Today, I am joined by Lara Ritchie, the culinary director at a cooking school who has a profound appreciation for connection and learning. Our show often explores themes of intention and connection, and Lara's story is a perfect example. As we dive deep into her experiences, these themes become evident in both her past and present. Lara discusses her passions and how she cultivates connection and learning within her family, friends, and community. She is a delightful person, and I am confident her journey will inspire you.

Episode Highlights:

● Conversation starter questions with Lara

● Lara’s early life

● Lara’s Father Passing

● Backpacking

● Culinary School Teacher

● Connection & Intention

Find more on Guest:

● Nothing To It Culinary School

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

● On IG @karla_osorno

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate and review The Commons with Karla Podcast on Apple or Spotify. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. For show notes, go to karlaosorno.com/podcast.

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

Welcome back to The Commons with Karla. Join me for an inspiring conversation with Alison Butler as we dive into her powerful story and its profound impact on her life. Alison candidly shares hard truths and offers a message of hope, showing us how our own stories can shape our relationships, faith, and purpose. Through Alison’s journey of pain, redemption, and blessing, we are encouraged to reflect on our own experiences and find beauty and hope in them.

We explore the beauty and complexity of personal stories, offering encouragement to explore and share our own stories in community. We also discuss using major life events to discover beauty and hope, allowing pain to deepen our sense of purpose, and nurturing deeper relationships through meaningful conversations.

Key takeaways from this episode include understanding that everyone’s story has elements of truth and hope, recognizing that vulnerably sharing our stories can lead to healing and deeper connections, and realizing that life’s major events can be a lens to see beauty and hope, even in difficult times.

I hope this episode shows you that pain and hardship can enhance our sense of purpose and mission.

Episode Highlights:

● Alison’s Early Story

● Feeling the weight of her parent’s divorce

● Alison’s Faith Story

● Counseling

● Disassociation

● Passion for Kids and Families

● Story Work

● Discovering Safe Vs. Unsafe

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

● On IG @karla_osorno

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate and review The Commons with Karla Podcast on Apple or Spotify. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. For show notes, go to karlaosorno.com/podcast.

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

In this episode of The Commons with Karla, I sit down for a compelling conversation with Stephanie Sherman, a remarkable woman whose journey embodies resilience, faith, and social activism. Stephanie's transition from nurturing her children to joining Awaken, a faith-driven organization dedicated to combating commercial sexual exploitation, sets the stage for an exploration of personal growth and spiritual evolution. Together, Stephanie and I explore profound topics, including race, parenting, gender dynamics, and the portrayal of women in the Bible. We also examine the fusion of faith and social justice, drawing insights from Stephanie's experiences and her impactful work with Awaken. Join us on this enlightening journey as we navigate the complexities of life, faith, and advocacy.

Episode Highlights:

● All about Stephanie

● Stephanie’s Backstory/Growing up in England

● Growing in Faith

● College at TCU

● Relying on Community during Motherhood

● Becoming a Mentor

● Combating Commercial Sexual Exploitation

● Race, Parenting & Gender Dynamics

● Portrayal of Women

● Awaken

Find more on Guest:

● Awaken Website

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

● On IG @karla_osorno

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate and review The Commons with Karla Podcast on Apple or Spotify. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. For show notes, go to karlaosorno.com/podcast.

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

Welcome back to another episode of The Commons with Karla! Today, I have a special guest, Gretchen Huijskens, who is dedicated to using fashion as a catalyst for positive change in alleviating poverty. In our conversation, Gretchen shares her journey, including her experiences founding a charity in Haiti and co-founding Trades of Hope. Through her work, she has witnessed women overcoming poverty, trafficking, and gender inequality. Gretchen's book, "Our Voices Rising: One CEO’s Journey to Alleviate Poverty Using Fashion as a Force for Good," offers a compelling memoir and tribute to women globally striving for meaningful lives. Join us as we dive into Gretchen's inspiring story and reflect on how our own unique experiences shape our paths. I hope this episode reminds you that your story matters.

Episode Highlights:

● All about Gretchen

● Gretchen’s early life

● Fashion as a Force for Good

● Charity in Haiti

● Trades of Hope

● Nurturing Friendships when you feel overloaded

● Women rising out of poverty, trafficking, and gender inequality

● Gretchen’s Book: Our Voices Rising: One CEO’s Journey to Alleviate Poverty Using Fashion as a Force for Good

Find more on Guest:

● Gretchen on IG @gretchenhuijskens

● Our Voices Rising: One CEO’s Journey to Alleviate Poverty Using Fashion as a Force for Good

● Trades of Hope - Shop

● Trades of Hope Website Partner with Podcast guest Melanie

● Mentions: Melanie’s Episode #87 and Episode #97

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

● On IG @karla_osorno

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate and review The Commons with Karla Podcast on Apple or Spotify. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. For show notes, go to karlaosorno.com/podcast.

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

Welcome to The Commons with Karla, where we dive into the stories of everyday women making extraordinary impacts in their families and communities. My passion for this podcast stems from a deep belief in the power of shared experiences and connections. Through conversations, we uncover the common threads that unite us as human beings, from our desires and struggles to our capacity for purpose and joy.

In today's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jamie Hanson, a woman whose remarkable journey and insightful perspectives shed light on the importance of dialogue. Jamie's diverse experiences, including her upbringing in the Jewish faith and her teenage visit to Israel, provide a unique lens through which to understand complex issues.

Join us as we explore the value of conversations in fostering understanding and deepening connections.

Episode Highlights:

● All about Jamie and her family

● Jamie’s backstory

● Being raised Jewish

● Jamie’s Favorite Holiday - Seder

● Trip to Israel

● Navigating losing her Dad

● Jamie’s two jobs and mentoring

● Nurturing and Cultivating Relationships

● Being a Conversationalist

Find more on Guest:

● The Genius of Israel Book

● Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

● On IG @karla_osorno

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate and review The Commons with Karla Podcast on Apple or Spotify. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. For show notes, go to karlaosorno.com/podcast.

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

In this episode of The Commons with Karla, I dive deep into the concept of superpowers with my guest, Ashleigh Harvey. Rather than envisioning superpowers as the typical superhero abilities like invisibility or teleportation, we explore the idea that each of us possesses a unique superpower – a special skill, mindset, or belief that profoundly shapes our lives and influences the world around us. Through Ashleigh's captivating story, you'll witness firsthand how her superpower has left an indelible mark on her relationships, faith, resilience, and success. I hope this episode encourages you to reflect on your own superpower and its extraordinary impact on your life's journey.

Episode Highlights:

● All about Ashleigh and her Family

● Growing up as an only child

● Friendships as an only child

● Adoption

● Photography

● Creative outlets

● Breast cancer diagnosis

● Community & Support

Find more on Guest:

● Link to book Ashleigh on The Hytch website

● Ashleigh on IG @imashleighmarie

● Ashleigh’s Journal- Made to Thrive

● Moms on the Run

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

● On IG @karla_osorno

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate and review The Commons with Karla Podcast on Apple or Spotify. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. For show notes, go to karlaosorno.com/podcast.

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

Welcome back to The Commons with Karla. In this episode, I have the privilege of sitting down with Amy Riley, who graciously shares her poignant journey of caring for her mother during the challenging final stages of Lewy Body Dementia. As Amy navigates this difficult path, she also manages to fulfill her roles as a wife, mother, volunteer, writer, and marketing professional. Through her story, we discover the profound ways unexpected challenges can reshape our lives and prompt personal growth. Amy's experiences remind us to seek beauty amidst adversity and to reflect on our own journeys of resilience and adaptation. Our conversation explores the complexities of caregiving and the transformative power of facing life's challenges head-on. I hope this episode will give you the strength and confidence to navigate any unexpected turns you are currently facing in your life.

Episode Highlights:

● All about Amy and her family

● Being torn between multiple roles

● Amy’s Mom’s diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia

● Caregiving

● Power of prayer

● Transformation and growth

● Gaining perspective

● Learning patience, empathy, and compassion

● Loving devotion

● Understanding and naming the monster

● The Alzheimer’s Foundation

● Hospice and Palliative Care

● Alzheimer’s Association

● Finding support in community

Find more on Guest:

● Amy on IG @amytriley

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

● On IG @karla_osorno

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate and review The Commons with Karla Podcast on Apple or Spotify. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. For show notes, go to karlaosorno.com/podcast.

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

Welcome to Episode 134 of The Commons with Karla! In today's episode, we explore the themes of strength, resilience, and the transformative power of adversity. Many of us aspire to become stronger and more adept at navigating life's challenges. However, it's often during moments of change and hardship that we truly discover our inner resilience.

Our guest, Melissa Saldana, shares her profound journey marked by significant life changes and trials. Like a diamond forged under pressure, Melissa's experiences have shaped her into an incredible, unique, and vibrant individual. As you listen to Melissa's story, I encourage you to reflect on your own experiences.

What adversities have you faced, and how have they contributed to your strength?

What valuable lessons have significant changes taught you?

I hope this episode encourages you to dive deeper into your story and helps you trace back through all of the hard times you went through to see the purpose they ultimately played in your life.

Episode Highlights:

● All about Melissa

● Melissa’s husband and children

● Melissa’s early childhood in Peru

● Moving to Costa Rica

● Moving to the United States

● Grieving the loss of her nephew

● Navigating Change

Find more on Guest:

● Melissa on IG @mely_pavia and on Facebook @Melissa.Saldana.357

● Listen to Teresa’s Episode Here

● Listen to Carol’s Episode Here

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

● On IG @karla_osorno

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate and review The Commons with Karla Podcast on Apple or Spotify. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. For show notes, go to karlaosorno.com/podcast.

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.