Dare to Disrupt with Zenica Chatman

Consider this a gardener's guide to getting unstuck. In this episode, Zenica breaks down the real reason so many of us feel out of rhythm, stuck, or questioning ourselves: we’re trying to skip the season we’re actually in. Using a powerful gardening metaphor (and one very dramatic basil plant), she explores the four phases of growth— planning, planting, cultivating, and harvesting —and why ev...

You do not have to quit your job to be free! So many ambitious women say they want more freedom...more time, more creativity, more space to breathe, but they are waiting for permission to claim it. It's time for you to stop living in the freedom gap. This is what I call that space between the freedom you want and the freedom you have access to right now. In this episode, Zenica breaks down wh...

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month , and this week we’re tackling a crisis that too often goes unseen at work. On this episode, Zenica sits down with advocate, author, and survivor Melody Gross   to explore how domestic violence impacts women far beyond their homes and how this toxic behavior impacts workplaces. They unpack the parallels between toxic relationships and toxic work culture...

You've heard me say things like “HR is for the company, not the employee.” But is that the full story? In this powerful conversation, HR expert Heather Holland joins me to bust the biggest myths about HR, explain how to protect yourself in toxic workplaces, and share what every woman should know about documentation, boundaries, and building allies. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast a...

In honor of National Bullying Prevention Month , we’re revisiting one of the most powerful episodes of the Dare to Disrupt podcast. In this deeply personal episode, Zenica shares how she rebuilt her confidence, reclaimed her peace, and learned to trust her own worth after enduring workplace bullying at her dream job. Whether you’re healing from a toxic environment or supporting someone who is, thi...

This week’s episode almost didn’t happen and that's probably a good thing. Because while I was sulking about having to pivot yet again, I came across a trend called The Great Lock-In , and it reminded me of something I’ve seen in my own life and with my clients: transformation doesn’t come from coasting. It comes from deciding to lean in, even when it would be easier to lean out. In this epis...

Ever feel like you've given it your all, but you've hit a wall? And now you've got nothing left? In this episode, Zenica shares two moments from her own journey of navigating workplace bullying and growing this very podcast that left her feeling exactly the same way. She shares what she learned about separating pain from suffering in the stories we tell ourselves, shifting from outc...

Let's be real...job hunting in 2025? Let’s be real—it feels a little like the Hunger Games out here. Between endless applications, interview anxiety, and rejection fatigue, it’s easy to lose confidence (and your sanity). That’s why I sat down with executive coach Alison Begor to talk about how to navigate the search differently. From managing rejection and spotting red flags to reframing inte...

School maybe over, but your learning isn’t. This mini pod is your reminder that  continuous learning is the ultimate glow-up, because it sparks confidence, connection, and creativity.  Drop your voice in the survey and email me at zenica@zenicachatman.com to tell me your “extra credit” goal for the season. Bonus: fill it out the survey by Friday for a chance to win a pumpkin spice latte on me . 

Remember recess? Swing sets, jump ropes, and that sweet break from the classroom grind? Turns out, that little slice of joy wasn’t just for kids — it was the original reset button. In this episode, Zenica shares why recess never stopped being good for us, we just stopped giving ourselves permission to take it. From sharper focus and emotional regulation to stronger connections and movement that fe...

Before you sharpen your goals this season, make sure your backpack is stocked. It’s back-to-school season, and while we may not be shopping for crayons and Trapper Keepers anymore, grown women still need the right supplies to thrive. In this episode, Zenica shares three essentials every woman should pack in her “grown woman backpack” to step into a new season with confidence: boundaries, courage w...

In this mini episode, I’m inviting you to pause and check in with yourself before burnout makes a decision for you today that you might regret later. Too many women are rationalizing away their little bits of daily joy—lipstick, room sprays, rest—and calling it self-discipline. Sis, it’s not; it's self-sacrifice. In this short but powerful reflection, I’m sharing 3 reflection questions to hel...

Sis, if your job offers paid time off and you’re not using it, you’re basically donating money back to the company—and we’re not in the business of unpaid charity work. In this summer flashback episode, we’re talking rest, resistance, and why your dream vacation might just be the productivity hack you didn’t know you needed. From ancestral hustle trauma to alligators in kitchens (yes, really), thi...

This week, I’m taking a moment to rest and soak up summer, but I didn’t want to leave you hanging. In this special Summer Rewind episode, we’re circling back to a powerful conversation on the difference between fighting systems and fighting each other. Inspired by the book Sisterhood Heals and a viral moment in Olympic gymnastics, I unpack how white supremacy and patriarchy pits women—especially B...

What does your relationship with money have to do with overwork and burnout? More than you might think. In this very personal episode, Zenica shares the behind-the-scenes story of how she paid off nearly $14,000 in consumer debt in four months—and why the most important transformation wasn’t financial, but emotional and energetic. From releasing shame to rewriting her beliefs about freedom, she un...

If someone looked at your calendar today, would they see a life you’re proud of—or just a long list of obligations? In this honest and deeply personal episode, Zenica opens up about how her calendar once reflected survival, not joy. She explores how our schedules reveal more than our plans—they expose our priorities, our hidden beliefs, and the stories we’re telling ourselves about who we need to...

This week, we're calling out one of the biggest lies we tell ourselves: “I'll do it when things slow down.” In this episode, I’m breaking down the myths that keep high-achieving women stuck in cycles of overwork, guilt, and delay—and what it really takes to reclaim your time (and summer) with intention. If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect time” to start living differently, this is yo...

You’ve been doing all the things — checking the boxes, showing up early, staying late, raising your hand — and yet… the breakthrough still hasn’t come.  In this episode, Zenica is unpacking why "going hard" isn’t a strategy — and how so many high-achieving women (especially Black women) get trapped in a cycle of overwork with no payoff.  Taking insights from her dual professions as an ex...

You don't need another to-do list, you just need to move with intention. In this episode, Zenica shares a personal story of how reclaiming summer for herself became a crucial part of her journey to success. She encourages you to reflect on your own summer experiences and consider how you can create a summer focused on personal fulfillment and intentionality. Ready to take back your summer. Bo...

In this episode, Zenica addresses a listener question about rebuilding confidence after leaving a leaving a toxic job. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and dropping the lies implanted by toxic work environments, grounding yourself in truth, and taking consistent action to rebuild confidence. Zenica shares her own personal experience with workplace bullying and practical strategies to h...

In this episode, Zenica wraps up the series 'Sis Put It Down' by sharing personal stories and practical strategies for reclaiming your time, voice, and vision. This episode emphasizes the importance of small shifts in to achieve liberation from overwork and encourages listeners to take actionable steps towards personal growth and self-care. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Liberation from...

In this episode, Zenica explores the guilt associated with rest, particularly among overworked women, especially black women. She discusses the cultural conditioning that leads to this guilt, the historical context of work and rest, and the importance of giving yourself permission to rest. Zenica emphasizes that rest isn't just about time or sleep, but about reclaiming your identity and under...

In this episode, Zenica addresses the challenges faced by individuals coming out of toxic work environments, particularly focusing on the paralysis caused by fear and offers practical coaching strategies to help listeners identify their fears, understand their nature, and develop actionable plans to overcome them, ultimately empowering them to reclaim their power and maximize their impact. Got a q...

In this episode of the Dare to Disrupt Podcast, Zenica explores the unique challenges faced by working women, particularly black women, in navigating burnout as a result of workplace toxicity. She discusses the systemic issues that contribute to feelings of inadequacy and the normalization of chaos in professional environments. Zenica emphasizes the importance of acknowledging emotions, setting bo...

In this episode, Zenica explores the pressures women, particularly black women, face in the workplace, emphasizing the concept of 'performing fine' as a survival mechanism. She discusses the cultural armor that women wear, known as the superwoman schema, which includes the obligation to appear strong and suppress emotions. Zenica highlights the emotional toll of these coping mechanisms,...