Podcast Launch - Episode 1: Going Against the Grain – Dr. C Nicole Mason on Manifesting Your Future

We're very excited to announce our Spotify podcast launch, featuring Dr. C. Nicole Mason, the PhD Scientist we can relate to! This blog shares the key highlights from this discussion between Louise O'Driscoll and Dr C.Nicole Mason that took place virtually between London and Washington DC.

Image credit: Danielle Flowers photography.

"The only way I believe you can get from where I came from with very little to where I am now is thinking about and dreaming about and imagining the life you want for yourself." Dr. C Nicole Mason's words cut to the core of what it means to manifest your destiny. As the President and CEO of Future Forward Women, a renowned author, and a leading voice in gender and racial equity, Nicole has been featured in Fortune, Glamour, The Washington Post, and MSNBC, showcasing her influence in disrupting systems that hold women back. 

Her approach to adversity is about transforming personal experiences into a force for change. By coining the term "she-cession" during the pandemic, she highlighted the economic challenges women face, advocating for gender equity. Nicole's lifestyle tip is to embrace your story and use it to connect with others, as she believes, the only thing separating most of us, whether conservative or liberal, man or woman, is a story.

In this blog you can read about six important leadership choices Nicole has made that shape who she is today.

1.Overcoming Adversity

Nicole's life story offers valuable lessons in resilience and empathy. Raised by a single mother and having faced episodic homelessness, she turned these challenges into opportunities for growth and understanding. Dr. Mason stated: "It allows me to see issues from a perspective that many others might not be able to. And I think that that's such a gift because I'm not only coming into the room as C. Nicole Mason, the political scientist, the PhD, but I'm coming in with a different set of experiences that no one else in the room might have." Her words reveal the profound power of embracing one's true self and the courage it takes to share that unfiltered truth with the world, inspiring others to find strength in their own stories.

2.Living with Intention

Nicole's daily routine is a testament to intentional living. She begins her day with exercise, meditation, and coffee, followed by a walk with her dogs. This routine helps her ease into the day, centering herself before diving into work. As a writer, she prioritises writing in the morning when she feels most creative. Her approach to life is about finding balance and grounding herself in her passions, including spending time in her garden and visualising her goals.

3.Supporting women 

Nicole emphasises the importance of living life on one's own terms and this plays an important role for her vision for women, which is made up of two parts: 

Empowerment and Autonomy

She wishes for women to stand more fully in their power and live the life they want on their own terms. "Whatever you want to do, if you want to be married with children and have a high power career, do that. If you don't want children, don't have them. If you want to travel the world, do that." 

Freedom from Harm and Fear

She envisions a world where women are free from harm and fear, which encompasses protection from gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and assault, as well as ensuring bodily integrity and autonomy.

4.Empowering women’s voice in Policy

Nicole emphasises the urgent need for women to gain more power in society, both culturally and politically. She states, "Women need more power in society, culturally and politically," to stop running in place and start achieving meaningful change. Highlighting the challenges, she recalls, "Just the other day, a very prominent congressperson said that he believed that we should repeal the 19th Amendment, which gave women in the United States the right to vote." This stark reminder of ongoing struggles underscores her belief in empowering women to live authentically and pursue their goals without fear, in partnership with men.

5.Disrupting expectations 

In her TED Talk, "How to Disrupt Expectations," Nicole shares her journey of embracing the label of being "difficult" as a badge of honour. She recounts how, throughout her life, she was often told she didn't belong in certain spaces. Despite this, she persisted, saying, "When people told me I couldn't go to those places or I didn't belong, I went anyway. I found a way, I kept knocking on the door." This determination to push against societal norms and expectations is a testament to her belief that true change requires disruption. Her story encourages others to redefine what it means to be "difficult" and to see it as a powerful tool for innovation and progress.

6.Bridging Divides

Nicole shares her approach to engaging with those who hold different political beliefs. She focuses on shared values, believing that fairness, equity, and respect can bridge divides. "If you're on board with those values, then we can work together," she asserts, emphasising the importance of collaboration in driving change.

Conclusion

This conversation reveals the profound impact of manifestation on personal and societal levels. It highlights the importance of intentional living, the power of women in leadership, and the role of empathy in bridging divides. This talk is a call to action for anyone looking to harness the power of manifestation to build a legacy of change and empowerment.

Listen to the full episode below to dive deeper into Dr. C Nicole Mason's insights and journey. Maybe you’ll pick up some tips or inspiration on how to build a world that aligns with your wildest dreams.