From the Toy Store to the White House: One Mom’s Mission to Redefine Girlhood

What if one moment in a toy store could launch a movement? In this powerful close to Season 2, Ep. 30, host Dr. Natalie Luke sits down with Go! Go! Sports Girls founder Jodi Bondi Norgaard, who turned frustration over a hyper-sexualized doll into a nationwide mission to reshape how girls are seen—and how they see themselves. From confronting gatekeepers in the toy industry to earning the support of the White House, Jodi shares her journey of resistance, resilience, and redefining the rules.

Jodi Bondi Norgaard opens up about rejection from major retailers, the self-doubt she had to silence, and the unexpected allies who helped her stay the course. If you’ve ever felt underestimated, stuck in self-doubt, or ready to build something meaningful—this episode is your call to act. Because ambition, imagination, and equality don’t just belong in books or boardrooms. They begin in the stories we tell our children—and in the ones we dare to rewrite.

Takehome Messages:

• Ordinary Moments Can Spark Extraordinary Movements
• You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out
• Resistance Is Part of the Journey
• The Real Work Is Internal
• External Barriers Are Real—but So Is Your Power
• Movements Don’t Grow Alone
• Stay Aligned with Your Mission, Even When Letting Go
• The Fight for Equality Starts Early
• Use Your Intuition and Stand Tall

Resources:

From Jodi Bondi Norgaard

The Book: More Than a Doll: How Creating a Sports Doll Turned into a Fight to End Gender Stereotypes 

More about Jodi Bondi Norgaard

From Natalie Luke, PhD

The Book: UnCeiling Your Career: At Any Age

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