Mindset Unlimited: Tips, Tools, and Inspiration for Women in a Time of Change

Hosted by Valerie Friedlander

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154

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Your Mindset Unlimited is a podcast for women navigating professional and life transitions who are seeking to release learned limitations and build a more holistic, liberatory version of success. Your Host, Valerie Friedlander, is an ICF certified leadership coach, sociologist, intersectional feminist, artist, business owner, and mom. Based in Chicago and supporting clients world-wide, she helps passionate women in demanding careers break free of frustrating patterns, clarify their purpose, and create meaningful success on their own terms. In this podcast you'll find tips, tools, and inspiration to help you release the internalized limitations cultivated by our social system imbalances and lead your life with more ease and joy. Some of the topics you'll find here are: finding fulfillment, habit shifting, motivation, time management, money mindset, stress management, impostor syndrome, productivity, work/life balance, communication, boundaries, leadership, social activism, burnout, building a business, motherhood, and more. You can find out about Valerie and her work at www.valeriefriedlander.com Follow her on most social media @unlimitedcoachval Sign up for her email list at www.valeriefriedlander.com/signup Books referenced on the podcast can be found on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/unlimited-podcast-book-recommendations

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 21, 2026Episode 1436 min

3 Simple Ways to Increase Joy and Resist Oppressive Systems

How can I find joy when everything feels heavy? When the world feels uncertain or unjust, it can seem as though resisting it must mean pushing harder and doing more. But resistance also means living into the kind of world we want. In this episode of Mindset Unlimited , Valerie Friedlander explores how leaning into wonder, rest, and connection are critical components of creating a more caring world. When everything feels so heavy, it can be a struggle to make room for joy. Yet how we take action influences what we end up creating, so let us make the foundation in joy. Listen to discover practical ways to sit with uncertainty, honor your need for rest, and strengthen community through small, meaningful acts. Some of what we talk about in this episode includes: Making room for wonder instead of feeling pressured to always have the answer Why rest is a human need, not a reward you have to earn Sorting activities into depleting, energizing, and rejuvenating How everyday connection and collective care can help us create change Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: Catharina Doria IG reel on Generative AI Reducing Willingness to Say “I don’t know” International Business Times article on AI study Emile Ennis Jr. IG reel on the Normalization of Deviance Paper by Diane Vaughan on The Normalization of Deviance All Time Isaac IG reel on The value of activism Wiley Online Library Article on Some Benefits of Being an Activist Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey Let This Radicalize You by Kelly Hayes and Mariame Kaba Read This When Things Fall Apart edited by Kelly Hayes CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Schedule an exploration call Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

October 7, 2026Episode 1349 min

Art, Business, and Embracing Creativity with Stephanie Graham

What if you didn’t have to wait until everything was perfect to begin? In this episode of Mindset Unlimited , leadership coach Valerie Friedlander talks with Chicago-based artist, filmmaker, and Nosy AF podcast host Stephanie Graham about creativity, entrepreneurship, and the freedom to experiment. Stephanie shares how starting messy helped her grow as an artist, build meaningful connections, and make room for new possibilities. Whether you’re launching a creative project, exploring a business idea, or juggling multiple passions, this conversation is a reminder that you can learn as you go and change direction without shame. Some of what we explore is: Overcoming perfectionism and starting before you feel “ready” Creating art from curiosity, personal observation, and lived experience Building spaces where people can connect and feel welcome Treating business as an experiment and giving yourself permission to make changes Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE: Nosey AF Podcast Stephanie Graham Art Stephanie's Instagram Nosey AF Instagram The Good Neighbor Playbook CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast Schedule an exploration call This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

September 16, 2026Episode 1237 min

Giving Yourself Grace vs. Making Excuses

You’re struggling to get something done and you’re trying not to beat yourself up but the longer it takes, the more you wonder if giving yourself grace has turned into another excuse. However, the problem isn’t giving yourself grace. Beating yourself up makes it harder to make supportive, intentional choices. So, grace is a critical first step toward taking action but you will feel stuck if you stop there. The next steps are restoring connection to context, capacity, and choice — not from applying more pressure. In this episode, I’ll walk you through the why and what of each of these steps. Some of what I cover is: What grace actually is, and where it turns into an excuse Why punitive self-talk feels like the only way to motivate yourself How "I am" statements turn a pattern into an identity A step-by-step process for moving forward without beating yourself up LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: What’s Killing My Motivation? Deep Self-Care to Shift Habits Am I Just Making Excuses? The Energy Leadership Index Assessment CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Schedule an exploration call Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

September 2, 2026Episode 1151 min

Understanding Collective Grief and Reconnecting to a Sense of Purpose

Understanding collective grief and reconnecting to a sense of purpose explores the increasingly pervasive feelings of aimlessness and low motivation and what you can do about it. We are living through a time of ongoing crisis in a society that fails to recognize and allow room for the wide-ranging impact of grief when it’s personal, let alone when it’s collective. When you’re not directly impacted by the crises (yet), it’s understandable to be confused at the energetic drain you’re experiencing. This episode unpacks how collective grief quietly shapes your brain and pulls at your energy, especially when we layer on stories of personal failing or laziness. Listen if you want language, context, and gentle tools to help you feel more understood and more connected to a sense of purposefulness in everyday life. Some of what I talk about in this episode includes: The “lazy” story we tell ourselves that keeps us stuck and ashamed How grief and chronic stress impact the body, brain, and motivation Supportive ways to engage with stress, vicarious trauma, and collective grief Purposeful living and meaning-making as ways to feel reconnected and less alone Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: National Library of Medicine: Collective Trauma and the Social Construction of Meaning National Health Care for the Homeless Council: Confronting Collective and Cumulative Grief as Institutional Responsibility American Brain Foundation: Healing Your Brain After Loss NPR: How Your Brain Copes with Grief Priya Parker - How to Hold Collective Grief Renegade Grief: A Guide to the Wild Ride of Life After Loss Being A Quaker: A guide for newcomers CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Schedule an exploration call Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

August 19, 2026Episode 1044 min

Learning to Value Your Voice: Red Flags, Financial Safety, & Healing After Abuse with Jennifer Solarte

Learning to value your voice is a process of reclamation for many of us but particularly when you’ve experienced abuse. In this episode, I chat with the founder of &Rise, Jennifer Solarte, and we dive into practical mindset shifts, somatic awareness, and financial self-protection so you can break harmful cycles and rewrite your story with confidence. If you’ve ever questioned whether what you’re experiencing is “normal” or felt silenced in your own life, this conversation offers both validation and tools to help you rise. Some of what we talk about in this episode includes: How to recognize when your voice has been silenced and finding you superpower Subtle and obvious red flags in relationships, including financial control and “jealousy as love” The importance of building financial safety, independence, and credit in your relationship The role of community, somatic awareness, and boundaries in healing after abuse and creating a future you choose Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited CONNECT WITH JENNIFER: &Rise www.womenrisechicago.org Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@and_rise_ Facebook https://facebook.com/womenrisechicago Instagram https://instagram.com/and_rise__ Subscribe to our newsletter https://www.womenrisechicago.org/subscribe CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast Schedule an exploration call This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

August 5, 2026Episode 946 min

Rescue Your Nervous System from Burnout and Brain Rot

This episode offers support to rescue your nervous system from burnout and brain rot with gentle tips and powerful insights. If you are you’re feeling fried by constant stress, endless to‑do lists, or brain‑numbing scrolling, this episode helps you understand what your nervous system is actually trying to tell you so you can respond with care instead of self-blame. You’ll walk away with simple, realistic shifts that make life feel more doable, even when the world still feels heavy. Some of what we talk about in this episode includes: How “nesting dolls of stress” and liminal seasons (like end of summer) impact your nervous system Shifting from shame and self-blame into choice, capacity, and compassionate responsibility Practical somatic tools to get out of your head and back into your body (without bypassing real problems) The difference between AI-driven “support” and real human connection—and why community matters for resilience Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: Emile Ennis Jr. Instagram Liberation With Ekta Instagram Mindset Unlimited: How to Manifest What You Want Harvard Business Review: AI Doesn't Reduce Work It Intensifies It Brave Space Alliance Albany Park Theater Project CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Schedule an exploration call Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

July 15, 2026Episode 841 min

Navigating a Mid-life Crisis and the Reclamation of Self

Navigating a Mid-life Crisis and the Reclamation of Self explores what it really means to hit a midlife “crisis” and why it might actually be an invitation to reclaim who you are instead of a sign that something’s gone wrong. This episode helps you see your midlife career and life questions through a new lens, so you can stop wondering “Is it just me?” and start understanding the deeper patterns at play. If you’re feeling restless, stuck, or like you did “all the right things” and still aren’t happy, this conversation gives you language, validation, and direction for what comes next. Some of what we talk about in this episode includes: Where the idea of a “midlife crisis” comes from and how cultural stories shape your experience The difference between genuine crisis and a powerful period of transition and reevaluation How attention capitalism and constant busyness affect when and how we finally prioritize ourselves Practical ways to honor this midlife season, without feeling like you’re broken or behind Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: The Modern Midlife Crisis – Psychology Today Midlife Crisis - Wikipedia Quarter Life Crisis - LinkedIn Quarter Life Crisis – Newport Institute Leaning Into a Mid-Life Career Change [coaching] Reclaiming Your Attention to Focus on What Matters Honoring Menopause as a Life Stage CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Schedule an exploration call Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

July 1, 2026Episode 739 min

Creating Authentic Connections in Business with Women Belong Co-Founders

If traditional networking leaves you feeling drained, unseen, or like you have to leave parts of yourself at the door, this conversation is for you. In this episode, Valerie speaks with Women Belong co-founders Kate Alpert and Dorothy Rosen about building business relationships that support your whole self. You’ll come away with a deeper vision of what’s possible when women gather in community, dream bigger together, and measure success by impact as much as income. Some of what we talk about on this episode includes: Redefining professionalism and showing up as your whole self in business Challenging internalized rules about work, rest, play, and success How loss and grief can invite new clarity of purpose and connection Creating spaces of belonging as hope in action Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited CONNECT WITH DOROTHY & KATE: Women Belong website Come to a Women Belong Event Visit a Women Belong Circle Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Dorothy’s LinkedIn Kate’s LinkedIn CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast Schedule an exploration call This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

June 17, 2026Episode 654 min

How to Stop Procrastinating

How to stop procrastinating starts with knowing that procrastination isn’t a character flaw. It’s a signal pointing toward misalignment, fear, or lack of support. It’s hard to find or sustain solutions when you’re beating yourself up. In this episode you’ll learn practical, compassionate ways to get curious about what and why you’re avoiding doing something, recalibrate to what actually matters, and create small, supported steps forward. If you’re tired of motivating through shame and ready to take action in a way that works, this episode is for you. Some of what I explore in this episode includes: How procrastination, avoidance, “shoulds,” shame, and time management pressures fit together How to tell if you’re procrastinating from fear, perfectionism, overwhelm, or true misalignment Practical tools for overcoming procrastination: breaking tasks down, using deadlines, accountability, and body doubling How to work with your real energy and neurodivergent brain using curiosity, values, and self-compassion Download the Procrastination Support Checklist! Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited RELATED MINDSET UNLIMITED EPISODES: What’s Killing My Motivation It’s Simple So Why Am I Not Doing It Coaching What To Do When You’ve Fallen Behind Unlocking Your Leadership Energy CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Schedule an exploration call Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show

June 3, 2026Episode 537 min

Cultivating a Culture of Truthlighting: Stop Workplace Gaslighting and Advance Fair Opportunities for Women with Dr. Falguni Shah

Cultivating a Culture of Truthlighting offers a path for workplaces to move away from practices that gaslight women and toward ones that build a culture grounded in truth, trust, and accountability that advance fair opportunities for women. In this episode, my guest, leadership and workplace culture consultant and author Dr. Falguni Shah, shares practical ways to recognize gaslighting, validate people’s reality, and use “truthlighting” behaviors to create safer, more inclusive environments where people can thrive instead of constantly second-guessing themselves. This conversation is for anyone who senses something is “off” at work and wants language, clarity, and tools to drive real change. Some of what we talk about on this episode includes: The erosion of self-trust from workplace gaslighting Shifting from “imposter syndrome” to impostor’s ambition Cultivating truthlighting as a leadership and culture framework When it’s time to leave and reclaim your purpose, confidence, and truth. Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited CONNECT WITH FALGUNI: WEBSITE BUY THE BOOK: FROM GASLIGHTING TO TRUTHLIGHTING MEDIA FEATURES BOOK FALGUNI TO SPEAK LINKEDIN INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK TIKTOK CONNECT WITH VALERIE: Ask Valerie (anonymous form) Sign up for Valerie’s newsletter Apply to be coached on the podcast Schedule an exploration call This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective Send us Fan Mail Support the show