Fries and a Glass of Wine

This week on Fries & A Glass of Wine, I’m sitting down with my friend Nicole—someone I’ve known since university, but hadn’t actually caught up with in years. And somehow, within minutes, it’s like no time has passed.We get into everything: destination weddings in Italian castles, travel highs and lows (from luxury stays to food poisoning), and the reality behind solo trips that don’t always go as planned. Along the way, we unpack how our lives have evolved, what’s shifted since our early twenties, and how certain friendships can pick right back up—no matter the gap.It’s nostalgic, honest, and a little chaotic—in the way only long-overdue catch-ups can be.

From college athletics to ESPN commentary, Lululemon leadership, and now coaching—Sydney’s career path is anything but linear.Over fries and wine, Mel and Sydney talk about what it actually looks like to build a “portfolio career,” how community can follow you across cities and chapters, and why failure - especially the very public kind - ends up being your greatest teacher.This episode dives into identity, performance, body image in fitness culture, and the art of listening (to others and yourself). It’s honest, a little chaotic, and a reminder that you’re allowed to evolve… as many times as you need to.

After a six-month hiatus, Fries & A Glass of Wine returns with a deeply personal and reflective conversation.Mel sits down with returning guest Terry Williams to talk about what happens when life forces you to slow down. Over fries and wine, they explore career pivots, grief, nervous system regulation, and the quiet signals life sends when it’s time for change.Mel shares the evolution of Evergreen and her unexpected shift toward personal styling and helping people show up as their most authentic selves. Terry opens up about closing his gyms, stepping into executive coaching, and writing his new book Life in Rhythm—a philosophy about balancing ambition with rest and learning to move with life instead of against it.Together they unpack:Why burnout often comes from ignoring life’s “yellow lights”The role of play, creativity, and stillness in healingNavigating imposter syndrome when you pivot careersHow pain can become the root of purposeWhat it really means to stay “evergreen” through life’s seasonsThis episode is about transition, resilience, and learning to listen when life asks you to move differently.Grab a glass of wine, a plate of fries, and settle in.

Craig is back for round two, and this conversation does not disappoint. We trade near-death travel stories (yes, buses flying off cliffs and fish-tailing trucks), laugh through some seriously wild twists—including Craig casually dropping that he grew up in a cult—and wander into chats about intuition, Reiki, and even aliens in the ocean. It’s the kind of conversation where one minute you’re gasping, the next you’re giggling, and before you know it… the fries and wine are gone.

What happens when you mix Ibiza bachelor party stories, old dinner party nostalgia, flirtatious-but-just-friendly banter, and a wildly awkward tale about fake text messages to end a “situationship”? In this laugh-out-loud, delightfully chaotic episode, Mel sits down with Craig for a rollercoaster conversation on dancing like no one’s watching (even on a platform full of strangers), navigating misunderstood vibes, and the evolution from charming rake to devoted husband and dad. Equal parts hilarity, vulnerability, and “did he really just say that?”, this one’s for anyone who loves a good story—and maybe a little life lesson hidden in the laughter.

In this short and powerful episode, Shalyce returns for part two of our conversation to share what it was like being in a throuple—and how navigating love, identity, and emotional maturity shaped her most transformative relationship to date. We talk about queer representation, breaking out of relationship norms, and why not all love stories need a forever to be meaningful.If you’ve ever questioned what modern love really looks like, this one’s for you.🍟 Follow the pod on Instagram: @friesandaglassofwine

Mel sits down with her longtime friend Tim for a glass of wine and a trip through the highs, lows, and hair changes that come with growing into your next chapter. They swap stories about therapy breakthroughs, the politics of braids, the Beyoncé vs. Taylor Swift paradox, and what it really looks like to put yourself first—without burning it all down.Tim shares how he turned heartbreak into his “Year of Tim” (complete with courtside seats and radio appearances), while Mel opens up about the unexpected trauma that shifted her life—and how she's been putting the pieces back together, one step (and boho braid) at a time.This episode is equal parts deep talk, big laughs, and emotional plot twists—just how we like it.🍟 Follow the pod on Instagram: @friesandaglassofwine

In this candid and colorful episode of Fries and a Glass of Wine, Mel is joined by her friend Shalyce for a wide-ranging conversation about the LGBTQIA+ community, the realities of adulting, and major life decisions. Shalyce opens up about her journey of coming out as bi at 25, navigating family acceptance, and how her conservative Christian upbringing shaped her early understanding of love and relationships. The conversation flows from LGBTQIA+ terminology and community dynamics to the pressures of heteronormative expectations and that post-college "what's next?" feeling we all know too well. They dive deep into Shalyce's recent decision to freeze her eggs at 34, discussing how our perspectives on having children evolve as we grow, and why she upgraded to "premium insurance" by fertilizing them too. From awkward acronym confusion to Saturn returns, friendship dynamics to premium airline status anxiety, this episode captures the beautiful messiness of navigating your 30s while staying true to yourself. It's a candid conversation about identity, choice, and the importance of having these discussions openly—even when we don't have all the answers figured out. Grab your fries and wine for this one—it's equal parts enlightening and entertaining.🍟 Follow the pod on Instagram: @friesandaglassofwine

In this soulful episode of Fries and a Glass of Wine, host Mel shares fries and a deep, restorative conversation with her close friend Terry. Together, they explore what it means to find light in dark seasons and joy in unlikely places.Terry reflects on navigating the emotional weight of the pandemic—finding healing in nature, redefining success, and learning how to be still. Mel opens up about her own burnout journey and how she’s relearning to rest, celebrate, and slow down. Along the way, they dive into everything from LeBron James’ sleep routine to the psychology of athletic performance and the myth of “doing it all.”Whether you're in a season of striving or simply trying to stay present, this episode is a reminder that stillness can be a powerful tool—and that even joy-forward people can have heavy days.🍟 Pour yourself a glass (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), grab some fries, and settle into this warm, honest exchange about resilience, rest, and reconnecting with joy.

In this heartfelt episode of Fries and a Glass of Wine, host Mel shares fries and a glass of French red with her friend Ashley for a wide-ranging conversation on strength—both physical and emotional.Ashley opens up about her recent HYROX challenge with her husband Terry, revealing how fitness has become a space for growth, partnership, and pushing past mental blocks. The two dive into the beautiful chaos of raising three kids, complete with stories of time-outs, strong personalities, and scorpion lollipops.From parenting to partnership, Mel and Ashley get real about aging, evolving dating standards, and what defines a truly supportive relationship. They unpack boundaries, burnout, and how to show up for yourself—and each other—through every messy, magical chapter.🍟 Grab some fries and a glass and tune in for an honest, funny, and nourishing conversation about balance, resilience, and love in all its forms.

In the very first episode of Fries and a Glass of Wine, host Mel sits down with her friend Jess for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about personal growth, breaking free from societal expectations, and embracing the unknown.Together, they explore what it means to take brave career breaks, move across countries, and pivot in unexpected directions—all while learning to support themselves and each other through the messy middle. From giving themselves permission to dream bigger to practicing self-trust and curiosity, this is a soulful, relatable dive into the courage it takes to live more authentically.🍟 Pull up a seat, pour a glass, and join us for a conversation full of heart, humor, and real talk.🍷 Follow the pod on Instagram: @friesandaglassofwine