What happens when choosing peace means disappointing people?
In this episode, I talk about the guilt that comes with protecting your energy — the kind that shows up when you stop inviting everyone into your milestones, and start choosing yourself instead.
It’s about learning that boundaries aren’t betrayals, that peace sometimes looks “selfish” to the people who benefitted from your lack of it, and that not everyone deserves a front-row seat to your joy.
If you’ve ever felt guilty for saying no, for closing a chapter, or for protecting your happiness — this one’s for you.
💭 Topics include:
The emotional weight of deciding who gets access to your milestones
Why “selfish” isn’t always a bad word
The guilt that follows boundaries — and how to release it
Finding freedom on the other side of hard choices
Remembering: you don’t owe anyone access to your peace or your joy
🕊️ “Choosing yourself isn’t betrayal. It’s self-respect.”
Listen now on Organized Chaos — where healing meets honesty, and choosing yourself becomes an act of grace.
What happens when the thing you love starts to hurt?In this episode, I open up about my own experience with burnout — the kind that doesn’t scream, but quietly steals your joy. From the morning I poured my coffee down the drain because even the thought of drinking it felt like too much, to the emotional fatigue that comes from therapy, trauma work, and “doing the work” when you’re just tired of healing.
We’ll talk about the real signs of burnout, the myth of hustle culture, and the truth about recovery — that it’s not linear, not glamorous, and definitely not instant.
If you’ve been feeling drained, detached, or like you’re running on empty while trying to keep it all together… this one’s for you.
💭 Topics include:
The anatomy of burnout — emotional, physical, creative, and spiritual
The hidden exhaustion of high-functioning burnout
Therapy fatigue and the weight of healing
Rebuilding your rhythm, peace, and purpose
Redefining “enough” and creating a life you don’t have to recover from
🔥 “You don’t have to burn to be bright.”
Listen now on Organized Chaos — where healing meets honesty, and every story reminds you that you’re not alone.
Sometimes, doing it all isn’t about balance — it’s about becoming.
In this week’s episode, Chevelle dives into the messy, beautiful reality of being a multi-passionate creative in a world that keeps telling her to “niche down.” From wedding photography and planning to charcuterie, music, and podcasting — she opens up about what it really takes to keep chasing growth, even when it gets lonely.
This is a raw, unfiltered conversation about self-investment, purpose, resilience, and learning to clap for yourself when no one else does. It’s for the dreamers, the builders, the over-thinkers, and everyone who’s ever felt “too much.”
Because the truth is, there’s beauty in the chaos — and that’s exactly where we find ourselves.
🎙️ Tune in to hear:
– Why “niching down” can hold you back
– What it really looks like to build without a safety net
– The loneliness that comes with independence
– How to invest in yourself without guilt
– Why you should never apologize for being “too much”
“The Wounds You Can’t See” takes a raw and unfiltered look at emotional neglect — the quiet kind that hides behind screens, exhaustion, and unspoken family patterns.
Chevelle opens up about her own childhood experiences growing up in silence and how the lack of emotional connection created invisible scars that lasted into adulthood.
Using personal storytelling, lived experience, and current statistics from Alberta and across Canada — including shocking increases in youth self-harm, anxiety, and depression rates in Edmonton and Calgary — this episode explores how parental disengagement, technology, and generational trauma collide to create a growing youth mental-health crisis.
This isn’t about blame — it’s about awareness. About learning to see the unseen. About the parents who are trying but don’t realize they’re absent, and the kids who appear fine but are drowning quietly.
You’ll walk away with compassion, perspective, and a renewed belief that showing up matters more than showing off. Because healing starts the moment someone finally says, “I see you.”
🎙️ Organized Chaos — hosted by Chevelle McLennan.
💬 Trigger Warning: This episode discusses emotional neglect, trauma, and self-harm. Please listen with care and reach out for support if needed.
📞 Resources:
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Alberta 211 (Mental Health Support)
Access Open Minds Edmonton / Calgary Connect for Youth
Sometimes the hardest truth is the one you already knew. In this episode, Chevelle dives into the quiet power of realization — the ache of unbalanced friendships, the peace in walking away, and the moment your heart finally admits what your mind has whispered all along.
A soft, soulful reminder that letting go isn’t weakness — it’s freedom. And that peace doesn’t need applause to be powerful.
🎙 Listen now to Organized Chaos: Realization — available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you stream.
This week on Organized Chaos, we’re keeping it light, cozy, and a little bit chaotic. After last week’s heavy conversation, I wanted to take a step back and celebrate the little things that make life brighter. From pumpkin spice lattes and football Sundays to playlists that heal the soul and my heelers chasing leaves like velociraptors, this episode is all about finding joy in the ordinary.
We’ll talk fall favorites, music that doubles as therapy, the comfort of cozy rituals, and why imperfection is what makes life funny and memorable. Expect laughter, stories, and a reminder that gratitude doesn’t always have to be about the big wins — sometimes it’s just about your morning coffee, a flickering candle, or a song that hits you at the right time.
So grab a blanket, pour something warm, and let’s dive into the season together. Because even in the chaos, there’s always beauty in the little things.
September is Suicide Prevention Month, and this is the most personal episode I’ve ever recorded.
“Stay for Tomorrow” is a raw, heartfelt letter to anyone who has ever felt like leaving. In it, I share my own story of surviving ten suicide attempts, the moment my 2½-year-old niece became my “little red lifesaver,” and the reasons I’m still here today.
We’ll talk honestly about what’s left behind after a suicide — the unmade beds, the unread texts, the sweaters still hanging on the chair — and why your absence would ripple far wider than you realize. We’ll also ground this conversation in reality: suicide claims about 4,500 lives a year in Canada, is the second leading cause of death for Canadians aged 15–34, and Alberta’s rate sits well above the national average.
But this episode isn’t just about loss — it’s about hope. Suicide is preventable. There are reasons to stay, even if you can’t see them yet. You are needed. You are loved. Your story isn’t over.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 in Canada and the U.S. for immediate help. You are not alone.
We’ve all heard the words: “You handled it so well.” They’re meant as comfort, maybe even praise, but too often they hide the truth of what’s really going on beneath the surface.
In this episode, I open up about the heavy reality behind those words — surviving sexual abuse within family, carrying trauma in silence, watching friends navigate workplace abuse under systems of authority, and the invisible grief of pregnancy loss. I also explore what it means to be a new mom trying to stay afloat without a handbook, the heartbreak of family conflict, and that teenage ache of never quite belonging.
This isn’t an episode about perfection. It’s about survival, resilience, and reframing what it truly means to “handle it well.” From panic attacks behind closed doors to redefining strength as vulnerability, I want you to know: if you’re still here, still breathing, still showing up in your own messy way — you’ve handled it more than well. You’ve survived.
This one is for every survivor, every outsider, every mother, every teenager, every human who’s ever felt unseen. You are not alone, and your story doesn’t need to be pretty to be powerful.
September is my season. It’s wedding chaos, it’s harvest in full swing, it’s NFL football Sundays, and it’s my birthday month — all colliding into one beautiful storm. In this episode, I share what it feels like to live in that rhythm: the exhaustion and reward of wedding season, the science and magic of harvest, the teamwork of football, the beauty of crisp mornings and glowing sunsets, and the gratitude of turning 31 while celebrating eight years in business.
This is a story about chaos, machines, and seasons — and why, when the gears are well-oiled, life itself can be breathtaking.
Episode 31 feels poetic — thirty-one episodes landing just a week before my 31st birthday on September 13. In this milestone episode, I reflect on what thriving really means in this season of life.
From the chaos of my twenties, rebuilding after heartbreak, and navigating healing with PTSD, to love that circled back full circle, the messy grief of infertility and pregnancy loss, the friendships gained and lost, the joy of being a dog mom, and the chaos of running multiple businesses — this episode is both raw and hopeful.
Thriving at 31 doesn’t look like perfection. It looks like laughter, rest without guilt, muddy paw prints, community, honesty, and choosing joy anyway.
Thirty weeks. Thirty episodes. Thirty times of showing up, even when life was messy, heavy, or uncertain. In this milestone episode, I reflect on what it really means to hit 30 episodes of Organized Chaos — not just for the podcast, but for me personally.
I share the growth, the heartbreaks, the healing, and the transformation these past 30 weeks have held. From listeners as young as 12 to as wise as 81, from Alberta to the States and across the globe, this podcast has reached farther than I ever imagined. I talk about the messages that stopped me in my tracks, the collaborations I never saw coming, and the chaos behind the mic that makes this space so real.
This isn’t just about a number. It’s about consistency, connection, and the courage to keep showing up — messy, vulnerable, and honest. Here’s to the last 30 episodes, and to the 30 still to come.
The unhealed version of you will align with people who can’t walk beside the healed version of you.
In this raw and real episode of Organized Chaos, I open up about what it feels like to outgrow circles, lose people you thought were forever, and step into the loneliness — and freedom — of healing. I share stories from the fireline about fear, leadership, and survival, tie in the resilience of being a diehard Buffalo Bills fan, and talk about planning my own wedding while realizing not everyone claps for your joy.
This episode is about grief, growth, and the powerful shift that happens when you stop pleasing everyone else and start honoring yourself. Healing isn’t easy — it costs you people, comfort, and sometimes entire versions of yourself. But it also clears the space for the ones who will truly stay.
Your comeback season has already begun.
Everyone loves the idea of chasing a dream — but no one talks about the bill that comes due. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to go after the life you want, whether that’s starting a business, releasing music, hosting a podcast, buying a home, or building a family.
We’ll get into the late nights, the financial sacrifices, the copycats, the friends who cheer until you pass them, the family members who never support you — and the strangers who sometimes become your biggest fans. I’ll share personal stories (including one about a friend who blocked me the minute I started leveling up), lessons learned, and a reminder that the more you worry about what people think, the less you’ll actually do.
This one’s for the dreamers, the doers, and the “thinking about starting” crew — because yes, the cost is high… but the view? It’s worth every damn penny.
You’re the one who hosts the parties, checks in on everyone, remembers the birthdays, and holds it all together—so why do you feel so alone?
In this raw and reflective episode, Chevelle opens up about the emotional toll of being “the strong one,” the grief of one-sided friendships, and the therapy-fueled realization that the question isn’t “What’s wrong with me?”—it’s “Why am I staying where I’m not valued?”
From outgrowing friend groups to being labeled “too much,” this episode is a love letter to anyone who’s ever felt like they were always giving and rarely receiving. If you’ve ever carried the unseen load, this one's for you.
It’s football season—and whether you’re a diehard fan or just here for the snacks, this one’s for you. In this comeback-inspired episode, Chevelle unpacks what football taught them about healing, leadership, and resilience. From playing hurt to rewriting your playbook, this episode is for anyone rebuilding quietly, setting boundaries, and learning to lead with heart—not hustle. Whether you’re sprinting or crawling into your next season, this one’s your permission slip to try again. One yard at a time.
They say “the customer is always right” — but in the wedding and event industry? That phrase needs a serious reality check. In this episode of Organized Chaos, Chevelle dives into the emotional labor of working with difficult clients, what happens when professional advice gets ignored, and the toll of constantly having to prove your value. From boundaries to burnout, pricing flexibility to Pinterest disasters, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating life behind the scenes of big days. Plus, a love letter to the dream clients who trust, appreciate, and empower us to do our best work. Real talk, honest stories, and a whole lot of “I know you’ve been there” energy.
They don’t like you—but they copy you.
They never clap for you—but they watch everything you do.
In this bold, unfiltered episode, Chevelle dives deep into the messy world of imitation, competition, and the power of staying rooted in your authenticity—even when the drama’s loud and the energy’s off.
We talk copycats, creative boundaries, and the kind of growth that makes people uncomfortable. If you’ve ever been mimicked, misunderstood, or made to feel like your magic needs to be more palatable—this episode is your reminder: what’s real can’t be replicated.
✨ Let them watch. You’ve got bigger things to do.
Vendor Diaries: Behind the Velvet Curtain Running a wedding business looks glamorous from the outside—but what’s it really like? In this vulnerable episode, Chevelle peels back the layers of life as a wedding planner and photographer, sharing the raw, honest truth about burnout, boundaries, and building a brand from scratch. From the illusion of “booked and blessed” to the reality of being emotionally drained and physically exhausted, this is a must-listen for anyone in the events industry
Episode 22: Home Sweet Headache — The Chaos of Homeownership in Canada
Buying a house: the Canadian dream… or a financial horror story? In this episode, Chevelle gets real about the highs, lows, and total chaos of owning a home in Canada. From sky-high prices, mortgage stress tests, and endless taxes, to the freedom of tearing down a wall (or two) — it’s all on the table.
We’ll break down the cost of making a house a home, from a fresh coat of paint to a full-blown reno, and why anything that breaks is your problem to fix. Plus, we talk about glow-ups, Honey Do lists that never die, and how you might just have to trade pizza and beer for unpaid renovation help from your friends and family — including one niece who runs the job site like a tiny dictator.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the homeownership hamster wheel, this episode will make you laugh, nod, and maybe cry a little. Because, hey, it’s home sweet headache — and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
This wasn’t the summer I turned pretty.
This was the summer I turned real.
In this deeply honest solo episode, I open up about my 50 lb weight loss journey over 7 months—not as a "glow-up," but as a full-body reckoning. After gaining weight from a hormone imbalance caused by birth control, I had to fight to feel like myself again. With consistent gym time, hours of walking, and more rounds of golf than I can count, I began to reclaim my body—only to be met with praise I never asked for and a pressure I wasn’t ready for.
Everyone said I looked amazing. But what they didn’t see?
The body dysmorphia. The shame. The mirror that got meaner, not kinder.
The girl who looked “better” but felt more insecure than ever.
This episode explores the emotional weight no one talks about—the kind you carry long after the pounds are gone. I also share a chaotic and heartfelt love letter to my two heeler dogs, Whiskey (blue) and Copenhagen (red), who dragged me out of depression, nightmares, and bed—literally. Every walk, every bruise, every ball thrown 78 times in a row… they were part of my healing, too.
If you’ve ever felt unseen in your “before,” overwhelmed in your “after,” or like pretty came at too high a price—this one’s for you.