Making Space to Exhale: Rest, Resistance & Reclaiming Power with Lisa Hurley
Wed Apr 30 2025
In this empowering episode of the INvisible Women Podcast, host Melody and Monica sits down with award-winning writer, activist, and creator of The Great Exhale, Lisa Hurley.
As we close out Autism Awareness Month, Lisa opens up about her lived experience as a Black autistic woman, the daily exhaustion of navigating professional spaces not built for her, and why she created digital sanctuaries where Black women can finally breathe. Lisa is creating a movement where Black women are unapologetically taking off the “Strong Black Woman” capes and stepping boldly into a new era—the Soft Life Era—one rooted in rest, restoration, and radical self-honoring.
Lisa’s upcoming book, Space to Exhale: A Handbook for Curating a Soft, Centered, Serene Life, is more than a wellness guide—it’s a lifeline for those tired of hustle culture, unspoken expectations, and masking exhaustion behind competence.
In this episode, she speaks truth to the pressure Black women face to “perform strength” while rarely receiving support in return.
✨ This episode is for you if you’ve ever felt:
Tired of doing it all while being seen as “too much” or “not enough”
Overstimulated by environments that ignore your needs
Pressured to smile through pain or prove your struggle to be believed
Exhausted from being strong when what you really need is rest
We talk rest as resistance, softness as survival, and why Lisa believes Black women deserve to exhale—without apology.
🎧 Tune in now and be part of the conversation.📘 Pre-order Space to Exhale at spacetoexhalebook.com
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In this empowering episode of the INvisible Women Podcast, host Melody and Monica sits down with award-winning writer, activist, and creator of The Great Exhale, Lisa Hurley. As we close out Autism Awareness Month, Lisa opens up about her lived experience as a Black autistic woman, the daily exhaustion of navigating professional spaces not built for her, and why she created digital sanctuaries where Black women can finally breathe. Lisa is creating a movement where Black women are unapologetically taking off the “Strong Black Woman” capes and stepping boldly into a new era—the Soft Life Era—one rooted in rest, restoration, and radical self-honoring. Lisa’s upcoming book, Space to Exhale: A Handbook for Curating a Soft, Centered, Serene Life, is more than a wellness guide—it’s a lifeline for those tired of hustle culture, unspoken expectations, and masking exhaustion behind competence. In this episode, she speaks truth to the pressure Black women face to “perform strength” while rarely receiving support in return. ✨ This episode is for you if you’ve ever felt: Tired of doing it all while being seen as “too much” or “not enough” Overstimulated by environments that ignore your needs Pressured to smile through pain or prove your struggle to be believed Exhausted from being strong when what you really need is rest We talk rest as resistance, softness as survival, and why Lisa believes Black women deserve to exhale—without apology. 🎧 Tune in now and be part of the conversation.📘 Pre-order Space to Exhale at spacetoexhalebook.com