Some moments change everything.

For Karen Olson, it was a conversation with a homeless woman named Millie on a New York City sidewalk—an encounter so simple, yet so profound, it led her to leave behind a thriving marketing career and devote her life to fighting family homelessness.

Karen went on to build Family Promise, one of the most impactful organizations addressing homelessness in America. She’s the author of Meant for More, a woman of quiet power, and a living example of what it means to answer the call—even when it pulls you off the well-worn path.

Her story is one of legacy, leadership, and love—and it’s exactly the reminder we all need right now: that true success isn’t found in titles or accolades, but in the lives we touch along the way.

As this season of the Pretty Powerful Podcast comes to a close, I couldn’t imagine a more meaningful conversation to end on. I’m taking a short break to reflect, realign, and reimagine what’s next for this platform—but the mission remains the same: to celebrate the women who dare to make a difference.

Thank you for listening, for showing up, and for believing in the power of women's voices.

Pick up Meant for More and learn more about Family Promise.

❤️ The journey isn’t over. Just evolving. Stay tuned.

What if you could grow your business without living on social media?

This week on the Pretty Powerful Podcast, I’m joined by Katie Brinkley—author of The Social Shift, top 1% podcast host, and the queen of cutting through the social media noise.

Eight years ago, Katie got laid off from her dream job. No safety net. No clients. No MBA. Just a former boss’s nudge that she might be really good at this social media thing.

Today, she runs a 7-figure agency helping entrepreneurs ditch the burnout and ditch the content hamster wheel. Her game-changing 4-Post Strategy proves that posting less can actually drive more sales—and it works whether you're a solopreneur or a Fortune 500 brand.

We talk: ✨ Turning job loss into a thriving business 📉 The biggest social media mistakes (and how to fix them) 📲 The 4-Post Strategy that’s rewriting the rules 💡 How to create content that actually converts without chasing trends

Katie’s approach is refreshingly real, deeply strategic, and exactly what you need if you're tired of content chaos and ready for results.

🎧 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This week, I’m honored to share space with Dr. Jeanne-Mari Retief—a woman whose story redefines strength, grace, and purpose.

A renowned human rights expert, Jeanne’s 2015 diagnosis of Panic Disorder led her to reevaluate everything—including a career she once lived and breathed. What followed was a powerful reinvention: she founded FIGGI Life & Beauty, a brand and platform for women who crave authenticity over perfection.

But Jeanne’s journey didn’t stop there. Recently, she faced significant personal trauma—yet she continues to show up with intention, vulnerability, and fierce resilience in every part of her life. Her story is a reminder that healing is not linear, and power doesn’t mean having it all figured out.

We discuss: 💥 The courage to walk away from a career that no longer serves you 🌿 Building skincare for sensitive skin and sensitive souls 🧠 Why it’s okay not to be okay—and how to create space for others who feel the same 💫 How to keep showing up, even in the darkest moments

Jeanne is raw, real, and deeply inspiring. If you're navigating adversity or searching for meaning beyond the chaos, this episode will meet you where you are. 🎧

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform. #PrettyPowerfulPodcast #FIGGILife #MentalHealthAwareness #TraumaHealing #ResilientWomen #SkincareWithSoul

This week on the Pretty Powerful Podcast, I’m joined by Emily Schneider, a freelance PowerPoint designer and seasoned visual storyteller with nearly two decades of experience in marketing and branding.

Emily has a rare talent: she takes complex ideas and transforms them into captivating, high-impact presentations that not only look great—but connect. 💡

In this episode, we dive into: 📢 Why your story matters more than your slides 🎯 How to explain your “why” in a way that resonates 🎨 Tips to design presentations that engage, inspire, and inform ☠️ How to avoid the dreaded “Death by PowerPoint”

If you’ve ever struggled to make your message stick in a pitch, meeting, or keynote—this episode is packed with insight that will transform the way you present your ideas.

🎧 Tune in to learn how to own your narrative and elevate your presence through powerful, purposeful visuals.

#PrettyPowerfulPodcast #EmilySchneider #PowerPointDesign #VisualStorytelling #PresentLikeAPro #WomenInBusiness #BrandMessaging #PresentationDesign #StorytellingStrategy #DeathByPowerPointNoMore

What happens when you combine powerful AI tools with a deeply human brand? You get magic—and this week’s guest knows exactly how to make it happen.

On the Pretty Powerful Podcast, I’m joined by Erika Stanley, founder and CEO of Mile End Digital—a visionary branding and digital strategy expert who launched her agency during the pandemic to make high-quality branding and websites accessible to everyone... particularly small businesses.

With nearly 20 years of marketing experience, Erika saw a broken system where small businesses were turned away simply for not meeting arbitrary agency minimums. So she built a better way—empowering startups and solopreneurs to tell their story, build their brand, and use AI tools strategically (not chaotically).

🎧 In this episode, we dive into: 🤖 How to use AI for smarter, more authentic marketing 🎯 Building a brand that aligns with your values 💡 Making big-brand strategies accessible for every entrepreneur 🔥 Why NOW is the best time to build your business with purpose and power

Erika is all about helping entrepreneurs cut through the noise, connect more deeply, and create meaningful impact—without sacrificing their authenticity.

🎧 Tune in now and get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about branding, marketing, and the power of AI.

#PrettyPowerfulPodcast #ErikaStanley #MileEndDigital #AuthenticBranding #AIForBusiness #WomenInBusiness #SmallBusinessMarketing #DigitalStrategy #BrandWithPurpose #HumanFirstMarketing #MarketingWithHeart #prettypowerfulpodcast #podcast #femalepodcast #womanowned #femaleentrepreneur #entrepreneur #empowerment #inspirational #lifecoach #femaleboss #workingmom #fyp #femaleceo #femalefounder

What if the key to more freedom isn’t working harder—but working smarter with strategy?

This week on the Pretty Powerful Podcast, I’m joined by Carol Kabaale, a Meta-certified Ads Strategist who helps online business coaches grow their impact and income through purpose-driven Facebook ad campaigns. 💻📈

Carol’s journey is both inspiring and relatable. She was following the traditional path—school, steady job, corporate ladder—until a moment of clarity changed everything. After her high school sweetheart proposed, Carol knew she wanted more than weekends off. She wanted freedom, joy, and a life she could actually live.

So she took a leap, built her own digital agency from the ground up, and now empowers coaches to scale their businesses through ads that actually work.

🎧 In this episode, we talk about: 📊 How to attract high-quality leads with Facebook ads 💡 Actionable strategies to automate lead generation 💰 What really drives measurable results (it’s not guesswork!) ⚖️ How to balance hustle with the life you truly want

If you're a coach, consultant, or entrepreneur ready to grow your business without burning out, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.

Listen now and learn how to turn ads into your most powerful growth tool.

#PrettyPowerfulPodcast #CarolKabaale #WomenInBusiness #MetaCertified #FacebookAdsExpert #DigitalMarketing #OnlineCoaches #LeadGeneration #AdStrategy #FreedomLifestyle #WorkSmarterNotHarder

Let’s talk about the real power behind your business—your finances.

On this week’s episode of the Pretty Powerful Podcast, I’m joined by the brilliant Tanya Akimenko, founder of Golden Apple Agency Inc. With over 20 years of experience, Tanya has had a front-row seat to the financial journeys of entrepreneurs—and she’s made it her mission to demystify the numbers that drive success.

Tanya and her team specialize in smart tax strategies, audit readiness, and best-practice bookkeeping—all designed to help entrepreneurs stop flying blind and start making powerful, informed decisions.

In this episode, we dive into: 💸 Tax strategies every small business should know 📉 How to manage your finances when money is tight 🧾 The best software and systems to stay organized 🧠 Smart tips to prepare for tax season before it gets stressful

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by bookkeeping or unsure where to start with your finances, this conversation is packed with practical, actionable guidance you can use right now.

Tune in and gain the clarity and confidence you need to take control of your financial future.

#PrettyPowerfulPodcast #WomenInBusiness #TanyaAkimenko #GoldenAppleAgency #SmallBusinessTips #TaxSeasonReady #FinancialClarity #SmartMoneyMoves #BookkeepingMatters #EntrepreneurFinance #KnowYourNumbers

This week on the Pretty Powerful Podcast, I’m joined by the inspiring Amy Vale, Founder of For the Cubs—a company providing quality essentials for young children while bringing comfort and belonging to kids in foster care. ❤️

After undergoing foster care training, Amy realized there was a missing piece in the market—and in children’s hearts. She created Percy, a weighted plush bear named after her late grandfather, designed to offer the soothing comfort that every child deserves.

Did you know that people need 8–12 hugs a day for emotional well-being? We ALL crave connection, acceptance, and a place to belong—especially children in foster care, who are often navigating tremendous change and uncertainty.

In a world where human connection has suffered since COVID, Amy’s mission reminds us that small acts of comfort can make a profound difference.

Tune in to hear Amy’s incredible journey, the story behind Percy, and how she’s making the world a softer, safer place for our youngest hearts. We discuss the foster care system, and our experiences with a broken process.

#PrettyPowerfulPodcast #ForTheCubs #FosterCareAwareness #PercyTheBear #ComfortAndBelonging #EmotionalWellbeing #WomenInBusiness #ImpactfulEntrepreneurship #ChildrensWellness #HumanConnection