In this episode of The Feminist Exec, host KP sits down with Kristi Hemmer—educator, author of Quit Being So Good, founder of the Academy for Women’s Empowerment, and solo traveler to 77 countries—for a bold conversation on leadership, identity, and choosing your own path.

Kristi shares her journey from classroom teacher to social entrepreneur, reflecting on the moment she left a six-figure job in Tokyo to launch her own empowerment academy. She opens up about the “moxie moments” that shaped her story, the invisible systems that cause girls and women to shrink, and the urgency of rediscovering our childhood dreams.

To learn more about Kristi, visit https://kristihemmer.com/

To get Kristi's "Love Heals" shirt, visit https://thistlefarms.org/

Summary

In this episode of the Feminist Exec Podcast, Kristi Hemmer shares her journey of empowering women through her Academy for Women's Empowerment and her concept of 'Moxie.' She discusses the importance of confidence in young girls, the impact of travel on personal growth, and the significance of sponsorship over mentorship in advancing women's careers. Kristi emphasizes the need for safe environments for women to thrive and the power of community support. She also reflects on her choice to remain child-free while being a supportive aunt and the lessons learned throughout her career.

Takeaways

• Moxie means having the guts to be your best self.
• Women often lose confidence around the age of six.
• Traveling can empower women and provide valuable life lessons.
• Social entrepreneurship allows for solving social problems while generating revenue.
• Women are often judged on productivity rather than potential.
• Sponsorship is more impactful than mentorship for women.
• Creating safe environments is crucial for women's success.
• Women can change the narrative by supporting each other.
• Being an aunt can be a fulfilling role without having children.
• Reflecting on childhood dreams can guide career paths.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kristi Hemmer and Her Mission

01:19 Understanding Moxie and Its Significance

02:45 Childhood Dreams and Their Influence on Career

04:05 The Journey to Founding the Academy for Women's Empowerment

05:24 Defining Social Entrepreneurship

07:51 The Shrinking of Women and Girls: A Deep Dive

10:34 Identity Years: The Impact on Women and Girls

11:15 Rediscovering Self: The Second Career

13:33 Traveling the World: Lessons in Empowerment

16:42 Negotiation and Safety in Travel

20:18 Challenging Situations and Decision-Making

21:29 The Power of Community and Small Groups

26:16 Overcoming Challenges: The Female Experience

29:15 The Power of Sponsorship vs. Mentorship

32:56 Building Supportive Networks

37:45 Changing the Narrative: Women Supporting Women

43:14 The Role of the Child-Free Aunt

48:23 Lessons Learned: Embracing Agency and Community

Keywords

women empowerment, moxie, social entrepreneurship, confidence, mentorship, sponsorship, travel, leadership, community, child-free