This Is Woman's Work with Nicole Kalil

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

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

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

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

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

Join Julia Menez, a savvy points and miles strategist and host of the Geobreeze Travel Podcast, as she unveils the secrets to luxurious travel on a budget. Julia shares actionable tips for leveraging credit card rewards and avoiding common pitfalls in travel planning. Discover how to align your spending with your travel goals, optimize points for flights and hotels, and even snag those coveted upgrades. It's time to make your money work harder for unforgettable experiences, proving that five-star travel is within everyone's reach!

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

Katrina McGhee, a certified master coach and author of Taking a Career Break for Dummies, shares her insights on the transformative power of planned sabbaticals. She reveals how taking intentional breaks can rejuvenate both personal and professional life, offering a radical alternative to hustle culture. Katrina discusses strategies for a successful sabbatical, including setting clear intentions and fully disconnecting from work. Her personal journey of traveling the world for 20 months underscores the potential for joy and fulfillment that comes with taking a step back.

Daphne Delvaux, founder of Delvaux Law and known as The Mamattorney, tackles the chaotic landscape of parental leave in the U.S. She reveals legal protections many are unaware of and how to navigate them effectively. Daphne discusses the outdated stigma that motherhood detracts from professional dedication and advocates for equitable parenting responsibilities. She offers practical advice for expecting parents on preparing for leave without jeopardizing their careers while calling for a societal shift to support all parents equally.

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