What if your money could do more than sit in a retirement account?

This month on Smart Women Talk, we’re joined by Marcia Dawood, global leader in angel investing and author of Doing Good While Doing Well, for a conversation that will completely change how you think about investing.

Marcia breaks down what angel investing actually is (no finance degree required), why women are uniquely wired to be exceptional investors, and how anyone—yes, even with as little as $100—can invest in ideas, founders, and innovations they care about.

You’ll learn:

• What angel investing really means (and how it’s different from Shark Tank)
• Why women founders receive only ~2% of venture capital—and how that can change
• How to start investing with your values, not just your wallet
• Creative ways to invest using donor-advised funds, IRAs, and equity crowdfunding
• Simple, low-risk first steps to explore this world without feeling overwhelmed

If you’ve ever wanted your money to reflect what matters most to you, this episode is a must-listen.

Marcia Dawood is an early-stage investor and national leader in expanding women’s access to capital, now championing a bold new message with her forthcoming book, Unapologetic Wealth: Rewrite Your Money Story from Any Beginning  (March 10, 2026).

As Chair of the SEC’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, a venture partner with Mindshift Capital, and chair emeritus of the Angel Capital Association, she has helped rewrite the rules of who gets to build and benefit from innovation.

She founded the ACA’s Growing Women’s Capital Group and has invested in more than 50 early-stage companies and funds, always pushing for diversity, impact, and financial agency. Marcia is also the award-winning author of Do Good While Doing Well and a TEDx speaker whose work inspires women to step into wealth with confidence and zero apology.

Connect with Marcia at MarciaDawood.com.

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Have you ever felt the pull to do something bold—but hesitated? In this episode of Smart Women Talk, host Katana Abbott sits down with Alexis Nataf, founder of Konjo Cruising Indonesia, to explore what happens when you say yes to adventure. Alexis leads intimate dive and expedition cruises through Indonesia’s hidden waters—from Raja Ampat, the epicenter of global marine biodiversity, to remote islands few travelers will ever see. But this conversation goes far beyond travel. It’s about courage, transformation, and reclaiming your sense of wonder—at any age.

You’ll learn:

• Why Indonesia is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth
• What life is really like aboard traditional wooden sailing vessels
• How immersive sea travel can spark deep personal transformation
• Why women traveling solo (including over 60!) are thriving on these expeditions
• How facing fear—underwater and above—can change how you live

This is an invitation to dive deeper—into the ocean and into yourself.

🔗 Explore Konjo Cruising Indonesia: https://konjocruisingindonesia.com/
🎥 Watch breathtaking expedition footage by Sam Indowild: https://www.youtube.com/@IndoWild

Have you ever dreamed of traveling to Africa, India, or Southeast Asia—but didn’t go because no one could join you?

In this episode of Smart Women Talk, Katana Abbott interviews Susan Harvey, President of Worldwide Operations and Contracting for Overseas Adventure Travel, a women-founded travel company known for welcoming solo women travelers over 50. You’ll learn:

• Why solo travel doesn’t have to mean lonely or unsafe
• How OAT designs trips specifically for solo women
• What “day-in-the-life” cultural experiences really look like
• Why local guides and small groups make all the difference
• The destinations women love most—and the ones they’re nervous to try (but should!)

Plus, Susan shares unforgettable stories—from joining a wedding procession in India to breaking bread with local families around the world.

👉 Learn more and request a brochure (plus a free guide for solo women travelers): oattravel.com

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about purpose, passion, and prosperity.

What does it really mean to leave a lasting legacy—and how do you do it without losing your values, your family, or yourself along the way?

In this powerful Smart Women Talk episode, Katana Abbott is joined by Phillip Fisher, Founder of Mission Throttle, and his daughter, Amanda Fisher, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and third-generation foundation trustee. Together, they share a deeply personal and practical conversation about wealth, purpose, and multi-generational impact. 

Phillip reflects on the legacy of his parents, Max M. and Marjorie Fisher, and the guiding philosophy that “all giving starts with your heart—and then you use your head.” He explains how families can align values across generations, move beyond transactional giving, and embrace impact investing as a tool for sustainable social change.

Amanda brings a fresh, next-generation perspective—sharing how she balances career, philanthropy, and family while serving in leadership roles across multiple organizations. She offers candid insight into learning when to say no, finding work-life balance, and using both passion and discipline to make a meaningful difference.

This episode explores:

• What legacy really means beyond money
• How families make philanthropic decisions together
• Why wealth is an obligation—not an entitlement
• How women can pursue financial empowerment and give back
• The power of aligning your values, investments, and impact

If you’ve ever wondered how to build wealth with purpose—or how to leave the world better than you found it—this conversation will stay with you.

Have you ever thought, “I wish I had recorded Grandma’s stories before she passed”—and realized you waited too long? In this episode of Smart Women Talk, host Katana Abbott interviews Lauren Ferrara, former TV news anchor and founder of Why Wait Stories, about why our stories are one of the most meaningful legacies we can leave behind. Lauren shares how losing her dad—and filming his memorial—changed the entire course of her life and career. She explains why there’s no such thing as an “ordinary” life, how storytelling can be deeply healing, and why women’s stories in particular are often overlooked but absolutely essential. In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why capturing stories can matter just as much as passing down money or heirlooms
• How to start recording family stories using nothing more than your phone
• Creative ways to use photos, old home movies, and even memorials as story-gathering moments
• The unexpected emotional and healing power of telling and hearing family stories
• How sharing stories can help the next generation understand the values behind their inheritance

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or daughter carrying forward your family’s history, this conversation will inspire you to stop waiting and start capturing the stories that matter most.

Connect with Lauren Ferrara: Website: whywaitstories.com

Learn more about Smart Women’s Empowerment: Get free resources, courses, and updates at JoinSmartWomen.com.

How to Build a Remote Team Without Burnout with Jana Franklin

So many women start a business for freedom—only to find themselves working more than ever as the chief, cook, and bottle washer in their own company. In this episode of Smart Women Talk, host Katana Abbott interviews Jana Franklin, serial entrepreneur and Founder & CEO of CEO Concierge, a premium virtual assistant agency with a 75+ person international team. Jana shares how she:

• Went from corporate fashion and multi-unit franchise owner (Jimmy John’s & Fantastic Sams) to leading a remote team
• Discovered the power of matching tasks to personality—“front stage” vs. “backstage” work
• Built systems, SOPs, and support so she could stop doing everything herself
• Helps entrepreneurs reclaim entire days each week by delegating email, admin, hiring, licensing, and more

You’ll learn practical steps to:

• Decide what to delegate (starting with a simple one-week exercise)
• Think differently about money, risk, and hiring support
• Use virtual assistants to scale your business without sacrificing your health or family
• Build a remote team rooted in values, systems, and intentional leadership

If you’re overwhelmed, maxed out, and know you can’t grow by doing more yourself, this conversation will show you a realistic, affordable path to finally getting the support you deserve.

Learn more about Jana and CEO Concierge: https://www.ceoconcierge.com
Join our free Smart Women community: JoinSmartWomen.com

Take Charge of Your Life with Dr. Arin Reeves

Why do so many women feel tired of being tired—even after eight hours of sleep?

In this powerful episode of Smart Women Talk, host Katana Abbott sits down with bestselling author and leadership consultant Dr. Arin Reeves to unpack the real reason women are burned out—and why “self-care” isn’t the solution.

Discover how to identify and plug the “energy leaks” in your life, set boundaries that actually hold, and manage your energy (not just your time). Arin also breaks down the misunderstood stress gap between men and women in the workplace—and how women can reclaim their power without guilt or exhaustion.

Topics include:

• Why self-care can sometimes add stress
• The “canoe with holes” metaphor for burnout How to identify what’s draining vs. energizing you
• The three kinds of energy: physical, cognitive, and emotional
• Practical steps to delete, delegate, and reset

Learn more about Arin and her latest book In Charge: The Energy Management Guide for Badass Women Who Are Tired of Being Tired at arinreeves.com.

Subscribe for more empowering conversations at SmartWomenTalk.com.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you or someone you love is navigating a diagnosis, this conversation is for you. Host Katana Abbott sits down with Dr. Mensa, an expert in integrative oncology, to explore how nutrition, lifestyle, mind–body practices, and smart testing can help patients thrive during treatment—not just get through it. Katana also shares her personal journey with early-stage breast cancer, the choices she made (including cryoablation), and how having a coordinated care “quarterback” changed everything. Together they demystify naturopathic/integrative care—what it is, how it complements surgery/chemo/radiation, and practical steps women can start today. You’ll learn:

• What integrative oncology is—and how it supports conventional treatment
• Evidence-informed nutrition basics (think: “rainbow plate,” anti-inflammatory herbs, smart sugar strategy)
• Why stress, sleep, and mindset matter—and easy ways to start
• Which labs and hormone markers can inform a more personalized plan
• Post-treatment tips to reduce recurrence risk and protect heart/bone health

Resources mentioned:
• Dr. Mensa’s clinic: aimnatural.com
• Join our community + get our free course Unlock Your Financial Power: JoinSmartWomen.com


Dr. Jeffrey Mensah is a board-certified naturopath and integrative medicine specialist at the Associates of Integrative Medicine in Michigan. He bridges conventional oncology with evidence-based natural therapies to help patients thrive through and beyond cancer treatment. Dr. Mensah’s approach focuses on nutrition, mind-body medicine, metabolic health, and reducing treatment side effects while supporting long-term wellness. He is also a fellow of the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners and an educator on topics such as cancer nutrition, stress management, and survivorship. Learn more at aimnatural.com


Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode of Smart Women Talk is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition, treatment options, or before starting any new health regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard in this program.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we’re spotlighting a critical—but often overlooked—piece of the journey: financial toxicity. Katana welcomes Molly MacDonald, co-founder & CEO of The Pink Fund and Editor-in-Chief of Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine.

After her own diagnosis upended her livelihood, Molly built a national nonprofit that has paid nearly $11 million in non-medical bills for patients in active treatment—housing, transportation, utilities, and insurance—so they can stay on therapy and focus on healing.

We also explore the magazine’s mission to educate, inspire, and deliver hope; the SurThrivor™ mindset; and community-powered fundraising like Dancing with the Survivors. 

You’ll learn:

• What “financial toxicity” looks like—and practical ways to prevent treatment disruption
• How The Pink Fund’s 90-day “financial bridge” works (what’s covered & who qualifies)
• Why education and mindset (via Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine) are essential to survivorship

Resources & links:
The Pink Fund (apply, donate, become an ambassador): https://pinkfund.org
Subscribe free to Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine: https://pinkfund.org

What if AI could give you back 30 hours a week—without sacrificing your voice or your brand?

In this episode, Smart Women Talk host, Katana Abbott, sits down with marketing strategist and AI expert Kendra Corman to unpack how she went from 14-hour days to building a smarter, lighter business with AI as her strategic partner. You’ll learn:

• How to train AI to write in your authentic voice (Kendra’s “Voice Paragraph Method”).
• Set guardrails so AI challenges your thinking instead of just agreeing.
• Start small with high-impact workflows you repeat all the time.

We also cover practical tips on organizing chats and memories, sanity-saving prompts, and why kindness—even to your AI—pays off. You’ll hear:

• The Voice Paragraph Method for brand-true writing.
• How to make AI your strategic partner (not just a content machine).
• Starter prompts & projects that save hours right away.
• Smart ways to keep your AI projects, folders, and “memories” organized.

Kendra Corman is a marketing strategist, AI expert, and author who went from working 7 days a week, 14 hours a day to saving 30-40 hours per week using artificial intelligence. She's taught thousands of entrepreneurs how to leverage AI to create abundance in their businesses while maintaining their authentic voice. Kendra hosts the "Imperfect Marketing" podcast and has spoken on stages across the country about AI and marketing strategy. Her mission is to help business owners do more effective marketing with fewer resources so they can focus on what truly matters.
Connect with Kendra at kendracorman.com/linkedin.