Why do bad things happen to good people?

n this deeply moving episode of Smart Women Talk, Rabbi Cantor Judy Greenfeld joins Katana to explore how adversity shapes purpose.

From personal tragedy to spiritual awakening, Rabbi Cantor Judy shares her journey of resilience, faith, and finding meaning. Discover how ancient prayers, movement, and daily practice can help you reconnect with your soul—and stand in your personal power no matter what you face.

Join Rabbi Cantor Judy and Katana as they discuss:

• Why bad things happen to good people.
• How life isn't happening to you - it's happening for you.
• Why true power is owning your full story.

Rabbi Cantor Judy Greenfeld is a lifelong entrepreneur, published author, and spiritual leader who blends ancient wisdom with modern wellness to guide forward-thinkers on their journey of personal growth. Her path was shaped by profound loss—the tragic death of her father when she was just 16—which sparked a lifelong exploration of healing through somatic dance, dream work, meditation, sound healing, and the mystical teachings of Kabbalah.

Today, as Senior Rabbi and Cantor at Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, Judy is committed to creating inclusive, empowering spaces where women of all backgrounds can connect, heal, and explore their unique purpose. Her work is rooted in the belief that adversity can be a powerful teacher—and that when we honor both the body and the soul, we step into our truest selves.

Learn more about Rabbi Cantor Judy at www.rabbicantorjudy.org.

#SmartWomenTalk, #RabbiJudyGreenfeld, #AdversityToStrength, #SpiritualHealing, #WakeUpWithPurpose, #DreamWork, #DailyRituals, #FaithAndFeminineWisdom, #SoulfulLiving, #WomenInLeadership, #JewishWisdom, #FindingTheGift

Feeling stuck in a successful career? You’re not alone—and you’re not broken.  

This episode features Arivee Vargas, former Big Law litigator turned executive coach and author of Your Time to Rise. Arivee shares her powerful story of career reinvention and the mindset shifts that helped her—and now help others—escape the career trap.  

You’ll learn how to spot the red flags of misalignment, how cultural expectations and perfectionism keep high-achievers stuck, and how to take the first bold steps toward work that actually feels like success.  

Whether you’re ready to pivot or just starting to question the path you’re on, this conversation will give you the clarity and courage to change course—with purpose.  

Join Arivee and Katana as they discuss:  

• Breaking free from feeling stuck.
• Redefining success on your own terms.
• Practical strategies for career realignment.

Arivee Vargas is an award-winning executive coach, author, and CEO of Humble Rising LLC. She helps high-achieving women, especially leaders and lawyers, break free from feeling stuck and realign with their true purpose. Host of The Humble Rising Podcast, she shares inspiring stories and strategies for sustainable success. Her book, Your Time to Rise, offers a four-part framework to navigate career and life transitions. Featured in Oprah Daily, Forbes, and more, she’s a sought-after speaker on empowerment and career development.

Learn more about Arivee at ariveevargas.com.

#CareerClarity, #RedefineSuccess, #ExecutiveCoach, #CareerChange, #HighAchievers, #WomenInLeadership, #PurposeDrivenWork, #MindsetShift, #LeaveTheCareerTrap, #AriveeVargas, #YourTimeToRise, #AuthenticSuccess, #WorkWithPurpose, #UnstuckYourCareer

What if the root of your chronic symptoms isn't in your head—but in your immune system? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Tom O’Bryan joins Smart Women Talk host Katana Abbott to break down the truth about autoimmune diseases and what you really need to know to take control of your health. Together, they explore:

• The 5 pillars behind the development of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
• What autoimmune disease actually is—and why awareness is your first defense
• How genetic and environmental triggers contribute to disease—and what you can do about it

Dr. Tom O’Bryan is a world-renowned expert on gluten and its connection to autoimmune conditions. With four decades of clinical and research experience, he’s a trusted voice on the complications of Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, Celiac Disease, and the growing epidemic of autoimmune conditions affecting millions worldwide.  

Learn more about Dr. Tom at thedr.com.

Medical Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health or treatment plan.

What if the key to energy, strength, and independence in your second half isn’t more exercise—but the right kind? In this powerful episode, Debra Atkinson joins Smart Women Talk host Katana Abbott to bust myths about fitness after 50 and reveal how to master your metabolism at any stage of life. You’ll learn:

• The #1 exercise priority that determines long-term independence.
•  How to know if your fitness routine is actually working—or wasting your time.
•  Why most women are measuring success the wrong way (and what to do instead).

Debra Atkinson has helped over 250,000 women “flip” their second half with hormone-smart fitness. She’s the bestselling author of You Still Got It, Girl and Hot, Not Bothered, and the host of Flipping 50 TV and the Flipping 50 Podcast—an AARP top podcast with over 2.5 million downloads. Debra’s TEDx talk, "Everything Women in Menopause Learned About Exercise May Be a Lie," has inspired women worldwide to rethink their approach to fitness and aging. Debra also created the first and only hormone-balancing fitness membership for women in menopause, along with the Flipping 50 Menopause Fitness Specialist training for professionals.

Learn more at flippingfifty.com

Medical Disclaimer: This episode is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before beginning a new fitness or health program.

Join Joanna and Katana as they discuss:

• How to find hidden stories in your life.
• Why it's never too late to reinvent yourself.
• How authenticity and self-trust are your superpowers.

Joanna Klein, founder of Journey to Legacy, is a renowned speaker, writer, and transformational coach who became an entrepreneur at age 65.
 
Drawing on her Master's in Social Work and decades of experience creating personal development programs, she guides people to uncover the hidden wisdom in their life experiences, using these insights both to shape their future and create meaningful legacies.

Joanna's innovative approach to life story work has been featured in AARP and Medium, and she has presented at the RootsTech Family Search Conference for three consecutive years. Through her signature online courses and workshops in legacy development, she's helped hundreds of individuals discover the power of their personal narratives and reconnect with their authentic selves.

At 71, Joanna continues to inspire others by demonstrating that it's never too late to reinvent yourself and pursue your dreams.

To learn more about Joanna, visit www.journeytolegacy.com.

Join Shannon and Katana as they discuss:

• How to embrace change as an opportunity.
• How to recognize transferable skills for your next act.
• How to design a roadmap from here to there.

Shannon Russell is a Television Producer turned Entrepreneur and Career Transition/Business Coach. She is also an Exit Strategy Expert, YouMap® Coach, Author, Speaker, and Host of the Second Act Success Career Podcast and the How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business Podcast. 

Shannon supports women who are unhappy with their 9-5 jobs as they pivot towards a "second act," building a business and being their own boss. She provides exit strategy guidance and helps her clients transition from employees to entrepreneurs.

Shannon began her career by spending over 16 years as a television producer in New York City and Los Angeles, working for MTV, E!, Yahoo!, Pop Sugar, A&E, TLC, VH1, etc. She then pivoted to open her own business, running a Snapology franchise that teaches children STEM education so that she could be more present for her children.

As a certified Career/Business Coach, Shannon supports women as they change careers, start businesses, and follow their passions to the fullest. Shannon’s motto is "produce your best life!" Her company, Second Act Success®, allows her to share her journey and experience as a television executive turned business owner and mom with others.

Shannon's mission is to motivate more women to make big life moves. She does so through her coaching practice, podcast, speaking engagements, and forthcoming book, Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life.

To learn more about Shannon, visit www.secondactsuccess.co.

Take Charge of Your Finances with Eva Moulton, CFP®

Join Eva and Katana as they discuss:

• The first steps to building a healthy financial foundation for taking control of your money.
• The best resources and strategies to help you manage and grow your finances.
• The one simple step you can take today to make a lasting impact on your financial future.

Eva started her career with Ameriprise as a financial advisor over 25 years ago and now runs a practice focused on empowering and guiding clients to financial stability and fulfillment by offering comprehensive solutions, through expertise and unwavering integrity. As a mom of three girls, and a daughter to a woman who was widowed at 57, she is an ardent advocate of women in finance and was the president of the Ameriprise Women's Empowerment network which sought to not only educate and engage women in finance both personally and professionally but also to empower them to strive for financial equality.

To learn more about Eva, visit www.ameripriseadvisors.com.

#SmartWomenTalk #EvaMoultonCFP #MoneyMatters #WomenWhoInvest #InvestSmart
#FinancialFreedom #WealthBuilding #FinanceForHer #BudgetLikeABoss #CFPTips


DISCLAIMER: The information Smart Women's Empowerment and Smart Women Talk provides is for general informational purposes only. All information is provided in good faith; however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL WE HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF OR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK. We cannot and do not offer financial and/or medical advice. The information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals before taking any actions based on such information.

The Biggest Money Mistakes Women Make with Katana Abbott, CFP® and Colleen Kilpatrick

Join Colleen and Katana as they discuss:

• Why many women often avoid dealing with finances and how to find the courage to take action.
• How your money personality can sabotage your ability to create wealth.
• Some simple tips you can take to immediately change your relationship with money.

Katana Abbott, CFP®, is a Midlife Millionaires® Coach and Certified Social Security Claiming Specialist, and the host of Smart Women Talk. For over 35 years, Katana has helped Baby Boomers plan for retirement, including how to create lifetime income, how to optimize their Social Security benefits, launch an encore career, and prepare for long-term care. She has written several books, created a financial literacy course, and is a popular speaker. Katana has been honored by NAWBO as one of Detroit’s Top 10 Businesswomen, receiving the Breakthrough Award. To download her new retirement guide, Three Smart Strategies to Maximize Your Retirement Income, visit www.katanaabbott.com.

Colleen Kilpatrick is a Speaker, Course Creator, and Author of Eliminate What You Tolerate, a concise but mighty book that has earned a 5-star rating on Amazon for helping readers identify and release what no longer serves them and make room for what lights them up. Trained in the healing arts at her Mother’s side, Colleen is also a Wellbeing Mentor, helping women discover the transformative powers of ancient and modern wisdom, remedies, and self-care practices to revitalize body, mind, and spirit naturally. To get your free Eliminate What You Tolerate Worksheet, email Colleen at [email protected].

DISCLAIMER: The information Smart Women's Empowerment and Smart Women Talk provides is for general informational purposes only. All information is provided in good faith; however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information.   UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL WE HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF OR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.   We cannot and do not offer financial and/or medical advice. The information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals before taking any actions based on such information.

Mastering the Art of Letting Go with Colleen Kilpatrick  

Join Colleen and Katana as they discuss:  

• Simple and effective techniques you can put into practice today to identify what's been been draining your energy.
• The steps you can take to eliminate tolerations.
• How to identify long-lost dreams and hidden passions you'll now explore with your energy and enthusiasm.  

Colleen Kilpatrick is a Speaker, Course Creator, and Author of Eliminate What You Tolerate, a concise but mighty book that has earned a 5-star rating on Amazon for helping readers identify and release what no longer serves them and make room for what lights them up. Trained in the healing arts at her Mother’s side, Colleen is also a Wellbeing Mentor, helping women discover the transformative powers of ancient and modern wisdom, remedies, and self-care practices to revitalize body, mind, and spirit naturally.

To get your free Eliminate What You Tolerate Worksheet, email Colleen at [email protected].

Making Space for What Really Matters with Tracy McCubbin

Join Tracy and Katana as they discuss:

• How five minutes of decluttering daily can make a tremendous difference in your life.
• Why making space for what really matters is essential to creating a happy home.
• Cracking the myth that your home has to be perfect. It doesn't!

Tracy McCubbin is the CEO and founder of dClutterfly, one of America’s top decluttering companies. In the last two decades, she has helped thousands of clients clear the clutter in their lives to create space for positive life changes. Tracy is also the author of Making Space, Clutter Free and her latest book Make Space for Happiness. Tracy looks at the root of our clutter to find the real cause and ways to find real solutions.

Learn more about Tracy at dclutterfly.com and on Instagram and YouTube.

Get Tracy's FREE Gift:

Grab three of Tracy McCubbin's top checklists to help you kickstart your organization journey. Below are the checklists you will receive

• Should It Stay or Should it Go - Tracy's list of questions that will help you decide if you truly need those things taking up space in the back of your closet.
• Things to Declutter in Under 5 Minutes - 25 categories that you can declutter in the blink of an eye.
• Kitchen Checklist - Tracy's most comprehensive checklist of every item you need in your kitchen (and how much of everything you really need.)

Go to dclutterfly.com/checklists to get your FREE gift!