Fearless Females

In today's conversation, Lori Jones sits down with Lauren Kwedar Cockerell, president of Kwedar & Co., who shares her inspiring journey from book-loving child to successful entrepreneur. Listen in as Lauren recounts how being laid off at eight months pregnant became the catalyst for launching her own business—and how embracing lifelong learning and valuing her own worth transformed her professiona...

This week, Lorie Jones welcomes powerhouse financial advisor Cary Carbonaro, whose remarkable path proves success rarely follows a straight line. From her early days in private banking to weathering professional pivots and personal upheaval, Cary stands out as a relentless force finding opportunity through adversity. She opens up about rewriting the rules in a male-dominated industry and why women...

In this inspiring episode, Sara Simmons, founder of Sera Swimwear and a seasoned HR executive, joins Lorie Jones for a candid conversation about blazing your own trail in male-dominated industries. They'll explore the difference between confidence and competence, the power of investing in yourself, and the reality of growing a career—and a business—from the ground up. Sara shares her unconventiona...

In this episode, Lorie Jones sits down with Sarah Hubbard, author of The Intentional Networker and senior residential mortgage loan officer, to uncover the real stories behind thriving as a woman in a male-dominated field. From Sarah's nonlinear journey from athletic aspirations and physical therapy to succeeding in the world of mortgage lending, to her candid lessons about debt, networking, and s...

Today's episode features Brittany Churchill, founder and CEO of Strategies for Moms, bestselling author of Tap In Not Out, and champion of parental mental health. Join host Lorie Jones for a conversation with Brittany that explores the journey of rebuilding after divorce, embracing financial self-sovereignty, and thriving as a woman entrepreneur. From investing in yourself and overcoming unexpecte...

In this episode, Lorie Jones sits down with Rebecca Blacker, a New York City real estate broker who dared to bet on herself transitioning from maternity leave with a career pivot and found success with her commitment to authenticity, even when she was advised to "tone it down" to be taken seriously in a male-dominated industry. This conversation is a masterclass for young women forging their way i...

Today, host Lorie Jones welcomes Nicole Riehl, President and CEO of EPIC (Executives Partnering to Invest in Children). Nicole shares her unconventional career path, starting in early childhood education, moving to the financial sector, and ultimately leading an organization focused on business-driven solutions for childcare. Nicole talks about building confidence, making bold career moves, and th...

Today, host Lorie Jones sits down with trailblazing biotech leader Dr. Sheila Gujrathi, whose journey from a physician in a family of doctors to biotech executive, author, and advocate will both inspire and challenge you. Dr. Gujrathi opens up about forging her own path and making audacious career pivots from an upbringing guided by traditional expectations to breaking new ground in biotech and ph...

Today, host Lorie Jones spotlights Laura Garfield, co-founder of Idea Decanter and accidental author of Find Your #Finfluence, who has carved out a unique space in video marketing for finance and healthcare. Laura reveals the real story behind building a career that blends creativity with strategy, even when life demands a daring pivot. You will be drawn to Laura's candid honesty about the lessons...

In this episode, your host Lorie Jones sits down with trailblazer Kathleen Godfrey, founder of Godfrey Financial Associates, whose career journey is a masterclass in grit and ambition. From being widowed and downsized to building her own independent firm in finance that is a traditionally a male-dominated field, Kathleen reveals how she shattered industry barriers and found strength in adversity....

In this episode, host Lorie Jones sits down with Candice Mitchell, CEO of The Talent Collective and creator of the Talent Development Academy, for an honest conversation about building human-centered leadership and speaking up for your own achievements. Candice Mitchell recounts her inspiring path from aspiring teacher to business leader to build a meaningful career around her passion for developi...

Today, host Lorie Jones is joined by Teri Karjala, a business success therapist who brings positivity and humor to confronting tough challenges. Teri recounts her unexpected path from small-town Kansas to building a seven-figure counseling business and empowering women entrepreneurs to tap into their inner magic and grow with confidence. You will hear about her favorite books for personal and prof...

In this episode, host Lorie Jones sits down with Tina Huggins, a high-conflict divorce specialist and lifelong advocate for women's empowerment. From her beginnings as a martial artist and emergency responder in a small town to her work in law enforcement supporting battered women, Tina's journey is replete with grit, growth, and truly fearless moments. You'll hear how Tina converted adversity—inc...

Today, host Lorie Jones sits down with Rosalyn Brown, the trailblazing program manager at Principal Financial Group and former president of the WIPN (WE Inspire. Promote. Network.) organization for women in financial services. Rosalyn opens up about her unconventional journey from a military family to a leadership role in finance, her love of continuous learning, and the importance of taking risks...

This week, host Lorie Jones sits down with Hannah Clark, a trailblazing family law attorney and founder of the Reputation Law Group. Hannah didn't grow up dreaming of practicing law—in fact, she started in financial planning—but found her passion in helping women and families through some of life's toughest transitions. In this candid conversation, Hannah shares how she and three other women set o...

Today, host Lorie Jones sits down with the multi-talented Shannon Russell—a woman who has reinvented herself not once, not twice, but three times. Shannon, owner of Second Act Success, started her journey behind the scenes as a television producer in Hollywood and New York, transitioned into entrepreneurship as a successful STEM education franchise owner, and has now carved out a thriving career a...

This week, host Lorie Jones sits down with Janete Parente, owner of HB Medical Billing and author, for an inspiring conversation spanning Janete's humble beginnings growing up in poverty in southern Brazil to her courageous leap into the unknown and entrepreneurial success as an immigrant in the United States. Janete shares the trials of starting over in a new country before building a successful...

This week, Lorie Jones sits down with Amber F. McReynolds, a leader who has redefined what it means to serve, from steering election reform to her pivotal role as the board chair of the U.S. Postal Service. Amber's journey began in a small Illinois town, shaped by strong family values, a tireless work ethic, and her grandmothers who advocated for civic engagement and the right to vote. Amber share...

Today, host Lorie Jones welcomes Jacquelin (Jackie) Connelly, founder of Coaching That Belongs, whose journey spans creative entrepreneurship and corporate leadership, marked by hard-won wisdom and courage in the face of adversity. You will find profound value in Jackie's story and the wake-up call that prompted her to break free from others' expectations—or "the shoulds"—and realign her life with...

In today's episode, Lorie Jones sits down with Dr. Natalya Borakowski, a naturopathic physician and founder of UnveilYou, to explore the real meaning of self-healing, resilience, and empowerment for women. Natalya shares her journey from concert pianist to healer, opening up about overcoming a personal struggle with body dysmorphia, launching a clinic from scratch, and navigating skepticism as a f...

In this inspiring installment, host Lorie Jones brings together a powerhouse panel of women leaders for a candid conversation originally designed for a Women of Influence event. Join Lorie Jones, Brie Dilley, Dawn Gabriel, and Toby Cates as they share the unique perspectives, superpowers, and pivotal journeys that have shaped their approach to leadership in fields where women are often underrepres...

In this episode, host Lorie Jones sits down with Colleen Bowler, co-founder of C&J Innovations and a trailblazer in the world of financial planning, to talk about the often-overlooked human side of finance and how financial plans should accurately reflect your unique life, dreams, and values, not just numbers on a spreadsheet. Colleen opens up about her personal journey from a challenging childhoo...

In this empowering episode, host Lorie Jones welcomes the magnetic Neen James, a celebrated client experience expert and author with an unbreakable spirit. You will be captivated as Neen recounts her remarkable leap from the boardrooms of Australia's toughest industries to building her own thriving business. Neen reveals the strategic mindset that propelled her rapid career growth and shares why b...

Today's episode features an electrifying conversation between host Lorie Jones and trailblazing entrepreneur Liz Hansen, founder of Chicago Boudoir Photography Studio. With candor, Liz recounts her journey from art history and education to building a thriving studio that champions women's confidence and individuality. Liz shares how stepping outside her comfort zone, despite skepticism and societa...

Today, host Lorie Jones welcomes the inspiring Stacey Ray, founder and CEO of Sisterhood Travels, a vibrant community dedicated to creating meaningful travel experiences for women. Stacey looks back on how she reconstructed her life after personal loss, building a business—and a movement—centered on connection, sisterhood, and empowering women to find joy and adventure at any age. From overcoming...