfelt, honest conversation about women’s friendships in midlife, the stories we’ve been told about competition, and the freedom that comes when we choose curiosity, kindness, and connection instead. If you’ve ever wondered how to make friends as an adult, how to navigate shifting seasons (empty nest, moves, career changes), or how to build relationships that feel safe and true, you’re in the right place.In this episode, we talk about:* How Kim and Rachel met Melissa through podcasting, and how that friendship grew into real sisterhood* Why women have been pitted against each other, and how we can rewrite that narrative* The difference between gossip and processing something with a trusted friend* Setting boundaries with “same complaint, different day” relationships* How friendships change over time, and why not every shift has to be a fallout* What it looks like to be a woman who connects women without forcing it* Raising strong daughters, unlearning old scripts, and choosing compassion over comparison* Building community and empowerment through the Embracing Layers Network and the FEEL FrameworkMelissa also shares the heart behind her work, including her podcast, panels, book, workshops, and resources that help women live “self-full” and show up healthier in every part of life.If you’re craving deeper connection, healthier friendships, and a more grounded way to show up as a woman in this season, we hope this conversation feels like an exhale.Connect with Melissa (Embracing Layers Network):Website: https://www.embracinglayers.comPodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/28BAIs6taDllDEV96hGtdL?si=16ec97b0c10147fbInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/embracinglayers/Let’s keep the conversation going: What does friendship look like for you in this season of life? Have your friendships shifted as you’ve grown? Drop a comment and tell us what you’re learning.