What does it take to lead — REALLY lead — in today's world? What makes an excellent leader, and how can you become one? And in the midst of social, geopolitical, and economic crisis, what does leadership look like? Today's guest is Dr. Christie Smith, founder of The Humanity Studio and author of the new book, ESSENTIAL. In this episode we talk about: Building trust at work and beyond Human Intelligence vs. Artificial Intelligence, and the future of A.I. at work Understanding the current state of DEI and what it means to live your values What is the difference between emotional intelligence and emotional maturity Why it's actually IMPORTANT to practice small talk (even if you say you hate it!!) How to be a leader in the middle of uncertainty and chaos How to be more human in an increasingly digital, fast-paced world and more!   ABOUT CHRISTIE: Dr. Christie Smith is the founder of The Humanity Studio™, a multi-media leadership advisory company that works to improve the way we live by revolutionizing the way we work. She has over 35 years of experience advising the C-Suite of Fortune 500 companies, and has held global leadership positions at Deloitte, Apple, and Accenture as a highly respected expert in leadership, talent management, organizational design, workforce management, change management, and executive team performance. She is a highly sought-after speaker on business strategy, leadership and culture, DEI, people analytics, and the impact of workforce technologies and AI. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Fortune, Forbes, and CNN; and she has been recognized as a Top 50 Diversity Leader and on Fast Company’s Queer 50 list. Christie received her doctorate in Clinical Social Work with a focus on leadership and culture from New York University. Her new book, ESSENTIAL: How Distributed Teams, Generative AI, and Global Shifts Are Creating a New Human-Powered Leadership (with Kelly Monahan; Wiley, 2025) is out now. ~ SHOW NOTES: The Humanity Studio Read ESSENTIAL LinkedIn Instagram ~ Subscribe to WANT on Substack Join THE WANT COMMUNITY Get Katie's book, WANT YOUR SELF: Shift Your Self-Talk and Unearth The Strength In Who You Were All Along (Reading WYS for the new year in your book club? Email Katie at katie@womenagainstnegativetalk.com and let us know!) Follow Katie on Instagram Love the WANTcast? We would be so grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and REVIEW the pod on iTunes!    

How do you start to make change happen with people when you'd rather call them out or cancel them altogether? Are calling out or cancelling ever effective? And...is there a different way to actually make change happen (that minimizes the chances of burning out or losing your mind in the process)? Today on the WANTcast we are talking to LEGENDARY human rights activist Loretta J. Ross, author of the new book CALLING IN: How To Start Making Change With Those You'd Rather Cancel. In this groundbreaking conversation, we'll talk about: The 5-C continuum of Calling In, Calling Out, Calling On, Cancelling, and Calling it Off How to do better "threat assesments"  Loretta's pivotal moment and first "calling in" experience with people who seemed the most unlikely to want to change How to turn potential conflict into conversation and more!! **CW: this conversation contains mention of rape **Want to read along? Check the "transcript" option in your podcast player! BIO: Loretta J. Ross is an activist, professor, and public intellectual. In her five decades in the human rights movement, she’s deprogramed white supremacists, taught convicted rapists the principles of feminism, and organized the second-largest march on Washington (surpassed only by the 2017 Women’s March). A cofounder of the National Center for Human Rights Education and the SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, her many accolades and honors include a 2022 MacArthur Fellowship and a 2024 induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Today, Ross is an associate professor at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, and a partner with 14th Strategies Consultants, with which she runs “Calling In” training sessions at organizations around the country. Loretta has co-written three books on reproductive justice: Undivided Rights: Women of Color Organize for Reproductive Justice in 2004; Reproductive Justice: An Introduction in March 2017; and Radical Reproductive Justice: Foundations, Theory, Practice, Critique in October 2017. Her newest book, Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You'd Rather Cancel is available TODAY, wherever books are sold. ~ SHOW NOTES: Website Loretta's TED Talk Get your copy of CALLING IN Calling In courses + education Instagram ~ Subscribe to WANT on Substack Join THE WANT COMMUNITY Buy your copy of WANT YOUR SELF here  (Reading WYS for the new year in your book club? Email me at katie@womenagainstnegativetalk.com and let me know! Follow Katie on Instagram Love the WANTcast? We would be so grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and REVIEW the pod on iTunes!

"Medical gaslighting" is  the act of a healthcare provider dismissing or ignoring your concerns — and can lead to delayed or even missed diagnoses and opportunities for treatment. But what's the difference between medical gaslighting and a heathcare system not set up as effectively and efficiently as it could/should be? And more importantly: what can YOU do about it? In this episode with Ilana Jaqueline, patient advocacy strategist and author of the new book MEDICAL GASLIGHTING: How to Get the Care You Deserve in a System that Makes You Fight for Your Life, we talk about: How to be a proactive patient The difference between medical gaslighting vs the American healthcare system Specific tools and strategies to bring with you to the doctor’s office Ilana's journey with chronic illness, from symptoms to diagnosis to treatment How to build trust with the medical community, especially if you’ve been burned before How to help your doctors check their biases (and you check yours!) What makes a great doctor, and what SPECIFICALLY you should look for What makes a great patent, and the SPECIFIC line-by-line script of how to be one Copay assistance programs and little-known financial tips and more! ~ SHOW NOTES: Buy your copy of Medical Gaslighting here IlanaJaqueline.com Instagram TikTok ~ Subscribe to WANT on Substack Join THE WANT COMMUNITY Buy your copy of WANT YOUR SELF here  (Reading WYS for the new year in your book club? Email me at katie@womenagainstnegativetalk.com and let me know! Follow Katie on Instagram Love the WANTcast? We would be so grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and REVIEW the pod on iTunes!

Navigating the complex emotions tied to New Year's resolutions is key to personal growth. A reflective exercise helps connect past experiences with future intentions. The discussion emphasizes embracing challenges and celebrating community triumphs. Listeners are encouraged to engage and share resources that foster resilience. Real success comes from recognizing one's unique story and facing the year ahead with a sense of ownership and purpose.

It's game time: the holidays are here! Which means that so are holiday family dynamics! Instead of just crossing your fingers this holiday season for everything to go smoothly (or for certain conversations to be avoided), do some holiday mindset prep NOW.   In this episode, we're talking FOUR specific strategies to help you prep for a mindful holiday season with your family. We'll dive into: How to set boundaries with your family, and with yourself How to prep for the kinds of conversations you do and don't want to have How to stay true to yourself and more! An essential listen before your next gathering...maybe even on the commute there! ~ SHOW NOTES: Subscribe to WANT on Substack Join THE WANT COMMUNITY Buy your copy of WANT YOUR SELF here  Follow Katie on Instagram Love the WANTcast? We would be so grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and REVIEW the pod on iTunes!

Already overwhelmed by the idea of 2025? Join the club.  In this episode, we'll talk about why you shouldn't abandon setting goals or intentions in the new year — even if it feels trite or pointless, or you're feeling defeated or deflated. And YES, we're talking about this at the beginning of December for a reason. We're not thinking about the nuts and bolts of our goals: we're PRE-THINKING them. Now is NOT the time to make a huge laundry list for yourself, but it IS the perfect time to get introspective, evaluate where you've been and what you're working with, and set a solid foundation for your goals to stand upon in the new year and beyond. ~ SHOW NOTES: Subscribe to WANT on Substack Join THE WANT COMMUNITY Buy your copy of WANT YOUR SELF here  Follow Katie on Instagram Love the WANTcast? We would be so grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and REVIEW the pod on iTunes!

“Playing the long game” means being committed to the idea that you’ll go the distance to accomplish a goal — even if it seems far-off — and that you’ll take the necessary steps to get there. Because once you do, your goal will be real, alive, and lasting. But it can be really, really hard to stick to "playing the long game" in the face of challenges, naysayers, or a seeming lack of proof of progress. You might ask yourself: how long IS this long game?? In today's episode, we're digging into the nuances of THE LONG GAME, and three tools to add to your "long game toolkit" ASAP. ~ SHOW NOTES: Astrology Of The Week Ahead with Chani Nicholas Subscribe to WANT on Substack Join THE WANT COMMUNITY Buy your copy of WANT YOUR SELF here  Follow Katie on Instagram Love the WANTcast? We would be so grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and REVIEW the pod on iTunes.

Have you ever thought, "I wish the kind of body positivity and inclusivity we see today had existed when I was growing up"? If so, you’re not alone. The conversation around mental health, body image, and inclusivity has evolved dramatically — and today’s guest, Jess Weiner, is at the forefront of this transformation. Jess is a true trailblazer whose work has created a lasting impact on how we view ourselves and each other. If you’re looking to make a difference in the world but often find yourself comparing, despairing, feeling overwhelmed, or unsure where to start: this episode is for you. ABOUT JESS: Jess Weiner [Wee-ner] is a Cultural Expert + brand advisor who has spent decades educating and speaking on cultural trends in order to help people feel more seen, heard + understood. She is the CEO of Talk to Jess, a consultancy focused on helping Fortune 500 companies and global brands, such as Unilever, Mattel, and Warner Brothers to become more inclusive and culturally fluent. Jess has been a strategic partner in culture-changing moments such as launching Dove’s campaign for “Real Beauty”, which is celebrating 20 years of self-esteem education this year and she is a driving force behind the evolution of Barbie, resulting in over a dozen different body types, over 35 new skin colors and over 100 new hairstyles. She was recently named as one of the top 250 Female Founders by Inc. Magazine and one of the most creative people in business in the areas of Diversity and Education by Fast Company. ~ SHOW NOTES: Jessweiner.com Jess on Instagram Jess on LinkedIn Jess on X How To Find Your North Star + Plan Your Impact with Christen Brandt on the WANTcast How To Radiantly Rebel Against Ageism with Karen Walrond on The WANTcast Love the WANTcast? We would be so grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and REVIEW the pod on iTunes. Subscribe to WANT on Substack Join THE WANT COMMUNITY Buy your copy of WANT YOUR SELF here  Follow Katie on Instagram

Season 10 of the WANTcast is HERE!! Today, we're talking all about TRANSITIONS: how to view them, how to navigate through, and how to use this in-between time to your advantage. This timely Season Premiere of the WANTcast is here to help you make the most of this moment, right here and now. Change isn't easy, and even the most exciting transitions can be complicated. It's not about slowing down or speeding up — it's about being strategic about how to maximize this (sometimes) messy middle. ~ Love the WANTcast? We would be so grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and REVIEW the pod on iTunes. This really helps the pod because you'll never miss an episode — and helps us because your opinion matters! Tell others why you love our little corner of Podcast Land and why they should tune in as well: Leave a review of the WANTcast on iTunes Subscribe to WANT on Substack Join THE WANT COMMUNITY Buy your copy of WANT YOUR SELF here  Follow Katie on Instagram  

What if strength isn’t about how much we can lift, but how we manage life’s struggles? What if we've been told lies our whole life about what it means to truly TAKE UP SPACE? What if failing isn't the end of a goal, but helps you set the goal itself? Today's SEASON 9 FINALE episode is with the incredible Alyssa Ages — journalist, strongman competitor, and author of SECRETS OF GIANTS: A Journey To Uncover The True Meaning of Strength. IN THIS EPISODE WE TALK ABOUT: The importance of asking WHY, not HOW How endurance athletes frame FAILURE, and how to use this specific tactic in your own life way beyond achieving strength goals Why it's so hard for women especially to TAKE UP SPACE, the sneaky language to watch out for, and how to reframe your relationship with it The importance of using the word YET "BULK" (this is mind-blowing!) What Alyssa did when she realized the story she'd been telling herself for a DECADE was a lie Strength as we AGE and how to reverse hamful narratives even if we think "it's too late" and so much more! This is an episode you'll want to share with your friends, parents, grandparents, siblings, and more.  Thank you for making Season 9 one of the best yet. See you in September for Season 10! ~ ABOUT ALYSSA: Alyssa Ages is the author of SECRETS OF GIANTS: A Journey to Uncover the True Meaning of Strength (Avery/Penguin Random House) and a journalist whose work has appeared in ELLE, SELF, GQ, Slate, The Globe & Mail, and others. She is a mom, strongman competitor, endurance athlete (six marathons & an Ironman), rock climber, CrossFitter, and former member of the Jersey City Bridge & Pummel roller derby team. Her first book, Secrets of Giants (Avery/Penguin Random House, 9/23), is part personal narrative, part research mission, part midlife crisis odyssey into the world of strength to answer the question: What if strength isn’t about how much we can lift, but how we manage life’s struggles.   ~ SHOW NOTES: Buy SECRETS OF GIANTS Alyssa's website Alyssa on IG Alyssa's speaking page ~ TICKETS to WANT YOUR SELF: A Book Launch Cabaret at The Bourbon Room on 7/16 TICKETS to MODERN FRIENDSHIP at Guild Hall in conversation with Anna Goldfarb on 6/30 ~ Join THE WANT COMMUNITY!  Buy WANT YOUR SELF  Follow Katie on Instagram Leave a review of the WANTcast on iTunes (and SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW if you haven't already!) Subscribe to WANT on Substack, and get our bimonthly email newsletter filled with tips, tools, motivation, and inspiration to shift your self-talk Email Katie at katie@womenagainstnegativetalk.com or DM her on Instagram to let her know what you want to hear about, who you want to hear from, or what you want to learn next season of the WANTcast!