Sometimes the hardest person to be honest with is yourself.
In this episode, I’m sharing the story of how I went from a $5,600-a-month luxury Manhattan apartment and endless freedom…to packing up my life and moving to Florida to step into the love, family, and future I didn’t even know I wanted.
It’s about recognizing when the version of you you’ve been clinging to, no matter how glamorous, independent, or accomplished, has expired. It’s about ghosting the old life that no longer fits, and having the courage to step into the one that’s calling you.
We’ll talk about starting over, rewriting your story, and why telling yourself the truth will get you to your next era faster than anything else.
If you’ve been feeling the pull toward something different, something bigger, this episode is your permission slip to stop fighting it and finally own what you really want.
✨ PS: Enrollment is open for Literary Queens, my signature storytelling workshop for women ready to own their voice and write their most magnetic stories. Join us here.
📖 For more stories like this, find me on Substack at Cara Says It All → https://caraalwill.substack.com
It’s the episode you’ve all been waiting for…
In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Aaron and I sit down to share the full story of how we broke up (more than once), how we found our way back to each other, and how we ended up engaged.
We open up about:
• Why our relationship ended and what finally brought us back together
• The healing work we both had to do
• Aaron’s reaction to reading about himself in my book
• What dating long distance (and in our 40s) taught us about real love
• The moment I knew we were ready
• Our proposal story (!!)
• Why men commit, “if he wanted to, he would,” and all the nuance in between
PLUS: the urgent care trip for Viagra visit (yes, really lol), our blow-up fights, our mind-blowing makeup sex, the tears, the laughs, and the one moment that changed everything.
It’s messy, romantic, honest and hilarious.
This is our plot twist. And we’re so glad you’re here for it.
💌 Want more of the story? Read The Plot Twist Diaries on Substack and grab my latest book, Don’t Do Anything I Would Do.
Today on the show, I’m throwing it all the way back to the very first time Aaron joined me on the podcast. Before the plot twist, the champagne-soaked proposal and our second chapter.
At the time, he was my new boo (lol), and we had just started exploring what it meant to choose love with intention. We talked about punk rock values, how we approach life, art, and relationships, and honestly, listening back now hits so differently.
Whether you’re new here or you’ve been along for the ride since the beginning… this one is special. Enjoy. 🖤
P.S. There’s more to this story…If you want a deeper look into how love, healing, and unexpected plot twists shaped what came next, read The Plot Twist Diaries on Substack: https://caraalwill.substack.com/s/the-plot-twist-diaries
Grab my new book Don’t Do Anything I Would Do here.
About Aaron:
Aaron Leatherbarrow is the creator behind PunkRockTeacher, a writer, livestreamer, and educator whose work blends raw honesty with relentless creativity. By day, he teaches 5th grade and leads marketing strategy for Wayman Academy; by night, he’s built a thriving global community of nearly half a million followers through his livestreams and writing projects. Aaron is currently working on his first book, The Amplifiers, exploring how money, sex, fame, power, and silence don’t change us, they reveal us. Known for his grit, humor, and unfiltered voice, Aaron lives at the intersection of teaching, art, and building a life that feels like freedom.
Follow Aaron:
🎸 TikTok: @punkrockteacher
📸 Instagram: @punkrockteacher_official
Have you heard? Hustle is out. Soft power is in.
In this soul-shifting episode, I sit down with Andrea Crowder to explore what it means to completely rewire your approach to success.
Andrea’s “Pleasure Over Pressure” philosophy is not just a tagline—it’s a new way to live, a new way to lead, and a new way to win.
We talk about:
Letting go of survival mode and choosing safety instead of stress
Building a million-dollar business with nervous system regulation at the core
Redefining productivity and leadership as a woman
What happens when you stop chasing results and start trusting your body
If you’ve been craving a new way to move through the world—this one’s for you.
💖 Follow Andrea on IG: @love_andreacrowder
💖 Come hang with me: @thechampagnediet
What if your next level isn’t about working harder...but simply saying yes to you?
In today’s episode, we’re talking about what it really means to invest in yourself—not just financially, but energetically. I’ll share how the most pivotal moments of my life and business were born from one brave decision: putting myself in powerful rooms with powerful women. Women who saw me. Mirrored my magic back to me. Held the vision when I was still shaky.
We’ll get into how to stop second-guessing your power, why putting yourself in powerful rooms with powerful women is the most profitable move you can make, and what it actually means to back your next era with boldness.
If you're ready to move like the woman you're becoming—not the one you’ve outgrown—this is your episode.
This is your reminder that you don’t need to be “ready.” You just need to be willing.
EXCLUSIVE INVITE: We’re entering a new era—of softness, power, intuition, and bold, unapologetic moves. If you've been craving sisterhood, strategy, and the kind of energetic upgrade that shifts your entire frequency...
🖤 GIRL CODE: The Next Era Mastermind begins September 2. Early applications are now open. Only 10 spots.
✨ Apply here ✨
You’re not meant to figure it all out alone. You’re meant to be poured into, babe.
Everything changed after I released my latest book.
My life got softer. My writing got better. And the money came in ways that felt more aligned than ever.
In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my biggest reinvention yet - personally, professionally, and creatively. From falling back in love, to building a paid Substack,to launching HOUSE OF HER, and stepping into my most creative era ever…this is the raw, real, beautiful plot twist I never saw coming.
We talk about:
✨ My post-book glow-up + romantic rebirth
✨ The truth about building a life that actually feels like yours
✨ Launching HOUSE OF HER (my high-level mastermind for women in business)
✨ Growing a paid Substack that makes real money
✨ Creating HOT GIRL WRITING HOUSE for women writers at every stage
→ Join HOUSE OF HER (high-level mastermind for women in business):
https://www.carasaysitall.com/house-of-her
→ Become a member of HOT GIRL WRITING HOUSE (monthly writing membership):
https://www.carasaysitall.com/writing-house
→ Subscribe to my Substack, The Plot Twist Diaries (new series now live!):
https://caraalwill.substack.com/
→ Shop my latest book, Don’t Do Anything I Would Do:
https://tinyurl.com/mpptwdrt
Think you’re not doing enough? Welcome to the club, baby!
Even in the middle of a thriving business, bestselling books, and creative expansion, I still have moments where I spiral. Where I feel like I’m falling behind, like I should be doing more, producing more, proving more. Can you relate?
Instead of pushing harder, I’ve learned to reach for what I call The Celebration List – a simple but powerful way to shift my energy, anchor into my feminine power, and remember the woman I already am.
Inside this episode, we dive into:
– Why high-achieving women feel like they’re always behind
– How celebration can be a radical act of self-leadership
– Why fullness, not force, is the strategy for your next level
– How to use my Celebration List practice to realign with your highest self
This is a love letter to the version of you who’s done so much – and deserves to feel it!
💌 Want more real talk like this delivered straight to your inbox? I’m currently creating something for the woman who’s ready to lead, launch, and live from her power. Be the first to know by joining my email list. Subscribe here.
There comes a time in every woman's life where the version of her that built everything no longer fits. She doesn't recognize herself anymore. She's brand new. And that scares the hell out of her.
In today's episode, we're talking about the sacred art of reinvention - but the messy, unglamorous middle part that can make you feel like you've lost your mind. The in-between, where you're not who you were, but you're still figuring out who you want to be. It's the part nobody else talks about, but it's also the part where the magic unfolds.
We're talking soft power. Softness as strategy. And what it looks like to quietly become that bitch.
Grab a notebook for this one, I'm sharing lots of journal prompts + things to think about!
Step into my world: https://www.carasaysitall.com
Back by popular demand, my girl Gwen Wunderlich returns to the podcast, and we’re diving into The Year of Audacity—because if there’s ever been a time to stop playing it safe, it’s now.
We’re talking about:
Embracing Change & Deleting Old Versions of Ourselves – Who you were last year? Expired.
Overcoming Self-Doubt & Mastering the Art of Betting on Yourself – Because everything is figureoutable.
The Cost of Playing It Safe – Stagnation disguised as security? We’re not falling for it.
The Power of the Pivot – It’s never too late to start fresh, shift gears, or rewrite your success story.
From the myth of security to why you need a little delicious delusion in your life, this episode is your permission slip to go all in. Let’s get loud, take up space, and own our audacity.
The truth about turning 40? It’s a f*cking glow-up. Confidence starts feeling as natural as breathing—until society tries to drag us off our pretty pink cloud. But guess what? We’re not having it.
In this unfiltered, hilarious, and wildly empowering episode, bestselling author and no-BS truth-teller Cara Alwill sits down with PR powerhouse Gwen Wunderlich to spill the real tea on life after 40. We’re talking sex, perimenopause, making (and keeping) money, and stepping into your full power as a woman in business—all with zero apologies.
If you're ready to own this era of your life like the main character you are, hit play. Because this is the conversation every woman over 40 needs to hear.
🔗 CONNECT WITH US:
💖 Follow Cara on IG: @thechampagnediet → https://www.instagram.com/thechampagnediet
💖 Follow Gwen on IG: @GwenWunder → https://www.instagram.com/GwenWunder
💖 Get more from Cara → https://www.CaraSaysItAll.com
Alright, let’s talk about the skeletons in our closets—literally. If your wardrobe is full of black leggings, emotional support sweatshirts (you know, the ones you wouldn’t even wear to the bodega), and clothes you’re saving for “someday,” this episode is your wake-up call. Spoiler alert: your clothes might be holding you back more than you think.
I’m sharing how I broke up with my dingy, stretched-out wardrobe and started dressing like the main character of my life now - not 10 pounds from now, not when my life was “perfect,” but today. Because here’s the truth, baby: you are 100% worthy of looking amazing and feeling confident exactly as you are.
We’ll dive into how old clothes carry old energy, why your wardrobe matters for your mindset, and how to start dressing for the life you actually want. It’s time to let go of the ghosts of laundry past and upgrade your vibe. Trust me - your future self will thank you.
I love the INs and OUTs lists everyone makes around this time of year. So naturally I make my own. They are fun but powerful reminders of what I’m taking with me into the new year, and what I’m leaving far behind (for example, I’ll be happy to never eat at a strip mall chain restaurant in Florida ever again).
2024 came in hot. My head is still spinning at the sheer amount of plot twists and lessons that were packed within this weird and wild 365 day span of time. But we keep it moving. We learn and we grow and even when it doesn’t all make sense, we somehow become better versions of ourselves.
And we only listen to Taylor Swift when we’re mentally preapred to do so.
No matter what this year brought you, I hope that you give yourself a hell of a lot of grace. And I hope that you decide who you will be in 2025, because you, my queen, have been — and always will be — the author of your life.
XOXO,
Cara
Follow me on Instagram @TheChampagneDiet
As a bestselling author who has sold over 300,000 books translated into 10 languages, I know a thing or two about publishing. But let me tell you, it wasn’t always this way. My journey started over 12 years ago with a manuscript that was rejected by 19 publishers. Nineteen! Instead of giving up, I made a bold decision: no one was going to decide my story but me. I took control, self-published my book, and turned that first "no" into a thriving literary empire of 10 books (and counting) that have inspired women all over the world.
Looking back, I often wish I had a mentor —a fierce, self-made author who had been there, done that, and could walk me through the self-publishing process. Someone who could have poured me a glass of wine and said, "Girl, here’s how it’s done!"
That dream mentor didn’t exist for me then, but it inspired me to become that person for others now.
Enter Amanda Frances, my fellow self-publishing queen and dear friend. Amanda is a powerhouse who made the bold move to self-publish her book Rich AF after realizing she wanted full ownership of her work (and the royalties that come with it). When she came to me for guidance, I knew her intuition was spot on. Amanda didn’t just publish her book; she crushed it, selling over 100,000 copies and counting, all while keeping every ounce of her creative and financial power.
Together, Amanda and I have proven that self-published books can (and do!) outperform traditionally published titles —even the ones with big budgets and flashy marketing campaigns. In 2021, we joined forces to create Self-Published, a course designed to help women like you take charge, tell their stories, and get their books into the world on their terms.
Today, we’re bringing you a very special episode packed with our best self-publishing secrets, lessons we’ve learned since launching the course, insights on how the publishing landscape continues to evolve, and strategies to stay ahead as a fierce and fabulous female writer.
If you’ve ever dreamed of holding your own book in your hands, this is your sign to make it happen. Enrollment is now open for Self-Published! Join us here and make 2025 the year you claim your spot as a published author. Let’s do this —together.
I've been into astrology for as long as I can remember. My mom started reading my horoscope to me in high school, and to this day she still sends it to me regularly. So you can imagine how thrilled I was when I learned that The Astrotwins wanted to come on the show to talk all things cosmic with us!
In case you aren't familiar, Ophira and Tali Edut (The AstroTwins) are among the most sought-after astrologers and intuitive advisors of our times. As the longtime resident astrologers for ELLE Magazine and the authors of over 20 books, they are the advisors to a roster of CEOs, celebrities, global leaders and successful entrepreneurs, including Beyonce, Dua Lipa and Emma Roberts.
In today's episode, we're discussing their revolutionary IAM system (which makes breaking down your birth chart so easy), how the zodiac plays a role in relationship dynamics, why astrology is your secret weapon when it comes to personal development, and so much more.
Connect with the Astrotwins:
Follow them on Instagram
Buy their new book
Check out their website + read your daily horoscope
Make a martini and join me for a juicy conversation with legendary author Catherine Texier, where she talks about her new book, After David, a novel about a divorced writer in her early sixties who begins having casual sex with younger men on dating apps and winds up falling for Jonah, a thirty-something jazz guitarist who gives her a new lease on life. In this episode we dive into the power dynamics of men and women, what it's like to write novels inspired by her own life, and how fantasy informs our relationships.
Follow Catherine on Instagram here.
Catherine is part of our iconic lineup for this month's nonfiction reading series, The Tortured Bloggers Department, happening Wednesday August 14th in Brooklyn. RSVP here to come see her read!
Enrollment is open for ICONIC. Grab your spot and save $1000 here: https://www.thechampagnediet.com/iconic
The best thing - and worst - thing about the online world today? Anyone can create a personal brand. There is more opportunity than ever to build an empire right from your phone that impacts - and earns - millions of dollars. There is also more noise than ever, making it harder and harder to stand out and reach your potential clients.
As a successful entrepreneur who has been building her own personal brand in the women's empowerment space for the past 16 years, I know a thing or two about personal branding. I've written and self-published 9 bestelling books that have been translated in 10 languages, coached thousands of women entrepeneurs, and have made a massive impact in on a global scale.
In today's episode, I'm sharing my top 3 strategies so that you can take your brand from ordinary to EXTRAordinary and start creating the wealth and impact you deserve. Grab a notebook for this one babe, you're gonna want to take notes!
If you follow me online, then you know how obsessed I am with Substack. I launched my blog there a little over a year ago and it has lit a creative fire in me that has given my writing and my personal brand a whole new life. It's connected me to a whole new community and become a serious source of income for me as well. I decided to bring Linda from the Substack team on the show to share the ins and outs of the platform and answer all your burning questions.
In this episode we talk about:
What is Substack and how it's different from a regular blog
How to earn income on Substack
How to cultivate + grow your community
The secrets to true Substack succcess
Why everyone needs to be on the platform now
and so much more. You don't want to miss this!
If you want to work with me 1:1 to create and grow your Substack, click here to grab a spot for my mentorship + writing coaching program: https://caraalwill.thrivecart.com/substack-book-coaching/
Read my Substack here.
Follow Linda on Substack here.
Today's episode is the shot of espresso you need if you are a creative who's been holding back. I'm talking to Shawna Poliziani, artist and overall baddie about her creative process, what it looks like to reinvent yourself, and how to let go of the need for approval from your audience.
Have you ever been in a toxic relationship? Ever felt gaslit by an ex? Ever felt like you were losing your mind in a breakup? In today's episode, I'm talking to WOMEN author Chloe Caldwell about breakup behavior and how to get your life back after the love of your life becomes your living nightmare. Plus, we'll talk about the reissue of Chloe's cult classic book WOMEN and how ten years later, this story is more real than ever.
You might want to pour a dirty martini before today's convo because we're going IN. I'm chatting with my longtime friend and creator of the Unruly Entrepreneur, Andrea Crowder about the power of Rapid Resolution Therapy, why she decided to start dating God, and what love after divorce looks like for the both of us (Enjoy this spicy and inspiring episode! XO
Click here to apply for my Podcast Queen course and mentorship.
Click here to subscribe to my blog.
We're getting real today. Like, really real. Join me for a power chat about what it looks like to recommit to the thing you truly want to do (you know that thing) and why that will change everything.
Well, the unthinkable has happened! I've lost access to my Instagram account (and I don't know if or when I'm getting it back!). In today's episode, I'm talking about everything I've learned since losing my social media lifeline, why I think I manifested this, and what I've been doing with my time :)
Ways to stay connected to me!
Click here to subscribe to my blog.
Click here to join the Girl on Fire collective.
Want to submit a love + relationship question to my next episode with Aaron? Email me Cara@TheChampagneDiet.com and we may answer your question live on the air!
Huge thank you to our FABULOUS sponsor, Andrea Franco, an intuitive wealth alchemist and business expert who went from 100k in debt to multi millionaire organically online in just 3 years. She's a unicorn in the industry who combines strategy and energy to create an unstoppable mind & bank account.
She's hosting a 3 day in person event in beautiful Scottsdale Arizona in April called meant for magic live where she'll be teaching everything on the strategies and energetics of success. Get your ticket here before it sells out!
Over three full days, attendees will learn about wealth, business, mindset mastery, somatic strategies, and so much more. It's nothing like this industry has ever seen before. The price will be going up in just a few weeks so grab your ticket now!
Andrea does free intuitive coaching inside of her free facebook group - Intuitive female leaders meant for Magic- and has provided a free gift for all listeners - a workshop on the law of assumption, the tool she's used to create millions and her dream life so quickly. Click here to get your free gift now :)
If you are an entrepreneur, small business owner, coach or content creator who's thinking about trying something new, today's epsiode is for you!
Enrollment for ICONIC is open now at a very special intro price! Spots are limited. Grab yours here.
Apply for the Girl on Fire mastermind here!
We're doing something BIG today! I'm sharing the top 3 tips (and a few bonus ones) I gave my private, high-level clients last week. From getting out of your own head, to tapping into your most abundant self, and so much more, this advice is golden. Get ready to take notes!