In this behind-the-scenes special, I'm handing the mic to GOTL co-author Diane Jacobs Natoli as she interviews me, Megan Dirks, your usual host, for a heartfelt look at the making of The Girl on the Left. We talk about where the idea began, the unexpected challenges we faced, and the meaningful moments that shaped this project from the inside out.

You’ll hear about the messy drafts, the happy accidents, the big goals that kept us going, and the heart that fuels it all. It’s an honest and uplifting glimpse into how this book came to life and where we hope it will go next. Grab your favorite snack and come celebrate the story behind the story with us.

In this special Mother’s Day bonus episode, I sit down with my own mom, Heather, for a vulnerable and honest conversation about motherhood, daughterhood, and everything in between. We talk about what it was really like for her to raise me, how our relationship has grown over time, and the deeper emotional layers we’ve both had to unpack.

From the beauty of mother-daughter connection to the weight of generational patterns, we explore how healing happens through reflection, love, and the choice to do things differently. This one’s for the cycle breakers, the softhearted rebels, and anyone learning to hold their past with grace while still reaching for a better future.

In this special episode for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Megan is joined by the fierce and fearless Brenda Del Granado for a conversation that pulls no punches.

They dive into how people-pleasing, early sexual exploration, and seeking validation can quietly lead girls into dangerous dynamics. They talk about the digital age, the rise of sex work in mainstream spaces, and why so many still struggle to name the difference between empowerment and exploitation.

This episode is about the gray areas no one wants to touch. The ones that shape our sense of safety, sexuality, and self-worth. Brenda brings clarity, compassion, and truth for those who never got the full story growing up.

Content Warning: Topics include sexual assault, grooming, and emotionally sensitive material.

Because the girl on the left deserved protection. This is how we start giving it.

Amanda Chatzikonstantinou takes us on a journey through her teenage years, where anxiety, depression, and a deep sense of not being enough were constant companions. Feeling trapped in the silence of her struggles, she recounts how the weight of societal expectations and mental health taboos shaped her world.

With raw honesty, Amanda shares the moments that nearly swallowed her whole—like an unwelcome panic attack in the hallway of her school. She invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences with mental health. If you’re struggling too, this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone: you’re not broken.

By the end of this episode, you’ll hear about how Amanda has turned her own struggles into a passion for coaching teens. She helps them break free from the weight of their anxieties and discover the empowered, unstoppable versions of themselves that were always within reach.

Kimeiko Rae Vision takes us on a journey through time, beginning with an unexpected parking lot confrontation during the COVID-19 lockdown. She unravels a deeply personal story of resilience, childhood turmoil, and the unseen battles people carry. From the warmth of rediscovered hobbies to the icy sting of past trauma, she reflects on the power of kindness, the echoes of family violence, and the strangers who become unexpected angels.

Through moments of rage, redemption, and whispered prayers, this episode explores the weight of our experiences, the stories we tell ourselves, and the silent helpers who remind us we’re never truly alone.

How do we react when faced with aggression?

Can a single act of kindness shift the course of someone’s life?

What happens when the ghosts of our past meet the struggles of our present?

Join us as Kimeiko unpacks these questions with raw honesty and heart. Tune in now for a conversation about compassion, survival, and the light that finds us—even in the darkest nights.

The road to motherhood is never just one thing. It’s joy, it’s struggle, it’s instinct battling expectation. In this raw and powerful episode, Lizzy Morris peels back the layers of medicalized birth, fatphobia, and the quiet ways we’re conditioned to surrender our power. From the heart-pounding moment of a long-awaited positive test to the trauma of a coerced C-section, Lizzy shares her deeply personal journey of reclaiming her autonomy: one battle at a time.

What happens when the system tells you your body isn’t built for birth? When the “care” you receive is laced with control? And what does it take to rewrite your own narrative?

This isn’t just a birth story. It’s a wake-up call. It’s a revolution. It’s a mother’s fight to be heard.

Listen in as we unpack the hard truths of modern maternity care, the weight of internalized doubt, and the relentless pursuit of a birth on your own terms.

Life threw Dr. Michelle Lappin every curveball imaginable. Family struggles, financial turmoil, and the challenges of military life—but instead of letting it break her, she built herself back up—stronger, wiser, and financially empowered.

In this episode, Michelle takes us on her real journey from rock-bottom debt to financial stability, proving that no matter how deep the hole is, there’s always a way out. She gets candid about the shame of seeking assistance, the power of mindset shifts, and how resilience (paired with a solid budget) changed everything.

If you’ve ever felt trapped by your circumstances, this one’s for you. Get ready to rewrite your own financial story: one empowered wealth-generating decision at a time.

From corporate executive to wellness entrepreneur, Tania Rizoski shares her journey of resilience, reinvention, and self-discovery. Born into a traditional Macedonian household, Tania followed a path she thought was set in stone: marriage, motherhood, and a successful career in the corporate world. But life had other plans.

In this episode, she opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her—from navigating high-level leadership roles and earning her MBA amid personal and global challenges to experiencing complete burnout that forced her to reevaluate everything. Along the way, she discovered the power of energy work, spirituality, and feminine energy. This led her to leave the corporate world and launch Your Sanctuary Space, a retreat-based holistic wellbeing service-based business dedicated to helping women reclaim balance, purpose, and fulfillment.

Join us as we explore her transformational story, the lessons she’s learned, and how embracing ambition and intuition led her to a new, aligned chapter of life. If you've ever felt the pull toward something greater but weren't sure how to take the leap, this episode is for you!