Do you really need to give yourself permission to be happy?

Welcome to the She Talks Confidence Podcast—the space where women are empowered to trust themselves, embrace their dreams, and rewrite the rules for happiness and success.

In today’s episode, “Giving Yourself Permission to be Happy,” host Tony Dufresne, PhD, sits down with Dr. Taryn Fletcher—acclaimed educator, TEDx speaker, and mom of three—who shares her deeply personal journey of redefining what happiness looks like on her own terms. From navigating unexpected life changes to building a thriving business and family, Taryn reveals why true confidence starts with self-compassion and unapologetically saying yes to your own desires.

Three Biggest Takeaways:

1. Clarity Begins with Self-Compassion: Before any big life pivot, you must get radically honest about what you want and give yourself permission to pursue happiness—without guilt or judgment.

2. Trust Your Intuition—Especially When Life Feels Messy: The timing for change is rarely perfect. Transformation often happens when you listen to that inner “whisper,” even amidst chaos and uncertainty.

3. Choose Yourself Over Expectations: By breaking free from the roles and rules others expect of you, you unlock your full potential as a confident leader, changemaker, and, most importantly, as your own happiest self.

Join us for an episode filled with practical insights and heartfelt wisdom to help you step out of the shadows, claim your needs, and confidently build a life that truly lights you up.

Ready to give yourself permission to be happy? Tune in now!

Get your free audiobook summary of Dr. Taryn Fletcher’s new book, The Pivot

Free Audio preview of Taryn's book: https://doctortaryn.co/clarity

Follow Dr. Taryn on social: @DrTaryn.co

Connect with Tony: theconfidencedoc.com | tony@theconfidencedoc.com

Time Stamp

00:00 Start

02:00 Unexpected News: Joy and Fear Collide

05:04 Balancing Motherhood and Career Challenges

08:49 "Life's Unexpected Challenges"

12:02 Trusting Women's Intuition

17:15 Transformative Education Guide for Equity

19:19 "The Pivot Plan"

23:15 "Permission to Pursue Your Desires"

26:44 Finding Clarity in Self-Discovery

28:21 Identifying Life's 'Boat Anchors'

31:19 Free Audiobook: "The Pivot Plan"

Welcome to the She Talks Confidence Podcast, where we spotlight the voices, challenges, and triumphs of women navigating confidence in every corner of life.

In today’s empowering episode, “Stop Playing Small: Why Women Deserve to Lead,” host Tony Dufresne, PhD, sits down with personal branding and sales expert Elle Petrillo of Brand Builders Group. Together, they dive into why women so often hold themselves back—at work, in relationships, and in chasing their big dreams—and how you can break that cycle, step into your power, and claim your place at the table.

Three Biggest Takeaways from this Episode:

The Real Meaning of Personal Branding: Learn how personal branding goes far beyond social media profiles and logos—it’s about leveraging your unique story and strengths with authenticity, and turning your reputation into your greatest career asset.

Overcoming the Confidence Gap: Discover why clarity—not just confidence—is the foundation for taking bold action. Elle shares how women can beat imposter syndrome and self-doubt, move past perfectionism, and stop letting fear dictate their future.

From Known to Needed: Find out how to move from simply being visible to becoming indispensable in your field. Elle and Tony reveal practical ways to cultivate authority, attract opportunities, and lead with purpose—no matter your background or current role.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, corporate leader, or simply ready to stop playing small in your life, this episode is filled with actionable insights, encouragement, and a clear roadmap to stepping up as the leader you were meant to be.

Connect with Elle Petrillo:

LinkedIn: Elle Petrillo

Instagram: @elle_petrillo

Book a free brand call: freebrandcall.com/elle

Brand Summit: https://influentialpersonalbrandsummit.com/elle/

Connect with Tony Dufresne, PhD:

Website: tonydufresne.com

Email: tony@theconfidencedoc.com

Listen in, get inspired, and start leading with confidence—your time to play big starts now!

Welcome to the She Talks Confidence Podcast, where we champion the stories of powerful women redefining confidence in every aspect of their lives!

In today’s episode, host Tony Dufresne, PhD, welcomes Felice Cohen—author, professional organizer, and passionate advocate for meaningful connection in a digital world. Felice opens up about her fascinating journey, from crafting bestselling books and conquering tiny living in a 90-square-foot NYC apartment, to her latest project: a heartfelt mission to write a letter every day for a year.

Discover how Felice’s intentional practice of handwritten letter writing is rekindling real connection, fighting surface-level social media interaction, and empowering women to reclaim their confidence, voice, and sense of belonging. Through vulnerable storytelling, Felice shares how slowing down, reflecting, and reaching out—yes, even to strangers—can offer profound healing, joy, and lasting bonds, both for the sender and the recipient.

Tune in as we explore:

1. How Felice’s minimalist journey led her to deeper self-understanding and global recognition.

2. The importance of authentic connection in a noisy, emoji-filled world.

3. Practical steps for overcoming overthinking and starting your own letter-writing practice.

4. Why tangible acts of care (like letters!) are essential for building true confidence and community—especially for women

5. How Felice's simple Morning Routine changed her life

This episode offers approachable wisdom, real talk, and the encouragement you need to begin creating more connection in your own life—one letter at a time!

Want to learn more or get involved?

Visit Felice's website: felicecohen.com

Check out her highly-followed Substack, A Love Letter to Letters

Find her bestselling books wherever books are sold

Reach out to Tony (tony@theconfidencedoc.com)

Ready to rediscover the power of thoughtful connection? This conversation is for you.

Timestamp

00:00 Start

02:00 From Organizer to Author: A Journey

04:01 "Turning Old Letters into Book"

09:25 "Connecting Through Letters"

11:19 "Letter Writing: Metaphor for Connection"

13:15 Finding Community Through Writing

19:17 "Self-Letters in Therapy: Impact"

20:04 Therapeutic Writing Through Letters

25:28 "Contact Felice for Coaching"