Women in the Arena

Audra Agen
  • 5.0 (20)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Women in the Arena is the celebration of everyday women living extraordinary lives in plain sight. We seek to inspire, encourage and challenge you to reach for the great heights you're made for. 

  1. Crossing 51: Debbie Russell's Bold Midlife Reclamation

    JUN 3

    Crossing 51: Debbie Russell's Bold Midlife Reclamation

    Let's be friends! What would you trade for more time? After 25 years prosecuting high-profile cases in Minneapolis, Debbie Russell made a decision many dream of but few execute – walking away from her legal career at 55, trading a full pension for what she calls "full-time freedom." Her journey represents a profound lesson in the power of choice and the courage required to author your own next chapter. Since her twenties, Debbie had been planning this transition, understanding that her legal career would be just one segment of a multifaceted life. This wasn't about escaping a job she hated, but about honoring a promise she'd made to her younger self. The path wasn't without emotional hurdles. Debbie describes the strange experience of a virtual retirement party during the pandemic that felt like "attending her own wake." This speaks to the process of "unbecoming" that precedes becoming something new – shedding an identity cultivated over decades involves genuine grief, even when you're ready to move forward. Through writing her award-winning book "Crossing 51: Not Quite a Memoir," Debbie found purpose in connecting her midlife transformation with her grandfather's parallel journey at the same age. His story – becoming addicted to Demerol while working as a successful physician, then dying at just 59 – taught her that time is finite and not guaranteed. This realization infuses her current life with mindful appreciation for each day. Most remarkably, after moving to a 10-acre rural property, Debbie found herself feeling less lonely than ever before. Despite having fewer people physically around her, her relationships became intentional rather than circumstantial. Her story offers profound insights for anyone facing midlife transitions – whether through retirement, empty nesting, or simply questioning "what's next?" Visit https://debbie-russell.com to learn more about her journey and connect about her book. What chapter will you write next?

    54 min
  2. Rewriting the Rules: Why Your Journey May Look Different - and That's OK with Wendy Cocke

    MAY 29

    Rewriting the Rules: Why Your Journey May Look Different - and That's OK with Wendy Cocke

    Let's be friends! What happens when the games we played as children shape our entire professional experience? In this eye-opening conversation with chemical engineer and author Wendy Cocke, we uncover how fundamental differences in how boys and girls organize play creates invisible barriers in the workplace that nobody talks about. Wendy shares her journey as a successful engineer and mother who was once told her career would stall if she pursued flexibility—a prediction she thoroughly disproved. Through her experiences leading global technical teams while raising her "Rolling Circus" (her loving term for her family), she's developed unique insights into why women often feel like outsiders in corporate structures. The most revealing moment comes when Wendy explains her "circle exercise"—a simple activity where people draw two circles representing work and life. The dramatic difference between how men and women typically approach this task illuminates why workplace miscommunications happen so frequently. Men generally draw separate circles, while women (especially mothers) draw work as existing within life—a fundamental difference in worldview that explains countless workplace tensions. We explore how boys naturally form hierarchies from childhood while girls create communal structures without winners and losers. When these different frameworks collide in corporate environments designed around hierarchical "ladders," women often feel they're playing a game where they don't fully understand the rules. This insight alone transformed my understanding of workplace dynamics. Wendy also challenges us to embrace risk-taking and creativity, sharing how her own unexpected career shift following a corporate layoff opened doors she never imagined. Her perspective on failure as merely a redirection rather than an endpoint offers a refreshing antidote to the fear that holds back so many high-achieving women. Whether you're navigating a male-dominated industry, seeking more flexibility in your career, or simply trying to understand why workplace dynamics sometimes feel so challenging, this conversation offers practical wisdom for defining success on your own terms. Try the circle exercise yourself—you might be surprised what it reveals about your approach to work and life.

    51 min
  3. Reinvention Isn't Optional: Lesley Jane Seymour on Living Fearlessly

    MAY 27

    Reinvention Isn't Optional: Lesley Jane Seymour on Living Fearlessly

    Let's be friends! Lesley Jane Seymour's remarkable career spans leadership roles at major women's magazines like More, Marie Claire, and Redbook—but it's what she's doing now that might be her most impactful work yet. In this candid conversation, Lesley shares how she convinced Michelle Obama to make history as the first First Lady to guest edit an entire magazine, generating 8.5 billion media impressions worldwide. What drives a successful magazine editor to become an entrepreneur focused on women in midlife? Lesley explains her passion for helping women navigate what she calls "the FU 50s"—that liberating period when we finally stop seeking universal approval and embrace authentic self-expression. "I don't have time for that anymore," she explains. "Time is running out...you can't make people like you. And that is the biggest liberation of all." The employment landscape for women over 40 is challenging, with statistics showing flat employment numbers while men's opportunities continue to grow. Lesley founded Covey Club to address this gap, creating a supportive community where women can upskill, network, and reinvent themselves. She delivers hard truths about technology skills gaps that hold many midlife women back: "95% of issues have to do with not understanding technology." Yet she approaches these challenges with compassion, teaching in ways that respect how this demographic learns. Perhaps most surprising is Lesley's insight that reinvention often happens more successfully among strangers than with longtime friends. "Reinventing yourself with strangers is easier because you can show up day one as who you want to be," she explains. At Covey Club, women arrive without judgment or history, free to become whoever they choose next. Whether you're facing empty nest syndrome, career transitions, or simply seeking your next chapter, Lesley's wisdom offers both practical guidance and emotional reassurance. As she says, "Midlife is not for sissies...don't go it alone." Ready to discover what's possible in your next act? https://www.coveyclub.com/

    1h 3m
  4. Courage Over Certainty: Why Willingness is the True Beginning with Kerryn Vaughan

    MAY 22

    Courage Over Certainty: Why Willingness is the True Beginning with Kerryn Vaughan

    Let's be friends! A profound loss can either break us or transform us. For Kerryn Vaughan, the death of her sister became the catalyst that changed everything. Kerryn's story begins with a self-described "rock and roll life" focused entirely on herself, until her sister's cancer diagnosis and subsequent death shattered her world. Standing on stage at a cancer fundraiser years later, Kerryn experienced a life-altering revelation: "I realized I had this incredible power within me to make a difference to other people's lives." This awakening launched her on a humanitarian path that continues to create ripples of change across continents. With refreshing candor and humor, Kerryn shares the remarkable journey that led her to write "Magnificent Kids," a book showcasing extraordinary children making global impact—like Daniel, who despite cerebral palsy travels through jungles to protect orangutans, and Jack, who at 15 developed an affordable test strip for pancreatic cancer. These stories inspired Kerryn to found One Planet Classrooms, initially conceived as a cultural exchange program that evolved into something far more profound. What began as a simple plan to connect Australian and African classrooms transformed when Kerryn discovered the harsh realities facing Ugandan schoolgirls. Learning that girls missed school because they had to fetch contaminated water or lacked sanitary supplies—often leading to abuse, early marriage, or worse—Kerryn pivoted her organization to address these fundamental needs. Through solar power installation, clean water access, and student sponsorships, One Planet Classrooms literally saved lives. Kerryn's humanitarian work expanded further with Girls with Hammers, a movement empowering women to embrace their authentic selves. As she reflects on these experiences, Kerryn offers this powerful takeaway: we don't need to have everything figured out to make a difference. Sometimes, the most impactful journeys begin with simply raising your hand and saying, "I'll do it." Ready to make your own impact? Kerryn's story proves that even our "failures" can lead to extraordinary positive change when we keep showing up and taking that next step. What difference could you make today? https://www.kerrynvaughan.com/

    57 min
  5. What If Your Gilded Cage Was Actually a Doorway? with Corinne Cavanaugh

    MAY 20

    What If Your Gilded Cage Was Actually a Doorway? with Corinne Cavanaugh

    Let's be friends! Storytelling has the power to bridge divides in ways direct confrontation cannot. In this captivating conversation with author Corinne Cavanaugh, we explore how fiction creates safe spaces to navigate controversial topics and what it truly means to be an audacious woman. Corinne shares the genesis of her debut novel "An Audacious Woman," describing it as "a mashup between modern-day Bridgerton and Sex and the City." The book revolves around Eleanor Beaufort, a wealthy matriarch who feels trapped by her family legacy despite inheriting a $70 million mansion. Through Eleanor's journey, readers glimpse moments of boldness that inspire reflection on their own abandoned audacity—those times before the weight of adult responsibility settled in. What makes this conversation particularly compelling is Corinne's personal transformation. With a Harvard master's degree and successful marketing career, she made the bold choice to pursue fiction writing. Her methodical approach—creating a 5-7 AM writing routine before work and learning from established authors—offers a blueprint for anyone wondering how to pursue their passions alongside existing commitments. Her advice? "Be bold faster. If you've got this inkling, this one idea you've been meaning to do, don't wait." Beyond literary pursuits, our discussion ventures into provocative territory as Corinne challenges the current culture of division. Drawing from her background studying democratization, she advocates for bringing difficult conversations back to the dinner table. "The public needs to be able to feel comfortable talking about these things," she explains, noting that her novel demonstrates how vulnerability and listening can lead to understanding. Whether you're contemplating a major life change, seeking permission to prioritize yourself, or simply wanting an engaging read, Corinne's insights will leave you contemplating what audacity might look like in your own life. After all, as she reminds us: "We've got one ride. Might as well go and chase them." https://corinnecavanaugh.com/home-corinne-cavanaugh/

    25 min
  6. The Truth About Menopause: You're Not Broken, You're Becoming with Emma Seville

    MAY 15

    The Truth About Menopause: You're Not Broken, You're Becoming with Emma Seville

    Let's be friends! When menopause hits, it can feel like you're losing your mind. The symptoms—from anxiety and brain fog to crawly skin sensations and sleep disturbances—often arrive without warning and can disrupt every aspect of life. But as UK menopause expert Emma Seville explains, these experiences aren't signs of weakness; they're natural biological responses to changing hormone levels that affect 51% of the world's population. Our conversation peels back the layers of shame and confusion surrounding this life transition, offering a refreshingly honest look at what happens during perimenopause and menopause. Emma walks us through the science of how declining progesterone affects GABA levels in the brain, triggering anxiety, while fluctuating estrogen creates the perfect storm for mood swings. She explains why these hormonal shifts impact everything from sleep quality to muscle mass, brain function to gut health. What makes this discussion truly valuable are the practical, accessible solutions Emma shares. Morning sunlight exposure for better sleep. Strength training to counter muscle loss. Walking with female friends to naturally lower cortisol levels. The beauty of these approaches? Most cost nothing and require minimal time investment, yet deliver significant benefits for managing symptoms and protecting long-term health. We also tackle the workplace challenges menopausal women face. While some UK companies have implemented formal menopause policies, many women worldwide struggle silently, often contemplating leaving careers they've built over decades. Emma offers strategies for having these difficult conversations with employers and colleagues, emphasizing that education and openness benefit everyone. Whether you're currently experiencing symptoms, approaching this life stage, or simply want to better understand what the women in your life might be going through, this episode provides a roadmap for navigating menopause with greater ease and confidence. Ready to transform this challenging transition into an opportunity for growth? Listen now and discover how to reclaim your power during menopause. https://www.yourmenopausetoolkit.com/ https://substack.com/@emmaseville?r=1phz4j&utm_medium=ios https://www.instagram.com/yourmenopausetoolkit/profilecard/?igsh=MTZzZHo4c3duMTJrZg%3D%3D https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourmenopausetoolk?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

    1 hr
  7. You Can Survive This: A Story of Advocacy, Resilience & Hope with Lizbeth Meredith

    MAY 13

    You Can Survive This: A Story of Advocacy, Resilience & Hope with Lizbeth Meredith

    Let's be friends! Lizbeth Meredith's life reads like a thriller, but it's her real journey from domestic abuse survivor to international child recovery advocate that makes this conversation so powerful. After escaping an abusive marriage with her two young daughters, Lizbeth faced the unimaginable when her ex-husband abducted the children during a visit and fled overseas. What followed was a two-year international battle that tested every fiber of her being. With remarkable candor, Lizbeth reveals how she navigated contradictory advice from government agencies, survived on minimal resources, and maintained hope when everything seemed lost. "I scheduled my worry," she explains, describing the disciplined emotional management that kept her functioning through the ordeal. When finally reunited with her daughters, she faced new challenges – they no longer spoke English and carried deep trauma from their experience. The heart of Lizbeth's story isn't just about survival but transformation. Her professional work as a domestic violence advocate evolved into becoming a trauma-informed care trainer, fundamentally changing how she understood her daughters' behaviors and her own parenting approach. A powerful breakthrough came when her adult daughter experienced a mental health crisis that brought Lizbeth to a new level of understanding about trauma's lasting impact. Today, Lizbeth's memoir "Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters" has become a Lifetime movie ("Stolen by Their Father"), and through her speaking and podcast "Persistence U with Lizbeth," she helps others increase resilience by "taming trauma through storytelling." Her message resonates beyond those who've experienced similar traumas – she reminds us that setbacks don't define us but can refine us, turning our most difficult experiences into sources of strength and connection. Visit https://lameredith.com/ to connect with Lizbeth and discover how your own challenges might become the foundation for unexpected strength and purpose.

    1h 1m
  8. How Resilience Grows When Systems Limit Who You Can Become with Varuni Sinha

    MAY 8

    How Resilience Grows When Systems Limit Who You Can Become with Varuni Sinha

    Let's be friends! What happens when your identity is stripped away by a visa system designed to make you dependent? This is the reality for hundreds of thousands of immigrant women who arrive in America as accomplished professionals only to discover they're legally prohibited from working. Varuni  Sinha, author of the groundbreaking memoir "Golden Handcuffs and Immigrants' Pursuit of Happiness," takes us on her harrowing journey from successful advertising executive and academic in India to a woman battling depression and alcoholism in New York City. As the first South Asian woman to write openly about the H4 visa experience, she exposes how immigration laws have silently devastated careers and mental health since 1990. Her transformation began on the streets of New York, walking her dog through neighborhoods where strangers would inexplicably share their deepest secrets. These encounters—which she documented as "strangers on the street"—became her first step toward healing. The profound moment came when several men risked their lives to save her runaway dog from traffic, prompting her to reassess everything she'd been through as an immigrant. Drawing inspiration from Richard Phillips, who maintained his humanity during 46 years of wrongful imprisonment by creating watercolor paintings, Varuni channeled her pain into creativity. Despite facing pregnancy loss and her mother-in-law's terminal illness during COVID, she completed her manuscript—a testament to resilience that readers from all backgrounds have found deeply relatable. Varuni's message transcends the immigrant experience: we all have our own "golden handcuffs," situations that feel imprisoning but contain the seeds of our transformation. "We all fall down," she reminds us, "only to learn how to build ourselves back again, brick by brick." Her story isn't just about survival—it's about emerging from darkness with a more beautiful understanding of what it means to be human. https://varuni-sinha.squarespace.com/about-me

    56 min
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5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Women in the Arena is the celebration of everyday women living extraordinary lives in plain sight. We seek to inspire, encourage and challenge you to reach for the great heights you're made for. 

Information

  • Creator
    Audra Agen
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    167
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Women in the Arena
  • Show Website
    Women in the Arena