Make Some Noise with Andrea Owen

Have you ever been in a situation where you had to be something you didn’t intend to be? Maybe it was taking care of aging parents, or you were thrust into single-motherhood. That is what this week’s guest refers to as an Accidental Alpha Woman. Author and Master Certified Coach, Karen Wright, joins me to talk about being the accidental alpha woman, how to reconnect with the real you, and create a life that has more ease. We also discuss what it means to be strong as a woman, dealing with judgment, and not making yourself small at the expense of others' comfort. I hope you enjoy our conversation. In this episode you’ll hear: How Karen’s personal experience inspired her to write, “The Accidental Alpha Woman,” plus she explains what an Accidental Alpha Woman is. (4:16) The importance of identifying your values and how that can help define what is important to you in a relationship. (11:00) The reason women feel the need to “carry the world on their shoulders” and be strong. (12:09) How to reconnect with the real “you” and create a life that has greater community, ease, and fun using the R.E.C.E.I.V.E framework. (25:22) Why it’s important for women to find their voice. (28:33) Internalized misogyny and the alpha woman. (33:52) Book Giveaway! We are giving away two copies of Karen Wright’s book, Accidental Alpha Woman. Listen to this episode for all the details! http://yourkickasslife.com/375  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I’ve talked about burnout many times on this podcast and I’m no stranger to it. In fact, in 2020, I took an 8-month break from Instagram partly due to burnout. So I wanted to have an expert on to talk specifically about this topic. Joining me to explore this widespread issue is two-time TEDx speaker, Joanna Denton. In 2014, after two burnouts in five years, Joanna decided to leave the tax world behind and change her life completely. Today, she's a speaking and executive coach for thought leaders, business executives, and entrepreneurs. Burnout is something many women struggle with - no matter their life’s circumstances and is more prevalent than we actually think. Together, Joanna and I discuss the different phases of burnout, the lessons Joanna learned from her journey back from it, and how to ask for help when you are feeling mentally or physically burnt out.  Why it is so difficult for leaders to talk about burnout, and what can we do to make it easier. (6:20) The difference between depression and burnout. (8:00) Joanna’s burnout journey and how her life improved as a result of her burnouts. (12:18) The biggest lessons Joanna learned during her journey back from burnout. (17:22) Joanna’s book “The Different Truth", what the title means and how it encourages readers to start a conversation about choices and step into a new truth. (37:08) Asking for help and being vulnerable. (45:47) http://yourkickasslife.com/374  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why are women perceived (or misunderstood) as angry? And, what can we do about it? That's just one of the many topics covered during my conversation with Leslie Lyons. Leslie is Founder of Bombshell Movement Studio in Chicago (a sensual movement studio), host of the Beyond the Pole: Tales from the CEO podcast, and a sales and leadership coach for female entrepreneurs. Together we also discuss embracing your “too muchness,” using your quiet strength to speak up, and exploring women’s empowerment in some nontraditional ways. We also have a very candid conversation about Christianity.“The work of feminism, at the heart of it is liberation, and liberation starts with using your voice.” Leslie LyonsIn this episode you’ll hear: Leslie’s personal story of how she came to her work as a leadership coach and owner of a sensual movement studio in Chicago. Anger’s purpose and why women are perceived (and misunderstood) as angry and what we can do about it. How a woman can embrace her ‘too-muchness’ “You weren’t put on this Earth to blend into the background.”  Unshakeable leadership - what it is and some ways women can harness it. We discuss Christianity, self-awareness, and how our spirituality evolved over time.  http://yourkickasslife.com/373  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hard conversations, resilience, and boundaries are some of the cornerstones of personal development. And, they happen to be some of the topics covered during this week’s show. Joining me to discuss all things personal development is my guest (and dear friend), Fawn Germer. Fawn is the best-selling author of nine books, including an Oprah Book. She is one of America's top women's leadership speakers and is the top-ranked woman on the prestigious Global Guru's List of best leadership and motivational speakers worldwide.Together we discuss enduring great loss, coping with grief, and why boundaries are essential. When I think of one word to sum up our conversation, it is resilience. As Fawn so perfectly stated, “Every shitstorm ends.” And as her mother once told her, “It doesn’t matter what happens to you, it matters what you do with it.” 🚨 Book Giveaway! 🚨 Tune in to hear how you can win a free copy of Fawn’s latest book, Coming Back! How to Win the Job You Want When You've Lost the Job You Need.In this episode you’ll hear: How a Google search which included the words, “Life Coach + Bullshit,” led to our long-lasting friendship. (4:32) Why Fawn dislikes motivational speakers, even though she is one! Plus, her journey to becoming a motivational speaker and author. (7:00) How Fawn endured a year of extreme loss - and why she says, “Every shitstorm ends.” (23:14) The fastest way to stop a downward spiral. (28:01) Uncomfortable conversations and how to make peace with them. (33:04) http://yourkickasslife.com/372 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Laura Cathcart Robbins is back on the show this week! She joins me for an essential conversation about racism, how the lack of conversations about race can be scarring for children, and the pain and trauma of race relations between black and white women. Laura is a freelance culture writer and host of the popular podcast, The Only One In The Room. I am thrilled to have her back on the show!And just to be clear: If we are going to make the world a better place and make ourselves better humans, we must continue to have conversations about race and do the work. Because when we are talking about women’s empowerment, we’re talking about feminism, and when we’re talking about feminism, we’re talking about patriarchy; and when we’re talking about patriarchy, we’re talking about white supremacy. It’s all connected. In this episode you’ll hear: What white parents should be teaching their children about racism. (5:06) Why black women find it hard to trust white women. “Some of us are dealing with unprecedented grief. We are broken with pain and unvalidated anger.”(20:12) Laura offers an intimate glimpse into her interracial relationship and how the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery affected it. (36:10) http://yourkickasslife.com/371  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Happy Wednesday! It’s been a full week since we watched or listened in horror as rioters breached the U.S. Capitol. In this episode, I have a quick chat (before our interview) with Jessica Sharp, my personal friend, and DEI consultant. As I’ve conveyed before, personal development and social justice work are directly connected, so Jessica and I discuss our thoughts on, “This isn’t who we are” (referring to the U.S.) and more.   Switching gears, when it comes to personal development and behaviors like perfectionism, people-pleasing, and over-achieving - the goal isn’t eradicating them. Instead, it’s recognizing when these behaviors jump into the driver’s seat and learning to draw on tools to help maneuver the road ahead. This week, Martina Barnes joins me to talk about these behaviors, how to recognize when they are taking over our “life bus,” and how to harness your reliable personal power. Martina G. Barnes is an experienced psychotherapist, life fulfillment coach, and master intuitive who helps high-achieving women transform the areas in their lives where they lack reliable personal power. She teaches women practical ways to shift how they show up for themselves and express Reliable Personal Power in every area of their lives.In this episode you’ll hear: Recognizing that personal development work and social justice work are interwoven. (5:16) Common default behaviors women struggle with such as perfectionism, control, and people-pleasing and how Martina applies those behaviors to what she calls the “Life Bus” analogy. (20:00) What blocks high-achieving women from having Reliable Personal Power. (25:20) Not wanting to be perceived a certain way (ie: a bitch or aggressive, when standing up for yourself). (27:25) Opening ourselves to deeper intimacy and friendships - courage brings so many beautiful rewards. (34:10) How trauma impacts connection to your intuition. (42:16) http://yourkickasslife.com/370  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last year was a year where many had a lot to carry. As we enter 2021, all of that heaviness won’t magically go away. But, as the new year approached I got to thinking about the new year and goals. I wanted to talk about it, but not in the usual ‘’Let's talk about goals, yahoo!” kind of way. So, Charlie Gilkey is back on the show! He offers a unique perspective on self-help, goals, and productivity.  Charlie helps people start finishing the stuff that matters. He's the founder of Productive Flourishing, author of the book Start Finishing (2019) and The Small Business Lifecycle (2012), and host of the Productive Flourishing podcast. In this episode you’ll hear: As we step into a new year, Charlie offers some ways you can be more present in your life. (7:35) How and why you should identify your genius when it comes to tackling goals. Plus, why you should pay attention to the linguistics you use around your goals. (13:18) How supporters, a support system, or a success pack can help you move forward with intention. (17:39) Three strategies for tackling your plans and goals in order to finish strong. (40:48) http://yourkickasslife.com/369  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

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