Why is it so hard to choose ourselves - even when we know it’s the right thing to do? Andrea Owen, bestselling author of How to Stop Feeling Like Shit and Make Some Noise, joins Kara to unpack what’s really behind self-abandonment, the cost of ignoring our intuition, and how to start setting better boundaries. In this honest, funny, and empowering episode, Kara and Andrea talk about how our culture teaches women to put everyone else first, why self-compassion is more effective than self-criticis...
Oct 04, 2023•49 min•Ep. 238
Andrew Petterson didn’t take the straight path to becoming a fine artist. He’s an engineer, fabricator, and former custom car builder who’s worked on some of the most iconic cars in the business. But art kept calling. In this episode, Kara and Andrew talk about the creative risks it takes to bet on yourself, how his show Hot Shoe Chronicles came together, and what it means to create art that’s timeless. They also talk about fear, flow, identity, motorcycles, mentorship, and the magic of saying y...
Sep 27, 2023•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 237
Carroll Dunham is an anthropologist, author, producer, and National Geographic explorer who's spent the last three decades living between Nepal and Mongolia. She’s studied traditional medicine, worked with women in rural economies, raised foster children, and partnered with indigenous communities to champion environmental conservation. In this episode, Carroll shares the life experiences that shaped her, and why there’s no single script for living with purpose. She and Kara discuss: How curiosit...
Sep 20, 2023•57 min•Ep. 236
Reb Masel is a practicing attorney and the creator behind the viral TikTok and podcast brand Rebuttal. In this re-release episode, Reb and Kara talk about what it really means to have rights if no one teaches you how to use them, and how she's using humor and plain language to close that gap. They break down the biggest misconceptions about the legal system, how media and politics distort legal understanding, and what every citizen should know about the law but probably doesn't. Reb also shares ...
Sep 13, 2023•51 min•Ep. 237
Social media and digital marketing can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re the face of your business. In this episode, Kara talks with Alexandra Generales, Founder of Little Social Co., about building a boutique agency that supports creatives, artists, and interior designers with marketing strategies that actually reflect who they are. They discuss how Alexandra went from underpaid freelancer to leading a thriving agency, why boundaries matter in client relationships, and how to market you...
Sep 06, 2023•44 min•Ep. 231
Amanda Foust is a certified coach, marketing agency founder, and creator of the Highest Potential Planner. She joins Kara for a candid conversation about mindset coaching for women, building multiple businesses while parenting four kids, and what it takes to wake up to your life - and take bold action. They dive into personal development for women, redefining success, and the power of intentional habits. Amanda shares how her coaching practice and agency have evolved, why relationships are every...
Aug 30, 2023•45 min•Ep. 233
In this episode, Kara talks with Sarah Croce, the powerhouse behind Village for Mamas, a nonprofit offering no-strings-attached grants to new and expecting mothers. Sarah is a birth doula, yoga and Pilates instructor, and nurse midwife in training. They explore the systemic failures of maternal care in the U.S., why postpartum support is often overlooked, and how Sarah is creating real change, one mama at a time. This is a powerful conversation about female entrepreneur stories, redefining succe...
Aug 23, 2023•48 min•Ep. 232
Ginger Fatale (aka Kristen Crowe) is a licensed clinical counselor, board-certified dance movement therapist, and the founder of Soul on Fire Dance, a burlesque studio that helps adults reconnect with their bodies through movement, confidence, and community. In this episode of Powerful Ladies, Kara and Ginger dive into how somatic therapy and dance can heal what talk therapy alone can’t. They explore the power of embodied confidence, how to build safe, inclusive spaces, and what it really means ...
Aug 16, 2023•48 min•Ep. 231
Mayly Tao, known as the Donut Princess of Los Angeles, is a brand consultant, author of An American Dream, With Sprinkles, and host of the podcast Short N’ Sweet. In this inspiring episode, she joins Kara to share how she transformed her family's 24-hour donut shop into a social media phenomenon and then used that platform to launch a multi-hyphenate career rooted in joy, service, and community. They talk about grief, burnout, and honoring her Cambodian refugee roots, as well as what it takes to...
Aug 09, 2023•42 min•Ep. 230
In this episode of the Powerful Ladies Podcast, Jeanne Carver shares how a devastating phone call about wool sales sparked her 25-year mission to revitalize American-made wool. Founder of Shaniko Wool Company, Jeanne’s story weaves together sustainability, entrepreneurship, and leadership in agriculture. She talks about creating new income streams for family ranchers, collaborating with brands like Ralph Lauren and Patagonia, and how regenerative ranching is transforming local economies and envi...
Aug 02, 2023•58 min•Ep. 229
What happens when you stop trying to make a broken system work and start building the life and business you really want? Hannah Jenkinson did just that. After years in the U.S. fashion world, she moved to Cusco, Peru, to create a sustainable knitwear brand on her own terms. In this episode, she shares what it’s really like to move abroad, build a purpose-driven fashion business from scratch, and partner with local women artisans to bring her designs to life. We talk about entrepreneurship, perso...
Jul 26, 2023•51 min•Ep. 228
What if your marketing strategy wasn’t just about selling products but building authentic relationships? Sanaz Dizaj Parham, Brand Director at Axel Arigato, joins Kara to share how community-first marketing has helped turn a Swedish streetwear startup into a global phenomenon. From growing up between cultures to becoming a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Sanaz shares what it means to lead with intention, claim your space, and step into your own power. This episode is a masterclass in leadership, min...
Jul 19, 2023•42 min•Ep. 227
What happens when you channel your grief into something beautiful and share it with the world? Claire Buckley did just that. After leaving her career in fashion marketing, she followed an unexpected path into painting full-time. Now, her ethereal, prism-like work resonates deeply with anyone who’s experienced loss, longing, or the quiet magic of everyday life. In this episode, we talk about making the leap into entrepreneurship, navigating self-doubt, how to price your work as an artist, and the...
Jul 12, 2023•36 min•Ep. 226
What does it really take to create a workplace where people feel seen, safe, and motivated to lead? Chris Rollins is a keynote speaker, coach, and creator of The Ripple Effect Leader™ - a framework that helps teams become more human, more inclusive, and more effective. In this episode, Chris and Kara talk about leading with vulnerability, why emotional safety drives performance, and what it means to build a legacy that ripples beyond your role. Chris shares his personal story of growing up close...
Jul 05, 2023•51 min•Ep. 225
Swimwear shopping is a nightmare for most women, but Hayley Segar decided to do something about it. She’s the founder of onewith swim, the first swimwear brand that fits like underwear. In this episode, she shares how she built a category-breaking fashion product from scratch, what really goes into launching a DTC brand, and why her mission is as much about confidence as it is about style. We talk about product development, founder resilience, women’s body image, and the emotional power of getti...
Jun 28, 2023•59 min•Ep. 224
What happens when you stop waiting for permission and start creating a life that feels good to you every single day? Rainey Lancaster Hoag, an Apple+ marketer, content creator, and lifestyle entrepreneur, is doing just that. She joins Kara to talk about building a brand that celebrates beauty, intentionality, and joy in the everyday. They talk about how grief shifted her priorities, the inspiration behind her new fashion and lifestyle venture, and how she balances it all with a demanding job in ...
Jun 21, 2023•51 min•Ep. 223
What does it really mean to be both the producer and the talent? Event producer, musician, and Soho Works events manager Monique Siaw shares how she’s built a career out of bringing other people’s visions to life, while honoring her own. In this episode, she and Kara talk about music, identity, ambition, and what it takes to build spaces where real community and collaboration can thrive. Monique reflects on lessons from the gig economy, why she sets boundaries around her time and energy, and how...
Jun 14, 2023•50 min•Ep. 222
Can you love fashion and still fight for the planet? Beth Esponnette says yes, and she’s proving it. As the co-founder of Unspun, Beth is building a future where clothes are made on-demand, with zero waste and local manufacturing. In this episode, she shares how her team is using 3D weaving to change the way we think about fit, sustainability, and circular design. We talk about purpose-driven careers, redefining success, entrepreneurship, and what it takes to challenge a deeply entrenched global...
Jun 07, 2023•50 min•Ep. 221
What happens when you stop shrinking yourself to make others comfortable? Krystl Fabella is the founder of Filipina on the Rise, and she’s on a mission to help women of color reclaim their power, purpose, and visibility. In this conversation, Krystl opens up about the burnout that forced her to reimagine success, the identity shifts that came with it, and how she’s rebuilding with more clarity and confidence than ever before. We talk about career development, mindset coaching for women, redefini...
May 31, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 220
What does it really take to market a small business today? Marissa Stahl, CEO and founder of Cherry Creative, shares why “more content” isn’t the answer and what actually drives sales and connection. In this episode, we unpack how to build a 360-degree strategy that feels aligned and effective, not overwhelming. Marissa also shares what she’s learned as a founder, how her background in theater shaped her mindset, and why relationships and community should be at the center of every marketing plan...
May 24, 2023•53 min•Ep. 219
What happens when you follow the spark, even if you don’t know where it will lead? In this episode, Kara talks with Christina Minutillo, an Italian-American host, author, and podcaster whose self-published cookbook launched a whole new chapter in her life. They talk about how Christina went from corporate fashion to building her own brand rooted in joy, creativity, and community. You’ll hear how her cookbook came to life during COVID, how it helped her discover her voice, and how it opened the d...
May 17, 2023•38 min•Ep. 218
What happens when artists, athletes, journalists, and activists come together in a mountain town to change the world? You get Mountainfilm. In this episode, Kara sits down with Festival Director Suzan Beraza and Marketing Manager Shae LaPlace to explore how this Telluride-based documentary film festival sparks global conversations and lasting impact. Suzan and Shae share how they curate more than 100 films each year, why curiosity is the foundation of powerful storytelling, and what’s in store f...
May 10, 2023•58 min•Ep. 217
What happens when you stop chasing the career you're "supposed" to want and start building a life around food, joy, and connection? Julie Hartigan made that leap. After a decade in tech and engineering, she became a chef, wellness coach, TV personality, and now a food-focused travel entrepreneur. In this episode, Julie shares how she pivoted careers in her 40s, what it means to make food an act of self-love, and why she's now creating global experiences that bring women together through cooking,...
May 03, 2023•47 min•Ep. 216
What does it look like to build a business where your values actually lead the way? Gemma Totten is the founder of Chapter Six Jewelry, a jewelry brand rooted in sustainability, community, and impact. In this episode, she shares how she transitioned from environmental activism into entrepreneurship without compromising her beliefs. We talk about creative entrepreneurship, mindset coaching for women, redefining success, purpose-driven careers, and the power of doing things differently. Whether yo...
Apr 26, 2023•54 min•Ep. 215
What if the secret to confident leadership and a thriving workplace was simply… being clear? In this powerful conversation, Lindsay White, founder of High Voltage Leadership, shares how clarity, kindness, and self-trust can transform your leadership and your life. After walking away from a toxic corporate job, Lindsay built a leadership coaching business designed to help female entrepreneurs build culture-rich teams, maintain integrity, and lead from a place of purpose. We talk about the emotion...
Apr 19, 2023•51 min•Ep. 214
What happens when two stylish best friends join forces to build a jewelry and fashion brand that’s equally bold, beautiful, and sustainable? Carolina Cordon-Bouzan and Gayle Yelon, co-founders of Montserrat New York, are proving that self-made women can do it all, with lab-grown diamonds, jetset-inspired fashion, and a whole lot of entrepreneurial grit. In this episode, we talk about building a business from scratch, redefining success as a creative entrepreneur, and why community, mindset, and ...
Apr 12, 2023•51 min•Ep. 213
What if the key to emotional resilience wasn’t talking more but physically releasing what’s been stuck inside for years? Janet Barrett is a mental health speaker and the author of Stop the Break, a book about proactive mental health and how we can stop carrying invisible emotional burdens that keep us from thriving. In this conversation, Janet shares the moment she broke and how that moment became the catalyst for completely changing how she lives, parents, and leads. You’ll hear how a divorce f...
Apr 05, 2023•53 min•Ep. 212
What does it really take to get featured in Vogue or Forbes? Publicist Sydney Schiff is the founder of Sydney on the Scene, a boutique PR agency that supports small brands doing big things. From fashion to food to wellness, her agency works with female founders and LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs to tell their stories through earned media, events, and creative strategy. In this episode, Sydney shares how she built her PR business from scratch after getting laid off, what it means to actually be ready for...
Mar 29, 2023•48 min•Ep. 211
What if the dream you had as a kid – the one you buried under jobs, bills, and adulting – was still waiting for you? That’s exactly what happened to Bet Heykoop. She was working in tech, on paper successful, but inside feeling lost. Then one day she quit, got behind the wheel, and everything changed. In this episode, Bet shares the wild road from self-taught parking lot spins to working on real Hollywood stunt sets. We talk about how she made the leap, the power of manifesting specific outcomes,...
Mar 22, 2023•52 min•Ep. 210
Kelly Roberts never imagined she’d be the face of a running movement. In fact, she used to hate running. But after losing her brother and turning to running as a way to cope, Kelly discovered not only a new outlet for grief, but a new path for herself. Today, she’s the founder of Badass Lady Gang, a community-focused running group rewriting the rules of who gets to be an athlete. In this episode, Kelly shares how she went from outsider to community builder, why traditional fitness culture fails ...
Mar 15, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 209
