In this eye-opening episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik sits down with Jodi Norgaard—entrepreneur, activist, and author of More Than a Doll. Together, they unpack the deep psychological effects of gendered toys on children’s confidence, the subtle messages embedded in childhood play, and how early conditioning impacts women’s leadership and self-perception. Jodi shares her trailblazing journey of launching Go! Go! Sports Girls, battling industry resistance, and proving that purpose-driven entrepreneurship can challenge norms and inspire change.
If you’ve ever wondered how the toys we buy shape society—or how to build a business without compromising your values—this conversation is for you.
About Jodi Norgaard:
Jodi Norgaard is the founder of Go! Go! Sports Girls, keynote speaker, activist, and author of More Than a Doll: How Creating a Sports Doll Turned Into a Fight to End Gender Stereotypes. She has collaborated with the White House Gender Policy Council, the Geena Davis Institute, and has been featured on Forbes, Today Show, and The New York Times. Her mission: to redefine play and empower girls.
Key Takeaways:
How gendered toys influence kids’ self-esteem
Why parents often miss subtle messages in toys
The confidence gap—and how early play shapes it
Jodi’s fight to challenge an industry resistant to change
How purpose and profit can (and must) coexist in business
Connect with Jodi Norgaard:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodibondinorgaard/
Instagram: @jodibondinorgaard
Substack: https://jodibondinorgaard.substack.com/
Ms. Magazine Contributor: https://msmagazine.com/
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