Advertise on podcast: Mindset Unlimited: Tips, Tools, and Inspiration for Women in a Time of Change

What if you didn’t have to wait until everything was perfect to begin? In this episode of Mindset Unlimited, leadership coach Valerie Friedlander talks with Chicago-based artist, filmmaker, and Nosy AF podcast host Stephanie Graham about creativity, entrepreneurship, and the freedom to experiment. Stephanie shares how starting messy helped her grow as an artist, build meaningful connections, and make room for new possibilities. Whether you’re launching a creative project, exploring a business idea, or juggling multiple passions, this conversation is a reminder that you can learn as you go and change direction without shame.  Some of what we explore is: Overcoming perfectionism and starting before you feel “ready”Creating art from curiosity, personal observation, and lived experienceBuilding spaces where people can connect and feel welcomeTreating business as an experiment and giving yourself permission to make changes Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited   CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE: Nosey AF Podcast  Stephanie Graham Art  Stephanie's Instagram  Nosey AF Instagram The Good Neighbor Playbook    CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast Schedule an exploration call   This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

You’re struggling to get something done and you’re trying not to beat yourself up but the longer it takes, the more you wonder if giving yourself grace has turned into another excuse. However, the problem isn’t giving yourself grace. Beating yourself up makes it harder to make supportive, intentional choices. So, grace is a critical first step toward taking action but you will feel stuck if you stop there. The next steps are restoring connection to context, capacity, and choice — not from applying more pressure. In this episode, I’ll walk you through the why and what of each of these steps.  Some of what I cover is: What grace actually is, and where it turns into an excuseWhy punitive self-talk feels like the only way to motivate yourselfHow "I am" statements turn a pattern into an identityA step-by-step process for moving forward without beating yourself up  LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: What’s Killing My Motivation?  Deep Self-Care to Shift Habits  Am I Just Making Excuses?  The Energy Leadership Index Assessment   CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Schedule an exploration call Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast   This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Understanding collective grief and reconnecting to a sense of purpose explores the increasingly pervasive feelings of aimlessness and low motivation and what you can do about it. We are living through a time of ongoing crisis in a society that fails to recognize and allow room for the wide-ranging impact of grief when it’s personal, let alone when it’s collective. When you’re not directly impacted by the crises (yet), it’s understandable to be confused at the energetic drain you’re experiencing. This episode unpacks how collective grief quietly shapes your brain and pulls at your energy, especially when we layer on stories of personal failing or laziness. Listen if you want language, context, and gentle tools to help you feel more understood and more connected to a sense of purposefulness in everyday life.   Some of what I talk about in this episode includes: The “lazy” story we tell ourselves that keeps us stuck and ashamedHow grief and chronic stress impact the body, brain, and motivationSupportive ways to engage with stress, vicarious trauma, and collective griefPurposeful living and meaning-making as ways to feel reconnected and less aloneHave thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited   LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: National Library of Medicine: Collective Trauma and the Social Construction of Meaning National Health Care for the Homeless Council: Confronting Collective and Cumulative Grief as Institutional Responsibility American Brain Foundation: Healing Your Brain After Loss  NPR: How Your Brain Copes with Grief Priya Parker - How to Hold Collective Grief  Renegade Grief: A Guide to the Wild Ride of Life After Loss  Being A Quaker: A guide for newcomers    CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Schedule an exploration call Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast   This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Learning to value your voice is a process of reclamation for many of us but particularly when you’ve experienced abuse. In this episode, I chat with the founder of &Rise, Jennifer Solarte, and we dive into practical mindset shifts, somatic awareness, and financial self-protection so you can break harmful cycles and rewrite your story with confidence. If you’ve ever questioned whether what you’re experiencing is “normal” or felt silenced in your own life, this conversation offers both validation and tools to help you rise.   Some of what we talk about in this episode includes: How to recognize when your voice has been silenced and finding you superpowerSubtle and obvious red flags in relationships, including financial control and “jealousy as love”The importance of building financial safety, independence, and credit in your relationshipThe role of community, somatic awareness, and boundaries in healing after abuse and creating a future you choose  Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited   CONNECT WITH JENNIFER: &Rise www.womenrisechicago.org  Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@and_rise_   Facebook https://facebook.com/womenrisechicago   Instagram https://instagram.com/and_rise__  Subscribe to our newsletter https://www.womenrisechicago.org/subscribe   CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast Schedule an exploration call   This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

This episode offers support to rescue your nervous system from burnout and brain rot with gentle tips and powerful insights. If you are you’re feeling fried by constant stress, endless to‑do lists, or brain‑numbing scrolling, this episode helps you understand what your nervous system is actually trying to tell you so you can respond with care instead of self-blame. You’ll walk away with simple, realistic shifts that make life feel more doable, even when the world still feels heavy. Some of what we talk about in this episode includes: How “nesting dolls of stress” and liminal seasons (like end of summer) impact your nervous systemShifting from shame and self-blame into choice, capacity, and compassionate responsibilityPractical somatic tools to get out of your head and back into your body (without bypassing real problems)The difference between AI-driven “support” and real human connection—and why community matters for resilience Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited   LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: Emile Ennis Jr. Instagram  Liberation With Ekta Instagram  Mindset Unlimited: How to Manifest What You Want  Harvard Business Review: AI Doesn't Reduce Work It Intensifies It  Brave Space Alliance Albany Park Theater Project   CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Schedule an exploration call Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast   This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Navigating a Mid-life Crisis and the Reclamation of Self explores what it really means to hit a midlife “crisis” and why it might actually be an invitation to reclaim who you are instead of a sign that something’s gone wrong. This episode helps you see your midlife career and life questions through a new lens, so you can stop wondering “Is it just me?” and start understanding the deeper patterns at play. If you’re feeling restless, stuck, or like you did “all the right things” and still aren’t happy, this conversation gives you language, validation, and direction for what comes next. Some of what we talk about in this episode includes: Where the idea of a “midlife crisis” comes from and how cultural stories shape your experienceThe difference between genuine crisis and a powerful period of transition and reevaluationHow attention capitalism and constant busyness affect when and how we finally prioritize ourselvesPractical ways to honor this midlife season, without feeling like you’re broken or behind Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited   LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: The Modern Midlife Crisis – Psychology Today Midlife Crisis - Wikipedia Quarter Life Crisis - LinkedIn  Quarter Life Crisis – Newport Institute Leaning Into a Mid-Life Career Change [coaching] Reclaiming Your Attention to Focus on What Matters Honoring Menopause as a Life Stage  CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Schedule an exploration call Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast   This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

If traditional networking leaves you feeling drained, unseen, or like you have to leave parts of yourself at the door, this conversation is for you. In this episode, Valerie speaks with Women Belong co-founders Kate Alpert and Dorothy Rosen about building business relationships that support your whole self. You’ll come away with a deeper vision of what’s possible when women gather in community, dream bigger together, and measure success by impact as much as income.   Some of what we talk about on this episode includes: Redefining professionalism and showing up as your whole self in businessChallenging internalized rules about work, rest, play, and successHow loss and grief can invite new clarity of purpose and connectionCreating spaces of belonging as hope in action  Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited   CONNECT WITH DOROTHY & KATE: Women Belong website  Come to a Women Belong Event Visit a Women Belong Circle Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Dorothy’s LinkedIn Kate’s LinkedIn   CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast Schedule an exploration call   This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

How to stop procrastinating starts with knowing that procrastination isn’t a character flaw. It’s a signal pointing toward misalignment, fear, or lack of support. It’s hard to find or sustain solutions when you’re beating yourself up. In this episode you’ll learn practical, compassionate ways to get curious about what and why you’re avoiding doing something, recalibrate to what actually matters, and create small, supported steps forward. If you’re tired of motivating through shame and ready to take action in a way that works, this episode is for you. Some of what I explore in this episode includes: How procrastination, avoidance, “shoulds,” shame, and time management pressures fit togetherHow to tell if you’re procrastinating from fear, perfectionism, overwhelm, or true misalignmentPractical tools for overcoming procrastination: breaking tasks down, using deadlines, accountability, and body doublingHow to work with your real energy and neurodivergent brain using curiosity, values, and self-compassion  Download the Procrastination Support Checklist! Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited   RELATED MINDSET UNLIMITED EPISODES: What’s Killing My Motivation It’s Simple So Why Am I Not Doing It Coaching  What To Do When You’ve Fallen Behind  Unlocking Your Leadership Energy   CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Schedule an exploration call Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast   This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Cultivating a Culture of Truthlighting offers a path for workplaces to move away from practices that gaslight women and toward ones that build a culture grounded in truth, trust, and accountability that advance fair opportunities for women. In this episode, my guest, leadership and workplace culture consultant and author Dr. Falguni Shah, shares practical ways to recognize gaslighting, validate people’s reality, and use “truthlighting” behaviors to create safer, more inclusive environments where people can thrive instead of constantly second-guessing themselves. This conversation is for anyone who senses something is “off” at work and wants language, clarity, and tools to drive real change.   Some of what we talk about on this episode includes: The erosion of self-trust from workplace gaslightingShifting from “imposter syndrome” to impostor’s ambitionCultivating truthlighting as a leadership and culture frameworkWhen it’s time to leave and reclaim your purpose, confidence, and truth.  Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited     CONNECT WITH FALGUNI: WEBSITE BUY THE BOOK: FROM GASLIGHTING TO TRUTHLIGHTING MEDIA FEATURES   BOOK FALGUNI TO SPEAK  LINKEDIN   INSTAGRAM   FACEBOOK TIKTOK      CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast Schedule an exploration call   This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Talking to your partner about internalized patriarchy is easy to put off (especially when he seems “better than most”). But if you’re feeling increasingly frustrated by how it shows up in shared routines, the mental load, and emotional labor, it’s time to do more than just commiserate with friends. In this episode, we’ll explore how those “small” frustrations connect to sacred rage, how to recognize your own internalized norms, and how to resource yourself and set boundaries. You’ll walk away with language and tools to invite your partner into a collaborative, honest conversation about changing the dynamics in your home.   Some of what I explore in this episode includes: Recognizing your part and being willing to changeStop minimizing emotions and understanding sacred rageResourcing yourself and setting boundariesWays to invite a conversation and initiate change  Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited   RELATED MINDSET UNLIMITED EPISODES: CNN Exposing a global r*pe academy Creating Change through Joy for Greater Ease with Heather Vickery Partner Alignment Workbook Stress Language Quiz Energy Leadership Index Assessment code FLASHELI   CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast Schedule an exploration call   This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Creating real change often feels heavy, but what if joy is actually the most sustainable way through it? In this conversation with my guest, transformation coach Heather Vickery, we explored what it actually means to create change through joy, why authenticity is more than a buzzword, and how we can hold grief and joy at the same time without bypassing the very real challenges we’re facing. Tune in to learn how joy can be a compass for navigating big life transitions and designing a life that truly fits you.   Some of what we talk about on this episode includes: Honoring your embodied knowingFinding your place in the work of changePrioritizing joy while honoring griefBuilding intentional community  Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited   LINKS TO REFERENCES MADE IN THIS EPISODE: Chicago Empower Breakfast   CONNECT WITH HEATHER: WEBSITE CONNECT WITH HEATHER FREE HUMAN DESIGN CHART    CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast Schedule an exploration call   This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective  Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Perfectionism isn't just about not wanting our imperfections to show. Sometimes it shows up when we care deeply but feel overwhelmed. In this episode I explore how perfectionism, overwhelm, and our stress response patterns can quietly keep us from taking any action at all, even when our intentions are good. We’ll talk about reconnecting with your purpose in the present moment, honoring your true capacity, and recognizing the unique gifts you naturally bring. If you’ve been stuck waiting to do the “right” or “best” thing, this conversation will help you take meaningful, imperfect action. Some of what I talk about on this episode includes: Perfectionism can be because you really careRecognizing your stress responseHonoring your capacity and giftsFocus on purpose not outcomeThe importance of taking action Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited   RELATED MINDSET UNLIMITED EPISODES: How to Cure Comparisonitis How to Avoid Overwhelm and Access Joy in a Time of Change CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast Schedule an exploration call   This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

In this first episode of Season 6 of Mindset Unlimited, host and leadership coach, Valerie Friedlander, introduces the season’s focus on mission-driven Chicago women. She unpacks what “mission-driven” means, highlighting the importance of creativity, possibility, and staying connected to your values in a world that often pulls you into judgment and survival mode. Valerie also reflects on embracing her own non-linear process and invites listeners to explore how they relate to their own way of thinking, creating, and building their mission. Throughout the episode, she lays the groundwork for upcoming conversations with entrepreneurs, community organizers, and artists who are actively shaping the future they want to see. Some of what Valerie explores in this episode: What you can expect this seasonWhat it means to be mission-drivenCultivating a creative mindsetEmbracing your processRequest for listener input  Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited   LINKS TO REFERENCES MADE IN THIS EPISODE: Where Do We Go From Here – Reflections on this Podcast & Layoff Uncertainty   CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast Schedule an exploration call   This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Dreaming, setting intentions, and keeping yourself accountable are not easy in the world we currently live in. Our society has built systems that erode the individual and collective spaces that hold these generative processes. This is a powerful time of year to begin to reclaim the space of pausing in the darkness to be with yourself, dream new possibilities, and lay the foundation for what you want to create in the world.   In this episode of Mindset Unlimited, I share insights and tips on the power of dreaming, setting intentions, and keeping yourself accountable as we head into a new year.   Some of what I explore in this episode includes: Embracing end of year energy (darknessThe importance of pausing and why it’s hardUnderstanding intentions and creating accountabilityYou don’t have to be perfect, just present  Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited     LINKS TO REFERENCES MADE IN THIS EPISODE:  Lord Of The Rings Facebook Post   A Swiftly Tilting Planet – Madeleine L’Engle How to Manifest What You Want  How to Plan for the Future and Enjoy the Present  How to Avoid Overwhelm and Access Joy in a Time of Change  Done With New Year New You   CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast Schedule an exploration call   This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Curiosity is one of the most important tools we have for creating deeper connection, healthier culture, and more aligned leadership. When we slow down enough to notice and question our unconscious assumptions, we open the door to new possibilities. This, in turn, expands our sense of hope and improves our ability to collaborate with others. In this conversation, we explore how organizational culture is shaped, how we shape our personal relationships, and the role curiosity plays in shifting limiting patterns in both areas. You’ll walk away with practical ways to listen differently, ask better questions, and align your actions with the human you most want to be. In this episode of Mindset Unlimited, I invited Danielle Marshall to join me in a conversation about why leading with curiosity is key to intentionally cultivating what you want in your business and personal life. Some of what we talk about in this episode includes: What you need to build a strong organizational cultureSimple curiosity supporting questions that strengthen relationships in personal and professional life.Recognizing and reframing limiting beliefs that keep you from your potentialPractical ways to slow down, reduce assumptions, and create more intentional connections.  Thanks for listening!  Have thoughts on this episode? Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited   CONNECT WITH DANIELLE Website LinkedIn Instagram The Curiosity Playbook   Unpacked: Culture Chronicles Podcast    CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast Schedule an exploration call Listen to the Unlimited Playlist   This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective  Send us Fan Mail Support the show