Have you ever wondered what you would do if you could do anything? What if you took a grown-up gap year to figure it out? That’s just what my guest Jen Lefforge did. That is how, at age 46, after a 25-year career, and after raising 3 sons, she took a year off to find out what she wanted to be when she grew up. That grown-up gap year resulted in her current day job as a professional content creator and full-time #YouTuber who makes a living documenting her travels, adventures, and the art of joyful living to her community of more than 80K subscribers!   www.youtube.com/joyfullivingwithjenlefforge   Too often, as women, we hear that our best years are behind us once we get into our 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond, so I am passionate about telling the stories of women of a big age (as Jen likes to say!)  who are crushing it and doing new and unexpected things. As women we tend to follow a less linear path, more of what researchers call a Kaleidoscope Career Model (KCM). The kaleidoscope is a perfect metaphor for how we alter our careers in response to changing needs. Whether the need is for authenticity, balance, or ever-changing family needs, we as women are often rotating priorities. This episode explores the journey and the possibilities that can be ours if we take the time to dig deep, reflect, and take a chance! You don’t want to miss this episode with @jenlefforge Find the fabulous Jen Lefforge here: YouTube. Joyful Living with Jen Lefforge www.youtube.com/joyfullivingwithjenlefforge Website: Jenlefforge.com Instagram @jenlefforge For more about Dr. DeSimone and the Advancing Women Podcast https://www.instagram.com/advancingwomenpodcast/ https://advancingwomenpodcast.com/ https://www.facebook.com/advancingwomenpodcast/ Reference: Sullivan, S. E., & Carraher, S. M. (2022). The kaleidoscope career model. In Oxford research encyclopedia of business and management. Mainiero, L. A., & Gibson, D. E. (2018). The kaleidoscope career model revisited: How midcareer men and women diverge on authenticity, balance, and challenge. Journal of Career Development, 45(4), 361-377

Too often the advice given to women doesn’t work because it wasn’t designed by or for women. In this episode, we share advice from inspirational women of influence. We break it down and talk about what advice serves us, and what advice…seemingly well-meaning, might lead to unintended consequences. Should we always give 100% in everything we do? Should we bring our authentic selves always? Should we only do work we love? Maybe, maybe not. #Tunein and we’ll break it all down. With a special guest, the very wise Heather Harris https://heatherlynnharris.com/   Episodes of the Advancing Women Podcast referenced in this episode: Fear of Failure https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fear-of-failure/id1569849100?i=1000527184290 Center Coach Create™ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/advice-that-works-for-women-center-coach-create/id1569849100?i=1000641765074 Reference https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2023/07/13/women-of-influence-2023-honorees.html For more about Dr. DeSimone and the Advancing Women Podcast https://www.instagram.com/advancingwomenpodcast/ https://advancingwomenpodcast.com/ https://www.facebook.com/advancingwomenpodcast/

Want to know what you can do to show support for your family or friends who have a child with autism? This is the episode for you. April is autism awareness month so here are some things to be aware of. Research shows that mothers of children with autism have elevated levels of depression and stress levels comparable to the stress levels of active combat soldiers! This episode is about awareness, acknowledgment, empathy, and small ways YOU can show your support. This is what moms of children with autism want people to know, so don’t miss this episode of the Advancing Women Podcast to better understand the experience of autism moms and what you can say and do to show empathy and support. “No matter how confident we seem, we are scared all the time. No matter how energetic or enthusiastic we seem, we are exhausted all the time. No matter how together we seem, we often feel like we're barely surviving. No matter how easy, we might make it look…it is so freaking hard every day.”   Reference: Twin Cities Mom Collective (March 2022). My Secret World as an Autism Mom. https://twincitiesmom.com/my-secret-world-autism-mom/ Recker, L., & Babcock, E. (2021). Parent/Caregiver Burnout with Autism Due to COVID. Seltzer, M. M., Greenberg, J. S., Hong, J., Smith, L. E., Almeida, D. M., Coe, C., & Stawski, R. S. (2010). Maternal cortisol levels and behavior problems in adolescents and adults with ASD. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40(4), 457–469. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-009-0887-0 For more about Dr. DeSimone and the Advancing Women Podcast https://advancingwomenpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/advancingwomenpodcast/

Which leadership traits are ideal and who decides? How important are confidence and assertiveness versus interpersonal sensitivity and empathy? Are we better off with the relaxed, caring, leader who strives to “do it harmoniously,” or the motivated, inspirational leader who strives to “do it together”? The logical, cautious leader who strives to “do it right,” or the determined, competitive leader who strives to “do it now”? Which traits are associated with positive outcomes, and which are associated with negative outcomes? Emerging research is showing that it is time to reexamine a broken system that constantly praises traits that can lead to dark leadership,  exploitativeness, and abuse of power. Is much of the advice we give women to help them advance serving to snuff out the very traits we should be valuing in women AND men?  #Tunein to this episode of the Advancing Women Podcast to learn more about ideal leadership traits. From the Dark Triad of #narcissism #Machiavellianism and #psychopathy to #emotional intelligence, this episode covers it all! Previous Advancing Women Podcast Episodes Referenced in this Episode: Fear of Failure: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fear-of-failure/id1569849100?i=1000527184290 Tightrope Bias & The Likeability Dilemma: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tightrope-bias-the-likeability-dilemma/id1569849100?i=1000570385546 References Catalyst. (2020, June 15). Empathy in the Workplace: The Key to Stronger Relationships, Collaboration, and Employee Performance. Retrieved from https://www.catalyst.org/reports/empathy-work-strategy-crisis Delgado, K. (2021). The dark traits of leadership and how to avoid them. Fast Company. Furtner, M. R., Maran, T., & Rauthmann, J. F. (Eds.). (2019). Dark Leadership: The Role of Leaders’ Dark Triad Personality Traits. Springer International Publishing. Nichols, A. L. (2016). What do people desire in their leaders? The effect of leadership experience on desired leadership traits. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 37(5), 658-671. Simha, A., & Parboteeah, K. P. (2020). The big 5 personality traits and willingness to justify unethical behavior—a cross-national examination. Journal of Business Ethics, 167, 451-471. Taylor, S. (2022, March 15). Out of the Darkness. The Danger of Dark Triad Leaders. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/out-the-darkness/202203/the-danger-dark-triad-leaders Agaragimova, E. (2022). Women May Make Better Leaders Than Men: Science Shows Feminine Leadership Qualities. Pew Research Center For more about Dr. DeSimone and the Advancing Women Podcast https://advancingwomenpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/advancingwomenpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/advancingwomenpodcast/

Do you ever find yourself working on anything and everything but the thing that you should be working on? This episode addresses the inner saboteur and all the things that create resistance and interfere with your creativity and purpose.   “Whenever you're feeling bored, bummed, or broken resistance is winning in your life.” ~ Mel Robbins Resistance is anything that stops you from taking creative action, things like inner fears, negative self-talk, ego, and self-doubt. Resistance has one sole mission: to keep things as they are. To maintain the status quo. Resistance will attempt to stop our creative activity through any means necessary, whether it be rationalizing, inspiring fear and anxiety, emphasizing other distractions that require attention, or raising the voice of our inner critic. This episode is about managing our ego, silencing the inner saboteur, and honing our humility. It’s about learning to recognize resistance when it creeps into our life so we can rise above it and do the things that lead us to our highest purpose and our best self.   Reference: Joshua J Anderson: https://www.joshuajanderson.com/blog/ego-the-downfall-of-man Mel Robbins: https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Saying-Youre-Fine-Getting/dp/0307716732 Steven Pressfield: https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Winning-Creative-Battle-audio-cd/dp/1501260626 For more about Dr. DeSimone and the Advancing Women Podcast https://advancingwomenpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/advancingwomenpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/advancingwomenpodcast/

Delivering big creativity starts with small steps and practices you incorporate into your everyday life. Too often we hold back our creative energy because we lack courage, but the truth is connecting to your creativity is connecting to your courage. Creativity = Courage Just like any proficiency, creativity is a muscle that needs to be exercised. Developing your creativity starts with the simple act of developing a creative practice that is judgment-free and full of fun. #tunein to this episode of the Advancing Women Podcast with Creative Warrior Heather Harris and learn to embrace, cultivate, and celebrate your creativity. Learn more about cultivating your creativity: https://centercoachcreate.com/courses/e-commerce-course/ https://heatherlynnharris.com/ For more about Dr. DeSimone and the Advancing Women Podcast https://advancingwomenpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/advancingwomenpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/advancingwomenpodcast/

February is black history month, an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans, and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history and, importantly, in the women’s equality movement. African American women have too often been overlooked in the history of our fight for gender equity. This episode honors and quotes many brilliant, brave, black women who fought to create a fairer and more equitable world. These words have tremendous power and impact including the important work of Kimberlé Crenshaw who coined the phrase intersectionality. Crenshaw simply and poignantly said, "If we aren’t intersectional, some of us, the most vulnerable, are going to fall through the cracks." This is at the heart of Together We Rise, bringing to the forefront that we must consider all women when we talk about advancing women. As Audra Lord said, “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” #tunein and celebrate #blackhistorymonth and honor the insights of so many brilliant black women including Sojourner Truth, Shirley Chisholm, Bell Hooks, Pauli Murray, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Rebecca Walker, Audre Lorde, Angela Davis, Dr. Maya Angelou, and more! References: Hooks, B. (1981). Ain't I a woman: Black women and feminism. Chicago Hooks, B. Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics. Cambridge, MA :South End Press   About Kimberlé Crenshaw https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2019/5/20/18542843/intersectionality-conservatism-law-race-gender-discrimination     Sojourner Truth’s Ain’t I A Woman Speech (read by Dr. Maya Angelou) https://youtu.be/mM4JjuQeqDA   Truth, S. (Original Speech, 1851) https://thehermitage.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Sojourner-Truth_Aint-I-a-Woman_1851.pdf   For more information on Dr. DeSimone or the Advancing Women Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advancingwomenpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/advancingwomenpodcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-desimone-phd-mba-ba00b88/

When you sit with warriors, the conversation is different. The power of sitting with warriors is the impact of those conversations. Too many of us are surrounded by people that will always see us as we are, rather than seeing our potential and growth. We need to nurture the right relationships and build a community of people that we can count on, that give it to us straight, that we trust,  and that have our backs. I'm talking about the people who elevate us and move us toward our best selves and our best lives. #tunein to learn what you can do to create that community. In the new year, we often focus on health and fitness, but maybe it’s time to focus on your social fitness! Conversation and community should equal social support.Learn more about how a strong group of women in your corner can be a game changer, not just in terms of success and growth, but also for longevity. The right people help us to put things in perspective which helps build our resilience and cope better when things don't go to plan. These relationships can help us to transcend and thrive…but only if we're nurturing the seeds that will bloom and not the weeds.ResourcesAmerica Ferrera Barbie Speech: https://youtu.be/CBqlDWHkdHk?si=C-8_mAEIxf0jlPGCAdvancing Women Podcast  episode #94 Advice that works for Women https://open.spotify.com/episode/6JUelsOcwsPZEmSBLq028y?si=0IPVgRRrQSeArAMT8MEh0ACenter Coach Create™ https://centercoachcreate.com/For more about Dr. DeSimone and the Advancing Women Podcasthttps://advancingwomenpodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/advancingwomenpodcast/https://www.facebook.com/advancingwomenpodcast/

As women, we are often faced with unique barriers and then contradictory advice. This episode is about better understanding the biases that produce those barriers so that we can interrupt them and ditch the contradictory advice with strategies that work FOR WOMEN.Too often the best practice advice that women receive doesn't work for us because it wasn't designed by or for us! So, we end up internalizing the fault and the flaw when ANY advice grounded in women as not enough, flawed, or defective is advice we don’t need and should not listen to!It's not your fault but it is your problem. So #tunein to hear about a #bold #audacious new community launching this year: Center Coach Create™https://centercoachcreate.com/Center Coach Create™ is a personal and professional development company grounded in #wellness powered by #knowledge and manifested as #creative #courage.Don’t miss this #newepisode where we show how Center Coach Create™ is the remedy to advice and strategies that don’t work for women. Join wellness Warrior Erica Golub and Creative Warrior Heather Harris as we talk Center and the practice of stillness, reflection, and nourish; Coach and the practice of pause, strategic response, and utilizing your community; and Create and the practice of believing in your creativity, establishing a creative practice, and embracing imperfection.So much useful information packed into this episode, you won’t want to miss it! #tuneinReferences:Center Coach Create™ https://centercoachcreate.com/America Ferrara Barbie Clip:https://youtu.be/CBqlDWHkdHk?si=ruPbzkJKfZ5QPtU_J.Williams:  https://www.ted.com/talks/joan_c_williams_why_corporate_diversity_programs_fail_and_how_small_tweaks_can_have_big_impact?Fortune: https://fortune.com/2015/10/28/women-career-advancement/For more about Dr. DeSimone and the Advancing Women Podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/advancingwomenpodcast/ https://advancingwomenpodcast.com/https://www.facebook.com/advancingwomenpodcast/

Thanks to the sponsor of this episode Center Coach Create™ a personal and professional development company that helps ambitious women develop their mindset, skillset, and toolset with evidence-based strategies designed by and for women, Center Coach Create™ can help you get unstuck so you can transcend and thrive. Learn more at https://centercoachcreate.com/   Let's let 2024 be a year for bold, audacious goals. Let's get unstuck, start the thing, and overcome resistance BUT, let's also remember that there is NOT an expiration on our goals. It’s our lives and our goals, so it should be on our timeline. We must be mindful though, that our timeline isn’t when things get “less busy” or when “you’re ready.” Here’s the thing warriors, things will NEVER not be busy. You will never likely find that elusive “more time” and there is no “perfect time.”  We don’t want our goals to be on someone else’s timeline, but we also don’t want the internal saboteur to talk us out of moving forward with our goals. Because warriors, you were meant to have bold, audacious, meaningful goals! In this episode of the Advancing Women Podcast, I talk about WHY we should have BOLD, RADICAL, AUDACIOUS goals and how to recognize and overcome the internal and external barriers that keep us from moving towards our goals. Here’s the great news…you don’t have to do it alone.   Episodes referenced in this episode: Fear of Failure https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fear-of-failure/id1569849100?i=1000527184290   Teach Girls Bravery AND Teach Boys Empathy https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/lets-teach-girls-bravery-and-teach-boys-empathy/id1569849100?i=1000576175167   Conquering Resistance: ‎Advancing Women Podcast: Conquering Resistance on Apple Podcasts     For more about Dr. DeSimone and the Advancing Women Podcast visit:   https://advancingwomenpodcast.com/   https://www.instagram.com/advancingwomenpodcast/