Powerful Ladies® Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

I am so excited to talk with this week's guest, two-time bestselling author Brianna Madia. Plus, I’m joined by the incredible Shae LaPlace as my guest co-host. We explore so much with Brianna as she shares her journey as an author and content creator, her upcoming van life adventure, and how living simply helps her stay grounded. She also gives us an inside look at writing her third book, which explores the balance between being different and finding joy in simple pleasures. This conversation is all about empowering women, the power of self-assurance, and celebrating our unique identities. We laugh a lot and reflect on what it means to live a life that's genuinely ours.

In this episode, I chat with Kari Morris, co-founder of Martie—an online discount grocery store revolutionizing the food industry. We dive into her journey from a background in food and art to launching Martie, driven by the challenge of moving seasonal and near-expired products during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kari shares how Martie is tackling food waste, increasing accessibility, and helping customers save big. We also explore the power of community, the importance of mission-driven business, and how she keeps her creativity alive. Plus, we discuss work-life balance, how motherhood reshaped her perspective on food, and the subtle ways she weaves art into daily life.

Putting yourself on stage or sharing your voice on a podcast is scary. You have to be vulnerable and put yourself out there. Morgan Lorraine Gallo is doing that—courageously sharing her story, addressing her trauma, and stepping into the role of an eating disorder recovery advocate. She’s on the rise and is generously inviting others to join her journey. In this episode, we discuss her path as a comedian, her experience with an eating disorder, her new podcast, and the supportive community she’s passionate about creating.

With dreams of becoming the next Betsy Johnson and a successful career in design, Mindy Scheier had no idea her fashion future would be in founding and running two organizations and revolutionizing fashion design and talent. She is the founder and CEO of  Runway of Dreams & Gamut Talent Management. In this episode, she shares the catalyst for her pivot, how she’s working with major global brands to create adaptive clothing, and how chasing all in after your big dreams is exactly what your soul and the world is waiting for you to do. 

When Stephanie Kauffman had two important people in her life get diagnosed with cancer in one year, she decided it was time to pivot from working in Hollywood to working in cancer research. In this episode, we discuss how Melanoma is affecting younger and younger people, why new research is important, and how Stephanie is using all of her skills to also bring a media voice to women & minorities. 

Humans are complex & beautiful, and yet we like to pretend that we’re not. Today's guest, Parisa Frost is herself beautifully multi-layered as an Identity Affirming & Trauma Oriented Marital & Family Therapist, Creator of Hiking Healers, Yogi, and is also a voice for the women of Iran. She uses her talents to help clients break down their identities to empower themselves as well as to strengthen relationships, communication and communities. Skills we all need! 

Guys! I am so excited (after years of asking them to be on the podcast) to finally introduce you to two of my favorite humans, dear friends and amazing Power Couple, Josh & Liza Shirazi. They are inspiration to me in so many ways - they’re each successful in their own businesses, they have a great relationship, their kids are awesome, they have the dog, the house, the friends, the family dinners and even an actual white picket fence. They’re also two of the most humble people you’ll ever meet. When we hang out we are able to talk about ALL of the things because they get that life is all the things at once so let’s make as much of it work as possible. They are people who know what it means to live life intentionally and I can’t wait for you to meet them.

Jenn Harper knows that three things are critical for life JOY, Community and Representation. As the founder of Cheekbone Beauty, the Indigenous-owned and founded, digitally-native, Canadian cosmetics company (currently available at @cheekbonebeauty and @sephoracanada), she’s made both a top priority in company values, marketing and simply how life is done. She knows that representation starts with her as an indigenous woman who is also successful and a founder and creating products that others in the indigenous community can see on billboards.  She’s bringing joy through her products and marketing. She’s constantly aware and in honor of all her communities - the Cheekbone Beauty community, her indigenous community, her entrepreneurial community and all the others who are creating the space for her to chase after her dreams.

Democracies and great societies work because citizens participate.  As John F Kennedy said, Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. Today’s guest, Karen Losi, understands the assignment. She’s pivoted from a successful career in retail to looking to where she can best be of service to her community, first as a foster parent and soon with her masters degree in social work. In this episode we discuss her choice to pivot, the realities of kids and families in need, and why we need more people to share their gifts to elevate and create the caring, connected communities we crave. 

Today’s guest, Christie Garcia, and I share one of my biggest pet peeves about corporate America. We do not train or teach people how to go from being an independent contributor to being a manager or leader. Instead most companies think they’re doing you the employee a favor by giving you a promotion that includes leading people and assume you’ll figure it out. Being a great producer and being a great leader are completely different skill sets.  Christie has taken this frustration and created her company the Mindful Choice Leadership Academy where she is helping managers and leaders of all kinds to step into the mindset, approach and perspective that allow them to be not just great, but transformational leaders.