Good Girl Deprogramming

About Good Girl Deprogramming

Join author, coach, and organisational psychologist Michelle Minnikin as she unpacks and challenges the 'Good Girl' narrative that limits women in their personal and professional lives. In each episode, explore the stories, strategies, and psychology behind breaking free from social conditioning, reclaiming authenticity, and thriving on your own terms. Subscribe now for empowering conversations and insights.

Publisher

Michelle Minnikin

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

24 Aug 2024

Latest episode

20 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

33 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Mar 2026

   What Your Younger Self Knew - with Barbara Nixon

   Michelle is joined by the brilliant Barbara Nixon - success and leadership coach for senior execs and founder-led businesses - for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about growing up, breaking free from the corporate world, and reclaiming the confidence we had as kids before life slowly eroded it. Barbara shares how she went from mischievous youngest child (who once just changed schools without really asking permission) to corporate high-flyer, to jumping off the career ladder mid-recession with zero plan and a lot of midnight panic in a Welsh cottage. They also get into the magic of talking to strangers on trains, why the rebel might just be part of the good girl story, and the one question Barbara thinks every woman should ask herself right now. Funny, honest and genuinely thought-provoking - this one will have you thinking about your childhood self long after it's finished. Show Notes: Guest: Barbara Nixon — success and leadership coach and consultant working with MDs, directors and senior leaders in founder-led businesses. She helps executives elevate and grow, both in and out of work. What we talk about: 0:00 — Intro & how Michelle and Barbara met (spoiler: Covid, the internet, and a mystery matchmaker) 2:40 — Did Barbara feel pressure to be a good girl growing up? The youngest child advantage — and changing schools without telling anyone 5:50 — When the confidence started to erode: A-levels, university, first child, and stepping onto the conveyor belt 7:00 — 13 years in corporate retail: what she loved, why she was known for asking the questions nobody else would, and why she eventually walked away 10:30 — Jumping into business with no plan, midnight panic in a Welsh cottage, and the loneliness nobody warns you about 28:00 — The conversation that's blowing Michelle's mind: is the rebel actually part of the good girl? Plus Barbara's one question every woman should ask herself Barbara's question to sit with:"What do you need to learn from your younger self that you can use now?" Connect with Barbara: Find Barbara: Website: ⁠www.barbaranixon.co.uk⁠ (http://www.barbaranixon.co.uk/) Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbaranixon1/⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbaranixon1/) Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@iambarbaranixon Confident Leaders Scorecard: https://barbara-dn4exwq0.scoreapp.com/ Follow Michelle Website - https://www.michelleminnikin.com/ (https://www.michelleminnikin.com/) Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mminnikin/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mminnikin/) Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/goodgirldeprogramming (https://www.instagram.com/goodgirldeprogramming) TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@michelleminnikin (https://www.tiktok.com/@michelleminnikin) Buy Good Girl Deprogramming Ebook and Paperback available at all good bookshops (and Amazon - https://amzn.to/3AQHuFf (https://amzn.to/3AQHuFf)) Audible - https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0D9MKBDBW/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-406719&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_406719_rh_uk (https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0D9MKBDBW/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-406719&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_406719_rh_uk) Take the Good Girl Roles Assessment Find out if you’re a Good Girl at https://goodgirlroles.com/ (https://goodgirlroles.com/) If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with friends!

2. 

   11 Jan 2026

   31 - Raising Liberated Girls with Caroline Bowmer

   It’s been a while… and we’re back. In the first episode of 2026, Michelle is joined by educator, tutor, author and business owner Caroline Bowmer – her co-author on Good Girl Deprogramming – Girl’s Edition and the accompanying Caregiver Guide. This honest, funny, and deeply grounded conversation explores what it really means to grow up as a “good girl,” why perfectionism starts so young, and how we can support girls aged 10–14 to trust themselves before self-doubt takes hold. Together, Michelle and Caroline talk about teenage brains, school pressure, fear of failure, people-pleasing, and why adolescence isn’t a problem to fix – it’s a vital transformation to protect. This episode is for parents, carers, educators, and anyone who wants the next generation of girls to grow up freer than we did. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome back to the Good Girl Deprogramming Podcast 01:17 – First episode of 2026 and why it’s been a while 02:05 – Growing up as a “Good Girl” and perfectionism 07:40 – How the girls’ book came together 10:45 – Test readers, early impact, and school transitions 16:00 – The teenage brain and the chrysalis metaphor 22:40 – Pressure, exams, and fear of failure 27:40 – Michelle’s journey into Good Girl Deprogramming 31:00 – Why self-love is still radical 33:40 – What we hope this book gives girls 35:10 – What’s next and final reflections In this episode we explore Why “being good” can quietly damage girls’ self-worth How teenage behaviour is communication, not defiance The importance of supporting trusted adults alongside girls Why self-love is the foundation of confidence and autonomy How to reduce pressure without removing care or standards Mentioned in this Episode Good Girl Deprogramming – Girl’s Edition (ages 10–14) - out on 16th Jan 2026 The Good Girl Deprogramming Caregiver Guide Good Girl Conditioning Perfectionism, people-pleasing, and fear of failure If you enjoyed this episode Please like, subscribe, and share. It really helps this message reach the people who need it. Join the conversation What would you have needed to hear at age 12? Let us know in the comments.

3. 

   7 Jul 2025

   30 - What Is a Bad Person? Unravelling Good Girl Conditioning with Alex Barker

   Alex Barker, author and coach, explores the complexities of "good girl" conditioning and challenges listeners to redefine what it means to be a "bad person" in this interview with Michelle Minnikin.

Who has been a guest on Good Girl Deprogramming

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Alex Barker
• Steph Edusei
• Hira Ali
• Tiffany Scott
• Alex Morgan

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 50 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

81

Social presence

94

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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Guest appearances

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