2026: The Year of the Villain

Let’s get one thing straight: this is not about being a dickhead.

It’s about being done contorting yourself to keep everyone else comfortable.

In this episode, Mel introduces 2026: The Year of the Villain and the five commandments that will probably offend your inner people-pleaser and quietly liberate the part of you that’s been exhausted from over-explaining, over-analysing and over-managing everyone else’s feelings.

At some point in your life, you will be the villain in someone else’s story.

Not because you’re cruel.

But because you chose yourself.

We unpack:

• Why you can’t control how people see or receive you (no matter how “nice” you are)

• Why analysing, understanding, and labelling doesn’t actually change the situation

• How anticipating other people’s reactions disconnects you from your own direction

• The difference between being a villain and being a dickhead (important)

• And why the villain isn’t a punishment, it’s feedback

This episode is for those who are tired of ducking, weaving, scripting conversations in their head, and shrinking their truth to keep the peace.

Because villains don’t destroy stories.

They shape the hero.

🎧 Prefer to read? The companion Substack article is linked here.

00:00 Welcome to the Her Advantage Podcast

00:44 Introducing '2026 Year of the Villain'

01:06 Foundational Concepts for the Next 12 Months

02:16 Embracing the Villain Energy

05:42 The Difference Between a Villain and a Dickhead

06:49 Commandment 1: You Cannot Control How Others See You

10:14 Commandment 2: Analyzing Doesn't Change the Situation

12:56 Commandment 3: Understanding Why Doesn't Make It Easier

17:42 Commandment 4: Anticipating Their Next Move

20:59 Commandment 5: You Don't Get to Call Someone Else the Villain

26:01 The Villain Shapes the Hero

26:59 Final Thoughts: Embracing Both Sides of Yourself