On this episode of Finding Your Bliss, Celebrity Interviewer and Bliss Coach Judy Librach is joined by Tonya Lester, Brooklyn-based psychotherapist, couples counselor, and author of the new book “Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself!”
According to author Tonya Lester, at a time when their rights and voices are under increasing scrutiny and challenge, it’s more important than ever for women to be able to speak up for what they believe in. Too often, women are encouraged to be nurturers and peacemakers, which carries the implied message that they shouldn’t rock the boat — when in fact, being assertive is often exactly what’s required to create the life they truly want.
In Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself (New World Library, October 21, 2025), popular psychotherapist, Psychology Today blogger, and go-to relationship expert Tonya Lester offers conflict-averse women a bold directive: It’s OK to be difficult. Not mean, not rigid, not a bully — but the kind of difficult that makes the people in their lives see them and understand what they need. “I want to help you learn that seeking harmony for its own sake is a trap. That there’s no winning in making everyone else happy at your own expense. And that in nearly every situation, it is within your power to make positive changes,” writes Lester “Truly intractable situations are rare. But to change your circumstances, you must be willing to push back.”
Push Back challenges advice telling women they should smooth out interpersonal struggles and equips readers with the tools to build a life that works better for everyone in it, starting with themselves. The book is filled with real client stories, powerful self-assessments, sample dialogues, and practical tools to help readers: Express their needs and set boundaries Engage in honest, productive conflict Deal calmly with backlash from spouses, coworkers, family, and friends Stand firm in their convictions “Focusing on what we can control — how we move through the world — is how we meaningfully change our situation and set a healthy example for those in our lives,” writes Lester. “Even if we’ve been overaccommodating in the past or our needs have changed, we can still learn to assert ourselves. Our pasts don’t have to determine our futures. We’re allowed to change”
Tonya Lester, LCSW, is the author of Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself and a Brooklyn-based psychotherapist and writer known for her work with relationships and communication. Her essay “Couples Therapist, Heal Thyself” was published in the Modern Love column in The New York Times, and she has been writing the popular Staying Sane Inside Insanity blog for Psychology Today since 2020. She has been featured as an expert in The Guardian, Newsweek, Well+Good, HuffPo, Fatherly, and the Bumble site The Buzz. Visit her online at http://www.TonyaLester.com.
Join us every Saturday at 1 PM on Finding Your Bliss. You can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss.
Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio
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On this episode of Finding Your Bliss, Celebrity Interviewer and Bliss Coach Judy Librach is joined by Tonya Lester, Brooklyn-based psychotherapist, couples counselor, and author of the new book “Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself!”
According to author Tonya Lester, at a time when their rights and voices are under increasing scrutiny and challenge, it’s more important than ever for women to be able to speak up for what they believe in. Too often, women are encouraged to be nurturers and peacemakers, which carries the implied message that they shouldn’t rock the boat — when in fact, being assertive is often exactly what’s required to create the life they truly want.
In Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself (New World Library, October 21, 2025), popular psychotherapist, Psychology Today blogger, and go-to relationship expert Tonya Lester offers conflict-averse women a bold directive: It’s OK to be difficult. Not mean, not rigid, not a bully — but the kind of difficult that makes the people in their lives see them and understand what they need. “I want to help you learn that seeking harmony for its own sake is a trap. That there’s no winning in making everyone else happy at your own expense. And that in nearly every situation, it is within your power to make positive changes,” writes Lester “Truly intractable situations are rare. But to change your circumstances, you must be willing to push back.”
Push Back challenges advice telling women they should smooth out interpersonal struggles and equips readers with the tools to build a life that works better for everyone in it, starting with themselves. The book is filled with real client stories, powerful self-assessments, sample dialogues, and practical tools to help readers: Express their needs and set boundaries Engage in honest, productive conflict Deal calmly with backlash from spouses, coworkers, family, and friends Stand firm in their convictions “Focusing on what we can control — how we move through the world — is how we meaningfully change our situation and set a healthy example for those in our lives,” writes Lester. “Even if we’ve been overaccommodating in the past or our needs have changed, we can still learn to assert ourselves. Our pasts don’t have to determine our futures. We’re allowed to change”
Tonya Lester, LCSW, is the author of Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself and a Brooklyn-based psychotherapist and writer known for her work with relationships and communication. Her essay “Couples Therapist, Heal Thyself” was published in the Modern Love column in The New York Times, and she has been writing the popular Staying Sane Inside Insanity blog for Psychology Today since 2020. She has been featured as an expert in The Guardian, Newsweek, Well+Good, HuffPo, Fatherly, and the Bumble site The Buzz. Visit her online at http://www.TonyaLester.com.
Join us every Saturday at 1 PM on Finding Your Bliss. You can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss.
Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio
Leslie Gottlieb, Nadia Kotsos, Natalie Gallifent, and Emily MacLellan
Finding Your Bliss
56 minutes
2 months ago
Leslie Gottlieb, Nadia Kotsos, Natalie Gallifent, and Emily MacLellan
On this episode of Finding Your Bliss, Celebrity Interviewer and Bliss Coach Judy Librach was joined LIVE in the Zoomer Studios by four incredible female entrepreneurs!
Leslie Gottlieb is a Mama, Content Creator, Host & Speaker, and Writer/Producer with a passion for visual storytelling and creative collaboration. Working across film, television, commercials, digital content and new media, Leslie has eighteen years of professional experience in the Media Industry.
Leslie began her career working in Radio at 92.5 Jack FM as an on-air personality. She then moved into Television and spent several years working in children's TV at DHX Media in various production and casting roles.
In 2010, Leslie’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-found KLP, a Toronto-based video production company, that specialized in creating original and branded content across all media platforms. Leslie has had the pleasure of working with global brands like PlayStation and TD Bank, and one of her short films premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
More recently, her career journey shifted again when she stepped into a Marketing role where she led the launch of a revolutionary, eco-friendly, proudly Canadian, reusable water bottle called Smartbottle.
Currently, Leslie has returned to her on-air passion with her latest venture, Hey, It's Leslie, where she creates content that celebrates female entrepreneurs and promotes incredible, female-founded products, events and services. Her platform also shares content about Mom Life and aims to inject comedy into the everyday as well.
She also just launched a weekly live interview series titled "The Leslie Lives" that features Leslie interviewing Female Entrepreneurs about their journey in business. The show airs every Friday at 12pm EST on Instagram Live on her @heyitsleslieg Instagram page.
Leslie is also the founder of Erapreneur, A Fun-First Community, designed to redefine the entrepreneurial experience for women. Inspired by her own path as a business owner and countless conversations with fellow female founders, Leslie created Erapreneur to bring more joy, laughter, play, and fulfillment to the entrepreneurial ride. Through events, storytelling, and meaningful connections, the platform brings together like-minded women to grow, collaborate, and support one another—not just as entrepreneurs, but as whole, creative humans, stepping confidently into their next era.
Nadia Kotsos is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and the founder of Drink Juice Co., established in 2015. Inspired by her personal health and wellness journey, Nadia launched the company to empower others to lead healthier lifestyles through nutritionist-approved, nutrient-dense juices. A graduate of the Institute of Holistic Nutrition, she brings a strong focus on digestive health to every offering. With a hands-on, thoughtful approach, Nadia ensures each juice is something she would use herself—reflected in her guiding philosophy: “What we provide, I have at home myself.”
Natalie Gallifent is the creator of Seatsquare - Luxurious, portable protection and elevated comfort - wherever you sit. Handcrafted seat cushions and covers, she creates handcrafted seat cushions and covers for comfort, insulation, dirt, stains, and odors. She has also created the new Kushee- the luxe seat cushion for Sports Parents. The Seat Square is wonderful for protecting your clothing and for creating insulation from the heat and cold.
Emily MacLellan is the founder of MacRose Design Co., she specializes in floral artistry that elevates experiences. From intimate gatherings to large-scale productions, Emily partners with event planners and hospitality teams to bring custom floral visions to life that are rooted in intentional design and seamless execution.
With a background in wedding planning and a deep appreciation for the nuances of events, she understands the value of trusted partnerships and impeccable presentation. Whether it's a week ...
Finding Your Bliss
On this episode of Finding Your Bliss, Celebrity Interviewer and Bliss Coach Judy Librach is joined by Tonya Lester, Brooklyn-based psychotherapist, couples counselor, and author of the new book “Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself!”
According to author Tonya Lester, at a time when their rights and voices are under increasing scrutiny and challenge, it’s more important than ever for women to be able to speak up for what they believe in. Too often, women are encouraged to be nurturers and peacemakers, which carries the implied message that they shouldn’t rock the boat — when in fact, being assertive is often exactly what’s required to create the life they truly want.
In Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself (New World Library, October 21, 2025), popular psychotherapist, Psychology Today blogger, and go-to relationship expert Tonya Lester offers conflict-averse women a bold directive: It’s OK to be difficult. Not mean, not rigid, not a bully — but the kind of difficult that makes the people in their lives see them and understand what they need. “I want to help you learn that seeking harmony for its own sake is a trap. That there’s no winning in making everyone else happy at your own expense. And that in nearly every situation, it is within your power to make positive changes,” writes Lester “Truly intractable situations are rare. But to change your circumstances, you must be willing to push back.”
Push Back challenges advice telling women they should smooth out interpersonal struggles and equips readers with the tools to build a life that works better for everyone in it, starting with themselves. The book is filled with real client stories, powerful self-assessments, sample dialogues, and practical tools to help readers: Express their needs and set boundaries Engage in honest, productive conflict Deal calmly with backlash from spouses, coworkers, family, and friends Stand firm in their convictions “Focusing on what we can control — how we move through the world — is how we meaningfully change our situation and set a healthy example for those in our lives,” writes Lester. “Even if we’ve been overaccommodating in the past or our needs have changed, we can still learn to assert ourselves. Our pasts don’t have to determine our futures. We’re allowed to change”
Tonya Lester, LCSW, is the author of Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself and a Brooklyn-based psychotherapist and writer known for her work with relationships and communication. Her essay “Couples Therapist, Heal Thyself” was published in the Modern Love column in The New York Times, and she has been writing the popular Staying Sane Inside Insanity blog for Psychology Today since 2020. She has been featured as an expert in The Guardian, Newsweek, Well+Good, HuffPo, Fatherly, and the Bumble site The Buzz. Visit her online at http://www.TonyaLester.com.
Join us every Saturday at 1 PM on Finding Your Bliss. You can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss.
Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio
