In this episode of The Powerful Ladies Podcast, we sit down with inspiring women from around the globe who are leading transformative initiatives in their communities. From addressing gender inequality and fostering democracy in Syria to supporting orphans in Kenya and fighting for indigenous women's rights in Tanzania, these leaders share their incredible journeys, the challenges they face, and how they stay motivated. We discuss the impact of shrinking international aid, the need for structura...
Aug 13, 2025•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 328
Lauren Kyle McDavid is the powerhouse behind four thriving businesses, Kyle & Co interior design firm, Trove Living, Bar Trove, and Sports Club Ateliers, plus her growing personal brand. In this episode, she joins Kara to share how she’s building an empire with vision, style, and heart, all while navigating the unique challenges of being married to an NHL player. They dive into how Lauren balances creativity with strategy, leads with confidence, builds strong teams, and keeps saying yes to w...
Aug 06, 2025•45 min•Ep. 327
Sarah Ezrin is redefining what modern parenting can look like. A yoga instructor, educator, maternal mental health advocate, and author of The Yoga of Parenting , Sarah brings mindfulness and realism to the often chaotic world of raising kids. In this episode, Kara and Sarah dive into the emotional rollercoaster of parenthood, the pressure to “do it all,” and why building your own village is more essential than ever. You’ll hear how Sarah blends yoga principles into parenting, what it means to m...
Jul 30, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 326
Hillary Whittington is an author, transgender advocate, and mom who never expected her life to become a beacon of hope for families with trans children. In this deeply personal episode, Kara and Hillary explore the realities of parenting a young trans child in a conservative community, navigating deafness and gender identity, and choosing love over fear—every single day. Hillary shares her family’s journey with grace and honesty, from her son Ryland’s early words, "I am a boy", to becoming a pub...
Jul 23, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 325
La Niecia Vicknair, known as Coach LaLa, is a fitness trainer, founder of Thrive Health Lab, and a passionate advocate for building healthier communities, especially for people of color and teens. In this heartfelt conversation, she and Kara dive into her journey from growing up in an overweight family to creating a safe, empowering space where health is about so much more than just working out. They explore the difference between athletic performance and true wellness, the mental and emotional ...
Jul 16, 2025•50 min•Ep. 324
In this episode, artist and designer Ragni Agarwal shares how she found freedom and healing through bold, vibrant art. Ragni is an Indian American fine artist and graphic designer based in Los Angeles, who shares her journey from tech to a professional art career, the mental health benefits of creating art, and the challenges of being a female artist of color in today's climate. Hear about her vibrant art style, collaborations with notable brands like Hulu and Bombay Sapphire, and her dedication...
Jul 09, 2025•56 min•Ep. 323
What does it look like to turn a winding, unconventional path into a thriving creative career? In this episode of the Powerful Ladies® Podcast, host Kara Duffy sits down with Tiffany Bishop, a celebrated wedding and event designer based in Naperville, Illinois. Tiffany shares her inspiring journey of transformation—from studying fashion in the UK, to working in Chicago real estate, to finally discovering her true calling in event planning. Her story is a powerful reminder that success is rarely ...
Jul 02, 2025•53 min•Ep. 322
How do you build a media agency that works with Louis Vuitton, Goop, and Disney? Jhara Valentini, founder of Valentini Media Group, breaks down her approach to strategic marketing, repeatable ROI, and creating campaigns rooted in psychology and integrity. Kara and Jhara talk about what makes the luxury consumer different, how to lead with values, and why data is your best business partner. (00:00:01) - Introduction to Jhara Valentini and Her Journey (00:02:16) - Transition from Psychology to Mar...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 321
Civic power is something we all have...but are we using it? In this special installment of A Powerful Conversation, Kara Duffy sits down with Cara Stewart, CEO of WunderMarx and Chair of the Costa Mesa Democratic Club, to explore how everyday people can reclaim their voice in today’s political landscape. They talk about the myth of neutrality, the loneliness of civic overwhelm, and the real actions citizens and small businesses can take now, from voting and volunteering to amplifying truth and s...
Jun 18, 2025•59 min•Ep. 320
Amber Hollowell is a healthcare advocate, proud mom, and the co-founder of TransParents Podcast, a platform for supporting parents of trans and gender-diverse children.. She and Kara talk about turning personal pain into purpose, trusting your path, and making impact without losing yourself in the process. They break down misinformation, explore the emotional toll of political fear-mongering, and highlight what real advocacy looks like: in the hospital, in legislation, and at home. This conversa...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 319
Linnae O’Neil is the co-founder of Chug Water, Vermont’s small-batch, sustainability-first spring water brand, and a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur with deep roots in community, connection, and impact. In this conversation, she and Kara talk about launching a mission-driven beverage company, why doing things the hard way often means doing them right, and what it looks like to build a slow, intentional business that actually fits your life. They get into running (literally and figuratively), growin...
Jun 04, 2025•53 min•Ep. 318
Nomiki Petrolla is on a mission to close the access gap for women in tech. As founder and CEO of Theanna, a SaaS platform helping women turn ideas into scalable companies, she’s changing what it means to be a startup founder. In this episode, Kara and Nomiki talk about why mindset matters more than perfection, how to build in public, and why some communities fail while others thrive. You’ll hear how a family crisis changed Nomiki’s entire trajectory, the difference between “idea people” and “doe...
May 28, 2025•46 min•Ep. 317
Julie Leffler is a marketing strategist who helps mission-driven brands cut through the noise and connect with their audience. In this episode, she and Kara talk about the most common marketing mistakes growing businesses make, how to measure what actually matters, and the tools that help purpose-led leaders make smart decisions without burnout. Whether you're a solopreneur or scaling a team, this conversation brings clarity to marketing strategy, content planning, and visibility. (00:00:04) - U...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 316
Fashion designer and Fanm Mon founder Sophia Demirtas joins Kara for a conversation that spans continents and callings. From growing up around tailored school uniforms in Haiti to working in NYC homeless shelters, Sophia’s path to fashion was far from linear. She shares how social work shaped her business values, how eBay taught her supply chain basics, and why preserving craftsmanship and culture is central to her designs. This episode explores fashion entrepreneurship, ethical production, and ...
May 14, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 315
Jackie Adler is a Senior Financial Planner and Investment Advisor who combines strategy with empathy. A 9/11 survivor and second-generation financial expert, Jackie brings deep personal insight to helping women navigate financial decisions during major life transitions like divorce, loss, or reinvention. In this episode, Kara and Jackie get real about what financial wellness actually looks like, talking retirement myths, saving while living paycheck to paycheck, intergenerational money stories, ...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 314
What does it really look like to rebuild when life falls apart? In this special episode on resiliency, Kara is joined by four women: Anne Watson, Karen “Duff” Duffy, Michelle Jernigan, and Rup Duhra. They've lived through loss, illness, heartbreak, and transformation. Together they share how they stayed grounded, found purpose again, and made space for healing. From chronic pain to career pivots to rethinking what power looks like, this episode is a reminder that growth doesn't come from pushing...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 313
Interior designer and Design Dash founder Laura Umansky joins Kara for a powerful conversation about creative entrepreneurship, designing with intention, and how badass women can build businesses they love. They discuss building strong teams, balancing vision with systems, and why the interior design industry is ripe for change. If you’re a creative ready to scale, this one’s for you. (00:00:02) - Introduction to Laura Umansky and Her Journey (00:01:46) - The Importance of Entrepreneurship and F...
Apr 23, 2025•56 min•Ep. 312
Judith Kargbo is a powerhouse in the podcasting world, an acclaimed writer, senior producer at SiriusXM, and a trusted voice behind shows like Best Friends and Scam Goddess. In this episode, Kara and Judith explore what it takes to create meaningful, high-quality content in today’s saturated podcast industry. They talk about audio integrity, personal boundaries, industry gatekeeping, and how podcasting can both empower and exclude depending on who’s behind the mic. Judith shares her journey from...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 311
Artist Cicely Carew joins Kara for a powerful conversation about creativity, community, and staying true to your voice, even when it’s hard. They talk about the real work behind building an art career, the power of supportive mentors, and navigating the tension between personal expression and public visibility. Cicely opens up about motherhood, burnout, and the practices that help her stay grounded as an artist and woman. If you’re a creative navigating business, identity, or burnout, this episo...
Apr 09, 2025•55 min•Ep. 310
Carmen Bellagio is an exotic dancer, designer, entrepreneur, and powerful voice for sex worker rights. In this episode, Kara talks with Carmen about breaking stereotypes, building a business from scratch, and redefining what it means to be empowered. They explore her journey from college student to creator of the Banklet®, her viral success with Thottie Revival, and why sex work and feminism are not mutually exclusive. This episode dives into sex work advocacy, personal finance, and entrepreneur...
Apr 02, 2025•59 min•Ep. 309
Sarah Hutcherson is a breath coach, founder of Slo Breathworks, and a former athlete who learned to slow down the hard way. In this candid conversation, she and Kara talk about recovering from long Covid, healing from burnout, and why understanding your breath might be the key to understanding yourself. They cover the science and spirituality of breathing, the invisible weight of chronic illness, and how to build a life with more presence, curiosity, and grace. This episode explores breathwork, ...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 308
Alice Reed is a commercial pilot, solo traveler, and the creative force behind Cedar & Sky Co. In this inspiring episode, Kara and Alice talk about finding freedom in flight, navigating nontraditional paths, and embracing all sides of yourself. They discuss how solo travel builds confidence, what it’s like to be a woman in aviation, and the journey of building a creative business from the ground up. If you're exploring new directions, balancing multiple passions, or wondering how to have it ...
Mar 19, 2025•53 min•Ep. 307
What happens when two creatives walk away from burnout careers to build something values-aligned? In this episode, Kara talks with Erik Perez & Marisa Issa, co-founders of Hello PR Group, a purpose-led PR and branding agency amplifying voices in arts, culture, and social impact. They share what it really takes to grow a business in your integrity, why community is their compass, and how they’ve navigated the creative industry without losing themselves. This episode explores purpose-driven ag...
Mar 12, 2025•55 min•Ep. 306
Brianna Madia is a two-time New York Times bestselling author, unapologetic storyteller, and one of the most influential voices in van life and self-defined living. In this episode, Kara and guest co-host Shae LaPlace sit down with Brianna to talk about identity, rebellion, and what it means to live without a script. From desert adventures to navigating imposter syndrome, Brianna shares her path from social media to bestselling books and how she’s reclaiming creativity on her own terms. A must-l...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 305
Kari Morris is the co-founder of Martie.com, a mission-driven online discount grocery store tackling food waste and food access head-on. In this episode, she joins Kara to talk about disrupting the grocery industry, building a brand with impact, and how motherhood and art continue to shape her entrepreneurial journey. They dig into purpose-driven business models, how to lead with heart, and the real-life systems that make doing-it-all sustainable. If you're interested in food innovation, creativ...
Feb 26, 2025•42 min•Ep. 304
Erin Cain is the founder of Grace Reins, an equine therapy center and wild mustang rescue located outside Telluride, Colorado. In this powerful conversation, Kara and Erin explore how horses help us reconnect with our nervous systems, process trauma, and rediscover the childlike parts of ourselves we often lose along the way. They discuss the healing potential of animal-assisted therapy, generational trauma, mental health stigma, and what it means to live with authenticity and emotional coherenc...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 303
Priscila Martinez is the award-winning CEO of The Brand Agency, a bicoastal PR and creative communications firm representing powerhouses like Hulu, Disney, and Gucci. In this episode, Kara and Priscila dig into the real story of building a values-driven agency from the ground up, navigating LA’s wildfire chaos while leading a team, and how resilience, hustle, and humor shape long-term success. They talk candidly about public relations, entrepreneurship, and why owning your story is a superpower....
Feb 12, 2025•49 min•Ep. 302
Evelyn Moon is an immigration attorney and founder of Evelyn Moon Law PC, where she helps individuals and businesses navigate the U.S. immigration system with clarity and compassion. In this episode, she and Kara talk about the reality of immigration law today, from navigating ICE raids and executive orders to supporting families and companies through visa, green card, and citizenship processes. Evelyn shares her journey from Seoul to Southern California, what inspired her to pursue law after be...
Feb 05, 2025•51 min•Ep. 301
To celebrate our 300th episode, Kara Duffy is joined by her sister and senior audio engineer Jordan Duffy, and podcast producer Amanda Kass, for a behind-the-scenes look at how the Powerful Ladies Podcast gets made. They talk candidly about how the show started, the work that goes into each episode, and what they’ve learned across five years and 300 interviews. From navigating imposter syndrome to building an intentional community, this conversation is full of heart, humor, and hard-won wisdom. ...
Jan 29, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 300
Photographer and filmmaker Taylor O’Sullivan joins Kara to talk about the pivots, risks, and lessons that come with a creative career. After burnout and a major professional reset, Taylor stepped away from a demanding commercial film job and slowly rebuilt a life that honors joy, artistry, and freedom. They talk about traveling solo, being open to reinvention, navigating creative insecurity, and the value of taking your time. If you’ve ever questioned your path or wondered how to restart on your...
Jan 22, 2025•49 min•Ep. 299
