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Michelle Phillips | Talking Homelessness & Safe, Secure Housing for Women

Michelle Phillips | Talking Homelessness & Safe, Secure Housing for Women

In this episode of the Power Of Women Podcast, host Di Gillett sits down with Michelle Phillips, CEO of YWCA Australia, to talk about one of the most urgent issues facing Australian women today: homelessness and the fight for safe, secure housing.

From launching the Women’s A-League to leading global reproductive health services, Michelle’s career has been grounded in fairness, equity, and bold leadership. Now, she’s on the frontlines of Australia’s housing crisis, reshaping how we think about women’s homelessness and why “a roof over your head” is only part of the story.

In this episode, we explore:

  • The early signs of housing insecurity many women miss
  • Why women are more vulnerable to homelessness than ever before
  • The powerful role of community support and policy change
  • What the YWCA’s Women’s Housing Framework is doing differently

Michelle outlined that:

🔑 “Housing is a basic human right.”

🔑 “If we don’t have more homes built specifically for women, we will not solve the housing crisis for women.”

🔑 “Women and children aren’t able to leave abusive situations because there’s nowhere to go.”

🔑 “Women just don’t ask for help… and that makes a lot of women’s homelessness quite hidden.”

🔑 “It’s not about choices—it’s the systemic barriers that put women at risk of homelessness.”

 

New episodes drop every Monday to power your week.

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Find Michelle Phillips & the YWCA at:

Learn more about the Women’s Housing Framework and how to support YWCA: www.ywca.org.au

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-phillips-au/

Instagram: @ywcaaustralia

 

💬 If safe housing is a basic right, what can we each do today to help make it a reality for every woman? Share your ideas in the comments.

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Jenny Valentish | How Introverts Can Thrive in an Extrovert’s World

Jenny Valentish | How Introverts Can Thrive in an Extrovert’s World

Reformed sociophobe, Jenny Valentish, reveals how introverts can thrive an extrovert’s world, when you’re wired for solitude.

Journalist and author Jenny Valentish shares how she transformed from a self-described “reformed sociophobe” into a keynote speaker, coach, and author of The Introvert’s Guide to Leaving the House. We explore how introverts can thrive in professional environments, manage social anxiety, handle conflict at work, and navigate the pressure to build a personal brand—without losing themselves in the process.

Whether you identify as introverted, socially anxious, highly sensitive, or simply burnt out from performing all the time, this conversation offers real strategies, surprising insights, and a powerful reminder:

You don’t need to change your nature—just change the game plan.

 

With candour, humour and real tools, this conversation explores:

  • Social anxiety, the spotlight effect and letting go of control
  • How introverts can lead without burning out
  • Smarter strategies for visibility, self-promotion and saying what needs to be said

 

Jenny said:

On managing introversion: “Introverts don’t need fixing — just smarter strategies.”

On the world we live in: “We are living in an extrovert’s world — and there’s nothing wrong with being an introvert.”

On managing as a sociophobe: “I call myself a reformed sociophobe, but there’s always work to do.”

 

New episodes drop every Monday to power your week.

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Find Jenny Valentish at:

Instagram

Jenny’s Website

💬 What changes are you going to make to your game plan? Listen to this episode for ideas as to the how.

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Hema Prakash | Revolutionising Women’s Healthcare

Hema Prakash | Revolutionising Women’s Healthcare

Hema Prakash isn’t just a successful businesswoman— she is revolutionising women’s healthcare with Ponti Health—enabliing women to reclaim agency over their wellbeing. After years navigating the boardrooms of tech and private equity—where she was often the only woman in the room—Hema turned her energy to a new frontier: transforming women’s healthcare in Australia.

Now the co-founder of Ponti Health, Hema is building what she calls “slow medicine”: a one-stop clinic for women that respects time, intelligence, and lived experience. And she’s doing it on her terms.

 

In this episode, we explore:

Menopause isn’t a disease—and Héma’s on a mission to change how it’s treated

Why financial independence and self-prioritisation aren’t luxuries—they’re essentials

Research in women’s health is underfunded and needs support.

What it means to lead with humility, excellence, and empathy in business and health.

 

Hema highlighted so many salient points including:

On menopause: “Menopause shouldn’t be medicalised—it’s a transition, not a disease.”

On women’s financial independence: “Women need to be financially independent… it’s free money, literally free money everyone, compounding at 10% interest a year.”

How her business is delivering women’s healthcare: “We’ve taken everything back to basics. We’re calling it slow medicine… because we need time.”

Highlighted the alarming steps midlife women are taking due to menopause: “Women over 45 are activating income protection insurance at $12,000 a month—because they’re falling off their perches.”

New episodes drop every Monday to power your week.

 

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Connect with Hema & Ponti Health:

Explore Ponti Health

Instagram

 

💬 Would love to hear your thoughts on the Ponti Health revolution. Leave a comment.

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Mel Browne | The Money Moves Every Woman Needs to Know

Mel Browne | The Money Moves Every Woman Needs to Know

If you think financial planning is boring, intimidating, or only for men in suits—think again. These are the money moves every woman needs to know.

In this episode of the Power of Women podcast, financial educator and bestselling author Mel Browne joins Di Gillett to break down smart, accessible wealth-building strategies every woman should be using—especially in midlife.

You’ll learn:

  • Why super splitting could be your most underused financial advantage
  • How to find $10K in 12 months without getting a second job
  • Why emotional investing impacts men more than women (and what to do about it)
  • How to invest confidently—without becoming a finance expert
  • What financial agency really means
  • How to shift the money conversation in your relationship from mine to ours

This is what Mel said about:

  1. Super splitting and financial fairness:

“Super splitting is really, really easy… It’s simply your partner choosing to split up to 85% of their previous year’s super with you… because if I’m staying home, then it should just be that I get to enjoy some of your super as well.”

  1. Why emotional decisions can derail financial futures:

“So much of what we do financially is emotional… and my concern for too many women today is they’re making those emotional decisions, but they don’t know how to rebuild as a consequence.”

  1. Ageism and women’s financial confidence:

“I hear that every day from women in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s—‘I don’t have time to catch up.’ And yet I believe it’s this ageism that we have as women.”

New episodes drop every Monday to power your week.

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Find Mel Browne at:

Mel Browne resources for POW listeners: [RESOURCES] for Power of Women Podcast by Melissa Browne

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/melbrowne.money/

Knowledge is power—but only if you act on it. Hit play. Share it. Start today.

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Alison Shamir | Dismantling Imposter Syndrome & The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Alison Shamir | Dismantling Imposter Syndrome & The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Dismantling imposter syndrome.

In this episode of the Power Of Women Podcast, we are revealing the silent self-doubt that holds so many brilliant women back: imposter syndrome.

Whether it shows up as over-preparing, holding back in meetings, or downplaying success, imposter feelings can quietly sabotage confidence and performance — especially in the workplace.

Together with imposter syndrome expert and author of Conquer Your Imposter, Alison Shamir, we unpack where this internal narrative comes from, how it disproportionately affects women, and — most importantly — what to do about it.

In his episode, we explore:

  • The real definition of imposter syndrome (and why it’s not just “self-doubt”)
  • Perfectionism, identity sabotage, and internalised narratives
  • Why fear is not a great motivator — and why imposter syndrome is not a hidden strength
  • Why women are more prone to it — and how to change that
  • How to uncover your “origin story” and start healing.

Alison said:

You can overcome Imposter Syndrome: “I broke up with imposter syndrome between 2013 and 2014.”

On that niggling self-doubt: “I was performing well but imploding inside.”

There will be an origin story:  “It’s not your fault you’re experiencing it; it’s a product of your environment.”

On the relationship between Imposter Syndrome & perfectionism: “You’re constantly questioning yourself, despite evidence of competence and success.”

The misconception: “Imposter syndrome is not a hidden strength.”

New episodes drop every Monday to power your week.

Episode LinksConnect with Di:

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Find Alison Shamir at:

Conquer Your Imposter

Website 

💬 What story are you telling yourself — and is it lifting you up or holding you back?

 

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