Women of Impact

Sarah Jakes Roberts: How To Become A Powerful Woman, Build Self-Worth & Set Boundaries! | PT 2 (Fan Fave)

·1 hr 3 min·5 clips
Sarah Jakes Roberts explains why being called 'powerful' initially freaked her out and what she learned about authenticity.
This episode is part two of a conversation between host Lisa Bilyeu and guest Sarah Jakes Roberts, focused on women gaining and using personal power. Sarah begins by reflecting on her initial discomfort when audiences called her 'powerful,' explaining she had to reconcile that praise with her self-image. She frames true power as the 'overflow' of who you are in private, not a performance. The discussion moves to practical applications in parenting, where Sarah describes asking for small breaks to model humanity to her children, teaching them she is a person with needs, not just a provider. She emphasizes the importance of showing her daughters her full self, including nervousness before speaking, to prepare them for their own humanity. Lisa references a viral video of Sarah ripping off her wig mid-sermon as an example of authentic power. Sarah details her efforts to teach her daughters about body image, autonomy, and valuing intellect over external admiration. The conversation shifts to core values and systems; Sarah explains that aligning daily systems with values is crucial for authentic living and boundary-setting. She shares a personal story about canceling an apartment tour with her son due to a headache, illustrating how asking for support allows others to show up for you. Sarah discusses the concept of 'powering down' so others can 'power up,' using the example of her husband taking the kids to school differently than she would. She stresses the importance of knowing how you can be harmful to others and taking ownership of it. Sarah recounts a pivotal moment of powerlessness: ramming her ex-husband's car after finding another woman in it, which taught her the depths of her own toxicity. When asked what advice she'd give her younger self, she surprisingly says she wouldn't change the event, as it revealed what was inside her. She defines 'restoration' as reclaiming your soul's hope and joy, not returning to a past life. Sarah advises viewing past struggles through compassion, not shame, to carry forward empowering lessons. She identifies 'power leaks' as small daily compromises, like saying yes when you mean no, which cumulatively drain power. Finally, she addresses the 'dark side of power,' warning that power without accountability leads to abuse, and shares how she seeks accountability through questions to her family and team.

As heard by us

A grounded reflection on self-worth, support, and the burden of always being the strong one.

Power is treated here as something relational, not simply individual. The guest looks at what shifts when a woman keeps meeting every moment from her own strength, even when support is available.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You will hear how saying what you need can change the way support reaches you.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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