Karen Duffy is one of Kara’s heroes, and after this episode, she might be one of yours too. She broke onto the world stage as the MTV VJ “Duff” in the early 1990’s, was on People’s 50 Most Beautiful People list in 1993, she is an actor, a model, a producer, an Oprah and NY Times best selling author, a speaker, a writer, and has also had a full assortment of social service roles including being a hospice chaplain in the Buddhist tradition. In 1996, she was diagnosed with sarcoidosis - a currently incurable chronic pain illness and while it may have slowed her down in moments, it has not stopped her from working, creating or making a huge impact. This conversation is about how to live beautifully within limits, how philosophy can be a daily practice, and how joy and pain can exist side by side. They talk about parenting, creativity, friendship, and why confidence comes from the inside out. It’s a masterclass in resilience, purpose-driven living, and choosing how you want to show up.

Chapters:

00:00 Saying yes to life

01:15 From VJ to chaplain

03:00 Living with chronic illness

05:10 Discovering stoic philosophy

07:00 Why joy is a daily choice

09:10 Practicing gratitude and self-talk

11:15 Mentorship, friendship, and writing

13:00 Parenting while living with limits

15:10 Building confidence and resilience

17:00 Reframing how we think about work

19:15 Service as a mindset

21:00 The meaning of powerful

23:00 Humor and humanity in hard times

25:00 The impact of creative community

27:30 Books that shape our lives

30:00 Turning pain into purpose

32:00 What legacy really means

34:15 Advice to her younger self

36:00 Kara’s favorite takeaways

The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.

Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.

Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.

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