This episode is for anyone who struggles with finding their strengths. With help from my guest, Kyle Elliott, we help you answer the question, “What am I great at?” We also explore the topic of job change and figuring out what is your specialty in order to advance yourself in your career.  

For those new to Kyle, he is the founder and career coach behind CaffeinatedKyle.com. As a result of working with Kyle, senior managers and executives have landed jobs at Facebook, LinkedIn, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and nearly every other Fortune 100/500 company you can think of. Tune in to find out how to identify and own what makes you fabulous! 

• Kyle shares how he became known at Caffeine Kyle and his journey to career coaching.
• The biggest barrier people face when it comes to achieving happiness in their careers/lives.
• If a lack of confidence is an issue for you - Kyle offers some strategies to boost confidence.
• How to identify what makes you fabulous.
• Owning your fabulousness once you pinpoint what it is. 
• LinkedIn Profile strategies for individuals looking for a career change.

http://andreaowen.com/421

Fear is one powerful emotion. This week’s episode focuses on how fear shows up in our lives (hello, there…imposter complex) and what we can do to move through it in order to open new doors. Joining me on the show is Judi Holler. Judi Holler is a keynote speaker, thought leader, podcaster, improviser, and author of the book, “Fear is My Homeboy.” Judi’s energy is contagious. I  believe her work will resonate with you. 

Together, we explore the everyday things that happen to us and the blocks that get in our way. Judi walks us through some improv exercises to help open new doors and keep you moving forward. And as Judi likes to say, “Old keys don’t open new doors.” 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Judi’s view of the imposter complex and some ways she teaches people to combat it.
• The improv mindset and how it can help build confidence.
• How to turn obstacles into opportunities and tools to help navigate even the worst of life’s storms.
• The fear-setting roadmap and how to keep your emotions in check in stressful situations. 
• Judi takes me through an improv exercise to showcase the true magic of the word, “and.”

http://andreaowen.com/420

This week we are exploring the spiritual side of personal development. Kimberly Snyder joins me to talk about the various practices and teachings she shares in her upcoming book, You Are More Than You Think You Are: Practical Enlightenment for Everyday Life.

We discuss the benefits of working with your energy to enlighten your whole life, creativity, confidence, and more. Kimberly also shares her story of religious deconstruction and her spiritual awakening, learning universal principles, and working with a deeper connection.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Kimberly’s turning point inspired her spiritual awakening and subsequent writing of her books. 
• What True Self is and tapping into your True Self potential.
• How to tune into the source and your intuition. 
• Yogananda and why is he important to people today.
• Why practices and techniques are important to helping us move into our highest potential.

http://andreaowen.com/419

This week, Kerra Bolton joins me to discuss her intriguing story to learn to swim, dive, and map sunken slave ships and overcome her fear of swimming in open water. As she shares her story, you’ll hear her explain the process of working through her fears and learning to respect the water and trust herself. We also dive into the layers and history of epigenetics and mtDNA and how our past can help us to understand our current state of being.

Kerra is a writer, filmmaker, and CEO of Woodbine Films. She specializes in first-person, personal narratives that excavate joy from trauma. Currently, she is directing her first feature documentary, Return of the Black Madonna, and writing a book, Water in My Bones, about her epic quest.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Kerra shares her experience of learning to swim, dive, and map sunken slave ships; as someone who is fearful of water and swimming. (9:14)
• Kerra’s passion with diving for sunken slave ships. (15:31)
• Restorative practices: what they are and how they can help strengthen relationships within communities. Plus, how Kerra became a filmmaker in her 40s and the challenges of bringing stories to screen (31:50)

http://andreaowen.com/418

The word “wonder,” gets used a lot around the holiday season. But have you ever stopped to think about how wonder shows up in your everyday life? Andrea Scher joins me this week for a conversation about how to live a more vibrant life full of wonder, presence, and connection.

Andrea is an artist, author, and life coach whose work is driven by her belief in the transformative power of creativity. She is also the author of Wonder Seeker: 52 Ways to Wake up Your Creativity and Find Your Joy. After having this conversation with Andrea, I am looking at the world a little bit differently.

In this episode you’ll hear: 

• Andrea defines wonder and how it shapes her work and her life. (5:26)
• We explore some of the memories of wonder that are potent in our lives. (7:08)
• How wonder can be an antidote to anxiety. (14:22)
• The difference between wonder and joy. (26:26)
• The wonder of connection with others. (27:52)
• What it means to be a wonder seeker and how we can grow our sense of wonder in our everyday life. (32:03)
• Wonder is not about stepping over what is hard, it is being present with what is in front of you with compassion. (37:17)

http://andreaowen.com/417

This week I am exploring a new modality for personal development with guest Laura Gevanter. Laura is a PSYCH-K® Facilitator, an Intuitive Alignment Coach, Pendulum Healing Practitioner and Home Space/Energy Clearer. In this episode, she explains what PSYCH-K is and how it can be used to energetically align your mind, body, and soul into a version you’ve always desired. 

Laura has been studying brain science, quantum physics, spirituality, and the law of attraction for most of her life. She is innately curious about people, nature, life and how it's all connected.
I love learning about different modalities for personal development (and I’m sure you do too!) and the work that Laura does is fascinating.  

In this episode you’ll hear: 

• PSYCH-K: what it is and how it works. (5:49)
• Why PSYCH-K is unique and how is it different from other transformational modalities. (10:04)
• Benefits to health issues and healing. (27:15)
• How PSYCH-K helps with worthiness and money issues. (30:19)
• It takes courage to decide to make changes in your life. (32:26)
• Home-space clearing and energy alignment: what it is and why it matters. (35:54)

http://andreaowen.com/416

Today I am sharing the final two Make Some Noise listener stories, from Gail and Nancy. Their stories offer lessons around resilience, setting boundaries (and enforcing them), and breaking family patterns that no longer serve us. 

Gail shares her story of reinventing herself after 20 years of motherhood. Her story is one of resilience. Of falling down and getting back up, over and over again. Gail summed up her experience profoundly, “I found myself again. I do have worth, compassion, and knowledge that I thought I had lost forever.” Yes, Gail, yes! 

Nancy then shares her story of setting boundaries, having hard conversations, and breaking family patterns. Y’all, boundaries are hard enough, but when we have to set boundaries with our family - that is Ph.D. level work. And, Nancy is doing the work. Her story is a testament that we can do hard things and move past familial patterns that have been so ingrained in our lives since we were children.

Thank you to Nancy and Gail, and all of the women who shared stories of how they are making noise in their lives! I’ll be doing this again in the new year - so keep an eye (and ear) out on how you can share your story in a future episode. 

http://andreaowen.com/415

Laura McKowen returns to the show! Laura says, “Much of recovery is about accepting the good and the bad, as well as accepting the contradictions.” She joins me to talk about her sobriety story, how she processed the emotions of sobriety, and how she works with people now to inspire them to say yes to a bigger life. 

Laura is the author of the bestselling memoir, We Are The Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life, and the Founder and CEO of The Luckiest Club, a global sobriety support program.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Laura shares her sobriety story and how she went from working in advertising and drinking to sober, teacher, coach, and speaker. (3:58)
• What inspired Laura to write her book, We Are The Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life. (15:08)
  Sober Curiosity: We all have something that shatters the concept of self as we know it. (18:31)
• Some ways in which a newly sober person can learn to hear and speak their truth, and renew their sense of meaning and purpose. (36:38)

http://andreaowen.com/414

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been in a situation where you decided to make noise in your life; you speak up, you have a hard conversation, or you ask for a raise, and...it backfires. Inevitably, chances are, that is going to happen. 

Alright, now raise your hand if you’ve had a time in your life where you hit rock bottom and really needed help. Yet, reaching out for help felt like the hardest thing in the world.

Today Emily and Erin, Make Some Noise Podcast Listeners, share their experiences on worthiness, asking for help, and healing. Emily shares how she confidently asked for a raise only for it to backfire; and how that led to her evaluating and understanding her worth. She is now making much more than she did at her previous job and is happy about how things turned out. 

Next, Erin opens up about her struggle with thoughts of suicidal ideation and how she found support from her best friend. It was through that support Erin was able to utilize writing as a creative outlet for healing. Erin said,” It took hitting close to rock bottom in order for me to realize my voice needed to be heard.”

And yes, Erin’s voice, Emily’s voice, and all women’s voices need to be heard. They deserve to be heard. The world needs more women’s stories. I am so grateful Erin and Emily shared their stories with us this week.

http://andreaowen.com/413

This week, twin sisters Dr. Lexie Kite and Dr. Lindsay Kite join me for a discussion on body image resilience. As women, we've been conditioned to care about how we look and as such, become fixated on our beauty and body. And for many women, only when we feel we have conformed, do we feel confident. In addition to informing us how to step into body image resilience and away from body shame, Lexie and Lindsay offer their insight about topics such as self-objectification, body shame, and how internalized misogyny is central to our self-perceptions. 

“Body image resilience provides the opportunity to see the trigger as a stepping stone instead of a burden you carry around the rest of your life and cope in the same ways you’ve always had.” Dr. Lexie Kite

Lexie and Lindsay received their PhDs from the University of Utah. Their academic research on media studies and body image inspired them to establish the non-profit Beauty Redefined in 2009 (while concluding their co-written master’s thesis and beginning their doctoral research) to help women recognize and reject harmful messages about their bodies, worth, and potential, and redefine the meaning and value of beauty in their lives.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Lexie and Lindsay’s book, More Than a Body: Your Body Is an Instrument, Not an Ornament, takes on the topics of body image positivity and a reclamation of a woman's body. They share what inspired them to write this book. (6:30)
• Body image resilience: what it is and why it is important for women to work to raise theirs. (8:35)
• Why it is important to normalize the diversity of all bodies. (28:25)
• Many of us are disordered eaters and we don’t know it because it has been normalized in our culture. (36:12)
• We can prove the worst fears about ourselves are wrong. (39:44)
• The first step towards body image resilience includes taking inventory of your environment. (51:41)

http://andreaowen.com/412

It’s listener storytime! A few months ago I put out a call to share a personal story about making noise in your life. Several listeners answered the call; I am so excited that the time has come to share their experiences with you! This episode focuses on the topic of drinking and sobriety, coping with loss, and upholding boundaries.

Making noise is not necessarily about shouting from rooftops. It’s about pushing up against conditioning and social programming that tells you, you should not do something. You’ll hear how both Jill and Amy are making noise in their lives. 

Jill shares how a 90-day sobriety challenge turned into two years of sobriety (and still going). Following her sobriety, her life saw many major shifts and has allowed her to make and uphold boundaries in her life. Later, Amy bravely opens up about using alcohol to cope with a stroke she suffered in 2019. Making noise is also about speaking courageously and vulnerably in order to make a change in your life, much like Amy does here. Her story is one that also brings up the question, “How can you keep rising when you have evidence that sometimes things don’t work out?” I share some of my thoughts and lessons from Dr. Brené Brown’s Rising Strong curriculum to help Amy work through some of the reasons for her coping mechanisms.

http://andreaowen.com/411

Kacia Fitzgerald, host of the popular EmpowerHER podcast, joins me this week for a discussion about betting on yourself and going after whatever it is you want in life. 

Kacia is the Founder & CEO of She Goes company which is designed to empower women with the tools and community so they never have to GO alone.  In this episode, we also talk about trusting yourself, why it is important to show up for the, “why,” as opposed to getting caught up in the, “how,” and so much more. I love Kacia’s energy and know you will too. 

“When you trust yourself enough, then you can hear other people’s feedback but still do what feels aligned.” Kacia Fitzgerald

In this episode you’ll hear:

• The story behind Kacia’s Instagram post that said, “Worrying is literally betting against yourself.” (6:14)
• Why it’s important to not confuse inexperience with inability. (9:12)
• Some routines and rituals Kacia turns to in her daily life, which helps her to manage anxiety, reconnect, and decompress. (12:36)
• Kacia wants women to write their own damn permission slip. (21:49)

Instead of getting stuck on the” how,”, show up for the, “why.”(39:26)

http://andreaowen.com/410

I recorded this episode on September 27th, 2021. That day is of significance because it was my 10-year anniversary of sobriety. There’s a part of me that thinks, “I can't believe I've survived this long without drinking.” And another part of me that says, “Well, yes, it does feel like 10 years.”

10 years of clarity.
10 years of wisdom.
10 years of groundedness and feeling anchored in who I am. 

So, I wanted to take this opportunity to share my recovery and sobriety story with you. While I’ve shared my story before, it’s now many years out; therefore, I'll probably tell it a little bit differently than I did when I was a year out, which was the first time I talked about it publicly.

If you don't have a problem with alcohol maybe you have a loved one who does or maybe you are struggling with something else. I believe we all are recovering from something. Recovery is a lifelong journey. I hope you find some insight, clarity, support, or wisdom from this episode.

http://andreaowen.com/409

Today’s episode closes out the eight-episode series where I speak with women making noise in their lives. My final guest is Angela Chee, who joined me to talk about stepping into your power, owning your voice, and breaking through personal and professional barriers. 

Angela is media/communication coach, keynote speaker/emcee, creator of  YOU, Amplified!®, and host of “The Power Of The Only" podcast. A former TV news anchor and reporter with more than 20 years of media experience, she now works with visionary leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs who are ready to own their power and their voice and amplify their message and mission through speaking, video, and media.

Remember - all eight episodes are available in both audio and video format. To watch today’s interview and/or the previously aired episodes, you can find them on YouTube. I really hope you enjoyed this series as much as I did create it for you!

In this episode you’ll hear:

• What power means to Angela as a woman “Power is about owning all parts of you.”  (9:32)
• The biggest obstacle women face when they are stepping into their power. (11:19)
• Angela shares her experience in the power of being the only and the barriers she broke through in her career. (23:16)
• The importance of owning your voice. (30:00)
• How to speak up at work: Ask, “What value can I provide at this moment?” Then let the words come out. (36:04)
• Money is an expression of owning your voice and power. We talk about money and negotiating pay or raising rates. (43:34)

http://andreaowen.com/408

Returning to the show this week is Rachel Luna. We are talking all about what it means to have resilience, practicing self-compassion, and managing imposter syndrome. I asked Rachel to be a part of the Make Some Noise series because she is simply one of the best hype women I have in my corner and is an equally amazing life coach. 

Rachel is a highly sought-after international speaker, Certified Master Neuroscience & Life Coach to 7 + 8-figure earning entrepreneurs, and host of the popular podcast, Permission to Offend which has listeners in over 90 countries around the world.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Rachel shares her perspective on what it means when a woman is taking up space. (6:51)
• Find out what Rachel thinks about confidence; plus why confidence always leads back to identity, and staying in integrity. (9:14)
• Self-confidence vs. confidence, and the biggest mistake people make when they are working on self-confidence. (10:59)
• Navigating imposter syndrome, “None of us are immune from imposter syndrome, it’s just something we learn to manage over time.” (16:27)
• Rachel shares her experience with breast cancer and how that led her to practice self-compassion. (24:39)
• Resilience: knowing and believing that you can get back up. “You can start over any second of the day.” (43:33)
• “Allowing oneself to make some noise helps us to get to the next level of understanding and growth with one another.” (55:37)

http://andreaowen.com/407

This week’s guest is Sekeithia, and she is the epitome of “making noise.” I came to know her through TikTok and was immediately drawn to her way of being herself on social media and encouraging others to do the same. She often shares openly about her mental health journey, sobriety, self-care, and is a motivator to her community of followers.  

Making noise is about a lot of different things, and it is often about looking at life’s challenges as invitations to show up in your life. In this episode we discuss shining bright when others are trying to dim your light, mental health and self-care, and learning to trust yourself.  Be sure to follow Sekeithia over on TikTok. And remember, this episode (and all of the others in this series) are on video. Head over to YouTube to watch!

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Sekeithia shares about her mental health journey with bipolar disorder, suicide attempts, and drug abuse. “Mental health was not a conversation we had around the dinner table.”  (4:20)
• What her mental health self-care looks like today. (10:21)
• Sekeithia shares about a time she ignored her intuition and had to learn a hard lesson, and how that changed going forward. “Intuition is about trusting yourself.” (14:30)
• How the question, “Why do you always feel the need to be the brightest in the room?,” dimmed her light and how she began to shine again. (24:35)
• How Sekeithia defines self-confidence. (29:10)
• We dive into shadow work: what it is and how it helps. (32:40)

http://andreaowen.com/406

Rachel DeAlto returns to the show this week, as part of the 8-episode special series, to talk about communicating, even if it scares you. I’m convinced that life is a series of awkward conversations and situations after another. However, armed with strategies and knowledge, it can be a little bit less scary. 

Rachel DeAlto is a relationship expert, coach, media personality, and speaker. She is the author of “relatable: How to Connect with Anyone Anywhere (Even if It Scares You).”  Rachel has also been featured on a multitude of media outlets including The TODAY Show, Access Hollywood Live, and Fox News. She has also given three TEDx talks including Being Authentic in a Filtered World which is featured on TED.com.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Rachel describes the difference between nervousness and social anxiety. [7:34]
• She shares some of what is wrong with the way we are communicating. [12:01]
• How you can begin to feel less socially awkward. [19:49]
• Some ways to approach building self-confidence. [21:46]
• Rachel shares how she sees women making themselves small (figuratively, not literally). [28:16]

http://andreaowen.com/405

We’re halfway through the Make Some Noise special series! I’m speaking with some amazing women about how they make noise in their life. Sara Dean joins me this week to discuss our definitions of self-confidence, the importance of self-trust, and the role intuition plays in decision-making. 

Sara is a friend and colleague; and I admire her self-confidence, tenacity, and resilience. Her biggest passion is helping women own their space. She is the creator and host of the Shameless Mom Academy Podcast, which has been featured in 5 categories of iTunes New & Noteworthy for almost 2 years now and is rapidly approaching one million downloads.

In this episode you’ll hear: 

• Sara talks about confidence, how she defines it, and how she might instill confidence in another woman. (6:30)
• Self-trust is a big part of self-confidence. Sara shares how she determined self-trust was important to focus on. (24:15)
• The role intuition plays when making big decisions. (35:12)
• I talk about mindset in Make Some Noise, more specifically about creating stories in our minds that serve us instead of narratives that bring us down. Sara shares the type of mindset work that has helped her. [44:04] 
• Using life's challenges as invitations to show up. [48:44]

http://andreaowen.com/404

I have a very special bonus episode for you today because today is the publication day (aka birthday) of my third book, Make Some Noise: Speak Your Mind and Own Your Strength. 🎉

As my book is released to the world, I've been thinking a lot about legacy. As an author and with this book in particular, the dedication is to my daughter, Sydney and my mother and to her mother and her mother and her mother.

I dedicated it to them because they are the most important women in my life and part of my legacy. And I’ve been thinking about what I am going to leave behind when I’m no longer earthside.

The biggest, most important thing that we put meaning on is our own life. What's it all for? I think that the reason that we are here and the biggest part of our legacy is the relationships that we have with the people in our life.

I've told you all the story about when my life completely fell apart in 2006. And it was the first time I had so much clarity amidst all the drama. And I thought, how did I get here? And then a realization that this was not where I was meant to be. 

That was the moment I decided to change my life. It was not linear. It was not perfect. It was 15 years ago and there's been a lot of ups and downs. There's been a lot of hard conversations with myself and with other people. And I can tell you most definitely that I've truly never been more grateful for anything in my life because it takes intention and total consciousness to make changes.

It is things like speaking your mind, owning your strength, making noise, speaking up for yourself. 

It’s giving an opinion and learning how to set boundaries. 

Making noise is understanding what your values are and acting on them. 

It’s getting help for any addictions that you have.

It’s going to therapy and getting really honest with yourself and your therapist. 

Making noise is doing any kind of trauma therapy that you might need digging into your family of origin, looking at the habits and behaviors that you have, and getting really curious about them, instead of beating yourself up about them.

I mostly talk to women and write books for them, so all of that is an act of making noise. Women's empowerment is an act of rebellion because we are pushing up against the cultural norms, standards, programming, and socialization that we've all received. Learning, growing, and the relationships we create along the way are part of the legacy we leave. 

I am so excited to share the release of Make Some Noise with this wonderful community. It’s time to make some noise, speak your mind, and own your strength. 

When I decided to create a special series to celebrate my third book, Make Some Noise, I knew Jess King needed to be a part of it. And, y’all I had so many questions to ask Jess, based around topics in my book. Her answers did not disappoint! So yes, this week, Jess King, joins me to talk about asking for what you want, making pleasure a priority, and resilience.

Jess is a charismatic Peloton instructor with boundless energy and a passion for movement. With a background in dance, performance and fitness, Jess grew up down South and moved to NYC to commit to a career in wellness. Jess’s self-proclaimed sassy and spicy personality make her Bike and Tread classes uplifting and full of exciting surprises. Jess is committed to helping people heal from the inside out, and she believes that this community is the perfect place to start that journey. Her focus is to partner with motivated individuals looking to transform their lives — and together, they burn.

✨ By the way, you can watch this episode on YouTube. Head over here to check it out! Or if audio is your preference, listen on this page or on your favorite podcast listening app. I’d love to hear what you think about this series so far - let me know over on Instagram @heyandreaowen.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Asking for what you want as a woman, and Jess’s take on the topic. How Jess makes pleasure a priority in her life. (8:15)
• Self-confidence and the knowledge that you are not going to get what you want by being a “Yes,” person. (26:46)
• Jess shares her experience with being shamed by men in her life for her free and expressive behavior as a teenager in the South. (28:47)
• An exercise that will help women take up space physically. (41:38)

http://andreaowen.com/403

Kat Kim joins me this week to talk about personal power and divine confidence, how to discover your secret desires, and how to reclaim your self-confidence. I am thrilled to have her as part of the Make Some Noise celebratory series! Kat is a Spiritual Teacher, Leadership Coach, and founder of The School of Divine Confidence, an online school that offers spiritual training and confidence coaching to rising women leaders and change-makers across the world.

By the way, all eight episodes in this special series are on video too! Head on over to YouTube to watch my interview with Kat. Subscribe to my YouTube channel to be notified when the next interview airs. 

In this episode you’ll hear: 

• Kat shares her journey from a crack addict, convicted drug offender to spiritual teacher and leadership coach.
• Why Kat defines personal power as divine confidence.
• Advice for women who are struggling with self-confidence and spiritual work. 
• Internalized patriarchal myths about what it means to be a “good woman” and how Kat worked to untangle them like “I have to be thin to be accepted.” 
• How Kat helps women find their secret, burning desires. 
• Shame can help you find self-confidence. 

http://andreaowen.com/402

Welcome to the first episode in a special Make Some Noise series where I speak with eight, handpicked women who are making noise in their lives, taking up space, and shining brightly. I created this series as a way to celebrate the release of my third book, Make Some Noise (coming out August 31st...BUT you can pre-order now!), and a celebration of women. I am ready to share these conversations with you to help empower you to make some noise in your life.  

Susan Hyatt helps me kick off the series with a conversation about women’s empowerment through economic means, owning your power, and asking for what you want. Susan Hyatt is a Master Certified Life & Business Coach, best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and the queen of helping women create what they crave in life.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Susan answers the question, “Was there a time in your life where you realized you weren’t asking for what you wanted, and if so, how did you change that?” (9:54)
• What happens when women start to push back on the invisible workload. (15:09)
• We talk about money and power, including Susan’s definition of power, and how women can help themselves be more comfortable with their own power. (18:57)
• How women hold themselves back from making more money.  (23:59)
• Susan has dealt with a lot of mean girls since she put herself out there so much, and we know this is due to women’s insecurities and internalized misogyny. Susan shares her thoughts on her experience and talks about what we can do to disrupt our own internalized sexism and misogyny. (33:49)
• Last, but certainly not least, we talk about pleasure, specifically what stands in the way the most for women to embrace their pleasure more. (42:53)

http://andreaowen.com/401

I have a fun and fascinating topic this week: Cosmic Health. Jennifer Racioppi joins me to share her knowledge on this topic and share how the celestial cycles impact your ever-changing sense of self. Jennifer is a certified Duke Integrative Medicine Health Coach, a holistic health counselor, a Positive Psychology coach, and an astrologer. She is also the author of the book, aptly titled: Cosmic Health: Unlock Your Healing Magic with Astrology, Positive Psychology, and Integrative Wellness. 

In this episode you’ll hear: 

• Jennifer’s personal health and wellness journey; which began with an endometrial cancer diagnosis at the age of nineteen and onset of parachute menopause shortly thereafter. (7:50)
• Being in sync with circadian, monthly, and annual rhythms is important for well-being. (23:57)
• Why rituals are an important part of cosmic health. (30:32)

http://andreaowen.com/400

This week I am talking about career transition and direction with Ashley Stahl. Ashley is a counter-terrorism professional turned career coach and author of the bestselling book, You Turn: Get Unstuck, Discover Your Direction, Design Your Dream Career, and she's on a mission to help you step into a career you’re excited about and aligned with.  

We cover a wide range of topics relating to career, including why people get stuck or feel stuck in their jobs, the top ten career skill sets, and why you should do what you are, instead of what you love.   Ashley ends our conversation with a mic drop quote, one of which we could all be reminded of, “Who you are, always wins.” 

In this episode you’ll hear: 

• Why people get so stuck in their career and commonplace directive of “follow your passion” (8:59)
• What Ashley means when she says, “Don’t do what you love, do what you are.” (11:58)
• The importance of being adaptable in today’s workforce.
• The top 10 core skill sets and why you need to know which one you possess. (14:09)
• How to figure out your core values and why these values matter for your career. (16:14)
• Advice for people who are in careers they love, but the organization’s leadership is less than desirable. (27:58)
• Ashley shares her thoughts about the 9-5 work schedule seen in the U.S. and how it may not be in service for everyone. (34:02)
• The myths people buy into in their careers. (36:43)

http://andreaowen.com/399

Marc Brackett is on the show this week. I heard him on Brené Brown’s podcast, then devoured his work, and knew I needed to have him on the show.  He is the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and a professor in the Child Study Center at Yale University. His research focuses on the role of emotions and emotional intelligence in learning, decision making, creativity, relationships, health, and both academic and workplace performance. You are going to love this conversation and learn so much. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Why it’s essential to focus on feelings. (7:02)
• The role emotions play in learning, decision making, and workplace performance. (9:46)
• What we should be teaching children about emotional intelligence. (15:29)
• The difference between emotional regulation and emotional intelligence. (23:05)
• The Mood Meter App: what it is and how it can be used. (28:32)

http://andreaowen.com/398

Britt Frank is back! I received so much positive feedback from her first appearance on the show about healing from narcissistic and traumatic relationships, I knew we needed to continue the conversation. For those new to Britt, she is a trauma therapist, teacher, and speaker who specializes in the “Science of Stuck.” Britt's work empowers people to understand the inner mechanisms of their brains and bodies. 

I still had so many questions for Britt, so in this episode, we dive deeper into our conversation about narcissistic relationships, what trauma is and is not, and how to break free from narcissistic abuse or trauma. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• The difference between narcissism and a narcissist. 
• Once someone has identified they are in a relationship with a narcissist - Britt breaks down how to decide whether they should stay or go. 
• Narcissism is an attachment disorder and stems from childhood - the best way to prevent children from becoming narcissists is to pay attention to them. 
• Trauma is brain indigestion. 
• Britt Frank’s opinion on forgiveness. “Anytime we jump to forgiveness at the expense of our own truth, we gaslight ourselves.”
• Once you are aware of what is happening, Britt offers some ways to cope and break free from narcissistic abuse or trauma.

✨By the way, pre-orders for my next book, Make Some Noise, are open! Grab Your Free Bonuses - including a free webinar on self-confidence coming up on August 5th.
Get all the details at AndreaOwen.com/noise ✨

http://andreaowen.com/397

This week Marc and Angel Chernoff join me on the podcast. They are professional coaches, full-time students of life, and admirers of the human spirit, and have been recognized by Forbes as having "one of the most popular personal development blogs." 

Marc and Angel are also the authors of two books that share over 1000 things people can do to live a happy and successful life. One of the things I love about their books (and our conversation) is that they take some really big topics and simplify them into practical and implementable things we can do in order to be better humans and make the world a better place. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• The inspiration behind Marc and Angel’s book, 1000+ Little Things Happy, Successful People Do.
• Why Marc and Angel say their route into personal development was out of necessity. 
• What made them decide to write a book about relationships. 
• Marc and Angel answer the question, “What do I do to get my partner to be interested in personal development as much as I am?” 
• Advice for someone who feels hopeless or helpless due to life’s circumstances. 
• Why their book, 1000+ Little Habits of Happy, Successful Relationships, is great for single people too. 
• Some strategies you can employ when you are feeling burnt out. 
• Practical ways you can get back to happy and simplify your life. 

PS: We’re looking for your stories about how you’ve made noise in your life. It can be tangible stories like how you transitioned from one job to another or internal work - such as how your self-confidence grew over a number of years. Listeners, you are such a major part of this show and I want to honor your voices and stories. We need to hear more women’s stories. Head over to AndreaOwen.com/Talk to share yours with us.

http://andreaowen.com/396

Rae McDaniel is on the show and I’m really excited for you to listen to my conversation with them. We talked about how to be a better ally to the transgender and non-binary community. Plus, Rae has the most fascinating upbringing story which they shared during our time together. 

Rae McDaniel is a non-binary gender and sex therapist-turned-coach who works with transgender/non-binary/questioning folks feeling lost while transitioning their gender identity. Our conversation was interesting and informative. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Rae’s upbringing by parents who were Christian-missionary puppeteers (I had so many questions!). (4:17)
• Their experience coming out as queer in an unsupportive environment. (7:34)
• How the narrative that gender transition has to include suffering and anxiety is damaging to transgender and cisgender folks alike. (12:19)
• Rae’s perspective about anti-transgender and anti-nonbinary laws being pushed in legislation today. (16:54)
• What it means to be a good ally to the transgender and nonbinary community, plus trans-affirming language and the gender spectrum. (25:00)
• What to do (and not do) when someone comes out to you. (34:10)
• Advice for parents who suspect their child might be trans or nonbinary or their child has come out to them, and their feeling a bit lost. (36:15)

http://andreaowen.com/395

This week I’m coaching Hannah, a twenty-five year-old who recently transitioned from working in a non-profit to Corporate America. She came to me for some coaching and insight around issues of wrestling with perfectionism and her battles with negative self-talk. We talked through different scenarios and by the end of our time together, Hannah said our conversation was a “self-awareness wake up call”. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Hannah describes her feeling of being stuck and lack of motivation. 
• We discuss the idea that the lack of motivation she may be feeling is due to burnout. 
• The importance of female friendships and how they can be a huge part of a path towards self-care.
• Recognizing there are seasons of your life where you simply aren’t motivated and that’s okay. 
• Encouragement to get curious when something is pushing you in a certain direction or belief.

http://andreaowen.com/394

This week, I am exploring childhood trauma and how it is at the root of many of the issues that plague us in our adult lives. Riana Milne joins us; she’s a therapist who’s been helping individuals attract and keep emotionally healthy love for over 21 years. 

Riana shares the top ten traumas we experience in childhood and how those traumas impact us. This episode is not about blaming or shaming-- instead, it’s about understanding why we’ve adopted certain coping behaviors and offer strategies towards healing.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Riana walks us through her Childhood Trauma Checklist - identifying 10 traumas experienced in our young lives. (5:17)
• How childhood trauma shows up in love relationships. (29:54)
• The typical timeline for getting trauma out of the brain and body. (37:57)
• Mindset for success - a two-part healing process. (37:59)
• Five things in an emotionally healthy, evolved, and conscientiously aware relationship. (42:05)

I know you’ll find this episode enlightening and perhaps see some of yourself. If you want to dig further, Raina has a free ebook called Attract Healthy Love Now (also great if you’re already in a relationship!). 

http://andreaowen.com/393

Erin King is here, y’all! Erin is a best-selling author, 3x entrepreneur, and the CEO of the Socialite Agency.  She’s helped clients ranging from The Academy Awards in Hollywood to The United States Navy at the Pentagon communicate more compellingly using her award-winning PUB method.  If you gravitate towards my energy and the things I teach about (thank you, by the way) - you are going to love Erin!

In this episode we talk about her new book, You're Kind of a Big Deal: Level Up By Unlocking Your Audacity, and how to take bold action. We also talk about the role patriarchy plays in oppressing women’s confidence and how, instead, we can harness Big Deal Energy (the feminine version of Big ‘D’ Energy) to live an audacious life. 

In this episode you’ll hear: 

• Erin shared her experience pitching her then company, PMS (a tampon delivery service) to a room full of men. (6:30)
• Leveling up in your personal and professional life takes much more than just confidence and courage… it takes something bigger, bolder and grittier: AUDACITY.   (23:55)
• Some ways you can begin to activate your audacity to level up. (31:45)
• Big ‘D’ energy aka Big Deal Energy: knowing you have what it takes. (35:59)

http://andreaowen.com/392

Gabrielle Bernstein is on the show this week. For over fifteen years, Gabrielle has been transforming lives—including her own. She is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, having penned eight books including The Universe Has Your Back, Super Attractor and the latest, her first Audible Original, You Are the Guru.

She joined me to discuss some of the tools and practices she uses to relieve anxiety and restore energy, including EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and cord-cutting meditation. I love it when conversations organically move in their own direction and this one did not disappoint. 

In this episode you’ll hear: 

• Cord-cutting meditation - what it is and how it can be used to help someone get some closure. (6:10)
• Gabby walks people through the steps of judgment detox using a technique called Emotional Freedom Technique. (11:04)
• Methods or tools for relieving anxiety. (17:07)
• Postpartum depression, time and place for psychiatric support, and why you can’t spiritually override it. Get medicated support to get back to safeline and feel safe enough to live. (20:07)
• Manifesting is not about getting things, it is about feeling good. (22:55)

http://andreaowen.com/391

Kute Blackson is back on the show this week. He joins me for a conversation about surrender, and as many of you may know, surrender is a favorite topic of mine.  That is why when I learned about his new book, The Magic of Surrender, I knew I needed to have him back.

Kute shares how to unravel human tendencies to control the outcome and instead, be willing to be open to life’s possibilities. He is author of the national bestselling book You.Are.The.One. and is widely considered the next generation leader in the field of personal development. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

“The path of surrender, rather than trying to figure out life at every step, is to allow ourselves to be guided by life.” Kute Blackson

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Why Kute wrote The Magic of Surrender and what he learned about surrendering through watching his mother battle and succumb to cancer. (6:38)
• Stay open and curious when things don’t work out - that is the beauty of surrender. (14:57)
• How can one be an activist, act from a place of freedom, and still practice surrendering. (20:49)
• Giving up the need to know everything and embrace the unknown. (30:18)
• How you can begin to practice surrender. (34:01)
• Part of surrendering is showing up and believing that something bigger is possible for you. (43:06)

http://andreaowen.com/390

I am on cloud 9 this week because I am revealing the title of my third book, set to be released on August 31st, 2021. And while the book comes out in late August - the celebration starts now. 🎉

In this episode, I share some BTS (behind the scenes) about the title, as well as, read some excerpts from the book. I also share how you can claim book bonuses if you pre-order (yes, you can pre-order now!), be a part of my upcoming book club (led by me), and win a signed copy of my previous books. 

I cannot wait to officially “birth” my next book baby into the world. Of course, they say not to personify your work because you end up holding it too close to your heart. But it's really hard not to do when it is a labor of love. I can't wait for you to read it and I’m grateful to be able to guide you on your path to making noise in your life. 

P.S. I would LOVE, love, love it if shared about my upcoming book! The easiest way is to re-share my social media posts. Thank you!

http://andreaowen.com/389

This week I have another coaching session episode. Kylie, a Canadian living in the Netherlands, joins me to explore procrastination around decision making, embracing your sense of adventure even when it’s scary, and where to turn for accountability and support. 

My goal for these coaching episodes is that you, along with Kylie, will leave the session with lots of tools in your toolbox to grow, flourish, and be your best self; be proud of the woman you are and take that leap.  

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Kylie opened up about her difficulty making decisions and sticking to them. (7:46)
• What would happen if you embraced the ‘throw caution to the wind’ side of you and lived in the moment? (12:01)
• Tapping into Kylie’s younger self and her perspective on risk-taking. (17:00)
• Some ways to get the creative ideas out, accountability, and support. (29:02)
• We explore what happens when we create standards that feel unattainable. Andrea says, “Never wait for perfection or confidence to fall into your lap…” (42:07)
• An action-taking update from Kylie. (50:38)

http://andreaowen.com/388

This week I explore the topics of diet culture, body image, and intersectional feminism with guest, Summer Innanen. Summer is a professionally trained coach specializing in body image, self-worth, and confidence. She is the best-selling author of Body Image Remix and creator of You, On Fire – the online group coaching program dedicated to helping people get free from body shame and live life on their own terms. She is also the host of Eat The Rules, a podcast dedicated to anti-dieting, body image, and intersectional feminism.

Personally, I succumbed to diet culture for decades and have been going through a process of unlearning all of the internalized messages that never served me. Extricating oneself from diet culture is a unique journey for every woman. To echo Summer’s words, “Acceptance is not a destination, it’s an ongoing practice of meeting yourself where you are at and where you need to be.” 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• A brief definition of diet culture and what it revolves around (various layers of oppression). (8:24)
• For women, worrying about body image is a universal condition and is rooted in internalized misogyny. (12:10)
• Summer talks about how the way to feel better in your body isn’t about “liking the way you look” and how this can make it harder for us to accept ourselves. (14:14)
• The importance of knowing the truth about weight science. (23:04)
• Summer’s response to the assumption that if you accept your body, you're "giving up" and not going to "take care of yourself". (25:27)
• We can reject diet culture and go on to do amazing things. (32:40)
• "Tools of avoidance," dieting and fixating on our bodies. (36:00)
• How diet culture is related to patriarchy and white supremacy. (48:09)

http://andreaowen.com/387

Julie Parker is back on the show! We jump right into the deep end and talk about embracing the parts of yourself you don’t necessarily like, aka your shadow side, and why anyone would want to love their fears. Julie Parker is the Founder of The Beautiful You Coaching Academy where she passionately trains heart-centered people to become life coaches. 

I had a list of questions prepared for Julie and we covered a few. However, when we recorded this conversation, it was in the midst of the Rachel Hollis debacle. So we veered off into a conversation about what it means to be a sacred leader and the role leadership plays within women empowerment and personal development. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Julie talks about “embracing your shadows,”  the parts of us that we don’t necessarily like and holding us back and looking at these parts compassionately and learning from them. (9:22)
• The importance of keeping a level of curiosity and tapping into it. (13:51)
• How to love your fears and why someone would want to love them. (20:53)
• Julie’s experience with people-pleasing and how she came to an understanding about it. (21:18)
• You can’t talk or think out of the way the stories you make up. (28:52)
• Julie’s book Priestess and the topic of sacred leadership. (33:58)
• What it means to be a sacred leader and the role sacred leadership plays within women's empowerment and personal development. (36:31)

http://andreaowen.com/386

Terri Cole is back on the show! Terri is a licensed psychotherapist and global leading expert in female empowerment. And, has experience in many topics, including codependency and boundaries. In this episode, she joins me to talk about boundaries and her new book, Boundary Boss: The Essential to Talk True, And (Finally) Live Free.  

Terri busts common myths about boundaries, as well as the beliefs bestowed on us of what a woman should be and how it plays into having disordered boundaries: “It is more important to be perceived as nice, then perceived as authentic.” According to Terri, that is a setup for a boundary disaster.  

In this episode you’ll hear: 

• “You teach what you need to learn.” Why Terri decided to write a book about boundaries. (6:58)
• The art of drawing boundaries with ease and grace does not mean creating conflict. (9:50)
• Having a unique “Boundary Blueprint,” and common themes Terri sees in her work. (10:49)
• The biggest myths around setting and enforcing good boundaries. (15:09)
• How good boundaries can help enhance relationships. (19:09)
• How boundaries have been tested for people over the last year and how can we use this time to recalibrate. (35:00)
• A step you can take to stand in your boundary when someone is extremely unhappy with it. (42:30)

http://yourkickasslife.com/385

People evolve and change, right? Well, guess what...this podcast is evolving and changing too! Your Kick-Ass Life has been my baby since 2010, and the name of this podcast since 2013. Because a lot has transpired since that time, I felt it was time to make a change. In this episode, I wanted to share a little bit about what the new name, Make Some Noise, means and why I decided to make the shift. 

Making noise is about speaking up, shining bright, and asking for what you want. It’s about disrupting the narrative about the “box” of conformity we were all taught to fit into. It’s about taking action BEFORE you’re ready in order to build your confidence muscle. All of this and women’s empowerment is an act of rebellion; an act of making noise. 

Now for those of you a bit uncomfortable with change - things will mostly remain the same around here. I’ll continue to bring you interviews, coaching sessions, conversations about shit that matters with unqualified people, and occasional solo episodes.

And here is a sneak peek of what is to come: 

🎉 The title and cover reveal of my new book is coming in May. 

🎉 A new special podcast series that is all about motivating you wherever you are in your life is coming in June. 

🎉 And finally, beginning August 11th I’m doing a special series with a select group of women who come on the show to talk specifically about what it means to make some noise and how to do more of it. 

I want to leave you with a question to think about, today:  How are you making noise in your life? Are you going after your goals and dreams? Are you looking at areas of your life you want to change? Are you setting boundaries? Choosing radical self-care? Disrupting systems of oppression? Interrupting things like misogyny and sexism? Using your voice by voting?  

The way you make noise in your life is yours, it’s unique to you, and I’m so happy to guide you in empowering yourself. Ready? Let’s go. 

This week I have one of the OG’s of the coaching industry on the show, Andrea J. Lee. Andrea joins me to discuss verbal abuse from the perspective of the abuser and being vulnerable enough to sit in that intensity in order to make a change. We also explore how to be bold and kind in a world full of injustice and misgivings. I am excited to share our conversation with you.

Plus, after 8 years and almost 400 episodes, the podcast is getting a new name! The unveiling is coming tomorrow. So keep an eye on the podcast feed for the official announcement. 🎉

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Andrea J. Lee explains what she means when she describes herself as a futurist with her finger on the pulse of the human spirit. She also explains her experience as “A Canadian-born Taiwanese, cis-gender woman (she/her) who has been brought up with white privilege inside the model minority myth.” (6:06)
• Andrea J. Lee offers a different perspective on emotional abuse through her digital newsletter - how do you not become the thing you suffered and not become an oppressor yourself. (10:15)
• How Andrea J. Lee realized she was being verbally abusive to her husband and why she decided to share publically about her experience. (17:35)
• Being vulnerable and why vulnerability might be held against someone. (19:57)
• If we are not willing to fully experience the pain we are going through, if we can’t sit in that intensity, we are not going to make a change. (28:53)
• “It’s possible to be fierce, outraged, bold, and go for your goals while also being kind.” Andrea J. Lee shares some ways to do this when you see injustices happening that anger you. (35:35)

http://yourkickasslife.com/383

You may or may not have seen the latest incident on social media from mega influencer, Rachel Hollis. I made a video talking about my thoughts; mostly because this is an important piece of the women’s empowerment industry. 

If you’re unaware of what happened, there are links below, and I highly encourage you to watch the links posted, as there are women who’ve broken down why her actions are so harmful. 

You can either watch the video or listen to the podcast episode. *Please note that in the podcast episode, I do give a few minutes of my additional thoughts. 

Watch the video here: https://yourkickasslife.com/empowering-women/my-thoughts-on-rachel-hollis-and-womens-empowerment/

Important links:
The video I’m referencing
Trudi Lebron on RH, Leadership, and What We’re Really Doing: live podcast
Jam Gamble on Instagram
Austin Channing Brown on the problem with white feminism
Weeze Doran on Instagram
Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

Coaching sessions are back! This week I am coaching Melissa, a production company owner from Southern California, about boundaries within her personal and professional life, as well as, knowing clearly what she wants and asking for it. 

If you are new to the coaching episode format, my style is a mix between traditional coaching and intuitive consulting. And yes, more coaching session episodes will be coming. Also, keep an eye out for some changes on the podcast too. Don’t worry, I am not going anywhere! But, the show is getting a new name and some other fun adjustments. Announcements will be coming next week!

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Clearly knowing what you want and asking for it. (6:48)
• Establishing boundaries at work and at home, and enforcing them. (8:35)
• Betting on yourself and not waiting for confidence to move forward. (24:15)
• Determining what you will or won’t tolerate in relationships. (31:36)
• A kick-ass update from Melissa, plus some of her biggest takeaways from our coaching session. (43:16)

http://yourkickasslife.com/382

Joining me to discuss mental health, as well as, my journey through somatic therapy is my dearest friend, Amy Smith. This isn’t an expert-on-expert episode; instead, it’s two friends talking about a topic from a place of curiosity. 

Here’s some background as to why I wanted to bring you this episode: Last week, Mia Hemstad joined me on the podcast (episode 380). She vulnerably shared the story of her suicidal ideation and major depressive disorder. And, I shared a little bit about my journey too. I wanted to share more of my story, so I decided, this week, to bring you a Conversation About Shit That Matters with Unqualified People. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• My breaking point - what led me to a point of complete anxiety and terror. (7:16)
• About my FaceTime call to Amy, where I opened up about thoughts of suicide ideation. (7:31)
• How having a friend there to listen, comforted me. (17:03)
• Amy’s experience being on the other end of that phone call and how she was able to compartmentalize what was happening. (18:23)
• My somatic therapy journey and how it helped me work through trauma. (26:24)
• Some thoughts about being supportive to a friend going through a mental crisis. (49:14)

http://yourkickasslife.com/381

This week Mia Hemstad, mental health advocate and social justice activist, joins me for a discussion about major depressive disorder, the intersection between mental health and politics, and how women can make themselves a priority by doing one small thing a day. 

Mia and I had recorded this episode several months ago. I was waiting to release it for various reasons (which I share in this episode). Like many, I saw the recent interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, where Meghan shared her story of suicide ideation. During my conversation with Mia, she shared her own story of suicide ideation, as did I. Therefore, I felt it was important to share this episode now. It’s relevant and after the year we’ve experienced, an important one to discuss. I hope this episode is helpful to you. 

• How Mia became a mental health advocate and social justice activist out of necessity. “Mental health and politics are connected.” (6:34)
• How women can make themselves a priority by doing one small thing a day to nourish themselves.  And, a reminder from Mia that, “Healing is not a checklist.” (15:56)
• Mia’s major depressive disorder and suicidal ideation story.(26:48)
• How to handle overwhelming emotions. (46:32)

http://yourkickasslife.com/380

What do henna, legacy, and living unapologetically all have in common? They are just some of the facets that make up Chelsea Stevenson’s work. Chelsea joins me this week for a conversation about the power in legacy. 

Chelsea is a professional henna artist, business strategist, and homeschooling mother of three. During our time together, we discussed a variety of topics including her motivation for building a table rather than taking a seat at an existing one, and honoring your values. She offered poignant takeaways, including this one, “The decisions we make, the actions we take, and the words we say are powerful. And, we have to own how they impact the world around us.”

In this episode you’ll hear:

• A brief history of henna and its use as a medium to create art. (4:47)
• Why Chelsea’s motivation is to build her own table instead of taking a seat at a table that already exists. (7:26)
• The power in the legacy we leave and why it is important. (8:23)
• Living unapologetically and honoring your values. (21:58)
• How Chelsea went from a social worker to a Hennapreneur. (26:56)
• Struggling with negative self-talk and negativity bias. (33:05)
• Steps to stand in your authority and position yourself as the artist/entrepreneur/changemaker you want to be in this world. (36:55)

http://yourkickasslife.com/379

🎉✍ Join Amy Ahlers and I live on Wednesday, March 16th, for a free writing workshop: Top 10 Kick-Ass Tips to Get Your Writing Project Started and Complete.  If you want to write a book, self-publish one, go the traditional route of publishing, or are simply curious about what it takes to launch your next writing project, join us. For all the details and to register, go here. We hope to see you on the 16th! ✍ 🎉 

Speaking of Amy Ahlers, she returns to the show this week to talk about the imposter complex and the inner-critic. Plus, we share some of the ways our inner-mean girl shows up during the creation of our writing projects and some of the strategies we employ to calm her down.

Amy is a Master Women’s Leadership and Life Coach, keynote speaker, and best-selling author. She is on a mission to stop women from self-bullying and being hard on themselves so they can make their greatest possible contribution. Enjoy our conversation! 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How imposter complex shows up for women who want to start something new or complete a big project. (3:56)
• Some ways in which we handle our own imposter complex, including how we change the narrative. (6:39)
• Experiencing upper limit problems and how we deal. (10:13)
• Amy answers the question, “Is writing a book for everyone?” (23:30)
• What we love and do not love about writing. (27:33)

http://yourkickasslife.com/378

Heather Chauvin is back on the show! Our conversation answers the question, “What is worth your time and energy?” Heather is a leadership coach who helps ambitious, overwhelmed women conquer their fears and become leaders at work and home. She is also the author of the book, Dying to Be a Good Mother. 

We examine what is truly worthy of your time, discuss emotional regulation and Heather’s Red/Yellow/Green zone methodology. Finally, we explore the topic of managing your energy and surrendering to guilt.  

“You’ve got to feel the discomfort in order to feel the good stuff.” ~ Heather Chauvin

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Heather’s grandmother inspired her ‘shit or get off the pot’ moment, and led her to write her first book, Dying to Be a Good Mother. (9:52)
• Heather shares her Stage-4 Cancer diagnosis journey. (10:27)
• The “million-dollar minute” concept. “If every sixty seconds of your life is worth one million dollars - are you satisfied with your investment?” (22:23)
• The Red, Yellow, and Green Zones and how they can be used in your life and at work. (28:30)
• Energetic time management is reverse engineering of how you want to feel. (33:31)
• A conversation about guilt: “Who benefits from you feeling guilty?” (36:04)

http://yourkickasslife.com/377

I have one of my favorite people back on the show, Samantha Bennett! Sam is an artist, writer, poet, actress, and creativity/productivity, specialist. She is also a dear friend. She re-joins me to talk about a variety of personal development topics, including friendships, the concept of re-parenting yourself, and how to handle disappointment.  

Sam is the creator of The Organized Artist Company, dedicated to helping tens of thousands of creative people get unstuck, helping them to focus and move forward on their goals. This episode is very much a ‘greatest hits’ compilation between Sam and me. We hope you enjoy it! 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Handling life’s disappointments and giving yourself grace. “Disappointment is taking score too soon.” (10:40)
• Some helpful strategies for re-parenting yourself. (15:59)
• Sam helps us to think about productivity in a different way. (19:13)
• Nothing is more important than your transformation. (31:46)
• The one thing that determines the quality of your life. (35:44)

http://yourkickasslife.com/376

Have you ever been in a situation where you had to be something you didn’t intend to be? Maybe it was taking care of aging parents, or you were thrust into single-motherhood. That is what this week’s guest refers to as an Accidental Alpha Woman. Author and Master Certified Coach, Karen Wright, joins me to talk about being the accidental alpha woman, how to reconnect with the real you, and create a life that has more ease.

We also discuss what it means to be strong as a woman, dealing with judgment, and not making yourself small at the expense of others' comfort. I hope you enjoy our conversation. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Karen’s personal experience inspired her to write, “The Accidental Alpha Woman,” plus she explains what an Accidental Alpha Woman is. (4:16)
• The importance of identifying your values and how that can help define what is important to you in a relationship. (11:00)
• The reason women feel the need to “carry the world on their shoulders” and be strong. (12:09)
• How to reconnect with the real “you” and create a life that has greater community, ease, and fun using the R.E.C.E.I.V.E framework. (25:22)
• Why it’s important for women to find their voice. (28:33)
• Internalized misogyny and the alpha woman. (33:52)

Book Giveaway! We are giving away two copies of Karen Wright’s book, Accidental Alpha Woman. Listen to this episode for all the details! 

http://yourkickasslife.com/375

I’ve talked about burnout many times on this podcast and I’m no stranger to it. In fact, in 2020, I took an 8-month break from Instagram partly due to burnout. So I wanted to have an expert on to talk specifically about this topic. Joining me to explore this widespread issue is two-time TEDx speaker, Joanna Denton. In 2014, after two burnouts in five years, Joanna decided to leave the tax world behind and change her life completely. Today, she's a speaking and executive coach for thought leaders, business executives, and entrepreneurs. 

Burnout is something many women struggle with - no matter their life’s circumstances and is more prevalent than we actually think. Together, Joanna and I discuss the different phases of burnout, the lessons Joanna learned from her journey back from it, and how to ask for help when you are feeling mentally or physically burnt out. 

• Why it is so difficult for leaders to talk about burnout, and what can we do to make it easier. (6:20)
• The difference between depression and burnout. (8:00)
• Joanna’s burnout journey and how her life improved as a result of her burnouts. (12:18)
• The biggest lessons Joanna learned during her journey back from burnout. (17:22)
• Joanna’s book “The Different Truth", what the title means and how it encourages readers to start a conversation about choices and step into a new truth. (37:08)
• Asking for help and being vulnerable. (45:47)

http://yourkickasslife.com/374

Why are women perceived (or misunderstood) as angry? And, what can we do about it? That's just one of the many topics covered during my conversation with Leslie Lyons. Leslie is Founder of Bombshell Movement Studio in Chicago (a sensual movement studio), host of the Beyond the Pole: Tales from the CEO podcast, and a sales and leadership coach for female entrepreneurs. 

Together we also discuss embracing your “too muchness,” using your quiet strength to speak up, and exploring women’s empowerment in some nontraditional ways. We also have a very candid conversation about Christianity.

“The work of feminism, at the heart of it is liberation, and liberation starts with using your voice.” Leslie Lyons

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Leslie’s personal story of how she came to her work as a leadership coach and owner of a sensual movement studio in Chicago.
• Anger’s purpose and why women are perceived (and misunderstood) as angry and what we can do about it.
• How a woman can embrace her ‘too-muchness’ “You weren’t put on this Earth to blend into the background.” 
• Unshakeable leadership - what it is and some ways women can harness it.
• We discuss Christianity, self-awareness, and how our spirituality evolved over time. 

http://yourkickasslife.com/373

Hard conversations, resilience, and boundaries are some of the cornerstones of personal development. And, they happen to be some of the topics covered during this week’s show. Joining me to discuss all things personal development is my guest (and dear friend), Fawn Germer. Fawn is the best-selling author of nine books, including an Oprah Book. She is one of America's top women's leadership speakers and is the top-ranked woman on the prestigious Global Guru's List of best leadership and motivational speakers worldwide.

Together we discuss enduring great loss, coping with grief, and why boundaries are essential. When I think of one word to sum up our conversation, it is resilience. As Fawn so perfectly stated, “Every shitstorm ends.” And as her mother once told her, “It doesn’t matter what happens to you, it matters what you do with it.” 

🚨 Book Giveaway! 🚨 Tune in to hear how you can win a free copy of Fawn’s latest book, Coming Back! How to Win the Job You Want When You've Lost the Job You Need.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How a Google search which included the words, “Life Coach + Bullshit,” led to our long-lasting friendship. (4:32)
• Why Fawn dislikes motivational speakers, even though she is one! Plus, her journey to becoming a motivational speaker and author. (7:00)
• How Fawn endured a year of extreme loss - and why she says, “Every shitstorm ends.” (23:14)
• The fastest way to stop a downward spiral. (28:01)
• Uncomfortable conversations and how to make peace with them. (33:04)

http://yourkickasslife.com/372

Laura Cathcart Robbins is back on the show this week! She joins me for an essential conversation about racism, how the lack of conversations about race can be scarring for children, and the pain and trauma of race relations between black and white women. Laura is a freelance culture writer and host of the popular podcast, The Only One In The Room. I am thrilled to have her back on the show!

And just to be clear: If we are going to make the world a better place and make ourselves better humans, we must continue to have conversations about race and do the work. Because when we are talking about women’s empowerment, we’re talking about feminism, and when we’re talking about feminism, we’re talking about patriarchy; and when we’re talking about patriarchy, we’re talking about white supremacy. It’s all connected. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• What white parents should be teaching their children about racism. (5:06)
• Why black women find it hard to trust white women. “Some of us are dealing with unprecedented grief. We are broken with pain and unvalidated anger.”(20:12)
• Laura offers an intimate glimpse into her interracial relationship and how the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery affected it. (36:10)

http://yourkickasslife.com/371

Happy Wednesday! It’s been a full week since we watched or listened in horror as rioters breached the U.S. Capitol. In this episode, I have a quick chat (before our interview) with Jessica Sharp, my personal friend, and DEI consultant. As I’ve conveyed before, personal development and social justice work are directly connected, so Jessica and I discuss our thoughts on, “This isn’t who we are” (referring to the U.S.) and more.   

Switching gears, when it comes to personal development and behaviors like perfectionism, people-pleasing, and over-achieving - the goal isn’t eradicating them. Instead, it’s recognizing when these behaviors jump into the driver’s seat and learning to draw on tools to help maneuver the road ahead. This week, Martina Barnes joins me to talk about these behaviors, how to recognize when they are taking over our “life bus,” and how to harness your reliable personal power. 

Martina G. Barnes is an experienced psychotherapist, life fulfillment coach, and master intuitive who helps high-achieving women transform the areas in their lives where they lack reliable personal power. She teaches women practical ways to shift how they show up for themselves and express Reliable Personal Power in every area of their lives.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Recognizing that personal development work and social justice work are interwoven. (5:16)
• Common default behaviors women struggle with such as perfectionism, control, and people-pleasing and how Martina applies those behaviors to what she calls the “Life Bus” analogy. (20:00)
• What blocks high-achieving women from having Reliable Personal Power. (25:20)
• Not wanting to be perceived a certain way (ie: a bitch or aggressive, when standing up for yourself). (27:25)
• Opening ourselves to deeper intimacy and friendships - courage brings so many beautiful rewards.  (34:10)
• How trauma impacts connection to your intuition. (42:16)

http://yourkickasslife.com/370

Last year was a year where many had a lot to carry. As we enter 2021, all of that heaviness won’t magically go away. But, as the new year approached I got to thinking about the new year and goals. I wanted to talk about it, but not in the usual ‘’Let's talk about goals, yahoo!” kind of way. So, Charlie Gilkey is back on the show! He offers a unique perspective on self-help, goals, and productivity.  

Charlie helps people start finishing the stuff that matters. He's the founder of Productive Flourishing, author of the book Start Finishing (2019) and The Small Business Lifecycle (2012), and host of the Productive Flourishing podcast. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• As we step into a new year, Charlie offers some ways you can be more present in your life. (7:35)
• How and why you should identify your genius when it comes to tackling goals. Plus, why you should pay attention to the linguistics you use around your goals. (13:18)
• How supporters, a support system, or a success pack can help you move forward with intention. (17:39)
• Three strategies for tackling your plans and goals in order to finish strong. (40:48)

http://yourkickasslife.com/369