The Present Day Wise Woman – Details, episodes & analysis

This week on The Present Day Wise Woman Podcast, I sit down with Robyn Henderson, a woman who lost everything, rebuilt from scratch, and found her real power in the process. Frombankruptcy and shame to screenwriting, mentoring, and giving back, Robyn proves that wisdom isn’t about never falling, it’s about how you rise.

When Jenny first stepped into local politics, councils were still known as pale, male, and stale. They were dominated by retired men and businessmen who had the time to attend meetings. Women made up just 29% of councillors across New South Wales, and some councils had none at all.

Jenny did not just take a seat at the table, she reshaped it. From championing the arts, reconciliation, and LGBTQ+ rights, to leading with compassion through her own cancer battles, Jenny has shown that brave, authentic leadership can change communities.

In this conversation, Jenny shares her journey into public service, her challenges as mayor, her resilience through illness, and the legacy she continues to build. Her story is a reminder to every woman listening: be brave, your voice matters, and the time is now.

In this intimate and inspiring conversation, Dr. Alice MacKinnon—no-nonsense emotion coach, five-time author, and surf-loving activist—opens up about coming out in her late 50s, the bushfire that changed everything, and the wisdom she’s apprenticing to as a present-day wise woman.From climate activism to the power of silence, from owning her PhD to buying her first surfboard at 46, Alice shares raw truths and hard-won insights on courage, purpose, and living in deep connection with the earth. This is one for every woman ready to rise—wholehearted and unapologetic.

Welcome to the first episode of The Present Day Wise Woman Podcast — where the stories are raw, the wisdom is lived, and the women are bloody legendary. I’m Jennifer Jefferies, naturopath, author, surfer, and unapologetic truth-teller, and this is the conversation the world doesn’t want us having. Money. Sex. Power. Ageing. Health. Visibility. Legacy. We’re not here to be polite or invisible. We’re here to rise, strong, together — carrying the torch lit by the women before us and sparking it brighter for those to come. If you’ve ever been told to tone it down, act your age, or politely disappear, this is your wake-up call.

What started as a meme has become a muzzle. The word Karen is now used to shame women into silence, to make us doubt our right to speak up.

In this raw, no-BS episode, Jennifer calls out how this label keeps women small, and how changing our self-talk, language, and even scent rituals can help us reclaim power from the inside out.

It’s time to retire the mockery and rise as women who use our voices, unapologetically, fiercely, and together.

The problem with the "Karen" label @ 0:00

Jennifer discusses how the term "Karen" has evolved from describing entitled behavior to becoming a way to mock and silence women who speak up or challenge the status quo. She argues that this reinforces the idea that there is a "right" and "wrong" way for women to use their voices, and that this undermines women's collective confidence and empowerment.

The power of our self-talk @ 4:29

Jennifer emphasizes how the words we use, even in casual self-deprecation, can have a profound impact on our physiology and self-perception. She encourages reframing negative self-talk with more empowering language, as our bodies and minds respond to the stories we tell ourselves.

Aromatherapy and affirmations as tools @ 8:31

Jennifer discusses how essential oils and affirmations can be used together to help shift our emotional state and self-perception. She recommends specific oils like geranium, rose, frankincense, and sweet orange to address issues like self-judgment, emotional walls, and lack of joy.

Breaking the cycle of self-mockery @ 10:30

Jennifer calls on women to stop participating in the "casual cruelty" of mocking themselves and other women, as this reinforces the idea that women should stay small and quiet. She encourages choosing kinder, more empowering language, as this can help heal something ancient within us and pave the way for women to speak their truth unapologetically.

Recap and key message @ 11:57

Jennifer concludes by emphasizing that when women use their voices, it makes it safer for others to do the same. She reframes the term "Karen" as a "legendary woman who's strong enough to use her voice unapologetically," and states that this is how women will rise - one unapologetic truth at a time.

She packed the caravan, took the dog, and didn’t ask for permission. Anne Martin chose aliveness after loss. After the death of her husband, she listened to the quiet voice that said now and travelled Australia solo with her dog Rosie - not to prove anything, but to live.

Confidence didn’t come before the journey. It grew because of it. Anne is a rock and roll dancer, teacher, and founder of Tiny Tappers, a dance group for children with special needs where belonging matters more than perfection.

This episode is about trusting yourself, choosing joy, and stepping forward when life changes shape. Grounded. Brave. Fully alive.

Introductions and Casual Conversation @ 0:00

Jennifer and Anne engage in casual conversation as they set up and test the recording equipment. They discuss the purpose of the meeting, which is for an informal chat, and ensure the technical aspects are working properly.

Anne's Solo Caravan Adventure @ 5:00

After the passing of her husband, Anne decided to fulfill their dream of traveling to New South Wales. Despite initial hesitation, she listened to her intuition and set out on a solo road trip with her dog Rosie. Anne shares how she overcame her fears, learned new skills, and found a sense of freedom and confidence through the journey.

The Impact of Anne's Story @ 9:11

Anne's story of solo travel was featured in a local publication, inspiring other women to embark on similar adventures. She shares how she creatively addressed safety concerns, like using a makeshift "passenger" in the car, which ended up resonating with readers and encouraging more women to explore solo travel.

The Joys of Dancing @ 20:26

Anne discusses her lifelong passion for dancing, which she shared with her late husband. She explains how dancing has been a source of joy, confidence, and community for her, and how she now teaches dance classes with her new partner, Trevor. Jennifer and Anne reflect on the physical, mental, and social benefits of dancing.

Founding Tiny Tappers @ 25:35

Anne shares her experience of founding the Tiny Tappers dance group for children with special needs in Townsville. She describes how she initially struggled to adapt her teaching approach, but ultimately found great fulfillment in creating a space for the children to express themselves through music and movement.

Advice for Women Seeking Courage @ 32:06

Anne encourages women who may be doubting themselves to listen to their intuition and take the first step, even if it feels risky. She emphasizes the importance of self-belief and not overthinking, and shares how her own journey has taught her to trust her gut and embrace new experiences.

Contact Anne Martin

https://www.borderrockers.com/

https://www.facebook.com/borderrockers

https://www.instagram.com/border_rockers/

Today’s Wise Woman knows how to turn businesschaos into clarity.

After two decades leading Australian companies, Sharon Styman has learned how to blend strategy with soul, helping business owners find joy, direction, and freedom again.

We talk about breaking ground as the first female board member at Twin Towns, what women bring to leadership, and how her 60s have become a season of ease, courage, and purpose.

It’s a wise, no-fluff chat about growth, grounding, and having a crack at what’s next.

Sharon's journey to the Twin Towns Services Club board @ 3:21

Jennifer and Sharon discuss how Sharon became the first female board member of the traditionally male-dominated Twin Towns Services Club. Sharon shares that she had long admired the organization and saw it as an opportunity to contribute her strategic and governance expertise. She describes overcoming initial nervousness and finding her voice on the board, and how she and the other female board member now work as allies to bring diverse perspectives.

The value women bring to leadership roles @10:53

Sharon reflects on how women often bring a morecollaborative and empathetic approach to leadership, asking deeper questions and providing a more holistic perspective. She encourages more women to pursue leadership roles, noting that the regulatory environment is becoming moresupportive of diversity in governance.

Sharon's evolution and priorities in her 60s @12:18

Jennifer and Sharon discuss how Sharon's ambition and drive have shifted as she has aged, moving from a need to proveherself to a focus on being of service and finding contentment. Sharon shares that she is more grounded, trusting in life's unfolding, and prioritizing herown wellness and inner peace, while still being open to new possibilities.

Advice for women embracing their 'crone' years @ 37:06

Sharon encourages women in their 40s, 50s and 60s to embrace the changes that come with aging, rather than fearing them. She advises having the courage to "have a crack" at new things, not letting self-doubt hold you back, and focusing on living life to the fullest rather than worrying about what others think.

Recap and closing thoughts @ 42:52 

Jennifer expresses gratitude for the wisdom and insights Sharon has shared, noting the profound impact it can have on other women. Sharon reiterates her belief that women should use their voices and step into leadership roles, as the world needs their perspectives. They close by affirming their deep connection and appreciation for one another.

CONTACT SHARON

Website: https://sharonstyman.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-styman/

Today’s Wise Woman has built her life, and legacy, around helping women do business differently.

From a spare-room start-up to an $18-million company, Suzi Dafnis, CEO of HerBusiness, has spent three decades showing women how to grow thriving, purpose-driven businesseswithout burning out.

In this episode, we talk about navigating midlife reinvention, the power of self-education and community, and why wellbeing and purpose are the new measures of success. Suzi shares the truth about burnout, authenticity, and what it really means to design a business, and a life, that fits who you arenow.

It’s wise, grounded, and full of gold for any woman ready for her next chapter.

CONTACT SUZI DAFNIS

This is the book that Suzi referenced that Robert Kiyosakigave to her: 

From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness,and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur Brooks.

Listen to the HerBusiness Podcast at www.herbusinesspodcast.com

Follow Suzi at @herbusiness on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/herbusiness/ 

Connect with Suzi on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/company/her-business/ 

What does real gender equality look like when we strip away the slogans and get honest about power, choice, and change? Myra Betron has spent two decades leading global gender equality and social impact programs, and now she’s using data to spark deeper conversations through her new venture, PowerHerData. In this raw and inspiring chat, Myra shares how her personal story shaped her purpose, why the world still gets gender equality wrong, and how we can all start dismantling bias, one voice, one choice, one moment at a time.

Myra's background and passion for gender equality @ 0:00

Myra shares that her work in gender equality and social impact was not something she chose, but rather something that chose her. Growing up in a traditional household with domestic violence, she was determined not to live that life and instead dedicated her career over the past 20 years to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment across various organizations and countries.

Launching PowerHerData to share data-driven insights @ 5:03

Myra explains that she started the PowerHerData venture this year as a way to take the research and data she has accumulated over her career and present it in more engaging, accessible ways to drive real change. She was motivated to do this after seeing gender equality work being framed as "ideological" and wanting to better communicate the positive impact of this work.

Challenges in achieving true gender equality @ 10:43

Myra discusses why gender equality programs have not translated into the level of real change desired, noting that the focus has often been on "fixing women" rather than addressing underlying structural issues and power imbalances. She highlights how biases, social norms, and the "boys club" mentality continue to hold women back, even in highly educated and professional settings.

Empowering women to use their voice @ 31:45

Myra emphasizes the importance of challenging gender biases when they arise, even in subtle ways, rather than letting them slide. She encourages listeners to take the gender bias quiz on her PowerHerData website as a starting point for self-reflection and awareness. Myra also shares a personal example of needing to speak up against a comment made by a friend about her choice not to have children.

Myra's advice and vision for the future @ 36:36

Myra's key message is that true gender equality is about equality of opportunity and choice, not uniformity. She wants to dispel the misconception that feminism is about women ruling the world, and instead focus on creating pathways for women to have the same freedoms and possibilities as men. Myra's advice to her younger self would be to not let societal expectations limit her vision for what her life could be.

Contact Myra

http://www.powherdata.com/

Downloadyour FREE Gender Bias Quiz HERE https://www.powherdata.com/biasquiz

Instagram @powherdata

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/myra-betron-9641a23/

Some people wash their hands of the world’s problems. Molly Lee makes soap, and gets right in there.

From a kitchen experiment to her thriving business Optimistic Soap, Molly has turned bubbles into a tool for change. Through her art, she raises funds and awareness for abortion access, LGBTQ+ rights, and defending democracy, provingactivism can be both creative and compassionate.

In this conversation, we talk about her transformation from IT professional to soap alchemist, the discipline and joy of peaceful protest, and the quiet power of “micro-philanthropy.” Molly also shares her take on turning 60, reclaiming age as a time of strength, purpose, and unapologetic wisdom.

This is a story about making noise with love, finding purpose through protest, and aging like the fierce, funny, wise woman you were always meant to be.

Connect with Molly Lee

INSTAGRAM & THREADS @optimisticsoap

Bluesky: @OPTIMISTICSOAP

FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/OptimisticSoap