Miranda Kerr is a globally recognized model and the founder & CEO of KORA Organics, a skincare brand known for its commitment to clean, certified organic products.

For Miranda, the journey to founding KORA Organics wasn’t just about beauty — it was about healing. After her mother’s cancer diagnosis, she began questioning everything she put in and on her body, eventually realizing there was a gap in the market for truly clean, certified organic skincare that actually worked. Fueled by a personal mission and a vision for something better, she launched KORA Organics in 2009. Today, it’s a global brand available in over 30 countries, but Miranda’s approach remains deeply personal: leading with intention, staying hands-on with every product, and reminding people that real beauty begins with how we care for ourselves from the inside out.

In this episode, Miranda shares the pivotal experiences that shaped her — from growing up in a wellness-focused family to how personal loss at a young age taught her resilience, gratitude, and emotional strength. She reflects on lessons from her early modeling career — handling rejection, building confidence, and trusting her inner voice — and how those experiences prepared her for entrepreneurship. Miranda takes us behind the scenes of launching KORA in the U.S., navigating a highly competitive market, and balancing the emotional highs and lows of building a global brand while raising a family. She also shares how mindfulness, presence, and self-care have been foundational to her success — and why prioritizing inner wellbeing remains at the core of her life and business, and so much more. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Miranda about:

* Miranda’s family approach to wellness. [02:55]

* Her mother’s cancer diagnosis. [04:56]

* Losing her boyfriend young & shifting her life perspective. [10:45]

* The importance of expressing love and gratitude daily. [14:06]

* Miranda’s early modeling career and how it shaped her. [17:18]

* Navigating impostor syndrome & building confidence. [20:21]

* Lessons in resilience and learning to handle rejection. [23:24]

* Miranda’s skincare learnings from her modeling career. [27:19]

* Myths around certified organic products. [31:05]

* The passion and purpose behind building KORA Organics. [32:19] 

* Launching KORA in the U.S. [36:10]

* The challenges of entering the U.S. market. [40:07]

* Managing emotional resilience as an entrepreneur. [44:30]

* Managing motherhood with entrepreneurship. [46:57]

* A behind-the-scenes look at Miranda’s life as a mom. [47:49]

* Balancing her yin and yang energy in daily life. [51:59]

* The power of mindfulness and being present. [53:39]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Follow Miranda: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirandakerr/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koraorganics/

* Website: https://koraorganics.com/

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We're sitting down with celebrity nutritionist Kelly LeVeque—best known for her blood sugar-focused approach, and working with stars like Halle Berry and Jessica Alba—to talk all things wellness and nutrition. Whether you're looking to upgrade your diet or better understand how your body works, this episode is full of practical, science-backed tips to support your health journey.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

* The method behind her famous Fab 4 smoothie

* How to handle sugar cravings

* The best protein options for vegetarians

* Her go-to strategies for lasting behavior change

* How blood sugar impacts the brain

* And more…

Kelly is a certified functional nutritionist, wellness expert, and best-selling author living in Southern California with her husband and three young boys. Before starting Be Well By Kelly, she worked in the medical field for Fortune 500 companies like J&J, then moved into personalized medicine, offering tumor gene mapping and molecular subtyping to oncologists, before striking out on her own to start her business. Kelly received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California and completed postgraduate studies in clinical nutrition through UCLA and UC Berkeley. She has found her work as a holistic nutritionist to be the most rewarding of her career.

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Follow Kelly: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewellbykelly/

* Website: https://bewellbykelly.com/

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Justine Tiu is the co-founder of The Woobles, a company that makes beginner-friendly crochet kits designed to help anyone confidently create their first plush.

Before launching The Woobles in 2020, Justine was thriving at Google, where she rose from UX designer to one of the youngest leaders on her team. But behind the success, she was quietly battling burnout, imposter syndrome, and a sense that something was missing. In search of happiness, she picked up crocheting—and it quickly became her creative escape. What started as a personal outlet soon sparked the idea for something bigger. She left corporate life behind to launch The Woobles from their garage.

In this episode, Justine shares how she went from feeling unfulfilled in her corporate job to testing out multiple business ideas—none of which quite stuck—before stumbling upon a creative outlet that changed everything. What began as a simple Etsy shop eventually grew into a multi-million dollar business. Justine and her husband both quit their jobs to eventually go all-in on The Woobles, navigating everything from learning how to manufacture physical products to handling customer support themselves in the early days. She opens up about the steep learning curve, the mental health challenges of building a brand from scratch, and how customer feedback became their guiding compass. We also dive into the real story behind their Shark Tank experience, the importance of product-market fit over polished branding, the power of a strong support system, and so much more.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Justine about:

* How childhood creativity shaped Justine’s career path. [03:10]

* How corporate experience helped her start her own business. [05:59]

* Justine’s experience with fear and impostor syndrome. [08:55]

* The mental health benefits of hobbies outside work. [09:36]

* Turning a personal hobby into a business. [11:46]

* Justine’s experience working in Google. [13:25]

* Burnout and the search for true happiness. [16:00]

* Quitting their fulltime job and starting an Etsy shop. [17:38]

* Early business ideas before launching The Woobles. [19:19]

* Why owning your brand and online presence matters. [23:32]

* The challenges of quality control in physical products. [25:22]

* Mental health struggles and the role of family support. [26:27]

* How running a business differs from a corporate job. [28:31]

* The importance of focusing on what you can control. [29:32]

* Experience on Shark Tank and its impact. [31:14]

* Embracing uncertainty can lead to unexpected growth. [35:57]

* Product-market fit comes before branding. [44:32]

* Why a strong support system is key to balancing life and business. [48:36]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Follow Justine: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dilly.ofapickle/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewoobles/

* Website: https://thewoobles.com/

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Katie Wilson is the co-founder of BelliWelli, a wellness brand transforming the digestive health space with delicious bars and easy-to-take fiber supplements.​

Katie didn’t set out to start a wellness brand—especially not from her kitchen. But after years of struggling with gut issues and finding zero snack options that were both effective and actually enjoyable to eat, she decided to take matters into her own hands. At the time, Katie had built a successful career as the Chief Dating Expert at Match, helping people find love for a living. But in 2020, she and her husband Nick started experimenting with fiber-packed recipes in their own home, driven by Katie’s personal journey and frustration with the lack of gut-friendly foods on the market. What started as a scrappy kitchen project turned into BelliWell. Today, their products are available in over 6,300 stores nationwide, including major retailers like Target and Walmart.

In this week’s episode, Katie opens up about her very unexpected journey from professional matchmaker to becoming the founder of a gut-friendly snack company. Katie talks about the shamelessness, self-belief, and resilience that is needed to succeed, and how her corporate experience equipped her with the skills she needed to take eventually take the leap. Katie opens up about the early scrappy days—from acquiring Facebook groups to grow a community, to launching her first product and fundraising during a pandemic—all while managing life as a new mom. She also dives into the power of co-founders with complementary skills, the lessons learned from manufacturing challenges, why constant product improvement and staying close to the customer are key to building a lasting brand, and so much more. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Katie about:

* Katie's early passion for matchmaking. [03:07]

* Shamelessness is a key trait for entrepreneurs. [07:13]

* Developing confidence during the early stage of her career. [08:41]

* Moving to Dallas and working in Match. [14:31]

* Corporate experience can provide valuable skills for startups. [17:05]

* Katie's gut health issues sparked her entrepreneurial journey. [17:42]

* Building a community and acquiring Facebook groups. [20:34]

* Having co-founders with complementary skills is essential. [25:58]

* The inspiration behind BelliWelli’s first product. [27:32]

* The early days of entrepreneurship. [30:42]

* Believing in the possibility of success. [31:44]

* Managing motherhood and business. [34:09]

* Katie’s first steps in fundraising. [35:36]

* Product launch and manufacturing challenges. [39:24]

* Continuous improvement should be a core business goal. [46:18]

* Insights from engaging with customers. [48:19]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Follow Katie: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiebostonwilson/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belliwellihealth/

* Website: https://belliwelli.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ready to level up your health, longevity, and maybe even fertility? Well, buckle up—today’s guest is about to drop some serious knowledge. Today, we’re joined by the incredible Kayla Barnes, a global leader in advancing female health through preventive and regenerative approaches. In fact, Kayla might just be the most measured woman in the world—her labs are publicly shared and meticulously tracked. Grab a pen—you’ll want to take notes on this one!

In this episode you’ll learn: 

* How to optimize your routine for sleep

* The truth about cold plunges for women

* How to sync your workouts with your cycle

* Stress hacks for busy women

* Tips for sustainable weight loss

* And more…

Kayla is the Owner of LYV The Wellness Space, one of the country’s most innovative precision medicine and biology upgrading clinics. Kayla is also the creator and host of the Longevity Optimization Podcast and co-founder of the Health Optimization Fund. Kayla also just launched the world’s first female longevity membership. She has dedicated herself to the pursuit of preventive and regenerative methodologies aimed at optimizing female human health. Kayla has shared her labs publicly and is one of, if not the most measured women in the world.

Her endeavors have garnered international recognition from notable publications and she has been named a top longevity leader globally. Kayla has been featured in: Fortune, Forbes, Business Insider, The New York Post, MSN, Yahoo, The Telegraph, The Independent, The Daily Mail, The Guardian and more.

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Follow Kayla: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylabarnes

* Website: https://www.kaylabarnes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, we’re re-airing one of our top episodes with Amanda Chantal Bacon, the CEO and founder of Moon Juice, a wellness company that sells plant-based products, including adaptogenic supplements, skincare, and foods.

Moon Juice was born in 2011 from Amanda's experience when she put her autoimmune condition into remission after being told it wasn’t possible from multiple doctors. Through her healing process, she met with experts and educated herself on diet, lifestyle, spirit, and traditional wisdom. Amanda saw radical changes in her blood and hormone panels and believed that simple daily practices were crucial to her transformation. What began in her kitchen and a small shop in Venice has now grown into a company that’s a leader in the wellness industry and a global source for supplements and skincare. 

In this week’s episode, we chat with Amanda about her unique childhood and her winding journey through different countries and careers which eventually lead her to finding her passion and purpose. She shares stories about her past business ventures, why they didn’t work out, and what she learned from them. Amanda talks about why she started Moon Juice without partners and how it grew from a juice shop to a full-fledged brand. She reflects on the challenges of being a founder and CEO for over a decade, her evolving leadership style, and her vision for Moon Juice. Amanda also tells us how she created her first product, built awareness, achieved organic growth, and what keeps her motivated through all the stages of the business, and so much more.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Amanda about:

* Amanda’s relationship with control over the years. [03:16]

* What Amanda does when she feels out of control. [07:33]

* Amanda’s upbringing: having a businesswoman mom and a musician dad. [12:00]

* Exploring various interests across the world and discovering her passion. [13:42]

* Amanda’s entrepreneurial ventures prior to Moon Juice. [19:33]

* Running Moon Juice without a business partner. [21:51]

* Where Amanda finds support during tough times in business. [23:01]

* The challenges of being a founder and CEO for 13 years. [25:12]

* Amanda’s leadership journey over the years. [32:05]

* Amanda’s vision for Moon Juice and how it’s evolved over the years. [33:45]

* Creating the first product and how Amanda achieved organic growth. [38:14]

* Amanda’s source of inspiration and what keeps her going. [42:58]

This episode is brought to you by Beeya:

* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.

* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Follow Amanda:

* Website: https://moonjuice.com/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonjuice/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandachantalbacon/

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Ty Hiss is the co-founder of Fresh Sends, a lifestyle gifting brand that’s completely reimagining how we celebrate the people we love.

Ty’s path to entrepreneurship was anything but traditional. With no floral background, she took a leap of faith and turned a one-time wedding project into a nationwide brand—all out of a 900-square-foot Denver duplex. Fresh Sends started with its now-iconic “Send” bouquet (which went viral on TikTok) and has since expanded into curated gift sets like the Birthday Send, the Pasta Night Send with Graza olive oil, and the Fresh Set, filled with self-care and beauty essentials. Through thoughtful branding, creative partnerships with Tower 28, Amazon Prime, and more—and a deep focus on community—Ty has built a company that’s redefining modern gifting and making people feel seen, known, and loved.

In today’s episode, Ty takes us behind the scenes of building Fresh Sends from the ground up—and she doesn’t hold back. We talk about launching a business without experience, the scrappy early days, and the mindset shifts that helped her push through uncertainty. She shares how her upbringing instilled a belief in chasing big dreams, the emotional toll of entrepreneurship, and the importance of staying anchored in your “why.” We also get into branding, word-of-mouth marketing, imposter syndrome, hiring, pivoting through challenges, and why waiting for perfection can hold you back. If you're building something from the ground up—or dreaming about starting—this episode is full of gems you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Ty about:

* Ty’s relationship with Impostor Syndrome. [03:35]

* Ty's upbringing fostered a belief in achieving dreams. [05:43]

* The roots of Ty’s hustle and drive. [07:58]

* Starting a business without experience is possible. [10:09]

* The early vision and business plan behind Fresh Sends. [15:33]

* The impact of branding on business success. [16:50]

* Why shipping logistics are crucial in the floral industry. [18:48]

* Pivoting can lead to new opportunities. [19:49]

* The financial risks and realities of entrepreneurship. [20:46]

* Embracing challenges as part of the journey. [26:23]

* Having a strong 'why' is crucial for motivation. [29:55]

* Customer connections can drive your business forward. [32:48]

* The power of word-of-mouth marketing. [34:42]

* Navigating demand and supply challenges while scaling. [37:42]

* Ty’s hiring lessons and the importance of team building. [43:20]

* Persistence and patience are key to long-term success. [45:40]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Follow Ty: 

* Instagram: https://freshsends.com

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tygerhiss

* Website: https://www.instagram.com/freshsends

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we get older, our brains change, and it’s common to feel like your memory or focus isn’t quite what it used to be. But the good news is, there are simple ways to keep your mind sharp and healthy. In today’s episode, neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki joins us to break down brain health and share easy tips on everything from boosting memory and focus to managing anxiety and staying mentally clear. No matter if you're in your 30s or 60s, this podcast is here to help you take charge of your brain health, now and for the long run.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

* Basics for brain health as you age

* Simple ways to improve memory

* The impact of alcohol on the brain

* How to fall asleep when you have anxiety

* And more…

Dr. Wendy A. Suzuki is the Dean of Arts and Sciences at New York University. She is also Professor of Neural Science and Psychology at the Center for Neural Science at New York University.

She received her undergraduate degree in physiology and human anatomy at the University of California, Berkeley in 1987 studying with Prof. Marion C. Diamond, a leader in brain plasticity. She earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from U.C. San Diego in 1993 and completed apost-doctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health before accepting her faculty position at New York University in 1998.

Her major research interest continues to be brain plasticity. She is best known for her extensive work studying areas in the brain critical for our ability to form and retain new long-term memories. More recently her work has focused on understanding how aerobic exercise can be used to improve learning, memory, and higher cognitive abilities in humans. Wendy is passionate about teaching (see her courses), about exercise (intenSati), and about supporting and mentoring up and coming scientists.

This episode is brought to you by Beeya:

* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.

* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10.

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri

* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com

Follow Dr. Wendy: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendy.suzuki

* Website: https://www.wendysuzuki.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, we’re re-airing one of our top episodes with Cassandra Thurswell, the founder of KITSCH, a global brand that creates eco-friendly hair care and beauty accessories for women. 

Cassandra came from a small town in Wisconsin to Los Angeles with the hopes of creating something meaningful in her life. But before launching her own business, she did whatever it took to make ends meet from working at a cupcake shop to crafting jewelry and babysitting. After seven failed attempts at various businesses, the idea for Kitsch was born. She started by hand-making her first product which was a basic but innovative knotted hair-tie in her tiny LA apartment. She was making cold calls, doing door to door sales, and whatever she could to get the brand out there all without any outside funding. Fast forward to today, the company has evolved into a multi-million dollar brand that’s sold in over 27 countries and across 20,000 retail locations worldwide. You can find them at Ulta, Sephora, Whole Foods, Urban Outfitters, to name a few.

In this week’s episode, Cassandra walks us through how following her gut over the years has truly been the key to her success – from couch-surfing to saving money for her business to working different jobs to learn the industry. She also talks about how every single job she’s had in the past has helped her become a stronger business person and was the "mini MBA" she needed. She then dives into the challenges of the early days of fulfilling orders in her one-bedroom apartment and the creative tactics she used to get into retailers without any connections. We also talk about the biggest learnings she's had over 14 years of running Kitsch, the power of micro-intentions and micro-habits when creating your dream life, & so much more. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Cassandra about:

* Her thoughts on manifestation and its role in creating success. [05:42]

* The power of visualization. [13:43]

* Moving to Los Angeles, being broke, living on people’s couches & hustling in life. [17:49] 

* Kitsch creation journey and inspiration. [30:05]

* Having various jobs to make ends meet and how she self-funded Kitsch. [33:54]

* Retailer entry without connections. [37:44]

* Getting her first large purchase order. [40:08]

* The power of vision boards and future journaling. [44:07]

* Her unique partnership approach [51:41]

* Experiencing postpartum anxiety. [59:12]

* Establishing boundaries and leaning into change & personal growth. [01:01:35]

* Definition of success and how it changed over the years. [01:04:37]

* Daily routine and micro intentions. [01:09:14]

* The messy truth in launching a business. [01:14:15]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Follow Cassandra: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassandrathurswell/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mykitsch/

* Website: https://www.mykitsch.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Allison McNamara is the founder of MARA, a skincare brand known for its luxurious, algae-infused formulas.

Before founding MARA in 2018, Allison had an impressive career as a journalist, producer, and TV host. A trip to Turkey in 2015 reignited her passion for skincare, inspiring her to create a brand rooted in marine-powered ingredients. When the idea hit her, Allison started working on MARA as a side project while balancing her full-time job in media. With no outside investors and no formal background in product development, she took a leap of faith, spending years researching and collaborating with labs to create the perfect formulas. Her dedication paid off—today, MARA is a cult-favorite beauty brand, celebrated by celebrities and skincare enthusiasts for its clean, effective products.

In this week’s episode, Allison shares her journey from journalist to beauty entrepreneur, opening up about the challenges of self-funding a brand and the power of storytelling in building a business. Allison dives into how she started the business as a side project, how she chose to focus on her first product, and the many mistakes and learnings she had along the way. She also talks about the impact of celebrities like Chrissy Teigen and Hailey Bieber, how the products got into their hands, and why building relationships with influencers has been key to brand visibility. Allison emphasizes how listening to her community has helped refine her products and drive innovation. She also gets real about imposter syndrome and how learning to trust herself and be her own biggest cheerleader has been key to her success.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Allison about:

* The importance of storytelling in branding and marketing. [07:49]

* Transitioning careers can be a gradual process. [11:50]

* Tara’s early product development process. [18:34]

* The significance of understanding the market and consumer needs. [23:24]

* Experience in a corporate environment can be beneficial for entrepreneurs. [25:28]

* Allison’s early mistakes in product development. [27:55]

* Success often comes from a combination of timing, preparation, and perseverance. [34:00]

* Celebrity impact: Chrissy Teigen and Hailey Bieber. [37:58]

* Building relationships with influencers is key to brand visibility. [42:10]

* Staying self-funded allows for creative control and strategic growth. [46:07]

* Imposter syndrome is common, even among successful entrepreneurs. [51:12]

* Education and practice build confidence in business. [53:07]

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri

* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com

Follow Allison: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonmcnamara

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarabeauty

* Website: https://themarabeauty.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.