Episodes

  • Designing Financial Freedom: How Trading Gave LaKiesha Tomlin the Life She Dreamed Of

    Designing Financial Freedom: How Trading Gave LaKiesha Tomlin the Life She Dreamed Of
    Apr 2 2026
    What if the stock market could fund the life you have always wanted, and you did not need to be a finance expert to make it happen? This week on the Glow Up, Gyrl Podcast, Kyra sits down with LaKiesha Tomlin, trading mentor, engineer, and founder of Thriving Ambition, Inc. LaKiesha used the markets to fund two sabbaticals, pay down debt, earn her Executive MBA from Yale, and travel through Europe solo. Now she teaches ambitious women how to build a second income through simple, beginner-friendly trading strategies without quitting their day jobs. This conversation is packed with real talk, practical wisdom, and the kind of story that makes you want to open a brokerage account before the episode is even over. In this episode: ✨ How LaKiesha went from fear of the markets in 2008 to funding a year off from work ✨ The biggest misconceptions beginners have about trading and the truth behind them ✨ What "simple trading" actually looks like for someone starting from zero ✨ The power of freedom numbers and how to calculate yours ✨ How she funded two sabbaticals and a Yale MBA through the markets ✨ How to move from fear and overwhelm to confident, consistent action ✨ All about Profitable Traders Academy and how to get started Whether you are completely new to trading or have been curious for years but never took the first step, this episode will change how you think about building wealth on your own terms. Learn more: lakieshatrades.com Follow LaKiesha: @chartconfidence Stay connected to Glow Up, Gyrl: Website: glowupgyrl.com | Email: hello@glowupgyrl.com Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn: @glowupgyrl | Facebook: @glowupgyrlatl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • From Invisible to In-Demand: Building Authority and Visibility Without Burnout with KJ Blattenbauer

    From Invisible to In-Demand: Building Authority and Visibility Without Burnout with KJ Blattenbauer
    Mar 26 2026
    What if the reason your business isn't growing has nothing to do with your product and everything to do with how you're talking about it? This week on the Glow Up, Gyrl Podcast, Kyra sits down with KJ Blattenbauer, powerhouse publicist, two-time bestselling author, and founder of Hearsay PR. With nearly 30 years of experience turning overlooked experts into headline news, KJ brings the kind of real, no-nonsense visibility strategy that every woman building a business needs to hear right now. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom, a few hard truths, and the kind of encouragement that makes you want to close the laptop and go pitch yourself somewhere immediately. In this episode: - The two biggest visibility mistakes creative women make and how to fix them - KJ's Pitchworthy framework for getting clear on your message and your audience -What "press that pays off" actually looks like for a real business - The truth about pay-for-play media features and why KJ is a hard no - Why AI should never write your pitch (and what to use it for instead) - The one thing every woman who feels invisible needs to do first - All about KJ's books, How to Be a Media Darling and Pitchworthy Whether you are just starting out or have been in business for years and still feel like your best-kept secret, this episode will change how you think about showing up. Learn more about KJ's work: hearsaypr.com Get the books: hearsaypr.com/buy-my-book Free resources: hearsaypr.mykajabi.com Follow KJ: @kjblattenbauer Stay connected to Glow Up, Gyrl: Website: glowupgyrl.com | Email: hello@glowupgyrl.com Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn: @glowupgyrl | Facebook: @glowupgyrlatl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 mins
  • Designing Rest: Healing Sleep, Innovation, and the Power of Listening to Your Body with Alizah Josette

    Designing Rest: Healing Sleep, Innovation, and the Power of Listening to Your Body with Alizah Josette
    Mar 19 2026
    What if the key to healing your body has been happening while you sleep, and your pillow has been getting in the way? This week on the Glow Up, Gyrl Podcast, Kyra sits down with Alizah Josette, founder of Spherehead, a sleep wellness company born from her own personal journey with chronic pain, migraines, and years of restless nights. After spending hundreds of dollars on specialty pillows that did not work, Alizah did what any brilliant, frustrated inventor would do: she built exactly what she needed herself. What started as a personal solution has turned into a product that is helping hundreds of people sleep better, move without pain, and wake up actually feeling restored. In this episode: How working three jobs at 21 led to eight years of chronic pain and sleepless nights The invention of the Spherehead pillow and what makes its design so unique Why pairing a physical product with guided meditation was non-negotiable for Alizah What sleep actually does for your brain, your body, and your healing Small, gentle shifts in your nighttime routine that can make a real difference How to find the pillow, the guided meditation eBook, and the meditation card set Whether you deal with neck and shoulder tension, struggle to get a restful night, or just know your sleep setup is not serving you, this conversation is your sign to finally do something about it. Learn more and shop: sphereheadpillow.com Follow Spherehead: @spherehead.pillow Stay connected to Glow Up, Gyrl: Website: glowupgyrl.com | Email: hello@glowupgyrl.com Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn: @glowupgyrl | Facebook: @glowupgyrlatl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 mins
  • Amplifying Women's Voices: Expanding Leadership and Civic Power with Beth Peterson of Vote Run Lead

    Amplifying Women's Voices: Expanding Leadership and Civic Power with Beth Peterson of Vote Run Lead
    Mar 12 2026
    What if the most qualified person for office is you, and you just don't know it yet? This week on the Glow Up, Gyrl Podcast, Kyra sits down with Beth Peterson, Senior State Director for Vote Run Lead in Minnesota, for a real and powerful conversation about women, leadership, and what it truly means to step into your civic power. This is also a special episode: Glow Up, Gyrl is proud to be back for its second year as part of Podcasthon, a global initiative where thousands of podcasters come together to spotlight nonprofits doing meaningful work in the world. Beth is a mother of four, a former elected city councilor, a founding board member of the Rural and American Indigenous Leadership organization, and someone who wakes up every day committed to making sure more women are in the rooms where decisions get made. In this episode: ✨ How Beth's frustration with local government led her to run for city council and win ✨ The mission of Vote Run Lead and the gap it exists to fill ✨ Why women's representation is both a justice issue and an economic one ✨ The barriers women face stepping into leadership, and how lived experience is the qualification, not a barrier ✨ The mindset shift from "I'm not ready" to "I don't have to do this alone" ✨ How to connect with Vote Run Lead and take your very first step Whether you're thinking about running, want to support women in your community, or just need a reminder of why your voice matters right now, this conversation is for you. Learn more about Vote Run Lead: voterunlead.org Training and resources: vrlhq.org Follow Vote Run Lead: @voterunlead Stay connected to Glow Up, Gyrl: Website: glowupgyrl.com | Email: hello@glowupgyrl.com Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn: @glowupgyrl | Facebook: @glowupgyrlatl Timestamps 0:00 - Welcome to Glow Up, Gyrl 0:32 - What is Podcasthon? (Why this episode is special) 1:48 - Introducing today's guest: Beth Peterson of Vote Run Lead 3:04 - Beth joins the show 3:27 - Beth's background: How she got into public service 4:07 - From frustrated young mom to elected city councilor 5:56 - The barriers women face stepping into leadership 9:32 - Meeting women where they are: safety, confidence, and community 10:07 - Why women must not just vote, but RUN 13:18 - Women's leadership is an economic issue, not just a political one 16:24 - "Run As You Are": How Vote Run Lead finds and supports women 18:25 - The mindset shifts every woman leader needs 19:39 - What Podcasthon means to Vote Run Lead 21:07 - Programs, training, and how to get involved 24:45 - Beth's 3 key takeaways for every woman watching 26:15 - Kyra's closing reflections + call to action 31:52 - Outro: Rate, review, and stay connected Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Igniting Your Inner Fire: Leadership and Purpose with Dr. Rita Renee

    Igniting Your Inner Fire: Leadership and Purpose with Dr. Rita Renee
    Mar 5 2026
    This week, Kyra sits down with Dr. Rita Renee, TEDx Speaker, international keynote speaker, leadership development coach, and self-described Firestarter, for a bold and energizing conversation about stepping into leadership with confidence and clarity. Dr. Rita shares what it means to ignite your inner fire and why so many women hold themselves back from leadership roles even when they are fully capable. Together, they explore purpose, resilience, authenticity, and the mindset shifts required to lead with both strategy and heart. Dr. Rita offers practical encouragement for women who are ready to move beyond hesitation and embrace their influence. In this episode: ✨ What it means to be known as the Firestarter ✨ The common fears that keep women from leadership ✨ Why confidence and purpose are foundational ✨ Turning challenges into fuel for growth ✨ Leading authentically in environments that may not always be supportive For the woman who believes leadership is for someone else, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that the spark is already within her. Connect with Dr. Rita: Website: https://drritarenee.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drritarenee/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • Balanced, Beautiful, and Abundant: Creating a Life of Alignment with Rebecca Whitman

    Balanced, Beautiful, and Abundant: Creating a Life of Alignment with Rebecca Whitman
    Feb 26 2026
    This week, Kyra sits down with Rebecca Whitman, international best-selling author, abundance mentor, and host of the Balanced, Beautiful, and Abundant podcast, for an empowering conversation about creating fulfillment across every area of life. Rebecca shares her seven pillars of abundance and explains how true abundance goes far beyond money. Together, they explore balance, mindset, identity, and what it means to be an Elegant Warrior in a world that often glorifies burnout. Rebecca offers practical tools for women who want success without sacrificing joy, alignment, or personal well-being. In this episode: ✨ The 7 Pillars of Abundance ✨ What abundance really means beyond financial success ✨ The concept of being an Elegant Warrior ✨ Moving from burnout to balance ✨ Mindset shifts that support sustainable success ✨ Creating alignment while building a career or side hustle For women craving more freedom, balance, and fulfillment, this conversation offers both clarity and encouragement to design a life that feels whole. Connect with Rebecca: Website: https://www.rebeccaelizabethwhitman.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaewhitman/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 mins
  • Purpose, Profit, and Identity: Building a Business That Truly Fits with Brian Thompson

    Purpose, Profit, and Identity: Building a Business That Truly Fits with Brian Thompson
    Feb 19 2026
    This week, Kyra sits down with Brian Thompson, financial advisor, former tax attorney, and business strategist, for a powerful conversation at the intersection of finance, identity, and purpose. Brian works with LGBTQ+ and mission-driven entrepreneurs to help them build profitable businesses that reflect who they are and what they stand for. Together, they explore the myth that founders must choose between impact and profit, the early signs that a business may no longer fit your life, and how identity-led planning creates sustainable growth. Brian shares practical mindset and financial shifts that help entrepreneurs build with clarity, charge confidently, and design operations that support long-term legacy. In this episode: ✨ Why impact and profit are not opposing forces ✨ How identity shapes the way you build your business ✨ Signs you may be building the wrong business for your life ✨ Financial mindset shifts for mission-driven founders ✨ Aligning operations, money, and legacy with your values For entrepreneurs who want their work and wealth to reflect who they truly are, this episode offers grounded strategy and encouragement to build differently. Connect with Brian: Website: https://btfinancial.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/btfinancial/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 mins
  • Unhitched and Empowered: Rebuilding After Divorce with Oona Metz

    Unhitched and Empowered: Rebuilding After Divorce with Oona Metz
    Feb 12 2026
    This week, Kyra sits down with Oona Metz, licensed clinical social worker, author, and group psychotherapist, for a deeply compassionate conversation about divorce, grief, and rebuilding life with intention. With more than 30 years of experience supporting women through major transitions, Oona brings clarity and care to a season that often feels overwhelming and misunderstood. Oona introduces her five-phase model of divorce grief, a framework she developed after realizing traditional grief models did not fully reflect the lived experience of divorce. Together, they explore heartbreak, emotional instability, healing, letting go, and moving forward, while also discussing identity rediscovery, boundary setting, and supporting children through change. This episode centers women who are navigating divorce or its aftermath and offers reassurance that healing is not linear but it is possible. In this episode: ✨ Oona’s five-phase model of divorce grief ✨ Why divorce grief deserves its own framework ✨ Reconnecting with identity after marriage ends ✨ Setting boundaries with ex-partners, family, and friends ✨ Supporting children while tending to your own healing ✨ Reducing conflict and creating stability in divorced families For women who feel unmoored, exhausted, or unsure of what comes next, this conversation offers validation, tools, and hope for a grounded path forward. Connect with Oona Metz Learn more about Oona’s work supporting women through divorce, healing, and life transitions: Website: https://www.oonametz.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oonametz Book: Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Target Signed Copies Available At: Belmont Books (Belmont, MA): https://belmontbooks.com Brookline Booksmith (Brookline, MA): https://brooklinebooksmith.com Signed copies are available for in-store pickup or online ordering through each bookstore’s website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 mins