Feminist Founders: Building Profitable People-First Businesses – Details, episodes & analysis

In this special summer-break episode of Feminist Founders, Becky Mollenkamp sits down with Sophia Apostol, host of the Fat Joy podcast and Fat Joy on Substack, to explore the intersections of visibility, body image, and safety in a world that often marginalizes certain bodies. 

This deep and insightful conversation touches on the challenges of being visible in a society that prizes thinness, the journey from body neutrality to fat joy, and the critical importance of psychological safety for business owners and leaders. Sophia shares her own journey towards body liberation and the creation of her impactful work, offering listeners a hopeful and empowering perspective on how to navigate these complex issues.

Resources Mentioned:

• "What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat" by Aubrey Gordon
• "Happy Fat" by Sofie Hagan
• Truity's Enneagram Test
• CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder)
• We Can Do Hard Things podcast

Connect with Sophia Apostol:

• Fat Joy podcast
• Fat Joy on Substack
• Instagram
• Sophia Apostol Coaching 

Support Feminist Founders:

Feminist Founders is a listener-funded podcast. Your contributions enable Becky to continue bringing you these important conversations without corporate advertising. To support the mission, visit feministfounderspodcast.com and sign up for a paid subscription. 

Feminist coach Becky Mollenkamp moderates a panel discussion on how to create win-win collaborations for your business with experts Michele Price and Babs Cheung.

Learn more about the Feminist Founders Forums

Rest coach Jordan Maney recently joined Becky Mollenkamp for a discussion about burnout. Maney’s work specifically addresses the connection between burnout and apathy, particularly for empathetic individuals who care about making a difference.

This powerful conversation emphasizes the need to recognize and value invisible labor, critiques the current solutions offered for burnout, and calls for a more comprehensive approach to recovery.

Becky and Jordan also highlight the societal conditioning that discourages individuals, especially women, from seeking support and setting boundaries., and the need for collective approaches to address burnout.

Key Points:

• Burnout is not solely an individual problem but is influenced by systemic factors.
• Apathy can be a result of burnout, leading individuals to feel overwhelmed and believe that someone else will fix the problems.
• The concept of burnout should extend beyond professional labor and include the recognition of invisible labor.
• Current solutions for burnout, such as self-care and quick fixes, are not comprehensive and fail to address the underlying issues.
• Recovering from burnout takes time and requires a shift in mindset, including letting go of overcommitment.
• Building a collective and seeking support are essential in preventing and recovering from burnout. The societal conditioning discourages individuals, especially women, from seeking support and setting boundaries.
• Shifting from an individualistic to a collective approach is crucial in addressing burnout and creating systemic change.
• Self-care involves self-management and self-advocacy, including setting boundaries and prioritizing one's needs.
• Creating lasting change requires engaging with community and recognizing that individual efforts alone cannot transform systems.
• Healing from burnout is a slow and ongoing process that may require seeking support from professionals who understand the complexities of burnout.

Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction and the Individualistic View of Burnout

2:50 - Invisible Labor and the Need to Value It

5:43 - The Ineffectiveness of Traditional Self-Care Approaches

8:51 - The Time and Effort Required for Burnout Recovery

10:56 - The Challenge of Letting Go and Setting Boundaries

16:25 - The Importance of Collective Support and Community

22:03 - Confronting Identity and Shifting Perspectives

26:35 - Redefining Self-Care as Self-Management and Self-Advocacy

28:32 - The Need for Comprehensive Change and Systemic Solutions

32:31 - The Slow Roast of Burnout Recovery

35:21 - The Role of a Lighthouse in Guiding Burnout Recovery

36:39 - Conclusion and Call to Action

The journey toward liberation is messy AF, and Taina Brown and Becky Mollenkamp are here for it! 💥

Join them for the Messy Liberation, a podcast about current events, politics, pop culture, and business through an intersectional feminist lens. 

Taina and Becky aren’t perfect activists or allies, so don’t expect polished and perfectly formulated conversations with 3-step solutions (that’s toxic capitalist BS anyway). 

📣 Instead, listen in on their real-time, messy thoughts as they make sense of the world around them. If you’re sick of superficial approaches to business and personal challenges, then you’ll love the nuance they bring to every discussion.

Messy Liberation will get you thinking, help you feel less alone in the mess of personal development and systems liberation, and educate and inspire you, no matter where you are on the journey.

If you also want to create a more equitable world, check out Messy Liberation, available wherever you listen to podcasts, including Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. 🎧

LEARN MORE:

• Taina Brown WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS
• Becky Mollenkamp WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS | FEMINIST FOUNDERS

In this conversation, Mahlena-Rae Johnson joins Becky Mollenkamp to discuss public speaking for introverted CEOs. Mahlena-Rae emphasizes the importance of understanding introversion, and dispels the misconception that introverts are shy. She outlines a three-step process for introverted CEOs to excel in public speaking (relax, relate, and release). She also highlights the need for introverted CEOs to prioritize self-care and recovery after speaking engagements.

Connect with Mahlena on LinkedIn

Key takeaways:

• Introverted CEOs can excel in public speaking by focusing on storytelling and their purpose for speaking.
• Self-care and recovery time are essential for introverted CEOs after speaking engagements.
• Introverted CEOs may face imposter syndrome due to societal expectations of extroverted leadership.
• Event organizers can support introverted speakers by providing accommodations such as private green rooms and assistance with logistics.
• Creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for introverted speakers benefits all participants.

Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction and Background

2:51 - Public Speaking for Introverted CEOs

5:30 - Overcoming Shyness and Managing Vulnerability

8:45 - Dealing with Perfectionism

11:40 - The Importance of Recovery for Introverts

14:47 - Imposter Syndrome and Introverted CEOs

20:50 - Creating Accessible Speaking Environments

23:38 - Providing Support and Guidance for Speaker

SUMMER BREAK: Season 3 of Feminist Founders is coming in September featuring new interviews with more inspiring leaders. During the summer I'm bringing you some special content, starting with this conversation with my friend, feminist life coach Taina Brown. She asked a few months ago if I’d be game for “Ask a Feminist Coach” as a series for Feminist Founders. Of course I said, “hell yes!” So we asked for some questions, and jumped right in to tackle three of the questions. Then we decided we liked it so much that we are going to turn it into something even bigger and better — a brand new podcast called Messy Liberation (coming out in July 2024). Until then, I hope you’ll enjoy this conversation (or the transcript below).

NOTE: Feminist Founders is a listener-funded podcast. Your contributions enable me to continue bringing you these important conversations. To support the mission, sign up for a paid Substack subscription at https://feministfounders.substack.com/ 

In this special episode of Feminist Founders, host Becky Mollenkamp switches roles and is interviewed by her friend and communication strategist, Arden Evenson. Arden dives deep into Becky’s transformative approach to business coaching, including breaking down capitalist, patriarchal structures and building businesses that support your values and the people who work with you.

Becky Mollenkamp (she/they) is a feminist business coach who helps entrepreneurs make the leap from "small business owner" to CEO without acting out of alignment with their values.

Website | Instagram | Threads | TikTok | YouTube | Newsletter

Discussed in this episode:

• How Becky’s business philosophy is outside capitalist norms
• The problem with Corporate America
• Navigating anti-capitalist financials
• Becky’s approach to humane hiring and management
• How Becky talks to clients about marketing and sales
• The importance of hustle-free operations
• The differences between managers and leaders
• A detailed description of Becky's coaching approach
• The importance of aligning business practices with personal values

Resource mentioned:

• Sustainable Business Blueprint

Special Thanks: A big thank you to Arden Evenson for hosting this episode and facilitating an insightful conversation.

Learn more about accountability coaching with host Becky Mollenkamp at https://beckymollenkamp.com

NOTE: Feminist Founders is a listener-funded podcast. Your contributions enable me to continue bringing you these important conversations. To support the mission, sign up for a paid Substack subscription at https://feministfounders.substack.com/ 

SUMMARY: In this episode, Bianca Jordan, founder of Rebel Immigration, shares her journey from disillusionment with feminism to entrepreneurship. She discusses the impact of the pink pussy hat movement, her unconventional path from an MBA and JD to homelessness, and John Adams' influence on her legal career. Bianca delves into the necessity and tenacity driving her ventures, challenges in the legal industry, and misconceptions about immigration. She highlights racism in the immigration process and offers insights on how business owners can support immigrants. Additionally, she introduces her resources and approach to leadership.

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Bianca Jordan (she/her) is the founder and CEO of Rebel Immigration, a legal education and consulting company that provides marketing and growth strategy to solo attorneys.

Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Threads

Discussed in this episode:

• How the pink pussy hat movement turned Bianca off to feminism
• Why an MBA and JD ended up unhoused
• John Adams’ role in making Bianca want to be an attorney
• Necessity and tenacity (plus a sprinkle of spite) as drivers for entrepreneurship
• How lawyers responded to Bianca’s virtual law firm pre- and post-COVID
• The role Bianca’s mom played in creating her second business, Rebel Immigration
• The many ways Bianca is challenging legal industry norms
• What made Bianca want to be like Elle Woods
• The many ways that Americans misunderstand immigration
• Racism in the US immigration process
• How business owners can help immigrants
• The low-cost resources available through Brazen Legal University
• Bianca’s newest offer, New Solo Blueprint
• How Bianca approaches leadership of her small team

Resources mentioned:

• “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho
• “Shoe Dog” by Phil Knight
• Girl Scouts of the USA

Learn more about accountability coaching with host Becky Mollenkamp at https://beckymollenkamp.com

NOTE: Feminist Founders is a listener-funded podcast. Your contributions enable me to continue bringing you these important conversations. To support the mission, sign up for a paid Substack subscription at https://feministfounders.substack.com/

SUMMARY: Navruz Avloni, a formidable attorney defending civil rights across California, discusses her path from a childhood in communist Uzbekistan to litigating high-profile cases like Diaz v. Tesla, advocating passionately for victims of workplace discrimination. She shares insights on leaving a partnership to start her own firm, navigating a male-dominated industry with feminist values, and the complex impacts of the #MeToo movement on legal practices. Navruz's story is not only inspiring but also a powerful call to challenge systemic injustices and transform the legal landscape.

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Navruz Avloni (she/her) is a committed attorney and advocate who fights vigorously for important civil rights in courts throughout California. She is recognized for her ability to see the big picture in every case she litigates and for being a tenacious and passionate litigator for victims of sexual assault and wronged employees. She has a proven track record of obtaining favorable results for her clients in race discrimination, disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and whistleblower cases. In her over a decade of litigation experience, Navruz has represented clients in high-profile cases such as Kepnach, et al v. Four Barrel Coffee, Diaz v. Tesla, and Vaughn v. Tesla. 

Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Discussed in this episode:

• Why Navruz is a proud and passionate feminist
• How a childhood spent in communist Uzbekistan played a role in Navruz’s career choice
• Choosing to be a plaintiff’s lawyer vs. a higher-paid corporate defense attorney
• Working up to partner at a firm and then leaving to start her own firm
• How Navruz is bringing her feminist values into a male-dominated industry
• Why the legal industry, often deservedly, gets a bad reputation — and how Navruz is challenging those norms
• How the legal industry often creates burnout (and the tools Navruz employs to avoid it)
• Why the legal system is the center of a feminist future
• Why so few victims of workplace misconduct take their cases to court. 
• How the #MeToo movement did—and didn’t—change workplace lawsuits
• Bad apples vs. bad policies in workplace lawsuits
• How to avoid bad apples (and legal damages from them) in your own business
• Tips for avoiding common mistakes among even well-meaning employers
• The importance of doing your best to fix an employer mistake
• Why Navruz typically won’t represent plaintiffs against small businesses

Resources:

• Patrick Lencioni on healthy workplace cultures
• “Dream Big and Win: Translating passion into purpose and creating a billion-dollar business” by Liz Elting
• Empower Work

Learn more about accountability coaching with host Becky Mollenkamp at https://beckymollenkamp.com

SUMMARY: Nichole Beiner Powell-Newman, an unwavering advocate for intersectional wellness and CEO of Nichole Gabrielle and Co., LLC. shares her transformative journey from law to leadership consulting, and back to blogging. We delve into the challenges of disability in traditional workspaces, visionary steps towards truly inclusive workplaces, and creating liberatory communities. Nichole challenges us to consider how ableism might infiltrate our business practices and invites us to turn our professed values into actionable, everyday guides. Join us for a conversation that redefines community and courage in leadership.

Nichole Alcántara Beiner Powell-Newman (she/her) is an intersectional wellness advocate, speaker and consultant. She seeks equity, belonging and liberation at the crossroads of race, gender, and (dis)ability, through courageous conversations about lived truths, collective healing/care, and through community-centered action. She enjoys creating spaces that allow vulnerable explorations of unbridled joy for those who hold multiple marginalized identities and cultivating communities committed to intersectional belonging.

Nichole serves as the CEO and Co-Founder of Nichole Gabrielle and Co., LLC, a Leadership and Culture Consultancy focused on creating cultures of belonging for people with marginalized identities. Using the skills she's gained from years of facilitation work, legal practice, and her own experiences as a disabled and chronically ill Afro-Latina, Nichole is able to help companies tackle systemic inequities, have hard conversations, and create spaces where people feel safe and confident that they can be their full selves.

When she’s not spending time in community, Nichole enjoys reading, spending time with her husband, Vince, and learning about new foods and places. Lately, you can find her reconnecting with her roots in food anthropology, studying yoga philosophy, or planning out the big, beautiful life she believes we’re all deserving of.

Website | Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn

Discussed in this episode:

• Nichole’s exploration of feminism and womanism 
• Why working as a lawyer and have a disability became incompatible for Nichole
• The journey from lawyer to blogger to DEI consultant and back to blogging
• Finding a truly liberatory yoga practice and how it helped Nichole shift her thinking
• Nichole’s vision for inclusive workplaces
• Why return-to-work orders are ableist (and may not be financially wise)
• How ableism may be showing up in your business
• Why it’s liberatory to be in aligned community
• The problem with turning community into an industry
• How to reimagine community through a womanist lens
• Having difficult (and political) conversations as a business thought leader
• Turning values from words on a website into a guide for every choice
• Science fiction as a pathway to reimagining a more liberated world

Resources mentioned:

• “All the Black Girls Are Activists” by Ebony Janice
• Melanin and Moxie
• Spoon Theory
• Susana Barkataki
• “The Power of Sitting in the Mess,” Nichole’s Fearless Fire talk
• Sins Invalid
• “The Myth of Normal” by Gabor Maté
• “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler
• Feminist Book Club

Learn more about accountability coaching with host Becky Mollenkamp at https://beckymollenkamp.com