Real conversations with women about power, purpose, growth and becoming — without the pressure to have it all figured out.
Hosted by Carrie Hunter, CEO & Founder of It’s Not That Serious and creator of the WIP (Women in Power), this podcast explores reinvention, women’s leadership, solo travel, health, financial confidence and the life pivots that shape us. Solo reflections and powerful interviews — all centered on alignment over burnout, ambition with awareness, and building lives that feel expansive and grounded.
S4 Ep. 08: The Cost of Over-Functioning: Kristen Stockton on Authentic Success and Women's Leadership - Part 2
Slowing down isn’t a weakness; it’s the foundation for true, sustainable strength. What happens when the drive to stay strong and “power through” leaves you burned out and disconnected from yourself?
In this energizing episode, Carrie Hunter sits down with leadership coach and author Kristen Stockton, who shares how losing her job upended her sense of identity—and led to a radical rethinking of what strength really means. The conversation dives into practical ways women can break the cycle of constant busyness, the hidden power of rest, and how to build genuine, sustainable leadership amid life’s many tensions. Learn why progress sometimes demands pressing pause, and discover tools to reset, realign, and rise.
Key highlights:
Kristen Stockton shares her journey behind the book When Strength Isn’t Enough and the lessons she learned from losing her job and redefining self-worth.
Why rest makes so many ambitious women anxious—and how reframing it is essential for growth.
The metaphor of breath and pacing: why treating your life like a marathon (not a sprint) changes everything.
Practical frameworks for restoring balance, owning your story, and finding courageously honest community.
A touching story of a seashell that grounds Kristen Stockton during life’s toughest moments.
What “Women in Power” really means—lightning bolt energy and striking at the heart of what matters.
Timestamped Overview
[00:00] Welcome back & book inspiration
[02:14] Losing identity & finding purpose after job loss
[04:22] Hiding pain behind busyness
[05:33] The importance of breath & life pacing
[08:06] Rest, guilt, and reframing stillness
[11:32] Building a sustainable rhythm
[16:32] What is sustainable leadership for women?
[17:00] Tension, polarities & flourishing in hard moments
[21:50] Taking off the mask and naming tension
[22:50] Where to find Kristen’s work
[25:21] Seashell story & finding grounding in the ordinary
[29:51] Women in Power: What it means to Kristen
[31:33] Closing thoughts & community
5 Oct 2026
S4 Ep. 07: The Cost of Over-Functioning: Kristen Stockton on Authentic Success and Women's Leadership - Part 1
Reconnect with your truest self and break free from burnout—being strong isn’t always enough. What happens when high-capacity women carry the weight of everything for too long?
On this episode, executive coach and author Kristen Stockton dives into the hidden costs of over-functioning and self-abandonment, especially for women in leadership. Carrie Hunter and Kristen Stockton unpack the ways performance and responsibility sneakily fuse with self-worth, explore childhood roots of these patterns, and share real-life stories about burnout, identity, and reclaiming sustainable leadership. If you’ve ever looked successful on the outside but felt overwhelmed inside, this honest, empowering conversation is a must-listen.
Timestamped Overview
[00:00] Introduction + Kristen’s background[02:08] Kristen’s childhood, independence, and creativity[03:56] Early roots of strength and challenges[07:03] When strength turns into survival mode[12:32] Why women normalize unsustainable functioning[13:06] Self-abandonment and the weight of responsibility[17:00] Over-functioning—what it really looks like[18:58] Personal stories of burnout and societal expectations[24:13] Closing + preview of part 2
28 Sept 2026
S4 Ep. 06: Breaking Cycles: Conscious Parenting in the Age of Burnout and Anxiety with Sara Hartley - Part 2
Discover why neurodivergent children don't need fixing—they need understanding and support. What if, instead of focusing on deficits, we celebrated strengths and helped kids (and adults) embrace who they truly are?
In this insightful episode, Sara Hartley joins Carrie Hunter to share wisdom on reframing parenting for neurodivergent kids, reshaping generational habits around emotional regulation, and building a culture of self-advocacy. Hear about Sara Hartley's Purposefully Me book series, her personal stories about letting go of control, and how women can lift each other up—plus a surprising family connection to a holiday classic!
Timestamped Overview
00:00 Welcome back & context on neurodivergent kids01:24 Sara Hartley on strengths-based support02:48 Understanding and advocating for neurodivergent kids03:32 Overcoming shame and reframing "laziness"05:27 Changing language to help children thrive06:31 Helping parents break generational cycles07:36 Why emotional regulation is rarely taught09:37 The myth of perfect parenting & practicing self-compassion11:10 Parenting from fear vs. connection13:18 How motherhood changes self-perception14:43 Redefining success and connection16:42 Letting go of control as a parent18:43 Where to find Sara Hartley’s work and resources20:55 About the Purposefully Me series22:24 Show notes, book discount, and school adoption idea23:56 Fun fact: Sara Hartley’s family—and Jingle Bells26:04 What WIP (Women in Power) means to Sara Hartley27:41 The importance of women supporting women28:43 Closing and call to action
Inside a recent episode
S3 Ep. 10: Claiming Power: Gloria Feldt’s Insights on Leadership, Advocacy, and Gender Equality - Part 2
Published 17 Aug 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] I mean, even the Planned Parenthood stuff that we're talking about and even what's going on in the climate today in 2026. What gives you hope right now and where do you still see the biggest gaps? I think the benefit of having been doing this for a long time is what gives me hope, because what I can see is that there's not a straight line ever. There are pitfalls and there are things that you can't anticipate, just like we couldn't anticipate a pandemic that set women back for a while, but then women came roaring back and were doing even better. And so you just have to know you can plan it, but it's not necessarily going to go the way you planned it. […]
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