Let’s get real.
There are conversations that women have quietly (behind closed doors, with girlfriends, or maybe not at all) because somewhere along the way, we were taught they were too personal, too uncomfortable, or too much.
In my conversation with Kristen Fairback, Executive Vice President at SHE Media, we decided to talk about all of it anyway.
Kristen is one of those women who leads with equal parts intellect and empathy. She’s navigated decades in the publishing and media world — places that, let’s be honest, weren’t exactly built for women — and she’s still here, thriving, mentoring, and using her platform to make sure our stories are being told.
One of the first things Kristen said that struck me was this:
“You don’t ask, you don’t get.”
Simple. But so true.
When she started her career, she didn’t have a lot of female leaders around her. There weren’t mentorship programs or networks for women executives. And like so many of us, she was busy trying to prove herself, so she didn’t always stop to ask for guidance.
Now, she sees how mentorship changes everything. It’s not just for those coming up behind us, but for the women doing the mentoring too.
I’ve said this before in The 7 Secrets to Creating a Life You Love: the fastest way to accelerate your growth is to surround yourself with people who expand what you believe is possible.
Mentorship isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.
We also talked about midlife, and let’s just say, it’s not getting the PR campaign it deserves.
Hot flashes, brain fog, mood swings, career pivots, caring for kids and parents at the same time… it’s a lot. Yet, most women I talk to feel like they’re supposed to power through it quietly, as if this season doesn’t deserve as much curiosity and grace as any other.
Kristen and I agreed that women need more real information. Not just TikTok tips or influencer advice, but credible, evidence-based insight into how our bodies and minds evolve.
Her team at SHE Media is changing that through content and community, and I love that. Because here’s the truth: when women share what’s really happening, it doesn’t make us weaker — it makes us wiser.
Midlife isn’t a slowdown. It’s a second launch.
This is something I wish I could tattoo on every ambitious woman’s brain: you are not meant to do this alone.
Kristen said it best, “Finding your tribe is everything…”
Whether it’s in business, parenting, wellness, or just staying sane through change, community isn’t a luxury. It’s oxygen.
In 7 Secrets, I talk about how comparison is one of the most toxic habits women carry. But connection? That’s the antidote.
When we stop pretending and start having honest conversations about (burnout, balance, hormones, identity, ambition) all of it, we not only feel seen, we see others more clearly too.
Kristen reminded me that plans, not perfection, are what move us forward. Her mantra?
“Make a plan and work the plan.”
Accountability isn’t punishment. It’s empowerment. It’s how she built her career, raised a family, and mentors the next generation of women to do the same.
You don’t need a 10-year roadmap. You just need to decide what matters, take one step, and stick with it.
Women don’t need more permission.
We need more truth.
The kind that comes from sitting across from another woman and saying, “Oh, you too?”
Because every time we do, we chip away at the myth that we have to keep our challenges hidden to be respected. The opposite is true.
So, let’s keep talking about mentorship, about midlife, about all the things we don’t (but should).
Because as Kristen reminded me, the real power move is talking about what we’re told to avoid.
Listen to the full episode of “What We Don’t (but Should) Talk About” wherever you get your podcasts (quick links below!)
With possibility (and zero taboo),
~ Monique