Our Award-Winning Book, Embracing Layers Unapologetically:

Book cover featuring title 'Embracing Layers Unapologetically' by Jessica Garrison. Artistic illustration of two women intertwined in a serene landscape background, highlighting themes of empowerment and self-care.

Our Award-Winning Book - Available Now

Embracing Layers Unapologetically

Lessons from The FEEL Podcast's Collection of Lived Experiences

What can another woman's story help you understand about your own?

Embracing Layers Unapologetically brings together lived experiences, lessons, and insights from women featured throughout the first four seasons of The FEEL Podcast.

Their stories explore identity, relationships, boundaries, emotional wellness, self-care, expectations, change, and the many pieces and parts that make us who we are.

Throughout the book, Jessica Garrison and Melissa Crook invite you to consider your own layers: the experiences you've had, the decisions you've made, what's happened to you, what you've learned, what you love, and even the pieces you wish had been different.

Not with judgment or shame, but with curiosity, empathy, and compassion.

Embracing your layers doesn't mean you have to love everything that's happened or every decision you've made. It means recognizing that all of those pieces are part of your story, and none of them diminish your inherent worth or value.

The Stories Are Only the Beginning

You don't have to have lived another woman's exact story to recognize yourself in part of it.

Her experience may help you name something you've been feeling, question something you've always assumed was true, look at one of your own layers with more compassion, or consider a choice you hadn't realized was yours to make.

That's why each chapter includes Ways to Engage, - questions, reflections, and opportunities to connect what you've read to your own life.

Because another woman's story isn't there to tell you how to live yours.

The stories start the conversation. Ways to Engage invite you to bring that conversation into your own life.

Ready to Read, Reflect & Engage:

You can order our book, “Embracing Layers Unapologetically” on Amazon and Bookshop.org now! You can also buy the Kindle version on Amazon here!

Book Reviews:

  • Smiling woman with long blonde hair in a black dress standing outdoors with greenery in the background.

    "Melissa and Jessica's book inspired by the FEEL podcast is engaging and inspiring. Similar to how I feel when I listen to the podcast, it left me feeling empowered to make positive changes in my life. This book is a great read when you want to begin making changes in your life and don't know where to begin. It is a well-written, honest, and uplifting read that would be helpful for any woman. Would recommend!!"

    -Megan Manierski

  • Person wearing sunglasses, smiling outside, with a historical building in the background.

    "It’s an honor and privilege to participate in a platform whose main goal is to encourage women in all stages and situations in life through deep reflections. Melissa has such a gift of interviewing ladies and sharing their stories as a source of hope and inspiration. Thank you for what you do! It was my pleasure to share and be part of Embracing Layers Unapologetically."

    -Wendy VanStone

    (Podcast Guest, Season 1)

  • A woman with glasses and long, curly hair wearing a lei and earrings, smiling in an outdoor tropical setting.

    "When Melissa reached out to me about being on her podcast, it really made me wonder about what I truly had to offer to other women. After I decided to go for it and participated in the Embracing Layers Network, it felt so exhilarating to just be able to openly talk about feelings and about all of the different layers that we as women and people in general have. The vulnerability of truly peeling back those layers and having those feelings and emotions be fully accepted, acknowledged, valued, and validated was an incredible feeling. It was such an honor, an amazing experience, and it has been incredible watching the growth of EL!"

    -Dawn

    (Podcast Guest, Season 3)

  • Smiling person with long brown hair wearing a maroon blouse, standing in front of a wooden fence with green foliage and flowers above.

    "What a great project and an accomplished representation of the FEEL Podcast over the past few years!"

    -D'Ann Wells

    (Podcast Guest, Season 2)

  • Woman wearing headphones speaking into a microphone, smiling, and resting her chin on her hand.

    "If you want to uncover how to embrace your unique layers and feel empowered, this is for you. As someone who once struggled to understand the value my life had, this story showed me the power we’ve always had living inside of us. The stories in this book will leave you walking away feeling hopeful and excited for what lies ahead. No more feeling alone in whatever struggle you have faced or worked to overcome. This book breaks down how alike all of us actually are and in this likeness… how to learn from each other’s stories. I’m so proud of all the work that went into making this book what it is and it’s safe to say it is a story I will definitely be reading again because it’s that good."

    -Paris Prynkiewicz Scobie

    (Author of Crooked Illness, Host of Live Well Bipolar Podcast, & Public Speaker)

  • Smiling woman with short straight hair and patterned black and white top.

    "In 'Embracing Layers Unapologetically,’ Author Jessica Garrison and Content Contributor Melissa Crook masterfully guides readers on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. This book is a heartfelt and practical guide to cultivating self-care practices and embracing self-love without apology. The women who were bold enough to share their life experiences provides wisdom, compassion, and actionable advice, that cultivates confidence, community, and heightens our consciousness that “No” is a complete sentence that does not demand further explanation. (See Chapter 1). In addition, the book teaches us to prioritize our well-being, nurture our souls, and live authentically. 'Embracing Layers Unapologetically’ is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to transform their relationship with themselves and lead a more fulfilling, stress less, and joyous life. A must-read for those ready to embrace their true worth and love themselves fiercely. The time is NOW!"

    -Carenda Deonne, NCPMT

    (Founder Stress Easy LLC)

  • Woman with glasses smiling outdoors with a field in the background.

    "A must read for every woman! A great guide to support mental and emotional health. Inspiring messages all around! I found the content empowering as the book encourages all women to live authentically. It is okay to prioritize self-care and put YOU first as it helps us thrive mentally, emotionally, and physically. I love the idea of women supporting other women and cheering each other on rather than viewing each other as competition. The more women can lend a helping hand to one another the more love and peace we can spread as a collective whole! Thank you so much for writing such a heartwarming book. The Embracing layers community is making an impact in many women’s lives! Gift this book to all the special women you know."

    -Tara Mae Temple

    (Author of Life Hacks for Healing & Harmony)

The Story Continues

Embracing Layers Unapologetically began with the lived experiences and lessons shared throughout Seasons 1–4 of The FEEL Podcast.

And the story isn't finished.

Jessica Garrison is completing the next collection, bringing together insights and lived experiences from Seasons 5–10 as we prepare for Volume 2 in 2027.

Five more seasons of FEEL have continued to remind us why we began this project in the first place:

There is value in women sharing what they've lived, what they've learned, and what they're still figuring out.