In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, journalist and author Kate Rope shares the untold story behind her career, her mission to help us all feel strong as humans, and the personal experiences that shaped her bestselling books Strong as a Mother and the forthcoming Strong as a Girl. Kate opens up about what she learned from investigating sexual harassment cases, supporting women and girls inside complex health systems, leading editorial teams, and navigating her own medically challenging pregnancy and postpartum anxiety.
The discussion also tackles questions listeners often search for:
- How do you handle conflict resolution as a leader or caregiver?
- How do you raise confident girls who trust their own voice?
- How do you help kids manage anxiety, anger, or big emotions?
- How do parents support a child struggling with body image or eating disorders?
- How can caregivers model assertiveness, boundaries, and emotional intelligence?
- How do we teach girls to say no, manage friendships, and avoid people-pleasing?
Kate brings real-world examples from her journalism career, her interviews with girls across the country, and her own lived experiences as a mother and mental-health advocate. This conversation is a strategic guide for parents, leaders, educators, and anyone committed to raising the next generation of strong, self-aware young women.
Learn More About Kate Rope:
Mentioned in this Episode:
Produced by: The AGN Group
Host: Angela Gill Nelms
Producer: Katie Hart
Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.
Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com
About The AGN Group:
At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.
Social Media Channels:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/
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Key Takeaways:
- Girls already possess intuitive wisdom—the job of caregivers and leaders is to help them hear it, not override it.
- Listening is a leadership skill, whether you're guiding a team or supporting a child through a difficult moment.
- People-pleasing is learned early, and girls are often taught to accommodate before they're taught to self-advocate.
- "No" is a complete sentence, and learning it young prevents burnout, toxic relationships, and career stagnation later.
- Early conversations matter—teaching boundaries, assertiveness, and emotional awareness at age six makes adolescence easier.
- Conflict resolution requires pausing and asking more questions, not rushing to fix things.
- Eating disorders are often misunderstood, and early intervention is essential—they're metabolic and biological, not simply psychological.
- Caregivers need support too—your own healing and emotional intelligence directly influence the young people you lead.
- Leaders and parents should prioritize repair over perfection. Mistakes are part of the process. What you do afterward matters more.
Themes:
- Raising resilient and confident girls
- Emotional intelligence for kids and caregivers
- Leadership through listening rather than control
- Boundary-setting and assertive communication
- Rejecting people-pleasing and perfectionism
- Mental health in childhood and adolescence
- Eating disorders, body image, and early warning signs
- The intersection of caregiving and leadership
- Storytelling as a tool for human connection
- Strength, self-trust, and navigating difficult emotions
What is Badass Leaders Podcast: Brave Hearts, Brave Conversations, Badass Leaders?
Welcome to the Badass Leaders Podcast: Brave Hearts, Brave Conversations, and Badass Leaders. Industry experts join host Angela Gill Nelms for intimate and eye-opening discussions about the challenges and joys facing today's leaders. Listen in, and get ready to scale your company, grow your brand, and unlock your full badass potential. Guests include authors, CEOs, Fortune 500 advisors, serial entrepreneurs, heads of global marketing, nonprofit leaders, and educators. You'll discover new insights in every episode. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out!
If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email brave@angelagillnelms.com.
You can learn more about The AGN Group and its services on its website: www.TheAGNGroup.com. Learn more about the podcast at www.BadassLeadersPodcast.com.
About Angela:
Angela Gill Nelms is a trailblazer for building exceptional companies and teams. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The AGN Group and Recovery Advocate Network. She has held the position of Chief Operations Officer at Aetos Imaging, RenovoRx, and Florence Healthcare. With a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech, she has mastered navigating the FDA, leading diverse teams, and ensuring that customers and patients are always the top priority.
Angela is a passionate advocate for mental wellness and diversity. She is the CEO and co-founder of Recovery Advocate Network, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Through this organization, she addresses resource disparities for individuals with mental health disorders, trauma, and identity challenges. In addition, she hosts the Coffee and Conversation Podcast to educate the community and reduce the stigma around mental health and wellness.
She shares her lessons learned around the country in keynote speeches, coaching, and team-building workshops. Learn more about Angela at www.AngelaGillNelms.com.
About The AGN Group:
At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. We offer keynote and panel speaking, leadership and team-building workshops, fractional and management consulting, brand and storytelling services. Email us at hello@TheAGNGroup.com to connect. Learn more at www.TheAGNGroup.com.
#BeBraveBeBadass #BadassLeadersPodcast #BraveHeartsBraveConversationsBadassLeaders #TheAGNGroup
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Audible: https://www.audible.com/podcast/Badass-Leaders-Podcast-Brave-Hearts-Brave-Conversations-Badass-Leaders/B0DS2CQL9V?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp
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