The Elegant Warrior with Heather Hansen Podcast By Heather Hansen cover art

The Elegant Warrior with Heather Hansen

The Elegant Warrior with Heather Hansen

By: Heather Hansen
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 This is the Elegant Warrior Podcast. It's a podcast about elegance and all of its forms. We're talking about our definitions of elegance and how we maintain it in times of trial. We're also talking about how we can advocate for ourselves with elegance and in a way that makes us most likely to win. I'm your host, Heather Hansen, author, speaker, consultant, trainer, and self-advocacy expert. Let's talk Elegance!2020 The Elegant Warrior Economics Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • 324: A Little Intro to Undeniable [Judge Rosemarie Aquilina]

    324: A Little Intro to Undeniable [Judge Rosemarie Aquilina]
    Jul 3 2025
    In this episode, Heather introduces a previously recorded conversation with Judge Rosemary Aquilina from December 30, 2019. This re-release serves as an introduction to Judge Aquilina before she and Heather launch their new podcast, "Undeniable," in August. The episode highlights Judge Aquilina's impactful role in the Larry Nassar case and her unique approach to justice, emphasizing listening and healing. In this insightful episode, you'll learn: Introduction to Judge Aquilina: Heather sets the stage for the conversation, explaining why she's replaying this particular episode and introducing Judge Rosemary Aquilina, highlighting her significance in the Larry Nassar case and her upcoming joint podcast with Heather. Early Life and Influences: Judge Aquilina shares her childhood experiences, including her immigration story and feeling unheard, which profoundly shaped her desire to advocate for others and led her to pursue a career in law. The Path to Law and Justice: Judge Aquilina discusses her decision to attend law school, driven by a rebellious spirit and a deep-seated need to give a voice to the unheard, a theme that resonates throughout her career. Breaking Barriers in the Military: Judge Aquilina recounts her experience as the first female JAG officer in Michigan history, illustrating her determination to overcome obstacles and challenge norms. The Power of Listening in the Courtroom: Judge Aquilina emphasizes the importance of listening in her judicial practice, particularly in the Larry Nassar case, where her approach encouraged over 100 women to come forward and share their stories. "What Do You Want Me to Know?": Judge Aquilina explains the origin and impact of her signature question, "What do you want me to know?", revealing how this simple inquiry fosters trust and allows individuals to feel heard and understood. "Leave Your Pain Here": Judge Aquilina discusses the profound effect of her statement to the Nassar victims, "Leave your pain here. Go out and do your magnificent things," and how she views her role as a healer in the courtroom. The Healing Power of the Robe and Gavel: Judge Aquilina describes how she perceives her judicial robe and gavel not just as symbols of authority, but as tools for healing and rehabilitation, aiming to empower individuals to move forward. Continued Connection with Survivors: Judge Aquilina shares that she remains in contact with many of the Nassar survivors, offering ongoing support and demonstrating her continued commitment to their well-being. Personal Resilience and Family Life: Judge Aquilina touches upon her personal life, including having children later in life, and how her family provides stability and balance amidst her demanding career. Defining Elegance and Inspiration: Judge Aquilina shares her personal definition of elegance, emphasizing inner character and dignity, and reveals her theme song and a book that has inspired her throughout her life. In this episode for Libsyn: [00:00] - Introduction to Judge Aquilina [06:39] - Early Life and Influences [10:24] - The Path to Law and Justice [11:43] - Breaking Barriers in the Military [20:46] - The Power of Listening in the Courtroom [23:29] - "What Do You Want Me to Know?" [25:50] - "Leave Your Pain Here" [26:44] - The Healing Power of the Robe and Gavel [29:54] - Continued Connection with Survivors [32:07] - Personal Resilience and Family Life [33:05] - Defining Elegance and Inspiration Connect with Heather: Schedule a call with Heather Follow Heather on Instagram Website Watch Episodes on Youtube Heather’s TikTok ‍ The Elegant Warrior Podcast and content posted by Heather Hansen is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
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    36 mins
  • 323: When What You Want Seems Impossible

    323: When What You Want Seems Impossible
    Jun 26 2025
    In today's episode, Heather Hansen answers a listener's question from Mary, a woman over 50 who is struggling to find a job and feeling replaced by younger generations. This episode is not only for those in a similar situation but also for anyone who believes something they want is impossible, or who is concerned about artificial intelligence impacting their career. Heather emphasizes that the root of "elegance" is to choose, and she provides three crucial choices to navigate these challenges. In this insightful episode, you'll learn: Addressing the Listener's Core Concern - Heather directly addresses Mary's fear of being replaced by younger generations and the broader concern about AI taking jobs, setting the stage for the episode's advice. The "Elegance" of Choice - Heather introduces the core concept that the word "elegance" means "to choose," framing the entire discussion around the power of intentional decision-making in one's career and life. The Power of Perspective - Heather introduces the "rubber band experiment" to illustrate how changing your perspective from "this is" to "this could be" can open up new possibilities, especially in career paths like fractional roles, consulting, or independent contracting. Exploring New Career Avenues - Building on the idea of perspective, Heather suggests concrete alternative career paths such as fractional roles, consulting, independent contracting, or exploring non-profits and startups, encouraging listeners to think beyond traditional employment. Building Belief through Evidence - Heather discusses how belief shapes energy in job interviews and how to cultivate a positive belief system. She explains two ways to gather evidence: collecting existing data (e.g., studies showing older workers are more reliable, companies actively recruiting them) and creating your own evidence through action. The Value of Older Workers - Heather provides compelling evidence from studies (Stanford and Harvard) and corporate initiatives (Goldman Sachs returnships) that highlight the reliability, trustworthiness, and effectiveness of workers over 50, directly countering the belief that age is a barrier. Strategic Action for Opportunity - Heather highlights the importance of taking strategic action beyond just sending out resumes. She emphasizes leveraging one's "ecosystem" or network, suggesting regular interaction with contacts as a powerful way to create opportunities and build evidence for your beliefs. Human Differentiators in an AI World - Heather revisits the previous week's discussion on AI, explaining that human energy and unique ecosystems (networks) are qualities that artificial intelligence cannot replicate, making them crucial differentiators in the job market. Leveraging Your Ecosystem/Network - Heather elaborates on the concept of an "ecosystem" as a valuable asset, providing personal examples of how her own diverse networks have led to professional opportunities, encouraging listeners to recognize and utilize their own. In this episode for Libsyn: [01:04] - Addressing the Listener's Core Concern [02:39] - The "Elegance" of Choice [02:55] - The Power of Perspective [05:00] - Exploring New Career Avenues [06:50] - Building Belief through Evidence [09:10] - The Value of Older Workers [12:09] - Strategic Action for Opportunity [15:00] - Human Differentiators in an AI World [17:16] - Conclusion and Final Encouragement Connect with Heather: Schedule a call with Heather Follow Heather on Instagram Website Watch Episodes on Youtube Heather’s TikTok ‍ The Elegant Warrior Podcast and content posted by Heather Hansen is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
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    19 mins
  • 322: Why AI Makes Women More Powerful Than Ever

    322: Why AI Makes Women More Powerful Than Ever
    Jun 19 2025

    AI is about to change everything—except what makes you irreplaceable.
    As artificial intelligence evolves, it's taking over tasks rooted in logic, data, and even decision-making. But there's one thing it can’t replicate: human energy—and women have mastered it for generations.

    In this episode, Heather Hansen (trial attorney, keynote speaker, and communications consultant) reveals:

    ✅ Why AI makes your energy your most valuable asset
    ✅ The 3-step method to master and project energy that influences others
    ✅ How evolution gave women an edge in the era of “experiential AI”
    ✅ Real courtroom stories that show energy wins cases—not just facts

    Whether you're a woman looking to lead with charisma or a man who wants to develop magnetic presence, this episode gives you a roadmap to thrive in a world where logic is automated—but influence is not.

    📌 Subscribe for more leadership tools, communication strategies, and future-ready skills.📞 Want 1:1 coaching or a workshop for your team? Book a consult here →https://calendly.com/beliefbuilders/oneonone

    📚 Mentioned in the episode: The Elegant Warrior (book): https://www.amazon.com/Elegant-Warrior-Trials-Without-Yourself/dp/1989025269

    🗣 “People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
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    21 mins
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