WANTcast: The Women Against Negative Talk Podcast

When family dynamics are painful, confusing, and chronically one-sided, the usual advice ("but it's your parent" / "family is everything" / "just forgive and move on") can make you feel even more trapped. In the season finale of the WANTcast, Dr. Sherrie Campbell — clinical psychologist, author, and TEDx speaker — breaks down what actually separates everyday conflict from emotionally abusive famil...

How do you make friends as an adult — REAL-DEAL friends — and how do you nurture these valued connections? Today's guest is journalist, MODERN FRIENDSHIP author, and friendship researcher Anna Goldfarb, who has been called the "New York Times Friendship Correspondent." She's here with us to dig into the nuances of the #1 most-asked question throughout all of WANT's 10+ year history: how do I find...

Author, creative consultant, and horticultural therapy practitioner Jessica Murnane (a WANTcast favorite!) joins us today on the WANTcast to talk about discovering horticultural therapy, building an offline-first business, and the very real mental, physical, social, and emotional benefits of getting your hands in the dirt.  In this episode, we dig into (pun intended) community vs. solo practices,...

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) affects an estimated 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 100 children in the U.S. — yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed mental health conditions . Too often portrayed as a "quirk" or a preference for cleanliness, OCD is actually a complex and often debilitating disorder rooted in anxiety and doubt. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Patrick McGra...

After a short micro-break, Katie returns with author, lawyer, leadership coach, and all-around light-maker Karen Walrond to celebrate the joy of being an INTENTIONAL AMATEUR. Instead of hustling every interest into a side-gig, Karen invites us to dabble for the love of it — no end game required. They unpack why hobbies matter, how to find ones that actually feel like relief, and the seven attribut...

What if you had a guidebook for the next big hormonal transition... The Care and Keeping of You for grownup women?  In today's episode, we're talking about the next ~period~ of your life (literally and figuratively :)) with therapist and women's health advocate Lauren Tetenbaum. Her new book MILLENNIAL MENOPAUSE is part education, part empowerment, and full of real-talk about prepping for perimeno...

When was the last time you received a compliment without brushing it off? How about GAVE a compliment that you really, really meant...without prefacing it with "I hope this isn't weird, but..." ?? In this episode of the WANTcast, we're talking about something that seems simple on the surface but can have a huge impact on your self-talk, relationships, and confidence: COMPLIMENTS. Whether you're gr...

Today on the WANTcast, we're sitting down with sustainability expert, bestselling author, and award-winning changemaker Ashlee Piper to explore her latest movement and book: No New Things . Ashlee — whose work has appeared in  The New York Times , Vogue , CNN , and Good Morning America — breaks down how a personal challenge to stop buying new stuff became a lifestyle shift, viral movement, and 30-...

We ALL hit moments where motivation feels completely out of reach. Sometimes, it just...disappears. Whether you're struggling to start something new, feeling stuck in a rut, or just can't seem to get going, this episode is for you. In this episode, we're doing a no-bs deep dive into not just how to spark motivation when it's barely there, but what to do when your drive to keep going is nowhere to...

Big news: after nearly a decade of podcasting, we're finally taking the leap into video — and it's TERRIFYING. In this solo episode, Katie gets real about what's held her back, why exactly comparison and (ironically) experience have been her biggest roadblocks, and how she's embracing beginner mode *publicly* to break free from perfectionism. If you've ever felt stuck because you don't have it all...

What does it take to lead — REALLY lead — in today's world? What makes an excellent leader, and how can you become one? And in the midst of social, geopolitical, and economic crisis, what does leadership look like? Today's guest is Dr. Christie Smith, founder of The Humanity Studio and author of the new book, ESSENTIAL. In this episode we talk about: Building trust at work and beyond Human Intelli...

How do you start to make change happen with people when you'd rather call them out or cancel them altogether? Are calling out or cancelling ever effective? And...is there a different way to actually make change happen (that minimizes the chances of burning out or losing your mind in the process)? Today on the WANTcast we are talking to LEGENDARY human rights activist Loretta J. Ross, author of the...

"Medical gaslighting" is  the act of a healthcare provider dismissing or ignoring your concerns — and can lead to delayed or even missed diagnoses and opportunities for treatment. But what's the difference between medical gaslighting and a heathcare system not set up as effectively and efficiently as it could/should be? And more importantly: what can YOU do about it? In this episode with Ilana Jaq...

Want to have your "best year ever"? Of course. We all do. But it's a bit more nuanced than just simply setting goals or intentions. Whether you're excited to hit the ground running this new year, are deep in hibernation mode, or are feeling hopeless and defeated or maybe even cynical about 2025, this episode's for you.  Get out a pen and a notebook: we're diving into Katie's FAVORITE exercise to d...

It's game time: the holidays are here! Which means that so are holiday family dynamics! Instead of just crossing your fingers this holiday season for everything to go smoothly (or for certain conversations to be avoided), do some holiday mindset prep NOW.   In this episode, we're talking FOUR specific strategies to help you prep for a mindful holiday season with your family. We'll dive into: How t...

Already overwhelmed by the idea of 2025? Join the club.  In this episode, we'll talk about why you shouldn't abandon setting goals or intentions in the new year — even if it feels trite or pointless, or you're feeling defeated or deflated. And YES, we're talking about this at the beginning of December for a reason. We're not thinking about the nuts and bolts of our goals: we're PRE-THINKING them....

"Playing the long game" means being committed to the idea that you'll go the distance to accomplish a goal — even if it seems far-off — and that you'll take the necessary steps to get there. Because once you do, your goal will be real, alive, and lasting. But it can be really, really hard to stick to "playing the long game" in the face of challenges, naysayers, or a seeming lack of proof of progre...

Have you ever thought, "I wish the kind of body positivity and inclusivity we see today had existed when I was growing up"? If so, you're not alone. The conversation around mental health, body image, and inclusivity has evolved dramatically — and today's guest,  Jess Weiner , is at the forefront of this transformation. Jess is a true trailblazer whose work has created a lasting impact on how we vi...

Season 10 of the WANTcast is HERE!! Today, we're talking all about TRANSITIONS: how to view them, how to navigate through, and how to use this in-between time to your advantage. This timely Season Premiere of the WANTcast is here to help you make the most of this moment, right here and now. Change isn't easy, and even the most exciting transitions can be complicated. It's not about slowing down or...

What if strength isn't about how much we can lift, but how we manage life's struggles? What if we've been told lies our whole life about what it means to truly TAKE UP SPACE? What if failing isn't the end of a goal, but helps you set the goal itself? Today's SEASON 9 FINALE episode is with the incredible Alyssa Ages — journalist, strongman competitor, and author of SECRETS OF GIANTS: A Journey To...

It's the mystery that eludes so many of us: How do you make friends as an adult — REAL-DEAL friends – and how do you nurture these valued connections? Today's guest has been called "The New York Times Friendship Correspondent" and is here with us to dig into the #1 asked question throughout all of WANT's 10 year history: how do I find my people? Author Anna Goldfarb's reporting has appeared in The...

If you're fed up with ridiculous, patriarchal dating rules but don't know what you'd do instead...so feel like you just need to put up with sucky dates for who knows how long...our guest Lily Womble has got your back. This episode is about dating, of course, but it's really about building the most authentic relationships of your life — including the relationship with yourself. IN THIS EPISODE, WE...

When we talk about parenting, are we just talking about the kids or are we actually talking about relationships? When we talk about yoga, are we just talking about the poses or are we actually talking about life?  Sarah Ezrin would argue: YES. We can learn so much about ourselves and how we walk through the world through these two things. (CW: pregnancy loss, abortion; eating disorders; substance...

When you hear "...you'll regret it," what do you do? If you're someone who is of a certain *pre-45-ish* age, NOT a parent, and are either decidedly child-free or on the fence about this massive life decision, you're probably familiar with the REGRET conversation. ("You'll regret it when you're old" being the main thesis statement of that convo.) But beyond the parenthood conversation, it can seem...

Today we're talking to Ruby Warrington all about being a Woman Without Kids, being "a village person," and the nuances of being child-free (by choice or by circumstance). IN THIS EPISODE, we get extremely candid as we talk about: The ways the parenthood vs. non-parenthood discussion has evolved, and ways it hasn't The "motherhood spectrum" vs. the motherhood binary Other people's opinions and cult...