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
Feb 1, 2024
Feb 1, 2024
46 min
In this episode, Gia welcomes Bryan Seely, a world-famous cybersecurity expert, ethical hacker, author, and former U.S. Marine. Bryan shares his incredible journey, including the time he wiretapped the United States Secret Service and FBI, which ultimately led to him being hailed as a hero by the agencies.
Bryan delves into the topic of cybersecurity threats and how individuals can protect themselves.
As a father, Bryan shares his insights on parenting and the importance of meeting each child where they are. He emphasized the need for open communication, trust, and allowing children to make their own choices while still maintaining boundaries.
Bryan also touches upon how he handles stress and maintains a sense of calm amidst the chaos. He credited his training in the Marine Corps for teaching him to stay focused and composed, even in intense environments. Bryan shares his journey of overcoming trauma and finding post-traumatic growth, highlighting the power of therapy and techniques like EMDR.
Bryan's story and insights remind us of the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and resilience in our personal and professional lives.
Jan 25, 2024
Jan 25, 2024
35 min
In this episode, Gia is joined by Tony Dufresne, PhD, also known as the Confidence Doc. They discuss the role of men in women's empowerment and the importance of bridging the invisible gap between genders. They explore the concept of confidence, distinguishing between little C confidence (situational confidence) and big C confidence (true confidence). Tony shares insights on how men can support women by understanding their needs, asking for help, and being team players. They also touch on the challenges of traditional gender roles and the importance of communication in creating a more equitable society. Tony also shares his personal journey as a single father and the impact his daughter's battle with leukemia had on his perspective.
Jan 25, 2024
Jan 25, 2024
38 min
In this episode, Gia interviews Dr. Shahana Alibhai, a TEDx speaker, family physician, and mental health advocate. They delve into the topic of mental health and emotional well-being, specifically focusing on postpartum anxiety, a topic that is often overlooked in discussions about postpartum mental health.
Dr. Shahana shares her personal experience with postpartum anxiety and OCD, highlighting the importance of recognizing and addressing these conditions. They also discuss the concept of training your brain and developing self-awareness as key components of emotional well-being. Dr. Shahana introduces the Optimal Health Pyramid, a framework that encompasses physical, mental, and emotional health. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and regulating our emotions, as well as identifying the underlying fears and beliefs that contribute to our emotional experiences.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988, chat 988lifeline.org or your local mental health helpline.
Jan 25, 2024
Jan 25, 2024
36 min
In this episode Gia interviews Juliana Londono, a licensed mental health therapist and entrepreneur. Juliana shares her journey of starting her own business and the challenges she faced in accessing mental health resources. She discusses the importance of breaking through limiting beliefs and embracing vulnerability. Juliana also highlights the common mental health challenges faced by women, such as mom guilt and the need for self-care. She offers advice for high-achieving women who are hesitant to seek help and emphasizes the power of community and having a strong why. Tune in to gain insights and inspiration for stepping into your next chapter with confidence.
Jan 25, 2024
Jan 25, 2024
27 min
In this episode, Gia interviews Shannon McGorry, a certified professional coach specializing in women's empowerment. Shannon shares her personal journey of reinvention after going through a divorce and how she found her passion in helping other women navigate challenging life transitions.
Shannon introduces the concept of the "powerful pause," emphasizing the importance of creating stillness and silence amidst chaos to gain clarity and make intentional choices. She encourages listeners to reflect on their values, habits, and behaviors to align their actions with what truly matters to them.
The conversation also touches on the idea of "female genius," which Shannon defines as tapping into one's inner light and strengths to radiate positivity and make a positive impact on others.
Throughout the episode, Shannon and Gia discuss the challenges faced by high-achieving women, the fear of the unknown, and the importance of taking small steps towards personal growth and fulfillment.
Jan 25, 2024
Jan 25, 2024
7 min
In this episode, Gia explores the concept of the Phoenix Effect and how it can empower high-achieving women to create lasting change in their lives. The Phoenix Effect symbolizes rebirth, resilience, and transformation, and Gia breaks down its key elements: facing adversity, embracing change, and rising from the ashes. She encourages listeners to reflect on their own experiences and discover the strengths and transformations that have shaped their journeys. Gia also emphasizes the importance of intention and application in creating meaningful change, providing practical tips for turning insights into action. Join Gia on this transformative journey and embrace the extraordinary path that lies ahead. Your future starts now!
Jan 12, 2024
Your Future Starts Now Trailer
Jan 12, 2024
Jan 12, 2024
4 min
50% of women have given up on their dreams and are not satisfied with their current lives
I'm Gia Lacqua and I'm thrilled to welcome you to a space that's not just a podcast—it's a movement. A movement towards rewriting the rules of success for high achieving women. It's time for 50 percent of women to reclaim their satisfaction in their personal and professional lives, and rediscover their dreams. Welcome to Your Future Starts Now
In this dynamic community, we understand that being a high-achieving woman comes with its unique set of challenges. The pressure, the expectations—it can leave you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, and yearning for more. And that's precisely why we're here—because, let's face it, you're more than just your achievements.

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.




