In today's episode, Heather Hansen sits down with her good friend and returning guest, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, Michigan judge, author, and trailblazer best known for presiding over the Larry Nassar USA Gymnastics case. Together, they dive into Judge Aquilina's newest book, Speak Up: Lessons in Trusting Your Instincts, and unpack what it truly means to embrace your voice, conquer fear, and stand in your self-worth.

Drawing from her decades on the bench, her time in the military, and her role as a mentor for women, Rosemarie shares how we can turn fear into fuel, failure into wisdom, and change into growth.

• The Power of Fear – Why fear isn't something to eliminate but something to learn from.
  
  

• Owning Failure – How accepting your mistakes can transform them into moments of strength.
  
  

• The "Blue Ink" Lesson – How one lawyer turned public embarrassment into a courtroom victory.
  
  

• The Language of Leadership – Why small word choices (like using the instead of a) can change how people perceive your authority.
  
  

• Embracing Change – How preparation, adaptability, and voice help you thrive through uncertainty.
  
  

• Building Self-Worth – Why being your own hero is the foundation of authentic confidence.

[00:00] Meet Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, her story from Munich to Michigan's first female JAG Corps member

[02:00] Fear, failure, and the courage to show up anyway

[06:30] The "blue ink" courtroom story and lessons in embarrassment

[09:30] How metaphors and language shape persuasion

[11:00] Embracing change, preparation, and control

[15:40] Why Judge Aquilina never asks "why"

[18:00] The difference between a solution and the solution

[22:00] How to be an insider in your own life

[26:00] Writing as a tool for self-discovery and healing

📘 Speak Up: Lessons in Trusting Your Instincts – Buy the book here

🌐 Follow Judge Rosemarie Aquilina – Website

Connect with Heather:

• Schedule a call with Heather

• Follow Heather on Instagram

• Follow Heather on Facebook

• Website

• Watch Episodes on Youtube

• Heather's TikTok ‍

• heather@elegantwarrior.com

The Elegant Warrior Podcast and content posted by Heather Hansen is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

In today's episode, Heather sits down with John Lowry, lawyer, negotiation coach, and author of Negotiation Made Simple, to uncover what it really takes to become a confident, effective negotiator.

John's experience as a professor at Pepperdine University's renowned Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, CEO of The Lowry Group, and consultant to major organizations gives him a unique lens into the psychology and strategy behind every great deal.

Together, Heather and John explore how mastering negotiation isn't just about tactics; it's about managing yourself, understanding others, and learning to balance ambition with empathy.

• The Inner Negotiation – Why the first and most important negotiation happens inside your own mind and how managing your emotions, fears, and self-talk determines your success.
  
  

• Cooperation vs. Competition – How to know when to lean into collaboration and when to assert your position with strength and clarity.
  
  

• The Power of Patience – Why "you often pay for the time you save" and how slowing down the process helps you make better, more strategic decisions.
  
  

• Axelrod's Four Steps to Effective Negotiation – Start cooperatively, respond in kind, forgive, and be clear. John and Heather unpack how these steps build trust and drive results.
  
  

• The Ambition + Empathy Equation – What Harvard research reveals about top dealmakers and how combining drive with understanding gives you a competitive edge.
  
  

• Real-World Lessons – Insights from John's work with executives, mediators, and organizations on how to use negotiation to build healthier relationships and stronger outcomes.

[00:00] Meet John Lowry – Lawyer, author, and negotiation expert
[02:46] The first negotiation: managing yourself
[06:17] When to cooperate and when to compete
[10:47] Getting comfortable with uncertainty
[14:49] Why patience pays in negotiation
[18:00] Recognizing signals vs. words
[22:14] Forgiveness and cooperation in business
[26:29] Collaboration vs. cooperation explained
[31:12] Building trust through clarity
[35:20] Ambition and empathy, the twin pillars of great dealmakers

📘 Book: Negotiation Made Simple by John Lowry
🎙️ Podcast: Negotiation Made Simple Podcast
🌐 The Lowry Group: lowrygroup.net

Connect with Heather:

• Schedule a call with Heather

• Follow Heather on Instagram

• Website

• Watch Episodes on Youtube

• Heather's TikTok ‍

• heather@elegantwarrior.com

The Elegant Warrior Podcast and content posted by Heather Hansen is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

In today's episode, Heather sits down with award-winning interior designer Manuella Moreira, founder of Manuella Moreira Interiors, to talk about what it really means to advocate for yourself in business, creativity, and life.

From her leap of faith leaving a stable job to launching her own design studio, to building a media presence with features in Forbes, The New York Times, and Architectural Digest, Manuella shares how trusting your intuition and showing up with courage can open the doors you've been waiting for.

Together, Heather and Manuella explore how self-advocacy, boundaries, and creativity intersect and how you can design a life that feels as beautiful as it looks.

• How to Know When It's Time to Leap – Why "ready" is a choice, not a feeling.

• The Art of Advocacy – How to speak up for your business, your worth, and your creative vision without feeling like you're bragging.

• The Client Experience – Why the best designs aren't about your style but your client's story.

• Media & Momentum – How Manuella built lasting relationships with top publications and became a trusted design voice.

• Avoiding Burnout – What moving across the country taught her about balance, intuition, and redefining success.

• Saying Yes Before You're Ready – How the universe meets you halfway when you take bold action.

[00:00] Heather's update on podcast consistency and introducing Manuella
[03:26] Manuella's journey from firm designer to founder
[06:45] The Bali trip that changed everything
[10:45] Advocating for yourself as an entrepreneur
[16:44] Landing her first Forbes feature and how to stand out with media
[22:20] Knowing your audience and serving their needs
[24:30] Collaborating with BEHR Paint for the Color of the Year reveal
[25:50] Advocating for your boundaries and avoiding burnout
[31:30] The power of asking and what to do when you get a "no"
[33:36] Manuella's new podcast and why she believes design is for everyone

🌐 Manuella Moreira Interiors: manuellamoreirainteriors.com
📸 Follow Manuella on Instagram: @manuellamoreirainteriors
🕯️ Explore Manuella's candle collection: https://manuellamoreira.com/shop/
🎧 Listen to Manuella's podcast on design and intentional living: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/design-unscripted/id1807446750

Connect with Heather:

• Schedule a call with Heather

• Follow Heather on Instagram

• Website

• Watch Episodes on Youtube

• Heather's TikTok ‍

• heather@elegantwarrior.com

The Elegant Warrior Podcast and content posted by Heather Hansen is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.