Penny for your Shots

Penny for your Shots

Welcome to Penny for your Shots, the podcast that uncorks the stories and insights of exceptional female entrepreneurs and leaders. Hosted by Penny Fitzgerald, this show is your front-row seat to engaging and inspiring discussions served over a glass of your favorite libation. Each episode, brilliant women from diverse fields and backgrounds will share their journeys, challenges, and experiences with stories that empower, educate, and entertain. And, we'll include memories shared with friends over a glass of wine or favorite cocktail! Subscribe now, grab your favorite beverage and join us every Thirsty Thursday for your weekly dose of inspiration, as we toast to the incredible women who are leading the way, one conversation (and cocktail) at a time. Cheers!

Episodes

July 31, 2025 58 mins

What happens when a cocktail educator, brand strategist, and former Bacardi ambassador decides to launch her own product line—in the middle of a global crisis? You get Cheeky Cocktails…and one seriously inspiring journey.

April Wachtel didn’t just stumble into entrepreneurship. She tested, pivoted, and reimagined her way into it—learning from failure, navigating trolls, and bottling mixers by hand to meet demand. In this candid conv...

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Dr. Terri Levine spent years climbing the corporate ladder, eventually becoming CEO of a national healthcare company with nearly 3,000 employees. But behind the title, she felt exhausted, disconnected, and deeply out of alignment. So she walked away—without a backup plan—and said yes to coaching, authenticity, and a business built around service.

In this episode, Terri shares how she:

  • Went from speech pathologist to multi-million...
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What if being more visible didn’t mean being more “salesy”?

Rachel Van Dolsen built a thriving PR agency in her twenties, but it wasn’t until she became a mom that she fully stepped into the kind of work that lights her up. Now a sought-after media strategist and soulful storyteller, Rachel helps female founders pitch themselves in a way that’s rooted in purpose—not pressure.

In this episode, we dive into:

  • How to pitch yourself wi...
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What happens when you climb the ladder of success—only to realize it’s leaning against the wrong wall?

This week, I’m talking with Aoife Roche, a fiercely honest, wildly inspiring entrepreneur who walked away from a high-powered corporate role to become a world champion fitness model and launch a purpose-driven marketing agency. Her story is full of bold pivots, mindset gold, and more than a few truth bombs.

Inside this episode, Aoif...

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Sustainable haircare that actually works? Yes, please.

In this week’s episode, I’m chatting with Kate Assaraf, founder of Dip—the bar shampoo and conditioner brand that’s winning over luxury lovers and plastic-free skeptics alike. Kate’s not just a beauty founder. She’s a truth-teller, label-reader, and lifelong hair nerd on a mission to make sustainability approachable, affordable, and actually enjoyable.

We talk about:

  • Why most ...
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 If you’ve ever wondered what really goes into making a world-class bottle of wine—or even imagined sipping wine in Virginia with the woman who made it—this episode is for you.

Emily Hodson is the powerhouse winemaker behind Veritas, Merrie Mill, and Flying Fox Vineyards. But before she was blending Bordeaux-style reds, she was studying infectious diseases. (Yep. You read that right.)

In this conversation, Emily shares:

  • Her unexpe...
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What happens when an art-loving couple trades London for Virginia Wine Country with a baby in tow and a wild idea to start a vineyard? You get Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard—one of the most visually stunning, community-focused, and creative wine experiences in the region.

In this episode, I’m joined by Elizabeth Pelly, co-owner of Merrie Mill and one of the women I’m most excited for our Wine Camp crew to meet this summer. She shar...

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What if creativity isn’t just about what you make—but how you move through life?

In this soulful and energizing conversation, Pia Mailhot-Leichter shares her journey from agency creative director to purpose-driven coach and author. We talk about how to trust yourself in uncertain seasons, why your past experiences are never wasted, and how embracing creativity as a way of being can lead to more joy, courage, and freedom.

Whether you&...

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What does it take to rewrite your story—on your own terms?

In this heartfelt episode, I catch up with Kacey Voelker, a former wine guide I hadn’t seen in years. And wow... what a journey she’s been on. Kacey opens up about her decision to get sober nearly three years ago, the healing work she’s done since, and how she’s now using her experience to coach other women who feel stuck, unworthy, or like they’ve lost their spark.

We talk a...

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What do you do when your business takes a hit—then another, and another?

Larissa Banting built a seven-figure destination wedding company in Costa Rica, only to be hit with economic downturns, internal theft, and a pandemic shutdown. But instead of giving up, she pivoted—again and again—and found her next calling in public relations.

In this episode, Larissa shares:

  • How she went from publicist to wedding planner (and back again)
  • Wh...
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Is it time for a mid-year reset?

In this solo episode, I'm sharing what I’ve been up to lately—including some deep spring cleaning that’s gone way beyond closets and cabinets. From dusty old Wine Spectator magazines to a pink Goody comb I’ve had since middle school (yes, really), I’ve been letting go of things that no longer serve me—physically and emotionally.

With Memorial Day weekend around the corner and the halfway point of...

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When Erica Carrico was diagnosed with cancer in her 30s, she found herself rocking her baby and questioning everything. What followed was a promise to stop living for everyone else—and to start showing up for the purpose she was meant to fulfill.

In this episode, Erica shares how that wake-up call launched her into a soul-led business that now generates seven figures and impacts women around the world. We talk about the power of lis...

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What if the stories you tell yourself are the very things keeping you stuck?

In this episode, I chat with Carrie Rowan—author, musician, speaker, coach, and joy-bringer—about the power of rewriting your inner narrative. From personal transformation to musical healing, Carrie shares how our stories shape our reality... and how we can change them.

We dive into:

  • Why our inner dialogue matters more than we think
  • How to shift from “Why ...
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What happens when your sports bra is the thing holding you back?

This week, Penny interviews Frankie Elder-Reedy, athlete, entrepreneur, and the creator of Wrax—a revolutionary boob-harnessing bra system that’s empowering women to move with confidence and comfort. But this conversation is about so much more than bounce control. Frankie shares her powerful journey of growing up in a small town, the harassment that shaped her mission,...

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What if the key to your next chapter isn’t buried in a business plan… but in a playlist, a memory, or a moment of laughter?

In this solo episode, Penny explores the idea that joy isn’t a luxury—it’s a clue. Through stories of missed highway exits and old-school cassette “radio shows,” she shares how joy can guide us back to who we’ve always been.

If you’ve been putting your joy on hold, this is your reminder to press play.

Episode Hig...

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April 17, 2025 11 mins

Is it really too late to start something new? Not even close.

In this solo episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from starting over—at 40, at 59, and now—and why age brings not only wisdom but boldness. If you’ve been feeling a spark, a nudge, or a tug toward something new, this is your reminder: it’s not too late. It might just be right on time.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • How I shifted from corporate to wine tastings… and aga...
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This week’s episode is pure magic. I’m chatting with Kami Guildner—soulful business coach, retreat leader, and author of Fire Dancer. We were introduced by our mutual friend Kristina, who knew we shared a passion for helping women rise. She was so right.

Kami opens up about her journey from corporate VP to empowering women entrepreneurs and leaders through her signature blend of soul and strategy. She shares how she helps women clar...

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This episode almost didn’t happen—and that’s exactly why you need to hear it.

If you’ve been juggling a business, your next big idea, family responsibilities, financial realities (hello, tax season), or simply figuring out what’s next in this season of your life, you're not alone.

In this honest solo episode, I open up about the weight of “doing all the things,” what happens when balls drop, and why slowing down isn’t failure—it...

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What happens when you follow a nudge… and it leads you to a whole new life?

In this heartwarming and high-energy episode, I chat with Tiana Ramirez—mom, dance teacher, and co-owner of Fred Astaire Dance Studios Sarasota—about how a newspaper ad led her from Applebee’s to the ballroom, and how she’s now using dance to help people find joy, health, and even love.

We dive into:

  • Tiana’s transition from hospitality to entrepreneurship
  • W...
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Feeling stuck in the hustle, constantly working but not seeing the results you want? In this episode, I sit down with Amy Stauffer, a dance studio owner, consumer reporting expert, and fellow podcaster, to talk about the shift from burnout to balance.

Amy shares her journey from corporate recruiting to running a successful dance studio, balancing multiple income streams, and launching a podcast. She opens up about the moment she qui...

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