Feeling overwhelmed, lonely, or like your confidence is slipping away? You’re definitely not alone! Join us for a powerful episode with Joan Kuhl, where we dive into the vital importance of community, the challenges women face with burnout, and the essential role we all play in empowering the next generation of girls. We really get into the tough stuff women are facing today, including the staggering fact that we burn out at TWICE the rate of men. So, if you’re feeling exhausted, just know you’re in good company! Joan sheds light on the record rates of loneliness many women experience as we often just put our heads down and “get it done.” She emphasizes how crucial positive self-talk is in those moments. We also tackle a pressing issue: girls’ confidence can start to nosedive as early as age six. Isn’t that heartbreaking? But the good news is that we, as adults, have the power to change this for the younger generation. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about building resilience, helping women overcome burnout, and encouraging the next generation of girls to reclaim their confidence and rewrite their narratives.

Have you ever wondered how a “dating service for brands” could turbocharge your business? Well, in this episode, I speak to Bridget Murphy, founder of Envision Promotions, whose company pairs big-time clients and agencies together to create one-of-a-kind brand partnerships. Join me as we discuss how she built her career at Disney by surrounding herself with smart people and how she eventually founded her own business, driving massive growth for brands like Cranium Games, Disney, Nickelodeon, Frito Lay and more. From motherhood to entrepreneurship, Bridget shares her insights on building a fulfilling life while scaling her business. Tune in for a conversation full of wisdom, laughter, and inspiration!

Resilience, Reinvention, and Reposado—that’s the theme of this episode with Mara Smith, founder of Inspiro Tequila. In my humble opinion, the best sipping tequila on the market! Mara went from a structured career as an attorney and corporate leader to the unpredictable life of a mother of three. But it was motherhood that taught her the skills to pivot and thrive in business. Listen in as Mara shares her journey of resilience, the lessons she’s learned from reinvention, and how she broke into the male-dominated spirits industry and built Inspiro Tequila to empower women. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!

Erica Tuggle, the visionary behind Cookonnect, joined me to discuss solving her own problem --- as a busy, traveling, successful businesswoman and mom, how could she get a healthy meal on the table in time for dinner? Afterall, in the corporate world, she’d led huge initiatives focused on food innovation and business development for both General Mills and Coca-Cola. Why couldn’t she be the person to fix “the what’s-for-dinner conundrum?!”. After doing her research and homing in on “the problem” she wanted to solve, Erica took a bold step into entrepreneurship in the food industry. Cookonnect is transforming home-cooked meals by connecting busy families with personal chefs. Plus, she became a tech entrepreneur along the way! Tune in to hear Erica’s inspiring journey of balancing corporate leadership, family, and her mission to revolutionize the kitchen.

In this episode of Madame Founder, I sit down with Sarah Gormley, the visionary behind Sarah Gormley Gallery and author of her upcoming memoir, “The Order of Things: A Memoir About Chasing Joy.” A former executive at IMAX, Adobe, and Girl Scouts of America, Sarah describes how bigger, fancier job titles and making more money, didn’t necessarily equate to “the fix” she was searching for. I was so inspired to hear about her journey from small-town farm girl to big-city boss and how she shed the “corporate ick” to find fulfillment in opening her own art gallery. Sarah has embraced a life centered on kindness, blazed a trail of self-discovery, and done some tough inner work. Join us as Sarah reveals how she became a "Broker of Joy" and the life lessons that guided her path.

In this episode of Madame Founder, Christa chats with Fran Hauser, best-selling author of The Myth of the Nice Girl and Embrace the Work, Love Your Career and a leading voice for women in business. Fran shares how embracing NICEness, rather than seeing it as a weakness, has fueled her success as a top performer and risk-taker. In fact, it’s her superpower! Together, they discuss balancing ambition with humanity, overcoming fears, and supporting the next generation of female leaders (and would-be authors). Tune in for a candid conversation about being intentional in decision making, showing up authentically, taking bold steps, and leading with kindness in both business and life.

From her “obsession with the idea of home” to the ottoman that started it all, founder of Kathy Kuo Home, Kathy Kuo joins me for episode 3 of Madame Founder to discuss her early days of entrepreneurship, the benefits of bootstrapping, and why you should hire moms. You’ll also hear how she’s carved out “special time” for her kids. From wearing every hat in the company to instilling grace and humanity in leadership, this episode is full of insights for entrepreneurs looking to grow with purpose.

Tune in for episode two of "Female Founder Friday," where Christa interviews her sister and co-CEO of The Lumistella Company, Chanda Bell. Join them as they discuss their personal past, the dynamics of working together as sisters, and their journey as moms balancing faith, family, and dedication to their work. Discover how these values have shaped their path to success!