admin, Author at Power of Women

Find the Thrive Aged-Care Team at:

Website https://www.thriveaged.com.au/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thrive_aged_care_consultants/

RESOURCES:

Teepa Snow https://teepasnow.com/

If this story was helpful, like, comment, and hit subscribe on your favourite podcast platform. 🙏

📩 Want more powerful stories? Sign up for our newsletter: Link

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

by admin | Jul 28, 2025 | Blog

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.

Connect with Di:

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.

📩 For more powerful stories sign up for our newsletter: Link

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

by admin | Jul 21, 2025 | Blog

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.

Connect with Di:

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.

📩 Want more stories about women who are thriving? Sign up for our newsletter: Link

Hema Prakash | Revolutionising Women’s Healthcare

by admin | Jul 14, 2025 | Change Makers, Female Entrepreneur, Health & Wellbeing

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.

Connect with Di: