Queen Me! with Ashley Lynn Priore

What does it actually mean to build a resilient life - before you know you are going to need one? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Colin Owensby, former NCAA swimmer, Ironman, ultramarathon runner, model, actor, stunt performer, entrepreneur, and speaker, to talk about resilience, reinvention, movement, vulnerability, and having the courage to try. After surviving a life-threatening car acci...

What happens when the career you thought you wanted no longer feels like the right one? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Ana Altchek, a reporter at Business Insider, to talk about career pivots, uncertainty, workplace culture, and what it takes to build a career that actually fits. Ana shares how she went from planning for law school to pursuing journalism, including the unexpected experienc...

What if artificial intelligence could help people participate more meaningfully in democracy rather than pushing them further away from it? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Beth Simone Noveck, a government technology expert, professor at Northeastern University, and author of Reboot: AI and the Race to Save Democracy. Beth challenges the idea that democracy is fundamentally broken. Instead,...

What if girls were taught how to manage self-doubt, advocate for themselves, and claim their place in leadership before the world told them to wait? In this episode of Queen Me! , Ashley sits down with Sarah Jakle, founder of DemocraShe, a national organization preparing high school girls to become leaders, advocates, voters, and elected officials. Sarah shares how her background in social work, p...

What if artificial intelligence could help you become a more intentional leader - not only at work, but in every area of your life? In this episode of Queen Me!, Ashley sits down with T. Renee Smith, CEO and author of She Leads with AI, to discuss how women can use artificial intelligence as a strategic tool for leadership, career growth, health, relationships, and family. T. Renee shares her own...

What does it take to transform a struggling team into a championship program? In this episode of Queen Me!, Ashley sits down with David Saur, Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Chatham University, to discuss how strong leadership, intentional culture, and a relentless commitment to excellence can change the trajectory of an entire organization. When Coach Saur took over Chatham’s women’s basketball...

What does financial freedom actually look like and why are so many women unprepared for it? In this episode of Queen Me! , Ashley sits down with Marcia Mantell, retirement consultant and advocate for women’s financial security, to unpack one of the most important and misunderstood topics facing women today: money, retirement, and long-term independence. This episode is for women at every stage of...

What actually sustains success in sports… and in leadership? In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Larsen, Head Football Coach at Carnegie Mellon University, to break down what it really takes to build a program that lasts. Ryan shares how his approach to coaching goes beyond playbooks and schemes, focusing instead on people, culture, and long-term development.  From earning trust early in your c...

What if art isn’t an extra, but an essential part of healing and human connection? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Matt Sandoval, CEO of Art Heals Arizona (formerly Free Arts), to explore the science and power of creativity as a tool for trauma recovery, self-compassion, and community building. Matt shares how creative expression helps young people and adults process difficult experiences,...

What does it take to disrupt an industry built on tradition and regulation? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Meredith Mills-Merritt, Founder and CEO of The Original Southside and Clean Alcohol Collective, to talk about building a modern CPG brand rooted in transparency, intuition, and bold decision-making. From leaving the beauty industry to launching a spirits company, Meredith shares the r...

What if we stopped underestimating children and started listening to them as leaders? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Leah Ellis, founder of the Society of Child Entrepreneurs, for a powerful conversation about youth empowerment, creativity, and what true intergenerational leadership actually looks like. Leah challenges the belief that children should wait their turn to lead. Instead, she s...

What if financial confidence wasn’t about having more money but about trusting yourself? In this episode, Ashley is joined by Nancy Griffin, founder of Women, Worth, and Wellness, for an honest and empowering conversation about money, mindset, and the systems that have historically kept women from fully owning their financial power. Nancy breaks down the myths that hold women back from financial i...

What does it really take to stop being overlooked and start being recognized for your expertise? In this episode, publicist and brand strategist KJ Blattenbauer joins Ashley to break down the truth about public relations, visibility, and why so many women undervalue their voice before they’re even seen. This conversation is for founders, creatives, nonprofit leaders, and builders who know they’re...

What does it take to build a business from the ground up - without burning out, losing yourself, or shrinking your ambition? In this episode, founder and CEO Meesha Gerhart (Redtree Web Design) joins Ashley to break down the real story behind purpose-led leadership, women’s entrepreneurship, and how confidence grows when community does. If you’re building something – a company, a creative project,...

In this episode, we are joined by Ruth Fleury - author, entrepreneur, and founder/CEO of Scholars of Tomorrow Publishing - for a conversation about storytelling, education, and empowerment. Ruth shares how her journey as a teacher and mother led her to write her first children’s book during the pandemic, inspiring a new chapter as both an author and publisher.  We explore how stories help children...

In this episode of Queen Me, we are joined by Hailey Krajewski - a conversion copywriter, messaging strategist, and former nonprofit development professional - for a conversation about the power of words, the art of storytelling, and how women can show up boldly in business without burning out. Hailey shares how her early career in nonprofit fundraising taught her that great writing isn’t about se...

In this episode of Queen Me , we are joined by Jennifer Love, celebrated entrepreneur, money therapist, and CEO of the Livewell Institute. With more than 25 years in the C-suite, Jennifer has guided mission-driven leaders to redefine wealth, align with true purpose, and create legacies rooted in love and gratitude. Jennifer shares her unconventional journey - from childhood imprints and scaling mu...

In this episode of Queen Me , we sit down with Denali Sai Nalamalapu, author of Holler - a stunning graphic memoir chronicling the fight against the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Through their words and art, Denali explores love as resistance, the human cost of environmental extraction, and the transformative power of storytelling as a tool for survival and change. A writer, activist, and organizer, D...

In this episode of Queen Me , Ashley Lynn Priore is joined by Erica Reid, Senior Director of Chapter Success at Friends of the Children - a national nonprofit pioneering long-term mentorship. Erica shares her inspiring journey through education and community work, reflecting on how a deeply rooted mission of serving youth, supporting families, and strengthening communities has guided her career an...

In this episode of Queen Me , Ashley Lynn Priore is joined by Kate Grant, the founding CEO of the Fistula Foundation and author of No Woman Left Behind . Kate shares her bold leap from a high-powered advertising career to becoming one of the world’s leading advocates for maternal health. She opens up about the burnout she faced in an industry built on manipulating insecurities, and how a trip arou...

Season 4 of Queen Me is here! Host Ashley Lynn Priore, founder of Queenside Ventures and passionate voice for leadership and transformation, kicks things off with a look at what’s ahead this season. Get ready for bold conversations about reinvention, resilience, and reclaiming personal power. Ashley previews the lineup of incredible guests who have turned moments of challenge into defining moves,...

In this deeply personal episode, we sit down with Sari Caine - chess champion, educator, playwright, former performer, and upcoming memoirist. Sari opens up about her journey through trauma, teaching, identity, and art - all viewed through the lens of chess. From classrooms in New York City to new beginnings in the woods, Sari shares how the game saved her life, shaped her soul, and helped her dis...

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Annemarie Penny, founder and CEO of Dreamore, to talk about technology, leadership, and the mindset shifts required to thrive in a rapidly changing world. From her beginnings in Arkansas to her journey as a tech leader in California, Annemarie shares how she’s using AI, strategy, and emotional intelligence to shape a more equitable and expansive future...

In this soulful episode of Queen Me , harpist and 2025 Doris Duke Artist Award recipient Brandee Younger opens up about her journey through music, identity, and self-discovery. From blending classical roots with contemporary sound to creating her latest album Gadabout Season , Brandee reflects on joy, healing, and what it means to live authentically - even in spaces where you're told you don’t bel...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jerad Morey, a peacemaker and leader at the Minnesota Council of Churches. Jerad shares their journey from early life experiences with mental illness in the family to their leadership in conflict resolution and community dialogue. Together, we explore how chess, empathy, and deep listening can help us build bridges in a polarized world - and why curiosity...