Make Some Noise with Andrea Owen

People evolve and change, right? Well, guess what...this podcast is evolving and changing too! Your Kick-Ass Life has been my baby since 2010, and the name of this podcast since 2013. Because a lot has transpired since that time, I felt it was time to make a change. In this episode, I wanted to share a little bit about what the new name, Make Some Noise, means and why I decided to make the shift. Making noise is about speaking up, shining bright, and asking for what you want. It’s about disrupting the narrative about the “box” of conformity we were all taught to fit into. It’s about taking action BEFORE you’re ready in order to build your confidence muscle. All of this and women’s empowerment is an act of rebellion; an act of making noise. Now for those of you a bit uncomfortable with change - things will mostly remain the same around here. I’ll continue to bring you interviews, coaching sessions, conversations about shit that matters with unqualified people, and occasional solo episodes.And here is a sneak peek of what is to come: 🎉 The title and cover reveal of my new book is coming in May. 🎉 A new special podcast series that is all about motivating you wherever you are in your life is coming in June. 🎉 And finally, beginning August 11th I’m doing a special series with a select group of women who come on the show to talk specifically about what it means to make some noise and how to do more of it. I want to leave you with a question to think about, today: How are you making noise in your life? Are you going after your goals and dreams? Are you looking at areas of your life you want to change? Are you setting boundaries? Choosing radical self-care? Disrupting systems of oppression? Interrupting things like misogyny and sexism? Using your voice by voting?  The way you make noise in your life is yours, it’s unique to you, and I’m so happy to guide you in empowering yourself. Ready? Let’s go.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week I have one of the OG’s of the coaching industry on the show, Andrea J. Lee. Andrea joins me to discuss verbal abuse from the perspective of the abuser and being vulnerable enough to sit in that intensity in order to make a change. We also explore how to be bold and kind in a world full of injustice and misgivings. I am excited to share our conversation with you.Plus, after 8 years and almost 400 episodes, the podcast is getting a new name! The unveiling is coming tomorrow. So keep an eye on the podcast feed for the official announcement. 🎉In this episode you’ll hear: Andrea J. Lee explains what she means when she describes herself as a futurist with her finger on the pulse of the human spirit. She also explains her experience as “A Canadian-born Taiwanese, cis-gender woman (she/her) who has been brought up with white privilege inside the model minority myth.” (6:06) Andrea J. Lee offers a different perspective on emotional abuse through her digital newsletter - how do you not become the thing you suffered and not become an oppressor yourself. (10:15) How Andrea J. Lee realized she was being verbally abusive to her husband and why she decided to share publically about her experience. (17:35) Being vulnerable and why vulnerability might be held against someone. (19:57) If we are not willing to fully experience the pain we are going through, if we can’t sit in that intensity, we are not going to make a change. (28:53) “It’s possible to be fierce, outraged, bold, and go for your goals while also being kind.” Andrea J. Lee shares some ways to do this when you see injustices happening that anger you. (35:35) http://yourkickasslife.com/383  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

Coaching sessions are back! This week I am coaching Melissa, a production company owner from Southern California, about boundaries within her personal and professional life, as well as, knowing clearly what she wants and asking for it. If you are new to the coaching episode format, my style is a mix between traditional coaching and intuitive consulting. And yes, more coaching session episodes will be coming. Also, keep an eye out for some changes on the podcast too. Don’t worry, I am not going anywhere! But, the show is getting a new name and some other fun adjustments. Announcements will be coming next week!In this episode you’ll hear: Clearly knowing what you want and asking for it. (6:48) Establishing boundaries at work and at home, and enforcing them. (8:35) Betting on yourself and not waiting for confidence to move forward. (24:15) Determining what you will or won’t tolerate in relationships. (31:36) A kick-ass update from Melissa, plus some of her biggest takeaways from our coaching session. (43:16) http://yourkickasslife.com/382  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining me to discuss mental health, as well as, my journey through somatic therapy is my dearest friend, Amy Smith. This isn’t an expert-on-expert episode; instead, it’s two friends talking about a topic from a place of curiosity. Here’s some background as to why I wanted to bring you this episode: Last week, Mia Hemstad joined me on the podcast (episode 380). She vulnerably shared the story of her suicidal ideation and major depressive disorder. And, I shared a little bit about my journey too. I wanted to share more of my story, so I decided, this week, to bring you a Conversation About Shit That Matters with Unqualified People. In this episode you’ll hear: My breaking point - what led me to a point of complete anxiety and terror. (7:16) About my FaceTime call to Amy, where I opened up about thoughts of suicide ideation. (7:31) How having a friend there to listen, comforted me. (17:03) Amy’s experience being on the other end of that phone call and how she was able to compartmentalize what was happening. (18:23) My somatic therapy journey and how it helped me work through trauma. (26:24) Some thoughts about being supportive to a friend going through a mental crisis. (49:14) http://yourkickasslife.com/381  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Mia Hemstad, mental health advocate and social justice activist, joins me for a discussion about major depressive disorder, the intersection between mental health and politics, and how women can make themselves a priority by doing one small thing a day. Mia and I had recorded this episode several months ago. I was waiting to release it for various reasons (which I share in this episode). Like many, I saw the recent interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, where Meghan shared her story of suicide ideation. During my conversation with Mia, she shared her own story of suicide ideation, as did I. Therefore, I felt it was important to share this episode now. It’s relevant and after the year we’ve experienced, an important one to discuss. I hope this episode is helpful to you.  How Mia became a mental health advocate and social justice activist out of necessity. “Mental health and politics are connected.” (6:34) How women can make themselves a priority by doing one small thing a day to nourish themselves. And, a reminder from Mia that, “Healing is not a checklist.” (15:56) Mia’s major depressive disorder and suicidal ideation story.(26:48) How to handle overwhelming emotions. (46:32) http://yourkickasslife.com/380  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do henna, legacy, and living unapologetically all have in common? They are just some of the facets that make up Chelsea Stevenson’s work. Chelsea joins me this week for a conversation about the power in legacy. Chelsea is a professional henna artist, business strategist, and homeschooling mother of three. During our time together, we discussed a variety of topics including her motivation for building a table rather than taking a seat at an existing one, and honoring your values. She offered poignant takeaways, including this one, “The decisions we make, the actions we take, and the words we say are powerful. And, we have to own how they impact the world around us.”In this episode you’ll hear: A brief history of henna and its use as a medium to create art. (4:47) Why Chelsea’s motivation is to build her own table instead of taking a seat at a table that already exists. (7:26) The power in the legacy we leave and why it is important. (8:23) Living unapologetically and honoring your values. (21:58) How Chelsea went from a social worker to a Hennapreneur. (26:56) Struggling with negative self-talk and negativity bias. (33:05) Steps to stand in your authority and position yourself as the artist/entrepreneur/changemaker you want to be in this world. (36:55) http://yourkickasslife.com/379  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

🎉✍ Join Amy Ahlers and I live on Wednesday, March 16th, for a free writing workshop: Top 10 Kick-Ass Tips to Get Your Writing Project Started and Complete. If you want to write a book, self-publish one, go the traditional route of publishing, or are simply curious about what it takes to launch your next writing project, join us. For all the details and to register, go here. We hope to see you on the 16th! ✍ 🎉 Speaking of Amy Ahlers, she returns to the show this week to talk about the imposter complex and the inner-critic. Plus, we share some of the ways our inner-mean girl shows up during the creation of our writing projects and some of the strategies we employ to calm her down. Amy is a Master Women’s Leadership and Life Coach, keynote speaker, and best-selling author. She is on a mission to stop women from self-bullying and being hard on themselves so they can make their greatest possible contribution. Enjoy our conversation! In this episode you’ll hear: How imposter complex shows up for women who want to start something new or complete a big project. (3:56) Some ways in which we handle our own imposter complex, including how we change the narrative. (6:39) Experiencing upper limit problems and how we deal. (10:13) Amy answers the question, “Is writing a book for everyone?” (23:30) What we love and do not love about writing. (27:33) http://yourkickasslife.com/378  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Heather Chauvin is back on the show! Our conversation answers the question, “What is worth your time and energy?” Heather is a leadership coach who helps ambitious, overwhelmed women conquer their fears and become leaders at work and home. She is also the author of the book, Dying to Be a Good Mother. We examine what is truly worthy of your time, discuss emotional regulation and Heather’s Red/Yellow/Green zone methodology. Finally, we explore the topic of managing your energy and surrendering to guilt.  “You’ve got to feel the discomfort in order to feel the good stuff.” ~ Heather ChauvinIn this episode you’ll hear: How Heather’s grandmother inspired her ‘shit or get off the pot’ moment, and led her to write her first book, Dying to Be a Good Mother. (9:52) Heather shares her Stage-4 Cancer diagnosis journey. (10:27) The “million-dollar minute” concept. “If every sixty seconds of your life is worth one million dollars - are you satisfied with your investment?” (22:23) The Red, Yellow, and Green Zones and how they can be used in your life and at work. (28:30) Energetic time management is reverse engineering of how you want to feel. (33:31) A conversation about guilt: “Who benefits from you feeling guilty?” (36:04) http://yourkickasslife.com/377  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I have one of my favorite people back on the show, Samantha Bennett! Sam is an artist, writer, poet, actress, and creativity/productivity, specialist. She is also a dear friend. She re-joins me to talk about a variety of personal development topics, including friendships, the concept of re-parenting yourself, and how to handle disappointment.  Sam is the creator of The Organized Artist Company, dedicated to helping tens of thousands of creative people get unstuck, helping them to focus and move forward on their goals. This episode is very much a ‘greatest hits’ compilation between Sam and me. We hope you enjoy it! In this episode you’ll hear: Handling life’s disappointments and giving yourself grace. “Disappointment is taking score too soon.” (10:40) Some helpful strategies for re-parenting yourself. (15:59) Sam helps us to think about productivity in a different way. (19:13) Nothing is more important than your transformation. (31:46) The one thing that determines the quality of your life. (35:44) http://yourkickasslife.com/376  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices