Empowered & Embodied Show

Send us a MessageFour years ago we hit record and didn't know what would happen. Two hundred episodes later, we still don't. And we're good with that.In this final episode of The Empowered & Embodied Show, we reflect on four years of finding our voices, navigating a real friendship inside a creative partnership, and what it actually looks like to choose wholeness over momentum.Because while we could keep going... we both recognize that something feels complete. And recognizing completeness instead of pushing past it because pushing is what you do is its own kind of empowerment and embodiment.The podcast is pausing, but we're not going anywhere. And the 200 episodes we've built together aren't either — they'll be right here, whenever you need them.Thanks for being part of this. It's been quite a ride.In this episode:Why we're pausing and why it's not the same as quittingWhat four years of weekly episodes actually taught us about ourselvesThe difference between pushing through and recognizing wholenessHow a real friendship survives a creative partnership (including the hard conversations)"You don't take a leap... you are the leap."Why reflection isn't just looking back... it's how you move forward from an aligned placeKey Moments:00:00 Welcomes and introductions 05:59 We were so clumsy 10:30 Growth edges, the leap, and four years of fertilizer 15:55 Bootstrapping and what that actually cost us 18:25 The friendship inside the partnership and the fear of being abandoned 22:43 Months of behind-the-scenes conversations about what comes next 25:49 Choosing not to push past a place of wholeness 29:18 Bye for nowJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWe're not doing great and we're not here to pretend otherwise.In episode 199 of The Empowered and Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil show up exactly as they are — exhausted, angry, tumbled around by a world on fire. They talk honestly about what it actually takes to find your footing when everything feels like a giant what-the-f**k moment.They're not looking for the why or the right answer. But what happens when you stop pushing for a minute and let yourself be.They talk grounding... not as a practice you have to set up perfectly, but as something that can happen on a walk, in a backyard, in five minutes between things. They talk about why the question "why" stops serving us at a certain point, what self-trust actually looks like when there are no clear answers, and why "it depends" might be the most empowering thing you can say right now.This one's for anyone walking around with their hands in the air wondering "what the f**k?!" Which, honestly, feels like most of us these days. Key Takeaways: You've always been figuring it out as you go. It just feels harder right now because it's more obvious that no one knows.Stopping isn't giving up. It's how you find your way through.You don't need a meditation cushion, just five minutes in your backyard.Asking why can be useful, until it isn't. "It depends" is a real answer. Embrace it.There's no right answer. There's just the next step that's right for you.Key Moments:00:00 Intro and Welcome01:52 When neither of us are doing okay 03:42 Midlife + world on fire = a lot 06:33 What grounding actually is 10:32 Being held (even when you don't know you need it) 16:54 Just being and why it works 19:05 What to do with a what-the-f**k moment 20:36 Do we always need the why? 24:34 When the right answer doesn't exist 29:49 "It depends" is a real answer 33:41 Taking the next step anyway 37:34 Getting off autopilot 40:16 Coming back to yourselfJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageExhausted? You're not imagining it — and you're not alone.In episode 198 of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil get real about the collective weight so many of us are carrying right now: the bone-deep tiredness, the emotional overwhelm, and the quiet shame that shows up when we think we should be handling it better. We explore what it actually means to honor what you're feeling instead of rushing past it — and why the path forward isn't a massive overhaul, but a series of tiny, honest movements toward yourself.In this episode, we dig into:Why exhaustion and emotional overload are showing up everywhere right now and why that mattersHow shame and guilt compound depletion and make it harder to recoverWhy "fine" isn't neutral, but a slow drain that's harder to escape How survival mode is quietly shrinking our sense of what's possibleWhat it means to honor your "am-ness" by meeting yourself where you actually are instead of where you think you should beWhy micro-movements, micro-joys, and small honest adjustments are enoughKey Moments00:00 Introduction and Connection 04:16 Navigating Emotional Exhaustion 06:48 The Impact of External Energy 09:14 Honoring Our Emotions 11:42 Understanding Exhaustion and Guilt 14:16 Finding Micro Joys 16:54 Survival Mode vs. Thriving 19:16 Breaking Free from 'Fine' 21:51 Micro Adjustments for Change 24:35 The Power of Tiny Habits 27:22 Closing Thoughts and ReflectionsResources mentioned in this episode:Micro-shifts video series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_z45Gwg5RxSHIGzji8rO3q1n3YGfOLCc&si=0lmqL7ByRi-kZKxeSpoon theory explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn5IBsm49RkA note for our listeners: If what we're describing feels like more than micro-movements can reach right now, please know that's okay too, and there is support available.In the US: Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) | Text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line) | NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-6264In Canada: Call 1-833-456-4566 (Crisis Services Canada) | Text 45645 | cmha.ca to find local supportCrisis Text Line also serves the UK and Ireland — text HOME to 85258Find a therapist: psychologytoday.com or therapyden.comInternational crisis center directory: iasp.info/resources/Crisis_CentresJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageThere's always another tool. Another framework. Another person telling you this is the thing that will finally make it click.In episode 197 of The Empowered & Embodied Show, co-hosts Kim Romain and Louise Neil get honest about why we keep reaching outside ourselves... and why it never quite lands the way we are hoping it will.We talk about the difference between connecting to a big external purpose and knowing what genuinely sustains you. We get into capacity... not as a productivity hack, but as a form of self-respect. And we share two completely different approaches to getting through hard things. Both completely right, because we're different people.This is why you can't outsource knowing yourself.Key TakeawaysThe problem you think you have probably isn't the actual problemHonoring your capacity is how you honor your own humanityWhat works for someone else might not work for you... and that's okay!The closer you are to your own why, the easier it is to stay groundedKey Moments00:00 — Welcome and introductions05:24 — What "all the things" is really about07:44 — The problem you think you have isn't usually the problem09:21 — Coming back to your why11:19 — Capital P Purpose vs. the personal spark16:06 — When the spark is hard to find21:57 — Where does the inner work fit in a full life25:27 — Two completely different ways to get things done 31:04 — Why tools and tactics miss the spot without self-knowledge35:53 — Wrap up and takeawaysJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat would change if you stopped hiding your humanity and finally community that could see you for who you are? Sisters and co-founders of the Passionistas Project, Amy and Nancy Harrington, join Kim Romain and Louise Neil in Episode 196 of The Empowered & Embodied Show to explore the radical power of storytelling, why vulnerability is the foundation of real community, and how two introverted sisters built a global sisterhood by simply creating the space they wished had existed.From interviewing Dr. Jane Goodall to leaving high-profile careers at Warner Bros. and Miramax, Amy and Nancy have spent years amplifying the voices of women — especially those from marginalized communities — and turning that mission into a movement.In this episode, we dig into:Why storytelling and being heard changes who you areWhat it costs us to perform professionalism and lock our humanity awayWhat it means to build something that takes on a life beyond youVulnerability is the access point for genuine connection and communityCommunity is a mirror that shows you you're not aloneKey Moments00:00 – Opening and Introductions 07:47 – From celebrity interviews to amplifying unheard voices: How the Passionistas were born 09:02 – How storytelling helps us care more deeply about each other12:27 – Learning to model vulnerability when you were trained to stay buttoned up 15:27 – Why vulnerability transforms even the most "dry" conversations 17:06 – How we lock our humanity away 22:14 – Normalizing the human experience: bodies, health, sexuality, and everything we don't talk about 27:52 – The big dream: women running the world, one story at a time 29:36 – What does it mean to be empowered? 35:45 – The power of listening to yourself and others 45:36 – What's ahead for the Passionistas Connect with the Passionistas Project:Website: thepassionistasproject.comFree 30-Day Journal: thepassionistasproject.com/30-days-journalJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageMoney is one of the great taboos we're not supposed to talk about. And that silence is costing you more than you think.In episode 195 of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil get real about the money stories quietly running the show: the scarcity thinking, the shame spirals, the questions of worthiness that keep us stuck in the same patterns, year after year.We unpack why breaking through financially isn't a numbers game... it's an identity game. And why the work of healing your relationship with money is inseparable from the work of knowing who you are.We also call out the predatory tactics that exploit your money stories, the systemic reasons women in particular have been kept financially disempowered, and why talking openly about money isn't just necessary... it's healing.If money has more of a hold on your life than you'd like to admit, this conversation is for you.Key TakeawaysThe pressure to fix everything yourself isn't strength — it's a storyYour income ceiling is your identity ceilingAvoiding money doesn't make the problem smaller — it makes it biggerWhat someone pays you doesn't determine your worthThe silence around money is keeping you stuckPredatory sales tactics target your insecurities — know the signsKey Moments00:00 - Welcome and introductions06:33 - When "it's money" is about more than money09:19 - Whose money stories are these anyway?10:47 - Why we don't talk about money — and what that silence costs15:34 - The systems that kept women financially disempowered19:44 - When a win still doesn't feel like enough22:18 - Your income ceiling is your identity ceiling25:32 - Entrepreneurship as the ultimate personal development tool28:28 - Predatory sales tactics and how to spot them35:45 - Wrap up and takeawaysSome other episodes where we dove into the topic of money:Why Talking About Money Feels So Hard: https://youtu.be/CAGgpgJCFyUBreaking Free from Money Stress https://youtu.be/-tr4PYyN2OIFinding Abundance and Balance Through Life's Messy Middles https://youtu.be/51hfnkuCH5kJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat does it mean to tell your story when it might not be safe to do so? And what happens when you stop waiting for permission and start creating what doesn't yet exist? Chicago-born social entrepreneur, Chicago LGBTQ Hall of Fame inductee, and Ambie-nominated podcast host Anna DeShawn joins Kim Romain and Louise Neil in Episode 194 of The Empowered & Embodied Show to explore the power and responsibility of queer storytelling, what it really means to build a business that's deeply personal, and why experimentation might be the most liberating framework for entrepreneurs.From founding E3 Radio in 2009 while still in corporate America, to building The Qube, hosting podcast salons, and pressing Black and Brown voices onto vinyl, Anna is riding media into its next era, one experiment at a time.In this episode, we dig into:Why storytelling is an act of resistance and why not everyone has to tell their story right nowHow finding your community transforms both your confidence and your impactHow adopting an experimentation mindset freed Anna from the fear of failureWhy the future of storytelling might actually be analogWhat it means to create what doesn't exist yet and why you're the one to do itKey Moments00:00 - Welcome and introductions 03:15 - Why storytelling is a necessity, not a luxury 05:00 - Safety, readiness, and the choice to share your story 10:03 - Finding your people and building community 12:18 - Stepping into rooms where you feel like you don't belong 19:23 - On not being able to see yourself as others see you 22:13 - Why business is deeply personal 27:16 - Experimentation as a framework 32:21 - Podcast salons and the power of listening in community 36:35 - Why seeing yourself reflected is never overrated 40:00 - Failure is human and necessary About Anna DeShawn Anna is the founder and host of E3 Radio, an online radio station playing queer music and reporting on queer news with an intersectional lens, and the creator of The Qube, a platform for discovering independent podcasts. An Ambie-nominated podcast host, producer and multi-award winning media creator, Anna was inducted into the Chicago LGBTQ Hall of Fame for her commitment to the LGBTQ community. She has been riding media into its next era since 2009, telling the stories and playing the music that deserves to be heard.https://pod.link/queernews | https://theqube.app | https://linktr.ee/annadeshawn | https://www.youtube.com/@E3RadioJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageThe world is loud right now. Between social media, the news cycles, and the constant pressure to hurry up and figure things out, it's becoming harder than ever to hear yourself think.In episode 193 of The Empowered and Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil get honest about the collective exhaustion they're both feeling and witnessing in their clients. The frantic energy that drives people toward a destination they didn't actually choose, and the growing impulse to slow down, simplify, and come back to self before taking another step. We unpack the deeper reason so many of us say "I don't know." It isn't actually that we don't know. It's that we're afraid of what knowing means. Knowing means taking responsibility. And responsibility feels lonely, risky, and overwhelming when you're convinced you don't have what you need to handle it. Kim and Louise push back on that story by exploring how self-trust is built not by having all the answers, but by asking honest questions.You don't need perfect clarity. Sometimes there are stepping stones right beneath your feet.KEY TAKEAWAYSSimplification is a power move, not a step backward. "I don't know" is often fear in disguise. You already have what you need. Responsibility doesn't have to be lonely. Clarity doesn't have to be perfect to be actionable. Self-trust is built through action, not certainty. KEY MOMENTS00:00 — Welcome and opening04:01 — The Case for Simplification 06:36 — The World Is Loud and It's Affecting Us09:21 — What Question Are You Asking? 11:57 — The Fear Behind "I Don't Know" 14:30 — Crystal Balls and the Illusion of Certainty 19:29 — Responsibility Doesn't Have to Be Lonely 22:10 — You Already Have What You Need32:28 — Self-Trust and Kindness Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat does it actually mean to be free? Not theoretically, but in how you live, choose, and lead every day. Ethical leadership advisor Rebecca Justus joins Kim and Louise in Episode 192 of The Empowered & Embodied Show to unpack autonomy, intentionality, and why the systems designed to make life easier might be the very things keeping you small.From algorithmic echo chambers to cultural conditioning, we explore how our choices are being curated without our awareness and what it takes to break out of the box you don't even know you're in. Rebecca brings a global lens shaped by living in 12 countries and working in international human rights, reproductive justice, and ethical leadership.In this episode, we dig into:Why everyone craves freedom and why it matters that we can't seem to agree on what it means to be freeHow algorithms, social media, and digital curation have become a modern form of oppressionThe relationship between power, privilege, and the fear of sharing freedomWhat cross-cultural perspectives reveal about community, time, and autonomyWhy intentionality is the prerequisite for autonomy How curiosity and simple inquiry is the entry point to breaking conditioningKey Moments00:00 Welcome and introductions03:53 From international relations to ethical leadership 06:43 The birth of Reproductive Autonomy 10:47 Why we crave freedom so deeply16:23 How autonomy and power play out globally 24:25 No autonomy without intentionality 28:37 How systems put us in boxes and keep us there 30:01 Curiosity as a doorway out of conditioning 37:11 Takeaways and closing reflections About Our GuestRebecca Justus is an Ethical Leadership Advisor & Coach, supporting socially responsible rising leaders and teams to become more strategic and self-aware, stay true to their values, and lead with integrity both locally and globally. She is also the creator of Reproductive Autonomy, an online information hub for trustworthy reproductive resources. Rebecca is a certified anti-racism training facilitator and the Vice President of the Board of Directors for EcoWomen. She holds an MA in Human Rights from the University of Sussex and a BA in International Relations from Boston University. Originally from the U.S., Rebecca has lived in 12 countries and traveled to over 60.https://www.rebeccajustus.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-justus/https://www.instagram.com/therebeccajustus/https://www.pinterest.com/justusadvising/Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageLearning to trust yourself starts with your emotional wisdom - but most of us were taught to feel one emotion at a time, rush past the hard ones, and judge ourselves for being "too much."In episode 191 of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil discuss the impact of societal conditioning on emotional expression and the journey towards self-trust and emotional awareness. They explore holding multiple feelings at once, the difference between processing emotions in your body versus your head, and why self-trust is built by tending to your inner wisdom like a garden - not by controlling or fixing yourself.If you're doing inner work and want to move from performing to being, from inherited patterns to your own clarity, this conversation is for you.Key Takeaways:All emotions have a place at the table.Conditioning affects how we express our emotions.Self-trust is essential for emotional awareness.We need both logic and emotion to understand ourselves.Mutual support is crucial for emotional growth.Trust with others starts with trust for ourselves.Key Moments:00:00 Welcome and Introduction01:45 Holding Multiple Emotions Without Choosing One04:34 The Rush to Get Through Negative Emotions05:33 Growing Up Being Told You're Too Emotional06:49 The Fear That Lives Around Our Emotions09:01 When Your Head Tries to Control Your Body14:20 Building Self Trust Through Emotional Awareness20:15 Why Control and Empowerment Are Not the Same29:44 The Garden Metaphor for Tending Self Trust35:49 Take What You Need and Leave the RestJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageFeeling powerless against systems that seem too big to change? Episode 190 of The Empowered & Embodied Show will shift how you think about agency, collective power, and your role in transformation.Kim Romain and Louise Neil sit down with Dr. Krystal Rawls, systems strategist, workforce futurist, and Director of the Workforce Integration Network at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Dr. Rawls breaks down why systems aren't separate from people, they're made OF people. That means you have more power than you think.In this conversation, we explore the difference between personal and collective agency, why isolation keeps us stuck, and how finding your community isn't just nice-to-have, it's the actual mechanism of systems change. Dr. Rawls shares practical strategies for moving from feeling like a lone voice to building collective power that creates real impact.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Personal agency is the permission you give yourself to actCollective agency emerges when your community aligns on shared values and directionSystems aren't bigger than people; they're comprised of people, which means you have inherent powerFinding your community starts by finding one person who you align withBelonging is about fully being yourself within communityCHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Welcome04:02 Understanding Systems and Individual Agency06:31 The Importance of Community in Systems Change09:10 Defining Personal and Collective Agency11:56 Challenging Individualism and Embracing Community14:58 Navigating Systems and Personal Choices17:24 Building Community and Collective Action20:09 The Role of Rituals in Community Building25:39 The Journey from Individual to Collective Impact28:26 Finding Belonging in Community31:04 Rest as a Strategy for Empowerment33:29 Wrap Up and Call to ActionABOUT DR. KRYSTAL RAWLS:Dr. Krystal Rawls is a systems strategist, educator, and workforce futurist whose work centers on equity, agency, and institutional change. As Director of the Workforce Integration Network at California State University, Dominguez Hills, she leads large-scale initiatives bridging digital access, economic mobility, and community empowerment. Her expertise spans organizational behavior, change management, and digital equity with a focus on how identity and agency shape the way individuals engage and transform systems.Connect with Dr. Rawls on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/professorrawls/Download pre-release chapters Dr. Rawls' upcoming book - Ambient Learning Models: Civic Learning in a Post AI Pedagogy: https://myseconddraft.notion.site/What-Education-Becomes-2e3057aab8728032a637ee2aa00b0a95Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageIn Episode 189 of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil sit down with Abriana Johnson, host of the Black in the Saddle podcast and founder of Black Unicorn Creative, to go beyond mindset and explore alignment as something you feel deeply in your body.Abriana shares her genius about what horses teach us about leadership, safety, and trust. They dive in about why balance is a myth, why over-focusing can actually create harm, and how leaders lose credibility when their words and bodies aren’t aligned.This conversation weaves together biomimicry, nervous system regulation, brand culture, and collective awareness, offering a grounded reminder that leadership isn’t about control. It’s about attention, congruence, and moving together.At its core, this episode invites you to slow down, widen your awareness, and remember that alignment happens at the level of self, community, and environment.Key TakeawaysBalance is a myth.Safety is the foundation of trust, leadership, and collaboration.Over-focusing can be as harmful as distraction.Nature prioritizes efficiency and sustainability over control.Being different only works when people feel safe enough to show up.Key Moments00:00 Welcome and Introductions03:43 Abriana’s Path from Animal Science to Biomimicry06:21 Horses as a Model for Collective Awareness07:20 Why Balance Is a Myth and Alignment Matters11:45 Over-Focus, Control, and Missed Signals15:16 Nature, Efficiency, and Sustainability23:25 Safety, Trust, and Alignment31:44 Alignment at the Individual and Collective Level33:18 Golden Nuggets and Integration Connect with AbrianaWebsite: http://www.blackunicorncreative.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrianajohnson/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/in/theabrianaj/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abrianajJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat if the way you introduce yourself is actually holding you back?In this episode of The Empowered and Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil start with a simple question: "How do you introduce yourself?" and uncover something much deeper... the difference between putting on a mask and performing who you think you should be and embodying who you actually are.They explore the hidden needs that drive how we show up in the world, why understanding those needs unlocks authentic leadership, and how to stop shrinking yourself to fit into rooms that weren't built for you.In This Episode:Why "Tell me about yourself" may trigger anxiety and what to do insteadThe truth about needs vs. being "needy" (and why this matters for confidence)How Human Design reveals patterns that keep you stuck in doubtMoving from role-based identity to soul-based expressionWhat authentic leadership actually looks like when you stop performingPerfect for you if you've ever felt the gap between who you are and how the world sees you, struggled with introducing yourself authentically, or wondered why networking feels so draining.This conversation gets deep, fast and will change how you think about identity, authenticity, and what you truly need to thrive.Key Moments:00:00 — Intros and Welcome04:47 — Identity Starts with How We Introduce Ourselves05:00 — Human Design: Open Centers and the Spiral of Doubt08:34 — The Difference Between Wants and Needs12:34 — Why Needs Are About Fulfillment, Not Lack15:32 — Unlearning "Too Needy": Reclaiming Our Right to Need18:07 — Finding the Courage to Name What Fills You20:34 — Redefining Leadership: Guiding vs. Commanding27:50 — Holding Space: What It Really Means to Lead Energetically31:13 — When Someone Else Introduces You (And Gets It Right)32:48 — The Struggle to Be Seen in Rooms That Aren't Like-Minded35:23 — Noticing the Word "Need" and What It Reveals37:24 — Final Reflections: Still in the Messy Middle, Still Growing38:44 — Embodying Your IdentityJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat if creating ease in your life and work isn’t about doing more… but about aligning more deeply with what’s already true?In this replay episode of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil are joined by Adhya Rose, an efficiency and energetics coach who supports purpose-driven entrepreneurs in building sustainable systems that honor both capacity and humanity.This conversation explores alignment, authenticity, embodiment, and the practice of allowing. Together, they unpack why control often feels safer than trust, how misalignment leads to burnout, and what becomes possible when we stop forcing outcomes and start listening to what our bodies, values, and lives are asking for.Rather than offering formulas or quick fixes, this episode invites a slower, more honest inquiry into how ease is created through clarity, self-trust, and supportive systems that work with us instead of against us.In this episode, we explore:What alignment actually looks like in real life and businessWhy authenticity is a practice, not a personality traitThe relationship between control, surrender, and inner peaceHow systems can support growth without depletionNavigating change, chaos, and personal evolution with more easeThe ripple effect of personal alignment on the collectiveIf you’re craving more ease, navigating a season of transition, or re-evaluating how you live and work, this conversation offers language, perspective, and permission to stop pushing and start allowing.Key Moments:00:00 – Intro & Welcome02:53 – Alignment and Ease05:33 – Authenticity in Practice08:04 – Asking for Support12:03 – Systems That Support15:46 – Navigating Change19:13 – Inner Peace and Trust21:20 – Growth Through Chaos24:37 – Karma and Evolution30:07 – Conscious Creation33:12 – Control vs. Surrender39:02 – Collective Impact43:46 – Final ReflectionsConnect With Adhya:Website: www.adhyarose.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhyarose_mentor/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adhya-rose-27960017a/ Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageLeadership didn’t become exclusionary over time. It was intentionally built that way.In this replay episode of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil sit down with Shoshana Allice, a neuro-inclusive leadership coach and consultant, to examine how leadership systems are rooted in exclusion and what it takes to lead differently.This conversation explores decolonizing leadership, the myth of belonging through conformity, and how power, privilege, and productivity norms shape who gets to lead and who gets left out. Together, they name the ways we’ve been taught to wear armor, suppress our bodies, and confuse fitting in with safety.This episode covers:Why so many leadership systems are exclusionaryWhat it means to decolonize leadership and unlearn inherited normsBelonging vs. fitting inRest as resistance inside productivity cultureCuriosity as a leadership practiceReclaiming humanity in leadership and workIf you’re questioning traditional leadership models, navigating burnout, or searching for more honest and humane ways to lead, this episode offers language (and permission) to stop pretending the system works for everyone.Key Moments:00:00 – Welcome and Introductions07:20 – Curiosity, Writing, and Listening to the Process13:20 – Introducing Shoshana Alice15:47 – Land Acknowledgement and Context21:33 – What Decolonizing Leadership Really Means25:15 – Safety, Armor, and Brave Spaces30:04 – Curiosity as the Starting Point34:45 – Belonging vs. Fitting In38:32 – Age, Wisdom, and Leadership44:36 – Key Takeaways and Reflections49:10 – Where to Find Shoshana and ClosingResources Mentioned:📖 Rest as Resistance by Tricia Hersey🎥 This is WaterConnect with Shoshana:🌎 www.decolonizingleadership.comJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageIn this re-released episode, we explore the crucial difference between competence and confidence, and why understanding this distinction might be the key to getting unstuck. This episode was originally released November 19, 2024. We're resurfacing this conversation because the struggle between external validation and internal confidence is timeless, and these insights deserve another listen.Kim, Louise, and business coach Becky Mollenkamp dive into the psychology of proving energy, the myth that confidence appears before you're ready, and why taking action scared is the only way forward. Becky shares her journey from a "perfect on paper" life to complete upheaval, and what she learned about building businesses and lives aligned with who you actually are.If you've ever felt like you're doing all the right things but still don't feel ready, struggled with self-doubt despite having the skills, or wondered whether fear or wisdom is holding you back from your next big move, this conversation is for you.What We CoverThe critical difference between competence (external validation) and confidence (internal belief)Why "proving energy" keeps you stuck in a cycle of seeking approvalHow to act your way into believing faster than you can believe your way into actingThe "Is this new?" framework for evaluating whether fear is protecting you or limiting youHow to resource yourself when taking scary steps forwardThe mediocre white man test: identifying when systemic conditioning (not lack of ability) holds you backWhy sometimes the bravest choice is saying "I could do this, and I choose not to"About Becky MollenkampBecky is a business coach for entrepreneurs ready to transition from small business owner to CEO without recreating toxic corporate culture. She's the founder of the Feminist Founders Movement, host of the Feminist Founders Podcast, co-host of the Messy Liberation Podcast, and founder of the Feminist Podcasters Collective. You can find her work at https://beckymollenkamp.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.Listen + Subscribe If this episode resonates, follow The Empowered & Embodied Show for more conversations on confidence, self-trust, leadership, and building a life aligned with who you actually are.Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageIn this re-released episode, we dive right into the heart of personal agency, systemic conditioning, and what it actually takes to reclaim your power in a world that benefits from you doubting yourself. This episode was originally released on October 29, 2024. We’re resurfacing this episode because the conversation around agency, sovereignty, and systems is more relevant than ever and it’s worth hearing again.Kim, Louise, and coach + mediator Valerie Friedlander explore how we learn to trust our bodies, advocate for ourselves (and our kids), and untangle the beliefs we absorbed from workplaces, schools, and social systems that were never designed with our wellbeing in mind.If you’ve ever struggled with self-trust, boundary-setting, burnout, parenting in a system that overrides instincts, or feeling “not enough” inside corporate or cultural expectations, this conversation hits home.What We Cover • How systems — not individuals — create the illusion of disempowerment • The difference between agency, abdication, and conscious choice • Why curiosity is a key tool for sovereignty and emotional resilience • Parenting kids to trust their bodies and instincts • How corporate conditioning follows you into entrepreneurship • The role of self-advocacy inside schools, healthcare, and workplaces • What it means to reclaim power without bypassing the realities around youAbout Valerie Valerie is a Life & Business Alignment Coach with over 20 years in leadership development, mediation, and personal empowerment work. Her podcast can now be found under Mindset Unlimited. You can find her coaching, writing, and podcast episodes at valeriefriedlander.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.Listen + Subscribe If this episode resonates, follow The Empowered & Embodied Show for more conversations on self-trust, sovereignty, leadership, and living in alignment with who you actually are.Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageIn Episode 187 of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil sit down with transformational leadership partner Garland Fuller to explore the power of third spaces -- the places that remind you who you are when life pulls you in every direction.They go deep into how community, movement, and curiosity open the door back to yourself. They talk about the grief of disconnection, the courage to be a beginner again, and why belonging matters more than ever.This conversation is a grounded reminder that connection isn’t a luxury, it’s medicine. And sometimes the smallest, most unexpected spaces are the ones that pull you back together.Key Takeaways:Third spaces help you remember who you are outside of roles and expectations.Belonging is a core ingredient of human wellbeing.Movement reconnects you to your body’s wisdom.Curiosity opens the door to growth and possibility.Workplaces can transform when they adopt third-space principles.Community engagement deepens self-understanding.Intentional participation unlocks the full impact of third spaces.Key Moments: 00:00 — Opening 01:47 — Welcomes and Guest Intro03:20 — Defining Third Spaces07:52 — Garland’s Personal Transformation12:05 — Reclaiming Self Through Community17:17 — Movement + Body Wisdom20:12 — Presence and Belonging23:28 — Accessibility and Equity in Third Spaces27:29 — Third Spaces Inside Workplaces32:06 — Why Adults Lose Curiosity36:03 — Returning to Self Through Ritual38:29 — Final TakeawaysConnect with Garland:Website: http://www.garlandfuller.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin/in/garlandfuller Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garlandrfuller YouTube: https://youtube.com/@garlandfuller Keywords: third space, community, belonging, personal growth, movement, curiosity, accessibility, workplaces, inclusivity, transformationJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageThe headlines say “women ruined the workplace.” We’re naming what’s actually breaking. In Episode 186 of The Empowered & Embodied Show, hosts Kim Romain and Louise Neil unpack the collapse of outdated power structures, the fear driving the backlash against equity, and the deeper cultural shift happening under the surface.This episode goes beyond the narrative we've been asked to accept and dives into the patriarchy, workplace culture, conditioning, belonging, leadership, and the collective exhaustion so many are holding. If you’ve felt the ground shifting, or felt blamed for it, you’re in the right place.You’ll hear: • Why people cling to “traditional values” when systems begin to crumble • How scarcity, fear, and privilege shape the stories we’re told • What’s actually eroding the old workplace and why that’s necessary • How change happens through underground networks, community, and courage • What it means to lead with humanity in collapsing systemsIf you’re tired of being told you’re the problem, keep listening.Key Moments:00:00 Introduction to the Empowered and Embodied Show 02:05 Discussion on Women Ruining the Workplace 05:21 The Impact of Feminine Leadership 09:37 Breaking Down Patriarchal Systems 14:09 The Need for Inclusivity and Equity 18:23 Navigating Change and Fear in the Workplace 23:01 Metaphors for Understanding Change 27:23 Closing + What’s Next Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat if your closet is holding more than clothes? In Episode 185 of the Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil sit down with style coach and strategist Kyla Brown to explore style as a tool for daily embodiment and identity work.They unpack the difference between dressing for performance and dressing for authenticity, how internalized beliefs show up in what we wear, and why giving yourself permission to hit reset can change everything.This is a conversation about self-worth, personal power, and learning to dress from the inside out. Because style isn’t about image... it’s a signal of our alignment.Key TakeawaysStyle is a daily act of identity work. It’s how we embody who we are, not just what we wear.Our closets often mirror our inner world; clutter, shame, or holding on can reveal deeper emotional patterns.Dressing for authenticity reconnects us to personal power and self-trust.Letting go of clothes that no longer fit who we’re becoming creates space for evolution and possibility.Hitting “reset” on style isn’t vanity, it’s an act of self-knowledge and liberation.Key Moments00:00 – Welcome and Guest Introduction02:50 – Redefining Style as Personal Power05:20 – From Tech to Style: Kyla’s Pivot09:20 – Style, Conditioning, and Authentic Presence13:10 – Getting Dressed as Daily Identity Work15:00 – When You Don’t Know Who You Are19:00 – The Closet Reset: Letting Go and Starting Fresh26:40 – Style, Self-Worth, and the Stories We Wear33:10 – Archetypes, Identity, and Embodied Expression43:20 – Permission to Hit ResetConnect With KylaKyla's Style Archetype Quiz: https://www.itskylanotkayla.com/quizWebsite: http://itskylanotkayla.comLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/itskylanotkaylaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/itskylanotkayla/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@itskylanotkaylaJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat happens when you’ve got nothing left to give? In Episode 184 of The Empowered & Embodied Show, hosts Kim Romain and Louise Neil explore the complex relationship between caring, capacity, and emotional depletion. From world events to personal overwhelm, they unpack what it really means to reach your limits and why pulling your care back toward yourself can be the most loving act of all.Kim shares her experience navigating global grief and burnout through the lens of embodiment and awareness, while Louise reflects on midlife disconnection, guilt, and the cultural conditioning that tells us we should always care more. Together, they remind us that self-care isn’t selfish... it’s sacred stewardship of your energy.If you’ve ever felt drained, disconnected, or guilty for needing a break, this episode will offer you permission to pause, recalibrate, and reconnect with what truly matters.Key Takeaways:Why emotional depletion isn’t failure—it’s feedback.How to discern between intentional and unintentional energy leaks.The power of awareness in rebuilding capacity.Why self-devotion is the foundation of sustainable leadership.Key Moments:00:00 – Opening reflection: When there’s nothing left to give01:51 – Welcomes and setting the tone02:14 – “Any Eff’s to give today?”06:38 – Midlife disconnection and protecting energy09:06 – Guilt, shame, and reclaiming capacity10:22 – Acceptance and devotion14:59 – Reparenting ourselves19:23 – Intention, awareness, and energy20:02 – The awareness–capacity–care circuit21:17 – Where our energy is going today23:46 – Invitation to reflect on your own capacity25:18 – Closing reflections and farewell Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat if the path to true health isn’t about control, restriction, or willpower... but about trust?In this grounded and liberating conversation, hosts Kim Romain and Louise Neil sit down with Leah Hortin, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and Anti-Diet Health Coach, to explore how diet culture disconnects us from our bodies, and how to find peace, nourishment, and self-trust again.Together, they unpack the history and harm of diet culture, the mental load it creates, and what it means to rebuild a caring, respectful relationship with your body. You’ll hear laughter, science, and soul as they talk about intuitive eating, oppression, emotional eating, and the freedom of finally feeling at home in your skin.Listen if you’re ready to:Reconnect with your body’s wisdomRelease food guilt and controlHeal from the mental load of diet cultureRedefine health on your own termsKey Moments00:00 – Opening reflection & introductions03:03 – Leah’s story and breaking free from the guilt of “health” culture04:27 – The money behind diet culture and the myth of sustainability08:45 – Diet culture as a system of oppression and control13:14 – The mental and physical toll of dieting and disconnection15:38 – Relearning hunger, fullness, and body trust24:45 – Healing the “forbidden food” cycle and finding freedom35:51 – The myth of BMI and shifting definitions of wellness43:54 – Integration: living fully and trusting your body again46:31 – Final reflections and practical ways to start rebuilding trustConnect With LeahDiet Brain Quiz: http://bit.ly/3Le9HLtWebsite: http://www.antidiethealthcoach.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/antidiethealthcoachInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/antidiethealthcoach/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@antidiethealthcoachJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageIn this live episode, Kim and Louise explore what it really means to get out of our own way. We dive into the relationship between curiosity, conditioning, and capacity—how staying curious helps us reconnect to ourselves and replenish what the world keeps draining. We unpack the myth of “selfishness,” the truth about giving from overflow instead of depletion, and why personal alignment is a collective responsibility. It’s real talk on burnout, boundaries, and nourishment for anyone tired of operating from scarcity and ready to build from authenticity.Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageIn this episode of The Empowered & Embodied Show, hosts Kim Romain and Louise Neal sit down with Camille Dundas -- Editor-in-Chief of ByBlacks.com and Founder of The IDEA Practice -- to explore what it truly means to belong.Together, we unpack how home extends far beyond geography into the heart of community, inclusion, and connection. Camille shares how belonging has guided her life and work, from newsrooms to boardrooms, and how authentic leadership and respect can transform our workplaces and ourselves.This conversation invites you to rethink what it means to create spaces of trust and humanity amid a rapidly changing world.Key TakeawaysHome is not a place, it’s a feeling of belonging and connection.Belonging is a consistent thread in both personal growth and professional impact.True inclusion requires vulnerability, honesty, and intentional action.Respect is the foundation of belonging in communities and workplaces.Every person deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued.Key Moments00:00 – Opening Reflection01:41 – Welcome and Introductions02:36 – Defining “Home” and What It Means to Belong07:00 – The Thread of Belonging in Work and Life09:06 – Why Inclusion Is Under Attack11:42 – Technology, AI, and the Loss of Human Connection14:19 – Rebuilding Community and Collective Care19:25 – Respect as the Foundation of Belonging26:20 – Supporting Leaders in Building Inclusive Cultures32:01 – Vulnerability and the Power of Empathy38:02 – Listening Practices That Build Belonging41:18 – Closing Thoughts and GoodbyesConnect With CamilleCamille's Website: http://camilledundas.com ByBlacks.com — Canada’s leading Black online magazineThe IDEA Practice — Camille’s DEI education and consulting firmConnect with Camille Dundas on LinkedInJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageEver feel like you’ve done all the work -- read the books, journaled the insights, sat through the breakthroughs -- and yet somehow you’re still looping through the same lessons? In this episode, Kim Romain and Louise Neil unpack the illusion of progress and explore why awareness alone doesn’t create change.They dive into the “Groundhog Day” feeling of personal growth, the sticky shadows that follow every transformation, and the nervous-system wisdom behind learning to pause before pushing forward. Together, they explore how to regulate, reflect, and move through growth edges with more humanity, compassion, and ease.Tune in if you’re navigating burnout, transition, or the pressure to keep evolving. This conversation will remind you that slowing down is often the most powerful move you can make.Key Takeaways:Awareness is both a gift and a challenge; once we see, we can’t unsee.Ignorance might feel easier, but real change requires consciousness and courage.Our shadows travel with us, but their power fades each time we face them.Reflection is what turns awareness into evolution.The pause isn’t a luxury; it’s where integration and regulation happen.Self-awareness and nervous system regulation help us step off the hamster wheel of burnout.Humanity itself is repeating old patterns and we each hold a piece of what can change that.Reclaiming self, community, and connection is how we move forward with integrity.We already have the tools to evolve; the work is choosing to use them intentionally.Key Moments:00:00 – Welcome & Introductions02:01 – Groundhog Day & the Feeling of Repetition04:13 – The Gifts and Consequences of Awareness11:25 – What Comes After Awareness13:27 – Shadows That Follow Us16:40 – Reflection as Evolution21:52 – Returning to What’s Core27:08 – The Bigger Lesson for Humanity32:14 – Regulating the Nervous System36:07 – Bringing Awareness into Action36:58 – Closing ReflectionsJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat does it really take to build unshakable confidence and a true sense of belonging? In this powerful conversation, business strategist, TEDx speaker, and award-winning author Julie DeLucca-Collins joins hosts Kim Romain and Louise to explore confidence as a habit, the courage to claim your agency, and what it means to belong authentically in a world that often pressures us to fit in.Julie shares her journey from personal transformation to becoming the founder of Go Confidently Services and host of the Casa De Confidence Podcast, offering proven strategies, mindset shifts, and simple habits that help leaders and entrepreneurs show up 1% braver every day. Together, we unpack how systemic conditioning shapes our sense of agency, why belonging starts from within, and how acceptance and authenticity open the door to lasting success.If you’ve ever felt “stuck” or struggled to own your voice, this episode will give you tools, stories, and inspiration to step into your own rhythm.You'll Learn:Why confidence is built through practice, not personalityHow to reclaim your agency when life feels stuckThe difference between fitting in and belongingSimple habits to show up 1% braver each dayHow systemic conditioning shapes (and limits) our choicesWhy acceptance fuels growth rather than settlingThe role of community as “believing mirrors” for our potentialHow saying “yes—and” creates space for both authenticity and expansionWhy courage is contagious and inspires others to actHow daily consumption impacts confidence, mindset, and self-beliefKey Moments: 00:00 – Welcome & Introductions 03:03 – Julie’s Journey into Mindset Work 07:20 – Agency, Stuckness & Systemic Conditioning 09:50 – Fitting In vs. True Belonging 13:30 – Dancing Your Own Way 19:34 – Confidence as a Daily Practice 29:15 – Acceptance & the “Yes-And” Approach 33:35 – Community, Mirrors & Growth 40:12 – Final Takeaways & ClosingConnect with Julie:Find out more at GoConfidentlyCoaching.comConnect with Julie on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTokTune in to the Casa DeConfidence podcastWatch Julie's TEDx Talk: How Habits Give Us the Confidence to Dance in LifeJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageChange is easy. Transition is where it gets messy. In this episode of The Empowered & Embodied Show, we dive into the real difference between change, transition, and transformation... and why even the most beautiful shifts can feel exhausting.From long distances moves to navigating menopause, we unpack what it means to live in the “messy middle,” how to stay present instead of rushing to the other side, and why mindset alone isn’t enough. Together we explore identity shifts, growth edges, and what it takes to unhook from cultural expectations that tell us to “just push through.”If you’ve ever wondered why transitions feel so damn hard, or how to move through them with more grace, compassion, and presence... this conversation is for you.What you’ll hear in this episode:The difference between change, transition, and transformationWhy transitions tax us physically, emotionally, and spirituallyHow menopause and midlife become identity transitionsWhat it looks like to stay present in the messy middleWhy unhooking from old stories and expectations creates real growthKey moments in this episode:00:00 – Welcomes and Introductions02:39 – Change vs. Transition06:03 – Why Transitions Feel So Hard08:35 – Menopause as an Identity Transition13:40 – Losing Presence in the Middle19:29 – Growth Edges and Awareness23:46 – Change Is F*cking Hard26:24 – Transformation Within Transitions31:10 – The Discomfort of Growth36:39 – Integrity, Alignment, and Leadership38:43 – Hooked vs. Unhooked40:26 – Closing ReflectionsJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat does real culture change look like in workplaces, communities, and beyond? In this inspiring episode, leadership strategist, neurodiversity expert, and founder of The Oni Project Dr. Zakiya Mabery joins Kim Romain and Louise Neil to explore how courageous conversations, accessibility, and inclusion reshape the way we work and live.You’ll hear powerful insights on:Why accommodations are not special treatment, but human needsThe hidden cost of masking and the toll it takes on well-beingHow leaders and peers can foster psychological safetyPractical ways to advocate for yourself and support othersSimple grounding practices to stay present in tough conversationsIf you’ve ever felt the weight of proving you belong or wondered how to create more inclusive spaces, this conversation will remind you that your voice matters and culture shifts when we choose humanity first.Key moments in this episode:00:00 – Welcome & Introductions07:57 – Conversations Leaders Need to Have09:46 – Accommodations & Hybrid Work13:11 – Educating Peers on Disability & Inclusion14:55 – Advocacy Beyond the Workplace19:19 – Humanity & Responsibility22:35 – The Burden of Masking25:15 – Grounding & Coping Practices30:01 – Handling Bullies & Celebrating Wins33:40 – Breath & Courageous Conversations34:59 – Final Highlights & TakeawaysConnect with Dr. Zakiya MaberyWebsite: https://www.theoniproject.net/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zakiyamabery/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedrzakiya/YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thezakiyamabery9925Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat happens when the details slip through your fingers and you decide not to beat yourself up about it? Like when you show up to an event on the wrong day or forget if you put an appointment on your calendar. In this episode of The Empowered and Embodied Show, we explore how self-awareness and acceptance open the door to something bigger: self-liberation.We share stories of letting go of judgment, refusing to waste energy on frustration, and finding freedom in the messy moments of life. Along the way, we talk about limiting beliefs, the ripples our choices create, and how embracing mind, body, soul, and strategy wholeness gives us back our energy and ease.If you’ve ever felt stuck in the “shoulds,” this conversation is a reminder that it’s not about the details... it’s about the freedom that comes when you let them go.Key takeaways in this episode:Acceptance gives you freedom and energy.Self-awareness is just the first step toward self-liberation.Wholeness means aligning mind, body, soul, and strategy.Letting go of judgment creates more joy and ease.Your choices create ripples that impact others.Inner change fuels collective change.Key moments in this episode:00:00 Welcome & Introductions02:09 Attention to Detail – when calendars, events, and memory go sideways05:21 Shifts in Self-Awareness – noticing yourself in a new way08:31 The Journey to Self-Liberation – why awareness is just the beginning09:52 Understanding Self-Liberation – what freedom really means for us14:15 Acceptance and Wholeness – embracing all parts of yourself, even the messy ones20:58 Self-Liberation and Acceptance – how letting go gives you back energy and ease24:50 Freedom from Social Conventions – breaking free from the “shoulds”29:39 Integrating Self-Liberation into Daily Life – practical ways to live this out36:35 The Ripple Effect of Personal Work – how your shifts change more than just you39:25 Embracing the Process of Self-Discovery – honoring the journey, not just the destinationJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageStress can feel so normal that we forget there’s another way to live. In this episode of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil sit down with Lydia Knight -- author, executive coach, and founder of The She Center. We explore why our brains and bodies can get stuck in cycles of stress, burnout, and perfectionism and unpack how shame thrives in secrecy, why “stress feels like home,” and what it really takes to create safety, belonging, and authenticity within ourselves.This conversation offers gentle, practical insights on letting go of old patterns, shifting your “emotional home,” and building a more centered way of leading and living. If you’ve ever wondered why stress keeps pulling you back, or how to move toward peace without pushing harder, this episode is for you.Key takeaways from this episode:Stress and burnout can feel familiar, but they don’t have to be home.Curiosity is the antidote to self-judgment.Psychological safety starts within.All emotions matter; they’re the full music of being human.Healing is about letting go, not efforting.Self-trust grows through practice, not perfection.Key moments in this episode:00:00 – Welcome & Introductions01:35 – The Journey of Authenticity and Leadership04:39 – Understanding Shame and Its Impact07:16 – The Process of Healing and Centering12:42 – Creating Psychological Safety Within13:28 – The Role of Emotions in Authenticity16:13 – Curiosity vs. Judgment in Self-Discovery19:24 – The Complexity of Human Experience25:30 – The Pendulum of Healing and Letting Go27:20 – Building Trust and Safety in Ourselves31:48 – Celebrating Progress and Emotional Homes39:16 – The Power of Community and Support43:25 – The She Center and Its Mission46:18 – Conclusion and Final ThoughtsConnect with Lydia Knight:Website: https://theshecenter.org/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lydia-knight-tsc/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshecenterYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theshecenterTikTok: http://tiktok.com/@theshecenterJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageSometimes your body says hell no long before your mind catches up. In this episode of The Empowered & Embodied Show, we go deep into the language of the body... you know, those visceral yeses and no’s that reveal more than logic ever could.From laughing over quirky Canadian slang that Louise's dad apparently made up and she thought everyone knew about it (“giver tar paper”) to unpacking how emotions, conditioning, and even menopause shape our ability to trust ourselves, this conversation is raw, funny, and deeply real. We explore how alignment, avoidance, and awareness show up in everyday life, and why listening to your body is the ultimate act of self-trust.What you’ll hear in this episode:Why visceral reactions matter (and how to recognize them)The difference between speaking from emotion vs. logicHow avoidance and spiraling signal misalignmentTrusting your body through midlife, hormones, and changePractical ways to reconnect with your body’s wisdomJoin us for a heartfelt, unfiltered conversation about learning to trust yourself one signal at a time.Key moments:00:00 – Welcome & introductions02:26 – Visceral Reactions and Emotional Responses04:39 – Trusting Your Body's Signals07:16 – Navigating Yes and No in Conversations09:44 – The Complexity of Emotions11:51 – Avoidance and Alignment with Values17:59 – Navigating Internal Conflicts20:32 – Emotional Processing and Communication23:25 – Trusting the Body's Signals27:23 – Understanding Hormonal Changes33:00 – The Language of the Body36:25 – The Journey of Self-DiscoveryJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageIn this episode of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil sit down with burnout recovery coach, yoga and meditation teacher, and ordained pastor Nicole Havelka to explore why slowing down feels so radical in a culture obsessed with doing.Together, we dive into:How burnout shows up differently for each of us, and why it’s not just an individual problem but a collective oneThe pressure to constantly prove our worth through productivity and “being the best”Why the word can’t disempowers us, and how to reclaim choice in our lives and workThe surprising overlaps between burnout, perimenopause, and values misalignmentPractical ways to create compassionate workplaces, embrace rest, and focus on impact instead of outputIf you’ve ever felt buried under the weight of doing it all, this conversation will remind you that rest is not only possible, it’s essential, powerful, and deeply radical.Key Moments0:00 – Welcomes and introductions03:57 – Doing vs. planning: the trap of over-strategy08:25 – Replacing “proving” energy with body awareness11:12 – Duality of busyness and rest13:56 – Redefining “being the best”22:05 – Pebbles, rocks, and ripple effects23:28 – Burnout is a collective issue, not individual26:51 – The exhaustion of being a change agent32:25 – Awareness as the first step to choice34:30 – Reclaiming choice instead of saying “can’t”37:48 – Bodies, yoga, and honoring differences39:45 – Rethinking work culture and flexibility41:46 – Final reflections and takeawaysConnect with Nicole HavelkaNicole started her business, Defy the Trend, in 2018 to support change agents and values-aligned organizations while they embrace a more rested life and create compassionate workplaces through mindful time management, transformative coaching and restorative yoga and meditation. When she’s not working, she is nurturing herself by doing experimental cooking, watching/reading apocalyptic literature and television, traveling to new places and spending time outdoors. Learn more about her at defythetrend.com or subscribe to her Substack, Just Rest. https://defythetrend.substack.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-havelka-35762022/https://www.facebook.com/NicoleHavelkaConsultinghttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFkq_yGnNi_JFnTIIzJytNAhttps://www.pinterest.com/defythetrendJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageIn this candid and deeply personal episode of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil explore what it means to find and use your voice, especially in midlife, in leadership, and in systems that were never built with us in mind.From perimenopause to purpose, silence to self-expression, they unpack the physical, emotional, and energetic ways our voices get stifled... and how to reclaim them with intention and integrity.If you’re ready to stop swallowing your truth and start speaking in ways that feel real, grounded, and powerful... this episode is for you.“You’re not too quiet. You’re discerning.” — Kim Romain“I’m tired of being told how to do life by people who don’t know me.” — Louise NeilKey Takeaways:You don’t have to be loud to be powerfulMidlife can spark a deeper connection to your voiceFeeling stuck in your throat is often a sign of misalignmentYour body gives you clues when your voice isn’t being heardHuman Design can help explain how your voice worksYou get to choose how, when, and where to speakReclaiming your voice is an act of alignment and powerKey Moments:00:00 – Welcomes and Introductions05:05 – Using Your Voice with Intention09:57 – Shifting from Public Sharing to Intimate Conversations13:05 – When Leaders Don’t Want to Add to the Noise14:30 – Listening vs. Speaking: The Midlife Reclamation17:44 – The No-F*cks Fifties and Finding Your Fire20:16 – The Power of Saying What’s on Your Mind21:11 – Human Design, Throat Centers, and Communication Blocks24:51 – Aligning the Head, Throat, and Body29:18 – Slowing Down and Staying Intentional33:58 – Why Some Spaces Feel Unsafe to Speak In38:14 – Finding the Right Room and Doing the Inner WorkJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhy does talking about money feel so hard? In this episode, Kim and Louise are joined by financial and art therapist Rachel Duncan of The Money Healing Club to unpack the tangled emotions so many of us carry around money.Together, we explore:How shame shows up in our financial storiesThe cultural and systemic roots of money avoidanceWhy budgeting isn’t always the first stepHow art therapy can unlock healing and rewire old beliefsThe intersection of nervous system regulation and financial well-beingRachel shares a gentle and radically compassionate approach to money that centers self-trust, creativity, and community. Whether you’ve struggled with scarcity, felt like you’re “bad with money,” or simply want a new way to relate to your finances, this conversation offers both insight and relief.“The more money you have, the more you think about money. Safety doesn’t come from having more; it comes from knowing how to be with it.”  - Rachel DuncanKey Moments:00:00 – Welcome and Introductions03:55 – Let’s Talk About Money Shame06:18 – Why We Don’t Talk About Money09:10 – The History of Women, Money, and Pockets13:06 – Generational Scarcity and Self-Fulfilling Scripts20:08 – Money, Community, and Financial Activism24:28 – Blending Financial Therapy with Art Therapy29:04 – Somatic and Visual Processing for Money Trauma31:32 – Why Budgeting Isn’t the First Step36:13 – The Psychology of Poverty and Present-Moment Survival39:23 – Economic Ecosystems and Recession Mindset43:56 – Guided Visualization: Money as a Creature49:07 – Closing Reflections and Gentle Invitations51:06 – Final Thoughts and Thank YouConnect with Rachel:moneyhealingclub.comThe Money Healing Club PodcastRachel’s free mindful spending email courseJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageIn this episode, Kim and Louise unpack the invisible habits, systems, and stories that keep us stuck on autopilot. From midlife identity shifts to menopause brain fog to the pressure of always needing to be “better,” this conversation dives deep into how we relate to energy, awareness, and the myth of who we used to be.We explore how mindfulness can interrupt unconscious patterns, how language (including the body's) helps us make meaning, and why community is essential for navigating the messy, beautiful transitions of life. This one’s for anyone who’s feeling disconnected, disoriented, or just plain over it.Whether you're sleepwalking through your days or just craving a new way of being... this is a reminder that you're always evolving.“Your life gets to be your story; no one else can write it for you.” — Louise Neil“The body speaks in a language most of us haven’t even tapped into.” — Kim RomainKey themes:Why energy awareness matters more than energy outputHow menopause impacts identity and presenceThe difference between knowing the words and speaking your body’s languageCreating your “dream team” of support before crisis hitsThe freedom that comes from claiming your evolutionKey moments:00:00 – Welcomes and Introductions02:24 – Autopilot, Energy Leaks, and Conservation06:12 – The “Shoulds” Around Self-Care09:47 – Aging, Identity, and Midlife Awareness17:23 – Sleepwalking Through Life and Losing Awareness20:31 – Disconnection as a Symptom of Menopause23:50 – The Body’s Language and What It’s Telling Us26:35 – Building Your Support System and Dream Team30:26 – Preparing for Life’s Messy Middles32:33 – Saying No to Help and Trusting Your Timing36:37 – What Helps Us Navigate Uncertainty?39:08 – Your Life Is Your Story; You Get to Write It42:19 – Acceptance, Awareness, and Belief in Something Bigger44:12 – If We’re Not Evolving, What Are We Doing?Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat if time doesn’t need to be managed, but liberated?In this episode of The Empowered and Embodied Show, Kim and Louise are joined by holistic time coach Becca Rich for a soul-stretching conversation about how we relate to time, and how that relationship is shaped by hustle culture, systemic oppression, and internalized shame.Together, we explore what it means to practice time liberation by listening to your unique rhythms, breaking free from toxic productivity patterns, and redefining what it means to spend your time well. If you’ve ever felt like you’re always behind, never doing enough, or stuck in someone else’s schedule… this one’s for you.Inside this episode:The truth about time shame and the myth of “falling behind”Why “time management” often reinforces systems of oppressionHow rest, rhythm, and community reclaim your agencyThe role of presence, pleasure, and purpose in bending timeSimple, embodied ways to shift how you experience your daysKey Moments/Chapters00:00 – Welcomes and introductions02:28 – What is a relationship with time?04:24 – How systems of oppression shape our time08:42 – Time scarcity and community solutions10:17 – Making time liberation accessible13:13 – Listening to your body’s rhythms15:30 – Deconditioning from hustle culture18:46 – Time liberation as reclaiming agency22:58 – Time shame and the myth of sameness25:04 – Redefining productivity31:14 – From burnout to body-led time37:54 – Time expansion and bending time40:30 – There is no behind48:18 – Closing thoughts and gratitudeAbout Our Guest:Becca Rich is a holistic time coach, hypnotist, and founder of multiple soul-aligned businesses supporting neurodivergent, sensitive, and spiritually curious humans. She’s here to help you reclaim your time, your energy, and your wholeness.Find Becca at: https://www.theholistictimecoach.com/Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beccacrich/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theholistictimecoach/Listen to Becca’s podcast: Not Too ProductiveJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageIs it burnout or a slow leak of energy you weren't expecting?In this honest, unfiltered conversation, Kim Romain and Louise Neil explore what it really means to feel drained in midlife, how perimenopause and menopause shift our physical and energetic capacity, and why the old hustle-driven definitions of success no longer apply.They dive into:Why reacting all day long isn’t the same as respondingHow to tell when your “plate” has actually gotten smallerThe emotional and physical cost of pretending you still have the same bandwidthLearning to honor your energy instead of push through itWhat it means to redefine enough on your own termsWhether you’re navigating midlife, shifting your pace in a world gone wild, or wondering why the drive you used to have just isn’t there anymore... this episode is a permission slip to slow down, tune in, and trust your own rhythm."Our brains are rewiring themselves. Estrogen was the fuel, and it’s no longer reliable." - Louise Neil"When we honor what our bodies need… we stop pushing through things that are actually hurting us." - Kim RomainKey Moments: 00:00 - Welcome03:12 – The difference between reacting and responding04:50 – Burnout, Human Design & sacral fatigue06:38 – Fireflies, distractions & energy drains08:00 – Leaky buckets and where the energy goes12:18 – Midlife, menopause, and the rewiring we don’t talk about16:00 – Rejecting hustle culture & old expectations21:52 – How to honor your energy (even when you can’t stop)23:18 – Grace, seasons, and letting yourself off the hook28:37 – Accepting your current capacity33:37 – Discernment vs. responding: the language of self-trust41:36 – Final takeaways: grace, difference, and your own rules43:38 – What we’re up to and where to find usJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat if the thing you’ve been taught to tone down is actually your superpower? In this episode, we’re joined by Amy Pons — life coach, energy worker, and unapologetic spiritual warrior — for a raw and real conversation on breaking free from the boxes that try to keep us small. We explore what it means to “remember” who you truly are, how to reclaim your magic after burnout, and why feeling awkward might just be the gateway to authenticity. From corporate conditioning to cosmic awakenings, we talk some truth about our nervous systems, intuitive gifts, and the power of creating your own definition of enoughness. This one’s a must-listen for misfits, magic-makers, and anyone ready to stop performing and start becoming.“Awkward is not something to avoid—it’s your portal to power.” - Amy PonsIn this episode:Leaving behind “executive presence” to embrace your essenceNavigating awkwardness as a path to truthUnderstanding the impact of cosmic energy on your evolutionTools for tuning into your intuition and nervous systemWhy dismantling beliefs is part of the magicKey Moments:00:00 – Introduction02:40 – The Journey from Corporate Rebel to Spiritual Warrior07:20 – Awakening and Remembering the Soul Essence11:01 – Navigating Awkwardness and Embracing Uniqueness16:00 – The Impact of Cosmic Energies on Personal Growth20:47 – Trusting Intuition and the Process of Remembering25:28 – Creating Regulated Spaces and Nervous System Truth26:16 – The Shift from Serving Systems to Serving Self30:34 – Finding and Honoring Your Unique Vibration34:16 – The Beauty of Diverse Perspectives37:54 – Glimmers, Triggers, and the Wisdom of Synchronicity40:00 – The Power of Inquiry and Radical Self-Reflection42:34 – Infinite Possibilities and Living Your Magic44:47 – The Power of Remembering Who You Really Are48:43 – Closing Reflections and How to Connect with AmyCONNECT WITH AMY:Website: https://unlockthemagic.orgLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/amyponsismagicYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Coach_Amy_PonsAmy is a corporate powerhouse that remembered that she came here to this space and time to stand flat footed in her soul essence as a healer and a warrior. As a healer, she shows up a certified life coach and chakra energy practitioner and as a warrior. well that depends on where she is in her monthly cycle but will always creating the existence that every soul deserves to live on this plane. Either way, she unlocks the magic - the unique brilliance within each of us that has been trained for whatever reason, to hide. Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat does it really mean to live an authentic life? In this week’s episode of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil peel back the layers on what authenticity actually looks and feels like... beyond the buzzwords, beyond the curated versions of ourselves, and beyond the boxes we’ve been told to fit into.We’re talking about the tension between wanting to belong and needing to be true to yourself...How systems like patriarchy, corporate culture, and hustle-based entrepreneurship condition us to chase someone else’s definition of success...And what it takes to reclaim your agency, make your own choices, and live a life that feels aligned, even if it looks different from the norm.Whether you’re a business owner, leader, or a human navigating the twists and turns of life, this conversation invites you to question the script, stitch your own tapestry, and reconnect with your deeper why.Key Takeaways from this episode:Authenticity means making choices that feel true to youSuccess isn’t one-size-fits-allYou can be inspired by others without copying themThe world doesn’t always make space for realness—but it’s still worth showing upBelonging and authenticity can coexistIt’s okay to choose a conventional path if it’s aligned for youYour life is a tapestry—no one else’s will look like yoursStaying connected to your humanity is the heart of it allBeing yourself isn’t always easy, but it’s how you truly liveKey Moments / Chapters00:00 – Welcome & Intro02:08 – The Box We’re Supposed to Fit In05:05 – The Cookie-Cutter Life Myth07:02 – “I Thought I Was Being Authentic”11:44 – When Sameness Feels Like the Only Option17:27 – The Privilege and Risk of Being Real19:05 – What Grows Authenticity?21:08 – Who Am I to Do This?22:23 – The Stories We Carry24:08 – When It’s Hard to Be Yourself27:34 – Wholeness & Being Human32:21 – Your Life is a Tapestry36:12 – Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Us  “If we’re all the same puzzle piece, then we don’t actually have a puzzle.” - Kim Romain “You can gather threads from someone else without copying their tapestry.” - Louise NeilJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat does it really mean to live from a place of joy? And why does it feel so hard to access in the middle of everyday life?In this heartfelt and laughter-filled episode of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim and Louise sit down with transformational success coach and speaker Heather Vickery to explore the power of joy, midlife identity shifts, Human Design, and the radical permission to choose yourself.Together, we unpack:How to reclaim joy as a daily practice, not just a fleeting momentWhat Human Design reveals about burnout, performance, and energy misalignmentWhy midlife is actually a portal to deeper freedom (hello, Chiron return!)The truth about self-trust and how to stop outsourcing your worthCompassionate self-touch as a tool for nervous system healing and embodimentWhy representation, fringe-living, and showing up as you are matter more than everWhether you’re trying to find your rhythm, craving rest, or simply someone ready to feel more like yourself again, this conversation is a warm invitation home.Key Moments: 00:00 Intro: Welcome to The Empowered and Embodied Show02:08 Meet Heather Vickery + Embodied Joy as a Set Point06:50 Choosing Joy Instead of Waiting for It09:27 Listening to Your Intuition & Midlife Downloads10:53 The Chiron Return & Zero F*cks Fifties15:14 What Embodied Joy Looks Like on a Regular Tuesday23:16 Trusting Yourself Enough to Take the Leap26:31 How Do We Help People Know They Have Magic?30:22 The Difference Between Being Awake vs. Performing34:22 Compassionate Self-Touch38:57 There’s No Wrong Way to Love Yourself40:34 The Power of Permission, Play, and Legos44:26 Self-Compassion, Even When It Feels Unsafe45:18 Final Takeaways: Don’t Wait for Joy. Create It49:41 Wrap-Up: You Are Not Alone on the Fringe Connect with Heather Vickery: 🌐 Website: https://vickeryandco.com 🎙 Podcast: Was It Chance? 🗓 Free Office Hours: Tuesdays at 12pm CT – Register via her site 📧 Substack: https://braveheathervickery.substack.com/Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageEver have one of those weeks where everything feels just slightly (or wildly) off, even though you’re doing all the “right” things?In episode 164 of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim and Louise unpack what it means to feel out of sync and how to gently find your way back to yourself. From discussing the difference between routine and rhythm, to navigating energetic overwhelm and foggy seasons, this episode is a compassionate invitation to slow down, listen inward, and experiment your way back into alignment.They explore what disconnection feels like (hint: not always dramatic, but often disorienting), and share personal practices for movement, somatics, nature connection, and redefining progress—not as productivity, but as presence.This one’s for anyone who’s ever asked: Why do I feel off when nothing’s technically wrong?"Being can be a destination. I’m getting myself to a place where I can just be." - Kim Romain"Let’s stop measuring progress by ladders and start measuring it by how we feel." - Louise NeilKey Takeaways:The difference between routine and rhythmHow to recognize subtle signs of disconnectionWhy the world feels so loud and what to do when you can't hear yourselfThe power of movement, sound, and nature in finding your way backRedefining “enough” and giving yourself permission to just beKey Moments:[00:00] Welcome + Episode intro[01:55] Weekly check-in: “Fugged up” and frenzied energy[04:10] Big energy, introvert fatigue, and the need to come back to self[07:40] The realization: I need rhythm, not just routine[11:14] What rhythm feels like in the body—and why it’s so needed[16:49] The world feels loud: Why we can't hear ourselves anymore[22:22] Naming the disconnect: “I don’t feel like myself”[27:09] Holding what’s not yours + the difference between emotion and energy[31:38] Where are we going—and is just being enough?[41:27] Experimenting your way into alignment[42:17] Final reflections: Who are you having this conversation with?[44:44] Closing thoughts and listener invitationJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat if the key to powerful leadership isn’t more structure… but more soul?In this rich, heart-centered conversation, Kim and Louise are joined by coach, strategist, and recovering academic Taina Brown to explore what it really takes to lead as your whole self, especially in systems that reward fragmentation and performance.They unpack the impact of gatekeeping (from academia to coaching to the workplace), the myth of “getting it right,” and how somatics and play open new doorways to healing, embodiment, and aligned leadership.Taina shares her journey from feminist scholar to strategy coach, the somatic tools that helped her reconnect after a traumatic health experience, and why funk music might be the nervous system medicine we all need.This episode is a love letter to anyone who’s ever felt they had to leave parts of themselves at the door to be taken seriously.“Don’t let one part of yourself gatekeep another.” – Taina BrownKey TakeawaysGatekeeping is often rooted in insecurity and unprocessed imposter syndromeIntegration is the power move—we’re not meant to fragment across rolesPlay is how we heal, regulate, and remember who we areEmbodied leadership makes room for sensation, intuition, and restSomatics help rebuild connection, especially after trauma or illnessWholeness creates space—for yourself and others to show up fullyKey Moments [00:00] Welcome + Episode intro [01:35] Meet today’s guest: Taina Brown [04:58] Naming and challenging academic gatekeeping [08:46] Gatekeeping in coaching and helping professions [12:59] Gatekeeping as protection: fear of being “found out” [15:14] Unrealistic expectations and imposter syndrome at work [17:41] Reframing failure with Emergent Strategy [20:02] Play as a path to learning and growth [21:23] What if we welcomed the human behind the curtain? [29:29] Why pushing through isn’t always the answer [34:00] Fragmentation: stop being your own gatekeeper [36:01] “Mitigate the ambiguity”: the somatic impact of uncertainty [39:15] Using somatic CBT in professional development workshops [43:49] Head, heart, and body: wholeness as a leadership strategy [45:27] Final reflections and calls to action [49:08] Where to find Taina online [50:31] Closing thoughts and listener invitationAbout Taina Taina is a former feminist scholar turned strategy whiz trained in somatic CBT methods. As a personal and professional development coach of over 15 years, she helps leaders and their teams show up as their best, values-aligned selves so they can do good work. She’s also the cohost of the Messy Liberation podcast with Becky Mollenkamp.🌐 http://www.ifthenand.org/tainambrown 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/tainambrown/ 📸 https://instagram.com/tainambrownJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageIn episode 162 of The Empowered and Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil explore what it means to embrace being in a world that constantly demands doing. They unpack the tension between presence and productivity, and what it looks like to live in alignment without burning out.Together, they reflect on how growth doesn't have to be forced, it naturally unfolds when we’re present. Instead of chasing clarity, they show how you can find it by simply showing up as you are. They unpack the tension so many of us feel between stillness and movement, presence and productivity, planning and play. With a dose of laughter (and baloney sandwiches), they explore how self-awareness and inner alignment help us navigate this dance between being and doing without losing ourselves in the push."Presence is when I feel like I get to actually be me." – Kim Romain"Sometimes letting go is the experience.” - Louise NeilKey TakeawaysThe difference between doing and being (and how to honor both)What true presence feels like (and why it’s the key to authentic living)How to grow without burning out or losing yourselfWhy coaching and therapy serve different needs—and how to know which you needHow to balance your inner planner and your spontaneous selfWhat it means to know yourself deeply—without judgment or strivingKey Moments00:00 Welcome and intro02:07 Celebrating three years of podcasting and the magic of unscripted conversations04:33 “When is it okay to just be?”06:34 How presence reveals the truest parts of ourselves09:13 What being present really means (and how it differs from productivity)12:49 The many hats we wear and how to stay authentic while shifting roles15:05 Baloney sandwiches and school buses: a metaphor for your inner world19:10 The joy of conversation without an agenda23:36 Why your planner and your spontaneous side need each other25:06 Self-trust grows when you honor the needs of all your parts28:27 Coaching vs. therapy: unpacking vs. choosing your train32:55 Getting unstuck by releasing the “why” and tuning into the “what’s next”36:54 Let the journey be the destinationJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageIn episode 161 of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil are joined by Jordan Maney, Radical Joy Coach and founder of The Rest Lab. What unfolds is a spacious, heart-deep conversation about rest, not as a luxury, but as a radical act of remembrance, resistance, and return.Together, we explore what it really means to soften when you're used to holding on tightly, to be held when support feels foreign, and to allow joy even in a world full of pain. Through both metaphor and lived experience, Jordan invites us into the water... not to swim perfectly, but to float, to release, to remember we are held."People think rest is passive. It’s not. It’s active resistance. It’s remembering who you are beyond the frenzy." - Jordan ManeyKey Takeaways:Rest isn’t something you earn—it’s something you return to.Letting go is not a loss of control; it’s an act of trust.Floating, like healing, doesn’t require effort, just a willingness to soften.We're not meant to navigate this life alone; community isn't optional, it's essential.True support begins when we’re willing to receive, not just give.Control is not the same as safety.Allowing is deeply personal. It’s about reclaiming what softening looks like for you.Key Moments:00:00 – Welcome 01:45 – Jordan’s intro04:20 – “We were made for such a time as this…”: Purpose in dark times06:01 – Sponge vs. flow: Feeling grief without being consumed07:59 – The difference between drinking the water and swimming in it09:40 – What happens when we don’t know how to swim?12:53 – “If you can’t relax, you’ll never learn to trust yourself in the water”15:58 – Why control is mistaken for safety—and what it actually costs17:52 – Floating as self-support: Can you let yourself be held?19:10 – The frenzy of service vs. the practice of settling21:21 – How community quietly fills the cup when you’re depleted24:31 – Military childhood, mutual aid, and the longing for connection29:55 – What holds us back from resting in community?35:21 – Stitch & Bitch, hiking, AquaZumba: Finding joy in collective care38:42 – Creating containers where people can peek out and be themselves41:25 – Jordan’s definition of rest: Returning energy, attention, and time to self47:09 – “Allowing” as a portal to healing—on your own terms49:10 – Where to find Jordan and more of her brilliant workConnect With Jordan:Website: https://www.jordanmaney.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanmaney/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejordanmaney/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJordanManey/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thejordanmaney/Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageIn episode 160 of The Empowered and Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil kick things off with a playful conversation about last names—and before they know it, they’re deep in the heart of what it really means to name, claim, and embody who we are.Together, they explore how the way we introduce ourselves, our chosen labels, and even our casual answers to “Tell me about yourself” shape more than just conversation, they shape how we see ourselves and move through the world.Through personal stories, Human Design reflections, and a lot of heartfelt honesty, they invite us to look at the deeper needs that live underneath our titles, roles, and expectations, and how honoring those needs helps us live and lead more authentically."You don’t have to explain who you are to be worthy of being seen for who you are." — Kim Romain"Real leadership isn’t about running up the hill first—it’s about guiding with wisdom and presence." — Louise NeilKey Takeaways:How names, titles, and first impressions weave into our identityWhy understanding your true needs is essential to authenticityThe difference between honoring needs vs. being labeled "needy"How Human Design can reveal patterns of doubt, confusion, and wisdomWhat it looks like to move from role-based identity to soul-based expressionKey Moments:00:00 — Intro and welcome00:50 — Exploring identities03:13 — Identity, marriage, and the names we choose05:00 — Open centers in Human Design and the pull of doubt and confusion08:34 — The difference between wants and needs—and why it matters12:34 — Needs are about fulfillment, not lack15:32 — Unpacking the old wounds around being “too needy”18:07 — Learning to name what fills us—and asking for it with courage20:34 — Guiding vs. leading—reclaiming different forms of leadership27:50 — How Human Design shapes how we hold space and show up30:26 — Seeing yourself through someone else's eyes—and letting it land34:29 — Letting go of performance to reconnect with belonging36:30 — Final reflections on walking into the world as yourselfJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageIn episode 159 of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil are joined by the magnetic and mission-driven M. Shannon Hernandez—founder of the Joyful Business Revolution—for a real-talk conversation about redefining success, saying no to burnout, and building businesses that are fueled by joy, not pressure.From the streets of NYC to sacred silence in Bali, Shannon shares what it truly means to live and lead from a place of nothing to prove, nothing to lose. We unpack hustle culture, the art of slowing the f*ck down, and what happens when you finally give yourself permission to stop proving and start living.This episode is a love letter to sensitive souls, multi-passionate creators, and anyone who's ever been told they have to grind to matter. Spoiler: You don’t. And you were never meant to.“If it ain’t joyful, we ain’t doing that sh*t.” – M. Shannon HernandezKey TakeawaysWhy joy must be a non-negotiable in businessHow to reclaim your time, energy, and creative sparkThe truth about burnout, sensitivity, and proving energyWhy “less but better” is the new marketing strategyHow to stop consuming and start creatingThe power of showing up as a full, messy, magnificent humanWhy being human is a viable business planKey Moments00:00 – Welcome and joy-filled intros04:46 – The mantra that changed everything07:00 – Choosing presence over panic10:18 – Visioning from a place of alignment13:28 – Business by the seasons (and the fire of Aries!)17:36 – ASAP = As Slow As Possible22:43 – Rubber time and redefining productivity26:40 – Pinterest vs. Creating: the trap of inspiration hoarding30:24 – Content paralysis and proving energy33:57 – Why you don’t need more content to grow your business36:49 – Letting go of bro marketing39:32 – Showing up as a human, not a strategy42:51 – Gunk, goo, and getting rid of what’s not yours44:21 – The wisdom is already within youConnect with Shannon:Website: https://joyfulbusinessrevolution.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mshannonhernandez/Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageIn episode 158 of The Empowered and Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil hit record mid-conversation—and trust us, you’ll be glad they did. What started as a check-in about feeling “wobbly” quickly unraveled into a rich, raw, and real exploration of how planetary shifts, inner pressure, and collective noise can leave us spinning... and how to come back to our center.Through personal stories, Human Design insights, and plenty of embodied wisdom, they unpack what it means to move through uncertainty with grace, and how to tell the difference between what’s truly yours and what’s just static.“Personal agency starts with knowing what's yours. Liberation begins when you stop holding what isn’t.” - Kim Romain“The static is everywhere—socially, politically, personally. But that doesn’t mean we have to amplify it.” - Louise NeilKey Takeaways:Wobble ≠ stuck—there’s power in recognizing the differenceHow planetary shifts amplify inner and outer noiseThe role of Human Design in navigating aligned actionReal-time tools to return to your body and reset your focusWhy personal agency and liberation start with asking, “What is mine?”Key Moments:00:00 - Intro and welcome01:34 - Why are we all feeling wobbly?02:43 - Planetary shifts, energetic overwhelm, and the pressure to "do it all"07:11 - Defining ease vs. hustle—what real alignment feels like in the body13:28 - From aligned research to perfectionist spiral... getting out of the rabbit hole19:35 - Completion, closure, and honoring what’s ready to be done22:52 - What is yours to hold vs. what’s just noise?32:06 - Reframing “stuck” as a moment of reflection, not failure35:50 - Crossing the river: a metaphor for fear, trust, and deciding what matters44:07 - Living selfishly as a form of service—claiming your right to alignmentJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat if the key to safer workplaces isn’t a new policy... but your own nervous system?In episode 157 of The Empowered and Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil sit down with trauma consultant, speaker, and founder of Creaturae, Deborah Lee, for a deep conversation on embodied leadership, psychological safety, and the courage it takes to show up without the mask.Together, they unpack the hidden toll of performative leadership, why so many leaders are silently struggling, and how real change begins within, not through control, but through connection. Deborah shares how embodied leadership—rooted in interoception, movement, and gentle self-awareness—can create the conditions for real trust, real connection, and real change.This one is for every leader, healer, entrepreneur, or human who’s been told to be “professional” while quietly falling apart inside. Because the truth is that nervous system regulation, presence, and authenticity aren’t luxuries—they’re leadership essentials. “If your life is a performance, you can’t create safety for anyone else.” – Deborah LeeKey TakeawaysLeadership is about creating space for authenticity, not performancePsychological safety is foundational to effective, healthy workplacesSelf-awareness and nervous system regulation are core leadership skillsEvery emotion is valid and offers insightAuthenticity fosters trust, connection, and relational safetyYou don’t have to know it all to lead well, you just have to start with knowing yourselfKey Moments00:00 – Welcome and intro02:22 – Introducing body-based leadership work04:50 – A hard truth: “Leadership is not the same as masking”06:31 – Changing leadership culture when the system resists authenticity07:32 – The loneliness of leadership and the limits of transparency12:16 – Why psychological safety must start in your own body18:48 – What is pendulation and why it matters for emotional regulation23:34 – A nervous system reset you can do in under 30 seconds29:01 – Stuck energy, speechless terror, and how trauma blocks communication35:06 – Heartbreak and healing from domestic violence39:30 – Reconnecting with your body as a source of truth and safety41:21 – Explanation of somatic terminology (pendulation, titration, interoception)44:04 – Why people shut down around money—and how embodiment helps46:04 – The longing for presence, truth, and real connection49:04 – It’s okay not to know: how we’re all learning as adults51:53 – Final takeawaysConnect With DeborahWebsite: http://www.creaturae.orgLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/leeydeborahInstagram: @creaturae7 Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageWhat do you get when you mix an American expat living in Canada, a lifelong Canadian, and a global identity crisis?You get this conversation—a raw, honest, and deeply human exploration of what it means to find your footing when the world feels anything but steady.In this episode of The Empowered and Embodied Show, Kim and Louise reflect on the personal and collective impact of nationalism, nervous system dysregulation, and the weight of staying informed in a world that just. won’t. stop.Together, they unpack what it’s like to live between countries, cultures, and conversations, while still holding space for clients, community, and their own capacity.This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt wobbly, wired, or just plain worn out by it all. Because when the ground beneath you is shifting, knowing who you are—and how to return to yourself—is everything.“This isn’t about nationalism—it’s about nervous systems. And ours are tapped the hell out.” – Kim Romain“Community isn’t just nice to have—it’s how we survive the storm without losing ourselves in it.” – Louise NeilKey Takeaways:Why “How are you?” is a loaded question in today’s worldThe emotional toll of national identity and why it feels different nowLiving across borders: identity, belonging, and griefStrategies for grounding yourself when the external chaos ramps upWhy community and shared humanity are our greatest tools right nowHow embodied awareness supports nervous system health and resilienceThe invitation to notice, feel, and respond (instead of react)Key Moments:00:00 – Welcome to the Empowered & Embodied Show01:38 – What “fine” really means right now03:13 – Feeling out of place across borders10:36 – “I can’t turn it off”—the emotional toll of staying informed13:51 – Disillusionment and duty: the inner burden of global awareness17:08 – Quiet vs. loud nationalism: Canada and the U.S.21:13 – Identity grief & the unraveling of once-held symbols28:19 – “The call is coming from inside the house”31:55 – Finding common ground through shared humanity34:03 – Grounding practices for nervous system regulation42:17 – You are the grown-up in the room—now what?43:51 – Cosmic shifts, personal alignment, and embodied awareness47:03 – Offerings, reflections, and wrap-upJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com 

Send us a MessageIn episode 155 of The Empowered and Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil sit down with Stephanie Graham—filmmaker, photographer, and host of the Nosey AF podcast—for a conversation that celebrates creativity in all its messy, magical forms.Together, we explore how creativity fuels empowerment, how art can break down barriers, and why making space for self-expression (even in the mundane!) is more important than ever.We talk about everything from film school to the power of documenting your partner doing dishes (trust us—it’s art!). Plus, Stephanie offers practical and playful ways to reconnect with your own creativity, no matter your medium—or your mood.“Art doesn’t have to show up in MoMA to be important. It can live in your phone.” – Stephanie GrahamKey Takeaways:How creativity can be both a mirror and a megaphoneThe quiet power of capturing everyday momentsWhy art and activism are deeply intertwinedHow gatekeeping shows up in the creative world (and how we dismantle it)The link between self-expression, empowerment, and joyWhat it really means to be a “creative”—and why you already are oneKey Moments: 0:00 – Celebrating fresh starts and small wins4:38 – Navigating self-compassion and showing up anyway7:29 – Reconnecting with self, others, and joy10:26 – Tracing creative roots and early influences13:32 – Exploring art’s role in social change16:22 – How art sparks powerful conversations24:57 – Creativity as a tool for empowerment27:35 – Rethinking what it means to be “creative”30:19 – Systems as a form of creative expression31:18 – Challenging gatekeeping in the art world33:27 – Art’s power to create emotional connection36:25 – Community, inspiration, and creative sparks39:28 – Making creativity more inclusive and accessible41:27 – Finding magic in everyday creative acts42:42 – Final reflections and golden nuggets48:12 – Honoring community and creative collaborationConnect with Stephanie:Website: www.missgraham.comNoseyAF Podcast: https://www.noseyaf.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniegraham/Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com