Speaking of Phenomenal | Independent Journalism for Women

Women's empowerment isn't about becoming smaller or more palatable, it's about reclaiming rage. Amy Boyle talks with Krissie McMenamin , founder of RAGEher , about transforming anger into authentic creative power, building community through emotional truth, and why women's rage is the fuel behind real change. Featuring insights on authenticity, resilience, and the Finnish roots...

In the Season 4 premiere , award-winning writer and advocate Kelly Cervantes , shares her profound journey through grief, resilience, and emotional wellness after losing her daughter Adelaide to severe epilepsy. Host Amy Boyle explores how Kelly transformed heartbreak into a mission for healing and community, uncovering the vulnerability and authenticity required to turn tragedy into purpose. A co...

Kishori Koch   reveals how space clearing unlocks resilience and community healing. In this conversation about women empowerment through environment, she shares why our physical surroundings shape our mindset shifts and self-care practices. From the role of a death doula to the power of intentional living, discover how creating clarity in your home creates clarity in your life and ripples through...

Amy Boyle pauses Season 3's guest interviews to model her own resilience practice. After a frenzied week of interviews with inspiring women leaders, Amy reflects on how the "Yes, And..." principle and slow travel rewired her approach to life purpose and mindset. Discover how creating intentional space isn't about doing less, it's about empowering yourself differently. This...

Juliana Zavala , Senior Manager of Elementary Sports at Chicago Public Schools , shares how she built a girls' flag football league from scratch and the resilience, partnerships with the Chicago Bears , and advocacy it took to challenge the status quo in youth athletics. Discover how one female leader is reshaping community and youth sports through authentic vision and authentic leadership, t...

In this episode of the Speaking of Phenomenal podcast , we welcome Heather Eaton , a creative strategist and the Head of Product for Joe & Bella , a leading adaptive apparel brand. Heather shares her inspiring journey from management consulting at Deloitte to entrepreneurship and product strategy. Discover how Heather’s passion for innovative solutions in functional fashion led her to create i...

Debbie Weiss , former accountant, author, and podcast host, reveals how radical vulnerability became her path to authentic leadership and purpose. After a lifetime of caregiving and self-doubt, she found her voice through storytelling. In this episode, hear how she reclaimed her narrative, built a platform that matters, and discovered that your second act isn't about reinvention—it's abo...

Join Amy Boyle as she explores emotional wellness and self-discovery with Dana   Frost , a life coach and wellness advocate. From social work in Missouri to living abroad, Dana shares how her transformative coaching experience led to the creation of her inner ease system—a roadmap for women navigating life's biggest challenges. Discover how vulnerability, resilience, and intentional self-care...

Arionne Nettles , journalist and author of "' We Are the Culture of Black Chicago's Influence on Everything ' talks self-discovery, documentary storytelling, and turning cultural expertise into sustainable work. In this conversation with Amy Boyle, Arionne reveals how she pivoted from traditional journalism to building an author platform as a female entrepreneur and community c...

HR expert Katherine McCord joins Amy to explore how ego and unconscious bias shape hiring decisions and why curiosity is the antidote. Discover the neurodiversity and inclusivity strategies that unlock potential in overlooked talent. A must-listen for female leaders building equitable teams. INTRO/OUTRO MUSIC (used with permission)  WOMAN Performed by Tiffany Villarreal Instagram Written by Greg B...

How do women find their authentic voice in leadership? Host Amy Boyle talks with voice coach Susan Murphy , about building vocal confidence, effective breath work, and the communication strategies that help women executives speak with authority. From overcoming societal expectations to discovering your natural vocal power, this episode explores why your voice matters to your career and self-empowe...

In this episode of Speaking of Phenomenal, Amy Boyle chats with Dr. Debi Silber about her transformative journey through betrayal and healing. Dr. Silber shares her personal experiences of betrayal by her family and husband, which led her to pursue a PhD and uncover the unique trauma of betrayal. Her research resulted in the concept of Post Betrayal Transformation (PBT) and identified five stages...

Dr. Wendy O'Connor , a positive psychologist and success coach for female entrepreneurs, shares how the science of happiness can rewire your relationship with ambition. In this conversation, discover the self-discovery and mindset shift framework that helps women design lives and businesses aligned with their values, not societal expectations. From overcoming fear to building resilience into...

Kick off Season 3 of the Speaking of Phenomenal Podcast with a special episode, with Jennifer Jones , the trailblazing first African American Radio City Music Hall Rockette who turned career-breaking barriers into a blueprint for women empowerment and community change. From the Super Bowl XXII stage to surviving cancer and becoming a beacon of representation in the arts, Jennifer's journey re...

After 25 episodes exploring women's empowerment and self-discovery, Amy Boyle recaps Season 2's most transformative success stories. From career pivots to unconventional pathways, hear how resilience, vulnerability, and mindset shifts shaped female leaders' journeys. A celebration of connection and growth. Shannon Gomes : Shannon shared her journey of finding her pivot, demonstratin...

Megan Murphy, founder of the Kindness Rocks Project , shares how purpose-led ventures and self-care fuel sustainable impact at scale. In this conversation, she reveals how simple messages on rocks became one of the world's largest participatory art initiatives and why ethical, community-centered practices matter more than metrics. Perfect for female entrepreneurs building mission-first busine...

Anupy Singla made the leap from journalism to founding Indian as Apple Pie —a brand rooted in cultural authenticity and family. In this episode, Amy explores how her resilience through career transition, clarity of purpose, and commitment to storytelling shaped her path as a female entrepreneur. Discover how Anupy's self-discovery journey turned passion for authentic Indian cuisine into a thr...

Meghann Conter, founder of The Dames , joins Amy Boyle to discuss how female entrepreneurs scale globally without sacrificing well-being. This episode explores building supportive networks that help women leaders reach six, seven, and eight-figure success and why community is the antidote to founder burnout. From mentorship to sustainable leadership, learn how The Dames is redefining what it means...

Presence Beyond the Eclipse: Journey to Mindful Living with Alessandra Chiareli, Ph. D. In this episode, S2 E9, Alessandra Chiareli, Ph. D. shares her experience as an eclipse chaser and the power of being present in the moment. She was an original Phenomenal Woman back in 2018 . She discusses how she got interested in chasing eclipses and the planning involved. Alessandra also provides practical...

Precious L. Williams built The Perfect Pitch Group from a childhood marked by hardship into a beacon for female entrepreneurs seeking authentic success. In this conversation with Amy Boyle , Precious reveals how vulnerability became her competitive edge—and why resilience, not perfection, is what sets women leaders apart. Discover how turning struggle into strength transforms not just your pitch,...

Jennifer Froemel , a Licensed Clinical Counselor at Innovative Counseling Partners , and Reiki Master, shares how holistic healing and mind-body-spirit integration transform women's emotional wellness and resilience. In this conversation, she reveals why traditional talk therapy alone falls short and how somatic-based interventions, embodied presence, and authentic vulnerability unlock deeper...

Carolyn Federman shares how mentorship from chef Alice Waters became the catalyst for launching Charlie Cart Project . , a food literacy program transforming schools nationwide. In this episode, explore Carolyn's journey from learning under a culinary icon to building her own social enterprise—a masterclass in female entrepreneurship, innovation, and community changemaking. Discover how inten...

In this solo episode, Amy Boyle explores why pausing has become essential to resilience and emotional wellness in a hustle-driven world. Discover how strategic rest reframes self-care from indulgence to a catalyst for mindset shifts, sustainable success, and thriving as a female entrepreneur or creative. A journalistic deep-dive into the science and stories behind intentional rest. Understanding t...

In this  episode of the Speaking of Phenomenal Podcast , we sit down with philanthropy expert Lisa Dietlin to explore the vast and impactful world of charitable giving. Lisa, with her vibrant passion and extensive experience, guides us through her journey from political fundraising to making a significant mark in the nonprofit sector. She challenges the traditional views of philanthropy with her a...

On International Women's Day , listeners will engage with Jessica Buchleitner , a journalist and author, for an enlightening look at women's rights. She emphasizes the power of storytelling to amplify women's experiences and the barriers to sharing these stories. This episode introduces the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) , explorin...