Speaking of Phenomenal | Journalism for Women and Gender-Expansive Voices

Hosted by Amy Boyle

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Latest episode

Sep 2026

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About the show

Speaking of Phenomenal is an independent podcast covering women and gender-expansive people mainstream media hasn't found yet. Host Amy Boyle, a multimedia journalist and adjunct lecturer in photojournalism and visual storytelling at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, reports longform narrative conversations with women and gender-expansive people doing significant work the news cycle has yet to document. The work began in 2018 as the 52 Phenomenal Women Project, a portrait storytelling series that produced 104 reported profiles and was covered by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Reader and NBC5. The podcast launched in October 2020 as the audio extension of that journalism. Now in its sixth season, with 70 episodes and counting, Speaking of Phenomenal has reached 102 countries and 851 cities. Every person you'll hear has a story the world should know. And they sound like this. www.speakingofphenomenal.com . Support the show via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/u25038150

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 29, 2026Episode 526 min

Far From Home: Ankita Kumar on Storytelling Across Borders

Journalist and filmmaker , Ankita M. Kumar has often been the only woman in the room with a voice. She tells Amy Boyle how she learned to keep speaking up, from a grandmother who crossed during Partition to covering India's COVID-19 crisis to making her Oscar-qualifying film, " Far From Home. " A feminist conversation on resilience and cultural identity with Ankita, one of the inspirational women and female leaders proving that storytelling for social change starts with refusing to be silenced. Got something to say? Text the show. Click the link in the episode description and your message comes straight to me. I read every one and may share your note on a future episode. I'd love to hear from you. A quick ask before we get started. I'm currently in the running for Top Host with iHeartRadio , and there's something you can do between now and October 22nd . ( 10 EST, 9 PM CST, 7 PM PST in the US) Please vote DAILY, Thank you! If you're loving the stories and insights on the Speaking of Phenomenal podcast , please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or GoodPods . Each 5 star review is appreciated, thank you! Speaking of Phenomenal via Patreon Support the Speaking of Phenomenal Podcast on Patreon #BePhenomenal Record with Riverside.fm Record with Riverside.fm 20% off HoneyBook Save 30% off your 1st year with HoneyBook Podcast Merch and more Discover phenomenal merchandise on Etsy by Amy Boyle, founder of 52 Phenomenal Women. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Edit with Descript Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Enjoyed this conversation? Follow, rate and review Speaking of Phenomenal on Apple Podcasts, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Keep independent journalism going. Support the show on Patreon . Speaking of Phenomenal is created and produced by Amy Boyle . Podcast artwork by Amanda Eich. “Woman” by Tiffany Villarreal, used with permission. Thinking about starting a podcast? SOP is hosted on Buzzsprout , recorded with Riverside and edited in Descript . Start yours with our links. Some links above are affiliate links. If you sign up, the show may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

August 6, 202610 min

Self-Doubt to Real Community | Creative Endurance Six Years Later

Six years ago, singer-songwriter Tiffany Villarreal told us why she walked away from record labels to build real community. Today, we're revisiting that conversation and discovering she was right about everything. From healing through creative work to recognizing toxic culture before it became mainstream, Tiffany's story is one of self-discovery, vulnerability, and creative resilience. Community, authenticity: then and now. Flashback episode: taken from Episode One 11/13/2020 Got something to say? Text the show. Click the link in the episode description and your message comes straight to me. I read every one and may share your note on a future episode. I'd love to hear from you. A quick ask before we get started. I'm currently in the running for Top Host with iHeartRadio , and there's something you can do between now and October 22nd . ( 10 EST, 9 PM CST, 7 PM PST in the US) Please vote DAILY, Thank you! Speaking of Phenomenal via Patreon Support the Speaking of Phenomenal Podcast on Patreon #BePhenomenal Record with Riverside.fm Record with Riverside.fm 20% off Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE HoneyBook Save 30% off your 1st year with HoneyBook PodMatch (JOIN NOW) PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Hosts And Guests For Interviews Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Enjoyed this conversation? Follow, rate and review Speaking of Phenomenal on Apple Podcasts, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Keep independent journalism going. Support the show on Patreon . Speaking of Phenomenal is created and produced by Amy Boyle . Podcast artwork by Amanda Eich. “Woman” by Tiffany Villarreal, used with permission. Thinking about starting a podcast? SOP is hosted on Buzzsprout , recorded with Riverside and edited in Descript . Start yours with our links. Some links above are affiliate links. If you sign up, the show may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

July 29, 2026Episode 421 min

From Troublemaker to Change-maker | Cost of Being Right

Women's empowerment isn't just about winning, it's about what you do when you're right. Lisa Cornwell, keynote speaker, author, and former Golf Channel broadcaster, became central to a national conversation about workplace bias after her memoir " Troublemaker " and a Washington Post investigation. Today, she talks candidly about the cost of being right, the responsibility that comes with self-awareness, and how clarity about your own role shapes real change. Got something to say? Text the show. Click the link in the episode description and your message comes straight to me. I read every one and may share your note on a future episode. I'd love to hear from you. A quick ask before we get started. I'm currently in the running for Top Host with iHeartRadio , and there's something you can do between now and October 22nd . ( 10 EST, 9 PM CST, 7 PM PST in the US) Please vote DAILY, Thank you! If you're loving the stories and insights on the Speaking of Phenomenal podcast , please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or GoodPods . Each 5 star review is appreciated, thank you! Speaking of Phenomenal via Patreon Support the Speaking of Phenomenal Podcast on Patreon #BePhenomenal Record with Riverside.fm Record with Riverside.fm 20% off HoneyBook Save 30% off your 1st year with HoneyBook Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Enjoyed this conversation? Follow, rate and review Speaking of Phenomenal on Apple Podcasts, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Keep independent journalism going. Support the show on Patreon . Speaking of Phenomenal is created and produced by Amy Boyle . Podcast artwork by Amanda Eich. “Woman” by Tiffany Villarreal, used with permission. Thinking about starting a podcast? SOP is hosted on Buzzsprout , recorded with Riverside and edited in Descript . Start yours with our links. Some links above are affiliate links. If you sign up, the show may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

July 22, 20266 min

Career Resilience in Action | How One Conversation Launched Shannon's Podcasting Path

Career transition and authentic leadership don't always look linear. Two and a half years ago, Shannon Gomes sat down with Amy Boyle for an episode about adapting your story as you go. Last week, she sent a message: that one conversation changed the direction of her career. She has since launched The Gomes Guide . In this bonus episode, Amy revisits Shannon's original insights about resilience, growth, and what it really takes for female leaders to thrive, this time with a full view of where that conversation led. Got something to say? Text the show. Click the link in the episode description and your message comes straight to me. I read every one and may share your note on a future episode. I'd love to hear from you. A quick ask before we get started. I'm currently in the running for Top Host with iHeartRadio , and there's something you can do between now and October 22nd . ( 10 EST, 9 PM CST, 7 PM PST in the US) Please vote DAILY, Thank you! Speaking of Phenomenal via Patreon Support the Speaking of Phenomenal Podcast on Patreon #BePhenomenal HoneyBook Save 30% off your 1st year with HoneyBook PodMatch (JOIN NOW) PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Hosts And Guests For Interviews Record with Riverside.fm Record with Riverside.fm 20% off Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Enjoyed this conversation? Follow, rate and review Speaking of Phenomenal on Apple Podcasts, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Keep independent journalism going. Support the show on Patreon . Speaking of Phenomenal is created and produced by Amy Boyle . Podcast artwork by Amanda Eich. “Woman” by Tiffany Villarreal, used with permission. Thinking about starting a podcast? SOP is hosted on Buzzsprout , recorded with Riverside and edited in Descript . Start yours with our links. Some links above are affiliate links. If you sign up, the show may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

July 15, 2026Episode 328 min

Soul Portraits: Turning Grief Into Creative Resilience

*** A note before you listen: This conversation includes candid reflection on past pain and trauma. *** Devorah Brinckerhoff walked away from gallery walls to build something entirely her own: Soul Portraits, art made from the personal materials of a life. In this candid conversation about creative resilience, grief, and vulnerability, she shares how working with letters, photos, and journals became her path to healing and a thriving creative practice that centers her authentic story, not commercial expectations. A conversation for creatives navigating their own departure from "the way things are supposed to be." Got something to say? Text the show. Click the link in the episode description and your message comes straight to me. I read every one and may share your note on a future episode. I'd love to hear from you. A quick ask before we get started. I'm currently in the running for Top Host with iHeartRadio , and there's something you can do between now and October 22nd . ( 10 EST, 9 PM CST, 7 PM PST in the US) Please vote DAILY, Thank you! If you're loving the stories and insights on the Speaking of Phenomenal podcast , please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or GoodPods . Each 5 star review is appreciated, thank you! PodMatch (JOIN NOW) PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Hosts And Guests For Interviews Record with Riverside.fm Record with Riverside.fm 20% off HoneyBook Save 30% off your 1st year with HoneyBook Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Enjoyed this conversation? Follow, rate and review Speaking of Phenomenal on Apple Podcasts, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Keep independent journalism going. Support the show on Patreon . Speaking of Phenomenal is created and produced by Amy Boyle . Podcast artwork by Amanda Eich. “Woman” by Tiffany Villarreal, used with permission. Thinking about starting a podcast? SOP is hosted on Buzzsprout , recorded with Riverside and edited in Descript . Start yours with our links. Some links above are affiliate links. If you sign up, the show may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

June 24, 2026Episode 222 min

Mental Health, Diplomacy & One Girl Named Comfort | Morgan DeNicola

Morgan DeNicola accompanies U.S. senators into closed-door sessions in foreign embassies around the world. She also lives with borderline personality disorder, depression, and anxiety and she'll tell you those aren't separate facts. In this episode : the two-week trip to Africa that shattered her assumptions, why emotional wellness is the leadership skill most people are hiding, and what a two-year-old girl named Comfort taught her about what it actually means to change the world. Speaking of Phenomenal is created and produced by Amy Boyle . Podcast artwork by Amanda Eich. " Woman " by Tiffany Villarreal, used with permission Got something to say? Text the show. Click the link in the episode description and your message comes straight to me. I read every one and may share your note on a future episode. I'd love to hear from you. A quick ask before we get started. I'm currently in the running for Top Host with iHeartRadio , and there's something you can do between now and October 22nd . ( 10 EST, 9 PM CST, 7 PM PST in the US) Please vote DAILY, Thank you! If you're loving the stories and insights on the Speaking of Phenomenal podcast , please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or GoodPods . Each 5 star review is appreciated, thank you! HoneyBook Save 30% off your 1st year with HoneyBook PodMatch (JOIN NOW) PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Hosts And Guests For Interviews Record with Riverside.fm Record with Riverside.fm 20% off Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Enjoyed this conversation? Follow, rate and review Speaking of Phenomenal on Apple Podcasts, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Keep independent journalism going. Support the show on Patreon . Speaking of Phenomenal is created and produced by Amy Boyle . Podcast artwork by Amanda Eich. “Woman” by Tiffany Villarreal, used with permission. Thinking about starting a podcast? SOP is hosted on Buzzsprout , recorded with Riverside and edited in Descript . Start yours with our links. Some links above are affiliate links. If you sign up, the show may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

June 17, 2026Episode 131 min

Swimming Lessons: Teaching Children to Be the Heroes of Their Own Story

When Kate Markland overheard strangers discussing "her" story in a market square without being asked, without needing their verdict she understood something about authentic leadership, creative resilience, and self-discovery. In this episode, Amy Boyle explores how Kate and and her son, Gabriel help children find their voice not through validation, but through vulnerability and the willingness to become the hero of their own narrative. A powerful conversation on self-awareness, storytelling, and the quiet confidence that emerges when we stop waiting to be noticed. Speaking of Phenomenal is created and produced by Amy Boyle . Kipling's If performed by actor Craig Duff. Podcast artwork by Amanda Eich. " Woman " by Tiffany Villarreal, used with permission Got something to say? Text the show. Click the link in the episode description and your message comes straight to me. I read every one and may share your note on a future episode. I'd love to hear from you. A quick ask before we get started. I'm currently in the running for Top Host with iHeartRadio , and there's something you can do between now and October 22nd . ( 10 EST, 9 PM CST, 7 PM PST in the US) Please vote DAILY, Thank you! If you're loving the stories and insights on the Speaking of Phenomenal podcast , please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or GoodPods . Each 5 star review is appreciated, thank you! HoneyBook Save 30% off your 1st year with HoneyBook PodMatch (JOIN NOW) PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Hosts And Guests For Interviews Record with Riverside.fm Record with Riverside.fm 20% off Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Enjoyed this conversation? Follow, rate and review Speaking of Phenomenal on Apple Podcasts, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Keep independent journalism going. Support the show on Patreon . Speaking of Phenomenal is created and produced by Amy Boyle . Podcast artwork by Amanda Eich. “Woman” by Tiffany Villarreal, used with permission. Thinking about starting a podcast? SOP is hosted on Buzzsprout , recorded with Riverside and edited in Descript . Start yours with our links. Some links above are affiliate links. If you sign up, the show may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

June 15, 20262 min

From Five Seasons to Fearless | Women's Empowerment is in the Telling

Women's empowerment starts with how we tell stories. After five seasons, host Amy Boyle reveals why the Speaking of Phenomenal podcast is evolving: creative resilience means reimagining format itself. Season 6 opens with impact first, the moment that matters most and then earns the full journey. Discover what it means to model the very resilience we celebrate in our guests, and meet Kate Markland, who is redefining heroism for the next generation. Season 6 will launch June 17, 2026. Podcast artwork by Amanda Eich Got something to say? Text the show. Click the link in the episode description and your message comes straight to me. I read every one and may share your note on a future episode. I'd love to hear from you. A quick ask before we get started. I'm currently in the running for Top Host with iHeartRadio , and there's something you can do between now and October 22nd . ( 10 EST, 9 PM CST, 7 PM PST in the US) Please vote DAILY, Thank you! Enjoyed this conversation? Follow, rate and review Speaking of Phenomenal on Apple Podcasts, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Keep independent journalism going. Support the show on Patreon . Speaking of Phenomenal is created and produced by Amy Boyle . Podcast artwork by Amanda Eich. “Woman” by Tiffany Villarreal, used with permission. Thinking about starting a podcast? SOP is hosted on Buzzsprout , recorded with Riverside and edited in Descript . Start yours with our links. Some links above are affiliate links. If you sign up, the show may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

December 31, 2025Episode 127 min

Women's Storytelling & Resilience | Building Leadership Legacy

Women's stories shape movements, but only when we know how to listen. In this " Speaking of Phenomenal" podcast , season 5 finale, journalist Amy Boyle weaves together eight years of interviews across 92 countries to reveal the common thread: leadership legacy is built through listening, not just speaking. Explore how resilience in storytelling, mindset shifts, and the practice of really hearing other women transform careers, communities, and movements. The definitive conversation on women's empowerment as a listening practice. MUSIC (used with permission) WOMAN Performed by Tiffany Villarreal - Pod artwork by Amanda Eich Got something to say? Text the show. Click the link in the episode description and your message comes straight to me. I read every one and may share your note on a future episode. I'd love to hear from you. A quick ask before we get started. I'm currently in the running for Top Host with iHeartRadio , and there's something you can do between now and October 22nd . ( 10 EST, 9 PM CST, 7 PM PST in the US) Please vote DAILY, Thank you! Enjoyed this conversation? Follow, rate and review Speaking of Phenomenal on Apple Podcasts, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Keep independent journalism going. Support the show on Patreon . Speaking of Phenomenal is created and produced by Amy Boyle . Podcast artwork by Amanda Eich. “Woman” by Tiffany Villarreal, used with permission. Thinking about starting a podcast? SOP is hosted on Buzzsprout , recorded with Riverside and edited in Descript . Start yours with our links. Some links above are affiliate links. If you sign up, the show may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

December 29, 2025Episode 1134 min

Non-Linear Careers, Genuine Success | Releasing the Shoulds

Career resilience isn't about following the script, t's about releasing the shoulds. Taylor Elyse Morrison shares how rejecting societal expectations became her breakthrough to authentic success. In this conversation, we explore non-linear careers, the power of community in navigating transitions, and why your unconventional path might be your greatest strength. Discover how self-discovery and vulnerability reshape what resilience really means. MUSIC (used with permission) WOMAN Performed by Tiffany Villarreal - Pod artwork by Amanda Eich Got something to say? Text the show. Click the link in the episode description and your message comes straight to me. I read every one and may share your note on a future episode. I'd love to hear from you. A quick ask before we get started. I'm currently in the running for Top Host with iHeartRadio , and there's something you can do between now and October 22nd . ( 10 EST, 9 PM CST, 7 PM PST in the US) Please vote DAILY, Thank you! If you're loving the stories and insights on the Speaking of Phenomenal podcast , please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or GoodPods . Each 5 star review is appreciated, thank you! Enjoyed this conversation? Follow, rate and review Speaking of Phenomenal on Apple Podcasts, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Keep independent journalism going. Support the show on Patreon . Speaking of Phenomenal is created and produced by Amy Boyle . Podcast artwork by Amanda Eich. “Woman” by Tiffany Villarreal, used with permission. Thinking about starting a podcast? SOP is hosted on Buzzsprout , recorded with Riverside and edited in Descript . Start yours with our links. Some links above are affiliate links. If you sign up, the show may earn a small commission at no cost to you.