She Talks Confidence Podcast

Tony Dufresne, PhD
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

How is it that Women achieve more college degrees and outearn Men in 40% of US households, yet research shows they continue to be significantly less Confident than Men? Even some of the most successful Women continue to struggle with constant Overthinking, Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome. And with the amplified pressures now presented through Social Media Platforms, there is a growing epidemic of Perfectionism with young women and girls. This Confidence Crisis is happening in spite of many advancements Women have made over the last 50 years. Join Girl-Dad and Women’s Empowerment Coach, Dr. Tony Dufresne (PhD) each week as he interviews Empowered Women with Compelling Stories and Valuable Insights into Overcoming those Self-Doubt challenges and obstacles, leading to Building and Maintaining True Confidence. So, if you feel a More Confident YOU would make life for you and the people you care about a WHOLE LOT BETTER…this show is for YOU!

  1. 4d ago

    How to Train Your Inner Best Friend

    What if the voice in your head could help you move through fear instead of keeping you small? In this episode of the She Talks Confidence Podcast, Tony talks with Sarah Jakle, a trauma-informed women’s leadership educator, about how to train your inner best friend and quiet the inner critic. Sarah explains how the amygdala can interpret unfamiliar opportunities, leadership roles, and professional spaces as threats. That response can appear as imposter syndrome, perfectionism, hesitation, and the belief that you need one more certification before taking action. The conversation offers practical confidence tools for women navigating self-doubt, career transitions, leadership, adversity, and personal growth. Three Biggest Takeaways Identify your inner critic without letting it control your choices: The inner critic may be trying to protect you, but acknowledging it creates space to choose a different response. Create an inner best friend who offers unconditional support: Ask, “What would my inner best friend say?” This supportive voice can help soothe the amygdala and reconnect you with your values and ambitions. Train your brain to notice positive experiences: Through “savoring the good,” you can consciously recognize moments of beauty, joy, and encouragement instead of allowing criticism to dominate your attention. Sarah Jakle also shares how she used these tools after being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and told she would never work again. Her experience led her to develop practical training for women and high school girls who want to pursue opportunities they may have previously considered too frightening or out of reach. If you’re working through imposter syndrome, perfectionism, nervous system dysregulation, fear of failure, or uncertainty about your next step, this episode offers a practical way to build a more supportive inner voice. Connect with the Guest Learn more about the training at democrashe.org. You can connect with Sarah Jakle on LinkedIn or follow @innerbestfriend on Instagram. Connect with the Host Visit theconfidencedoc.com or email Tony at tony@theconfidencedoc.com. Time Stamp 00:00 Start 02:00 Talking about emotional regulation 05:28 Challenges women face in politics 08:26 Programs for Empowering Young Girls 11:48 Listening to your inner best friend 15:27 Finding Your Inner Best Friend 17:46 Immersing in neuroscience for resilience 22:01 Choosing positivity over negativity #SheTalksConfidence #InnerBestFriend #ImposterSyndrome #WomensConfidence #NervousSystemRegulation #TraumaResiliency #WomensLeadership #Perfectionism #InnerCritic #PersonalGrowth

    How to Train Your Inner Best Friend

  2. Sep 23

    Why Women Feel Stuck Even When They’re Doing Everything Right

    Why do women still feel stuck after therapy, coaching, journaling, mantras, self-help books, and years of personal growth work? In this episode of the She Talks Confidence Podcast, Tony speaks with Christine Agro, founder of Intrinsic Energy Institute and creator of Patriarchal Encodement. Together, they explore the hidden conditioning beneath self-doubt, over-giving, difficulty setting boundaries, fear of using your voice, and the struggle to trust your intuition. Christine explains why knowing your patterns isn’t always enough to change them. She introduces the idea of patriarchal encodement as an underlying operating system that can influence confidence, self-worth, inner knowing, body image, power, and control. The conversation also explores why women may confuse intuition with doubt, how early experiences can weaken trust in what they know, and why bringing subconscious patterns into awareness is a crucial part of healing and personal transformation. Three Biggest Takeaways Self-awareness is the first step, not the final step. Recognizing a repeating pattern can create change, but Christine Agro explains that you also have to work with the underlying programming, doubt, guilt, overwhelm, and fear attached to it at 11:13. Intuition and self-doubt can feel similar. Women may know something internally, then immediately question it because past experiences taught them not to trust their own perception. Christine Agro discusses how this pattern develops and how to begin reclaiming inner knowing at 07:38. You don’t have to give away your personal power to heal. Support, guidance, therapy, community, and skilled practitioners can help you go deeper, but the goal should be to give you tools and greater ownership of your own healing process. Christine Agro explains her approach at 17:24. Listen to the full episode for a deeper conversation about women’s confidence, subconscious programming, patriarchal conditioning, intuition, boundaries, emotional healing, and reclaiming personal power. Contact Christine Agro Website: christineagro.com Midlife Workbook: midlife.christineagro.com Patriarchal Encodements Workbook: christineagro.com/pe-workbook Email: christine@christineavro.com Contact Tony Website: theconfidencedoc.com Email: tony@theconfidencedoc.com Keywords why women feel stuck, women doing everything right, women’s self-doubt, women’s confidence, subconscious programming, patriarchal conditioning, patriarchal encodement, trusting your intuition, intuition versus self-doubt, how to trust your intuition, women and self-worth, setting boundaries, overgiving, people pleasing, finding your voice, fear of speaking up, emotional healing, personal growth, therapy and self-help, confidence podcast, women’s empowerment, subconscious patterns, healing trauma, inner knowing, reclaiming personal power, She Talks Confidence Podcast Time Stamp 00:00 Start 02:00 Why women feel stuck 06:32 Healing and reclaiming personal truth 10:17 Breaking the cycle of self-sabotage 13:02 Working on subconscious programming 16:22 Importance of support and therapy 18:52 Taking small steps for change 22:32 Understanding emotional triggers 25:49 Finding true reasons for staying

    Why Women Feel Stuck Even When They’re Doing Everything Right

  3. Sep 17

    Picking Up the Pieces After Losing Someone

    Picking up the pieces after losing someone can change your identity, confidence, relationships, and vision for the future. In this episode of the She Talks Confidence Podcast, Tony speaks with certified grief coach and author Aimee Suyko about losing both of her parents and learning how to move forward while continuing to carry grief. Through honest stories about caregiving, depression, anxiety, imposter syndrome, and rebuilding her life, Amy explains how writing became part of her healing journey and eventually connected her with thousands of people experiencing loss. Three Biggest Takeaways Grief has no fixed timeline: You can continue grieving for the rest of your life while still taking steps toward a new version of your future. Moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting: Small actions, such as taking a walk, returning to a favorite restaurant, or saying yes to something difficult, can help rebuild momentum. Loss changes your identity: Whether you’re grieving a death, divorce, breakup, illness, or another major life change, you don’t have to become the person you were before. You can begin discovering who you are now. Connect with Aimee Suyko through the In Their Footsteps Blog on Facebook, or find her book, What Remains? Reflections on Losing, Loving, and Learning to Live Again, on Amazon. Visit Tony at theconfidencedoc.com or email him at tony@theconfidencedoc.com. Time Stamp 00:00 Start 02:00 Discussing identity and confidence after loss 04:58 Sharing honest feelings through writing 08:21 Sharing Vulnerability in Writing 10:09 Coping with grief and moving forward 13:58 Shifting from blogging to book writing 17:36 Moving forward after grief 20:48 Grieving family milestones 25:21 Importance of therapy and self-reflection 27:49 Adapting to Life after Change 30:16 Sharing contact info and guest invite grief and loss, picking up the pieces after losing someone, coping with grief, healing after loss, rebuilding your identity, grief and confidence, moving forward after loss, grief after losing a parent, life after loss, grief recovery, grief coaching, grief support, learning to live again, grief after divorce, grief after a breakup, imposter syndrome, mental health and grief, personal growth after loss, She Talks Confidence Podcast, Amy Suyko, What Remains Reflections on Losing Loving and Learning to Live Again.

    Picking Up the Pieces After Losing Someone

  4. Sep 11

    Stop Pretending You're Fine

    In this episode of the She Talks Confidence Podcast, Tony talks with author and caregiver Rachel Schneider about grief, caregiving, confidence, and leading a family through devastating illness without pretending everything is normal. After Rachel Schneider’s husband, John, was diagnosed with ALS, she had to navigate caregiving, parenting, leadership, faith, and profound loss. She shares why women need permission to acknowledge what hurts, ask for help, take a break, and respond honestly to life’s hardest moments. Rachel Schneider explains why resilience is a muscle, why capability and capacity are different, and how self-trust develops before a crisis arrives. She also discusses survivor guilt, the isolation of caregiving, and the emotional impact illness can have on an entire family. Three Biggest Takeaways Stop pretending everything is fine: Rachel Schneider challenges the pressure to maintain a positive attitude while facing grief, illness, and caregiving. “This is my life and it has changed. There’s nothing normal about this” 11:32. Capability doesn’t mean unlimited capacity: Women may be capable of handling difficult responsibilities, but that doesn’t mean they can keep taking on more without support. Rachel Schneider explains the difference between what you can do and what you can sustainably carry 17:05. You still have a choice in how you respond: Even when circumstances feel uncontrollable, Rachel Schneider believes the choice to pause, grieve, ask for help, and decide how to move forward is still there 22:03. Connect with Rachel Schneider at spiritedprosperity.com Rachel Schneider’s book, The Widow Chose Red: My Journey with Jesus, John, and ALS, is available on Amazon, Audible, Spotify, and wherever you buy books. Connect with Tony at theconfidencedoc.com or email tony@theconfidencedoc.com. Timestamp 00:00 Start 02:30 Building resilience and perseverance 06:10 Coping with family crisis 06:52 Coping with ALS diagnosis 10:47 Balancing family and personal growth 13:51 Struggling with survivor guilt 17:05 Balancing capability and capacity 20:37 Dealing with pressure and expectations 23:49 Celebration of Life Service Photo Stop pretending you’re fine, rebuilding confidence after loss, grief and caregiving, confidence after trauma, women and resilience, leadership through crisis, self-trust, survivor guilt, ALS caregiving, family crisis, emotional resilience, women’s confidence, caregiver burnout, capacity versus capability, grief recovery, confidence podcast, She Talks Confidence Podcast, Rachel Schneider, The Widow Who Chose Red, Tony Dufresne.

    Stop Pretending You're Fine

  5. Sep 2

    Recalibrating Your Life Around What Truly Matters

    Recalibrating Your Life Around What Truly Matters What if burnout isn’t only about having too much to do? What if it’s also a sign that your life has drifted away from what truly matters to you? In this episode of the She Talks Confidence Podcast, Tony speaks with Dr. Judith Wright, who has spent decades helping high-achieving women move beyond external success and reconnect with inner fulfillment. Dr. Judith Wright explores women’s confidence, self-worth, burnout recovery, people-pleasing, authentic leadership, social media “soft addictions,” and the deeper yearnings that create a meaningful life. She explains why constant achievement and dopamine-driven distractions can provide temporary relief without creating genuine satisfaction. This conversation is for women who feel burned out, disconnected, overextended, or unsure what they want beyond meeting everyone else’s needs. Three Biggest Takeaways Recalibrate your life around your deeper values and yearnings. Fulfillment comes from identifying what truly matters, including being seen, heard, valued, creative, connected, and able to make a difference. Stop treating exhaustion as recovery. Mindless scrolling may offer a brief dopamine boost, but it can numb feelings and replace real nourishment with temporary comfort. Build self-efficacy instead of waiting to feel completely confident. You may feel uncertain or “shaking in your boots,” yet still trust that you can learn, adapt, and figure things out. Connect with Dr. Judith Wright Website: livewright.com/contact Connect with Tony Website: tonydufresne.com Email: tony@theconfidencedoc.com Timestamp 00:00 Start 02:00 Recognizing women's hidden strengths 06:41 Understanding Deep Motivational Forces 09:21 Eudaimonia and fulfilling potential 11:17 Creating boundaries at work 16:47 Rise of Women in Leadership 18:50 Finding and Following Your Inner Compass 22:24 Discussing personal core ideologies 26:02 Importance of self-efficacy for women 27:39 Appreciating women guests #WomenAndConfidence #BurnoutRecovery #SelfWorth #WomenEmpowerment #PersonalGrowth #AuthenticLeadership #SelfEfficacy #InnerFulfillment #MentalWellness #SheTalksConfidence

    Recalibrating Your Life Around What Truly Matters

  6. Aug 14

    Advice for Women in Male-Dominated Professions

    In this episode, "Advice for Women in Male-Dominated Professions", host Tony Dufresne, PhD sits down with renowned criminal trial attorney Nicole Knox. As a leader in the legal industry and former president of the Dallas Women Lawyers Association, Nicole Knox offers candid insights and practical steps for overcoming obstacles that women face in environments where men hold the majority of leadership positions. Together, they break down confidence barriers, discuss the illusion of equality, and share proven methods for women to claim space, set boundaries, and build each other up. Three Biggest Takeaways The Power of Support and Mentorship Building strong networks with other women and finding mentors is crucial for thriving in male-dominated professions. Nicole Knox shares how organized leadership classes and community can dramatically boost confidence and career satisfaction. Owning Your Voice and Setting Boundaries Speaking with clarity, authenticity, and assertiveness—plus practicing setting boundaries against interruptions and dismissiveness—are core skills. Nicole Knox gives scripts and actionable advice to handle these moments powerfully. Embracing Imperfection and Conquering Fear Confidence isn’t about perfection, it's about resilience. Nicole Knox encourages women to take risks, learn from stumbles, and push past the fear of not having all the answers. Contact Information Guest: Nicole Knox — nicoleknoxlaw.com Host: Tony — theconfidencedoc.com | tony@theconfidencedoc.com Time Stamp Start: 00:00 The Impact of Mentorship & Support: 00:00 Facing Gender Gaps in Law: 01:25 The Realities of Women Advocating for Women: 03:39 Building Tools for Confidence and Communication: 06:41 Strategies for Handling Male-Dominated Meetings: 10:01 Scripts for Handling Interruptions & Setting Boundaries: 11:55 Conquering Fear & Letting Go of Perfectionism: 13:43 Developing a Personal Constitution & Knowing What Matters: 19:49 The Power of Honest ‘I Don’t Know’ and Authenticity: 20:55 Listen, learn, and share! Tag us with your own experiences: #SheTalksConfidence #WomenInLeadership #BreakTheBias

    Advice for Women in Male-Dominated Professions

  7. Aug 7

    From Skin Struggles to Self-Acceptance | with Emani Cosmetics Founder, Michelle Doan

    In this episode, “From Skin Struggles to Self-Acceptance,” host Tony Dufresne, PhD sits down with Michelle Doan, founder of Emani Vegan Cosmetics. Together, they dive deep into Michelle’s inspiring journey, from surviving a Vietnamese refugee camp and battling cystic acne, to building a global beauty brand and redefining what real confidence means for women, especially as they navigate life’s changes. Michelle shares her wisdom on breaking free from unrealistic beauty standards, rewriting negative self-talk, and developing genuine self-acceptance, proving that confidence comes from the inside out. Three Biggest Takeaways Your Mind is Your Most Powerful Tool “When you give your mind a directive, it goes and finds evidence for that. So if you say you are tired, you're old, you're fat, your mind will constantly find evidence to support that.” Self-Love is an Everyday Practice, Not a Performance True confidence comes from curating compassionate, honest conversations with yourself—not from chasing external validation or perfect appearances. Face Life’s Obstacles as Opportunities Every struggle, including those with your skin or aging, can become a catalyst for resilience, growth, and ultimately greater self-acceptance—as long as you choose to see them that way. To learn more about Michelle Doan and explore Emani’s clean, innovative skincare, visit emani.com, find them on Instagram & Facebook @emanicosmetics, or shop Emani on Amazon. For resources, freebies, or to connect with Tony Dufresne, PhD, head over to theconfidencedoc.com or email tony@theconfidencedoc.com. Time Stamp 00:00 Start 02:00 Social media and self-perception 03:58 Embracing Authentic Self-Worth 08:51 Lessons from early life challenges 10:17 Building confidence through adversity 14:45 Facing menopause changes 18:14 Introducing young teens to cosmetics 19:58 Launching clean sunscreen for kids 23:18 Choosing the right skincare products 29:40 Changing "have to" to "get to" 31:29 Inviting women to connect #mindbodyconnection, #confidence, #practicalconfidence, #performativeconfidence, #self-worth, #socialmediainfluence, #beautystandards, #aging, #menopause, #self-love, #negativeselftalk, #cysticacne

    From Skin Struggles to Self-Acceptance | with Emani Cosmetics Founder, Michelle Doan

  8. Jul 31

    Stop Waiting to Feel Ready: Micro-Actions to Build True Confidence with Nikki Langman

    Welcome to the She Talks Confidence Podcast, where we dive deep into the real challenges and triumphs that shape women’s confidence at work, in relationships, and in life. In today’s powerful episode, host Tony Dufresne, PhD, sits down with international speaker, author of "How to Be a Badass," and creator of the Unbrickable program—Nikki Langman. Nikki unpacks her journey from corporate perfectionist to unshakeable confidence advocate, sharing candidly about the trap of waiting for perfection, the danger of the word "fine," and how taking messy, imperfect action changes everything. Three Big Takeaways: Ban the Word "Fine": When high-achieving women say they are "fine," it usually masks profound stress and the pressure to meet impossible societal superhero expectations. Embrace Being a Beginner: You will never feel completely ready to step up; embracing awkward, imperfect action is the only way to build real self-trust. Vulnerability as a Catalyst: True connection, psychological safety, and leadership strength require dropping the masks and sharing your authentic story. Connect with Nikki Langman: Website: https://www.nikkilangman.com LinkedIn: Nikki Langman Book: Find "How to Be a Badass" at https://www.bookshop.org Connect with the Host: Website: https://www.theconfidencedoc.com Email: tony@theconfidencedoc.com Timestamps: 00:00 - Start  02:00 - Struggling with societal expectations 06:09 - Personal struggle and recovery journey 09:12 - Discussing vulnerability and trust 10:22 - Challenges of Vulnerability in Business 13:30 - Corporate culture and gender dynamics 17:06 - Setting healthy work boundaries 23:11 - Time management and work-life balance 26:14 - Discussing support from trusted friends 30:01 - Building a supportive community 31:08 - Contact info and coaching options

    Stop Waiting to Feel Ready: Micro-Actions to Build True Confidence with Nikki Langman
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About

How is it that Women achieve more college degrees and outearn Men in 40% of US households, yet research shows they continue to be significantly less Confident than Men? Even some of the most successful Women continue to struggle with constant Overthinking, Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome. And with the amplified pressures now presented through Social Media Platforms, there is a growing epidemic of Perfectionism with young women and girls. This Confidence Crisis is happening in spite of many advancements Women have made over the last 50 years. Join Girl-Dad and Women’s Empowerment Coach, Dr. Tony Dufresne (PhD) each week as he interviews Empowered Women with Compelling Stories and Valuable Insights into Overcoming those Self-Doubt challenges and obstacles, leading to Building and Maintaining True Confidence. So, if you feel a More Confident YOU would make life for you and the people you care about a WHOLE LOT BETTER…this show is for YOU!

Information

  • Creator
    Tony Dufresne, PhD
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    102
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 She Talks Confidence Podcast
  • Show Website
    She Talks Confidence Podcast