She Lift Project Podcast

In this episode of the She Lift Project Podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick welcomes psychotherapist Sara Joern of Wild Sage Counseling for a deep and heartfelt conversation. Sara specializes in trauma, anxiety, social justice, and relationship dynamics, using tools like EMDR to guide her clients toward lasting healing. Together, they explore the roots of emotional pain, the science behind EMDR therapy, and the transformative power of reconnecting with your body, emotions, and authentic self. This episode is for anyone who feels stuck in old patterns, overwhelmed by anxiety, or curious about how to heal beyond talk therapy. Listeners will gain insight into how trauma shows up in our lives, how EMDR works to rewire the brain, and why self-compassion and vulnerability are essential for growth. After tuning in, they'll walk away with a deeper understanding of their inner world and a new sense of permission to feel, heal, and move forward with intention.

In this episode of the She Lift Project, Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with guest Zoe Taylor, a top-producing real estate agent and founder of Moving Medicine Partners. Zoe specializes in helping physicians and their families relocate through the demanding cycles of medical training and career transitions. This episode explores Zoe’s remarkable journey—from teen motherhood to building a national real estate network—while navigating deep personal transformation, burnout, divorce, and rediscovering her true self. This episode is for women navigating big life pivots, physician families facing constant moves, entrepreneurs juggling too much, and anyone who has ever felt lost inside their own life. Listeners will learn how Zoe built a niche business serving medical professionals, the emotional realities behind supporting physician families, and the hard-won lessons she gained from rebuilding herself from the inside out. After this episode, listeners will feel empowered to set boundaries, seek support, design a life that fits who they truly are, and even turn their own hardship into purpose-driven work.

In this inspiring episode of the She Lift Project podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Ali Hogan, founder of Rung for Women, a transformative St. Louis nonprofit. Ali created a holistic program that bridges the critical gap between crisis intervention and sustainable independence by providing women with career training, mental health support, financial coaching, physical wellness resources, and community—all under one roof. The conversation explores how Rung for Women empowers over 500 women through cohort-based programs in advanced manufacturing and IT, helping them move from survival mode to thriving careers earning $60K-$70K+ annually while building confidence, skills, and lasting sisterhood. This episode is for anyone passionate about women's empowerment, nonprofit leaders seeking collaborative models, employers looking to diversify their workforce, and individuals wanting to understand how comprehensive support systems create lasting change. Listeners will learn about the power of addressing the "whole woman" rather than just job placement, the importance of community and coaching in transformation, and how Rung for Women's partnerships with healthcare providers, therapists, and employers create a unique ecosystem of support. After listening, you'll understand how to get involved with Rung for Women as a volunteer, donor, employer partner, or applicant, and you'll be inspired to think differently about what it takes to create generational change in your own community.

In this powerful episode of the She Lift Project Podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Jenn Whitmer, a leadership coach, speaker, and author whose journey began when she was fired from her dream job in education. Jenn trains leaders to solve complex people problems—from burnout and toxic cultures to communication breakdowns and conflict resolution—by placing joy at the center of their leadership strategy. The episode explores how Jenn transformed her experience with toxic leadership into a framework called "Joyosity," revealing why joy isn't just a reward after hard work, but the essential strategy that makes hard work sustainable. This episode is for anyone navigating toxic work environments, aspiring leaders at any career stage, and professionals who feel trapped between survival mode and their potential. Listeners will learn to recognize the warning signs of toxic cultures, understand the five skills that build genuine confidence, and discover the Joy Ratio framework that balances meaningful work with the messy middle of leadership. After listening, you'll be equipped to lead yourself first regardless of your title, have kind but difficult conversations using "feed forward" techniques, and identify whether you're in a place that needs healing or a place you need to leave.

Welcome to Episode #61 of the She Lift Project Podcast, where host Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Dr. Vedica Sharma, a board-certified intensivist and entrepreneur. Dr. Sharma is an ICU physician who treats the sickest patients on their worst days, and is also the co-founder of Vivia Concierge, a first-of-its-kind concierge services company offering everything from in-home spa services to house management. This episode explores her journey through medical training during COVID-19, the lessons she learned about time and mortality, and how she built a thriving business without a business degree or roadmap. This episode is for ambitious professionals, working parents, and anyone feeling stretched thin while trying to do it all. Listeners will learn how to embrace failure as a learning tool, why asking for help is a strength not a weakness, and how the smallest acts of self-care can make the biggest difference in your life. After listening, you'll be inspired to push beyond your comfort zone, stop limiting yourself, and take action on that idea you've been overthinking—because life is too short not to chase what makes you happy.

In this episode of the She Lift Project Podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick welcomes Felice McClendon, the first executive director of Delmar Main Street in St. Louis. Felice's work focuses on economic development, supporting 250 small businesses and nearly 37,000 residents across eight neighborhoods along the Delmar corridor. The conversation explores her innovative approach to community building and takes a deeply personal turn as Felice shares her harrowing experience surviving a tornado while in her car, and how this disaster has both challenged and united the community. This episode is for entrepreneurs, community leaders, and anyone interested in economic development or disaster recovery. Listeners will learn about innovative small business support models, the distinction between immediate relief and long-term recovery, and how personal trauma intersects with community resilience. After listening, they'll understand practical ways to support businesses and communities in crisis, recognize the importance of addressing hidden trauma, and feel inspired to engage in community-building efforts in their own regions.

In this powerful episode of the She Lift Project Podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick welcomes Dr. Leslie Davis, a relationship therapist, owner of Eva Empowered, and international speaker. Dr. Davis specializes in helping women heal from toxic relationships, increase self-worth, and walk in freedom by knowing their truth. The conversation explores self-silencing among women, recognizing toxic relationship patterns, and the unique mental health challenges facing single mothers. This episode is for any woman who feels like she's shrinking herself to fit into relationships, whether romantic, professional, or familial. Listeners will learn to identify the signs of toxic dynamics including gaslighting, love bombing, and codependency, understand why self-silencing is so damaging, and discover practical strategies for having difficult conversations. After listening, you'll be equipped to recognize when you're making yourself invisible, know how to ask for help without feeling like a burden, and start building healthier connections in all areas of your life.

Join host Cynthia Kirkpatrick for an inspiring conversation with Maxine Clark, the visionary founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop. Clark is not only the creator of the beloved stuffed animal empire but also a passionate community leader, educator at Washington University, and current ambassador for St. Louis through her work on the Delmar Divine project. This episode explores Clark's remarkable journey from law school aspirations to retail revolution, revealing how curiosity, authenticity, and "kid think" became the foundation of her extraordinary success. This episode is perfect for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone seeking to rediscover their sense of wonder and possibility. Listeners will learn how to harness curiosity as a superpower, build authentic connections in business and life, and recognize opportunity in everyday moments. After listening, they'll be equipped with practical wisdom about customer-focused innovation, the importance of asking questions, and how to maintain childlike creativity while building serious business success.

Join host Cynthia Kirkpatrick as she interviews legendary artist and entrepreneur Mary Engelbreit, creator of one of America's most beloved illustration brands. Mary has built a multi-generational empire through greeting cards, calendars, children's books, licensing deals, retail stores, and a beloved lifestyle magazine. In this episode, Mary shares the simple truth about building a creative business over five decades, from selling hand-drawn cards for 25 cents in high school to creating over 14,000 copyrights. This episode is essential listening for creative entrepreneurs, artists looking to monetize their work, and anyone building a values-driven business. Listeners will discover how to stay authentic while scaling, when to pivot away from successful ventures that don't align with your vision, and why imperfection is often the gateway to opportunity. After listening, you'll have a roadmap for building a sustainable creative business that can weather decades of change while maintaining its core identity.

Marriage and family therapist Angela Skurtu joins host Cynthia Kirkpatrick for an incredibly honest conversation about building multiple businesses from scratch. Angela is a successful therapist, author of three books, speaker, and entrepreneur who has built her empire by relying on process efficiency. This episode dives deep into the real challenges of entrepreneurship, from overcoming networking anxiety to managing the red zones of business stress that can destroy your decision-making. This episode is perfect for solopreneurs, therapists, and anyone building a business while feeling overwhelmed or burned out. Listeners will learn practical strategies for networking authentically, managing business stress zones, and turning awkwardness into confidence through deliberate practice. After listening, they'll be able to identify their own stress zones, develop better resilience practices, and approach networking as relationship-building rather than selling.

Laura K. Sawyier, founder and CEO of LKS Styling and Consulting, joins Cynthia Kirkpatrick for an inspiring conversation about the intersection of style, psychology, and personal transformation. Laura helps clients build confidence through strategic styling, using a revolutionary digital closet platform that functions like the famous Clueless movie wardrobe system. This episode explores how getting dressed is actually an act of creativity and psychological self-care, diving deep into the science behind why what we wear affects how we think and perform. This episode is perfect for anyone who feels overwhelmed by their closet, struggles with decision fatigue, or wants to understand the deeper psychology behind personal presentation. Listeners will learn about enclothed cognition research, practical gratitude techniques, and how to turn style mistakes into growth opportunities. After listening, you'll be able to approach your wardrobe with more intention, practice self-compassion in challenging moments, and understand how visual communication can be a powerful tool for personal and professional success.

Noelle Robinson is the founder and owner of The Sound Spa in St. Peters, MO, and a former teacher who discovered the transformative power of sound healing after years of chronic health struggles. Her expertise lies in sound immersion therapy, nervous system regulation, and helping people find healing through therapeutic vibrations using gongs, singing bowls, and other instruments. This episode explores her unexpected journey from teaching middle school to becoming a sound healer, and how she's modernizing ancient healing practices to help people achieve deep relaxation and wellness in today's chaotic world. This show is perfect for anyone dealing with chronic pain, stress, anxiety, sleep issues, or those curious about alternative healing methods beyond traditional medicine. Listeners will learn about the science of entrainment, how sound waves can regulate the nervous system, and practical ways to prioritize self-care without guilt. Whether you're a busy mom, overwhelmed professional, or someone seeking natural wellness solutions, you'll discover how investing in your mental and physical well-being isn't selfish—it's essential for showing up as your best self for everyone around you.

Meet Courtney English, a trademark business attorney and founder of Upscale Law who specializes in helping small business owners and entrepreneurs navigate the complete business lifecycle from startup to scaling. With expertise in brand protection, trademark law, and business contracts, Courtney has built her practice around being proactive rather than reactive, focusing on preventing costly legal problems before they arise. In this episode, she shares her journey from a small farm town to building a thriving legal practice, while revealing the critical legal steps every business owner must take to protect what they've built. This episode is essential listening for current and aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women who are considering leaving corporate careers to start their own businesses or those already running small businesses without proper legal protection. Listeners will learn the three foundational legal steps every new business needs, how to protect their brand from copycats and domain thieves, why contracts are non-negotiable, and how to advocate for themselves in business relationships. Armed with this knowledge, business owners should immediately assess their current legal vulnerabilities, conduct trademark searches for their business names, establish proper contracts for all services, and most importantly, shift their mindset from seeing legal protection as an expense to viewing it as an investment in their business's future success.

Kelly Spann is an attorney and entrepreneur who owns and operates three distinct law firms: FortmanSpann (franchise law), TM Law and Associates (trademark and copyright), and True Estate Planning (estate planning and probate). Her expertise lies in franchise law, where she exclusively represents franchisees against franchisors in an industry she describes as having "zero regulation" despite being promoted as highly regulated. This episode explores her unconventional journey from pregnant teen to legal powerhouse, her strategic approach to building multiple businesses, and her refreshingly authentic leadership style that breaks every stereotype about what attorneys should look like and how they should operate. This episode is essential listening for aspiring entrepreneurs, current business owners, legal professionals, and anyone considering franchise ownership. Listeners will learn the hidden realities of the franchise industry, discover why traditional business advice often fails, and understand the power of authentic leadership and strategic delegation. Most importantly, you'll gain practical wisdom about pivoting through life's challenges, the importance of asking for help, and how to build sustainable businesses by being genuinely yourself rather than trying to fit someone else's mold—knowledge you can immediately apply to your own professional and entrepreneurial journeys.

Join host Cynthia Kirkpatrick as she sits down with Lauren Cohen, founder and CEO of Cohen Leadership Group, who made the bold transition from successful corporate lawyer to transformational leadership coach. Lauren shares her powerful journey of leaving a lucrative 10-year legal career after experiencing what she calls a "low grade fever" of misalignment, and how she now helps leaders and teams in fast-growth companies boost energy, engagement, and purpose in the workplace. She discusses her innovative approach to "energy leadership," the importance of authentic leadership, and why people want to be people at work—not just cogs in a machine. This episode is perfect for anyone feeling stuck in their career, struggling with workplace culture, or questioning whether success should feel this hard. Leaders, managers, and ambitious professionals will learn practical frameworks for having difficult conversations, managing stress reactions, and creating psychologically safe environments where teams thrive. By the end, you'll understand how to identify when you're operating "above or below the line," recognize your own limiting beliefs, and have the tools to either transform your current leadership style or find the courage to pursue work that truly aligns with who you are.

Sheila Pride is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Moksha Group, where she works with organizations and executives worldwide to create conscious leadership and transform toxic workplace cultures. As both a therapist and organizational consultant, she specializes in using neuroscience-based approaches to build psychological safety, improve communication, and help teams stay connected despite their differences. In this conversation, she reveals why most workplace culture efforts fail and shares practical frameworks like the "depletion vs. renewal grid" and structured dialogue techniques that actually work. This episode is essential for CEOs, team leaders, managers, and anyone struggling with workplace dysfunction, difficult conversations, or toxic team dynamics. Listeners will learn evidence-based strategies for creating psychological safety, facilitating productive meetings, handling feedback effectively, and building teams that thrive under pressure. By applying Sheila's neuroscience-backed methods, you'll transform not just how you show up at work, but how you communicate in every relationship—creating ripple effects that improve your leadership, reduce stress, and help you build the collaborative, high-performing culture you've always wanted.

This episode features Amy Rivera, who shares her remarkable journey with primary lymphedema - a rare disease she was born with that caused her right leg to grow 200% larger than her left. Amy recounts her decades-long struggle without a proper diagnosis, the pivotal moment when she finally discovered what she had in 2013, and how she transformed her pain into purpose by creating multiple businesses and a non-profit to serve the lymphedema community globally. This episode is ideal for listeners facing health challenges, entrepreneurs looking to build purpose-driven businesses, and healthcare professionals wanting to better understand lymphedema from a patient perspective. Listeners will learn about lymphedema's physical and emotional impacts, the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare, and how to transform personal struggles into meaningful work. The insights Amy shares about resilience, business-building, and creating community around a medical condition can inspire anyone to find purpose in their pain and take actionable steps toward both personal healing and helping others.

In this enlightening episode of The She Lift Project Podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Alara LaPlante, a healer, guide, and what one client aptly called an "illuminator." Alara shares her remarkable journey from serious illness to vibrant health and spiritual awakening. The conversation explores how our physical "dis-eases" often reflect deeper spiritual and emotional misalignments. Alara discusses her approach to healing—helping people shed dense emotional energies, reconnect with their authentic selves, and integrate forgotten or fragmented parts of their being. She explains how neurodivergence can be a gift rather than something to suppress, and shares insights about consciousness, Christ consciousness, and the multi-dimensional nature of human existence. Listeners will be fascinated by Alara's discussion of various healing modalities, from modern medical sciences to ancient esoteric traditions, and how she integrates these approaches to help clients discover their true purpose. The episode also touches on the healing power of cacao ceremonies, the importance of play in healing generational trauma, and how something as simple as learning to receive a proper hug can be transformative. Whether you're on your own healing journey or simply curious about expanded consciousness, this conversation offers wisdom, compassion, and practical insights on becoming more fully yourself and living with greater joy and authenticity.

Jana Franklin is a serial entrepreneur who has mastered the art of scaling businesses efficiently. From owning multiple Fantastic Sams and Jimmy John’s franchises to founding CEO Concierge, she helps business owners leverage virtual assistants to regain time and focus. Her journey of growth, setbacks, and strategic delegation has made her an expert in building businesses that thrive without burnout. This episode is for entrepreneurs and professionals feeling overwhelmed by their workload. Listeners will learn why doing it all is hurting their success and how outsourcing can create more efficiency and balance. Jana shares practical tips on delegation, finding the right support, and shifting from managing everything to leading smarter.

In this episode of The She Lift Project Podcast, Dr. Rachel Feinberg shares her remarkable journey from anesthesiology to becoming a leader in pain management. She opens up about the challenges she faced as a woman in medicine, the pivotal moments that shaped her career, and the innovative approaches she uses to help patients truly heal. With decades of experience, she offers a fresh perspective on how understanding the body’s signals can lead to more effective and compassionate medical care. This episode is for anyone struggling with chronic pain, those frustrated by traditional medical treatments, or individuals seeking a deeper understanding of how their body communicates discomfort. Listeners will learn how pain is more than just a symptom—it’s a message that requires attention, analysis, and the right approach to treatment. Whether you're a patient, a healthcare professional, or someone interested in advocating for better care, Dr. Feinberg’s insights will empower you to take control of your health and explore new paths to healing.