Good Girl Deprogramming – Unleash the Rebel Within with Michelle Minnikin

Finding My Voice Podcast

Stacia, your host, is joined by Michelle Minnikin, a chartered psychologist, coach, author, and co-founder of multiple businesses, along with her partner James Eves. With 20+ years in leadership, organisational development, coaching, and personal development, Michelle is passionate about transformative change.

She specialises in positive psychology, guiding individuals towards clarity, purpose, and fulfilment with warmth and playfulness. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, she enjoys family life with James, her son Oliver, and their four pets.

In today’s episode, Michelle shares her journey towards her Good Girl Deprogramming, which started with her ADHD diagnosis in December 2020. This revelation brought understanding to her life. In seeking further clarity, she deeply explored conditioning and how societal norms had shaped her and ours.

Now, let's dive into the essentials of wealth building and why knowing your financial situation is the key to your voice and power.

Here are the Highlights:

00:49 Introducing guest Michelle Minnican, a psychologist, coach, and author of "Good Girl De-Programming."

03:12 Michelle talks about her upbringing, school competitiveness, and high expectations pressure.

05:11 Michelle discusses her struggles at work, her decision to start her own company in 2016, and her journey towards autonomy and freedom.

06:17 Michelle's encounter with Anna Price and the realisation of ADHD in women. The impact of societal norms on women and the concept of "fawning" as a response to trauma.

08:31 Discussion on the concept of "fawning" and its relevance in understanding women's behaviour in abusive situations. Michelle's journey of self-discovery and therapy.

09:42 Michelle explored "good girl conditioning" and its roots in coercive control tactics identified by Albert Biderman during the Korean War.

13:10 The impact of coercive control in various aspects of life, including relationships, work, and societal expectations.

18:39 Michelle explains the tactics of coercive control, including establishing trust, social isolation, and creating dependence.

19:29 The impact of societal expectations on women, including the pressure to be perfect and the guilt associated with not meeting these expectations.

27:57 The impact of exhaustion and sleep deprivation on women, both in personal and professional life. The unrealistic expectations placed on women, including the pressure to be skinny, young, and beautiful.

40:05 The concept of "strategic half-assing" and the importance of prioritising self-care and joy. Michelle talks about the importance of having a supportive network of women and the impact of societal norms on men.

46:34 The importance of awareness and questioning societal norms. Michelle's workshops and the impact of her work on women in organisations.

50:17 Michelle's approach to helping women deprogram from societal expectations and the importance of small, consistent steps. The importance of self-awareness and the impact of language on women's communication.

59:31 The importance of education and awareness in breaking societal norms and empowering women.

01:15:51 Michelle's final thoughts on the importance of awareness, self-care, and supportive networks in breaking societal norms and empowering women.

**54:00 - 56:00** - Conclusion by Stacia Keogh, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own stories and use their voices to create change.

About Michelle:

Michelle Minnikin is a Chartered Psychologist, Coach, and the co-founder of several businesses with her partner James Eves. With over 20 years of experience in leadership and organisational development, employee selection and assessment, coaching, and personal development, Michelle has a wealth of knowledge and a passion for transformative change.

With a deep understanding of positive psychology and personal development, Michelle is dedicated to helping individuals design their own ideal lives, guiding them towards greater clarity, purpose, and fulfilment. Her coaching approach is characterised by its warmth, playfulness, and sensitivity. She creates safe spaces for clients to explore, fostering an environment of trust and authenticity.

Michelle's own journey towards her Good Girl Deprogramming started with her ADHD diagnosis in December 2020, a revelation that brought clarity and understanding to her life. As she embraced this newfound self-awareness, Michelle deeply explored her own conditioning and how societal norms had shaped her identity.

As a mum in a wonderfully neurodiverse family, Michelle lives in Newcastle upon Tyne in the glorious North East of England with her partner in life, business and adventure, James Eves, her hilariously funny and smart teenage son Oliver and their four animals — two degus and two bunnies.

Connect with MIchelle:

Website: https://www.michelleminnikin.com/goodgirldeprogramming or https://www.workpirates.com/unfucking-work

Substack: https://goodgirldeprogramming.substack.com

Spotify Link to Good Girl Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle-minnikin https://open.spotify.com/show/7sXSi7pZEZ1Zgdwf1B4O9c?si=2c0ceb13979e4b14

Book: Good Girl Deprogramming https://buy.stripe.com/4gwg1te2i1ds6sMeUW

Socials

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mminnikin/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodgirldeprogramming/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michelleminnikin

About Stacia:

Stacia began working with businesses, writing corporate training videos that were as entertaining as they were informative. She is an actor and performance storyteller appearing on world stages and public venues, and small screens everywhere. As a resting actor in London, Stacia learned the dark arts of advertising and how to use her story and acting skills to enliven pitches and presentations, notably J Walter Thompson, The Really Useful Group, Imagination and as an Education Officer at Kew Gardens.

Currently working with professional service providers to step into their own stories and share their wisdom on panels, podcasts, signature talks, 1:1, or Group Training programs.

If you play video games or listen to audiobooks, chances are you’ve heard her voice guiding you through adventures.

Connect with Stacia:

Email: [e-mail]

Podcast: Finding My Voice

Website: https://staciakeogh.co.uk/

Socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/staciakeogh.co.uk/

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/staciakeogh

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anastaciakeogh27

X (Twitter): http://www.twitter.com/Staciastory