Posts by Giovanna Rossi
346: Fixing the Foundations with Annie Wright: Relational Trauma from a Feminist Perspective
Hello, and welcome to another episode of the Well Woman Show!
We’re having a deeply meaningful and timely conversation about healing, ambition, and the hidden impacts of systemic trauma, especially for high-achieving women, with my special guest, Annie Wright, LMFT.
Annie is a licensed psychotherapist, relational trauma recovery specialist, writer, and founder of Evergreen Counseling. She is dedicated to helping ambitious women heal the impacts of early relational trauma, break survival-driven patterns, and build thriving, fulfilling lives. She also continues to share trauma-informed insights as a columnist for Psychology Today, a frequent media expert featured in Forbes, Business Insider, and NBC.
In today’s conversation, Annie shares her journey of trauma, healing, and entrepreneurship, and how it shaped the powerful work she does today. She offers insight into how trauma manifests in ambitious women, how systemic forces compound our struggles, and what it truly means to build a strong, stable life from the inside out.
Together, we explore:
- The link between childhood trauma and overwork, burnout, and perfectionism
- How relational and systemic trauma shape our beliefs, behaviors, and boundaries
- What healing looks like when you’re still ambitious – how ambitious women and healthy work habits can co-exist
- Why addressing the “cracks in your foundation” is key to lasting emotional and relational wellness
- The importance of creating space for rest, especially for women of color navigating multiple systems of oppression in today’s political landscape
Annie brings not only clinical expertise but lived experience to the conversation, making her insights all the more powerful and resonant. Whether you’re navigating burnout, feeling triggered by the world around you, or simply ready to heal in a deeper, more sustainable way, this episode is for you.
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Also happening this month, 100 Women Albuquerque will be meeting on May 14th at 5:30 pm in Albuquerque to amplify our impact and assist under-supported organizations. The WWS continues our sponsorship of this great work in 2025. Come be inspired by the collective power of women. Join us to meet like-minded women committed to making a difference. Members can nominate local nonprofits and promote a business or event during our meeting. Head over to 100WomenABQ.org
And don’t forget to take the Well Woman Life Movement Challenge Quiz at http://wellwomanlife.com/Challenge/. Trust me, these two questions could very well change your life!
As always, all links and information can be found at www.wellwomanlife.com/346show
345 Diversity and Flexibility in the Workplace Benefits All with Manar Morales
Hello, and welcome to another episode of the Well Woman Show! I’m your host, Giovanna Rossi, and I’m absolutely thrilled to have you with us today. We’re diving deep into one of the most pressing topics of our time—how workplace flexibility and diversity benefit not just employees, but businesses, families, and society as a whole.
Today, I’m honored to introduce an incredible guest: Manar Morales. Manar is the President & CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance, a leading expert on workplace flexibility, and an advocate for creating inclusive, high-performing work environments. She works with organizations to help them implement sustainable strategies that foster diversity, equity, and balance, ensuring that all employees—regardless of background or life circumstances—can thrive.
In our conversation today, we’ll unpack several key issues:
- Why workplace flexibility is more than just a perk—it’s a necessity for a thriving workforce.
- How embracing diversity and inclusion leads to stronger, more innovative organizations.
- The policies and practices that forward-thinking companies are adopting to attract and retain top talent.
Manar brings years of experience and deep insights into how we can shift outdated workplace norms to build a future where work truly works for everyone. She doesn’t just talk about change—she helps organizations implement real solutions.
The books she recommended:
- Book: “The Flexibility Paradigm” by Minar Morales
- Book: “The Paris Novel” by Ruth Reichl
- Book: “Beyond Anxiety” by Martha Beck
Before we jump into this conversation, let’s take a moment to acknowledge the ongoing movement for workplace equity. It’s not enough to simply acknowledge the need for change—we must actively participate in creating it.
To business leaders—prioritize policies that support caregiving, flexible scheduling, and pay equity. To policymakers—commit to legislation that ensures fair treatment for all workers. And to all of us—let’s continue pushing for workplaces that recognize and value the full spectrum of human experiences.
A huge thank you to everyone committed to this change. Today, and every day, we celebrate the progress we’ve made and the work that still lies ahead.
Also happening this month, 100 Women Albuquerque will be meeting May 14th at 5:30pm in Albuquerque to amplify our impact and assist under-supported organizations. The WWS continues our sponsorship of this great work in 2025. Come be inspired by the collective power of women. Join us to meet like-minded women committed to making a difference. Members can nominate local nonprofits and, promote a business or event during our meeting. Head over to 100WomenABQ.org
343: Ending the Culture of Overwork with Brigid Schulte
Hello, and welcome to another episode of the Well Woman Show! I’m your host, Giovanna Rossi, and I’m absolutely thrilled to have you with us today. We’re diving deep into one of the most pressing topics of our time—how we work, live, and care for one another—and what that means for all of us striving for a healthy and fulfilling life.
Today, I’m honored to introduce a truly inspiring guest: Bridget Schulte. Bridget is an award-winning journalist and author, as well as the director of the Better Life Lab at New America. For decades, she’s been at the forefront of investigating the dynamics of workplace culture, time use, and gender equity. Her latest book, Overwork: Transforming the Daily Grind in the Quest for a Better Life, offers a powerful look into how our current systems are failing us and what we might do to change that.
In our conversation today, we’ll unpack several key issues:
- The impossible balancing act between being the “ideal worker” and the “ideal caregiver”
- The systemic challenges that working parents—especially women—face every day
- And how businesses and policies can evolve to create more humane, productive work environments
Bridget’s impressive background includes more than two decades at the Washington Post, where she honed a journalist’s eye for detail and a passionate commitment to justice. She doesn’t just highlight problems; she provides actionable solutions for transforming how we think about work, care, and the immense potential of human collaboration.
Before we jump into this conversation, let’s take a moment to acknowledge Women’s History Month! I have a special message to everyone who supports this movement for change: We want more than a thank you or a shout out once a year.
To our spouses and partners listening—please, make the invisible workload visible and share the load. if you don’t know what the invisible workload is, go look it up. And when you look after the kids please don’t call it babysitting, you are parenting your kids.
To the employers and business leaders out there—show us your commitment to paid family leave, flexible scheduling, and support for caregivers. Track and share your data on employee pay by gender, race, and job category.
And to our public officials and candidates—please move beyond telling us you love your mom or your sister. You’re supposed to love your mom! Let us know your concrete plans and policies that center women’s lives and needs.
A huge thank you to all who are part of this change. Today and all month long, we celebrate the progress we’ve made and the work that still lies ahead.
I’m also excited to share that Family Friendly New Mexico is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with an event featuring none other than Bridget Schulte herself. As part of their annual awards luncheon at Sandia Resort & Casino on April 30, Bridget will be coming to New Mexico to share her insights on building workplaces that truly work for families. With companies recognized for their innovative approaches to family-friendly practices, this event promises to be a catalyst for change. For more details, check out familyfriendlym.org. The Well Woman Show is a proud sponsor of this incredible event.
The Well Woman Show is thankful for support from Collective Action Strategies—a consulting firm dedicated to driving systemic change so that women and families thrive. And don’t forget to take the Well Woman Life Movement Challenge Quiz at Well Woman Life Challenge – Well Woman Life . Trust me, these two questions could very well change your life!
All the links and additional information are available at WellWomanLife.com/radio and WellWomanLife.com/343show and The Well Woman Show on NPR with Giovanna Rossi – Well Woman Life .
Now, without further ado, let’s dive into our conversation with Bridget Schulte. Stay tuned as we explore how to transform the daily grind into a journey toward a better, more equitable life.
341: Choose Love with Sandy Hook Parent Scarlett Lewis
Hello Well Women, on today’s show, I interview Scarlett Lewis, founder of the Choose Love Movement in honor of her son, Jesse, who was murdered during the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in December 2012.
Shortly after his death, Scarlett decided to be part of the solution to the issues that we’re seeing in our society — that also caused the tragedy — and turned it into an opportunity to build a culture of love, resilience, forgiveness, and connection in our communities at a time when it is needed the most.
We discuss:
What Nurturing Healing Love means.
How to overcome fear & post traumatic growth
and How we can choose love as a thoughtful response in any situation, circumstance or interaction
Make sure to listen to the podcast for the Superpowers for Success section!
The New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women is excited to announce their Women’s Day of Action, January 28th at 10am in the Rotunda at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. We’ll hear from lawmakers and organizations about key bills supporting women in the 2025 session.
Plus, get a quick Legislative 101 on how to make your voice heard and advocate for the bills that matter to you.
The event is from 10-11 and no RSVP is required.
Events – New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women
100 Women Albuquerque will be meeting January 29th at 5:30pm in Albuquerque to amplify our impact and assist under-supported organizations. The WWS continues our sponsorship of this great work in 2025. Come be inspired by the collective power of women. Join us to meet like-minded women committed to making a difference. Members can nominate local nonprofits and, promote a business or event during our meeting. Head over to 100WomenABQ.org.
Grief Center’s 19th annual Healing Hearts Luncheon, on February 14th, which provides hope and healing to our grieving community. Throughout their 23-year history, they have served over 12,000 individuals in support groups, over 200 campers in Camp Corazon, and trained over 400 volunteer Bereavement Facilitators. For more information on the Healing Hearts event, go to 
Healing Hearts Event – The Grief Center
For more information on The Grief Center’s programs, visit www.griefnm.org
339: Collective Awakening Through Acts of Peace & Justice with Mirabai Starr
Today, as we continue to process the recent election results, we’re diving into a conversation that supports us in the realm of spiritual connection, resilience, and collective awakening. In times of change, we often seek grounding and meaning, and this week’s guest offers a unique perspective on how to find both. Wherever you are in the process of digesting the recent election, I invite you to take good care of your energy and your heart, nourish yourself and take your time. And know that there is a place for your voice and contribution in finding solutions to our most pressing challenges as a society.
If you are longing for community to rest, reflect, restore and rejuvenate with, join me in the Well Woman Academy. Details at wellwomanlife.com/academy
I’m thrilled to bring you my conversation with Mirabai Starr, an award-winning author, internationally acclaimed speaker, and a pioneer in interspiritual dialogue. Mirabai has been named one of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People, and she’s spent decades exploring spirituality through the wisdom of the world’s religious traditions. She’s authored books like Wild Mercy, Caravan of No Despair, and God of Love, which offer a fresh, grounded approach to spirituality and feminine wisdom.
Together, we discuss what it means to live a deeply connected life, where everyday experiences invite us to the sacred, beyond institutionalized religion and self-improvement. Join us as we explore how engaging in acts of peace and justice can be as profound as any personal journey.
The Well Woman Show is thankful for support from Collective Action Strategies – a consulting firm that supports systemic change so that women and families thrive, and by the Well Woman Life Movement Challenge Quiz at wellwomanlife.com/quiz
As always, all the links and information are at wellwomanlife.com/radio
Mirabai’s first episode: https://wellwomanlife.com/captivate-podcast/173show/
Her group: Holy Lament – 
Holy Lament Community Grief Journey with Mirabai Starr
The Transformative Path of Loss & Longing with Mirabai Starr: An ongoing community grief journey through the Landscape of Loss
