Survival Mode Is Not Your Brand: The Anti-Hustle Revolution with Andrea Crowder

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 💌 LINKS & RESOURCES: → 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. Enroll in HOT GIRL MEMOIR here Follow Gwen on Instagram here

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