Why Women With A Calling Need A Circle

Apply Now to Join the Catalyst Mastermind - catalystmastermind.org You shared what you’re working toward, and you watched her face go from polite to a little puzzled. So you made it smaller. You called it a side thing. And somewhere along the way, you stopped mentioning it at all. Real loneliness comes with having a calling, and most women won’t say it out loud because it feels like complaining about something you’re supposed to be grateful for. In this episode, I’m talking with three women from the same Catalyst Circle: Erin Port, Shawna Yarbrough, and Charlotte Edwards. We’re having an honest conversation about what it costs to keep explaining your calling to people who love you but still don’t understand you, and what happens when you finally find women who do. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why the loneliness of a calling is so common, and why naming it is the first step out of it The difference between being capable on your own and being genuinely connected, and why capable will only carry you so far How to tell a safe circle from a draining one, and why vulnerability should be earned in stages instead of given away all at once What it looks like to disentangle your worth from your work, so a slow month is information and not a verdict on you Why setting boundaries and being clear is a form of kindness, not selfishness How a midlife season can become an awakening: deciding what you want for your life now that you're not managing everyone else's Timestamps: (00:00) — Meet the circle: Erin, Shawna, and Charlotte (03:14) — Erin: "I thought I was broken," and finding women who spur you on (05:07) — Shawna: going from shared intention to real friendship (07:26) — Charlotte: grateful for the life you have and still wanting more (08:41) — When you share a dream and get the blank stare (or worse) (10:32) — "How long are you going to keep doing this little thing?" (12:20) — You don't have to apologize for your calling (14:17) — The loneliness of women who carry a lot with a smile (15:34) — When a mastermind doesn't work, and what makes the difference (17:31) — The no jerks policy and how women get placed with care (18:34) — How much time does this actually take? (the honest answer) (20:31) — "Being capable and being connected are two different things" (22:19) — Erin: the year of disentangling worth from work (24:17) — Shawna: boundaries, and why being clear is kind (26:17) — Charlotte: letting yourself be seen while you're still trying (28:07) — What are you proud of yourself for this year? (31:08) — Charlotte: a midlife awakening, and what you want now (32:07) — Why women need a safe place to be cheered on (33:35) — Testing the water: vulnerability is earned, not automatic (35:05) — For the woman who finds friendship with women hard Links to great things we discussed: Apply NOW for the Catalyst Mastermind Erin on Instagram Shawna on Instagram Charlotte on Instagram Function Health Uplift App Join me on Substack: Wise Woman Method Alli on YouTube I hope you loved this episode! 🎉 Don't forget to hit that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you’re always in the loop. And hey, while you're at it, why not pop over to our YouTube channel and check us out? If you're feeling the love, leave a review and sprinkle some stars because your support truly means the world to me! Take care, and keep shining bright! xo, Alli