Uplifting Women

You’ve Gotta Be You! Season Two - Episode 28 "It's only me who's responsible for what I do and how I get there.” – Laurie Schmidt   In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Laurie about: How a series of perceived failures had her doubting herself The desire to remain authentic to herself is a driving force in her life Working for some bad leaders gave her a view of who she didn’t want to be as a...

"My story is trying to advance women in every way that I can." – Rebecca Sive  In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Rebecca about: Rebecca's parents as important role models in her early life The new book, Make Herstory Your Story – Rebecca's COVID passion project and a guided journal to justice every day for every woman The credit Rebecca gives to her mother for a level of discipline and pe...

" We don't need to change the world tomorrow. I wish we could… We've proven that isn't happening right now, but there are some wins and we need to continue to walk in that direction. So that there is more meaningful impactful and systemic change.” – Megan McCann In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Megan about: The path to our future selves is often not a straight line The importance of beli...

Baking is Therapy Season Two - Episode 25  "I'm always where I need to be when I need to be there." – Jobea Murray   In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Jobea about: From Crocs, Inc. to Jobea Bakes, LLC, home-based baker Kids Impact Community, where kids of all ages get involved in their communities through volunteer work What it's like to be a mom, a business owner, and a community volunte...

Right In the Middle of Things Season Two - Episode 24   " I will figure it out. And I will learn all of it at the same time. You will. You never know what's going to happen if you just start saying yes to stuff, regardless of whether it makes you scared. Whether, you know everything about it, whether you know nothing about it, you have to trust that you're in the room for a reason.” – Liz Motta  ...

All We Need is Love Season Two - Episode 23   "We have the energy to impact everyone a round us in a positive way.  Pray like it depends on God and work like it depends on you.” – Janice Perkins   In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Janice about: Raised by parents who instilled a sense of responsibility that we take care of others and invite them to our table Chronic illness in her 30s focu...

Being Human is Difficult Season Two - Episode 22    "Compassion is the recognition that someone else is suffering or in pain, coupled with the urge to do something to alleviate that suffering if you can.” – Jordan Goldrich   In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Jordan about: How growing up in the New York housing projects set the tone for how Jordan communicated, and he saw nothing wrong wit...

"When the tides go out and the water level subsides, which the pandemic has done in some ways, we get to see what the water was covering up. So we're now seeing that societal injustices did not just happen because of the pandemic. They were there all along, just out of sight under the water.”  --  Guillermo Gutierrez   In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Guillermo about: How his exposure to...

Being Human is Difficult Season Two - Episode 22   "Compassion is the recognition that someone else is suffering or in pain, coupled with the urge to do something to alleviate that suffering if you can.” – Jordan Goldrich   In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Jordan about: How growing up in the New York housing projects set the tone for how Jordan communicated, and he saw nothing wrong with...

BONUS Episode – International Women's Day – Will you help #BreakTheBias? Episode 20   "Cheers that women have made a little progress in the past few years in getting a few more women into senior-level roles. But at the rate we're going, it's going to take another 400 years to reach a state of equality." – Holly Teska   In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk about: It's not just about being a woman....

Never Stop Learning Season Two - Episode 19 Guest - Paula Goulden Naitove, JD, ACC   "The adventure is the learning opportunity. Forgive yourself if you step off the side of the pavement once in a while. – Paula Goulden Naitove   In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Paula about: Raised by a father who wanted his children to be well educated, she followed his advice. Although the journey was...

"Maya Angelou says we all have a story within us, and it's sad if we don't share it." – Deb Crowe   In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Deborah about: How she was forced to grow up on a nanosecond when her dad passed away at the age of 54 and Deb was only 21 years old. The story of a VP at her very last job who took her out for lunch one day. He told her she was losing her job at five o'clo...

Make Life More Joyful Episode 17   "You should have a life you love. Let's uplift women and do great things. Make life more joyful." – Sheila Long   In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Sheila Long about: Her decision to start her own business after she decided to leave the world of big corporate America to focus on family. How Sheila began to get acclimated to a new city and make friends an...

In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Terri Herrmann & Kurt Heikkinen about: Being true to who you are Mind, body, spirit health and using the power of these three things together. Surrounding yourself not only with those who uplift you, but also those who will challenge you When we listen more than expressing our own thoughts, great ideas come forward  Key Takeaways Take care of yourself and...

Sharing Belly Hugs Season Two - Episode 15   "When I think of my Dad’s lasagna, I get all the warm fuzzy feelings of being in my childhood home with my family.” – Hollie Mealy   In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Hollie about: How Hollie went from full-time teacher to part-time teacher, to President and founder of a 501c3 (non-profit) The challenges and victories in starting a not-for-prof...

Season One Finale Episode 14   “It was an amazing year where we learned so much from our guests and about podcasting!” – Kristin Strunk & Holly Teska   In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk about: The learnings they found in the wide variety of guests The challenges of starting a podcast without anything more than an idea How they wish to continue to grow the podcast, diversity of guests, and reac...

Everything I have experienced, makes me who I am today and helps me offer the value that I do to the clients that I work with.” – Dr. Wilma Slenders In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Dr. Wilma about: Realizing that university wasn’t easy led her to begin her career in physical education… because she was good at it! The importance of understanding what you do well and finding ways to dive...

The Ultimate Gift  Episode 12  "Thirteen people die daily waiting for an organ.” – Laurie Lee   In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Laurie Lee about: Laurie’s early career experiences that led her and her husband to start their own business. Her dad’s life-saving liver transplant and her journey into the world of living organ donation. A beautiful story of gratitude and paying it forward. L...

"Change is so scary.  It’s so easy to stay in our comfort zone.” – Laura Spiegel  In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Laura Spiegel about: Paint Her in Color, the website, and organization Laura created to provide emotional support for parents of children with special health care needs. Making the difficult choice to move from a corporate role and a career on the fast track to find purpose...

You Are Worthy Episode 10   "Ego is what get's in the way for many leaders. Leaders need to be willing to learn and grow." – Shari Strong   In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Shari Strong about: Her biggest fear is not reaching her God-given potential. The importance of investing in yourself and your development. Never giving up on your dreams. Keep moving forward, and know that you can do...

"I feel we connect best with the healers and helpers.  Those are people that are in service based businesses making an impact in the world.  To do your best work you need to align with clients that you have a connection with.” – Amber Khan In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Amber Khan about: Her decision to start her own business after she and her entire team were downsized by her former e...

"The moment you mention workplace politics, everyone bristles… but you really need to understand how to understand a culture of any system.” -- Mira Brancu  In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Dr. Mira Brancu about: Her new book, “Millennials’ Guide to Workplace Politics: What no one ever told you about power and influence.” While the title of the book suggests it is for millennials, it res...

Allow people to be who they are and try to understand where they are at."— David Topp In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with David, Lauren, Leah, and Sydney Topp about: Being an advocate for women and girls – three beautiful examples of strong young women taking their place in the world. The importance of allowing people to be themselves and shine in the world. How David’s daughters have been...

In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Deborah Shames about: Early career experiences that created the platform for Deborah’s commitment to showing up confident and polished. It wasn’t an easy road for Deborah either!  An amazing story of commitment and courage. Deborah’s passion for helping others (and especially women) feel confident, prepared, and competent in their roles as executives, lea...

Bring Someone Along Episode 5 "We can navigate incredible global challenges.  We don't have to do it alone.  And the joy that you will receive by reaching your hand out to uplift someone else you will get back a thousandfold."— Kristen Lamoreaux In this episode, Holly & Kristin talk with Kristen Lamoreaux about: The early childhood experiences that shaped Kristen's "can do" attitude. The curiosity...