The Narrative Advantage Episode 40

The “women supporting women” movement started with genuine intention—lifting each other up, creating community, and dismantling systemic barriers. But somewhere along the way, it got twisted into something that can actually damage the very people it’s meant to help.

In this episode, I break down the five ways this dynamic breaks down in business—and why so many coaches, consultants, and entrepreneurs are burning out trying to “support” each other.

What We Cover:

The Five Breaking Points:

• Emotional labor disguised as support (and why holding space became carrying everyone’s feelings)
• Boundary collapse that makes saying “no” feel like betrayal
• Over-identification and “coaching down” that erases individual context
• Unspoken expectations that create performative collaboration
• Validation masquerading as support (the most insidious problem)

What Actually Works:

• Setting clear boundaries around time, finances, and accessibility
• Transparent communication without the highlight reel
• Collaborative clarity that defines expectations upfront
• Skill sharing instead of saviorism
• Creating offerings without creating obligations

The Shift for 2026: Moving from “I need to save you” to “here’s what I’m offering—take what serves you and make it your own.”

Announcements:

• Breathe Plan Thrive Workshop (January 2026, Eastern Passage/Cow Bay, NS): A day-long somatic finance workshop with financial coach Danielle Abbott. Early bird $95 CAD until December 15—already halfway sold out
• Season Break: This is the second-to-last episode of 2024. Taking a holiday break and returning in January with fresh content
• The Conversion Shift Blog Series: Five-part series on conversion continues at erintraffford.com