Power Of Women podcast

Whether you're a woman with a big idea, or in a moment of doubt, this episode is a masterclass in purpose-driven entrepreneurship. At 22, Stephanie Woollard followed a woman into a tin shed in Kathmandu — and walked out with a purpose that would change thousands of lives. With just $200 and an unwavering belief in dignity over charity, she founded Seven Women, a social enterprise that empowered marginalised women through skills training and employment. Now, 17 years on and an Order of Australia Medal recipient, Stephanie has handed back that thriving organisation to the Nepali community — and turned her attention to a new chapter: The Celtic Way.  KEY TOPICS: - Personal growth and overcoming self-doubt - How she built a global social enterprise from scratch - The philosophy of 'trade, not aid' was central to her approach - Community and unity among women led to significant change. WHO IS STEPHANIE WOLLARD OAM?Stephanie Woollard OAM is a social entrepreneur and humanitarian whose journey began at just 22, when she founded Seven Women in a Kathmandu tin shed. Since then, she’s empowered thousands across Nepal through education and employment, led purpose-driven ventures, and been honoured with an Order of Australia Medal for her global impact. Today, she’s the founder of The Celtic Way — a travel venture — and a passionate advocate for business as a force for good.FIND STEPHANIE AT:LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E2%98%98%EF%B8%8F-stephanie-woollard-oam-46300342/RESOURCES:Bringing The Light: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxHsclrjyF4 CONNECT WITH DI & POWER OF WOMEN: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/di-gillett-power-of-women/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/power_of_women_podcast/ Contact https://powerofwomen.com.au/contact/ Be the first to catch inspiring interviews, empowering stories, and thought-provoking conversations. Follow, share & subscribe so you never miss an episode.Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeuAx74qUBrHxaQPEnxRpTw?sub_confirmation=1Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4hUXLl9Oc8xSSmR652wP3c?si=554c1a25f0e848a8Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/power-of-women-podcast/id1735659590 CREDITS:Audio Editing + Sound Design: Daryl Missen - www.vinilo.com.au/Filming: Chocolate Studios Melbourne  DISCLAIMER:  https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast-disclaimer/

Di Gillett sits down with psychologists—Dr. Jessie Stern and Rachel Samson, authors of ‘Beyond Difficult’—to explore the emotional terrain of difficult relationships and just how to survive the difficult people in your life. Let’s face it – we all have at least one – or maybe it’s you who’s the problem!Together, they unpack what really makes someone “difficult” (spoiler: it’s not a diagnosis), and how attachment theory, temperament, and communication styles shape our experience of others—at home, at work, and in ourselves. KEY TOPICS:Understanding difficult relationshipsThe subjectivity of difficult behaviourAttachment theory and its impactNavigating workplace dynamicsThe role of empathy in relationshipsWhen to walk away from relationships New podcast episodes drop every Monday to power your week. WHO ARE Dr. JESSIE STERN AND RACHEL SAMSON?Dr. Jessie Stern and Rachel Samson are expert psychologists. Rachel Samson, M. Psych (Clin) is an Australian clinical psychologist, lecturer, writer and speaker. Recognised as a relationships and parenting expert. Dr Jessie Stern, PhD is an American psychologist, researcher, and assistant professor at Pomona College. Her work – including more than 50 research articles and book chapters on relationships – has been featured by CNN, The Conversation and Scientific American.FIND RACHEL AT:Rachel on Instagram @australianpsychologist CONNECT WITH DI & POWER OF WOMEN: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/di-gillett-power-of-women/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/power_of_women_podcast/Contact https://powerofwomen.com.au/contact/ Be the first to catch inspiring interviews, empowering stories, and thought-provoking conversations. Follow, share & subscribe so you never miss an episode.Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeuAx74qUBrHxaQPEnxRpTw?sub_confirmation=1Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4hUXLl9Oc8xSSmR652wP3c?si=554c1a25f0e848a8Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/power-of-women-podcast/id1735659590Follow on the website: https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast/ CREDITS:Sound Design: Daryl Missen - www.vinilo.com.au DISCLAIMER: https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast-disclaimer/

Aged care is one of the most confronting—and inevitable—journeys we’ll face which is why we opted to talk about this on the @Power Of Women Podcast. Kathy Kirby and Kate Lamont, aged care advocates and co-founders of Thrive Aged Care, walk us through the landscape of aged care in Australia. Whether you're planning for yourself, supporting a parent, or navigating care for a partner, the truth is most of us are uninformed and unprepared when the moment arrives. And whilst it is not always the case, more often than not, the care planning and care giving, falls to women. Listen to Kathy & Kate as they draw on their frontline experience to help families approach aged care with clarity, compassion, and practical wisdom. KEY TOPICS:- Aged care is complex—but with the right planning, it’s not impossible to navigate.- Dementia care requires a different lens. Understanding brain changes can help families respond with empathy, not fear.- Carer burnout is real. Most carers are women. Most are unpaid. And most don’t ask for help until it’s too late.- Early conversations are the game-changer- instead of waiting until crisis hits. New podcast episodes drop every Monday to power your week. WHO ARE KATHY KIRBY & KATE LAMONT?Kate Lamont and Kathy Kirby are Thrive Aged Care Consultants. Kathy a Registered Nurse and Kate a registered Occupational Therapist, are on a mission to change the way care and services are provided to older people, so they THRIVE in their later years…not just survive. FIND THE THRIVE TEAM AT:Website https://www.thriveaged.com.au/ RESOURCES:Teepa Snow https://teepasnow.com/ CONNECT WITH DI & POWER OF WOMEN: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/di-gillett-power-of-women/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/power_of_women_podcast/Contact https://powerofwomen.com.au/contact/ Be the first to catch inspiring interviews, empowering stories, and thought-provoking conversations. Follow, share & subscribe so you never miss an episode.Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4hUXLl9Oc8xSSmR652wP3c?si=554c1a25f0e848a8Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/power-of-women-podcast/id1735659590Follow on the website: https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast/ CREDITS:Audio Editing + Sound Design: Daryl Missen -- https://vinilo.com.au/ DISCLAIMER: https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast-disclaimer/

In this episode of the Power Of Women Podcast, host Di Gillett sits down with Michelle Phillips, CEO of YWCA Australia, to talk about one of the most urgent issues facing Australian women today: homelessness and the fight for safe, secure housing. From launching the Women’s A-League to leading global reproductive health services, Michelle’s career has been grounded in fairness, equity, and bold leadership. Now, she’s on the frontlines of Australia’s housing crisis, reshaping how we think about women’s homelessness and why “a roof over your head” is only part of the story. KEY TOPICS: - The early signs of housing insecurity many women miss- Why women are more vulnerable to homelessness than ever before- The powerful role of community support and policy change- What the YWCA’s Women’s Housing Framework is doing differently New podcast episodes drop every Monday to power your week. WHO IS MICHELLE PHILLIPS?Michelle Phillips is CEO of YWCA Australia and a champion for gender equality. She’s led major reforms in women’s housing, introduced a gendered housing framework, and previously broke new ground in sport as the first female CEO of a men’s A-League football team and in establishing the national women’s football league. FIND GUEST NAME AT:Learn more about the Women’s Housing Framework and how to support YWCA: www.ywca.org.auLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-phillips-au/ CONNECT WITH DI & POWER OF WOMEN: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/di-gillett-power-of-women/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/power_of_women_podcast/ Contact https://powerofwomen.com.au/contact/ Be the first to catch inspiring interviews, empowering stories, and thought-provoking conversations. Follow, share & subscribe so you never miss an episode.Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeuAx74qUBrHxaQPEnxRpTw?sub_confirmation=1Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4hUXLl9Oc8xSSmR652wP3c?si=554c1a25f0e848a8Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/power-of-women-podcast/id1735659590Follow on the website: https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast/  Audio Editing + Sound Design: Daryl Missen - www.vinilo.com.au  DISCLAIMER:  https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast-disclaimer/

In this episode of the Power Of Women Podcast, Jenny Valentish reveals what it really takes to navigate an extrovert’s world when you’re wired for solitude - & we explore how to navigate your career as an introvert.A self-described “reformed sociophobe,” Jenny shares the surprising ways she rebuilt her confidence—from fighting in a boxing ring to walking a bodybuilding stage in heels. Drawing on her new book, The Introvert’s Guide to Leaving the House, she unpacks the internal tug-of-war so many women feel around being visible, speaking up, and dealing with conflict.With candour, humour and real tools, this conversation explores:Social anxiety, the spotlight effect and letting go of controlHow introverts can lead without burning outSmarter strategies for visibility, self-promotion and saying what needs to be saidYou don’t need to change your job—just change the game plan. New podcast episodes drop every Monday to power your week. WHO IS JENNY VALENTISH?Jenny Valentish is a journalist, author and speaker whose latest book, The Introvert’s Guide to Leaving the House, explores social anxiety, visibility and finding your voice—on your terms. FIND JENNY AT:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jennyvalentish_public/?hl=enWebsite https://jennyvalentish.com/ CONNECT WITH DI & POWER OF WOMEN: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/di-gillett-power-of-women/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/power_of_women_podcast/ Contact https://powerofwomen.com.au/contact/ Be the first to catch inspiring interviews, empowering stories, and thought-provoking conversations. Follow, share & subscribe so you never miss an episode.Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeuAx74qUBrHxaQPEnxRpTw?sub_confirmation=1Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4hUXLl9Oc8xSSmR652wP3c?si=554c1a25f0e848a8Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/power-of-women-podcast/id1735659590Follow on the website: https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast/  CREDITS:Audio Editing + Sound Design: Daryl Missen - www.vinilo.com.au Filming: Chocolate Studios - www.chocolatestudios.com.au DISCLAIMER:  https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast-disclaimer/

Hema Prakash is a rebel with a cause. She built her career in male-dominated boardrooms. Now she’s disrupting another broken system: women’s healthcare. In this powerful episode, Hema shares how her rebellious streak, global upbringing, and experience in tech and private equity converged to ignite Ponti Health—a ground-breaking, one-stop clinic for women’s health care that refuses to medicalise menopause or diminish a woman’s agency.Hema challenges the idea that menopause is a “condition” to be treated. For her, it’s a transition—normal, natural, and deserving of slow, respectful, evidence-based care. She opens up about her own journey through perimenopause, what’s missing in the Australian health system, and why women must stop putting themselves last. KEY TOPICS: ·      Menopause isn’t a disease—and Héma’s on a mission to change how it's treated·      Research in women's health is underfunded and needs support.·       ·      What it means to lead with humility, excellence, and empathy in business and health New podcast episodes drop every Monday to power your week. WHO IS HEMA PRAKASH?Hema Prakash is a dynamic entrepreneur and the co-founder of Ponti Health, Australia’s first integrated clinic dedicated to women’s health. With over 25 years of experience across technology, private equity, and business innovation, she brings a sharp, systems-thinking lens to healthcare. Driven by personal experience and a passion for equity, Hema is redefining menopause care—championing time, respect, and agency for women at every stage of life. FIND HEMA AT:LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/hema-prakash-503260/Explore Pont Health www.pontihealth.com.au CONNECT WITH DI & POWER OF WOMEN: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/di-gillett-power-of-women/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/power_of_women_podcast/ Contact https://powerofwomen.com.au/contact/ Be the first to catch inspiring interviews, empowering stories, and thought-provoking conversations. Follow, share & subscribe so you never miss an episode.Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeuAx74qUBrHxaQPEnxRpTw?sub_confirmation=1Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/power-of-women-podcast/id1735659590 CREDITS:Sound Design: Daryl Missen - www.vinilo.com.au Filming: Chocolate Studios - www.chocolatestudios.com.au DISCLAIMER:  https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast-disclaimer/

If you think financial planning is boring, intimidating, or only for men in suits—think again. In this episode of the Power of Women Podcast, financial educator and bestselling author Mel Browne joins Di Gillett to break down smart, accessible wealth-building strategies every woman should be using—especially in midlife. You’ll learn:Why super splitting could be your most underused financial advantageHow to find $10K in 12 months without getting a second jobWhy emotional investing impacts men more than women (and what to do about it)How to invest confidently—without becoming a finance expertWhat financial agency really means, and how to build itHow to shift the money conversation in your relationship from mine to oursWhether you’re catching up, starting over, or just ready to take control—this is your financial reset.New podcast episodes drop every Monday to power your week. WHO IS MEL BROWNE?Mel Browne is a financial educator, bestselling author, and former accountant and financial advisor. Known for her straight-talking approach, Mel helps women build confidence with money through practical tools, accessible investing strategies, and financial education that’s jargon-free and empowering. She’s the founder of Mel Browne Money and a passionate advocate for closing the financial literacy gap—especially for women in midlife.FIND MEL AT:Mel Browne resources for POW listeners: [RESOURCES] for Power of Women Podcast by Melissa BrowneInstagram https://www.instagram.com/melbrowne.money/ CONNECT WITH DI & POWER OF WOMEN: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/di-gillett-power-of-women/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/power_of_women_podcast/ Contact https://powerofwomen.com.au/contact/ Be the first to catch inspiring interviews, empowering stories, and thought-provoking conversations. Follow, share & subscribe so you never miss an episode.Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeuAx74qUBrHxaQPEnxRpTw?sub_confirmation=1Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4hUXLl9Oc8xSSmR652wP3c?si=554c1a25f0e848a8Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/power-of-women-podcast/id1735659590 CREDITS:Audio Editing & Sound Design: Daryl Missen - www.vinilo.com.au  DISCLAIMER:  https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast-disclaimer/

In this episode of the podcast, we are revealing the silent self-doubt that holds so many brilliant women back: imposter syndrome. Whether it shows up as over-preparing, holding back in meetings, or downplaying success, imposter feelings can quietly sabotage confidence and performance — especially in the workplace.Together with imposter syndrome expert and author of Conquer Your Imposter, Alison Shamir, we unpack where this internal narrative comes from, how it disproportionately affects women, and — most importantly — what to do about it. KEY TOPICS: The real definition of imposter syndrome (and why it’s not just “self-doubt”) Perfectionism, identity sabotage, and internalised narratives Why fear is not a great motivator — and why imposter syndrome is not a hidden strength Why women are more prone to it — and how to change that How to uncover your “origin story” and start healing New podcast episodes drop every Monday to power your week. WHO IS ALISON SHAMIR?Alison Shamir is an internationally recognised Imposter Syndrome expert, author of Conquer Your Impostor, and a former tech executive turned speaker and coach. Drawing on her own lived experience and over a decade of research, she helps high-achieving professionals dismantle self-doubt and reclaim their confidence. A passionate advocate for gender equity, Alison is one of just six global experts in her field and a trusted voice for women navigating leadership, perfectionism and identity. FIND ALISON AT:Conquer Your Imposter https://www.conqueryourimposter.com/Website https://alisonshamir.com/ CONNECT WITH DI & POWER OF WOMEN: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/di-gillett-power-of-women/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/power_of_women_podcast/ Contact https://powerofwomen.com.au/contact/ Be the first to catch inspiring interviews, empowering stories, and thought-provoking conversations. Follow, share & subscribe so you never miss an episode.Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4hUXLl9Oc8xSSmR652wP3c?si=554c1a25f0e848a8Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/power-of-women-podcast/id1735659590Follow on the website: https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast/  CREDITS:Sound Design: Daryl Missen - www.vinilo.com.au  DISCLAIMER:  https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast-disclaimer/

We celebrate the power of women—but what happens when that power is weaponised? In this searing conversation, Di Gillett sits down with organisational psychologist, coach, and author Vanessa Vershaw to confront a rarely discussed truth: women bullying women in the workplace. Vanessa’s revealing & possibly controversial book – ‘The Sisterhood Paradox’ unpacks the psychological, cultural, and systemic forces behind this behaviour—and the devastating cost. An uncomfortable workplace issue that Vanessa Vershaw lays bare – and importantly, tables actionable solutions for both individuals and organisations to create a supportive and inclusive workplace culture. KEY TOPICS: ·     Why some women sabotage others at work·     The psychological toll of workplace bullying·     How to recognise the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs·     What to do if you’re on the receiving end New podcast episodes drop every Monday to power your week. WHO IS VANESSA VERSHAW?Vanessa Vershaw is an elite high-performance workplace psychologist and a trusted advisor to executives and key decision-makers of ASX-20 and Fortune 100 companies globally. A champion for social justice and gender equality, Vanessa won the Momentum Trailblazer of the Year award for her work empowering women to reach for the stars and create the life and careers they dream about. This led to her representing APAC and speaking at the 2025 World Woman Foundation in Davos, Switzerland. FIND GUEST NAME AT:LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-vershaw/Website https://www.vanessavershaw.com/CONNECT WITH DI & POWER OF WOMEN: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/di-gillett-power-of-women/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/power_of_women_podcast/ Contact https://powerofwomen.com.au/contact/ Be the first to catch inspiring interviews, empowering stories, and thought-provoking conversations. Follow, share & subscribe so you never miss an episode.Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeuAx74qUBrHxaQPEnxRpTw?sub_confirmation=1Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4hUXLl9Oc8xSSmR652wP3c?si=554c1a25f0e848a8Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/power-of-women-podcast/id1735659590 CREDITS:Sound Design: Daryl Missen - www.vinilo.com.au  DISCLAIMER:  https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast-disclaimer/