Your Kick Ass Life Podcast

Julie Parker is back on the show! We jump right into the deep end and talk about embracing the parts of yourself you don’t necessarily like, aka your shadow side, and why anyone would want to love their fears. Julie Parker is the Founder of The Beautiful You Coaching Academy where she passionately trains heart-centered people to become life coaches.  I had a list of questions prepared for Julie and we covered a few. However, when we recorded this conversation, it was in the midst of the Rachel Hollis debacle. So we veered off into a conversation about what it means to be a sacred leader and the role leadership plays within women empowerment and personal development.  In this episode you’ll hear: Julie talks about “embracing your shadows,” the parts of us that we don’t necessarily like and holding us back and looking at these parts compassionately and learning from them. (9:22) The importance of keeping a level of curiosity and tapping into it. (13:51) How to love your fears and why someone would want to l

Terri Cole is back on the show! Terri is a licensed psychotherapist and global leading expert in female empowerment. And, has experience in many topics, including codependency and boundaries. In this episode, she joins me to talk about boundaries and her new book, Boundary Boss: The Essential to Talk True, And (Finally) Live Free.   Terri busts common myths about boundaries, as well as the beliefs bestowed on us of what a woman should be and how it plays into having disordered boundaries: “It is more important to be perceived as nice, then perceived as authentic.” According to Terri, that is a setup for a boundary disaster.   In this episode you’ll hear:  “You teach what you need to learn.” Why Terri decided to write a book about boundaries. (6:58) The art of drawing boundaries with ease and grace does not mean creating conflict. (9:50) Having a unique “Boundary Blueprint,” and common themes Terri sees in her work. (10:49) The biggest myths around setting and enforcing good boundaries. (15:09) How good b

People evolve and change, right? Well, guess what...this podcast is evolving and changing too! Your Kick-Ass Life has been my baby since 2010, and the name of this podcast since 2013. Because a lot has transpired since that time, I felt it was time to make a change. In this episode, I wanted to share a little bit about what the new name, Make Some Noise, means and why I decided to make the shift.  Making noise is about speaking up, shining bright, and asking for what you want. It’s about disrupting the narrative about the “box” of conformity we were all taught to fit into. It’s about taking action BEFORE you’re ready in order to build your confidence muscle. All of this and women’s empowerment is an act of rebellion; an act of making noise.  Now for those of you a bit uncomfortable with change - things will mostly remain the same around here. I’ll continue to bring you interviews, coaching sessions, conversations about shit that matters with unqualified people, and occasional solo episodes. And here is a snea

This week I have one of the OG’s of the coaching industry on the show, Andrea J. Lee. Andrea joins me to discuss verbal abuse from the perspective of the abuser and being vulnerable enough to sit in that intensity in order to make a change. We also explore how to be bold and kind in a world full of injustice and misgivings. I am excited to share our conversation with you. Plus, after 8 years and almost 400 episodes, the podcast is getting a new name! The unveiling is coming tomorrow. So keep an eye on the podcast feed for the official announcement.

You may or may not have seen the latest incident on social media from mega influencer, Rachel Hollis. I made a video talking about my thoughts; mostly because this is an important piece of the women’s empowerment industry.  If you’re unaware of what happened, there are links below, and I highly encourage you to watch the links posted, as there are women who’ve broken down why her actions are so harmful.  You can either watch the video or listen to the podcast episode. *Please note that in the podcast episode, I do give a few minutes of my additional thoughts.  Watch the video here: https://yourkickasslife.com/empowering-women/my-thoughts-on-rachel-hollis-and-womens-empowerment/ Important links:The video I’m referencing Trudi Lebron on RH, Leadership, and What We’re Really Doing: live podcast Jam Gamble on Instagram Austin Channing Brown on the problem with white feminism Weeze Doran on Instagram Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coaching sessions are back! This week I am coaching Melissa, a production company owner from Southern California, about boundaries within her personal and professional life, as well as, knowing clearly what she wants and asking for it.  If you are new to the coaching episode format, my style is a mix between traditional coaching and intuitive consulting. And yes, more coaching session episodes will be coming. Also, keep an eye out for some changes on the podcast too. Don’t worry, I am not going anywhere! But, the show is getting a new name and some other fun adjustments. Announcements will be coming next week! In this episode you’ll hear: Clearly knowing what you want and asking for it. (6:48) Establishing boundaries at work and at home, and enforcing them. (8:35) Betting on yourself and not waiting for confidence to move forward. (24:15) Determining what you will or won’t tolerate in relationships. (31:36) A kick-ass update from Melissa, plus some of her biggest takeaways from our coaching session. (43:

Joining me to discuss mental health, as well as, my journey through somatic therapy is my dearest friend, Amy Smith. This isn’t an expert-on-expert episode; instead, it’s two friends talking about a topic from a place of curiosity.  Here’s some background as to why I wanted to bring you this episode: Last week, Mia Hemstad joined me on the podcast (episode 380). She vulnerably shared the story of her suicidal ideation and major depressive disorder. And, I shared a little bit about my journey too. I wanted to share more of my story, so I decided, this week, to bring you a Conversation About Shit That Matters with Unqualified People.  In this episode you’ll hear: My breaking point - what led me to a point of complete anxiety and terror. (7:16) About my FaceTime call to Amy, where I opened up about thoughts of suicide ideation. (7:31) How having a friend there to listen, comforted me. (17:03) Amy’s experience being on the other end of that phone call and how she was able to compartmentalize what was happenin

This week Mia Hemstad, mental health advocate and social justice activist, joins me for a discussion about major depressive disorder, the intersection between mental health and politics, and how women can make themselves a priority by doing one small thing a day.  Mia and I had recorded this episode several months ago. I was waiting to release it for various reasons (which I share in this episode). Like many, I saw the recent interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, where Meghan shared her story of suicide ideation. During my conversation with Mia, she shared her own story of suicide ideation, as did I. Therefore, I felt it was important to share this episode now. It’s relevant and after the year we’ve experienced, an important one to discuss. I hope this episode is helpful to you.  How Mia became a mental health advocate and social justice activist out of necessity. “Mental health and politics are connected.” (6:34) How women can make themselves a priority by doing one small thing a day to nourish th

What do henna, legacy, and living unapologetically all have in common? They are just some of the facets that make up Chelsea Stevenson’s work. Chelsea joins me this week for a conversation about the power in legacy.  Chelsea is a professional henna artist, business strategist, and homeschooling mother of three. During our time together, we discussed a variety of topics including her motivation for building a table rather than taking a seat at an existing one, and honoring your values. She offered poignant takeaways, including this one, “The decisions we make, the actions we take, and the words we say are powerful. And, we have to own how they impact the world around us.” In this episode you’ll hear: A brief history of henna and its use as a medium to create art. (4:47) Why Chelsea’s motivation is to build her own table instead of taking a seat at a table that already exists. (7:26) The power in the legacy we leave and why it is important. (8:23) Living unapologetically and honoring your values. (21:58) H

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

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) htt

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 th

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 burno

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

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.” 

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 grie

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-achie

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 inte

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 you