Ava is joined by recipe developer Megan Sheley for a conversation about food and cooking as a lens for self-exploration. Megan takes us through her journey from working a 9-5 to taking the leap into recipe development, including the TikTok moment that changed everything when her Lasagna Soup went wildly viral, and what she has learned about herself along the way. Megan Sheley is a foodie-turned full-time recipe developer known for clean food and a dirty mouth. Food is at the center of Megan’s world, and she believes it is one of the best ways to bring people together. From viral recipes on TikTok to competing on Next Level Chef, and from van life to eat-pray-loving her way around the world, Megan uses food as a vehicle for self-exploration and personal growth. Through her work as a recipe developer, Megan inspires and empowers others to reconnect with food and create a life where eating is fun, tasty, and makes you feel good. In this episode Megan shares behind-the-scenes stories from competing on Season 4 of Next Level Chef under the mentorship of Gordon Ramsay, including the hard decision to step away for health reasons, and what it taught her about boundaries, identity, and making aligned decisions. Ava and Megan conclude their conversation with a deep dive into Megan’s travels and how they influence Megan’s day-to-day life as a recipe developer. From an Eat Pray Love-style chapter abroad to the expansion in the kitchen that comes from experiencing global flavors, Megan shares what cooking can teach you about creativity, nourishment, and making eating fun.

Ava shares her 72-hour San Francisco adventure blending wine education, city exploration, and short-distance travel in this travel talk episode. The trip served multiple purposes: attending a sommelier deductive tasting workshop, exploring the city with her partner, and embracing the concept of local travel from her California home base. She makes a compelling case for short-distance travel, reflecting on how moving to California has shifted her perspective from seeking far-flung destinations to appreciating what's closer to home. Perhaps even inspiring your own short-distance travels in 2026. Ava shares travel tips and recommendations for spending a weekend in San Francisco, California that balances exploration with relaxation. The two-day itinerary features a Saturday stroll through North Beach and a visit to SFMOMA, a life-changing chocolate almond croissant, a Golden Gate Park sit, a memorable first (and maybe last) Waymo ride, and of course - plenty of dining recommendations. And, the trip culminates with an intensive day of wine education, where Ava blind-tasted 20 wines as part of her sommelier certification journey. Whether you're planning your own short-distance adventure, a visit to San Francisco, or even start your own sommelier journey, this episode offers plenty of ideas to spark your next adventure.

Ava welcomes the podcast’s resident astrologer KJ Atlas back for a special three-month astrology guide to Fall 2025 in the Northern Hemisphere. Learn about the most influential astrology of Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius seasons from September 22 – December 21, 2025, and how you can best use the energy to manifest original rich-bixch experiences this fall. The season begins with the Fall Equinox on September 22 although it may feel less than celebratory. The first week of fall is dense with post-eclipse energy so it’s best to give it a week before diving into your spooky season to-dos. The theme of this time period is unfinished business. If there were things that you really wanted to make happen earlier this year but faced blockages, now is the time to get back to work and manifest. Three key dates in October, November, and December will support your forward momentum. Ava and KJ discuss all the major astrological transits of Fall 2025 including a Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius and Scorpio, a Moon Wobble in Sagittarius, some big shifts of the outer planets, and of course, a gorgeous set of new moons for manifesting and full moons for releasing. Tune in to learn how to best work with the energy, live in greater alignment, and manifest powerfully this season.

Ava is joined by hypnotherapist Leo Max for a conversation about hypnosis, how the practice heals the mind, body, and soul, and leveraging hypnotherapy to help us become more of who we truly are.Leo Max is a spiritual hypnotherapist based outside of NYC. He offers deep journeys into the subconscious mind for people to heal from the roots up. His work is a blend of roughly 8 styles of therapy rolled into one powerful service. As the founder of Restorative Hypnosis, he serves people who are tired of talk therapy, know there’s more to healing, and are ready for the transformational power of truth.Ava and Leo dive into the fascinating world of hypnotherapy starting with the basics of how hypnosis works, what hypnotherapy actually is, and what first-timers can expect. Leo speaks to the benefits of working with the subconscious mind in this practice, and breaks down why hypnotherapy goes where talk therapy cannot. Keeping it to just the basics would be boring - so they also touch on some of the more mystical aspects of his practice like parts work and entity removal. Spoiler alert: If you need an entity guy… Leo’s the one to call.Ava shares her personal experience with one-on-one hypnotherapy and how the sessions have transformed her reality. They wrap up with an exploration of Leo's beautiful perspective that "the more you heal, the more your soul emerges.” Ultimately, deep healing work just reveals more you. Tune in to explore the realm of hypnosis, healing, and truth.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Leo Max03:22 Defining hypnosis and hypnotherapy06:20 Leo’s personal journey to becoming a hypnotherapist14:25 Conscious vs subconscious mind – how hypnotherapy works20:05 The mind, body, and soul topics hypnosis can heal22:00 What to expect in a hypnotherapy session31:55 Victim mentality - who struggles the most in hypnotherapy35:15 How long the effects “last” compared to other therapies39:30 How hypnosis helps us become more of who we truly are52:10 Parts work and entity removals1:05:20 Self-development journey – what Leo’s loving now1:12:41 Encouragement to keep experimenting with the healing process Episode ResourcesConnect with Leo MaxInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/restorativehypnosis/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@restorativehypnosisWebsite: https://restorative-hypnosis.com/ Connect with Ava BeilkeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/avabeilke/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avabeilkeWebsite: https://theavaverse.com/ Rate, review, and subscribe to MORE with Ava Beilke wherever you listen to podcasts. Subscribe to watch @themorepod on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themorepodFollow @themorepod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themorepod/Follow @themorepod on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themorepodMore at: https://www.themorepod.com/

Ava recounts her summer getaway to Portland Oregon, the city of roses, fresh air, and natural wine bars, and a day trip to the Oregon Coast in this travel talk. Her journey began with some travel woes when what could have been a 3-hour flight from LA turned into a 20-hour odyssey through Salt Lake City and Seattle. Fortunately, an urgent visit to Portland's Rose Garden provided the perfect vibe check, aura cleanse, and attitude adjustment, and the summer vacation commenced. Thank god for roses. Ava shares her travel tips and suggestions for spending a weekend in Portland, including an Anthony Bourdain recommended (haunted?) hotel. Her detailed day-by-day itinerary features a day of garden exploration and shopping, a Portland wine bar crawl brimming with natural wine and good times, and a day trip to Cannon Beach on the beautiful Oregon coast. Whether you're already planning your own Portland adventure or are just considering adding it to your bucket list now, this episode offers insights on how to make the most of a weekend in Portland Oregon, and some excellent places to pass time.

Ava is joined by PR Strategist Tiff Knighten for a critical conversation about public relations, the messages we’re communicating, the media we’re consuming, and how to best publicly position ourselves for impact in a way that authentically aligns with who we are. Tiff Knighten is an award-winning PR strategist, brand consultant, and Founder of Brand Curators, a public relations and management agency helping influential people and businesses build, amplify, and monetize their brands. Recognized by Business Insider as a Top PR Pro in the Creator Economy, Tiff is also the host of Main Character Energy with Tiff Knighten podcast, creating space for conversations on personal growth, mental health, and overcoming imposter syndrome. Ava and Tiff explore public relations and the great value it holds for brands and individuals. They cover identifying the basic building blocks of PR, how to determine your own PR-readiness, and how to best break through the noise with strategies and stories that matter - even amidst the ever-chaotic news cycle. Tiff shares why using your voice and telling your story matters more now than ever, and offers tips for overcoming hesitation. They also discuss strategies and tools for being a better contributor to and consumer of media. From navigating the complexities of cancel culture (and how to get "un-canceled") to the need for increased media literacy while we're flooded with propaganda, AI, and misinformation, these are conversations that matter now.

Ava welcomes the podcast’s resident astrologer KJ Atlas back for a special three-month astrology guide to Summer 2025 in the Northern Hemisphere. Learn about the most influential astrology of Cancer, Leo, and Virgo seasons from June 20 – September 22, 2025, and how you can best use the energy to manifest rich-bixch experiences all summer long. Summer officially kicks off with Summer Solstice on June 20th. Legend has it that the Gabby Windey method of manifestation might be especially powerful on this day. If that’s not your vibe, it’s also a great time to get outside, have a dinner party, and soak up the sun on the longest day of the year. Last year was Brat summer, and this year is Manic Pixie Tradwife summer. If that sounds strange, it is. KJ speaks into the duality of this season, a time where feral girls cross paths with traditional prairie dress wardrobes, but have no fear, this is temporary. Ava and KJ discuss the major astrological moments of the season including Jupiter moving into Cancer (its giving tradwife), Uranus moving into Gemini (serving manic pixie), and Mercury Retrograde in Leo impacting the fixed signs of Leo, Taurus, Scorpio, and Aquarius. There are also many lengthy Void of Course (VOC) Moons and a Moon Wobble on the summer calendar. KJ breaks down the meanings of these events, how they impact our daily experience, and how we can work with these energies. Spoiler: You may want to plan a staycation during the Void Moon spanning the three days of July 29-31. Last but certainly not least, they talk about three New Moons, ripe for manifesting this summer. Tune in to learn about the themes of the Cancer, Leo, and Virgo new moons and the best times to set intentions so that your desires come to fruition. While the astrology of summer isn’t as intense as what we experienced during the first half of the year, there are lots of big changes in motion. As you press play on this episode, grab a notebook to jot down some notes, and think about how you can be more you throughout this period of time. While it’s not the end of the world, it may be the end of the world as we know it. So, when times are crazy, be crazier.

Ava Beilke dives into the complexities and emotions of returning to our roots as she shares her personal journey of visiting Minneapolis after relocating to Los Angeles. From navigating the overwhelming feelings of limited time and endless to-do lists to experiencing unfamiliar moments in formerly familiar places, this episode explores the universal experience of hometown visits. Ava reflects on both the practical aspects of planning a hometown visit and the deeper emotional impact they can have on our identity. As a love letter to her hometown of Minneapolis, she shares her favorite local spots, from the historic Lyndale Park Rose Garden to the iconic First Avenue music venue, plus a list of her favorite local restaurants (obviously!), offering both personal insights and travel recommendations for exploring this vibrant Midwestern city. Whether you're planning your own hometown visit or curious about Minneapolis's hidden gems, this episode provides thoughtful perspectives on maintaining connections to our roots while embracing the personal growth and change that comes from leaving home.

Ava is joined by astrologer, money mentor, and medium Natalia Benson for a beautiful conversation about mediumship, understanding that there is more, and how we can all connect with the other side to receive support, guidance, and love to become more of who we truly are. Natalia Benson specializes in money mentorship, digital course creation & online monetization rooted in astrology, personal finance & spiritual wellness. She fuses the spiritual world with practical tools for empowerment and has helped thousands of students make meaningful choices and changes in their lives. Natalia has her own Money Membership 6+ years running & has been the host of Natalia Benson the Podcast, which just hit over 1.5 million downloads. Her mission is to equip women with the power to create life on their terms thanks to the unique fusing of financial awareness, astrology & spirituality. She is currently training and practicing to become a Medium. Ava and Natalia explore her mediumship journey—covering everything from the basics of mediumship to overcoming fears of the unseen world. Natalia discusses what mediumship is really, whether everyone has psychic abilities, and how she discovered and developed her medium abilities. They explore the concept of spirit teams, meeting your team of guides, how to recognize signs from the universe, and more. The conversation takes an incredible turn when Natalia conducts a live mediumship session with Ava, bringing through her guides. This experience offers a glimpse into life beyond life and the magical messages of love and support available to us at all times. Tune in to discover who comes through for Ava during the session. Whether you're seeking signs from the universe or already receive signs, symbols, and messages, this episode offers valuable insights for strengthening your connection to the other side to be more you.

Ava welcomes back the podcast’s resident astrologer KJ Atlas for a special three-month astrology forecast for Spring 2025. Learn about the most influential astrological events of Aries, Taurus, and Gemini seasons from March 20 – June 21, 2025, discover how these happenings will impact you, and get tips on how to use the energy to your advantage so you can manifest rich-bixch experiences. As the Spring Equinox officially kicks off the new year, Ava and KJ talk about the astrology of spring and break down the season’s most significant astrological events: Venus retrograde, Mercury retrograde, Eclipse season, Saturn and Neptune entering Aries, and three powerful new moon manifestation periods. Spring starts off chaotic as the astrology ushers us through a big transition period and according to KJ if we can make it to May, we can do anything. The good news is, thing simmer down into a nice ease and breeze before summer. Tune in to learn how to best navigate this timeframe – from avoiding cutting those bangs until Venus goes direct to learning a new hobby (hot girls garden) when Jupiter enters Cancer – we’ve got you covered. If you’re feeling like everything is a bit louder and crazier than usual, well, it is. In fact, we are currently experiencing some of the craziest astrology of our lifetime. Remember - just because its common doesn’t mean it’s normal.