Courage & Purpose

This episode has been sitting in my drafts since February. I kept questioning if I wanted to share my political views, whether it was contributing enough, and whether it even needed to be said. The world kept changing and things felt uncertain and I kept asking myself if I was ready. And then I realized: this is exactly the point of this conversation. Showing up imperfectly, being vulnerable, and...

We’re back. And things look a little different around here — on purpose. If you’ve been here before, thank you for staying. If you’re new, I’m so glad you found this. This short episode is me pulling back the curtain on what this podcast is now, who it’s for, and why I’m more committed to this work than ever before. The Courage & Purpose Podcast is for ambitious, purpose-driven people in the middl...

What does real high performance look like—and how can tech leaders avoid burnout while building a legacy? In this energizing episode of Courage & Purpose , Diana sits down with Certified High Performance Coach Shawn Buttner to explore how purpose-driven leaders in tech and high-pressure industries can thrive without sacrificing well-being. Shawn shares his personal journey from software engineer t...

In this heartfelt episode of Courage & Purpose , Diana sits down with Karen Howard—gemologist, educator, and founder of Jewelry Appraisers Coach—to talk about what it really means to reinvent yourself after loss. Karen shares her deeply personal journey through grief, chronic illness, and entrepreneurship—and how those experiences shaped the way she now leads, coaches, and lives with purpose. If y...

In this raw and moving episode of Courage & Purpose , Diana reconnects with Emmy-nominated producer, writer, and freelance journalist Nora Neus . Nora’s career has spanned war zones, daily breaking news coverage, and award-winning books—covering everything from the war in Ukraine and the Uvalde school shooting to racial injustice and white nationalism. Now the founder of Longform Lab Media Group ,...

Ep 31: Emotional Mastery, Nervous System Healing & Mindset Shifts Ever feel like you’re doing all the “right” things… but fulfillment still feels just out of reach? In this episode of Courage & Purpose , I sit down with Keenan Crisp—a former paratrooper turned yoga teacher, and now transformational performance coach—to talk about what real inner work looks like when you’re leading, healing, and tr...

As a leader, you move fast, solve problems, and drive outcomes—but are you also creating the energy you want to lead with? In this episode of Courage & Purpose , I sit down with Sherry Richert Belul —GrowthDay’s Director of Joy, founder of Simply Celebrate, and author of Say It Now —to talk about something every high achiever needs but rarely prioritizes: intentional joy and connection. We unpack...

What if your boldest idea wasn’t just a business—but a movement? In this episode of Courage & Purpose , I sit down with Emily Zaccardi , co‑founder of Hollarhype , to unpack how one meaningful moment—being cheered on by a friend during a hard run—ignited a startup that created a tech‑powered community of encouragement. We talk about the power of real‑time support, building with purpose (not perfec...

In this heart-opening conversation, Diana is joined once again by transformational life coach and writer Carolina Sizemore to explore the inner work required to move beyond perfectionism and reconnect with self-worth. Together, they unpack the hidden impact of childhood expectations, nervous system dysregulation, and self-sabotage—and how high-achieving women can begin to release the pressure to p...

In this powerful episode of Courage & Purpose , Diana is joined by Kim Luthy , Certified Financial Planner and Partner at Synthesis Wealth Planning, for a heartfelt conversation on what it truly takes to rebuild trust in yourself—especially after seasons of grief, fear, or self-abandonment. Together, Diana and Kim explore how high achievers often lose sight of their own needs in pursuit of success...

In this hilarious, inspiring, and wildly unpredictable episode, Angela Robb returns to Courage & Purpose —this time joined by her former cofounder Nicole Stein—for a conversation that started with a joke and turned into a thriving trolley business. From spa services to pharmaceuticals to stolen trolleys and murder mystery tours, this episode proves that joy, resilience, and bold intuition can lead...

In this empowering episode, Diana challenges us to confront the real reasons we delay our dreams—and it’s not because we “don’t have time.” With deep insight and personal storytelling, she reminds us that confidence is built through action , not the other way around.⁠Through powerful examples, including her marathon journey after loss, Diana explores the 3 hidden fears that sabotage our goals— los...

In this thought-provoking episode, I'm joined by Renee Bryant, founder of PlayRx, an organization dedicated to bringing the power of play back into adult lives. Together, we explore how play is not just a luxury—it's a necessity for healing, agency, creativity, and personal growth. Renee shares her mission to elevate play to the same importance as nutrition and exercise in the wellness world. We d...

In this energizing episode, I’m joined by Jason Pooley, Certified High Performance Business and Lifestyle Coach, who brings a powerful perspective on how entrepreneurs can scale their businesses sustainably—without sacrificing their well-being or losing sight of their purpose. From a professional tennis career to building a thriving yoga studio and training business, and now coaching purpose-drive...

In this energizing episode of Courage & Purpose , I’m joined once again by Marcy Luna —Certified High Performance Coach and Exercise Physiologist—for a conversation that will completely reframe how you think about energy. We go beyond the basics of sleep and nutrition and dive into how your nervous system , stress levels, and emotional state directly affect how you generate, protect, and sustain e...

What if stress wasn’t the enemy—but a signal? In this episode, we dive into the science of stress, the power of nervous system regulation, and why burnout is often a byproduct of coping strategies that once worked—but no longer serve you. Marcy Luna joins me to unpack how your physiology impacts your mindset, energy, and motivation. With her unique lens as both a certified high performance coach a...

In this heart-opening conversation, I’m joined by Certified Professional Coach Juliana Arango . From an unexpected Instagram synchronicity to a beautiful friendship rooted in shared values, Juliana and I explore how aligning with your core values and inner compass can unlock authentic transformation. We dive into how reconnecting with childhood joy, creating space for stillness, and embracing emot...

In this empowering episode of Courage & Purpose , I’m joined by Angela Robb, the dynamic CEO of Karma Spa Lounge and Beauty Bar. Angela shares her journey from cosmetology school to building one of the most beloved wellness brands in her area—despite being told she would never succeed in the industry. What started as a detour to please others became a leap of faith into her purpose. Angela shares...

In this inspiring episode, I’m joined by Miguel Baez , a cybersecurity professional with over 15 years of experience who's also known for his viral salsa memes in the global dance community. With a growing Instagram following of over 42,000, Miguel's journey is anything but conventional. But Miguel’s story is about so much more than dance or tech. We dive into the unexpected path to purpose, the h...

Are you considering launching a business while maintaining a thriving career? In this episode, I sit down with Pete Rosas , a business banker at Capital One and co-founder of Precise Closets and Cabinetry . Pete shares his journey from financial coaching to business banking , his mindset around risk and opportunity , and how faith, values, and strategic planning have shaped his career transitions....

In this episode of Courage & Purpose , I sit down with Katherine Krupka , a Holistic Health Coach, Educator, Public Speaker , and Executive Director at the Energy Medicine Professional Association . With a background as a Chief Operating Officer for emerging markets PR and communications consulting , Katherine brings a unique blend of business acumen and holistic wellness expertise to the conversa...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Jonathan Portillo , Pastor at The Cove Church and host of the To Be Men podcast, to explore what it truly means to live with purpose and how to take action even when the path isn’t clear . Too often, people feel lost or stuck, believing that purpose is reserved for a select few. But the truth is, everyone has a calling —it's just about discovering and step...

Are you an ambitious leader feeling stuck despite your career success? Do you feel like you’ve checked all the boxes but still feel unfulfilled or uninspired? In this solo episode, Diana Ordonez dives deep into why high achievers often hit career plateaus and, more importantly, how to break through them to create unstoppable momentum. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: * Why High Achievers Get Stu...

What does it take to build a thriving business, foster a high-performing team, and lead with purpose? In this episode of Courage & Purpose , I sit down with Nikki Pett —CEO of Sigma Promotions , Certified High Performance Coach, speaker, and author of Relationship ROI —to explore the mindset shifts that unlock leadership potential and business success. From scaling a business with values-driven hi...

In this insightful episode of Courage & Purpose , I sit down with Scott Trumpolt , a seasoned compensation and total rewards consultant, to discuss how strategic compensation practices and career development frameworks can significantly impact employee engagement, retention, and business success . With over 18 years in corporate HR leadership before transitioning to independent consulting, Scott b...