Women of Impact

today we take a deep dive into the darkest allegations surrounding Sean "Diddy" Combs, as the prosecution nears its end. I’m joined by criminal behavioral analyst Laura Richards and Sarah Edmondson—whose experiences inside NXIVM give us absolutely raw, firsthand insight into coercive control, manipulation, and survival. Together, we break down the blueprint of racketeering, sex trafficking, forced labor, and how abusers weaponize power—all while tackling the media’s misunderstandings and society’s persistent victim-blaming. With chilling real-life parallels, behind-the-scenes analysis, vulnerable personal stories, and a critical look at high-profile defense tactics, this is a must-listen for anyone ready to fully understand the stakes of this groundbreaking case—and why real accountability matters. SHOWNOTES 00:00 – Chilling opening allegations, the gravity of the charges, and introducing guests Laura Richards and Sarah Edmondson 00:44 – Explaining RICO, racketeering, and the eight predicate offenses central to the Diddy case 02:18 – Sarah Edmondson’s NXIVM experience: how coercive control takes root and how grooming happens 05:32 – The danger of female “lieutenants” in criminal enterprises and why women don’t guarantee safety 10:58 – Media bias, victim-blaming, and breaking down Bill Maher’s controversial take on Cassie’s testimony 20:31 – Why text messages can’t prove consent when coercion is in play—and what people misunderstand about leaving abuse 28:26 – The eight predicate offenses unpacked: sex trafficking, bribery, forced labor, witness tampering, transportation, kidnapping, arson, and drug distribution 33:24 – Why “consensual” participation doesn’t always equal true consent under the law 40:55 – The everyday terror women face, why so many “good men” still miss the point, and the urgent need for education 48:26 – Has the prosecution proven its case? Laura Richards gives her breakdown offense by offense 50:37 – Where to connect with Laura, Sarah, and deep-dive further into criminal analysis and healing FOLLOW LAURA RICHARDS: Podcast: Crime Analyst Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crimeanalyst Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimeanalyst/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crimeanalyst YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crimeanalyst FOLLOW SARAH EDMONDSON: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahedmondson/ Website: https://www.sarahedmondson.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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

23 Jun 55min

This is a Fan Fav episode. From housewife to building a billion-dollar business and now empowering women everywhere, I’m Lisa Bilyeu—and I know firsthand how powerfully our beliefs about beauty, worth, and confidence shape every part of our lives. In this deeply inspiring episode of Women of Impact, I sit down with my dear friend and extraordinary boudoir photographer Lindsey Hahn. After walking away from the glitzy Hollywood photography scene, Lindsey dedicated her career to helping real women unearth their confidence, see their own beauty, and truly embrace self-love—inside and out. We dig into what’s really behind the images that make women feel powerful, why only 4% of women consider themselves beautiful, and how you can transform your mindset, your self-talk, and even your own scars into the foundation of unshakable self-worth. This episode is packed with practical tips, raw stories, and permission to finally see yourself—flaws and all—with new eyes. SHOWNOTES From glam celebrity shoots to soul-centered photography: Lindsey’s journey to purpose (00:00:38) Why Lindsey walked away from a “dream job” that felt hollow inside (00:01:33) Real stories behind boudoir: How intention and vulnerability unlock transformation (00:06:32) Only 4% of women feel beautiful—what Lindsey does to change that stat for her clients (00:06:03) Power poses, self-talk, and the “mirror effect”: Psychology behind feeling beautiful (00:08:41) Healing after trauma: How photography, affirmations, and safe spaces build self-esteem (00:15:12) Lindsey’s experience with scars, health crises, and why she now sees them as her strength (00:20:23) Motherhood and body image: How Lindsey plans to teach her daughter self-love (00:25:07) The radical impact of seeing yourself through new eyes—and the daily rituals that help (00:28:10) Lindsey’s soon-to-launch women’s retreats: Combining mindfulness, movement, and photography for total transformation (00:31:28) FOLLOW LINDSEY HAHN: Website: https://lindseyhahn.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/lindseyhahnphoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 Jun 44min

This is a Fan Fav episode. Psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author Lori Gottlieb just brought her absolutely game-changing wisdom to Women of Impact, and trust me, this is one you don’t want to miss. We dove deep into why you’re not as “stuck” as you think, how your old stories are shaping your current reality, and the really wild truth about what it actually takes to change (spoiler: it’s not “just knowing” better!). Lori gets radically honest about pain, envy, self-sabotage, and even how to love well. She shares her own breakthroughs as both therapist and client, and lays out tangible hacks to rewrite your life story—one real, imperfect step at a time. Get cozy, get ready—and get real with yourself—as we unpack the tools for authentic transformation, genuine connection, and the habits that will finally help you step more fully into your power. SHOWNOTES Why you must give up the hope of having had a better childhood to move forward Unreliable narrators: How your perspective can trap you in a limited life story Feeling vs. knowing: Why insight alone won’t change your life Idiot compassion vs. wise compassion: How to actually support yourself and others The uncomfortable truth about change—and why losing the familiar is so hard Pain vs. suffering: How we create unnecessary suffering and what to do instead Why following your envy is the secret to unlocking your true desires Breaking free from “comparison traps” and focusing on your own growth One small step at a time: The real path to transformation and purpose How to stop repeating unhealthy relationship patterns and finally experience true connection FOLLOW LORI GOTTLIEB:Website: https://lorigottlieb.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorigottlieb_authorTwitter: https://twitter.com/LoriGottlieb1Listen to Lori’s Podcast, “Dear Therapists”: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-dear-therapists-68511527/Read her Dear Therapist Column (The Atlantic): https://www.theatlantic.com/author/lori-gottlieb/TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/speakers/lori_gottlieb CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ and entering promo code WOI at check out.  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 ⁠ Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠https://shopify.com/lisa⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 Jun 57min

After laying a powerful foundation in Part 1, Lisa and Charles now take the conversation deeper into mastering practical, emotional, and social types of dialogue—skills crucial for creating healthy, thriving relationships both at home and at work. Charles shares essential strategies for recognizing the type of conversation you’re in, matching your partner’s emotional state, setting boundaries, and knowing when to walk away for your own wellbeing. This segment covers tools for expressing your needs, handling toxic or manipulative patterns (like “kitchen sinking” or being steamrolled), and how to foster genuine connection—even during disagreements. Charles and Lisa discuss nonverbal cues, the role of humor and laughter in building bonds, the neuroscience of emotional synchronization, and how to invite deeper conversation through “deep questions.” SHOWNOTES26:46 Emotional Conversations—The Power of Self-Awareness36:38 When Someone Won’t Communicate: Knowing When to Walk Away42:05 Social Conversations: Acknowledgement and Belonging52:09 Synchronization: Neuroscience of Connected Conversation65:32 When You’re Furious, Get Curious: Transforming Conflict with Questions FOLLOW CHARLES DUHIGG:Website: https://charlesduhigg.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/cduhiggInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlesduhiggLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesduhigg/ CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ and entering promo code WOI at check out.  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 ⁠ Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠https://shopify.com/lisa⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 Jun 42min

Lisa Bilyeu sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and best-selling author Charles Duhigg, known for "The Power of Habit" and his latest book, "Super Communicators." Charles joins Lisa to unpack the art of high-stakes communication—especially for women who face belittling, dismissive, or outright toxic interactions. Drawing from expert research and practical tools, Charles equips listeners with real-world strategies to confidently respond to disrespect, set boundaries, and reclaim their conversational power. Lisa and Charles dissect scenarios every woman has faced: being dismissed with demeaning remarks or told to “smile more.” They break down the nuances between well-intended but clumsy comments and those intended to hurt, and dive into how to respond with strength and grace in both cases. SHOWNOTES01:03 The Two Types of Offenders: Ignorance vs. Malice10:09 The Three H’s: Helped, Hugged, or Heard17:21 Vulnerability as Strength in Conversation24:55 The Three Types of Conversations: Practical, Emotional, Social FOLLOW CHARLES DUHIGG:Website: https://charlesduhigg.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/cduhiggInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlesduhiggLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesduhigg/ CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ and entering promo code WOI at check out.  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 ⁠ Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠https://shopify.com/lisa⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

18 Jun 40min

This is a Fan Fav episode. On this episode, I’m joined by renowned relationship and sex expert, Dr. Laura Berman, to get to the heart of what drives attraction, love, and desire. Dr. Laura sheds light on why those first-date butterflies may actually be your body’s warning signal—and how our old wounds and subconscious patterns sneak into our relationships. We go deep on navigating chemistry, uncovering our personal love maps, recognizing when trauma is running the show, and rewriting the scripts that keep us stuck. Dr. Laura brings her signature warmth, science-backed wisdom, and practical tools for building emotional and physical intimacy—from healing childhood wounds, to manifesting the partnership and feelings you truly desire, to reigniting passion in long-term love. Whether you’re just starting to date again or struggling inside a decades-long marriage, this conversation is packed with aha moments you won’t want to miss. SHOWNOTES The truth about “love at first sight” vs. “lust at first sight”—and why butterflies signal something deeper [00:02:03] How to tell the difference between chemistry, anxiety, and real connection Why we keep repeating unhealthy patterns—and how to break free from “repetition compulsion” [00:06:43] Practical tools for tuning into your body and listening to its wisdom on dates The basement of shame: How unhealed childhood wounds shape our relationships and attachment styles How to “invite your wounds to tea”—embracing self-compassion to heal past trauma [00:22:11] Manifesting love: Why how you want to feel matters more than ticking off boxes The sex/romance stalemate: Breaking down gender differences in intimacy and how to bridge the gap [00:48:35] Reclaiming your sexuality—why self-stimulation is key for women’s pleasure and empowerment Scheduling sex, stoking connection, and creating lasting intimacy in long-term relationships FOLLOW DR. LAURA BERMAN:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlauraberman/Website: https://drlauraberman.com/Podcast: The Language of Love—available on your favorite podcast platformsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drlaurabermanTwitter: https://twitter.com/drlauraberman CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to https://www.vitalproteins.com and entering promo code WOI at check out.  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  Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://shopify.com/lisa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

17 Jun 1h 3min

Ever found yourself questioning if what you’re experiencing in a relationship is love or something much, much darker? Maybe you’re stuck in that endless cycle—feeling cherished one moment, then manipulated, trapped, and isolated the next—wondering if the confusion, anxiety, and even shame are somehow your fault? Well homie, it’s time we tear that damn illusion to pieces. In this episode, we’re shining the brightest spotlight into the shadows with legendary criminal profiling expert Dr. Ann Burgess. As the Diddy trial takes an incredibly dark turn, Dr. Ann is back to break down the cycle of abuse heard in jaw-dropping detail through Jane’s testimony—so NO woman ever has to fall prey to these toxic patterns again. There’s a blueprint to how abusers operate, and it DOESN’T always show up as bruises. The cycle is sneaky: devotion turns to obsession, “love” is weaponized for control, and you’re left doubting your reality. But fam, we are DONE letting shame or manipulation keep us silent. We dig deep into: - The hidden signs of the cycle of abuse and how they can masquerade as love, devotion, or even gifts - Confidence-shattering tactics used by abusers—including humiliation, degrading “tests,” gaslighting, and manipulation - How financial control and dependency become another weapon to keep you trapped - Why those weird gut feelings and “something isn’t right” moments are your most powerful warning signals - What to do if you recognize yourself in Jane’s (or Cassie’s, or Mia’s) story—from crisis centers to finding your voice and support system - Crucial advice for breaking free: how to test back, regain leverage, and build the courage to leave AND, we’re joined by PopCrimeTV’s Lauren Conlin, host of Pop Crime TV—who’s been planted in the courtroom EVERY SINGLE DAY of the Diddy trial, witnessing history unfold. Lauren brings you the unfiltered, inside scoop on everything: - What it’s really like inside the packed federal courtroom (yes, paparazzi and Kanye West drama included!) - Exclusive updates and reactions straight from the courthouse—no sugarcoating, no spin, just truth - Her raw observations of Cassie, Mia, and Jane as they give their testimonies, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways Diddy responds to each survivor - The complex, emotional undercurrents affecting the jury—and what’s really happening when celebrity power comes face-to-face with justice for women If you or someone you know is experiencing Domestic Violence, help is available. Please call the DV Hotline at (800) 978-3600 for support and resources. Check out Dr. Ann Burgess’ books: Pre-order her upcoming book: Expert Witness: https://a.co/d/2BzlPIl Order her book that’s out now, A Killer by Design: https://a.co/d/doInYVB Follow Lauren Conlin: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PopCrimeTV Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenemilyconlin/ Website: https://popcrime.tv/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/laurenconlin Follow Me, Lisa Bilyeu: Website: https://www.lisabilyeu.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisabilyeu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisabilyeu CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to https://www.vitalproteins.com and entering promo code WOI at check out.  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  Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://shopify.com/lisa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

16 Jun 42min

You know that relentless, negative inner voice—the DJ spinning tracks on “Beat Yourself Up FM?” Yeah, I’ve got one, too. But what if I told you there’s a way to finally change that channel and replace it with compassion? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kristin Neff, a true pioneer in self-compassion research, who’s not only studied the science for years but has also used it to navigate her own life’s biggest challenges—including motherhood and her son’s autism diagnosis. Together, we break down why self-compassion is an absolute superpower, how it’s different from self-esteem, and the real-world (not fluffy!) ways you can start putting compassion into practice—especially when you’re going through hard times. Whether you fear that self-kindness is “selfish,” worry it’ll make you lazy, or struggle to silence your inner critic, this episode is packed with science-backed strategies and powerful re-frames you need to hear. SHOWNOTES Why our inner negative voice is so persistent—and how self-compassion can help us turn the volume down 02:53 – The difference between self-esteem and self-compassion (and why compassion is more reliable) 09:43 – Common myths about self-compassion: self-pity, selfishness, complacency, and more 10:43 – Moving from “woe is me” self-pity to true self-compassion through common humanity 13:40 – Why comparing your suffering (up or down) can actually backfire and how to find balance 17:56 – Why self-compassion isn’t selfish and how it actually helps you support others better 24:19 – The science behind self-soothing touch (and how to actually use it when it feels weird) 29:24 – Using second-person and terms of endearment when speaking to yourself: practical tips 39:59 – How fierce self-compassion (aka “Mama Bear” energy) leads to healthy boundaries and motivation 41:06 – Healing after abuse: what to do when self-compassion feels scary or triggers “backdraft” FOLLOW KRISTIN NEFF:Website: https://self-compassion.orgGuided meditations, practices, and research: https://self-compassion.org/category/exercisesTwitter: https://twitter.com/neffselfcompassFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfcompassionInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/Neffselfcompassion (For more resources, trainings, and to test your self-compassion, visit her website above.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15 Jun 48min