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 Melissa Doman discuss why good leaders are quitting. They explore the unrealistic expectations placed on leaders and how it contributes to burnout and affects leadership pipelines. The conversation also challenges outdated…
- Making It Without Losing It: The Truth About Motivation & Burnout with Jess Ekstrom | 409
Host Nicole Kalil talks with Jess Ekstrom about the challenges high-achieving women face with motivation, success, and self-worth. They explore the difference between anxious and inspired ambition and how to redefine success to avoid burno…
- A Terrible Strength: How Medical Bias Is Costing Women Their Lives with Dr. Kemi Doll | 408
This episode features Dr. Kemi Doll discussing the broken healthcare system for women, focusing on medical bias and reproductive injustice, especially for Black women. The conversation highlights systemic failures, underfunded research, an…
- When a One-Star Review Means You’ve Officially Arrived | Unfiltered & Unhinged
Nicole Kalil celebrates her first one-star podcast review, viewing negative feedback and criticism as indicators of impact and authenticity. The episode explores separating useful feedback, the psychology of projection, and the benefits of…
- The No-BS Fitness Strategy That Actually Works (That You’ve Probably Been Overlooking) with Dr. Milica McDowell | 407
This episode features Dr. Milica McDowell discussing how walking can be a powerful and accessible tool for health, longevity, and mental clarity, challenging common fitness industry misconceptions.
- Why Work Feels Broken (And How Attunement Can Fix It) with Nidhi Tewari | 406
Host Nicole Kalil talks with Nidhi Tewari about the failures of modern work culture, rampant burnout, and disengagement. They explore the concept of attunement as a solution, detailing its four core skills and practical applications in the…
- Corporate Reckoning: Why Companies Can’t Outrun Their Past (And Why You Should Care) with Sarah Federman | 405
Nicole Kalil and Sarah Federman explore the concept of "corporate reckoning," emphasizing that companies must confront their past ethical failures and scandals to build trust and integrity. The discussion covers the definition of corporate…
- You Won’t Just Cry When They Die with Liz Deacle | 404
In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil speaks with Liz Deacle about the realities of grief, loss, and healing. They discuss how grief impacts identity and the body, its non-linear nature, and its intersection with midlife ch…
- Sequins, Miscommunication, and Marriage | Unfiltered & Unhinged
In this episode, Nicole Kalil recounts the "Great Sequin Debacle of 2016," a story stemming from miscommunication about a dress code, to discuss broader issues of assumptions in relationships. She introduces "Family Forecasting" as a tool…
- What Happens When Leadership Becomes Unsustainable: Leader Mental Health with Melissa Doman | 403
In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil and organizational psychologist Melissa Doman discuss the crucial topic of leader mental health. They address how outdated leadership norms contribute to burnout, the mental health chal…
- What To Do When Your Brain Spirals with Diana Pagano | 403
In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, host Nicole Kalil speaks with mindset coach Diana Pagano about practical strategies for managing mental spirals and overthinking. They discuss how to interrupt negative thought patterns, regulate th…
- The Snow White Effect: The Homemaking Myth That’s Keeping You Exhausted with Faith Roberson | 402
Faith Roberson joins Nicole Kalil to discuss the societal conditioning behind domestic labor and how organizing can be viewed as soul work connected to identity and values, rather than perfection or productivity.
- The Collaborative Co-Parent (How To Put Your Kids First) with Gabriella Pomare | 401
This episode features Nicole Kalil speaking with Gabriella Pomare about modern co-parenting. They discuss moving past the myth of the "perfect family," redefine healthy family structures, and share practical advice for parents navigating d…
- The Episode About Balls | Unfiltered & Unhinged
In this solo episode, Nicole Kalil honestly discusses her experience of 'dropping the ball' on commitments. She introduces the concept of differentiating between 'glass balls' (important) and 'rubber balls' (less important) to combat burno…
- What Taylor Swift Teaches Us About Women, Influence, and Economic Power with Misty L. Heggeness | 400
This episode features economist Misty L. Heggeness discussing women's economic power and influence, using Taylor Swift as a case study. They explore the concept of "Swiftynomics," how traditional metrics undervalue women's economic contrib…
- The 6 Stages of Lasting Love with Thais Gibson | 399
Nicole Kalil and Thais Gibson discuss the six stages of romantic relationships, emphasizing that growth and adaptation are key to lasting love. They explore the power struggle stage, vulnerability, common communication pitfalls, and the im…
- UNCOMPETE: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success with Ruchika T. Malhotra | 398
In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil talks with Ruchika T. Malhotra, author of "Uncompete," about rejecting competition in favor of collaboration and shared success. They explore how to challenge zero-sum mindsets, the dif…
- Meditation for Real Life: Presence, Mindfulness, and A Zen Mind with Jo Rose | 397
This episode of This Is Woman's Work features Nicole Kalil's conversation with Jo Rose about practical meditation, focusing on presence and nervous system regulation rather than traditional stillness. They discuss common myths about medita…
- Women Are Tired — Stop Pointing It Out | Unfiltered & Unhinged
In this episode, Nicole Kalil addresses the common phrase "You look tired," explaining why it's unhelpful and suggesting more supportive ways to check in with people. She acknowledges that women are often tired due to work, family, and men…
- ADHD in Women, Nervous System Regulation & Getting Out of Fight-or-Flight with Jenna Free | 396
This episode discusses ADHD as a brain difference rather than a disorder, exploring how chronic nervous system dysregulation and fight-or-flight mode can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Counselor Jenna Free and host Nicole Kalil examine why trad…
- AI, Hiring, and the Future of Work (Without Selling Your Soul) with Katie Fortunato | 395
This episode features Nicole Kalil and Katie Fortunato discussing the integration of AI into the workplace. They explore how to use AI as a tool for productivity without outsourcing identity, the implications of AI in hiring, and the impor…
- Aging Out of F*cks (Your Confidence Upgrade) with Ellen Scherr | 394
This episode explores the biological and neurological shifts occurring in midlife, particularly during perimenopause and menopause, which can lead to decreased people-pleasing and increased confidence. Host Nicole Kalil and therapist Ellen…
- 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, runnin…
- Joan Lunden on Reinvention, Leadership & Life Beyond the Script | 392
Joan Lunden shares her experiences with reinvention, leadership, and advocacy on "This Is Woman's Work." She discusses negotiating in male-dominated fields, challenges as a working mother, and her later advocacy for women's health and care…
- Survival Is Woman’s Work with Kathy Giusti | 391
Nicole Kalil speaks with Kathy Giusti about the raw realities of survival after a terminal cancer diagnosis, discussing resilience, healthcare advocacy, and the challenge of living fully while fighting for one's life.
- Think You Said Too Much? Why Oversharing Might Be Your Secret Weapon with Leslie John | 390
This episode features Harvard Business School professor Leslie John discussing her research on vulnerability, trust, and credibility. The conversation explores how thoughtful self-disclosure, rather than restraint, can build stronger profe…
- Why Playing It Safe Is Holding You Back (and How to Fail Forward Instead) with Lorraine H. Marchand | 389
Nicole Kalil speaks with innovation expert Lorraine H. Marchand about the paralyzing effects of the fear of failure and how to "fail forward." They discuss reframing failure as learning, testing ideas, and overcoming the tendency to intern…
- Restless Life Syndrome (Why I Want 14 Different Lives) | Unfiltered & Unhinged
In this episode of "This Is Woman's Work," Nicole Kalil explores Nora McInerney's concept of restless life syndrome, describing it as the feeling of wanting to live multiple lives. Kalil shares her personal list of aspirations, framing it…
- On Our Best Behavior: The Price Women Pay to Be “Good” with Elise Loehnen | 388
This episode features Nicole Kalil in conversation with Elise Loehnen, author of "On Our Best Behavior: The Price Women Pay to Be Good." They explore how societal expectations and historical rules, influenced by the seven deadly sins, impa…
- Like A Wave, We Break: How Falling Apart Builds Confidence with Jane Chen | 388
Jane Chen shares her experience of losing the company she founded and how that failure, rather than destroying her confidence, became a transformative chapter. The episode explores how failure can build confidence, the role of self-compass…
- Do I Matter? The Mattering Instinct with Rebecca Newberger Goldstein | 387
This episode features a conversation with philosopher Rebecca Goldstein about the existential need to matter, which she argues may be more fundamental than happiness. They discuss the concept of "mattering projects" and how the desire to m…
- AQ: The Intelligence You Actually Need (And Why IQ & EQ Aren’t Enough) with Liz Tran | 386
In this episode, Nicole Kalil and Liz Tran discuss AQ (Agility Quotient), an intelligence vital for navigating change and uncertainty. Tran explains AQ archetypes and emphasizes adaptability as essential for survival and success.
- I’ve Got Beef With The Health & Wellness Industry | Unfiltered & Unhinged
Nicole Kalil critiques the health and wellness industry for promoting a
- Death by Meeting: The Hidden Cost of Bad Meetings with Dr. Rebecca Hinds | 385
In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil speaks with Dr. Rebecca Hinds about the significant costs of ineffective meetings. Dr. Hinds, an organizational behavior expert, explains why bad meetings are a form of sabotage and off…
- Healthier Sex, Not Hotter Sex: Reclaiming Desire, Pleasure & Connection with Dr. Nicole McNichols | 384
This episode features Dr. Nicole McNichols discussing how women can achieve healthier sex lives by focusing on pleasure, connection, and understanding their bodies, rather than performance. The conversation addresses the impact of exhausti…
- Ask the Damn Question | Unfiltered & Unhinged
In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil discusses the tendency to over-function and over-complicate situations, using a personal anecdote about kindergarten. She emphasizes the power of asking a simple clarifying question to…
- Pioneers: 8 Principles for Building a Business That Lasts with Neri Karra Sillaman | 383
This episode features Neri Karra Sillaman discussing 8 principles for building enduring businesses, drawing inspiration from immigrant entrepreneurs. The conversation explores concepts like cross-cultural bridging, community as currency, a…
- Work Doesn’t Have to Suck: The Case for Fun, Joy, and Better Results with Bree Groff | 382
Workplace culture expert Bree Groff explains why joy is often excluded from work and how to create better work environments. She discusses the problems with viewing hard work as inherently valuable and offers a balanced approach where work…
- Perimenopause, HRT, and Why Women Are Being Gaslit Into Thinking It’s “Just Aging” with Dr. Sarah Daccarett | 381
Dr. Sarah Daccarett explains perimenopause, HRT, and why women are dismissed. She argues HRT is foundational health support and debunks the "just aging" myth, discussing hormonal confusion, the misconception of "natural" remedies, and medi…
- Big Trust Energy: How to Build Self-Trust When Self-Doubt Won’t Shut Up with Dr. Shadé Zahrai | 380
This episode features Nicole Kalil and Dr. Shadé Zahrai discussing the concept of "Big Trust Energy." They explain that confidence is not the absence of self-doubt but rather a result of building self-trust through acceptance, agency, auto…
- Yell for Help | Unfiltered & Unhinged
Nicole Kalil discusses the power of asking for help directly, drawing a lesson from middle school girls playing basketball who loudly and shamelessly call for assistance. This episode emphasizes that seeking help is a strength, not a weakn…
- How To Meal Prep Your Way Into 2026 with Jenn Lueke | 379
This episode features Jenn Lueke discussing meal planning and prep to reduce stress and save time. She outlines a framework for efficient grocery shopping and food preparation, aiming to give listeners back their weeknights.
- 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 how diversity is a result of effective leadership rather than a strategic goal. They explore the impact of power dynamics, equity, and performance, emphasi…
- 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 about the practice of manifesting. They discuss how manifesting is about alignment and personal growth, not just wishful thinking, and explore techniques…
- How To Listen When Your Parts Speak (IFS Therapy + Ancestral Wisdom) with Tamala Floyd | 376
This episode features psychotherapist Tamala Floyd discussing Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. Learn about "parts work," the difference between Self and parts, and how to heal wounded parts through compassion and unburdening.
- Best of 2025: The Top 6 Episodes That Changed Us (And Almost Broke Us) | 375
This episode revisits the top 6 most-listened-to episodes of 2025 from 'This Is Woman's Work.' The selected episodes cover a range of significant topics including spiritual health, defying expectations, planning for death, entrepreneurship…
- Reinventing Your Career (Again and Again) with Ilana Golan | 374
This episode features Ilana Golan discussing career reinvention as a vital life skill. Topics include building a portfolio career, the importance of adaptability, and strategies for navigating professional and personal changes.
- The Connection Cure: Social Prescribing, Loneliness, and Why Belonging Is Medicine with Julia Hotz | 373
Journalist Julia Hotz joins Nicole Kalil to discuss social prescribing, an evidence-based approach that uses referrals to activities like movement, nature, art, service, and community to improve health and well-being by addressing social d…
- 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. Topics include distinguishing between inside-out and outside-in approaches to success, the importance of safety for the nervous system, a…
- Emotional Fitness for Real Life with Dr. Emily Anhalt | 371
This episode features clinical psychologist Dr. Emily Anhalt discussing emotional fitness, defining its 7 traits, and offering practical advice on building resilience and managing emotions effectively, without resorting to toxic positivity…