Women of Impact

In this powerful episode of Women of Impact, Lisa Bilyeu welcomes the trailblazing psychologist, author, and current President of the American Psychological Association, Dr. Thema Bryant. Renowned for her expertise in trauma recovery and healing, Dr. Thema joins Lisa to dive into the realities of heartbreak, betrayal, and emotional pain—and, most importantly, how to begin rebuilding your sense of self after it all feels shattered. Dr. Thema unpacks why recognizing and accepting our pain is the first step toward genuine healing, dismantling the lies we’ve been told about ourselves, and stepping out of shame and denial. From discussing the damaging waiting game for an apology, to offering insights from narrative therapy, she guides listeners to reclaim agency in their lives and shift their internal narratives. If you’ve struggled with toxic hope, anger, or the burden of forgiveness, this episode is packed with essential truths to help you break free. SHOWNOTES 00:00 What to do when your heart is broken 00:32 The importance of admitting you're hurting 01:32 The danger of denial and how it feeds shame 02:32 Healing and the ripple effect on your relationships 03:11 Surrounding yourself with the right people 03:29 Why waiting for an apology keeps you stuck 04:41 Restorying your life through narrative therapy 05:46 Moving from “why” to “what now” 06:17 Dismantling core negative beliefs 07:11 How to detect the lies you’ve absorbed 08:31 The “hope as handcuffs” trap 09:26 Differentiating between joint and solo hope in relationships 10:45 Recognizing empty words vs. changed behavior 11:47 The double-edged sword of anger and revenge 12:22 Constructive vs. destructive anger 13:49 Breaking the revenge spiral and centering yourself 16:06 Real-world examples of holding on to old wounds 17:05 External messages and body image: it's not all your fault 18:30 Forgiveness redefined: forgetting, speed, and reconciliation FOLLOW DR. THEMA BRYANT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.thema/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.thema Website: https://www.drtaymabryant.com Podcast: The Homecoming Podcast CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to https://www.vitalproteins.com and entering promo code WOI at check out.  SleepMe: Visit https://sleep.me/woi to get your Chilipad and save 20% with code WOI. Try it risk-free with their 30-night sleep trial and free shipping! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://shopify.com/lisa OneSkin: Get 15% off with code LISA at https://oneskin.co ********************************************************************** LISTEN TO WOMEN OF IMPACT AD FREE + BONUS EPISODES on APPLE PODCASTS:⁠ ⁠ ⁠apple.co/womenofimpact⁠ ********************************************************************** FOLLOW LISA: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/lisabilyeu/⁠ Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/lisabilyeu⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/womenofimpact⁠ Tik Tok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@lisa_bilyeu?lang=en⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9 Jul 38min

This is a Fan Fav episode. I’m sitting down again with the incredible Dr. Nicole LePera—The Holistic Psychologist—for a radically honest conversation about self-sabotage, self-betrayal, and how our subconscious habits keep us stuck for YEARS if we don’t wake up and intervene. Dr. Nicole doesn’t just break down the science; she offers the practical tools and tiny first steps you need to start making change, even if you’ve failed a thousand times before. With her signature compassion and “no more hiding” approach, Nicole shows us how overthinking, meaningless routines, and people-pleasing quietly sabotage our dreams. But, most importantly, she gives you a roadmap out. It’s time to reconnect to that inner voice, build unstoppable self-trust, and finally become the hero of your own life—no matter your history. SHOWNOTES 00:01 – What self-sabotage REALLY is and why “overthinking” betrays your inner wisdom 00:11 – Where self-betrayal comes from: The subconscious’s addiction to the familiar 00:27 – Creating space from your thoughts: Why you don’t need to “think less,” just think differently 00:41 – The daily “small promises” that actually break the cycle of self-defeat 00:55 – Overwhelm and emotional safety: How to start healing without retraumatizing yourself 01:15 – Self-sabotage vs. self-betrayal: How ignoring your needs ends up running your entire life 01:29 – Building ongoing self-awareness and spotting your own “tells” 01:52 – Navigating relationships as your needs (and self) evolve—and why communication is everything 02:15 – Meaning as your anchor: How reconnecting with purpose pulls you out of any spiral 02:36 – Why you’re not “broken,” and how tiny acts of self-trust change everything FOLLOW DR. NICOLE LEPERA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.holistic.psychologist/ Website: https://theholisticpsychologist.com/ Book: How to Do the Work Join the SelfHealers Community: https://theholisticpsychologist.com/selfhealers-circle/ CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ and entering promo code WOI at check out.  SleepMe: Visit ⁠https://sleep.me/woi⁠ to get your Chilipad and save 20% with code WOI. Try it risk-free with their 30-night sleep trial and free shipping! ********************************************************************** LISTEN TO WOMEN OF IMPACT AD FREE + BONUS EPISODES on APPLE PODCASTS:⁠ ⁠ ⁠apple.co/womenofimpact⁠ ********************************************************************** FOLLOW LISA: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/lisabilyeu/⁠ Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/lisabilyeu⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/womenofimpact⁠ Tik Tok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@lisa_bilyeu?lang=en⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8 Jul 41min

This is a Fan Fav episode. From growing up in a world where women were told to disappear and serve—and taught their worth was only found in silence and subservience—to writing a book called Brazen and stepping into the world as an empowered entrepreneur, Julia Haart’s story is one of radical transformation, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of freedom. In this episode, I sit down with Julia to uncover how she faced—and still faces—the deeply ingrained fears and shame of her upbringing, how she redefined her worth, and her honest truth that confidence isn’t the absence of fear, but having the courage to act anyway. With raw stories, stubborn hope, and practical wisdom, Julia lays out how to break free from limiting beliefs, rewrite your narrative, and boldly claim your own power—even when every part of you wants to retreat to the background. SHOWNOTES Growing up trained to disappear: why invisibility was the measure of a “good” woman (00:00:00) The spiritual “high” of self-negation—and its hidden costs (00:04:21) Confronting core beliefs: discovering your cage is made of thoughts, not steel (00:08:13) Small rebellions that matter: fighting back by refusing to be uncomfortable for someone else’s rules (00:17:25) Surviving the impossible: why Julia didn’t give up—thanks to her daughter’s courage (00:21:15) The lifelong process of “deprogramming” and how even Julia still catches herself people-pleasing (00:34:17) Forgiveness, patience, and living as a work in progress—letting go of shame bit by bit (00:38:17) Taking bold leaps while still feeling fear: what it really means to be “brazen” and how to attack new opportunities (00:43:14) Why being a lifelong learner is non-negotiable for growth and reinvention (00:46:39) Final lessons: why your only fence is in your mind, and it’s time to break free (00:30:02, referenced later in conversation) FOLLOW JULIA HAART: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliahaart Book: Brazen, available at major booksellers including Barnes & Noble TV show: My Unorthodox Life on Netflix CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ and entering promo code WOI at check out.  SleepMe: Visit ⁠https://sleep.me/woi⁠ to get your Chilipad and save 20% with code WOI. Try it risk-free with their 30-night sleep trial and free shipping! ********************************************************************** LISTEN TO WOMEN OF IMPACT AD FREE + BONUS EPISODES on APPLE PODCASTS:⁠ ⁠ ⁠apple.co/womenofimpact⁠ ********************************************************************** FOLLOW LISA: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/lisabilyeu/⁠ Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/lisabilyeu⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/womenofimpact⁠ Tik Tok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@lisa_bilyeu?lang=en⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7 Jul 54min

This is a Fan Fav episode. When life knocks you down—how do you get back up? In this episode, I'm joined by Rachel Hollis, whose name is synonymous with resilience. We dig deep into everything it really takes to rise stronger from heartbreak, setbacks, and the toughest chapters of our lives. Rachel gets real about her own journey—surviving a tumultuous childhood, tragedies, business failures, divorce, and the public eye. More importantly, she lays out the exact steps that helped her build an unbreakable sense of strength, self-trust, and the courage to evolve—again and again. Whether you’ve lost faith in yourself, are battling negative self-talk, or wonder if you’ll ever feel whole again, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom, vulnerable stories, and the unapologetic truth every woman needs to hear to keep showing up and become the hero of her own life. SHOWNOTES 0:00 – Why building resilience is the ultimate superpower for women 3:16 – How looking back at your own history can unlock your strength 7:24 – The price of not processing pain, shame, or mistakes 11:10 – Getting up for others vs. healing for yourself: breaking the codependency cycle 17:38 – Rachel’s secret: Evolution as her core value, and how it fuels resilience 26:51 – Learning to trust your gut after it’s been broken, and training self-intuition 52:03 – The powerful impact of emotional eating and how to break the shame cycle 1:23:35 – When brain fog and hormone imbalances cripple our self-worth 1:46:46 – Why understanding your cycle isn’t optional—it’s your 5th vital sign 1:52:13 – The key to real resilience: Knowing, loving, and rooting for yourself—one step at a time FOLLOW RACHEL HOLLIS: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msrachelhollis/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/msrachelhollis Website: https://thehollisco.com/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rachel-hollis-podcast/id1245763628 CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to https://www.vitalproteins.com and entering promo code WOI at check out.  SleepMe: Visit https://sleep.me/woi to get your Chilipad and save 20% with code WOI. Try it risk-free with their 30-night sleep trial and free shipping! ********************************************************************** LISTEN TO WOMEN OF IMPACT AD FREE + BONUS EPISODES on APPLE PODCASTS:  apple.co/womenofimpact ********************************************************************** FOLLOW LISA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisabilyeu/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisabilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/womenofimpact Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lisa_bilyeu?lang=en Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 Jul 1h 59min

This is a Fan Fav episode. You think you can spot a lie? Think again. In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Vanessa Van Edwards—body language and human behavior expert, and founder of Science of People. Vanessa lays out the five fundamental cues to help you spot deception, debunks what you think you know about liars, and walks us through real-life tactics to not only detect lies, but to make sure we come across as our most honest and confident selves. From the science behind morning honesty and the power of congruence, to the difference between nervousness and deception, get ready for tangible, game-changing habits you can use right away. Grab your notebook, this is one you’ll keep coming back to. SHOWNOTES The shocking statistics: Why we misdetect lies 46% of the time 00:02:05 – The "Morning Morality Effect": Why morning is the best time for honesty 00:04:20 – The Pollyanna Principle: How assuming the best actually makes you a sharper liespotter 00:05:24 – Congruence: The number one cue liars can't fake 00:12:07 – Baselining and nervous baselining: How to set a “truth benchmark” for everyone you meet 00:19:15 – Red flags: 30+ behavioral clues that signal deception 00:28:08 – Why a single cue isn’t enough—look for clusters of three in body language 00:29:59 – Circling back and confirmation questions: Tactics to get to the truth with grace 00:41:05 – Laying out “truth rules” in relationships and how to create honest communication 00:47:31 – Shame touches and lip purses: Nonverbal cues that reveal discomfort, embarrassment, or withheld truth FOLLOW VANESSA VAN EDWARDS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vvanedwardsTwitter: https://twitter.com/vvanedwardsWebsite: https://www.scienceofpeople.comBook: Cues by Vanessa Van Edwards (Amazon)Lie Detection Course: https://www.scienceofpeople.com Ready to become your own lie detector? Listen in and start spotting the truth—everywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 Jul 1h 2min

Continuing the masterclass on confident communication, Part 2 of Lisa Bilyeu’s transformative interview with Kwame Christian dives even deeper into the actionable side of navigating life’s toughest conversations. This half is your tactical toolkit for boundary-setting, breaking free from people-pleasing, and leveling up your negotiation skills—both with others and with yourself. Kwame and Lisa walk through the overlooked power of having a conversation “about the conversation”—from inviting others into dialogue with respect for timing, to tackling the tricky dynamics of dueling truths and differing upbringings. You’ll discover how to pivot conflicts into cooperative journeys, decode body language for deeper understanding, and master the art of healthy detachment in the face of disrespect. Plus, Kwame reveals the core negotiation issue most women face (and how to finally advocate for what you truly want), the script for when someone refuses to listen, and the surprising power of indifference. Insightful, practical, and empowering, this episode leaves you ready to be the hero of your own life—no matter who’s on the other side of the table. SHOWNOTES32:41 Moving From Blame to Collaboration: Real-Life Relationship Examples40:43 Negotiating Your True Wants vs. Society’s Expectations46:11 Negotiating with Your Own & Others’ Inner Toddlers52:00 The Two Worlds: Internal State vs. What You Say1:12:16 Lessons in Self-Respect and the Power of Indifference FOLLOW KWAME CHRISTIAN:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kwamechristian/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kwame_ChristianPodcast: Negotiate AnythingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwamechristianWebsite: https://www.americannegotiationinstitute.com/ CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ and entering promo code WOI at check out.  Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠https://shopify.com/lisa⁠ BIOptimizers: Head to⁠ https://bioptimizers.com/impact ⁠and use code IMPACT for 10% off.  OneSkin: Get 15% off with code LISA at ⁠https://oneskin.co ⁠ SleepMe: Visit ⁠https://sleep.me/woi⁠ to get your Chilipad and save 20% with code WOI. Try it risk-free with their 30-night sleep trial and free shipping! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Jul 43min

Lisa Bilyeu is joined by two powerhouse guests: Dr. Ann Burgess, a pioneering criminal profiler who helped shape the way the FBI tracks predators, and renowned attorney Karen Conti, whose experience spans defending some of the most infamous criminal minds. Together, they unravel the verdict in the highly controversial Sean “Diddy” Combs trial, where Diddy was found not guilty on three out of five serious charges, including sex trafficking—leaving many questioning whether justice was truly served or if power protected the powerful once again. Lisa, Dr. Ann, and Karen dive deep into what happened in the courtroom, shedding light on the complicated realities of coercion, consent, and the manipulation so often at play in cases involving abusive power dynamics. They discuss how the defense’s strategies, jury demographics, and society’s collective misunderstandings about coercive control may have influenced the outcome, and what needs to change to better support survivors and educate the public—especially juries—about these forms of abuse. Despite the heartbreak over not-guilty verdicts, the episode also highlights the significance of the guilty charges and the bravery of women like Cassie and “Jane” who came forward, risking everything to break the silence. This conversation is a call to action: to keep learning, to keep supporting survivors, and to make sure this isn’t a story that repeats itself. SHOWNOTES 00:00 Understanding Jurors' Perception Challenges 07:14 Unusual Leadership Dynamics Analyzed 13:25 Jane's Case: Legal vs. Illegal 21:22 "Yes People Enable Abusers" 33:35 "Psychology and Testimony Analysis" 44:00 "Championing Survivors' Voices" CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to https://www.vitalproteins.com and entering promo code WOI at check out.  Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://shopify.com/lisa BIOptimizers: Head to https://bioptimizers.com/impact and use code IMPACT for 10% off.  OneSkin: Get 15% off with code LISA at https://oneskin.co  SleepMe: Visit https://sleep.me/woi to get your Chilipad and save 20% with code WOI. Try it risk-free with their 30-night sleep trial and free shipping! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Jul 48min

Lisa Bilyeu sits down with acclaimed negotiation expert and bestselling author Kwame Christian to unravel the secrets of navigating emotionally charged conversations with confidence and clarity. Whether it’s setting boundaries with your partner, responding calmly to dismissal at work, or standing firm when you’re accused of being selfish, Kwame brings concrete tools and science-backed strategies to the table for every woman who’s ever wished she could “say the right thing” in difficult moments. Kwame and Lisa dissect how the real challenge in tough conversations often begins long before a word is spoken, revealing the transformative framework of “compassionate curiosity.” Together, they explore how to name your emotions to regain your composure, why lowering your expectations of others can be a superpower, and the art of pausing at critical moments to shift the entire direction of a conversation. Whether you struggle with people-pleasing, boundary-setting, emotional floods, or gaslighting—this episode will give you a playbook you’ll revisit again and again. SHOWNOTES01:12 Naming Your Feelings: Compassionate Curiosity Explained01:58 The Science of Emotional Flooding05:38 The Power of Emotional Preparation12:32 Recognizing Manipulation & Keeping Your Power18:17 The Exact Template for Boundary Conversations21:37 “Turning the Titanic” and Letting Others Arrive at Truth26:32 Divorce the Outcome, Marry the Process FOLLOW KWAME CHRISTIAN:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kwamechristian/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kwame_ChristianPodcast: Negotiate AnythingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwamechristianWebsite: https://www.americannegotiationinstitute.com/ CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ and entering promo code WOI at check out.  Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠https://shopify.com/lisa⁠ BIOptimizers: Head to⁠ https://bioptimizers.com/impact ⁠and use code IMPACT for 10% off.  OneSkin: Get 15% off with code LISA at ⁠https://oneskin.co ⁠ SleepMe: Visit ⁠https://sleep.me/woi⁠ to get your Chilipad and save 20% with code WOI. Try it risk-free with their 30-night sleep trial and free shipping! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Jul 46min