The foster care system is overloaded. CASA of Orange County is doing something about it. Kara talks with Regan Phillips, CEO of CASA OC, and longtime volunteer Nancy Eaton about the role of Court Appointed Special Advocates and why every child in the system deserves one. They break down the realities of foster care, what most people get wrong about reunification, and the difference a single adult can make. Nancy shares what she’s learned from mentoring teens through the system, and Regan explains how CASA is changing outcomes one child at a time.

Chapters

00:00 What is CASA and why it matters

02:15 Meet Regan and Nancy

04:30 The scope of the foster care crisis

06:45 How California became the biggest foster care state

09:00 What CASA volunteers actually do

11:30 Reunification myths and hard truths

14:00 Mentoring teens through trauma

16:30 Why graduation rates change with CASA

18:45 Boundaries and emotional resilience for volunteers

21:00 A real-life CASA story

23:15 Advocacy, dignity, and trust

26:00 What training looks like

28:30 Getting started as a CASA

30:15 Why women are leading this work

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.

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You can change the world with your business, or at the very least, change your community. Amy Peterson is living proof. She’s the co-founder and CEO of Rebel Nell, a Detroit-based social enterprise that employs and empowers women with barriers to employment, including women coming out of shelters, rebuilding after incarceration, surviving domestic violence, or navigating life as refugees. Rebel Nell turns repurposed graffiti into one-of-a-kind jewelry, creating jobs, building confidence, and offering wraparound support that changes lives.

Before founding Rebel Nell in 2013, Amy spent over a decade in Major League Baseball as Associate Counsel for the Detroit Tigers, chasing her dream of becoming the first female GM. But the challenges she faced as a woman in sports, along with friendships formed with women living at a local shelter, sparked a bigger mission: to create a sustainable, triple bottom line business that puts people, profit, and purpose at its core.

In this inspiring conversation, Amy shares how she went from the corporate sports world to conscious entrepreneurship, the realities of breaking cycles of poverty, and why confidence-building can be the most powerful outcome of all. We talk about leadership, resilience, the hustle of running a small business, and the ripple effects of giving women the opportunity to shine. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your passion into impact, this episode will show you what’s possible when you lead with both heart and grit.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Amy Peterson, Co-Founder & CEO of Rebel Nell

02:15 From Detroit Tigers to conscious entrepreneurship

05:10 How friendships at a women’s shelter sparked a social enterprise

08:45 Turning repurposed graffiti into one-of-a-kind jewelry

12:00 Creating jobs for women facing homelessness, incarceration, and abuse

16:30 Building confidence and breaking cycles of poverty

20:50 The realities of running a triple bottom line business

25:00 Lessons from women in sports and leadership resilience

29:15 Community support and the turning point for Rebel Nell

34:20 The hustle, risk, and rewards of small business ownership

38:00 The ripple effect: housing, cars, and career breakthroughs for team members

42:15 How to support Rebel Nell and women-owned social enterprises

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.

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Rose Archie is changing what leadership looks like. As founder of Nations Skate Youth, she’s created a movement rooted in Indigenous pride, healing, and community. Rose shares her journey from growing up in Canim Lake to building safe spaces for Indigenous youth through skateboarding. Kara and Rose talk about identity, representation, grief, and what it means to show up with purpose. This is a conversation about community impact, self-made women, and the power of redefining success through service.

Chapters:

00:00 Growing up in Canim Lake and finding skateboarding

01:15 Residential schools and generational impact

03:00 Creating Nations Skate Youth

05:10 Skateboarding as escape and safe space

06:45 Building confidence in Indigenous youth

09:00 Representation and visibility in skateboarding

11:10 Organizing the Stop Drop and Roll event

13:00 Mental health and community needs post-pandemic

15:15 What it means to use your voice for good

17:00 Indigenous culture, language, and legacy

19:30 Losing her sister and turning grief into action

21:00 Elders, mentors, and intergenerational wisdom

23:30 Why community impact matters more than money

25:15 Challenges of being a woman in skateboarding

27:00 Powerful means not apologizing for existing

29:00 Hopes for future Indigenous leaders

31:00 Opportunities for collaboration and support

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Growing up can be challenging, especially for tweens and teens who feel alone or unsure where to turn for advice. Naama Barnea-Goraly, a doctor, child and adolescent psychology expert, brain researcher, and founder of the app Girltelligence, is working to change that. Girltelligence is a free platform where girls can connect, share advice, and build a supportive sisterhood. We explore why this kind of community is more important than ever, how to make online spaces safer for young people, and what it takes to create your own app from scratch. Whether you’re raising girls, mentoring the next generation, or just passionate about safe digital spaces, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and practical takeaways.

Chapters

00:00 Creating safe spaces for girls online

01:25 Naama’s journey from medicine to tech entrepreneurship

03:10 The challenges of growing up without a support system

05:00 How Girltelligence connects girls worldwide

07:15 Building an advisory board of teens and college students

09:40 The role of community in preventing bullying

11:15 Making social media safer for young users

13:05 Turning an idea into a functioning app

15:30 How to fund and scale a mission-driven tech startup

17:00 Lessons from working with Girl Scouts and Neutrogena

19:15 Why girls need more compassionate male allies

21:00 Balancing a medical career and entrepreneurship

23:10 Advice for parents raising confident, connected girls

25:00 How to encourage girls to share their wisdom

27:00 The power of peer-to-peer mentorship in adolescence

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lindsay DeLong didn’t set out to run a local media platform, but her love for storytelling and community made it inevitable. As the editor of Laguna Beach Living, she’s built a space that celebrates the people, places, and stories that make a town feel like home. From discovering hidden gems to shining a light on local changemakers, Lindsay is all about connection. We talk about how she transitioned from journalism to entrepreneurship, what it takes to run a digital publication, and why hyperlocal stories matter more than ever. You’ll hear about career pivots, building a brand from scratch, and the joy of creating something that connects people where they live.

Chapters

00:00 From writer to editor-in-chief

01:15 The spark behind Laguna Beach Living

03:00 Why hyperlocal media matters

05:20 Finding your voice as a journalist

07:00 The business side of running a publication

09:15 Building a loyal audience

11:00 Social media strategies for local brands

13:10 Balancing creative work with operations

15:00 Career pivots in the media industry

17:15 Lessons from interviewing community leaders

19:00 Navigating change in journalism

21:15 Advice for aspiring writers and editors

23:00 Defining success in creative entrepreneurship

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Extraordinary lives aren’t built by accident. Angie Wisdom, celebrated business coach, author, and speaker, has helped countless leaders, entrepreneurs, and individuals step into their full potential. As Kara’s own coach, Angie has been a catalyst for clarity, action, and confidence. In this conversation, she opens the door to her coaching philosophy, the daily practices that create lasting change, and the lessons that help people lead with more ease and intention. From her journey into coaching to the power of awareness, this episode is about unlocking what’s possible when you commit to living & leading - extraordinarily.

Chapters

00:00 The power of coaching to transform your life

01:20 Angie’s journey to becoming a business coach

03:10 Lessons Kara has learned from working with Angie

05:00 Building daily practices for clarity and focus

07:00 The role of self-awareness in leadership

09:15 How to create more ease in your work and life

11:00 Moving from self-criticism to self-celebration

13:00 Why presence is a leadership superpower

15:10 Strategies for overcoming fear and doubt

17:30 How to recognize and shift limiting beliefs

19:15 The importance of defining your own success

21:30 Balancing ambition with personal well-being

23:00 Coaching tools to navigate challenges

25:15 Encouraging others to embrace their potential

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Motherhood is a rite of passage that changes everything, yet our culture often treats it like an afterthought. Molly Mitchell Hardt, psychotherapist and co-founder of the Sacred Journey of Motherhood, is working to change that. Her mission is to bring reverence, awareness, and deep support back to one of life’s most profound transitions. We talk about the layers of consciousness that shape our experience, the influence of family history, and how archetypes can guide us through birth and beyond. Molly blends professional expertise with real-life insight to offer a vision of motherhood that’s empowered, honored, and healing. This is a conversation for anyone who believes mothers, and the journey to becoming one, deserve more.

Chapters:

00:00 Rethinking motherhood in modern society

01:25 Molly’s path to psychotherapy and birth work

03:15 The four layers of consciousness

05:40 How family origin impacts our adult lives

07:20 Archetypes and the motherhood journey

09:10 Why birth experiences shape our culture

11:30 Somatic practices for emotional healing

13:05 The role of epigenetics in motherhood

15:00 Building the Sacred Journey of Motherhood

17:20 How to better prepare for birth

19:40 Supporting mothers after birth

21:15 Lessons from global motherhood traditions

23:10 Breaking cultural myths about motherhood

25:00 Creating systemic change for families

27:15 Molly’s advice for expecting and new mothers

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it really mean to run a business with the planet in mind? In this special live recording of A Powerful Conversation About America, Kara sits down with three women redefining what entrepreneurship looks like when environmental impact is part of the bottom line. Kelly Murphy of Refiller LA, Jillian Clark of Roboro, and Annie Rouse of Think Hempy Thoughts share their journeys into conscious entrepreneurship, why sustainability is non-negotiable for them, and how they balance mission with growth. You’ll hear practical advice on building an environmentally focused business, creative ways to inspire customers to take action, and the mindset shifts needed to make every day Earth Day.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to A Powerful Conversation About America

01:15 What conscious entrepreneurship means to each guest

04:20 How sustainability shapes business decisions

07:05 Kelly Murphy’s journey with Refiller LA

09:30 Jillian Clark on building Roboro’s mission

12:00 Annie Rouse and the hemp revolution

15:20 Overcoming challenges in environmentally focused businesses

18:45 Balancing profit and purpose

21:30 Engaging customers in sustainability efforts

24:10 Advice for aspiring conscious entrepreneurs

27:15 The role of community in environmental action

30:00 Lessons learned from building sustainable brands

33:15 How to make every day Earth Day

36:00 Resources for conscious business owners

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lauren Ferree Bash, known online as ReLauren, is proof that one person can make a big difference. From growing up with an environmentalist mom to becoming a sustainability content creator, video editor, and climate advocate, she’s weaving activism into every part of her life. We talk about how being the change can be easier than you think, the importance of working together, and where we all need to unlearn and relearn. Lauren also shares her journey into content creation, what it takes to master TikTok, and the small steps anyone can take to make an impact.

Chapters:

00:00 Meet Lauren Ferree Bash

01:30 From theater kid to climate advocate

03:00 How the 2016 election sparked her activism

05:10 Building a career in sustainability content creation

07:00 Lessons from Surfrider Foundation

09:15 The intersection of environmentalism and storytelling

11:30 Why local action matters most

13:00 Unlearning habits that harm the planet

15:10 TikTok tips for cause-based creators

17:20 How to make sustainability approachable

19:30 The role of B-Corporations in change

21:15 Simple daily actions for environmental impact

23:00 Balancing abundance and conservation

25:00 The power of collective action

27:15 Advice for new activists

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Judy Wicks didn’t just open a restaurant. She created a hub for community, activism, and sustainable business. As the founder of the White Dog Café and the Sustainable Business Network, she’s spent decades proving that profit and purpose can thrive together. Judy’s story is about more than food; it’s about building local economies, empowering entrepreneurs, and using business as a force for good. We talk about the movement she helped spark, the lessons she’s learned about values-based leadership, and why local, community-driven solutions are essential for a more equitable future. She shares stories from her early days as a business owner, the turning points that shaped her mission, and how she continues to inspire change-makers, activists, and business leaders around the world.

Chapters:

00:00 Work, family, and values

01:00 Introducing Judy Wicks and her accomplishments

03:00 Life after restaurants: new nonprofits and missions

04:30 Profit with purpose: doing good and making money

06:00 Building community through business

08:00 Living above the shop and localism

10:00 The Free People and Urban Outfitters origin story

13:00 Making business accessible: new, vintage, and free products

15:00 Localism vs. globalization and resilient economies

23:00 Walkable communities and human connection

26:00 Shifting from individualism to community

29:00 Feminine energy, balance, and saving the planet

33:00 Heroes and inspirations: Gandhi, MLK, Jane Jacobs

35:00 What’s next: nonprofits and local supply chains

38:00 Realigning life and business with values

43:00 Powerful Ladies, power, and stepping into it

47:00 Lifelong growth and the importance of self-care

49:00 Leading with heart and generosity

50:00 Where to find Judy and her organizations

51:00 Closing reflections and gratitude

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices