Root to Rising

✨ Episode Summary In this powerful and deeply reflective episode of Root to Rising , Christine Hummel sits down with co-host Catherine Chialdikas and special guest Xanthe , a singer-songwriter originally from Australia whose journey spans continents, creativity, and courageous self-trust. Xanthe shares her story of growing up between Australia and the United States, navigating family change, rede...

🌱 Episode Overview In this episode of Root to Rising , host Christine Hummel sits down with healthcare leader Mary Beth for a powerful conversation about intentional leadership, career pivots, and redefining success on your own terms. From being a first-generation college student to leading through some of healthcare’s most complex challenges, Mary Beth shares how personal loss, resilience, and p...

✨ Episode Overview In this episode of Root to Rising , Christine Hummel sits down with Allison Augsburger , a registered dietitian and integrative nutritionist, to unpack what it really means to listen to your body, advocate for yourself, and build a career that aligns with your values. Allison shares her personal health journey—one that traditional medicine couldn’t fully explain—and how it ulti...

✨ Episode Overview In this special Thirsty Thursday edition of Root to Rising , Christine Hummel sits down with recent college graduates Emma and Josie —best friends turned Nashville roommates—who share their honest experiences navigating post-grad life, careers, confidence, and community. From choosing majors and landing jobs right out of college to moving to a new city without a “perfect plan,”...

🌱 Episode Overview The first interview of 2026 sets the tone for Root to Rising ’s mission: creating space for women to share their stories, find confidence, gain knowledge, and live with purpose. Christine Hummel is joined by Rory Latoria , a health coach, yoga and Lagree instructor, and former advertising professional, for a deeply honest conversation about identity, career pivots, self-trust,...

From Curiosity to Confidence: Taking Risks, Leading with People, and Building a Life That Grows With You Host: Christine Hummel Guest: Kam (Kathy Anne) McManus, Chief Customer Officer at CDK Global 🌱 Episode Overview In this episode of Root to Rising , host Christine Hummel sits down with Kam McManus—global leader, mentor, and Chief Customer Officer at CDK Global—for an honest and powerful conver...

Episode Summary In this inspiring conversation, host Christine Hummel welcomes guest Elizabeth — a recent chemical-engineering graduate turned project engineer — to share her journey from middle school science-lover, through college and internship challenges, into a professional career. Together they explore the pressures women face in STEM and career building, the value of mentorship and support,...

In this episode of Root to Rising , Christine sits down with Hannah Palumbo , a single mom of two boys whose vulnerable TikTok about going from a “10/10 wife” to “0/10” and rebuilding herself back up quietly went viral. Hannah opens up about the rating scale that started as a TikTok trend but became a powerful reflection tool for her own life: how she slowly went from feeling like a 10/10 wife to...

In this inspiring conversation, Christine welcomes Monica , a dynamic leader, mother of two, and purpose-driven professional who shares her winding path from aspiring physician to corporate VP and mom. Monica opens up about the pivots in her life, the fears she had to face, the mentors who shaped her, and the intentional choices that led her to personal and professional fulfillment. This episode d...

Balancing Lab Coats & Crowns: Olivia Pura Zbihley, PHD on Curiosity, Pageantry, and Redefining ‘Perfect’ A first-generation American and biochemist who became Miss Illinois shares how to push your bubble, fail on purpose, and build confidence one intentional step at a time. Episode Summary In this candid conversation, Christine sits down with Olivia Pura Zbihley—first-gen American, PhD in bioc...

Episode Summary Christine sits down with Jennifer Seyler to trace a winding path from AP Physics and pre-med to nutrition research, PR, and ultimately organizational leadership. They unpack confidence as a practice (not a feeling), why “work-life balance” is a myth, how to network when you hate small talk, and what today’s grads should do this week to get unstuck. Jennifer shares vivid stories—fro...

Christine Hummel sits down with Andressa—editor, mom of three, wife, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) clinician—to unpack self-reinvention, faith transitions, and the courage to take up space. They trace Andressa’s journey from a mission in Belgium/Netherlands to early marriage, career pivots, discovering TMS, leaving the LDS Church, and reclaiming creativity through writing and communi...

On this episode of Root to Rising, host Christine Hummel talks with Katherine (University of Kentucky) and MacKenna (Ole Miss) about making bold college choices, building real confidence, and sustaining long-distance relationships. They unpack the pressure of prestige and acceptance rates, why “fit over prestige” wins, how competitive dance shaped discipline, and practical strategies for communica...

Purpose Over Pressure — How A Clemson Senior Found Her Why 💫 Episode Summary In this week’s inspiring episode, host Christine Hummel sits down with Elle Thomas , a 20-year-old senior at Clemson University studying Biomedical Engineering. Elle’s story is a masterclass in courage, pivoting, and finding purpose — from graduating high school early to changing her entire career path after a powerful p...

🎙️ Episode Overview In this inspiring conversation, Christine sits down with Phyllis , a pharmacist, mother, grandmother, and lifelong learner who has redefined success through every season of life. From growing up during an era that told women “you can’t,” to leading in corporate healthcare and mentoring others, Phyllis’s story is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and courage. They discus...

In this energizing conversation, host Christine Hummel and guest Melanie Hart (Director, Market Access & Health Economics in biotech) unpack the real work of confidence: seeking mentors, taking imperfect action, and navigating cultural expectations without losing yourself. They get candid about turning down “dream” jobs, mom-guilt, male-dominated rooms, and the myth of balance — replacing it w...

Root to Rising Podcast G raduating, Moving, Courage, and Thriving – Ellie & Alex’s Post-College Journey Hosted by: Christine Hummel 🎙️ Episode Overview What does it really feel like to graduate college, pack up your life, and start fresh in a brand-new city? In this episode, Christine sits down with two recent University of Alabama graduates — Alex (originally from California) and Ellie (from...

Root to Rising with Christine Hummel Ep. 3 — “Confidence Isn’t Magic: Ream Qato on Owning Your Voice, Career Pivots, and Motherhood” Episode snapshot Christine sits down with Ream Qato —Chicago-born Palestinian American, pharmacist (PharmD), Booth MBA, market-access leader, and mom of three—about building confidence the unglamorous way (reps, not magic), career pivots from chemistry to pharmacy to...

What do you do when someone tells you “you’re not ready” or “you can’t do it” ? For Kristina Sullivan , those words became fuel. In this episode, host Christine Hummel sits down with Kristina—her longtime friend, colleague, and mentor—to unpack the real, messy, and powerful truth about building a career as a woman in a male-dominated industry. Together, they cover: 🎯 Why you don’t need a perfect...

Episode Summary: In the very first episode of Root to Rising , Christine Hummel sits down with her daughter, Ellie Ternes, and Ellie’s best friend, Megan Hutson, for a raw and empowering conversation about confidence, choices, and finding your path after college. From “fake it till you make it” to the floating rock mentality , they share unfiltered insights on navigating uncertainty, breaking free...