WANTcast: The Women Against Negative Talk Podcast

Today on the WANTcast, we're sitting down with sustainability expert, bestselling author, and award-winning changemaker Ashlee Piper to explore her latest movement and book: No New Things. Ashlee — whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Vogue, CNN, and Good Morning America — breaks down how a personal challenge to stop buying new stuff became a lifestyle shift, viral movement, and 30-day guide to help you save money, reduce overwhelm, and create meaningful impact. This isn’t a no-buy challenge or a guilt trip: it's an invitation to investigate how your stuff makes you feel, how to reset your consumer habits, and how to reconnect with your values in a culture of overconsumption.  IN THIS EPISODE WE TALK ABOUT: The true meaning of "No New Things" How your stuff affects your time, money, and mental load What to do when you feel the urge to shop Reframing gift-giving, borrowing, and community care The psychology of consumption, and why shopping isn’t the self-care we think it is and more!! Whether you're eco-conscious, overwhelmed by clutter, or just looking to live with more intention, this episode will empower you to take simple, meaningful steps starting now. ~ SHOW NOTES: Ready to try the challenge? Grab Ashlee’s book No New Things wherever books are sold, and follow her journey on Instagram @ashleepiper The Ethical Edit on Substack AshleePiper.com Subscribe to WANT on Substack: http://womenagainstnegativetalk.substack.com Follow Katie on Instagram: http://instagram.com/katiehorwitch Get the book! Want Your Self: Shift Your Self-Talk and Unearth the Strength in Who You Were All Along: http://wantyourself.com Learn more about Katie: http://katiehorwitch.com Learn more about WANT at: http://womenagainstnegativetalk.com IF YOU LOVED THIS EPISODE, DON'T FORGET TO:  Subscribe, rate, and review on your favorite podcast platform! And share this episode with a friend who needs a motivation boost (or total reframe) WHERE TO TUNE IN: Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6UQ3hu0RtlI Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wantcast-the-women-against-negative-talk-podcast/id1031793292 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/03yZ3QHCksjm0HpEUldWrn?si=s6BhZwGwRAamGBag6lRtsw  As always, move forward fearlessly, spread the good word, and be the you you know you’re meant to be 💛

We ALL hit moments where motivation feels completely out of reach. Sometimes, it just...disappears. Whether you're struggling to start something new, feeling stuck in a rut, or just can’t seem to get going, this episode is for you. In this episode, we're doing a no-bs deep dive into not just how to spark motivation when it’s barely there, but what to do when your drive to keep going is nowhere to be found (and nothing you see, hear, read, or think seems to change that). We'll discuss: Why motivation isn’t always necessary to make progress How to spark motivation when you feel stuck The power of zooming out Why your feelings about motivation might actually be irrelevant (and what to focus on instead)  ...and more! ~ SHOW NOTES: Subscribe to WANT on Substack: http://womenagainstnegativetalk.substack.com Follow Katie on Instagram: http://instagram.com/katiehorwitch Get the book! Want Your Self: Shift Your Self-Talk and Unearth the Strength in Who You Were All Along: http://wantyourself.com Learn more about Katie: http://katiehorwitch.com Learn more about WANT at: http://womenagainstnegativetalk.com IF YOU LOVED THIS EPISODE, DON'T FORGET TO:  Subscribe, rate, and review on your favorite podcast platform! And share this episode with a friend who needs a motivation boost (or total reframe) WHERE TO TUNE IN: Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/s8BM518rSNM Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wantcast-the-women-against-negative-talk-podcast/id1031793292 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/00F0QCsgrrYkioiehDY21x As always, move forward fearlessly, spread the good word, and be the you you know you’re meant to be 💛

Big news: after nearly a decade of podcasting, we're finally taking the leap into video — and it’s TERRIFYING. In this solo episode, Katie gets real about what’s held her back, why exactly comparison and (ironically) experience have been her biggest roadblocks, and how she's embracing beginner mode *publicly* to break free from perfectionism. If you’ve ever felt stuck because you don’t have it all figured out, this episode is for you. We talk about: The hidden fears that keep us from starting something new Why “manageable” can sometimes stunt our growth How comparison sneaks in — even when we think we’re over it The power of taking imperfect action and leading your own life ...and more! ~ SHOW NOTES:  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@katiehorwitch  Listen & Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wantcast-the-women-against-negative-talk-podcast/id1031793292  Subscribe to WANT on Substack: https://womenagainstnegativetalk.substack.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiehorwitch/ and https://www.instagram.com/womenagainstnegativetalk/  Get Katie's book, WANT YOUR SELF: Shift Your Self-Talk and Unearth The Strength In Who You Were All Along: http://wantyourself.com (Reading WYS for the new year in your book club? Email Katie at katie@womenagainstnegativetalk.com and let us know!) Love the WANTcast? We would be so grateful if you would LEAVE 5 STARS and A REVIEW the pod on iTunes!  

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.