Helen Parker: Brain surgery gave me the confidence I never knew I needed

Send us a textHelen Parker shares her transformative journey from corporate workaholic to confidence coach after surviving brain surgery and discovering the power of embodied confidence through Brazilian carnival culture.• From corporate success to burnout – Helen's 20-year career including 14 years at O2 where she ran social impact programs while working 70-80 hour weeks• The turning point came in 2014 when she unexpectedly lost movement on her right side, leading to emergency brain surgery• During her seven-month recovery, she experienced profound shifts in consciousness and began her healing journey• After retraining as a clinical hypnotherapist, she identified confidence as the golden thread in all her client work• Her experiences in Rio Carnival led to insights about embodied confidence through the Brazilian "queens" who conduct energy for thousands• Nearly 70% of women report never feeling true confidence, which Helen believes stems from disconnection from our bodies• Confidence work not only heals individuals but future generations, as children often inherit their mothers' anxieties• Helen's advice: "Have the courage to take that little next step" and "The greatest purpose in this life is just to be yourself"Find Helen on LinkedIn and Instagram @helenmaryparkerco. She's recruiting women for a transformative experience at the 2026 Rio Carnival – join her confidence program and "the biggest, most badass retreat of your life."https://www.linkedin.com/company/experience-carnival-rio/https://www.instagram.com/helenmaryparker.co/

Send us a textLucy and Karen explore the concept of empowerment, what it means personally and professionally, and why those who feel empowered from within are more likely to empower others around them.• Empowerment has become a buzzword, but true empowerment is about internal agency and freedom of choice• Leaders often say they want to empower teams but struggle to genuinely share power and trust others' decisions• The worst relationships teach us the most about empowerment by showing us what disempowerment feels like• Societal taboos and expectations create invisible barriers to women's empowerment• Being empowered means having the courage to express needs, set boundaries, and question authority when necessary• True empowerment isn't measured by external factors like job titles or possessions• A practical step toward empowerment is identifying your authentic "I ams" and "I am nots"• Empowerment requires community and safe relationships where you can be real, not just performativeTrust yourself and what's coming through. Find those like-minded sisters who will join you on your journey of empowerment.

Send us a textLucy and Karen explore how we can reclaim our power by embracing our age rather than seeing it as a problem to fix, sharing personal experiences of navigating ageism throughout their careers and personal lives. They discuss the liberating perspective shifts that come with midlife and the importance of finding champions at every stage.• Finding confidence to be authentically yourself regardless of age• Navigating workplace dynamics when being perceived as "too young" or "too old"• Different approaches to handling ageism: downplaying versus amplifying femininity• The joy of finding intergenerational female champions and becoming one yourself• Shifting from caring about others' perceptions to caring more about what truly matters• Recognizing that careers have natural cycles of growth, stability, and reinvention• The painful reality of invisibility facing women in their 50s and 60s despite their expertise• Finding inspiration in women like Edith Eager who found her true calling in her 40s and made her biggest impact in her 70sEmail us at [email protected] or message us on Facebook or Instagram. Please like, follow, and comment on the podcast to help us reach more listeners.

Send us a textWe explore anger as a wise messenger that tells us something isn't right, showing up to inform us of injustice, boundaries crossed, or betrayal. Our podcast was born from the simmering rage that many women experience during perimenopause – anger that's been pushed down our whole lives but rises as hormones fluctuate.• Recognising anger as information rather than something shameful or dangerous• Developing techniques to channel anger constructively rather than destructively• Understanding how anger often covers deeper emotions like sadness or hurt• Learning the physical impact of suppressed anger including autoimmune issues and exhaustion• Exploring how women historically were labelled "hysterical" for expressing natural emotions• Discovering healthy ways to release anger through physical movement, sound, or creative expression• Identifying the difference between reactive anger and channelling anger into passion and purpose• Giving yourself permission to feel angry and discovering what your anger wants to tell youWhen anger rises, welcome it. Give it permission to be there, listen to what it's telling you about your needs, then choose a healthy way to release it. Use the tapping points under your chin and lip to release shame about feeling angry, and ask yourself: "If anger had a voice in you right now, what would it say?"

Send us a textLucy and Karen welcome Sonja Leason, a resilient entrepreneur who transformed her life from homeless teenager to successful business owner and author. Sonja shares her powerful journey of healing from trauma and discovering purpose through helping others align their businesses with their authentic stories.• Running away from home at 16 with just £150 and finding "earth angels" who helped along the way• Experiencing homelessness, toxic relationships, and surviving in difficult circumstances for years• Facing a critical turning point when her son became seriously ill, prompting her to challenge conventional systems• Embarking on a comprehensive healing journey using multiple modalities including hypnotherapy and cellular healing• Discovering that transformation happens through "many mini turning points that add up to a big shift"• Learning to recognize default trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze) and developing self-awareness to choose appropriate reactions• Using personal trauma as a foundation for helping business owners reconnect with their purpose and authentic messaging• Recognizing that hope fluctuates during healing but remains the essential bridge to transformationFind Sonja on LinkedIn  or Instagram . Her book "A Woman's Work" is available on Amazon or as a free PDF on her website wearelovemondays.co.uk.

Send us a textBuilt on a long career as a teacher, Headteacher and Executive Leader across Asia, Europe and the UK, Sue Aspinall  has recently expanded her work to include leadership coaching and training at www.Embracing-Leadership.comIntent on transforming school systems from the inside out, Sue co-designs equitable, evidence-informed and caring leadership practices that empower leaders. She weaves her extensive experience as a solo traveller into her programmes, writing and talks, using personal stories to share wisdom, inspire connection and provoke action.Sue cohosts ‘She Leads Because She Can’ a podcast where issues experienced by female school’s leaders are discussed. By building collective knowledge and expertise, this community is changing schools globally.We explore the profound intelligence and wisdom that lives within our bodies with educator and author Sue Aspinall.• Understanding body wisdom and listening to our inner voice• Distinguishing between fear and intuition when making decisions• Sue's journey as an educational leader advocating for young students• Creating alternative expressions of "mothering" beyond biological children• The essential practices for staying safe while solo travelling as a woman• Navigating personal transitions through listening to body signals• Balancing inner knowing and intellectual knowledge in leadership• Ancestral wisdom as a source of guidance at different life stages• Practical habits that cultivate connection to heart-centered wisdomUse your voice—journal, speak or sing out loud. However you do it, we hope you join us in saying it, sister.

Send us a textWe explore the concept of "good girl conditioning" and its profound impact on women's lives, examining how these deeply embedded societal messages shape our behaviors, emotions, and self-perception.• Recognizing the gendered messages we received as children – the "don'ts" for girls versus boys• Understanding how this conditioning manifests in people-pleasing, fear of disappointment, and difficulty setting boundaries• Exploring the pendulum swing between "good girl" and "rebel" that many women experience• Finding liberation in midlife through perimenopause and learning to trust your authentic voice• Breaking the cycle with the next generation by celebrating qualities rather than compliance• Practical ways to recognize when conditioning is driving your behavior• Reclaiming your truth and living life on your terms without worrying about judgmentBe you always. With love.

Send us a textRising through challenge and transforming life's hardest moments into portals for growth, healing and deeper purpose is the foundation of personal development and authentic living.• Grace Olson, therapist, author and animal lover shares her journey from birth trauma to healing through horses• PTSD and postnatal depression led Grace to discover the healing power of animals• A horse brought Grace and her daughter together, teaching her love manifests in different ways beyond feelings• Breaking free from expectations and family pressures helped Grace find her authentic path• Working with terminal illness patients taught Grace she "cannot heal anybody" but can help people transition peacefully• Animals have unique abilities to regulate our nervous systems and provide unconditional healing presence• Creating a therapy farm where people with terminal illnesses can receive free treatment is Grace's ultimate visionFollow your own path, not the one the world has told you to walk. Trust the process and know that healing isn't always linear.FacebookInstgram

Send us a textWe welcome Steve Richards and Ryan O'Keeffe of Jago. They believe that personal branding is about being the real you. It’s about authentic leadership. They are EQ experts, anthropologists, film makers and storytellers and Male Allies to women.When women have male allies supporting them, they become braver, more visible and more authentic. This episode explores how personal branding and emotional intelligence serve as foundations for women's empowerment.• Personal branding isn't about manufacturing an image but understanding who you truly are and communicating that authentically• Women often focus on getting the job done rather than talking about their accomplishments, limiting their visibility• Emotional intelligence serves as the foundation for authentic personal branding and effective leadership• Women typically score higher on empathy and interpersonal relationships, which are valuable leadership qualities• Self-awareness, followed by intentional action, is essential for developing a strong personal brand• Male allies play a crucial role in supporting women to take their rightful seats at decision-making tables• Breaking taboos like openly discussing menopause helps create supportive environments where all can thrivePlease keep showing up, using your status, your currency, and showing the world who you are. Use your voice – journal, speak, or sing out loud – however you do it, we hope you join us in saying it, sister.EQ Reporthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-okeeffe/https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-richards-/

Send us a textLucy and Karen explore how peak life experiences permanently change us, sharing stories of transformational moments and the wisdom they've gained from them.• Lucy describes her life-changing trip to Costa Rica, including a magical encounter with sloths and a profound moment of presence during a horse riding excursion• Karen shares her challenging journey to motherhood, including conception difficulties, the moment she discovered she was pregnant, and a frightening health scare while in Delhi• The importance of creating intentional sisterhood connections and how this transforms group dynamics• How leadership evolves from ego-driven to ego-less, allowing for more effective conflict resolution through listening rather than fixing• The power of simply acknowledging others' feelings rather than trying to solve or dismiss their concerns• Finding legacy and meaning in our experiences, whether through intentional relationships or recognizing inner strength• Reframing difficult experiences by asking what growth or wisdom they provided instead of labeling them as fundamentally good or badSay it, Sister invites you to revisit your own peak experiences, unlock the lessons they've given you, and find moments of joy every single day.