Erin Machan is one of the most powerful women I know.  She plays life full out in all areas of her life. Life shows up and she’s there to match it.  She’s a competitive Cross Country CYCLIST doing crazy things like 24 hour races on her bike, she’s co-founder of the nonprofit Project Bike Love delivering bikes to women and girls around the world, she’s a beast at pushing her life to it’s max and we haven’t even gotten to her day job yet! One this episode we get into the details of what it means to play full out and show up and be brave and look back and say fuck yeah.

Rosalie Fish made headlines when she ran her state championship track meet with a red handprint painted across her face and “MMIW” on her leg, honoring the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and raising awareness about an epidemic too often ignored. A proud member of the Muckleshoot Tribe and Calet Tribal Nation, Rosalie has become a powerful voice for Indigenous women’s rights, using her platform as a competitive runner to bring visibility to injustice. She shares her journey from being the only runner on her high school team to competing at Iowa Central, what it means to be “born into politics” as a Native American woman, and how non-Native allies can truly support Indigenous communities. From confronting invisibility and cultural appropriation to preparing for her TEDx Youth talk, Rosalie’s story is one of courage, activism, and the unshakable belief that amplifying voices can create real change.

Chapters:

00:00 Meet Rosalie Fish and her fight for MMIW awareness

05:20 The power and symbolism of the red handprint

12:26 Why Native communities need to be heard, not “saved”

18:40 Growing up as a member of the Muckleshoot Tribe

25:55 Finding her voice through running and advocacy

32:10 The intersection of identity, politics, and representation

40:35 Overcoming challenges as the only runner on her team

47:50 Cultural appropriation and the white savior complex

53:15 Preparing for her TEDx Youth talk in Seattle

59:20 How allies can amplify Native voices effectively

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

Rosalie Fish appeared on ESPN and new stations globally when at her High school State Championship track meet last Spring she ran with a red handprint on her face and MMIW on her leg to bring awareness to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women epidemic.  In the US and Canada, women in indigenous communities are silenced when there is a rape, when there is abuse, and police often ignore reports when indigenous women go missing. I’m honored to have Rosalie, a young woman of the Muckleshoot Tribe, on this episode of the Powerful Ladies Podcast and to provide her a platform to share her story and the story of her tribe.

Kendal Riley DeLaura is an international destination wedding photographer whose work blends romance, adventure, and artistry. From Big Sur sunsets to weddings in Bali, Banff, and beyond, Kendal and her husband Anthony have documented over 200 love stories across the globe. She shares how she turned a passion for art and design into a thriving photography business, why she left a career in fashion to follow her dream, and what it’s really like to work side-by-side with your partner. Kendal’s journey is a testament to believing in yourself, chasing the extraordinary, and finding beauty in every detail.

Chapters:

00:00 Meet Kendal Riley DeLaura

05:15 Growing up in Nevada and a lifelong love of the outdoors

12:40 From graphic design to photography

19:22 Studying art in Florence and traveling Europe

25:50 Making the leap to full-time photographer

33:18 Building a business with her husband Anthony

42:05 Lessons from photographing over 200 weddings

50:47 Memorable shoots from Bali to Banff

57:30 The importance of trusting your creative vision

1:05:12 Powerful women and mentors who inspired her

1:12:40 Why belief and persistence matter in creative careers

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

Kendal Riley DeLaura is an stunning photographer with a gift of capturing the beauty, romance, and charm of her subjects and the world.  I cannot recommend her enough and am excited to share her story with you. She lives a charmed life that oozes magical and romantic moments including living in a hilltop home in Big Sur with her handsome husband, Anthony. Together they run an international destination wedding photography business where they travel the world capturing the important moments of love stories.  On this episode Kendal shares how she became a photographer, what it's like to work with her husband, and why it’s so important to keep reaching for new goals and believing in yourself.

Dana Ramler has built a career by daring to ask for what she truly wants. A product and experience designer, artist, and world traveler, Dana has lived and worked around the globe, from Barcelona to Vancouver Island. Her story is a reminder that audacious dreams are worth pursuing, that mindset shapes everything, and that we have more agency in designing our lives than we think. We talk about navigating career pivots, overcoming imposter syndrome, embracing rest, and saying yes to opportunities that align with your vision. This episode will inspire you to get clear on what you want, ask for it, and take the bold steps to make it happen.

Chapters:

00:00 – Meet Dana Ramler

04:12 – Life on Vancouver Island and early dreams

08:23 – The value of rest and redefining “busy”

14:23 – Choosing what fills your time

20:45 – Discovering industrial design

27:02 – The gift of naming your purpose

33:08 – Asking for what you want

42:16 – Career growth at Lululemon and beyond

54:51 – What it takes to have what you want

1:04:20 – Working abroad in Barcelona

1:14:35 – Balancing ambition and well-being

1:20:44 – Speaking at MIT and other milestones

1:32:18 – Building a life that feels like yours

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

Dana Ramler is a product and experience designer. She’s a wife, a traveler, a dreamer, a doer, a list maker, and an artist. She’s returned to Vancouver Island, Canada after 4 years living & working in Barcelona. On this episode we talk about how to make all your dreams come true, why dreaming audaciously is highly recommended, and why the magic, movie moments in life can be of your creation

Lauren Bond is a powerhouse English professor teaching at San Bernardino College, Moreno Valley College, and the University of Redlands. She’s also a new mom, a wife, a fitness enthusiast, and a lifelong learner who brings her whole self into the classroom. In our conversation, we talk about what it really takes to help students succeed, why teaching writing and reading is more than a job, and how she and her husband approach fitness and adventure as a team. Lauren shares how legislation like AB705 is reshaping education in California, why she believes teaching is one of the best careers out there, and the creative ways she connects with her students far beyond assignments and grades. From running half marathons to tackling mud runs, to helping students discover their own confidence, Lauren’s life is a reminder that education happens everywhere...and that great teachers change more than just test scores.

Chapters:

00:00 Meet Lauren Bond

04:20 Finding her calling in education

10:45 From anthropology to English professor

18:12 How AB705 is reshaping California classrooms

26:00 The “Marriage Diet” and taking on fitness as a couple

33:18 Teaching beyond academics

42:30 Helping students believe they can succeed

50:55 Adventures in running, rock climbing, and yoga

58:15 Learning from her students

1:03:00 Supporting teachers in your community

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 Bond is a good friend of mine, a new mom, and an English Professor teaching at the community college and university levels.  She’s married to Matt who’s also an English Professor. When they got engaged, they made a commitment to each other as well as to health and fitness.  On this episode we discuss the realities of being a teacher today, if it’s true that universities are pushing a liberal agenda, why teaching is one of the best career paths available, and what it looks like to take on fitness as a couple.

Lynsi Lewis, Doctor of Chinese Medicine, acupuncturist, herbalist, and yoga teacher, has built her San Diego practice around one mission: treating the whole person, not just the symptoms. Raised in small-town Alabama, she once believed healing only came through traditional Western medicine. Discovering holistic medicine transformed her life, and now she’s helping others transform theirs. We cover the gaps in America’s healthcare system, why women’s reproductive health needs more attention, the science-backed benefits of acupuncture, and the courage it takes to be fully authentic. Lynsi also shares practical tips for everyday wellness and how prevention can change your health journey. If you’ve ever wondered how to feel better, live healthier, and stay true to yourself, this conversation will leave you with insights and tools you can use today.

Chapters:

00:00 Meet Lynsi Lewis and her journey from Alabama to holistic medicine

05:12 The turning point that led her to Chinese Medicine

12:30 The difference between treating symptoms and healing the root cause

18:42 Women’s reproductive health myths and truths

25:50 The science and benefits of acupuncture

33:15 How to create daily wellness rituals that stick

40:02 Building a wellness business in San Diego

48:27 What authenticity looks like in life and work

55:11 Quick, practical self-care tips from a Doctor of Chinese Medicine

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