Penny for your Shots

Have you ever hired help—only to feel more overwhelmed than before? More questions. More messages. More mental clutter than ever?

In this episode of Penny for Your Shots, I’m joined by Melissa Morris, founder of Agency Authority, for a grounding, practical conversation about why burnout doesn’t magically disappear when you build a team—and how the right systems can truly give you your life back.

This isn’t about rigid processes or complicated tech. It’s about clarity, intention, and creating simple structures that support you—so your business stops living in your head and starts working for you.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why adding team members can increase overwhelm without systems
• The hidden cost of being reactive all day (and how to change it)
• Brain dumps as a powerful first step toward clarity
• How perfectionism quietly fuels burnout
• Building systems as you go—without overcomplicating things
• Using AI as a support tool, not a replacement for thinking
• The mindset shifts that help you reclaim time and energy

Topics we cover:

• Business systems for small teams
• Burnout and work-life balance for women
• Organization without hustle culture
• Delegation, SOPs, and mental load
• Time tracking and focus
• Creating white space and sustainable rhythms

If you love your business but feel stretched thin, this episode will feel like permission to slow down, simplify, and build something that actually supports your life.

Pour yourself something good—and let’s talk systems, sanity, and freedom.

Connect with Melissa:

https://www.youragencyauthority.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissavmorris/ 

Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails.

We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun.

Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info.

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

What if the most powerful New Year reset isn’t about doing more—but about finally letting yourself matter again?

In this short solo episode, Penny shares a surprising insight from a recent workshop that revealed just how many women are quietly carrying too much—while putting their own joy on hold.

If you’re the strong one, the caregiver, the helper, or the woman everyone depends on, this conversation is a gentle reminder that service doesn’t require self-sacrifice—and that joy isn’t a luxury.

This episode explores:

• Why so many women slip into survival mode without realizing it
• The difference between being selfless and being depleted
• How joy actually expands your capacity to serve
• Why support doesn’t have to feel heavy or serious

Journal Prompts Mentioned in the Episode

Take a few quiet moments with these questions:

• On a scale of 1–10, how important would it be for you to feel joy again?
• What would feeling more joy change for you right now?
• When was the last time you felt truly lit up—not productive or needed, just joyful?
• What were you doing, who were you with, and how did your body feel?
• What’s one small way you could invite a spark of that feeling back into your life this month?

As we step into a new year, this episode is your permission slip to stop waiting, stop carrying it all alone, and remember—gently—that you matter too.

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

Entrepreneurship can be meaningful, joyful, and deeply fulfilling—and it can also be really hard.

In this solo episode, Penny shares a candid look back at 2025 and the behind-the-scenes realities of building a purpose-driven business. This is an honest conversation about what it looks like to keep going when the path feels slower, heavier, or more uncertain than you expected.

If you’ve ever questioned your purpose, wondered if you should quit, or felt the tension between gratitude and exhaustion, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone—and you’re not failing.

In this episode, Penny reflects on:

• Why loving your work doesn’t mean it’s always easy
• The unseen choices entrepreneurs make to support their families and dreams
• A powerful mindset shift around service, humility, and resilience
• What a tough (and slightly unforgettable) moment taught her about not quitting
• How remembering who you’re becoming can help you stay the course

This episode is a gentle reminder that progress doesn’t have to look polished to be real—and that continuing to show up matters more than you think.

Pour yourself something festive and come sit with Penny for a few minutes. She’s cheering you on.

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

Some conversations feel like a catch-up over wine—and then turn into something deeper. This episode is one of those.

I’m joined by Aimee Goeman, someone I knew of growing up in small-town Iowa but didn’t truly know until now. Our families crossed paths the way they do in rural communities—through church, farming, and familiar names—before life carried us in different directions. Years later, we sat down to talk about what sticks with you from where you’re from… and how you carry it forward.

Aimee shares what it looks like to build a successful corporate career while still nurturing creativity, passion projects, and a deep connection to community. She now spends part of the year back in Belmond to be near family, reminding us that “coming home” doesn’t have to mean leaving anything behind.

This is a light-hearted, thoughtful conversation about ambition, authenticity, and the quiet pull of belonging—especially in this season of life.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How small-town roots shape who we become
• Building a big career without giving up creativity or connection
• Passion projects as a form of joy, not pressure
• Why community feels different in midlife
• The idea that you never fully leave your hometown

Links & Mentions from This Episode

• The Ramsay Boutique (Belmond, Iowa): https://ramsayboutique.com/
  
  
• Midland (band): https://www.midlandofficial.com/
  
  
• Mark Wystrach (Lead Singer, Midland): https://www.instagram.com/markaroo
  
  
• The Steak Out (Sonoita, Arizona): https://www.azsteakout.com/our-story
  
  

If you’ve ever felt pulled between where you came from and the life you’ve built, this conversation will feel like a familiar—and comforting—exhale.

Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails.

We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun.

Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info.

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

What happens when life brings everything to a full, heartbreaking stop?

This week, I’m joined by Melissa Hampton, a financial planner, entrepreneur, and mom whose world changed overnight when her seven-year-old son faced a life-threatening medical crisis. What followed was four months in the hospital, a surrender she never expected, and a profound rebuilding of what mattered most. 

Melissa shares how this experience reshaped her business, her boundaries, and the way she shows up for her clients and her kids. Her story is raw, hopeful, and a powerful reminder that we don’t need a crisis to choose a slower, more intentional life.

Learn more about Melissa’s work: hamptonwm.com

In this episode, Melissa and I talk about:

• The day an ordinary ER visit turned into a fight for survival
• What surrender really looked like in the hardest moments
• How crisis forced her to rethink success and simplify her life
• Why she rebuilt her business with clarity, boundaries, and heart
• The message she wants every overwhelmed woman to hear

Key Topics Inside:

• The illusion of control and the courage to release it
• Life-changing perspective from a medical emergency
• Rebuilding life and business with purpose
• Slowing down to protect what matters most
• Showing up for clients with deeper empathy and intention

Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails.

We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun.

Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info.

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to finally take the trip, this episode is it.

Travel Coach Laura Rahn spent 33 years in education before following a lifelong pull toward adventure. Raised as a military kid who moved constantly — including three formative years in Italy — Laura grew up understanding the power of connection, adaptability, and seeing the world through curious eyes.

Today, she helps families, couples, and solo travelers design meaningful, intentional trips that reflect who they are and how they want to feel. And trust me… after hearing her stories, you’ll want to start planning your next adventure before the episode ends.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why experiences matter more than “stuff”
• How her military upbringing shaped her love for travel
• The surprising bridge between instructional coaching and travel coaching
• Why every traveler — including kids and teens — deserves a voice
• What families should really discuss before they pack a single bag

Key Topics:

• Laura’s transition from teacher to travel coach
• The “Dream, Design, Depart” framework
• Navigating different travel styles within a family
• Building excitement and reducing stress before a trip
• Creating ownership and connection through shared planning

This episode is a beautiful reminder that adventure doesn’t have to be complicated — it just has to be intentional. And you’re more ready than you think.

Connect with Laura:

Blog: https://seldomadullmoment.blogspot.com/

Website: https://www.seldomadullmoment.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552757152218

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurarahn_travelcoach/

Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Laura-West-Rahn/author/B0DBK9ZN3F

Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails.

We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun.

Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info.

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

Some episodes are strategy-packed. This one is heart-packed.

If you’re listening while the turkey’s in the oven or you’ve escaped to the quiet of your car for a few minutes, this is your moment to breathe. Today I’m sharing what I’m deeply grateful for — the women who show up, the twists that shaped me, the friendships that became family, and the joy that comes from building meaningful work alongside meaningful people.

Inside this solo episode, I reflect on the courage it takes to build a business while living a full life… and why your spark, your presence, and your dreams matter more than you know.

Whether you’re craving momentum, clarity, or simply the reminder that you’re not doing this alone, I hope this message lands right where you need it.

In this episode, I share:

• The bravery required to be a woman entrepreneur today (especially for women 45+)
• Lessons learned from years in direct sales and coaching
• How friendships became the heart of my business journey
• The joy-fueled beginnings of Wine Camp and the Sipper Club
• Why Serving Superstars brings women back to life
• A Thanksgiving gratitude list just for you

Key Topics:

• Entrepreneurship with heart
• Gratitude and mindset
• Community and connection
• Seasons of reinvention
• Courage, clarity, and momentum
• Building a business that feels meaningful

If this episode stirred something in you and you’re ready for support, Serving Superstars is open. Women who join now get private coaching before the February cohort begins. Let’s build your momentum together. You can book a call with me here: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/call

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

What if your next chapter isn’t about starting over…but finally starting to honor who you’ve become?

This week, I’m joined by coach Chanda Coston, a woman whose journey through grief, reinvention, and deep self-discovery mirrors so much of what midlife women are navigating. Chanda helps women in the “third quarter” of life find clarity, build confidence, and create businesses aligned with the season they’re in — and our conversation is rich with truth, tenderness, and that quiet inner nudge so many of us feel at 45+.

We talk about the loneliness that comes with big life transitions, the relief of choosing yourself, and why women are wildly qualified for the visions tugging at their hearts. If you’ve been sensing something more for your life or business, this episode offers both inspiration and direction.

And if this conversation stirs something in you and you’d like support mapping out what’s next, I’d be honored to connect. You can book a call with me at pennyforyourshots.com/call.

In this episode, we explore:
• Why women 45+ minimize their gifts
• What clarity really looks like in midlife
• Navigating grief, loneliness, and major life pivots
• How to build a sustainable business in your current season
• The mindset shifts that help women finally move forward

Key Topics:
• Reinvention in midlife
• Confidence and self-worth
• Purpose-driven business building
• Systems, structure, and overwhelm
• Healing, resilience, and community support

Connect with Chanda:
Website: chanda-co.com
Instagram: instagram.com/chanda__co
3-Day Tiny Challenge: join.chanda-co.com/3day-clarity-challenge-with-chanda

Support the HEB Foundation (in honor of Chanda’s brother):
thehebfoundation.org/events

Book a connection call with Penny:
pennyforyourshots.com/call

Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails.

We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun.

Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info.

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

If you’ve ever felt that quiet tug for “something more,” this episode is for you.

I’m sharing the story behind my movement — the real one. The childhood threads, the detours, the pivots, the heartbreaks, and the unexpected joys that shaped the work I do today with women who are ready to serve with heart instead of hustle.

From growing up on an Iowa farm with older parents and a big imagination… to climbing the corporate ladder, navigating burnout, finding my footing in direct sales, and rebuilding again after a sudden company closure — every chapter pointed me toward one thing: helping women lead with joy, purpose, and authentic connection.

Inside this episode, I talk about:

• The early influences that shaped my love for humor and connection
• The corporate moment that sparked my first major pivot
• How Traveling Vineyard became a catalyst for community and confidence
• Why hustle culture stopped aligning with my values
• The unexpected gift inside a sudden career ending
• The birth of the Sipper Club, Wine Camp, and Serving Superstars
• Why this work has become a movement, not just a business

Key Topics We Explore:

• Joyful, service-centered leadership
• Mindset shifts that create clarity and confidence
• Community, connection, and the power of women supporting women
• Rebuilding identity after big life or career transitions
• Growing a business at the pace of peace

If this episode resonates and you’re ready to explore what’s next for you, I’d love to connect. Schedule a free Discovery Call: pennyforyourshots.com/call

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

When you’re the only woman in the room, it takes courage to speak up—and even more courage to do it again after being talked over, dismissed, or ignored.

This week, I’m joined by Kae Kronthaler-Williams, a longtime tech executive and author of Not Made for You: How Women Can Challenge Bias, Claim Their Space, and Thrive in a System Built for Men.

Kae shares what it’s really like to navigate male-dominated spaces, the language women can use to call out bias with grace, and how we can support each other to lead differently—together.

In this episode:

• The power of naming bias (and what to say when it happens)
• How to hold your ground and stay calm under pressure
• The truth about the “maternal bias” and other hidden workplace hurdles
• Why women founders still face funding gaps—and how we change it
• The role of sisterhood and mentorship in rewriting the rules

This conversation isn’t about blame—it’s about awareness, agency, and action.

Grab your copy of Kae's Book HERE.

Ready to create a business that reflects your values—not the old rulebook?
Book a one-on-one coaching session with me:
👉 tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/coaching-session

Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails.

We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun.

Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info.

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald