The GRLPWRDEN Podcast

In this episode, librarian, solo traveler, and longtime friend Karen Holt shares how her understanding of power changed over a lifetime. Growing up, Karen thought power meant control. Now, at 51, she sees control as the opposite of the power she relates to. Hers comes from connection, vulnerability, and no longer being at the mercy of other people’s validation, a line she credits to her favorite philosopher, Alain de Botton.

Karen says this got easier with age. But if you’re in your twenties or thirties, you don’t have to wait until 51 to start practicing it. The tools she shares here are ones you can try right now.

When a mentor told Karen a management program “really isn’t for you,” her response was, “Hold my beer, I’m getting into this program.” She got in, as one of three women in a room of 40 men, and that leap opened up a whole network she never would have found otherwise.

She discusses:

• Outgrowing people-pleasing and perfectionism, and what dark nights of the soul taught her about what she can survive
• Discovering she’s motivated by relationships more than by climbing the ladder
• How she handles criticism, from performance reviews to the people who will always have opinions about the boss
• Naming her inner critic, thanking it for trying to protect her, and sending it off to hang out in the wine bar, a trick she picked up from Anne Lamott on Tami Simon’s Sounds True podcast
• Letting big emotions pass through like a summer storm, then coming back to see what’s true
• How yoga helped her release what she’d been carrying
• Traveling solo since she was 20: trusting her intuition, walking away from bad energy, and believing most people are good
• Why libraries matter right now, when AI is inventing bills that never existed and people are pulling books off shelves
• Leaving social media and choosing for herself what gets her time and attention

This episode is a warm, funny conversation about letting go of control, following your curiosity, and deciding for yourself what you let into your life.

To stay connected with Karen, email her at [email protected]. She welcomes your questions about solo travel, working in libraries, and more.

Key Takeaways:
✨ Power grows through connection, and control works against it.
✨ When someone tells you no, you can still go after it.
✨ Give your inner critic a name, thank it, and let it take a seat.
✨ Big feelings move through us like a summer storm when we let them.
✨ Choosing where your time and attention go is a form of power.
✨ Acknowledge your fear, and go anyway.

Reminder: The guests on GRLPWRDEN speak from personal experience. Their views might not reflect your own—or even mine—and that’s exactly the point. This space is about exploration, not echo chambers. And we don’t always find the perfect words or explanations, but we are here trying—because growth happens when we lean into the messiness and keep showing up.

#grlpwrden #power #innercritic #librarianlife #solotravel #womenwhotravel #carelesspeople #yoga #freedom #librariesmatter

In this episode of The GRLPWRDEN Podcast, I'm joined by Michelle Delahoussaye, a couture custom designer and stylist, to talk about what it means to know your worth, use your voice, and build a life and career on your own terms.

Michelle shares her definition of power: knowing your worth and having the courage to write your own story, using your voice when others cannot, inspiring the people around you, and fearlessly following the dreams that call you forward. Throughout our conversation, one thing became clear — Michelle refuses to be boxed in. She doesn't want to be told how capable she is, and she doesn't want her vision reduced to a label or a category. That refusal is where her groundedness comes from — she knows who she is and what she's capable of without needing it named for her. Underneath it all is self-trust: the thing that lets her hold onto her own vision even before anyone else can see it.

We talk about the moment she felt most in her power, what she believes the world consistently misunderstands about female power, and the real work of empowering other women — not as a performance, but as a practice. Michelle opens up about the challenges she's faced as a woman in her industry and what it actually took to move through them, plus the advice she'd give her younger self about owning her power without waiting for permission.

- Key Takeaways:

✨ Power starts with knowing your worth — everything else builds from there.

✨ Being boxed in — even with praise — is still being boxed in.

✨ Groundedness comes from defining yourself, not from being defined.

✨ Self-trust is what lets you hold your vision even when no one else can see it yet.

✨ Vision doesn't need validation to be real.

✨ Owning your power doesn't require waiting until you feel ready.

Michelle's story is a reminder that power isn't something you're granted — it's something you claim, build, and keep choosing, one decision at a time. Whether it's in a fitting room, a client negotiation, or a quiet moment of self-doubt, the same principle holds: know what you're worth, and design your life like you mean it.

Reminder: The guests on GRLPWRDEN speak from personal experience. Their views might not reflect your own — or even mine — and that's exactly the point. This space is about exploration, not echo chambers. We don't always find the perfect words or explanations, but we are here trying — because growth happens when we lean into the messiness and keep showing up.

Connect with Michelle:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelle_delahoussaye/ 

Website: https://www.michelledelahoussaye.com/

In this episode of The GRLPWRDEN Podcast, I’m joined by Alicia Alexander, a communications strategist, to explore alignment, clarity, and how life sometimes nudges us back onto our true path.

Alicia has faced profound challenges: losing her boyfriend, surviving a life-saving liver transplant, enduring a long hospitalization during COVID where she couldn’t see her kids or friends, being in a coma, navigating a long divorce, and managing full-time custody of her children. These experiences forced her to pause, reassess, and surrender, teaching her what truly matters in life.

Through these experiences, Alicia learned how living in alignment with your values, priorities, and daily rhythms brings clarity, grounded confidence, and joy. She shares how letting go of social pressures—like alcohol, which her body couldn’t tolerate—and embracing small daily practices, relationships, and intentional “yeses” keeps her centered and connected to what matters most.

We dive into how Alicia defines confidence: knowing what you’re good at, collaborating with others, and celebrating success together. She emphasizes quiet, grounded confidence—the kind that speaks before words—and how authenticity and connection with other strong, independent women amplify real power.

• Key Takeaways:

  ✨ Alignment is a daily practice—it comes from intentional choices, rhythms, and relationships.
  ✨ Clarity often comes through surrendering to life’s corrections, not resisting them.
  ✨ Quiet, grounded confidence speaks louder than performative power.
  ✨ Confidence grows when you know your strengths and celebrate success together.
  ✨ Small, joyful daily practices—music, routines, meaningful connections—keep you centered.

Alicia’s story reminds us that alignment isn’t rigid or fear-based—it’s intentional, joyful, and deeply personal. True confidence and influence come from clarity, consistency, and intentional choices—knowing your strengths, showing up authentically, saying yes to what energizes you, and no to what doesn’t. When you live this way, your energy speaks before your words, your presence inspires trust, and your relationships flourish. Alignment isn’t about control or perfection—it’s about flow, focus, and choosing a life that feels like yours.

Reminder: The guests on GRLPWRDEN speak from personal experience. Their views might not reflect your own—or even mine—and that’s exactly the point. This space is about exploration, not echo chambers. We don’t always find the perfect words or explanations, but we are here trying—because growth happens when we lean into the messiness and keep showing up.

In this episode, Jes dives deep into the nuances of power, presence, and authenticity. To her, power isn’t just about influence or control — it’s about having a deep, honest relationship with yourself. She explores how power is both a responsibility and a gift — something we give, take, and sometimes need to reclaim from others.

Jes shares how energetic boundaries and presence are central to holding space for others without losing yourself. She reflects on the ways women are taught to minimize themselves — to be quiet, not too “big,” or to suppress emotions — and how noticing hesitation can be a guide to authenticity.

Through her own journey, including divorce, Jes reveals how facing hard truths can lead to reclaiming your voice and living more fully in the present. She discusses:

• How therapy helped her claim her authenticity

• Recognizing the inner voice that was often misread as anxiety

• Learning that speaking up doesn’t always change others, but can reveal what truly isn’t working

• Honoring relationships and experiences while finding clarity and self-trust

• The lingering feelings of guilt and shame, and how to navigate them without losing yourself

This episode is a raw, reflective conversation about embracing your power, creating energetic boundaries, and coming home to yourself — even through life’s hardest lessons.

Key Takeaways:
✨ Presence is power.
✨ Power begins with your relationship with yourself.
✨ Holding space doesn’t mean fixing or diving deeper — sometimes just being is enough.
✨ Authenticity shows up in how you honor your needs, boundaries, and inner guidance.
✨ Life experiences, even challenging ones like divorce, teach us who we really are.

Reminder: The guests on GRLPWRDEN speak from personal experience. Their views might not reflect your own—or even mine—and that’s exactly the point. This space is about exploration, not echo chambers. And we don’t always find the perfect words or explanations, but we are here trying—because growth happens when we lean into the messiness and keep showing up.

#grlpwrden @travelwithjes #presence #pivot #divorce #energetichandcuffs #authenticity #alteregomobilemassage

In this soulful episode of The GRLPWRDEN Podcast, Emily sits down with Ninaa, a Bantu poet and multimedia creative from Kenya whose work celebrates resilience, identity, and the human experience. Ninaa shares how poetry and music became natural vessels for her voice, mental health, and creative expression, and how she’s learning to take slow risks as she steps deeper into spoken word. She even reads a new poem for us!

From her immigrant experience to navigating intersectional identities, Ninaa explores the ways gratitude, faith, and community can serve as sources of power. She shares how journaling has helped her reclaim her voice, why resilience is like a wildflower seed, and how she continues to write boldly—despite the noise, contradictions, and systemic barriers around her.

We talk about:
✨ The rhythm of poetry and music as a form of empowerment
✨ Writing as mental health practice and reclaiming personal power
✨ Taking slow, intentional risks in creative work
✨ Feminine rage, love, and the wisdom of Bell Hooks’ All About Love
✨ Balancing faith, heritage, and multiple perspectives in identity
✨ The importance of accountability, growth mindset, and community
✨ Rejecting nihilism in the face of systemic challenges while pouring into collective power

Ninaa’s story is a reminder that your voice matters, that resilience grows in waiting periods, and that reclaiming your identity—step by step—is an act of power.

This episode is for anyone ready to explore their creative expression, honor their multifaceted identity, and claim the power inherent in their own story.

Reminder:The guests on GRLPWRDEN speak from personal experience. Their views might not reflect your own—or even mine—and that’s exactly the point. This space is about exploration, not echo chambers. And we don’t always find the perfect words or explanations, but we are here trying—because growth happens when we lean into the messiness and keep showing up.

#WelcomeToTheGRLDen #GRLPWRDEN #BantuPoet #IntersectionalVoices #ResilienceThroughArt #PoetryAsPower #CommunityOverComparison #GRLPWRDEN #shinebright #loveya

In this powerful episode of The GRLPWRDEN Podcast, Emily sits down with Amber Espinoza, the visionary behind Unapologetic Worldwide. Amber’s journey is one of deep healing, radical self-trust, and reclaiming her voice after years of survival and suppression. Her work creates spaces where women can show up messy, unfiltered, and free—no apologies, no shame, just truth.

From the outside, Amber’s story is one of resilience: a mother, healer, and leader who turned chronic pain and fibromyalgia into a catalyst for empowerment. But beneath the surface is a woman who’s learned how to sit with discomfort, trust her intuition, and alchemize her darkest seasons into strength.

We talk about what it means to be “unapologetic” in the fullest sense: to stop performing for approval, to embrace your villain era when necessary, and to honor both softness and fierceness in equal measure. Amber opens up about conscious drinking, the power of sound therapy and movement, and why journaling has been her lifeline in decoding emotions and building self-trust.

✨ Key Takeaways:
Self-trust is the foundation of power.
Amber shares how learning to listen to her intuition—and teaching her daughters to do the same—has been central to reclaiming her voice.

Pain can become power.
Living with chronic illness and fibromyalgia, she’s discovered how to alchemize pain into wisdom, embodiment, and leadership.

Stillness heals what suppression can’t.
From journaling to sound therapy, Amber reminds us that the practices we resist most are often the ones that liberate us.

Empowerment is not anti-men.
Amber challenges the misconception that women’s empowerment excludes men—emphasizing instead the need for mentorship, safe spaces, and co-creation across genders.

Alignment > chemistry.
Whether in relationships or community, Amber highlights why alignment saves time, energy, and heartbreak.

Embracing the “villain era” is sacred.
Sometimes protecting yourself means becoming the “bad guy” in someone else’s story—and that’s okay.

Healing happens in layers.
You can’t skip to the high vibes. Real healing comes from feeling every stage—especially the hard, messy, in-between places.

And above all, this episode is a reminder:
You don’t have to apologize for your past, your survival, or the woman you’re becoming.

This one’s for the women learning to trust themselves again, to honor their darkness as much as their light, and to embody their power without apology.

Reminder:
The guests on GRLPWRDEN speak from lived experience. Their views might not reflect your own—or even mine—and that’s the beauty of this space. We’re not here for echo chambers—we’re here for nuance, real stories, and the messy, liberating act of creating a life that’s truly yours.

#WelcomeToTheGRLDen #ComeCuriousLeaveGrounded #UnapologeticWorldwide #SelfTrustIsPower #PainIntoPower #VillainEra #HealingWithoutBypass #GRLPWRDEN

In this candid and inspiring episode of The GRLPWRDEN Podcast, Emily sits down with Adrienne, the heart and mind behind The Electric Dream Boutique. Adrienne’s journey through entrepreneurship, personal transformation, and self-discovery is proof that building a business can be about so much more than profit—it can be a pathway to personal freedom, authenticity, and deep connection.

From the outside, Adrienne’s story is one of a thriving boutique owner. But behind the racks of curated pieces is a woman who’s redefined success on her own terms—moving away from hustle culture, leaning into her community, and making space for her business to evolve as she does. Her breakup and divorce became unexpected catalysts, sparking a deeper level of intentionality in her work and her life.

We talk about what it means to love yourself first, how to take smaller risks to ease into the world, and why discernment is one of the most underrated business strategies. Adrienne shares how plant medicine has supported her mental health, the power of integration, and why alignment—over approval—has been the foundation of her growth.

✨ Key Takeaways:

Power starts with self-worth.
Adrienne’s biggest shift came from realizing that loving herself first isn’t selfish—it’s foundational. From that place, she can serve her clients, community, and vision without losing herself.

Smaller risks can create bigger impact.
You don’t have to leap off the cliff to start. Adrienne shares how taking incremental risks helped her grow with confidence and stay aligned.

Discernment is strategy.
She’s intentional about what influences she allows into her life—both personally and professionally—because focus shapes outcomes.

Breakdowns can be breakthroughs.
Her divorce became a catalyst, leading her to deepen her authenticity, embrace vulnerability, and fully show up for her clients and community.

Integration is everything.
From plant medicine to everyday reflection, Adrienne believes you can’t bypass the inner work. Every journey requires conscious integration to create lasting change.

Redefining success changes the game.
For Adrienne, success now includes health, wellbeing, freedom, and authenticity—knowing she can’t (and doesn’t need to) do it all.

And above all, this episode is a reminder:
You don’t have to have the perfect plan. You just have to take the first step—and let the motivation meet you there.

This one’s for the women ready to pivot without shame, to lead with heart instead of hustle, and to build a business that feels like home.

Reminder:
The guests on GRLPWRDEN speak from lived experience. Their views might not reflect your own—or even mine—and that’s the beauty of this space. We’re not here for echo chambers—we’re here for nuance, real stories, and the messy, liberating act of creating a life that’s truly yours.

#WelcomeToTheGRLDen #ComeCuriousLeaveGrounded #SelfWorthIsPower #AlignmentOverApproval #EntrepreneurshipWithHeart #DiscernmentIsStrategy #ElectricDreamBoutique #GRLPWRDEN

In this powerfully reflective episode of The GRLPWRDEN Podcast, Emily sits down with Abby and Jordan—writers, visionaries, and co-creators of The Curio Cabinet, a digital magazine rooted in storytelling, slowness, and substance. What unfolds is a rich, layered conversation about building something sacred in a noisy world—and doing it together.

From the importance of sisterhood to the strategy behind their social media presence, Abby and Jordan offer both heart and wisdom. They share how they take risks in business while staying deeply aligned with their values, why storytelling is at the core of their work, and how they continuously show up for their community—not just in content, but in real connection and care.

✨ Key Takeaways:

Storytelling is a form of stewardship.
Abby and Jordan believe that telling your truth—especially as women—is an act of reclamation. Story isn’t just how we express ourselves. It’s how we shape culture, heal, and make space for others.

Sisterhood is the strategy.
This conversation beautifully honors what it means to build something in collaboration. Abby and Jordan reflect on why women supporting women is always powerful.

You don’t need to go viral to make impact.
They speak candidly about how they approach social media intentionally, without losing themselves. Strategy can be soulful—and visibility doesn’t have to cost your sanity.

Business is an experiment in courage.
From creative pivots to boundary-setting, Abby and Jordan share the risks they’ve taken and the lessons they’ve learned. Their path reminds us that success is less about formulas and more about alignment.

Community care matters more than performance.
At the heart of The Curio Cabinet is a commitment to giving back—to creating spaces where people feel seen, held, and inspired. This episode is a testament to building with purpose and letting your work ripple outward.

And above all, this episode reminds us:

You can lead with intention.
You can build with heart.
You can grow something sacred—right where you are.

This one’s for the creatives, the collaborators, the women dreaming up new ways to live, work, and tell the truth. It’s for anyone wondering if it’s possible to be both strategic and soft, powerful and present. (Spoiler: it is.)

Reminder:
The guests on GRLPWRDEN speak from lived experience. Their views might not reflect your own—or even mine—and that’s the beauty of this space. We’re not here for echo chambers—we’re here for real stories, nuance, and the wild, brave act of creating something that matters.

#WelcomeToTheGRLDen #ComeCuriousLeaveGrounded #SisterhoodIsStrategy #StorytellingAsPower #SoulfulBusiness #CreativeCourage #CommunityOverClout #TheCurioCabinet #GRLPWRDEN

In this powerfully reflective episode of The GRLPWRDEN Podcast, Emily sits down with Autum Drai—a performer, creative, and soul-led woman who’s learned how to turn awkwardness into artistry and visibility into power. Through the lens of dance, rejection, leadership, and intuition, Autum shares her journey of reclaiming expression as something deeply personal, not performative.

This isn’t just a conversation about art. It’s about self-worth, embodiment, and what happens when you stop chasing validation and start trusting your own rhythm. From the heartbreak of getting kicked off the dance team to the clarity that came from tuning into her body’s yes, Autum offers a raw and honest look at what it means to grow into your power—publicly and privately.

✨ Key Takeaways:

Power is presence.
Autum speaks about the quiet inner shift from “I’m not sure I belong here” to “I’m here, and it’s okay to be seen.” Her story reminds us that confidence isn’t loud—it’s consistent, and it’s built through tiny, daily choices to stay present.

Awkward is part of visibility.
Whether on stage or online, Autum shares how the courage to be witnessed comes with some discomfort—and that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. In fact, it might mean you're on the right path.

Not all self-expression is performance.
Autum’s breakthrough came when she realized: “I am dancing for me.” It shifted everything. She speaks to the power of art as personal ritual—how it becomes a space to process, to feel, and to reconnect with truth.

Leadership starts with attunement.
From her time on dance teams to witnessing what good leaders do differently, Autum reflects on how leadership is less about control and more about energy—how it feels to be part of a space where you’re trusted to be yourself.

Intuition speaks when we simplify.
Autum shares how the most grounding practices—drinking water, sleeping well, going outside—help her return to her body when she feels disconnected. Listening to your intuition isn’t mystical, it’s practical.

And above all, this episode is a gentle but powerful reminder:
You don’t have to have it all figured out to show up fully.

This one’s for the women evolving in public. For the performers, creatives, and sensitive souls trying to make sense of their place in a world that often asks them to shrink. It’s for anyone who's ever questioned their belonging, only to find their power in the question itself.

Reminder:
The guests on GRLPWRDEN speak from lived experience. Their views might not reflect your own—or even mine—and that’s the beauty of this space. We don’t always find the perfect words or explanations, but we’re here trying. This podcast is a place for exploration, not echo chambers—for honest stories, personal truth, and the messy, brave act of becoming.

#WelcomeToTheGRLDen #ComeCuriousLeaveGrounded #VisibilityIsCourage #CreativePower #IntuitionSpeaks #MainCharacterEnergy #PerformanceWithPurpose #AuthenticityIsLeadership #GRLPWRDEN

It’s All Worth It — On Embodied Decisions, Energy & Becoming

In this soul-filled episode of The GRLPWRDEN Podcast, Emily sits down with Tia, co-owner of Tuum Salon @tuumsalon, a space where transformation goes far deeper than hair. With a grounded presence and an intuitive gift for tuning into the body, Tia shares how she made one of the boldest moves of her life—betting on herself and opening her own salon.

This conversation is about so much more than business. It’s about risk, self-trust, and learning to listen to the body as a compass—especially when the mind is full of doubt from outside voices. Tia walks us through the somatic tools, mindset shifts, and energetic practices she leaned on during her leap into entrepreneurship and offers a powerful reminder that discernment is a practice, not a personality trait. Her story is a love letter to the moments when we stand on the edge of the unknown and still choose ourselves.

✨ Key Takeaways:

• Discernment is a body-based skill. Tia explains how tuning into subtle sensations can help you make aligned decisions—ones that come from within rather than fear or pressure. She explores the powerful concept of sovereignty—how true personal power comes from being deeply connected and present with yourself, rather than seeking validation from others. She highlights that sovereignty is about honoring your boundaries, staying grounded in your truth, and choosing yourself consistently.

• Not all risk is reckless. Sometimes risk is a doorway into your own evolution. You’ll hear how Tia felt her way through uncertainty by staying present in her body, staying honest about what she truly wanted, and aligning her choices with her values.

• Energetics matter. Whether it’s choosing the right time to act or the right people to surround yourself with, Tia talks about the invisible forces that shape our outcomes—and how she works with energy intentionally.

• Fear doesn’t mean “don’t.” Tia shares how she worked with fear instead of letting it stop her. There’s a difference between fear that protects and fear that keeps you small—and the body often knows which one you’re dealing with.

• Somatic tools build inner safety. From breathwork to nervous system awareness, this episode highlights how embodiment helps anchor us when life feels uncertain.

And above all, “It’s all worth it,” as Tia reminds us. Because choosing yourself—again and again—is always the deeper win.

This episode is for anyone standing at the edge of a big decision, wondering if the unknown is worth it. It’s for the woman who wants to move slower, feel deeper, and trust more—not just in her path, but in herself. Tia’s story reminds us that clarity isn’t always loud, and that the most powerful moves often begin with a solid feeling in the body.

Reminder:
The guests on GRLPWRDEN speak from lived experience. Their views might not reflect your own—or even mine—and that’s the beauty of this space. We don’t always find the perfect words or explanations, but we’re here trying. This podcast is a place for exploration, not echo chambers—for honest stories, personal truth, and the messy, brave act of becoming.

#WelcomeToTheGRLDen #ComeCuriousLeaveGrounded @TuumSalon @tiahorkyhair #GRLPWRDEN
#SomaticWisdom #TakeTheLeap #EmbodiedDiscernment #EnergeticsMatter #shinerbright #loveya