This Is Woman's Work with Nicole Kalil

If you've ever waited to “feel confident” before you take the leap… congratulations, you've been scammed by your own brain. In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil goes full confidence-nerd (with the occasional rant) with Dr. Shadé Zahrai—behavioral researcher, peak performance educator, and author of Big Trust—to expose what confidence actually is, why self-doubt doesn't disappear, and how to build real self-trust that holds up when life gets messy. What we get into: Why confidence isn't the opposite of self-doubt (and why that myth keeps you stuck) The thing you actually need first: self-trust / Big Trust—backing yourself before the outcome is guaranteed How “failure” can build confidence if you stop making it mean you are a failure The self-image trap (including a wild scar study that proves your brain will invent reality if you let it) The Four A's of Big Trust: Acceptance, Agency, Autonomy, Adaptability (aka the internal upgrades your confidence has been begging for) The 4 Inner Deceivers (and the bonus villain): The Classic Judge (never impressed, always loud) The Misguided Protector (aka fear dressed up as “logic”) The Ringmaster (grind culture's toxic BFF) The Neglector (everyone else first… until you break) The Victimizer (outsourcing your power like it's a hobby) If self-doubt is showing up, it doesn't mean you're broken—it means you're human and doing something that matters. Build Big Trust, take the step anyway, and let confidence catch up like it always does. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/pd2550-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Connect with Shadé : Website: https://www.shadezahrai.com/  Book: https://www.shadezahrai.com/bigtrust?utm_source=chatgpt.com  IG: https://www.instagram.com/shadezahrai/  LI: https://th.linkedin.com/in/shadezahrai?trk=public_post_feed-actor-name  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shadezahrai?lang=en  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/shadezahrai  Related Podcast Episodes: VI4P – What Confidence Is, What It Isn't, and Why It Matters (Chapter 1) | 168  197 / Fear & Failure (Part 1) with Amy Green Smith Confidence Isn't Born, It's Built — Lessons from the Cockpit to Real Life with Michelle “MACE” Curran | 343 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

We need to talk about asking for help — and not the polite, over-explained, apologetic version most of us were taught. In this unfiltered and slightly unhinged mini-episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil shares a courtside lesson she learned from a group of middle school girls playing basketball — and honestly, they're doing teamwork, boundaries, and support better than most adults. When these girls get caught on defense, they don't spiral, minimize, or pretend they've got it handled. They yell “HELP! HELP! HELP!” loudly, clearly, and without shame — fully expecting their teammates to show up. And guess what? They do. No judgment. No scorekeeping. No martyrdom. This episode is a reminder that burnout isn't a badge of honor, doing it all alone isn't strength, and asking for help early is one of the smartest, strongest things you can do. Because life, love, leadership — it's all a team sport. And around here? We answer when someone yells for help. That's woman's work. Thank you to our sponsors! Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/pd2550-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Connect with Nicole: Subscribe to Nicole's Substack: https://nicolekalil.substack.com/  Join the Inner Circle: https://nicolekalil.myflodesk.com/newsletter  Share the Love:: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Food isn't just food anymore — it's guilt, pressure, decision fatigue, and a never-ending group project you didn't sign up for. In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil sits down with Jenn Lueke (Jen Eats Good) to talk about meal planning, meal prep, grocery shopping on a budget, and how to stop feeding your family like it's your unpaid side hustle. Jenn breaks down a simple, realistic system that helps you waste less food, spend less money, and reclaim your weeknights — without turning Sunday into a six-hour kitchen hostage situation or expecting Pinterest-level perfection. In this episode, we cover: Jenn's meal planning framework (high-level): Why most women have a complicated relationship with food (and why it's not a personal failing) How to meal plan in 20–30 minutes and save yourself hours of midweek chaos The pantry–fridge–freezer inventory that stops you from buying your 18th jar of salsa “Partial prep” for people who hate meal prep Component cooking so you don't hate your lunches by Wednesday Low-stress strategies for picky eaters How to actually use a cookbook instead of admiring it like kitchen décor Friday: Inventory + pick meals + grocery list Weekend: Grocery run + 30–90 minutes of prep Weeknights: Less thinking, more eating Because when dinner stops requiring constant brainpower, you get your time, energy, and patience back. And that's the real win — not perfection, just a system that works for your life instead of draining it. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/pd2550-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Connect with Jenn: Website: https://jenneatsgoood.com/ Cookbook: https://jenneatsgoood.com/cookbook/   Substack: https://jenneatsgoood.substack.com/subscribe  Related Podcast Episodes: How To Eat Lunch with Cheryl K. Johnson | 277 139 / Well-Rested with Jolene Hart 153 / Eating Your Feelings with Jessica Procini Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Leadership is already messy. Add culture, identity, power dynamics, and a workplace that rewards sameness… and suddenly you're not leading—you're surviving. In this episode, Nicole talks with Aiko Bethea, founder of RARE Coaching & Consulting, about what actually creates diversity (spoiler: it's not a checkbox) and why diversity is the outcome of great leadership. We get into: Why “diversity” isn't a skill set (and why treating it like one makes you a worse leader) Power-sharing vs. power-hoarding and how that impacts belonging, equity, and performance The real reason leadership advice feels like a chaotic buffet of contradictions How to measure leadership impact beyond “we hit the number” (because people aren't spreadsheets) Why leaders making mistakes feels riskier than ever—and why ownership is still the right move The “punching a ghost” feeling when reality is being rewritten in real time  What it means to be a well leader: aligned, accountable, humane—not perfect Because the goal isn't to lead like the “stereotypical old-school leader.” The goal is to lead like your full self—and create workplaces where more people can do the same. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/pd2550-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Connect with Aiko: Website: https://www.rarecoaching.net/  IG: https://www.instagram.com/rare_coach  Invite to join RARE community  -  https://www.rarecoaching.net/membership/ Related Podcast Episodes: Leadership Unblocked (The Hidden Beliefs Sabotaging Your Ability To Lead) with Muriel M. Wilkins | 367  How to Push Back: From People-Pleasing to Power with Tonya Lester | 369 How To Be Yourself At Work: Authentic Presence Over Executive Presence with Claude Silver | 366 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Manifesting has been turned into a social media vending machine: think it, post it, get it. Spoiler alert: the universe is not Uber Eats. In this episode, Nicole goes full curious skeptic with Colette Baron-Reid, internationally respected intuitive, oracle expert, and bestselling author—to reclaim manifesting from influencer fluff and bring it back to what it actually is: alignment over attachment, being over chasing, partnership over control. This is not about “good vibes only” or visualizing a yacht and waiting for it to dock. It's about who you're becoming, how you're showing up, and what you're rehearsing every single day—consciously or not. What We Get Into: Why performative spirituality cheapens real intuition (and why it feels so off) The truth bomb: you don't manifest what you want—you manifest what you are Why attachment to outcomes kills trust, joy, and momentum How curiosity + gratitude open the door to synchronicity The science behind perception, focus, and your brain's internal “sorting system” Colette's Art of Manifesting practice: a meditative drawing method using circles and flowy lines to rewire patterns and co-create with intention Destiny vs. free will—and why it's not either/or Why manifesting doesn't eliminate pain or challenge, but can radically transform how you experience your life Bottom line: manifesting isn't a magic trick—it's a practice. You don't get to control the universe, but you do get to control how you show up, what you rehearse, and what you're available for… and that's where the real power (and real transformation) lives. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/pd2550-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Connect with Colette: Website: https://www.colettebaronreid.com  Book: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Manifesting-Meditative-Drawing-Practice/dp/1401997856/ref=  FB: https://www.facebook.com/colettebaronreid  IG: https://www.instagram.com/colettebaron_reid/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ColetteBaronReid/featured  Related Podcast Episodes: Practical Intuition For Bold, Better Decisions with Laura Day | 360 The Icelandic Art of Intuition with Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir | 307 How To Breathe: Breathwork, Intuition and Flow State with Francesca Sipma | 267 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole sits down with Tamala Floyd - psychotherapist, Internal Family Systems (IFS) Lead Trainer, author, and longtime guide for healing trauma and inherited burdens—to break down what “parts work” actually is (spoiler: you're not broken, you're multidimensional). Tamala explains how our protector parts (critic, caretaker, people-pleaser) form to keep our wounded parts safe—and how real healing starts when you stop silencing them and start listening. What You'll Learn The Big Takeaway: What Internal Family Systems (IFS) is—and why “having parts” is normal, not dysfunctional The difference between Self (your calm, grounded core) and parts (your protective strategies) How to unblend from parts so you're not being driven by fear, approval-seeking, or old survival roles What it looks like to heal wounded parts through witnessing, compassion, and unburdening A practical workaround if talking to your parts feels “too weird” (drawing, objects, externalizing) Healing isn't about becoming one perfect, polished “whole” person. It's about becoming the leader of your internal system—with your parts on the bus, but not driving the bus. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/pd2550-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Connect with Tamala: Website: https://tamalafloyd.com/about/  Book:https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/748042/listening-when-parts-speak-by-tamala-floyd-lcsw/?utm_source=chatgpt.com  The Living Ancestor Retreat: https://mailchi.mp/tamalafloyd.com/listeningwhenpartsspeakretreat-17566020  Related Podcast Episodes How Our Dysregulated Nervous Systems Are Impacting Us with Victoria Albina | 244 How To Rewire Patterns That No Longer Serve You with Judy Wilkins-Smith | 323 People-Pleasing & Being “Needy” with Mara Glatzel | 147 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Six years. 375 episodes. Nearly 2 million downloads in 2025 alone. This episode is a sweaty, unfiltered victory lap — celebrating what worked, what stretched us, what scared the hell out of us, and what clearly mattered most to you, the listener. Every year, we look at the numbers and let you decide. These aren't just popular episodes — they're a reflection of what women were wrestling with, questioning, building, and boldly reimagining in 2025. From spiritual health to entrepreneurship, belief, boundaries, death, defiance, and codependency — this list tells a story. If you're new here, welcome — any one of these episodes is a great place to start. If you've been here a while, this is your reminder to go back and re-listen. Trust me — they hit differently the second time.

If you grew up thinking adulthood meant “figure it out once and then coast,” this episode is your loving wake-up call. Reinvention isn't a plot twist anymore — it is the plot. Careers shift, relationships change, industries get AI'd, and your dreams evolve faster than your LinkedIn headline. In this conversation, I sit down with Ilana Golan — F-16 flight instructor turned tech exec turned founder & CEO of Leap Academy, a career reinvention platform that helps driven professionals leap into leadership, entrepreneurship, and portfolio careers.  We talk about what it actually takes to reinvent yourself (again and again), build a portfolio career that doesn't burn you out, and turn your hardest seasons into rocket fuel instead of reasons to shrink. Because staying stuck isn't a personality trait. It's a habit. And you're allowed to outgrow it. In This Episode, We Cover: Reinvention as a life skill, not a crisis – why you'll need to reinvent every 1–2 years in today's world, and how to stop making that mean you did something wrong. IQ, EQ, and now AQ (Adaptability Quotient) – the new metric that matters Breadcrumbs & clues – how to spot your zone of genius in the patterns, feedback, and “random” skills you've picked up along the way. From failure to fuel – how Ilana rebuilt after being kicked out of her own company, and how to move from spiral to experiment when life blows up.  The 5 days / 5 weeks / 5 months framework – a simple, non-scary way to test new directions without burning your life to the ground. Portfolio careers 101 – what they are, why one job won't meet all your needs, and how to add new income/impact streams without looking like a confused hot mess.  Stability and possibility – how to choose a “baseline” role or revenue stream so you feel safe enough to play, experiment, and leap. Reinvention after rejection, grief, or trauma – why you can't tell your story from the open wound, and how to move from bleeding to scar to superpower. Because the moment you stop chasing the life you think you should want, you finally make space for the one that was meant for you all along. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/pd2550-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Connect with Ilana: Website: https://www.ilanagolan.com Leap Academy: https://www.leapacademy.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/ilanagolanleap LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilanagolan/ Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ilanagolan-leap-academy LeapCon (free gift and discount code): http://leapacademy.com/tiww (Code: TIWW) Related Podcast Episodes: Your Value Doesn't Expire: Career Reinvention Over 40 with Loren Greiff | 344 Confidence Isn't Born, It's Built — Lessons from the Cockpit to Real Life with Michelle “MACE” Curran | 343 7 Keys To Unlock Your Dynamic Drive with Molly Fletcher | 229 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

We're calling BS on the idea that “health” is only pills, trackers, and willpower. In this conversation with journalist and TEDx speaker Julia Hotz, author of The Connection Cure, we dig into social prescribing—evidence-based referrals to movement, nature, art, service, and belonging—that can lower stress, boost mood, and make our lives feel human again.  Edgy truth: we've replaced community with convenience. The remedy? Re-connect to what matters to you and let your nervous system exhale. Julia advises Social Prescribing USA and Walk with a Doc, collaborates with the Solutions Journalism Network, and teaches in medical schools—turning research on connection into care that actually changes lives. We cover: What social prescribing actually is (no, your doctor isn't forcing you to make friends) and why up to 80% of health is socially determined—think stress, access to green space, and community, not just clinic time. The five social-Rx categories: Movement, Nature, Art, Service, Belonging—and how most prescriptions blend at least two. A nature-based case study: how a 10-week outdoors program reduced insomnia, rumination, and stress—plus why time in nature can feel like it gives you time back. From “shoulds” to want to: questions that surface your personal Rx (awe/flow/glimmers, what lit you up as a kid, and where you'd spend two extra hours a week). Turning workouts into joy: travel-style discovery walks at home, walking groups, or pickup games that deliver cardio and connection. Blue-zones energy without the gym membership: everyday movement, long chats, shared meals, and community as longevity multipliers. The U.S. landscape: why social prescriptions can complement meds (not replace them), and how orgs like Social Prescribing USA and Walk with a Doc are moving this forward. So whether your version of medicine looks like a morning hike, a pottery class, or finally joining that book club, the point isn't perfection—it's participation. Because when we choose connection over isolation and curiosity over compliance, we're not just improving our health—we're reclaiming our humanity. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Visit beducate.me/womanswork69 and use code womanswork69 for 65% off the annual pass.  Black Friday has come early at Cozy Earth! Right now, you can stack my code WOMANSWORK on top of their sitewide sale — giving you up to 40% off in savings. Connect with Julia: Website: https://www.hotzthoughts.com/  Social Prescribing: https://www.socialprescribing.co/  Book:https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Connection-Cure/Julia-Hotz/9781668030349?utm_source=chatgpt.com  Related Podcast Episodes: Loneliness And The Value Of Connection with Kasley Killam | 218  The Power of Conscious Connection with Talia Fox | 263  The Power Of Connection with Tory Archbold | 105  Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

If your default answer to “How are you?” is “I'm fine, it's just a busy season” (and that “season” has started to feel like winter in Alaska), this one's for you. In this episode, we're talking nervous system regulation for high-achieving women — the ones juggling all the things, smiling through the stress, and low-key running on fumes. I'm joined by Michelle Grosser — nervous system strategist, podcast host, and former trial attorney — who now helps high-achieving women regulate from the inside out. We dig into why you can't mindset your way out of burnout, how your body is sending four times more messages to your brain than the other way around, and what it actually means to live and lead from a grounded state instead of constant fight-or-flight chaos. In this episode, we get into: The difference between playing an outside-in game (chasing success for validation) vs. an inside-out game (being who you want to be first, then acting from that place) Why your nervous system only cares about one thing — safety — and how that impacts your ability to create success, confidence, and fulfillment What really happens in your brain when you're in fight, flight, or freeze The three daily nervous system regulators every woman needs: movement, stillness, and play — and why “high-intensity workout” isn't always the flex you think it is How emotional suppression, weak boundaries, and crappy coping mechanisms quietly shrink your bandwidth and fast-track you to burnout What it actually feels like to be grounded  Back-pocket, in-the-moment tools for when shit hits the fan: the physiological breath, temperature shifts, and full-body shaking (yes, like your dog) to help your system reset How to stop confusing over-functioning with being “driven,” and start leading from a regulated, resourced version of you Because you can read all the leadership books and take all the courses, but if your nervous system is fried, you'll keep defaulting to hustle, panic, and perfectionism instead of clarity, creativity, and calm power. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/pd2550-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Connect with Michelle: Website: www.michellegrosser.com Nervous System Reset guide: www.michellegrosser.com/reset  IG: https://www.instagram.com/itsmichellegrosser/  FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themotherhoodvillage  Related Podcast Episodes: Burnout 2.0: BurnBOLD with Cait Donovan | 331 The Resilience Myth with Soraya Chemaly | 249 How Our Dysregulated Nervous Systems Are Impacting Us with Victoria Albina | 244 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Friend, we obsess over steps, macros, and workout streaks… but when was the last time you checked in on your emotional fitness? In this episode, Nicole sits down with clinical psychologist, emotional fitness expert, and Coa co-founder Dr. Emily Anhalt to talk about what it actually looks like to “train your brain” — no toxic positivity, no “just meditate more,” and definitely no pretending everything's fine when it's very much not.  Emily breaks down her 7 traits of emotional fitness (think mindfulness, curiosity, boundaries, resilience, empathy, communication, and play) and how to build them like muscles over time — one emotional push-up at a time. We get into why empathy without boundaries will burn you all the way out, how to ask for feedback without spiraling into defensiveness, and why trusting your future self might be the most confidence-building thing you do this year.  If you've ever felt resentful because you said “yes” when every cell in your body wanted to say “no,” if you're tired of carrying everyone else's emotions like luggage, or if anxiety and uncertainty have been driving the bus lately, this one's for you. Emotional fitness won't stop life from throwing heavy shit your way — but it will make you strong enough to carry it, move it, and eventually put it down. We explore: What emotional fitness actually means (and how it's different from “fixing yourself”) The 7 traits of emotional fitness — and why you don't have to master all of them at once How to spot the cost of avoiding discomfort (hello, resentment and burnout)The “emotional push-up” exercise you can start doing today How to hold empathy and boundaries so caring for others doesn't drain you dry The best advice Emily ever got for dealing with anxiety and uncertainty Why trusting your future self is a deeply confident way to live Because when you trust your future self, you stop living in panic about what might happen and start living with confidence in who you're becoming — and that shifts everything.  Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/pd2550-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Connect with Emily: Website: https://www.dremilyanhalt.com/ Book: https://a.co/d/couFOLN IG: https://www.instagram.com/dremilyanhalt/ X: https://x.com/dremilyanhalt LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dremilyanhalt/ Related Podcast Episodes Your Brain Is a Filthy Liar with Bizzie Gold | 361 How To Play: Shift Your Thinking, Inspire Connection & Spark Creativity with Cas Holman | 355 144 / Jay & Nicole Kalil on Partnership, With Guest Host Lynn Casaletto Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

If your “business development strategy” is do great work + hope clients stay loyal, I have bad news: that strategy has been officially declared dead on arrival. In this episode, Nicole sits down with Karen Freeman, Chief Product Officer at DCM Insights and co-author of The Activator Advantage, to break down why client loyalty is collapsing—and what the best “rainmakers” are doing instead. Spoiler: they're not waiting around to be chosen. They're activating.  What you'll learn: Why client loyalty is shrinking (even when you are excellent at your job) The buyer behavior shift: from “we trust you” to “we're still taking calls, though” Practical ways to build a stronger pipeline without turning into a sleazy salesperson How AI + procurement + buying committees are changing the game (and the budget) The Activator playbook (aka: stop crossing your fingers) Commit: plan BD weekly (yes, even when you're busy) Connect: treat your network like an asset, not a dusty LinkedIn list Create value: show up before the ask with insight, context, and solutions Because “doing good work” is table stakes. Activating is how you win, retain, and grow today. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/pd2550-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Connect with Karen: Book: https://www.dcminsights.com/activator-advantage  Karen's LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenefreeman/ DCM insights's LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dcm-insights/ Related Podcast Episodes Powerfully Likeable with Dr. Kate Mason | 364  From Small Business to Big Impact: Leadership, Confidence, & Community | 362  The 3 N's: Negotiation, Networking & No with Kathryn Valentine | 327 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

If you've ever swallowed your needs, kept the peace, and then randomly lost your shit over something tiny (hi, dirty spoon in the sink), this episode is for you. Therapist and author Tonya Lester is here to talk about conflict, boundaries, and what it really means to be “difficult” in a world that still rewards women for being nice, accommodating, and endlessly available. Tonya is the therapist women call when they're done being walked on. A Brooklyn-based psychotherapist with decades of clinical experience, she specializes in women's emotional health, conflict skills, and relationships. We dig into why so many women default to do nothing → do nothing → do nothing → FREAK OUT, how to stop building silent resentment brick by brick, and what it looks like to push back early and often—in love, in work, and in every relationship that actually matters. This is real-talk conflict management for women who are done disappearing to keep everyone else comfortable. In this episode, we get into: Why “being difficult” is actually a compliment when it means being honest, boundaried, and real The subtle ways women suppress their needs in relationships, families, and at work (while telling themselves “it's not a big deal”) The do-nothing-do-nothing-freak-out pattern—and how to catch yourself before you emotionally flip a table How to say hard things clearly and calmly: phrases you can steal for your next conflict at home or in the office The difference between healthy anger and full-on rage (and why anger is often a sign you still care) When ultimatums do have a place—and when they're just emotional terrorism How to stop over-functioning in your relationships (aka rowing both oars while the other person “rests”) What to do when your partner, boss, or friend refuses to collaborate—and how to decide if it's time to stay, shift, or go Tiny, doable ways to practice pushing back if you're conflict-avoidant but deeply over people-pleasing If standing up for yourself has ever been labeled “too much,” this conversation will help you see that maybe the problem isn't you—it's the system that benefits from you staying small. Let's fix that. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/pd2550-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Connect with Tonya: Website: http://www.TonyaLester.com Book: https://www.amazon.com/Push-Back-Others-Without-Yourself/dp/1608689468. FB: https://www.facebook.com/tonya.lester.58/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/tonyalesterpsychotherapy/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonya-lester-b9a3ab14/  Related Podcast Episodes: How To Be Selfish with Naketa Ren Thigpen | 329 297 / Boundaries vs. Ultimatums with Jan Yuhas & Jillian Yuhas How To Find The Right Words When Creating Boundaries with Amy Green Smith | 201 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

We're getting unapologetically muscular today. Former Wall Street Journal reporter turned professional bodybuilder Anne-Marie Chaker joins us to talk about why women's strength training is not a vanity play—it's a longevity strategy, a confidence accelerator, and a rebellion against “shrink yourself” culture. In this episode, we dig into:

If you've ever thought, “I'm not a leader, I just have 47 people depending on me and zero time to pee” — this one's for you. In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on what really gets in the way of women leading at work, at home, and in our own lives. Spoiler: it's not your title, your org chart, or your calendar. It's the invisible beliefs, the perfectionism, the “I'll just do it myself,” and the “if I say no everything will fall apart” stories running in the background. Executive coach, author, and Harvard Business Review podcast host Muriel Wilkins joins Nicole to unpack the seven hidden leadership blockers that quietly cap our potential — especially for women who've been praised their whole lives for doing it all, doing it perfectly, and never dropping a ball. Together, they dig into how to actually lead yourself first, rewrite old scripts like “I can't make a mistake” and “I don't belong here,” and create a version of leadership that doesn't require burnout, over-functioning, or pretending to be someone you're not. Because leadership isn't just about managing people. It's about managing you — your beliefs, your boundaries, and your response when things go sideways. We explore: Why leadership isn't a title, it's how you show up in every area of your life The 7 hidden leadership blockers that keep high-achieving women stuck and exhausted How “I need to be involved” and “I can't say no” destroy your capacity and your team's growth The quiet cost of perfectionism and the belief “I can't make a mistake” The difference between being a leader and actually leading (yes, there's a big one) Why real confidence isn't knowing you'll get it right — it's trusting you can handle whatever happens Because at the end of the day, leadership isn't about having all the answers — it's about having the inner steadiness to face whatever comes next without abandoning yourself in the process. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/pd2550-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Connect with Muriel: Website: https://murielwilkins.com/ Book: https://www.murielwilkins.com/books Podcast: https://www.murielwilkins.com/podcast-coaching-real-leaders   Related Podcast Episodes: From Small Business to Big Impact: Leadership, Confidence, & Community at the Goldman Sachs 10K What Good Leaders Can Learn from Bad Bosses with Mita Mallick | 351 How To Build An Emotionally Intelligent Team with Dr. Vanessa Druskat | 328 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

We love to talk about authenticity at work… right up until someone actually shows up as their full, messy, human self and makes everyone clutch their pearls. In this episode, we unpack what it really means to be yourself at work with Claude Silver — the world's first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX and author of Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart. We get into the difference between authentic presence vs. executive presence, why “that's just who I am” is usually “fear” in a cute outfit, and how to stop armoring up at work without turning every meeting into group therapy. We talk about perfectionism, people-pleasing, power dynamics, calling people in (instead of just calling them out), and what it actually costs you and your company when you leave the real you at home. If you've ever wondered how to bring your heart into a workplace that's still obsessed with your hustle, or how to belong without shrinking or pretending, this conversation is your permission slip to stop faking it and start leading from the heart. We Explore: What authenticity at work really means (and why it's not “I say whatever I want, whenever I want”) The difference between confidence and authenticity – and why you need both How Claude defines authentic presence and why “executive presence” is starting to feel outdated Perfectionism as a confidence derailer and how it quietly kills trust, connection, and creativity How to share your real life (kids, chaos, hard mornings) at work without oversharing or dumping Navigating power dynamics when a client, boss, or leader says something that goes against your values How to find “your people” at work Gen Z and Gen Alpha aren't being “difficult” — they're just done with workplaces that value performance over personhood. They expect companies to evolve, not the other way around. If leaders want to keep and motivate this generation, they need to ditch command-and-control and lead with humanity. Authenticity isn't a bonus anymore — it's the baseline. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/pd2550-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Connect with Claude: Book Website: https://www.beyourselfbook.com/  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casilver/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/claudesilver/?hl=en  Related Podcast Episodes Work Shouldn't Suck: How to Make It Good with Moe Carrick | 356 15 Lies Women Are Told At Work with Bonnie Hammer | 330 The Hard Truths Of Entrepreneurship with Dr. Darnyelle Jervey Harmon | 313 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Hope isn't just a feeling. It's a practice—especially when life feels like a dumpster fire. In this episode, we get real about how to build hope (not wait for it) with psychologist, speaker, and author Dr. Julia Garcia—the mind behind The 5 Habits of Hope. She's a psychologist and keynote speaker who's built crisis hotlines, coached schools and leaders worldwide, and blends lived experience with research to turn The 5 Habits of Hope into practical, everyday tools.  We unpack why hope is missing from our work, relationships, and world… and how to bring it back with five repeatable, no-BS habits: Reflect, Risk, Release, Receive, Repurpose. You'll hear practical prompts, what “emotional risk” actually looks like, and how to rally your people when you'd rather white-knuckle it alone. Bonus: Julia lovingly drags our community (in the best way) to go hit “Subscribe” on our new YouTube. Because support is a verb. We cover: The difference between reflecting vs. ruminating—plus the prompt: “I'm struggling because…” Why emotional risk (not skydiving) is the real courage builder—and how to do it safely A body-based “release” exercise to let go of performance, perfection, and pressure Receiving support without spiraling into “I should handle this myself” Repurposing tough feelings into fuel using the reframe: “I'm hopeful for…” How to set up “tap-in” systems with your people so you're never doing the hard alone Why hope isn't naive—it's a discipline that accelerates healing, connection, and action Because when we choose to practice hope—even on the days it feels impossible—we don't just change our outlook, we change what's possible for ourselves and everyone around us. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Visit beducate.me/womanswork69 and use code womanswork69 for 65% off the annual pass.  Black Friday has come early at Cozy Earth! Right now, you can stack my code WOMANSWORK on top of their sitewide sale — giving you up to 40% off in savings. Connect with Julia: Website: drjuliagarcia.com Book:The 5 Habits of Hope Youtube: @DrJuliaGarcia IG: https://www.instagram.com/drjuliagarcia/  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjuliagarcia/ Podcast: Journey with Dr. J on Spotify / Audible Related Podcast Episodes: 7 Questions For Living A Meaningful Life with Marni Battista | 322 How To Live A Fulfilling Life with Dr. Edith Eger | 251 Burnout 2.0: BurnBOLD with Cait Donovan | 331  Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Being “powerful” and being “likeable” aren't opposites — they're a killer combo when we stop contorting ourselves into someone else's definition. In this episode, we get tactical about communicating with influence and warmth, minus the people-pleasing or performative toughness. Our guest today, Dr. Kate Mason, PhD, is an executive communications coach and former Silicon Valley operator who helps women leaders at companies like Google, Netflix, Uber, and Microsoft communicate with influence and ease. A world-champion debater, she's the author of Powerfully Likeable—a smart, funny field guide for navigating credibility, warmth, and authority without playing small or playing a part. Kim Scott (author of Radical Candor) calls it “compelling, compassionate, and funny,” which tracks. We cover: Ditching the fake either/or: what “powerfully likeable” looks and feels like (for you), and how to build from what already works in your communication. Finding your calm, “unruffled” baseline so you can lead the room instead of reacting to it — especially when emotions are high. The downside of over-preparation (hello, rigidity) and how to use Kate's lightweight prep approach so we stay flexible and persuasive. Fight / flight / freeze / fawn at work — how to spot your threat response, interrupt it in real time, and re-engage with credibility. Practical scripts and moves to de-escalate, ask for what we need without apology, and buy time when our “fight” response wants the mic. Debate lessons that actually help at work: choose the win you need today, get curious for better data, and frame the shared goal so you're on the same side of the problem. “Imposing syndrome” (being afraid to ask) vs. imposter syndrome — and tiny language shifts that stop us from undercutting ourselves. We also nerd out on authenticity without the buzzword BS and how to integrate our sharpest strengths with our actual personality. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Visit beducate.me/womanswork69 and use code womanswork69 for 65% off the annual pass.  Black Friday has come early at Cozy Earth! Right now, you can stack my code WOMANSWORK on top of their sitewide sale — giving you up to 40% off in savings. Connect with Kate: Website: www.katemason.co   Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/745694/powerfully-likeable-by-kate-mason-phd/ Related Podcast Episodes The Fourth Trauma Response You've Never Heard Of (And How It's Running Your Life) with Dr. Ingrid Clayton | 342 The 3 N's: Negotiation, Networking & No with Kathryn Valentine | 327 Be A Likeable Badass with Alison Fragale | 230 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

When a powerful man says, “She's not my type,” and a jury (actually, multiple juries) finds that man liable for sexual abuse and defamation, that's not just a headline — that's a masterclass in what it takes for a woman to be believed in America. In this episode, writer, journalist, and Not My Type: One Woman vs. a President author E. Jean Carroll joins Nicole to talk about truth, power, paperclips, and what actually happens when you drag a president into court and win. Twice. We talk about the facts, the stories we build around those facts, and why so many people will twist themselves into a pretzel to excuse powerful men while shredding women who speak up. We get into: What actually happened in court — beyond the headlines, hot takes, and Twitter warriors How clothes became her armor and why what she wore in court mattered more than you'd think The “not my type” moment, the infamous deposition photo, and how Trump accidentally proved his own lie Why her sexual history was dragged into the trial — and how she took back that narrative with joy Trauma responses, laughter in the dressing room, and why “if you didn't scream it doesn't count” is garbage How mock juries forced her legal team to reckon with ageism, beauty standards, and who we think is “believable” What she plans to do with the tens of millions awarded in damages — and why giving it away is part of her resistance strategy The big questions this case raises: What does a woman have to do to be believed? And what does a powerful man have to do to be held accountable?  Because this isn't just E. Jean Carroll's story. It's a mirror held up to how we treat women, power, and truth — and a reminder that one 80-something woman can still change the story for all of us. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Visit beducate.me/womanswork69 and use code womanswork69 for 65% off the annual pass.  Black Friday has come early at Cozy Earth! Right now, you can stack my code WOMANSWORK on top of their sitewide sale — giving you up to 40% off in savings. Connect with E Jean: Book: https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/not-my-type-9781250381682/ Substack: https://ejeancarroll.substack.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/ejeancarroll1/  X: https://x.com/ejeancarroll?lang=en Related Podcast Episodes: The Fourth Trauma Response You've Never Heard Of (And How It's Running Your Life) with Dr. Ingrid Clayton | 342 Access, Agency & The Abortion Underground with Rebecca Grant | 358 The Biology Of Trauma - And How To Heal It with Dr. Aimie Apigian | 346 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Running a small business feels like jumping out of a plane and building the parachute on the way down… all while managing a team, cash flow, and our kid's snack schedule. In this LIVE episode at the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit, I sit down with three women who prove that entrepreneurship isn't just about revenue and hiring — it's about who you become while you're building. You'll hear from: Natalie Kaddas - CEO of Kaddas Enterprises and respected community and business leader who serves on the San Francisco Federal Reserve Board and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Natalie talks about: Using her seat at powerful tables to make sure small business voices are heard, even when those business owners can't be in the room. How the 10KSB program helped her dream bigger, pivot, and grow from survival mode into strategic leadership. Why confidence is built like a muscle: through showing up, practicing, and doing it scared instead of waiting to “feel ready.” Tessa Arneson - Co-founder of Maven District, where a pilates studio has evolved into a vibrant, women-powered real estate and community hub where 75% of the businesses are women-owned. Tessa is on a mission to help women lead with their whole selves — with love and curiosity — without burning out in the process. In this conversation, Tessa pulls back the curtain on: Why she doesn't believe you can “do it all” and why the grind-24/7, “sleep-when-you're-dead” hustle culture is a fast track to mental and physical collapse — especially for women. Her non-negotiable rituals for staying well while running a business How her business partner, Rocky, taught their team to use top 3 daily priorities Her advice to women who want to start a business but are scared Perlla Deluca - Owner & CEO of Southeast Constructors and founder of the Pink Hard Hat Foundation, Perlla is an immigrant woman thriving in construction — and building a movement for women and people of color in the trades. In this episode, she shares: How the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program helped her learn financials and leverage, leading her to eventually open a school and foundation — all powered by access to capital and the belief that she could do more. How she refuses to let negativity live rent-free in her mind, using gratitude and mindset as daily practices, especially when things are hard. Why success, for her, is measured in people and growth, not money — and why she's more excited about her students buying homes than she is about her own wins. A big thank-you to Goldman Sachs for the work they're doing through the 10,000 Small Businesses program — a $750 million commitment helping entrepreneurs across the U.S. grow, hire, and lead through education, support, and access to capital. If you're ready to grow your own business, you can learn more and apply at gs.com/10ksb Link:https://www.goldmansachs.com/community-impact/10000-small-businesses/us Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Visit beducate.me/womanswork69 and use code womanswork69 for 65% off the annual pass.  Black Friday has come early at Cozy Earth! Right now, you can stack my code WOMANSWORK on top of their sitewide sale — giving you up to 40% off in savings. Connect with today's guests: Natalie Kaddas: Website: http://www.kaddas.com/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-kaddas-5610184/ Perlla Deluca: Website: https://www.thepinkhardhat.org/ Iowa School of Construction: https://www.iowaschoolofconstruction.com/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/perlla-deluca-b00722114 Tessa Arneson: Website: https://mavenslc.com/  Join The Community: https://stan.store/mavencommunity IG: https://www.instagram.com/maven.community/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessa-arneson-b3b41316/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we call BS on the “you're not enough / who do you think you are?” soundtrack and dig into self-deception—the sneaky brain patterns that distort our reality and keep us looping the same results. Our guest, Bizzie Gold, creator of Break Method and author of Your Brain Is a Filthy Liar, shows us how to spot the lies, map our patterns, and rewire for freedom. Known for her no-BS approach to personal development, Bizzie has spent over a decade helping thousands of people and organizations identify the subconscious patterns running the show. Her data-driven, neuroscience-based system has been featured in major media outlets and is transforming how we think about mental health, leadership, and self-growth. We cover: Positive vs. negative self-deception—when your brain either minimizes risk (“I got this”) or magnifies it (“why try, it'll fail anyway”). The Brain Pattern Spectrum—why some of us skew hyper-independent and others codependent, and how both can spiral without awareness. Perception of reality ≠ reality—how your “neurocognitive funnel” colors emotions, choices, and behavior on autopilot. Childhood inputs > dramatic anecdotes—how small, repetitive cues (not just Big-T trauma) program lifelong patterns. “Center with range”—why the goal isn't becoming a new person; it's regaining balance and flexibility so you can lead, love, and live without self-sabotage. Real-world application—how mapping your pattern can improve team dynamics and performance, not just your inner peace. You can take Bizzie's brain pattern mapping diagnostic via her site.  Ultimately, this episode is a masterclass in breaking your brain's bad habits—because when you understand your wiring, you can finally stop running old programs and start living with clarity, confidence, and choice. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Visit beducate.me/womanswork69 and use code womanswork69 for 65% off the annual pass.  Black Friday has come early at Cozy Earth! Right now, you can stack my code WOMANSWORK on top of their sitewide sale — giving you up to 40% off in savings. Connect with Bizzie: Website: https://bizziegold.com/bg-welcome  Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1967424292 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bizziegold/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bizziegold/ X: https://x.com/bizziegold  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BizzieGoldOfficial  Break Method: https://breakmethod.com/ Related Podcast Episodes How To Rewire Patterns That No Longer Serve You with Judy Wilkins-Smith | 323 Practical Intuition: How to Trust Your Gut and Tune Out the Noise with Laura Day | 356 The Icelandic Art of Intuition with Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir | 307 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

We're done pretending intuition is “woo.” In this lively, challenging conversation with Laura Day—New York Times bestselling author, intuitive consultant to billion-dollar companies, and the no-nonsense brain behind Practical Intuition and The Prism—we dig into how to train your intuition like a skill, use it alongside logic, and make small changes that create big shifts. Laura shares how to set one clear goal, document synchronicities (not just “pay attention”), and spot the difference between feeling and actual intuitive data so we stop overthinking and start moving. (Yes, we're talking goal files, tiny experiments, and “no new damage.”) We cover: Why intuition is actionable intel, not vibes—and how to work with it without giving away your power A dead-simple training plan: set the goal, make the tiniest safe change, document, repeat “Feeling” vs. intuition (and why your body's history can hijack your reads) The Prism's “ego centers” and where you tend to get stuck (hello, over-intellectualizing) Micro-resets when you're spinning: ask “What do I need right now?” and file it to your goal Because when you stop second-guessing and start listening to your own internal data, you realize the roadmap you've been searching for was inside you all along—just waiting for you to trust it enough to follow. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Visit beducate.me/womanswork69 and use code womanswork69 for 65% off the annual pass.  Black Friday has come early at Cozy Earth! Right now, you can stack my code WOMANSWORK on top of their sitewide sale — giving you up to 40% off in savings. Connect with Laura: Website: https://lauraday.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/lauradayintuit/?hl=en Related Podcast Episodes Decoding Your Dreams with Bonnie Buckner, PhD | 337  How To Rewire Patterns That No Longer Serve You with Judy Wilkins-Smith | 323 The Icelandic Art of Intuition with Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir | 307 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Caregiving is not an easy thing. It's paperwork, passwords, POAs, and the courage to say the hard things before the crisis hits. In this episode, we get real about the emotional and financial marathon of caring for aging parents, why women disproportionately shoulder the load, and exactly what to do now so your future self isn't rage-crying in probate court. Our guest, Beth Pinsker—MarketWatch financial-planning columnist, CFP®, and author of My Mother's Money: A Guide to Financial Caregiving—walks us through the must-have documents, the family conversations that actually prevent sibling warfare, and how to set boundaries when love meets logistics. (Yes, you can be loving and say “nope, that won't work.”) We cover: The caregiving reality check: why daughters so often become default CFOs of aging parents (and what to do about it). The legal minimums: power of attorney, healthcare proxy, will vs. trust, and when each one matters. Costly myths to ditch: “We'll figure it out later,” “It'll be obvious who does what,” and “We don't need it in writing.” Crisis-proofing your finances: automation, a single “pay-from” account, and creating a breadcrumb trail someone else can actually follow. End-of-life wishes: how to handle DNR/DNI and hospice decisions without guilt (clarity > chaos). If you're the money person: how to leave a map your family can use (and if you're not the money person, how to get up to speed—without becoming the household bookkeeper). Because love isn't just casseroles and hand-holding; sometimes it's signatures, spreadsheets, and setting your people up to survive the hardest days with clarity and dignity. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Connect with Beth: Website: https://bethpinsker.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/bethpinsker_ny  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bpinsker  Related Podcast Episodes: How To Have A Good Death with Suzanne B. O'Brien, RN | 292 You Only Die Once with Jodi Wellman | 262 060 / Caring For An Aging Parent with Rayna Neises Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

We're talking about reproductive freedom — history, facts, nuance, and feelings. Rebecca Grant — journalist and author of Birth and Access: Inside the Abortion Underground and the Sixty-Year Battle for Reproductive Freedom — breaks down how we got here (pre-Roe to post-Dobbs), what “the abortion underground” actually means today, and why medication abortion has completely reshaped access and agency. We wade into myths (nope, bans don't end abortion), maternal health reality, and the hard-to-hold truth that multiple truths can coexist — while still standing firm that choice is the point. Our stance? You are the decider. Full stop. (Also, rage-posting is not a strategy. Not sorry.) What we cover: A clear timeline from TRAP laws to Dobbs — and the movements before Roe that built today's playbook. What “abortion underground” includes now (from shield-law telemedicine to community networks) and what's legal vs. scare-tactic theater. Why medication abortion changed the game — and why clinics and trained providers still absolutely matter. Maternal health in America (it's not pretty) and how bans ripple into care for everyone who can become pregnant. Myth-busting: who actually has abortions, safety data, and why “my choice ≠ everyone's choice” is the adult take. Together, these insights remind us that reproductive freedom isn't a political talking point — it's the foundation of equality, autonomy, and what it truly means to define woman's work on our own terms. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Connect with Rebecca: Website: https://rebeccaggrant.com/ Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Access/Rebecca-Grant/9781668053249  Related Podcast Episodes: Unlearning Bad Sex Ed: Gen Z, Sex, and Power with Carter Sherman | 352 Apple Podcasts 152 / The Necessity of Choice with Jacqueline Ayers Normalize It: Breaking The Silence & Shame That Shape Women's Lives with Dr. Jessica Zucker | 303 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

We're talking real-deal confidence—the kind you build while you're ugly-crying in your car between school drop-off and a board meeting. In this conversation with media pro and author Lynn Smith, we dig into the messy intersection of courage and confidence, why perfectionism and your “brain bully” are killing your clarity, and how to model bravery for your kids (and, TBH, for yourself). Spoiler: brave isn't something you are; it's something you do. We get into naming the inner critic, reframing fear, and choosing the next right step—even when quitting is actually the bravest move. Oh, and Lynn wrote the children's book on this: Just Keep Going—for kids and the grown-ups who love them. What we cover: The fear loop CEOs and six-year-olds share—and how to break it “Brain bully” vs. inner knowing: name it, reframe it, tell it to sit down Perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and the confidence–courage flywheel When to keep going…and when letting go is the most courageous choice Raising confident kids by modeling it (not lecturing it) Simple body-based resets for big feelings (yours and theirs) Because whether you're running a company or raising tiny humans, confidence isn't about never feeling fear — it's about learning to move with it, breathe through it, and just keep going. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Visit Shopstage.co today to shop or create a registry and use code WORKIT20 for 20% off your first order. That's Shopstage.co, promo code WORKIT20. Connect with Lynn: Website: https://www.lynnsmith.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com  Book: https://www.lynnsmith.com/author?utm_source=chatgpt.com  Lynn's Confidence Quiz: https://www.lynnsmith.com/quiz Nicole's Confidence Derailer Quiz: https://nicolekalil.com/confidencequiz  Related Podcast Episodes Confidence Isn't Born, It's Built — Lessons from the Cockpit to Real Life with Michelle “MACE” Curran | 343  How To Build Girls' Confidence with Cyndi Roy Gonzalez | 308 How To Build Courage with Dr. Margie Warrell | 273 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

We spend a ridiculous amount of our lives at work—so why do so many people hate it? In this conversation, we go straight at the big question: how do we actually make work good? Together with Moe Carrick, culture architect, work futurist, and author of When Work Is Good, we unpack the seven human needs of work (connection, safety, contribution, growth, fair pay… the whole lineup), why “throw money at it” is a terrible engagement strategy, and what leaders and employees can both do—today—to create workplaces fit for human life. We also talk psychological safety, reality-checking pay perceptions, modeling the behavior we demand, and why exquisite self-care is a productivity tool, not a perk.  What you'll learn (and probably text to your boss

Most of us were taught to color inside the lines, follow the rules, and get a gold star for staying tidy. Cas Holman has spent her career blowing that up — and thank god. She designs tools, not toys, to spark creativity, collaboration, and imagination. (If you've watched Abstract: The Art of Design on Netflix, yep, she's the genius behind the episode that made you want to ditch your to-do list and build something weird and wonderful instead.) In this episode, we dive into what happens when we stop obsessing over “right answers” and start embracing curiosity, creativity, and — yes — play. Cas challenges the way we think about learning, design, and work itself. Because what if the secret to solving our biggest grown-up problems is to think a little more like kids? We explore: Why play isn't just for children (and why adults need it desperately) The danger of over-engineering creativity out of education and work How designing for possibility creates stronger leaders, teams, and ideas What Cas learned from creating Rigamajig, and why it's so damn powerful Why fun and freedom are the real productivity hacks Because when we make more space for play, we make more space for brilliance. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show! Connect with Cas: Website: https://casholman.com/ Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/736596/playful-by-cas-holman-with-lydia-denworth/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/casholman/Rigamajig LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cas-holman-7b9baa5/ Abstract: The Art of Design (Season 2, Episode 4, The Art of Play): https://www.netflix.com/title/80057883 Related Podcast Episodes: Crafting A Better World with Diana Weymar | 245 Burnout 2.0: BurnBOLD with Cait Donovan | 331 The Power of Conscious Connection with Talia Fox | 263 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

We're taking out the mental garbage — the “you're not enough / you're too much / who the hell do you think you are?” soundtrack — and swapping it for inner wisdom that actually serves us. Our guest, Megan Dalla-Camina, bestselling author and founder of Women Rising, breaks down 13 inner-critic archetypes and gives us a simple 3-step system to catch the story, question it, and reframe it so we can move — with clarity — toward what we actually want. She's the author of books including Simple Soulful Sacred, which brings leadership and spirituality together to offer practical, soulful pathways to help women rise into their power and awaken their inner wisdom. We also dig into how patriarchy scripts so many of these voices, why “taming” beats “silencing,” and what it looks like to let your critic ride in the car… but never drive. We Cover Why naming your inner-critic archetype gives you leverage (language = power) The light side and shadow side of traits like perfectionism (at what cost?) The 3-step loop: Catch the story → “Is it true?” → Reframe How stress and burnout reactivate old patterns — and how to get back to wise self-leadership Moving from external validation to inner wisdom (aka you're the decider) Bottom line: you may not silence your head trash forever, but you can change the relationship, reclaim your power, and let your inner wisdom lead the way. Connect with Megan: Website: megandallacamina.com Inner Critic Quiz (free): megandallacamina.com/innercriticquiz Book: https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Soulful-Sacred-Megan-Dalla-Camina/dp/1401965873?utm_source=chatgpt.com LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megandallacamina/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/megandallacamina/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/megandallacamina/ Related Podcast Episodes: How To Rewire Patterns That No Longer Serve You with Judy Wilkins-Smith | 323 Gentleness: Cultivating Compassion for Yourself and Others with Courtney Carver | 282 VI4P - Head Trash and Giving Grace on the Journey (Chapter 7) Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

We're done with performative “women supporting women” while the DMs and side-eyes tell a different story. This conversation gets real about ditching scarcity, gossip, and grown-ass mean girl behavior and replacing it with unapologetic ampleship—front-row friends who say your name in rooms you're not in, transfer social capital, and clap loud enough for the world to hear. Our guest, Erin Gallagher—the unapologetic powerhouse behind the Hype Women movement—is on a mission to end Mean Girl culture and build a global sisterhood of women who celebrate, amplify, and rise together. She's the CEO & Founder of Hype Women, author of Hype Women: Breaking Free from Mean Girls, Patriarchy and Systems Silencing You, and host of the Hype Women podcast. Erin's work is part social justice, part straight talk, and 100% revolution. She's here to remind us that supporting other women isn't a brand strategy—it's a power move. We dig into: The difference between “support” and performative support (and how to spot the fake hype) How to do an honest audit of your circle—and yourself—to see where Mean Girl energy might still be lurking. Why women are conditioned to compete and how to rewrite that programming How to use your human, social, political, and financial capital to amplify other women (and yourself) What to do when you're faced with a grown-ass Mean Girl at work or online Why real confidence starts with self-trust, boundaries, and giving up the illusion of “doing it all alone” The internal work that makes external hype possible—because we can't celebrate others if we're still betraying ourselves This one's part pep talk, part wake-up call, and full-on invitation to step into your front-row era. Connect with Erin: Website: https://www.hypewomen.com/  Book: https://www.hypewomen.com/  IG: instagram.com/erin.gallag.her  FB: facebook.com/eringogallagher  LI: linkedin.com/in/erinfgallagher  Related Podcast Episodes: 137 / Ampliship (Mean Girls Part 2) with Caroline Adams Miller 136 / Mean Girls with Caroline Adams Miller Be A Likeable Badass with Alison Fragale | 230 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Let's get something straight: sex isn't the problem—control is. In this episode, we go there with award-winning journalist Carter Sherman, unpacking the “second coming” of the sexual revolution: why Gen Z is having less sex, how abstinence-only “education” and the internet are shaping desire (and anxiety), and what sexual conservatism vs. sexual progressivism actually looks like on campuses, in school boards, and in our bedrooms. We talk porn as an educator (for better and worse), the relationship recession behind the “sex recession,” consent, pleasure, labels, and—most importantly—how we each build a sex life that's ours. If you're tired of other people writing rules for your body and your choices, press play. We reference Carter's new book, The Second Coming: Sex and the Next Generation's Fight Over Its Future and her reporting on Gen Z's values-driven “revolution,” not just in headlines but in real life. For more on her work, check out the Guardian feature on Gen Z and the changing rules of sex. We Cover The internet as sex ed: community, confusion, and why nuance matters Abstinence-only programs vs. reality (and risk) Relationship recession > “sex recession” (what's actually declining) Sexual conservatism vs. sexual progressivism—who's setting the rules and why Pleasure, consent, and building a script that fits you, not Instagram How to talk about sex (without dying of awkward) and fight back—locally Because at the end of the day, this isn't just a conversation about sex—it's about agency, freedom, and reclaiming power over our own stories. And if there's one thing this revolution makes clear, it's that the most radical act might simply be choosing for yourself. Connect with Carter: Website: https://www.carter-sherman.com/  Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Second-Coming/Carter-Sherman/9781668052457 IG: https://www.instagram.com/heyyymizcarter/?hl=en  Related Podcast Episodes 152 / The Necessity Of Choice with Jacqueline Ayers Your Body Already Knows with Nidhi Pandya | 315 051 / Connecting To Your Sexuality with Aylen Doucette Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

We've all had them — the micromanagers, the credit stealers, the screamers, the ones who treat “reply all at midnight” like a leadership strategy. Bad bosses are everywhere, but here's the kicker: leadership is learned. Which means we can unlearn the toxic part and redefine how we lead. In this episode, we sit down with Mita Mallick — Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of The Devil Emails at Midnight: What Good Leaders Can Learn From Bad Bosses, LinkedIn Top Voice, corporate changemaker, and fierce advocate for fixing broken workplaces. Together, we unpack why bad bosses are made (not born), how to spot when you're slipping into toxic habits yourself, and what it takes to build the kind of leadership people actually want to follow. We get into: The real reasons people become bad bosses (hint: stress, modeling, and unhealed personal stuff) Why micromanagement, fear, and time-hoarding are leadership red flags How inclusion, credit-sharing, and genuine presence boost retention more than hoodies and free apps ever will Practical ways to “manage up” when your boss is… less than inspiring How to stop being that boss and start modeling the kind of leader you'd want to work for Because nobody wants to be the horror story told at happy hour 10 years from now. Let's do better. Connect with Mita: Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1394316488 LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mita-mallick-2b165822   Related Podcast Episodes Leading From The Inside Out with Dana Maor | 278 Grown-Up Goals: The 5 Pillars Of Being A Healthy Adult with Michelle Chalfant | 317 How To Build An Emotionally Intelligent Team with Dr. Vanessa Druskat | 328 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

We're not dreaming about a finish line—we're designing our next chapter. In this conversation with trailblazer Anne Chow (former CEO of AT&T Business, board director, author of Lead Bigger), we unpack “rewirement”: the smarter, saner, more sovereign way to approach life after (and beyond) traditional work. What we get into: The origin story of “rewirement” (engineer-brain meets real-life evolution) How to reflect with brutal honesty: strengths, energy-giving work, environments you thrive in, and the ones you loathe The unsexy (but essential) life needs: money, healthcare, caregiving, and lifestyle non-negotiables Why your research + seed-planting should start before you exit (network while your platform is loud) Building a portfolio life (boards, teaching, books, consulting, play) and letting serendipity do its thing Identity shifts after big titles—how to navigate the “who am I without the logo?” wobble Community > everything: social connection as a longevity strategy Partner alignment: designing a shared vision (and yes, more time together can be… an adjustment) The metrics that actually matter: joy and fulfillment (not just status and spreadsheets) Retirement isn't the end—it's your next evolution. This is your permission slip to stop chasing finish lines and start rewiring for joy, fulfillment, and a life that actually feels like yours. Connect with Anne: Website: https://www.theannechow.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/theannechow/  X: https://x.com/TheAnneChow  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annehchow  Related Podcast Episodes Your Value Doesn't Expire: Career Reinvention Over 40 with Loren Greiff | 344 How To Take A Sabbatical with Katrina McGhee | 336 Lead Bigger with Anne Chow | 253 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

How many times have we spoken up, set a boundary, or asked for what we need, and immediately thought, “Am I being a b**ch?” That's the head-trash of good girl conditioning talking, not reality. In this episode, women's empowerment coach and novelist Megan Walrod helps us separate distortion from truth, spot body cues that signal self-abandonment vs. self-advocacy, and practice being what she calls a generative b**ch: fierce, values-aligned, and unapologetic. We unpack scripts for setting boundaries without apology, how to reframe the inner critic (“Doubting Diva,” anyone?), and why it's normal to sometimes under- or overshoot the mark. Plus, Megan shares her favorite embodiment practice—the infamous “F-You Walk”—to release suppressed emotion and reclaim your voice. We also dig into her debut novel, It's Always Been Me, where the heroine saves herself (as it should be). Because at the end of the day, being direct, self-respecting, and powerful isn't bitchy—it's integrity. Connect with Megan: Website: https://www.meganwalrod.com/ Substack: https://meganwalrod.substack.com/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/megan.walrod IG: https://www.instagram.com/meganwalrod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_walrod Take the hidden power quiz: https://www.meganwalrod.com/quiz Book: https://www.meganwalrod.com/book Related Podcast Episodes High-Functioning Codependency: When Being “The Strong One” Is Slowly Killing You with Terri Cole | 341 The Fourth Trauma Response You've Never Heard Of (And How It's Running Your Life) with Dr. Ingrid Clayton | 342 Confidence Isn't Born, It's Built — Lessons from the Cockpit to Real Life with Michelle “MACE” Curran | 343 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

What if the fastest way to define who you are is to first declare who you're not? In this episode, we connect with branding legend Laura Ries, bestselling author of The Strategic Enemy and chairwoman of Ries Global Consulting, to talk about why naming your “enemy” may just be the most powerful move you can make in business, branding, and life. We dig into how the world's most successful brands (think Skims, Bumble, and Dunkin') built their loyal followings not by trying to be everything to everyone, but by drawing a clear line in the sand. Whether you're launching a business, refining your leadership style, or just trying to live more authentically, this episode will help you stop playing small, ditch the toxic “fit in and please everyone” narrative, and start owning your brand — unapologetically. Because standing out doesn't come from being “better.” It comes from being boldly different. Connect with Laura: Website:https://strategicenemy.com/ LI: linkedin.com/in/lauraries/ Related Podcast Episodes: The Power Of Instinct In Business And Life with Leslie Zane | 214 202 / Building Your Email Lists & Websites with Brittni Schroeder 023 / Branding YOU With Terri Lomax Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

What if the smartest, bravest thing you could say wasn't “I know” — but “tell me more”? In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, we sit down with Elizabeth Weingarten — journalist, applied behavioral scientist, and author of How to Fall in Love with Questions. Her career has spanned writing and research roles at The Atlantic, Slate, and The Think Tank New America, as well as leadership work in applied behavioral science. Elizabeth's mission? To help us break free from the cult of certainty and rediscover the power of curiosity. Her new book isn't just philosophy — it's a practical toolkit for navigating life's biggest unknowns with courage and creativity. She shows us why asking better questions leads to better relationships, smarter decisions, and more meaningful leadership of self and others. We dive into: Why curiosity is a leadership superpower (and why it's harder than it sounds) The four elements of a powerful “questions practice” How reframing your questions can transform relationships, careers, and confidence The danger of outsourcing answers instead of trusting your inner wisdom Back pocket questions you can use to connect more deeply — with yourself and others Because sometimes the most world-changing thing you can say isn't I know — it's tell me more. Connect with Elizabeth: Website: www.elizabethweingarten.com Book: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/how-to-fall-in-love-with-questions-elizabeth-weingarten?variant=42922801758242  Substack: https://timetravelforbeginners.substack.com/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-weingarten/ Related Podcast Episodes How To Build An Emotionally Intelligent Team with Dr. Vanessa Druskat | 328 How To Listen with Emily Kasriel | 321 The Power of Conscious Connection with Talia Fox | 263 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Trauma isn't just about the big, obvious events. It's not only about war vets, abusive relationships, or catastrophic loss. Trauma is the stuff our bodies never fully processed — the shock, fear, or helplessness that got stuck in our nervous systems. And here's the kicker: it doesn't live in the past. It lives in your biology, right now. We're joined by Dr. Aimie Apigian, double board-certified physician, addiction and preventative medicine expert, and author of The Biology of Trauma. With her background in biochemistry, public health, somatic experiencing, and trauma therapy, Dr. Aimie is uniquely qualified to help us understand how trauma gets stored in the body — and why we can't just think our way out of it. This is the kind of conversation that flips the script on “pushing through” and gives you permission to see that maybe your body isn't betraying you — maybe it's protecting you. And maybe the exhaustion, migraines, or that sense of stuckness aren't a mindset problem at all. They're trauma patterns. Understanding this is not just science, it's liberation.  Connect with Aimie: Website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/  Book: https://www.amazon.com/Biology-Trauma-Body-Holds-Overwhelm/dp/1637746237  IG: https://www.instagram.com/draimie/ Related Podcast Episodes Your Body Already Knows with Nidhi Pandya | 315 Normalize It: Breaking The Silence & Shame That Shape Women's Lives with Dr. Jessica Zucker | 303 How To Breathe: Breathwork, Intuition and Flow State with Francesca Sipma | 267 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Here's the truth: Raising emotionally intelligent kids isn't about making sure they say “please” and “thank you.” It's about raising little humans who can actually handle big feelings, express themselves without melting down (well, most of the time), and build relationships that don't implode at the first sign of conflict. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the underrated superpower that will serve your kids long after they've forgotten their multiplication tables. From playground drama to career success to healthy adult relationships, EQ is the thread that ties it all together. And while it doesn't come with a manual (seriously, why don't hospitals hand that out with the newborn onesie?), there are some universal truths every parent needs to know. To help us break it down, we're joined by Alyssa Blask Campbell. With years of experience teaching parents and kids how to build emotional awareness, resilience, and connection, Alyssa has made it her mission to help families thrive from the inside out. In this conversation, she shares practical strategies, science-backed insights, and the FACTS about what it really takes to raise kids who can navigate their emotions (instead of being ruled by them). Because let's be honest: you don't just want your kids to be successful — you want them to be good humans. And that starts with emotional intelligence. Connect with Alyssa: Website: https://www.seedandsew.org/ Book: https://www.seedandsew.org/book Related Podcast Episodes The Good Mother Myth with Nancy Reddy | 274 How To Build Girls' Confidence with Cyndi Roy Gonzalez | 308 What To Know Before They Go: Collegebound with Dr. Pamela Ellis | 280 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

What happens when decades of experience get labeled as “overqualified”? When the wisdom, grit, and perspective you've earned suddenly turn into workplace liabilities? Loren Greiff knows this story all too well — and she's rewriting it. After 30 years in corporate leadership, Loren was told she was “too real” and put on a performance improvement plan. Instead of shrinking, she built a movement: helping women over 40 reclaim their careers, disrupt ageist hiring practices, and lead with relevance, purpose, and unapologetic value. We dig into: What “overqualified” really means (spoiler: it's fear-based nonsense) How to frame your experience as future-focused instead of a professional obituary Why women are launching businesses, shifting careers, and embracing bolder purpose in their 40s, 50s, and 60s How to overcome the “too expensive” or “not tech savvy” labels Tactical strategies to thrive in today's hidden job market If you've ever been told you're too much or felt sidelined by ageism, this episode will remind you: your value doesn't expire, your merit doesn't have a shelf life, and your best work may still be ahead of you. Connect with Loren: Website: www.portfoliorocket.com  IG: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/career-blast-in-a-half/id1670977528 Related Podcast Episodes 15 Lies Women Are Told At Work with Bonnie Hammer | 330 The 3 N's - Negotiation, Networking & No with Kathryn Valentine | 327 How to Turn Job Seeking into Job Shopping with Madeline Mann | 318 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Confidence. Courage. Boldness. We love to talk about them, post about them, hashtag them, and slap them on coffee mugs. But let's be real—most of us aren't sure how to actually build them in our own lives. Which is why we brought in Michelle “MACE” Curran, former fighter pilot and only the second woman in history to fly lead solo for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, to the show. Yep, she's the real deal—flying combat missions, performing death-defying maneuvers in front of millions, and now, author of The Flip Side: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear into Your Superpower. Mace knows better than anyone that courage and confidence don't just magically appear. They're built, brick by brick, in moments that test your nerve—whether that's hitting nine G's at supersonic speed or simply raising your hand in a room full of skeptics. In this episode, she drops a masterclass on how to flip fear on its head, use it as fuel, and create unshakable boldness in your everyday life. Connect with Michelle: Website: www.macecurran.com Book: www.macecurran.com/flipside IG: https://www.instagram.com/mace_curran/?hl=en LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/macecurran Related Podcast Episodes Chasing Rejection: The Wild Strategy That Works with Alice Draper | 316 Unlocking Your Hidden Genius: How to Harness Your Innate Talents with Betsy Wills & Alex Ellison | Ep. 289 How To Build Courage with Dr. Margie Warrell | 273 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Sometimes being “nice” isn't so nice—it's self-abandonment in disguise. In this episode, we learn about the fourth trauma response from Dr. Ingrid Clayton, a licensed clinical psychologist, trauma recovery expert, and author of Fawning: Why the Need to Please Makes Us Lose Ourselves and How to Find Our Way Back. Ingrid brings over 20 years of clinical experience helping people break free from trauma responses that no longer serve them. Her Psychology Today blog, Emotional Sobriety, has reached over a million readers, and her work has become a lifeline for anyone ready to stop twisting themselves into knots just to feel safe, seen, or accepted. Together, we dig into the lesser-known trauma response of fawning—what it really looks like, how it shows up in women's lives, and how it's different from (but connected to) codependency and people-pleasing. More importantly, Ingrid shares how to start unfawning so you can reclaim your voice, your needs, and your full self. We cover: The difference between compassion and compulsion How fawning hides in plain sight as “being nice” or “helpful” Why women are especially conditioned to default to fawning How to notice when you're fawning in real time Practical ways to build internal safety and stop outsourcing your worth Because survival mode kept you safe, but it will never help you thrive. Connect with Ingrid: Website: https://www.ingridclayton.com/  Book: https://www.amazon.com/Fawning-Need-Please-Makes-Ourselves/dp/B0DPZ3D78B IG: https://www.instagram.com/ingridclaytonphd/  Related Podcast Episodes: People-Pleasing & Being “Needy” with Mara Glatzel | 147 How To Practice Radical Self Care with Shelly Tygielski | 302 The Power of Enough with Elizabeth Husserl | 299 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Most of us think codependency looks like someone clinging to a toxic partner, losing themselves to someone else's addictions, or being a doormat. But Terri Cole, licensed psychotherapist, global relationship and empowerment expert, and author of Boundary Boss and her brand-new book Too Much, is here to blow that outdated definition out of the water. Terri has spent over two decades working with everyone from stay-at-home moms to Fortune 500 CEOs, helping them break free from self-sacrificing patterns and build healthier, more authentic relationships. She inspires more than a million people weekly through her blog, social media, signature courses, and The Terri Cole Show podcast. In this episode, Nicole and Terri unpack high-functioning codependency—the kind that hides behind promotions, praise, and the “she can handle it all” reputation. Spoiler: it still feels like shit. Together, they dive into how to spot the signs, why resentment is the red flag you can't ignore, and how boundaries, self-consideration, and surrendering (without self-abandoning) might be the antidote you've been missing. Because friend, if you're exhausted, resentful, and constantly over-giving, this episode is your permission slip to drop the cape, stop fixing everyone else's mess, and finally start considering yourself. Connect with Terri: Website: https://www.terricole.com/  Book: hfcbook.com  IG: https://www.instagram.com/terricole/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/TerriColeLCSW/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/terricoleny Podcast: https://terricole.com/itunes Related Podcast Episodes Healing Relationships: The 4 Essential Pillars for Lasting Love with Dr. Rachel Glik | 283 7 Rules of Self-Reliance with Maha Abouelenein | 240 How To Be Selfish with Naketa Ren Thigpen | 329 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

We've been told stress will kill us. That we need to yoga-breathe it away, book a retreat, or stuff it down with a pint of Ben & Jerry's (using your car key as a spoon… iykyk). But what if stress isn't the villain? What if it's actually the fuel for our best work? This week, we're joined by Dr. Rebecca Heiss — a stress physiologist, researcher, keynote speaker, and author of Springboard: Transform Stress to Work for You. She's also the creator of the Fearless Stress Formula and has been recognized by the National Science Foundation for her groundbreaking research. Her mission? To help us stop fearing fear, stop fighting stress, and instead transform both into fuel for growth, performance, and purpose. Rebecca brings her science background together with real talk and humor, making the hard stuff (like stress) not only make sense but feel doable. She's passionate about helping women shift out of survival mode and into a place of clarity, confidence, and community. Together, we dive into why stress isn't something to eliminate but energy we can reframe, channel, and actually use to show up stronger. We explore: Why your “effortless, overwhelmed” game isn't working The three steps to stop fighting stress and start using it How to “invite the tiger to tea” (yes, really) Why service and community are the real antidote to overwhelm The competitive advantage women have when it comes to stress Because friend, stress isn't proof you're broken. It's proof you care. And when you learn to use it, it becomes your edge. Connect with Rebecca: Website: www.rebeccaheiss.com Book: https://a.co/d/6ReB5Nr  IG: https://www.instagram.com/drrebeccaheiss/  Related Podcast Episodes The Stress Paradox: Why We Need Stress (and How to Make It Work for Us) with Dr. Sharon Horesh Bergquist | 294 How to Become Panic Proof with Dr. Nicole Cain | 269 Stress Less and Fear(Less) with Rebecca Heiss | 181 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Let's talk about your wardrobe — not in a “what's trendy this season” way, but in a “does this outfit support your goals, your values, and your voice” kind of way. Because when your style reflects who you actually are — instead of who the world expects you to be — you show up stronger, speak more clearly, and leave the kind of impression that opens doors. To help us get intentional with our closets, I'm joined by Marcy Syms — fashion industry veteran, gender justice advocate, former CEO of Syms Corp, and author of Leading with Respect: Adventures of an Off-Price Fashion Pioneer. She's breaking down the 7 wardrobe essentials every professional woman should own, and how to build a powerful, personal style without blowing your budget. This isn't about dressing to impress — it's about dressing to express. So your clothes don't just look good… they say something good, too. Because showing up with confidence starts before you even speak — and yes, what you wear still matters. Connect with Marcy  Website: https://marcysyms.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Respect-Boardroom-Marcy-Syms/dp/0806544813  Related Podcast Episodes: 143 / The Real Reason You Have Nothing to Wear with Ellie Steinbrink How To Achieve Healthy, Glowing Skin - No Botox Or Fillers Required with Lindsey Holder | 326 How to Turn Job Seeking into Job Shopping with Madeline Mann | 318 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

If you've ever found yourself glaring at someone sipping champagne in business class while you're wedged into the back of the plane wondering how they got that upgrade — this episode is your answer. Julia Menez is a points and miles strategist and host of the Geobreeze Travel Podcast. She helps people stop wasting money on full-price flights and hotels and start using the credit card perks and travel rewards they're already eligible for — with zero shady loopholes or overcomplicated systems. In this episode, we talk about how to make your spending work smarter — how to use your money to create experiences, build in rest and joy, and finally take that luxury trip you keep pushing off. Julia shares actionable strategies, common mistakes to avoid, and how to pick the right card for your goals. Because let's be honest: you work hard. Your money should work just as hard for you. And because five-star travel isn't just for the rich, the retired, or the influencers with mysterious “sponsorships.” It's for you — when you learn how to play the game. This episode will show you how. Connect with Julia  Free intro call: www.geobreezetravel.com/introcall Free points 101 course: www.geobreezetravel.com/freecourse IG: www.instagram.com/geobreezetravel Youtube: www.youtube.com/@geobreezetravel Related Podcast Episodes: Solo Adventures: A Guide for Women Travelers with Megan Grant | 265 How To Take A Sabbatical with Katrina McGhee | 336 062 / Winemaking Under The Tuscan Sun (Literally) with Mary Shea Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

We all dream. Every night. Whether we remember them or not. And maybe — just maybe — those dreams aren't random, ridiculous, or irrelevant. Maybe they're trying to tell us something we're too distracted, too busy, or too burned out to hear while we're awake. Here to help us decode the language of dreams is Dr. Bonnie Buckner — founder of the International Institute for Dreaming and Imagery®, executive coach, faculty director at GWU's Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, and author of The Secret Mind: Unlock the Power of Your Dreams to Transform Your Life. She's spent her career teaching people how to use dreaming and imagery for personal growth, leadership, and creative breakthroughs. We explore: Why your dreams are worth paying attention to (even the weird ones) The science and strategy behind using dreams for personal development How feelings and subconscious wisdom can point to answers What to do if you don't remember your dreams Why slowing down might be the key to speeding up your clarity Because what if the clarity you're chasing isn't out there — it's already in you, waiting for you to slow down, shut off, and tune in? Connect with Bonnie:  Website: https://bonniebuckner.com/ Book:  https://bonniebuckner.com/the-secret-mind/  IG: https://www.instagram.com/dreamwithiidi/ Related Podcast Episodes: How To Rewire Patterns That No Longer Serve You with Judy Wilkins-Smith | 323 The Icelandic Art of Intuition with Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir | 307 The Astrology Advantage with Tali Edut of The AstroTwins | 301 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Let's talk about taking a break — on purpose. A career break that's planned, powerful, and maybe even paid. Yep, we're talking about sabbaticals, and no, they're not just for burned-out professors or unicorn executives. In this episode, we're joined by Katrina McGhee, a certified master coach, MBA, sabbatical strategist, and author of Taking a Career Break for Dummies. She's also the co-founder of BreakSpace, a community for professionals designing intentional time off. After leaving her corporate job in 2013, Katrina traveled the world for 20 months and came back to five job offers in five weeks — so yeah, she knows what she's talking about. We explore how a sabbatical can be: A strategic move for your career growth A burnout buster with real ROI The reset button you didn't know you were allowed to hit A radical rejection of hustle culture  The gateway to more joy, clarity, and fulfillment — in work and life If you're constantly on empty, chasing a finish line that never comes, or wondering if there's more to life than back-to-back Zoom calls... this one's for you. Connect with Katrina:  Website: www.kmcgheecoaching.com/blueprint  Breakspace: https://www.gobreakspace.com/  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinamcghee222/  Related Podcast Episodes: 7 Questions For Living A Meaningful Life with Marni Battista | 322 How to Turn Job Seeking into Job Shopping with Madeline Mann | 318 The Ambition Trap with Amina AITai | 309 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

We're diving headfirst into the chaos that is parental leave in the United States — and debunking the absurd notion that being a mom somehow makes you any less dedicated or productive at work. Here today to help us navigate the murky waters of parental leave is Daphne Delvaux, Esq, also known as The Mamattorney — a legal badass who's made it her mission to fight pregnancy and postpartum discrimination and help women understand their rights at work. She's the founder of Delvaux Law, the only firm in the country dedicated exclusively to women's rights in the workplace. In this episode, Daphne breaks down what the law actually says, what your employer hopes you don't know, and how to protect yourself — legally, financially, and emotionally — when you're expecting (or recovering, or parenting, or just trying to stay employed while having a uterus). We cover: What to do if your HR department can't (or won't) help How to prep for maternity leave without sacrificing your career Legal protections you already have but probably haven't been told about The gender double standard of parental expectations at work Why we need to stop treating parenthood like a liability Because here's the truth: being a parent isn't the problem. The systems that punish you for it are. And if we're going to ask women to work like men, then it's time men start parenting like women. Connect with Daphne:  Website: https://www.themamattorney.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/themamattorney/?hl=en Related Podcast Episodes: Wages For Housework with Emily Callici | 325 The Good Mother Myth with Nancy Reddy | 274 Two Can Win (Helping Two-Career Families Move From Chaos To Connection) with Tiffany Sauder | 243 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Feeling scattered, anxious, or like your brain's been hijacked by push notifications and endless scrolling? You're not alone.  This week, we're diving into the digital chaos with anxiety and OCD specialist Jennie Ketcham Crooks, founder of the West Coast Anxiety Clinic, who's helping us understand what our devices are doing to our minds… and what we can do to reclaim our focus, peace, and power. Jennie brings clinical expertise, research experience, and guest spots on everything from Oprah to The View — and offers a smart, practical path to digital detoxing that doesn't involve tossing your phone in a lake or moving to a cabin in the woods. We unpack: How your phone is rewiring your brain (yes, really) Signs it's time for a digital reset — and how to actually do it Why tech isn't the enemy (but your habits might be) What boundaries actually work — and what makes them stick How to return to you — the you that exists offline This isn't about demonizing tech. It's about creating space — space to think clearly, feel deeply, and live intentionally. And if that's not woman's work, then what is? Connect with Jennie:  Website: https://westcoastanxiety.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/becomingjennie/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/jennie.ketcham Related Podcast Episodes: Digital Decluttering: How to Make Tech Your Assistant, Not Your Adversary with Amanda Jefferson | 312 Your Guide to a More Organized & Intentional Life with Shira Gill | 304 Women, Addiction and Recovery with Patti Clark | 324 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

How do you know if your truth is really yours? In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, we're diving into the murky waters of brainwashing, mind control, and hyper-persuasion—because your thoughts might not be as independent as you think. We're talking psychological manipulation, eerie government-funded experiments, and the sneaky, modern ways we're influenced every damn day—by our feeds, our leaders, even our well-meaning friends. Our guest is Harvard historian Rebecca Lemov, author of The Instability of Truth. She brings the receipts—tracing the roots of brainwashing, the science (and pseudoscience) behind behavioral control, and why we're more persuadable than we'd like to admit. From Cold War experiments to TikTok trends, Rebecca helps us understand how easily truth can be distorted—and what to do about it. Because if you've ever reposted without thinking, felt weirdly pressured to agree, or just wondered, “wait, is that true?”—this episode is for you. Connect with Rebecca:  Book: https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324075264  IG: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccalemov/  X: https://x.com/rlemov?lang=en  Related Podcast Episodes: How To Rewire Patterns That No Longer Serve You with Judy Wilkins-Smith | 323 Unmasking AI with Dr. Joy Buolamwini | 259 Pants On Fire (The Truth About Lying) with Lauren Handel Zander | 219 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Maybe women aren't bad at friendship — maybe we've just been handed a model that doesn't actually work. One that expects perfection, constant connection, and a whole lot of emotional labor... without any room for evolution, conflict, or change. In this episode, we're questioning that model and taking a deeper look at how friendship has changed — historically, culturally, and personally — with cultural historian Tiffany Watt Smith. Together, we explore how women have been portrayed as bad friends (by the media and by society), and how we've quietly been redefining friendship on our own terms. We talk about why friendship dips are normal, why disagreements aren't deal-breakers, and why being a “bad friend” might actually be a sign that you're showing up in a real, honest, human way. Because the goal isn't friendship that looks perfect from the outside. It's friendship that can bend, stretch, shift, and still hold. This conversation is part history lesson, part gut check, and all about rebuilding our relationships on something real. Connect with Tiffany:  Book: https://celadonbooks.com/book/bad-friend-tiffany-watt-smith/ Substack: https://thefuturefeeling.substack.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanywattsmith/  X: https://x.com/drtiffwattsmith?lang=en  Related Podcast Episodes: Normalize It: Breaking The Silence & Shame That Shape Women's Lives with Dr. Jessica Zucker | 303 133 / Making Friends As An Adult with Danielle McCombs The Small And The Mighty with Sharon McMahon | 247 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Burnout isn't just a buzzword—it's the sneaky saboteur that turns high-achieving women into crispy, joy-depleted zombies. And yes, I've been there (ask 2022 me, she was a whole damn dumpster fire). Cait Donovan was the voice of reason I didn't know I needed then—and she's BACK. Cait Donovan is one of the few voices in the burnout space who doesn't just talk the talk—she's done the deep work, and now helps others do the same. She blends biobehavioral sciences with the ancient wisdom of Chinese Medicine to address burnout at the root, not just slap a self-care bandaid on it. Cait is the host of FRIED. The Burnout Podcast, an in-demand keynote speaker, and the author of The Bouncebackability Factor, and she's been helping high performers get honest with themselves for years. Whether you're on the edge, fully engulfed, or just tired of white-knuckling it through your calendar—this one's for you. Because you deserve to feel lit up... not burned out. Connect with Cait:  Website: https://caitdonovan.com Podcast: https://friedtheburnoutpodcast.com Freebie: https://caitdonovan.com/freebie-web Related Podcast Episodes: 107 / Burnout with Cait Donovan The Ambition Trap with Amina AITai | 309 Perfectionist Burnout with Dr. Tiffany Moon | 306 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!