Friendships often take a back seat to careers, caregiving, and daily responsibilities—but connection still matters. In this episode, we discuss how professional women can maintain meaningful friendships, navigate busy seasons of life, and create relationships that provide support, joy, and resilience.

In this episode, Valerie and Stephanie are joined by a psychologist-attorney friend duo, Karestan Koenen, Ph.D., and Celia Eckert, Esq., to explore the challenges and rewards of maintaining friendships while balancing demanding careers and personal responsibilities.

We discuss:

• Why friendships change throughout adulthood
• Common obstacles to staying connected
• How professional women can nurture relationships despite busy schedules
• Setting realistic expectations for friendships
• Practical ways to strengthen and sustain meaningful connections

Whether you’re feeling disconnected from friends or looking for ways to invest in your relationships, this episode offers practical strategies and encouragement.

Hosts:

Stephanie Sarkis, PhD — ⁠⁠⁠stephaniesarkis.com⁠⁠⁠

Valerie Matherne, Esq. — ⁠⁠⁠zuberlawler.com/attorneys/valerie-theng-matherne/⁠

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as clinical, legal, or medical advice, nor as a substitute for professional judgment. The views expressed are those of the cohosts and guests and do not necessarily represent any organization. Listeners are encouraged to apply information in a manner consistent with their professional training, ethical guidelines, and applicable laws and regulations.

How do women project authority in leadership roles without sacrificing authenticity?

In this episode, attorney Fran Griesing and business owner Emily Griesing explore gender dynamics in leadership and how women’s authority is often perceived differently in professional spaces. We discuss when they first noticed that gender affected how their expertise was received, how their definition of authority has evolved throughout their careers, and the subtle workplace pressures women face to adjust their behavior in order to be taken seriously.

This conversation dives into professional presence, leadership confidence, navigating gender bias, and building professional credibility without performing or losing authenticity. We examine how women can lead with power, communicate with confidence, and maintain integrity while advancing in male-dominated or high-stakes environments.

If you’re a professional woman navigating leadership, professional roles, entrepreneurship, or career advancement, this episode offers practical insight on confidence, authority, and authentic leadership.

Hosts:

Stephanie Sarkis, PhD — ⁠⁠stephaniesarkis.com⁠⁠

Valerie Matherne, Esq. — ⁠⁠courington-law.com/valerie-theng-matherne

This episode explores confidence, presence, power, and staying true to yourself while leading.

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as clinical, legal, or medical advice, nor as a substitute for professional judgment. The views expressed are those of the cohosts and guests and do not necessarily represent any organization. Listeners are encouraged to apply information in a manner consistent with their professional training, ethical guidelines, and applicable laws and regulations.

What does success really mean—and who gets to decide?

In this episode, we’re joined by attorneys Eileen Letts and Celia Eckert for an honest conversation about how our definitions of success evolve over time. We talk about the expectations many of us absorbed in grad school and law school, how those early narratives can quietly shape our careers (and stress levels), and what happens when the old metrics stop fitting.

Together, we explore permission-giving ideas about redefining achievement on your own terms—whether that means rethinking ambition, balance, leadership, or fulfillment. If you’ve ever felt pressure to chase someone else’s version of success, this episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and write your own rules.

Hosts:

Stephanie Sarkis, PhD — ⁠stephaniesarkis.com⁠

Valerie Matherne, Esq. — ⁠courington-law.com/valerie-theng-matherne

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as clinical, legal, or medical advice, nor as a substitute for professional judgment. The views expressed are those of the cohosts and guests and do not necessarily represent any organization. Listeners are encouraged to apply information consistent with their professional training, ethical guidelines, and applicable laws and regulations.