Girl, Wake Up!

Fitness in your Fifties & Beyond: A Divorce Success Story (w/ Pro Athlete & Women's Health Expert Linda Stephens)

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:15:00 -0400

Divorce can be the best thing that ever happened to you.

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy talks with Linda Stephens, a clinical nutritionist, IFBB Pro athlete, and nationally recognized women’s health expert, about how her 2017 divorce became the beginning of a powerful reinvention. What started as a painful life transition became an opportunity to get honest about what she wanted, step into her next chapter and help other women do the same.

Amy and Linda discuss what it means for women in midlife to stop accepting outdated messages about aging, hormones and menopause–and start advocating for themselves. This is a conversation about strength, clarity, health and why your 50s and beyond can be one of the most powerful seasons of your life.

In this episode, we cover:

Linda’s divorce story and how it became a turning point
Reinventing yourself in midlife
How she got into fitness, nutrition, and women’s health
Why women need to self-advocate in today’s medical system
The problem with outdated standards of care around menopause
How to see menopause as an opportunity, not just a struggle
What’s possible for women in their 50s and beyond

If this episode speaks to you, share it with a woman who needs the reminder that it is not too late to become stronger, healthier, and more fully yourself.

If you’re navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info

Find out more about Linda Stephens Health & Wellness here: www.lindamstephens.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindastephensfit/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindamstephens

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindastephensfit/

Who Gets The House In Divorce? (w/ Mortgage Expert John Marroni)

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:30:00 -0400

For many women, the family home feels like the heart of the family–the place tied to stability, memories and the future they imagined.

But in divorce, decisions about the house can quickly become complicated, emotional, and financially risky.

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Divorce Coach Amy Polacko is joined by mortgage advisor and Certified Divorce Lending Professional John Marroni to talk about what divorcing women need to know before deciding whether to keep the home, sell it, or start over somewhere new. Because what looks good in a divorce agreement still has to work in real life.

This episode covers:

• Why keeping the house is not always as simple as being awarded it in divorce

• The difference between emotional attachment and financial reality

• How buyouts work and what women need to understand before agreeing to one

• Whether you can take over an existing mortgage• How HELOCs and other debts can complicate the picture

• When selling the family home may actually be the smartest move

• The importance of getting answers early, before a settlement is signed

If you’re navigating divorce and trying to make smart, strategic decisions, connect with Amy for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info

John's info:

Website: https://www.divorcelendingassociation.com/offices/john-marroni.cfm

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmarroni/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnmarronidkmc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marronijohn/

#girlwakeup #podcast #takeyourpowerback #divorcesupport #financialeducation

Family Court Isn't Fair (w/ Divorce Attorney Kimberly Cook)

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:30:00 -0400

Too many women enter divorce believing family court will be the place where fairness finally shows up. Instead, many find a system that is expensive, exhausting, slow and often blind to power imbalances playing out behind closed doors.

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy sits down with Chicago divorce attorney and mediator Kimberly Cook for a candid conversation about why family court so often does not feel fair-and what women need to understand before they enter it.

Kimberly shares what shifted for her after the pandemic, when she began moving away from litigation and toward mediation.

In this episode, we cover:

Why so many women walk away from family court feeling shocked and disillusioned
What Kimberly saw in litigation that led to her own professional wakeup call
How the pandemic changed the way she viewed divorce and dispute resolution
What mediation can do well — and where it can fall short
When mediation is not safe, balanced or appropriate
How women can better prepare themselves before stepping into divorce or family court

Learn more about Kimberly A. Cook:

Schiller DuCanto Fleck: https://sdflaw.com/team/detail/kimberly-a-cook

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyjohnsoncook

Instagram: @growngirldivorce

Podcast: available on iTunes, Spotify, IHeartRadio, Audible

How to connect with Amy Polacko:

Book a free Divorce or Life Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.

Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe

Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube or on your favorite podcast platform: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

––––––

0:00 - 00:45 Podcast Intro: Girl Wake Up

00:45 - 02:43 Episode Overview: Family Court Realities | Introducing Kimberly Cook

2:44 - 6:36 The Disconnect Between TV and Reality | Expectations vs. Experience | The 5% Trial Myth

6:37 - 14:08 Litigation vs. Mediation

14:09 - 17:30 Navigating Power Imbalances | Financial Abuse and Mediation Concerns | Creating Balance with Attorney Assistance

21:42 - 27:54 The High Cost of Legal Conflict High Conflict Case Options | The Reality of Legal Billing The Role of a Divorce Coach

27:55 - 37:37 Listener Advice: Truth, Traps, and Tactics | Truth or Trap: Flexibility in Court Letter: Feeling Scrutinized by the System | Reframing the Narrative for Judges | Battles vs. The Long Game Strategy

37:37 Conclusion and Resources

Understanding Betrayal Trauma (w/ Dr. Jill Manning)

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:15:00 -0400

Betrayal doesn’t just break your heart, it can break your sense of reality. In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, we’re unpacking betrayal trauma–why it’s so uniquely devastating and what it actually does to your mind and body when trust is shattered.

Amy is joined by Dr. Jill Manning, a leading expert in betrayal trauma, to talk about the real impact of infidelity, secrecy and hidden behaviors–and why so many women feel destabilized after discovering the truth.

We also explore how pornography is shaping both young people and adult relationships in ways many aren’t talking about.

We cover:

• What makes betrayal trauma different from typical heartbreak

• The psychological impact of infidelity and deception

• Why women often feel confused, anxious or “crazy” after betrayal

• How pornography is influencing expectations, intimacy and trust

• Where healing begins after your reality has been shaken

---

Learn more about Dr. Jill Manning’s work:

Website: https://drjillmanning.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjillmanning/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjillmanning/

Two-Day Intensives: https://drjillmanning.com/intensives/

Digital Downloads: https://drjillmanning.com/digital-downloads/ Directory of Betrayal Trauma experts: www.APSATS.org

How to connect with Amy Polacko:

Book a free Divorce or Life Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here. Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe

Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

-----

Episode Timestamp:

00:01 - 00:45 Girl Wake Up! Intro

00:46 - 02:44 Introduction to Betrayal Trauma & guest Dr. Jill Manning

02:45 - 06:04 The "Wake Up" that changed the course of Dr. Manning's career path

07:53 - 10:12 Betrayal Trauma Explained (This isn't just "heart break"– it's neurological)

11:21 - 11:58 Secondary Trauma & the psychological & physiological effects

13:16 - 13:54 Gaslighting is commonly involved in Betrayal Trauma

13:55 - 14:31 Why your support & surroundings matter during trauma

14:57 - 17:40 How does your brain + body respond when your partner cheats?

18:08 - 21:37 Your nervous system is on fire – fight or flight -vs- freeze response & getting help

21:45 - 26:50 Betrayal Trauma & Gaslighting

26:54 - 28:25 The three phases of navigating betrayal

28:26 - 30:55 Betrayal Trauma & making good decisions in the divorce process

32:33 - 35:16 Why specialize care matters in life & divorce

37:28 - 41:06 Truth or Trap: Is pornography harmless as long as it doesn't involve cheating?

41:38 - 43:30 Sexual Ethics & Values as a metric

50:00 - 50:36 Final thoughts

50:37 - 50:58 GIRL, WAKE UP! outro

Feminism Rebooted: What Women Do Now (w/ Dr. Marcie Bianco)

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 05:15:00 -0400

Feminism is at a turning point.

For years, women were told we were making steady progress—that equality was inevitable. But in today’s world, many of those assumptions are being challenged. Rights are being rolled back. Misogyny feels louder. And women are left asking: Was that progress real—or were we sold a version of empowerment that didn’t fully protect us?

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, I sit down with feminist scholar and writer Dr. Marcie Bianco to unpack what feminism looks like right now—in a moment of backlash, confusion and cultural shift.

This is not a surface-level conversation. We go deeper—questioning where feminism has succeeded, where it may have fallen short, and what women need to understand moving forward.

In This Episode, We Cover:

Why feminism may need a reboot in today’s climate
The difference between real power vs. the illusion of empowerment
The growing backlash against feminism and what it means
What modern feminism gets right—and where it needs to evolve
How feminism shows up in dating, relationships and everyday life
What women should be paying attention to right now
Practical ways women can take back agency and protect themselves

Learn more about Dr. Marcie Bianco here:

marciebianco.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcie-bianco/

https://www.instagram.com/marciebianco/?hl=en

Book a free Divorce or Life Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.

Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe

Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

Follow the Money: How Spouses Hide Assets in Divorce (w/ Forensic Accountant Sara Nanchanatt)

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 05:30:00 -0400

In my work, I help a lot of women who are escaping coercive control—and that often includes financial abuse. Often for years, they’ve been kept in the dark, shut out of accounts or made to feel like they don’t need to understand the money. And then, when divorce begins, things don’t just feel confusing… they start disappearing.

Even if you have felt like you knew where the family assets were, they can also start mysteriously moving around!

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, I sit down with forensic accountant Sara Nanchanatt to expose what really happens behind the scenes when spouses try to hide assets. From secret accounts to “missing” income, we break down the financial games that can cost women everything if they’re not paying attention.

Because here’s the truth: if you don’t follow the money, you may never see it.

In This Episode, We Cover:

What a forensic accountant actually does in divorce cases
The most common ways spouses hide money
Red flags that something isn’t adding up
Why “I don’t have the money” is often not the full story
How lifestyle can reveal more than financial documents
The truth about cash businesses, cryptocurrency and hidden income
When to bring in a forensic expert—and why timing matters
The biggest mistakes women make when it comes to finances in divorce
How to protect yourself before and during the process

You can learn more about Sara on her S.N. Forensics website–tell her that Amy sent you:

https://www.snforensics.com/

Book a free Divorce or Life Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.

Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe

Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

Coercive Control: The Danger Our System Misses (w/ Crime Analyst Laura Richards)

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Violence against women is often described as unpredictable. But according to one of the world’s leading criminologists, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy speaks with Laura Richards, a global expert on coercive control, stalking and risk assessment. Richards has spent decades studying the patterns behind men’s violence and the warning signs that are too often dismissed by police, courts and other institutions.

In this episode:

What coercive control really is–and why it’s often misunderstood
Why violence against women is predictable, not random
The warning signs professionals frequently miss or minimize
Why separation and divorce can increase danger for women
How charm and social status can obscure dangerous behavior
Why institutions often label women “low risk” before tragedy

Where to find Laura Richards:

YouTube @crimeanalyst

Instagram @crimeanalyst @laurarichards999

Twitter @thecrimeanalyst @laurarichards99

TikTok @crimeanalystpod

Websites www.crime-analyst.com

https://www.thelaurarichards.com,

https://www.dashriskchecklist.com/

The Rise of the F-You Ring (w/ Influencer Alex Weinstein & jeweler Mollie Suarez)

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

For generations, rings symbolized a promise to someone else.

Now, more women are wearing them for a different reason–and the term “divorce ring” isn’t always strong enough.

That’s where the F-You Ring comes in. It’s a growing term among women who choose to mark the end of a relationship not with silence or shame–but with a symbol of independence.

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy speaks with Alex Weinstein, an influencer who went viral after creating her own F-You ring after a breakup, and Mollie Suarez, a jeweler who designed one for herself after divorce and now helps other women create theirs.

Both women were featured in Amy’s recent Guardian article on the rise of F-You Rings, and together they explore why more women are reclaiming jewelry–and their stories–on their own terms.

In this episode:

• How Alex Weinstein’s breakup inspired her to create her own F-You ring

• Why Mollie Suarez began designing these rings for women after experiencing divorce herself

• The emotional power of reclaiming an engagement diamond or creating something new

• Why the idea of women buying meaningful jewelry for themselves is gaining momentum

• What the F-You ring really represents–anger, closure, freedom or reinvention

• How women are rewriting the narrative around divorce and breakups

• The deeper cultural shift behind this trend

Follow Alex Weinstein on Instagram: @alexandrajaye

Learn more about Mollie Suarez’ Westshore Diamond: https://www.westshorediamond.com

Follow Westshore Diamond on Instagram: @westshorediamond

Book a free Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.

Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe

Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

The System Protects Men & Women Go To Jail (w/ "Dear Sister" Author Michelle Horton)

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:15:00 -0400

What happens when a woman fights back–and survives?

In this powerful episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy sits down with Michelle Horton, author of Dear Sister, to unpack the story of Michelle’s sister, Nikki Addimando, who was incarcerated after defending herself against her abusive partner.

This conversation is bigger than one case. It’s about a system that routinely misunderstands coercive control, ignores patterns of abuse and punishes women for refusing to die quietly.

We explore:

Why self-defense is so difficult to prove in long-term abuse cases
How coercive control gets erased in courtrooms
The myth of the “perfect victim”
What prison does to survivors of trauma
Why women who fight back are often portrayed as perpetrators
What needs to change legally and culturally

When a man claims self-defense, it’s often seen as strength. When a woman does, it can become a life sentence.

No woman should have to choose between being abused and being incarcerated. This episode is a wake-up call about how our justice system handles domestic abuse–and why survival should never be criminalized.

Get Michelle Horton’s book here.

Learn more about Michelle on her website: MichelleHortonWriter.com

And their campaign: WeStandWithNikki.com

Follow her on Instagram @michellehortonwriter and @westandwithnikki

Book a free Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.

Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe

Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

Answering Your Midlife Wake-Up Call (w/ Co-Authors Dina Alvarez & Dina Aronson)

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:15:00 -0400

Midlife isn’t a breakdown. It’s a wake-up call.

In this honest and eye-opening episode of Girl, Wake Up!, I sit down with Dina Alvarez and Dina Aronson, co-authors of Midlife Private Parts, to talk about what really happens to women in their 40s and 50s-physically, emotionally, sexually and psychologically-and why so many of us feel blindsided.

Because no one prepared us.

No one told us perimenopause could feel like anxiety, rage, brain fog and clarity all at once. No one told us we might start questioning our marriages, our careers or the roles we’ve played for decades. And no one told us midlife might be the moment we realize we’ve been over-giving and under-valuing ourselves for years.

For some women, that wake-up call leads to renegotiating a marriage. For others, it leads to divorce. For many, it leads to reclaiming their voice, their desire and their power.

Midlife isn’t the end.

It’s the end of pretending.

And on Girl, Wake Up! — we answer the call.

Learn more about Midlife Private Parts and get your copy here: www.midlifeprivateparts.com

Follow Midlife Private Parts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midlifeprivateparts/

Follow Dina Alvarez on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewritestyles/

Dina Alvarez’ Substack “A Few Good Things”: https://dinaalvarez.substack.com/

Follow Dina Aronson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patina_life/

Dina Aronson’s Substack “Patina”: https://patina.substack.com/

Book a free Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.

Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe

Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

How Narcissists Trap Us (w/ Psychotherapist & Cult Survivor Vanessa Reiser)

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:15:00 -0400

Narcissistic abuse doesn’t begin with cruelty. It begins with connection.

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy Polacko sits down with licensed psychotherapist Vanessa Reiser, LCSW, to unpack how narcissists condition, confuse and trap even the smartest, strongest women– and what it actually takes to break free.

Vanessa is the author of Narcissistic Abuse: A Therapist’s Guide to Identifying, Escaping, and Healing from Toxic and Manipulative People. A two-time Ironman, she has run across multiple states in a wedding dress to raise awareness about narcissistic abuse and survivor empowerment. Together, we explore how love-bombing turns into control, why gaslighting erodes self-trust, and how trauma bonds keep women stuck long after the red flags appear.

But this episode isn’t just about the trap. It’s about the comeback.

Vanessa shares how she rebuilt her identity, reclaimed her power and transformed her pain into purpose.

If you’ve ever wondered:

Was it really that bad?

Why did I stay so long?

Why do I still miss him?

This conversation will help you understand the psychology– and reclaim your clarity.

Episode Time Stamps

00:00 - 00:46 Girl, Wake Up Intro

00:47 - 2:39 Welcome to our Girl, Wake Up guest: Vanessa Reiser. Amy deep-dives into her life, work, and activism.

2:40 - 3:10 Men as victims of Narcissistic Abuse. Popular culture headlines such as P.Diddy, and Kevin Spacey.

3:11 - 4:13 It's a Power Dynamic: Why people in positions of power need to step forward.

4:14 - 8:43 Vanessa's book, her work and mission as a clinician, and her experience with pathologized personalities, gaslighting, behavioral disorders, and more.

8:54 - 12:19 Narcissists have a different kind of brain. (Explained)

12:20 - 15:33 Clinician explains how to get out of an abusive situation with a narcissist. Discusses: Trauma bonding, Love bombing; unpacks the abuse cycle.

15:34 - 18:08 Vanessa discusses the psychology behind CULTS. There are different cult systems.

18:09 - 22:12 Dealing with emotionally immature parents (EIPs), narcissistic parents, childhood trauma, identity, and broken family systems.

22:07 - 25:17 When people say the term "narcissist" is overused, the stereotypical narcissist, covert versus overt narcissist

27:18 - 27:53 Truth or Trap segment of the podcast: Narcissists only prey on weak women.

27:54 - 30:30 Letter from a Listener. Amy and Vanessa share their insights

30:31 - 31:44 Thank you, Vanessa. And where the audience can find her online.

31:45 - 31:57 Outro

Find out more about Vanessa Reiser and follow her:

https://tellatherapist.net/

Instagram: @vanessareiserlcsw

Get her book: Narcissistic Abuse

Book a free Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here. Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe

Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

How does Hollywood Control the Narrative About Women? (w/ Producer Aliza Rosen)

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:15:00 -0400

The ways in which film & television portray women on TV are NOT accidental.

In this new podcast episode of Girl, Wake Up! award-winning Los Angeles producer Aliza Rosen takes us behind the scenes of media, storytelling and power to expose how narratives about women are shaped, softened, edited and sometimes erased altogether.

From Hollywood to headlines, who gets believed, who gets framed and who gets attention.

This episode is a wake-up call for any woman who has ever felt misrepresented, minimized or told her story was “too much,” “too complicated” or “not marketable.”

In this episode, we cover:

Who actually controls the stories told about women—and why it matters
How power hides behind “content,” “objectivity” and “the edit”
Why women’s stories are being told more now
The cost of misrepresentation
Why was “Dirty John” a turning point?
Trends we’re seeing in documentaries, podcasts and films

Find out more about Aliza’s company and follow her:

https://www.ayr-media.com/

Instagram: @ayr_media

Book a free Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.

Follow Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomwarriortribe/

Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

Why Every Woman Needs a Prenup (w/ Attorney Deveney Wells-Gibson)

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Prenups aren’t about planning for divorce–they’re about planning for yourself.

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, host Amy Polacko sits down with family law attorney and Prenup Queen Deveney Wells-Gibson for a no-BS conversation about money, marriage, and women’s power. Together, they break down why financial clarity is one of the most radical forms of self-respect-and why more women are choosing prenups and postnups not out of fear, but out of wisdom.

If you’ve ever been told that talking about money is “unromantic,” that prenups mean you don’t trust your partner, or that asking for protection makes you difficult — this episode is your wake-up call.

Because peace of mind isn’t accidental. It’s negotiated.

In this episode, we cover:

Why prenups are a form of empowerment — not mistrust
The biggest money mistakes women make before marriage
How prenups protect women who step away from careers to raise families
What a postnuptial agreement is-and when it’s actually smarter than a prenup
The red flags that show up when partners resist financial transparency
How to talk about prenups and postnups without apologizing
Why financial independence is foundational to emotional freedom

Women are waking up. We’re no longer outsourcing our safety–emotionally or financially.

And as Deveney makes clear, knowing your numbers, naming your needs, and putting protections in place isn’t pessimistic- it’s powerful.

Book a free Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.

Follow Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomwarriortribe/

Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

Learn more about Deveny Wells-Gibson here:

Website: www.lovemeetswealth.com

Follow Deveny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprenupqueen/

Starting Over is a Power Move (w/ Divorce Expert Olivia Howell)

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Starting over isn’t a failure—it’s a declaration.

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy Polacko is joined by Olivia Howell, founder of Fresh Starts Registry, to talk about why rebuilding your life after divorce is one of the bravest things a woman can do.

Olivia created Fresh Starts Registry after her own split, when she realized how little support exists for women starting over quietly, without weddings, baby showers or applause. What she built instead is a powerful community that says: your fresh start matters.

Together, we unpack the emotional, practical and deeply personal realities of starting over-and why choosing yourself is never something to apologize for.

In this episode, we cover:

Why starting over is often mislabeled as “failure” (and why that’s wrong)
The emotional toll of rebuilding your life in silence
How divorce, breakups, and major life resets can become portals to power
Why women need support systems after relationships end-not just before they begin
How Fresh Starts Registry is changing the way we show up for women in transition
What it really means to reclaim your life, your space and your future

So many women are navigating massive life changes without language, permission or support. This episode is a reminder that starting over isn’t weakness-it’s wisdom.

Amy Polacko is a Fresh Starts Expert - Book a free Coaching Consultation with her here.

Follow Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomwarriortribe/

Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

Learn more about Fresh Starts Registry and follow Olivia here:

Fresh Starts Website: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/

Fresh Starts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/

Olivia’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviahowell/

Saying Goodbye to Toxic Systems, Mean Girls, & Staying Small (w/ Hype Women Founder Erin Gallagher)

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0400

If you’ve ever dimmed your light to fit in or keep the peace, this is your sign– it’s time to stop staying small.

So many women aren’t playing small because they lack confidence. They’re doing it because they were taught to. In the second episode of the official podcast Girl, Wake Up!, Amy Polacko sits down with Erin Gallagher, creator of the Hype Women movement, to unpack how patriarchy thrives when women stay quiet, compete with each other, and shrink to be liked.

Erin explains why being a Hype Woman isn’t just about encouragement. It's about strategy, survival, and collective power. This message matters for single women, married women, and everyone in between.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why “playing small” is learned– and who benefits from it.

• How patriarchy pits women against each other through competition and comparison

• The truth about adult mean-girl culture and internalized misogyny

• Why being a Hype Woman is a political, professional, and personal act

• How women can take up space without apology-in work, relationships, and life

• Why this movement matters for all women, regardless of relationship status

This isn’t about toxic positivity or empty empowerment slogans. It’s about women recognizing their power, transferring it to each other, and refusing to shrink... TOGETHER.

---

Erin's Bio:

Erin Gallagher is a founder and disruptor who launched the global Hype Women Movement. She is the host and producer of the HYPE WOMEN podcast. She is also the CEO and Founder of Hype Women, an inclusive ecosystem unlocking women's access to human, social, financial, and political capital. She's an expert in helping women heal, build generational wealth, and move into positions of power and influence– and as one global CMO succinctly put: "Erin is the not-so-secret weapon so many leaders use to drive real change."

Here’s how you can find her:

Website: hypewomen.com

Instagram: @erin.gallag.her

Buy her Book: Hype Women: Breaking Free from Mean Girls, Patriarchy and Systems Silencing You (*Available wherever books are sold)

----

Learn more about Amy Polacko's work and free 15-minute Coaching Consultations here.

Watch & Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior

Join the conversation with Amy on Instagram: instagram.com/freedomwarriortribe

Read the book: amazon.ca/Framed-Women-Family-Court-Underworld/dp/B0DB6MNR2W

The Dirty John Story: A Cultural Shift for Women (w/ Tonia Bales)

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0400

What if the most dangerous men don’t look dangerous at all?

In the launch episode of Amy Polacko's new podcast, Girl, Wake Up!, we go inside the real story of Dirty John with Tonia Bales, the first wife of the man who would later become infamous as one of America’s most notorious con artists and predators.

Long before podcasts, Netflix series and headlines, Tonia lived this story from the inside. Her book with Amy Jauman, When You See It: How I Outsmarted & Outlasted Dirty John, shares this incredible backstory.

In this powerful conversation, Tonia reveals how predators hide in plain sight-using charm, credibility and coercive control to quietly dismantle a woman’s sense of safety and self. Together, we break down the early warning signs women are often conditioned to ignore, how con men gain control inside intimate relationships and what it takes to escape and heal after psychological manipulation.

This episode isn’t just about Dirty John.

It’s about how these men operate, why strong women are targeted, and how awareness saves lives.

We cover:

The red flags Tonia didn’t yet have language for
How coercive control slowly takes hold
Why leaving is far more complex than “just walking away”
The hidden aftermath of psychological abuse
Turning survival into purpose-and helping other women now

Today, Tonia uses her voice to help women trust their instincts, recognize danger sooner and reclaim their power.

If you’ve ever dismissed a gut feeling, minimized a red flag, or wondered “Was it really that bad?”-this episode is your wake-up call.

📘 Tonia Bales’ new book is out today! Get it here.

Her website: www.toniabales.com

Find her on Instagram: @toniabales

Find her on Facebook: Tonia Sells Bales

Learn more about Amy Polacko's work and free 15-minute Coaching Consultations here.

Join the conversation with Amy on Instagram: instagram.com/freedomwarriortribe

Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior

Girl, Wake Up! Trailer

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:36:00 -0400

Girl, Wake Up! is for women who’ve realized the systems were never built to protect us. Join award-winning journalist and divorce/life coach Amy Polacko as she moves past feel-good empowerment and into what actually works: strategy, clarity, and self-reliance. We talk honestly about relationships, money, divorce, power, and self-preservation. Because waiting to be saved isn’t a plan.

Premiering January 13th, 2026