What does it look like to build a platform dedicated to hope, balance, and positivity in a world that often feels dominated by negativity?

In this episode of the Starter Girlz Podcast, Jennifer Loehding sits down with organizational psychologist, author, and media personality Dr. Marissa Pei, often known as the “Asian Oprah,” to explore the journey that led her from teaching at UCLA to hosting a globally recognized talk show focused on happiness and personal mastery.

Before stepping into media, Dr. Marissa spent years teaching organizational psychology and studying workplace dynamics, leadership, and human behavior. But a conversation with a student opened the door to something unexpected — a new path that eventually led her behind the microphone.

What followed was the creation of her long-running talk show Take My Advice, I’m Not Using It: Get Balanced with Dr. Marissa, where she has spent more than a decade interviewing thought leaders, celebrities, and experts while sharing conversations centered around resilience, perspective, and the pursuit of happiness.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• The journey that led Dr. Marissa from teaching organizational psychology to hosting a global talk show

ABOUT DR. MARISSA PEI

Dr. Marissa Pei is an organizational psychologist, author, speaker, and media personality often referred to as the “Asian Oprah.”

She is the host and producer of the award-winning talk show and podcast Take My Advice, I’m Not Using It: Get Balanced with Dr. Marissa, which has aired for more than a decade and reached millions of listeners across major platforms including iHeartRadio and YouTube.

Prior to entering media, Dr. Marissa taught at UCLA’s Anderson School of Business and worked with organizations and Fortune 500 companies on leadership, workplace dynamics, and communication.

Through her speaking, writing, and media work, she focuses on helping people develop personal mastery, resilience, and a healthier relationship with themselves and the world around them.

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Life Doesn’t Suck Mindset

CONNECT WITH DR. MARISSA PEI

Website: https://linktr.ee/drmarissa

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Website: https://startergirlz.com

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What does it take to pursue an acting career in Hollywood and leave behind the familiarity of a small-town life?

In this episode of the Starter Girlz Podcast, Jennifer Loehding sits down with actor, writer, and producer Nate Mayes to explore the personal journey behind building a creative life in Los Angeles.

Originally from Arkansas, Nate grew up surrounded by creativity — painting, storytelling, and exploring different forms of artistic expression. But it wasn’t until a simple moment while painting a mural in Los Angeles that something shifted. Someone asked a question that stuck with him: why not pursue acting seriously?

Soon after graduating college, Nate packed up his belongings, left behind his small-town community, and moved to Los Angeles to build a career in film.

Since then, he has been steadily developing his craft — acting, writing, and producing independent projects while learning what it means to bring characters to life in authentic and meaningful ways.

This conversation isn’t about Hollywood fame.

It’s about creativity.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

ABOUT NATE MAYES

Nate Mayes is a Los Angeles-based actor, writer, and producer originally from Arkansas. After graduating from Harding University, Nate made the bold decision to move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film and storytelling. Since then, he has been building his body of work through independent films, short films, and creative collaborations while also developing original content of his own.

Passionate about character-driven storytelling, Nate focuses on portraying complex, authentic characters and exploring the emotional depth behind every role he plays. Through acting, writing, and producing, he continues to pursue meaningful storytelling and creative collaboration.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Chasing the Scene High

CONNECT WITH NATE MAYES

Instagram: @natejmayes

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Website: startergirlz.com
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“I don’t even know how I survived the days.”

After surviving childhood trauma, domestic violence, and rebuilding her life in America from nothing, Zee Wilcox believed the hardest chapters were behind her — until a Texas family court judge removed her 7-year-old daughter without evidence.

In this episode of the Starter Girlz Podcast, Jennifer Loehding sits down with American citizen, small business owner, mother of three, stepmother of five, and Texas House District 98 candidate Zee Wilcox for one of the most powerful conversations to date.

Born and raised under communism in Czechoslovakia, Zee grew up in poverty as the oldest of six children, becoming a caregiver at just nine years old. At 21, she immigrated to the United States alone, barely speaking English, determined to build a better life.

Years later, after leaving an abusive marriage, she found herself facing what she describes as a broken family court system — temporarily losing custody of her daughter in a ruling that was later fully overturned. What followed was not only a fight for her child, but a deeper reckoning with power, accountability, and the responsibility to use her voice.

This episode explores resilience, generational trauma, domestic violence, judicial authority, and why embracing the start sometimes begins in your most painful chapter.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

ABOUT ZEE WILCOX

Zee Wilcox is an American citizen, wife, mother of three, stepmother of five, small business owner, community advocate, and candidate for Texas House District 98.

Born and raised in communist Czechoslovakia, she immigrated to the United States at age 21 with little English and no safety net. Through perseverance and grit, she built a business, a family, and a life rooted in resilience.

After experiencing what she believes are systemic failures within the Texas family court system — including temporarily losing custody of her daughter in a ruling that was later overturned — Zee became a vocal advocate for judicial accountability and reform.

She is now running for office with a mission to protect families, defend parental rights, and bring transparency to systems that directly impact children.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Teaser: “I Don’t Even Know How I Survived”
01:00 – Podcast Welcome and Sponsor
04:00 – Growing Up Under Communism
09:00 – Childhood Trauma and Caregiving at Nine
15:00 – Coming to America Alone
20:00 – Learning to Survive in a New Country
26:00 – Domestic Violence and Narcissistic Abuse
32:00 – Leaving the Marriage
40:00 – The TRO and Losing Custody
46:00 – The Courtroom Experience
55:00 – Filing the De Novo Appeal
01:02:00 – Overturning the Ruling
01:10:00 – Financial and Emotional Costs
01:18:00 – Judicial Accountability
01:25:00 – Running for Texas House District 98

CONNECT WITH ZEE WILCOX

Websites: zeeforhd98.com and theintentionalstore.com

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Website: startergirlz.com
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The music industry can open doors quickly. From being signed by Michael Jackson and later Madonna’s Maverick label as part of the boy band No Authority, Ricky Rebel experienced early fame at the highest level.

But what happens when the industry shifts?

In this episode of the Starter Girlz Podcast, Jennifer Loehding sits down with singer, songwriter, producer, and media personality Ricky Rebel for a grounded conversation about reinvention, creative control, and redefining success beyond external validation.

From touring during the height of the pop era to navigating the disruption of the music industry after 9/11 and digital piracy, Ricky shares how those turning points forced him to step into ownership — producing his own music, building his own brand, and mentoring the next generation of artists.

Together, Jennifer and Ricky explore identity, resilience, internal validation, releasing perfectionism, and why success today looks less like fame — and more like freedom.

This episode isn’t about celebrity.

It’s about reinvention, growth, and choosing to own your voice when the path changes.

WHAT YOU’LL LEAARN IN THIS EPISODE

ABOUT RICKY REBEL

Ricky Rebel is a singer, songwriter, producer, and media personality whose career spans music, performance, and television. He first gained national recognition as a member of the boy band No Authority, signed by Michael Jackson and later Madonna’s Maverick label.

Following major shifts in the music industry, Ricky reinvented himself as an independent artist — producing his own music, earning Billboard chart recognition, expanding into acting and hosting, and recently being inducted into the American Entertainment Hall of Fame. He continues to develop new music, including his upcoming EDM album Filling the Void, while mentoring aspiring artists.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – MJ and Madonna Tease
00:54 – Podcast Welcome Setup
01:30 – Sponsor and Community Plug
03:01 – Meet Ricky Rebel
04:53 – From Gymnastics to Dance
06:43 – Signed by Michael Jackson
07:53 – Madonna Tour Breakthrough
10:08 – Fame Shock and Fan Chaos
11:09 – Going Solo After 9/11
13:08 – Becoming Your Own Producer
18:16 – Choosing Projects and Vegas Residency
20:09 – Mentoring Young Artists with Science
24:31 – Self-Validation and Gratitude
30:54 – Owning Your Voice
32:55 – Defining Success as Fun
33:52 – Mirror of Love Mindset
36:10 – Find Your Creative Passion
37:34 – Stop Overthinking, Release It
42:28 – What’s Next: New Projects
44:52 – Words Matter & Self-Talk
46:30 – Fitness & Personal Habits
48:24 – Madonna & Funny Moments
51:16 – Wrap Up & Where to Follow

CONNECT WITH RICKY REBEL

Website: rickyrebelrocks.com
Instagram: @rickyrebelrocks

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Website: startergirlz.com
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Apply HERE.

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Fear is powerful. It can override logic, silence intuition, and convince us to stay small.

But what if fear isn’t your intuition at all?

In this episode of the Starter Girlz Podcast, Jennifer Loehding sits down with spiritual psychotherapist, clinical mental health counselor, hypnotherapist, shamanic practitioner, and actor Maria Micha for a grounded conversation about subconscious blocks, ancestral patterns, and reclaiming personal power.

From growing up in Athens, Greece, to studying in the UK and later expanding her work in Singapore and Los Angeles, Maria shares how her journey led her to blend psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, neuroscience, and spiritual practice to help individuals transform from the inside out.

Together, Jennifer and Maria explore how education can disconnect us from our inner voice, how fear often masquerades as intuition, and why life’s biggest challenges can become catalysts for growth.

This episode isn’t about quick fixes.

It’s about awareness, curiosity, and remembering that there is always more available to you.

⭐ What You’ll Hear in This Episode
✅ Why fear can override intuition — and how to tell the difference
✅ How education trains us to doubt our inner voice
✅ Training intuition through low-stakes decisions
✅ The subconscious mind and how beliefs form neural pathways
✅ How challenges catalyze growth
✅ Breaking victim mentality and reclaiming personal power
✅ The impact of ancestral patterns on money, identity, and behavior
✅ The connection between thoughts, somatization, and physical health
✅ Maria’s three-part definition of success
✅ How psychotherapy informs her work as an actor

🎙️ About Maria Micha
Maria Micha is a spiritual psychotherapist, clinical mental health counselor, hypnotherapist, shamanic practitioner, and actor trained in the UK and the United States.

For nearly three decades, she has guided individuals through deep personal transformation by combining psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, neuroscience, and spiritual insight. Her work focuses on helping people release subconscious blocks, break inherited patterns, and reconnect with their intuition.

Currently based in Los Angeles, Maria works globally with clients and is launching a free three-day online course designed to help individuals overcome health, financial, and emotional blocks and build a roadmap for sustainable growth.

🤝 Connect with Maria Micha
• Website – https://www.mariamicha.com
• Instagram – @officialmariamicha

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Website: https://startergirlz.com

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Leadership in high-stakes environments doesn’t have to mean ego, burnout, or losing yourself.

In this episode of the Starter Girlz Podcast, Jennifer Loehding sits down with global executive leader and author Patrick Kamba for a grounded conversation about quiet ambition, leadership under pressure, and redefining success beyond titles and validation.

With more than 20 years of experience leading complex programs across pharmaceuticals, biotech, transportation, and global project management — including vaccine initiatives for major organizations — Patrick shares what real leadership looks like when responsibility is real and decisions must be made without perfect information.

From starting his own business in just 17 days after losing his job during COVID to mentoring women leaders without forcing them to be loud or aggressive, Patrick offers a refreshing perspective on influence, humility, and self-worth.

This episode isn’t about becoming louder.

It’s about becoming grounded — and building leadership that others genuinely want to follow.

⭐ What You’ll Hear in This Episode
✅ What “quiet ambition” really means in today’s leadership landscape
✅ Leading global teams in high-pressure, high-stakes environments
✅ Why great leaders don’t have all the answers — and shouldn’t
✅ Making confident decisions with incomplete data
✅ The difference between self-confidence and self-worth
✅ Mentoring women leaders without forcing them to change who they are
✅ Why listening is the most underrated leadership skill
✅ How success evolves from titles and ego to fulfillment and alignment
✅ Launching a business in 17 days during lockdown
✅ Creating safe spaces people actually want to follow

🎙️ About Patrick Kamba
Patrick Kamba is a global executive leader in project management with over 20 years of experience guiding complex, high-stakes programs across pharmaceuticals, steel, automotive, and transportation.

He has led vaccine and biotech initiatives for major organizations including GSK and Johnson & Johnson and has mentored dozens of emerging leaders worldwide.

Patrick is the author of Quiet Ambition, a book that explores how to achieve meaningful success without ego or burnout — leading with clarity, humility, and resilience.

Through speaking, mentoring, and executive leadership, he helps professionals grow influence while staying grounded in who they are.

🤝 Connect with Patrick Kamba
• Website – https://patrickkamba.com
• LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickkamba

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If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you never miss conversations about leadership, resilience, reinvention, and building success that aligns with who you truly are.

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🌐 Website: https://startergirlz.com

🙌 Partner: Walt Mills Productions

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Big dreams, personal growth, and the mindset required to think bigger often begin with being challenged to stop playing small.

In this episode of the Starter Girlz Podcast, Jennifer Loehding sits down with podcast host and creator Zach Randles-Friedman for a candid conversation about big dreams, imposter syndrome, mindset, and the courage to stop playing small.

Zach shares the pivotal moment he was told his dreams weren’t bold enough — and how that challenge shifted his ambition, confidence, and growth as a creator. What followed were bigger conversations and the realization that sometimes success begins with simply sending the DM.

From corporate life to building a platform that amplifies deeply personal and culture-shifting stories, Zach opens up about what he’s learned through interviewing hundreds of guests — from athletes and creators to individuals navigating identity, reinvention, and resilience.

This episode isn’t about how to start a podcast. It’s about daring to dream bigger than your comfort zone — and having the courage to act on it.

⭐ What You’ll Hear in This Episode
✅ The moment Zach realized he was playing small
✅ Why being “embarrassed” by your dreams might be a good sign
✅ How persistence opens doors you didn’t think were possible
✅ Navigating imposter syndrome as your platform grows
✅ Why meaningful conversations can truly change lives
✅ The difference between chasing visibility and creating impact
✅ Lessons learned from interviewing powerful, vulnerable guests
✅ Why success is a moving target — and how to redefine it
✅ The power of asking boldly (even when you feel too small)
✅ Why amplifying others’ stories creates ripple effects

🎙️ About Zach Randles-Friedman

Zach Randles-Friedman is the host and creator of Everything and Anything and A Bit Gay, a long-form interview podcast featuring artists, athletes, creators, activists, and everyday individuals sharing deeply personal stories. Known for his warmth and thoughtful interviewing style, Zach creates space for conversations that explore identity, growth, resilience, and cultural impact.

Through his work, he highlights the transformative power of dialogue and the courage it takes to live authentically.

🤝 Connect with Zach

• Website – https://everythingandanythingpodcast.com

• Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/realzachr

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💬 Connect with Starter Girlz
🌐 Website: https://startergirlz.com

🙌 Partner: Walt Mills Productions

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After 73 surgeries and permanent paralysis, this Marine proves that grit isn’t motivation — it’s a decision.

In this episode of Starter Girlz, Jennifer Loehding sits down with Marine veteran, entrepreneur, and lifelong builder Jay Setchell to explore what it truly means to keep going when life has pushed you to the edge. After surviving multiple near-death experiences and enduring life-altering medical challenges, Jay shares how resilience, discipline, and ownership shaped the way he approaches both business and life.

This conversation isn’t about surface-level motivation or temporary inspiration. It’s about perspective. It’s about valuing time differently after facing mortality. It’s about choosing strength when surrender would be easier. 

Together, they unpack what relentless grit actually looks like in real life — not as a feeling, but as a daily decision.

This episode is a powerful reminder that while adversity may change your body, it does not have to define your spirit.

⭐ What You’ll Hear in This Episode
✅ How multiple near-death experiences reshaped his outlook on life
✅ The physical and mental endurance required to withstand 73 surgeries
✅ Navigating permanent paralysis while continuing to build and lead
✅ How Marine discipline forged mental resilience
✅ Why attitude can outweigh circumstance
✅ The role of ownership in both recovery and entrepreneurship
✅ Valuing time differently after facing mortality
✅ Staying active and engaged despite physical limitations
✅ Reflections on grit, responsibility, and choosing perspective daily

🤝 Connect with Jay Setchell
• Website: www.neverquittrying.com

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💬 Connect with Starter Girlz
🌐 Website: https://startergirlz.com
🙌 Partner: Walt Mills Productions

📌 Want to Be a Guest on Starter Girlz?
If you have a story that can inspire others, connect with Jennifer Loehding on PodMatch:
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Success in creative fields isn’t just about talent — it’s about courage, persistence, and the willingness to transform fear into growth.

In this episode of Starter Girlz, Jennifer Loehding sits down with LA-based actor and producer Anabelle Ciancuillo to unpack how a sixth-grade musical ignited a lifelong passion, and how she has turned life experience, discipline, and creativity into a thriving career. From her Chicago roots to the energy of Los Angeles, Anabelle shares how she builds the person before learning the lines, protects her creativity when art becomes a job, and translates unconventional practices like Muay Thai, aerial arts, and surfing into focus and presence on stage and on screen.

Together, they explore the lessons learned from growth, missteps, and dedication to craft — and how fear, challenges, and life experience can become tools for authenticity and mastery. This episode isn’t about shortcuts or formulas — it’s about insight, reflection, and inspiration for anyone pursuing a creative path or striving to live fully and authentically.

⭐ What You’ll Hear in This Episode
✅ How growing up as a child of deaf adults shaped empathy and perception
✅ Why building the person comes before learning the role
✅ Turning fear and vulnerability into fuel for creativity
✅ Lessons from stage, screen, and life that cultivate presence and authenticity
✅ How unconventional practices like movement, Muay Thai, and surfing inform craft
✅ Strategies for maintaining joy, curiosity, and growth in a competitive industry
✅ Defining success on your own terms, beyond accolades or recognition
✅ Stories that highlight courage, focus, and creative experimentation
✅ Practical insights for aspiring creatives and professionals alike

🎙️ About Anabelle Ciancuillo
Anabelle Ciancuillo is an LA-based actor and producer originally from Chicago, known for her craft-driven approach to performance, movement, and character work. With a lifelong passion for creativity, Anabelle builds authenticity into every role she takes, translating life experience, unconventional practices, and personal discipline into stage and screen performances that resonate. She inspires others to pursue their craft with courage, intention, and joy.

🤝 Connect with Annabelle
• Instagram: @anabellechinch
• Website/Portfolio: www.anabelleciancuillo.com

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If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you never miss episodes about growth, creativity, courage, and navigating life with authenticity.

💬 Connect with Starter Girlz
🌐 Website: https://startergirlz.com
🙌 Partner: Walt Mills Productions

📌 Want to Be a Guest on Starter Girlz?
If you have a story that can inspire others, connect with Jennifer Loehding on PodMatch:
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Success doesn’t always look the way we expect — and sometimes the hardest part of growth is realizing it’s time to redefine it.

In this episode of Starter Girlz, Jennifer Loehding sits down with Mark Bruce and Duane Gibbs, co-founders of Huddle for Success, for a powerful, honest conversation about navigating life’s plateaus, reinventing yourself, and making intentional choices that align with who you are now — not who you used to be.

Drawing from their backgrounds in sports, entrepreneurship, investing, and coaching, Duane and Mark share how the concept of the huddle became a metaphor for success: a moment to pause, regroup, reflect, and move forward with clarity. This episode isn’t about chasing more — it’s about choosing better.

Together, they explore the lessons learned through wins, missteps, mentorship, and life experience — and what it really means to build success around freedom, family, faith, and fulfillment. They also highlight their commitment to providing scholarships to help individuals seeking meaningful changes in their lives.

⭐ What You’ll Hear in This Episode
✅ Why success plateaus often signal growth — not failure
✅ How shared experiences and relationships spark meaningful ventures
✅ Lessons from sports, teamwork, and the power of the “huddle”
✅ Why mentorship and coaching matter at every stage of life
✅ The mindset shifts required to reinvent yourself at any age
✅ Real stories from entrepreneurship and investment mistakes
✅ The difference between achievement, gratitude, and fulfillment
✅ How to define success on your own terms
✅ Why freedom, family, and autonomy are non-negotiables
✅ Questions that help clarify what you truly want next

🎙️ About Mark Bruce & Duane Gibbs
Mark Bruce and Duane Gibbs are the co-founders of Huddle for Success, a platform built on the belief that meaningful success comes from intentional decisions, mindset mastery, and surrounding yourself with the right people. With backgrounds spanning sports, business, real estate investing, and coaching, they help individuals break through plateaus and create success aligned with purpose, freedom, and fulfillment. 

🔗 Resources & Mention

🤝 Connect with Mark & Duane

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💬 Connect with Starter Girlz
🌐 Website: https://startergirlz.com
🙌 Partner: Walt Mills Productions

📌 Want to Be a Guest on Starter Girlz?
If you have a story that can inspire others, connect with Jennifer Loehding on PodMatch:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17044863446695017c1879d7b