What happens when two cousins with a deep love for music, a sharp eye for branding, and a rebellious spirit decide to take on one of the most male-dominated industries in the world? You get Lodestar Whiskey — a bold, boundary-breaking brand co-founded by Anna Axster and Wendelin von Schroder, recently named two of Forbes' “10 Women Changing the Whiskey Industry.”

In this episode of The She Leads Podcast, host Adrienne Garland sits down with Anna and Wendelin to talk about how they transitioned from the film and music industry into spirits, why whiskey became their unexpected calling, and how they’re flipping the script on who whiskey is really for. From late-night artist management and cross-country tours to building flavor profiles and breaking into distribution, their journey is as rich and layered as the whiskey they’ve created. 

You’ll hear how these powerhouse founders took a hobby born of travel and taste, turned it into a thriving business during the pandemic, and navigated every twist of regulation and red tape with tenacity and vision. They also dive deep into the intentional branding and community-building behind Lodestar, from creating a product that’s inclusive, contemporary, and “unstuffy,” crafted for both seasoned whiskey lovers and the whiskey-curious.

Whether you’re a spirits enthusiast, a budding entrepreneur, or just love a good founder story, this episode is packed with insight, grit, and inspiration. Pour yourself a glass and settle in because this is a masterclass in turning passion into purpose.

Chapters 

🥂 01:06 Meet Anna & Wendelin! Cousins, co-founders, and women changing the whiskey industry.

🥃 04:19 When ordering whiskey exposed a cultural gap

🚨 05:36 Turning a music career that was halted by the pandemic into a new business

💡 06:30 How working together and an entrepreneurial spirit made co-founding easier

🔥 11:22 Crafting a whiskey flavor profile that’s delicious, inclusive, and unexpected

📦 16:19 From accelerator funding to getting the product on shelves

📣 19:05 The importance of clear branding and storytelling

📈 21:42 Distribution and the strategic expansion in the hospitality industry

🍸 23:43 Welcoming whiskey-curious women without excluding anyone

🌈 26:52 Intentionally avoiding gendered branding

☀️ 29:58 Reimagining how whiskey is served with contemporary cocktails and refreshing summer spritzes 

🎢 34:35 The rollercoaster of starting a business with consumer feedback, licensing and fundraising

🚀 38:54 Find Lodestar Whiskey: Available in LA, and shipping to most US states via lodestarwhiskey.com

Links

Website: https://www.lodestarwhiskey.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lodestarwhiskey/
Connect with Anna & Wendelin, and order their whiskey!

[email protected]

Website: www.sheleadsmedia.com

The upcoming She Leads LIVE 2025 conference in NYC will take place on November 6th & 7th. Learn more at sheleadsmedia.com

"I love ♥️ listening to The She Leads™ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, I’d love it if you would take a moment and give our podcast some love too. To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests featured on The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺 Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!!

— Adrienne

Welcome to the reimagined She Leads Podcast! We’re back—refreshed, refocused, and more committed than ever to spotlighting the women who are not only building thriving businesses but also redefining what success looks like in today’s world.

After a meaningful pause following our She Leads LIVE Los Angeles conference, we took time to reflect on how we could better serve our community. The result? A bold new direction that centers the stories of women founders who have crossed the $1M revenue milestone—and are continuing to lead with impact, innovation, and vision.

In this kickoff episode, we’ll talk about why we paused, what’s changing, and what you can expect moving forward. Our goal is to elevate conversations around leadership, power, wealth, and the systems women are building to replace outdated ones. If you’re a woman entrepreneur—or someone who believes in the power of women to shape the future—you’re in the right place.

Chapters
⏸️ 01:16 Why we took a break – She Leads Media is evolving
🎯 02:17 Our goals: To teach, inspire, and spotlight the success of women entrepreneurs
💰 03:26 We’re aligning our focus with the growing power and influence of women
🔮 04:03 Shifting from early-stage startup stories to long-term impact and legacy
💡 06:13 Breaking old patterns and highlighting successful women building thriving, future-focused businesses
🧠 07:51 Diving deeper into conversations on business, leadership, wealth, power, and influence
🌱 09:40 We need to showcase new, inclusive models of success
🚀 11:45 What’s ahead in future episodes

Links
[email protected]
Website: www.sheleadsmedia.com
The upcoming She Leads LIVE 2025 conference in NYC will take place on November 6th & 7th. Learn more at sheleadsmedia.com

"I love ♥️ listening to The She Leads™️ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, I’d love it if you would take a moment and give our podcast some love too. To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests featured on The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺 Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!!
— Adrienne

Come out to She Leads LIVE LOS ANGELES
2 for 1 tickets here:
https://SheLeadsLA2025.eventbrite.com

She Leads LIVE LOS ANGELES is dedicated to women entrepreneurs like us that’s focused on stimulating important conversation and spurring decisive action so that we can achieve new heights in our businesses and our lives.

She Leads LIVE LOS ANGELES Conference Details:

📅 Date: Apr 25, 2025

🕒 Time: 9AM - 5:30PM (doors open at 8:30AM)

📍 Location: 612 S Broadway, Los Angeles (Downtown LA)

She Leads LIVE VIP Evening: 

📅 Date: Apr 24, 2025

🕒 Time:  5:30PM - 8:30PM

📍 Location: 612 S Broadway, Los Angeles (Downtown LA)

She Leads LIVE LOS ANGELES is not your typical conference – it's an immersive experience packed with thought leaders, experts, futurists, women who think differently and who take inspired action to move toward a future that is more humane and considers the collective good rather than upholding systems and frameworks that are outdated and harmful. 

What to Expect:

🎤 20+ Expert Speakers: Along with me, there will be other industry leaders and visionaries, each committed to helping women entrepreneurs succeed and stimulating conversation and our innate creativity so we can move forward together.

🎙️ Interactive Panels: Covering a wide range of topics such as the art of Pitching the Media, money mindset, selling with heart, how to forge our path forward in the future, the all in mindset, mental and physical health, podcasting, speaking, content creation, and so much more!!!

🍽️ Gourmet Food: Enjoy delicious food and snacks throughout the day – a unique feature that sets us apart from other conferences.

🤝 Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded women from all over, build truly valuable relationships, and explore collaboration opportunities.

🛍️ Vendor Showcase: Explore a dynamic showcase featuring products and services that can benefit your business.

🏢 Stunning Venue: Our conference is hosted in a fully renovated rooftop venue with breathtaking and expansive views.

Learn more about these speakers - and all the speakers -at She Leads LIVE LA at https://www.sheleadsmedia.com/she-leads-live-la 

In this special episode of the She Leads Podcast, we’re setting the stage for an incredible 2025! Host Adrienne GarlandCreators & Guests

Discover how this platform will continue to help you grow your business, build wealth, and create a lasting legacy. Plus, learn how you can share your feedback to shape the future of the podcast. Don’t miss this preview of what’s in store and how you can be part of a global community of empowered women.

Subscribe, share, and stay tuned for more inspiring episodes in 2025!

📣Announcement of 2025 Plans and Break 1:39
🤝Commitment to Continuous Content and Community Building 2:58

Links: 
[email protected]
Website:
www.sheleadsmedia.com 

> >> "I love ❤️ Adrienne and The She Leads™ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, can I ask you to please take a moment and give our podcast some love? To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests of The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺️ Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!! XO -Adrienne  <

 "Together, we can do incredible things, and we need to build community to make it happen. The challenges we face are real, but women are awake and ready to change the world.

She Leads Podcast hosted the amazing women and men who shared their leadership and entrepreneurial stories throughout 2024 showing us the inspiration to work towards our dreams. It is not an easy path to follow, and women need to build community, acknowledging the challenges we face in entrepreneurship but, also celebrating the bold change being led by women across industries. Women started to drive innovation and positive change, and we’re on the cusp of a wealth transfer that will empower women even further. In 2025 we are launching the She Leads community, which will offer women entrepreneurs a space to transform, scale, and grow their businesses. Connect with us and join the community as we prepare for the future.

 👩‍💼 Sharing women’s leadership stories: be bold to dream and pursue what you love. 01:50
⚠️ Women need to build community: we are awake and the transfer of wealth will happen very soon. 03:11
🎯 Starting the She Leads Community in 2025: email us if you are interested. 05:16
🎄 Happy holidays. 

Links: 

[email protected]

Website:

www.sheleadsmedia.com 

> >> "I love ❤️ Adrienne and The She Leads™ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, can I ask you to please take a moment and give our podcast some love? To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests of The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺️ Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!! XO -Adrienne  <<

When your message is seen and heard by the right people, it will grow your business

Jessica Rhodes is the Founder of Interview Connections, a pioneering podcast guest booking agency, author, and podcaster. She wanted to build a life she wanted and she left a successful career in the non-profit to become a stay-at-home mom. Jessica has built Interview Connections into a nearly seven-figure business and has now booked over 30,000 podcast interviews for more than 800 clients.

Podcast guesting is a human-to-human relationship-building strategy, where entrepreneurs show up authentically and with presence, making a genuine connection with podcast hosts. Podcast guesting for online entrepreneurs is very important, especially for women entrepreneurs who want to expand their networks, build thought leadership, and attract ideal clients. She discusses how podcast guesting can help businesses gain visibility, make connections, and drive sales. 

Jessica initially worked with podcast hosts to book guests but later shifted to focusing on helping entrepreneurs become successful podcast guests due to demand. She stresses the importance of being mindful and present during podcast interviews, having good preparation, and taking action rather than waiting for everything to be perfect. You will fall in love with your voice with time! 

Women need to stop over-preparing and start taking action in sharing their message. It is important to see how men take immediate action while women often wait until they feel fully qualified. It is time to take action, be visible, and embrace the messiness of the journey!

Snow Notes:
▶️ Jessica started working on podcasts as a stay-at-home mom: her dad was her first client. 04:19
👩‍💼 Jessica's background was in sales: helping entrepreneurs do it in a way that builds their business. 7:14
📘 She wrote a book called: Interview Connections - How to Rock the Podcast from Both Sides of the Mic. 10:09
🎙️ The number one thing is human-to-human relationships: have a really present conversation. 12:44
🤓 Jessica leads a free podcast guesting masterclass almost every month: set a goal, know your audience, have good topics, and go get interviewed. 16:22
💸 Everyone can do it: you spend the time or you spend the money to have someone do it for you. 20:37
🎯 How to repurpose your podcast interviews as a guest, since they are being produced for you. 25:45
😍 Strategy for search engine optimization: hosts will put it up on their website and put a link back to your website. 28:37
⚠️ It's not about getting on one big podcast; It's about consistency. 31:13

Links:

Master Class: www.interviewconnections.com

Connect with Jessica: www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-rhodes-9a291020
-Connect with Adrienne: www.sheleadsmedia.com

-Listen to podcasts for women by women on the She Leads Podcast Network: www.sheleadspodcasts.com 

>> "I love ❤️ Adrienne and The She Leads™ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, can I ask you to please take a moment and give our podcast some love? To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests of The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺️ Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!! XO -Adrienne  << 

If women truly knew our collective power, all the nonsense would have stopped a long time ago!

Robin Hamilton is an Emmy-award-winning TV Host, Producer, Filmmaker, Moderator, and Speaker specializing in creating impactful narratives that inspire transformation. As the founder of ARound Robin Production Company, she produces compelling films for non-profits, enhancing their fundraising and marketing efforts. Robin's documentaries, such as "This Little Light of Mine" and "Odessa’s Reign," highlight social justice and resilience. 

It’s time we get real about the struggles women face in media, filmmaking, and business. Robin shares her raw journey—from fighting for an agent’s attention to carving her own path and creating impactful content. But here's the truth... it’s not just about working harder or being "smart enough." It’s about getting that leg up—whether it's an inheritance, a connection, or just finding someone who believes in you. And the system often isn’t built for us to win.

Robin talks openly about the challenges she faced in the media and filmmaking industries, and how women often struggle with a lack of support and access to opportunities. There are systemic issues that create barriers for women, especially women of color, everywhere. Her key is storytelling to boost the business and boost our values.

The power is in our hands to create a different system. Women need to collaborate, share openly, and support each other more. It’s about helping each other rise, not competing. When it comes to business, know your worth and double it. If you don't stand up for your value, the world won’t either! 

 Let’s not just break the glass ceiling—let’s shatter it. Together. 

Show Notes:
😇 Not being good at playing the corporate TV game: a sentence her friend said made Robin start her own business. 03:39
🌟 Be careful who you talk to and what you read: Drawing inspiration from people and content around you. 09:30
🎯 Power of storytelling for women: Generating more business through your story, your value, and becoming a better networker. 13:00
💎 Shiny vs. tragic stories: middle-ground stories are needed, just like honesty. 16:05
🧐 The big secret to success no one tells you about: knowing the right person. 21:49
😍 Robin’s client work, nonprofit, and documentary work: Helpful women are out there, even if you’re considered competition. 24:51
🎥 Working in a very competitive industry: Being optimistic and cautious at the same time can be very hard. 29:44
👩‍💼 How to leverage storytelling to boost your business: Who you target and why. 33:43
💜 Entrepreneurial failures, dreams, freedom, and bumps: It’s a mess, but it’s your mess. 38:30
🎦 Robin’s films represent underestimated women who have left a remarkable impact on society. 40:50

Links:

Website: aroundrobin.com/speaking-engagements

Social Media Handles: linkedin.com/in/robinhamilton123
-Connect with Adrienne: www.sheleadsmedia.com

-Listen to podcasts for women by women on the She Leads Podcast Network: www.sheleadspodcasts.com 

>> "I love ❤️ Adrienne and The She Leads™ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, can I ask you to please take a moment and give our podcast some love? To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests of The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺️ Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!! XO -Adrienne  << 

Join us for an inspiring She Leads Podcast episode with Linda Duncombe, former EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at City National Bank ("the bank to the stars"), who shares her remarkable journey from Australian banker to Hollywood Executive Producer. Her debut film "The Queen's Jewels" is a family adventure inspired by true historical events from 1715 and follows a young boy's treasure hunt after a fleet of ships is lost in the Bahamas.

In this powerful conversation about leadership and self-advocacy, Linda delivers crucial insights for entrepreneurs on having your own back in male-dominated industries. She shares candid advice about effective fundraising, financial management, and why women must prioritize self-care alongside business growth. Drawing from her experience serving on boards including SAG-AFTRA Foundation, The Grammy Museum, and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Linda demonstrates how to lead with empathy while maintaining strong boundaries and self-advocacy.

Whether you're scaling your business, transitioning careers, or seeking to make a bigger impact, Linda's journey from banking expert to film producer of "The Queen's Jewels" offers us, as women entrepreneurs, valuable lessons on embracing opportunities and trusting your expertise. Her story reminds us that our unique strengths - particularly in financial stewardship and empathetic leadership - are superpowers when combined with unwavering self-advocacy.

As Linda says, a good leader needs to have empathy and she strongly believes it’s women’s secret sauce!

Show Notes:
👩‍💼 Linda joined Citibank with the specific purpose of having the opportunity to come to the US from Australia. 4:16
🌟 Go live your dreams: women take their skills, power, and money, and it’s proven they use it for good. 7:21
🎥 Linda became involved with the movie "The Queen's Jewels" as a small investor: her banking background helped tremendously in the transition. 10:37
🎬 The role of executive producer: raising funds, creating efficiency, and a positive experience for the team. 16:44
📽️ "The Queen's Jewels" is a film that everyone can enjoy: the film follows a young boy and his friends on a treasure hunt. 19:49
👠 Linda reviews scripts and guides aspiring filmmakers, supporting women in the industry. 23:50
👩‍🍼 How advocated for and organized away time for an actor so she could spend time with her newborn child. 26:01
😇 Asking for help sometimes is hard, but there's not a single friend who has ever said no when she asked for help. 29:07
▶️ The film "The Queen's Jewels" will be released the first week of April 2025. 32:41

Links:
Website: www.thequeensjewelsmovie.com 

Social Media Handles: @thequeensjewelsmovie
-Connect with Adrienne: www.sheleadsmedia.com

-Listen to podcasts for women by women on the She Leads Podcast Network: www.sheleadspodcasts.com 

>> "I love ❤️ Adrienne and The She Leads™ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, can I ask you to please take a moment and give our podcast some love? To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests of The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺️ Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!! XO -Adrienne  << 

It's time to embrace your power and influence, no longer worried about societal expectations.

Julie Castro Abrams is an expert in board governance, investing, and is an experienced CEO, movement builder, and leader. As the CEO of How Women Lead, a network of over 24,000 women, she is dedicated to breaking ceilings for women both individually and collectively. She is the Managing Partner of How Women Invest, the country’s largest venture fund focused exclusively on women founders, and is passionate about helping women rise to positions of power.

Julie shares the concept of the middle essence—when women in their 40s need to have an impact, be happy, and do meaningful work. Women own 52% of the wealth and have the financial power to drive significant change. However, there is a disparity between wealth control and decision-making, and most financial decisions are still made by men.

It is time to break cultural barriers, and women should advocate for each other, reinforce women's voices, make introductions to expand networks, and be unapologetically visible through podcasts, books, and their communities. Entrepreneurship is key for women to take control and create more inclusive systems because women-led businesses often have a pro-social focus, addressing issues like climate change, good working conditions, and local community support.

The challenge of investment women are facing can be fixed with the help of women-run venture funds that are growing and funding solutions for women's businesses. All this information and encouragement can be found in this episode and also in women's circles. So, finding a community that aligns with your values and needs—whether for business or social purposes—will be very helpful.

Ladies, embrace every stage of your life, speak up, and pursue your dreams unapologetically.

Show notes:
⚡ Julie quit her job as a CEO: she felt the urge to impact the world by activating women to make systemic changes. 03:32
💰 Women own 52% of the wealth today, which is why women need to come together. 07:41
👠 Women should do the opposite of what the culture says: be fierce advocates for one another. 08:58
💸 Women need to see where they are putting their money: 98.6% of all assets are still managed by men. 13:02
🌺 When you have a woman CEO and founder, the result for the workers is family and medical leave, equal pay, and better working conditions. 16:20
🔥 The data shows that women return 34% more for their investors than men, and they have lower revenue per dollar of funding. 21:11
🤑 The wealthiest people in the US invest in venture firms and private equity, and this is an alternative way to grow wealth. 23:39
🎯 It's all about stepping into your power: the happiness that comes from having an impact. 27:05
💻 On Julie's website, you can sign up for a free leadership journey and get a self-assessment tool. 29:43

Links:

Connect: linkedin.com/in/julie-castro-abrams 

Website: howwomenlead.com
-Connect with Adrienne: www.sheleadsmedia.com

-Listen to podcasts for women by women on the She Leads Podcast Network: www.sheleadspodcasts.com 

>> "I love ❤️ Adrienne and The She Leads™ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, can I ask you to please take a moment and give our podcast some love? To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests of The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺️ Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!! XO -Adrienne  << 

Summary: 

Sometimes, the path to clarity begins in the chaos—trust yourself to find the order that’s waiting to emerge.

We’ve all been navigating so much change recently, especially as women entrepreneurs. It’s clear that more than ever, we need to step up and help women-owned businesses break past barriers, especially when statistics are showing how many don’t even make it past the $100,000 mark.

Personally, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about how we approach challenges. As entrepreneurs, we face problems daily, but it’s in those moments of difficulty that we can find opportunities to take action, experiment, and evolve. In my own life right now, I’m sitting in a bit of chaos but I’ve learned over the years that out of this mess, order will emerge. Trusting the process is key.

I want to know—what’s your environment like right now? Is it organized or chaotic? And are there things you need to shift to adapt to the changes happening around us?

In this holiday season, I encourage you to connect with your loved ones, seek understanding, and be kind to those with different perspectives. Let’s grow together and make the most of this season.

Happy Thanksgiving to those celebrating in the U.S. And wherever you are, I’d love to hear what’s going on in your world.

Show notes:
 

💸 The majority of women-owned businesses are not passing the 100,000 mark.

👀 It is time for action and experimentation: what do you see in your environment? 06:17

😍 Women are leaning into their innate leadership capabilities: listening to intuition and heart. 09:32

🌺 What is changing around you: embracing changes and thinking about things that matter to you. 12:24

Links

- Connect with Adrienne: www.sheleadsmedia.com

- Listen to podcasts for women by women on the She Leads Podcast Network: www.sheleadspodcasts.com

- Email us at: [email protected]