Unapologetically Badass

kristy Mickelsen is the definition of reinvention. After retiring from preschool teaching due to multiple autoimmune disorders, she rebuilt her life as a romance author, host of the W.W.A.A. Podcast, and an advocate for cancer, autism, lupus awareness, and suicide prevention. We talk about transforming hard seasons into creative fire, writing love (and lust) with honesty, stepping into visibility—...

In this raw and inspiring episode, Renee sits down with Alanah Rushing — Miss Tennessee for America, single mother, infertility advocate, and soon-to-be children’s author — to share what it really takes to rise, rebuild, and redefine success as a woman who refuses to play small. Alanah opens up about her journey through infertility, rediscovering her voice, and what it means to lead with grace, gr...

Jill Maidment didn’t just choose coaching—she was born for it. In this powerful conversation, Jill reveals how her early instinct to help others, a bold leap from corporate life at Air France, KLM, LEGO, and the BBC, and a life-changing moment on an Australian beach led her to build Natural Talent , one of the most respected executive coaching firms in the world. With clients from FTSE 100, Fortun...

Yesterday, I turned 56 — and instead of whispering my age, I’m shouting it. This episode is the raw, unfiltered, unapologetic story of who I’ve become and how writing my book “Unapologetically Badass: F*ck the Rules, Wear the Crown” cracked me open in the best possible way. I’m taking you behind the scenes of: 👑 The painful chapters that built my crown 👑 The personal transformation this year for...

Journalist. Bartender. Businesswoman. Beauty Queen. Danielle Mullins has lived a thousand lives—and every chapter has taught her how to rise stronger. From personal loss to global stages, she’s turned her setbacks into a roadmap for self-mastery. In this unapologetically raw conversation, Danielle shares her story of healing through heartbreak, finding her voice through purpose, and how redefining...

What happens when the woman who’s made everyone else famous finally decides to claim her own spotlight? Meet KJ Blattenbauer — powerhouse publicist, bestselling author, and the visibility strategist experts call when they’re done being ignored. With nearly 30 years in PR, she’s helped clients land in Forbes, Vogue, Architectural Digest, and more — but midlife sparked a transformation: She stopped...

Heather Roberts isn’t just disrupting the beauty aisle — she’s rewriting the rules of business itself. As the founder and CEO of Mom Bomb , she built a luxury bath & body brand that donates 100% of profits to moms in crisis. Now she’s scaling her vision through MOAB (Mother of All Brands) — a holding company for mission-driven consumer brands built on purpose, profit, and pure heart. In this u...

Today’s episode is not about a company… it’s about a woman. A woman who survived a war-torn childhood. A woman who started over in a new country with nothing. A woman who rebuilt her life brick by brick — and eventually rose to become the CEO and Founder of Bella Grace Global. This is the untold story of Kristina Kajic. In this raw and powerful conversation, we talk about: ✅ what life was really...

What does it take to leave the high-stakes world of Wall Street and thrive in the cutthroat New York City real estate market? Ellen Silverman knows. After a successful career as a Wall Street analyst, Ellen forged her own path in real estate—armed with sharp financial skills, an eye for design, and a relentless drive to succeed. In this unapologetically bold conversation, Ellen shares: Why real es...

Buckle up, Queens — because in this episode, we’re serving up a straight shot of grit, guts, and girl boss glory. Meet Aunt Sue Hrib — a powerhouse entrepreneur who went from building a multi-million dollar ERP tech firm in a male-dominated industry... to launching one of the boldest new brands shaking up the spirits space: BIATCH Tequila . Yep, you read that right. She took the word “biatch,” sla...

Breakdowns, Breakthroughs & Branding: Miranda’s Journey of Owning Her Awesome Loss has a way of stealing more than what you think: your job, your dreams, even pieces of your identity. But what if loss could be the gateway to discovering a fiercer, more unbreakable version of yourself? Join me, Renee, in conversation with Miranda VonFricken — founder of Own Your Awesome™ , former corporate lead...

She stole hearts on The Golden Bachelor , built a business as a wedding officiant, and is now living her own real-life love story. But Susan Noles isn’t just a reality TV star — she’s a woman redefining what it means to be golden, bold, and unapologetic in midlife. In this episode of Unapologetically Badass , Renee (aka the Badass Queen) sits down with Susan for a raw and sassy conversation about...

What if the story you’ve been telling yourself is the very thing keeping you stuck? In this unapologetically raw episode, I sit down with Master Certified Life Coach, speaker, and soon-to-be-published author Heather McNally —a woman who’s turned her trauma into transformation and her past into pure power. From surviving an abusive childhood filled with shame and self-doubt to becoming the bold, tr...

What if the story you’ve been telling yourself is the very thing keeping you stuck? In this unapologetically raw episode, I sit down with Master Certified Life Coach, speaker, and soon-to-be-published author Heather McNally —a woman who’s turned her trauma into transformation and her past into pure power. From surviving an abusive childhood filled with shame and self-doubt to becoming the bold, tr...

Sometimes the path shifts, the people change, and the plans get a little messy — but growth? Growth is never canceled. In this solo check-in, Renee Carbone Fleming opens up about an unexpected pivot in the Unapologetically Badass journey. While Sierra is stepping back to focus on her health and healing (with nothing but love and support), Renee is stepping forward — with fire, focus, and full perm...

Get ready to meet the woman who makes people famous—and does it with fierce authenticity. In this episode, Renee sits down with Jaclyn Zukerman Delory , award-winning publicist, top-ranked podcast host, and the CEO of Next On Scene Media. Named a Top 15 Game Changer by OK! Magazine, Jaclyn gets real about what it actually takes to build a brand that stands out. She spills the tea on: The costly mi...

Still trying to run your direct sales biz like it’s 2012? It’s time for a serious glow-up. In this bold episode, I sit down with Becky Launder , CEO & Co-Founder of Modern Direct Seller , author of 52 Tips to Build a Thriving Direct Sales Business , podcast host, and total badass behind the Modern Direct Seller Academy and Framework that’s helped thousands of consultants ditch the overwhelm an...

What do you get when you mix a survivor, a sash, and a seven-figure vision? You get Rose freakin’ Campbell —Mrs. Tennessee, best-selling author, founder of four businesses, and unapologetic force for good. In this unfiltered episode of Unapologetically Badass , Rose shares her harrowing experience surviving human trafficking while in foster care—and how she alchemized that pain into power. From la...

She broke barriers, shattered glass ceilings, and still had to pick herself up off the floor more than once. In this episode of Unapologetically Badass , Dr. hc Carmen Paredes shares her raw, real, and remarkable journey from near burnout and personal chaos to becoming Alaska’s first Latina VP and a globally recognized leadership powerhouse. We dive deep into how she turned pain into purpose and b...

In this raw, real, and necessary conversation, we sit down with Kendall Lasha Williams , unapologetic truth-teller and host of Mum’s True Tea Podcast , to pour out the honest sips about the side of motherhood that’s often hidden—estrangement, resentment, guilt, and grief. As a mother of two adult sons and a survivor of motherhood-induced PTSD, Kendall isn’t here to sugarcoat anything. She shares h...

Be honest—what’s the FIRST thing you’d do if you hit the jackpot and 8 zeros suddenly showed up in your bank account? Disappear off social media? Build a glam retreat for powerhouse women? Or hire Paolo the private chef (because obviously). In this week’s hilariously unfiltered episode, Renee and Sierra spill their wildest lottery fantasies—and trust us, it’s not just about the money. It’s about F...

What would YOU do if $100 million dropped in your lap tomorrow? 👀💸 Go off-grid? Build a luxe retreat for badass women? Hire Paolo the private chef? (Same, sis. Same.) In this week’s hilariously real episode, we’re spilling our wildest lottery fantasies—and trust us, it’s not just about the cash. It’s about FREEDOM. IMPACT. LIVING EXTRA AF. If you’ve ever caught yourself daydreaming in traffic or...

What if losing it all was the greatest comeback you never saw coming? In this week’s episode, we go all in with the unstoppable Krystle Nicole — corporate boss, entrepreneur, pageant queen, and the heart behind pHree Living Co. From divorce to rock bottom, Krystle rebuilt her life with faith, fire, and a fierce-ass attitude. This convo is raw, real, and packed with truth bombs every woman needs to...

From Housewives to Homicide Why are so many women obsessed with true crime? Is it just the thrill—or are we decoding survival strategies in real time? In this episode, we’re spilling the stories that shook us, the unsolved mysteries we still talk about, and the wild theories we swear are more legit than the official version. 👀 👑 Popcorn, theories, and no shame. 💋 Because curiosity isn’t a crime...

When life hits HARD, do you crumble—or rise like a badass? Job loss. Cancer scare. Emergency surgery. Oh, and a global freaking pandemic. Most people would break. But Jennifer Cassara ? She rebuilt. From rock bottom to running a thriving fashion brand with purpose, she’s living proof that resilience isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a way of life. In this episode of Unapologetically Badass , we talk abou...