Girls Just Wanna Podcast

Allison Hall is an emerging children's author, publishing three books this year alone. Her debut book, Girls Aren't Just Girly, takes readers on an alphabetically-inspired journey to celebrate just how Wonderful, Whimsical, Witty, and Wise girls can be. She's also published If I Were King of the Kitchen and If I Were Queen for the Day, and is working to finalize a few other books set t...

What was once a century-old former gas station has been transformed into an enchanting and vibrant antique retail shop! Located in downtown Grafton, Off the Common Antiques is 4000 square feet of retail space housing more than 50 local vintage and antique vendors. Owner Morgan King carefully curates her multi-vendor marketplace to offer an amazing array of antiques, vintage clothing, restored furn...

Based in Worcester, A Bark Above Dogventures is the outdoor adventure experience you didn't know your pup needed! Inspired by her love of nature and her own hiking experiences with her dog, owner Marina Theberge founded the business to bring that same opportunity for outdoor time to other local dogs! A Bark Above Dogventures offers group dog hikes, training, sitting, and walks. Their hikes, or...

With over a decade of varied experience in the fitness industry, Gabby Pacheco knows what makes an exercise class unforgettable. Earlier this year, she finally opened a space of her own: EMBODI Studios in Somerville. Offering pilates, yoga, strength, and dance fitness classes all under one roof, EMBODI is intentionally designed as a space for full-spectrum movement, growth, and community. We talk...

When the COVID-19 shutdowns ended her children's fitness company in 2020, Julia Walderzak had the idea to launch a mobile bar, Decanted Wine Truck. The business started with one renovated vintage trailer, Winona, but with demand growing rapidly, more trailers and bar carts were added to the fleet. Now, Decanted travels all over New England, bringing their full-bar beverage service to all kinds...

Upon learning of her newborn's sensitivity to caffeine and discovering her own growing sensitivity to dairy, Nichole Nduati began searching for a vegan chai latte to replace her favorite guilty pleasure. When none could be found, she started experimenting with her own recipes, and after sharing those creations with friends and family, Nichole and her husband decided to launch a business sellin...

After losing her daughter to the catastrophic 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Cherylann Gengel co-founded Be Like Brit, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the children of Haiti by establishing a safe, nurturing, and sustainable orphanage. At the time of her passing, Britney Gengel was on a mission trip with her college and had been texting her mom about the experience, expressing her desire t...

A family nurse practitioner and certified holistic wellness coach, Alana Giannopoulos understands the importance of taking care of the whole person: mind, body, and soul. She started Vita Hydration and Wellness to give people an outlet to heal and tend to their whole selves by detoxing, de-stressing, and restoring. Located in Worcester, her holistic wellness center offers a series of services—incl...

From painting to carpentry, epoxy to power washing, and wallpaper removal to color consultation, Sarah Bueno and her team at @queenofheartspainting can transform your space. Whether you need just a touch-up or a full-on new look, Queen of Hearts will deliver. Based in Wellesley, they serve all of Massachusetts, including the islands. In this episode, we talk to Sarah about how her background in de...

Healing Habits Psychotherapy & Therapeutic Services is an outpatient mental health office in Spencer offering in-person and online talk therapy, EMDR, and therapeutic groups to individuals in Massachusetts. CEO and therapist Brittany Price, LICSW, opened this private practice in September of 2024, wanting to devote more time to her clients to serve them in the best way she could. In this episo...

Makena Waterhouse believes that the confidence women gain from strength training translates into all aspects of their lives. That's why her online strength training business, MJW Coaching, all stems from helping women build confidence in AND out of the gym. Makena has a dual degree in nutrition and kinesiology, allowing her to serve a diverse range of clients with varying fitness goals. Her me...

1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. Pawsitively 4 Pink helps lighten the financial burden of that diagnosis for low-income, underserved women in Massachusetts. Founded in 2018 by Michelle Power, the nonprofit organization provides financial assistance in whatever ways needed—whether it's paying for groceries, mortgage/rent, phone bills, utilities, t...

Working as a nurse during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, making charcuterie boards became a way for Kerry Dwyer to unwind after work. But after posting a picture to social media that garnered interest, this passion quickly turned into a business. Now, as charCUTErie Woo, Kerry makes all types of specialty meat and cheese boards, has a board of the month club, creates large grazing tables for...

Renae LeCuyer is a Registered Dietitan (RD) and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) who works with individuals and businesses in Central Mass to provide expert nutrition guidance through her side hustle, Simply Nourished. Whether they're working toward a fat loss goal, managing medical diagnoses, or just looking to eat a better-balanced diet, a variety of patients can benefit from working wi...

For more than 100 years, Girls Inc. of Worcester has aimed to inspire all girls to be strong (healthy), smart (educated), and bold (independent). They're the oldest and only facility-based, girl-centered organization in Central Massachusetts. As CEO, Tiffany Lillie works to advance this mission and elevate the Girls Inc. Experience every day so that the organization can serve more than 1,000 g...

Jill Cofsky is a professional voice talent who works behind the scenes to add narration to your projects, including educational, commercial, audiobooks, book trailers, real estate tours, websites, or explainer videos.​ She's narrated over a dozen children's audiobooks and works with the Hanover Theatre in Worcester to provide audio description services for blind and low vision audience mem...

1 in 3 children in Massachusetts experience clothing insecurity. And underwear is even less accessible because it needs to be brand-new to be donated. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Catherine Maloy founded Cocotree Kids, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to distribute new underwear to at-risk youth in Massachusetts, providing them with a sense of confidence, comfort, and dignity. Since 2021, they've served...

With 18 shelter beds and 79 units of housing, Abby's House is the largest provider of affordable, supportive housing in Worcester, designed to meet the needs of women and children. This nonprofit organization provides shelter and affordable housing, as well as advocacy and support services, to homeless, battered, and low-income women, with or without children. Founded in 1976, Abby's House...

Fueled by a passion for plants and a desire to share her love for greenery with others, Tiana Diaz opened a specialty houseplant shop T.A.J. Tropicals & Trinkets. Since opening in 2020, T.A.J. has moved locations a few times before settling in their current home at 100 Grove Street in Worcester. Aside from selling plants, plant care accessories, and other trinkets, Tiana also hosts a variety o...

Sharon Sanchez believes in the transformative power of habits. At Lileo Skin, she's designed a skin care experience grounded in this belief; it's not just about the products, it's about the rituals. Lileo wants to take you on a journey back to the skincare basics. Their mission is to simplify skin care, focusing on essential, nourishing ingredients, that work with your skin—no unnecess...

Lauren Howe believes every brand has a story to tell. And through empHowered PR, she helps you shout it from the rooftops! Lauren's team works with clients internationally to craft their brand voice and align their messaging, offering brand strategy, executive communications, media training, thought leadership, and more. Outside of PR and communications work, Lauren is incredibly active in the...

As the owner of Budget Blinds of Worcester & Holden, Allison LeMay is committed to elevating her clients' daily home life with the best window treatments for their unique needs. From blinds and shades to shutters and drapery, her team has a window covering for every style and budget. Servicing residential and commercial spaces in Worcester, Holden, and Jefferson, Allison and her team bring...

Lady LaRouge is a multifaceted showgirl who offers a unique blend of entertainment and education in the realm of burlesque and drag. Performing locally in Worcester, as well as regionally and nationally, Lady LaRouge strives to preserve the history of the art of burlesque when she takes the stage. Off stage, she produces other drag & burlesque (draglesque) shows, conducts research, and hosts w...

Real people. Real ingredients. Fake tans. That's the blushtan motto! Their one-of-a-kind tanning solutions are made from organic ingredients, meaning it's the safest way to get a tan! Jenna Sharma opened the BlushTan Worcester studio in 2018 and has been helping women of all shapes, sizes, and colors achieve a healthy, natural glow ever since! In this episode we talk with Jenna all about b...

Buying a home for the first time—or anytime—can be intimidating. As a loan officer, or more accurately, a "mortgage advisor," Marina Jewers works with prospective home buyers to help them realistically understand what they can afford and get them a mortgage that will work with their lifestyle. Marina particularly loves working with first-time homebuyers to make their dreams of home ownership becom...