Have you ever poured your heart into building something from the ground up—only to face an unexpected pivot that asks you to begin again? That’s exactly the kind of conversation we’re having today with Ral West, a seasoned entrepreneur who built and sold an eight-figure business—and now helps others do the same, without losing their life in the process.

In This Episode:

Ral West is a Visionary Business Leader and Systemization Expert, who employs her 4+ decades of entrepreneurial experience and her passion for business in her newest endeavor: “Ral West Livin’ The Dream”. Ral teaches entrepreneurs how to be the owner rather than operator of their business, so they can have a successful business AND live the life they deserve. Ral and her husband have founded several businesses, one notably achieving 8 digits in annual revenue before being acquired by Alaska Airlines in 2008. Ral has invaluable experience in scaling businesses and mastering the art of effective systemization. Ral honed her business acumen with real life experience. She is a master at the practical implementation of business theories to create effective processes that transform businesses and multiply success. A respected figure in the tourism industry and multifamily real estate circles, Ral has been a guest speaker on numerous podcasts and has authored courses. She is also a philanthropist, and a dynamic speaker, addressing audiences at conventions and seminars.

“Living the dream means having the energy and the vitality to do whatever I want.” ~Ral West

To learn more about Ral, visit her website. You can also connect with her on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Ral West’s Show Notes

The 11th Annual Extraordinary Women Ignite Conference is happening this November in Colorado. Ignite is where bold vision meets soul-centered strategy. Where women entrepreneurs raise up their voice, their visibility, and their business for greater impact. Early bird registration is now open. Get your tickets here.

The post Success Without Sacrifice: The Power of Systems, Freedom, and Owning Your Path with Ral West, Episode 395 appeared first on Kami Guildner.

Burnout is real—and it’s rising. Especially for women entrepreneurs who are building big visions, raising families, leading teams, and holding it all. Today, I’m joined by Chris Vasiliadis, burnout-buster, and founder of Priority Wellness.

This is a conversation every woman should hear—especially the ones who “have it all together.” Because success doesn’t require chronic exhaustion. And you don’t have to burn out to make an impact.

In This Episode:

Chris Vasiliadis inspires people to use their well-being as their secret weapon to successfully lead their life. As a Burnout-Buster in her coaching, consulting, and training firm, Priority Wellness, she specializes in helping overwhelmed and over-busy individuals, teams, and companies to enhance their focus and vitality with systems of sanity, so they can run their days without running themselves into the ground. Chris is also the author of Ignition: A Professional Woman’s Guide to Energized, Burnout-Proof Living. Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis indirectly led Chris to becoming trained and certified as a health coach and founding Priority Wellness in 2008. With a combination of luck, genes, and intentional action, she has been relapse-free for over 18 years.

“Being successful does not require exhaustion.” ~Chris Vasiliadis

To learn more about Chris, visit her website. You can also connect with her on LinkedIn.

Chris Vasiliadis’s Show Notes

The post Burnout Isn’t the Price of Success: Energized Living for Entrepreneurs with Chris Vasiliadis, Episode 394 appeared first on Kami Guildner.

Have you ever told yourself, “I’m just not the creative type”? My guest today is about to shift that belief.

Dr. Amy Climer is a creativity and innovation expert who has worked with powerhouse organizations like the Mayo Clinic and Stanford—but what she shares with us in this conversation is deeply relevant to entrepreneurs growing soul-aligned businesses.

We talk about what it really means to lead with creativity, the surprising habits that unlock innovation, and how to clear the hidden blocks that get in the way of fresh thinking. If you’re ready to spark new ideas, lead more powerfully, and bring more creative energy into how you grow and serve—this conversation is for you.

In This Episode:

Dr. Amy Climer teaches teams to be creative and innovative. She is a speaker, trainer, and consultant in creativity, innovation, and team development. She uses research-based strategies, tools, and techniques to teach teams how to innovate on demand. Amy holds a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change from Antioch University. Her research led to the Deliberate Creative Team Scale, designed to measure the three critical dimensions of team creativity which she explains in her new book Deliberate Creative Teams: How to Lead for Innovative Results. Amy is a TEDx speaker and emcee and the host of The Deliberate Creative™ Podcast. She is the designer of Climer Cards, a creativity and teambuilding tool used by thousands to deepen conversations and generate ideas. Amy is trained or certified in Creative Problem Solving, Immunity to Change, and the FourSight Thinking System. In 2016, she won the Karl Rhonke Creativity Award from the Association for Experiential Education. 

“Creativity is more about just art, it’s a skill, something we can develop.” ~Dr. Amy Climer

To learn more about Dr. Amy, visit her website. You can also connect with her on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Dr. Amy Climer’s Show Notes

The post Unlocking Innovation: The Power of Deliberate Creativity in Business with Dr. Amy Climer, Episode 393 appeared first on Kami Guildner.

Today’s guest, Lynn Thomas, knows that journey intimately. As the co-founder and longtime CEO of Eagala, she spent over two decades shaping one of the most recognized global organizations integrating horses into mental health services. But in 2020, she faced an unexpected and painful split with the organization’s board—a moment that could have ended the story.

Instead, it became the beginning of a new one.

Lynn went on to found not one, but two mission-driven organizations: Arenas for Change (ARCH) and Horses for Mental Health (HMH). In just three years, HMH has raised over $1 million and reached millions of people, while ARCH is changing how facilitators support clients with values-based, emotionally safe practices rooted in story.

In This Episode:

Lynn Thomas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Utah in 1995. She developed her first equine-integrated program as Executive Director of Aspen Ranch. In 1999, she co-founded Eagala, leading it for 21 years into a global leader in equine-assisted psychotherapy. Lynn is now CEO and co-founder of Arenas for Change (ARCH), a values-based learning community advancing emotional safety and client transformation. In 2021, she co-founded Horses for Mental Health (HMH) to expand global awareness and impact in mental health through horses, amplifying healing, purpose, and connection around the world.

“Horses are some of the best story editors we’ve ever seen.” ~Lynn Thomas

To learn more about Lynn, visit her websites, Arenas For Change and Horses for Mental Health. You can also connect with her on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Lynn Thomas’s Show Notes

The post Reinvention and Purpose-Led Leadership Through the Healing Power of Horses with Lynn Thomas, Episode 392 appeared first on Kami Guildner.

What’s your exit plan? We pour so much of ourselves into building our businesses—our time, our energy, our vision. But far too often, we don’t think about how we’ll leave them. And not just from a financial standpoint, but from a place of purpose, alignment, and legacy.

Today’s guest, Renita Wolf, is here to change that conversation. After a high-level career in finance at Fortune 50 companies like Wells Fargo and Hewlett-Packard, Renita launched Poe Wolf Partners to help business owners—especially women—exit their companies with clarity, confidence, and intention. She blends rock-solid financial strategy with soul-centered planning, guiding entrepreneurs to grow, prepare, and let go of what they’ve built in a way that feels aligned and empowering.

In This Episode:

Renita Wolf is the founder and CEO of Poe Wolf Partners, a boutique consulting firm that helps entrepreneurs grow, prepare, and exit their businesses with clarity and confidence. With over 25 years in senior finance roles at companies like Wells Fargo and Hewlett-Packard, Renita brings a powerful blend of financial acumen and heart-centered strategy to her work. She specializes in helping mid-market business owners build value and plan intentional exits—combining her expertise in acquisitions, valuations, and due diligence with a holistic approach that honors both the personal and professional sides of business ownership. Renita’s mission is to help entrepreneurs design their next chapter with purpose—because exiting your business isn’t the end; it’s a new beginning.

“Exit planning is all about the emotions and the heart.” ~Renita Wolf

To learn more about Renita, visit her website. You can also connect with her on LinkedIn and YouTube.

Renita Wolf’s Show Notes

The post Business Exit Strategies: Emotional & Strategic Guidance for Women Entrepreneurs with Renita Wolf, Episode 391 appeared first on Kami Guildner.

Connection has been at the heart of my success—it’s been the fuel behind my biggest business moves, the foundation of my growth, and the source of some of my deepest friendships. And when I met today’s guest, I knew we shared a belief in the power of women lifting other women.

Jean LaVallie is the founder of WESOS – Women Entrepreneurs Secrets of Success, a thriving network that started as a single chapter in the suburbs of Chicago and has since expanded across multiple states. Her belief in collaboration over competition has brought thousands of women together, proving that when we rise, we rise together.

In This Episode:

Jean LaVallie is the owner and founder of the WESOS Network (Women Entrepreneurs’ Secrets of Success). What began as a single chapter in the suburbs of Chicago has blossomed into a widespread network across several states. Jean’s belief in collaboration over competition has been the driving force behind WESOS’s popularity among women seeking mutual support and empowerment. With a unique perspective on business dynamics, Jean passionately speaks about the differences between feminine and masculine energy in the business world. She highlights how masculine energy focuses on transactions, while feminine energy emphasizes relationship building. Under her leadership, WESOS aims to connect one million women, fostering an environment where they can all achieve success together. Known for her empathetic nature and heart-forward leadership, Jean embodies the principle of wearing her heart on her sleeve.

“Surround yourself with the community.” ~Jean LaVallie

To learn more about Jean, visit her website. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Jean LaVallie’s Show Notes

The post Build a Heart-Centered Business Through Community with Jean LaVallie, Episode 390 appeared first on Kami Guildner.

Today, we’re diving into a conversation that blends heart, purpose, and transformation with my friend, the incredible Kansas Carradine. She brings a unique perspective on the wisdom of horses and the power of connection. As a HeartMath Certified Trainer, she helps people tap into emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and deep presence—both in the equine world and beyond. Her work has taken her from the rodeo arena to global leadership spaces, including the C20 India Presidency, where she helped shape policy recommendations for gender equality, holistic health, and sustainable communities.

In This Episode:

Kansas Carradine is a professional Equestrian Artist well-known for her expertise in the rodeo arena and in global shows like Cavalia. She was a rider in the 2024 Gaucho Derby, a 400-mile endurance ride across the Patagonia of Argentina. With over 30 years bringing horsepower to entertainment venues, her current focus is bringing Heartpower to the world. As a HeartMath Certified Trainer, she shares tools for emotional self-regulation to benefit inter-species connections and promote animal welfare. Kansas has homeschooled her two daughters and uses HeartMath tools to make performing as a family troupe an act of service.

“Horsemanship has always been character building.” ~Kansas Carradine

To learn more about Kansas, visit her website. You can also connect with her on Facebook.

Kansas Carradine’s Show Notes

The post Harness the Wisdom of Horses: Heart-Led Leadership & Emotional Resilience with Kansas Carradine, Episode 389 appeared first on Kami Guildner.