Smart Women Talk

Do you know your breast density and why it matters? Leslie Ferris Yerger received an “all clear” mammogram and ultrasound, yet was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in November 2017. Her experience exposed a critical gap in breast cancer screening that many women still do not understand: dense breast tissue can make cancer more difficult to see on a mammogram. Determined to keep other women fr...

What happens when the life you thought was secure suddenly isn't? For Karin Kusano, starting over meant facing a reality she never expected. After discovering that she didn't have the financial independence she thought she had, she found herself rebuilding her life while raising four children—and wondering how she would create a secure future from where she stood. So she started learning. At her k...

What if the pieces of your life that didn't go according to plan were actually leading you somewhere better? Amy Peterson had a dream. From the age of 14, she wanted to become the first female general manager of a Major League Baseball team. She built her education around that goal, fought her way into professional baseball, and eventually became an attorney for the Detroit Tigers. But the career...

What if your best years are still ahead? For many women, getting older comes with an unspoken expectation that it's time to slow down, play it safe, and accept that certain adventures belong to a younger version of ourselves. Dr. Peggi Tabor has a very different idea. At 82, Peggi is training as a competitive swimmer, recently returned from scuba diving in the Red Sea, and is already planning her...

What if the best investment you could make isn't in things—but in experiences? So many of us dream about traveling "someday." Someday when life slows down. Someday when the kids are older. Someday when retirement finally arrives. But what if someday is today? In this episode of Smart Women Talk , Katana Abbott sits down with storyteller and worldschooling advocate Lauren Ferrara to explore how one...

What if one decision could increase your retirement income for the rest of your life?   In this eye-opening episode of Smart Women Talk , Katana Abbott sits down with nationally recognized Social Security expert and Certified Financial Planner™ Mary Beth Franklin to help women understand one of the most important financial decisions they'll ever make—when to claim Social Security benefits.   From...

What if market uncertainty didn't have to keep you up at night? In this timely episode of Smart Women Talk, Katana Abbott sits down with Portfolio Manager Sweta Singh to cut through the financial headlines and help women better understand today's changing economic landscape.   From inflation and interest rates to market volatility and diversification, Sweta shares practical strategies for growing...

What if your next chapter isn't about slowing down—but about finally creating a life and career you truly love? In this inspiring episode of Smart Women Talk, Katana Abbott sits down with Career Transition Coach and author Shannon Russell for an empowering conversation about reinvention, second-act careers, and designing a life aligned with your passions and purpose. Whether you're feeling restles...

What will work look like in the next chapter of your life? And where do women fit into today’s rapidly changing economy? In this fascinating conversation, Katana Abbott speaks with Corinne Goble, CEO of the Association of Women Business Centers, about the growing opportunities for women entrepreneurs — and the critical mistakes many women make when starting and scaling a business. Corinne shares h...

What if aging isn’t about slowing down—but about stepping into one of the most powerful and purposeful stages of life? In this episode of Smart Women Talk, Katana Abbott welcomes longevity expert, author, and co-founder of Age Wave, Maddy Dychtwald, for a conversation about what it really means to live well—not just longer. Drawing from decades of research and her new book Ageless Aging , Maddy sh...

After decades of confusion and controversy around menopause, what’s actually true about hormones—and what’s not? In this episode of Smart Women Talk, Katana Abbott sits down with Dr. Jerrold H. Weinberg, OB-GYN and author of Menopause Mended , to explore what really happens during menopause and why so many women feel like they’ve lost a part of themselves. With over 25 years of clinical experience...

What if everything you’ve built—your ideas, your leadership, your voice—didn’t just disappear once the moment passed? In this episode of Smart Women Talk, host Katana Abbott sits down with Kristin Thomas, founder of Marble Collective, an innovative AI-powered platform designed to preserve, connect, and amplify the work of women leaders. After two decades in luxury real estate, Kristin saw firsthan...

What if the experience and connections you’ve built over a lifetime are actually the key to unlocking your next opportunity? In a world where job boards feel like a black hole and AI is changing the rules overnight, it’s easy to wonder where you fit—and how to move forward with confidence. In this episode of Smart Women Talk, Katana sits down with Katie Fortunato, co-founder of Higher Innovations,...

Is it Time to Eat More Plants? with Vicki Brett-Gach With so many conflicting diet trends—from keto to carnivore to plant-based—it’s no wonder people feel overwhelmed about what to eat. In this episode of Smart Women Talk, host Katana Abbott sits down with certified vegan lifestyle coach, culinary instructor, and author Vicki Brett-Gach to cut through the noise and explore a simple question: Shoul...

What does it really take to have healthy bones for life? In this episode of Smart Women Talk, Katana Abbott sits down with physical therapist, integrative health coach, happiness trainer, and author Margie Bissinger, MS, PT, CHC to talk about bone health, osteoporosis, osteopenia, and the lifestyle choices that can make a real difference. Margie explains the difference between osteopenia and osteo...

Have you ever felt an inner pull to do something more meaningful—but didn’t know where to start? On this episode of Smart Women Talk, we’re joined by Alexis Ramsey, CEO of We Care Foster Care, for a powerful conversation about purpose, service, and choosing impact over comfort. Alexis shares how her global career in education led her back home—and into nonprofit leadership—where she’s working to b...

What if your money could do more than sit in a retirement account? This month on Smart Women Talk, we’re joined by Marcia Dawood, global leader in angel investing and author of Doing Good While Doing Well, for a conversation that will completely change how you think about investing. Marcia breaks down what angel investing actually is (no finance degree required), why women are uniquely wired to be...

Have you ever felt the pull to do something bold—but hesitated? In this episode of Smart Women Talk, host Katana Abbott sits down with Alexis Nataf, founder of Konjo Cruising Indonesia, to explore what happens when you say yes to adventure. Alexis leads intimate dive and expedition cruises through Indonesia’s hidden waters—from Raja Ampat, the epicenter of global marine biodiversity, to remote isl...

Have you ever dreamed of traveling to Africa, India, or Southeast Asia—but didn’t go because no one could join you? In this episode of Smart Women Talk, Katana Abbott interviews Susan Harvey, President of Worldwide Operations and Contracting for Overseas Adventure Travel, a women-founded travel company known for welcoming solo women travelers over 50. You’ll learn: Why solo travel doesn’t have to...

What does it really mean to leave a lasting legacy—and how do you do it without losing your values, your family, or yourself along the way? In this powerful Smart Women Talk episode, Katana Abbott is joined by Phillip Fisher, Founder of Mission Throttle, and his daughter, Amanda Fisher, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and third-generation foundation trustee. Together, they share a deeply personal an...

Have you ever thought, “I wish I had recorded Grandma’s stories before she passed”—and realized you waited too long? In this episode of Smart Women Talk, host Katana Abbott interviews Lauren Ferrara, former TV news anchor and founder of Why Wait Stories, about why our stories are one of the most meaningful legacies we can leave behind. Lauren shares how losing her dad—and filming his memorial—chan...

How to Build a Remote Team Without Burnout with Jana Franklin So many women start a business for freedom—only to find themselves working more than ever as the chief, cook, and bottle washer in their own company. In this episode of Smart Women Talk, host Katana Abbott interviews Jana Franklin, serial entrepreneur and Founder & CEO of CEO Concierge, a premium virtual assistant agency with a 75+...

Take Charge of Your Life with Dr. Arin Reeves Why do so many women feel tired of being tired—even after eight hours of sleep? In this powerful episode of Smart Women Talk, host Katana Abbott sits down with bestselling author and leadership consultant Dr. Arin Reeves to unpack the real reason women are burned out—and why “self-care” isn’t the solution. Discover how to identify and plug the “energy...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you or someone you love is navigating a diagnosis, this conversation is for you. Host Katana Abbott sits down with Dr. Mensa, an expert in integrative oncology, to explore how nutrition, lifestyle, mind–body practices, and smart testing can help patients thrive during treatment—not just get through it. Katana also shares her personal journey with early-...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we’re spotlighting a critical—but often overlooked—piece of the journey: financial toxicity. Katana welcomes Molly MacDonald, co-founder & CEO of The Pink Fund and Editor-in-Chief of Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine . After her own diagnosis upended her livelihood, Molly built a national nonprofit that has paid nearly $11 million in non-medical bill...