The Power of No with Anna Holmes

In this episode of *Read the Damn Book*, Michelle Glogovac sits down with Anna Holmes, author of *The Power of No*, to explore the importance of saying no, setting boundaries, and reclaiming your time and energy. Anna shares the inspiration and personal journey behind her book, along with insights into how gender socialization can make it difficult for women to say no and prioritize their own needs. They discuss women’s empowerment, personal boundaries, self-advocacy, and practical ways to become more comfortable with saying no at any age. Whether you're learning to set healthier boundaries or looking to feel more confident advocating for yourself, this conversation offers thoughtful advice on the power of saying no. **What We're Talking About...** - The power of saying no as a form of boundary-setting and self-empowerment - How women are socialized from childhood to say yes and prioritize others - The evolution of *The Power of No* from an academic concept to accessible storytelling - How intuition can guide decision-making and help with setting healthy boundaries - The impact of media representation on women’s self-perception and confidence - How age and life experience can make it easier to embrace the power of no - The connection between power, gender, and women’s ability to say no - Anna Holmes’ personal stories and insights from her career and life experiences - How childhood experiences can influence adult relationships, boundaries, and people-pleasing - Practical advice for parents and women on building confidence, setting boundaries, and empowering others **Chapters** 00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest Anna Holmes 02:00 Anna Holmes' background and career journey 04:01 The significance of saying no and its celebration 06:01 Childhood socialization and the early lessons of no 08:01 The role of media and representation in women's boundaries 09:59 Personal stories and experiences with boundary-setting 11:46 The evolution of the book and its core message 14:00 The importance of intuition and self-trust in saying no 16:00 The impact of age, experience, and confidence in boundary-setting 17:54 Practical advice for parents and women to empower themselves 19:56 The influence of media, culture, and societal expectations 21:56 Future ideas: children's edition and early boundary education 24:03 Closing thoughts and encouragement to embrace the power of no **Links Mentioned** Anna Holmes's website: http://www.annaholmes.com Anna Holmes's Instagram: https://instagram.com/annaholmes Order your copy of *The Power of No*: https://bookshop.org/a/99223/9780593444573