Why do women still feel stuck after therapy, coaching, journaling, mantras, self-help books, and years of personal growth work?

In this episode of the She Talks Confidence Podcast, Tony speaks with Christine Agro, founder of Intrinsic Energy Institute and creator of Patriarchal Encodement. Together, they explore the hidden conditioning beneath self-doubt, over-giving, difficulty setting boundaries, fear of using your voice, and the struggle to trust your intuition.

Christine explains why knowing your patterns isn’t always enough to change them. She introduces the idea of patriarchal encodement as an underlying operating system that can influence confidence, self-worth, inner knowing, body image, power, and control.

The conversation also explores why women may confuse intuition with doubt, how early experiences can weaken trust in what they know, and why bringing subconscious patterns into awareness is a crucial part of healing and personal transformation.

Three Biggest Takeaways

Self-awareness is the first step, not the final step. Recognizing a repeating pattern can create change, but Christine Agro explains that you also have to work with the underlying programming, doubt, guilt, overwhelm, and fear attached to it at 11:13.

Intuition and self-doubt can feel similar. Women may know something internally, then immediately question it because past experiences taught them not to trust their own perception. Christine Agro discusses how this pattern develops and how to begin reclaiming inner knowing at 07:38.

You don’t have to give away your personal power to heal. Support, guidance, therapy, community, and skilled practitioners can help you go deeper, but the goal should be to give you tools and greater ownership of your own healing process. Christine Agro explains her approach at 17:24.

Listen to the full episode for a deeper conversation about women’s confidence, subconscious programming, patriarchal conditioning, intuition, boundaries, emotional healing, and reclaiming personal power.

Contact Christine Agro

Website: christineagro.com

Midlife Workbook: midlife.christineagro.com

Patriarchal Encodements Workbook: christineagro.com/pe-workbook

Email: [email protected]

Contact Tony

Website: theconfidencedoc.com

Email: [email protected]

Keywords

why women feel stuck, women doing everything right, women’s self-doubt, women’s confidence, subconscious programming, patriarchal conditioning, patriarchal encodement, trusting your intuition, intuition versus self-doubt, how to trust your intuition, women and self-worth, setting boundaries, overgiving, people pleasing, finding your voice, fear of speaking up, emotional healing, personal growth, therapy and self-help, confidence podcast, women’s empowerment, subconscious patterns, healing trauma, inner knowing, reclaiming personal power, She Talks Confidence Podcast

Time Stamp

00:00 Start

02:00 Why women feel stuck

06:32 Healing and reclaiming personal truth

10:17 Breaking the cycle of self-sabotage

13:02 Working on subconscious programming

16:22 Importance of support and therapy

18:52 Taking small steps for change

22:32 Understanding emotional triggers

25:49 Finding true reasons for staying

Picking up the pieces after losing someone can change your identity, confidence, relationships, and vision for the future.

In this episode of the She Talks Confidence Podcast, Tony speaks with certified grief coach and author Aimee Suyko about losing both of her parents and learning how to move forward while continuing to carry grief.

Through honest stories about caregiving, depression, anxiety, imposter syndrome, and rebuilding her life, Amy explains how writing became part of her healing journey and eventually connected her with thousands of people experiencing loss.

Three Biggest Takeaways

Grief has no fixed timeline: You can continue grieving for the rest of your life while still taking steps toward a new version of your future.

Moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting: Small actions, such as taking a walk, returning to a favorite restaurant, or saying yes to something difficult, can help rebuild momentum.

Loss changes your identity: Whether you’re grieving a death, divorce, breakup, illness, or another major life change, you don’t have to become the person you were before. You can begin discovering who you are now.

Connect with Aimee Suyko through the In Their Footsteps Blog on Facebook, or find her book, What Remains? Reflections on Losing, Loving, and Learning to Live Again, on Amazon.

Visit Tony at theconfidencedoc.com or email him at [email protected].

Time Stamp

00:00 Start

02:00 Discussing identity and confidence after loss

04:58 Sharing honest feelings through writing

08:21 Sharing Vulnerability in Writing

10:09 Coping with grief and moving forward

13:58 Shifting from blogging to book writing

17:36 Moving forward after grief

20:48 Grieving family milestones

25:21 Importance of therapy and self-reflection

27:49 Adapting to Life after Change

30:16 Sharing contact info and guest invite

grief and loss, picking up the pieces after losing someone, coping with grief, healing after loss, rebuilding your identity, grief and confidence, moving forward after loss, grief after losing a parent, life after loss, grief recovery, grief coaching, grief support, learning to live again, grief after divorce, grief after a breakup, imposter syndrome, mental health and grief, personal growth after loss, She Talks Confidence Podcast, Amy Suyko, What Remains Reflections on Losing Loving and Learning to Live Again.

In this episode of the She Talks Confidence Podcast, Tony talks with author and caregiver Rachel Schneider about grief, caregiving, confidence, and leading a family through devastating illness without pretending everything is normal.

After Rachel Schneider’s husband, John, was diagnosed with ALS, she had to navigate caregiving, parenting, leadership, faith, and profound loss. She shares why women need permission to acknowledge what hurts, ask for help, take a break, and respond honestly to life’s hardest moments.

Rachel Schneider explains why resilience is a muscle, why capability and capacity are different, and how self-trust develops before a crisis arrives. She also discusses survivor guilt, the isolation of caregiving, and the emotional impact illness can have on an entire family.

Three Biggest Takeaways

Stop pretending everything is fine: Rachel Schneider challenges the pressure to maintain a positive attitude while facing grief, illness, and caregiving. “This is my life and it has changed. There’s nothing normal about this” 11:32.

Capability doesn’t mean unlimited capacity: Women may be capable of handling difficult responsibilities, but that doesn’t mean they can keep taking on more without support. Rachel Schneider explains the difference between what you can do and what you can sustainably carry 17:05.

You still have a choice in how you respond: Even when circumstances feel uncontrollable, Rachel Schneider believes the choice to pause, grieve, ask for help, and decide how to move forward is still there 22:03.

Connect with Rachel Schneider at spiritedprosperity.com

Rachel Schneider’s book, The Widow Chose Red: My Journey with Jesus, John, and ALS, is available on Amazon, Audible, Spotify, and wherever you buy books.

Connect with Tony at theconfidencedoc.com or email [email protected].

Timestamp

00:00 Start

02:30 Building resilience and perseverance

06:10 Coping with family crisis

06:52 Coping with ALS diagnosis

10:47 Balancing family and personal growth

13:51 Struggling with survivor guilt

17:05 Balancing capability and capacity

20:37 Dealing with pressure and expectations

23:49 Celebration of Life Service Photo

Stop pretending you’re fine, rebuilding confidence after loss, grief and caregiving, confidence after trauma, women and resilience, leadership through crisis, self-trust, survivor guilt, ALS caregiving, family crisis, emotional resilience, women’s confidence, caregiver burnout, capacity versus capability, grief recovery, confidence podcast, She Talks Confidence Podcast, Rachel Schneider, The Widow Who Chose Red, Tony Dufresne.

Recalibrating Your Life Around What Truly Matters

What if burnout isn’t only about having too much to do? What if it’s also a sign that your life has drifted away from what truly matters to you?

In this episode of the She Talks Confidence Podcast, Tony speaks with Dr. Judith Wright, who has spent decades helping high-achieving women move beyond external success and reconnect with inner fulfillment.

Dr. Judith Wright explores women’s confidence, self-worth, burnout recovery, people-pleasing, authentic leadership, social media “soft addictions,” and the deeper yearnings that create a meaningful life. She explains why constant achievement and dopamine-driven distractions can provide temporary relief without creating genuine satisfaction.

This conversation is for women who feel burned out, disconnected, overextended, or unsure what they want beyond meeting everyone else’s needs.

Three Biggest Takeaways

Recalibrate your life around your deeper values and yearnings. Fulfillment comes from identifying what truly matters, including being seen, heard, valued, creative, connected, and able to make a difference.

Stop treating exhaustion as recovery. Mindless scrolling may offer a brief dopamine boost, but it can numb feelings and replace real nourishment with temporary comfort.

Build self-efficacy instead of waiting to feel completely confident. You may feel uncertain or “shaking in your boots,” yet still trust that you can learn, adapt, and figure things out.

Connect with Dr. Judith Wright

Website: livewright.com/contact

Connect with Tony

Website: tonydufresne.com

Email: [email protected]

Timestamp

00:00 Start

02:00 Recognizing women's hidden strengths

06:41 Understanding Deep Motivational Forces

09:21 Eudaimonia and fulfilling potential

11:17 Creating boundaries at work

16:47 Rise of Women in Leadership

18:50 Finding and Following Your Inner Compass

22:24 Discussing personal core ideologies

26:02 Importance of self-efficacy for women

27:39 Appreciating women guests

#WomenAndConfidence #BurnoutRecovery #SelfWorth #WomenEmpowerment #PersonalGrowth #AuthenticLeadership #SelfEfficacy #InnerFulfillment #MentalWellness #SheTalksConfidence

In this episode, "Advice for Women in Male-Dominated Professions", host Tony Dufresne, PhD sits down with renowned criminal trial attorney Nicole Knox.

As a leader in the legal industry and former president of the Dallas Women Lawyers Association, Nicole Knox offers candid insights and practical steps for overcoming obstacles that women face in environments where men hold the majority of leadership positions.

Together, they break down confidence barriers, discuss the illusion of equality, and share proven methods for women to claim space, set boundaries, and build each other up.

Three Biggest Takeaways

The Power of Support and Mentorship
Building strong networks with other women and finding mentors is crucial for thriving in male-dominated professions. Nicole Knox shares how organized leadership classes and community can dramatically boost confidence and career satisfaction.

Owning Your Voice and Setting Boundaries
Speaking with clarity, authenticity, and assertiveness—plus practicing setting boundaries against interruptions and dismissiveness—are core skills. Nicole Knox gives scripts and actionable advice to handle these moments powerfully.

Embracing Imperfection and Conquering Fear
Confidence isn’t about perfection, it's about resilience. Nicole Knox encourages women to take risks, learn from stumbles, and push past the fear of not having all the answers.

Contact Information
Guest:
Nicole Knox — nicoleknoxlaw.com

Host:
Tony — theconfidencedoc.com | [email protected]

Time Stamp
Start: 00:00
The Impact of Mentorship & Support: 00:00
Facing Gender Gaps in Law: 01:25
The Realities of Women Advocating for Women: 03:39
Building Tools for Confidence and Communication: 06:41
Strategies for Handling Male-Dominated Meetings: 10:01
Scripts for Handling Interruptions & Setting Boundaries: 11:55
Conquering Fear & Letting Go of Perfectionism: 13:43
Developing a Personal Constitution & Knowing What Matters: 19:49
The Power of Honest ‘I Don’t Know’ and Authenticity: 20:55

Listen, learn, and share! Tag us with your own experiences: #SheTalksConfidence #WomenInLeadership #BreakTheBias

In this episode, “From Skin Struggles to Self-Acceptance,” host Tony Dufresne, PhD sits down with Michelle Doan, founder of Emani Vegan Cosmetics.

Together, they dive deep into Michelle’s inspiring journey, from surviving a Vietnamese refugee camp and battling cystic acne, to building a global beauty brand and redefining what real confidence means for women, especially as they navigate life’s changes.

Michelle shares her wisdom on breaking free from unrealistic beauty standards, rewriting negative self-talk, and developing genuine self-acceptance, proving that confidence comes from the inside out.

Three Biggest Takeaways

Your Mind is Your Most Powerful Tool
“When you give your mind a directive, it goes and finds evidence for that. So if you say you are tired, you're old, you're fat, your mind will constantly find evidence to support that.”

Self-Love is an Everyday Practice, Not a Performance
True confidence comes from curating compassionate, honest conversations with yourself—not from chasing external validation or perfect appearances.

Face Life’s Obstacles as Opportunities
Every struggle, including those with your skin or aging, can become a catalyst for resilience, growth, and ultimately greater self-acceptance—as long as you choose to see them that way.

To learn more about Michelle Doan and explore Emani’s clean, innovative skincare, visit emani.com, find them on Instagram & Facebook @emanicosmetics, or shop Emani on Amazon.

For resources, freebies, or to connect with Tony Dufresne, PhD, head over to theconfidencedoc.com or email [email protected].

Time Stamp

00:00 Start

02:00 Social media and self-perception

03:58 Embracing Authentic Self-Worth

08:51 Lessons from early life challenges

10:17 Building confidence through adversity

14:45 Facing menopause changes

18:14 Introducing young teens to cosmetics

19:58 Launching clean sunscreen for kids

23:18 Choosing the right skincare products

29:40 Changing "have to" to "get to"

31:29 Inviting women to connect

#mindbodyconnection, #confidence, #practicalconfidence, #performativeconfidence, #self-worth, #socialmediainfluence, #beautystandards, #aging, #menopause, #self-love, #negativeselftalk, #cysticacne 

Welcome to the She Talks Confidence Podcast, where we dive deep into the real challenges and triumphs that shape women’s confidence at work, in relationships, and in life.

In today’s powerful episode, host Tony Dufresne, PhD, sits down with international speaker, author of "How to Be a Badass," and creator of the Unbrickable program—Nikki Langman. Nikki unpacks her journey from corporate perfectionist to unshakeable confidence advocate, sharing candidly about the trap of waiting for perfection, the danger of the word "fine," and how taking messy, imperfect action changes everything.

Three Big Takeaways:

Ban the Word "Fine": When high-achieving women say they are "fine," it usually masks profound stress and the pressure to meet impossible societal superhero expectations.

Embrace Being a Beginner: You will never feel completely ready to step up; embracing awkward, imperfect action is the only way to build real self-trust.

Vulnerability as a Catalyst: True connection, psychological safety, and leadership strength require dropping the masks and sharing your authentic story.

Connect with Nikki Langman:
Website: https://www.nikkilangman.com
LinkedIn: Nikki Langman
Book: Find "How to Be a Badass" at https://www.bookshop.org

Connect with the Host:
Website: https://www.theconfidencedoc.com
Email: [email protected]

Timestamps:
00:00 - Start 
02:00 - Struggling with societal expectations
06:09 - Personal struggle and recovery journey
09:12 - Discussing vulnerability and trust
10:22 - Challenges of Vulnerability in Business
13:30 - Corporate culture and gender dynamics
17:06 - Setting healthy work boundaries
23:11 - Time management and work-life balance
26:14 - Discussing support from trusted friends
30:01 - Building a supportive community
31:08 - Contact info and coaching options

In this inspiring episode, host Tony Dufresne, PhD is joined by Leanne Sheargold, a leading quantum healer and trauma specialist who empowers women to break free from the cycles of people-pleasing, self-doubt, and hidden trauma.

Leanne opens up about her own life-changing journey of overcoming chronic people-pleasing, culminating in a dramatic health crisis that forced her to put herself first and learn the radical importance of self-care, boundaries, and self-worth.

Together, they explore what it really takes to step beyond surface-level fixes and address the deep, energetic roots of confidence struggles that so many women face whether juggling motherhood, careers, or healing from childhood wounds.

Discover actionable tools, quantum healing visualizations, and honest conversations about the guilt women carry when caring for themselves, why mindset work sometimes isn’t enough, and how to finally reclaim your inner sovereignty.

Three Big Takeaways

The Root Cause of Self-Doubt: Surface-level mindset work often fails because chronic self-doubt and limiting beliefs stem from unhealed childhood or teenage seeds trapped in the subconscious.

Listening to the Body: True healing requires connecting back to the physical body and learning to interpret its signals, rather than masking symptoms with quick fixes like medication.

Stopping the People-Pleasing Cycle: Over-giving and acting as a doormat drains your life force; true confidence begins only when you make the intentional choice to fill your own bucket first.

Connect with Leanne Sheargold:
Pure Gold Holistic and Wellbeing (click here)

Connect with Tony Dufresne, PhD:
Website: theconfidencedoc.com
Email: [email protected]

Timestamps:
00:00 - Start and Overcoming childhood self-doubt
03:21 - Connecting with Body Through Energy
06:31 - Learning mind-body connection
12:28 - Learning self-care and boundaries
13:59 - Supporting women through active listening
16:58 - Not being ready for therapy
21:06 - Practicing grounding and visualization
24:04 - Contact and show notes info

Keywords:#Confidence #QuantumHealing #PeoplePleasing #SelfWorth #TraumaHealing #MindBodyConnection #WomenEmpowerment #SheTalksConfidence #InnerSovereignty

Welcome to the She Talks Confidence Podcast!

Are you tired of feeling like your entire identity is wrapped up in your career? Do you struggle with the constant pressure to please others, or find yourself asking, "What will people say?"

In this episode, host Tony Dufresne, PhD sits down with financial professional, author, and women's advocate Urmi Hossain to dismantle the corporate identity trap. Urmi shares her raw, personal journey of navigating high-stakes corporate finance, breaking free from traditional South Asian cultural expectations of being the "obedient girl," and how to leverage your "5-to-9" to build a portable personal brand and reclaim your true self-worth.

If you’re ready to stop letting a job title define your value and start living unapologetically, this episode is a must-watch!

The 3 Biggest Takeaways

1. Your Corporate Identity is a Trap: Relying 100% on a job title for your self-worth is highly risky in an unpredictable economy. Your personal brand is your most valuable, portable asset. It travels with you no matter where you go.

2. Embrace the "9-to-5 and 5-to-9" Lifestyle: True fulfillment doesn't have to come from your day job or immediately replace your income. Use your "5-to-9" space to pursue simple hobbies, community advocacy, or creative outlets that feed your soul without the pressure of making money to survive.

3. Auditing the "What Will People Say?" Script: Unshakable confidence begins when you stop conducting your life based on society’s or family's opinions. Reclaim your voice, set strict boundaries, and build a "tribe" of confident people who lift you up.

Connect with Urmi Hossain:

LinkedIn: Click Here

Book: "Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth from Interracial Struggle" (Amazon link)

Podcast: Stories Beyond Borders (youtube link)

Connect with Tony Dufresne, PhD:

Website: theconfidencedoc.com

Email: [email protected]

YouTube Channel: @theconfidencedoc

#SheTalksConfidence #WomenEmpowerment #PersonalBranding #SelfWorth #CorporateBurnout #ConfidenceCoaching #boundarysetting

Timestamp

00:00 Start

02:00 Realizing the importance of personal identity

04:38 Finding purpose beyond work

07:41 Balancing passion with practicality

11:05 Discussing cultural obedience norms

14:57 Building Confidence and Self-Perception

18:33 Building a personal brand

20:45 Importance of Personal Storytelling

Do you feel like your home and kitchen are just another set of tasks on your to-do list? For many high-achieving women, the kitchen has become a battleground of diet culture, perfectionism, and stress.

In this episode of the She Talks Confidence Podcast, host Tony Dufresne, PhD sits down with real estate brokerage owner and cookbook author Lisa Parda to discuss how she reclaimed her identity and found her sanctuary by redefining her relationship with food. From breaking free of restrictive diet culture to learning that cooking can be an act of self-love rather than a chore, Lisa offers a roadmap for moving from "survival mode" to truly thriving.

Three Big Takeaways:

Letting Go to Grow: Lisa shares how releasing outdated roles and obligations creates the necessary space for new opportunities to flow into your life.

Redefining Your "Sanctuary": Your kitchen doesn't need to be perfect to be a source of joy. Learn how shifting your mindset from "maintenance" to "nourishment" can transform your daily environment.

Prioritizing Personal Pleasure: Whether it’s cooking for yourself or simplifying your routines, prioritizing your own needs in the kitchen is a vital act of self-worth that ripples out into every other area of your life.

Connect with Lisa Parda:

Cookbook: My Love Language is Food on Amazon (click here)

Podcast/Radio: Listen to "Lisa and Robin on the Mic" on all major streaming platforms (lisa-and-robyn-on-mic).

About the Host:
Tony Dufresne, PhD is a coach and speaker dedicated to helping high-achievers stop the cycle of self-doubt and start owning their story.

Work with Tony: theconfidencedoc.com

Email: [email protected]

Timestamps:
00:00 - Dealing with body dysmorphia
07:21 - Midlife transition and challenges
12:26 - Letting go of the old to make space for the new
15:21 - The journey of publishing "My Love Language is Food"
23:07 - Ditching perfectionism and embracing joy
26:31 - How to prioritize yourself in the kitchen
30:37 - Closing advice on self-worth

#Confidence #SelfWorth #LisaParda #SheTalksConfidence #FoodFreedom #MindsetMatters #MidlifeReinvention