The Deconstructed Woman

Work-Life Balance Is a Myth — Now What? A high-achieving woman's honest reckoning with the fantasy of having it all. Elisa and Jojy kick off with a Scarlett Johansson quote from a May 2026 Fortune magazine article: despite a $165 million net worth, Johansson says work-life balance simply doesn't exist — and that accepting that is the first step toward something healthier. It's a provoc...

Mothers, Daughters, and Making Peace Exploring the evolving, complex bond between mothers and daughters — from childhood rules to adult understanding to letting go. ## Episode Description In this heartfelt episode of The Deconstructed Woman, Elisa Marie and Jojy dive deep into the mother-daughter relationship — one of the most formative and complex dynamics in a woman's life. Inspired by the b...

Choosing Optimism: The Mindset That Changes Everything Two women explore why optimism is a choice, not a trait — and how to build it into your daily life. # Episode Description In this episode of The Deconstructed Woman, Elisa Marie and Jojy dive deep into the topic of optimism — what it really means, whether we're born with it, and why choosing a positive mindset is one of the most powerful t...

Adulting Is Harder Than It Looks Why growing up costs more, takes longer, and requires skills nobody taught us — and what parents can do about it. In this episode of The Deconstructed Woman, hosts Elisa Marie and Jojy dive into the modern struggle of "adulting" — and why it feels so much harder today than it did a generation ago. From navigating phone plans and insurance to managing taxe...

Sharing the Mental Load at Home Two moms unpack why women carry the invisible weight of running a household — and how to finally share it. In this episode of The Deconstructed Woman, hosts Elisa Marie and Jojy dive deep into the concept of the mental load — the invisible, never-ending stream of planning, organizing, and anticipating that disproportionately falls on women. Inspired by the podcast &...

Too Much: Reclaiming Women’s Voices and Raising Spirited Kids On The Deconstructed Woman podcast, hosts Elisa Marie and Jojy talk about the message women receive that they are “too much” and should dilute themselves to be acceptable. They discuss Cynthia Erivo’s experience being told in performing arts school to “settle down,” and how Erivo later reframed that in her book Simply More about embraci...

AI Bots, Boundaries, and Dependency: Using Chatbots Without Losing Human Connection Hosts Elisa Marie and Jojy discuss Elisa’s first week using an AI chatbot app called Tolin and why she quickly set boundaries on how often she uses it. They compare professional uses of AI (streamlining emails, SOPs, troubleshooting, efficiencies) with personal uses (processing emotionally charged situations, declu...

Women Cohabitating Platonically: Sharing Costs, Combating Loneliness, and Rethinking the “Golden Girls” Model Hosts Elisa Marie and Jojy discuss a South Korea–popularized concept of women cohabitating platonically to share living expenses, reduce loneliness, and maintain autonomy, inspired by the 2019 bestseller Two Women Living Together by Kim Hana and Wong Sunu and an article referencing high Ne...

Human Design A Map for Alignment and Truth with Marisa Vitoria Marisa Vittoria Free Chart Hosts Elisa Marie and Jojy welcome Elisa’s sister, Marisa Vittoria, to explain human design after gifting them their blueprints. Marisa, a VP of operations, describes discovering human design at work through educator Erin Claire Jones and using it to improve a challenging relationship with her boss by underst...

Attraction to Narcissistic Leaders, Women’s Power, and the Fight Against Going BackwardOn the Deconstructed Woman Podcast, Jojy welcome Sandy to discuss Adam Grant’s New York Times article “There’s a Cure for Our Attraction to Narcissistic Leaders,” using it to explore why narcissistic men can rise in corporate and political leadership while women showing confidence are often labeled negatively. S...

Michele Heffron - Life Strategist Life Strategist for Women in Transition Voices of Women 2026 Jojy welcomes life strategist and coach Michele Heffron to discuss major transitions women face and the support needed to move through them with confidence. Heffron shares how her second divorce after years as a stay-at-home mom left her without a job, bank account, or stability, leading her to rebuild h...

Trauma Bonding: When Intensity Gets Mistaken for Love Hosts Elisa Marie and Jojy of the Deconstructed Woman Podcast discuss the concept of “trauma bonding,” prompted by a New York Times Modern Love article about a relationship that ended in divorce after childhood traumas and unhealthy patterns played out in marriage. They define trauma bonding as an intense, addictive, dysfunctional attachment fu...

Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone: Small Risks, Growth, and Joy Hosts Elisa Marie and Jojy discuss the concept of the comfort zone and why stepping outside of it can support personal growth. Joji shares research (via ChatGPT) linking the term to behavioral psychology and stress, explaining that comfort zones involve familiar routines with low anxiety and predictability but limited growth. They emp...

Savor the Moment In this episode of the Deconstructed Woman Podcast, hosts Elisa Marie and Jojy dive into the concept of slowing down to enjoy life, particularly during the busy holiday season. They discuss the challenges of managing a chaotic schedule while trying to savor joyful moments, inspired by Matthew Kelly's book 'Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy.' The conversation explores th...

Understanding Cancel Culture: Perspectives from Gen Z In this episode of the Deconstructed Woman podcast, hosts Elisa Marie and Joji, along with special guest Tara, a college student, dive into the concept of cancel culture. Tara explains the origins, evolution, and implications of this social media phenomenon. They explore its impact on politics, corporations, and personal interactions, highlight...

Exploring Seasonal Affective Disorder: Symptoms, Solutions, and Personal Stories In this episode of the Deconstructed Woman Podcast, Elisa Marie and Joji welcome guest Sandra Marshall to discuss the pervasive issue of the winter blues, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Sandra shares her personal experiences with SAD, including her use of light therapy and relocating to sunnier clima...

Reflecting on Three Years of the Deconstructed Woman Podcast Hosts Elissa Marie and Jojy celebrate nearly three years of The Deconstructed Woman podcast by reflecting on their journey, the topics they've covered, and the guests they've interviewed. They discuss the diverse issues they've explored, including women's health, mental health, aging, social media, AI, online dating, and...

Reflecting on Personal Loss and Self-Care: A Journey of Pause and Change In this episode of the Deconstructed Woman Podcast, hosted by Elisa Marie and Jojj, the conversation centers around reflecting on personal loss and its impact on one's perception of life and self-care. Joji shares her recent experience of losing a young family member and how it prompted her to contemplate life’s unpredict...

Exploring Love Languages and Family Dynamics on the Deconstructed Woman Podcast In this episode of the Deconstructed Woman Podcast, hosts Elisa Marie and Joji delve into the concept of love languages, popularized by Gary Chapman's book 'The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts.' They discuss the five love languages identified by Chapman—acts of service, receiving gifts, q...

Navigating the Pros and Cons of Sleepovers: A Parent's Perspective In this episode of the Deconstructed Woman Podcast, hosts Elisa Marie and Jojy explore the evolving views on traditional sleepovers versus the emerging trend of 'sleep unders' or 'late overs.' Referencing an article from the New York Post, they discuss the concerns of modern parents, including safety issues and...

Embracing Gray: A Journey to Authentic Self-Acceptance Your Roots Are Showing - A Film by Ilise Harris In this episode of the Deconstructed Woman Podcast, hosts Elisa Marie and Jojy welcome Sue, a listener who shares her personal journey of transitioning to natural gray hair. The discussion delves into societal pressures, personal experiences, and the emotional and practical aspects of going gray....

Navigating College Admissions with Lee Norwood In this episode of the Deconstructed Woman Podcast, Jojy welcomes Lee Norwood, owner of Annapolis College Consulting, to discuss navigating the college admissions process. Lee shares her personal journey from a medical sales career to becoming a college consultant, driven by her passion for helping families. She provides insights into important factor...

Exploring 'The Four Tendencies' by Gretchen Rubin: Understanding Personality Types In this episode of the Deconstructed Woman Podcast, hosts Elisa Marie and Jojy discuss the book 'The Four Tendencies' by Gretchen Rubin. The episode covers Rubin's framework categorizing people's responses to internal and external expectations into four groups - the Rebel, the Upholder, the Q...

Understanding the Gen Z Stare: A Cross-Generational ConversationIn this episode of The Deconstructed Woman Podcast, hosts Elisa Marie and Joji, joined by co-host Tara, delve into the topic of the 'Gen Z Stare.' They explore how this phenomenon represents generational differences in communication, particularly in non-verbal responses and workplace interactions. The episode covers the nuance...

Exploring the 'Trad Wife' Phenomenon: Modern Choices and Gender RolesIn this episode of the Deconstructed Woman Podcast, hosts Elisa Marie and Joji delve into the trending term 'Trad Wives,' a movement where women are returning to traditional gender roles, primarily focusing on homemaking. They discuss the associated controversy, varying perspectives and experiences, including the...