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In this powerful episode of the Starter Girlz Podcast, Jennifer sits down with Maureen Jirikowic, a woman whose world turned upside down after losing her husband to terminal cancer. What followed was a deeply personal and courageous journey of healing, rebuilding, and rediscovering her purpose.

Maureen shares how she moved through unimaginable grief and turned her pain into strength—becoming a voice for other women walking a similar path. From navigating emotional triggers to reclaiming her space and launching her podcast Widow Talk, Maureen offers honest insights and practical advice for life after loss.

This conversation is for anyone who has faced heartbreak, is supporting a grieving loved one, or is seeking hope after tragedy. It’s a raw, relatable, and inspiring message of resilience and transformation.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The emotional realities of losing a spouse and what grief really looks like
• How routines, mindset, and spiritual practices supported Maureen’s healing
• Practical ways to declutter and rebuild your space after loss
• Insights on finances, friendships, and finding identity again
• Why Maureen created a podcast to help other widows heal and connect

Whether you’re grieving, starting over, or just need a reminder of your strength—this episode will meet you where you are and help light the way forward.

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What does it take to break into the world of venture capital when you’re starting from scratch? In this inspiring episode of the Starter Girlz Podcast, host Jennifer Loehding sits down with Maggie Vo, Managing General Partner at Fuel Venture Capital, to explore how she built a thriving VC career without money, networks, or shortcuts.

From leaving Vietnam alone at 17 to becoming a leader in the U.S. financial sector, Maggie’s story is one of grit, strategy, and bold vision. She shares how mindset and adaptability helped her rise in one of the most competitive industries in the world.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, investor, or career changer, this conversation is packed with real, actionable insights on building success from the ground up.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to get into venture capital with no connections
• Key investor mindsets and what VC firms look for
• Why diversity and inclusion drive stronger teams
• Maggie’s shift from survival to leadership legacy
• Practical tips for partnerships, performance, and career growth

Learn more about Maggie’s firm:
🌐 fuelventurecapital.com

Explore more at: startergirlz.com

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Can a hot dog-eating contest change your life?

It sounds funny—but for Andrew Smith, a busy dad of four, it became the unexpected wake-up call that led to a powerful transformation. What began as a silly challenge turned into a commitment to take back control of his health, mindset, and life.

In this inspiring episode of the Starter Girlz Podcast, Andrew shares how he went from feeling stuck and exhausted to running marathons, chasing personal records, and discovering purpose through small, consistent steps.

If you've ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin, Andrew’s story will show you that it’s never too late to change.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How a moment of discomfort became the catalyst for change
• What helped Andrew cut nearly an hour off his marathon time
• How he balances fitness, mindset, and parenting
• Why mindset matters more than motivation
• Tips for building consistency when you're tired, busy, or just starting out

Whether you're a beginner runner, a busy parent, or someone seeking a fresh start, this conversation will leave you inspired to take your first step.

Connect with Andrew Smith:
Instagram: @AndrewMossSmith
Email: andrewmosssmith@gmail.com