innercalling: honoring the light of beauty & wisdom within you

I interviewed Dr. Kayleigh Hale, a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist who specializes in neurodivergence, ADHD, and autism, particularly in girls and women. We explore autistic masking and ADHD masking—the ways neurodivergent people may hide or suppress parts of themselves to fit in, feel accepted, or stay safe. We talk about the signs of masking, why high-masking autism can contribute to late-diagnosed autism and ADHD in women, and how masking can become so automatic that we may not even realize we're doing it.

As a neurodivergent woman, this conversation was especially meaningful to me. We discuss masking vs. coping and social skills, neurodivergent burnout and exhaustion, neuropsychological testing, and how to begin unmasking safely. Ultimately, this is a conversation about neurodiversity, authenticity, and learning how to honor the way your mind naturally works.

***

Dr. Kayleigh Hale is a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist specializing in neurodivergence, including ADHD and autism, particularly in girls and women. She is the Director of Testing at Hope+Wellness, where she provides strength-based, neurodiversity-affirming neuropsychological evaluations designed to help individuals better understand their unique minds, needs, and strengths.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 What Does It Actually Mean to “Mask”?

02:00 Can Anyone Mask—or Is It a Sign of Autism?

03:00 The Hidden Cost of Masking

04:00 What If You Don’t Know You’re Masking?

06:00 Subtle Signs of Autistic Masking

08:00 Why Autism Can Look Different in Girls & Women

10:00 Why So Many Women With Autism Are Missed

13:00 Masking vs. Social Skills: What’s the Difference?

16:00 How Do You Know If You’re Masking?

18:00 How to Start Unmasking Safely

21:00 Can Testing Detect Autism You’ve Been Hiding?

25:00 Does Everyone Mask Sometimes?

26:00 Why Masking Can Be So Exhausting

28:00 How Culture Shapes the Way We Mask

31:00 Are Men Taught to Mask Their Emotions?

32:00 Ask Yourself: “What Am I Suppressing?”

34:00 What Happens When You Start Unmasking?

36:00 Do You Ever Need to Stop Masking Completely?

38:00 My Own Experience With Neurodivergent Masking

40:00 How to Make Someone Feel Safe Enough to Unmask

42:00 What Does a Neurodiversity-Affirming Space Look Like?

44:00 What Parents of Neurodivergent Kids Should Know

45:00 Why You Need to Find Your “Neuro Tribe”

46:00 What to Look for in an Autism or ADHD Evaluation

**

EPISODE LINKS https://www.hope-wellness.com/-dr-kayleigh-hale

**

Hi, I'm Dr. V! Welcome to INNERCALLING, where I host organic conversations at the intersection of mental health, science, spirituality, & wisdom.

Together with leading scientists, psychologists, authors, philosophers, and spiritual teachers, we explore consciousness, resilience, purpose, human flourishing, & the timeless questions that shape a meaningful life. As a clinical psychologist, I've seen that healing begins with curiosity and the courage to explore life's deepest questions.

My hope is these conversations help you reconnect with the inner light within you—the one no darkness can overcome.

Thank you so much for joining me!

Dr. Victoria Ranade

www.victoriaranade.com

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness

https://www.hope-wellness.com

Press & Media Inquiries

[email protected]

INNERCALLING

www.innercalling.org

Subscribe to support our show

https://www.youtube.com/@drvictoriaranade?sub_confirmation=1

DISCLAIMER

The information shared in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Opinions expressed are those of the host and guest. Nothing in this episode should be construed as medical, psychological, legal, financial, or other professional advice.

Always seek the guidance of a qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

**

#Autism #ADHD #Neurodivergent #AutisticMasking #UnmaskingAutism #AutismInWomen #ADHDInWomen #Neurodiversity

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interviewed Dr. Carl Lejuez, Provost of Stony Brook University and clinical psychologist, about how parents can help their kids navigate artificial intelligence (AI) and the changing future of education. Should parents encourage kids to use AI—or limit it? How can students use AI without losing independent thinking, creativity, and academic integrity? We discuss AI and parenting, AI in education, preparing kids for college, school AI policies, and why parents may already have many of the skills they need to guide their children through this uncertain new technology. Dr. Lejuez also shares a simple but powerful starting point: parents should learn to use AI themselves, understand its benefits and risks, and create an open dialogue with their kids. How do we guide our kids with a technology that’s still being constructed?

#FutureOfEducation #ArtificialIntelligence #Parenting #AI #ChatGPT #Education #ParentingTips #AIinEducation #CollegeStudents #MentalHealth #Psychology #InnerCalling

***

Dr. Carl Lejuez is Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Stony Brook University and a renowned clinical psychologist. As Stony Brook’s chief academic officer, he oversees the university’s schools and colleges and helps shape its academic strategy, including its work around artificial intelligence and the future of higher education. His background as a psychologist, researcher, mentor, and university leader gives him a unique perspective on parenting, education, leadership, and how we can help young people navigate rapid technological change.

**

0:00 How Parents Can Help Kids Navigate AI

13:00 AI, Parenting & the Future of Education

16:00 Why Parents Should Start Using AI

18:00 Protecting Kids From the Risks of AI

23:00 How Students Should Use AI 25:00 AI, Creativity & Independent Thinking

26:00 AI in the Classroom & Academic Integrity

28:00 Is AI Inevitable in Education?

29:00 Setting Boundaries Around AI Use

30:00 Preparing Kids for AI in College

32:00 Protecting Kids in the Age of AI

33:00 A Simple Framework for Responsible AI Use

***

EPISODE LINKS

https://www.stonybrook.edu/

https://www.stonybrook.edu/pres/governance/lejuez-bio.html

***

Hi, I'm Dr. V! Welcome to INNERCALLING, where I host organic conversations at the intersection of mental health, science, spirituality, & wisdom. Together with leading scientists, psychologists, authors, philosophers, and spiritual teachers, we explore consciousness, resilience, purpose, human flourishing, & the timeless questions that shape a meaningful life. Questions we explore: • How do we find meaning in suffering? • What does it mean to be human in the age of AI? • What is consciousness? • How do we cultivate wisdom and purpose? As a clinical psychologist, I've seen that healing begins with curiosity and the courage to explore life's deepest questions. My hope is these conversations help you reconnect with the inner light within you—the one no darkness can overcome. Thank you so much for joining me!

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: https://www.hope-wellness.com

Press & Media Inquiries: [email protected]

Website: www.innercalling.org

Subscribe to support our show: https://www.youtube.com/@drvictoriaranade?sub_confirmation=1

***

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Opinions expressed are those of the host and guest. Nothing in this episode should be construed as medical, psychological, legal, financial, or other professional advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interview Charles Eisenstein, author of The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible, about the stories that shape how we understand ourselves, society, and what it means to be human.

We explore his idea of the “story of separation”—the belief that we are fundamentally separate from one another, nature, and the world around us—and his concept of interbeing, which offers a very different way of understanding identity, relationships, and our place in the world.

We also discuss consciousness, spirituality, scientific materialism, meaning, psychedelics, Taoism, and how different cultural traditions challenged Charles’s assumptions about what is real.

At the heart of the conversation is a bigger question: What happens when the cultural stories that once gave us meaning no longer feel sufficient?

Charles shares his vision for what may come next: a way of living grounded less in competition and separation and more in our responsibility to serve life, heal what has been damaged, and contribute to a more beautiful world.

***

Charles Eisenstein is an author, speaker, and essayist whose work explores civilization, spirituality, ecology, economics, and the stories that shape how we understand ourselves and the world. He is the author of several books, including The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible and Sacred Economics.

**

0:00 Charles Eisenstein: The Stories That Shape Our World

0:55 What Is an “Inner Calling”?

3:00 The Story of Separation

4:30 What Is Interbeing?

6:00 Why We Feel Disconnected From Each Other and Nature

9:00 Is Our Cultural Story Breaking Down?

11:00 How Stories Shape Our Beliefs and Identity

14:00 Science, Spirituality & the Limits of Scientific Materialism

18:00 Consciousness, Meaning & Mental Health

20:00 Charles Eisenstein on Death, Atheism & Existential Fear

21:00 Psychedelics, Taoism & Expanding Our View of Reality

25:00 What Is Spirituality?

28:00 Science, Religion & Different Ways of Understanding Reality

29:00 Why Intelligent People Believe Radically Different Things

31:00 How Do We Know What Is True?

33:30 Why the Old Story Is Falling Apart

37:00 What Is the New Story for Humanity?

39:00 Our Purpose: Serving Life & Beauty on Earth

40:00 Cynicism, Hope & the Courage to Believe in a Better World

42:00 Charles Eisenstein’s New Book & What Comes Next

**

EPISODE LINKS

https://charleseisenstein.org/

***

Hi, I'm Dr. V! Welcome to INNERCALLING, where I host organic conversations at the intersection of mental health, science, spirituality, & wisdom. Together with leading scientists, psychologists, authors, philosophers, and spiritual teachers, we explore consciousness, resilience, purpose, human flourishing, & the timeless questions that shape a meaningful life.

Questions we explore:

• How do we find meaning in suffering?

• What does it mean to be human in the age of AI?

• What is consciousness?

• How do we cultivate wisdom and purpose?

As a clinical psychologist, I've seen that healing begins with curiosity and the courage to explore life's deepest questions. My hope is these conversations help you reconnect with the inner light within you—the one no darkness can overcome. Thank you so much for joining me!

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: https://www.hope-wellness.com

Press & Media Inquiries: [email protected]

Website: www.innercalling.org

Subscribe to support our show: https://www.youtube.com/@drvictoriaranade?sub_confirmation=1

***

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Opinions expressed are those of the host and guest. Nothing in this episode should be construed as medical, psychological, legal, financial, or other professional advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interviewed Andrew Harvey, internationally renowned spiritual teacher and author of The Magdalene Revolution, about the sacred feminine—and what he believes patriarchy has cost us.

We explore the divine feminine, God, and how to connect with the Divine Mother, including a simple spiritual practice Andrew shares for experiencing her presence.

We explore how patriarchy shapes our relationship with power, sexuality, spirituality, and our own bodies, and why Andrew believes the return of the divine feminine matters now. We also dive into Mary Magdalene and Jesus, the Gnostic Gospels, and his provocative view of what Christianity may have left out about the feminine, sexuality, and the divine.

At the heart of our conversation is a question central to innercalling: What gets in the way of our inner light—and how do we find our way back to it?

***

Andrew Harvey is an internationally renowned spiritual teacher, mystic, author, and scholar who has spent decades exploring the world’s mystical traditions. Born in India, he is the author and editor of more than 30 books and the founder of the Institute for Sacred Activism, which brings together spiritual practice and engaged action in the world.

His work explores mysticism, the Divine Feminine, sacred activism, spiritual transformation, and the integration of love, sexuality, and embodied spirituality. His latest book, The Magdalene Revolution: The Return of the Sacred Feminine and the Birth of Radical Equality, reexamines Mary Magdalene and explores what the return of the sacred feminine could mean for our relationships, spirituality, and society.

**

00:00 – Why We’ve Lost the Divine Feminine

02:00 – Andrew Harvey: Why the Sacred Feminine Matters Now

05:00 – Are We All Part of One Divine Reality?

09:00 – Sacred Feminine vs. Sacred Masculine

12:00 – How to Awaken the Divine Feminine Within You

15:00 – What Patriarchy Has Done to Our Souls

18:00 – The Mary Magdalene Story We Were Never Told

21:00 – Was Mary Magdalene Deliberately Misrepresented?

23:00 – Were Jesus & Mary Magdalene Actually Together?

25:00 – Andrew Harvey’s 20-Year Search for the Truth

27:00 – The Forbidden Gnostic Gospels

28:00 – Why Would the Church Suppress These Teachings?

31:00 – Is This Interpretation of Jesus Sacrilegious?

33:00 – Confronting Our Own Internalized Patriarchy

34:00 – What If the Divine Is Already Inside You?

38:00 – The Sexual Side of Mary Magdalene

39:00 – Can Sex Be a Divine Experience?

42:00 – Why Spirituality and Sexuality Were Separated

45:00 – Andrew Harvey Lost Everything in a Fire

47:00 – The Message He Says He Received From His Cat

49:00 – Why Loving Fully Means Risking Grief

50:00 – The Divine Flame Already Inside You

**

EPISODE LINKS

BUY ANDREW'S BOOK: The Magdalene Revolution: https://amzn.to/4qZJaTe

https://www.andrewharvey.net/

***

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: https://www.hope-wellness.com

Press & Media Inquiries: [email protected]

Website: www.innercalling.org

Subscribe to support our show: https://www.youtube.com/@drvictoriaranade?sub_confirmation=1

***

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Opinions expressed are those of the host and guest. Nothing in this episode should be construed as medical, psychological, legal, financial, or other professional advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interviewed Becky Margiotta, author of Impact with Integrity and co-founder of The Billions Institute, where she has trained thousands of leaders working to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems.

But our conversation went somewhere deeper than traditional ideas about leadership. Becky shares how a painful inner knowing led her to radically reconsider her own life—and ultimately transformed the way she thinks about leading others. We explore what happens when leaders get caught in the roles of hero, villain, or victim, why trying to rescue everyone can actually diminish their agency, and what it means to lead from a place of wholeness instead. We talk about learning to listen to the body, changing agreements that no longer feel true, the fear of being called selfish, and why self-leadership may require letting go of the belief that we have to carry the weight of the world.

***

Becky Margiotta is the co-founder of The Billions Institute and author of Impact with Integrity: Repairing the World Without Breaking Yourself. She has trained thousands of leaders working to create large-scale social change and previously led the 100,000 Homes Campaign, which helped communities house more than 100,000 people experiencing homelessness. A West Point graduate and former U.S. Army officer, Becky has been recognized by the White House as a Champion of Change.

**

00:00 Becky Margiotta on Impact With Integrity & Leadership

00:12 How to Find and Follow Your Inner Calling

00:54 How to Know When It’s Time to Change Your Life

03:00 Self-Leadership: A New Way to Think About Leadership

05:00 The Inner Work of Effective Leadership

08:00 How Childhood Wounds Affect Your Leadership Style

09:00 The Drama Triangle: Hero, Victim & Villain in Leadership

11:00 How to Break Negative Leadership Patterns

12:00 How to Figure Out What You Really Want

14:00 How to Trust Your Intuition & Your “Full-Body Yes”

17:00 People-Pleasing, Resentment & Learning to Say No

18:00 How to Set Boundaries & Change Old Agreements

20:00 Is Putting Yourself First Selfish?

23:00 How to Step Into Your Personal Power

24:00 What Healthy Leadership & Personal Power Look Like

26:00 Psychedelics, Plant Medicine & Personal Transformation

30:00 Why Community Is Essential for Personal Growth

31:00 Becky Margiotta & The Billions Institute

*

EPISODE LINKS

Buy the book! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1954854277?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

https://www.billionsinstitute.com/

**

Hi, I'm Dr. V! Welcome to INNERCALLING, where I host organic conversations at the intersection of mental health, science, spirituality, & wisdom. Together with leading scientists, psychologists, authors, philosophers, and spiritual teachers, we explore consciousness, resilience, purpose, human flourishing, & the timeless questions that shape a meaningful life.

Questions we explore:

• How do we find meaning in suffering?

• What does it mean to be human in the age of AI?

• What is consciousness?

• How do we cultivate wisdom and purpose?

As a clinical psychologist, I've seen that healing begins with curiosity and the courage to explore life's deepest questions. My hope is these conversations help you reconnect with the inner light within you—the one no darkness can overcome. Thank you so much for joining me!

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: https://www.hope-wellness.com

Press & Media Inquiries: [email protected]

Website: www.innercalling.org

Subscribe to support our show: https://www.youtube.com/@drvictoriaranade?sub_confirmation=1

**

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Opinions expressed are those of the host and guest. Nothing in this episode should be construed as medical, psychological, legal, financial, or other professional advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interview Dr. Elaine Aron, internationally bestselling psychologist and author of The Highly Sensitive Person, about her newest book, Spirituality Through a Highly Sensitive Lens. We explore what enlightenment actually means, why Dr. Aron believes it is accessible to ordinary people, and how meditation can help us access a deeper sense of awareness and inner peace. We also talk about mindfulness, consciousness, the difference between spirituality and religion, and why science and spirituality don't have to be at odds.Dr. Aron also shares her own experience of enlightenment—and how it changed the way she experiences uncertainty, suffering, and even her own mortality.

***

Elaine Aron, Ph.D., a clinical and research psychologist, is credited with first recognizing the innate trait of high sensitivity. Her original 1997 article on this subject has been cited over 2250 times by other researchers. For the general public, Aron wrote The Highly Sensitive Person, translated into 36 languages, and five other books on the trait. In her latest book, Spirituality Through a Highly Sensitive Lens: An Objective Look at Meditation Methods and Enlightenment, she seeks to give all readers (not just the highly sensitive) a better understanding of the various types of meditation available as well as delving into the research on enlightenment so that readers can choose for themselves their way forward through the vast, generally one-sided information on these subjects. She has retired from clinical practice but maintains an active blog and website at hsperson.com.

**

0:00 Dr. Elaine Aron on Spirituality, Science & High Sensitivity

2:00 What Is Enlightenment?

4:00 Can Anyone Become Enlightened?

6:00 Meditation as a Path to Enlightenment

10:00 Dr. Elaine Aron’s Personal Experience of Enlightenment

13:00 Why Spirituality Is Still Taboo in Psychology

14:00 Spirituality vs. Religion: What’s the Difference?

19:00 Finding Inner Peace in an Uncertain World

20:00 Mindfulness vs. Other Types of Meditation

22:00 What If You Struggle to Meditate?

25:00 Why You May Need a Meditation Teacher

29:00 What Is Pure Awareness?

34:00 What Does Equanimity Mean?

37:00 How Enlightenment Changed Dr. Aron’s Experience of Cancer

40:00 What Does Dr. Elaine Aron Believe About God?

43:00 Connecting With Your Inner Light

44:00 “Waking Up” vs. “Cleaning Up”

48:00 Buddhism, Psychology & the Path to Nirvana

50:00 Psychedelics, Depression & Enlightenment

52:00 Can Science and Spirituality Coexist?

55:00 Are Highly Sensitive People More Spiritual?

58:00 What Is Consciousness?

1:01:00 How to Begin Your Spiritual Journey

1:03:00 Where to Find Dr. Elaine Aron

**

EPISODE LINKS

www.hsperson.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0806544724

***

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: https://www.hope-wellness.com

Press & Media Inquiries: [email protected]

Website: www.innercalling.org

Subscribe to Support Our Show: https://www.youtube.com/@drvictoriaranade?sub_confirmation=1

***

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Opinions expressed are those of the host and guest. Nothing in this episode should be construed as medical, psychological, legal, financial, or other professional advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interview Wendy Maltz, an internationally recognized sex therapist and bestselling author whose work has helped shape the field of sexual healing, about healing after sexual abuse and reclaiming a healthy relationship with your body, sexuality, and self. We explore how trauma impacts intimacy, why shame belongs to the perpetrator—not the survivor, how pornography can influence sexual expectations, the role of consent and boundaries in healthy relationships, and what true sexual healing looks like. Whether you’re recovering from childhood sexual abuse, navigating intimacy after trauma, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking a healthier understanding of sexuality, this conversation offers practical wisdom, hope, and healing.

**Content Note**

This episode includes discussion of sexual trauma and the healing process. Some listeners may find these topics emotionally activating. Please listen with care and take breaks if you need to. Your well-being comes first.

***

Wendy Maltz is an award-winning pioneer in the field of sexuality. She is an internationally recognized sex therapist and author who accumulated more than forty years of clinical experience treating sex and intimacy concerns before retiring from counseling in 2016. Wendy authored numerous highly acclaimed sexuality resources, such as the recovery classic, The Sexual Healing Journey: A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse, The Porn Trap: The Essential Guide to Overcoming Problems Caused by Pornography, and Private Thoughts: Exploring the Power of Women’s Sexual Fantasies. Wendy’s popular educational website, www.HealthySex.com, provides free articles, podcast interviews, posters, videos, sexual love poetry, and more to help people overcome sexual problems and develop skills for love-based sexual intimacy.

https://www.facebook.com/WendyMaltzAuthor

**

00:00 Introduction

01:05 Wendy Maltz's Story & Why She Dedicated Her Life to Sexual Healing

05:45 Healing After Childhood Sexual Abuse

09:45 How Trauma Lives in the Body

11:45 "Your Body Is Your Friend"

13:00 Why Sexual Abuse Steals Your Personal Power

14:05 Why Survivors Feel Guilt

15:00 Consent Isn't a One-Time Thing

17:00 Why Shame Belongs to the Perpetrator

19:00 The "Hot Potato" of Shame

22:00 It Takes a Village to Heal

27:00 Is Healing After Sexual Abuse Really Possible?

29:00 Reclaiming Your Sexuality After Trauma

32:00 Rebuilding Trust & Intimacy

35:00 Why Shame Is So Hard to Let Go

38:30 What If Your Body Responded During Abuse?

42:00 Pornography, Porn Addiction & Healthy Sexuality

46:00 How Porn Changes the Brain & Relationships

50:00 What Is Healthy Sexuality?

54:00 The CERTS Model: Consent, Respect & Safety

56:00 Positive Sexuality & Resources for Healing

58:00 Keeping Intimacy Alive in Long-Term Relationships

***

Hi, I'm Dr. V! Welcome to INNERCALLING, where I host organic conversations at the intersection of mental health, science, spirituality, & wisdom. Together with leading scientists, psychologists, authors, philosophers, and spiritual teachers, we explore consciousness, resilience, purpose, human flourishing, & the timeless questions that shape a meaningful life. My hope is these conversations help you reconnect with the inner light within you—the one no darkness can overcome. Thank you so much for joining me!

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: https://www.hope-wellness.com

Press & Media Inquiries: [email protected]

Website: www.innercalling.org

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@drvictoriaranade?sub_confirmation=1

***

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Opinions expressed are those of the host and guest. Nothing in this episode should be construed as medical, psychological, legal, financial, or other professional advice.

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interview Dr. Nancy Wadsworth, political scientist, about why so many women struggle to feel comfortable with power. We explore the hidden conditioning that teaches women to seek permission, people-please, and apologize for their success, the psychology of imposter syndrome, and how to develop grounded, healthy leadership without losing yourself. We also discuss deconstructing limiting beliefs, overcoming shame, building inner authority, and why true power comes from aligning with your deepest values rather than external approval. Dr. Nancy shares a powerful framework for reclaiming your confidence and stepping into your authentic, grounded power.

***

Dr. Nancy Wadsworth is a Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Denver whose work sits at the intersection of culture, politics, race, religion, and social movements. She's the author of *Ambivalent Miracles: Evangelicals and the Politics of Racial Healing* and has written for The Washington Post, Vox, and The Denver Post. With a PhD from the New School for Social Research, Nancy brings both deep scholarship and a commitment to combining academic rigor with public discourse — exploring power, identity, and how ordinary people create change. https://nancywadsworth.com/

**

0:00 Why Women Struggle to Hold Power

2:00 Why We Were Never Taught How to Hold Power

4:00 The "Pretty & Nice" Trap

6:00 How Shame Makes Women Give Away Their Power

8:00 The Femininity Paradox

10:00 Why Powerful Women Are Judged Differently

12:00 The Double Bind Every Woman Faces

14:00 Why Some Women Become More Comfortable With Power

16:00 Building Confidence Through Action

18:00 The Hidden Cost of Female Leadership

20:00 Imposter Syndrome & Permission-Seeking

22:00 Why Women Apologize for Being Powerful

24:00 Hillary Clinton and the Price of Female Power

27:00 How to Become Comfortable Holding Power

29:00 Brave Spaces vs. Safe Spaces

31:00 Oprah, Michelle Yeoh & Healthy Female Power

33:00 Finding an Inner Source of Power

35:00 Have Women Always Been Disempowered?

37:00 Decolonizing Yourself From Limiting Beliefs

39:00 How Society Conditions the Way We Think

41:00 How Do You Break Free From Conditioning?

43:00 Listening to Your Inner Authority

45:00 Is Power Worth It If You Lose Yourself?

47:00 Becoming the Author of Your Own Life

48:30 How Women Can Hold Power Without Seeking Permission

50:00 Final Reflections

EPISODE LINKS

https://nancywadsworth.com/

PODCAST LINKS

Website: www.innercalling.org

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

INNERCALLING is a podcast where clinical psychologist Dr. Victoria Ranade explores psychology, mental health, neuroscience, spirituality, wisdom, and what it means to live a meaningful life. Through long-form conversations with leading scientists, psychologists, physicians, authors, philosophers, and spiritual teachers we explore the biggest existential questions in life—from depression, anxiety, trauma, relationships, and resilience to purpose, consciousness, faith, intuition, leadership, and human flourishing. These conversations bridge science and spirituality while exploring what helps us become more fully human. Learn more at www.innercalling.org.

THANK YOU so much for joining me today. I'm grateful you're here and for your support of INNERCALLING. If you'd like to connect, find me here:

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: https://www.hope-wellness.com

Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interview Dr. Francis Collins—a physician-scientist who led the international Human Genome Project, which successfully sequenced all three billion letters of the human genome, and later served three U.S. presidents as director of the National Institutes of Health—about his book The Road to Wisdom.

We discuss his journey from materialism to Christian faith, why wisdom requires humility and listening, and how we can seek truth across deep differences. Dr. Collins also explains how to build a “mental immune system” against misinformation, restore trust in science, and find meaning beyond a purely material view of life. We close with his new initiative, Discovery Lives in Us that aims to collect and distribute hundreds of authentic patient narratives about the value of medical research.

**

Francis Collins is a physician-scientist. Under his direction, the Human Genome Project produced the first finished sequence of the human DNA instruction book in 2003. From 2009 to 2021, Collins served under three Presidents as the Director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the largest supporter of biomedical research in the world. His contributions to science, medicine, and society have been recognized by the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Medal of Science, and the Templeton Prize. His most recent book is The Road To Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust (Little, Brown

and Worthy, 2024; see francisscollins.com). He is the founder of a new initiative called Discovery Lives in Us that aims to collect and distribute hundreds of authentic patient narratives about the value of medical research.

**

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Wisdom in a polarized world

01:18 Francis Collins’ first “inner calling”

04:02 When science reached its limits

06:00 The patient who challenged his worldview

08:45 From materialism to Christian faith

09:43 Why Francis Collins wrote The Road to Wisdom

11:30 Why America feels so divided

13:40 Learning from people you disagree with

15:30 Building a “mental immune system”

17:20 How do we know whom to trust?

19:00 What COVID taught Francis Collins

21:10 Listening without becoming defensive

23:00 Young adults, meaning, and materialism

24:15 Can science and faith work together?

26:10 DNA, the Big Bang, and evidence for God

30:10 Beauty, morality, and transcendence

33:10 Why young people are leaving the church

34:45 Do science and faith really conflict?

37:10 Finding community and purpose

39:20 Viktor Frankl and the search for meaning

40:00 Can authentic faith help heal society?

40:40 What gives Francis Collins hope?

42:20 Restoring trust in science

43:05 Discovery Lives in Us

44:00 Final thoughts

EPISODE LINKS

The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Road+to+Wisdom+Francis+Collins

The Language of God

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Language+of+God+Francis+Collins

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mere+Christianity+C.S.+Lewis

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Man%27s+Search+for+Meaning+Viktor+Frankl

BioLogos

https://biologos.org

Braver Angels

https://braverangels.org

Discovery Lives in Us

https://discoverylivesinus.org

francisscollins.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drfranciscollins/

PODCAST LINKS

Website: www.innercalling.org

FIND DR. VICTORIA HERE.

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: https://www.hope-wellness.com

Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interview Dr. Margaret Wheatley, internationally renowned leadership thinker and author of Who Do We Choose to Be?, about how we find a way forward in uncertain times. We discuss meaningful work, genuine contribution, leadership, community, creating "islands of sanity," synchronicity, purpose, and why the most important question may not be "How do we change the world?" but "Who needs me right now?"

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

01:18 Finding Your Calling & Purpose

03:45 Viktor Frankl, Meaning & Discovering Your Gifts

06:00 Synchronicity, Intuition & Feeling Guided

09:00 Loneliness, Individualism & Why Community Heals

12:00 Joy, Community & the Antidote to Despair

14:00 "Who Needs Me Right Now?" Overcoming Despair

17:00 Restoring Our Humanity

18:00 Parenting, Technology & Raising Human Beings

20:00 Can One Person Still Make a Difference?

23:00 Social Collapse, Leadership & Facing Reality

28:00 Why Facing Reality Is Empowering

29:00 Fear, Anxiety & Leadership

33:00 Powerlessness & Finding Your Contribution

36:00 Social Media, Influence & True Impact

39:00 Science, Spirituality & Consciousness

41:00 Meditation, Nature & Feeling Held by Life

43:00 Leadership in Uncertain Times

45:00 Creating "Islands of Sanity"

48:00 AI, Humanity & the Future

50:00 Mental Health, Anxiety & Despair

52:00 "I'm Not Hopeful." Finding Meaning in Difficult Times

EPISODE LINKS

• Dr. Margaret Wheatley's website: https://margaretwheatley.com/

• Who Do We Choose to Be: https://margaretwheatley.com/books/who-do-we-choose-to-be/

• Turning to One Another: https://margaretwheatley.com/books/turning-to-one-another/

• Leadership and the New Science: https://margaretwheatley.com/books/leadership-and-the-new-science/

• Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0807014273

PODCAST LINKS

Website: www.innercalling.org

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4

Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8

FIND DR. VICTORIA HERE. IDKYBILY

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: https://www.hope-wellness.com

Email: [email protected]

#spirituality #mentalhealth #depression #existentialpsychology #drvictoriaranade #innercallingpodcast #intuition #innerwisdom #innerlight

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.