Playing with Fire | Shannon Watts | Substack

My essays

My journey to find friends helped me find community instead

Connection looks different than I expected, but it’s better than I imagined

Mar 3 • Shannon Watts

What I've been doing to get stronger than I've ever been

The changes I've made in my life and my weekly workout routine

Feb 24 • Shannon Watts

Women in midlife are having the best sex of their lives

Here are five ways women in midlife and beyond can enhance their sexual health

Feb 6 • Shannon Watts

What I learned about white women and activism as a gun safety advocate

People being targeted by ICE don’t need allies – they need traitors

Jan 27 • Shannon Watts

The weight of the gaze: How beauty standards shape women across generations

It's time to dismantle the system telling women their value lies in their appearance

Jan 13 • Shannon Watts

Five tips to starting a meditation practice that will stick

How to find pockets of peace, no matter what is happening in your life

Dec 11, 2025 • Shannon Watts

Find stillness in a chaotic world

A meditation on the importance of meditation

Dec 2, 2025 • Shannon Watts

5 women who are the first in their male-dominated fields

These women are breaking through the system telling us there's just one "right way" to lead

Nov 18, 2025 • Shannon Watts

Fireside Chats

Fighting the stigma around addiction with Lisa Kasteler-Calio and Doug Chapin

A Q&A with the leaders of the Matthew Perry Foundation

Dec 29, 2025 • Shannon Watts

Getting your needs met as a mom with Leslie Forde

A Q&A with the author of "Repair with Self-Care: Your Guide to the Mom's Hierarchy of Needs"

Dec 26, 2025 • Shannon Watts

What to do when the rules stop working for you with Lauren Weiner

A Q&A with the bestselling author of "Unruly: Deconstruct the Rules, Defy the Norms, and Define Your Success"

Dec 22, 2025 • Shannon Watts

Leveling the playing field in women's sports with Heidi Smith

A Q&A with the author of "Play On: From Adversity to Advantage Through 140 Years of Women’s Soccer"

Dec 16, 2025 • Shannon Watts

Substack Live

27:11

Navigating divorce with Oona Metz

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

Feb 26 • Shannon Watts and Unhitched: Let's Talk Divorce

29:16

Dr. Maria Sophocles on sexual health in midlife and beyond

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

Feb 9 • Shannon Watts and Maria Sophocles

26:20

Jennifer Wallace on why "mattering" is the key to a meaningful life

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

Jan 26 • Shannon Watts and Jennifer Wallace

31:31

Mikala Jamison on navigating wellness culture

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

Jan 20 • Shannon Watts and Mikala Jamison

Firestarters podcast

55:16

30: Meggan Watterson on what women's erasure from religion teaches us about our power

Listen now on your favorite podcast player

Jul 28, 2025 • Shannon Watts

28:17

[REPLAY] Dr. Pooja Lakshmin tells us how to avoid burnout

Listen now on your favorite podcast player

Jul 14, 2025 • Shannon Watts

36:18

28: Dr. Sunita Sah on how to practice defiance

Listen now on your favorite podcast player

Jun 30, 2025 • Shannon Watts

19:43

27: The story behind my new book, "Fired Up"

Listen now on your favorite podcast player

Jun 16, 2025 • Shannon Watts

Recent posts

What I've been doing to get stronger than I've ever been

The changes I've made in my life and my weekly workout routine

Feb 24 • Shannon Watts

Five books to improve your sexual life and health

Find your pleasure, no matter your age or relationship status

Feb 17 • Shannon Watts

29:16

Dr. Maria Sophocles on sexual health in midlife and beyond

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

Feb 9 • Shannon Watts and Maria Sophocles

Women in midlife are having the best sex of their lives

Here are five ways women in midlife and beyond can enhance their sexual health

Feb 6 • Shannon Watts

24:53

Live with Shannon Watts

A recording from Shannon Watts's live video

Feb 4 • Shannon Watts and Daniel Biss

What I learned about white women and activism as a gun safety advocate

People being targeted by ICE don’t need allies – they need traitors

Jan 27 • Shannon Watts

26:20

Jennifer Wallace on why "mattering" is the key to a meaningful life

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

Jan 26 • Shannon Watts and Jennifer Wallace

31:31

Mikala Jamison on navigating wellness culture

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

Jan 20 • Shannon Watts and Mikala Jamison

The weight of the gaze: How beauty standards shape women across generations

It's time to dismantle the system telling women their value lies in their appearance

Jan 13 • Shannon Watts

This is the year you find your fire

Announcing my new coaching program

Jan 7 • Shannon Watts

Top 5 posts on Playing with Fire in 2025

These were your favorite posts to read this year

Dec 30, 2025 • Shannon Watts

Fighting the stigma around addiction with Lisa Kasteler-Calio and Doug Chapin

A Q&A with the leaders of the Matthew Perry Foundation

Dec 29, 2025 • Shannon Watts

Recommendations

Story Club with George Saunders

George Saunders

Jodi Bondi Norgaard

Amanda Haas

Samantha Bee

Rawdoggin' Reality

Margo Price

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