Grizel Bien is a therapist, musician, writer, and mental health advocate who uses art, nature, and storytelling to help people reconnect with themselves. From Miami to Moab, she has followed a path that blends creativity, psychology, and a deep love for the outdoors. Grizel opens up about her own mental health journey, why boundaries have been life-changing, and how the outdoors became her safe space for self-soothing and healing. She shares the tools that have helped her, from therapy and medication to music and photography, and why she believes facing your fears is the only way to move forward. This is a conversation about reclaiming your story, living unapologetically, and finding the spaces that let you be fully yourself.

Chapters:

00:00 Meet Grizel Bien

01:40 How She Became a Therapist

04:30 Growing Up Between Miami and East Tennessee

07:15 Moving to Moab and Finding Home Outdoors

13:36 Why Nature Is Her Safe Space

17:37 Choosing to Be an Example for Change

20:50 From Professional Musician to Mental Health Advocate

24:00 Boundaries as a Tool for Survival and Growth

27:46 Challenging the Myths Women Are Told

31:20 How Art and Writing Support Mental Health

35:40 The Role of Therapy and Medication in Her Healing

40:10 Facing Demons and Finding the Truth

45:00 Why Connection and Humanness Matter Most

50:30 Women Who Inspire Her

54:24 Redefining What It Means to Be Many Things at Once

57:33 Clearing Mistakes and Staying Real

1:03:40 Why Mental Health Is the Foundation for Everything

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

Thomas Claesen and Chelsea Levine are an entrepreneurial couple who built a life and businesses that reflect their values, creativity, and love for travel. From Belgium to New York to Nashville, they have created companies like Clawson Design and Teeq while intentionally choosing joy, community, and freedom over convention. They share the mindset shifts that allowed them to say no to work that did not align, the systems they use to keep their relationship and businesses thriving, and how they stay open to new opportunities without losing focus. Their story is a guide for anyone who wants to create more freedom, build a business with purpose, and live with intention.

Chapters:

00:00 – Meet Thomas Claesen and Chelsea Levine

05:10 – Building Businesses Around Joy and Freedom

09:40 – Why Money Alone Is Never the Right Reason to Say Yes

14:20 – Communication Habits That Strengthen Their Marriage

18:50 – Creating a Sense of Home Across Continents

23:30 – Lessons from Launching Teeq and Clawson Design

27:40 – An Ice Cream Moment That Led to a Big Idea

31:00 – Choosing Joy Over “Having It All”

36:20 – Sharing Knowledge Freely and Being a Connector

41:10 – Removing Work That Drains Your Energy

45:30 – Finding Community While Traveling

50:20 – How to Reframe Worst-Case Scenarios

54:10 – Leaving Space for New Ideas and Adventures

58:00 – Advice for Entrepreneurs Seeking More Freedom

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

Juliann Berens, co-founder of Refind Kitchens in San Diego, is proving that luxury interior design and sustainability can go hand in hand. Her company deconstructs, rather than demolishes, gently used kitchens, bathrooms, and high-end materials, giving them a second life in new design projects while keeping them out of landfills. A registered nurse turned interior designer, Juliann shares how her caregiving mindset shapes her approach to functional, beautiful, and eco-conscious spaces. We talk about the impact of sustainable kitchens on the planet, why design should start with a “care plan,” and how the circular economy benefits homeowners, contractors, and communities. If you care about interior design, sustainable living, and reducing waste, this conversation will inspire you to see kitchens, materials, and even home renovations in a whole new way.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Juliann Berens of Refind Kitchens

02:45 Deconstruct vs. Demolish in Interior Design

05:10 From Nursing to Interior Design and Sustainability

07:15 Sourcing Luxury Kitchens for Second Life Projects

10:00 Partnerships with Contractors and Designers

14:15 Choosing San Diego as a Sustainability Hub

17:05 How Space Design Impacts Wellbeing

23:00 Creating a Functional and Beautiful Kitchen

26:00 Why Lighting Matters in Interior Design

28:15 Color Theory and Cohesive Home Design

30:15 Redefining “Caregiver” in Business and Design

36:55 Building a Circular Economy in Luxury Kitchens

42:00 The Stories Behind Repurposed Materials

46:00 Women Who Inspire Juliann Berens

50:00 Juliann’s Powerful Lady Ranking and Final Advice

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

Belen Ramirez Bourdages is a family physician with Doctors Without Borders and the co-founder of Project Bike Love, a nonprofit providing bikes to women and girls around the world. Her work has taken her from Paraguay to South Sudan, Yemen, Nigeria, and beyond, delivering medical care where it’s needed most and creating opportunities for women to access education, work, and independence through reliable transportation.

Belen shares what it’s like to serve in some of the most challenging environments on the planet, why cycling has become a tool for empowerment, and how her love for sport has opened unexpected doors. She offers a rare, personal look into the resilience, hope, and human connection that drive her work, and how anyone can make an impact, no matter where they start.

Chapters:

00:00 Meet Belen Ramirez Bourdages

04:00 From Paraguay to Global Humanitarian Work

07:30 Life as a Family Physician with Doctors Without Borders

10:50 Countries That Have Shaped Her Career

14:20 Why Returning Home Can Be the Hardest Part

16:30 Founding Project Bike Love

20:10 The Power of Bikes for Women and Girls

24:00 Partnering with Local Communities for Impact

27:40 Lessons from Working Across Cultures

31:20 Women Who Inspire Her to Keep Going

35:00 Building Confidence Through Sports and Adventure

38:10 Navigating Language and Cultural Barriers

41:30 Balancing Medicine, Nonprofit Leadership, and Life

45:00 Advice for Those Who Want to Serve Globally

48:20 How to Support Project Bike Love 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

This re-release is dedicated to the late Becky Olson, who passed away on April 24, 2021. Becky was a five-time cancer survivor, professional speaker, founder of the nonprofit Breast Friends, and host of the Breast Friends Radio Show. She was also a mother, grandmother, wife, and friend who embodied humor, happiness, and hope in everything she did. When her episode first aired, I received more notes than any previous episode about how her story impacted different listeners. It’s one of the most powerful conversations we’ve had on the Powerful Ladies Podcast, an episode I’ve returned to many times for its truth, laughter, and inspiration. Becky shares her journey through multiple cancer diagnoses, how she stayed “in the light” even during the darkest moments, and the legacy she built through love, service, and joy. She talks about founding Breast Friends to support women with cancer, the power of community, and the importance of chasing your dreams, from everyday joys to bucket-list adventures.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Becky Olson

03:15 Growing Up Between Alaska, Colorado, and Seattle

06:40 Discovering a Gift for Public Speaking

10:20 First Breast Cancer Diagnosis in 1996

14:50 Founding Breast Friends with Sharon Henifin

18:30 Creating the Breast Friends Radio Show

21:45 The Power of Humor, Happiness, and Hope

25:10 How to “Stay in the Light” During Life’s Challenges

29:30 Building a Bucket List and Chasing Big Dreams

33:10 Why Everyone Should Have a Bucket List

37:25 Celebrating 40 Years of Marriage

40:45 Supporting Others Through Illness and Loss

44:30 The Role of Community in Healing

48:20 What Becky Hoped Her Legacy Would Be

52:10 How You Can Support Breast Friends

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

Caitlin Conner is an adaptive athlete, model, brand ambassador, social media manager, mom, and founder of the nonprofit Be More Adaptive. After surviving a devastating motorcycle accident while pregnant, Caitlin faced the challenges of recovery, new motherhood, and learning to walk again. She found her way forward through adaptive sports, from running and triathlon to boxing and figure skating, and built a community dedicated to connecting people with disabilities to resources worldwide. Caitlin shares how she rebuilt her confidence, why failure is part of the process, and the role resilience plays in creating a fulfilling life. Her story is proof that even in the face of life-changing events, it’s possible to design a future that reflects your passions, values, and goals.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Caitlin Conner

04:15 The Motorcycle Accident That Changed Everything

08:40 Becoming a Mother During Recovery

12:20 Learning to Walk Again

16:50 Finding Adaptive Sports

21:15 From Triathlons to Boxing and Figure Skating

25:40 Starting Be More Adaptive

29:55 Building a Global Resource Network

34:20 How Sports Build Confidence and Community

38:45 Overcoming the Fear of Failure

42:10 Advice for Anyone Facing a Life-Altering Challenge

46:00 Caitlin’s Vision for the Future of Adaptive Sports

50:15 How to Connect with Be More Adaptive

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

Connie Clotworthy is the founder of Worthy Beyond Purpose, a non-profit program that teaches kids how to win the mental game in sports and in life. After years in golf instruction, she saw that physical skills were only part of the equation. Confidence, mindset, and self-awareness mattered just as much. Today, she works with young athletes to help them build resilience, handle pressure, and see their worth beyond the scoreboard. Connie shares how her own experiences in sports shaped her approach, the tools she uses to help kids reframe challenges, and why mental performance training should be part of every athletic program. She explains how these skills not only improve performance but also prepare kids to thrive in school, relationships, and future careers. Her work proves that the most powerful victories happen long before game day.

Chapters:

00:00 Meet Connie Clotworthy, Founder of Worthy Beyond Purpose

04:15 From Golf Instruction to Mindset Coaching

07:50 Why Physical Skills Aren’t Enough for Success

11:20 Teaching Kids to See Their Worth Beyond Results

15:00 Mental Game Strategies for Young Athletes

19:00 Helping Kids Reframe Mistakes and Failures

23:30 Building Confidence That Lasts Off the Field

27:40 The Role of Parents and Coaches in Mental Training

32:10 How Mindset Skills Transfer to School and Life

36:40 Creating a Culture That Supports Mental Wellness

40:00 Why Mental Performance Should Start Early

44:30 Stories of Transformation from the Field

48:15 Advice for Parents Raising Young Athletes

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

Alicia Appleton left a corporate fashion career to build Amber Poitier, a leather accessories brand inspired by art, architecture, and the women who wear them. Her work blends bold design with timeless craftsmanship, and her journey is about more than style. It is about the courage to leave the safe path, trust your instincts, and create a life on your own terms. Alicia shares how her Jamaican heritage and early creative influences shaped her aesthetic, why she believes boundaries are essential for sustainable success, and how she navigates the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. We talk about the leap from corporate life to small business ownership, finding confidence in your vision, and building a community that fuels you. Her story is a blueprint for anyone ready to turn a personal passion into a thriving, values-driven brand.

Chapters:

00:00 Meet Alicia Appleton, Founder of Amber Poitier

03:15 Growing Up Creative and Inspired by Jamaican Roots

07:20 Lessons Learned from Corporate Fashion

10:40 Deciding to Leave the Corporate World for Entrepreneurship

14:00 Building Amber Poitier from the Ground Up

18:10 Finding Inspiration in Art, Architecture, and Culture

21:45 The Role of Boundaries in Creative Success

25:00 Navigating the Highs and Lows of Running a Brand

29:20 Balancing Creative Work with Business Demands

33:10 How Heritage Shapes Her Design Philosophy

37:00 Building Confidence and Owning Your Vision

41:30 Creating a Supportive Network of Women Entrepreneurs

45:00 Advice for Taking the Leap into Entrepreneurship

48:20 Defining Success Beyond the Bottom Line

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

This special episode of the Powerful Ladies Podcast shares the unedited recording of A Powerful Conversation About America: Racism – Episode 4, Stop Asian Hate. Recorded live on April 9, 2021, this moving panel features artist NoNo Go, comedian Sierra Katow, DJ Bella Fiasco, and entrepreneur Kalika Yap. Together, they share personal stories of anti-Asian racism, explore the cultural and generational factors that shape how we respond, and offer practical ways to stand up for our communities. From confronting stereotypes in the workplace to teaching the next generation about empathy and equity, this is an honest and essential conversation on how racism impacts Asian Americans, and what we can all do to create real change. If you’ve been asking “how can I help?” this episode is for you.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction from Kara Duffy

01:12 – Why this conversation matters right now

03:04 – NoNo Go on processing personal experiences with racism

05:48 – Sierra Katow on isolation and community support

07:02 – DJ Bella Fiasco on growing up suppressing experiences

09:22 – Kalika Yap’s experiences in Australia and Hawaii

12:03 – Fears for family safety amid rising hate crimes

15:40 – How cultural upbringing shapes compliance and speaking up

20:45 – Family resilience and generational differences

23:18 – Raising kids to recognize and reject racism

27:56 – Educating the next generation through books and media

30:45 – School bullying and when to intervene

32:59 – Racism and sexism in the workplace

36:02 – Being booked for image vs. skill in the entertainment industry

39:00 – Standing in your values as an entrepreneur

41:58 – Subtle bias, jokes, and when to call it out

45:20 – How non-Asian Americans can be allies

48:55 – Panelists share how to connect and support their work

54:00 – Closing thoughts and call to action

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 Goode is an Emmy-winning journalist, senior writer at Wired, and co-host of the Gadget Lab podcast. Her work covers the intersection of technology and humanity, from how we use consumer tech products to the cultural and ethical questions they raise. Lauren shares her journey from covering the NFL and producing video at The Wall Street Journal to interviewing tech leaders, exploring emerging products, and challenging Silicon Valley to think bigger about its role in society. She talks about the impact of events like the 2008 financial crisis on her career, the lessons learned from mentors like Walt Mossberg, and why she is drawn to stories about people solving the world’s biggest problems. This is a conversation for anyone curious about technology’s role in shaping our future and how journalism can hold it accountable.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Lauren Goode

04:15 Early Career in Sports and Video Production

07:50 Breaking into Technology Journalism

12:20 From The Wall Street Journal to Wired

16:00 Lessons from Covering Apple and Silicon Valley

20:45 Why the 2008 Financial Crisis Changed Everything

25:10 Mentorship from Walt Mossberg

29:40 Launching the Gadget Lab Podcast

33:15 How Technology Shapes Human Behavior

37:00 The Ethics of Emerging Tech

41:20 Telling Stories That Solve Big Problems

45:35 Exploring Migration in the 20th Century

47:14 Highlighting Indigenous Voices in Science

50:00 The Role of Curiosity in Journalism

53:33 Modern Technology in Historical Context

56:00 Lauren’s Favorite Interviews and Stories

59:45 Advice for Aspiring Journalists

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