Powerful Ladies® Podcast

Episode 73: Raiza Licea Is Lifting Up LatinX Voices & Making Miami Proud

Raize Licea is an improv comedian, actor, podcastor, creator, host, activist and BOSS at creating spaces for latinx voices to be heard in comedy. We recorded this episode during Covid19 quarantine via zoom, pre black lives matter protests, and at the time didn’t realize how foreshadowing this conversation would be. In this episode we talk about how she created Spanish Aqui Presents, her perspective of the world as a Cuban-American from Miami, and why it matters to her that she paves the way for people coming up behind her and voices that aren’t heard. Plus why she loves basketball and cats. All that and so much more!

Episode 72: From Working In Tech to Owning a Franchise Dream Business With Paula Camarena

Paula Camarena is a trailblazer.  She worked for years in tech and always had a calling for working for herself. Instead of creating a business from scratch, she explored franchise businesses to find her perfect fit.  Today she’s among 3% of women working in her field and she loves it. On this episode we discuss her path to entrepreneurship, the women who have inspired her, and what it’s like to be breaking barriers in a male dominated industry. All that and so much more.

Episode 71: Lifestyle Entrepreneur Ellen Ho On How to Make Money Doing What You Love

Ellen Ho is a serial lifestyle entrepreneur.  She’s built businesses around the life that she wanted, which has allowed her to travel, explore different parts of who she is, be creative and make a difference in the world all while still generating abundance. On this episode she reveals her secrets to creating the life of your dreams, the turning point that opened up new a new way of looking at the world, and how you can do this too. All that and so much more.

Episode 70: Cameron Esposito Wants You To Know You’re Doing Better Than You Think

Cameron Esposito is a stand up comedian, actor, host of the Queery Podcast, and is an even during a pandemic best selling author.  She’s hilarious, and smart, and awesome, and her passion has always been providing support and shining a light on disenfranchised communities, especially the LGBTQ+ community.  In this episode we talk about how her work and her art has changed and even saved lives, we discuss how she pivoted from wanting to be a priest to becoming a comedian, and why she is always putting her customers, fans and people first. All that and so much more!

Episode 69: Actress Annie Gonzalez Says Play Big & Share Your Unique Gifts

I am so excited to introduce to you Annie Gonzalez. She’s an actress, producer, creator, songwriter, taking on the world and sharing what matters to her, especially on her YouTube channel.  Her commitment is to profound concepts being told in regular language and accessible to everyone.  She’s not afraid to speak her mind, be herself, or to educate and provide spaces for others to expand, be heard and gain visibility. In this episode she shares her journey as an actress, her passions for community improvement, and what’s next for her.  All that and so much more!

Episode 68: A Powerful Conversation About America - Racism Episode 1

Today you will hear a new style of the Powerful Ladies Podcast.  This is the live, unedited recording from our roundtable, A Powerful Conversation About America: Racism Episode 1.  This powerful, moving, and inspiring conversation took place on June 5th, 2020 featuring Sharifah Hardie, Ronda Brunson, Mikelle Drew and Chandra Gore. We encourage and invite you to share this episode with everyone who needs to hear it. Thank you for listening to this special episode. In our commitment to continuing the conversation of racism and solutions to racism in America we have scheduled follow up events.  A Powerful Conversations About America, Episode 2 will take place on July 24th and A Powerful Conversations About America, Episode 3 will take place on October 2nd. You can register now for these free events at thepowerfulladies.com.  For additional resources and ways to take action, follow us on Instagram @powerladies and check out Powerful Ladies Thrive Collective, our membership community of Powerful women rising, where we are continuing this conversation as well. 

You can follow & connect with our panelists on Instagram here:
Sharifah Hardie @sharifahhardie
Ronda Brunson @msbrunson_creditqueen
Mikelle Drew @383design
Chandra Gore @cgoreconsults

In the meantime, be safe, be loud, be the leaders we need, be awesome and up to something you love. 

Episode 67: Isabel Muller Says Choose Fresh & SWTCH

Have you ever been on a camping trip or snowboarding and thought, “I should change my underwear” but didn’t because then you’d have to take off your shoes, outer pants, base layer, etc, etc before you could even get to your underwear?  Great news. Today’s guest, Isabel Muller has solved this problem. Her brand SWTCH created underwear you can switch out at any time without taking off all your layers, so you’re always wearing a fresh pair.  On this episode we talk about where this idea came from, why it personally matters to her and how her business is changing the way we’ll think about underwear forever. All that and so much more!

Episode 66: Jennifer Burdis On How To Find The American Ninja Warrior In You

How do you have dyslexia and become both a teacher and an author?  How can you be 5’1” and become not only a Penn State Volleyball player but also an American Ninja Warrior?  Well on this episode you’re going to find out. We are honored to have the amazing Jennifer Burdis on today’s podcast.  We talk about how her obstacles created her destiny, her journey from coal country PA to teacher, trainer, speaker, author and two season American Ninja Warrior here in California, and how you too can find your path by using the things that appear to have been roadblocks and seeing them instead as turn signals. All that and so much more!

Episode 65: How To Stay In Your Light Through It All With Becky Olson

Becky Olson is a 5 time cancer survivor, public speaker, founder of the Breast Friends non-profit and radio show, and bucket list champion. Additionally she’s an incredible mother, grandmother, friend and wife. Her cancer is back and has spread and she’s still focusing on Humour, Happiness and Hope.  She’s the mother of our first ever guest, Elizabeth McGarry, and like her daughter, this episode is full of truth bombs and ah-ha moments. In addition to how she can impact your life, listen for how you can help her check off a major item on her bucket list from the comfort of your couch.  All that and so much more!

Episode 64: Starting a Business Is Easier & More Possible Than You Think with Miranda Bressman

Miranda Bressman is a secret multipreneur.  While working demanding corporate jobs in action sports by day, she’s also been launching businesses with her husband and business partners.  She owns a comic book store in L.A., two rental properties, created & released a hilarious card game, and is now plotting her next great new business.  Now that she’s switched from corporate employee to being a consultant, with her extra flexibility and time I can only imagine what else she’ll create now! On this episode we talk about her tough childhood, how her gang of girlfriends is serious business, and what it’s like to be discovering just how truly great her husband is after 20 years, multiple businesses and an incredible daughter together.  All that and so much more.

Episode 63: How to Be a Boss in Hollywood with Melisa D. Monts

Melissa D. Monts is a writer, director, podcastor, producer, screenwriter, and more - seriously, she can do pretty much anything needed in the world of film, tv, and podcasting. She hustled early taking on multiple internships at once and is still hustling today, as a producer on three podcasts, including one she co-hosts, plus writing and running team. On this episode we trace her journey from Arkansas to LA, why she loves Chelsea Handler, how she manages her time because she is on the extreme end of what she can get done in a day, and about the day she was blessed by Maya Angelou. All that and so much more!

Episode 62: How Collaboration Can Lead To Your Dream Business with Girl Creative Co.

Harper Carnes and Gracie Krajesky are the energetic, optimistic and talented co-founders of Girl Creative Co, a design, branding, visual merchandising and website creation company. Essentially anything you need to visually tell your story. When I stumbled upon their instagram and then their website, I immediately knew I wanted to get to know these women.  On this episode we talk about how finding your career home can be super fast or take a winding road. We discuss the sad truths of brand bullying and how coming together as a collaborating team or as a group of powerful women can change everything for you, your business and the world. All that and so much more!

Episode 61: Sara Zandieh On How Filmmaking Requires An Entrepreneurial Mindset

Sara Zandieh is a filmmaker, writer, and director. She recently directed an episode for NBC’s Good Girls (comes out this Sunday) and her latest film, A Simple Wedding, a multi-cultural romantic comedy starring Tara Grammy & Christopher O’Shea, is now available for streaming on iTunes and Amazon.  On this episode Sara tells her journey from journalist to filmmaker, how being an Iranian-American influences her storytelling, why her circle of friends (including past guest Sasha Sagan) are her bedrock, and what really happens when you decide to make your first feature film. All that and so much more!

Episode 60: Saving the Planet & Us One Mask At A Time with Jillian Clark

So many of us have been pivoting our businesses since the start of the covid19 pandemic.  Prior to the pandemic Jillian’s business was upcycled apparel & accessories. Her business Roboro6 took in scrap materials from film sets, theaters, local factories and more to create brand new beautiful items.  As she saw the impact of the pandemic spreading around the world, she pivoted to creating facemasks and hasn’t taken a day off yet. On this episode we discuss her unique facemask business model that includes sponsoring masks for the medical community, how her past life of dance and theater brought her to LA, how learning more about the waste in film, tv, and fashion birthed her current business and how now more than ever we all need to be more mindful of what we’re consuming, spending and wasting.  All that and so much more!

Episode 59: Finding Truth in Medicine with Marjan Koosha Johnson

Marjan Koosha Johnson is a good friend of mine and is currently a third year medical student.  We recorded this episode just as the pandemic outbreak in the U.S. was starting and before quarantine restrictions went into place. On this episode we talk about the realities of being in medical school, where you can find the facts regarding medical research - huge for everyone wanting the truth about covid19 right now, and we get into how she stays balanced with the intensities of medical school, family & friends, plus we talk about the beauty and depth of the Persian culture. All that and so much more! 

Episode 58: Why Confidence Is The First Step To Success With D.B.

Today you guys have the pleasure of meeting the first Powerful Gentleman we’ve interviewed for the Powerful Ladies Podcast.  Based in Newport Beach, CA, Derek D.B. Brown is a personal trainer, fitness expert, business owner, entrepreneur, new dad and an example of how you rise from anything life throws at you.  On this episode we talk about what it means to be confident and go after what you want in life, the great story of how he met his wife, why his mother is the biggest influence in his life, and how being wounded in combat changed his appreciation for what a body can do.  All that and so much more!

Episode 57: Sasha Sagan Wants You To Enjoy The Magic In Our Universe

Guys! The episode you’re about it here is awesome and it’s an example of what can happen when you play big.  After finishing & loving Sasha Sagan’s book, For Small Creatures Such as We, I immediately thought - she needs to be on the podcast! I wanted to talk more about the book, I wanted to have a conversation with this person to whom I saw similarities to myself, and I wanted to bring this important conversation about community, rituals, science and religion to all of you.  So I did just what I coach my clients to do. I went online, found her email and emailed her about why I loved the book, the impact it had on me, and would she be a guest. To my surprise and delight, she was a Yes! On this episode we talk about her story, why the book matters, the importance of curiosity, learning and having a strong friend squad no matter how far apart you may live today. All that and so much more!

Episode 56: How Curiosity Can Be Your Superpower With Kara Duffy

Hi guys! On this episode to celebrate both International Women’s Day and our 1 Year Anniversary of the Podcast launch, we’re flipping the script and today we’re putting our own, Kara Duffy, in the hot seat.  Past Powerful Ladies guest Aleks Lason was kind enough to come in to do the interviewing. Kara is the founder of Powerful Ladies, the host of the Powerful Ladies Podcast, a Business Coach & Consultant, and world traveler. On this episode they talk about Kara’s career path, where she gets the confidence to create things from nothing, and how you can do it, too. 

Episode 55: Find Your Hustle & Be Loud with Natasha Dressler

So often we are told that having a broad skill set means that we are a Master of None and that we should spend more time becoming an expert and finding our niche.  To me having a broad background means you’re more positioned to a) be an awesome asset to a team, and b) you’re able to learn and be resourceful. Your unique skill set and experience IS your niche.  More and more people today are looking for multi-preneurs - people who can do more than one thing and level up with you. Natasha is one such incredible person. She has a broad and varied skill set and as such she’s able to support her clients in more ways that a niched down person could do.  On this episode we talk about how to look at all your things and see the value to someone else, why PR is so important, and why if you’re thinking about starting a side hustle or business - DO IT!

Episode 54: The Power of True Connection With Marina Stirdivant

Marina is a gentle powerhouse.  She’ll slip into an event, sitting silently, listening calm, present, interested, and smiling.  Without her saying a word, the space changes. It’s grounded. It’s more curious. You get the feeling something significant is happening. When she does finally speak, the room is all ears as she drops some profound & simple ah-ha knowledge. This episode is no exception as she brings her whole life to this episode - being a mom, a wife, her relationship, how much the women in her life matter, her businesses, being an entrepreneur, her struggles, what she’s excited about and more. Get ready to be inspired and to have a new bff crush on this Powerful Lady.