Thanks to Emily Smith’s bold leadership and inspiring mission, thousands of young girls are gaining the confidence to lead, speak up, and own their space—in business and in life.

Emily is the Senior Vice President of Bespoke Commercial Real Estate and the founder of Female Strong (https://www.femalestrong.org), a fast-growing, nonprofit organization empowering girls through entrepreneurship, leadership development, and mentorship programs. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Emily shares how she’s building a national movement to elevate the female economy—starting with girls as young as six.

Welcome to Season 9 of Owning Your Legacy. Whether you’re passionate about women in leadership, female entrepreneurship, nonprofit impact, or inclusive corporate culture; this conversation is packed with real stories, tangible advice, and a whole lot of inspiration.

In this episode:
🦋 Leading with love in a competitive industry
🦋 The origin story behind Female Strong’s national growth
🦋 Why empowering girls early changes everything
🦋 From mentorship to movement: stories of transformation 

This is more than a conversation—Female Strong is proof of the incredible impact that we can make together… when women support each other.  

👉 If you enjoyed the episode please subscribe to the podcast. 

Visit https://www.femalestrong.org to learn more about their life changing programs and see how you can get involved. And, connect Emily on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilysmithbespoke/) or follow her in Instagram https://www.instagram.com/emilysmith319/ to share in her ongoing journey.

To learn more about the Traction Mindset, discussed our conversation, check out my interview with Bobi Siembieda at https://youtu.be/ETO7kxkwY6Q.

If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

Thanks to Alan Reeds refreshingly practical approach to taking on big issues, the Food & Beverage Industry delivered 4 million servings to people facing food insecurity last year.

As Executive Director of the Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network and Bigger Table, Alan shares how his team is transforming food industry challenges into community solutions. This episode is all about turning what could be wasted into something deeply meaningful—delivering real, nutritious, culturally appropriate meals while fostering connections that make solutions sustainable.

From leveraging food industry resources to tackling systemic issues with creativity and heart, Alan shows us what happens when the right people roll up their sleeves and take action.

In this episode:

·       How Bigger Table turned food waste into 4 million servings last year

·       Why culturally appropriate food matters in solving hunger

·       The role of human creativity and connection in food innovation

·       What it really takes to transform broken systems

·       How AI and technology fit into the future of food manufacturing

This is an inspiring close to Season 8, reminding us that big change happens when dedicated people choose to make a difference.

If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

What happens when you combine culinary artistry, food science, and a passion for teaching? You get Chef Charlie Baggs, a leader in the culinary industry who’s redefined what it means to innovate with food. In this episode, we explore Charlie’s groundbreaking work on food as medicine, how the hedgehog concept helped him build a culinary empire, and how he bridges the gap between chefs and food scientists. Whether it’s creating nutritionally inspired training programs or teaching his "BASICS" model for flavor development, Chef Charlie’s insights will inspire you to see food in a whole new light.

Highlights from this episode:

• How Chef Charlie’s "food is medicine" philosophy is transforming the culinary industry.
• The “BASICS” model for balancing flavor, from acid to salt, and why it’s a game-changer for chefs and food scientists.
• Applying the "hedgehog concept" (from Jim Collins’ Good to Great) to focus on passion, excellence, and sustainable business practices.
• Chef Charlie’s legacy of giving back, mentoring chefs, and building a business rooted in kindness and gratitude.

If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

Natalie McGrady’s journey from a small town in New York to supplier diversity leader at Cargill is a testament to purpose and determination. Overcoming early discrimination fueled her passion for opening doors for underrepresented businesses. As the youngest of six daughters, Natalie’s fearless resolve led her to break barriers in corporate spaces, championing supplier diversity as a tool for economic empowerment.

Known for her commanding presence and impactful approach, Natalie shares how she discovered her voice, navigated systemic challenges, and turned obstacles into opportunities for others.

In This Episode:

· How Natalie transformed discrimination into a drive for change.

· Developing a dynamic leadership style and ability to inspire action.

· The critical role of supplier diversity in fostering economic equity.

· Practical advice for creating impact and leaving a lasting legacy.

Join us for a conversation that bridges personal purpose with professional impact, offering insights about leadership, diversity, and creating meaningful change in corporate America.

If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this inspiring episode, Jess Kaskov, Certified Life Coach, Speaker, and Author, offers a fresh perspective on measuring success and fulfillment beyond traditional metrics, sharing her transformative journey from tech industry stress to discovering and pursuing her true calling. 

Together, Laurette and Jess explore how to design a life aligned with our passions, prioritize self-care, and make meaningful contributions to the world around us. Jess shares her unique framework for finding joy and purpose:  calculating your “Soul Salary”, understanding your "paychecks" of joy, and making necessary "budget cuts" in life.  You’re going to really appreciate this practical approach to identifying what truly matters

In this episode:

• How the threat of job loss became an opportunity for transformation
• Understanding and calculating your "Soul Salary"
• The four steps to achieving greater fulfillment and joy
• Why "should" is the killer of joy and how to overcome it
• Creating a legacy of impact through authentic living

Join us for a conversation that challenges conventional measures of success and offers a roadmap to creating a life rich in meaning and purpose.

If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

Sean Sebold, Founder of Sebold Capital Management, took an unconventional journey from English major and college football player to respected wealth management expert. In this episode, Laurette and Sean discuss challenging conventional wisdom about education, success, and building lasting wealth.

Throughout the episode, Sean offers fresh perspectives on how to approach major life decisions, from choosing educational paths to building careers and managing wealth. His practical approach to financial decision-making, combined with deep insights about personal growth and the value of failure, provides a unique framework for thinking about both personal and professional success.

In this episode:

• Why networking beats resumes in building a meaningful career
• How to approach education as a strategic investment rather than an automatic next step
• The crucial role of failure in developing grit and resilience
• Why rational decision-making matters in emotional financial choices
• Building a legacy through preparing the next generation for success

Join us for a conversation that bridges practical financial wisdom with powerful lessons about personal growth and meaningful success.

If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

This week, Laurette is joined by Paul Graham, President & CEO of Americas at Döhler and recently appointed FEMA President, who shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings as a grape picker in Adelaide, Australia, to becoming a transformative leader in the global food and beverage industry.

Throughout his conversation with Laurette, Paul shares invaluable insights about authentic leadership, creative problem-solving, and the power of mentorship. Drawing from his extensive experience at Döhler, and his new role leading FEMA (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association), Paul offers unique perspectives on innovation, industry transformation, and the importance of saying “yes.”.

In this episode:

• The pivotal role of mentorship in professional growth and development
• How creative solutions can unlock unexpected opportunities, from selling insurance to truck drivers to revolutionizing food and beverage distribution
• The importance of authenticity in building trust with customers and teams
• Why saying "yes" to challenges, even when feeling unprepared, can accelerate your career
• The lasting impact of making a difference in both businesses and people's lives

Join us for an inspiring conversation filled with practical wisdom and insights from a true legacy of climbing to the top.

If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

Ever been told you can’t do something? Darcy Gaechter’s journey to becoming the first woman to kayak the Amazon River from source to sea is filled with moments when she defied limitations imposed by others and followed her passions.

In his episode of Owning Your Legacy, Darcy candidly discusses the challenges she faced being told she was "too small," "too short," or "too female" to succeed. From earning a college scholarship in volleyball to entering the male-dominated sport of extreme kayaking, when someone told her, “You can’t,” Darcy said, “Watch me.”  

Darcy’s experiences navigating the intense team dynamics during her 148-day Amazon expedition offer powerful insights into relentless determination, compassionate leadership, and redefining limits — and she shares these insights with humility and thoughtfulness throughout her conversation with Laurette Rondenet. 

In this episode:

• How early experiences of being underestimated fueled Darcy's determination to prove others wrong
• The unique challenges of being a woman in the male-dominated world of extreme kayaking
• Lessons about managing team dynamics during the grueling Amazon expedition
• The emotional rollercoaster of completing a life-defining journey and facing the question, "What's next?"
• Learning to accept help and support when you need it
• Darcy’s empowering message for anyone who feels underestimated.

Join us for an unforgettable conversation that will inspire you to push your boundaries, embrace challenges, and redefine what's possible.

For a more in-depth look at Darcy’s Amazon adventure, read her book: Amazon Woman.

To experience kayaking yourself, check out Small World Adventures for guided trips in Ecuador. 

Want to have Darcy as a speaker? Book her through Leading Authorities.

If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In an inspiring story of perseverance and passion, Kevin Boehm, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of BOKA Restaurant Group, shares his journey from living in his car to building one of Chicago’s most celebrated restaurant groups.

Throughout his conversation with Laurette, Kevin talks openly about the big risks he’s taken, the moments that didn’t go as planned, hitting "rock bottom", and getting the help he needed to make a strong comeback.

Kevin reflects on how the restaurant industry gave Kevin a place to call home in contrast to the one he grew up in. And from this foundation, he developed the courage and maturity to pay attention to his “Inner Narrator” — and learned to understand and respect each of his inner voices.

Kevin’s raw honesty about failure, overcoming imposter syndrome, and managing his mental wellness, offers powerful life lessons for anyone navigating their own challenges.

In this episode:

• How a trip to Wendy’s sparked unexpected inspiration — we all need a Joan!
• Why Kevin doesn’t see his move to Florida at 19 as “brave”
• The difference between “hospitality” and “service”
• The Art of Gathering
• What you can learn from failure, even when things are going well
• Kevin’s personal wellness journey and how he conquered imposter syndrome
• The power of the “pre-shift”
• Our Inner Narrator and the importance all voices have a seat at the table

Tune in for this inspiring episode — and follow the Owning Your Legacy podcast!

If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

This episode of Owning Your Legacy has Laurette speaking with Robert Pomazak, or “Coach Pom” as he is known by the players of St. Charles North High School, where he serves as head football coach. Coach Pom talks about how he answers the call to be a leader and everything that entails. He discusses his highs and lows as a coach and as a leader—from making a positive difference in the lives he touches to what he calls the “Leadership Gut Punch.”

Join us for a discussion about the importance of sports during formative years, the difficulty and crucial nature of building trust, the overlap between business and sports leadership, and the unique challenges of running an organization where you are the only real constant.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy:

• Overlap between leadership qualities for sports and business
• How to cope with the hard moments as a leader
• Why it’s so important to create key “moments” for the people you lead
• Building something that people truly need in their lives
• Coach Pom’s approach to cultivating the next generation of leaders

If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.