Claim Your Space

About Claim Your Space

Claim Your Space will equip you to live the life of your choosing unapologetically and bravely. In short, it will help you claim your space. Each week host Eliza VanCort will have authentic and informative conversations that offer inspirational knowledge, important lessons, and practical tools you can use right now to make your life better. Eliza will talk to inspirational subject matter experts who are scholars, mentors, artists, creators, politicians, therapists, teachers, activists, moms, entrepreneurs, actors, musicians, all of whom are brilliant badasses. You won’t be hearing stuffy interviews. We’ll have real, unfiltered talk with women who are devoted to offering critical resources which will empower you to make your life, and the world, better.Eliza VanCort is an acclaimed speaker, #1 bestselling author, empowering mentor, rule breaker, rule maker, and unapologetic space claimer. She provides the necessary tools women need to rewrite the rules and take control of their stories. With a background in political science and the performing arts, Eliza is an in-demand consultant who gives keynotes and workshops on communication, career and workplace issues, and women's empowerment. Her interdisciplinary background, intersectional approach, and vast, elite network of diverse experts provide quality guests that change lives in her new podcast, Claim Your Space. Eliza has developed a community of wonderful, kind, engaged, folks on social media, including a quarter of a million followers of TikTok.Now is the time for women to stand tall, raise their voices, and claim their space because when women unite and inspire each other we are unstoppable. Take back control and own your power. Letting your fear dictate your actions can leave you stuck, unmoving, and stunted. Get inspired and break free. The key to courage is not being unafraid; it’s being terrified and doing what you need to do anyway. Find courage and empowerment with Claim Your Space! This podcast was created to support women who've faced the struggles imposed by society. The feminist movement has done great things, but it has also not taken an intersectional approach. It has left the needs of many women behind, particularly women of color. Eliza's passion is to unite women across disciplines and differences for a better world. This show is an avenue to fulfill that mission and create positive change.Each episode features personal anecdotes from Eliza plus expert insights, inspiring stories, and powerful strategies to embolden you in this journey. She has faced struggle and strife, trials and tribulations, and successes and achievements. Eliza shares it all in the hope of imparting lessons and providing inspiration to women who’ve been through similar experiences.The podcast is inspired by Eliza’s #1 bestselling book, A Woman's Guide to Claiming Space: Stand Tall. Raise Your Voice. Be Heard. Episodes help women gain the knowledge and strength to be brave in their lives. Bravery is not the absence of fear but having the power to meet terror with action. It’s not letting being afraid write your story. It’s a jumping off point to better things. Claim Your Space is here to equip you with the knowledge to help move you into action. Through Eliza and various guest experts, you will find mentorship and inspiration. Tune in to each episode and take life lessons that resonate with your journey into empowerment.This show combines Eliza's story with powerful, inspiring subject matter experts in her community. She understands the feminist movement has sometimes played a role harming marginalized and oppressed people and wants to reclaim the word as one that addresses the needs of all. Her message will allow listeners to immediately to change themselves and the world.Claim your space and start living the life of your choosing bravely and unapologetically. Join this powerful community and subscribe to the show, so you never miss a single eye-opening, life-changing episode.

Publisher

Podgo

Category

arts · arts · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Jun 2025

Latest episode

24 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

1 of 16 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   24 Sept 2025

   Courageous Authenticity With Ria Burns-Wilder

   If you’re a fish out of water, how the hell do you keep swimming? And how do you find success without losing yourself? With unwavering honesty, rock singer, street artist, and former radio host Ria Burns-Wilder shares how embracing her truest self and seeking supportive mentors paved the way for her to break free from the confines of conformity and carve out a life filled with purpose and authenticity. Join us as we explore the power of resilience, the importance of finding mentors who champion your growth, and the transformative journey of embracing your truest self, even when it feels like you're swimming against the current.

2. 

   17 Sept 2025

   Taking Back What Is Ours: The Politics Of Childbirth With Shannon Cheng

   We talk a lot about choice in our society, particularly women’s rights to abortion. However, we don’t talk much about how women have been controlled when giving birth and how empowering it can be when a woman steers the ship on her own childbirth experience. We don’t talk about the critical connection between how women are treated during the birth of their child and the larger ramifications of that treatment. Join Eliza VanCort as she sits down with award-winning obstetric nurse Shannon Cheng to discuss the larger story behind birth stories. Cheng talks about empowered births, birth, trauma, informed consent, and the crisis in maternal mortality rates in the Black community.This is the episode for every person who might give birth, and it will be healing for those who had a difficult birth experience. Finally, it will give men a window into the challenges and joys women experience during one of the most powerful moments of our lives.

3. 

   10 Sept 2025

   Unseen Disenfranchisement With Jan Combopiano

   How do you control a population? Don’t let them vote. In this episode, fearless advocate for voting rights and criminal justice reform, Jan Combopiano, explores actionable steps to dismantle systemic injustices in the prison system and empower women to reclaim their voices and agency. From incarcerated mothers giving birth, to the hard-to-believe history of felony disenfranchisement, to what happens when women get their period in prison, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the intersectionality of race, gender, and incarceration in shaping our democracy, and discover how you can be part of the movement towards a more just and equitable society.

4. 

   3 Sept 2025

   From Devastation To Triumph: The Power Of Storytelling With Marci Hopkins

   It can be so easy to assume that the person sitting across from us has their whole life together. Here we are sitting on this side, wondering “How the hell do they do it?” We can feel like no one in the world can relate to what we’re going through, and that can be deeply isolating. But what about when someone has the courage to share their story? Marci Hopkins, award-winning TV personality, podcast host, and news Recovery Expert, sits down with Eliza to share her deeply personal story of navigating through abuse, trauma, addiction, and finding her way to self-love, success, and triumph. Through her story, listeners are invited to embrace their own narratives, no matter how daunting they may seem. Tune in for more!

5. 

   27 Aug 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Tapping Into Our Radical Center With Fernanda Carapinha

   Step into the world of the visionary entrepreneur, author, producer, speaker, and professional transformation coach Fernanda Carapinha as she joins Eliza VanCort in this thought-provoking dialogue. Together, they explore the deeper dimensions of success, the power of intentional actions, and the radical center that paves the way for sustained and impactful achievements. Fernanda shares her story as the founder of WE Global Studios, an AI-powered Innovation Studio and Founderverse™ platform that develops and produces investor-ready female-led startups at scale. The conversation goes far beyond conventional business discussions. Fernanda's genuine love for women and her authentic approach to support shine through as she discusses the importance of understanding beliefs, embracing inner growth, and fostering a community-driven approach to success. Uncover the keys to achieving lasting success through supportive networking, the transformative power of intentions, and the concept of the radical center that forms the cornerstone of Fernanda's entrepreneurial philosophy. After all, why get to the top of the mountain if there is no one to celebrate with you at the end?

6. 

   20 Aug 2025

   Thriving In The Unknown With Katie Goodman

   In this messed up world, resilience isn’t just a nice thing to have. Thriving in the unknown is now a bona fide skill that is necessary for anyone to survive and thrive. In this episode, Eliza sits down with award-winning musical comic, actress, director, writer, filmmaker, author, and speaker Katie Goodman, who shares her profound insights on improvisation, the art of pivoting, and addressing difficult topics through humor and authenticity. As a seasoned expert in the world of improv comedy, Katie brings a unique perspective to navigating life's uncertainties with grace and resilience. Listeners will be treated to a masterclass in the transformative power of improvisation as Katie delves into how spontaneity and adaptability can be powerful tools for personal and professional growth. The episode explores the nuances of pivoting—making strategic shifts in life and career—and how embracing change can lead to new opportunities and self-discovery. Her experiences serve as an inspiration for others to find their voice, speak up, and engage in conversations that may be uncomfortable yet crucial for personal and societal growth.Check out Katie’s 8 Tools of Improv Comedy here!

7. 

   13 Aug 2025

   When Every Woman’s Story Is Heard, We All Claim Space With Leslyn Mcbean-Clairborne, EdD

   When women don't turn from each other's pain, but listen, believe, and unite, we all claim space. This podcast has a trigger warning, and for many, it will be hard to hear, but Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, EdD does not leave listeners in despair. Quite the opposite, she offers concrete things, big and small, that every woman can do to make a difference. She joins Eliza VanCort to tell us all about it while bringing light to an important issue today. Leslyn’s research centers around the impacts Black women experience after their unarmed children have been unjustly killed. Leslyn and Eliza discuss why many women turn a blind eye to this issue and what every woman can do to support Black women. It is essential that these grieving and courageous Black mothers' stories are heard. When we rise together, we rise higher. Be a witness to these stories. Learn what you can do to help. That's how we'll claim space.

8. 

   6 Aug 2025

   What Is Sharenting And Why Should We Care With Leah Plunkett

   The Internet has undeniably become a big part of our lives, making it our very own personal storage for memories or even our own digital diaries. For parents out there, that includes posting about our kids online—from significant milestones to the mundane. While done with good intentions, we have unwittingly shared piles of data on our children that could have big implications for their privacy. As they say, the Internet is forever. Leah Plunkett is a Harvard law professor and a mom who decided she needed to make a difference for our kids. She joins Eliza VanCort to dive deep into this concerning phenomenon she calls “sharenthood.” From public shaming to mob mentality to identity theft, Leah sheds light on where the Internet has gone wrong and how we can right the ship. Follow along to this conversation to learn more about sharenting and why we should care.

9. 

   30 Jul 2025

   Three Ways To Find Your Superpower With Alma Derricks

   Being different is not a setback. In fact, it can be the very key to our success. In this episode, Alma Derricks, master strategist, consultant, and serial intrapreneur, offers invaluable advice on optimizing our differences. She discusses the three mantras to help find your superpower and thrive both professionally and personally. She also shares six ways you can embrace differences and create deep, rewarding relationships that promote growth and last. Alma is the current Korn Ferry Consulting Senior Partner, former CMO of Cirque du Soleil, Founder and Managing Partner of REV, past president of the Stanford National Black Alumni Association (SNBAA) board, and, for the fans of Eliza VanCort's book, the woman who wrote Eliza's foreword. She also co-founded Think Twice labs with Eliza, a consulting firm which takes a fresh approach to building emotional intelligence and improving communication across differences. Don’t miss out on this great conversation and learn to tap into your superpower to have a better life.

10. 

    23 Jul 2025

    Live Unapologetically: This Wonder Woman Is Saving The World With Yao Huang

    Yao Huang is unlike any woman you've ever met before. Partly this is because she's saving the world, and that's kind of rare... partly because she lives unapologetically.Yao has built an international network of women, a network which models what's possible if women commit to supporting each other.Yao is also working with a company which might just stop climate change.In this podcast Yao drops knowledge like it's her job without qualifiers or apologies. Watch this and you'll sleep better at night because, as she says, she's got this.Yao Huang is a superhero. She’s just missing the cape.

11. 

    16 Jul 2025

    A Man Is Not A Financial Plan With Mary Ellen Iskenderian

    Despite the progress we have made in the women’s movement, there is still a noticeable gap in the conversation around women and their finances. For some, the end of a marriage can be a financial setback—one that tends to leave women having to crawl their way back to being financially solvent. Eliza VanCort is all too familiar with this struggle, and so she prepares a special episode for us. Here, she invites Mary Ellen Iskenderian, the President and CEO of Women’s World Banking. Mary talks about the damaging messages women get about finance. She then shows us how to take control of our finances and shares what we can teach our daughters to help ensure their financial future. In this conversation, Eliza and Mary tell us that a man is not a financial plan. Join them today and discover the power of women in finance. Be inspired to secure your future!

12. 

    9 Jul 2025

    Changing Your Life, Even If You’re Swimming Upstream Against Expectations With Diana Nguyen

    If you want to be inspired to change your life and live your dream, meet Diana Nguyen, the Founder and CEO of Madison / Savile. Diana is the child of Vietnamese immigrants. She started her life focusing on following expectations and doing what was expected of her—chose the right career, married the right man, and followed the rules. Today, Diana is remarried (the story of how she met her current husband is reason enough to listen to today's podcast), and she's left her corporate job to start a company that helps women realize their full potential. She is truly taking "Power Blazer" to a new level. What is more, guests who listen to the show will get a discount on Diana's inspiring and unique clothing during March, which is women's history month! So tune in to not miss out on this great episode!

13. 

    2 Jul 2025

    How To Overcome Your 7 Damaging Confidence Gaps And Thrive with Kathy Caprino

    With women facing a lot of stereotypes and expectations, they find it hard to properly showcase their strengths. Without the right guidance and inspiration, their confidence gaps continue to grow. Eliza VanCort sits down with Kathy Caprino, an international career and leadership coach whose mission is to help women unlock their highest potential. They discuss the right approach to addressing the seven damaging confidence and power gaps that hinder women from thriving. Kathy also talks about being comfortable with the uncomfortable, appreciating your self-worth, and having the bravery to take control of the changes in your life.

14. 

    25 Jun 2025

    The Goodish Guide To Allyship With Dolly Chugh

    You don't need to be a good person to be an anti-racist. In fact, you shouldn't be. You should be goodish. In this episode, we sit down with NYU professor and award-winning researcher Dolly Chugh to discuss issues of race in America and how we can create a more just future for all. Dolly is the author of The Person You Mean to Be: How Good People Fight Bias and A More Just Future. Whether you're looking for inspiration to make a positive impact in the world, or grappling with issues of race and allyship, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in and learn how to be builders of the tools, communities, teams, processes, courage, and families that make positive change a reality.

15. 

    18 Jun 2025

    Diving Deep Into The Roots of our Trauma With Kim Munson-Burke

    Eliza VanCort was haunted by traumatic experiences of being sexually assaulted and her mother being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. She managed to overcome the roller coaster of emotions brought by these things by seeking professional help. Join Eliza as she takes a deeper dive into trauma by talking with the person who helped her, Kim Munson Burke. Together, they discuss how to pinpoint the root causes of trauma, particularly if it happened in the blurry years of your childhood. They explain why crying is an effective way to handle negative emotions and how to stop societal expectations from making your situation worse. Kim also discusses how trauma must be approached differently between men and women to ensure that everyone’s experiences are considered and not invalidated.

16. 

    11 Jun 2025

    The Bruises You Can't See With Rachel Louise Snyder

    Rachel Louise Snyder wrote an inspiring, heartbreaking, and empowering book that every woman in this country should read. She spoke to me about her book, her passion, and how women can support each other. Rachel explains how we can all protect ourselves and heal from the bruises we can't see due to domestic violence. “How do you write a book about overcoming extreme hardship, about the singular people who convince you to take a chance on yourself, about finding the big world after a childhood that prepared you for a tiny one, about discovering that you love the people who failed to love you - and manage not to strike a single trite note? How do you remember every detail and make the reader feel like they saw, heard, and felt each moment? I have no idea, actually, but Rachel Louise Snyder has done it.” –Masha Gessen, National Book Award-winning author of The Future Is History and Surviving Autocracy

Inside a recent episode

Tapping Into Our Radical Center With Fernanda Carapinha

Published 27 Aug 2025 · Transcript excerpt

[…] What is founder DNA for those who don't know? What does it mean to build founder DNA? So building founder DNA is the entire enchilada. When we talk about the radical center It really explores everything from the more conservative side, which would be the mechanics, which is leadership development, how to be a good CEO, how to really understand finance, which is the language of startups. If you don't understand finance and you want to be a CEO and founder of a company, then you're going to have to rely on someone else. And you don't want to do that early days. […]

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.