In this moving episode of Obstacles to Opportunities, we sit down with Tanuja Hughes, whose story begins in a crowded apartment filled with 12 people and arrives at a place few imagined a career at Google and a life of deep presence and purpose.

Tanuja opens up about the emotional journey shaped by her mother’s unwavering belief, the impact of a simple “How are you?” at age 8, and how childhood adversity became the foundation for a life led with compassion, not performance.

We explore what it means to rewrite the script we’re handed, and how honoring our parents doesn't mean repeating their story; it means doing better because of it.

Whether you're a mother, daughter, dreamer, or builder, this episode will leave you reflecting on the quiet strength that pushes us forward and the power of intentional living.

In this powerful episode of Obstacles to Opportunities, hosts Jess and Heather welcome Vicki Paquette—REALTOR®, entrepreneur, and former personal trainer—whose journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From building a fitness business in her early 20s to surviving cancer, navigating chronic illness, and pivoting fearlessly into real estate, Vicki opens up about the hardships that shaped her—and the mindset that helped her rise.

She shares raw and real insights on grief, resilience, reinvention, and the drive to keep going when life throws its hardest punches. Whether you’re facing your own uphill battle or craving inspiration to take a leap of faith, this episode will remind you that adversity can be the starting line—not the end.

🎧 Listen now:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1dbMXzFeOgmUkYjK4seSuc?fbclid=IwY2xjawKJtjRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEyblJGeHRReFhibFk4a3hCAR4eM_mqEoYp3qdRo7rxPYTRMVZd8YOqMptT0aaRF8qif2Sj4oeuJPUXEqdbNQ_aem_Pc7xYbw_eaNU-HTT1Y3BQQ
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/obstacles-to-opportunities/id1712714497

In this episode of the Obstacles to Opportunities podcast, host Jess Powell sits down with Carly Oxenreider, a serial entrepreneur, military spouse, mother, top real estate producer, coach, and mentor. Carly shares her incredible journey from growing up in eastern North Carolina to building a thriving career across multiple industries. She reflects on the challenges of being an active-duty military spouse, facing the financial turmoil of the Great Recession, and the personal growth that came from persevering through tough times.

Carly opens up about the obstacles she encountered in her career—from starting over in new markets every few years to navigating the collapse of the mortgage industry—and how she learned to reinvent herself, adapt, and emerge stronger. She also discusses the invaluable lessons she's learned along the way, including the importance of mentorship, asking for help, and the power of failure as a stepping stone to success.

As a passionate coach and mentor, Carly is now dedicated to guiding young entrepreneurs to overcome their own hurdles and find their path to success. Tune in for a conversation filled with inspiration, resilience, and practical advice for navigating life’s challenges.

Plus, get to know Carly’s fun side—like two friends catching up over coffee!

Kacie Hass is a proud Southwest Florida native, having spent 35 years living and building deep roots in Cape Coral. She's married to her best friend, Tanner Hass, a Fort Myers firefighter/EMT, and together they’re raising three beautiful children. The family is actively involved in their faith community at Christian Life Fellowship Church.

Kacie is the founder of Hearten Inc., a nonprofit that merged with Foster Village SWFL in June 2024. Her mission has always been clear: to celebrate the inherent worth of every child, regardless of their circumstances. With a heart for the vulnerable, she’s passionate about standing in the gap during times of hardship—offering hope, support, and joy when it’s needed most.

As the Director of Programs and Operations at Foster Village SWFL, Kacie leads with vision and heart. She implements the systems and strategies that keep the organization thriving while also serving as the team’s biggest cheerleader. Her natural gift of encouragement uplifts everyone she meets.

In the world of foster care, families often feel overwhelmed and isolated. Many foster caregivers leave within a year due to burnout and lack of support. Meanwhile, 85% of people who aren’t fostering say they care and want to help—they just don’t know how. Kacie’s work bridges that gap, creating a community where no one walks alone.

🍋 Join the Movement:

Be part of our "Growing the Village is Sweet" campaign! Host your own lemonade stand this May to raise awareness and support for local foster families. Sign up by April 15th to get your T-shirt + Lemonade Kit!

👕🍋 https://www.fostervillageswfl.org/lp/growing-the-village-is-sweet

✨ Want to make a lasting impact? Become an MVP – Monthly Village Partner and help sustain the mission all year long.

🤝 https://www.fostervillageswfl.org/ways-to-give

📣 Hosting a fundraiser, golf tournament, or community event? Consider choosing Foster Village SWFL as your beneficiary. Reach out to us—we’d love to connect!

👉🏼https://www.fostervillageswfl.org/

Join us as Robyn Spoon, a dynamic entrepreneur and founder of the nonprofit Elevate, shares her deeply personal journey that began when her son was unexpectedly diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma. This life-altering event propelled her into the world of pediatric cancer advocacy, unveiling the stark realities and urgent need for reform in research funding and treatment. Robin’s story is both a heartfelt reminder of the challenges families face and a call to action for improved awareness and resources in the fight against childhood cancer.

Pediatric cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease in children, yet it is disturbingly underfunded. The obstacles families encounter, from outdated treatments to the lack of comprehensive support, reveal a critical gap in our medical system. Our conversation with Robin underscores the importance of empowering families with the right tools and information, while emphasizing the community’s role in driving systemic change. We share personal experiences, highlighting the need for new perspectives and enhanced advocacy to transform pediatric cancer care.

My hope is to build a coalition with others with a similar desire to change the story for those who follow us…and to do it fast! And while we pursue this mission, we will arm patients and caregivers with the most current information possible so that their families are able to make critical decisions on behalf of their child.  

She shares how the loss of her son to pediatric cancer has ignited a movement of others who want to change how pediatric cancer is treated. They're ready for change and they're getting a movement of others involved - this inspiring story will leave you ready to jump in and join the movement!

Check out: https://elevatechildhoodcancer.org/ to get involved!

As a candid, supportive, and insightful coach, Ronda draws from her personal experiences with trauma and navigating challenging life transitions to guide others. She empowers them to courageously tap into their strengths, gain clarity on their goals, and take the steps needed to move forward.

Ronda was the visionary founder and CEO of Zillner Marketing Communications in Kansas City, a trailblazer in the upscale senior living sector. During a time when it was uncommon, she fostered a culture where working parents, including herself, could balance hands-on parenting with thriving careers. After nearly 25 successful years, Ronda sold her company to a private equity firm and shifted her focus to coaching, mentoring, and pursuing other passions.

A member of the Kansas City Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business, Ronda has also served on the Advisory Board of Workplace Healing and as an advisor to the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA). She is the founder of The Crowded Table, a prototype supper club that demonstrates how sharing a meal with strangers can lead to non-judgmental insights, open hearts, and deeper connections.

Additionally, Ronda is a published writer, speaker, workshop facilitator, coach, and entrepreneur. Her extensive background in mentoring leaders and navigating life informs her work. She has written curricula and taught classes through Compassion Fix, a community founded by Ginger Rothhaas that helps people open their hearts to the pain of others and themselves, allowing for greater connection, love, peace, and joy.

An avid reader and podcast enthusiast, Ronda is a curious, adventurous spirit who loves learning from the fascinating people she encounters. She marvels at the diverse ways people interpret God's intentions for their lives and finds beauty in the fact that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

Proud mother of two adult children who continue to inspire her, Ronda is passionate about personal growth—even, and especially, during times when it's difficult. She provides a confidential, safe space for clients to reflect, share, dream, and grow. Through her coaching, she helps others become positive agents of change in their own lives.

In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Angi Jeffcoat, a former musician turned pastor with over 20 years of experience helping people heal from the pain of their past. Angi shares her powerful journey of overcoming childhood trauma, including growing up with a verbally abusive father and the emotional scars that lingered. With vulnerability, she opens up about how these experiences inspired her to write her transformative new book, Giant Killers.

Together, we dive into the themes of faith, resilience, and emotional health, exploring the role of self-awareness, forgiveness, and divine guidance in healing. This episode also touches on the challenges many face with anxiety, low self-esteem, and the pressures of raising confident children in today’s world. Angi’s story is one of triumph over adversity, and her insights offer hope and healing for anyone looking to slay the giants in their own life. Plus, don’t miss the personal testimony of how faith saved a life in an unexpected way. Listen in for inspiration, community strength, and a reminder that no giant is too big to conquer.

Find Angi's book, Giant Killers, here: Giant Killers on Amazon.

SEASON 2 is up! Meet the powerhouse women of KW Elevate Luxury in Naples, FL. Katrena Meyers, Brittany Androchuk, and Nikki Hagmann, also known as the RISE Team. Last year, they closed $45 million in volume and continue to make waves in the SWFL real estate market. In this episode, we dive into their mindset hacks, their unique perspectives on failure, and how they're all committed to raising confident, hard-working children. Be inspired by their journey to build a massive real estate business while balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship. 

In this episode of "Obstacles to Opportunities" we're thrilled to welcome the dynamic Brittany Antonijevic to the studio! Jess finally manages to get her in for a chat, and believe us, it's worth the wait. From women's business consulting to hosting the popular podcast "Wine About Business," Brittany is a force to be reckoned with.

Join us as Brittany dishes on everything she's involved in, including her passion for creating spaces where women can truly be seen and heard. Known for her fearlessness in facing conflict and her knack for authenticity, Brittany brings a refreshing honesty to every conversation.

You'll want to tune in as Brittany gives us a sneak peek into her latest big project happening in Naples—trust us, you won't want to miss it!

So grab your favorite drink, settle in, and prepare for plenty of laughs, insightful conversations, and insider info on Brittany's journey and the exciting things she has in store. This episode is not to be missed!

Welcome to Obstacles to Opportunites Podcast! Join us as we pull up a chair for a candid conversation with Naples' favorite female entrepreneur, podcaster, and business coach - the one and only Jennifer Johnson.

In this episode, Jennifer shares her remarkable journey, from her initial dream of opening a resale shop to becoming a multifaceted entrepreneur deeply embedded in her community. She opens up about the challenges she faced, including pivotal moments where she could have thrown in the towel, but chose perseverance instead.

Through her ventures like True Fashionistas, Florida’s largest lifestyle resale store, CooiesCookies, Pink Farmhouse, and Confident Entrepreneur, Jennifer has not only achieved success but has also become an inspiration for women entrepreneurs everywhere. Her podcast, blog, motivational speaking, and coaching business all serve as platforms to empower women to pursue their dreams fearlessly.

Tune in as Jennifer offers sage advice, shares her experiences, and provides invaluable insights for anyone in need of inspiration or direction. Her story is a testament to the fact that success in business is achievable while making a positive impact and giving back to the community.

Join us as we delve into the world of entrepreneurship with Jennifer Johnson, a true beacon of confidence, resilience, and empowerment.

Listen to her podcast "The Confident Entrepreneur": https://www.buzzsprout.com/1970765

Visit her re-sale shop Fashionista: https://truefashionistas.com/pages/meet-the-owner