
What if trusting your instincts just 10% more could help you live with more confidence and less fear?
On the Art of Badassery podcast, host Jenn Cassetta talks with women’s safety educator and Sharp Women author Kelly Sayer about “sharpening” intuition dulled by social conditioning to be nice, ignore red flags, and avoid setting boundaries. Kelly shares how she built practical, non-physical, proactive safety training, translating situational awareness, communication, and body-language skills into everyday tools for moms, travelers, and professionals, including corporate workplace violence prevention.
They discuss common scenarios like romantic interest disguised as business, gaslighting, and the shame that keeps women silent, plus travel tips such as researching locations, being discreet at hotel check-in, and using taxis. Kelly recommends a high-lumen flashlight and a non-metallic “Sharpie” tool, and previews her personal safety subscription box.
Listen to the episode here
Watch the episode here
Welcome to an exciting exploration of women’s empowerment through safety awareness and intuition. In this post, we delve into the enlightening conversation between Jenn Cassetta, chief badassery officer of the “Art of Badassery” podcast, and her friend Kelly Sayre, an expert in women’s safety and author of Sharp Women. Kelly shares her transformative approach to personal safety, emphasizing intuition and situational awareness. This discussion provides invaluable insights into living life safely and on one’s own terms.
Meet the Author: Kelly Sayre
Kelly empowers women with practical tactics to navigate life’s challenges safely. Her unique focus on non-physical, proactive techniques encourages women to recognize and avoid dangers before they manifest. Kelly is a certified expert in various safety and emergency programs, making her an invaluable resource in the field.

The Journey to Empowerment
Kelly’s venture into safety began not with martial arts or law enforcement but as a mother concerned about her children’s safety. This realization sparked her journey toward becoming a safety advocate. Rejecting the conventional focus on physical defense, Kelly emphasizes the importance of situational awareness and intuitive decision-making.
Understanding Intuition and Social Conditioning
A core element of Kelly’s message is the impact of societal conditioning on women’s intuition. She argues that women often second-guess their instincts due to pervasive social norms urging them to be accommodating and non-confrontational. Her book, Sharp Women, aims to restore women’s confidence in their intuition, likening it to sharpening a dulled blade.
Safety and Intuition in the Workplace
Kelly highlights the challenges women face in professional environments, often overshadowed by inappropriate advances disguised as business interactions. She offers guidance on setting boundaries and trusting one’s instincts to navigate such situations effectively. Building on her corporate experience, she educates companies on recognizing subtle behavioral cues to prevent workplace violence before it escalates.
Travel and Personal Safety Tips
As an avid traveler, Kelly shares essential travel safety tips. She advises researching destinations ahead of time, choosing taxis over rideshares for experienced drivers, and maintaining awareness while exploring new places. Her inventive safety tools, like non-metallic Sharpies and flashlights, blend convenience with self-defense capability.
The Power of Community and Continued Learning
Kelly’s initiatives include the Sharp Women Collective, an online community fostering safety education and support. Through courses and subscription boxes, she equips women with tools and knowledge to fortify their personal safety networks. Her efforts remind women of the importance of continuous learning and the power of sharing experiences in community settings.
Conclusion: Embracing Intuition for a Safer Life
Through proactive awareness and intuition, women can navigate the world with greater confidence and less fear. Kelly’s insights encourage women to reclaim trust in their instincts, enhancing their overall quality of life. As Jenn and Kelly emphasize, these conversations are crucial across all platforms to foster a safer, more empowering environment for women.

Key Takeaways:
- Intuition is Key: Trusting one’s intuition can prevent dangerous situations before they occur. It’s essential to listen to that inner voice and follow its guidance.
- Empower Through Awareness: Being aware of your surroundings and understanding the importance of situational awareness can be central to maintaining personal and community safety.
- Education and Community Support: Joining communities like the Sharp Women Collective can provide continuous learning and support, helping women stay informed and connected to safety resources.
Important Links
- Kelly’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thediamondarrowgroup
- Kelly’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thediamondarrowgroup
- Kelly’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/thediamondarrowgroup
- Kelly’s Website: https://www.thediamondarrowgroup.com
- Subscribe to Jenn’s newsletter so you never miss an episode
- The 6 Habits Of High Performance With Jenn Cassetta – Past episode
About Kelly Sayre
Kelly Sayre empowers women with realistic tactics and tools to help them live life safely and on their own terms. Her refreshing angle on women’s safety emphasizes non-physical, proactive situational awareness techniques that recognize and avoid threatening situations before they happen.
With a grounded approach and high energy, Kelly works with law enforcement, nonprofit, corporate and youth organizations on violence prevention, situational awareness training and personal safety. She is a highly sought after speaker at national events, known for her ability to engage the audience, and a frequent guest on global podcasts. Kelly’s book, “Sharp Women” is a best seller and available in Audiobook format.
Kelly is trained in FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team program, the Department of Homeland Security’s Active Shooter Preparedness Workshop, Texas A&M Extension Service’s Crisis Communications & Special Events Risk Management and is certified in Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) as a Train The Coaches (TTC) member. She belongs to the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals and is the social chair for the Great Lakes Chapter. Kelly lives in Minnesota with her two children.
Learn more about Kelly Sayre at https://www.thediamondarrowgroup.com












