Financially Empowered Women

Dionne Payn

The Financially Empowered Women podcast, hosted by Dionne Payn, tackles the shocking reality that 400,000 women in Australia are at risk of homelessness. The podcast dives into the barriers that lead to financial insecurity, aiming to give women the knowledge and tools they need to build a strong financial foundation. Featuring world-class experts, each episode provides practical, women-specific tips on topics such as negotiating a better salary, demystifying superannuation, and navigating divorce and separation while ensuring assets are distributed fairly. This podcast is designed to help women build a strong financial foundation, take control of their financial future and create lasting social change.

  1. Jul 17

    S2: Ep. 20 Career Progression for Women: How to Conquer AI Overwhelm and Future-Proof Your Work

    Have you ever felt a wave of panic reading headlines about Artificial Intelligence replacing human jobs? What if this technological revolution is not a threat to your livelihood, but actually the greatest opportunity you will ever have to amplify your unique skills and redesign how you work? For many women, the rapid acceleration of AI can feel deeply overwhelming, especially with the fear that administrative roles, which are often held by a large proportion of women, are the first to be automated. However, retreating from this technology leaves the future of work entirely in the hands of a male-dominated tech industry. Stepping into the AI space is essential for securing your professional future, as the new world of work will highly value "feminine" skills such as intuition, empathy, and holistic systems thinking. True career progression for women in this era means learning to partner with AI to amplify your brilliance rather than competing against it. In this episode, technology veteran Michelle Williams demystifies the world of AI to help you build confidence and capability. Drawing on 25 years of experience in the tech sector, Michelle explains why AI is far more than just a glorified Google search, and how it can act as an incredible partner to streamline your systems and boost your income. We explore the difference between simple chatbots and advanced AI "agents," how to overcome nervous system overwhelm when facing new technology, and why human connection will always be your ultimate differentiator. 🎧 Press play now to discover how mastering AI can be the ultimate catalyst for career progression for women. In this episode, you will: ✅ Learn why administrative and system-driven roles are changing, and how women can leverage AI to amplify their unique human skills. ✅ Discover the difference between chatting with an AI and deploying AI "agents" to complete complex tasks and boost your productivity. ✅ Understand practical ways to calm your nervous system so you can move past tech overwhelm and start building the work life you truly desire. About Michelle Williams Michelle Williams is a technology expert with 25 years of experience who helps people and small businesses understand and use AI in practical, everyday ways. She runs The Remix and The Signal Studio, creating workshops, events, and support pathways for individuals wanting to feel less overwhelmed and more confident with new technology. Michelle is passionate about the opportunity for women to build capability, income, and control over how work gets done in the evolving technological landscape. Resources & Link 🌐 The Remix: theremix.au 🌐 The Signal Studio: thesignalstudio.au 🌐 Personal Website: michellewilliams.au 📅 Book a Free AI Check-In: Bring one messy or repetitive task to find a practical starting point - https://michellewilliams.au/work-with-me#apply 🔗 LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/michellewilliams1212   Financially Empowered Women Podcast The Financially Empowered Women Podcast is for women who want to take control of their financial future and make a lasting impact. Each week, we bring on expert guests to answer real listener questions, helping them break financial barriers, build wealth, and invest in social change. Whether you’re looking to master your money, grow your income, or use your wealth as a force for good, this podcast gives you the tools to make it happen. Next Steps Join the community for free resources to help you take control of your financial future at www.women4homes.com

    S2: Ep. 20 Career Progression for Women: How to Conquer AI Overwhelm and Future-Proof Your Work
  2. Jul 3

    S2: Ep. 19 Career Progression for Women: Why Being Good at Your Job Isn't Enough

    Have you ever wondered why you are working so hard, yet others are getting promoted ahead of you? What if the secret to landing your dream role is not acquiring more skills, but learning how to effectively communicate the value you already bring? For many executives, being a lynchpin in the team can ironically lead to going unnoticed. Women often face unique transition points in their professional lives, whether it is returning to the workforce after raising children, taking a redundancy, or deciding in their fifties that it is finally their turn to step into a bigger role. During these transitions, simply waving a resume is no longer effective. To achieve meaningful career progression for women, you must build a leadership brand that makes you the first person people think of when new opportunities arise. In this episode, career and communications coach Sarah Makris shares her transition from working in corporate affairs for major companies like Coles and NAB to building a successful coaching business. Sarah explains why sitting in the "career corner" will leave you starting from scratch if your role disappears, and how to separate your personal brand from your employer. We also explore how to build a strategic network without letting it consume your time, and why adopting tools like AI while honing strong communication skills is essential to staying relevant. 🎧 Press play now to discover how to amplify your visibility and take control of your career progression for women. In this episode, you will: ✅ Learn the difference between your operational, personal, and strategic networks and how to nurture them in just 10 minutes a day. ✅ Understand why building your leadership brand separately from your current company acts as "career insurance" against unexpected redundancies. ✅ Discover how to stay relevant by embracing tools like AI while honing the human communication skills that set you apart under pressure. About Sarah Makris Sarah Makris is a career and communications coach who helps high-level executives articulate their expertise and position themselves as leaders in their field. With 20 years of experience in corporate affairs advising leaders at organisations like Coles and NAB, she brings proven communication techniques to her tailored coaching programmes. Sarah empowers professionals to increase their visibility, attract their ideal roles, and reach their full career potential. Resources and Links 🌐 Website: sarahmakris.com.au 📅 Book a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/sarah-880/shinediscoverycall?month=2026-07 🎓 Monthly Masterclass: Free live masterclass on accelerating your career - https://form.sarahmakris.com.au/how-to-accelerate-your-career 🔗 LinkedIn: Sarah Makris Financially Empowered Women Podcast The Financially Empowered Women Podcast is for women who want to take control of their financial future and make a lasting impact. Each week, we bring on expert guests to answer real listener questions, helping them break financial barriers, build wealth, and invest in social change. Whether you’re looking to master your money, grow your income, or use your wealth as a force for good, this podcast gives you the tools to make it happen. Next Steps Join the community for free resources to help you take control of your financial future at www.women4homes.com

    S2: Ep. 19 Career Progression for Women: Why Being Good at Your Job Isn't Enough
  3. Jun 26

    S2: Ep. 18 Money Mindset for Women: Love, Boundaries, and Why We Over-Give

    Have you ever found yourself over-giving in a relationship, hoping your generosity would fix a problem or buy loyalty? What if the financial patterns playing out in your romantic life were actually set in motion during your childhood? For many women, coming into money through inheritance or business success can be a double-edged sword. While we may be financially prepared, we are often emotionally unprepared for the shift in power dynamics and how others treat us. Without a strong foundation, financially independent women can fall into the trap of over-giving, trying to rescue or fix partners who lack the same level of wealth. Building a healthy money mindset for women means recognising these patterns and learning to give slowly. In this episode, author and philanthropist Suzanne Leydecker shares her deeply personal journey of navigating love, wealth, and boundaries after inheriting money at age 47. Suzanne reflects on how observing her father use money as a tool for manipulation shaped her early beliefs. We explore the parallels between sudden wealth recipients and lottery winners, the dangers of trying to rescue romantic partners financially, and the daily practice required to become truly unshakable. By mastering three core pillars, women can protect their wealth and their hearts. Taking personal responsibility, saying no unless it is a definitive yes, and refusing to take things personally are essential practices for any woman navigating modern love and money. 🎧 Press play now to learn how to strengthen your money mindset for women and stop over-giving in your relationships. In this episode, you will: ✅ Discover why sudden wealth can leave you feeling like a lottery winner and how to prepare yourself emotionally. ✅ Understand the three pillars of becoming an unshakable woman, including how to stop taking things personally. ✅ Learn practical dating advice for financially independent women, such as the importance of giving slowly. About Suzanne Leydecker Suzanne Leydecker is an author, speaker, and philanthropist dedicated to helping women reclaim their worth and fall in love with their lives. Drawing on 66 years of life experience, she helps high achievers navigate modern love, power dynamics, and self-worth. Her memoir, "A Woman on Top: My Journey of Self-Discovery Through Love and Money", chronicles her path to overcoming lifelong patterns around boundaries and relationships. Resources & Link 🌐 Website: www.suzanneleydecker.com 📘 Book: A Woman on Top (Amazon) - https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Top-Journey-Self-Discovery-Through/dp/1962074005 📰 Substack: Diary of a Woman on Top - https://diaryofawomanontop.substack.com/ 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sleydecker Financially Empowered Women Podcast The Financially Empowered Women Podcast is for women who want to take control of their financial future and make a lasting impact. Each week, we bring on expert guests to answer real listener questions, helping them break financial barriers, build wealth, and invest in social change. Whether you’re looking to master your money, grow your income, or use your wealth as a force for good, this podcast gives you the tools to make it happen. Next Steps Join the community for free resources to help you take control of your financial future at www.women4homes.com

    S2: Ep. 18 Money Mindset for Women: Love, Boundaries, and Why We Over-Give
  4. Jun 22

    S2: Ep. 17 The Safe Haven Asset Financial Planners Aren't Telling You About

    Have you ever wondered why traditional financial advice rarely includes physical assets like gold and silver? What if the secret to long-term financial security lies in a tangible safe haven that most planners simply are not incentivised to tell you about? For many women, relying on the standard banking system or a default retail superannuation fund feels like the only option. However, with rising global debt and economic shifts, fiat currency is continually losing its purchasing power. Traditional financial planners often overlook physical bullion because there are no ongoing fees or commissions for them to collect on these purchases. This leaves many women unaware of an asset class that has historically protected wealth and provided a critical safety net during times of uncertainty. True empowerment in women and investing means understanding all your options, including those outside the conventional financial system. In this episode, Carmelle Pavan from As Good As Gold Australia shares her expertise on precious metals. Carmelle discusses her journey into the bullion industry and why she co-founded a division specifically dedicated to helping women achieve financial freedom. We explore the fundamental differences between fiat currency and real money, the surging demand for silver in modern technology, and how women are taking control of their retirement by holding physical bullion securely in their Self-Managed Super Funds. 🎧 Press play now to demystify bullion and discover a new frontier for women and investing. In this episode, you will: ✅ Learn why physical gold and silver are considered "real money" and how they act as an insurance policy against devaluing currencies. ✅ Understand the hidden reasons why traditional financial planners rarely recommend purchasing physical bullion. ✅ Discover how to take control of your retirement savings by holding precious metals within a Self-Managed Super Fund. About Carmelle Pavan Carmelle Pavan is the General Manager at As Good As Gold Australia, a leading Australian bullion company. She is also the Co-Founder of As Good As Gold Women, the first precious metals company division in the world dedicated to empowering women towards financial freedom. With a passion for education, Carmelle helps clients navigate bullion purchasing and SMSF setups to secure their wealth for future generations. Resources & Links: 🌐 Website: asgoodasgold.com.au 📅 Book a Complimentary SMSF Consultation: https://meetings-ap1.hubspot.com/asgoodasgoldaustralia-melbourne/smsf-discovery?uuid=bfcd1830-e7a1-4027-a47a-20f86f1cb2b2 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmelle-pavan-a1142012/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578208797468 📞 Contact: 03 8375 9674 or 0402 099 349  Financially Empowered Women Podcast The Financially Empowered Women Podcast is for women who want to take control of their financial future and make a lasting impact. Each week, we bring expert guests to answer real listener questions, helping women break financial barriers, build wealth, and create long-term housing security. Whether you are buying your first home, rebuilding after divorce, or exploring co-living solutions later in life, this podcast gives you practical pathways forward. Next Steps Join the community for free resources to help you take control of your financial future at www.women4homes.com

    S2: Ep. 17 The Safe Haven Asset Financial Planners Aren't Telling You About
  5. Jun 15

    S2: Ep. 16 How to Own Your Inner Critic and Reclaim Personal Power

    Have you ever found yourself in a meeting, successful and capable, yet feeling like a total fraud? What if the constant second-guessing you experience isn't a personal flaw, but the result of navigating a professional system that was never built for you to thrive? For many high-performing women, the path to the top is paved with gendered feedback and outdated expectations. You may have been told to be "more direct" only to be labelled "aggressive," or encouraged to be "confident" only to be called "arrogant." This constant tension erodes personal power and feeds an inner critic that was originally designed to keep us safe, but now often keeps us small. Real success in career progression for women requires unravelling these corporate narratives and leading with authenticity. In this episode, leadership strategist Bron Stephens shares her journey from "awful leader" to a CEO managing portfolios worth half a billion dollars. Bron explains why modern leadership models are often "patriarchal lenses" that fail to acknowledge the human side of business. Together, we explore the four steps to reclaiming personal power, the importance of building male allies, and how to identify the specific voice of your inner critic so it no longer runs on default. 🎧 Press play now to learn how to master career progression for women by owning your inner critic and leading with clarity. In this episode, you will: ✅ Learn how to identify and dismantle outdated leadership models that hinder career progression for women. ✅ Understand the origins of your inner critic and how to take it off "default mode" to reclaim your confidence. ✅ Discover the four-step framework for personal power: values, blind spots, inner critic management, and future clarity. About Bron Stephens Bron Stephens is a leadership strategist and executive coach known for bringing clarity, confidence, and personal power to high-performing women across Australia. As a former CEO with more than two decades of experience leading global teams of up to 500 people, she has firsthand experience dismantling corporate systems from the inside. Bron now works with women to help them lead authentically and achieve their professional goals without sacrificing their wellbeing. Connect with Bron Stephens 🌐 Website: bronstephens.com 🔗 LinkedIn: Bron Stephens - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bron-stephens/ 📘 Free Resource: Own Your Inner Critic Guide - https://bronstephens.com/own-your-inner-critic/ ☕ Book a Coffee Date: Free Discovery Call - https://bronstephens.com/book-a-free-call/ Financially Empowered Women Podcast The Financially Empowered Women Podcast is for women who want to take control of their financial future and make a lasting impact. Each week, we bring on expert guests to answer real listener questions, helping them break financial barriers, build wealth, and invest in social change. Whether you’re looking to master your money, grow your income, or use your wealth as a force for good, this podcast gives you the tools to make it happen. Next Steps Join the community for free resources to help you take control of your financial future at www.women4homes.com

    S2: Ep. 16 How to Own Your Inner Critic and Reclaim Personal Power
  6. Jun 5

    S2: Ep. 15 Why More Money Won't Solve Your Financial Patterns

    Have you ever thought that winning the lottery or landing a massive windfall would finally end your financial stress?. What if you discovered that your bank balance is actually just a reflection of unconscious stories you started telling yourself in early childhood?. Many women believe that their financial struggles are due to a lack of income, but the truth is often found in our deep-seated money patterns. These unconscious habits are like background music in a shopping centre; we tune them out until they lead us back to the same result over and over. Whether it is the inability to hold onto a windfall or a constant feeling of "just enough," these behaviours are driven by a nervous system trying to keep us safe in familiar territory. Real change begins by marrying the practical with the magical. It is not just about having a solid strategy or working harder; it is about aligning your business vehicle with your core values and elevating your energetic vibration. When you stop pushing for results and start allowing flow, you shift from being an "unconscious worker bee" to a magnetic leader who attracts abundance with ease. 🎧 Press play now to learn how to break free from unhelpful cycles and transform your money mindset for women for lasting stability. In this episode, you will: ✅ Understand why more money rarely fixes deep-seated financial habits without addressing the unconscious mind. ✅ Learn how to identify the "music in the background" of your life to interrupt sabotaging patterns. ✅ Discover the power of energetic alignment and how to stop "efforting" your way to success. About Miriam Castilla Miriam Castilla is an ex-engineer and finance professional turned Hypnotherapist, business mentor, and course creator. She is committed to helping online coaches and service providers uplevel their businesses by elevating their mindset, energetic alignment, and strategy. Her unique approach helps women marry the practical with the spiritual to create momentum and financial freedom. Resources & Links 🌐 Website: www.miriamcastilla.com 📱 Instagram: @miriam_castilla 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miriamcastilla 📊 Quiz: Money Habit Archetype Quiz - https://www.miriamcastilla.com/quiz Financially Empowered Women Podcast The Financially Empowered Women Podcast is for women who want to take control of their financial future and make a lasting impact. Each week, we bring on expert guests to answer real listener questions, helping them break financial barriers, build wealth, and invest in social change. Whether you’re looking to master your money, grow your income, or use your wealth as a force for good, this podcast gives you the tools to make it happen. Next Steps Join the community for free resources to help you take control of your financial future at www.women4homes.com

    S2: Ep. 15 Why More Money Won't Solve Your Financial Patterns
  7. May 29

    S2: Ep. 14 Women and Investing: Why True Success Requires Mastering Your Financial Psychology

    Have you ever wondered why some people seem to make rational investment choices effortlessly while others panic at the first sign of a market dip? What if the secret to building long-term wealth isn't just about picking the right stocks, but about training your brain to stay the course when the noise gets loud? For many women, the world of investing can feel like a mystical black box filled with intimidating jargon and unpredictable numbers. This often leads to a confidence gap, where we either shy away from the market or let short-term emotions dictate our long-term outcomes. True financial power comes from moving beyond the share price roller coaster and focusing on a more stable, predictable feedback loop. In this episode, Jen Nurick from DivGro explains why successful women and investing must focus on the "two-part equation" of what to hold and how to hold. We discuss why dividend growth acts as a secret language that reveals the true health of a company, the importance of "fixating effectively" to drown out market noise, and how to relate to businesses we already understand, such as Bunnings or luxury fashion houses. By mastering your financial psychology, you can move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling anchored and moored to your financial future. 🎧 Press play now to discover how to simplify women and investing and build the emotional resilience needed to achieve lasting wealth. In this episode, you will: ✅ Learn the two-part equation for successful investing: what to hold and how to hold. ✅ Understand why dividend growth is a powerful "secret language" for demystifying a company’s fundamental health. ✅ Discover how to curate your financial feedback to build emotional resilience and avoid the "roller coaster" of market sentiment. About Jen Nurick Jen Nurick is the Head of Communications at DivGro, a unique growth fund powered by dividend increases and a psychological edge. A graduate of the University of Cambridge with a Master’s in Multidisciplinary Gender Studies, she brings a sophisticated lens to how gender and psychology influence financial behaviour. Her writing has appeared in global publications including Vogue Australia and the New York Times Style Magazine. Resources & Links 🌐 Website: divgro.com.au 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divgro Financially Empowered Women Podcast The Financially Empowered Women Podcast is for women who want to take control of their financial future and make a lasting impact. Each week, we bring on expert guests to answer real listener questions, helping them break financial barriers, build wealth, and invest in social change. Whether you’re looking to master your money, grow your income, or use your wealth as a force for good, this podcast gives you the tools to make it happen. Next Steps Join the community for free resources to help you take control of your financial future at www.women4homes.com

    S2: Ep. 14 Women and Investing: Why True Success Requires Mastering Your Financial Psychology
  8. May 22

    S2: Ep. 13 How to Release Financial Shame and Generational Baggage

    Have you ever felt a heavy sense of guilt or shame when it comes to your finances, even if you are professionally successful? What if that feeling isn't actually yours, but is a piece of emotional "baggage" passed down through generations of women who weren't allowed to own property or even hold their own bank accounts? For many women, the struggle with money is rarely about the numbers on a spreadsheet. Instead, it is rooted in a biological and systemic history that has linked financial independence with a lack of safety. We often carry unconscious stories about what we are "allowed" to have or who we are "supposed" to be, leading to a relentless pressure to always be "on" and caring for others at the expense of our own security. Breaking free from this cycle requires more than just a new budget; it requires a transformation of your money mindset for women by learning how to release the stored energy of past traumas and societal expectations. In this episode, executive coach and consultant Holly Smith joins us to discuss the invisible links between our physical energy, our emotions, and our financial agency. Holly shares her powerful perspective on how the body reveals what the mind tries to manage, and why so many women feel like they are "faking it" despite their achievements. We explore the "survival strategies" we develop in childhood, the impact of living in a system not built for us, and practical ways to drop the emotional baggage that drains our life force and limits our financial freedom. 🎧 Press play now to learn how to shed the weight of financial shame and step into a new money mindset for women rooted in self-efficacy and truth. In this episode, you will: ✅ Discover how generational patterns and historical systemic exclusions continue to shape women’s financial confidence today. ✅ Understand the connection between your physical body and your financial decisions, and why your "flaws" might actually be your greatest teachers. ✅ Learn practical strategies to identify and release the emotional baggage that keeps you stuck in a cycle of over-working and under-earning. About Holly Smith Holly Smith is an executive coach and consultant who specialises in helping clients understand the links between physical energy, mental acuity, and emotions. Drawing on her own experiences of overcoming lifelong trauma and chronic illness, she helps high-achieving individuals develop practical strategies to drop emotional baggage and access a better life on all levels. Her work focuses on accessing the body's natural mechanisms for releasing stored energy to reclaim life force and personal power. Resources & Links 🌐 Website: www.theboundlessedge.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-smith-nlp/ 📘 Case Studies: Inspiring Client Stories - https://www.theboundlessedge.com/case-studies Financially Empowered Women Podcast The Financially Empowered Women Podcast is for women who want to take control of their financial future and make a lasting impact. Each week, we bring on expert guests to answer real listener questions, helping them break financial barriers, build wealth, and invest in social change. Whether you’re mastering your money, growing your income, or using your wealth as a force for good, this podcast gives you the tools to make it happen. Next Steps Join the community for free resources to help you take control of your financial future at www.women4homes.com

    S2: Ep. 13 How to Release Financial Shame and Generational Baggage

About

The Financially Empowered Women podcast, hosted by Dionne Payn, tackles the shocking reality that 400,000 women in Australia are at risk of homelessness. The podcast dives into the barriers that lead to financial insecurity, aiming to give women the knowledge and tools they need to build a strong financial foundation. Featuring world-class experts, each episode provides practical, women-specific tips on topics such as negotiating a better salary, demystifying superannuation, and navigating divorce and separation while ensuring assets are distributed fairly. This podcast is designed to help women build a strong financial foundation, take control of their financial future and create lasting social change.