Real Women's Work Podcast

Some places change you the moment you arrive. Alnoba is one of them. In this conversation, Wendy Peirce, Vice President of Salles, shares how her path led her to Alnoba—and why this land, this work, and this community feel so deeply alive. What begins as a leadership and team development retreat quickly reveals itself as something much more: a space where nature, spirituality, and real human connection come together in a way that's hard to put into words… but impossible to forget. We talk about the vision of Alnoba's founders, Alan and Harriet Lewis, and their deep reverence for the land—how conservation, philanthropy, and community impact aren't side notes here, they're the foundation. Wendy reflects on how being in nature naturally softens us, opens us, and invites the kind of curiosity and honesty that real growth requires. There's a strong throughline in this conversation: growth doesn't happen when we're comfortable. It happens when we're willing to step into the unknown, ask better questions, and stay present—even when it's uncomfortable. Alnoba creates the conditions for that kind of transformation, both for individuals and for teams trying to lead with more alignment, purpose, and heart. This episode is about leadership, yes—but it's also about listening, relationships, and what becomes possible when we slow down enough to let a place work on us.   Find Alnoba by clicking here. 

Do you live with "The Curse"? When voicing your opinion have you beed asked if you are "on the rag"?  How society speaks about menstruation hurts women. It has caused us to believe we are "crazy", unreliable, and impossible to deal with during "that time of the month". It affects our lives- the choices we make, the way we talk to and think of ourselves, and the narratives we live by and pass on to our children.  What if it were different? What if we were able to tap into the power that comes from hormones? Not in a hippy-dippy way, but in a science backed biological way? What if hearing from Menstraul Health Coach Tara McCann changed the way you planned your weeks and months to be more productive, efficicient, and respectful to yourself? I did this interview about six weeks before I am writing this and it has changed the way I move through life. I feel empowered and like I have a better understanding of how to work with my hormones instead of fighting or suffering through them.  I also learned some powerful language shifts that will make the world a better and more empowered place for everyone. Tara is a wealth of knowledge and her goals are inspiring, hopeful, and powerful!  Listen in as I chat with Tara McCann, Menstrual Health Coach. 

Do you know what a forensic psychologist does? Are you sure? Most of us think we know what a foresnsic psychologist does from watching LA Law, SVU, and other crime shows. In this episode, Kate Wallinga not only gives us an idea of what the work of a foresnic psychologist is, she adds in the humanity. From court room to prison, Kate's vast background is hard to imagine choosing. Listening to her talk about her work is both eye opening and humbling. Her words inspired me to dig deeper to see the humanity in everyone and gave me a new (and more accurate) understanding of the work of a forensic psychologist.  Listen in as I talk to Kate Wallinga, foresnsic psychologist. 

We have all heard the term "Life Coach" but what does it actually mean? What does a LIfe Coach do?  Trisha Gudka was at a dangerous point in her life. The joy was gone. As a mom of two young children the expectations and realities did not line up. This led to unhappiness and depression. She was at a critical moment. Fortunately, Trisha was able to find resources, tools, and practices that brought her out of deperession and into happiness, joy, and love. Now, she spends her life helping other mums who want it do the same. This interview is so relatable. We all know the moment of responding to our children in a way that is disconnected, not present, and even unkind. We wish we had done better.  This is where Trisha's work comes in. She helps busy mums who are looking for it find tools and resources to help them get connected to their life again. To help them do what might feel impossible... find joy in the every day. I know it sounds grandiose or like a pipe dream. But a lot of people experience a major shift when they use the right tools and practices.  Trisha spends her days not only finding tools and resources but learning how to put them into practice. She runs group coaching programs so that mums can learn together and from each other. Trisha's work provides hope-- often times to those who need it the most; mums. Listen in as Trisha shares her vulnerable story, what led her to this work, and how she does it.    Find Trisha by clicking here. 

Yes, Cheryl Holling talks about what it was like to create a podcast out of thin air and bring it to a multiple award winning pocast. Yes, Cheryl talks about her exiting work as a voice talent. This conversation veers deeper. In her incredible, love-filled voice, Cheryl offers us practical inspiration on how to offer kindness to those who are having a hard time. Her experience with her two pocasts; 19 Stories and The Voice Kitchen meld together beautifully to remind us why belonging matters, how kindness and love can positively shape a life, and the importance of staying flexible.  Listen in not only to Cheryl's unique experience but to her beautiful thoughts and words that can make each of our lives better! Find Cheryl and her work by clicking here. 

Not a sports fan? No worries—this episode is still absolutely for you. Sasha Graham, former Walt Disney executive and Oregon farm kid turned award-winning podcaster, joins me to talk about what it really means to live a life that feels good, positive, and meaningful. Her podcast, Sports Will Save Us All, has earned multiple awards and now sits in the top 2% of podcasts globally. I wasn't just curious about how she built all this as a fellow podcast host—I was curious as someone who's ambitious, but who sometimes lets self-doubt get in the way. So when our conversation quickly turned toward self-limiting beliefs, it felt perfectly on cue. Yes, we talk about sports. But we also talk about the warm, vulnerable space Sports Will Save Us All creates in the world, and the unexpected real-time coaching Sasha gives on how to bring an idea not only to life, but beyond anywhere we imagined it could go. Listen in as Sasha and I explore how sports—and storytelling—just might save us all. Find Sasha here:  Sports Will Save Us All Website Sports Will Save Us All on Instagram

In this episode, I step back from interviewing and instead reflect on what I learned while hosting my three-part series on the Salem witch trials. These conversations left a mark on me—deeply, unexpectedly—and today I'm sharing the insights that stayed long after the microphones were turned off.

Rebecca Nurse hauntingly accepted her fate at the gallows with little objection. She was 71 years old — frail, devout, and undeserving of the cruelty that met her. Her story is one of the saddest and most human of all the Salem Witch Trials. In this episode, we focus on one life lost amid the hysteria — and in doing so, the conversation goes somewhere I never expected. Yes, we talk about who Rebecca was, the circumstances surrounding her conviction, and how Kathryn Rutkowski, President of the Rebecca Nurse Homestead, works to preserve and share her story. But about twenty minutes in, the discussion takes a deeply moving turn. By speaking about a woman she knows so well — someone who lived more than 300 years ago — Kathryn helps us touch something timeless. Through Rebecca's story, we explore not only what it means to be human, but what it would look like if we truly showed up for each other with compassion in real time, rather than centuries later. This moment wasn't planned. It unfolded naturally, and I feel deeply honored to have been part of it. If you want to understand more about the Salem Witch Trials, I encourage you to listen to the full episode — it offers rich context, even if you're not already drawn to the subject. But if you want to hear one of the most powerful and heartfelt conversations I've ever had, start around the 18-minute mark.

Deep down, I think we all know that history matters. Yet for many of us, the way we learned it in school made it feel distant and inaccessible. It was out of context — abstract, detached from real people and real lives. But when we recall a story from the past centered on an individual, something shifts. Suddenly, we're interested. The details stop feeling like a "history lesson" and become a human story — something that happened to someone. We lean in, curious, engaged, wanting to know more. Paula Richter, curator of the Salem Witch Trials 1692 exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum, brings that human element to life. She not only personalizes the experiences of both the accusers and the accused, but also models a powerful way of thinking: that learning new perspectives matters. Evaluating information through a fresh lens can broaden our understanding and reshape our views. Recognizing that every story is influenced by countless factors — circumstances, relationships, and individual choices — helps us feel more connected to one another and to reality itself. By exploring the Salem Witch Trials more deeply, I've come to realize that we're learning about far more than the late 1600s in what would become the United States. Gaining a clearer sense of what life was like then, how events unfolded, and how people responded in the aftermath reminds me that nothing is ever purely black and white. Living in the gray gives me more space for compassion, curiosity, and acceptance. Make no mistake: this episode focuses on the facts of the Salem Witch Trials as they're currently understood. There was no intention to make it about anything else. Yet what I took away from this conversation — and from this entire series — has truly shaped me into a better version of myself. Listen in as Paula helps us uncover more about the individuals at the heart of the Salem Witch Trials — the accused, the accusers, the murdered, their neighbors, ministers, and government officials. They were all real people, and we talk about all of them. We also explore how we know so much about this period, and how our understanding of history continues to evolve as historians discover more and technology advances. Listen in now!

There is so much about the Salem With Trials that I had wrong. The more I dug in, the more I saw that all who were involved were real actual humans. They had famlies and jobs and homes and neighbors. Yet, so often when I thought of the Salem Witch Trials it was with an almost dark entertainment fascination- as though the people involved were not human at all. Rather, they were some kind of mutant variation stupid enough to let this happen around them. The more I learned, the more that time period became alive to me. I started to know the people by name. Know some of their background. Understand some of the relationships and circumstances. I learned the broader picture that included the European witch panic. Before I knew it, there was a reverence and deep sadness that came over me every time I thougth of the Salem Witch Trials. As I got to better know the people who were invovled I started to feel upset when people made jokes about them or when misunderstandings were perpetuated.  This is what made me want to do this series. I wanted experts to not only help me learn more, but help anyone else who wanted to learn, too.  Because now I know that history really does repeat itself and that if we removed "Salem Witch Trials" from this episode, listeners might wonder which event --historical or current-- we were actually talking about. This episode is about a set of circumstances several hundred years ago whose characteristics are so universal they can be applied to many, many situations between then and now. It is about real women, history, its role in our lives, and how it even changes with time! Rachel Christ-Doane is incredible. She is articulate, insightful, patient, knowlegeable, and oh so passionate about sharing her knowledge about the Salem Witch Trials. Her role as the Director of Education at the Salem Witch Museum gives her a breadth of experience that is valuable to all of us.  Listen in. Share the episode. Tell your friends. This is another awesome woman doing Real Women's Work!  

If you've ever been to the Portsmouth Halloween Parade, you know — it's one of the most connected nights in Portsmouth. People are a little kinder to each other, more curious, quicker to laugh and accommodate. It's so, so special. And this is just the beginning. From Monster Troupe to Thriller dancers, Mrs. Ropers, and countless imaginative costumes in between, creativity shines everywhere — inspiring even those who didn't expect to feel it. The night takes on a magical energy, a collective spirit we all help create, drawing us together in the most beautiful way. For years, I've wondered how this happens — how a volunteer-run, community-driven event flows so smoothly and joyfully. Why do even those of us who simply come to watch feel so deeply invested in its success? Amanda Giles gives her time each year to help make this incredible night come to life. In this episode, she shares her thoughts on where this energy comes from — and what it really takes to make the parade happen year after year. They say it's small groups of people who create real, meaningful change. To me, there's no better example of that than the Portsmouth Halloween Parade — a night filled with connection, creativity, love, joy, and community that truly changes the world, one October evening at a time. Listen in — and if you haven't been, come join us this year!   Here is the website for the Portsmouth Halloween Parade!  

Is there a little voice that nags at you? Does it grab at your shoulder and pull at your sweater and say "come here! come here! Look! This is the thing you want to try! This is the thing you want to do!" Do you want to listen to it? To go where it leads you and jump all in to try the thing that seems to exciting- the thing that feels like it's meant for you to do? Every once in a while do you think you really can do it only to snap out of the "daydream" and realize the life you are dreaming of is only meant for special people?  What if the thing that is stopping you is a lack of confidence?  What if there were a way to build it?  Can I Build My Confidence? Acquiring confidence is harder than it seems- if it weren't, more of us would be doing the things we long to do. Maybe it's training for a marathon, going back for a degree, starting a bakery, or submitting that piece for publication- whatever it is, something stops us from pursuing it. We may tell ourselves it's laziness or that we just don't have what it takes to live the life we want. We might find it easier to stay small and quiet and keep doing the things that do not draw attention to ourselves.  But still... every now and then... that little nagging voice reminds us of what we really want- and for just a brief moment we believe it's possible. We can see the life we desire so clearly it feels like we already have it. But the moment passes and we get back to the business of living the lives we are "supposed" to live.  We might become depressed, lethargic, or acquiesce ourselves to the lives we seemed doomed to. A life full of humdrum, boredom, and living it in a way that utilizes none of our skills or talents.  If only there were a way to find the confidence to take action toward the life we want... Good News! Confidence can be Acquired! Confidence is not something we are either born with or without- it is something we can acquire at any point in our life. Developing our confidence is an actionable practice! But most of us have no idea where to start. This is where Anna Marcolis, Psychotherapist and Confidence Coach comes in.  From taking action regardless of feelings to building our comptence to create our confidence, in this episode, Anna shares real and proven ways of developing our confidence so we can create the life we want.  If you long to have a life that is fuller, richer, and utiilzes your unique gifts, listen in as Anna and I have an honest and candid conversation about confidence.  You can Find Anna Marcolin Here: On her website On Instagram      

Have you ever wondered who writes the articles in your favorite magazines? How do they know what to say? What makes you read it? Where do they find the courage to be vulnerable and how do they know where to draw the line? Are you yourself a writer (maybe even secretly)? Do you want writing be your work? Do you wonder how to effectively pitch a publication, how to submit, and how to get your writing noticed?  If any of these strike a chord you do not want to miss today's episode! Estelle Erasmus found herself fired from her first job. Want to guess why? She was caught reading at the library (true story!). This was the beginning of what would turn into her life's work; surrounding herself with words and stories, turning them into music on a page, getting paid for it, and helping others learn how to do the same. It's not all business, though. Estelle also shares personal and professional experiences -such as becoming a mother during midlife and guesting on the soap opera Guiding Light- as they relate to her life and career.  In her recent release "Writing that Gets Noticed", Estelle gives us access to the information she shares with her students at Writers Digest and New York University School of Professional Studies. She explains both the business and craft of writing. From what makes a pitch effective and how to tighten up our work to explaining the different genres of essays, Estelle reveals a path flooded with light and support for those of us who have always dreamed of getting our writing noticed.  Where to Find Estelle: Click here to learn about and order "Writing that Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published" Click here for Estelle's website.  Click here for Estelle's Online Pitching Class with Writers Digest.     

What is it like when you get dressed in the morning? Do you walk into your closet happy and excited to put on the clothes you choose? Or do you try on three different pairs of pants, two skirts, and six tops in hopes of finding something that will cover up {insert part of your body you think poorly of here}?   Do you step each leg into your shapeware shoving in as much of your body as you possibly can thinking it is just a normal part of being a woman? What is it like when you are on the playground with your kids? Do you laugh exubererantly while you run around chansing them? Or do you worry about what is jiggling- convinced it should cause you shame?  How about at the beach? Or the pool? Is swimsuit shopping a time for you to find something to swim in? Or is it a time when you speak the meanest to yourself? Do you search desperately for an option that will hide as much of you as humanly possible while still being able to cool down in the water? Or maybe you skip the water all together because wearing a bathing suit is almost the deepest shame of all? How do you eat? Do you count calories? Intermittent fast? Have you been on a diet for decades only to gain weight?  Have you been prescirbed weight loss by medical professionals?  Are you sure to get in an extra 30 minutes at the gym so you can enjoy dessert on date night? Do you loathe exercise but believe it is necessary if you want to "manage your weight"? What if all of that is a narrative we have been fed for a purpose that does not serve us? What if it actually harms us? What if we spend most of our days berating ourselves, beating ourselves up, starving ourselves, missing out on life with the people we love and more for science that doesn't exist? And we do it all in exchange for advnacing our careers, living fully with our families, building the business we have always wanted to build and exploring the things that bring us joy so we can do more of them. Join us as Dr. Lisa Folden, Weight Inclusive Physical Therapist and Anti-Diet Health & Body Image Coach, helps us understand Diet Culture, moving joyfully, health, lazy medicine, health vs. weight, taking up space, and learning to live this one beautiful, precious life out loud! Find Dr. Lisa Folden here: Website Instagram Other References mentioned in show: No Weigh Association for Size Diversity & Health  

Does it happen to you, too? Forehead dripping with sweat, hear trate reaching 180, hands so clammy you cannot hold the ice cold water glass you desperately want to sip from to get rid of the cotton that somehow found its way to lining your mouth?  And then it's time for you to speak... in front of other people... and the whole world around you begins to spin... It's called Glassophobia and it's believed to affect more than 75% of people. But it's not just speaking in front of large groups that affects many of us, it's speaking up at PTA meetings, in social situations, and even at family gatherings. We women have been conditioned to shrink and quiet ourselves- not only when public speaking but in every element in our lives. When it comes to advanacing our career, sharing messages of impact, and participating in the conversations happening around us, getting comfortable speaking matters. In this epsiode, Speaking Confidence Coach and author of Delight in the Limelight Linda Ugelow digs into the root circumstances that cause us to fear showing ourselves and making ourselves heard. Through her diverse background with music, movement, psychology, and more Linda takes us down a path to help us become confident showing up, speaking up, and going after the things we want. Linda's book; "Delight in the Limelight" is indeed an incredible tool for those who want to get over their fear of speaking in front of others. Its message is also invaluable for helping each of us get back to who we are so we can be comfortable showing up and creating the life we want. Listen in as Linda and I talk about healing, speaking, being visible, and rewriting the rules in a real and practical way.  Where to find Linda and Delight in the Limelight: Linda and Delight in the Limelight Linda on Instagram  

Did you know that the US has a shortage of welders? Me either. But after reading a NYT article in 2009, Pa'Trice Frazier took a trip to her local school to ask if the statistics were true. Sure enough, the instructors confirmed that the US had a shortage of 150-200K welders on their hands. Pa'Trice signed up on the spot to become a welder. After becoming a certified welder, Pa'Trice spent the next years of her life traveling the US. How did she find work? She showed up where project job crews ate. She'd tell them she was a badass welder and asked if they needed one. This is how Pa'Trice began her career and how she gained the skills to become an award winning welder. From Mercedes Benz Stadium and Seaport Musuem in Atlanta to submarines, Pa'Trice has worked in tight spaces, fun spaces, and on time crunches. Pa'Trice is really, really good at what she does. In fact, Pa'Trice believes women have an advantage when it comes to welding. Pa'Trice could have stopped there; kept working hard, earning an excellent income, and excelling at her career. But this is not in Pa'Trice's nature.  In 2019 Pa'Trice founded Weld Jointed to guide young people who are looking for something more from life. She saw a path for youth who were looking for it; fill the gap that our nation needed to secure our infrastructure and give these young people a solid path as a welder.  Now, when Pa'Trice isn't letting it burn, baby, she serves as a self designated Welding Ambassador. She visits schools and events to talk to young people about welding. She mentors youth by helping them get into a welding program, find a job when they come out, and even get their PPE to get them started. She guides these young people into an incredible career! Imagine having had a Pa'Trice in your life?! Pa'Trice is one of these people who just keeps doing the work she is doing. She has too much to do to kick back admiring her life. Our interview was almost over before Pa'Trice causally mentioned the curriculum she is developing for prisoners! While Pa'Trice recognizes the importance of this work, she sees it as no big deal that she is the one doing it. In her opinion God gave her the ability to help, so she does. And "oh yeah". Pa'Trices latest work was BUILDING A HOT WHEEL- like a real, life size Hot Wheel, in Europe, with NBC and Peacock!  Getting to know Pa'Trice is a gift. Her wisdom, experience, and get shit done mentality remind me that forward motion is always possible. Do yourself a favor and don't miss this conversation with Pa'Trice Frazier; Master Welder and founder of Weld Jointed.  Find Pa'Trice here: Weld Jointed On Instagram        

Have you ever seen those gorgeous videos from your favorite brands- you know, the ones that show how they make their jelly or jewelry (or maybe even their beautiful tulip farm!) and wonder who makes them? Have you noticed the continuity in the images and video and appreciated that it tells you a story so you can really know the brand? Or maybe you've noticed there is an important person missing from your family photos (YOU!) and you'd like to become more confident being in them? Are you a photographer who would like to add Brand Photography, Strategy, and Video Storytelling to your services? If you are curious about any of these you will love getting to know Nicole Bedard! Nicole is a Brand Photographer, Strategist, and Video Storyteller who left her technical career in pursuit of a creative, joy filled life. It started with a flyer that made her think "wow! imagine if that was my work?! That would be so fun!" and has evolved into her most recent iteration- Drone Pilot! Yeah- there aren't many women who can put that next to their name! In this episode Nicole tells us what her work is, how she does it and how she has opted into a career she loves. Nicole also shares what it is like to watch women find confidence showing themselves to the world! Find Nicole here: Nicole Bedard Photo and Video On Instagram EXCITING UPDATE: Nicole is launching her first class! The Brand of Business Photography is available by clicking this link.   

In twenty years and beyond it will be interesting to look back and see the good that came out of the pandemic. Yes, it was a long and awful ride. It also gave us things we may not have found otherwise. Ready or Not! Media is one of those things.  The pandemic gave Lori Frisher a new view. Lori was the first recipient of Cochlear Implants and relies extensively on lip reading. When masks suddenly covered the mouths of those she was speaking with, the world changed.  Lori also became seriously ill during the pandemic. Communication was complicated at best and Lori understood the importance of accessilibty in a new way. Hence, Ready or Not! Meida was born.  Now, Lori spends her days bringing disability and diveristy inclusion to the forefront of businessses and organizations. Her method is one of open heartendness and curiosity. Through reaching out to people to talk about their DEI+A (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, plus accessibility) plan, Lori is bringing awareness through conversation and it doesn's stop there.  In addition to marketing and branding campaigns, public speaking, and event management serivces, Lori offers companies and individuals the opportunity to engage in experiential trainings. Trainings that allow us to better understand disability to make accessiblity and inclusion tangible.  Listen in as Lori and I talk about her story, her work, and her views for the future. Lori Frisher is powerful. This is how she works. You can connect with Lori Frisher and Ready or Not! Media here: Ready or Not! Media Website  Top Shelf Baskets Website Lori Frisher on LinkedIn  

Shark Tank may have been your introduction to Mrs. Goldfarb, too! As an avid watcher of Shark Tank I specifically remember when Jenny appeared. I was so excited to see a vegan deli meat on the show! Jenny's energy, passion, commitment and joy burst throught the screen. I found myself not only cheering her on but thrilled that she got a deal with one of my favorite Shark's; Mark Cuban. A couple of months ago Jenny's name popped up in a bunch of my vegan Facebook groups- turns out, Unreal Deli was launching in the service deli of Hannaford Supermarket! Do you know what the service deli is? It's the counter where you take a nubmer and order your deli meat and cheese. And a vegan deli meat was launching! From rolling a suitcase of samples into a local deli to the ailsles of Whole Foods, in this episode Jenny walks us through what it was like to get started in this space and bring her product mainstream. It's a remarkable story that goes back to Romania over a hundred years ago. In addition to sharing what her days are like, how she knows how much product to send to Whole Foods, and what it's like to work with a co-packer, Jenny also shares with us inspiraiton, wisdom, and belief in every one of us. This is an episode you do not want to miss!  Click here to find your nearest Hannaford Supermarket Click here to order your Unreal Deli directly!    

Which catalogs have arrived in your mailbox lately? For me this week it was LL Bean and J. Jill. I love looking through catalogs but never thought much about how they are created.  What surprised me after talking with Jess is how personal this process is. Jess really gets to know her clientele and puts so much thought into what they want. Jess and her team choose every item that makes it into their catalog. This is done through a process of getting to know her clientele and then finding the items they would like to buy. From attending fashion trade shows to find product all the way through working with the creative team to get the right photos and copy, Jess and her team are responsible for every item that makes it into their catalog. Then Jess is responsible for understanding which items did well, which might deserve another shot, and which are just not what her buyer is looking for. There's a whole business behind a catalog- well, duh! But I never connected it until talking with Jess. The whole process is fascinating and I will never look at catalog the same way again! In addition to all of this, Jess has created a beautiful and intentional life- one that values family, friends, team, and relationships more than anything it seems. Listen in to hear not how these beautiful catalogs are created but to see life imitating art yet again.