Épisodes

  • The Art of Asking Better Questions & Selling with Integrity | Nitya Kirat | Sales Coach & Author of Winning Virtually
    Feb 18 2026
    Sales doesn’t have to feel pushy, awkward, or inauthentic. In fact, according to sales and communication expert Nitya Kirat, great selling has nothing to do with persuasion tactics and everything to do with trust. In this episode, Nitya, CEO of YOSD Consulting, shares why the best salespeople ask the best questions, how to simplify your messaging so people actually understand what you do, and why rushing the sales process is costing you more than you realize. We dive into emotional intelligence, knowing yourself as a seller, overcoming money stories, and creating a consistent sales process that works, even in uncertain economic times. If you’ve ever said “I hate sales” or struggled to convert great conversations into paying clients, this episode will completely shift how you think about selling. Website: www.yosdconsulting.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nityakirat/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@tinysaleshabits Email: nitya@yosdconsulting.com 00:00 Introduction to the Guest: Nitya Kirat 01:45 Nitya’s Background, Career Shift & YOSD Consulting 03:45 Why Sales Feels Uncomfortable (And How to Reframe It) 05:50 Sales as Trust-Building, Not Persuasion 08:05 The Power of Asking Better Questions 10:45 What Actually Makes a Great Sales Meeting 13:00 Rushing the Sales Process & Scarcity Mindset 14:30 Talking Pricing, Proposals & Money Stories 17:00 Emotional Intelligence & Knowing Yourself as a Seller 20:00 Finding the Right Clients & Cultural Fit 24:10 Simplifying Your Message & Avoiding Jargon 27:00 Corporate Speak vs. Clear Communication 31:00 Creating a Consistent Sales Process 33:00 Converting Now, Later or Never 37:00 Serving Before Selling & Authority Positioning 39:00 Winning Virtually & Supporting Clients with AI 41:00 Sales Trends, Technology & Human Connection in 2026 43:15 Keeping It Simple: The Fundamentals Still Win 45:30 Final Thoughts & Where to Connect with Nitya Kirat The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    48 min
  • Redefining Success, Self-Care & Womanhood | Porsha Ellis | Let It Break CEO & Board Member of Compton Girls Club
    Feb 11 2026
    Community is being redefined at a moment when burnout, isolation, and constant productivity are leaving many women disconnected from themselves and each other. In this episode, Kara Duffy sits down with Porsha Ellis, CEO of Let It Break, to explore why women are craving deeper, more intentional spaces, and how community can become a catalyst for personal growth, wellness, and meaningful change. Porsha shares her journey from building creative agencies to leading a women-centered community rooted in self-awareness, service, and care. Together, they unpack the pressure to “do it all,” the importance of slowing down, redefining success beyond titles, and why giving back through mentorship, service, and organizations like Compton Girls Club, can shift how we show up in our lives and leadership. This conversation examines what it means to break old patterns, reconnect with purpose, and build communities that support the whole woman. 00:00 Introduction to the Guest: Porsha Ellis 01:02 Porsha’s Background, Career & Where She’s Based 02:18 What Is Let It Break? Building Intentional Women’s Community 04:10 Career Transitions, Manifestation & Crown and Conquer 07:45 Choosing Wellness, Purpose & Service-Oriented Work 09:55 Why Women Are Craving Community Right Now 12:08 Identity Beyond Titles & Productivity Culture 14:40 Burnout, Self-Care & Unrealistic Expectations for Women 17:05 Creating Sustainable Wellness Habits 19:10 Atomic Habits, Habit Stacking & Time Prioritization 21:30 Friendship, Community & Doing Life Together 24:05 Letting Go of Perfection & Showing Up Authentically 27:00 Women’s Health, Confidence & Finding Your Voice 29:20 Giving Back: Compton Girls Club & Board Leadership 32:00 Empowering the Next Generation of Girls 34:15 Redefining What It Means to Be Powerful 36:20 Advice to Her Younger Self & Giving Yourself Grace 38:10 Joy Boards, Reflection & Celebrating Wins 40:10 Who Let It Break Is For & Community Values 43:10 How to Connect with Porsha Ellis & Let It Break 45:00 Closing Reflections & Final Thoughts. The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    48 min
  • Storytelling, Advocacy & Exposing the System | Maggie Freleng | Pulitzer Prize–Winning Journalist & Host of Wrongful Conviction
    Feb 4 2026
    Journalism is under fire at a moment when truth, accountability, and public trust matter more than ever. In this episode, Kara Duffy sits down with Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and investigative podcaster Maggie Freleng to unpack how media, power, the justice system intersect, and where they break down. Maggie shares how her reporting on wrongful convictions, policing, and systemic corruption led her into investigative podcasting, why blurred lines between journalism, influencers, and creators demand stronger ethics, and how privilege shapes whose cases receive public attention. Together, they discuss jury bias, misinformation, class inequality, and what it means to be an advocate in a system that often protects itself over people. 00:00 Introduction to the Guest: Maggie Freleng 01:26 Maggie's Journey into Journalism 05:16 The Changing Landscape of Journalism 09:17 The Role of Independent Journalism 19:00 Maggie's Personal Reflections and Life Choices 26:31 Reflecting on Personal Experiences and Wrongful Convictions 27:31 The Jury System and Its Impact on Justice 31:13 Choosing Between Bench Trials and Jury Trials 32:25 Karen Reed Case: A Litmus Test for Public Awareness 36:36 The Role of Police and the Concept of Defunding 40:23 Addressing Income Inequality and Class Wars 42:33 Empowering Women to Take Action 44:26 Exciting Updates on Season Three 45:30 The Power of Women and Multitasking 49:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    53 min
  • Data, Creativity & Being More Than One Thing | Andrea Jones-Rooy | Data Scientist, Comedian & Host of Behind the Data Podcast
    Jan 28 2026
    Data is shaping how we understand health, politics, work, and everyday life, but without context, it can mislead more than it informs. In this episode,, Kara Duffy speaks with Andrea Jones-Rooy, data scientist, former professor, comedian, and host of Behind the Data Podcast, about how to think critically about statistics, misinformation, and measurement in today’s information-saturated world. Andrea explains why data doesn’t speak for itself, how charts and trends can be manipulated without context, and why critical thinking and data literacy are essential skills for modern leaders. The conversation also explores career identity, fractional paths, creative work, and why being multi-hyphenate can lead to more fulfillment, better problem-solving, and stronger decision-making in both business and life. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates 02:55 The Power of Data Science 05:55 Measuring What Matters 08:59 The Importance of Context in Data 12:05 Personal Experiences with Data and Measurement 15:03 Navigating Misinformation in Data 18:09 The Journey to Embracing Data Science 20:55 The Role of Data in Decision Making 24:09 Challenges in Trusting Data 27:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 30:50 The Intersection of Comedy and Academia 34:49 The Dichotomy of Seriousness and Fun 38:10 The Privilege of Being Multifaceted 42:03 Redefining Work-Life Balance 44:39 The Impact of Personal Fulfillment 46:11 Understanding the Us vs. Them Mentality 47:24 Influences of Powerful Women 49:20 Defining Power and Femininity 51:19 Self-Assessment of Power 52:39 Manifesting Creative Projects The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    57 min
  • The Future of Work, Fractional Leadership & the Power of Community | April Uchitel | Founder & CEO of The Board
    Jan 21 2026
    The future of work is changing fast as longer job searches, rising costs, AI and automation, and remote work reshape today’s economy. In this episode, Kara Duffy sits down with April Uchitel, Founder and CEO of The Board, to discuss how professionals and businesses can adapt by creating income streams they control and embracing fractional leadership. April shares why more roles are shifting from traditional employment to consulting and contract work, how building a strong personal brand drives career sustainability, and why community, relationships, and who knows you matter more than ever in today’s evolving work culture. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Networking Connections 01:02 Building a Hybrid Agency Community 02:04 The Shift in Corporate Environments 06:20 The Rise of Fractional Work and Hustle Culture 07:59 Burnout and the Unique Challenges for Women 10:40 Navigating Modern Career Paths and Job Security 11:39 Identifying Superpowers and Specialization 14:01 The Importance of Personal Branding 18:13 Community Support and Collective Intelligence 21:20 Reflections on Career Journey and Future Outlook 30:24 Navigating Time Management and Resourcefulness 31:24 Identifying Core Values for Success 32:39 Embracing Innovation and Adaptability 34:48 The Importance of Experimentation 35:59 Understanding the Role of AI in Business 37:49 Personal Well-being and Daily Rituals 40:30 Community and Connection in a Digital Age 42:56 Redefining Success Beyond Exit Strategies 46:32 Legacy, Impact, and Human Connection The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    57 min
  • How to Navigate and Change a Toxic Workplace | Catherine Mattice & Rebecca Del Secco | CEO & COO of Civility Partners, Authors of Navigating Toxic Workplace Culture
    Jan 14 2026
    Workplace culture doesn’t become toxic overnight, and the warning signs often show up long before leaders take action. In this episode, workplace culture and leadership experts Rebecca Del Secco and Catherine Mattice join Kara to break down the early indicators of a toxic workplace, how harmful behaviors are allowed to persist, and the critical role leadership plays in accountability and psychological safety. They explore how silence, fear, gossip, and unchecked power dynamics erode trust, what employees can do when they feel unsafe at work, and how leaders can intervene before toxicity becomes embedded in company culture. The conversation also covers rebuilding trust, navigating difficult conversations, and knowing when it’s time to advocate for change, or make the decision to leave. Chapters: 00:00 Navigating Toxic Workplace Culture 03:07 Changing Definitions of Toxicity 05:52 Extreme Cases of Workplace Bullying 08:40 Identifying Toxic Work Environments 11:43 The Role of Leadership in Culture 14:45 Coaching and Feedback Dynamics 17:33 The Importance of Psychological Safety 20:39 Feedback and Communication Strategies 23:38 The Power of Core Values 26:30 Integrating Visionary and Operational Roles 29:36 Operationalizing Culture 32:41 Intentionality in Culture 35:32 The Balance of Systems and Creativity 38:31 Empowering Change in Culture The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    55 min
  • How Whimsy & Self-Expression Build Stronger Brands | Danielle McWaters | Founder of Designsake Studio & Co-Founder of Sardine
    Jan 7 2026
    Danielle McWaters is the creative force behind Designsake Studio and co-founder of Sardine Eyewear, building brands with intention, strategy, and joy. In this episode, she joins Kara to share how she’s creating meaningful, lasting brands while navigating the challenges of launching product-based businesses. They dive into brand positioning, strategy, customer experience, and how to grow sustainably without losing integrity. Danielle also explores personal evolution, reconnecting with your creativity, and embracing whimsy in life and work. If you’re building a brand, craving more creativity, or leading with purpose, this episode is packed with inspiration. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Danielle McWaters and Her Ventures 03:12 Career Path and the Launch of Designsake Studio 05:59 Transitioning to Eyewear: The Birth of Sardin 08:52 The Importance of Positioning in Branding 12:07 The Role of Strategy in Business Success 14:59 Navigating Brand Identity and Consumer Connection 18:01 The Challenge of Balancing Sales and Strategy 21:03 The Essence of Brand Purpose and Integrity 23:55 The Need for Whimsy and Individuality in Fashion 26:53 Embracing Change and Self-Expression 29:43 Reflecting on Childhood Imagination and Creativity 31:28 Embracing Whimsy and Authenticity in Style 33:13 Reflecting on Personal Growth and Identity 36:38 The Importance of Internal Validation 39:49 Choosing Agency and Direction in Life 41:34 Building a Purpose-Driven Business 47:01 Navigating Product Development and Sustainability 54:50 Rapid Fire Reflections and Personal Insights he Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    59 min
  • Punk Rock PR & Podcasting with Purpose | Kathryn Musilek | Founder, Shark Party Media
    Dec 31 2025
    Kathryn Musilek is building a PR business that actually reflects her values—and gets real results for creatives. As the founder of Shark Party Media, Kathryn specializes in matching creatives with podcast guesting opportunities, carving out a much-needed niche in today’s crowded media landscape. In this episode, Kara Duffy and Kathryn unpack her journey from working in traditional PR (including with legends like Ringo Starr) to launching a values-driven agency where selectivity, alignment, and clear communication come first. They explore how PR and podcasting are rapidly changing, why building your business “selfishly” around who you are actually works, and what truly matters when making long-term business decisions. This conversation is a must-listen for creatives, founders, and anyone rethinking how visibility, media, and values intersect. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to The Powerful Ladies 00:18 Meet Kathryn Musilek: Founder of Shark Party Media 02:06 The Evolution of Shark Party Media 04:20 Navigating the PR Landscape 09:43 Building a Business Around Your Values 12:54 The Changing World of PR and Social Media 15:21 The Power of Optimism and Lead Time in PR 16:37 Finding the Right Clients and Projects 18:58 Trends and Insights in Podcasting 24:45 The Importance of Gratitude and Perspective 28:43 The Power of Imperfect Actions 29:24 The Neuroscience of Positive Affirmations 30:28 Leveraging Your Network for Success 32:01 The Importance of Clear Communication 40:11 The Role of AI in Modern Communication 50:44 Defining Powerful Ladies 53:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    57 min