Badass Women at Any Age

Raised by a single mom, Candance Chow credits her career journey to the social injustices she witnessed as a child through her mom’s experience.  Motivated by the sexism she herself experienced while working at the State Department in Washington DC, Candance began advocating for gender equity and the advancement for women in the workplace.    As co-founder and managing director of NEXT Group, Candance Chow is dedicated to engaging and empowering women to be fully valued, both in and out of the paid workforce.  She started Next Group in 2019 to provide a supportive community for women looking to pivot or re-enter the workforce and to match these professional women with employers who want and need their talent.  Before Next Group, Candance owned Insight Consulting Group, a management consulting firm that would partner with companies and nonprofits to develop growth innovation and operational strategy.  She holds an MBA with distinction from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management in strategy and non profit management and a BA in public Communications for American University in Washington DC.  She currently serves on several non-profit boards and served 2 terms as board President in Finance Care for the Evanston Skokie District 65 School board which educates more than 7500 students. What You Will Hear in This Episode:  Candances journey and her mother’s influence. Evaluating self and building confidence. Motivation, responsibility and being self-sufficient Building Next Group. Re-entering the workforce. Talent, acquisition and retention processes. Developing high level relationships. Advice for women who want to re-enter the workforce. The overqualified message Quotes: “Can’t, never tried.” “Doing something is better than doing nothing.” “What you do next may not be what you do forever.” “You have to practice asking what you want.” “More and more employers are thinking differently.” Mentioned: Next Group Conference https://bonniemarcusleadership.com/ https://web.facebook.com/bonnie.marcus/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniemarcus https://twitter.com/selfpromote https://www.instagram.com/self_promote_/ Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon: Not Done Yet If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review. 

Jodi Silverman's personal journey began with the realization of an impending empty nest as her children prepared to leave home. Finding herself with a significant amount of free time, Jodi recognized that her current work in her print business was not fulfilling. Her decision to remain open to new opportunities led her to a business opportunity in direct sales, which eventually sparked her passion for personal development and coaching. Through facing her own fears, doubts, and limiting beliefs, Jodi discovered her ability to inspire and guide other midlife women. This transformative experience culminated in the creation of her DARE Method, aimed at helping women to embrace their new freedom, rediscover their passions, and live fulfilling lives beyond motherhood.   What You Will Hear in This Episode:    02:03 Jodi's Personal Journey and Realizations 04:15 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Fears 08:35 Creating a Business from Personal Growth 12:00 Common Challenges of the Empty Nest 13:23 Navigating Friendships After Children Leave Home 14:25 The Dual Identity of Working Moms 15:01 Overcoming Fear and Doubt in New Beginnings 16:13 The DARE Method: Deciding and Awakening 18:14 Rediscovering Old Passions and Hobbies 20:57 Volunteering for Fulfillment and Connection 23:02 Midlife Transformation and Personal Growth 25:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Quotes   " Women often find their purpose in the process of overcoming their own challenges. " " Daring became my platform, which simply means step outta your comfort zone and try something to see what happens."  " As a mom, it's very easy to have your identity be 100% wrapped up in that of motherhood." " Don't be stingy.  Yes, the world needs you."   Mentioned: Beyond Empty Nest Podcast   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review  

Illana Raia's journey to entrepreneurship stemmed from her love of law and her personal experiences with mentorship. Despite loving her career as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer, she took a break to raise her children and later rejoined her firm. Realizing the impact of showing her daughter accomplished women at work, Illana envisioned scaling this experience to benefit other girls. She left her law practice, driven by the idea of creating a platform where girls could meet female leaders, leading to the founding of Etre.  Illana is the founder and CEO of Etre, a membership platform for girls believing that mentors matter as early as middle school. Illana brings girls directly into companies they choose to meet female leaders face to face.  Raia's National Research on the current state of girls confidence in 2022 and 2024 has been featured by Forbes, CBS News, Yahoo Finance, and Nasdaq, and the most recent 2025 research was conducted in partnership with Hello Sunshine and launched at Cannes. Illana is Chair of the International Space Station, US National Lab Education and Workforce Subcommittee.  She serves on the National Girls Collaborative Project Champions Board, and was recently appointed to the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine Board of Governors. Illana contributes to Forbes Business Council and has authored over 60 articles for Huffington Post, Ms. Matt. Magazine and Thrive Global. Illana was named one of the first 250 entrepreneurs on the Forbes Next 1000 list. An Inc 500 female founder and recognized twice by Fast company's world changing ideas, her award-winning book, Etre Girls Who Do You Want to Be? was released on the day of the Girl, 2019. Her second bestselling book, the Epic Mentor Guide, arrived during Women's History Month 2022. Prior to launching Etre in 2016, Illana was a corporate attorney at Skadden Arps in New York City, and a guest lecturer at Columbia University.  She graduated from Smith College and the University of Chicago Law School.   What You Will Hear in This Episode 02:13 Illana''s Journey: From Law to Entrepreneurship 03:59 Curiosity and Connection: Illana's Driving Forces and Career Shift 06:15 The Birth of Etre: Empowering Girls Through Mentorship 09:20 Scaling Etre: From Local to Global Impact 14:24 Navigating Challenges: Social Media and Confidence 17:37 Etre's Mentorship Program: How It Works 18:58 TED-Ed Club: Empowering Young Girls to Speak 20:02 Connecting Through Social Media and Our Website 24:06 Building a Network of Incredible Mentors 33:04 The Role of Age and Diversity in Our Programs   Quotes " The things you most enjoy, the things that bring you the greatest amount of, of reward and joy are things you cannot do with a phone in your hand, whether that is swimming or surfing or skating or painting.  Playing your sport, writing your next short story, the thing you love to do is probably better done without a phone in your hand. " " I believe in the power of the cold email or the cold DM with all my heart,  I'm stunned every day by the women who say yes to a conversation or answering a question by email because it's for the next generation. " Never underestimate the, impact that 10 minutes of your time is gonna have on that next future engineer, future leader, future founder."   Mentioned etregrils.com   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review  

Helen Jonsen aspired to be a writer from a young age and chose journalism for its daily writing opportunities. After studying at Fordham University and gaining experience at Channel 11 and WINS radio, she moved to Rhode Island as a senior producer, where she met and married her Australian husband. This led to a stint in Australia, where she worked in television before returning to New York. They worked for Australian networks before she joined Channel 5. After her first maternity leave, she opted to form a production company with her husband, eventually returning to Channel 11 and writing several books, including 'Kangaroo's Comments and Wallaby's Words: The Aussie Word Book.' Helen is a communication strategist and media executive with a career that includes journalism, digital innovation, public service, and nonprofit advocacy. Through her firm, Helen Jonsen Media, she assists leaders and organizations in amplifying their voices with strategic storytelling, speaker training, and modern communication tools. She hosts the Kaleidoscope Career podcast and newsletter series, celebrating women with non-linear career paths. Helen's career has spanned roles from TV journalism to executive positions, notably earning the nickname 'video guru' from Steve Forbes at Forbes. She has also managed strategic communications for Westchester County District Attorney and NYC's Economic Development Corporation during the pandemic.   What You Will Hear in This Episode 02:47 Helen's Early Career and Personal Life 03:49 The Kaleidoscope Career: Journalism and Beyond 06:01 Curiosity and Communication: Helen's Driving Forces 11:35 Challenges and Adaptations in Helen's Career 15:55 The State of Journalism Today 19:15 The Divided Information Landscape 19:30 Launching a Podcast: Reflections and Milestones 19:56 Career Pivots: Insights and Misconceptions 21:26 Challenges and Opportunities for Women 22:58 External Forces Shaping Careers 23:51 Personal Stories of Career Shifts 26:01 The Unique Career Paths of Women 30:41 The Third Phase: Finding New Purpose   Quotes " I think a career as a working mother also shapes how you do things and why you do things." " I think curiosity and trying to find answers is really important. It's the real basis for any good journalism, but it's also the basis for a kaleidoscope career. You have to be willing to take on the new thing." " The promise of the internet of the was that the internet would democratize journalism and democratize communication. Instead, what we didn't see coming was the. Siloing of information that came with the maturation of social media." " Our demands around us on caregiving at different ages and stages affects our careers so often."   Mentioned helenjonsen.com LinkedIn Substack Instagram eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review  

Bianca Best's lifelong pursuit of ambition led her from a corporate career in advertising, creativity, and publishing to a successful freelance writing career. While juggling motherhood in her late 20's, she inadvertently founded the Bespoke Gift Company.  What started as a creative, personalized anniversary gift has become a wildly successful company.  Bianca is an award-winning global business leader, author, certified success strategist, entrepreneur, speaker, and single mother of four. Bianca describes her CV as a chronology of passions, explored and includes a decade as a tech-preneur running the bespoke gift company, which pioneered the personalized gift industry forever. A decade of corporate ascendancy running vast digital divisions of the world's largest CommEd conglomerates certifying in healing modalities. From hypnotherapy to executive coaching to her international impact, inspiring the working world through her keynotes, workshops in organizations like Google and Amazon. Her organization, Bianca Best, is dedicated to infusing the working world with graceful productivity, kind, leadership, and unlocked human potential whereby individuals and organizations flourish without burnout.    What You Will Hear in This Episode 02:30 Bianca's Journey: From Ambition to Entrepreneurship 03:53 The Birth of the Bespoke Gift Company 08:46 Balancing Motherhood and Business 10:43 Transition to Corporate Life 12:39 Overcoming Burnout and Finding Purpose 18:17 Graceful Productivity and Kind Leadership 30:24 The Ideal Work Environment for Women 35:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Quotes " I have always leaned into pursuing what has excited me and followed the potential opportunities, even if I felt a bit scared. " " If you don't pay attention to your natural rhythms and start healing yourself, then you are gonna be unable to sustain. " " If our attention is stolen, our time is stolen. And if our time is stolen, then inevitably our energy is stolen and it's a cascade of catastrophic negativity. " " Changing companies and leaving dead end jobs or toxic environments doesn't show weakness. It's owning who you are and honoring that, and that's badass. "   Mentioned BiancaBest.com Book: Big Impact without Burnout   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review  

Sandy Rosenthal was an ordinary citizen who became an extraordinary activist following Hurricane Katrina. After uncovering that defective flood walls built by the Army Corps of Engineers caused the disaster, Sandy founded the nonprofit levees.org and rallied over 25,000 supporters for safer infrastructure. Her book, 'Whispered in Water,' and her podcast, 'Beat The Big Guys,' continue to inspire change and empower listeners to take on powerful institutions and make a difference in their communities. Sandy shares her journey from a part-time copywriter to a relentless advocate for truth and accountability, highlighting the power of community mobilization and persistence.    What You Will Hear in This Episode   00:21 Meet Sandy Rosenthal: Uncovering a Scandal 02:08 The Day the Levees Broke 04:41 Life After the Disaster 09:51 Fighting Back: Founding Levees.org 12:33 Facing Harassment and Legal Battles 17:35 The Aftermath and Lessons Learned 21:22 Mobilizing Communities and Partnerships 33:03 Conclusion and Call to Action   Quotes " I'm gonna point out first that two thirds of the nation's population lives by levies and probably don't know it. " " You do have to ask the questions, and if you stop asking, and if it appears that you're not paying attention, that's when bad things can happen,  and that's when, I don't wanna call 'em the bad guys, but that's when the big guys win, when you stop paying attention." " It didn't take me long to realize that the big guys, like the Army Corps of Engineers are really just like bullies in the fourth grade playground. They're, they're big, but they're not smarter. They, they they, and, and the, they're elegant because they're big. And, and you know what happens when you're big and you're arrogant, you make big mistakes." " When that criticism comes, you need to look at it like free advice, free advice. What they're doing is they're finding problems with what you're doing and, and some of their points may actually be correct. They've actually helped you, even though they didn't mean to."   Mentioned SandyRosenthal.net Levees.org   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review  

 Feeling lost and purposeless when her youngest child left for college, Rita Lussier leaned into her writing and running to cope.  Forming a new morning routine along with the process of running and writing helped her find a new sense of purpose, culminating in the creation of her book, And Now Back To Me.  Rita is an award-winning journalist and writer whose column  'For The Moment' was a popular feature of the Providence Journal for a dozen years. Her writing has also been featured on National Public Radio in the Boston Globe, the New York Daily News, and many other publications. Rita enjoys coaching writers, conducting workshops, and has worked as a publicist and editor. She's taught at both University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College.   What You Will Hear in This Episode 01:12 Rita's Journey: From Empty Nest to Published Author 03:37 The Healing Power of Writing 05:04 Navigating Midlife Changes and Empty Nest Syndrome 06:51 The Emotional Rollercoaster of an Empty Nest 09:34 Finding New Purpose and Joy 13:29 Advice for Empty Nesters 26:45 Comparing Empty Nest Syndrome to Retirement 29:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Quotes " I think I'm at my best when I'm reaching out to others and using the things that I have learned and helping others with them." " The best advice I can give to anyone is to just acknowledge that this is a huge transition. You're going through a big change, and you need to be patient with yourself. It's not gonna happen right away, and I think women in particular are very patient with everybody and everything else in their lives, but maybe not necessarily themselves." " I think it's important to acknowledge the loss before you can really embrace a new beginning."  " I believe writing your life honors your life."   Mentioned https://www.ritalussier.com/ Instagram Facebook threads   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:  If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review  

Marcia Dawood's journey into angel investing began in 2012 when she attended an angel investing meeting in Pittsburgh. Previously working in sales, marketing, and operations within corporate America, she was intrigued and fascinated by the world of entrepreneurship and investing in early-stage companies. Initially unaware of the opportunities that existed locally and globally, Marcia quickly immersed herself in the field. Overcoming the misconceptions that one needs a finance degree or significant wealth to invest, she discovered that anyone with curiosity and willingness to learn could participate.  Marsha is the author of Do Good While Doing Well, Invest For Change, Reap Financial Rewards, and Increase Your Happiness. She's currently working on a new book. Unapologetic Wealth, and she's also an associate producer on the award-winning documentary. Show Her the Money.  She's a TEDx speaker, host of the Angel Nextdoor podcast, and she really walks the talk and holds investments in over 50 early stage companies and funds. Previously, Marsha worked in sales, marketing and operations for capital education for over 16 years. She received an MBA from the University of North Carolina, Keenan Flagler Business School.    What You Will Hear in This Episode:  02:23 Marcia's Journey into Angel Investing 04:07 Debunking Myths About Investing 05:53 Equity Crowdfunding Explained 12:24 Challenges for Women in Investing 15:10 Overcoming Investment Barriers 22:22 The Importance of Diversification 23:43 Marcia's Books and Resources 31:03 Conclusion and Final Thought   Quotes "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky. " You really don't have to have any, level of education other than to be curious and to surround yourself with other people who know a lot about, not just investing, but about the different industries. "  "We have been dealing with being held back from investing, from even getting a credit card, from owning property, you could go all the way back to when women got the right to vote. We weren't even allowed to have a credit card in our name until 1974. So there's a lot of things generationally that have happened that have held women back when it came to finances, and so. If we can start to demystify a lot of that, then we can hopefully get women to feel more comfortable with investing, with using their money for good."  "I just really believe that women need to be more unapologetic about money, about gathering information so that they can have more wealth."   Mentioned  www.marciadawood.com LinkedIn Facebook   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:  If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review

Yue Zhao's career began with aspirations rooted in a desire to help people, initially thinking she would become a doctor. However, her path led her into the tech industry, where she spent over 15 years as a product executive in Silicon Valley.  Discovering the power of executive and leadership coaching became a pivotal point in her career. Inspired by her experiences and driven by her commitment to support underrepresented groups, Yue transitioned from a tech executive to a full-time executive coach. She now focuses on advancing the careers of women and minorities by leveraging her unique insights and personal journey. Through her Substack newsletter, "The Uncommon Executive," and her coaching work, Yue shares valuable lessons on leadership, overcoming challenges, and creating more inclusive workplaces. Yue has coached hundreds of aspiring executives since 2016, is an instructor at Reforge and Maven and is the author of the Uncommon Executive: Breakthrough to the C-Suite as a Minority. She's also been a VC back founder, venture partner at Life X Ventures and a consultant at McKinsey and Company. Yue has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in Biomedical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley    What You Will Hear in This Episode:    02:16 Youi's Journey: From Aspirations to Reality 03:52 Discovering Executive Coaching 06:22 Challenges and Triumphs in Silicon Valley 09:20 Leveraging Unique Perspectives 13:37 Coaching Women and Minorities 17:27 Addressing Gender Bias and DEI Efforts 22:03 Building a Web of Influence 23:04 Challenges in Career Advancement 25:03 The Importance of Advocacy and Relationships 33:24 Creating Inclusive Work Environments   Quotes "Being able to empathize with multiple different perspectives is crucial." "Finding those moments where you can say, okay, who I am, and where I naturally come from, gives me a step up." "If I do the work and I do it really well, that'll get me ahead." "When you've been in environments where you see what great looks like, you're like, 'This should just be everywhere."   Mentioned: The Uncommon Executive subastack LinkedIn   eConnect with Bonnie Online Course for Ambitious Women: https://www.female-career-accelerator-online.com/ Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review  

Kathy Caprino began her professional journey with ambitions of working in publishing. However, she soon found herself navigating a corporate career filled with numerous challenges as she climbed the corporate ladder.  After a period of deep reflection, Kathy embraced her calling ultimately leading her to become an international career leadership and personal growth coach. She utilized her experiences and lessons learned to guide mid to high-level professionals toward achieving their highest potential.  Kathy is a writer, speaker, and executive trainer helping mid to high level professionals advance, thrive and reach their highest, most rewarding potential. A LinkedIn Top Voice and former corporate VP,  she's also a trained therapist, seasoned executive coach and a senior Forbes contributor and sought after media source on career issues. Kathy has authored two books, her latest is The Most Powerful You: Seven Bravery Boosting Paths to Career Blitz  is also a training course for individuals and organizations that she offers.  Kathy has been named a top 10 career coach for women and a leadership voice in the United States and globally.      What You Will Hear in This Episode:    01:48 Kathy's Early Career Journey 04:15 A Pivotal Moment 07:44 Lessons from Therapy 10:10 Empathy and Coaching 17:55 Understanding Power and Ambition 23:01 The Struggle with Societal Norms 28:23 The Power of Words 31:24 Recognizing Your Unique Talents and Owning Your Accomplishments   Quotes   "Reclaim your power by recognizing your value and the unique talents you bring to the table."  "Overcoming setbacks and imposter syndrome begins with believing in your own worthiness."  "Your story and experiences shape a unique and invaluable perspective. Celebrate that uniqueness every day."  True power comes from within. It's about acting on your behalf, advocating for yourself, and being the author of your life."  "It's not about the title or the position, but about the impact you want to make and the legacy you want to leave." - "Every setback is an opportunity for growth. Embrace it and let it propel you to new heights." "To empower others, we must first empower ourselves. Understand your strengths and use them to inspire those around you."   .Mentioned:   Kathycaprino.com Mostpowerfulyou.com Finding Brave Podcast LinkedIn Twitter/X     eConnect with Bonnie Online Course for Ambitious Women: https://www.female-career-accelerator-online.com/ Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review  

Emily June Wilcox grew up in rural Michigan with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian, earning a degree in animal science. Her early career took unexpected turns, from horse training to pharmaceutical sales and eventually entrepreneurship.   Emily is a wealth and business coach, number one bestselling author and speaker on a mission to help others heal their money wounds and build financially and personally fulfilling lives. She's built two seven figure businesses, an  e-commerce clothing company and an Amazon marketing agency.  Now she focuses on using energetics and strategy to help women build their femme powers and walk the joyous path to millions. Emily hosts a top 2% global podcast, The Joyous Path to Millions, and her work has been featured in more than 400 major media outlets including A-B-C-N-B-C, Fox Associated Press and the Wall Street Times.    What You Will Hear in This Episode:  02:28 Emily's Journey 08:30 Money Wounds Explained 12:37 Impact of Money Wounds on Women 12:57 Strategic and Energetic Approaches 25:40 Impact Versus Income 31:55 Finding Joy on the Path to Millions   Quotes "When we heal our hard money wound and we recognize that it's not about trading effort for income, it's about trading impact for income, then we start to orient differently." "Cultivate your inner environment, decide that every single day, no matter the external circumstances, you can find something to feel joyful about." "Entrepreneurship is a pretty unique personal development vehicle that most of us don't realize until we start doing it." "When we can get back to more of that understanding that money is a resource and that it really is independent of us as a human being and our contribution to the planet, the cleaner the energy becomes, and then we're better able to position ourselves to make more." .Mentioned: emilywilcox.com Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkedIn   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review  

Growing up in a family that didn't view a career in the arts as feasible, Kathryn Burnett pursued writing with determination, transitioning from magazine articles to professional screenwriting. She faced numerous challenges, particularly in a competitive industry that often overlooks middle-aged women. Post-menopause, Kathryn experienced a personal transformation, embracing her true self and taking greater creative risks. This shift led to a focus on complex, authentic female protagonists, inspired by real-life experiences and conversations. Her writing now champions strong, relatable women, pushing back against clichéd portrayals. Kathryn emphasizes the importance of defining personal success, trusting oneself, and not fearing failure. In addition to her creative work, she shares her insights through coaching writing and her book, 'The Productive Writer Guidebook.' Kathryn continues to explore new projects, driven by her passion for storytelling and commitment to depicting multifaceted female characters.    What You Will Hear in This Episode:  2:15 - Kathryn's Background and Journey  6:45 - Turning Point in Kathryn's Career 10:05 - Challenges in the Screenwriting Industry  15:30 - Defining Success  20:10 - Kathryn's Post-Menopause Transformation  25:00 - Impact on Writing  30:20 - The Power of Female Protagonists  35:55 - Inspiration Behind Kathryn's Play  40:15 - The Writer's Journey and Coaching  45:25 - Current and Future Projects  50:50 - Advice for Aspiring Writers    Quotes "There's always going to be someone with an opinion of you." "There's making a living and then there's making a great living." "The world doesn't fall over if you fail or get it wrong." "I think loads of creatives will tell you the same. It's just never a smooth journey. I mean, life never is."   Mentioned: www.kathryn-burnett.com LinkedIn Facebook Twitter/X   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review  

Inspired to push back against gendered ageism,  Stella Fosse  began writing vivid, sexy stories about older women inspired by an article by a 50-year-old romance writer in the New York Times that pushed her to challenge industry norms that favored younger characters.  Her involvement in a local writing series called "Dirty Old Women," where women over 50 read erotic stories to live audiences, further solidified her mission. Through her experiences in online dating in her 60s and meeting her partner at 62, Stella drew inspiration for her novels, including her first book, "Brilliant, Charming Bastard," and her later works centered on older women.  Stella Fosse spent many years as a technical writer in biotechnology, managing a demanding career while raising her four children. Upon retiring, she pursued her passion for storytelling. Stella continues to empower and encourage women over 50 to share their vibrant stories and creativity through her books, workshops, and blog.   What You Will Hear in This Episode:  01:17 Stella's Journey 05:28 Writing Workshops and Books 15:53 Pandemic and Creativity 18:33 Challenges of Writing and Marketing 21:35 Support and Community 30:15 Upcoming Projects   Quotes   "The key, I think, is to find the creativity within the marketing and publicity process." "I'm in my seventies now and when you've lived as long as I have, there is an awful lot of material to" draw from. "It's up to the woman to decide how she embraces and uses her own sexuality." "If she can see it, she can be it." "We're all unique and freeing ourselves to step out of the box and enjoy life is truly badass."     Mentioned: www.stellafosse.com Substack Instagram Facebook Linkedin   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review 8/19/2025

Rebecca "Becky" Faye Smith Galli's life is marked by resilience despite profound losses. She faced significant challenges, including the death of her brother, her son's degenerative disease and death, her daughter's autism, a divorce, and her own paralysis from transverse myelitis.  Despite these challenges, Becky has found strength and purpose through writing which led her to a writing career, authoring books and columns that inspire others with messages of love, loss, and healing. Becky's story highlights the importance of honesty, support systems, and finding positivity and purpose amidst adversity.  Her career began with a column in the Baltimore Sun, which evolved into a prolific writing journey. She has authored books such as "Rethinking Possible" and "Morning Fuel," which reflect her belief that life can still be good despite difficult circumstances. Her column, "Thoughtful Thursdays," continues to inspire her readers with lessons on resilience and positivity.   What You Will Hear in This Episode:  02:21 Becky's Personal Story 02:37 Learning from Grief and Loss 04:55 The Power of Honesty and Support 08:06 Resilience and Positivity 12:49 The Mind-Body Connection 14:49 Writing Therapy 24:56 Memoir Writing Process 30:08 Future Writing and Closing Remarks   Quotes "Sometimes the challenges that women face, no matter how significant, can lead to opening up new opportunities." "Your grief is as unique as your fingerprint." "Life can be good no matter what." "You can act your way into a new way of thinking."     Mentioned: BeckyGalli.com @ChairWriter Instagram Facebook Linkedin Twitter/X    eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:  If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review

Through her own journey of healing from multiple traumas, including an abusive relationship, Elyssa Smith studied and developed methods to hack the survival brain, rewiring the limiting beliefs that were keeping her stuck.  Elyssa is a trauma informed life strategist who helps female executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals squash their limiting beliefs and heal from hidden trauma so they can stop playing small and get to their next level.  As a nervous system regulation and mindset mastery expert, she now gets to equip other women with tools and techniques that not only saved her life and skyrocketed her business, but will actually reprogram their brains to unleash their wildest potential for unprecedented success and happiness. Elyssa has been featured in Forbes, she's been on the TEDx stage, and is a regular contributor on Fox 59 Morning News.    What You Will Hear in This Episode:  02:33 Elyssa's Personal Journey of Healing 04:43 The Impact of Hidden Trauma 06:53 Lessons Learned and Overcoming Self-Sabotage 12:41 Gender Differences in Self-Sabotage 15:10 Reprogramming the Brain for Lasting Change 22:23 Exploring Family Dynamics and Hidden Criticism 26:19 Understanding Healthy Attachment and Reparenting 31:28 The Concept of Tiny T Trauma 36:26 Addressing the Inner Critic   Quotes "We all have the potential to be a badass." "Our negative thoughts and beliefs, our fears, our self doubt, prevent us from stepping up and living our best life." "Your survival brain literally forms based on what you went through as a kid." "There's no healing in shame." "If you want lasting change, you've got to create new neural pathways." "The inner critic is the number one survival brain response."   Mentioned: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram   eConnect with Bonnie Online Course for Ambitious Women: https://www.female-career-accelerator-online.com/ Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review  

Lori Duff's journey began with strong academic success, which led her parents to steer her towards law school. Initially focused solely on her legal career, Lori truly discovered her love for creative writing after a challenging election loss in 2012. This moment of introspection prompted her to start blogging, humorously chronicling her husband's antics, which then evolved into a more public writing career. Lori is a lawyer, a judge, and an award winning writer.  She's a past president of the Georgia Council for Municipal  Court Judges, and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.  A two time winner of the Georgia Bar Journal's Annual Fiction Competition, she also won the Forward Indies Gold Medal for Humor,  and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists Annual Column Contest, and many other awards for her work.  Her new novel,  Devil's Defense, is a finalist in the American Book Fest Best Book Awards in General Fiction and Thriller Adventure categories and her novella, Broken Things, won the Georgia Independent Author of the Year Award for Literary Fiction.    What You Will Hear in This Episode:  01:46 Lori's Background 04:24 Journey to Writing 05:34 Balancing Law and Writing 15:20 Creative Inspirations 18:05 Character Development 30:46 Upcoming Projects   Quotes "People are complicated. Nobody thinks they're the bad guy." "Don't let anyone else tell you no. There's enough people telling you no."   Mentioned: loriduffwrites.com Substack @loriduffwrites Twitter: @loriduffwrites Facebook: Lori Duff Writes Instagram: @loriduffwrites LinkedIn: Lori Duff eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review  

Linda Descano's personal journey is an inspiring tale of resilience, adaptability, and unwavering determination. Raised in a traditional Italian Catholic family in South Philadelphia, Linda was instilled with the importance of education by her parents despite their lack of formal schooling. Influenced by strong, hardworking women in her family, Linda embraced the idea that she could be anything she wanted to be—that nothing could hold her back.  Linda is a certified financial advisor. She is now global Chief Integration and Marketing Officer for the Havas, Red Network, a Merge Media agency micro network within the Havas group.  In addition to overseeing the agency's global marketing and thought leadership activities, Linda provides communications counsel to clients across multiple industry sectors and stages of growth on brand reputation and corporate communication strategies and tactics.  This is not Linda's first career, she shares her inspiring story about her journey. Full disclosure, I met Linda years ago in New York City when she was in a different role and in fact, I was so inspired by her that I had to include her story in my book, Not Done Yet.    What You Will Hear in This Episode:    01:54 Linda's Early Life and Influences 04:09 Career Journey and Multiple Pivots 05:32 Facing Challenges and Overcoming Failure 10:05 The Power of Networking 30:56 Advice for Women Over 50   Quotes "You don't have to just be one thing. Keep learning, keep growing, and don't let anyone put you in a sandbox." "Build real relationships by being willing to give, not just take. Practice good karma and always be respectful." "Every experience teaches you something. Use failures as a learning opportunity to repackage your skills and present them in new ways". "Never let age be a barrier to success. Your experience is invaluable; it's all about how you present it and continue to learn."   Mentioned: LinkedIn   eConnect with Bonnie https://substack.com/@ownyourambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review.  

Terry Tateossian spent the majority of her adult life in a corporate environment, as an entrepreneur and business owner, all while struggling with significant weight issues. After failing with numerous diets and experiencing serious health scares, she realized that her problem wasn't physical but emotional. By addressing her emotional eating and adopting a holistic approach involving strength training, nutrition, and mindset, Terry managed to break free from the weight gain-loss rollercoaster. Today, she helps other women regain their confidence, ignite their well-being, find their true purpose with strength training, nutrition, and mindset through her ventures House of Rose and THOR Retreats where individuals can kick start their journey into wellbeing on their own while surrounded by the magnificent Cherokee National Forest and Smoky Mountains. Terry has been recognized as Inc. 5000's fastest growing company in America in 2020, Inc. 2020 Best Places to Work, New Jersey Biz Top 40 Under 40, Future 50 Fastest Growing Companies in New Jersey, New York, Women President Organizations 50 Fastest Growing Women Owned Companies, and many, many other awards.    What You Will Hear in This Episode:    01:05 Terry's Struggle with Obesity 01:55 Founding the House of Rose and Thor Retreats 03:41 Terry's Personal Transformation 06:25 The Emotional Eating Cycle 12:12 Mindset and Taking Action 23:11 The Role of Confidence 25:16 Coaching Women to Regain Confidence 31:17 Final Advice and Holistic Approach   Quotes   "We all have blind sides that we are just not necessarily aware of." "A lot of women as well as men have an emotional eating addiction." "It's very difficult to change your mindset without taking action towards the direction that you want to go into." "When people are not ready there's really no amount of coaching, cheering or talking or therapy that's going to convince someone who's not willing to take the chance or take a step forward." "Finding a balance between not confident and confident is where you really want to be... you're insecure enough to ask for help and to look for answers."   . Mentioned: Website: thehouseofrose.com Instagram: How Good Can It Get?   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review.  

Jamie Mittelman was inspired to live life with passion and fervor after experiencing the loss of her father.   A lover of sports and a deep believer in the power of stories to change lives, Jamie found her passion and purpose  in elevating women's stories at the highest level of sports.  Jamie is the founder and host of Flame Bearers, a platform dedicated to celebrating and sharing the stories of elite women athletes. With a master's degree in public administration from Harvard and seven years of experience in both the corporate and nonprofit communication sectors, Jamie is a passionate advocate for gender equity in sports. Throughout her life, sports have been a source of joyous, challenging, and defining moments, shaping her commitment to elevating diverse voices and inspiring people of all ages with powerful stories of perseverance and achievement.    What You Will Hear in This Episode:  01:56 Jamie's Journey and Mission 11:42 The Future of Women's Sports 15:57 Challenges of Female Athletes 30:43 Where to Start and Final Thoughts    Quotes "I realized that life is not a dress rehearsal and it really pushed me to challenge how I thought of myself, what I was doing every day and to go for exactly what I wanted." "Anyone can find their inner Olympian or Paralympian if they've never even played sports before." "The traits that make Olympians and Paralympians literally the best in the world are traits that I can copy, you can copy." "Small actions can lead to big change."   .Mentioned: Website: Flamebearers.com LinkedIn: Jamie Mittelman Instagram: Flame Bearers TikTok: Flame Bearers Facebook: Flame Bearers Twitter/X: Flame Bearers eConnect with Bonnie https://substack.com/@ownyourambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:  If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review.  

  Faith Roswell began her career unexpectedly when she was approached by a talent scout while studying for a degree in creative writing. This encounter led her to become an internationally recognized artist model. During her modeling career, Faith wrote extensively about her solo travel and adventure experiences. Her journey took a significant turn after blowing the whistle on a dangerous photographer who was later jailed. She began to look into what she could do to help freelancers, especially in creative industries, stay safe and she soon found that most of the self defense classes focused on the physical fighting which barely scratched the surface of what else was possible.  Faith was inspired to develop a new approach called Armor for Life.  Saith has recently been working as a researcher for one of the most popular true crime podcasts online.   As a freelance writer, she specializes in travel, film, self defense, and women's rights.    What You Will Hear in This Episode:  01:50 Faith's Journey to Becoming a Model and Advocate 02:45 Outing a Dangerous Photographer 03:57 Developing Armor for Life 08:29 Combat Psychology and Self-Defense 17:15 Empowering Women Through Solo Travel 24:04 Faith's Memorable Adventures 30:40 Final Thoughts and Advice   Quotes "There's no need to be charming when someone is threatening us or someone is behaving in a way that feels off." "When women make the decision to out a predator, I don't think that's a decision that's ever taken lightly." "You shouldn't be afraid to be alone." "Learn to keep calm in a situation where you're afraid." "Trust your gut instinct."   Mentioned: Faithroswell.co.uk Instagram @armourforlife   eConnect with Bonnie https://substack.com/@ownyourambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:   If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review.