
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Send us a Message
"It's just A LOT to deal with." If you've found yourself whispering (or screaming) those words lately, you're not alone—and this episode is for you.
In episode 154 of The Empowered and Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil open up about what it feels like when everything—from tech problems to creative projects—feels hard. From spinning plates and bubbling volcanoes to slow internet and overwhelmed brains, we get real about what it means to hold it all… and how to let some of it go.
Together, we explore the power of softening, slowing down, and shifting from control to trust—even in the middle of the mess. Because while we can't control the chaos outside of us, we can learn to respond differently to it from within.
This episode isn’t about fixing or forcing. It’s an invitation to pause, breathe, and reframe—to remember that ease is always available, even in hard times.
“I’m not going to give my power away to things that are out of my control.” - Kim Romain
“When we are truly resilient, we get to be ourselves—our whole selves.” - Louise Neil
Key Takeaways
Key Moments
0:00 – Introduction
2:41 – Talking through overwhelm and when everything feels hard.
6:32 – Exploring our need for control and how it complicates things.
10:30 – The behind-the-scenes messiness of launching something new.
14:22 – Using energetic timing to create more ease and flow.
18:13 – Why aligning mind, body, and soul matters in tough moments.
21:12 – Redefining resilience as softness, not pushing through.
24:14 – Embracing the messiness of the full human experience.
28:25 – Spotting where we overcomplicate and how to simplify.
30:45 – Shifting language and perspective to soften what feels hard.
34:35 – Finding our power and agency in chaotic times.
39:30 – The role of community in helping us come back to ourselves.
46:21 – Sharing what we’re working on and inviting connection.
Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.
Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.
If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com
Send us a Message
In episode 153 of The Empowered and Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil are diving deep into a conversation with the incredible Adhya Rose—an efficiency and energetics coach who helps purpose-driven entrepreneurs create time freedom and streamline their businesses with ease.
But this episode isn’t just about systems and structures (though we touch on those, too!). We explore authenticity, embodiment, alignment, and the power of allowing—because let’s be real, the journey to an empowered and embodied life is anything but linear.
From unpacking societal expectations to embracing our unique evolutionary paths, this conversation will inspire you to let go, surrender, and trust in the unfolding of your own journey. Because, spoiler alert: you don’t have to control everything to feel at peace.
"The most amazing thing you can do for yourself and the world is to come forward with all of who you are." - Adhya Rose
Key Takeaways:
Key Moments:
0:00 – Opening the conversation on authenticity
7:28 – The role of values in life and business
10:05 – Why asking for help can be difficult
13:00 – Creating support through community systems
15:52 – How systems shape our human experience
19:04 – Finding peace during change and uncertainty
22:02 – The ongoing journey of self-awareness
24:37 – Karma, life lessons, and personal growth
27:49 – Growth through chaos and conflict
33:50 – Embracing authenticity in all forms
37:26 – Balancing control and surrender
40:26 – Allowing life to unfold with intention
45:36 – Holding space for infinite possibilities
49:18 – Final reflections and key takeaways
56:55 – Closing with gratitude and community
Connect With Adhya:
Website: www.adhyarose.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhyarose_mentor/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adhya-rose-27960017a/
Special Offering: Scaling with Ease – A 12-month program designed to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs streamline their businesses, implement sustainable systems, and grow with intention.
https://www.adhyarose.com/scaling-with-ease-mastermind
Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.
Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.
If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com
Send us a Message
In episode 152 of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim and Louise explore the art of navigating difficult conversations while staying true to yourself. From intimate relationships to workplace interactions, they reveal what it takes to communicate with honesty, clarity, and compassion, even during emotionally charged moments.
They discuss the critical role of self-awareness, identifying personal triggers, and creating mental space to respond thoughtfully rather than reactively. Louise shares her journey of moving beyond her natural "harmonizer" tendencies to express her authentic truth, while Kim examines how trust—in ourselves and others—forms the foundation of meaningful dialogue. Together, they emphasize that practicing these conversations, despite their messiness, is essential for developing deeper connections, stronger communities, and a more compassionate world.
This episode invites you to reconsider their approach to conflict, embrace vulnerability, and understand that mistakes are an inevitable part of growth. When we remain fully present during challenging exchanges, we create opportunities for genuine, transformative change.
"Tough conversations are actually how we are kind to one another." - Louise Neil
"When you're really present, you can make a different choice." - Kim Romain
KEY TAKEAWAYS
EPISODE TIMELINE
00:00 – Welcome & birthday celebrations 🎉
06:07 – The power of space & self-reflection
09:04 – What makes a conversation "hard"?
12:11 – Trust, fear, and navigating conflict
18:03 – Recognizing emotional triggers in real time
23:30 – The impact of self-awareness on communication
29:58 – Why we avoid difficult conversations
35:35 – Learning to lean into discomfort
41:22 – The difference between tough conversations & arguments
46:50 – Final reflections and takeaways
Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.
Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.
If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com
Send us a Message
In episode 151 of Empowered and Embodied, Kim and Louise dive into the powerful intersections of leadership, identity, and belonging with their incredible guest, Shoshana Allice. Shoshana is a neuro-inclusive leadership coach and consultant, committed to decolonizing leadership and fostering spaces where true belonging—not just fitting in—is possible.
We explore the difference between belonging and fitting in, the armor we carry through life, and how our deeply ingrained systems shape the way we move through the world. Shoshana shares her journey of unlearning, embracing curiosity, and making space for courageous conversations that challenge power structures and systemic inequities.
Consider this an invitation to ask hard questions, sit in the discomfort of growth, and to recognize that getting it “wrong” is part of the process. From recognizing our internalized beliefs to reimagining leadership in a way that centers humanity, this episode is a powerful call to action: to show up, stay curious, and create spaces of true connection. This is one of those conversations that leaves you feeling full—of ideas, questions, and a renewed sense of purpose.
"If you want to start decolonizing your leadership, start with curiosity and humility. Be willing to unlearn what you think you know." - Shoshana Allice
Key Takeaways:
Key Moments:
00:00 – Welcome, guest introduction & celebrations
07:28 – The power of asking questions
11:33 – Struggles and self-judgment
14:34 – Decolonizing leadership
19:59 – The importance of land acknowledgments
23:28 – Unlearning leadership assumptions
29:58 – The weight of systemic armor
34:36 – Privilege, belonging, and identity
41:22 – The illusion of fitting in
46:50 – Learning from younger generations
52:02 – Final reflections and takeaways
Resources Mentioned:
📖 Rest as Resistance by Tricia Hersey
🎥 This is Water
Connect with Shoshana:
Website: www.decolonizingleadership.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoshanaallice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorkshopsThatDontSuck/
Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.
Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.
If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com
Send us a Message
In episode 150 of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim and Louise sit down with author, activist, and performer Susan Lieu to explore the weight of family expectations, intergenerational trauma, and the journey to reclaiming self-worth. Susan, author of The Manicurist’s Daughter and creator of the solo show 140 Pounds: How Beauty Killed My Mother, shares her deeply personal story of uncovering long-buried family secrets, navigating cultural pressures, and ultimately learning how to break cycles of silence and choose herself.
Through humor, vulnerability, and bold insights, this conversation explores self-worth beyond achievement, the importance of having "salad friends" (the ones who tell you when you have spinach in your teeth), and why true healing starts with looking inward.
"We pay a tax on our silence. Whether it’s in our bodies, our relationships, or our sense of self, unspoken pain doesn’t just disappear—it festers." – Susan Lieu
Key Takeaways
🔹 Breaking Family Cycles – How Susan confronted generational silence and redefined her own path.
🔹 The Weight of Cultural Expectations – How ancestral trauma shapes self-worth and what it takes to unlearn it.
🔹 Achievement ≠ Fulfillment – Why success alone won’t bring happiness—and how Susan learned to redefine it.
🔹 The Importance of ‘Salad Friends’ – Surrounding yourself with people who tell you the truth (with love).
🔹 Receiving Without Guilt – Learning to let yourself enjoy life’s little pleasures without justification.
🔹 Healing Starts With You – Instead of seeking validation externally, real transformation begins by going inward.
Key Moments
[00:00] – Intros and celebrating the little things (like giant Peruvian grapes!)
[07:09] – Unpacking family trauma and the power of storytelling
[13:42] – The weight of cultural expectations and the cost of silence
[21:26] – Why achieving more doesn’t always mean feeling more fulfilled
[28:49] – Breaking the cycle: Reparenting yourself and shifting family dynamics
[34:35] – The art of truly listening and holding space for others
[41:17] – Reclaiming self-worth and learning to receive joy without guilt
[48:23] – Choosing yourself: How to step into your own power
CONNECT WITH SUSAN:
Website: http://susanlieu.me
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanlieu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanlieuofficial
Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanlieu
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@susanlieu6046
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES MENTIONED:
📖 The Manicurist’s Daughter by Susan Lieu
🎭140 Pounds: How Beauty Killed My Mother by Susan Lieu
🎙️ Model Minority Moms Podcast
Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.
Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.
If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com
Send us a Message
Episode 149 of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim and Louise sit down with Dr. Essence Deming-Rivers, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Director of Psychological Services at Customized Behavioral Healthcare. As a queer, chronically ill, neurodivergent woman of color, Dr. Essence brings a unique and powerful perspective to conversations on identity, emotional awareness, and belonging. Together, the trio explore the importance of emotional literacy, how to create brave spaces for self-exploration, and why curiosity is a superpower when it comes to discovering who we truly are.
"The discomfort of growth is temporary. Staying where you don’t belong is forever." - Dr. Essence Deming-Rivers
Key Takeaways
🔹 Feeling stuck? Get curious!
🔹 Emotions are data, not obstacles.
🔹 Safe spaces are essential for growth.
🔹 Find your right ecosystem.
🔹 Diversity fuels belonging.
🔹 Stop cleaning up your emotions.
Key Moments
[00:00] – Introductions and celebrations of presence, alignment, and freedom
[03:42] – Finding community and opportunities that align with your vision
[07:09] – The myth of “figuring it all out” at 18 and why identity is fluid
[10:31] – Differentiating between doing and being through a values-based approach
[18:20] – How to recognize brave spaces for self-exploration
[22:08] – Emotional literacy as a skill and using the “How We Feel” app
[26:35] – The importance of tracking emotions and body sensations
[35:58] – Belonging, diversity, and why we stay in environments that don’t serve us
[43:18] – Embracing brave vulnerability and showing up authentically
[48:57] – The power of diverse communities and allowing yourself to evolve
Resources Mentioned
📱 How We Feel App – A free tool for tracking and identifying emotions. https://howwefeel.org/
🎨 Emotion Sensation Wheel by Lindsay Braman – A tool to connect physical sensations with emotions. https://lindsaybraman.com/sensation-feelings-wheel/
Connect with Dr. Essence:
Website: https://customizedbehavioralhealthcare.com/dr-essence%2C-psyd
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/essencerivers/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dressencerivers/
Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.
Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.
If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com
Send us a Message
In episode 148 of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim and Louise dive into a heartfelt conversation about intentionality—what it means, why it matters, and how we can bring more of it into our lives. From the giggles at the start to deep reflections on self-trust, collaboration, and navigating transitions, this episode is a reminder that autopilot living isn’t serving us anymore.
Kim and Louise explore the importance of making choices on purpose, breaking free from old patterns, and allowing space for evolution—both personally and in business. They reflect on the communities that uplift us, the power of slowing down, and how leaning into intuition doesn’t mean surrendering all control. This conversation is an invitation to reclaim your agency, recognize your impact, and start showing up in a way that aligns with who you truly are.
“Why wait to be yourself? Why not now?”
Key Takeaways:
🔹 Autopilot vs. Intention – Are you making choices consciously, or just following old patterns?
🔹 The Power of Community – Supportive spaces help us move through transitions with more clarity and ease.
🔹 Slowing Down to Speed Up – Resistance to rest is ingrained in us, but sometimes slowing down is exactly what we need.
🔹 Trusting Your Intuition – Living intuitively doesn’t mean floating through life—it requires active engagement.
🔹 Aligning with Your Values – As we grow, our values shift. Our lives and businesses should evolve with them.
🔹 Making Purposeful Choices – The small, intentional choices we make shape the bigger picture of our lives.
Key Moments
[00:00] – Kicking things off with laughter and connection
[02:39] – The power of community and celebrating the spaces that support us
[07:22] – Navigating transitions and recognizing collective energy shifts
[12:19] – Awareness, self-leadership, and breaking free from autopilot
[20:05] – Finding and using your voice, even when it feels uncomfortable
[28:35] – Business, values, and redefining what success looks like
[40:29] – Why intentionality is an act of self-liberation
[52:30] – Final reflections: What does it mean to live on purpose?
“Being intentional allows me to liberate myself—from expectations, from old stories, from the idea that I have to fit into a certain mold.” -- Kim Romain
“When I’m intentional, I’m actually choosing my life rather than just reacting to it.” -- Louise Neil
Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.
Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.
If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com
Send us a Message
In episode 147 of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim and Louise sit down with Becky Vollmer, a speaker, yoga teacher, and author to unpack what it truly means to be "stuck"—and more importantly, how to move beyond it. Through humor, vulnerability, and powerful insights, they explore self-trust, questioning societal expectations, and embracing personal evolution. As the creator of You Are Not Stuck, a movement that empowers people to pursue the lives they most deeply desire, Becky is a leading voice in the sobriety and recovery community, guiding individuals and groups through movement, breathwork, self-exploration, and action planning across the country. This conversation dives into self-trust, questioning societal expectations, and embracing personal evolution. From tackling fears and limiting beliefs to redefining success and self-worth, this episode is an invitation to step into freedom, trust your inner stardust, and live a life that aligns with your values.
"The opposite of fear isn’t just courage—it’s choice." - Becky Vollmer
Key Takeaways
🔹 The Difference Between Stagnation and Stuckness – You're not actually stuck; you might just be facing fear, uncertainty, or difficult choices.
🔹 The Power of Reflection – We don’t learn from experience alone, but from reflecting on it.
🔹 Trust Your Stardust – We all have an inner wisdom guiding us—if we learn to trust it.
🔹 Permission to Feel and Accept – Healing starts with acknowledging wounds instead of covering them with band-aids.
🔹 The Myth of Other People’s Expectations – So many of the "rules" we follow aren't even ours. Question them.
🔹 Aligning with Evolved Values – Our values shift as we grow, and our lives should evolve with them.
Key Moments
[00:00] – Introductions and celebrating unexpected free time
[03:42] – Embracing “unspecified outcome time” and releasing expectations
[07:09] – The difference between feeling stuck and actually being stuck
[10:31] – Shifting from fear to choice as a path to empowerment
[15:18] – Aligning with evolving values and reassessing priorities
[18:20] – Questioning societal expectations and redefining success
[26:18] – Trusting your stardust and embracing self-discovery
[34:35] – Letting go of emotional band-aids and facing discomfort
[39:47] – Using self-inquiry and reflection to spark transformation
[48:23] – Choosing freedom and giving yourself permission to evolve
Learn More About Becky:
🌟 Website: YouAreNotStuck.com
🌟 LinkedIn: Becky Vollmer
🌟 Instagram: @YouAreNotStuck
🌟 Facebook: You Are Not Stuck
Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.
Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.
If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com
Send us a Message
In episode 146 of The Empowered and Embodied Show, Kim and Louise are joined by Michele Heyward—engineer, tech CEO, and fierce advocate reshaping the landscape for Black, Latina, and Indigenous women in STEM. Michele shares her journey from her early days mentoring engineering students to leading a company that champions underrepresented voices in tech. She invites us to look beyond who fills our rooms to who waits at the threshold—a shift that transforms how we solve problems and build our future. This conversation is a loving reminder that empowerment isn't about permission—it's about recognizing the authority that already lives within us. Because real change blossoms when someone—perhaps you—chooses to speak up, step into the room, and reshape it with their presence.
"It's not about who you are talking about, but who you aren't talking about." - Michele Heyward
Key Takeaways
🔹 Take action—don’t wait for permission. Change happens when we step up and push forward, even when the system isn’t ready.
🔹 Ask better questions. Instead of “Who’s in the room?” ask, “Who isn’t—and why?” Real inclusion starts with addressing exclusion.
🔹 Inclusion is essential. Retaining and supporting underrepresented groups strengthens our communities and workplaces.
🔹 Advocates and sponsors matter. Mentorship and sponsorship can be game-changers—seek them out and pay it forward.
🔹 Meet communities where they are. If people aren’t engaging, rethink outreach—it’s about access, not interest.
🔹 Small changes drive impact. Simple solutions, like curb cuts or better workplace benefits, create lasting transformation.
🔹 You have power—use it. Knowing your worth and challenging norms can spark real change.
Key Moments
Connect With Michele:
Website: https://PositiveHire.co
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelecheyward/
Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.
Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.
If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com
Send us a Message
In this episode, co-hosts Kim Romain and Louise Neil are joined by Dennise M. Kowalczyk, also known as The Adventure Broad, for a deep and inspiring conversation about living life with intentionality, embracing joy, and reclaiming personal power at any stage of life. Together, they explore how we can detach from external expectations, combat self-sabotage, and make empowered choices by tuning into our inner wisdom. Dennise shares her journey of breaking free from limiting beliefs, stepping into new possibilities, and embracing midlife with confidence. If you're seeking insights on healing, self-trust, and personal growth while navigating a chaotic world, this episode will leave you inspired to live fully and intentionally.
"Lean into the discomfort—it’s often not as bad as you think, and it’s the key to moving forward." – Dennise M. Kowalczyk
Key Takeaways
Key Moments
[00:00] – Introductions
[01:42] – The power of laughter and finding joy in chaos
[03:42] – Avoiding disappointment and being stuck to outcomes
[07:09] – Celebrating groundedness and intentional living
[10:31] – Embracing risk, choice, and letting go of control
[15:18] – "Eating the frog" by tackling the hardest task of the day first builds confidence and shifts energy
[18:20] – How detaching from outcomes and intentional decision-making create empowerment
[26:18] – Challenging societal narratives of aging
[34:35] – Defining beauty on our own terms
[39:47] – The power of stillness and intentional pauses
[48:23] – Grace and connection in relationships
Learn More About Dennise:
You can find Dennise online at TheAdventureBroad.com and on Instagram @TheAdventureBroad to learn more about her work, stories, and adventures.
Resources Mentioned
Brian Tracy: Eat That Frog
Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.
Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.
If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com
From the publisher's feed
Kim Romain and Louise Neil, alongside their refreshingly candid guests, welcome you to an entertaining and profound journey exploring the human experience. Through everyday ups and downs, The…