This Is Woman's Work with Nicole Kalil
Self-Improvement
About
Together, we're redefining what it means, looks and feels like, to be doing "woman's work" in the world today. From boardrooms to studios, kitchens to coding dens, we explore the multifaceted experiences of today's women, confirming that the new definition of "woman's work" is whatever feels authentic, true, and right for you. We're shedding expectations, setting aside the "shoulds", giving our finger to the "supposed tos". We're torching the old playbook and writing our own rules. Who runs the world? You decide. Because that is Woman's Work. Learn more at nicolekalil.com
Episodes
- Why Good Leaders Are Quitting (And We’re Letting It Happen) with Melissa Doman | 410
Nicole Kalil and organizational psychologist Melissa Doman discuss why good leaders are quitting due to unrealistic expectations and the impact on leadership burnout. They explore how to challenge outdated narratives and foster healthier l…
- Making It Without Losing It: The Truth About Motivation & Burnout with Jess Ekstrom | 409
This episode features Jess Ekstrom discussing the challenges high-achieving women face with motivation and burnout. It explores the difference between anxious and inspired ambition and offers strategies for redefining success and finding p…
- A Terrible Strength: How Medical Bias Is Costing Women Their Lives with Dr. Kemi Doll | 408
This episode features Dr. Kemi Doll discussing the systemic crisis in gynecology, highlighting how medical bias and racism negatively impact women's healthcare, especially for Black women. The conversation addresses underfunding, the myth…
- When a One-Star Review Means You’ve Officially Arrived | Unfiltered & Unhinged
Host Nicole Kalil celebrates her first one-star review as a milestone, arguing that negative feedback and criticism can indicate you're making an impact. This episode focuses on building confidence, trusting yourself, and understanding tha…
- The No-BS Fitness Strategy That Actually Works (That You’ve Probably Been Overlooking) with Dr. Milica McDowell | 407
This episode of This Is Woman's Work features Dr. Milica McDowell discussing the underrated power of walking as a form of exercise. They challenge common fitness industry lies and explore how walking positively impacts physical health, moo…
- Why Work Feels Broken (And How Attunement Can Fix It) with Nidhi Tewari | 406
This episode of This Is Woman's Work features Nidhi Tewari discussing how modern work culture is failing, causing burnout and disengagement. Tewari explains that "attunement," a skill involving flexibility, cue reading, self-regulation, an…
- Corporate Reckoning: Why Companies Can’t Outrun Their Past (And Why You Should Care) with Sarah Federman | 405
In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, host Nicole Kalil speaks with Sarah Federman, author of Corporate Reckoning, about the importance of companies confronting their past ethical failures. They discuss the meaning of corporate reckonin…
- You Won’t Just Cry When They Die with Liz Deacle | 404
In this episode, Nicole Kalil talks with author Liz Deacle about the non-linear and challenging nature of grief following the death of loved ones. They discuss how loss can dismantle identity and disrupt the body, and explore navigating gr…
- Sequins, Miscommunication, and Marriage | Unfiltered & Unhinged
In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil shares a humorous personal anecdote about a miscommunication regarding a dress code that led to an embarrassing sequin gown situation. She uses this story to highlight the prevalence an…
- What Happens When Leadership Becomes Unsustainable: Leader Mental Health with Melissa Doman | 403
Nicole Kalil interviews organizational psychologist Melissa Doman about the mental health challenges faced by leaders. They discuss how outdated leadership norms contribute to burnout and the importance of supporting leaders as humans, not…
- What To Do When Your Brain Spirals with Diana Pagano | 403
Nicole Kalil and mindset expert Diana Pagano discuss the reality of mindset beyond positive affirmations, focusing on practical tools to interrupt spiraling thoughts and take action even when feeling fearful. The episode covers how to regu…
- The Snow White Effect: The Homemaking Myth That’s Keeping You Exhausted with Faith Roberson | 402
In this episode of "This Is Woman's Work," Nicole Kalil and Faith Roberson challenge traditional homemaking myths. They discuss the "Snow White Effect," where women are conditioned to perform domestic labor alone, and reframe organizing no…
- The Collaborative Co-Parent (How To Put Your Kids First) with Gabriella Pomare | 401
In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil and family lawyer Gabriella Pomare discuss modern co-parenting, moving beyond the myth of the "perfect family." They cover effective communication strategies, setting boundaries with ex…
- The Episode About Balls | Unfiltered & Unhinged
Nicole Kalil shares her experience of 'dropping the ball' and introduces the concept of differentiating between 'glass balls' and 'rubber balls' to prioritize and avoid burnout. She offers strategies for identifying what truly matters and…
- What Taylor Swift Teaches Us About Women, Influence, and Economic Power with Misty L. Heggeness | 400
Economist Misty L. Heggeness joins Nicole Kalil to discuss women's economic power, using Taylor Swift as a case study. The episode explores how women reshape industries, the undervaluation of their economic contributions, and the impact of…
- The 6 Stages of Lasting Love with Thais Gibson | 399
This episode features Thais Gibson, an attachment theory expert, discussing the six stages of romantic relationships. They cover navigating the power struggle stage, the importance of vulnerability and communication, and the key elements n…
- UNCOMPETE: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success with Ruchika T. Malhotra | 398
This episode features Ruchika T. Malhotra discussing her book
- Meditation for Real Life: Presence, Mindfulness, and A Zen Mind with Jo Rose | 397
This episode features Nicole Kalil and Jo Rose discussing meditation for real life, focusing on presence and nervous system regulation rather than silencing the mind. They explore common myths about meditation, the connection between prese…
- Women Are Tired — Stop Pointing It Out | Unfiltered & Unhinged
Nicole Kalil revisits her earlier rant to address the phrase "You look tired," explaining why it’s unhelpful for women who are already managing significant work, family, and mental loads. She suggests showing care through supportive questi…
- ADHD in Women, Nervous System Regulation & Getting Out of Fight-or-Flight with Jenna Free | 396
Nicole Kalil talks with Jenna Free about ADHD as a brain difference, not a defect. They discuss how nervous system dysregulation and living in fight-or-flight mode can amplify ADHD symptoms and why traditional productivity advice often fai…
- AI, Hiring, and the Future of Work (Without Selling Your Soul) with Katie Fortunato | 395
In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil speaks with Katie Fortunato about the role of AI in the workplace. They explore how to use AI as a tool for productivity while emphasizing the importance of human skills like critical t…
- Aging Out of F*cks (Your Confidence Upgrade) with Ellen Scherr | 394
This episode discusses the biological and neurological shifts in midlife, particularly how declining estrogen impacts confidence, people-pleasing, and emotional regulation, reframing it as development rather than decline.
- Pivot With Purpose: How to Know When It’s Time to Stay, Shift, or Walk Away with Melissa Gonzalez | 393
Nicole Kalil and Melissa Gonzalez discuss how to know when to pivot in leadership and life, distinguishing between fear and intuition, discomfort and misalignment, and commitment and stuckness. They explore signs it's time to pivot, conduc…
- Joan Lunden on Reinvention, Leadership & Life Beyond the Script | 392
In this episode, Nicole Kalil talks with Joan Lunden about reinvention, leadership, pay equity, aging, and caregiving. Lunden shares her experiences navigating career challenges, advocating for women's health, and emphasizes that reinventi…
- Survival Is Woman’s Work with Kathy Giusti | 391
Nicole Kalil talks with Kathy Giusti, founder of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, about the raw, relentless nature of survival after a terminal cancer diagnosis. They discuss resilience, healthcare advocacy, and the challenge of l…
- Think You Said Too Much? Why Oversharing Might Be Your Secret Weapon with Leslie John | 390
In this episode, Nicole Kalil speaks with Harvard Business School professor Leslie John about the role of oversharing in building trust and credibility. They discuss the research behind vulnerability and how to effectively balance revealin…
- Why Playing It Safe Is Holding You Back (and How to Fail Forward Instead) with Lorraine H. Marchand | 389
In this episode of This Is Woman’s Work, host Nicole Kalil speaks with innovation expert Lorraine H. Marchand about the detrimental effects of playing it safe and the fear of failure. They discuss strategies for reframing failure as a lear…
- Restless Life Syndrome (Why I Want 14 Different Lives) | Unfiltered & Unhinged
This episode of This Is Woman's Work discusses Nora McInerney's concept of restless life syndrome, which describes the desire to live multiple lives simultaneously. Host Nicole Kalil shares her personal list of impractical aspirations and…
- On Our Best Behavior: The Price Women Pay to Be “Good” with Elise Loehnen | 388
In this episode, Nicole Kalil talks with Elise Loehnen about how societal rules and the seven deadly sins have been weaponized against women for generations, influencing their behavior, ambitions, and relationships. They explore the concep…
- Like A Wave, We Break: How Falling Apart Builds Confidence with Jane Chen | 388
Jane Chen joins Nicole Kalil on This Is Woman's Work to discuss how failure can be a powerful builder of confidence. Chen shares her personal story of losing a company she invested a decade into and her subsequent journey of redefining res…
- Do I Matter? The Mattering Instinct with Rebecca Newberger Goldstein | 387
In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil and Rebecca Newberger Goldstein discuss the human need to matter, exploring its existential importance, its influence on our lives, and the concept of "mattering projects." They challen…
- AQ: The Intelligence You Actually Need (And Why IQ & EQ Aren’t Enough) with Liz Tran | 386
Nicole Kalil interviews executive coach and author Liz Tran about Agility Quotient (AQ). They discuss how AQ helps individuals adapt to change and uncertainty, exploring the four AQ archetypes and the importance of professional adaptabilit…
- I’ve Got Beef With The Health & Wellness Industry | Unfiltered & Unhinged
Nicole Kalil criticizes the health and wellness industry for promoting a one-size-fits-all approach that often resembles diet culture and misinformation. In this solo episode, she shares her personal experiences with wellness trends and en…
- Death by Meeting: The Hidden Cost of Bad Meetings with Dr. Rebecca Hinds | 385
Dr. Rebecca Hinds, an organizational behavior expert, joins Nicole Kalil on This Is Woman's Work to discuss the high costs of ineffective meetings. They explore reasons why meetings fail, how to assess their necessity, and strategies for i…
- Healthier Sex, Not Hotter Sex: Reclaiming Desire, Pleasure & Connection with Dr. Nicole McNichols | 384
This episode of This Is Woman's Work features Dr. Nicole McNichols discussing how women can achieve healthier sex lives by focusing on pleasure and connection, rather than performance. The conversation addresses factors like exhaustion and…
- Ask the Damn Question | Unfiltered & Unhinged
In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil discusses the tendency for women to over-function and over-complicate tasks. She uses a personal story about kindergarten to illustrate how simply asking a clarifying question can preve…
- Pioneers: 8 Principles for Building a Business That Lasts with Neri Karra Sillaman | 383
This episode features Neri Karra-Silliman discussing 8 principles for building long-lasting businesses, drawing inspiration from immigrant entrepreneurs. The conversation covers topics like cross-cultural innovation, community, self-suffic…
- Work Doesn’t Have to Suck: The Case for Fun, Joy, and Better Results with Bree Groff | 382
Bree Groff, author of "Today Was Fun," joins Nicole Kalil to discuss how to create better workplaces and workdays by prioritizing joy and challenging the notion that suffering equates to value. They explore toxic work extremes and advocate…
- Perimenopause, HRT, and Why Women Are Being Gaslit Into Thinking It’s “Just Aging” with Dr. Sarah Daccarett | 381
Dr. Sarah Daccarett explains the confusion surrounding perimenopause and HRT, highlighting how women are often gaslit about their symptoms. The episode covers why HRT should be considered foundational health support and explores the impact…
- Big Trust Energy: How to Build Self-Trust When Self-Doubt Won’t Shut Up with Dr. Shadé Zahrai | 380
In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil speaks with Dr. Shadé Zahrai about building self-trust. They discuss that confidence is not the opposite of self-doubt and introduce the concept of "Big Trust" as a foundation for backi…
- Yell for Help | Unfiltered & Unhinged
Nicole Kalil discusses the importance of asking for help, inspired by middle school girls playing basketball who openly call for assistance during defense. The episode emphasizes that burnout is not a virtue and seeking help is a sign of s…
- How To Meal Prep Your Way Into 2026 with Jenn Lueke | 379
This episode features Jenn Lueke discussing practical meal planning and prepping strategies designed to reduce stress, save money, and minimize food waste for busy individuals. Key topics include a simple meal planning framework, inventory…
- Diversity Isn’t a Strategy - It’s a Leadership Result with Aiko Bethea | 378
In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil speaks with Aiko Bethea about diversity not being a strategy but a result of effective leadership. They discuss how power dynamics, identity, and culture influence workplace environment…
- The Universe Is Not Uber Eats: The Truth About Manifesting with Colette Baron-Reid | 377
This episode features Nicole Kalil in conversation with intuitive Colette Baron-Reid, discussing the true nature of manifesting. They differentiate it from superficial social media trends, highlighting the importance of alignment, personal…
- How To Listen When Your Parts Speak (IFS Therapy + Ancestral Wisdom) with Tamala Floyd | 376
Tamala Floyd explains the principles of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, including the concept of "parts work" and the difference between the Self and one's various parts. The episode covers how to manage these parts, heal wounded in…
- Best of 2025: The Top 6 Episodes That Changed Us (And Almost Broke Us) | 375
This episode revisits the top 6 most popular episodes of "This Is Woman's Work" from 2025, chosen by listener data. The selected episodes cover a range of themes including spiritual health, defying expectations, death, entrepreneurship, se…
- Reinventing Your Career (Again and Again) with Ilana Golan | 374
This episode features Ilana Golan discussing career reinvention as a necessary life skill in today's world. Topics include adaptability, identifying your strengths, overcoming setbacks, and building a sustainable portfolio career.
- The Connection Cure: Social Prescribing, Loneliness, and Why Belonging Is Medicine with Julia Hotz | 373
This episode features journalist Julia Hotz discussing social prescribing, which involves referrals to activities like movement, nature, art, service, and belonging as evidence-based health interventions. The conversation explores how thes…
- Stop Saying “I’m Fine”: Nervous System Regulation for High-Achieving Women with Michelle Grosser | 372
This episode features Michelle Grosser discussing nervous system regulation for high-achieving women, addressing burnout, and the importance of safety for success. It covers practical tools like movement, stillness, and play, and in-the-mo…
- Emotional Fitness for Real Life with Dr. Emily Anhalt | 371
Clinical psychologist Dr. Emily Anhalt explains emotional fitness, detailing 7 core traits and practical ways to develop them, emphasizing that emotional fitness helps manage life's challenges rather than eliminate them.