This Is Woman's Work with Nicole Kalil

From our choices to our looks, biology to identity, marriage to motherhood, careers to caregiving—women are often handed two options: defy or conform. But what if defying expectations isn’t about rebellion for rebellion’s sake? What if it’s about trusting yourself enough to say no when the world demands yes? In this episode of This Is Woman’s Work, we’re talking about how to defy expectations with the brilliant Dr. Sunita Sah. Dr. Sah is an award-winning professor at Cornell University, an expert in organizational psychology, and a leading researcher on influence, authority, compliance, and defiance. Her new book, DEFY: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes, is a rallying cry for ending submissive behavior and living authentically. This conversation isn’t about being difficult—it’s about being true to yourself. Whether you’re standing up to societal pressures, breaking free of outdated norms, or simply giving yourself permission to live authentically, this episode will inspire you to rewrite the rules and embrace the power of no. As women, we’re often taught to conform, but Dr. Sah shows us why defying expectations isn’t just an act of resistance—it’s an act of self-preservation and growth. Connect with Dr. Sunita Sah: Website: https://sunitasah.com/  Book: https://www.amazon.com/Defy-Power-World-That-Demands/dp/0593793714  IG: https://www.instagram.com/drsunitasah/  X: https://x.com/ProfSunitaSah  Related Podcast Episodes: 159 / Unapologetically BOLD with Vaneese Johnson 201 / How To Find The Right Words When Creating Boundaries with Amy Green Smith 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

Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s becoming increasingly common but still manages to get a few raised eyebrows and a chorus of “but whyyy?” in social settings—being sober or sober curious. More and more people are taking a closer look at their relationship with alcohol and realizing it’s not one they want to keep. This episode isn’t about judgment; it’s about empowerment. Our mission today is to help you make the best decisions for you. Because, ultimately, that is woman’s work. Our guest, Amanda Kuda, is an alcohol-free lifestyle expert, holistic life coach, and author of Unbottled Potential: Break Up With Alcohol and Break Through to Your Best Life. Amanda’s mission is to help ambitious, soul-centered women let go of alcohol to step into their full potential. She’s here to show us how elective sobriety can unlock doors we didn’t even realize were closed and become a powerful tool for personal growth. I encourage you to take time to reflect and be intentional about your choices. Whether it’s rethinking your relationship with alcohol, setting boundaries, or breaking free from habits that no longer serve you, the message remains the same: YOU are the decider. Connect with Amanda Kuda:  Website: https://www.amandakuda.com  21-Day Challenge: amandakuda.com/challenge (code TIWW for free challenge) Book: https://a.co/d/fHooI5M  IG: instagram.com/amandakuda Related Podcast Episodes: How To Know When It’s Time to Quit with Goli Kalkhoran | 266 5 Steps To Forging Your Own Path with Katie Horwitch | 232 5-Steps To Making Big Decisions with Abby Davisson | 222 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

Feeling like anxiety and panic are running the show? You’re not alone. But here’s the thing—anxiety isn’t supposed to be part of what it means to be doing woman’s work. Yet, so many of us experience it that it feels like it’s become part of the job description. In this episode, we’re flipping the narrative from “What’s wrong with me?” to “What is my body trying to tell me?”—because it’s time to panic less and live more. Our guest, Dr. Nicole Cain, is a trailblazer in integrative mental and emotional wellness. With a degree in clinical psychology, training in EMDR, and a license as a Naturopathic Physician, Dr. Cain takes a multidisciplinary approach that combines medical, psychological, and holistic health. She’s also the author of Panic Proof: The New Holistic Solution to End Your Anxiety Forever. If you’ve been feeling like anxiety is calling the shots, this conversation is here to remind you—you get the final word. Your body isn’t betraying you; it’s communicating with you. Thanks to Dr. Cain, you’ll learn it’s not about fixing what’s "wrong" but about tuning in, listening, and giving your body exactly what it needs. So here’s to living lighter, loving harder, and reminding anxiety that we’re the ones in charge. Connect with Dr. Nicole Cain: Website: https://drnicolecain.com/ Free quiz: https://drnicolecain.com/anxiety-quiz Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/737883/panic-proof-by-dr-nicole-cain/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/drnicolecain/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNicoleCain/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe-hcFYhi5QMmXcR_kNippQ/ Podcast: https://drnicolecain.com/podcast/ Related Podcast Episodes: How To Breathe: Breathwork, Intuition and Flow State with Francesca Sipma | 267 How Our Dysregulated Nervous Systems Are Impacting Us with Victoria Albina | 244 Toxic Productivity with Israa Nasir | 254 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

Tired of hearing "do more" or "work harder" as the solution to every problem? You're not alone. For women—especially moms—working in environments that don’t prioritize efficiency, burnout is almost inevitable. Enter Dr. Mithu Storoni, a physician, neuroscience researcher, and author of Hyperefficient: Optimize Your Brain to Transform the Way You Work. Trained at the University of Cambridge, Dr. Storoni is an expert in mental performance and stress management, advising global corporations on how to work effectively without sacrificing well-being. In today’s episode, we’re diving into her revolutionary insights on how to become hyperefficient. From avoiding decision fatigue to structuring your day for maximum impact, you’ll leave this conversation armed with tools to optimize your brain, rethink productivity, and stop glorifying busyness. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why doing more isn’t the same as being more effective. The neuroscience behind decision fatigue and how to overcome it. How prioritizing efficiency can transform your career and well-being. Why “the busier you look, the less productive you’re being.” As women, we’re often expected to do it all—but at what cost? Dr. Storoni shows us a better way to approach work by optimizing our brain’s natural capabilities, paving the path for sustainable success and balance. Connect with Mithu Storin:  Website: https://www.mithustoroni.com/  Book: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/mithu-storoni/hyperefficient/9780316566933/ Related Podcast Episodes: 168 / Breaking Free From The Busyness Trap with Teresa Vozza 119 / Time Management with Kelly Nolan 192 / How To Ask For Help with Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer 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

Breathing—something we do every moment of every day—sounds simple, doesn’t it? Yet, the way we breathe can shape our mood, energy, focus, and even our sense of purpose. In today’s episode, we explore the transformative power of conscious, intentional breathing with Francesca Sipma, founder of Mastry and creator of HypnoBreathwork®, a revolutionary approach to accessing flow state and unlocking potential. Francesca is also the author of Unblock Your Purpose: Breathwork, Intuition, and Flow State. Francesca has worked with top-level executives, celebrities, and athletes, helping them uncover their purpose, break through mental blocks, and tap into the flow. Now, she’s bringing her expertise straight to your earbuds. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The surprising science behind breathwork and why it’s more than just “inhale, exhale.” How intentional breathing can help you access your intuition and flow state. Practical tips and exercises you can use to shift your mood, increase clarity, and unlock creativity. Why so many of us hold our breath—literally and figuratively—and how to release that tension. The secret to life may very well be right under our noses. So let’s breathe. Connect with Francesca Sipma:  Website: http://www.FrancescaSipma.com  Mastry App: https://mastryexperience.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sipma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/francescasipma TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@francescasipma YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@francescasipma3678 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-sipma-28956613 Related Podcast Episodes: Abundance: Secrets to Prosperity and Ease with Cathy Heller | 260 Why We Brush Off The Idea Of Self-Care with Dr. Christine Coleman | 223 124 / Mind, Body, Soul… and Confidence with Meg Burton Tudman 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

Together, we're redefining what it means, looks and feels like, to be doing "woman's work" in the world today. With confidence and the occasional rant. From boardrooms to studios, kitchens to coding dens, we explore the multifaceted experiences of today's woman, confirming that the new definition of "woman's work" is whatever feels authentic, true, and right for you. We're shedding expectations, setting aside the "shoulds", giving our finger to the "supposed tos". We're torching the old playbook and writing our own rules. Who runs the world? You decide. Learn more at nicolekalil.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you been thinking about quitting something—or someone—but can’t decide if it’s the right time? In this episode, Nicole Kalil is joined by Goli Kalkhoran, Master Certified Life Coach and host of the Lessons from a Quitter podcast, to break down the stigma around quitting and show how it can be a path to clarity and fulfillment. Quitting isn’t about giving up; it’s about recognizing when it’s time to stop pouring energy into things that no longer serve you. Goli shares tools and inspiration to pivot toward something intentional, aligned, and meaningful. In this episode, we explore: How to tell if it’s time to quit or push harder. Why quitting isn’t the opposite of perseverance but the companion to clarity. Practical steps for trusting yourself in career and life pivots. The power of choosing to stop, reset, and realign with what truly matters. 💡 Takeaways: Quitting is brave—it’s not about failure but about prioritizing your time, energy, and happiness. Trust yourself enough to pivot toward the life, career, and relationships you truly deserve.  Connect with Goli Kalkhoran:  Website: www.lessonsfromaquitter.com  Free masterclass on quitting: www.quitterclub.com/class  IG: https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromaquitter/  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessonsfromaquitter  Related Podcast Episodes: 193 / TIWW Classic - People Pleasing & Being Needy with Mara Glatzel 142 / Make Your Comeback Stronger Than Your Setback with Julia Wolfendale VI4P - Overthinking and Action (Chapter 8) 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

Travel can be transformational—especially when you do it solo. In this episode, we’re joined by Megan Grant, Founder & Chief Memory Creator for Cherish Tours, to explore the joys, challenges, and empowerment of solo travel for women. With experience spanning 40 countries, including over 10 solo adventures, Megan’s mission is to inspire women to embrace travel as a tool for personal growth and transformation. Solo travel isn’t just about the destinations—it’s about giving yourself permission to be with YOU. From choosing where to eat (without sharing your fries!) to experiencing the world on your terms, it’s an adventure worth taking. In this episode, we explore: The benefits and transformative power of solo travel for women. Tips for planning solo adventures and staying safe on the road. Megan’s insights on sustainable tourism and supporting global women’s businesses. Why you don’t need permission or a travel buddy to explore the world. 💡 Takeaways: Solo travel is your chance to connect with yourself, embrace your independence, and experience the world on your terms. The world is waiting—plan your next adventure today! Connect with Megan:  Website: www.gocherishtours.com ($100 off promo code using TIWWTRAVEL) IG: https://www.instagram.com/gocherishtours/  FB: www.facebook.com/gocherishtours  Related Podcast Episodes: 141 / How Regular Women Take Risks with Liz Deacle 062 / Winemaking Under The Tuscan Sun  with Mary Shea 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

I’m beyond excited to bring you the BEST of 2024—a roundup of our most listened-to, loved, and impactful episodes of the year! This might just be my favorite episode to record each year because it’s a chance to reflect on the amazing content, incredible guests, and powerful lessons we’ve shared. For those of you who are new to This Is Woman’s Work, this episode is the perfect starting point, highlighting the episodes that resonated the most with our community. And for our longtime listeners, it’s a fun trip down memory lane and a great reminder to revisit the conversations that made the biggest impact. Podcast Board Of Directors Alert! 📣 Join PodBOD to help shape the future of This Is Woman’s Work and share in its exciting growth. Top 5 Most Downloaded Episodes of 2024 - Click the links to listen to the full episodes highlighted here today: 🔗 #5 - Be A Likeable Badass with Alison Fragale | 230 🔗 #4 - Holler At Your Dreams with Judi Holler | 211 🔗 #3 - Abundance: Secrets to Prosperity and Ease with Cathy Heller | 260 🔗 #2 - 7 Keys To Unlock Your Dynamic Drive with Molly Fletcher | 229 🔗 #1 - The Resilience Myth with Soraya Chemaly | 249 🌟 Bonus Links: Team Favorite: The Small And The Mighty with Sharon McMahon | 247 – A can’t-miss pick from the TIWW team. Editors Pick: How To Feel Good Naked with Chardét Ryel | 212 - means a lot coming from someone who has listened to every episode, multiple times. Nicole’s Highlight: How To Live A Fulfilling Life with Dr. Edith Eger | 251 - The episode that lit me up the most this year. Most Outreach Episode – Why & How I’m Considering Ozempic | 213 - The one people couldn’t stop talking about. Thank you for being part of this amazing journey. I hope these episodes inspire you as we wrap up 2024 and step boldly into 2025. My love, gratitude, and confidence to you during the holidays and in the new year! Learn more about the This Is Woman’s Work podcast Board of Directors: https://nicolekalil.myflodesk.com/podbod  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

In a world of surface-level interactions and quick fixes, what does it mean to truly connect? Today, Nicole is joined by Talia Fox, CEO of KUSI Global and author of The Power of Conscious Connection, to explore how authentic relationships and intentional leadership can transform our lives and work. Talia’s expertise as a psychologist and “inspiration Jedi” has guided leaders in organizations ranging from the U.S. Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs to Harvard and Howard Universities. Her mission? To help us trade transactional interactions for meaningful, conscious connections that align our values with our actions. In this episode, we explore: Why connection is a brave, messy, and essential act. How listening is the most underrated and impactful leadership skill. Tools for building conscious equity and connected cultures. How to align values with actions for deeper relationships at work and in life. 💡 Takeaways: Connection is a two-way street—when we truly see, hear, and value others, we also feel seen, heard, and valued. So let’s trade fake for real, surface for deep, and quick for meaningful. Connect with Talia Fox:  Website: https://taliafox.com/  Book: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Conscious-Connection-Habits-Transform/dp/1646871359 Kusi Training: https://kusitraining.com  IG: https://www.instagram.com/taliafoxspeaks/?hl=en Related Podcast Episodes: Loneliness And The Value Of Connection with Kasley Killam | 218 133 / Making Friends As An Adult with Danielle McCombs 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