Charleston Women Podcast

In this episode of the Charleston Women Podcast , host Kim Russo sits down with Jen Gibson, an award-winning Mortgage Loan Officer with Atlantic Coast Mortgage and the 2026 Charleston Women Magazine She Shines Award Winner for Mortgage Professional. Gibson shares her heart-centered approach to ​, focusing heavily on dismantling the major financial misconceptions that keep single women—who made up...

What happens when traditional mediumship is stripped of its spooky, crystal-ball stereotypes and grounded into a practical tool for daily life? In this episode of the Charleston Women podcast, host Kim Russo sits down with Katie Smith , the insightful owner of Soul Readings with Katie o Soul . Katie shares her unique journey of growing up with a natural intuitive gift in a traditional background a...

What does it take to grow a business from a single dining room table into a thriving, multi-city advertising agency? In this episode, host Kim Russo sits down with Tonya Childs , the visionary Founder and CEO of Smart Marketing Advertising Agency . Tonya shares her inspiring journey of launching the agency and growing it from Anderson and Charleston, South Carolina , into a full-service powerhouse...

Host Kim Russo explores the extraordinary power of a wish in an inspiring conversation with Kat Wawner , CEO of Wawner Strategies, and Shannon Rice , Coastal Region Development Manager at Make-A-Wish® South Carolina . This episode highlights the incredible success of Wish Night 2026 , an event that brought together over 300 guests to raise a record-breaking $1.2 million. Kat and Shannon share thei...

Host Kim Russo sits down for an intriguing conversation with Roberta Moore , the Founder and CEO of EQ-i Coach . Roberta shares her fascinating career evolution—transitioning from the highly analytical world of accounting to founding a premier coaching firm dedicated to strengthening emotional intelligence for high-performance leaders. EQ-i Coach focuses on leaders who are technically brilliant an...

Host Kim Russo sits down for an insightful conversation with Wendy Gant , Owner and Broker-in-Charge of A New Beginning Realty Group . Wendy shares her professional evolution, from her entry into the real estate industry in 2005 to the pivotal moment she founded A New Beginning Realty Group and her journey through today. This transition marked a definitive new chapter, allowing her to implement a...

Join host Kim Russo for an inspiring conversation with Jenna Hodsdon , the visionary owner of Pack Athletics . Discover how Jenna transformed her passion for gymnastics into a premier All-Star competitive cheer powerhouse with locations in West Ashley (Charleston), SC. Pack Athletics is about more than just sports; it's a community dedicated to building strong, confident individuals. Jenna shares...

In this episode, host Kim Russo sits down with Erin Straughan , a pediatric nurse and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) who transitioned her extensive medical background into entrepreneurship as the owner of Tidewater Pharmacy & Compounding in Mount Pleasant. Erin's journey began by silencing her own doubts to create a collaborative, personalized healthcare environment rather than a "c...

From the corporate world to a community sanctuary, Majesta Thorndike and Tonya Ellmers have built a destination for holistic health on James Island. In this episode, the co-founders of The Flow Co Yoga & Wellness join host Kim Russo to share how they've traded the boardroom for a business dedicated to movement and healing. At The Flow Co Yoga & Wellness, the experience is intentionally personal. W...

Andrea Meier, owner & founder of Andrea Meier, LLC Holistic Wellness Collective , joins host Kim Russo to explore a path toward true alignment. As a collective of women therapists serving the Charleston, SC community, they specialize in helping women navigate anxiety, relationships, trauma, and addiction. By utilizing an integrative holistic approach , Andrea and her team empower women to reconnec...

Discover the secret to clean-burning, headache-free ambiance with Jenny Taylor , owner of Island Candles . After realizing traditional candles were triggering her own sensitivities, Jenny pivoted to crafting hand-poured, hypoallergenic, and sustainable alternatives. Following four years of growth as a business, she successfully transitioned from local artisan to opening her own brick-and-mortar sh...

This March, the Lowcountry marks a major milestone as Charleston Wine + Food celebrates its 20th Anniversary . Executive Director Alyssa Maute Smith sits down with host Kim Russo to discuss how this 501(c)(3) non-profit has grown from a local vision into a powerhouse that has injected over $210 million into the Charleston economy. Having been a part of the festival family for over a decade, Alyssa...

The Dames® isn't your typical networking group—it is the world's only business accelerator dedicated to the personal and professional growth of women leading 6, 7, and 8-figure businesses. In this episode, host Kim Russo sits down with Ellen Frazier, President of The Dames Charleston Chapter, to discuss how this global organization fosters elite connections. Forget the traditional "business card s...

Host Kim Russo sits down with Job Coach Victoria McMillin, Owner of Job Coach Victoria , to share invaluable tips on how to get your resume noticed and land your dream role with Instagram @JobCoachVictoria. As a seasoned Career Strategist with 20 years of experience placing professionals in Fortune 100 Companies , Victoria witnessed a major disconnect: highly valuable professionals—even VPs and Di...

In this episode, host Kim Russo sits down with Olga Morales, CEO of Morales Outdoor Creations , a thriving, family-owned business making its mark on the Lowcountry. What started as a hardscape company, taking on its very first project—a simple porch extension requested by an uncle—has blossomed into a popular, full-service outdoor living company serving both residential and commercial clients. Olg...

Strategy & Creativity: How Alyssa Franco Built The Digital Touch In this inspiring conversation, host Kim Russo sits down with Alyssa Franco , the creative Owner of The Digital Touch ! Alyssa, who successfully manages the social media presence for local powerhouses like Mount Pleasant Magazine , Charleston Women Magazine , and Island Vibes , shares her journey of turning a "side hustle" into a thr...

Did you know the Louisiana-based fashion brand with a huge following in Charleston, SC, was founded by a Retired Registered Nurse turned Fashion Designer? Host Kim Russo sits down with Kim Lolley , owner of the Kim Lolley Fashion Brand , to reveal the inspiring story behind her pivot from a 25-year career in nursing to launching her beloved line of Kim Lolley Designs . We go behind the seams to di...

Join host Kim Russo as she chats with Sarah Moriarty, Executive Director of the Charleston Literary Festival , for a look at this spectacular 2025 event! Sarah Moriarty shares the fascinating history of the festival, tracing its roots to Charleston House in Lewes, UK —the historic home of the radical writers and artists of the Bloomsbury Group — and its start in South Carolina in 2017, courtesy of...

Traci Doutaz, a current breast cancer survivor who has returned to roller derby, shares her powerful story with host Kim Russo. Traci explains how a casual self-check after a roller derby match while relaxing at home one evening led to a breast cancer diagnosis. In this interview, Traci opens up about her unique approach to living with cancer, the critical support she has received from her friends...

What if you could turn your relationship around, even when it feels hopeless? Host Kim Russo talks with Sophie Orozco , a relationship coach who did exactly that, rebuilding her own marriage from the ground up. Sophie, CEO & Relationship Coach of Sophie Orozco Coaching , empowers women to see beyond the challenges and find the positive things they can build on. In this conversation, they tackle to...

Join host Kim Russo as she sits down with Anti-aging Specialist & Coac h Alena Klenot, owner of Olala Life . In this captivating interview, Alena shares her experiences and unique perspective on makeup, beauty, health, and vitality. Learn how she first discovered the world of biohacking and hormone therapy, and get an inside look at her personal approach to these cutting-edge techniques. Alena als...

In this episode, host Kim Russo sits down with DeAnndra Glenn , Director of Youth Programs for the Summerville Orchestra . Discover the exciting educational programs offered, from their two youth orchestras to various school interactions. A generous grant from the South Carolina Arts Commission makes these programs tuition-free for participants! DeAnndra shares how you can apply for an audition by...

Join host Erin Kienzle on Charleston Women Podcast as she chats with Michelle Blackstock, owner of The Venue at Springfield Estates , about this truly breathtaking destination in Georgetown, SC. Michelle shares insights into the beauty, intimacy, and tranquility of this sprawling 250-acre property, located just an hour from Charleston. From majestic oak trees and serene ponds to picturesque rice f...

Join host Erin Kienzle as she chats with Charleston Women's new Managing Editor, Angel Holmes ! Angel shares her fascinating career journey, from where she began to all the incredible roles she's held before landing at Charleston Women. Get a sneak peek at her exciting vision to elevate the magazine to the next level and better showcase the amazing women of the Charleston area.

Join us as AMOR Healing Kitchen's Founder and Executive Director, Maria Kelly , shares her inspiring journey with host Erin Kienzle. Discover how Maria started this incredible nonprofit and the powerful "why" behind its mission. AMOR Healing Kitchen empowers teenage volunteers to prepare and deliver nutritious, plant-based meals to individuals facing health challenges. With Maria's nearly two deca...