Don't Shrink to Fit: Empowering and inspiring women one story at a time.
Don’t Shrink to Fit: The Podcast for women who refuse to play small.Empowering conversations. Inspiring transformations. Limitless possibilities.Are you ready to step into your power, break free from limitations, and create the life of abundance and joy you’ve always wanted? Don’t Shrink to Fit is more than a podcast—it’s a movement.Hosted by Claudia Noriega-Bernstein, an abundance coach, author, and speaker, Don't Shrink to Fit isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. Each episode brings you powerful insights from incredible experts who share strategies and mindset shifts to help you break through limitati...
The Strength and benefits in Crying: Redefining Vulnerability with MJ Renshaw
Are you holding back your emotions—thinking vulnerability makes you weak? Suppressing tears could be silently harming your health, relationships, and even your longevity.
In this episode, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and breathwork teacher MJ Renshaw, founder of The Being Method shares insights from her book How to Cry. She opens up about her personal journey through trauma and grief, revealing why embracing your emotions is one of the most powerful steps you can take toward healing and wholeness.
✨ What You’ll Learn in Thi...
Menopause & Hormone Health Explained with Amanda Hinman
Are your menopause or perimenopause symptoms disrupting your life, fatigue, weight gain, anxiety, mood swings, or bloating? You’re not alone.
In this episode, Amanda Hinman, Founder of the Hinman Holistic Health Institute, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, writer, and speaker, reveals how hormones shape women’s health and what you can do to restore balance naturally. Amanda is also the author of Vibrant Child: 7 Steps to Increase Your Child’s Health & Happiness, with her work featured in Huffington Post, Elements For a Healthier Life, and many other outlets.
✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
...
The hidden bonds we mistake for love with Claudia Noriega-Bernstein
Have you ever stayed in a relationship even when something inside of you knew it wasn’t right? You’re not alone. Many of us confuse the highs and lows of a trauma bond with love.
In this episode of Don’t Shrink to Fit, I dive into:
✨ What a trauma bond really is and why it feels so powerful
✨ Real-life examples of couples who confuse chaos with connection
✨ The signs that reveal you may be stuck in a trauma bond
✨ How to listen to your body and trust your intuition
✨ Steps you can take to...
Build Unstoppable Self-Confidence & Emotional Intelligence with Nada Lena Nasserdeen
Do you want to unlock the secret to unstoppable self-confidence, emotional intelligence, and true leadership? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Nada Nasserdeen — Founder & CEO of Rise Up For You, international keynote speaker, bestselling author, and globally recognized thought leader — who went from losing everything, to building a seven-figure global business, impacting leaders in over 50 countries.
✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How to turn pain, failure, and setbacks into fuel for growth and resilience.Why self-confidence is the foundation for success, and how to build it step by step.The 4 critical...How ro release whats holding you back with Ruth Kent
In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend and gifted healer Ruth Kent, a certified practitioner in Emotion Code, Body Code, and Belief Code. Ruth blends her scientific background with deep spiritual wisdom to help others release the emotional, physical, and spiritual blocks keeping them from living a truly abundant life.
Our conversation is raw, honest, and filled with the kind of truths that crack you open in the best way. We talk about how pain becomes a teacher, how physical symptoms are often messengers of trapped emotions, and why true healing starts...
Beyond Body Image: The Untold Truth About Eating Disorders with Mallary Tenore Tarpley
In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, I sit down with Mallary Tenore Tarpley—assistant professor of practice at the University of Texas at Austin, journalist, and author of Slip: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery.
Mallary opens up about her own journey with anorexia nervosa, which began at the age of 12 after the loss of her mother, and how grief, perfectionism, and societal pressures intertwined to shape her struggle. She explains the concept of the “middle place”—a compassionate framework that redefines recovery not as a perfect, linear process, but as an ongoing journey where sl...
From Broken Hearts to Gut Healing – A Must-Listen Episode with Jen Yundt Coles
When the Body Speaks: Healing Gut Imbalance from the Inside Out
In this episode of Don’t Shrink to Fit, Claudia sits down with certified integrative and functional health coach Jen Yundt Coles, known as The SIBO Coach, to explore the powerful connection between unresolved emotions and digestive health.
Through their heartfelt conversation, you’ll discover:
The difference between SIBO and IBS—and why so many women are misdiagnosed.How emotional pain, grief, and stress can manifest as gut issues like bloating, fatigue, brain fog, and more.Why tradit...What if YOU are your own soulmate? with Chris Dyer
In this deeply honest and transformative episode, I sit down with Chris Dyer — a multi-dimensional spiritual scientist, speaker, and writer — to explore what it truly means to unbecome everything you were taught to be… so you can finally become the woman you were meant to be.
Chris shares her powerful midlife awakening, her decision to stop living under the weight of conditioning, and how she released 17 years of antidepressants to reconnect with her truest self. Together, we talk about the emotional rollercoaster of midlife, breaking free from inherited beliefs, and the moment she boldly declared: "I am my own...
Are you assuming… or expecting? mini episode with Claudia Noriega-Bernstein
We did it! 🎉
My book Brighter Days officially made the Best Seller list in multiple categories and I couldn’t be more thrilled and grateful for all the love and support I’ve received from this amazing community. 💛
If you haven’t grabbed your copy yet, the eBook is still just 99 cents on Amazon for a limited time!
👉 https://a.co/d/dR7K9Xe
Thank you for helping me spread this message of hope, healing, and empowerment. Let’s keep the momentum goin...
When Assumptions Hurt: A Personal Story About Expectations, Reactions & Reclaiming Your Power with Claudia Noriega-Bernstein
In this deeply personal and reflective episode of Don’t Shrink to Fit, Claudia Noriega-Bernstein shares a vulnerable moment that many of us can relate to—a heartfelt gesture misunderstood, and the emotional unraveling that followed.
While planning a dream family trip to Tuscany, I envisioned a beautiful photoshoot with my daughters, complete with dresses and joyful memories but when the idea wasn’t received with the enthusiasm I expected, I was met with disappointment, hurt, and a sense of rejection.
This moment led me to unpack a powerful truth: the difference between expectations and...
Life doesn’t have an expiration date with Tally Koren
My book Brighter Days is now available on Kindle and eBook — and for a limited time, you can grab it for just 99 cents! PLUS — if you email me your proof of purchase, to BrighterDaysbook@gmail.com I’ll send you my downloadable workbook “Unstuck” as a free gift to keep your momentum going.https://a.co/d/axftHbc
The Award-winning Don't Shrink to Fit Podcast has Tally Koren this week!
In this powerful and heart-opening episode, I sit down with the radiant Tally Koren— singer, songwriter, and spiritual seeker who shares h...
Pivotal moments that whisper within with Jennifer Whitaker
It’s here! 🎉 You can now pre-order the 5th Anniversary Edition of my book Brighter Days: 88 Life Lessons for Women Who Want to Grow in Confidence, Resilience, and Courage.
For a limited time, grab the eBook for just 99 cents, and as a thank-you for your early support, you’ll also receive my upcoming workbook Unstuck: A Guide to Finding Joy and Purpose (coming this fall) completely free—my gift to you, with gratitude.
👉https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH2L82VB?ref_=ast_aut...
Raising Kids in a Multicultural World with Efrat Amira
In today’s episode of Don’t Shrink to Fit, I sit down with someone I deeply admire—not just as a friend, but as a fierce and intentional mother—Efrat Amira.
We dive into the realities of raising kids across cultures—what’s beautiful, what’s hard, and what we’ve both had to unlearn along the way. Efrat opens up about her decision to homeschool, how she built her children’s education around curiosity and connection, and why she’s now open to exploring new educational paths.
We also talk about:
✨ Why structure builds emotio...
What your emotions are trying to tell you (and an announcement!) with Vickie Padavano
Being a woman in today’s world comes with invisible expectations that are quietly making us sick — literally. Did you know women have an 80% higher chance of developing an autoimmune condition?
This month, I want to focus on something we don’t do enough: helping ourselves. Helping ourselves be healthier mentally, emotionally, and physically — not just for a moment, but for real, lasting wellness.
That’s why this week on the podcast, I’m so excited to share my conversation with Vicki Padovano. Vicki is dedicated to helping women with autoimmune issues end the flares...
Could Reiki be the missing link in your mind-body balance? with Siri Baruc Thorton
This week, I’m so excited to share a conversation that feels perfectly aligned with what I want for all of us right now — deep healing for our soul, mind, and body.
Recently, I booked what I thought was just going to be a simple facial — but I left that room feeling completely different: more present, more at peace, and even free of the back pain I walked in with. The magic ingredient? Reiki, sound vibration, and energy work.
I knew I had to bring my dear friend and Reiki Master Siri...
Calling in aligned love without settling with Michelle Chung
In this juicy episode of Don’t Shrink to Fit, I sit down with love strategist and author Michelle Chung, joining us all the way from Australia, to talk about something so many ambitious, self-sufficient women wonder: Can I attract a partner who truly aligns with who I am—without dating burnout or settling?
Michelle shares her powerful journey from divorce to manifesting a deeply aligned relationship, and breaks down why core values—not chemistry or hobbies—should lead the way. Whether you’re single, in a relationship, or wondering why love keeps feeling out of reach, this episo...
Helping or handicapping? How to support your adult kids without enabling them with Claudia Noriega-Bernstein
In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Don’t Shrink to Fit, I get real about one of the hardest truths for modern parents: the fine line between supporting our adult children and enabling them.
Drawing from my own experience as a mom of three daughters, I share personal stories, practical tools, and insights from research, including why 76% of parents who financially support their adult children suffer negative consequences. From boundaries to budgets, steak dinners to Uber Eats, this conversation is an honest, compassionate guide for anyone parenting grown kids in today’s worl...
Grief, Love, and Healing with Dr. Devin DeGreif
In this deeply moving episode of the Award winning Don’t Shrink to Fit, I welcome Dr. Devin DeGreif—a somatic therapist, embodiment coach, and author of Good Grief—to explore one of life’s hardest yet most transformative experiences: grief.
Devin shares her personal story of losing her mother to a traumatic and unexpected murder, and how that moment catapulted her into profound depression, spiritual awakening, and eventually, a life of purpose. We talk about what it means to sit fully with pain, the difference between losing someone to death versus choosing to let go of so...
✨ Your story is your superpower with Amanda Johnson
Have you ever felt the pull to write a book but stopped yourself because you weren’t sure your story mattered? You’re not alone.
This week, I sit down with Amanda Johnson, a strategist, coach, and guide for high-performing professionals who feel stuck when trying to put their wisdom into words. Amanda helps her clients use the power of storytelling not just to publish—but to heal.
In this episode, we explore:
Why writing your story feels vulnerable (and how to work through it)The surprising healing that can happen during the writing proces...Growing Up with a Narcissistic Parent: What I’ve Learned About Shame, Healing, and Worthiness with Claudia Noriega-Bernstein
In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of Don’t Shrink to Fit, I reflect on the deep emotional wounds caused by growing up with a narcissistic parent—a topic that resonates with many, especially in the days following Mother’s Day. I share my personal story and break down what narcissism really is through the lens of Dr. Brené Brown’s research, highlighting the powerful connection between narcissism, shame, and empathy.
This episode is not about blame—it’s about understanding, healing, and reclaiming your worth. I explain the lasting effects narcissistic parenting can have on a child’s self-w...
Feeding Your Body, Mind & Soul with Jenn Trepeck
In this enlightening episode of Don’t Shrink to Fit, I sit down with the incredible Jenn Trepeck—wellness coach, nutrition expert, and host of Salad with a Side of Fries—to explore what it really means to nourish your body without dieting, guilt, or confusion. Jenn shares her powerful journey from the corporate world to coaching and how her own struggles with health and weight led her to a more holistic, empowering approach to food.
We dive deep into the myths we’ve been taught about “eating less” and break down how blood sugar, hormones, and lifestyle ch...
The Science of Sisterhood with Anna VanAgtmael
I don’t know where you are in this journey, but I want to invite you to listen to my latest podcast episode with Anna VanAgtmael. Like me, Anna had a life-altering awakening that led her to pivot and create a more aligned life, and guess what? Now she holds retreats too.
If you're ready to get curious about your own path, your femininity, or what it means to be held in community, this episode is for you.
And if you’re a guy reading this—share it with your mom, sister, partner, or a f...
I always wanted to be the good girl my mom wanted me to be with Claudia Noriega-Bernstein
This episode is one of the most personal and emotional ones I’ve ever recorded. It’s not just about motherhood, or healing, or family—it’s about my journey of unbecoming the “good girl” I was told I should be, and finally becoming the woman I was always meant to be.
For decades, I tried to earn a kind of love that should have been given freely. I over-gave, over-delivered, and shrank myself to fit into a mold that never truly fit me. I wore the “good girl” costume so well, hoping it would lead to connection, appr...
Finding the courage to pivot with Emily Florence
In this heartfelt and empowering episode of Don’t Shrink to Fit, I sit down with author, coach, and storyteller Emily Florence for an inspiring conversation on courage, authenticity, and the power of trusting your inner voice.
Emily shares her bold journey of leaving law school just days after starting, walking away from a life that looked “successful” on the outside but felt misaligned within. From listening to the whispers of her intuition to becoming a published author and working with global brands and personalities, Emily’s story is a powerful reminder that we are allowed...
The Mild Side of Wild with Candace Dunaway
In this inspiring episode of the Award wining Don’t Shrink to Fit Podcast, I sit down with the radiant and grounded Candace Dunaway—creator of the beautiful six-part video series The Mild Side of Wild. Candace is a passionate storyteller, nature lover, and gratitude practitioner whose mission is to help others reconnect with the natural world, find joy in everyday moments, and embrace a more active, intentional life.
We talked about her journey, her deep connection with Mother Nature, and how spending time outdoors has been one of the most powerful tools for healing, growth, and joy...
Healing Generational Conditioning: Why It Stops With Me! with Kate Kripke
This week on my podcast Don't Shrink to Fit, I dive into this very topic with the incredible Kate Kripke, a maternal and child mental health expert, therapist, and author of Reinventing Supermom. Kate has spent over two decades helping high-achieving moms navigate the emotional weight of motherhood, breaking through anxiety, guilt, and burnout to create a more authentic and fulfilling experience for themselves and their children.
In our conversation, we explore:
✨ Why women feel conditioned to be good girls and how that impacts our parenting
✨ The pressure of perfectionism in motherhood and...
The power of trust – Building it in our kids and ourselves with Claudia Noriega-Bernstein
In this heartfelt and powerful episode of Don’t Shrink to Fit, Claudia explores the essential role trust plays in our lives—especially in the way we raise our children and show up for ourselves. From building trust through consistency to understanding how secrets can form when trust is broken, this episode offers insight, tools, and a personal story that highlights how trust can shape confidence, self-worth, and lifelong emotional health.
Claudia shares how she built a foundation of trust with her daughters and how that decision continues to influence their confidence and decision-making today. She also disc...
The Power of Saying YES to Yourself with Lori Pappas
This week on Don't Shrink to Fit, I had the privilege of sitting down with the incredible Lori Pappas—a woman who has shattered expectations, defied societal norms, and lived life entirely on her own terms.
Lori’s story is a testament to resilience, choice, and the magic of saying YES—not just to opportunities, but to yourself. She shares her journey from overcoming a challenging childhood to building a successful business in a male-dominated industry, redefining success on her own terms, and eventually embracing love and purpose in ways she never expected.
Here a...
Loving yourself in one week and for the rest of your life with Rachel Madorsky
In the latest episode of Don't Shrink to Fit, I had the pleasure of speaking with the incredible Rachel Madorsky about empowerment, self-love, and shifting the way we approach boundaries in our lives. Have you ever had one of those moments where a single conversation shifts something inside you? Where words resonate so deeply that you feel like you’re being seen, understood, and guided—all at the same time?
That’s exactly what happened in today’s episode. My guest, Rachel, brought so much wisdom and insight to our conversation that, at times, I felt like I was th...
Living between two worlds: The Immigrant Experience with Fabiola Noriega-Daneri
What does it mean to belong? For many immigrants, the answer is complicated. In this episode of Don't Shrink to Fit, I sit down with Fabiola Noriega-Danera, who shares her powerful journey of immigrating to the U.S., moving back to Peru, and then returning once again—only to realize that a sense of home isn’t tied to a place, but to who we are.
We dive into the emotional complexities of feeling torn between two cultures, the struggle of fitting in vs. belonging, and the resilience it takes to star...
Unbecoming for self-love with Vevian Vozmediano
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the Award winning podcast Don't Shrink to Fit, I sit down with Vevian Vozmediano, a trauma-informed mental health coach who helps women release stored emotions tied to their past and reconnect with the parts of themselves they’ve been too afraid to explore alone.
Vevian shares her courageous journey of self-discovery, the emotional price she had to pay to distance herself from family due to religious beliefs, and the profound transformation that came from unbecoming the version of herself she once accepted in exchange for love.
...
Are you helping or enabling? with Claudia Noriega-Bernstein
Have you ever found yourself trying to fix things for the people you love? Whether it’s your child, partner, or friend, we want to help. We want to make things easier. But what if, instead of helping, we’re actually holding them back?
In this week’s episode of the Award winning Don't Shrink to Fit Podcast, I’m diving into a tough but necessary conversation: the difference between helping and enabling.
For years, I thought I was supporting my daughters by stepping in, solving problems, and shielding them from struggle. But I’ve rea...
Just ask Spirit with Sherianna Boyle
What if your emotions were the key to unlocking messages from Spirit?
When life feels frightening or uncertain… what if the answers are already within you?
On this episode of the award-winning Don't Shrink to Fit podcast, I sit down with the brilliant Sherianna Boyle, author of 11 books, including the Emotional Detox series, Energy in Action, and her latest, Just Ask Spirit. Sherianna shares how our emotions and Spirit, working together, provide infinite resources for healing, clarity, love, and purpose.
...
Permission to Pause: A Powerful Conversation with Liz Clifton
Have you ever felt guilty for taking time for yourself or prioritizing your own well-being? That’s about to change!
Welcome to Don’t Shrink to Fit – the winner of the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the Coaching category!
On this episode of my award-winning podcast, Don't Shrink to Fit, I’m thrilled to welcome Liz Clifton, who is here to share powerful insights on how to give ourselves permission to pause, embrace self-love, and practice self-care without guilt.
Why is important to pause?
✨ Pa...
Supporting Moms Through Every Emotional Stage with Mandy Rees
🎙️ Welcome to Don’t Shrink to Fit – the winner of the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the Coaching category!
In this enlightening episode of the Don't Shrink to Fit podcast, we’re joined by Mandy Rees, founder of Mother for Life and a passionate advocate for women’s emotional well-being. Together, we dive into the raw realities of pregnancy and motherhood—the excitement, the doubts, the ever-evolving identity, and the crucial need for genuine support. From postpartum depression to the importance of finding a tribe of like-minded moms, Mandy offers expert insights, heartfelt stories, and practical strat...
How we heal our mother’s wound with Theresa Ritcher and Ariel Eversoll
🎙️ Welcome to Don’t Shrink to Fit – the winner of the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the Coaching category!
In this episode I’m joined by an extraordinary mother-daughter duo, Ariel and Theresa, who turned unimaginable pain into a powerful mission to impact and empower others. After experiencing the devastating loss of their brother and son to suicide, Ariel and Theresa found themselves lost in grief, struggling to survive. Instead of staying in the darkness, they embarked on a healing journey that led to the creation of Impact and Empower Inc.—a safe space dedicated to helping women heal em...
Unlock the Magic of Energy and Art with Debra Hillard
🎙️ Welcome to Don’t Shrink to Fit – the winner of the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the Coaching category!
This week, I’m thrilled to share with you a very special guest on Don't Shrink to Fit: Debra Hillard, an extraordinary artist and energy worker who considers herself a modern-day shaman. At 70 years old, Debra has embraced her authentic self, creating unique pieces of art that are so much more than what meets the eye—they are medicine for the soul.
Debra’s paintings are born from a deep spiritual journey and a connection to ancient, mystic...
A Transformative Conversation on Healing Childhood Trauma with Cassandra Love Lambert
🎙️ Welcome to Don’t Shrink to Fit – the winner of the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the Coaching category!
In this powerful episode, I have a very raw and informative conversation with Cassandra Love Lambert, a trauma-trained somatic transformational coach and author, to discuss the raw and often misunderstood journey of healing from childhood trauma. Cassandra shares her deeply personal story of overcoming childhood abuse, exploring the complexities of emotions tied to trauma, such as the confusion survivors may feel when seeking comfort from an abuser despite knowing their actions are harmful.
Together we delve into the...
Manifestation & Alignment: Steps to Create the Life You Dream Of for 2025 - Claudia Noriega-Bernstein
🎙️ Welcome to Don’t Shrink to Fit – the winner of the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the Coaching category!
As we say goodbye to 2024 and welcome the possibilities of a new year, this episode dives deep into the real secrets of manifestation. Forget the clichés about vision boards and endless affirmations—this is about uncovering the deeper truths that truly make manifestation work.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
✨ Why alignment with your authentic self is the foundation of manifestation.
✨ How subconscious beliefs and hidden patterns may be blocking your progress.
✨ The power of navigat...
Practical Tips and Insights for Parenting with Love and Boundaries with Shridhevi Veerappan
🎙️ Welcome to Don’t Shrink to Fit – the winner of the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the Coaching category!
This week we’re diving into one of my favorite topics—parenting! I’m joined by the amazing Shridhevi Veerappan, a special educator, behavior analyst, and parenting coach, who shares her wealth of experience and empathy on the challenges parents face when kids don’t behave the way we expect.
As a mom herself—and an immigrant from India who transitioned from architecture to supporting families—Shridhevi brings invaluable insights to this conversation. Together, we discuss:
How to Get You...
