Words of Wisdom from Kick-Ass Women

The Price of Being a Woman at Work: Equal Pay, Advocacy & Fighting for What You’re Worth

Why are we still talking about equal pay in 2026? In this powerful episode of Words of Wisdom from Kick-Ass Women, hosts Liz Brohan and Mary Olivieri sit down with attorney and equal pay advocate Barbara Young to unpack the persistent realities of wage inequality—and what women can do about it. After more than four decades practicing law, Barbara shares the moments that shaped her career, from arguing cases early in her legal journey to becoming a fierce champion for women’s economic equality. She reflects on entering a profession where women were present in the classroom but often disappeared from leadership—and what she learned watching compensation gaps play out in real time. Barbara explains how a chance introduction to the concept of Equal Pay Day became a mission that led to the creation of Equal Pay Day Chicago, a coalition bringing together organizations, leaders, and everyday women to advocate for economic fairness. This conversation goes beyond statistics. Barbara offers practical advice listeners can use immediately: research your market value, negotiate salary and benefits, prepare for performance reviews, and advocate for yourself the same way you advocate for everyone else. The episode also explores mentorship, networking, transparency in pay practices, and the legacy of trailblazers like Lilly Ledbetter, whose fight changed U.S. law for future generations. One of the strongest reminders from this conversation: equal pay isn’t only a policy issue—it’s a personal one. If you’ve ever accepted less than you deserved, hesitated to negotiate, or wondered whether your work is valued fairly, this episode is your reminder    Resources & References Mentioned 1. Getting Even: Why Women Don't Get Paid Like Men — Barbara credits this book with reshaping how she thought about negotiation and wage equity.  2. Equal Pay Day Chicago — Coalition and annual rally focused on closing wage gaps and increasing awareness.  3. Salary.com [https://www.salary.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] — Compensation benchmarking tool to research market pay before interviews and reviews.  4. Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 — Landmark legislation expanding workers’ ability to challenge pay discrimination.  5. Lilly Ledbetter — Her legal battle became a defining moment in workplace pay equity.    Highlight Quotes “You are not asking for more because you’re ungrateful. You’re asking because you know your value. Advocate for yourself the way you advocate for everyone else.” * Barbara Yong   “Don’t negotiate only salary. Negotiate the whole package—time, flexibility, benefits, growth, and opportunity. Every line item has value * Barbara Yong   “Equal pay doesn’t change because people quietly work harder. It changes when people ask questions, demand transparency, and refuse to accept less.” * Barbara Yong You can find us wherever you listen to podcasts or watch us on YouTube.

Preach Like a Filmmaker: Rewriting Who Gets to Tell the Story

What if the stories that shape us—and the stories we tell—aren’t so different after all? In this thoughtful and unexpected episode of Words of Wisdom from Kick-Ass Women, hosts Liz Brohan and Mary Olivieri sit down with Shauna Hannan, president of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, to explore the intersection of storytelling, leadership, creativity, and faith. Shauna shares her unconventional path—from aspiring documentary filmmaker to pastor, professor, author, and seminary president—and reveals why she believes preaching and filmmaking have more in common than most people realize. Both, she argues, are rooted in creating experiences that move people, not simply delivering information. The conversation explores what happens when institutions invite participation instead of hierarchy and why listening may be one of the most transformational leadership skills we have. Shauna reflects on reimagining theological education for a changing world, creating greater access to learning, and making room for voices traditionally left out of the conversation. Liz and Mary bring their signature curiosity and candor to topics including creativity as a spiritual practice, the role of performance in communication, collaborative leadership, and the challenge of letting go of nostalgia in order to build something meaningful for the future. Along the way, the discussion touches on wilderness, art, interpretation, community, and those unexpected moments that redirect our lives. Whether you identify as spiritual, religious, creative, questioning—or simply curious—this episode is an invitation to think differently about leadership, meaning, and the courage to trust your own voice. Because sometimes the most powerful stories aren’t the ones we’re told. They’re the ones we’re invited to help create.   Resources & References Mentioned 1. Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago — Shauna Hannan’s current institution and the center of the conversation around reimagining theological education.  2. The People’s Sermon — Shauna’s work exploring participatory preaching and shared meaning-making.  3. Scripting a Sermon — Co-authored work connecting storytelling, theology, and cinematic thinking.  4. Martin Luther and the idea of the “priesthood of all believers” — referenced in the discussion about expanding access and interpretation.  5. Project Starling — LSTC’s flexible online theology learning initiative designed to broaden access to theological education.   Highlight Quotes “Preaching and filmmaking aren’t that different. Neither is about delivering information—they’re about creating an experience that changes people.”   “We’re not trying to get back to the glory days. We’re making them. Growth begins when we stop worshipping nostalgia and start imagining what’s next.”   “Bring exactly who you are. Don’t leave parts of yourself behind. The future gets stronger when more voices are invited into the story.”    You can find us wherever you listen to podcasts or watch us on YouTube.

The Creative Power of Female Rage

What happens when the "good girl" finally breaks? According to bestselling author Sam Beck-Bessinger, she might just become a werewolf. In this thought-provoking and wildly entertaining episode of Words of Wisdom from Kick-Ass Women, Liz Brohan sits down with author, screenwriter, and creative writing professor Sam Beckbessinger to discuss her new novel, Femme Feral—a darkly funny feminist horror story about a woman who believes she's experiencing perimenopause, only to discover she's transforming into a werewolf. Together, Liz and Sam explore the cultural silence surrounding menopause, the pressure women face to "have it all," and the hidden cost of decades spent suppressing anger, ambition, and authenticity. Sam shares how the book emerged from her own experience of burnout and what she calls the moment when all of a woman's coping mechanisms stop working. The conversation dives deep into female rage—not as something destructive, but as a powerful force for truth, justice, and self-discovery. Sam discusses why women are often conditioned to disconnect from their anger and how that buried emotion can eventually demand to be heard. Listeners will also enjoy stories about Sam's unusual research process, including interviews with stalking experts, a real-life cat serial-killer vigilante, and the strange intersections between horror and humor. Along the way, she reveals why "weirdness" is essential to creativity and how originality comes from exploring the unexplored corners of our own minds. The episode also touches on Sam's South African upbringing, the lasting impact of apartheid, intergenerational healing, and the responsibility many women feel to carry forward the voices of those who came before them. Ultimately, Femme Feral is an invitation to stop apologizing for your anger, embrace your wildness, and ask yourself an important question: What might happen if you finally danced with your beast?   5Resources & References Mentioned 1. Femme Feral  2. Manage Your Finances Like a F***ing Grown-Up  3. Stephen King  4. Brandon Sanderson (recommended creative writing lectures)  5. Bath Spa University    Highlight Quotes "Women's anger doesn't disappear because society tells us not to feel it. It waits. It grows. And eventually, it demands to be heard." #KickAssWomen #FemaleRage "Having it all turned out to mean doing it all. The real power comes when women stop performing perfection and start listening to themselves." #WomenLeadership #WordsOfWisdom "Rage can be a force for justice. Rage can be an expression of love. When it's given a purpose, it can change the world." #FemmeFeral #KickAssWomenPodcast You can find us wherever you listen to podcasts or watch us on YouTube.

Debt, Death and Destiny: How Losing Everything Led Her Home

In this deeply personal episode of Words of Wisdom from Kick-Ass Women, hosts Liz Brohan and Mary Olivieri sit down with therapist and holistic mental health advocate Monica Sharma for a powerful conversation about reinvention, resilience, and learning to trust yourself. Monica opens up about the defining challenges she faced across three decades of her life — from struggling with depression in her 30s despite appearing “successful” on paper, to navigating heartbreak and choosing single motherhood in her 40s, to confronting burnout and self-preservation in her 50s after building and ultimately closing her thriving therapy practice. Throughout the conversation, Monica shares how cultural expectations, perfectionism, and the pressure to always “do the right thing” left her disconnected from herself. She explains how intuitive decisions — including enrolling in a life-changing holistic health program and later becoming a mother at 42 — helped her reconnect with purpose and joy. The episode also explores the emotional toll of caregiving, entrepreneurship, grief, and productivity culture, while highlighting the importance of making space for healing, reflection, and self-trust. Monica’s recurring theme of “lost, found, and flow” becomes a moving framework for understanding personal growth at every stage of life. Liz and Mary bring warmth, humor, and vulnerability to the discussion as they reflect on their own experiences with depression, relationships, and self-discovery. Together, they remind listeners that reinvention isn’t a one-time event — it’s an ongoing practice of choosing yourself, listening inward, and having the courage to step toward what feels true. Resources Mentioned * Many Lives, Many Masters  * Brian Weiss  * Institute for Integrative Nutrition  * Anaïs Nin  * Women Belong [https://womenbelong.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Highlight Quotes “Sometimes the bravest thing a woman can do is stop living by everyone else’s expectations and start listening to herself.” #WordsOfWisdom #KickAssWomen “You are the main meal. Everyone else is a side dish.” — Monica Sharma on learning to date herself and reclaim her identity. #KickAssWomen “Reinvention isn’t a one-time event. It’s a lifelong practice of getting lost, finding yourself again, and learning to trust the flow.” #WordsOfWisdom You can find us wherever you listen to podcasts or watch us on YouTube.

From A Laddar to a Bridge: How to Structure Workplace Success Today

In this powerful follow-up episode of Words of Wisdom from Kick-Ass Women, hosts Liz Brohan and Mary Olivieri welcome back career strategist Janet Viane to move from theory to action—showing women how to design careers that truly fit their lives. Building on her concept of “bridging” (instead of climbing the traditional corporate ladder), Janet reframes career growth as a multidimensional journey. Rather than focusing solely on upward movement, she encourages women to pursue experiences that align with their full lives—professionally, personally, emotionally, and beyond. Through real-world stories and practical advice, the conversation explores how lateral moves, detours, and even perceived setbacks can lead to greater long-term success. Janet shares her own journey from corporate executive to business owner and publisher, demonstrating how embracing change can unlock unexpected opportunities. The episode dives deep into the importance of both hard and soft skills, emphasizing that while technical expertise may open doors, communication, influence, and leadership are what sustain success. Janet also introduces actionable frameworks, including building a three-circle network, leveraging mentors (both aspirational and grounding), and continuously reassessing your path as your goals evolve. Listeners will walk away with tangible strategies for navigating uncertainty, overcoming fear of change, and intentionally shaping a career that reflects their values and ambitions. Whether you’re feeling stuck, considering a pivot, or simply ready for something more, this episode offers a refreshing, empowering roadmap. The takeaway? Your career doesn’t have to be a straight line—it can be a bridge to something better.   🔗 Resources & References * The First 90 Days – Framework for succeeding quickly in new roles  * The Influencer – Guide to building influence and leadership skills  * Networlding – Networking strategy and relationship-building framework  * Rules for Revolutionaries – Insights on innovation and knowledge-sharing  * Center for Creative Leadership – Research on leadership success and derailers    🧵Highlight Quotes 1. “Your career isn’t a ladder—it’s a bridge. And you get to decide where it leads.” 2. “Hard skills get you in the room. Soft skills are what keep you there.” 3. “Don’t fear the detour—it might be the exact move that changes everything.” You can find us wherever you listen to podcasts or watch us on YouTube.