What if the biggest problem with modern dating isn't finding people—it's finding genuine connection? Brittnee Barnes, CEO and Co-Founder of Vybes, joins Kara Duffy to discuss why today's dating apps leave so many people feeling exhausted and disconnected, and how she's building a platform that prioritizes chemistry, authenticity, and real human interaction over endless swiping.

They explore Brittnee's leap from a successful career in consumer brands into tech entrepreneurship, why trusting your intuition is one of the greatest leadership skills you can develop, and how building a company has transformed the way she approaches dating, success, and fulfillment.

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.

WEBSITE: https://vybes.co

INSTA: @brittnee.barnes

00:00 Introduction to Brittnee Barnes & Vybes

01:00 Leaving Brand Building to Reinvent Dating

04:00 Why Modern Dating Apps Create Burnout

05:50 The Vibe Check Feature & Faster Chemistry

09:15 Building a Startup Without a Technical Background

12:00 Why Vybes Isn't Just for Gen Z

14:00 Curating a Better Dating Community

17:00 The Membership & Approval Process

19:00 How Building Vybes Changed Brittnee's Dating Life

20:30 Entrepreneurship, Fulfillment & Founder Reality

24:00 Trusting Your Intuition as a Founder

27:00 Advice to Her Younger Self

29:00 What Powerful Ladies Means to Brittnee

31:00 Daily Rituals & Avoiding Burnout

32:30 Growing Vybes & What's Next

35:00 Closing Thoughts

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What if taking back your power at work starts with knowing what you’re actually entitled to? Emily Mueller-Lennox, founder of 29 Weeks, joins Kara Duffy to unpack the complicated world of parental leave, workplace culture, and advocating for yourself through major life transitions.

Together they explore why California’s parental leave benefits can be so difficult to navigate, how employees can become their own advocates, and what the US can learn from European approaches to work, rest, and humanity. Emily shares her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship and how becoming a parent reshaped the way she thinks about boundaries, leadership, and building a life that works around us - not against us.

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.

WEBSITE: 29weeks.com

00:00 Introduction + Meet Emily Mueller-Lennox

02:00 Emily’s Career Journey + Creating 29 Weeks

05:00 Understanding California Parental Leave Benefits

07:00 Comparing Parental Leave in the US vs Europe

10:00 Workplace Culture, Humanity & Employee Expectations

17:00 Building Systems That Support Everyone

21:00 The Reality of Middle Class & Economic Pressure

25:00 Why Americans Feel Less Free Than They Think

28:00 How 29 Weeks Helps Parents Navigate Leave

31:00 Postpartum Mental Health + Advocating for Support

36:00 Employee Rights During Pregnancy & Leave

42:00 Learning to Advocate for Yourself

47:00 Work-Life Integration vs Separation

52:00 Building Human-Centered Teams

56:00 Parental Leave for Non-Birthing Parents

59:00 Why Businesses Need Sustainable Capacity

01:02:00 Losing Jobs, Finding Clarity & Building Something New

01:05:00 Redefining Career Paths & Success

01:09:00 Where to Find Emily + 29 Weeks

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What happens when a life-changing diagnosis becomes the beginning of a greater mission? Mother-daughter duo Corrina Clover Miller and Marta Eliza Miller join Kara Duffy to share their journey from figure skating and entertainment to founding the Marta Eliza Miller Foundation, an organization dedicated to scoliosis awareness, research, and supporting young athletes.

Together they discuss turning fear into action, building a nonprofit from a difficult moment, homeschooling on the road, chasing creative dreams, and what it means to create a life outside traditional expectations. Marta and Corinna share how resilience, curiosity, and community have shaped their mission to help others stand tall, be strong, and dream big.

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.

WEBSITE: https://martaelizamillerfoundation.org/

INSTAS: @martaelizamiller @m.e.m.foundation

00:00:00 — Welcome & Introduction

00:01:00 — Living a Bicoastal Life & Growing Up on the Road

00:03:00 — Marta’s Scoliosis Diagnosis & Beginning the Foundation

00:06:00 — Navigating Fear, Surgery Concerns & Finding Purpose

00:10:00 — Building the Marta Eliza Miller Foundation

00:12:00 — Marta’s Accelerated Education & Musical Theater Journey

00:15:00 — Corinna’s Career in Music Management & Entertainment

00:18:00 — Choosing an Unconventional Path & Pushing Forward

00:21:00 — Expanding the Foundation Nationwide

00:24:00 — Understanding Scoliosis & Advocacy Through Awareness

00:32:00 — The Mission: Helping Young Athletes Stand Tall

00:35:00 — Self-Care, Fitness & Managing Scoliosis

00:38:00 — How to Support the Foundation

00:41:00 — Final Thoughts & Closing

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What if rebuilding our communities starts with something as simple as becoming better neighbors? Reverend Jes Kast joins Kara Duffy to explore faith, motherhood, service, and what it means to create the kind of world we actually want to live in.

Together they discuss reclaiming religion in a time when faith is often weaponized, the power of receiving support from our communities, and why true leadership comes from connection rather than control. Jes shares her journey through motherhood, the NICU experience, spirituality, and her belief that small acts of care can become powerful movements of hope.

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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.

INSTA: @RevJesKast

00:00 — Welcome to Powerful Ladies Podcast & Introducing Rev. Jes Kast

02:00 — Jes’ Calling, Ministry & Becoming a Mother

05:00 — IVF, NICU, & The Transformative Experience of Motherhood

08:00 — Motherhood, Spirituality & Understanding God Through Love

13:00 — The Loneliness Epidemic & Why We Need Each Other

16:00 — Power With vs. Power Over: Community as Leadership

19:00 — Becoming a Better Villager & Choosing Service

22:00 — Rebuilding Connection in a Digital World

27:00 — Parenting, Generational Change & Bringing Back Community

31:00 — From Skyscrapers to Root Systems: Redefining Success

36:00 — Finding Enchantment, Wonder & Magic in Everyday Life

42:00 — Gardening, Viriditas & Reconnecting With Life

50:00 — Moving From Despair Into Hope & Action

55:00 — Reclaiming Christianity, Faith & Humble Leadership

59:00 — Supporting Your Community & Creating Change

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What happens when leaders stop seeing employees as resources and start seeing them as human beings?

Leadership advisor, workplace culture strategist, and founder of Rework Work, Stacey Gordon joins Kara Duffy for a candid conversation about the current state of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the widening gap between executives and workers, and why leadership accountability has never mattered more.

Together, they explore the future of work, the rise of entrepreneurship among marginalized communities, workplace humanity, pay inequity, and the critical leadership skills needed to create organizations where people can truly thrive.

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.

WEBSITE: reworkwork.com

LINKEDIN: linkedin.com/in/staceygordon

SUBSTACK: linkedin.com/in/staceygordon

INSTA: @reworkwork

00:00 Introduction to Stacey Gordon

01:00 State of DEI, Inclusion & Workplace Leadership

03:30 The Business, Moral & Legal Cases for Inclusion

07:00 Accountability, Bias & Human Behavior

09:00 Corporate Culture, Entrepreneurship & Workplace Exclusion

14:00 From Community to Scarcity Mindset

16:00 Should We Protect Corporate Spaces?

19:00 Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Inclusion

22:00 Leadership Accountability & Pay Gaps

29:00 Humanity, Compensation & Employee Experience

31:00 PTO, Trust & Leadership Culture

34:00 The Leadership Reality Check

38:00 What Makes a Great Leader?

40:00 Leadership, Listening & Decision-Making

44:00 Profit, Purpose & Pay Equity

47:00 Housing, Affordability & Economic Inequality

51:00 DEI, Capitalism & Finding Someone to Blame

53:00 Stacey's Journey Into This Work

54:00 Burnout, Hope & Staying Motivated

55:00 Travel, Perspective & Global Awareness

01:01:00 Freedom, Choice & Human-Centered Leadership

01:03:00 Action Steps for Leaders

01:05:00 Resources, Courses & Final Thoughts

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What does it really take to create luxury events for premium brands, high-profile talent, and private clients?

Kristin Mitchell, founder of Gathered In Style, joins Kara Duffy to pull back the curtain on the realities of the event industry - from managing million-dollar expectations and navigating unexpected crises to building a thriving referral-based business.

Together they discuss entrepreneurship, confidence, client relationships, team building, and why kindness, hustle, and adaptability remain some of the most valuable assets in business. Kristin also shares stories from the front lines of event planning, proving that success often comes down to solving problems no one else sees.

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.

WEBSITE: https://www.gatheredinstyle.com/about

INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/gatheredinstyle/

INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/itskristinmitchell/

00:00:00 Welcome & Introducing Kristin Mitchell

00:01:00 Starting Gathered In Style During COVID

00:03:00 Growing Up in West Virginia & Discovering Event Planning

00:06:00 The Reality of Luxury Event Planning

00:08:00 Wildfires, Weather & Crisis Management

00:10:00 New York City's Resilience After COVID

00:12:00 Housing, Renting & Entrepreneurship

00:15:00 Finding Inspiration Through Travel & Design

00:18:00 Building a Referral-Based Business

00:21:00 Turning Passion Into Profit

00:24:00 Adapting to Clients & Staying Positive

00:25:00 Confidence Growth as an Entrepreneur

00:27:00 Finding Your Niche & Entrepreneurial Community

00:28:00 Hospitality Stories: The Salmon Incident

00:30:00 Entrepreneurship & Expecting the Unexpected

00:32:00 The Sod Story & Event Logistics

00:35:00 Building and Delegating to a Team

00:37:00 Defining a Powerful Lady

00:39:00 Fitness, Friends & Family

00:40:00 Growing a Following & Demystifying Events

00:43:00 Work Ethic, Gen Z & Leadership

00:47:00 Lifelong Learning & Embracing AI

00:48:00 Final Reflections & Where to Connect

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What does it really take to build a creative career independently? Singer-songwriter, performer, and audio engineer Jordan Duffy joins Kara Duffy for a candid conversation about creating music on her own terms, producing her 2025 album Nights Like These, and navigating the realities of the modern music industry.

Together they explore collaboration, creative control, vulnerability in songwriting, the emotional difference between music and comedy performance, and how Jordan built a trusted creative network that continues to expand her opportunities across music, acting, improv, and beyond.

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.

INSTA: @JordanKDuffy

WEBSITE: JordanDuffyMusic.com

EMAIL: [email protected]

EPISODE CHAPTERS:

00:00 — Introduction

03:16 — Moving to Los Angeles & Becoming a Performer

06:22 — The Reality of Independent Music Careers

07:20 — Why Jordan Chose the Independent Route

10:01 — Music Industry Contracts & Financial Realities

12:45 — Building an Organic Audience as an Independent Artist

13:02 — The Joy of Recording Studios & Producing Music

16:02 — The Financial Investment Behind Making an Album

20:38 — Balancing Creativity, Scheduling & Business Logistics

21:34 — Waiting Six Months to Release the Album

22:58 — Finding the Right PR Team

25:00 — Jordan’s Vocal Style & Musical Influences

26:18 — Jordan’s Songwriting Process

29:49 — Writing Emotional Songs That Sound Upbeat

31:13 — Creating Cinematic Music Videos

34:11 — Learning Front-End & Back-End Creative Skills

35:18 — Acting, Improv & Comedy Opportunities

36:30 — Why Comedy Feels More Natural Than Music

38:18 — Separating Performance Personas & Personal Identity

39:09 — Reflecting on Achieving Childhood Dreams

39:50 — Stage Presence, Music & Emotional Energy

41:08 — Confidence, Creativity & Growth

42:07 — Where to Find Jordan’s Music & Work

43:00 — Closing Remarks

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What does it mean to create a life that’s both deeply authentic and unapologetically ambitious? Comedian, actor, and writer Danielle Perez joins Kara Duffy to talk about building a career in entertainment while navigating disability, representation, and the realities of modern creative life.

Together they explore the power of visibility, the importance of accessibility, and why success in creative industries requires far more than talent alone. Danielle shares candid stories about stand-up comedy, acting alongside Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm, surviving the chaos of LA entertainment culture, and the spreadsheets, systems, and resilience that keep her moving forward.

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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.

INSTA: @divadelux

00:00 — Introduction to Danielle Perez

02:00 — The Accident That Changed Danielle’s Life

03:15 — Discovering Stand-Up Comedy

04:15 — Friendship, Support Systems & Madison Shepherd

04:50 — Disability Representation, DEI & Accessibility

07:20 — Why Representation in Media Matters

08:35 — The Weird Things People Say to Disabled People

13:00 — Accessibility, the ADA & Public Spaces

19:50 — Acting, Writing & Creative Vulnerability

23:20 — Success, Ambition & The Entertainment Industry

29:10 — The Business of Comedy & Creative Careers

33:20 — Goal Setting, Lists & Creative Discipline

36:00 — The Myth of the “Tortured Artist”

41:50 — Hustle Culture, MLMs & the Manosphere

44:30 — Advocacy, Identity & Public Expectations

47:10 — Accessible Fashion & Plus-Size Challenges

52:15 — Acting on Curb Your Enthusiasm

55:15 — Upcoming Projects & Returning to Ballard

56:10 — What Power Means to Danielle Perez

57:10 — Supporting Artists & Live Comedy

58:35 — Where to Follow Danielle Perez

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Why are we so uncomfortable talking about death, and what is that avoidance costing us?

In this episode, Kara Duffy sits down with grief educator and thanatologist Korie Leigh to unpack how Western culture became disconnected from death, ritual, and communal grieving. From childhood development and emotional regulation to collective trauma and meaning-making, this conversation offers practical tools for navigating grief at every age.

Korie shares insights from her work with children and families, explains why euphemisms around death can create confusion for kids, and opens up about the personal loss that reshaped her understanding of grief, resilience, and community care.

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.

INSTA: @drkorieleigh

WEBSITE: korieleighphd.com

TIK TOK: @drkorieleigh

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/korie-leigh-phd-ccls-ft-99a5073a/

00:00 Introduction to Korie Leigh & Thanatology

02:20 What Thanatology Actually Means

03:30 Western Culture’s Fear of Death & Grief

05:10 The History of Rituals, Wakes & Collective Mourning

07:30 Why Millennials Are More Disconnected From Death

08:15 The Tasks of Grief & Accepting Loss

10:05 How Children Understand Death at Different Ages

13:10 Magical Thinking, Child Development & Emotional Language

16:00 Why Euphemisms Around Death Confuse Kids

17:40 Writing Books About Childhood Grief & Bereavement

21:00 Supporting Tweens & Teens Through Grief

22:20 Talking to Kids About Heaven, Souls & Death

24:10 Continuing Bonds Theory & Staying Connected After Loss

27:10 Parenting, Identity & Grief After Pregnancy Loss

31:00 A Full-Circle Moment With a Bereaved Mother

33:00 What Puffy Paints Taught Korie About Emotional Expression

35:00 Emotional Literacy, Parenting & Honest Communication

37:00 Inside Out, Core Memories & Emotional Development

39:00 The Grief-Tastic Book Fair & Humor in Grief Work

41:20 Music, Joy, Play & Staying Present

42:15 Rituals, Meaning-Making & Collective Healing

45:20 Becoming a Parent & Designing Intentional Family Rituals

48:00 Trying New Things, Playfulness & Identity Evolution

49:20 Community Care, Politics & Showing Up For Others

51:30 Collective Grief, Stability & Rebuilding Community

53:45 Where to Find Korie Leigh & Her Work

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Family court impacts some of the most personal and emotional moments in people’s lives, but most of us know very little about how it actually works. In this episode, Orange County Superior Court Judge Ami Sagel pulls back the curtain on the realities of being a judge, the moral responsibility of making life-altering decisions, and the human stories behind divorce, custody, and domestic violence cases.

Kara and Ami explore how judges balance fairness with discretion, the growing mental health crisis affecting families, and why compassion and accountability are essential inside the justice system.

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.

Website: JudgeAmiSagel.com

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Judge Ami Sagel & Family Law

02:00 The power and limitations of being a judge

04:00 Judicial ethics, morality & life outside the courtroom

07:00 Jury trials vs. bench trials explained

09:00 Family law, custody disputes & judicial discretion

11:30 Humanizing judges & the emotional weight of courtrooms

13:00 Cases involving children, abuse & emotional burnout

16:00 Ami’s journey from corporate law to federal prosecutor

18:00 Sex trafficking cases & witnessing society’s “underbelly”

20:00 Adoption law, parental rights & emotionally difficult work

22:00 Divorce as “the great equalizer” across socioeconomic lines

24:00 Mental health, financial stress & family court realities

27:00 How family law has evolved beyond traditional gender roles

30:00 Co-parenting, custody dynamics & children navigating divorce

33:00 Building community, civic engagement & trust in the law

35:00 The frustration of legal limitations & following precedent

38:00 Self-represented litigants & navigating the court system

41:00 Why civics education and legal literacy matter

43:00 Supporting families through conflict, compromise & healing

46:00 How judges are appointed and elected in California

48:00 Ami’s reelection campaign & challenges as a woman of color

51:00 Diversity on the bench & representation in the legal system

53:00 Final reflections on justice, empathy & public service

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