Brown and Happy

Why are there more divorces now than ever before?

Why is the birth rate declining?

Why do women initiate 80% of divorces?

Paige Connel joins me today to discuss gender inequity at home and in the workplace. She is a working mother of four who shares relatable content on TikTok and Instagram, highlighting the everyday experiences of women balancing motherhood, careers, and relationships. Known for her candid insights on the mental load of motherhood and the challenges of creating equity at home and work, Paige’s content resonates with millions. She also advocates for affordable childcare, paid leave, and reproductive rights, sparking important conversations about what families need to thrive. Her impactful voice and relatable storytelling have led to features in Scary Mommy, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and more.

IG: @sheisapageturner

 What if you could step into leadership roles with courage first, knowing that confidence follows action - not the other way around?

In today's episode of Brown and Happy, I'm joined by Elyse Conroy, a Fortune 500 Beauty Industry executive turned Confidence Coach and Career Advocate, dedicated to helping high-achieving women build career confidence, elevate their leadership, and achieve executive success.

She works with powerhouse women to shatter self-imposed glass ceilings, silence perfectionism, and develop the bulletproof self-trust needed to take bold action—so they can unapologetically own every room, command respect, and lead with unshakable confidence.

Through her coaching, electrifying keynotes, The Confidence Lounge podcast, and transformational retreats, Elyse is on a mission to help women stop doubting themselves and step fully into the executive influence, presence, and success they were born for.

In this episode we dive deep into the uncomfortable truth about how change actually happens.

Remember: discomfort won't kill you. In fact, it's the gateway to your next level of growth.

Pour yourself your favorite drink, find a quiet moment, and listen to this conversation. I think you'll find pieces of your own story reflected in what we discuss.

Connect with Elyse:

Website: www.soulmakeup.com
Podcast: The Confidence Lounge - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-confidence-lounge-where-ambitious-women-come-to/id1662270665
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elyseconroy/

Part 5- You DO have the TIME so stop telling yourself otherwise

Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day but we choose to spend them differently. Believing that you have no control over your time is what's keeping you stuck.

Learn to gift yourself a fraction of your own time daily. The only thing that has to change is the story you tell yourself to keep you in this cycle.

Link to Workshop and Coaching 

Work With Me privately in the Brown Empowerment Mindset Coaching Program

www.payalghayal.com

Part 4- Stop Feeling Guilty because you are NOT Selfish

Emotional Blackmail has been engrained into our culture to control us, mostly the women. Why buy into a system that keeps you feeling small and full of self doubt.

When you choose to consider you as a part of the equation, it's not because you lack gratitude. It's the total opposite but it takes practice and more importantly, believing in you.

Link to Workshop and Coaching 

Work With Me privately in the Brown Empowerment Mindset Coaching Program

www.payalghayal.com

Part 3- Comparing and Then Despairing is Keeping You in the Grey Zone

It doesn't matter what SHE"S doing. No one cares and it was never important despite what you've been told. Deciding if you're enough after comparing to other's sounds so icky. Don't do it! Never helpful and doesn't truly make you feel better about you.

Don't let the Aunties decide if you are winning in life. You get to tune them out and honestly tune your 1.0 version out when you find yourself doing this too!

Join My List and get access to all the workshops and coaching

Work With Me privately in the Brown Empowerment Mindset

www.payalghayal.com

Part 2- Fear of Change is Keeping You in the Grey Zone

The unknown is scary so you choose to stay put. You tell yourself at least I know how to manage the known chaos so I'l stay quiet. This is the lie you tell yourself because you're not willing to feel uncomfortable. Guess what??!! You're already miserable now so you have nothing to lose.

Learn why run from uncertainty and what your body is actually trying to tell you.

Join my list and get access to all the workshops and coaching

Work with me privately in the Brown Empowerment Mindset Program

www.payalghayal.com

Part 1- Get Out of the Grey Zone by Stop asking for permission

Permission is the main reason we all stay put and frozen. This is not surprising at all because we have been trained all our lives to ask. It does't go away once you're a successful educated boss.

I bet you will argue that you would never call yourself a success, well that's conditioning too. Check out this weeks episode where we start to uncover how to get unstuck. 

Join my email list. 

Want to go deeper and work with me privately. Book a time to talk today. 

www.payalghayal.com 

LA Fires brought tragedy in Jan 2025 but thesis not unique to those affected. Stuff happens all of our lives but how do we respond? The Angelinos haven't lost hope and that's why the community is even stronger now than it was before the Wildfires started. Where in your life do you have no control what comes at you- marriage, parenting, family or work? Have you equipped yourself with resources and community to still move forward towards the results you truly want in your life? Listen and find out how good can still be found in pain and sadness.

For resources on how to help, check out my IG- @payalghayalmd

www.payalghayal.com

Did the election leave you feeling numb, angry, frustrated or scared?

In this raw, unfiltered episode, we're tackling the emotional aftermath of the election. No toxic positivity, no dismissive "just move on" talk. Just an honest conversation about what it means when national politics shake your sense of belonging.

Consider this your emotional first-aid kit, blending the wisdom of two cultures with the clarity our community needs right now.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of political anxiety, community trauma, and navigating identity during politically charged times.

Skip this one if you're feeling politically zen. But if your heart's been heavy and your mind racing? Pull up a chair. Let's process this together. 

Duration: 16 minutes

Imagine this: a mother of three, holding onto hope that her marriage could be saved, until everything came crashing down with her husband’s latest affair.

Hendra van Niekerk was in disbelief when reality hit her hard. She had just two weeks to gather her things and leave, making way for his new girlfriend. As if that weren’t enough, things took a darker turn when she uncovered a chilling truth—he had been stalking all his mistresses for years.

But that was only the beginning of her nightmare.

After leaving, temporarily separated from her kids, Hendra faced a heart-wrenching realization: her husband had been mentally abusing them. For years, she had been their shield, unknowingly taking the blows to protect them.

Now, without her protection, they were vulnerable. What followed was a grueling three-year battle—a fierce fight to escape his control and reclaim not just her life, but her children’s safety.

It’s a deeply emotional journey fueled by a mother’s fierce determination. Join us for Hendra’s incredible path to freedom in this episode.

#Greyzonenomore #Freetolive #AbuseFree