Badass Women at Any Age

Bonnie Marcus
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Women are becoming stronger, claiming our power, and being true badasses. Host Bonnie Marcus interviews some of the most groundbreaking badass women and shares their stories of doing extraordinary things to change perceptions and challenge the status quo

  1. Beat the Big Guys with Sandy Rosenthal

    5D AGO

    Beat the Big Guys with Sandy Rosenthal

    Sandy Rosenthal was an ordinary citizen who became an extraordinary activist following Hurricane Katrina. After uncovering that defective flood walls built by the Army Corps of Engineers caused the disaster, Sandy founded the nonprofit levees.org and rallied over 25,000 supporters for safer infrastructure. Her book, 'Whispered in Water,' and her podcast, 'Beat The Big Guys,' continue to inspire change and empower listeners to take on powerful institutions and make a difference in their communities. Sandy shares her journey from a part-time copywriter to a relentless advocate for truth and accountability, highlighting the power of community mobilization and persistence.    What You Will Hear in This Episode   00:21 Meet Sandy Rosenthal: Uncovering a Scandal 02:08 The Day the Levees Broke 04:41 Life After the Disaster 09:51 Fighting Back: Founding Levees.org 12:33 Facing Harassment and Legal Battles 17:35 The Aftermath and Lessons Learned 21:22 Mobilizing Communities and Partnerships 33:03 Conclusion and Call to Action   Quotes " I'm gonna point out first that two thirds of the nation's population lives by levies and probably don't know it. " " You do have to ask the questions, and if you stop asking, and if it appears that you're not paying attention, that's when bad things can happen,  and that's when, I don't wanna call 'em the bad guys, but that's when the big guys win, when you stop paying attention." " It didn't take me long to realize that the big guys, like the Army Corps of Engineers are really just like bullies in the fourth grade playground. They're, they're big, but they're not smarter. They, they they, and, and the, they're elegant because they're big. And, and you know what happens when you're big and you're arrogant, you make big mistakes." " When that criticism comes, you need to look at it like free advice, free advice. What they're doing is they're finding problems with what you're doing and, and some of their points may actually be correct. They've actually helped you, even though they didn't mean to."   Mentioned SandyRosenthal.net Levees.org   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review

    34 min

  2. OCT 28

    The Empty Nester with Rita Lussier

    Feeling lost and purposeless when her youngest child left for college, Rita Lussier leaned into her writing and running to cope.  Forming a new morning routine along with the process of running and writing helped her find a new sense of purpose, culminating in the creation of her book, And Now Back To Me.  Rita is an award-winning journalist and writer whose column  'For The Moment' was a popular feature of the Providence Journal for a dozen years. Her writing has also been featured on National Public Radio in the Boston Globe, the New York Daily News, and many other publications. Rita enjoys coaching writers, conducting workshops, and has worked as a publicist and editor. She's taught at both University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College.   What You Will Hear in This Episode 01:12 Rita's Journey: From Empty Nest to Published Author 03:37 The Healing Power of Writing 05:04 Navigating Midlife Changes and Empty Nest Syndrome 06:51 The Emotional Rollercoaster of an Empty Nest 09:34 Finding New Purpose and Joy 13:29 Advice for Empty Nesters 26:45 Comparing Empty Nest Syndrome to Retirement 29:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Quotes " I think I'm at my best when I'm reaching out to others and using the things that I have learned and helping others with them." " The best advice I can give to anyone is to just acknowledge that this is a huge transition. You're going through a big change, and you need to be patient with yourself. It's not gonna happen right away, and I think women in particular are very patient with everybody and everything else in their lives, but maybe not necessarily themselves." " I think it's important to acknowledge the loss before you can really embrace a new beginning."  " I believe writing your life honors your life."   Mentioned https://www.ritalussier.com/ Instagram Facebook threads   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:  If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review

    30 min

  3. OCT 14

    Money and Power with Marcia Dawood

    Marcia Dawood's journey into angel investing began in 2012 when she attended an angel investing meeting in Pittsburgh. Previously working in sales, marketing, and operations within corporate America, she was intrigued and fascinated by the world of entrepreneurship and investing in early-stage companies. Initially unaware of the opportunities that existed locally and globally, Marcia quickly immersed herself in the field. Overcoming the misconceptions that one needs a finance degree or significant wealth to invest, she discovered that anyone with curiosity and willingness to learn could participate.  Marsha is the author of Do Good While Doing Well, Invest For Change, Reap Financial Rewards, and Increase Your Happiness. She's currently working on a new book. Unapologetic Wealth, and she's also an associate producer on the award-winning documentary. Show Her the Money.  She's a TEDx speaker, host of the Angel Nextdoor podcast, and she really walks the talk and holds investments in over 50 early stage companies and funds. Previously, Marsha worked in sales, marketing and operations for capital education for over 16 years. She received an MBA from the University of North Carolina, Keenan Flagler Business School.    What You Will Hear in This Episode:  02:23 Marcia's Journey into Angel Investing 04:07 Debunking Myths About Investing 05:53 Equity Crowdfunding Explained 12:24 Challenges for Women in Investing 15:10 Overcoming Investment Barriers 22:22 The Importance of Diversification 23:43 Marcia's Books and Resources 31:03 Conclusion and Final Thought   Quotes "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky. " You really don't have to have any, level of education other than to be curious and to surround yourself with other people who know a lot about, not just investing, but about the different industries. "  "We have been dealing with being held back from investing, from even getting a credit card, from owning property, you could go all the way back to when women got the right to vote. We weren't even allowed to have a credit card in our name until 1974. So there's a lot of things generationally that have happened that have held women back when it came to finances, and so. If we can start to demystify a lot of that, then we can hopefully get women to feel more comfortable with investing, with using their money for good."  "I just really believe that women need to be more unapologetic about money, about gathering information so that they can have more wealth."   Mentioned  www.marciadawood.com LinkedIn Facebook   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:  If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review

    34 min

  4. SEP 30

    Play to Win with Yue Zhao

    Yue Zhao's career began with aspirations rooted in a desire to help people, initially thinking she would become a doctor. However, her path led her into the tech industry, where she spent over 15 years as a product executive in Silicon Valley.  Discovering the power of executive and leadership coaching became a pivotal point in her career. Inspired by her experiences and driven by her commitment to support underrepresented groups, Yue transitioned from a tech executive to a full-time executive coach. She now focuses on advancing the careers of women and minorities by leveraging her unique insights and personal journey. Through her Substack newsletter, "The Uncommon Executive," and her coaching work, Yue shares valuable lessons on leadership, overcoming challenges, and creating more inclusive workplaces. Yue has coached hundreds of aspiring executives since 2016, is an instructor at Reforge and Maven and is the author of the Uncommon Executive: Breakthrough to the C-Suite as a Minority. She's also been a VC back founder, venture partner at Life X Ventures and a consultant at McKinsey and Company. Yue has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in Biomedical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley    What You Will Hear in This Episode:    02:16 Youi's Journey: From Aspirations to Reality 03:52 Discovering Executive Coaching 06:22 Challenges and Triumphs in Silicon Valley 09:20 Leveraging Unique Perspectives 13:37 Coaching Women and Minorities 17:27 Addressing Gender Bias and DEI Efforts 22:03 Building a Web of Influence 23:04 Challenges in Career Advancement 25:03 The Importance of Advocacy and Relationships 33:24 Creating Inclusive Work Environments   Quotes "Being able to empathize with multiple different perspectives is crucial." "Finding those moments where you can say, okay, who I am, and where I naturally come from, gives me a step up." "If I do the work and I do it really well, that'll get me ahead." "When you've been in environments where you see what great looks like, you're like, 'This should just be everywhere."   Mentioned: The Uncommon Executive subastack LinkedIn   eConnect with Bonnie Online Course for Ambitious Women: https://www.female-career-accelerator-online.com/ Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review

    36 min

  5. SEP 16

    Powerful You with Kathy Caprino

    Kathy Caprino began her professional journey with ambitions of working in publishing. However, she soon found herself navigating a corporate career filled with numerous challenges as she climbed the corporate ladder.  After a period of deep reflection, Kathy embraced her calling ultimately leading her to become an international career leadership and personal growth coach. She utilized her experiences and lessons learned to guide mid to high-level professionals toward achieving their highest potential.  Kathy is a writer, speaker, and executive trainer helping mid to high level professionals advance, thrive and reach their highest, most rewarding potential. A LinkedIn Top Voice and former corporate VP,  she's also a trained therapist, seasoned executive coach and a senior Forbes contributor and sought after media source on career issues. Kathy has authored two books, her latest is The Most Powerful You: Seven Bravery Boosting Paths to Career Blitz  is also a training course for individuals and organizations that she offers.  Kathy has been named a top 10 career coach for women and a leadership voice in the United States and globally.      What You Will Hear in This Episode:    01:48 Kathy's Early Career Journey 04:15 A Pivotal Moment 07:44 Lessons from Therapy 10:10 Empathy and Coaching 17:55 Understanding Power and Ambition 23:01 The Struggle with Societal Norms 28:23 The Power of Words 31:24 Recognizing Your Unique Talents and Owning Your Accomplishments   Quotes   "Reclaim your power by recognizing your value and the unique talents you bring to the table."  "Overcoming setbacks and imposter syndrome begins with believing in your own worthiness."  "Your story and experiences shape a unique and invaluable perspective. Celebrate that uniqueness every day."  True power comes from within. It's about acting on your behalf, advocating for yourself, and being the author of your life."  "It's not about the title or the position, but about the impact you want to make and the legacy you want to leave." - "Every setback is an opportunity for growth. Embrace it and let it propel you to new heights." "To empower others, we must first empower ourselves. Understand your strengths and use them to inspire those around you."   .Mentioned:   Kathycaprino.com Mostpowerfulyou.com Finding Brave Podcast LinkedIn Twitter/X     eConnect with Bonnie Online Course for Ambitious Women: https://www.female-career-accelerator-online.com/ Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review

    39 min

  6. SEP 2

    Build your Fempire with Emily June Wilcox

    Emily June Wilcox grew up in rural Michigan with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian, earning a degree in animal science. Her early career took unexpected turns, from horse training to pharmaceutical sales and eventually entrepreneurship.   Emily is a wealth and business coach, number one bestselling author and speaker on a mission to help others heal their money wounds and build financially and personally fulfilling lives. She's built two seven figure businesses, an  e-commerce clothing company and an Amazon marketing agency.  Now she focuses on using energetics and strategy to help women build their femme powers and walk the joyous path to millions. Emily hosts a top 2% global podcast, The Joyous Path to Millions, and her work has been featured in more than 400 major media outlets including A-B-C-N-B-C, Fox Associated Press and the Wall Street Times.    What You Will Hear in This Episode:  02:28 Emily's Journey 08:30 Money Wounds Explained 12:37 Impact of Money Wounds on Women 12:57 Strategic and Energetic Approaches 25:40 Impact Versus Income 31:55 Finding Joy on the Path to Millions   Quotes "When we heal our hard money wound and we recognize that it's not about trading effort for income, it's about trading impact for income, then we start to orient differently." "Cultivate your inner environment, decide that every single day, no matter the external circumstances, you can find something to feel joyful about." "Entrepreneurship is a pretty unique personal development vehicle that most of us don't realize until we start doing it." "When we can get back to more of that understanding that money is a resource and that it really is independent of us as a human being and our contribution to the planet, the cleaner the energy becomes, and then we're better able to position ourselves to make more." .Mentioned: emilywilcox.com Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkedIn   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review

    35 min

  7. AUG 19

    This Ain't for Sissies with Kathryn Burnett

    Growing up in a family that didn't view a career in the arts as feasible, Kathryn Burnett pursued writing with determination, transitioning from magazine articles to professional screenwriting. She faced numerous challenges, particularly in a competitive industry that often overlooks middle-aged women. Post-menopause, Kathryn experienced a personal transformation, embracing her true self and taking greater creative risks. This shift led to a focus on complex, authentic female protagonists, inspired by real-life experiences and conversations. Her writing now champions strong, relatable women, pushing back against clichéd portrayals. Kathryn emphasizes the importance of defining personal success, trusting oneself, and not fearing failure. In addition to her creative work, she shares her insights through coaching writing and her book, 'The Productive Writer Guidebook.' Kathryn continues to explore new projects, driven by her passion for storytelling and commitment to depicting multifaceted female characters.    What You Will Hear in This Episode:  2:15 - Kathryn's Background and Journey  6:45 - Turning Point in Kathryn's Career 10:05 - Challenges in the Screenwriting Industry  15:30 - Defining Success  20:10 - Kathryn's Post-Menopause Transformation  25:00 - Impact on Writing  30:20 - The Power of Female Protagonists  35:55 - Inspiration Behind Kathryn's Play  40:15 - The Writer's Journey and Coaching  45:25 - Current and Future Projects  50:50 - Advice for Aspiring Writers    Quotes "There's always going to be someone with an opinion of you." "There's making a living and then there's making a great living." "The world doesn't fall over if you fail or get it wrong." "I think loads of creatives will tell you the same. It's just never a smooth journey. I mean, life never is."   Mentioned: www.kathryn-burnett.com LinkedIn Facebook Twitter/X   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review

    38 min

  8. AUG 5

    Dirty Old Women with Stella Fosse

    Inspired to push back against gendered ageism,  Stella Fosse  began writing vivid, sexy stories about older women inspired by an article by a 50-year-old romance writer in the New York Times that pushed her to challenge industry norms that favored younger characters.  Her involvement in a local writing series called "Dirty Old Women," where women over 50 read erotic stories to live audiences, further solidified her mission. Through her experiences in online dating in her 60s and meeting her partner at 62, Stella drew inspiration for her novels, including her first book, "Brilliant, Charming Bastard," and her later works centered on older women.  Stella Fosse spent many years as a technical writer in biotechnology, managing a demanding career while raising her four children. Upon retiring, she pursued her passion for storytelling. Stella continues to empower and encourage women over 50 to share their vibrant stories and creativity through her books, workshops, and blog.   What You Will Hear in This Episode:  01:17 Stella's Journey 05:28 Writing Workshops and Books 15:53 Pandemic and Creativity 18:33 Challenges of Writing and Marketing 21:35 Support and Community 30:15 Upcoming Projects   Quotes   "The key, I think, is to find the creativity within the marketing and publicity process." "I'm in my seventies now and when you've lived as long as I have, there is an awful lot of material to" draw from. "It's up to the woman to decide how she embraces and uses her own sexuality." "If she can see it, she can be it." "We're all unique and freeing ourselves to step out of the box and enjoy life is truly badass."     Mentioned: www.stellafosse.com Substack Instagram Facebook Linkedin   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review 8/19/2025

    33 min
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4.9
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About

Women are becoming stronger, claiming our power, and being true badasses. Host Bonnie Marcus interviews some of the most groundbreaking badass women and shares their stories of doing extraordinary things to change perceptions and challenge the status quo

Information

  • Creator
    Bonnie Marcus
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Badass Women at Any Age
  • Show Website
    Badass Women at Any Age

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