Powerful Ladies® Podcast
Powerful Ladies founder and podcast host, Kara Duffy sits down with the awesome and the up-to-something - entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, authors, scientists, adventurers, and more - to share their story. Your goal is to live your best life. Reality is it’s hard to figure out what that even means, how to start and once you do start what next? Powerful Ladies is to help you figure that out by sharing the stories of people, mostly women, who have been there and are in action right now on making & living their awesome life. Learn how creative director Elizabeth McGarry went from suburban Oregon to queen of sportswear design or how speaker Ali Owens survived domestic abuse to become an empowerment strategist and author. Inspiring stories from real people hustling and growing every day, plus practical tips on how to start your journey and be the creator of your dream life. Be inspired. Be motivated. Be awesome & up-to-something you love. Production, Audio Engineering, & Editing by Jordan Duffy. Music by Joakim Karud @joakimkarudmusic
Episodes
A Powerful Conversation Series | Unyielding Light & Courage: The Reality of Women Running NGOs Today
August 13, 2025 • 100 mins
In this episode of The Powerful Ladies Podcast, we sit down with inspiring women from around the globe who are leading transformative initiatives in their communities. From addressing gender inequality and fostering democracy in Syria to supporting orphans in Kenya and fighting for indigenous women's rights in Tanzania, these leaders share their incredible journeys, the challenges they face, and how they stay motivated. We discuss ...
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Lauren Kyle McDavid is the powerhouse behind four thriving businesses, Kyle & Co interior design firm, Trove Living, Bar Trove, and Sports Club Ateliers, plus her growing personal brand. In this episode, she joins Kara to share how she’s building an empire with vision, style, and heart, all while navigating the unique challenges of being married to an NHL player. They dive into how Lauren balances creativity with strategy, leads wi...
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Sarah Ezrin is redefining what modern parenting can look like. A yoga instructor, educator, maternal mental health advocate, and author of The Yoga of Parenting, Sarah brings mindfulness and realism to the often chaotic world of raising kids. In this episode, Kara and Sarah dive into the emotional rollercoaster of parenthood, the pressure to “do it all,” and why building your own village is more essential than ever. You’ll hear how...
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Hillary Whittington is an author, transgender advocate, and mom who never expected her life to become a beacon of hope for families with trans children. In this deeply personal episode, Kara and Hillary explore the realities of parenting a young trans child in a conservative community, navigating deafness and gender identity, and choosing love over fear—every single day. Hillary shares her family’s journey with grace and honesty, f...
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July 16, 2025 • 50 mins
La Niecia Vicknair, known as Coach LaLa, is a fitness trainer, founder of Thrive Health Lab, and a passionate advocate for building healthier communities, especially for people of color and teens. In this heartfelt conversation, she and Kara dive into her journey from growing up in an overweight family to creating a safe, empowering space where health is about so much more than just working out. They explore the difference between ...
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July 9, 2025 • 55 mins
In this episode, artist and designer Ragni Agarwal shares how she found freedom and healing through bold, vibrant art. Ragni is an Indian American fine artist and graphic designer based in Los Angeles, who shares her journey from tech to a professional art career, the mental health benefits of creating art, and the challenges of being a female artist of color in today's climate. Hear about her vibrant art style, collaborations with...
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July 2, 2025 • 53 mins
What does it look like to turn a winding, unconventional path into a thriving creative career? In this episode of the Powerful Ladies® Podcast, host Kara Duffy sits down with Tiffany Bishop, a celebrated wedding and event designer based in Naperville, Illinois. Tiffany shares her inspiring journey of transformation—from studying fashion in the UK, to working in Chicago real estate, to finally discovering her true calling in event p...
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How do you build a media agency that works with Louis Vuitton, Goop, and Disney? Jhara Valentini, founder of Valentini Media Group, breaks down her approach to strategic marketing, repeatable ROI, and creating campaigns rooted in psychology and integrity. Kara and Jhara talk about what makes the luxury consumer different, how to lead with values, and why data is your best business partner.
(00:00:01) - Introduction to Jhara Vale...
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June 18, 2025 • 59 mins
Civic power is something we all have...but are we using it? In this special installment of A Powerful Conversation, Kara Duffy sits down with Cara Stewart, CEO of WunderMarx and Chair of the Costa Mesa Democratic Club, to explore how everyday people can reclaim their voice in today’s political landscape. They talk about the myth of neutrality, the loneliness of civic overwhelm, and the real actions citizens and small businesses can...
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Amber Hollowell is a healthcare advocate, proud mom, and the co-founder of TransParents Podcast, a platform for supporting parents of trans and gender-diverse children.. She and Kara talk about turning personal pain into purpose, trusting your path, and making impact without losing yourself in the process. They break down misinformation, explore the emotional toll of political fear-mongering, and highlight what real advocacy looks ...
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June 4, 2025 • 53 mins
Linnae O’Neil is the co-founder of Chug Water, Vermont’s small-batch, sustainability-first spring water brand, and a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur with deep roots in community, connection, and impact. In this conversation, she and Kara talk about launching a mission-driven beverage company, why doing things the hard way often means doing them right, and what it looks like to build a slow, intentional business that actually fits your...
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Nomiki Petrolla is on a mission to close the access gap for women in tech. As founder and CEO of Theanna, a SaaS platform helping women turn ideas into scalable companies, she’s changing what it means to be a startup founder. In this episode, Kara and Nomiki talk about why mindset matters more than perfection, how to build in public, and why some communities fail while others thrive. You’ll hear how a family crisis changed Nomiki’s...
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Julie Leffler is a marketing strategist who helps mission-driven brands cut through the noise and connect with their audience. In this episode, she and Kara talk about the most common marketing mistakes growing businesses make, how to measure what actually matters, and the tools that help purpose-led leaders make smart decisions without burnout. Whether you're a solopreneur or scaling a team, this conversation brings clarity to mar...
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Fashion designer and Fanm Mon founder Sophia Demirtas joins Kara for a conversation that spans continents and callings. From growing up around tailored school uniforms in Haiti to working in NYC homeless shelters, Sophia’s path to fashion was far from linear. She shares how social work shaped her business values, how eBay taught her supply chain basics, and why preserving craftsmanship and culture is central to her designs. This ep...
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Jackie Adler is a Senior Financial Planner and Investment Advisor who combines strategy with empathy. A 9/11 survivor and second-generation financial expert, Jackie brings deep personal insight to helping women navigate financial decisions during major life transitions like divorce, loss, or reinvention. In this episode, Kara and Jackie get real about what financial wellness actually looks like, talking retirement myths, saving whi...
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April 30, 2025 • 89 mins
What does it really look like to rebuild when life falls apart? In this special episode on resiliency, Kara is joined by four women: Anne Watson, Karen “Duff” Duffy, Michelle Jernigan, and Rup Duhra. They've lived through loss, illness, heartbreak, and transformation. Together they share how they stayed grounded, found purpose again, and made space for healing. From chronic pain to career pivots to rethinking what power looks like,...
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Interior designer and Design Dash founder Laura Umansky joins Kara for a powerful conversation about creative entrepreneurship, designing with intention, and how badass women can build businesses they love. They discuss building strong teams, balancing vision with systems, and why the interior design industry is ripe for change. If you’re a creative ready to scale, this one’s for you.
(00:00:02) - Introduction to Laura Umansky a...
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April 16, 2025 • 63 mins
Judith Kargbo is a powerhouse in the podcasting world, an acclaimed writer, senior producer at SiriusXM, and a trusted voice behind shows like Best Friends and Scam Goddess. In this episode, Kara and Judith explore what it takes to create meaningful, high-quality content in today’s saturated podcast industry. They talk about audio integrity, personal boundaries, industry gatekeeping, and how podcasting can both empower and exclude ...
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Artist Cicely Carew joins Kara for a powerful conversation about creativity, community, and staying true to your voice, even when it’s hard. They talk about the real work behind building an art career, the power of supportive mentors, and navigating the tension between personal expression and public visibility. Cicely opens up about motherhood, burnout, and the practices that help her stay grounded as an artist and woman. If you’re...
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April 2, 2025 • 59 mins
Carmen Bellagio is an exotic dancer, designer, entrepreneur, and powerful voice for sex worker rights. In this episode, Kara talks with Carmen about breaking stereotypes, building a business from scratch, and redefining what it means to be empowered. They explore her journey from college student to creator of the Banklet®, her viral success with Thottie Revival, and why sex work and feminism are not mutually exclusive. This episode...
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