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Good Girl Deprogramming

Good Girl Deprogramming

By: Michelle Minnikin
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 Join author, coach, and organisational psychologist Michelle Minnikin as she unpacks and challenges the 'Good Girl' narrative that limits women in their personal and professional lives. In each episode, explore the stories, strategies, and psychology behind breaking free from social conditioning, reclaiming authenticity, and thriving on your own terms. Subscribe now for empowering conversations and insights.Michelle Minnikin Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • 29 - Leadership Lessons with Steph Edusei

    29 - Leadership Lessons with Steph Edusei
    Jun 17 2025

    Episode 29 - Leadership Lessons with Steph Edusei

    Steph is back on the podcast - this time to talk about her BRAND NEW BOOK!! The Little Book of Leadership Lessons.

    Steph Edusei is the Chief Executive of St Oswald’s Hospice, a large children and adults charitable hospice. She’s also a Director of the North East Chamber of Commerce.

    As an integral part of her local community, Steph has been a leader with Girlguiding UK for over 30 years and holds the position of Chair at Eliot Smith Dance Company. Previously, she served as a Non-Executive Director of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and was the co-chair of The Angelou Centre, a Black-led women's charity offering training, counselling, and refuge support.

    Steph is the founder of the ‘Black All Year’ podcast and associated events. She uses the platform to amplify black voices, highlight the challenges faced by Black people, and celebrate their successes and achievements.

    In 2022, Steph was named Transformational Leader at the Northern Power Women Awards.

    In 2024, Steph was named on the BusinessCloud Northern Leaders list and in 2025 Steph was added to the prestigious Northern Power Women Power List.


    What we talk about:

    • 01:48 – Steph shares the story behind her book A Little Book of Leadership Lessons.

    • 02:38 – Growing up Black and female: Steph talks about navigating identity and expectations.

    • 09:07 – The real roots of imposter syndrome and how it’s not just in your head.

    • 14:55 – Steph reflects on how burnout and illness forced her to re-evaluate her identity and leadership.

    • 30:14 – The mic-drop question: “If you believed you have always been enough, what would you do differently?”


    Follow Steph on social media:

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stephedusei/

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph-edusei/

    Website - www.stephedusei.co.uk (live very soon)

    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/steph.edusei.leadership

    Get Steph’s Book - https://amzn.to/44jWTKD (also available at load of other bookshops)

    Follow Michelle on social media:

    Website - https://www.michelleminnikin.com/

    Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mminnikin/

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/goodgirldeprogramming

    TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@michelleminnikin

    Buy Good Girl Deprogramming

    Ebook and Paperback available at all good bookshops (and Amazon - https://amzn.to/3AQHuFf)

    Audible - https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0D9MKBDBW/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-406719&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_406719_rh_uk

    Take the Good Girl Quiz

    Find out if you’re a Good Girl at https://goodgirlquiz.co.uk/

    If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with friends!
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    32 mins
  • 28 - Resist. Speak Up. Do Good with Marion Anderson

    28 - Resist. Speak Up. Do Good with Marion Anderson
    May 21 2025
    Episode 28 - Resist. Speak Up. Do Good with Marion AndersonMarion Anderson is a Scottish expat living in North West Arkansas, the Co-founder and CEO of The Fearless PX, and co-host of The Elephant in the Org podcast—where workplace taboos get the airtime they deserve. Currently pursuing a PhD, her research dives into psychological safety and how companies are (or aren’t) getting it right when it comes to remote, hybrid, and return-to-office policies. When not debating the future of work, she’s a devoted dog parent to Jack and Talisker—the latter named after her favorite Scottish whisky, of course. Expect hot takes, humor, and just the right amount of rebellion.What we talk about:01:48 – Growing up in 1980s West of Scotland: poverty, violence, and early caregiving03:36 – The strategic good girl: how conditioning served and harmed04:04 – Rebellion in HR: rejecting outdated norms and using data-driven influence05:59 – Class trauma, food insecurity, and safety behaviours that linger07:18 – Avoiding more dangerous paths: controlled rebellion and survival08:42 – Caring for her father through illness and dementia from a young age10:15 – Making the impossible decision to place her dad in care14:16 – Grieving through dementia: ongoing loss and emotional suppression19:06 – Burnout in the Middle East: filling the void with work and others’ problems19:41 – Complex PTSD and the realisation of deep emotional damage21:16 – The origin of Marion’s PhD: why workplace inclusion for carers matters24:23 – The George Banks problem: work built for men, not women25:23 – Elon, inequality, and the illusion of meritocracy27:59 – The cost of existing and how working class women are punished28:36 – Living in the US South: brainwashing, amnesia, and resistance31:23 – The call to arms: speak up, be a nasty woman, use your power33:01 – Research as resistance: how people still want to be heard37:42 – Why psychological safety must not be the next DEI casualty39:50 – The business case is clear—but control and conformity are rising40:47 – Final words: resist, speak up, do good—because it’s the right thingFollow Marion on social media: Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionandersonpx/ Elephant in the Org - https://theelephantintheorg.buzzsprout.com/ The Fearless PX - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-fearless-px Follow Michelle on social media: Website - https://www.michelleminnikin.com/ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mminnikin/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/goodgirldeprogramming TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@michelleminnikinBuy Good Girl DeprogrammingEbook and Paperback available at all good bookshops (and Amazon - https://amzn.to/3AQHuFf) Audible - https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0D9MKBDBW/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-406719&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_406719_rh_uk Take the Good Girl QuizFind out if you’re a Good Girl at https://goodgirlquiz.co.uk/ If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with friends!
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    42 mins
  • 27 - Authenticity, Approval, and Power with Alawna Ozoka

    27 - Authenticity, Approval, and Power with Alawna Ozoka
    Apr 26 2025
    Episode 27 - Authenticity, Approval, and Power with Alawna OzokaAlawna Ozoka is a Certified Professional Leadership Coach, Speaker, and Amazon International Bestselling Author of “Awareness Put Me On”.Her entrepreneurial journey began when she co-founded In Common, a platform to increase the economic wellness of the Black community. She later founded an operations management consultancy that supported small businesses with their customer strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic.While her expertise is in project and operations management, Alawna’s passion is rooted in serving others. As an Authenticity Life Coach, she partners with individuals and companies looking to align their actions with their core values. She serves on the Board of Directors at Podium RVA, a nonprofit empowering youth 11-19 to communicate confidently and boldly to succeed in school, career, and life. Alawna also serves as a speaker, leading inclusion talks around topics like owning uniqueness, pushing through fear, and living in purpose.Whether it be coaching clients, collaborating with businesses, or speaking, Alawna’s love for humanity fuels her next steps. It is her mission to expand access to strategically undervalued groups and amplify their voices.What we talk about1:24 – Alawna joins: The LinkedIn connection that sparked a conversation1:58 – Did you grow up a Good Girl? Alawna’s early experiences4:37 – Pulling away from approval-seeking: “I’m not for everyone”6:01 – Who am I? Identity beyond roles and expectations8:22 – Living in the grey: Holding discomfort and growth9:15 – Control what you can: Power in small actions11:31 – Community, boundaries, and conscious activism14:04 – What does resistance to Good Girl Conditioning look like now?17:10 – Showing up authentically in business and social media19:44 – The realness of entrepreneurship: It’s not cute22:39 – Tenacity, resilience, and starting from scratch24:44 – Being a generalist and creator: No labels required25:40 – What does authenticity mean day-to-day?29:19 – Making things enough: Small shifts in power31:09 – The importance of community and connection33:39 – Final reflections: Where do you have power?Follow Alawna on social media: Website: www.alawnaozoka.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alawnaozoka/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alawnaozoka/Follow Michelle on social media: Website - https://www.michelleminnikin.com/ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mminnikin/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/goodgirldeprogramming TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@michelleminnikinBuy Good Girl DeprogrammingEbook and Paperback available at all good bookshops (and Amazon - https://amzn.to/3AQHuFf) Audible - https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0D9MKBDBW/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-406719&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_406719_rh_uk Take the Good Girl QuizFind out if you’re a Good Girl at https://goodgirlquiz.co.uk/ If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with friends!
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    35 mins
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