Women in the Arena

Let's be friends! What would you trade for more time? After 25 years prosecuting high-profile cases in Minneapolis, Debbie Russell made a decision many dream of but few execute – walking away from her legal career at 55, trading a full pension for what she calls "full-time freedom." Her journey represents a profound lesson in the power of choice and the courage required to author you...

Let's be friends! What happens when the games we played as children shape our entire professional experience? In this eye-opening conversation with chemical engineer and author Wendy Cocke, we uncover how fundamental differences in how boys and girls organize play creates invisible barriers in the workplace that nobody talks about. Wendy shares her journey as a successful engineer and mother w...

Let's be friends! Lesley Jane Seymour's remarkable career spans leadership roles at major women's magazines like More, Marie Claire, and Redbook—but it's what she's doing now that might be her most impactful work yet. In this candid conversation, Lesley shares how she convinced Michelle Obama to make history as the first First Lady to guest edit an entire magazine, generati...

Let's be friends! A profound loss can either break us or transform us. For Kerryn Vaughan, the death of her sister became the catalyst that changed everything. Kerryn's story begins with a self-described "rock and roll life" focused entirely on herself, until her sister's cancer diagnosis and subsequent death shattered her world. Standing on stage at a cancer fundraiser yea...

Let's be friends! Storytelling has the power to bridge divides in ways direct confrontation cannot. In this captivating conversation with author Corinne Cavanaugh, we explore how fiction creates safe spaces to navigate controversial topics and what it truly means to be an audacious woman. Corinne shares the genesis of her debut novel "An Audacious Woman," describing it as "a mas...

Let's be friends! When menopause hits, it can feel like you're losing your mind. The symptoms—from anxiety and brain fog to crawly skin sensations and sleep disturbances—often arrive without warning and can disrupt every aspect of life. But as UK menopause expert Emma Seville explains, these experiences aren't signs of weakness; they're natural biological responses to changing h...

Let's be friends! Lizbeth Meredith's life reads like a thriller, but it's her real journey from domestic abuse survivor to international child recovery advocate that makes this conversation so powerful. After escaping an abusive marriage with her two young daughters, Lizbeth faced the unimaginable when her ex-husband abducted the children during a visit and fled overseas. What follow...

Let's be friends! What happens when your identity is stripped away by a visa system designed to make you dependent? This is the reality for hundreds of thousands of immigrant women who arrive in America as accomplished professionals only to discover they're legally prohibited from working. Varuni  Sinha, author of the groundbreaking memoir "Golden Handcuffs and Immigrants' Pursu...

Let's be friends! Dive into the world of financial literacy as we chat with Stephanie Carchia, a financial advisor-turned-real estate agent who shares invaluable insights on managing money effectively. In this engaging episode, we explore how financial conversations are often sidelined and the impact they have, especially on women's confidence in their financial decisions. Stephanie discu...

Let's be friends! Rediscovering Humanity in Business with Amy Anderson 🌟 What can a turtle teach us about teamwork? Dive into this captivating conversation with Amy Anderson, co-founder of Wild Coffee Marketing, as she shares her transformative journey from working with iconic brands like Calvin Klein to building her own values-driven company. Amy’s story is a masterclass in resilience, leade...

Let's be friends! Mark your calendars for March 12th! Women in the Arena returns with an explosive Season 8 that promises to transform how you approach your professional and personal development journey. As your host, I'm bringing you unprecedented access to the most influential female leaders of our time who are ready to pull back the curtain on their success. These powerful women will s...

Let's be friends! 🎙 Breaking the Silence: Why Working Moms Need to Support Each Other in Corporate America In this vulnerable episode, Audra dives deep with Corporate Recovery Specialist, Caren Cooper, to uncover the often hidden and challenging experiences faced by working mothers in corporate America. Caren, who transitioned from corporate life to entrepreneurship, shares her journey through...

Let's be friends! 🚀 Never Too Old, Never Too Late: Heidi Love’s Inspiring Journey of Chasing a 40-Year-Old Dream! What happens when you decide it’s never too late to chase the dreams you had as a teenager? Heidi Love is proof that no matter your age, your past, or how wild your dreams may seem, it’s never too crazy to reignite your passion and go for it! Join us in this powerful conversation...

Let's be friends! 🌍 Embark on a Global Journey with Phyllis "Phiphi" Kaplan Join us for a captivating episode as we dive into the extraordinary life of Phyllis "Phiphi" Kaplan, an explorer at heart and a citizen of the world. Raised in the vibrant streets of New York City and the serene landscapes of Long Island, Phiphi's insatiable curiosity has led her across the gl...

Let's be friends! From Burnout to Bliss: How Jessica DeAngelo Transformed Her Life Through Nature 🌿 Feeling trapped in the never-ending corporate grind? Jessica DeAngelo knows the feeling all too well. In this episode, we dive deep into her inspiring journey from corporate exhaustion to rediscovering peace and clarity in the great outdoors. 🌍 After years of leading global sales and strategy...

Let's be friends! 🌟 Ever wondered how a first-generation American builds an empire from scratch? Meet the incredible Trixy Castro, a powerhouse entrepreneur who has founded over 50 companies , including Genesis Capital and Hudson Marshall . In this episode, Trixy shares her inspiring journey from advocating for her mother as a child to launching her first company at just 14 years old. Her sto...

Let's be friends! Dive into this week’s episode of Women in the Arena as we sit down with Kash Rocheleau, the dynamic new CEO of Icon Foods. Kash's journey is anything but ordinary—what began as a desire to be a stay-at-home mom transformed into a trailblazing career in the corporate world. 🌟 Highlights of Kash's Journey: 💼 Unexpected Beginnings: Kash started at Icon Foods as an ex...

Let's be friends! 🚀 Have you ever felt like life’s transitions stole your dreams? Join us in this transformative episode as we sit down with the incredible Michelle Gates Roberts, who bravely shares her journey through early pregnancy, battling a debilitating illness, and living in Asia for a decade. Despite society's expectations to simply "be content," Michelle faced isolatio...

Let's be friends! 🎙️ Curious about political engagement and the intricacies of election campaigns? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Wendy Davis, a former Utah House of Representatives candidate and accomplished political science PhD from the University of Utah. Wendy shares her vast knowledge and experience, shedding light on the critical importance of informed voting and poli...

Let's be friends! What if you could redefine what it means to live a fulfilled life? This week on Women in the Arena , we welcome the distinguished author Laura Carroll, who's spent over two decades studying women without children. Join us for an enlightening journey through her latest work, A Special Sisterhood: 100 Fascinating Women from History Who Have Never Had Children . Discover th...

Let's be friends! What if you could reshape the way the world views women athletes? Join us as we dive into an inspiring conversation with Jamie Mittelman, founder and host of Flamebearers. Jamie transitioned from managing multi-million dollar media portfolios to revolutionizing media coverage for female Olympians and Paralympians. Together, we explore the significant challenges female athlete...

Let's be friends! Join us this week on Women in the Arena as we dive into the inspiring story of Keisha Hickson. With a 25-year career in the financial sector, Keisha's life took an unexpected turn in 2016 when she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. What seemed like a devastating blow became the catalyst for a remarkable transformation. Keisha’s journey is a testament to resilience, red...

Let's be friends! Can real estate investing be accessible to everyone, even if you're not a millionaire? In our series finale, Sandra, a seasoned expert, debunks common myths about real estate investing. Discover creative financing options like private money and home equity lines of credit, and learn why hiring professionals for renovations can be a game-changer. Sandra reveals strategies...

Let's be friends! 🔑 Unlock the Secrets of Real Estate Investing Join Sandra Holtmeyer from First Freedom Properties as she guides you through three powerful real estate investment strategies. Perfect for women eager to dive into real estate, even with limited funds or experience. 🏠 Wholesaling Low Cost Entry : Start making money without a hefty upfront investment. Quick Sales : Ideal for sel...

Let's be friends! Get your notebooks and pencils ready!   This is part 1 of a 3- part series to learn the basic building blocks of real estate investing. Unleash your potential by learning how to achieve financial freedom through real estate investing with our inspiring guest, Sandra Holtmeyer. Sandra, a former dietitian turned real estate mogul, shares her transformative journey from a demand...