After a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, Kim Strobel returns to the She Finds Joy podcast with renewed energy, ready to share personal insights and practical advice for embracing your authentic self. In this shorter, heart-to-heart episode, Kim opens up about her own struggles with criticism, judgment, and the societal pressure—especially on women—to “dim their light.” She tackles the common experience of being labeled as “too much” and shares raw stories from her teaching career, highlighting how she’s learned (sometimes the hard way) to refuse to shrink herself for others’ comfort. Kim draws on messages from Rebecca Campbell’s book, Light is the New Black, and encourages listeners to reflect on how they might be holding themselves back. The episode offers empowering mindset shifts, a big dose of real talk, and plenty of encouragement to show up boldly, unapologetically, and let your light shine.   What's in the episode: Why Kim took a podcasting sabbatical—and what inspired her return The societal and workplace pressures (especially for women) to play small or dim your light Personal stories of criticism and judgment Kim has faced for being confident, positive, and authentic The importance of not shrinking to make others comfortable Insights from Light is the New Black and the message that your light may trigger others who are afraid to shine The transformational moment when Kim decided never to make herself small for others again How embracing your boldness and light actually empowers others to do the same   “The world does not need more women who shrink themselves to fit outdated expectations. The world needs your boldness.”   If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a review here or at kimstrobel.com/review, and share the show with someone who could use a little encouragement. You can also subscribe to never miss an episode. Thank you for being here and showing up.   Keep shining—because when you do, you give others the courage to shine their light, too.   For more encouragement and real talk, follow Kim Strobel and She Finds Joy! Produced with love and realness, dogs barking included. 🐾✨