Make Some Noise with Andrea Owen

🎉✍ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are many facets of personal development that can stand to adopt a level of discipline, similar to the discipline required by professional athletes. My guest, Dre Baldwin, is a former professional basketball player who built a publishing empire and authored an impressive 27 books. He has an interesting perspective on discipline, which is the focal point of this week’s episode. As someone who mildly recoils at the word discipline, I was fascinated and eager for my conversation with Dre. When I think about a goal I want to achieve (whether it’s personal or professional), I make a mental list of all the things I need to do in order to complete the goal. And sometimes, y’all, just the idea of the discipline needed to succeed, it’s exhausting.Dre and I explore many areas of discipline, from how it affects success, how it helps to create confidence and builds mental toughness for everyday life. In this episode you’ll hear: The four pillars of Dre’s "Work On Your Game" philosophy and how you can use it in your everyday life. (9:13) Why discipline is an important aspect of success. (11:02) How discipline creates confidence. (18:34) Creating mental toughness for business and life. (24:46) Taking personal initiative for your career and business: information is great, but you need to take initiative and do something with it. (34:05) The energy you put out is the energy you get back. (37:02) http://yourkickasslife.com/368 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s no secret we are living in complicated times. Sometimes going back to the basics to focus on the present can be incredibly helpful. This week, Laura Cathcart Robbins, speaker, and host of the podcast, The Only One In The Room, joins me to talk about turning shitty situations into amazing opportunities. Laura went viral when she wrote an article about being the only Black woman in the room at an Elizabeth Gilbert and Cheryl Strayed writing event. She has been active for many years as a speaker and school trustee and is credited for creating The Buckley School’s nationally recognized committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Together we discussed her experience being ‘othered’, as well as, how sharing that experience encouraged people from all ethnicities, races, genders, and abilities to speak out and feel connected with one another. She also offered a transparent look into her life as a mother and addict, going into treatment, wrestling with shame, and how she is coping today. She is a true wordsmith in both her writing and in her speaking. I hope you enjoy our conversation. In this episode you’ll hear: Laura shares her experience as the only one in the room at a retreat hosted by Liz Gilbert and Cheryl Strayed. (5:00) How the retreats changed after Laura’s article went viral and some of the lessons she learned from the entire experience. (11:25) Laura talks openly about being a mom in recovery from addiction. (22:08) Words of encouragement for living in these trying times. (42:25) http://yourkickasslife.com/367 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’ve all experienced some form of grief over the last several months; grieving our life before COVID, people we’ve lost and more. Joining me for a deep and transformative conversation about grief is acclaimed grief educator, Christina Rasmussen. Christina is also the author of Second Firsts and Where Did You Go? and host of The Dear Life Podcast. In this episode you’ll hear: Christina describes grief as a catalyst for redefining entry. She shares about her philosophy on grief and the process of reentry or returning to life. (5:13) Invisible losses: any experience that broke your heart and how they dictate the narrative of your life. (10:39) Grief, COVID-19, and being triggered by invisible losses. (20:43) How to know when you are ready to do life reentry work. (24:48) Does reentry or returning to life mean you won’t experience waves of grief? (26:58) The phases of reentry or returning to life. (36:47) http://yourkickasslife.com/366 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Over the last few months, I’ve been exploring various personal development modalities with my guests. Another area that has been of interest to me is hypnotherapy. To explore this topic and discuss how we can utilize hypnotherapy to transform our subconscious mind is my bestie, Amy E. Smith. Amy is a certified and credentialed confidence coach, masterful speaker, and personal empowerment expert. She is also a certified hypnotherapist who aids hundreds of women in stepping into their authentic power and craft the lives they desire. Together we discuss various methods that can help you analyze and address the state of your subconscious mind, including emotional freedom technique (EFT), dreams and what they mean, as well as what your handwriting can tell you. In this episode you’ll hear: From a lay person’s perspective, Amy describes hypnotherapy. (12:38) How the conscious and subconscious work and what it has to do with the inner critic. (19:35) EFT: what it is and how it can help. (26:03) Handwriting analysis and what it has to do with the subconscious. Plus, how Amy uses this modality in her work. (27:59) How analyzing your dreams can help you solve problems. (37:58) http://yourkickasslife.com/365 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are multiple ways to heal, and you know I love to give you many avenues. This week we are exploring the topic of internal family systems and how this modality can be a powerful lens of healing. Rebecca Ching, our unofficial resident therapist returns to the show to help us understand more about this type of healing. Rebecca is a psychotherapist, trauma-informed leadership coach, and host of the Unburdened Leader podcast. She helps established leaders, entrepreneurs and business owners navigate the curveballs of life + leadership without sacrificing their health, important relationships, and their business bottom line. In this episode you’ll hear: Rebecca shared an in-depth explanation of internal family systems (IFS). (4:47) There are many ways to heal and staying curious about the various methods.(19:04) With IFS all parts are welcome. No judgment. (27:00) Trusting your practitioner and how to break away from a clinician you no longer trust. (30:31) How someone might resolve a common conflict using IFS. (38:40) This is a lifelong practice, it’s not one and done. (47:56) http://yourkickasslife.com/364 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you have more tools to become the best version of yourself? Well, today we are going to find out how Human Design can help you get there. Erin Claire Jones is a guide, coach, and speaker who uses Human Design to help thousands of individuals and companies step into their work and their lives as their truest selves and to their highest potential. Human Design was a new topic to me and I had so many questions for Erin! Together, we explored the different Human Design types, ways of making decisions, strategies, and more. Erin even read my Human Design chart and shared some specific insight into my true self. She provided practical tools and suggestions so you can integrate them into your own life too, plus how you can learn about your own Human Design. In this episode you’ll hear: Erin describes Human Design and how understanding your design gives you permission to be who you are. (4:12) Human Design can help you in your day-to-day life, Erin explains how. (8:33) The five different types of Human Design. (11:07) The different ways of making decisions using your inner authority. (21:58) Using Human Design as a tool for high performance and understanding what aspects of your design are getting you off track. (26:53) Some strategies to help overcome dark spots or shadows in your life. (28:43) How women can use Human Design to make full-bodied choices. (37:30) http://yourkickasslife.com/363 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you a woman who has trouble listening to their intuition and has unresolved trauma? This week, Lara Riggio joins me to discuss using energy work to heal from trauma. She says that moving these emotions through the body is key and explains how energy healing versus talk therapy can help. Lara is an Energy Intuitive. Her videos, classes, and sessions have helped tens of thousands discover and heal the mind/body, ancestral, and past life blocks that sabotage health and happiness. Enjoy our conversation. In this episode, you’ll hear: I start the episode off by sharing the strategies I use to combat anxiety thought-spirals. (2:39) How Lara helps clients create a safe space to work through unresolved trauma. (10:38) Using energy healing to address trauma and how it helps you to retrain your reaction to it. (13:29) Some tell-tale signs someone needs to seek out a trauma therapist. (19:45) Reprogramming your response to triggers. Being present to the feelings you are feeling and teaching yourself to keep yourself safe. (34:16) What is happening biologically when you are triggered. (29:40) Making decisions with greater clarity during times of anxiety. (37:59) http://yourkickasslife.com/362 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ancestors and ancestral healing is a topic I’ve been really curious about lately. And with many topics that pique my interest, I found an expert to bring onto the show to discuss it further. This week, Ash Johns, an international spiritual life coach, and ancestral healer, joins me to discuss ancestral healing, an interesting aspect of personal development. Ash Johns is also a conscious business strategist, speaker, and creator of ​Creating Queendoms™, a holistic healing and business development program for visionary femm-preneurs and healers ready to create (or nurture) empires in alignment with their soul's purpose, contribute to healing the world and cultivate generational wealth through their deepest dreams and desires. Ash starts off with an intention setting practice and then explains how she came to be a spiritual life coach and ancestral healer. (10:02) Ancestral healing and why is it important to our lives. (20:00) The role of a Psychosynthesis Coach and how Ash approaches the work she does. (23:56) The intersection between courage and compassion with your ancestry. (35:00) Some considerations before choosing a spiritual life coach or healer. (37:40) Small steps a woman can take towards their own ancestral healing. (43:52) Energy channeling and clearing - what is it and how it helps. (46:20) Ash’s thoughts on the spirituality of witchcraft. (50:00) http://yourkickasslife.com/361 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Finding joy when a difficult relationship ends is possible. This week, Liza Harper, a life redesigner, joins me to talk about finding joy and clarity through relationships and life’s transitions. She’s a life and divorce coach who seeks to empower women to unleash their desires. We discuss some ways you can infuse joy into your life. Liza opens up about the personal development work she did for herself and how it led her to do the work she does today. Plus, we explored fear, shame, and stigma surrounding failing relationships. In this episode you’ll hear: How Liza helps her clients find joy in the next chapter of their lives. (5:02) Why it always works out when you bet on yourself. (14:42) Ignoring your intuition during a difficult past relationship. (26:02) Fear and shame women may experience following a relationship with a narcissist. (35:04) http://yourkickasslife.com/360 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s no secret that this year has been challenging and many have been put into situations where they need to have tough conversations. In fact, many problems can be solved when two people can have a thoughtful, mature, and healthy conversation. Yet, having tough conversations or simple communication was never taught to most of us in school; we don’t know how to do it. This week, Alexandra Jamieson returns to the podcast to discuss how to have game-changing conversations. Alexandra is the co-author of Radical Alignment, a book about how to have tough conversations at work and at home. In this episode, Alex helps us learn the steps needed to show up as your best self, regardless of how the conversation turns out. How a communication workshop for couples inspired Alex and her husband, Bob, to write their book, Radical Alignment. (22:00) How we fall into traps of bad communication. (10:00) Why the common culprit in miscommunication is the missing conversation. (18:16) You can create team psychological safety with equal speaking time. (25:00) The 4 steps in the All-In Method, including declaring the topic of conversation. (24:27) How to invite someone to an emotional or high-stakes conversation. (40:00) http://yourkickasslife.com/359 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Narcissism” seems to be a buzzword these days and I wanted to have an expert on who can give us the low-down. According to trauma therapist, Britt Frank, everyone has shades of narcissism. She goes on to say that high-level narcissism is an addiction to self-protection by any means necessary. And for those who have experienced a relationship with a narcissist, it is a traumatic experience. In this week’s episode, Britt joins me to discuss how to heal from traumatic relationships, including those in which narcissistic abuse is present. Britt is also a teacher and speaker who specializes in the "Science of Stuck." In this episode you’ll hear: What is a narcissist and how does someone know they may be in a relationship with someone who is a narcissist? (6:33) Britt’s goal is “dismantling the mental health myths that keep us feeling STUCK and SICK”. She shares what she means by that. (13:34) Dealing with trauma: Some signs or patterns which signal someone should deal with their trauma. (16:07) Why someone may get physically addicted to their narcissist and experience withdrawals. (22:27) How someone can begin to heal from a narcissistic relationship. (27:03) Mother wounds and grieving our childhoods (the things we didn’t get) or other parts of our lives. (31:04) How COVID has affected Britt’s work, including the collective processing of COVID trauma. (38:13) http://yourkickasslife.com/358 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I am doing something I have never done in any podcast episode. For the first time, I am bringing you an interview I did on another podcast, where someone interviewed me. My dear friend Rebecca Ching has a podcast called The Unburdened Leader. It was such a fantastic conversation and I am so grateful that she said, “Yes,” when I asked her if I could air it for my listeners. We talked about a lot of hard things, including grief and addiction. On 9/27, I celebrated nine years of sobriety and recovery from alcoholism. It is something we talked about in this particular episode. I share how commitment to my values helped me maintain my continued healing and sobriety and how grief nearly brought me out of recovery. In this episode you’ll hear: My addiction to alcohol and what it symbolized. Why I needed to understand and heal my traumas in order to fully unburden the last of my addictions. Perfection, control, and overachieving worked until it didn’t. Drinking worked for a while until it didn’t. The role community plays in my sobriety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Alexandra Katehakis is a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist and Founder of Center for Healthy Sex and she joins me to discuss the topic of healing from love addiction. While love addiction may not be something affecting your life where you need to seek treatment, it could be something to look at in terms of some unhealthy coping mechanisms affecting your life. We discuss what love addiction is, the root cause (which stems from father abandonment), and what the steps to healing look like. Dr. Alex offers amazing insight and advice about what it means to be a love addict and how to step into recovery. I hope this episode is helpful to you, in some way. In this episode you’ll hear: What is love addiction? And how it differs between men and women. (5:59) Women struggle with a concept called ‘mother hunger’ and therefore it is crucial for women to find support from other women in order to heal from sex or love addiction. (12:33) The root cause of love addiction. (14:45) There comes a point when we realize we are hurting ourselves, plus why going into the pain (withdrawal) is how we can heal. (18:22) What sobriety looks like for love addicts and some of the first steps someone can take to heal. (22:03) How to assert healthy boundaries for more equal relationships. (35:11) http://yourkickasslife.com/356 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This September is the 10th year anniversary of Your Kick-Ass Life! Over the years, the YKAL team has evolved and grown. In this episode, Liz Applegate, our lead coach here at YKAL, joins me for a conversation about shit that matters. We are talking about aging, perimenopause, and depression. One of the reasons I wanted to have a conversation about these topics was to shine a light on some of the ways they can show up in one’s life, especially in 2020, and the curveball we’ve been thrown this year. In this episode you’ll hear: Liz shares her history with depression and antidepressants and how she gave herself permission to seek mental health help. (8:30) I share my experience of how a discussion with my therapist about burnout turned into one about high functioning depression. (19:33) Our thoughts and feelings (and struggle) on being middle-aged. (22:08) What we think about navigating perimenopause. (34:25) http://yourkickasslife.com/355 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Happiness. It’s 2020 and I have a feeling that many of us could use a dose of that. Right? Well, you’re in luck because Kim Strobel, happiness coach, joins me to talk about how to be happier. Happiness isn’t always born from unicorns and rainbows. In fact, you’ll hear how Kim’s happiness coaching was born out of her own trauma, darkness, and suffering. Together we discuss toxic positivity, why turning off negative feelings isn’t helpful, and the importance of putting your happiness first. Kim also shares some of the happiness habits we can practice in order to increase happiness levels. Finally, we also explore the Arena of Bigness, what it means, and how to step into the Arena with courage and do really hard things. In this episode you’ll hear: Kim opens up about her struggle with mental illness and what that looks like in her life now. (5:20) Why today’s culture of positivity and the conventional formula for happiness is wrong. (21:30) Putting your happiness and wellbeing at the forefront is of the utmost importance. (23:54) We all have a set baseline happiness default. Kim talks about how we can work to retrain the brain to feel happy even when struggling through tough times. (26:47) How somebody who feels as though they are living a small life can step out of that and into the Arena of Bigness. (42:08) http://yourkickasslife.com/354 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the YKAL podcast we’re talking about resilience and intuition. To help me unpack this topic is my guest, Dr. Andrea Pennington. She is an integrative physician, acupuncturist, meditation teacher, #1 international bestselling author, and TEDx speaker. Together Dr. Andrea and I discuss what it means to be resilient, how tolerating stress is not the same thing as being resilient, and how self-care plays a key role in resilience. Plus, she shares what it means to learn who you really are, how to share your personal story, and listening to your intuition. In this episode you’ll hear: Dr. Andrea shares her story of debilitating imposter syndrome and how it led her to do the work she is doing today. (9:18) What it means to be resilient and some traits of resilient people. (11:30) Tolerating stress is not the same as being resilient. (14:20) In order to embrace who you are, you must first need to learn who you are. (17:49) Dr. Andrea shares about her own struggle with depression and how music has been such an influence and help. (24:09) The power in sharing your personal story and how you can start sharing yours. (36:01) http://yourkickasslife.com/353 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you a woman who struggles with asking for what you want at work? This week we are talking about some of the things that hold women back in the workplace with guest, Sara Laschever! Sara is an authority on the challenges that shape women’s lives at work. She is the co-author, with Linda Babcock, of Women Don’t Ask, the groundbreaking study that first focused public attention on the forces preventing women from negotiating on their own behalf. I stumbled upon Sara’s work while doing research for my third book and I was fascinated. I am thrilled to have her on the show! In this episode you’ll hear: Some common obstacles women confront in the workplace and some ways in which they can overcome them. (5:35) The impact of subconscious biases on women in the workplace. (13:07) Direct or controlling behavior in men at work will often go unremarked, yet with women, we tend to mark it. (18:12) Some ways in which women can go through the process of evaluating their talents and target what will make their personal and professional lives more fulfilling. (19:31) Why most women find it hard to negotiate their salaries or ask for the things they want. Plus, some small steps they can take towards asking for what they really want.(22:22) Has the culture of work changed? I asked Sara if the struggle with negotiations is more of a Baby Boomer, Gen X, Millennial, or Gen Z generation problem? Listen in to hear her answer. (30:59) http://yourkickasslife.com/352 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to personal development, positivity and cheering people on is great. And…if we really want to support and love women, we have to also make room for the difficult stuff, for the traumas and the “shadow side”. That is where this week’s guest, Christine Gutierrez’s work really comes in. Christine returns to the YKAL podcast and together we discuss honoring your pain, going to the darkness in order to get to the light and living in a world where your light side and dark side can co-exist. Christine is a Latina licensed psychothera​pist, life coach and expert in love addiction, trauma, abuse, and self- esteem. She is the author of the upcoming book, I am Diosa: A Journey to Healing Deep, Loving Yourself, and Coming Back to Your Soul. I hope you enjoy our conversation. Who is Diosa and what being Diosa is all about. (4:06) Christine’s book is broken up into three parts: The darkness, the light and the integration. She explains why she chose to write it in this way. (9:34) Why it is important to explore your emotional triggers. (14:26) How to know if you’ve experienced trauma. (16:03) Repairing your intuition after trauma and how to heal. (20:00) Why Christine walks people through a meditation journey to help them visualize their first memories of anger or sadness. (27:38) http://yourkickasslife.com/351 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the show we are talking about emotions, which my guest, Sherianna Boyle, has a specific methodology to work through them. I was “emotionally illiterate” for a really long time, which led to lots of numbing out, so I love learning different tools to process them! Sherianna Boyle is an international Emotional Detox Coach®, author of eight books, including her most recent Emotional Detox and Emotional Detox for Anxiety. Emotions are so much to carry sometimes. But as Sherianna said during our time together, “Emotions are not the problem, it’s our reaction to them.” She helps us understand emotions, how to process them, and honor them. In this episode you’ll hear: How emotions support a kick-ass life. (3:26) Sherianna shares how she was drawn to work as an Emotional Detox Coach®. (6:32) Emotional detox for anxiety and what it means. (7:35) All emotions are good when you process them. There is no negative emotion. (11:25) The Emotional Detox philosophy and how it applies to triggering experiences. (15:00) How Sherianna works with people who are disconnected from their feelings. (24:39) What to do if you carry core beliefs that you are the holder of others emotions. (30:00) We discuss surrendering and how it differs from letting go. (38:33) http://yourkickasslife.com/350 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Work is the number one place we make friendships as adults, according to Shasta Nelson. So why not focus on friendships where we are most of the time? Well, Shasta is back on the podcast this week to talk about this topic, one she is an expert in, friendships. Her newest book is all about friendships at work. And, this is definitely an interesting time for workplace friendships, with many working from home or working in the office but with socially distant restrictions. We can all use a little help with our relationships whether they are our personal relationships or friendships at work. I am happy to share our conversation with you. In this episode you’ll hear: The three things needed in a healthy relationship: consistency, vulnerability, and positivity. (5:43) Why having a best friend at work improves employee experience and organizational success. (9:31) How to handle the coworker friend who sucks the energy out of you and how to reduce the impact of their toxicity. (12:04) #RelationshipGoals at work - do you have to be friends with everyone? (13:42) Workplace boundaries and your responsibility around them. (18:17) What to do or say when you are working with someone who indulges in office gossip. (21:33) Leveraging your former professional friendships to help you during a job search. (27:47) http://yourkickasslife.com/349 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the YKAL podcast, my guest is Leah Campbell Badertscher. She is a former attorney turned artist and Master Life coach for world-class performers and leaders in the arts, business, and movements in positive change for the social good. During our conversation, Leah asks simply, “What are you giving up if you don’t go for it?” And that is the question she pondered after graduating law school. In this episode, she shares openly her battle with her inner-critic and how she pushed forward to pursue an artistic career. Her story of wanting to follow a specific path, but experiencing push back from self-talk is common. My hope is that if you see some of yourself in Leah’s story, you will be inspired to take action in your life. In this episode you’ll hear: Leah shares her journey from law career to artist. (4:14) Why it is important to not dismiss your intuition and instead listen to what you really want. (11:13) Leah talks about the battle with her inner critic and how she kept going. (24:58) How Leah learned to lean into self-trust. (35:30) Some of the pros and cons of the creative process. (41:26) http://yourkickasslife.com/348 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today I have a Conversation About Shit That Matters With Unqualified People (CASTMWUP as we call it over here). But, this time my guest/friend is qualified to talk about today’s topic on diversity and inclusion. CASTMWUP episodes are less interviews and more conversations between friends. I assume people who listen to my podcast are those willing to engage in this conversation about race. I am not a race educator, but Jessica Sharp is. She has a Master’s of Public Affairs from the University of Missouri and is currently a student at William James College where she is obtaining a Doctorate in Leadership Psychology. Her work experience includes work in the non-profit sector and work in diversity & inclusion. My hope is that white women listen to Black voices who are race-educators, especially Black women. Because none of us are free until we’re all free. http://yourkickasslife.com/347 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leesa Renee Hall has helped over 33,000 leaders explore their unconscious biases using her signature process called Explore Biases Now. Author of ten books, Leesa was known as a technology pioneer before turning her attention to disrupting the misinformation hardcoded deep in the mind. I am thrilled to be able to share our important conversation with you this week! Today Leesa and I discuss reflective writing and self-reflection as an investment in your own life and your own healing. We explore the topic of stumbling bravely through understanding and processing our humanity. And, finally, we discuss how to stay in the work of unpacking your unconscious biases so you stand with and not for, black, indigenous, and people of color. In this episode you’ll hear: Leesa shares how she transitioned from working in tech to questioning her legacy and then moving to help others explore and unpack their unconscious biases. (3:33) By developing a habit around self-reflection, you begin to accept the nuances and complexities within yourself. (11:00) Why there is a disconnect between what we believe versus how we behave. (19:00) Leesa’s work with introverted, highly-sensitive people. (23:07) What happens to your nervous system when unpacking unconscious biases. (27:11) How to begin unpacking your unconscious biases, some first steps you can take. (43:00) Why perfectionism is a tool of white supremacy. (46:53) http://yourkickasslife.com/346 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, I bring you a YKAL Coaching session. Katie is a proud introvert and physical therapist in Nevada. She came to me because she has a desire to reduce her work capacity so she can focus on following her passions and interests. Together we discuss what she’s been struggling with and why she has been having such a difficult time changing the trajectory of her job. We also uncover some of Katie’s fears such as being seen as imperfect or non-knowledgeable in her field. I encourage you to listen to the entire episode because Katie’s update was really interesting. As we say in coaching, a lot of the healing happens in between sessions. And as you will hear, such was the case for Katie. http://yourkickasslife.com/345 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When I met this week’s guest, I knew I needed to have her on the show, just based on her enthusiasm alone. Emily Francis is the host of the radio show All About Healing and author of the new book, Whole Body Healing: Create Your Own Path to Physical, Emotional, Energetic, and Spiritual Wellness. One of the reasons I’m pumped to introduce you to her is because I’ve never had a guest on the show who does the kind of work that Emily does. Today we discuss how body memory leads us to carry pain, releasing your body of emotions, and leaning into joy and gratitude. I learned so much from our time together and I hope you do too! In this episode, you’ll hear: About muscle memory and why we carry pain where we do. Muscle memory is very much like mental memory. Our bodies remember. (11:01) Some ways the body communicates its emotions - aka the body’s somatic languages. (22:00) The importance of working with the body for the release of emotions, like grief or anxiety. (29:00) How we can use tissue memory for healing. (31:00) Listening to your own body - aka the body scan. (43:36) http://yourkickasslife.com/344 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How does the enneagram relate to personal development? Well, today we find out. Jessica Denise Dickson is a life empowerment Enneagram coach (and Black mermaid) who believes that when Black women heal, the world heals. She joins me to talk about the enneagram as a transformative tool for personal development. I can’t tell you how excited I am about this topic and guest-- as I’ve wanted to have someone on for eons. Today, we discuss what the enneagram is, how it can help you become more self-aware, and help you address your blind spots. We also discuss what the enneagram has to offer during this time of global pandemic and global reckoning with systems of oppression. In this episode you’ll hear: There are a lot of ideas about the enneagram - Jessica breaks down what it is and what it is not. (3:59) How the enneagram can help with self-awareness and empathy. (10:38) Learning your type can be a personal and private experience, as well as, one of validation. (14:20) For systems to change, it comes from doing the work. Jessica shares some information about her course for people who identify as white. (29:31) Enneagram and relationships - there are no rules for making it work between different enneagram types. (37:27) Conflict resolution through the lens of the enneagram. (42:58) http://yourkickasslife.com/343 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week I am sharing my conversation with Mike Robbins. Mike Robbins is a speaker and author of five books, including, Bring Your Whole Self to Work and We're All in This Together. I had a bunch of questions ready to ask Mike about his newest book. But our conversation went in an entirely different direction. And for that, I am grateful.In this episode, Mike and I discussed the value and importance of talking about race, white privilege, and why being vulnerable is so important, now more than ever. Being vulnerable forces us to ask of others and of ourselves, “Can I trust you with my time, my space, and my voice?” The world is divided - vulnerability is just one way we can begin to open up to talk about and take action for social justice, equality, and civil change. In this episode you’ll hear: Mike’s idea and journey for his book, We’re All In This Together. When he realized we are not all in this together. Mike’s experience with understanding what white privilege means. Acknowledging how our conversation is an example of centering whiteness. One entry point to anti-racism can be helpful is if white people call forward other white people. The importance of being vulnerable. http://yourkickasslife.com/342 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week I have an episode featuring Makenna Held. Makenna is someone who is wise beyond her years. She is a writer, educator, and serial entrepreneur. While she's most known for being ‘the woman who bought Julia Child’s house’, that is one of the least interesting things about her. Her business, personal, and leadership coaching is committed to exploring paradigms of the human condition including liberation, human potential, obliterating capitalism's hold on our souls, and the essence of suffering. Today, Makenna and I discuss the inheritance of whiteness by white people and why it is our job, (as white people), to unpack and dismantle it. We also discuss putting the focus on the value you provide to people rather than putting the focus on the value of money, how to begin to dismantle the patriarchy, and sitting with the uncomfortable in with personal growth. This episode is a perfect reminder that it’s never too late to make a change. In this episode you’ll hear: What Makenna means by “Whiteness is a sickness white people carry.” (5:00) Obliterating capitalism's hold on our souls and putting the focus on the value you provide, instead. (12:30) Where to start: dismantling the patriarchy or patriarchal structures. (18:03) Human design and why it is so important for women to trust their intuition. (32:12) How the concepts of cooking tie into personal development. (38:00) http://yourkickasslife.com/341 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before we jump into this week's episode, I want to direct your attention to what I mention in the first few minutes of the show. If you've followed me for some time, you know that I have a firm belief that as a white person, it's not okay to teach personal development and wellness without addressing and breaking down your own unconscious biases, as well as speaking up about it. No one is free until we are all free and we must use our privilege for good. I want to make it clear what I believe in both personally and professionally, where I'm at right now, and what's in store here at YKAL. The email I mention that's coming has already been written and you can find it HERE. Have you ever considered the deeper meaning behind personal development and the self-help industry as a whole? This episode with guest Andréa Ranae is guaranteed to get you thinking (and talking), and what she talks about affects everyone, not just coaches or someone in the self-help industry. Andréa is a coach herself who wrote a blog post last summer titled, Why the Self-Help Industry Isn’t Changing The World, which went viral and has been shared thousands of times since. She believes there is a disconnect between our own industry and the work of social justice, and even offers a Coaching As Activism Program to her clients. In this episode you’ll hear: Why did her post really strike a nerve with coaches and healers alike? (5 minutes and 15 seconds) The reasons why the work of changing the world doesn’t stop at an individual (8:15) Why the lessons of the Law of Attraction are laden with privilege - if you are not systematically oppressed (8:51) Why focus on your identity but not how we have been impacted by dehumanizing messages about women? (16:39) How limiting beliefs are instilled in you and why you have to “name it to tame it!” (19:46) As Andréa shares, “do-gooders” of the world often don’t want to bring “politics” and the stuff that’s happening around us into their work, but it’s something we can hide from. Her opinion is that self-love and self-care will not change the world, and I’m interested to hear from you about your thoughts on our conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Talia Pollock is on the show this week! Talia Pollock is the author of Party In Your Plants, speaker, storyteller, plant-based chef, TV personality, and health and empowerment coach. I was a guest on Talia’s podcast, Party in My Plants, last year. She has a fantastic sense of humor, and we hit off well. Talia has a unique and refreshing approach when it comes to being healthy. Today, Talia offers ways to take the hell out of being healthy. In Talia’s words, the world doesn’t need more recipes. Instead, she believes we need more courage, confidence, and boldness to take action and make the right choices for our health. In this episode you’ll hear: Healthy eating, yeah, it kind of sucks. Talia offers some ways to take the hell out of being healthy. (7:36) Why energy is the main benefit of eating plants. (15:48) How Talia’s work is intended to help, people thrive outside the kitchen. (17:57) Confidence is the missing piece for executing our healthy lifestyle. (23:49) What surprises Talia the most about the women she works when she takes them through this journey. (29:05) http://yourkickasslife.com/339 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Samantha Brody, author of Overcoming Overwhelm: Dismantle Your Stress From the Inside Out, is on the show this week. And y’all, who doesn’t deal with overwhelm, right? When she reached out to be on the podcast and told me the title of her book, I thought, “Hell yes, when can we speak?!” Samantha is a licensed naturopathic physician and acupuncturist, and the founder of Evergreen Natural Health Center. Together we discuss what it means to be overwhelmed, how our values can help reduce overwhelm, and how our subconscious beliefs might be undercutting our goals. Finally, Dr. Samantha shares what food and our food choices have to do with feeling overwhelmed. In this episode you’ll hear: What women do to try to combat overwhelm that isn’t working. (7:51) How your values affect overwhelm, how they help you vet your choices, and reduce overwhelm. (9:38) Subconscious beliefs and how they might be derailing your goals. (16:52) The “overwhelm inventory,” what it is and how it helps. (26:21) What food has to do with overwhelm. (31:01) http://yourkickasslife.com/338 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexia Vernon is on the YKAL podcast this week! Alexia is a sought-after speaking and leadership coach to female (and male) executives, entrepreneurs, media personalities, and change makers who want to spread their ideas, positively impact people’s lives, grow their businesses, and advance their thought leadership. Alexia and I have an amazing conversation about visibility and using your voice. I am super pumped to bring you our conversation. Together we discuss how most problems can be solved with hard conversations. Alexia shares some of her thoughts and advice on how to have tough conversations, what to do when a conversation goes wrong, and how to turn toxic conversations around. In this episode you’ll hear: Using communication to move you to take action (7:04) How to find their voice in high-stake situations when there is a lot of fear (11:12) What to do if communication goes wrong (17:54) Alexia’s experience with online bullying during a Facebook ad campaign (25:00) How to turn toxic conversations around with compassion and empathy (41:26) http://yourkickasslife.com/337 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week I have Cara Alwill Leyba on the show! Cara is a long overdue guest, and I am thrilled to introduce you to her. She is a New York City-based creative entrepreneur who encourages women to live their most effervescent lives, celebrates themselves every day, and make their happiness a priority. I love having other guest experts on my show with similar messaging who can offer their unique spin. There's always a new perspective, tool, or strategy to learn. In this episode, Cara and I discuss some of the ways women can show up for themselves, how to learn from past experiences, and how to give yourself time to daydream. She also reminds us to ask, “What is the best-case scenario?” instead of, “What if I fail?” Last, she shares her perspective on failure: specifically, that failure is a possibility, but why you should do it anyway. In this episode you’ll hear: Why choosing yourself is so important (9:00) How Cara actually got to the point of ‘choosing herself’ (10:00) Why women have the capacity to give themselves a permission slip and don’t need to seek approval from others (14:00) Spending as much time with yourself is the best way to get the answer you need (18:00) Viewing rejection as redirection - it’s an opportunity to look at yourself and ask, “How am I going to handle this?” (20:00) Speak kindly to yourself and think optimistically about your dreams (29:25) Cara Alwill Leyba is a New York City-based creative entrepreneur who encourages women to live their most effervescent lives, celebrate themselves every day, and make their happiness a priority. She is a best selling personal development author, mentor to women entrepreneurs, and creator of The Champagne Diet blog. Over 6 million listeners worldwide tune in to Cara’s podcast Style Your Mind each week for powerful conversations and a mega-dose of inspiration. Cara is the author of 9 best selling books, including the worldwide sensation Girl Code, that have inspired women around the world to step into their power and fulfill their potential. Cara’s books have been translated into multiple languages like Russian, Chinese, Portuguese, Mongolian, and Vietnamese. Her message continues to transcend cultures and break barriers for women across the globe. Cara’s stylish and edgy approach to personal development has attracted thousands of women to attend her workshops and events. She has been featured in Forbes, Glamour, Shape, Entrepreneur, Success, Cosmo, Marie Claire, and many others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I don’t very often write about or talk on the podcast specifically to coaches. Personal development is my game, BUT, I know there is a decent amount of you that listen to the podcast as well as those of you who are interested in pursuing this profession. First, the world needs more great coaches. This pandemic has whispered in all of our ears how precious and fragile life is, that no one gets out of here alive, and the time to live our lives is NOW. Second, many newer coaches might be worried their business isn’t viable right now. You may believe that life coaching is a luxury afforded to few. But, just like there are many ways to coach, there are many ways to offer value and help your clients and audience. And before I jump in, we do offer consulting here (both with me and my team), click here if you’re interested. Here are ten things I highly recommend doing if you are in the beginning stages of your coaching business, and many of those hold true even if you’re a seasoned coach. Get training. Since the coaching industry is currently unregulated, anyone can call themselves a coach, hang a shingle outside and be open for business. And I know some good coaches who have no training, only years of experience. However, coaching requires specific skills that matter for your clients. Plus, clients tend to bring emotional and heavy topics to sessions, and an untrained coach can end up causing more harm than good. So, please, get trained. Get support. Building a coaching business is like building any business, you can’t do it with zero dollars and zero support. I’ve talked to people who’ve got their training and think it’s like moving from one job to another. You just quit your other job and start life coaching, right? No. Coaching is not a business, it’s a skill. You still need to build your practice. You are going to have overhead and need time to build, so have savings, a business loan, or a partner with income that can help (and is clear on the fact that they are supporting your business). Make goals but be flexible. Like anything, make goals. You don’t necessarily need a traditional “business plan”, but you need something in terms of goals and not just fly by the seat of your pants. How many clients do you want or need? Do you want to build your audience to offer group coaching? Speaking? Write it down like you would any other goals. And if you find out you don’t like or aren't good at one aspect, pivot and try other things. Once you make goals and plans you don’t have to marry them. Read the remaining 7 tips HERE. If you’re a coach and you feel like you need support-- we offer consulting, as well as coaching packages. We can help you with nailing down your messaging, figuring out what’s the best way for you to market yourself, and even if you want to write a book or start a podcast, we can help with that too. Click here to read more and apply. Plus, if you’re like, “Wow, I should probably work on my fear of visibility or my nasty inner-critic so I can really get my coaching business off the ground”, we're epic at helping people do that too. (Andrea facilitates specific deep, transformational work here, or you can look at a shorter package here.) http://yourkickasslife.com/335 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today I have an interesting episode for you. When Robert Kandell approached me to be on my podcast, I was like, “Wait, whaatttt, who is this guy?” I started looking into his work and he also sent me a copy of his book; I knew I had to have him on the show. He is known as “The Modern Mantor,” is an interpersonal communications and relationship expert, speaker, and podcaster. He is also the author of the book, unHidden: Book for Men and Those Confused By Them. Most of the listeners of this podcast are women...but obviously you have men in your lives - whether it be father, brothers, friends, or spouses. And sometimes it can be complicated. Robert and I discuss the different ways in which we can be better communicators with each other, how practicing telling the truth can build stronger relationships, and where and why men tend to hide from their own truths. In this episode you will hear: Where men tend to hide and why they hide, plus Robert shares some brain science and explains some of the reasons why men (and women) don’t do the work. (5:18) How Burning Man and an orgy led Robert to a new path in life and relationships. (10:32) The effects of withholding your truth from your intimate partners. (14:58) We are trained to be mediocre communicators, Robert shares one way men and women can have better communication. (19:31) The #MeToo movement was a huge wakeup call to society that the toxic habits of men and women supporting those men can no longer hold up and how the movement has affected men. (25:18) The imbalance of personal development between women and their male companions (whether it be partner, brother, etc). (29:21) http://yourkickasslife.com/334 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jennifer Louden is a pioneer in the life coaching industry and author of the upcoming book, Why Bother?. I don’t know about you, but I think the title and topic of her book are incredibly timely. As we watch world events unfold, many are probably thinking things like, “Why bother to do that project right now?” Or “Why bother speaking up about the things I believe in?” Why bother? Together, Jennifer and I discuss her new book and all of the implications of asking the question, “Why bother?” We talk about why it is essential to sit in the grey area of inquiry and curiosity, even when it’s incredibly uncomfortable. And, we explore the idea of desire and the importance of letting desire flow without knowing how it’s going to turn out. In this episode you’ll hear: How the writing of a failed memoir led Jennifer to write Why Bother? (10:00) One of the ways “Why bother?” comes visiting (18:18) As we face an unprecedented climate crisis, how asking, “why bother?” helps us address that (19:00) Jennifer shares her six-step process for turning to the bright side of “why bother?” (24:03) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amy Ahlers returns to the Your Kick-Ass Life podcast! She has been a life coach for many, many years and is a dear friend of mine. She is a master women’s leadership and life coach, keynote speaker, and the bestselling author of Big Fat Lies Women Tell Themselves and Reform Your Inner Mean Girl. Amy is on a mission to STOP women from self-bullying and being so darn hard on themselves so they can make their greatest possible contribution. Today we talk about managing your inner mean girl during times of crisis, such as what we’re all going through right now. Together we discuss the idea of leaning into the depth of what is really important to you currently— which could be napping or jumping into a passion project. What is your soul’s message? We also chat about writing and how it can be a powerful tool for healing. In this episode you’ll hear: Reform Your Inner Mean Girl: why Amy decided to co-author the book (5:00) Don’t let your inner mean girl beat you up about what you are doing or not during this time of crisis (7:00) The stress response and the antidote to the stress response; the relaxation response (9:00) Common lies women tell themselves like, “It’s too late for me.” (12:00) The many different ways to journal and how Amy’s practice of writing a letter to her inner wisdom (30:00) Don’t forget to sign up for our free community call, Top 10 Kick-Ass tips to Get Your Project Started, Done or Out the door which will be held on April 22nd at 3 pm Eastern time. You’ll walk away with concrete tools so that you can create new awareness, heal some old stuff that’s been hanging around, and/or finish that novel or blog you’ve been putting off for years. http://yourkickasslife.com/332 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week’s guest is a certified life coach, Liz Applegate. I’ve been wanting to introduce you to Liz because she is my lead coach here at Your Kick-Ass Life! (I so rarely use exclamation marks, so please know, this is very exciting!) She was hand-selected to assist me with my private coaching clients and I could not be more thrilled to have someone as fantastic as a coach as she is on my team. She is a certified Courageous Living Coach and has been called an inner-critic whisperer by many of her clients. One of the reasons I wanted to bring Liz onto the show was to speak on the topic of breaking the good girl rules, which is one of her areas of expertise. She explains that these rules are those in which keep grown women playing small. In this episode, we talk about what it actually means to play small, why we move through life unaware of our tolerations, and how we can work to let our innate gifts shine. We also talk about one of Liz’s deepest passions, creating connections with other women. I am super pumped to bring this episode to you today. I hope you enjoy it! In this episode you’ll hear: Liz’s introduction into the world of coaching, first through being life coached and then transitioning to becoming a life coach herself, in 2015. (6:00) What Liz means when she says, ‘breaking the good girl rules’ How Liz helps women get to the place of being their biggest/best self Breaking limiting beliefs: what they are and how to break them Creating connections with other women (29:00) http://yourkickasslife.com/331 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode is a mixed bag of topics! First, I talk about how exhausted you might be, and not understand why. Most of us are emotionally and mentally exhausted, so if you need a nap, this is why. Next, I move on to values. Values are still important, even though you’re probably not living your life like you were the last time you did values work.I give an assignment in this section of the episode and talk about how the real work happens in the dark. I then move into some advice for other life coaches (I know there are a lot of you who listen!). About halfway through the episode, I speak to other life coaches, wellness people, and those of you that run online businesses. I’ve seen some people comment that life coaches and healers should stop promoting their services during this crisis, and I’ve got some things to say about this. In a nutshell, if you’re a coach or healer, don’t stop promoting your business because that would essentially be shutting down your business and that won’t help the economy. At the same time (and this is for everyone)-- be present as to what’s happening right now. Communicate about it. Be of service as best you can and know your limits and capacity. http://yourkickasslife.com/330 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I’ve known Sam Bennet for many years now. She’s a writer, speaker, actor, and creativity-productivity specialist as well as the author of the best-selling books, Get It Done and Start Right Where You Are. Sam is the creator of the Organized Artist Company where she helps creative individuals get unstuck and move forward with their goals. She is such a joy and she gives the best advice when I need to hear it. In this episode, Sam and I discuss procrastination and overwhelm. She reminds us that other people can’t make us feel overwhelmed, it’s a feeling we put onto ourselves. And, she shares some ways to reclaim our power. As Sam said, “When you are doing something you like, in the way you like to do it, it’s not so hard to get stuff done.” In this episode you’ll hear: What if you let this thing (whatever that thing is for you) be as big as it wants to be? (8:22) Overwhelm and procrastination are BIG words and used to describe many things (10:39) Setting worthy goals and how one can achieve them; plus the ‘groan’ zone (14:56) Some action steps to use your imagination for good (20:50) The eye-opening thing Sam does when she sees people doing things in which she disapproves (30:10) A 5-minute art exercise you can do to help you work through your feelings (32:19) The difference between being creative and being artistic (39:33) http://yourkickasslife.com/329 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices