Podcast appearances and mentions of nicole kalil

In this episode, I'm joined by Nicole Kalil for a powerful and practical conversation about confidence. Nicole has spent years studying, researching, and teaching confidence, and she breaks it down in such a grounded way. Instead of seeing confidence as something we fake, perform, or get from the outside world, Nicole defines confidence as firm and bold trust in self. We talk about how confidence is something many of us are born with, but begin to lose as we absorb expectations, criticism, people-pleasing, perfectionism, comparison, and what Nicole calls "head trash." She shares the five confidence builders that help us rebuild trust with ourselves, including taking action, moving through fear and failure, giving ourselves grace, choosing confidence, and building internal trust one step at a time. This conversation is such a beautiful reminder that confidence is not about looking perfect or never feeling afraid. It is about knowing who you are, owning who you are not, and choosing to trust yourself as you take the next right step. Key Takeaways Confidence is not about looking confident. It is about building firm and bold trust in yourself Many of us are born trusting ourselves, but life, expectations, criticism, and social conditioning can disconnect us from that trust Confidence is built through action, especially small, consistent steps toward what matters most Failure, fear, mistakes, and doubt can build deeper confidence when we learn to move through them instead of avoid them Giving yourself grace and practicing self-compassion are essential parts of building confidence Confidence is a choice we can practice moment by moment until the feeling begins to catch up "Head trash" is the unkind and often untrue inner dialogue that chips away at our self-trust Perfectionism, comparison, overthinking, and seeking confidence externally can derail confidence Keeping commitments to yourself helps build internal trust Real confidence comes from knowing who you are, owning who you are not, and embracing all of it Resources from this Episode: Nicole Kalil's WebsiteNicole's Podcast, This Is Woman's Work MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com Membership: The Adult Chair Collective https://www.michellechalfant.com/collective  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichellechalfant Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

Why do so many women immediately question themselves the moment they set a boundary, speak directly, or stop over-explaining? In this unfiltered and unhinged episode, Nicole Kalil digs into the exhausting mental spiral behind asking “Am I being a bitch?” — and why that question might actually be proof that women have been conditioned to prioritize likability over self-respect. Nicole unpacks the difference between being cruel and simply refusing to shrink yourself to make other people comfortable. From boundary-setting and ambition to people-pleasing and over-functioning, this episode challenges the outdated expectation that women must always be agreeable, accommodating, and “nice.” In This Episode, Nicole Talks About: Why women disproportionately question whether they're “too much” The difference between being powerful and being unkind How guilt shows up when women stop over-giving Why boundaries trigger discomfort — and why that's not your problem The danger of outsourcing self-worth to other people's opinions How to stop confusing honesty with cruelty Better questions to ask instead of “Am I being a bitch?” Thank you to our sponsors! Become a Fora Advisor today at Foratravel.com/WOMAN - and make sure to tell them we sent you! Elevate your summer wardrobe: Go to Quince.com/tiww for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns! Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! Families are better when they're working together… go to myskylight.com/WOMANSWORK for $30 off your Skylight Calendar. Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at Greenlight.com/TIWW. Don't wait to teach your kids real-world money skills! Connect with Nicole: Subscribe to Nicole's Substack: https://nicolekalil.substack.com/  Related Podcast Episode: On Sabbaticals, Reinvention, and Getting Older | Unfiltered & Unhinged When a One-Star Review Means You've Officially Arrived | Unfiltered & Unhinged Am I Being a B**ch? (…or Just Finally in My Power) with Megan Walrod | 349 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 a woman who's spent her entire life optimizing, producing, planning, and performing… decides to stop? In this unfiltered solo episode, Nicole Kalil shares the real reason behind her 3-month sabbatical across Europe — and it's about a whole lot more than travel. Nicole opens up about the fear of untethering from productivity, the discomfort of rest, aging as a woman, solo dining anxiety, motherhood, identity, and what it means to leave behind the familiar long enough to uncover who you're becoming next. Because maybe the things that scare and excite us at the exact same time are the very things pointing us toward the life we actually want. In This Episode, Nicole Talks About: Why she's taking an 11-week sabbatical through Europe Turning 50 and why aging feels liberating instead of limiting The pressure women face to stay small, young, and polished Why slowing down can feel terrifying The power of doing something “impractical” anyway Rediscovering yourself by leaving the familiar behind What envy and jealousy might actually be trying to tell you Thank you to our sponsors! Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! Families are better when they're working together… go to myskylight.com/WOMANSWORK for $30 off your Skylight Calendar. Become a Fora Advisor today at Foratravel.com/woman  Connect with Nicole: Subscribe to Nicole's Substack: https://nicolekalil.substack.com/  Related Podcast Episode: When a One-Star Review Means You've Officially Arrived | Unfiltered & Unhinged How To Take A Sabbatical with Katrina McGhee | 336 Solo Adventures: A Guide for Women Travelers with Megan Grant | 265  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 supposed to be a privilege… so why does it feel like a slow burn to the ground? In this raw, unfiltered continuation of the leadership mental health conversation, Nicole Kalil sits down again with organizational psychologist and workplace mental health expert Melissa Doman to unpack what's really happening behind the scenes of leadership today — and why the good ones are dangerously close to walking away. Because here's the truth no one wants to admit: we expect leaders to be everything — strong, empathetic, decisive, available, perfect — with no room for human error. And then we wonder why burnout is skyrocketing and leadership pipelines are drying up. This episode goes beyond surface-level advice and into the uncomfortable reality: Leaders are human (shocking, we know) Unrealistic expectations are breaking them And we all play a role in either making it better… or making it worse Melissa brings both expertise and real talk to the table — from leadership archetypes (hello, frustrated martyr) to the “sea otter” model of healthy leadership (yes, it's a thing and yes, you want it). Together, they challenge the outdated narratives, call out toxic expectations, and offer a radically simple starting point: act like leaders are people. Because if we don't figure this out? The good leaders won't stay. And what's left… is not a future anyone wants. Thank you to our sponsors! Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! Families are better when they're working together… go to myskylight.com/WOMANSWORK for $30 off your Skylight Calendar. Become a Fora Advisor today at Foratravel.com/woman  Connect with Melissa: Website:https://www.melissadoman.com/ Book:https://www.amazon.com/Cornered-Office-Leadership-Mental-Health/dp/139435035X  IG: https://www.instagram.com/thewanderingmel/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissadoman1/ Related Podcast Episodes: What Happens When Leadership Becomes Unsustainable: Leader Mental Health with Melissa Doman | 403 Leadership Unblocked (The Hidden Beliefs Sabotaging Your Ability To Lead) with Muriel M. Wilkins | 367 What Good Leaders Can Learn from Bad Bosses with Mita Mallick | 351 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: women's healthcare is broken. But not equally broken. In this unapologetically raw and necessary conversation, Nicole Kalil sits down with Dr. Kemi Doll — physician, gynecologic oncologist, researcher, and author of A Terrible Strength — to expose the systemic failures in gynecological care, especially for Black women. This isn't a “wellness trends” conversation. This is about health inequity, medical bias, reproductive injustice, and the dangerous normalization of women's pain. Because here's the truth: when one group of women is dismissed, denied care, and dying at higher rates… it's not just their problem. It's a system-wide failure that impacts all of us. They break down: The systemic crisis in gynecology and why womb health is massively underfunded and under-researched Why conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, and uterine cancer are ignored  The dangerous myth of the “strong Black woman” and how that “strength” is costing lives How medical bias and racism show up in real diagnoses, treatment delays, and mortality rates The difference between real health education vs. wellness industry BS How ALL women play a role in demanding better care  This episode will challenge you. It might piss you off. Good. It should. Because we don't get to claim progress for women while some of us are still being ignored, misdiagnosed, and dying from treatable conditions. And we don't get to call it “woman's work” until it works for all of us. Thank you to our sponsors! Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! Families are better when they're working together… go to myskylight.com/WOMANSWORK for $30 off your Skylight Calendar. Become a Fora Advisor today at Foratravel.com/woman  Connect with Kemi: Website: https://kemidoll.com/  Book: https://kemidoll.com/book/  IG: https://www.instagram.com/kemidoll  Related Podcast Episodes Perimenopause, HRT, and Why Women Are Being Gaslit Into Thinking It's “Just Aging” with Dr. Sarah Daccarett | 381 Endometriosis & Women's Health with Somer Baburek | 238 Floored - Why Our Pelvic Floor Health Matters with Dr. Sara Reardon | 314 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!

Nicole Kalil just hit a milestone most people secretly dread… her very first one-star podcast review — and instead of spiraling, she celebrated it. Yep, you read that right. In this unfiltered, unhinged episode, Nicole breaks down why negative feedback, criticism, and even haters might actually be the clearest sign that you're doing something right. Because if everyone likes you? You're probably playing it way too safe. This episode is a masterclass in confidence, self-trust, and not shrinking yourself to make other people comfortable. It's about choosing what opinions matter, letting the noise sort itself out, and continuing to show up boldly — even when it makes people uncomfortable. In this episode, she explores: Why negative reviews and criticism can actually validate your impact How to separate useful feedback from irrelevant noise The psychology behind why people project their opinions Why being disliked is often the cost of being authentic How to stop seeking approval and start trusting yourself And the kicker? Even the haters help boost the algorithm. So technically… they're part of the marketing team now. Thank you to our sponsors! Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! Families are better when they're working together… go to myskylight.com/WOMANSWORK for $30 off your Skylight Calendar. Become a Fora Advisor today at Foratravel.com/woman  Connect with Nicole: Subscribe to Nicole's Substack: https://nicolekalil.substack.com/  Join the Inner Circle: https://nicolekalil.myflodesk.com/newsletter  Related Podcast Episodes: Sequins, Miscommunication, and Marriage | Unfiltered & Unhinged Women Are Tired — Stop Pointing It Out | Unfiltered & Unhinged The Episode About Balls | Unfiltered & Unhinged 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 just say the quiet part out loud: work is broken. Burnout is everywhere. People are disengaged. Leaders feel like they can't win. Employees feel invisible. And somewhere along the way, work became more about transactions than human connection. In this episode, Nicole Kalil sits down with Nidhi Tewari — licensed clinical social worker, Harvard Business Review Advisory Council member, Thinkers50 Radar Award recipient, and author of Working Well — to unpack what's really going wrong at work… and what actually fixes it. Thank god, it's not another productivity hack. It's attunement. In this episode, we cover: Why modern work culture is failing (and why it's not entirely new) The real reason burnout and disengagement are skyrocketing What “attunement” is — and why it goes deeper than emotional intelligence The 4 core skills of attunement: flexibility, reading cues, self-regulation, and collaboration Simple ways to practice attunement at work — without adding more to your plate Why asking instead of assuming is a leadership superpower How workplace connection directly impacts performance, retention, and fulfillment Because maybe the goal isn't to care more. Maybe the goal is to show it — consistently, clearly, and in a way people can actually feel. Thank you to our sponsors! Gusto is online payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TIWW, and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Refresh your spring wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/TIWW for free shipping and 365-day returns! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! Families are better when they're working together… go to myskylight.com/WOMANSWORK for $30 off your Skylight Calendar. Connect with Nidhi: Website: https://www.nidhitewari.com/   Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/788782/working-well-by-nidhi-tewari Related Podcast Episodes What Good Leaders Can Learn from Bad Bosses with Mita Mallick | 351 Leading From The Inside Out with Dana Maor | 278 What Happens When Leadership Becomes Unsustainable: Leader Mental Health with Melissa Doman | 403 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 aren't running billion-dollar corporations… we're just trying to survive our inbox. But here's the uncomfortable truth: whether we like it or not, we are all participants in corporate systems — where we work, what we buy, and who we support. In this episode, Nicole Kalil sits down with Sarah Federman, author of Corporate Reckoning, to unpack what happens when companies are forced to confront their past — from ties to slavery and genocide to modern-day scandals and ethical failures. Spoiler: ignoring it doesn't make it go away. This conversation dives into the real work of accountability — not the PR-polished version, but the messy, necessary kind that actually builds trust, integrity, and long-term impact. Because reckoning isn't about guilt. It's about responsibility. And whether you're leading a company, part of one, or just spending your hard-earned money with one… you have more power than you think. In this episode, they cover: What “corporate reckoning” actually means (and why it matters now more than ever) Why “leave the past in the past” is a convenient lie How companies benefit from confronting — not hiding — their history The 5-step framework for meaningful accountability (and why most companies screw it up) The role women play in driving corporate change through spending power and how to use your voice, your dollars, and your decisions to influence change This isn't about cancel culture. It's about conscious participation. Because the question isn't “Was this my fault?” — it's “Now that I know… what am I going to do about it?” Thank you to our sponsors! Gusto is online payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TIWW, and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Refresh your spring wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/TIWW for free shipping and 365-day returns! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! Connect with Sarah: Website: https://sarahfederman.com/ Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/814363/corporate-reckoning-by-sarah-federman/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-federman-phd/ Related Podcast Episodes: Holding It Together: Women As America's Safety Net with Jessica Calarco | 215 Diversity Isn't a Strategy - It's a Leadership Result with Aiko Bethea | 378 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!

Grief is not neat, linear, inspiring, or cured by a casserole dish and a “take your time” platitude. In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil sits down with author, podcaster, and storyteller Liz Deacle—author of You Won't Just Cry When They Die—for an honest conversation about grief, loss, healing, identity, and the brutal reality of what happens when someone you love dies. Liz shares what losing both of her parents taught her about the physical and emotional reality of grief—experiences she writes about in You Won't Just Cry When They Die—including how it can dismantle identity, disrupt the body, and leave a person wondering who they even are now.  Together, they unpack why grief does not follow a timeline, why healing is not about getting back to who someone used to be, and why being “strong” often has a whole lot less to do with holding it together and a whole lot more to do with telling the truth. They also explore the complicated overlap between grief and midlife, especially for women navigating perimenopause, parenting, caregiving, work, and all the other crap life keeps throwing on the pile. Liz offers deeply human insight into what it means to be held, heard, and supported through loss, and why sometimes the most powerful thing anyone can say is simply, “I'm here.” This episode is for anyone grieving, anyone loving someone through grief, or anyone who needs the reminder that there is no right way to fall apart and no clean, polished way to stitch yourself back together. Thank you to our sponsors! Gusto is online payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TIWW, and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Refresh your spring wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/TIWW for free shipping and 365-day returns! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! Connect with Liz: Website/Book:https://elizabethdeacle.com Free Meditation: https://elizabethdeacle.com/justforyou Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/its-a-drama-podcast/id1448200711 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ItsaDrama Related Podcast Episodes: How To Have A Good Death with Suzanne B. O'Brien, RN | 292 099 / Grief Is Love with Marisa Renee Lee How Is Your Spiritual Health? with Dr. Lisa Miller | 287 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 unfiltered and unhinged solo episode, Nicole Kalil shares a story she is absolutely still not over: The Great Sequin Debacle of 2016. What started as a simple request — “what's the dress code?” — turned into a full-blown miscommunication, a gold sequin gown moment, and a night she'd very much like to erase from public memory… except now it's a podcast episode. Because what seems obvious to you might not be obvious to someone else. And when you're building a life, a relationship, or even just packing for a trip, assumptions can lead to some very uncomfortable (and very sparkly) consequences. But beyond the story, this episode gets into something way more important: why miscommunication happens in relationships — and how to fix it. This episode is equal parts relatable, hilarious, and actually useful! Nicole shares the simple tool she and her husband now use to actually get on the same page: Family Forecasting. Nicole breaks down how to: Stop relying on assumptions in your relationship Get aligned on schedules, priorities, and decisions (and dress codes) Use family forecasting to avoid unnecessary conflict Strengthen connection through intentional conversations Because the goal isn't to avoid every misunderstanding — it's to stop creating the ones you could have prevented. And if you can avoid a sequin-level crisis in the process? Even better. Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Gusto is online payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TIWW, and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Refresh your spring wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/TIWW for free shipping and 365-day returns! Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! Connect with Nicole: Subscribe to Nicole's Substack: https://nicolekalil.substack.com/  Join the Inner Circle: https://nicolekalil.myflodesk.com/newsletter  Download the Family Forecasting Agenda: https://nicolekalil.com/resources  Related Podcast Episode Women Are Tired — Stop Pointing It Out | Unfiltered & Unhinged The Episode About Balls | Unfiltered & Unhinged Yell for Help | Unfiltered & Unhinged 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 gets glorified a lot and understood very little—and in this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil cuts straight to the part no one wants to talk about: leader mental health. She's joined by Melissa Doman, organizational psychologist, former clinical mental health therapist, founder of the Workplace Mental Health Method, and author of Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work and Cornered Office. Melissa works with global companies like Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Estée Lauder, helping leaders and organizations have honest, practical conversations about mental health—especially at the top. Together, they unpack the outdated leadership norms that reward burnout and punish humanity, the real mental health toll of constant pressure and scrutiny, and what it actually looks like to lead in a way that's both effective and human. Because if leadership becomes miserable enough, the good ones won't stay—and that should scare all of us. In this episode, Nicole and Melissa explore: Why leadership mental health is still the elephant in the corner office How outdated ideas about power, stoicism, and authority hurt leaders Common mental health struggles leaders face, including anxiety, worry, negativity, and helplessness Why communicating capacity is a leadership skill, not a weakness How followers can better support leaders  What companies can do right now to make leadership more sustainable At the end of the day, this conversation makes one thing clear: if we want better workplaces, stronger teams, and sustainable success, we have to start treating leaders like humans—not machines. Thank you to our sponsors! Gusto is online payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TIWW, and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Refresh your spring wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/TIWW for free shipping and 365-day returns! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! Connect with Melissa: Website:https://www.melissadoman.com/ Book:https://www.amazon.com/Cornered-Office-Leadership-Mental-Health/dp/139435035X  IG: https://www.instagram.com/thewanderingmel/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissadoman1/ Related Podcast Episodes: Leadership Unblocked (The Hidden Beliefs Sabotaging Your Ability To Lead) with Muriel M. Wilkins | 367 The Stress Paradox: Why We Need Stress (and How to Make It Work for Us) with Dr. Sharon Horesh Bergquist | 294 What Good Leaders Can Learn from Bad Bosses with Mita Mallick | 351 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 one thing straight: mindset is not about slapping a positive quote on your anxiety and calling it growth. In this episode, Nicole Kalil calls out the fluff and gets real about what mindset actually is - and it's not just vision boards or pretending everything is fine while your brain is running a full-blown disaster simulation. Joined by Diana Pagano - bestselling author, mindset coach, and expert in breaking mental limits - this conversation dives into what's actually happening when your brain spirals… and more importantly, what to do about it. This episode unpacks how to interrupt the spiral, regulate your nervous system, and take grounded, imperfect action anyway. No toxic positivity. No BS. Just real tools that actually work. What You'll Learn: Why mindset has been oversimplified (and how that's keeping you stuck) The truth about overthinking, fear spirals, and “what if” thinking How to interrupt negative thought patterns in real time The “change the channel” method for shifting focus fast Why confidence isn't a feeling — it's a choice backed by action The role of belief systems in success, money, and opportunities Practical tools to stop waiting for confidence and start moving anyway The Real Talk: You don't need another pep talk. You don't need to “just think positive.” You need tools to break the loop - and the willingness to take action even while your brain is still arguing with you. Because confidence, momentum, and growth? They don't come after the fear disappears. They come when you move anyway. Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Gusto is online payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TIWW, and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Refresh your spring wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/TIWW for free shipping and 365-day returns! Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! Connect with Diana: Website: https://dianapagano.com/  Book:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-more-mindset-diana-pagano/1147998644  IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamdianapagano/  Related Podcast Episodes Abundance: Secrets to Prosperity and Ease with Cathy Heller | 260 All The Ways We Get In Our Own Way with Thais Gibson | 235 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!

In this episode, Nicole Kalil sits down with Faith Robertson, certified life coach, professional organizer, and founder of Organize With Faith, to rip the lid off everything we've been told about homemaking, clutter, and what it means to “keep a home.” Because spoiler alert: it's not about the damn bins. Faith introduces a powerful reframe — that organizing isn't about perfection, aesthetics, or even productivity. It's about soul work. It's about identity, values, boundaries, and the emotional baggage (yes, literally and figuratively) we carry into our spaces. Together, they unpack: The “Snow White Effect” and how society conditioned women to do domestic labor alone (and smile about it) Why clutter isn't a discipline problem — it's an emotional processing problem How organizing from the inside out changes everything The truth about invisible labor, gender roles, and why you don't have to do it all How to set boundaries in your home without losing your mind or your relationship The 3-step framework: Acknowledgement, Action, Alignment to create a home that actually reflects your values This conversation isn't about having a perfect home - it's about creating a life that feels like yours. Because what stays and what goes… isn't just about your closet. Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Gusto is online payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TIWW, and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Refresh your spring wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/TIWW for free shipping and 365-day returns! Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! Connect with Faith: Website: https://organizewithfaith.com/  Book:https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/What-Stays-and-What-Goes/Faith-Roberson/9781668011744   IG: https://www.instagram.com/organizewithfaith/  Related Podcast Episodes How To Declutter Your Life with Lisa Woodruff | 285 Wages For Housework with Emily Callici | 325 Your Guide to a More Organized & Intentional Life with Shira Gill | 304 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 be clear: the idea of a “perfect family” is outdated, unrealistic, and holding onto it often causes more harm than good. In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil sits down with family lawyer, author, and co-parenting advocate Gabriella Pomare to dismantle the myth that staying together is always best for the kids—and to redefine what healthy, modern families can actually look like. A partner at a leading law firm in Sydney, Gabriella brings over a decade of experience navigating complex family dynamics, from high-conflict separations to international custody cases. Because divorce isn't the end of a family. It's the restructuring of one. Gabriella brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the table, sharing how parents can move from conflict to collaboration—even when emotions are high, communication is broken, and resentment is lingering just beneath the surface. This conversation is honest, practical, and refreshingly real about what it actually takes to co-parent with intention instead of ego. In this episode, they cover: Why the “stay together for the kids” narrative is often more harmful than helpful The #1 skill that can make or break your co-parenting relationship: communication Gabriella's 4-step communication framework How to set boundaries with a high-conflict or difficult ex (without losing your sanity) Tools like co-parenting apps that reduce drama and keep things child-focused How to handle holidays, schedules, and special occasions without turning them into battlegrounds Why kids don't need the details—they need stability, safety, and reassurance Navigating dating, step-parent dynamics, and blended families  Because at the end of the day, it isn't about being right. It's about raising humans who feel safe, loved, and supported—no matter what their family structure looks like. Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Gusto is online payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. It's all-in-one, remote-friendly, and incredibly easy to use—so you can pay, hire, onboard, and support your team from anywhere! Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TIWW, and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Refresh your spring wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/TIWW for free shipping and 365-day returns! Connect with Gabriella: Website: https://thecollaborativeco-parent.com.au  Book:https://www.amazon.com/Collaborative-Parent-Co-Parenting-dignified-collaborative/dp/1636987036/  IG: https://www.instagram.com/collaborativecoparent/ Related Podcast Episodes: 047 / Mindset, Resilience & Divorce with Susan Tripi 198 / Repairing Damaged Relationships with Carlee Myers 204 / How To Let Go Of Your Ex with Dr. Cortney Warren 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 unfiltered and unhinged solo episode, Nicole Kalil gets brutally honest about something every high-achieving woman hates to admit: she's been dropping balls. A lot of them. From missed appointments to forgotten commitments, Nicole pulls back the curtain on what happens when even the most organized, detail-loving, color-coded-calendar kind of woman hits a breaking point. And instead of spiraling into shame (okay, maybe a little), she revisits a powerful mindset shift that changes everything. Enter: glass balls vs. rubber balls. Because not everything that gets dropped is a disaster — and treating it like one is exactly what's burning women out. This episode is a reality check and a permission slip: Not all mistakes are catastrophic Not everything deserves your guilt And no, you're not “losing it”… you're human Nicole breaks down how to: Identify what actually matters (your glass balls) Stop overreacting to the things that don't (your rubber balls) Give yourself grace without lowering your standards Protect your energy, your priorities, and your sanity Because the goal isn't to juggle everything perfectly — it's to know what's worth catching. And if a few balls bounce? Let them. Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Gusto is online payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. It's all-in-one, remote-friendly, and incredibly easy to use—so you can pay, hire, onboard, and support your team from anywhere! Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TIWW, and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Refresh your spring wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/TIWW for free shipping and 365-day returns! Connect with Nicole: Subscribe to Nicole's Substack: https://nicolekalil.substack.com/  Join the Inner Circle: https://nicolekalil.myflodesk.com/newsletter  Related Podcast Episode: Women Are Tired — Stop Pointing It Out | Unfiltered & Unhinged Restless Life Syndrome (Why I Want 14 Different Lives) | Unfiltered & Unhinged Yell for Help | Unfiltered & Unhinged 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 one thing straight: this is not a fan girl episode. It's a masterclass in women's economic power, using one of the most undeniable case studies of our time — Taylor Swift. In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil sits down with economist and researcher Misty Heggeness, author of Swiftynomics, to break down what happens when women stop playing small and start reshaping entire industries. Because whether people like Taylor Swift or not? Irrelevant. What she's done for ownership, influence, and economic impact? Undeniable. This conversation dives into the data behind the headlines — exposing how women have always been driving the economy… just without the credit. In this episode, they explore: What “Swiftynomics” actually means (and why it's bigger than Taylor Swift) Why traditional economic metrics undervalue women (and always have) How women drive over 80% of consumer spending — and what that means for power The rise of female-led content, companies, and cultural influence Why backlash against powerful women is predictable… and irrelevant The economic shift happening when women support women — and stop supporting what doesn't support them Why equity in the workplace and at home benefits everyone (yes, even men) This isn't about celebrity. It's about who holds power, who gets recognized for it, and who's done waiting for permission. This episode reframes Taylor Swift as more than a pop icon — she's proof of what happens when women own their work, their voice, and their value, and in doing so, redefine the entire economic landscape. Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Gusto is online payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. It's all-in-one, remote-friendly, and incredibly easy to use—so you can pay, hire, onboard, and support your team from anywhere! Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TIWW, and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Refresh your spring wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/TIWW for free shipping and 365-day returns! Connect with Misty: Website: https://www.mistyheggeness.com/  Book: https://www.instagram.com/swiftynomics/  Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/swiftynomics.bsky.social  X: https://bsky.app/profile/swiftynomics.bsky.social  Related Podcast Episodes: Holding It Together: Women As America's Safety Net with Jessica Calarco | 215 How To Cultivate Audacity with Anne Marie Anderson | 276 Joan Lunden on Reinvention, Leadership & Life Beyond the Script | 392 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!

Romantic relationships are not supposed to stay frozen in the honeymoon phase forever. In this episode, Nicole Kalil sits down with attachment theory expert Thais Gibson—bestselling author, PhD, and founder of The Personal Development School—to break down the six stages of relationships, why the power struggle stage is where so many couples get stuck, and what it really takes to build healthy, lasting love. Because, contrary to everything rom-coms, bad advice, and old conditioning taught women, a strong relationship is not about never changing. It is about learning how to grow, communicate, repair, and keep choosing each other when life gets messy, inconvenient, and very unsexy. In this episode, Nicole and Thais discuss: The 6 stages of relationships, from dating to everlasting love Why the power struggle stage is normal, not proof something is broken Why vulnerability is the price of deeper connection The communication mistake couples make on repeat Why women often overfocus on being chosen instead of doing the choosing Why people date potential and how that blows up later What it takes to move from stability into devotion and lasting partnership This conversation gets into the real stuff: dating red flags, codependency, conflict resolution, self-abandonment, subconscious patterns, and the truth about what it takes to create a healthy relationship that evolves with you instead of trapping you. Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Gusto is online payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. It's all-in-one, remote-friendly, and incredibly easy to use—so you can pay, hire, onboard, and support your team from anywhere! Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TIWW, and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Connect with Thais: Website: personaldevelopmentschool.com  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePersonalDevelopmentSchoolG:  IG: https://www.instagram.com/thepersonaldevelopmentschool/?hl=en  Related Podcast Episodes: All The Ways We Get In Our Own Way with Thais Gibson | 235 Healing Relationships: The 4 Essential Pillars for Lasting Love with Dr. Rachel Glik | 283 163 / Do You Believe in Love? with Arielle Ford 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!

Education - Nicole Kalil + Airwave Media

Somewhere along the way, women were sold a lie: competition is the price of ambition. Be faster. Be louder. Be better. And if someone else wins? You must lose. In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil sits down with Ruchika T. Malhotra—founder and CEO of Candour, a global inclusion strategy firm, and author of Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success—to dismantle the zero-sum mindset and replace it with something far more powerful: collaboration, abundance, and shared success. Ruchika, a former business journalist and contributor to Harvard Business Review (including co-author of one of HBR's most-read articles, Stop Telling Women They Have Impostor Syndrome), brings research, global perspective, and real-world strategy to challenge how we think about workplace competition, women in leadership, and ambition. Together, they unpack: Why competition in real life rewards conformity—not excellence The difference between comparison (human) and competition (optional) How social media fuels constant, low-grade competitive anxiety What “uncompeting” looks like in promotions, leadership, and career growth How to turn envy into data instead of self-destruction Why competing with other women isn't strategy—it's conditioning Bottom line: Uncompeting isn't about lowering ambition. It's about rejecting scarcity, defining success on your own terms, and building long-game leadership rooted in integrity—not insecurity. Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Connect with Ruchika: Website: https://www.ruchika.co/ Book: www.uncompetebook.com LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchikatm IG: https://www.instagram.com/rtulshyan/ Related Podcast Episodes 137 / Ampliship (Mean Girls Part 2) with Caroline Adams Miller 206 / A Better Way to Define Success with Stella Grizont How To Get What You Want with Jenny Wood | 293 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 meditation isn't about sitting still, clearing your mind, or becoming some perfectly calm, enlightened human? What if it's simply about presence? In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil sits down with entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and founder of the globally consumed meditation podcast A Zen Mind, Jo Rose, to talk about meditation for real life, nervous system regulation, and how cultivating presence can transform the way we work, lead, and live. In this conversation, we explore: The biggest myths about meditation and why so many people think they “can't meditate” Why meditation isn't about silencing your mind  How presence and mindfulness can happen during conversations, movement, or everyday tasks The connection between nervous system regulation and feeling calm, open, and grounded Why trying to control outcomes often blocks creativity and intuition The difference between forcing results vs. allowing flow states How to discover routines that support your mental health and well-being (and why copying someone else's routine rarely works) The power of devotion over discipline when building meditation and mindfulness practices Because meditation isn't about perfection. It's about noticing when your mind wanders… and bringing it back. Over and over again. Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Listen to A Zen Mind Podcast & Connect With Jo Rose: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/69Jm0pfRlpnaBDaioynNaX?si=r9BQATHYRei2Hm0tBQ2O8w&nd=1&dlsi=dcf04fdb2d8b4ab6 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-zen-mind-guided-meditations/id1599159160 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@azenmind IG: https://www.instagram.com/a.zen.mind Website: https://azenmindglobal.com/  Related Podcast Episodes: Stop Saying “I'm Fine”: Nervous System Regulation for High-Achieving Women with Michelle Grosser | 372 How To Listen When Your Parts Speak (IFS Therapy + Ancestral Wisdom) with Tamala Floyd | 376 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!

Some phrases women hear on repeat really need to be retired — permanently. In this unfiltered & unhinged short episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil revisits her earlier rant “Stop Saying That” (Episode 216) and adds another phrase to the list: “You look tired.” Nicole explains why this comment — even when it's meant with good intentions — isn't helpful. If someone looks exhausted, chances are they already know. Between work, family, responsibilities, and the never-ending mental load women carry, it's no surprise so many are running on fumes. Instead of pointing it out, Nicole suggests a better approach: ask how someone is doing, offer support, or bring coffee. Because there's a big difference between making an observation and showing actual care. And yes, women are tired — but we keep showing up anyway. Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Connect with Nicole: Subscribe to Nicole's Substack: https://nicolekalil.substack.com/  Join the Inner Circle: https://nicolekalil.myflodesk.com/newsletter  Related Podcast Episodes: Stop Saying That! (Like Right F*****g Now) | 216 Restless Life Syndrome (Why I Want 14 Different Lives) | Unfiltered & Unhinged Yell for Help | Unfiltered & Unhinged 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!

For years, women have been told to just focus harder, get organized, use the planner, and stick to the system. But when those systems don't work, the assumption is that we're the problem. In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil sits down with ADHD counselor, author, and creator of the ADHD Regulation Method, Jenna Free, to challenge the idea that there's a “right” way for our brains to function. Jenna offers a different perspective: ADHD isn't a defect — it's a brain difference. And many of the struggles people associate with ADHD may actually come from something else entirely — chronic nervous system dysregulation and living in constant fight-or-flight mode. In this conversation, Jenna breaks down why so many traditional productivity tools fail people with ADHD, how dysregulation fuels overwhelm and procrastination, and what it actually takes to create balance, focus, and sustainable productivity. This conversation isn't just for people with ADHD. It's for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, behind, or convinced that they just need to try harder. In this episode, we explore: Why ADHD is considered a brain difference, not a disorder or failure How chronic fight-or-flight dysregulation amplifies ADHD symptoms Why rushing is one of the biggest signals of nervous system dysregulation The difference between living in potential vs. reality (and why it matters) The role of curiosity — instead of guilt and shame — in changing patterns Why traditional productivity advice often backfires for ADHD brains When medication can be helpful — and why it's not a moral decision If you've ever felt like your brain just doesn't cooperate with the way the world expects you to work… this conversation might just change how you see yourself. Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Connect with Jenna: Website: https://www.adhdwithjennafree.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Guide-ADHD-Regulation-Enjoying/dp/1400254698  IG: www.instagram.com/adhdwithjennafree TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@adhdwithjennafree Related Podcast Episodes: Stop Saying “I'm Fine”: Nervous System Regulation for High-Achieving Women with Michelle Grosser | 372 How To Listen When Your Parts Speak (IFS Therapy + Ancestral Wisdom) with Tamala Floyd | 376 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!

AI is officially in the workplace, on the group chat, and probably drafting someone's “thought leadership” while they're still in the shower. In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil goes toe-to-toe with the thing that's equal parts fascinating and mildly rage-inducing: AI and the future of work. Enter Katie Fortunato, Co-Founder and EVP of Platform Innovation & Strategy at Hire Innovations, a global leader in human-centered AI talent technology. Together, they unpack how to use AI as a tool (not a personality), how to avoid “automation without accountability,” and why the future belongs to humans who can still think, judge, and lead—aka the “skills” no bot can fake convincingly for long. In this episode, they get into: Why AI feels like cheating… and when it actually is The difference between using AI for productivity vs. outsourcing your identity “Brand choices” (aka: how to lose audience trust in one easy AI avatar) How to start using AI if it's intimidating: repeat-task lists, tiny experiments, and momentum Picking AI tools without spiraling: ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude—and why it's like joining a gym AI in hiring: what “responsible AI” actually looks like in talent tech The uncomfortable truth: there is no 100% guarantee—so you need guardrails Vendor trust, data privacy, compliance, and why downloading random tools at work is chaos behavior Why protecting critical thinking is urgent—especially for kids (and honestly, adults too) The core takeaway: let AI handle repetitive work so humans can double down on context, curiosity, judgment, and care Wrap-up (because the point is the point): Nicole and Katie land on a clear line in the sand—AI can boost productivity, but it shouldn't replace human thinking, discernment, or authenticity. The future of work won't just be shaped by what AI can do; it'll be shaped by what people choose to protect while using it. Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Connect with Katie: LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieclarkfortunato/      https://www.linkedin.com/company/talivitynetwork/      https://www.linkedin.com/company/recruitics/ Jobstream (INVITE CODE FOR CREATORS & COMMUNITIES: FOUNDER) : https://bit.ly/48fneLK Related Podcast Episodes: Unmasking AI with Dr. Joy Buolamwini | 259 Digital Decluttering: How to Make Tech Your Assistant, Not Your Adversary with Amanda Jefferson | 312 023 / 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!

We love a good “never quit” mantra. Hustle. Grind. Push through. Stay committed. But what if the bravest move isn't doubling down… it's pivoting? In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil sits down with Melissa Gonzalez — principal at MG2, shareholder at Collier's Engineering and Design, founder of The Lioness Group, and author of The Purpose of Pivot: How Dynamic Leaders Put Vulnerability and Intuition into Action — to unpack one of the hardest leadership and life questions: How do you know when it's time to pivot? Because staying the course can be grit… or it can be self-betrayal.And pivoting can be courage… or it can be avoidance. The line? Blurry as hell. Together, they explore how to tell the difference between fear and intuition, discomfort and misalignment, commitment and stuckness — and how to make intentional, purpose-driven decisions without blowing up your entire life (unless you actually need to). They explore: The physical and emotional signs it's time to pivot How to run an “energy audit” to see what fuels vs. drains you The difference between purposeful change and running away Why clarity about your purpose makes decisions easier How to stop letting other people's opinions drive your choices Because pivoting doesn't require certainty. It requires discernment. And staying isn't noble if it's shrinking you. The goal isn't to get it perfect. It's to stay in relationship with yourself while you decide. Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Connect with Melissa: Website: https://www.melissagonzalez.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Pivot-Dynamic-Vulnerability-Intuition/dp/1394329474  IG: https://www.instagram.com/melsstyles/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagonzalezlionesque/ Related Podcast Episodes: 129 / 4 Truths of Radiant Change with Kristen Lisanti 5-Steps To Making Big Decisions with Abby Davisson | 222  How To Rewire Patterns That No Longer Serve You with Judy Wilkins-Smith | 323 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 a woman refuses to follow the script she was handed? In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil sits down with award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and former Good Morning America co-host Joan Lunden to talk about reinvention, leadership, pay equity, aging, caregiving, and choosing yourself — again and again. Joan was offered the co-host role at Good Morning America the same day she found out she was pregnant. In the 1970s. When working mothers were barely visible on television, and “breastfeeding” wasn't even a word you could say on air. She brought her baby to work anyway. Throughout her career, she negotiated creative compensation before pay equity was a mainstream conversation, pushed back on being labeled “second banana,” navigated public scrutiny, and later reinvented herself again — this time as a fierce advocate for women's health, breast cancer awareness, dense breast legislation, and caregiver rights. In this conversation, she shares: How to reinvent yourself at every stage of life What it takes to negotiate power in male-dominated spaces The pressure of being the “perfect working mom” How she handled media criticism and public expectations Why sisterhood and strong women behind the scenes mattered most Joan's story is proof that reinvention isn't a phase — it's a practice. And ambition doesn't expire just because culture says it should. Choosing yourself isn't one bold move. It's a lifetime of them. Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Connect with Joan: Website: https://joanlunden.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/JOAN-Beyond-Script-Joan-Lunden/dp/1637634927/  IG: https://www.instagram.com/therealjoanlunden/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/JoanLunden Related Podcast Episodes: Reinventing Your Career (Again and Again) with Ilana Golan | 374 Your Value Doesn't Expire: Career Reinvention Over 40 with Loren Greiff | 344 Big Trust Energy: How to Build Self-Trust When Self-Doubt Won't Shut Up with Dr. Shadé Zahrai | 380 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!

This podcast often explores ambition, leadership, confidence, and impact. But sometimes? Woman's work looks a whole lot more like survival. Not the inspirational quote version. Not the neat-and-tidy comeback story. Not the “and then she rose” highlight reel. This episode of This Is Woman's Work dives into the raw, relentless, day-by-day kind of survival — the kind that asks someone to keep showing up while life is actively coming apart. Nicole Kalil is joined by Kathy Giusti — two-time cancer survivor, healthcare entrepreneur, founder of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), and author of Fatal to Fearless. After being diagnosed with multiple myeloma at 37 and given three years to live, Kathy turned her prognosis into a movement that helped transform cancer research and dramatically extend life expectancy for patients. Yes. From terminal diagnosis to systemic change. In This Episode, They Discuss: What survival really looks like after a terminal cancer diagnosis Why resilience isn't pretty — and rarely feels brave in the moment The difference between “fighting” cancer and running a marathon with it How to advocate for yourself inside a broken healthcare system Why women must step into the role of CEO of their own healthcare The power (and responsibility) of using social media wisely for medical information The hard truth about boundaries, burnout, and forgetting to live while trying to stay alive Kathy shares what it meant to raise a family while preparing for death. To build a global research foundation while undergoing chemotherapy. To carry hope, fear, responsibility, and grief — all at once. And perhaps most powerfully, she shares the regret she didn't anticipate: that in trying to save her life (and so many others), she sometimes forgot to fully live it. Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Connect with Kathy: Website: https://www.kathygiusti.com/ Book: https://www.kathygiusti.com/book  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathygiusti/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/kathy.giusti/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/KathyGiustiMMRF Related Podcast Episodes: 161 / Survivorship and Breast Cancer with Virginia Carnesale  156 / Cell Care with Dr. Monisha Bhanote I've Got Beef With The Health & Wellness Industry | Unfiltered & Unhinged 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 talk a lot about dreaming bigger — but not nearly enough about what it actually costs to play it safe. Fear of failure keeps brilliant ideas stuck in our heads, careers stalled, and confidence quietly eroding. In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil is joined by Lorraine H. Marchand, innovation expert, Wharton professor, and author of No Fear, No Failure. Together, they unpack why failure isn't the enemy — avoidance is. From reframing fear as data, to designing smarter experiments, to creating cultures (and inner narratives) where learning beats perfection, this conversation is a permission slip to try, fail, learn… and keep going. If you've ever felt paralyzed by getting it wrong, worried about failing publicly, or trapped by environments that say they want innovation but punish mistakes — this episode is for you. We explore: Why fear of failure shuts down growth faster than actual failure ever could How to reframe failure as learning (and why that changes everything) Why women are more likely to internalize failure — and how to stop How to test ideas without burning it all down What “failing forward” looks like in real life (not just on LinkedIn) How to stop being afraid of other people seeing you try Because growth doesn't happen without risk — and playing it safe has a cost. Thank you to our sponsors! Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/bg2602-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Connect with Lorraine: Website: https://www.lorrainemarchand.com/  Book: https://www.lorrainemarchand.com/no-fear-no-failure/  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorrainemarchand  Related Podcast Episodes: 197 / Fear & Failure (Part 1) with Amy Green Smith 181 / Stress Less and Fear(Less) with Rebecca Heiss VI4P - Perfectionism and Failure (Chapter 6) 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 being a “good woman” isn't actually virtuous — but conditioned? In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil sits down with Elise Loehnen, New York Times bestselling author of On Our Best Behavior: The Price Women Pay to Be Good, to dismantle the centuries-old rules that still dictate how women are expected to behave, desire, rest, earn, and lead. Together, they unpack how the seven deadly sins — yes, those — quietly shape modern women's lives, ambitions, bodies, money stories, and relationships. Pride, envy, greed, sloth, lust… turns out they've been weaponized against women for generations, rewarding self-sacrifice and punishing visibility, appetite, and power. This conversation goes deep — into patriarchy, good-girl conditioning, reputational harm, money shame, envy as information, and why women are often both the enforcers and the casualties of these ancient rules. If you've ever felt exhausted by trying to be good, likable, selfless, and low-maintenance all at once… this episode is your permission slip to stop. Because goodness that costs you yourself isn't goodness. It's conditioning. Thank you to our sponsors! Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/bg2602-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Connect with Elise: Substack: eliseloehnen.substack.com  IG: https://www.instagram.com/eliseloehnen/  Book: https://www.eliseloehnen.com/onourbestbehavior  Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pulling-the-thread-with-elise-loehnen/id1585015034   Related Podcast Episodes: 136 / Mean Girls with Caroline Adams Miller How To Defy Expectations with Dr. Sunita Sah | 271 From Mean Girls to Hype Women with Erin Gallagher | 353 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 taught to avoid it — to hide it, shame it, or outwork it. But what if failure isn't the thing that destroys confidence… what if it's the thing that builds it? In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil sits down with Jane Chen, co-founder of Embrace Global and author of Like a Wave, We Break, to talk about what happens when success collapses — and why that moment might be the most honest, transformative chapter of your life. Jane shares the raw story of losing the company she poured a decade into, how her identity unraveled alongside it, and the healing journey that followed — from redefining resilience and self-worth to learning how to listen to her body, sit with discomfort, and rebuild from a place of authenticity instead of achievement. This conversation dives deep into: Why failure is a confidence builder, not a confidence killer How achievement can become a trauma response Separating your worth from your results, titles, and accolades Knowing when to keep pushing — and when it's time to stop The role of self-compassion, community, and psychological safety in leadership Why breaking isn't the end… it's often the beginning Because confidence isn't built by never falling apart. It's built by trusting yourself to rise again. This episode is a powerful reminder that failure, fear, and doubt aren't detours — they're part of the path. When we stop chasing perfection and start honoring what's real, we build the kind of confidence that actually lasts. Thank you to our sponsors! Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/bg2602-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww Connect with Jane Website: https://www.janemariechen.com Book: https://www.amazon.com/Like-Wave-We-Break-Falling/dp/0593582349 IG: https://www.instagram.com/janemarie.chen/?hl=en  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janemariechen/ FB: www.facebook.com/janemariechen  Tiktok: @janemariechen TEDtalk: https://www.ted.com/talks/jane_marie_chen_what_losing_everything_taught_me_about_resilience Related Podcast Episodes: The Biology Of Trauma - And How To Heal It with Dr. Aimie Apigian | 346 How To Listen When Your Parts Speak (IFS Therapy + Ancestral Wisdom) with Tamala Floyd | 376 Five Habits of Hope with Dr. Julia Garcia | 365 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 wondered “Do I actually matter?” — not in a motivational-poster way, but in the deep, existential, 3am-staring-at-the-ceiling way — this episode is for you. In this powerful conversation, Nicole Kalil sits down with Rebecca Neuberger Goldstein, award-winning philosopher and author of The Mattering Instinct: How Our Deepest Longing Drives Us and Divides Us, to unpack one of the most fundamental human needs: the need to matter. Together, they explore why mattering may be even more essential than happiness, how our desire to matter shapes our lives, relationships, and conflicts, and why the pressure to prove our worth often leads to comparison, competition, and division. Rebecca introduces the concept of “mattering projects” — the deeply personal ways we justify our lives to ourselves — and why there is no single “right” way to matter. This episode challenges the idea that mattering is loud, performative, or scarce, and reframes it as an inside-out experience rooted in integrity, connection, and self-justification — not productivity, perfection, or approval.

For decades, we were sold a lie: get good grades, be smart, keep climbing—and success will magically follow. But in a world of nonstop disruption, AI, political chaos, and careers that don't come with ladders anymore, IQ and EQ alone aren't cutting it. In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil sits down with Liz Tran, executive coach, former venture capitalist, and author of AQ: A New Kind of Intelligence for a World That's Always Changing, to unpack the intelligence that actually determines who thrives when everything keeps shifting: AQ (Agility Quotient). AQ isn't about being perfect, flexible to the point of burnout, or endlessly accommodating. It's about how well you adapt to change, uncertainty, and the unknown—without losing yourself in the process. Liz breaks down the four AQ archetypes (Firefighter, Novelist, Astronaut, Neurosurgeon), how proactive vs. reactive change impacts your life and career, and why adaptability is no longer optional—it's survival. This conversation will change how you think about intelligence, leadership, confidence, and what it really takes to succeed when the rules keep changing mid-game. Bottom line: Intelligence isn't just what you know—it's how you respond when what you know stops working. Thank you to our sponsors! Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/bg2602-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Connect with Liz Website: https://liz-tran.com/   Book: https://liz-tran.com/#aq  IG: https://www.instagram.com/liztranwrites/ Quiz: https://liz-tran.com/#quiz LI: linkedin.com/in/liztran1  Related Podcast Episodes: Unlocking Your Hidden Genius: How to Harness Your Innate Talents with Betsy Wills & Alex Ellison | Ep. 289 129 / 4 Truths of Radiant Change with Kristen Lisanti Diversity Isn't a Strategy - It's a Leadership Result with Aiko Bethea | 378 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!

The health and wellness industry loves to tell women they're broken — and then sell them the fix. In this unfiltered and slightly unhinged solo episode, Nicole Kalil calls out wellness culture for what it too often is: rebranded diet culture, influencer-led misinformation, and shame dressed up as self-care. From green juice guilt to inflammation fear-mongering to TikTok experts blaming women for their own illnesses, Nicole takes aim at an industry that claims to prioritize longevity and quality of life — while obsessing over looking younger, smaller, and more “acceptable.” She shares her own expensive experiments with wellness trends, what actually helped, what didn't, and why one-size-fits-all solutions are a massive red flag. This episode is a permission slip to trust your body, question the algorithm, and stop outsourcing your health decisions to people with discount codes and zero accountability. Because real wellness isn't about perfection — it's about agency, discernment, and self-trust. Thank you to our sponsors! Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/bg2602-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  Related Podcast Episode: Yell for Help | Unfiltered & Unhinged Ask the Damn Question | Unfiltered & Unhinged 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!

Talking about sex shouldn't feel like a performance review you didn't prepare for — and yet, for so many women, it does. In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil gets publicly uncomfortable (on purpose) to talk about what we're really craving when it comes to sex — not hotter, not louder, not more performative… but healthier. Joined by internationally renowned human sexuality professor and author Dr. Nicole McNichols, this conversation cuts through cultural noise, outdated scripts, and unrealistic expectations around women's desire. Together, they unpack why exhaustion, mental overload, hormonal shifts, and decades of conditioning disconnect women from their bodies — and how to rebuild a sex life rooted in honesty, agency, and pleasure. This episode isn't about doing more or trying harder. It's about unlearning shame, understanding your body, honoring your evolving needs, and creating a roadmap for sex that works for you — at every stage of life. What We Cover: Why “hotter sex” is the wrong goal — and what healthier sex actually looks like The mental load, exhaustion, and emotional labor killing desire (and what to do about it) Dr. McNichols' Hierarchy of Sexual Needs and why pleasure starts internally Getting out of your head and back into your body (hello, sexual mindfulness) Mismatched libidos, desire discrepancies, and how to stop making them mean something's wrong When curiosity, communication, and consent unlock deeper connection Healthy sex isn't about performance, frequency, or checking boxes — it's about presence, permission, and pleasure that evolves with you. When women reclaim agency over their bodies and desires, connection deepens, shame loosens its grip, and intimacy becomes something we get to experience — not something we're expected to perform. Thank you to our sponsors! Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/bg2602-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Connect with Dr. Nicole McNichols: Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/You-Could-Be-Having-Better-Sex/Nicole-McNichols/9781668053775  IG: https://www.instagram.com/nicole_thesexprofessor/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicole_thesexprofessor Related Podcast Episodes: Access, Agency & The Abortion Underground with Rebecca Grant | 358  051 / Connecting To Your Sexuality with Aylen Doucette How To Listen When Your Parts Speak (IFS Therapy + Ancestral Wisdom) with Tamala Floyd | 376 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 turned a simple request into a full-blown production — congratulations, you're one of us. In this short, unfiltered episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil shares a painfully relatable story involving kindergarten, lasagna, glitter, and a catastrophic failure to ask a clarifying question. This episode is a reminder (and a loving call-out) for all the women who default to over-functioning, over-planning, and over-complicating things that were never meant to be that deep. Sometimes the bravest, smartest move isn't doing more — it's asking the damn question. Because clarity beats chaos. And noodles in a box beat four trays of lasagna. If you're spiraling over something that feels way harder than it should be, this episode will hit you right in the overachiever feels. A funny, human reminder that better communication — and one simple question — can save you a whole lot of unnecessary stress. 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  Related Podcast Episode Yell for Help | Unfiltered & Unhinged 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 isn't something you earn, it's something you build. In this episode, I sit down with Nicole Kalil, aka the “Confidence Sherpa,” to talk about the biggest lie that has been told that confidence comes from promotions, paychecks, perfect bodies, or other people's approval. Nicole shares why confidence is rooted in trust, how living inauthentically drains your self-belief, and why mistakes, missteps, and discomfort are not confidence killers. Get ready to stop chasing validation, release perfectionism, and learn how to create confidence that no one can take away. In This Episode You Will Learn Why CONFIDENCE isn't external but built through SELF-TRUST. The “CONFIDENCE CON” and how it keeps you stuck chasing validation. How keeping COMMITMENTS to yourself builds confidence. Why MISTAKES and FAILURES actually strengthen self-belief. The 5 biggest CONFIDENCE DERAILERS holding women back. How PERFECTIONISM erodes your power. Why COMPARISON is confidence poison. How OVERTHINKING leads to inaction and regret. What it really means to USE YOUR VOICE authentically. Check Out Our Sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/monahan Quince - Step into the holiday season with layers made to feel good and last from Quince. Go to quince.com/confidence Timeline - Get 10% off your first Mitopure order at timeline.com/CONFIDENCE. Northwest Registered Agent - protect your privacy, build your brand and get your complete business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes! Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/confidencefree Resources + Links Get your copy of Nicole's book, Validation Is for Parking: How Women Can Beat the Confidence Con HERE Nicole Kalil's website: nicolekalil.com Listen to Nicole's podcast: This Is Women's Work Call my digital clone at 201-897-2553!  Visit heathermonahan.com Sign up for my mailing list: heathermonahan.com/mailing-list/  Overcome Your Villains is Available NOW! Order here: https://overcomeyourvillains.com  If you haven't yet, get my first book Confidence Creator Follow Heather on Instagram & LinkedIn Nicole on Instagram & LinkedIn

Education - Nicole Kalil + Airwave Media

Women's bodies get endlessly analyzed from the outside… while our internal health gets treated like an optional group project nobody studied for. Cool cool cool. In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil goes deep on the perimenopause/menopause mess: the years of brain fog, 3 a.m. wake-ups, mood swings, weight gain, and the medical equivalent of a shrug. Enter Dr. Sarah Daccarett, hormone specialist and aging expert, to explain why so many women are confused, dismissed, and exhausted—and why hormone replacement therapy (HRT) should be viewed as foundational health support, not a “last resort once you're fully miserable.” What We Cover Why most women (including doctors) are confused about perimenopause + HRT—and why that's not your fault The “natural” misconception: why Sarah argues HRT can be more natural than the supplement aisle Why waiting for hot flashes is like waiting for your car to explode before you change the oil Hormones as the “CEO of the body”: brain, bones, metabolism, sleep, libido, digestion—ALL of it The real problem with “just fix your gut / cortisol / diet” advice when your hormones are the actual root issue PCOS, insulin resistance, and why “just lose weight” advice can be straight-up useless Why hormone testing can be wildly unreliable—and why symptoms still matter Medical gaslighting: how women lose trust in themselves when the system keeps minimizing them If you've been white-knuckling your way through perimenopause symptoms, you're not weak—you're under-supported. Better info + better care isn't “extra,” it's the bare minimum. 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 Sarah: Website: www.innerbalance.com $50 off Discount code: PODCASTDRSARAH Related Podcast Episodes: Don't Let Your Doctor Kill You: The New Hormone Solution with Dr. Erika Schwartz | 305  Endometriosis & Women's Health with Somer Baburek | 238  Floored: Why Our Pelvic Floor Health Matters with Dr. Sara Reardon I 314 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 we're creating something new or changing directions in our life - the thing often standing in our way is the confidence to move forward.Today we dive deep into the relationship between confidence, authenticity, and self-trust and how to cultivate each so that they work together to our advantage.To help me have this conversation, I'm joined by "confidence sherpa", bestselling author, and podcast host Nicole Kalil. Together, we unpack what it truly means to be confident and authentic in a world that is often filled with noise, comparison, and external validation.You'll discover why confidence is much more than just a feeling—it's a choice and a skill we can all develop. Nicole Kalil breaks down confidence from the etymology of the word to the difference in how men and women experience it through-out a life span. But more importantly, we get into how to take small steps, how to identify "confidence derailers" in your life and how cultivating self-trust sits at the center of it all.Be sure to listen through for Nicole's real-life example of what starting from self-trust looks like with her podcast This is Woman's Work.This is a really good one - if you are wanting to connect with your confidence and authenticity more this year and learn how you can begin to approach cultivating it in small ways, then this ones for you.In this episode, you'll learn: How taking small, intentional actions builds both clarity and confidence—especially when you're starting something new or stepping outside your comfort zoneHow to identify confidence derailersWhy podcasting can be a powerful pathway to self-development, confidence, and authentic connection—whether your audience is large or smallWhy cultivating self-confidence and authenticity are connected to your internal outcomes and influence how you create impactLinks:Get my FREE Clarity Checklist for heart-led women building what's next and find out if podcasting is your pathway forward!More from Nicole Kalil:Visit: https://nicolekalil.com/Take the Quiz - What Is Derailing Your Confidence: https://nicolekalil.com/confidencequizListen to the podcast: This Is Woman's WorkRead the best-seller: Validation Is For ParkingIG: @nicolemkalilLinkedIn: @nicolekalilMore episodes on this topic:Ep.127 - How To Use The Power of Your Voice to Speak Notes of Love 7 Authenticity w/ Judy RodmanEp.121 - The Impact of Authenticity w/ Brandon WadeThank you so much for listening! New Episodes are available every Tuesday* - Automatically receive...

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!

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!

Education and Business - Nicole Kalil + Airwave Media

In this episode of Life of And, Tiffany sits down with keynote speaker and author Nicole Kalil to discuss the real engine of confidence. It's not the polished image or the applause, but firm, bold trust in yourself. Nicole shares the “confidence derailers” that quietly chip away at us (overthinking, perfectionism, comparison, people-pleasing, and external validation) and offers a practical path back to action and self-trust.From navigating image, aging, and norms without losing authenticity to parenting confidence in a feedback-saturated world, this conversation is an honest look at how to build confidence that lasts, and what to do when achiever mode burns you out.For more from Tiffany, sign up for her newsletter: https://tiffany-sauder.mykajabi.com/TS-Newsletter-SubscribeFollow Tiffany on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffany.sauderCheck out Tiffany's website: https://www.tiffanysauder.com What You'll Learn:Why “firm, bold trust in self” beats external validation every timeThe five confidence derailers and how action becomes the antidoteHow to model and parent confidence without creating a validation dependencyTimestamps:(00:00) Intro(02:04) Nicole's crash after “faking confidence”(09:21) Defining confidence as firm self-trust(16:21) The five derailers that chip away at confidence(20:37) Why validation feels good but becomes addictive(22:22)  Navigating the line between authenticity and appearance(29:06) How Nicole models and parents confidence at home(34:11) What she'd add to Validation Is For Parking today(35:32) Hard lessons from burning out on book promotion(38:00) On achiever mode, scarcity thinking, and abundance(41:11) Nicole's podcast and workbook for building confidenceFor more from Nicole, check out these links:Website: https://nicolekalil.com/Confidence Quiz & FREE 40+ Page Confidence Building Workbook: https://nicolekalil.com/confidencequizThis Is Woman's Work Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-womans-work-with-nicole-kalil/id1493225373 on Apple (or wherever you listen to podcasts)Validation Is For Parking Book: https://geni.us/ValidationIsForParkingLinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/nicolekalilInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolemkalil/Check out the sponsor of this episode:Created in partnership with Share Your Genius

Education - Nicole Kalil

Nicole Kalil, a renowned speaker, coach, and author of “Validation is for Parking” brings a refreshing and candid approach to building confidence. With a dynamic career journey from a Fortune 100 finance firm to hosting the globally acclaimed podcast “This is Women's Work” Nicole's insights are rooted in real-world experience. Her genuine passion for empowering individuals and eliminating gender biases in the workplace shines through in her relatable and humorous style. As she juggles her roles as a wife, mom, and self-proclaimed cheese enthusiast, Nicole's down-to-earth nature makes her an approachable and inspiring guide on the journey to authentic self-discovery and confidence-building. The key moments in this episode are:  00:02:33 - Trial and Error in Career  00:08:50 - The Confidence Journey  00:13:52 - Perfectionism and Authenticity  00:16:03 - Seeking Validation Internally  00:21:52 - Redefining Work Culture  00:25:35 - Power Skills 00:29:07 - Recognizing Underwhelm    Connect with Arundhathi Subramaniam Website: nicolekalil.com Instagram: @nicolemkalil LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nicolekalil   Connect with Amina AlTai Website: aminaaltai.com Instagram: @aminaaltai TikTok: @theaminaaltai Linkedin:   linkedin/in/aminaaltai Book: aminaaltai.com/book

"Confidence isn't built—it's practiced."   The Confidence Myth What we call confidence is often just comfortable competence.  But true confidence is revealed precisely when we don't know what we're doing.   The 5 Confidence Killers External Validation: Outsourcing your worth makes you one criticism away from collapse. Comparison: Every minute comparing is a minute not creating. Comparison assassinates action. Overthinking: Analysis paralysis is fear wearing a lab coat. Fear of Failure: Confident people see failure as data, not definition. Broken Self-Trust: Every broken self-promise erodes your confidence foundation. Building Unshakeable Confidence Build Self-Trust: Make tiny commitments and keep them. Watch trust compound. Use Failure: The question isn't "Will I fail?" but "What will I learn?" Take Action: Confidence isn't built in contemplation—it's forged in movement. Speak to Yourself Like Someone You Love:  Your internal dialogue creates your reality.  Choose Daily: Confidence is a choice. Choose it before you feel it. Nicole Kalil is one of the most inspiring women I've met in a long, long time.   Her website; https://nicolekalil.com/ Subscribe to This Is Woman's Work  her Top 0.5% podcast  Book: "Validation is for Parking: How Women Can Beat the Confidence Con" Free Confidence Assessment: confidenceassessment.com  

In this episode of Lessons From A Quitter, we tackle the deep-rooted expectations and "shoulds" that often keep us stuck in careers that no longer serve us. Joined by Nicole Kalil, we explore how to identify and meet your own needs, break free from societal delusions, and embrace a mindset shift for more freedom and joy. We discuss the reality of careers—no dream job is perfect—and the power of small, intentional steps toward rediscovery. Nicole shares practical tools, including her confidence-building workbook, to help you rewrite the rules and create a fulfilling life on your own terms.

Have you been thinking about quitting something—or someone—but can't decide if it's the right time? In this episode, Nicole Kalil is joined by Goli Kalkhoran, Master Certified Life Coach and host of the Lessons from a Quitter podcast, to break down the stigma around quitting and show how it can be a path to clarity and fulfillment. Quitting isn't about giving up; it's about recognizing when it's time to stop pouring energy into things that no longer serve you. Goli shares tools and inspiration to pivot toward something intentional, aligned, and meaningful. In this episode, we explore: How to tell if it's time to quit or push harder. Why quitting isn't the opposite of perseverance but the companion to clarity. Practical steps for trusting yourself in career and life pivots. The power of choosing to stop, reset, and realign with what truly matters.

What if the key to unlocking your full potential wasn't just about working harder or climbing the ladder, but about understanding the invisible forces that shape how others see you? In today's episode, Erin dives into a transformative conversation with Alison Fragale, an expert on power, status, and the subtle art of influence. Her groundbreaking insights from her book, Likeable Badass, offer a powerful roadmap for navigating life's unspoken rules with authenticity, strategy, and even a little bit of fun. In this episode, Erin and Alison unpack the dynamics of power and status, revealing why they're more than just workplace buzzwords—they're the foundation of how we're perceived and what opportunities come our way. Alison explains why respect is the true currency of influence, how life can be approached like a game, and why caring about what others think of you is not just normal but essential. Whether you're navigating office politics, tackling imposter syndrome, or simply striving to show up as your best self, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom you can use to level up. Here are 5 big takeaways to chew on:  1. The Essence of Power and Status Alison began by distinguishing power from status: Power: Control over resources that others value (e.g., a boss deciding promotions or a parent holding car keys). Status: The respect and value others assign to you. She explained that while power is significant, status often precedes it. Respect and value lay the foundation for obtaining resources and authority. Without respect, people hesitate to entrust others with power, even if they technically qualify for it. Key Takeaway: "Resources follow respect." Gaining power often starts with earning the respect of others. 2. Status as a Playful Game Alison introduced the concept of status as a "game" using an insightful definition: “A game is a problem-solving activity approached with a playful attitude.” She encouraged adopting this mindset when tackling unfair or challenging situations. Though life's "games" (e.g., gaining status or respect) can be unjust, they can also be approached with creativity and enjoyment. By doing so, we can reclaim agency and find joy even in adversity. Key Takeaway: Life may not always be fair, but embracing a playful approach can make navigating status challenges more manageable—and even enjoyable. 3. Challenging the “Don't Care What Others Think” Mentality Alison debunked the common advice to "not care what others think," labeling it as misleading and counterproductive. Humans are inherently social beings, reliant on their "audience" for validation and interaction. Instead of ignoring feedback, she encouraged understanding and influencing your audience. This nuanced perspective bridges authenticity with strategy: staying true to yourself while recognizing how others perceive you influences your outcomes. Key Takeaway: Don't obsess over others' opinions, but don't dismiss them either. Learn to influence perceptions strategically while maintaining authenticity. If you're curious to learn more about external validation vs. Internal confidence, check out this episode, too: Episode 247: Validation vs. Confidence: What's the Real Difference? A Chat with Nicole Kalil 4. The Likable Badass Framework Alison introduced the concept behind her book title, Likable Badass, rooted in the two critical dimensions of status: Capability (Y-Axis): Competence, decisiveness, and the ability to get things done. Caring (X-Axis): Warmth, sincerity, and consideration for others. Everyone aspires to be seen as both capable and caring, and those who embody both traits earn the highest respect. The title encapsulates this balance in a catchy, empowering way. Key Takeaway: Strive to be both capable and caring. This sweet spot not only aligns with authenticity but also enhances how others perceive and respect you.  5. Overcoming People-Pleasing Tendencies Alison tackled people-pleasing behaviors, which often stem from a skewed emphasis on caring at the expense of assertiveness. People pleasers prioritize others' happiness, often sacrificing their own. She emphasized that true status requires balancing caring with self-assertion, ensuring mutual respect rather than one-sided compromise. Key Takeaway: To overcome people-pleasing, assert your needs alongside your care for others. Authenticity paired with assertiveness builds respect without self-sacrifice.  Closing Thoughts Alison's insights offer a fresh lens on navigating the complexities of status and power. By blending authenticity with strategic action, we can shape how others perceive us and create the outcomes we desire. Whether you aim to become a "likable badass" or simply want to navigate life's "games" with more joy, these principles can guide your journey. How will you use these strategies to elevate your status and unlock new opportunities? Let us know in the comments below!   No, You Hang Up First (Let's Keep Connecting) Did today's episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight from Alison and we'll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader's Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy. Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Don't want to miss another episode? If you're a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you're an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.” Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here. Show Links Purchase I See You! A Leader's Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy here and the Resource Guidebook that was built in conjunction with it here. Connect with Alison Fragale Alison's LinkedIn Alison's website Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin's website Erin's Instagram Erin's LinkedIn improve it!'s website improve it!'s Instagram