It's What You Do Next Monthly Newsletter
May 2025
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and like many of you, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to live through hard things and keep going.
Not performatively, or not with a brave face for the sake of it, but really going through it, and still finding ways to speak, connect, and care about how we fit into and impact our communities around us.
I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that healing isn’t always private. It’s not quiet. It’s not linear.
It’s messy. It’s political. And sometimes, it’s absolutely public, which is okay because we have to be loud about the things that save lives. So be loud about this! Tell your elected officials that you want to maintain funding and help for mental health and substance use disorder.
NEWS: Narcan Access Alert
In the middle of a mental health and addiction crisis, the Trump administration has decided to roll back access to Narcan. Sit with that for a second.
They’re cutting off access to a medication that reverses overdoses and literally saves lives.
I wish I were shocked. But I’m not. We live in a moment where cruelty is often the point, where budgets become weapons, and where policies ignore the people they hurt most.
So what do we do? We get louder. We tell the truth. We care anyway.
🚨TAKE ACTION: Get Narcan and Share It.🚨
If you don’t already have Narcan, consider obtaining it—it’s a life-saving tool that can reverse opioid overdoses. If you do have Narcan, share it with a friend or family member who might need it. You can find free Narcan resources and training here.
Upcoming Events - Join me!
In Nashville - Unbreakable: Turning Setbacks Into Comebacks
📍 Nashville, TN | May 15, 2025
4:30–6:30 PM
Every woman faces challenges—but setbacks don’t define us, our comebacks do. Unbreakable is a powerful panel featuring inspiring women leaders in Nashville who have overcome public and personal adversity—divorce, financial struggles, career setbacks, and more—to step into the next chapter of their success. Through raw and real stories, we’ll explore resilience, reinvention, and the power of taking the next step forward. This is a space for truth, transformation, and inspiration—because every setback is just a setup for the next breakthrough.
Come ready to rise. Come ready for your comeback.
In Orlando - Human Behavior Con 2025
I’m honored to take the stage at Human Behavior Con 2025 alongside some of the most brilliant minds in leadership, psychology, and behavioral science.
I’ll be speaking on Vulnerability in Leadership—how transparency, honesty, and resilience shape stronger teams, communities, and movements.
This year’s powerhouse lineup includes:
Chris Hadnagy – Insider Threats & Social Engineering
Judd Shaw – Unleashing Authenticity
Dr. Abbie Maroño – The Science of Nonverbal Communication
Brad Beeler – Mastering Communication
Early bird pricing is open now—secure your spot!
Book Club Corner
My book It’s What You Do Next is part memoir, part love letter to resilience, and part call to action. If you’ve read it, thank you. I would be honored if you would do a review on Amazon or Goodreads.
"Leaving a review for It's What You Do Next doesn't just help me and my team out—it increases the chance of it reaching someone exactly when they need it most." -Megan Barry, Author
Also, I would be thrilled if your bookclub reads my book! Here are some resources - and let me know if you want me to zoom in and join the discussion!
New Writing: On Grief, Love, and Public Places
I’ve shared three new essays this spring; both personal, both grounded in the quiet moments that sneak up on us:
📄 To Max at the Dickson DMV – A reflection on a random Tuesday and a stranger who looked so much like my son, Max, it made me stop in my tracks. Or listen to me read it by clicking on the picture below.
🪴 Roots in Water – A story about telling the truth, speaking hope into hard rooms, and passing out cuttings of Swedish ivy as a reminder that deep roots can still grow, even in shallow water.
❤️ What My Grandmother Knew – My grandmother was born in 1918, when the world was on fire with a pandemic, a war, a world struggling to find its footing. She spent her life navigating rules she didn’t write and limits she didn’t agree with, from teaching young brides how to cook on gas stoves to being fired for getting married. She was tough, practical, and quietly rebellious. This essay is about her, but it’s also about me — about what I’ve inherited, what I’m trying to hold onto, and what I’m afraid we’re losing.
If these resonate, please share. Sharing our stories is how we connect with each other. Stories transcend our differences and remind us that we are all connected.
Podcasts
No Time to Be Timid
I recently joined the amazing and talented Tricia Burt on her No Time to Be Timid podcast for an honest conversation about grief, courage, and showing up when your world comes apart.
It’s vulnerable. It’s raw. It’s one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had in a while.
Let’s Talk Ladies
Listen in as I speak with MB and Katie about how to rebuild your life after losing everything—especially while everyone is watching? We talk about second chances, public shaming, and why women—especially leaders—are judged more harshly than men. Plus, we ask: Are younger generations of women better prepared to handle adversity?
✨ It's not about how far you fall. It’s about what you do next - that counts.
Stay Connected.
Let’s keep the conversation going! Follow me on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and more.
One Last Thing
We may only be able to grow roots in water right now. But we’re still growing. Help me connect to others by sharing this newsletter.
In the meantime, keep sharing your story. Keep showing up for those around you. Keep holding space for yourself.
Thanks for being here. It means more than you know.
Lovingly,
Megan
Ms.Megan, your book was recommended to me; I read it; now I’m recommending it to all of my friends. If you run for office again, I’ll be there.