In Her Words: Working Conversations by Women

Thando Mazibuko
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Biweekly

In Her Words: Working Conversations By Women A safe space where women from all walks of life share their journeys, wisdom, and hard-earned lessons. Through candid, soulful conversations, we explore the evolution of women as they navigate careers, identity, reinvention, and purpose. Hosted by Thando Mazibuko, each episode amplifies authentic voices, celebrates resilience, and inspires others to step into their greater selves, unapologetically. Because when women speak, the world listens.

  1. The Caregiver’s Blueprint: Raymond Lavine on Empathy, Long-Term Care & Protecting Your Financial Future

    4d ago

    The Caregiver’s Blueprint: Raymond Lavine on Empathy, Long-Term Care & Protecting Your Financial Future

    What happens when the people you love need care, but your financial plan didn't prepare you for it? In this episode of In Her Words, host Thando Mazibuko sits down with Raymond Lavine, Principal at Lavine LTC Benefits, co-author of the Amazon Best-Selling book Empathy and Understanding in Business, and host of Planning with Purpose, The Caregivers Blueprint. Raymond’s perspective is deeply personal. After watching his immigrant parents navigate the complex world of care over nearly two decades, he dedicated his career to helping families and businesses create safety nets that protect their careers, assets, and connections. 💡 In this conversation, Raymond breaks down: • The crucial difference between standard health insurance and long-term caregiving insurance. • Why comprehensive financial planning must include insurance, and why retirement planning isn't "fun" but absolutely necessary. • How to start early with a retirement plan and life insurance to secure your future . • Why caregiving is ultimately an act of empathy, and how it impacts women in the workplace and at home. • The hard truth: "People make the worst financial decisions without a plan." Whether you are a caregiver, a professional planning for retirement, or someone who just wants to protect your family's future, this episode will give you the practical tools to plan with purpose. 🔗 Connect with Raymond: •⁠ Website⁠: Book: Empathy and Understanding in Business 🎧 Listen now and start planning with purpose. #LongTermCare #CaregiversBlueprint #FinancialPlanning #RetirementPlanning #InHerWords #ThandoMazibuko #RaymondLavine #EmpathyInBusiness #WomenAndCaregiving

    35 min
  2. Radical Reinvention: Surviving, Sabbaticals & Her New Legacy with Ashley D. Varnado

    Jun 3

    Radical Reinvention: Surviving, Sabbaticals & Her New Legacy with Ashley D. Varnado

    What happens when the woman stewarding $25 billion across 18 markets realises she needs to stop, heal, and completely rewrite her definition of success? In this powerful episode of In Her Words, host Thando Mazibuko sits down with Ashley D. Varnado retired Managing Director in the Financial Services Industry, national news contributor, and author of the forthcoming book Out of the Yazoo Clay. After surviving three strokes, Ashley made a courageous choice: she took a radical sabbatical. She stepped away from the corporate boardroom to heal, reflect, and pivot toward a life of deeper purpose, eventually stepping into national media and writing. 💡 In this conversation, you’ll discover: • The raw truth about her health crisis and the courage it took to step back. • Why a "radical sabbatical" is sometimes the most strategic leadership move you can make. • How to align financial performance with human purpose and legacy. • Practical ways to champion emerging leaders while forging your own new path. • The mindset shift required to survive, reset, and redefine success on your own terms. 📖 ⁠Learn more about Ashley & her upcoming book:⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to In Her Words for more conversations that center women’s voices, healing, and purpose. 💬 Reflection: What’s one area of your life where you feel called to pause, reset, and redefine success? Save this episode for your next quiet moment. #RadicalReinvention #WomensLeadership #PurposeDriven #Sabbatical #InHerWords #ThandoMazibuko #OutoftheYazooClay #Legacy #HealingJourney

    31 min
  3. The Business of Beauty: From Refugee Camp to Clean Beauty Pioneer with Michelle Doan

    May 27

    The Business of Beauty: From Refugee Camp to Clean Beauty Pioneer with Michelle Doan

    What does it really take to build a clean beauty brand in a world of greenwashing? In this episode of In Her Words: Working Conversations By Women, host Thando Mazibuko sits down with Michelle Doan founder of EMANI Vegan Cosmetics to explore The Business of Beauty: From Refugee Camp to Clean Beauty Pioneer.Michelle shares her extraordinary journey: from Vietnamese immigrant and time in a refugee camp, to battling cystic acne and menopause, to building a global brand that merges ancient fermentation practices with modern science. 💡 In this conversation, you'll discover: • Why fermentation isn't a trend, it's ancient wisdom meeting modern skincare. • The Three P's every conscious consumer should ask: Potency (is it strong enough?), Penetration (does it reach where it's needed?), Proven (has it been tested,not just marketed?) • How to spot greenwashing and choose products that truly honor sensitive, hormonally dynamic skin . • The mindset shift that changed everything: "Start noticing your thoughts" • Practical lessons on building a mission-driven brand while navigating adversity. 🌿 Learn more & shop EMANI Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 🎧 Subscribe to In Her Words for more conversations that center women's voices, resilience, and purpose.💬 Reflection: What's one beauty claim you wish had more proof? Save this episode for your next skincare moment.#TheBusinessOfBeauty #CleanBeauty #Greenwashing #FermentationSkincare #EMANI #InHerWords #ThandoMazibuko #SensitiveSkin #MindfulBeauty #ImmigrantEntrepreneur

    30 min
  4. The Art of Healing: Narrative Medicine & Women's Health with Kayla Branstetter

    May 20

    The Art of Healing: Narrative Medicine & Women's Health with Kayla Branstetter

    Modern medicine is a powerful resource but it often leaves women unheard and not cared for. What if the missing ingredient isn't a new treatment… but a story? In this episode of In Her Words: Working Conversations By Women, host Thando Mazibuko sits down with Kayla Branstetter educator, TEDx speaker, and author of the forthcoming book Don't Be an Athena to explore narrative medicine: the transformative practice of using storytelling to heal women's bodies, honour reproductive trauma, and challenge the culture of silent endurance. 💡 In this conversation, you'll discover: • How narrative medicine turns lived experience into healing & advocacy. • Why the myth of "powering through pain" silences women and how to break it. • Practical, age-appropriate ways to talk to kids about bodies, boundaries & consent. • How patient storytelling is rebuilding trust between women & healthcare providers. • Tools to reclaim your voice, honour your story, and heal without shame. 📖 Learn more & connect with Kayla: 🎧 Subscribe to In Her Words for more conversations that center women's voices, healing, and purpose. 💬 Reflection: What's one part of your health story you've been waiting to share? Save this episode for your next quiet moment. #TheArtOfHealing #NarrativeMedicine #WomensHealth #MedicalGaslighting #DontBeAnAthena #InHerWords #ThandoMazibuko #StoryAsHealing #ReproductiveJustice

    31 min
  5. A Mother's Love: Autism, Advocacy & Letting Kindness Be Your Guide | Brigitte M. Volltrauer Shipman

    May 13

    A Mother's Love: Autism, Advocacy & Letting Kindness Be Your Guide | Brigitte M. Volltrauer Shipman

    What if a mother's love isn't about fixing, but about seeing? In this episode of In Her Words: Working Conversations By Women, I sit down with Brigitte Shipman to explore autism, advocacy, and the radical power of loving kindness. Drawing from their two-voiced book, A Mother's Guide Through Autism: Through the Eyes of the Guided, Brigitte shares her journey from grief to hope, while Joseph offers his lived perspective on navigating a world not built for neurodivergent minds. 💡 In this conversation, you'll discover: • How to move from grief to hope and let kindness be your guide. • Why "meeting yourself where you are" is an act of courage, not compromise. • Practical steps for advocacy: 7 lessons + 5 actionable tools for overwhelmed parents. • Joseph's truth: "It's okay to be different" and how autistic honesty can improve the world. • Why neurodiversity isn't a deficit, it's a difference worthy of dignity. ✨ Brigitte's wisdom to carry: "Notice your thoughts but don't let the negative ones control you. Practice." "Start with gratitude." "Meet yourself where you are." 📖 Learn more & get the book: 🎧 Subscribe to In Her Words for more conversations that center women's voices, healing, and purpose. 💬 What's one way you can practice loving kindness toward yourself or someone neurodivergent this week? Let us know in the comments. #AMothersLove #AutismAcceptance #Neurodiversity #LovingKindness #InHerWords #ThandoMazibuko #MoreThanTheLabel #ParentalResilience

    31 min
  6. Navigating Neurodivergence: Blair Sorrel on SPD, Kindness & Rock 'n' Roll

    May 6

    Navigating Neurodivergence: Blair Sorrel on SPD, Kindness & Rock 'n' Roll

    What if healing isn’t about fixing yourself but about reaching for someone else? 🎸 In this episode of In Her Words: Working Conversations By Women, I sit down with Blair Sorrel author, innovator, and survivor to explore life with Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD), navigating overparenting, and finding your voice when you’ve been told you don’t fit. Drawing from her candid memoir, A Schizoid at Smith, Blair shares how rock 'n' roll, animal advocacy, and one simple act of kindness became her bridge to purpose and connection. 💡 In this conversation, you’ll discover: • How an SPD diagnosis at 33 clarified a life of “warts and weirdness”. • Why music and animals became lifelines when human connection felt hard. • How overparenting can lead to underachieving and how to reclaim your path. • The transformative power of looking outward and practicing one act of kindness. • Why thriving on your own terms means rewriting the rules of success. 📖 Get Blair’s memoir & learn more 🎧 Subscribe to In Her Words for more conversations that center women’s voices, healing, and purpose. 💬 What’s one small act of kindness you can offer yourself or others this week? Let us know in the comments! #NavigatingNeurodivergence #SPD #MentalHealthMemoir #BlairSorrel #InHerWords #ThandoMazibuko #NeurodivergentWomen #RockAndRollHealing

    27 min
  7. Wisdom & Wonder PARTII: How Women Can Heal, Age & Thrive with PurposE |Dr Susanne T.Eden

    Apr 29

    Wisdom & Wonder PARTII: How Women Can Heal, Age & Thrive with PurposE |Dr Susanne T.Eden

    What if your greatest chapter hasn’t been written yet? At 87, Dr. Susanne Eden is proving it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. Welcome to Part 2 of Wisdom & Wonder: How Women Can Heal, Age & Thrive with Purpose on In Her Words: Working Conversations By Women. I’m back with Dr. Susanne T. Eden educator, author, and wisdom-keeper—to dive deeper into the practical, spiritual, and emotional steps of healing as you age. Drawing from her health, spirituality, and wellness book, Healing from the Inside: Living Fully as You Age, we explore how to sit in stillness, name what still “bothers you,” and tap into your true energy. We also unpack her powerful “Taking Action” chapter, why deep human connection is non-negotiable for fulfillment, and what it means to see yourself as part of something far greater than trivial worldly concerns. 💡 In this episode, you’ll discover: • Practical steps for self-healing & emotional clarity in later life. • How to sit with yourself, uncover hidden blocks, and release them with grace. • Why “tapping into your energy” transforms how you age and dream. • Inside the “Taking Action” chapter: moving from reflection to purposeful living. • Why human connection is the cornerstone of lasting wellness & spiritual growth. 📖 Get Dr. Susanne’s book: 🎧 Subscribe to In Her Words for more conversations that center women’s voices, healing, and purpose. 💬 What’s one dream you’re ready to pursue in this season? Let us know in the comments!#WisdomAndWonder #HealingFromTheInside #AgingWithPurpose #SpiritualWellness #InHerWords #ThandoMazibuko #SelfHealingJourney #HumanConnection

    31 min
  8. Wisdom & Wonder: How Women Can Heal, Age & Thrive with Purpose |Dr Susanne Eden

    Apr 22

    Wisdom & Wonder: How Women Can Heal, Age & Thrive with Purpose |Dr Susanne Eden

    What if ageing isn't about looking back...but stepping fully into the life you were meant to live? In this episode of In Her Words: Working Conversations By Women, I sit down with Dr. Susanne T. Eden, a pioneering educator, author, and wisdom-keeper at 87. To explore how healing, self-discovery, and intentional living can transform the way we experience our later years. In her new book, Healing from the Inside: Living Fully as You Age, Dr. Eden shares her deeply personal journey of releasing past wounds, embracing transformational journaling, and finding profound purpose in the season many call "the end." 💡 In this conversation, you'll discover: • Why the later decades are your "last, best shot" at healing and self-discovery. • How to unlearn the myth that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks". • Practical ways to use journaling and inner reflection to rewrite your relationship with ageing. • How to release regret, quiet fear of the future, and step into purposeful living. • What truly makes women shine at every stage of life. 📖 Get Dr. Susanne's book 🎧 Subscribe to In Her Words for more conversations that center women's voices, healing, and purpose. 💬 What's one "new trick" you're ready to learn in this season of your life? Let us know in the comments! #InHerWords #WisdomAndWonder #AgingWithPurpose #HealingJourney #WomenWhoLead #TransformationalJournaling #IntergenerationalWisdom #ThandoMazibuko

    30 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

In Her Words: Working Conversations By Women A safe space where women from all walks of life share their journeys, wisdom, and hard-earned lessons. Through candid, soulful conversations, we explore the evolution of women as they navigate careers, identity, reinvention, and purpose. Hosted by Thando Mazibuko, each episode amplifies authentic voices, celebrates resilience, and inspires others to step into their greater selves, unapologetically. Because when women speak, the world listens.

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