Rise To More

We love to watch people rise. We cheer for the underdog, admire their grit, and celebrate their early wins. But the moment they cross into real success—the kind that sets them apart—something shifts. Suddenly, we start picking them apart. We look for cracks, mistakes, scandals. We whisper, “Who do they think they are?” Elon Musk is maybe a tricky example—because let’s face it, the man is as contro...

Today’s guest on Rise to More completely blew my mind. Dr. Simone Xavier isn't just another entrepreneur—she is one of the most remarkable minds behind one of the world’s biggest makeup brands, Sigma Beauty . When I first heard her story—a veterinarian, infectious disease researcher, and professor who pivoted into beauty—I was fascinated. How does someone go from vaccines and bacterial diagnostics...

Lauren Bennett McGinty on Leading Explore Minnesota’s $25B Revival When you think of transformative leadership, you might not immediately think of tourism. But Lauren Bennett McGinty is here to change that. As the Executive Director of Explore Minnesota , Lauren has taken the reins of a $25 billion industry in a state recovering from global disruption, cultural shifts, and long-standing misconcept...

Sometimes, the most powerful voices are the quiet ones. The people who don't speak to be heard—but to serve. Today's Rise to More guest, Nick Engbloom, is exactly that kind of quiet powerhouse. Nick is Senior Director of Development at the University of Minnesota Foundation, and just this year - he was recognized as part of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal (MSPBJ) 40 Under 40. He’s quietl...

There’s this story we tell about visibility: Build something amazing. Gather a big following. Get celebrated. Feel fulfilled. But what happens when the story turns? In one of the most raw, vulnerable conversations I've had on the Rise to More podcast, creative entrepreneur Sarah Edwards pulls back the curtain on what success and public visibility can truly cost. If you’ve lived in Minneapolis, you...

Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. When Loyalty Breaks: Betrayal, Self-Preservation & Rising Anyway There’s a quiet kind of heartbreak that doesn’t come from a breakup or a layoff. It comes from someone you trusted… choosing themselves over you. That sting? Yeah—it’s betrayal. And it happens to all of us eventually. Even, apparently, to Taylor Swift. L...

Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This week on Rise to More , I had the honor of sitting down with a guest whose story moved me to my core. Anne Ahmed is not just a chef. She is a memory-keeper, a storyteller, and a bridge between worlds. A former refugee from Laos who arrived in the United States as a child, Anne's life and work now anchor some of th...

Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. 🎙️ Welcome to the First Episode of 'Rise to More' This is the official rebrand of the podcast formerly known as Uplevel Together. I’m excited to step into this new chapter with you. If you’re wondering why I made the switch and what “Rise to More” truly means, I break it all down in this article: Now, for our first ep...

Today feels like a homecoming. The podcast you’ve known and trusted has officially evolved. Formerly Uplevel Together , now proudly: Rise to More. Because who you become next is what truly matters. This isn’t just a rebrand. It’s a declaration. It’s a reminder that the life you want—the one that feels grounded, meaningful, alive—isn’t found in chasing more noise, more pressure, or someone else’s v...

In a world screaming for our attention, stillness has become revolutionary. In this episode of the Uplevel Together podcast , I sit down with spiritual teacher and dowser Joey Korn to explore how unseen energies—the emotional residue of fear, anger, and overwhelm—impact our bodies, our homes, and our lives. We talk about why so many have been feeling “off” since 2020, how negative patterns root de...

This is the kind of episode that makes you stop and think… What have I accepted as truth just because it’s been said enough? Maybe you’re chasing a version of success that was never yours to begin with. Maybe you’ve been telling yourself a story that was written for you, not by you. It’s time to pause, question, and reclaim your truth. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this wi...

Hey beautiful people, Let’s cut through the noise. We’re living in a time where you’re expected to have billionaire-level results in six months or less. Launch a brand, skip the process, and go straight to the top. It’s everywhere: A brand-new coach charging $10,000 per client—with zero results to show. A freelancer demanding premium rates before delivering real value. People branding themselves a...

Hey beautiful humans, This one’s for the sensitive souls, the overthinkers, the high-achievers who get thrown off course by the smallest comment, email, or bump in the road. Trust me—I’ve been there. But here’s the blunt truth: If every little thing gets under your skin, you’re giving away your power. This week’s Uplevel Together episode is a masterclass in building resilience—not by numbing yours...

In this episode, I’m talking about something I believe every single person needs—but most don’t even realize they’re missing: walkaway power. Walkaway power is the ability to leave any situation—a job, a relationship, a business deal—because you know who you are, what you want, and that you’ll be just fine without it. It’s not about quitting. It’s about owning your value so deeply that you’re neve...

Americans are more involved in global politics than ever. They’re picking sides in international conflicts, debating foreign policies, and staking a moral ground on issues they barely understand. And here’s the hard truth: Most of them have never studied these regions, these cultures, these religions. Many have never even left the United States. But suddenly, because of a 30-second TikTok clip or...

This shouldn’t be controversial, but here we are. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the hard truth no one wants to hear: If you’re struggling financially, it’s not just the economy, bad luck, or a lack of opportunities—it’s your work ethic. Too many people turn down jobs because they’re “not the right fit” or “below” them, then wonder why they’re stuck. Work is not a punishment. It’s momentu...

Let’s be real—when someone is teaching success, happiness, or personal growth, don’t we expect them to have mastered it themselves? Yet even the biggest names in self-help struggle with the very things they teach. So, does that make them frauds, or does it actually make them more relatable? More importantly, what should we really expect from our motivational leaders? In this episode of The Uplevel...

This week, love isn’t just about flowers and chocolates—it’s about the way you show up for yourself and the life you truly want. No more waiting. No more postponing joy. You deserve to feel fully alive. Let’s talk about how to break free from expectations, reconnect with your dreams, and create a life you love—starting today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other s...

Did you know that having a positive outlook on aging can add up to 7.5 years to your life? In this special live episode, recorded at ModernWell during the book launch of Casie Kindl’s Age of Beauty book and workbook, we dive deep into a conversation that will shift how you see yourself at every stage of life. Casie, founder of the Age of Beauty movement, shares her powerful journey from struggling...

Thrilled to share another conversation with my spiritual teacher, Steve Tonsager. Steve is one of the wisest people I know and when I notice things like spiritual bypassing on a mass scale, he is always the person to talk to. In this episode, we discussed some major topics, all important and timely: -The pitfalls of relying on external sources for spiritual and mental health -The difficulties of m...

This week, I bring you a thought-provoking conversation with Leslie Lee, a dedicated nurse injector making waves in the beauty industry.  I have known Leslie for a while now and just love her to pieces. Leslie opens up about her personal journey into aesthetics, motivated by a deep interest in helping others look and feel their best as they age gracefully. We discussed ethical practices in aesthet...

Another amazing episode folks!!! This week, I introduce you to a dear friend and a woman going places: Kate Nelson. An Alaska Native Tlingit tribal member, Kate Nelson is an award-winning journalist based in Minneapolis who focuses on amplifying important Native American change makers and issues. Her writing has appeared in top publications including ELLE ,  Esquire , Vanity Fair ,  Teen Vogue , ...

This week on the Uplevel Together podcast, we talk to Michael Madaus, a retired thoracic surgeon with an exceptional story to tell. From a turbulent childhood to the height of medical success, and finally finding true fulfillment beyond the operating room, Michael's story is both riveting and thought-provoking. Michael opens up about achieving professional success as a cardiothoracic surgeon and p...

In this episode of "Uplevel Together," I sat down with Katy Burke, entrepreneur and visionary behind TeamWomen.  Tune in to explore how TeamWomen is reshaping leadership, fostering women's growth in business, and creating a supportive community through mentorship, partnerships, and engaging events. Discover the importance of embracing diversity, living with purpose, and the power of supportive net...

In this powerful episode, I talk to Sam Eaton, founder of Recklessly Alive - https://www.recklesslyalive.com/ . Sam Eaton takes us through his own battle with depression and suicide attempt to the creation of a suicide prevention initiative. His experience sheds light on the stark realities of mental health and the toxic influence of social media on our psyche. Sam's transformation is a call to ac...