This Is Woman's Work with Nicole Kalil

Let’s talk about your wardrobe — not in a “what’s trendy this season” way, but in a “does this outfit support your goals, your values, and your voice” kind of way. Because when your style reflects who you actually are — instead of who the world expects you to be — you show up stronger, speak more clearly, and leave the kind of impression that opens doors. To help us get intentional with our closet...

If you’ve ever found yourself glaring at someone sipping champagne in business class while you’re wedged into the back of the plane wondering how they got that upgrade — this episode is your answer. Julia Menez is a points and miles strategist and host of the Geobreeze Travel Podcast. She helps people stop wasting money on full-price flights and hotels and start using the credit card perks and tra...

We all dream. Every night. Whether we remember them or not. And maybe — just maybe — those dreams aren’t random, ridiculous, or irrelevant. Maybe they’re trying to tell us something we’re too distracted, too busy, or too burned out to hear while we’re awake. Here to help us decode the language of dreams is Dr. Bonnie Buckner — founder of the International Institute for Dreaming and Imagery®, execu...

Let’s talk about taking a break — on purpose. A career break that’s planned, powerful, and maybe even paid. Yep, we’re talking about sabbaticals, and no, they’re not just for burned-out professors or unicorn executives. In this episode, we’re joined by Katrina McGhee, a certified master coach, MBA, sabbatical strategist, and author of Taking a Career Break for Dummies. She’s also the co-founder of...

We’re diving headfirst into the chaos that is parental leave in the United States — and debunking the absurd notion that being a mom somehow makes you any less dedicated or productive at work. Here today to help us navigate the murky waters of parental leave is Daphne Delvaux, Esq, also known as The Mamattorney — a legal badass who’s made it her mission to fight pregnancy and postpartum discrimina...

Feeling scattered, anxious, or like your brain’s been hijacked by push notifications and endless scrolling? You’re not alone.  This week, we’re diving into the digital chaos with anxiety and OCD specialist Jennie Ketcham Crooks, founder of the West Coast Anxiety Clinic, who’s helping us understand what our devices are doing to our minds… and what we can do to reclaim our focus, peace, and power. J...

How do you know if your truth is really yours? In this episode of This Is Woman’s Work, we’re diving into the murky waters of brainwashing, mind control, and hyper-persuasion—because your thoughts might not be as independent as you think. We're talking psychological manipulation, eerie government-funded experiments, and the sneaky, modern ways we’re influenced every damn day—by our feeds, our lead...

Maybe women aren’t bad at friendship — maybe we’ve just been handed a model that doesn’t actually work. One that expects perfection, constant connection, and a whole lot of emotional labor... without any room for evolution, conflict, or change. In this episode, we’re questioning that model and taking a deeper look at how friendship has changed — historically, culturally, and personally — with cult...

Burnout isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the sneaky saboteur that turns high-achieving women into crispy, joy-depleted zombies. And yes, I’ve been there (ask 2022 me, she was a whole damn dumpster fire). Cait Donovan was the voice of reason I didn’t know I needed then—and she’s BACK. Cait Donovan is one of the few voices in the burnout space who doesn’t just talk the talk—she’s done the deep work, and n...

If you’ve ever been told to “fake it till you make it” or to “good things come to those who wait” and felt an overwhelming urge to roll your eyes… this one’s for you. In this episode, we’re calling BS on the workplace mantras that sound empowering but actually keep women small, silent, and spinning their wheels. Bonnie Hammer — Vice Chair of NBCUniversal, legendary executive behind hits like Suits...

We’ve been conditioned to believe that “selfish” is a dirty word—especially if you’re a woman. But what if selfishness isn’t the problem… what if it’s the prescription? In this episode, Nicole is joined by Naketa Ren Thigpen—Balance and Relationship Advisor, psychotherapist, and author of Selfish: Permission to Pause—to unpack the radical (and necessary) idea that choosing yourself isn’t a betraya...

Let’s be honest — teamwork is hard. Especially when people have different communication styles, priorities, and let’s just say it... egos. But emotionally intelligent teams don’t just magically fall into place — they’re intentionally built, brick by sweaty brick. Dr. Vanessa Druskat joins us to break it all down. She’s a globally recognized expert on team performance and emotional intelligence, an...

Let’s talk about the three things women are told not to do: negotiate, network unapologetically, and say no like we mean it.  Most of us have been programmed to default to yes—to the point that we feel guilty saying no, even when it’s the most obvious answer. And when we do say no? We often soften it, explain it away, and sugarcoat it so much that it barely sounds like a no at all. Kathryn Valenti...

If you’re tired of spending a small fortune on skincare that might work, or overwhelmed by 12-step routines that leave you more stressed than glowing, this episode is your skincare reset. Licensed Master Esthetician and spa owner Lindsey Holder joins us to break down exactly how to care for your skin—without Botox, fillers, or Hollywood-level budgets. With over a decade in the beauty industry (inc...

Let’s talk about the most essential job that no one wants to call a job: the work done inside the home. Parenting. Caregiving. Running a household. It’s all real work — valuable, skilled, and foundational. And yet, it’s often dismissed, devalued, and definitely unpaid. This week, we’re going all in on the fight to change that narrative. Nicole is joined by historian and professor Emily Callaci, wh...

Addiction doesn’t look the same for everyone — and for women, it often comes with an extra helping of shame, silence, and stigma. In this episode of This Is Woman’s Work, we’re unpacking how addiction and recovery show up differently for women, why the traditional recovery narrative often falls short, and what it actually takes to reclaim your life in a way that feels true, honest, and yours. I’m...

Some patterns are inherited. Some are learned. And some are just plain outdated. So how do you figure out which is which—and what the hell to do about it? In this episode, we’re diving deep into how to identify and rewire the invisible patterns that are no longer serving you with the help of Judy Wilkins-Smith. Judy is a world-renowned expert in systemic work and constellations, the author of Deco...

What does it really mean to live a meaningful life—and how do you know if you're doing it? In this episode, we're cutting through the noise, pressure, and Pinterest-perfection to get to the heart of it. Because purpose doesn’t have to be loud to be life-changing. It doesn’t have to trend to be true. Meaning is found in the relationships we build, the values we live, and the courage it takes to mak...

We live in a world that talks over people instead of listening to them. Debate has replaced understanding. Volume gets rewarded over vulnerability. And somehow, we’ve confused interrupting with intelligence. In this episode, we’re flipping the script. Because deep listening—the kind that transforms relationships, diffuses conflict, and actually builds connection—isn’t soft. It’s a power skill. A l...

Let’s talk about women in sports—and not just the headline-makers or the occasional viral moment. We're talking about the Olympians, the Paralympians, and the elite athletes around the world who are changing the game… even if you’ve never heard their names. In this first (but definitely not last) episode on the topic, we’re shining a spotlight on the stories that deserve more air time. Because rep...

In this episode, we unpack the assumptions, the history, the marketing machine behind the myth of being a genius. Does being brilliant give you a free pass to be an a-hole? Should success in one area automatically make someone untouchable in all others? We’ve been sold a very narrow definition of genius—usually male, usually white, usually arrogant—and it's time we ask harder questions about who g...

We’re flipping the script on your career mindset - because you’re not just looking for a job, you’re shopping for the right fit. Today’s guest, Madeline Mann, is here to help you ditch desperation and embrace discernment. Madeline is a former HR and recruiting insider, career coach, and the brilliant brain behind Self Made Millennial. With her new book Reverse the Search, she’s helping people stop...

Let’s talk about adulting—actual adulting. Not just paying bills or keeping a houseplant alive, but the kind that involves emotional maturity, healthy boundaries, and conscious self-leadership. Because let’s be honest, most of us weren’t taught how to be fully functioning adults… and it shows. Joining us is Michelle Chalfant, licensed therapist turned holistic life coach, creator of The Adult Chai...

Let’s face it—rejection sucks. Whether it’s a gut-punch text, a polite but painful “no,” or the opportunity you swore was yours slipping through your fingers—it all sucks. But if you’re putting yourself out there (pitching, applying, risking anything at all), rejection isn’t a bug in the system. It is the system. Enter: Alice Draper. She’s the host of the My Rejection Story podcast, founder of Hus...

We’re done pretending health only comes from hacks, trends, or the latest supplement that costs $72 and tastes like sadness. Today’s episode is all about tuning into the real expert—your own body. Joining us is Nidhi Pandya, a NAMA-certified Ayurvedic Doctor with a fierce commitment to blending ancient wisdom with modern life. She’s taught thousands through OneCommune and the Shakti School of Ayur...