What The Shift
The Podcast for Your 2am Thoughts
What the Shift is a podcast for women navigating the thoughts, questions, and quiet realizations that show up when everything finally gets quiet.
The ones about exhaustion you can’t quite explain.
Success that no longer fits.
Boundaries you know you need—but feel guilty setting.
And the feeling that something is shifting, even if you don’t have words for it yet.
No one taught us how to stop people-pleasing.
Or overfunctioning.
Or holding our feelings without apologizing for them.
They just assumed we’d figure it out.
This show creates space for the conversations women are having with themselves at 2am, but rarely out loud. Through honest, no-BS conversations, we interrupt the patterns behind quiet burnout, self-silencing, and the pressure to “handle it all.”
This isn’t therapy.
It’s not fixing.
And it’s definitely not another productivity strategy.
It’s context.
Clarity.
And the relief of realizing you’re not broken, you’re conditioned.
Hosted by Gia Lacqua, What the Shift is where late-night thoughts turn into real conversations—and real shifts.
The Podcast for Your 2am Thoughts
What the Shift is a podcast for women navigating the thoughts, questions, and quiet realizations that show up when everything finally gets quiet.
The ones about exhaustion you can’t quite explain.
Success that no longer fits.
Boundaries you know you need—but feel guilty setting.
And the feeling that something is shifting, even if you don’t have words for it yet.
No one taught us how to stop people-pleasing.
Or overfunctioning.
Or holding our feelings without apologizing for them.
They just assumed we’d figure it out.
This show creates space for the conversations women are having with themselves at 2am, but rarely out loud. Through honest, no-BS conversations, we interrupt the patterns behind quiet burnout, self-silencing, and the pressure to “handle it all.”
This isn’t therapy.
It’s not fixing.
And it’s definitely not another productivity strategy.
It’s context.
Clarity.
And the relief of realizing you’re not broken, you’re conditioned.
Hosted by Gia Lacqua, What the Shift is where late-night thoughts turn into real conversations—and real shifts.
Life doesn’t stay the same—and neither do you
What the Shift is the podcast for those moments.
The conversations women are already having with themselves at 2am—about exhaustion, boundaries, people-pleasing, overfunctioning, and the quiet realization that something needs to change.
This isn’t about fixing your life or becoming a new version of yourself.
It’s about understanding the patterns you’ve been living inside—so you can decide what still fits, and what doesn’t.
If it’s been keeping you up, you’re in the right place.
Be a Guest On What The Shift!
Your story has power. Let’s use it to make shift happen.
If you’ve ever realized—quietly or all at once—that something in your life stopped fitting, this conversation is for you.
What the Shift isn’t about polished success stories or perfectly packaged lessons. It’s about the moments no one prepares women for—the patterns you’ve outgrown, the rules you stopped following, and the truths you finally let yourself say.
We’re inviting guests who are willing to talk honestly about the questions that show up when everything gets quiet. The ones you don’t usually share on stage or on LinkedIn. The ones that actually change how you live and lead.
This isn’t therapy.
There’s no coaching or fixing.
It’s a real conversation—with impact.
If your experience includes a moment where you thought, “I can’t keep doing this the same way,” you’re exactly who we’re looking for.
Let’s talk.
Episodes
Aug 30, 2024
Aug 30, 2024
29 min
In this episode, Gia sits down with expert GenX dating coach, Nadia Edwards, to explore the journey of finding lasting love after heartbreak.
Nadia shares her personal story of overcoming heartbreak and redefining her dating approach, leading to finding her life partner in just 30 days. As a dynamic speaker and coach, Nadia empowers women in their dating journey by guiding them through effective dating strategies and identifying personal values.
Discover the importance of self-worth, intuition, and intentional dating as Nadia and Gia delve into the obstacles and struggles faced by GenX women in the dating world. Gain valuable insights on reconditioning your mindset, trusting your gut, and making self-promises to achieve success in love and life.
Join the movement towards rewriting the rules of success for high-achieving women and learn how to tap into your intuition, redefine success, and design your future with intention.
Aug 23, 2024
Aug 23, 2024
34 min
In this episode, Gia sits down with Bianca Zawadzki, a transformational guide specializing in healing from chaotic backgrounds. Bianca shares her journey from family lawyer to empowering coach, revealing the power of stillness, self-compassion, and inner wisdom in overcoming trauma and emotional challenges.
Join Gia and Bianca as they delve into the mind-body connection, the impact of chronic stress, and the path to self-discovery. Bianca's insights on redefining success and aligning with our highest selves will inspire you to embrace change and cultivate resilience.
Discover how Bianca's journey of healing through therapy, mindfulness, and self-compassion can empower you to unlock your true potential.
Aug 16, 2024
Breaking Free from the Never Enough Mindset
Aug 16, 2024
Aug 16, 2024
12 min
In this episode, Gia delves into the pervasive "never enough" phenomenon that plagues high-achieving women.
Key Takeaways:
Understanding the Phenomenon: Gia explores the root causes of feeling never enough, from societal expectations to personal experiences.
Manifestations: Learn how the never enough mindset manifests in overworking, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and difficulty celebrating successes.
Overcoming the Phenomenon: Discover practical steps to challenge beliefs, redefine success on your terms, practice self-compassion, set boundaries, and seek support.
Join us on a journey to break free from the constant striving and embrace your worth.
Aug 9, 2024
Aug 9, 2024
12 min
In this episode, Gia addresses burning questions from the audience, providing valuable insights on balancing career success, family, and self-care without guilt. She delves into the concepts of overfunctioning and burnout, offering practical strategies to overcome these challenges.
Discover how to prioritize, set boundaries, and recognize the signs of stress versus burnout. Gain actionable tips to reclaim balance, fulfillment, and well-being in your life.
Join Gia on Your Future Starts Now as she empowers you to navigate the complexities of modern womanhood with grace and resilience. Subscribe now to embark on your journey towards a brighter future. Your next chapter awaits.
Aug 2, 2024
Aug 2, 2024
10 min
In this episode, Gia unpacks the three biggest lies that hold you back from achieving your true potential. From the classic "I don't have time" excuse to the damaging belief of "I'm not good enough," Gia provides actionable strategies to debunk these lies and propel you forward.
Discover how to prioritize what truly matters, let go of the need to do it all, and combat self-doubt with self-compassion. By challenging and changing these limiting beliefs, you can pursue your goals with confidence and clarity.
Tune in to Your Future Starts Now to rewrite your story, create a life aligned with your values, and unleash your full potential. Don't miss this empowering episode that will inspire you to take the next step towards your dreams.
Jul 26, 2024
Jul 26, 2024
35 min
In this episode, Gia sits down with Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer, a National USA Today bestselling author and distinguished talent strategist. Dr. Cynthia shares insights from her book "Now, Near, Next," focusing on intentional advancement for mid-career women.
Dr. Cynthia discusses the challenges faced by mid-career women, the importance of intentionality, and breaking down barriers in the corporate world. She emphasizes the power of role modeling, open communication, and advocating for oneself and others.
Join the conversation as Dr. Cynthia and Gia explore redefining success, nurturing talent, and empowering women to embrace their agency. Discover practical strategies for balancing career aspirations with personal responsibilities and creating a fulfilling future.
Jul 19, 2024
Jul 19, 2024
35 min
In this empowering episode, Gia engages in a thought-provoking conversation with guest Emily-Jane Sarroff. Emily-Jane shares her inspiring journey of transitioning from a graduate student in architecture to a successful six-figure business owner. She emphasizes the importance of aligning mindset, taking action, and facing fears to achieve success. Emily-Jane's story highlights the significance of self-trust, surrounding oneself with supportive individuals, and embracing discomfort to grow. The episode delves into redefining success beyond financial achievements and encourages listeners to ask for bigger problems as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical advice on navigating life's challenges and stepping into your next chapter with confidence and authenticity.
Jul 12, 2024
Jul 12, 2024
12 min
In this episode, Gia explores why high-achieving women often neglect strategic thinking outside of work and how applying it can lead to holistic success and fulfillment.
Join Gia as she uncovers the reasons behind this disparity and provides practical tips on incorporating strategic planning into personal goals. Discover how setting clear objectives, breaking them down into manageable steps, and prioritizing self-care can transform your life.
Don't miss out on this insightful discussion on leveraging strategic thinking for personal growth and well-being. Tune in to Your Future Starts Now and take the first step towards creating a more balanced, fulfilling, and sustainable life. Remember, your next chapter is waiting.
Jun 28, 2024
Jun 28, 2024
32 min
In this empowering episode, Gia talks with best-selling author and speaker, Danielle Sebastian. Danielle shares her inspiring journey as a wife supporting her husband through childhood trauma recovery. Through resilience and hope, she provides valuable insights on navigating relationships impacted by trauma. Discover the importance of understanding trauma responses, setting boundaries, and seeking support. Learn how to redefine success and embrace change in pursuit of healing and empowerment.
Jun 21, 2024
Jun 21, 2024
45 min
In this empowering episode, Gia sits down with the incredible Jamie Fiore Higgins, author of Bully Market, My Story of Money and Misogyny at Goldman Sachs to delve into her inspiring journey of overcoming toxic environments and redefining success.
Jamie, a former managing director at Goldman Sachs, shares her story of navigating misogyny and money in the corporate world. She opens up about the emotional toll of leaving a prestigious position and the importance of self-reflection in times of transition.
Through candid conversations, Jamie reveals the hidden costs of success for high-achieving women and the fear that often silences their voices. She offers valuable insights on personal reinvention, emphasizing the power of starting small and dreaming big.
Discover how Jamie's vision board manifested her book deal and learn how defining success on your own terms can lead to a fulfilling life aligned with your values. Join Gia and Jamie as they explore the transformative journey of finding purpose and empowerment in every aspect of life.
Don't miss this empowering episode that will inspire you to take the first step towards a brighter future.

GIA LACQUA
Host of What the Shift | Author of PowerShift | Speaker
Gia Lacqua is a former Fortune 100 Vice President turned Chief Empowerment Officer of elivate, where she helps high-achieving women redesign success to fit who they are now, not who they had to become to succeed. As a trauma-informed empowerment coach, speaker, researcher, and author, she draws on two decades of corporate experience and a decade of executive leadership, neuroscience, and trauma-informed practices to guide women in shifting out of survival-mode success and into lives they don’t have to survive. Her thought leadership has been featured in Forbes, Newsweek, Thrive Global, WorkLife, Scary Mommy, and more, and she is a proud member of the Forbes Coaches Council.
Gia is the author of the book PowerShift and the Limitless Little Leaders children’s series. She also serves as First Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, advancing the next generation of female leaders. A Professional Certified Coach and Certified Neurological Fitness™ Trainer, Gia blends research, lived experience, and bold leadership to help women shift from performance-driven success to purpose-driven self-leadership.
Let's make shift happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
🔹 How can I apply to be a guest on the podcast?
If you have a compelling story, expertise, or insight that aligns with our mission, we’d love to hear from you! All potential guests must submit an application through our official form. Apply here.
🔹 What kind of topics do you cover?
We focus on bold, transformative conversations that help women going through career, relationship, identity, . Our discussions include leadership, mindset mastery, personal reinvention, resilience, priority, mindset shifts, and more.
🔹 Can I suggest a guest for the show?
Yes! If you know someone who would be a great fit, please encourage them to submit an application here. We review all submissions carefully and will reach out if there’s a fit.
🔹 How can I collaborate or partner with What The Shift?
We’re open to partnerships, sponsorships, and collaborations that align with our mission. To explore opportunities, email us at WTS@gialacqua.com.
🔹 Where can I listen to the podcast?
Tune in on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.




