Gemi Bertran’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, vision, and taking bold action. From navigating political unrest in Haiti to building a global business that transforms how people nourish their minds and bodies, her story is as gripping as it is inspiring. As CEO and Founder of Nourish Your Brain Institute, Gemi helps individuals and communities shift behaviors, embrace brain-boosting nutrition, and reclaim their mental and physical health. Her path has been anything but linear, moving from single parenthood to international conflict zones, from advocating for veterans to teaching the science of superfoods. Along the way, she’s learned powerful lessons on creating change, building impact from the ground up, and why determination can turn even the most improbable dreams into reality.

Chapters

00:00 Meeting Gemi Bertran

01:45 Growing up in Barcelona and early influences

04:30 From journalism to mental health advocacy

06:10 Witnessing mental health challenges in the U.S.

08:25 Becoming a single parent and adopting internationally

11:15 Navigating political turmoil and coups in Haiti

15:20 Lessons from conflict zones and humanitarian work

18:40 Founding Nourish Your Brain Institute

21:05 The science behind brain health and nutrition

25:15 Understanding trans-species contamination

29:00 Supporting veterans and addressing suicide prevention

33:20 Building programs for communities and schools

37:45 Why behavior change is key to lasting health

42:30 The role of mindset in transformation

46:50 Advice for aspiring change-makers

50:15 How to start nourishing your brain today

54:40 What powerful means to Gemi

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

Alessandra Fergola is an apparel designer, dual citizen, and creative force who has built her dream life across Italy, London, and beyond. Her journey spans working with major brands like Fila and Puma, showing collections in Paris and Milan, and saying “yes” to opportunities that pushed her out of her comfort zone. She shares how learning English became her ticket to freedom, why she never says no to career chances, and how resilience and adaptability have guided her through industry shifts, Brexit, and big life moves. From rollerskating to ceramics, Alessandra’s story is a blueprint for anyone determined to create a life on their own terms.

Chapters:

00:00 – How Learning English Opened Doors Around the World

05:55 – Leaving Italy to Pursue a Global Career in Fashion

10:59 – From Fila to Puma: Lessons from Big Brand Design

16:40 – The Job Application That Changed Everything

21:48 – Capsule Paris and Building Industry Credibility

24:59 – Collaborating Across Borders and Cultures

29:00 – Navigating Brexit’s Impact on Fashion Careers

33:00 – Finding Inspiration in Ceramics and Rollerskating

37:00 – Saying “Yes” to Opportunities Others Might Fear

40:00 – Staying Positive While Chasing Big Dreams

44:00 – Why Adaptability Is the Key to Longevity in Creative Work

48:00 – What’s Next for Alessandra Fergola

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

Juliana Gambrell is a coach, entrepreneur, and master wordsmith who helps people design lives they actually want to live. She believes words create our world, and living deliberately means aligning your language, choices, and energy with your deepest values. From growing up in Ithaca to driving cross-country at 22 to build a life in Southern California, Juliana has made bold moves guided by curiosity and intention. She shares how to stop settling for “good enough,” why the right words can make change unstoppable, and how to filter out what drains your energy so you can end your days inspired, not exhausted. This is a powerful conversation for anyone ready to take ownership of their story and create a life that fuels them.

Chapters:

00:00 – Juliana Gambrell on Choosing a Deliberate Life

04:00 – Growing Up in Ithaca and the Early Lessons That Shaped Her

09:07 – How Childhood Shapes the Stories We Tell Ourselves

12:00 – Moving to California and Building a New Life from Scratch

16:00 – Why Words Matter More Than We Think

20:35 – The Power of Finding the Right Words to Unlock Change

24:51 – Why Worry Is a Prayer for What You Don’t Want

28:00 – Filtering Out What Drains Your Energy

32:00 – How to End Your Day Inspired Instead of Exhausted

36:00 – The Role of Self-Awareness in Living with Intention

40:00 – Balancing Ambition with Rest and Joy

44:00 – Quotes and Books That Have Guided Her Journey

48:00 – Redefining Success on Your Own Terms

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

Get ready to meet the incredible X.Ari.  She’s a LGBTQIA+ Alt-Pop Singer, writer and mental health advocate originally from Toronto who’s now based in Los Angeles. She’s on a mission to turn her own Pain into Power and to give you the belief, the possibility and tools to do the same. She’s contagious, inspiring, wise, and bursting with hope and light that is only possible when you’re on your unique, curated path.  Enjoy this episode and I can’t wait to hear what part of this conversation makes the most impact for you. 

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

Heidi Rose Robbins is an esoteric astrologer, poet, TEDx speaker, and host of The Radiance Project podcast. For over 25 years, she’s helped people (including celebrities and leaders) use astrology as a tool for self-discovery, clarity, and transformation. In this conversation, Heidi explains how your horoscope is a map of the heavens from the moment you took your first breath, and how reading that map can reveal both the places you’re stuck and the pathways to freedom. She shares why astrology is a science of cycles and relationships, how to pair it with tools like the Enneagram and StrengthsFinder, and why poetry is one of her favorite ways to help people access their inner truth. Whether you’re a skeptic or already astrology-curious, Heidi’s insights will inspire you to see yourself & your possibilities in a whole new way.

Chapters:

00:00 – Heidi Rose Robbins on Astrology as a Tool for Self-Discovery

04:00 – Growing Up with an Astrologer Father

08:00 – From Theater and Directing to Astrology and Poetry

12:00 – How a Horoscope Is a Map of the Moment You Were Born

15:00 – Using Astrology to Identify Stuck Points and Opportunities

18:00 – The Science of Cycles and Relationships

21:00 – Combining Astrology with the Enneagram and StrengthsFinder

26:00 – Why She Loves Working with Women in Retreat Settings

30:00 – The Role of Poetry in Healing and Self-Understanding

34:00 – Client Stories That Prove Astrology’s Power

38:00 – How to Start Exploring Your Own Chart

42:00 – Debunking Myths About Astrology

46:00 – Building a Career That Aligns with Your Purpose

50:00 – What’s Next for Heidi Rose Robbins

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

Vy Dao’s path to becoming Managing Partner at N Wellness started with a simple juice cleanse, and turned into a mission to change how we fuel our bodies. In this episode of the Powerful Ladies Podcast, Vy shares how she went from studying biology to launching wellness brands that rival the big-name energy drinks (minus the crash and chemicals). We dive into her journey as an Asian American woman in business, the cultural stereotypes she’s pushed against, and why communication and spirituality are now at the center of her leadership style. You’ll hear how she’s making wellness simple, how a focus on plant-based nutrition changed her life, and why she believes the magic happens when we admit we need help. Plus, Vy opens up about her rebranding plans, her approach to team building, and her advice for turning fear into faith in work and life.

Chapters:

00:00 – Changing majors and changing direction

02:55 – Founding N Wellness

04:45 – Competing with energy drink giants (and winning)

08:15 – Why clean ingredients matter

09:50 – From juice cleanses to wellness shots

13:20 – The case for more plants in your diet

15:10 – Food, color, and the seven chakras

17:00 – Growing up Vietnamese American in Huntington Beach

20:15 – Breaking the “be quiet” stereotype

25:00 – Women in business and finding support

31:10 – Proving people wrong (again and again)

33:00 – Owning your growth and asking for help

35:20 – The women who shaped Vy’s path

36:00 – Why communication changes everything

41:10 – From fear to faith in business

43:00 – Building a spiritual foundation for leadership

50:10 – What’s next for N Wellness and Nurish Group

51:40 – How to connect with Vy

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

Boundaries aren’t walls. They’re gateways to freedom, peace, and living your best life. Kara Duffy and Jordan Duffy dive into why setting boundaries in work, relationships, and personal life is essential for avoiding burnout and stepping into your full power. They explore how boundaries protect your energy, make space for what matters most, and shift you into a position of clarity and control. From real-life examples to practical tips, this episode will help you identify where you need boundaries, how to create them, and how to maintain them without guilt. If you’re ready to double your income, reclaim your weekends, or simply enjoy more of the life you’ve imagined, it starts here.

Chapters:

00:00 – Why Boundaries Are the Key to Liberation

04:30 – How Boundaries Protect Your Energy and Focus

09:15 – Boundaries at Work: Respecting Your Time and Talent

13:50 – Personal Boundaries That Transform Relationships

18:20 – The Link Between Boundaries and Income Growth

22:40 – Saying “No” Without Guilt

27:15 – Creating Space for What Matters Most

32:02 – Moving into Power Through Boundaries

36:10 – Why Boundaries Equal Self-Respect

40:00 – Setting Boundaries in Creative Projects

45:20 – Holding Boundaries When They’re Tested

50:00 – Daily Practices to Strengthen Your Boundaries

53:55 – Final Thoughts: The Freedom on the Other Side

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

Kalika Yap is on a mission to help 1 million women earn $1 million and create 1 million jobs. A serial entrepreneur, inventor of the Purse Hook, branding and marketing expert, author of The Little Brand Book, and host of the Wonder Podcast, she’s built multiple successful companies while championing women in business. Kalika shares the pivotal moments in her journey: from growing up in Hawaii and studying journalism at NYU, to launching her first startup on Abbot Kinney in Venice, to leading Citrus Studios and Orange & Bergamot today. She opens up about mastering the art of letting go, the difference between being honest and telling the truth, and why people in power must create spaces where everyone belongs. Her story is equal parts entrepreneurial playbook and call to action for women who want to build wealth, create impact, and lead with intention.

Chapters:

00:00 – Kalika Yap on Her Mission to Empower Women Entrepreneurs

04:52 – Knowing You’re in the Right Place

05:48 – Why the Answers Are Already Within You

09:00 – Telling the Truth vs. Being Honest

11:30 – Why You Don’t Need Everything Figured Out Before You Start

16:00 – Growing Up in Hawaii and Early Career Lessons

20:00 – From NYU Journalism to CNBC and Bloomberg

24:00 – Launching Her First Business in Venice, California

29:09 – Why Women Are Incredible Entrepreneurs

33:00 – Lessons from Building Multiple Brands

37:00 – The Power of Branding and Storytelling

41:32 – Taking Authentic Action Through Truth-Telling

45:24 – Advice to Your 8-Year-Old Self

46:51 – How Life’s Challenges Prepare You for Leadership

50:00 – Building Belonging in Business and Community

55:00 – The Legacy Kalika Wants to Leave

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

Starting a business is never simple, especially in an industry with steep regulations and high barriers to entry. But Jamie Lea didn’t let that stop her. Kara Duffy talks with Jamie, the founder of the CBD and wellness brand Toasty, about turning a pandemic layoff into the push she needed to create a company from the ground up. Jamie shares how her background as an NCAA volleyball player gave her the competitive edge to navigate a complex market, the unexpected challenges of launching in the CBD industry, and why building a strong network of women has been essential to her success. You’ll hear how she approaches branding, product development, and business growth, and why she believes asking for help is one of the most powerful skills an entrepreneur can develop. If you’ve ever wondered how to launch a CBD brand, break into a regulated market, or transform a setback into an opportunity, this conversation is full of real talk, actionable takeaways, and inspiration to build your own path forward.

Chapters:

00:00 – How a pandemic layoff sparked a new business

03:00 – What Toasty is and the community it serves

06:00 – Lessons from being an NCAA athlete

09:00 – Growth mindset and getting out of your comfort zone

10:00 – Why Jamie chose the CBD industry

12:00 – From DTC to retail: building a sales strategy

13:00 – Navigating regulations and barriers to entry

15:00 – The power of a supportive network

18:00 – Asking for help and finding resources

20:00 – Surprising challenges of launching a CBD brand

22:00 – Staying motivated through obstacles

24:00 – Leadership goals from an early age

25:00 – Building and leading a strong team

27:00 – Why you can’t do it all alone

28:00 – Creating work–life balance as a founder

30:00 – Who the Toasty customer is

33:00 – Inclusive branding for all ages

34:00 – How branding captures the “toasty” vibe

36:00 – CBD as an alternative to alcohol

39:00 – Changing perceptions around cannabis and CBD

40:00 – Where to learn more about CBD

42:00 – What “powerful” and “ladies” mean to Jamie

44:00 – Lessons learned about patience and self-belief

46:00 – Overcoming self-doubt and creating your own lane

48:00 – Funding a new business and finding a mentor

50:00 – Rating herself on the Powerful Ladies scale

51:00 – How to support Toasty and get involved

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

I am proud to bring you two powerful women, sisters Carolina Trejos and Natalia Trejos-Herrera, founders of the Pinkafé platform, podcast, and TV show. We talk about their journey from Ecuador to the United States, where they find the confidence to be entrepreneurial and chase their dreams, and why it matters that more women know they are magic, they are capable, and they are not alone. Carolina and Natalia share the story behind launching Pinkafé, how they use media to amplify women’s voices, and the importance of representation in entrepreneurship. We discuss building community, embracing your heritage, and creating platforms that inspire action and confidence in women around the world.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Carolina Trejos and Natalia Trejos-Herrera

03:25 Growing Up in Ecuador and Moving to the U.S.

07:10 How Pinkafé Began

11:40 Building a Media Platform for Women

15:20 The Power of Representation in Entrepreneurship

19:00 Why Women Need to Hear “You Are Magic”

22:45 Lessons from Building a Brand with Your Sister

26:10 Overcoming Challenges in Media and Business

30:15 Creating Community and Inspiring Action

34:50 Balancing Creativity, Business, and Family

38:20 Advice for Women Chasing Their Dreams

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