The Hype Squad

From Corporate Buyer to Creator: Katie Rudicil on Leaving Retail, Finding a Niche, and Staying Consistent on TikTok. This week on The Hype Squad, Charli welcomes Katie Rudicil to discuss Katie’s transition from a 15-year career as a corporate buyer for retailers including Zulily, Lane Bryant, Victoria’s Secret, and Ashley Furniture to pursuing content creation and rebuilding her online boutique, K...

This week on The Hype Squad, Charli welcomes Leah Morrison, founder of Serenity Design Interiors, who shares how repeated moves in Rhode Island helped her develop interior design skills and confidence. Leah describes her intuitive process for understanding clients’ styles, using mood boards and optional 3D renderings, and handling shopping and returns, while advocating for color and personality ov...

In this episode of The Hype Squad, Charli chats with Jean Brunson, owner of Jean Brunson Photography, to discuss the art of creating empowering photographic experiences. Jean shares insights into her background, ranging from being a backpacking guide to transitioning to studio photography and ultimately specializing in boudoir and fine art photography. The conversation touches on the importance of...

In this episode of the Hype Squad Podcast, Charli sits down with Dr. Marcy Crouch, a board-certified Women's Health Physical Therapist and TEDx speaker, to discuss her mission to normalize pelvic health. Dr. Crouch shares her experiences transitioning from working in a traditional medical setting to owning her own business, providing valuable insights into the challenges and successes of entre...

In this episode, Charli welcomes Ayesha Ali, the designer and entrepreneur behind Fuse the Denim. Ayesha shares the inspiring journey of creating her brand, which simplifies women's wardrobes with transformable and confidence-driven denim. The conversation delves into Ayesha's passion for design, her challenges and triumphs in launching Fuse, and her deep-rooted connection to fashion that began in...

In this episode of The Hype Squad, Charli welcomes Dr. Emily Allen McInnis, a dedicated OBGYN passionate about women's health and small-town roots. Dr. McInnis discusses her journey back to Auburn, balancing family life, and her impactful work in East Alabama. The conversation covers significant women's health topics, such as the misconceptions surrounding menopause, the importance of pers...

Join Charli as she sits down with Elizabeth Bethune, founder of The Gathering AO, a community of female entrepreneurs in Auburn and Opelika, Alabama. In this heartfelt and candid conversation, they discuss the challenges and rewards of building a supportive network for women in business, the complexities of motherhood, and the power of personal growth. Elizabeth shares her journey from launching T...

In this episode of The Hype Squad, Charli welcomes Stefanie Adler, a certified nutrition consultant and women's hormone and fertility expert. Stefanie shares her mission to empower women to harness their bodies' innate wisdom for natural healing, highlighting menstrual cycle phases, the impact of birth control, and holistic health practices. Stefanie's insights into cycle alignment, addressing hor...

In this episode of the Hype Squad podcast, Charli welcomes her friend and neighbor, Morgan Symons, to share her compelling journey through grief, military life, and personal growth. The conversation delves into Morgan's experience as a military spouse living in Germany, the struggles of losing close family members including her father and brother during the pandemic, and the profound impact th...

In this episode, Charli welcomes Enneagram coach Amy Nabors to discuss the intricacies of Enneagram coaching and its benefits for individuals and teams. Amy shares her personal journey of overcoming burnout and highlights how the Enneagram helps people understand their core motivations, allowing for personal growth and stress reduction. The conversation covers the differences between Enneagram typ...

In this episode of The Hype Squad podcast, Charli welcomes Lisa Bradshaw, a cancer survivor, widow, author, TEDx speaker, and founder of The Don't Wait Project. Lisa shares her incredible story of transforming personal tragedy into purpose, including the creation of her memoired business journey, her heroic effort to get her product featured on the hit TV show 'Friends,' and her inspir...

In this episode of The Hype Squad, Charli welcomes Dolly Josette, a somatic sexologist, intimacy coach, and former TV producer renowned for her work in body-based healing. They dive into Dolly's journey from transforming her life post-divorce to becoming a certified sexological body worker, sharing her mission to guide others toward deep, embodied joy and self-love. The ladies discuss topics i...

In this episode of The Hype Squad, Charli welcomes Dr. Christina Paul—a board-certified internal medicine physician, mom, and entrepreneur who’s reshaping healthcare. Dr. Paul delves into metabolism, the challenges of medical insurance, the power of customized wellness programs, and why listening to your body’s symptoms matters. She also shares her journey balancing personal care, family, and lead...

In this episode of The Hype Squad, Charli is joined by Nya Gordon, a licensed realtor, financial mentor, and entrepreneur. Nya, the founder of Fine Finances, shares her mission to empower young adults by providing financial literacy and real estate education. Nya discusses her journey, inspired by her mom, and offers practical tips for budgeting, building credit, and setting financial goals. The c...

In this episode of The Hype Squad, Charli welcomes Eloise Stewart, founder of Eloise Design Co. Eloise shares her journey from apparel design to branding and explains the differences between marketing, branding, PR, and advertising. She discusses the importance of a strong brand foundation and consistent messaging for businesses to thrive. Eloise also talks about her second business, Being Well, w...

In this heartfelt episode of The Hype Squad, Charli sits down with Doreen Godfrey, a motivational speaker, Instagram influencer, and mother of three. Doreen shares her journey from learning the truth about her biological father at a young age to growing up driven by an innate need to prove herself. The conversation delves into Doreen's many accomplishments, including owning a dance studio that...

In this episode of the Hype Squad, Charli McConnell interviews Mary Grayson Nix Caden, the owner of Yogalete Auburn and The Yoga Room AU. They discuss Mary Grayson's transition from college soccer athlete to successful yoga instructor and business owner despite facing multiple injuries and concussions. The conversation delves into the therapeutic benefits of yoga, the significance of self-kind...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of The Hype Squad, host Charli McConnell interviews Ashley Garcia, who shares her journey from facing a four-year abusive relationship and the traumatic birth of her son, to becoming a certified somatic practitioner, sex and relationship coach, and NLP expert. Ashley discusses how somatic work has been instrumental in overcoming her challenges and significan...

In this episode of The Hype Squad Podcast, Charli sits down with Linda Stewart, a neighbor and friend, to discuss a variety of topics impacting their lives. They explore the challenges of maintaining work-life balance, especially as mothers who have experienced both stay-at-home and full-time working statuses. Linda opens up about her career transition to financial advising, the rigorous process o...

This week on The Hype Squad, Charli welcomes Shannon McKinstrie, CEO of Boutique Social, who specializes in simplified social media strategies for business owners. Shannon shares her journey from a career in TV production to becoming a sought-after social media marketer. She details valuable insights on creating effective content, staying on top of trends, and balancing work with family life. Shan...

In this episode of The Hype Squad, Charli welcomes Emily Rose, the face behind Mama Wilder, an organization she founded in 2021 to support women in crises similar to her own. Emily shares her deeply personal journey, including her experiences with coercive control, financial abuse, and the challenges of navigating the legal system. She discusses the inspiration and growth of her nonprofit, the Mam...

In this episode, Charli welcomes Lauren Beesley, a former mechanical engineer who transitioned to a full-time photographer and business owner. They discuss Lauren's academic background, her initial career in engineering, and the pivotal moments that led her to switch to photography.   Lauren shares insights into her creative passions, the challenges of starting her own business, the importance of...

In this episode of The Hype Squad, Charli sits down with Olivia Smith, a young professional living in Auburn, Alabama. Olivia shares her journey of graduating from Auburn University in 2021 amid a challenging job market post-Covid, and evolving her career in a male-dominated industry. Together, they discuss the difficulties of finding meaningful friendships after college, navigating life transitio...

In this episode of The Hype Squad, Charli welcomes storytelling coach Bryn Daylor, who shares her journey of discovering the transformative power of storytelling.   Bryn discusses how storytelling helped her through a challenging divorce and led her to build a loyal community, start two companies, launch two podcasts, and write impactful keynotes. The conversation delves into how storytelling help...

In this episode of The Hype Squad, Charli welcomes Ryan Welti, founder and CEO of RetreatVi. Ryan, a registered yoga teacher and holotropic breathwork facilitator, shares her journey from graduating in finance and working six years in management consulting, to founding RetreatVi, a marketplace for retreats. The ladies talk about Ryan's experience living as a nomad, challenges in transitioning care...