Despite of, or maybe because of, recent events in the news, I have been thinking a lot about inclusion and belonging. It's made me really stop and think about what's important. I'm not just talking about politics, I'm talking about values. For me, inclusion isn’t just a policy. It’s a practice. A way of being. A foundation for belonging.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how the best work environments don’t just accommodate differences—they celebrate them. Whether it’s through inclusive leadership, valuing lived experiences, or recognizing the ways our identities shape how we show up at work, true inclusion allows each of us to thrive.
But here’s the thing: inclusion isn’t just about others making space for us. It’s also about the spaces we create for ourselves and how we honor what makes us unique.
I’ve seen this firsthand with my clients—particularly women navigating midlife transitions. Whether they’re stepping into new leadership roles or pivoting into fresh career paths, inclusion often starts with giving themselves permission to be seen fully. That includes embracing the life changes that shape who we are.
This is where Menomentum plays such an essential role in my work. Menopause is often invisible in workplace conversations, yet it impacts everything from energy levels to confidence. Creating inclusive workspaces means recognizing that life and career are never separate—they’re constantly intertwined.
What would it look like to create more space for your full self this year?
Inclusion begins with intention. Here are a few ways to start: ✨ Self-Inclusion. Acknowledge and honor the experiences that make you who you are—without minimizing or editing them to fit a mold. ✨ Advocacy. Speak up for what you need at work—whether that’s flexibility, clarity, or a community of support. ✨ Curiosity. Seek out the stories and perspectives of others. Expanding our worldview fosters connection and strengthens empathy.
Together, we can reimagine work as a place where we all belong. It’s not just a nice-to-have—it’s necessary for thriving.
📣Some Great Folks, Doing Great Things
People who are making waves in the world and for good reason.
Inclusion is a Practice—Meet Robyn Penner Thiessen
Robyn Penner Thiessen - Inclusive Leadership
Robyn has put together a fantastic resource on The Power of Microinclusions—full of practical ways to help you create a more inclusive and welcoming workplace. If you’re interested, I’d love to share it with you!
As we reimagine work as a place where we all belong, it’s easy to overlook the small, everyday actions that create a culture of inclusion. This is where Robyn comes in teaching us all about microinclusions. These tiny but intentional gestures send a powerful message: You matter. You belong.
Robyn is someone whose work and passion deeply resonate with me. Robyn is dedicated to transforming workplace cultures so that every employee feels seen, respected, and empowered to bring their best self to work. She’s come to realize that inclusion isn’t just about addressing exclusion—it’s about recognizing the small moments that foster connection and belonging.
Robyn’s work focuses these everyday actions that have the power to change how people experience work.
Together, let’s continue building spaces where everyone can thrive—starting with these small, powerful moments.
📆New + Upcoming Events
ICYMI: If you missed my announcement last month, I’ve launch Menomentum, a space for women navigating career transitions and menopause to come together, share stories, and access practical resources. Want to be part of this conversation?
I had the pleasure of joining Kathleen McDermott on the Your Life Your Way podcast and we got raw and real about The Unspoken Pain of Peri-Menopause.
Kathleen and I talk about the profound changes that come with midlife and perimenopause. We explore how shifting hormones impact not just our bodies but also our confidence, careers, and relationships. From the “invisible science” of perimenopause to the deep-seated stigma of aging, we unpack the ways this transition can make women feel stuck—and, more importantly, how to move through it with clarity and strength.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve had some incredible guests join us to explore what it truly means to step into your own power. It's been all about intentional choices and actions.
Who's Missing in the Room?
In this powerful episode of The Empowered and Embodied Show, we sat down with Michele Heyward—engineer, founder of PositiveHire, and fierce advocate for women in STEM. We dug deep into who’s missing from leadership conversations, why that matters, and how we can start making real change.
As a simple tête-à-tête, Kim and Louise reflect on their own journeys, exploring what it means to reconnect with their bodies, break free from societal conditioning, and embrace both chaos and joy. This is a heartfelt exploration of self-awareness and empowerment, reminding us that confidence, self-acceptance, and resilience are built through intentional action and self-trust.
What if confidence wasn’t something you had but something you built—one choice at a time? Dennise M. Kowalczyk, a multi-passionate creative and business consultant, joins us for a deeply insightful conversation about stepping into confidence, embracing discomfort, and rewriting the narratives we’ve absorbed about aging, success, and self-worth.
If you don't want to miss our upcoming guests, or want to dig into the archives, subscribe where every you listen the most to other podcasts - cause we're where you listen!
🤖AI Prompts
Here’s a section dedicated to one of my favorite tools: prompts! I’ve been incorporating AI into my business and work with clients, and one thing I’ve learned is that mastering prompts is key to unlocking the deep knowledge a tool like ChatGPT can offer. The more specific and tailored your prompts are, the better the results.
While ChatGPT is fantastic for generating ideas and getting the ball rolling, it’s so important to personalize and refine the responses to ensure they reflect your unique voice. Always take a moment to validate the output and make it your own.
In fact, it's something I have incorporated into my Rise and Redefine group program. I want the women participating in the 10-week program to be comfortable enough to use AI when they're stuck. I hear about too many folks abandoning hard work because they felt stuck and unclear. I'm excited to hear their feedback as they try out this new tool in this really personal way.
Here’s a fun prompt to try:
"I am at a career crossroads and am looking for some help. What questions can you ask to help me craft a career vision statement. When complete, create a draft for me."
Here's the preface to a response I got - Here are some key questions that will help you reflect deeply and craft a meaningful career vision statement. Once you answer them, I’ll create a draft for you. Take your time!
And that lead me to reflect and ponder some pretty interesting questions. Some of them were challenging, but they all stopped to make me think a little differently about what I really wanted from this question.
Now it's your turn!
When you start to employ and use AI as a thought partner, it can help you see things you might not have thought of yourself.
I hope you found this newsletter helpful! I’d love to hear your thoughts—whether there’s something more you’d like to see or a different topic you’re curious about.
Feel free to reach out anytime! You can DM me on LinkedIn, follow and subscribe on Substack, or simply reply to this email.
Sending positive vibes your way,
PS - If this content isn’t the right fit for you right now, that’s okay. While I’d be sad to see you go, I’d also be so happy knowing that you’re finding the balance that works best for your life. Living in alignment with your values is what brings true joy and fulfillment, and that’s something worth celebrating.
Thanks for reading! If you loved it, tell your friends to subscribe. If you didn’t enjoy the email you can unsubscribe here. To change your email or preferences manage your profile.
Your Career Catalyst March Edition 6 MIN READ MENOMENTUM WEBSITE PODCAST YOUTUBE BLOG Hey Reader, Wow... Brain fog is real. Lately, my attention to detail and I haven’t exactly been on the same page. In fact, I’m pretty sure it packed up and left the bookstore entirely. Brain fog is one of the most common—and my most frustrating—symptoms of both perimenopause and burnout. It can feel like your brain is jumping from one unfinished task to the next, spinning its wheels while you race through...
Hey Reader, I’m having one of those weeks where I walk into a room and can’t remember why I’m there. Partly because I’ve done some renovations and things are a bit chaotic—but also because life just feels that way sometimes. And there is a lot going on right now. When something shifts or changes, it can throw us off balance, making uncertainty grow. Maybe you’re feeling that in your life, your energy, your mindset, or your career. I’ve been there, and I know how frustrating it can be to feel...
Your Career Catalyst January Edition 12 MIN READ MENOMENTUM WEBSITE PODCAST YOUTUBE BLOG Hey Reader, Change has been the theme of my life lately—both personally and professionally. As I reflect on aligning with my purpose and values, I’ve been thinking about how I can share more intentionally with you. That’s why this newsletter is evolving into a monthly one-stop-shop for everything I’m learning, creating, and exploring. It’s a way to connect with what matters most and to support you in...
