Powerful Ladies® Podcast

Episode 213: Carolina Cordon-Bouzan & Gayle Yelon founders of Montserrat New York

Montserrat New York is a rising fashion brand built by two best friends, Carolina Cordon-Bouzan and Gayle Yelon. They are committed to style, sustainability, and giving women the opportunity to look and feel amazing - from corporate to cocktails, from gym to jetset. Jewelry always fits, it's always in season, and it always looks fabulous.

Together, they are proving that there is always room for a new brand when it leads with an authentic point of view, maintains close relationships with customers, and when you have each other to lean on.

Episode 212: Janet Barrett | Author “Stop the Break” & Mental Health Speaker

I’ve been lucky to have some amazing bosses, and Janet was one of them. We met at Reebok, and since then, she has consulted, opened her interior design studio, and had a major life pivot when the stress of hidden, avoided, and then unexpected life circumstances changed her path. Today, she is the author of “Stop the Break” and a mental health speaker sharing her personal journey and ways that we can all stop being emotional Sherpas for life longevity and vitality.

Episode 211: Sydney Schiff | Founder of Sydney on the Scene, Publicist, & PR Maven

Sydney Schiff is not only a people person, food lover, and lover of fashion, she is the CEO and founder of Sydney on the Scene, a boutique PR agency that amplifies small brands who have perfected their craft. She specializes in working with female founders and the LGBTQIA+ community and takes their story and brings it into the world through social media, events, and marketing. In this episode, we talk about how to find balance between your personal life and work, working with your perfect clients, and how to make a difference your way!

Episode 210: Bet Heykoop | Stunt Driver & Hot Shift Series Creator & Host

Revving up for an exhilarating episode! 🏎️ 💨🔥 In this week’s episode, I chat with Bet Heykoop, a trailblazing woman who traded her tech career for the driver's seat. Tune in to hear about her journey to becoming a stunt driver, the challenges she faced, and her passion for the industry. Don't miss out on this inspiring conversation! 

 

Episode 209: Kelly Roberts | Founder Badass Lady Gang & All Cool Things Running

I have a love-hate relationship with running. I know what it feels like to be in great running shape, feel that runner’s high and love getting faster & faster. I also know what it feels like to get back into running and be certain that anything else would be a better idea. Today’s new Powerful Ladies Podcast guest knows those highs and lows of running, and not seeing a place where she fits in the running world, created her own lane the Badass Lady Gang and is inviting all of you to join her whether you walk or run marathons. This episode is out now to learn about her running story, what Badass Lady Gang is all about, and hear us rant about everything from shitty sports bras to the running industry still not getting how to be inclusive of all runners and beyond. This is a good one! 

Episode 208: Powerful Coaches Empowering Women

I’m excited for you all to meet and hear today’s special IWD conversation in our new Powerful Ladies Podcast episode. We are all always in need of new inspiration, of new ways at looking at things and new ways to choose ourselves, our dream life and unleash the power that we already have within us.  That’s why I asked three of the most powerful coaches I know to join me for a conversation about taking advantage of that power. There’s so much noise and so many actions we’re told we should take, I wanted to know what these legends recommended. Enjoy the many reminders of who we are, what we’re up to and what’s possible for us all. 

Episode 207: Kelly Lucinda Galligan | Corporate Lawyer, Merger & Acquisitions Firm Partner

We all need lawyers. Good ones are hard to find. Great ones are impossible to find. And amazing lawyers that you also want to hang out with, they are among the hardest to find unicorns in this world. Today’s guest, Kelly Galligan, is ONE OF THOSE UNICORNS. 🦄🦄

She is an amazing lawyer (I use her, and recommend her & her team to everyone!!!) and is also fun, cool, and a great friend. She is absolutely someone you want in your corner. In this episode, learn how to find a lawyer that matches you and your business, what more business owners should be thinking about regarding law, and how to network your way. 

Episode 206: Candace Galiffa | Founder & President of New Way Accounting

All entrepreneurs experience founder’s fraud and a major reason why is because we’re not looking at our numbers. Spreadsheets, P&L’s, Taxes, all of these things under the financial umbrella can be terrifying and when we reach out to Accounts for help, we’re not getting the strategic and supportive help we need. That is UNTIL Candace Galiffa created NewWay Accounting. At NewWay Accounting they are helping small business owners know their numbers, understand the financials so they can be more strategic and provide relief that not only are you running a REAL Business, you have accounting partners who are truly on your side. 

Episode 205: Mindy Scheier | Founder & CEO of Runway of Dreams & Gamut Talent Management

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. 

Episode 204: Stephanie Kauffman | President & COO Melanoma Research Alliance & Board Co-Chair at IMWF

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. 

Episode 203: Parisa Frost | Identity Affirming Associate Marital & Family Therapist

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! 

Episode 202: Josh & Liza Shirazi - Shirazi Distributing, Revival Cafe + Kitchen, Morrissey Market

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.

Episode 201: Jenn Harper | CEO & Founder of Cheekbone Beauty

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.

Episode 200: Karen Losi, Advocate for Families & Children

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. 

Episode 199: Christie Garcia founder of Mindful Choice

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. 

Episode 198: Beverly Asante Puschmann Running for Joy & Teaching You How, Too

Running can be fun and rewarding but we are often stopped from putting on our running shoes because we’re nervous and scared about even that first mile. Luckily, today’s guest, Beverly Asante Puschmann, is here to help us.  In addition to a successful career at IBM, she’s a running coach and the author of Ace The Half: Run Your Best Half Marathon, Get in Shape and Finally Tick "Finish the Race Off" Your Bucket List.  If you’ve never ran, are currently out of running shape, have run a few races or run regularly, you’re sure to get new pro tips about running, habit building, and remembering what we’re all capable of. 

Episode 197: Step Into Your Purpose & Tell Your Story with Lindsay Bednar

If you guys have been listening for a while, you know that I love books! I also believe anything is possible and available to us if we go get it and in the power of storytelling. Today’s guest, Lindsay Bednar, shares those values. She is the founder of Rodney K Press, an independent publishing house. She’s a writer, an author coach, a wife, mom, sister, & daughter. She is also diligently in pursuit of her best self and how accessing that best self allows her to be more available, more successful, and more of service to help make other people’s dreams come true. 

Episode 196: From Growing Up In Iran to International Human Rights Lawyer, Actor & Modern Activist with Sara Seyed

Today’s guest Sara Seyed is an activist, actor, and prior human rights lawyer. The past few months she has been dedicating herself fulltime to sharing, discussing and talking about the revolution currently happening in Iran. In this episode, we cover the latest news on Iran, how her love for acting and activism have been woven through her life, and why it’s so important for those of us with the ability to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves. 

Episode 195: Choosing Joy & Curiosity to Create a Beautiful Life with Karen Duffy

Today’s guest, Karen Duffy, has had a diverse and impactful assortment of careers. She broke onto the world stage as the MTV VJ “Duff” in the early 1990’s, was on People’s 50 Most Beautiful People list in 1993, she is an actor, a model, a producer, an Oprah and NY Times best selling author, a speaker, a writer, and has also had a full assortment of social service roles including being a hospice chaplain in the Buddhist tradition.

In 1996 she was diagnosed with sarcoidosis - a currently incurable chronic pain illness and while it may have slowed her down in moments, it has not stopped her from working, creating or making a huge impact.

In this episode we dive into the wisdom of stoicism, the power of gratitude, how to be joyful through the pain, and why serving others is the answer to everything. We also discuss her latest projects, the Bill Murray documentary “New Worlds”, the upcoming movie “Greatest Beer Run Ever” starring Zac Efron, and her soon to be released newest book.

Episode 194: Harlem’s Favorite Lady - Storytelling Tour Guide Keeping the History of Harlem Alive & Vibrant with Lady Altovise

I love field trips. I love history, learning and hearing all the stories. Today’s guest, Lady Altovise is the founder of Lady Altovise NYC tours and she brings all of her experience in theater, dance, writing, producing, and music to each of her tours. From soul food to gospel tours to the most interesting parts of Harlem history, her tours, like herself, are unique, high energy and unforgettable. I’m excited for you to hear about her story, her joy and why sharing the good and the bad parts of our history is one of the most important things we can do as humans.