Small Talk with Sheila

The 9 to 5 Didn’t Kill the Creative in Me

After years of hustling in Hollywood, Sheila decided it was time for something wild—like a steady salary. And maybe even (gasp) health insurance. But once she landed the stable 9 to 5, she realized something was missing: her creative joy.In this episode, Sheila shares how starting Small Talk with Sheila brought her spark back—and why having a day job doesn’t mean your dreams are dead. Spoiler: they might just be getting started.

The Evil Eye Didn’t Just Protect Me—It Traumatized Me

Evil Eye jewelry is all the rage right now, think boho, Coachella…you know the look. But for Sheila the Evil Eye isn’t just a cute piece of jewelry it’s a trauma response. This week, Sheila delves into her relationship with the Evil Eye and how growing up in a superstitious Iranian household has impacted her ability to feel joy. Life is full of ups and downs, is it because of the Evil Eye or could it just be how life goes? Small Talk With Sheila is written and hosted by Sheila Kazan. It was produced by Kathleen Speckert and edited, mixed and mastered by Ali Sirois.

Breakup Glow Without the Breakup

Why is it that heartbreak always turns us into the best versions of ourselves? Can we achieve the same main character energy without getting dumped? This week Sheila teaches us how to achieve the post-heartbreak glow-up without the actual heartbreak - because why wait for heartbreak to get a fresh start?Small Talk With Sheila is written and hosted by Sheila Kazan. It was produced by Kathleen Speckert and edited, mixed and mastered by Ali Sirois.

Short n’ Sweet: New Year, Persian Style

There’s no better time for a reset than Nowruz, the Persian New Year. This week Sheila shares some of her favorite traditions that come along with the celebration, from spring cleaning to Chaharshanbeh Suri. It’s the perfect time to leave behind negativity and step into the new year refreshed!

The Health Journey I Didn’t Expect

Growing up, Sheila’s mom was always on some sort of diet - there was the cabbage soup diet, the fruit diet, Weight Watchers, and the bland popcorn diet. Watching her mom go through this, Sheila picked up some unhealthy habits of her own. This week, Sheila unpacks her relationship with food and her body - the years of jumping from one restrictive food phase to the next, and the surprising diagnosis that made her change her idea of what “healthy” really means.

Caught Between Two Cultures: Growing Up Iranian-ish

Growing up Sheila was constantly navigating two cultures - her American upbringing and her Iranian roots. This week she unpacks what it’s like straddling two distinct cultures, each with their own languages, their own ways of expressing love and their own contradictions. Sheila brings us along on her heartwarming, and often embarrassing, family trips to Iran. Reflecting on a life-time of growing up between cultures, Sheila realizes that being caught between two cultures isn’t a curse, it’s a blessing.

Barbies, Baby Fever and Finding Worth

One simple statement from a friend has Sheila’s self-worth spiralling. Is being a mom the best way she can prove herself? Does she need to make millions and have the same number of followers in order for society to respect her? And crucially, what would Barbie do? Sheila starts to redefine worthiness in this episode, and boils down some self-help concepts to achievable actions she - and we! - can make every day.

Finding Love and Being Present

Who is the fairest, and the wisest of them all? Love of course, Sheila’s white Maltese. Love is forever teaching Sheila lessons, from the small - don’t even try to put me in that purse - to the grand - to cherish every moment. In this episode Sheila recounts their meet-cute, and her hopes for their long happy lives together.

From Frozen Lasagna to Cold Plunges: Striking a Life Balance

Two friends, both totally loveable, both with very different lifestyles. This week Sheila reflects on what her strikingly different girlfriends can teach her about her own attitudes to work, health, and relationships. From frozen food to fitness fads, who does it better?

McBoogers: The Fast-Food Myth My Parents Sold Me at Age 5

When Sheila was a child she heard a myth that turned her world upside down…that McDonald’s burgers had boogers in them. What!? Little did she know this myth would stay with her until adulthood. This week Sheila unpacks how this little fib impacted her as she works to reclaim her own voice and preferences.