She Lift Project Podcast

#36 - Amy Post: Out of the Gray, Into the Light

In this episode of the She Lift Project podcast, Cynthia Kirkpatrick is thrilled to introduce Amy Post, a multifaceted individual with an extraordinary story. With over 20 years in medical sales, Amy has not only achieved remarkable success in her career but also navigated the challenging roles of being a wife, mother, author, podcaster, and nonprofit founder. Her journey is nothing short of awe-inspiring, and today's live session with an audience promises to delve deep into her experiences, lessons, and the incredible impact she has had on those around her.
 
Amy's story is a testament to resilience and adaptability. She began her career in veterinary sales, which sparked her passion for helping others and improving their businesses. Her transition to medical aesthetic sales brought her into contact with a diverse range of professionals, from plastic surgeons to cardiologists, highlighting her ability to thrive in various environments. Despite her professional success, Amy's life took a dramatic turn when her daughter was diagnosed with malignant liver cancer. This life-altering event propelled Amy into the role of a fierce advocate, fighting not only for her daughter's health but also for systemic changes within the healthcare system.
 
Throughout the episode, Amy shares her journey of navigating the healthcare system, the emotional toll of her daughter's illness, and the transformative power of faith and community. Her book, "Out of the Gray, Into the Light," captures these experiences, offering hope and guidance to others facing similar challenges. Amy's advocacy extends beyond her personal story as she builds a community focused on support, self-care, and positive mindset. Her message is clear: by sharing our stories and standing up for ourselves and others, we can create ripples of change and find light even in the darkest times. This episode is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the impact of living with purpose and compassion.

#35 - Johanna Schuessler - The Magic of Adventure Unknown

In this episode of The She Lift Project Podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Johanna Schuessler, co-owner and co-creator of Adventure Unknown. Johanna shares the inspiration behind her unique co-working and social club, which combines professional networking with curated travel experiences. She delves into how a life-changing trip to Africa with her husband sparked the idea for Adventure Unknown, aiming to connect like-minded individuals through transformative journeys.
Johanna opens up about her multifaceted career as a physician's assistant and travel agent, discussing the challenges and rewards of balancing these roles. She recounts personal stories of overcoming significant losses, including the tragic passing of her mother and brother-in-law, and how these experiences shaped her resilience and empathy. Johanna's journey highlights the importance of being authentic, building meaningful connections, and supporting one another in both personal and professional spheres.
Listeners will also hear about the future aspirations for Adventure Unknown, including plans for expansion and the launch of the Adventure Unknown Travel Club. Johanna's advice for advocating for oneself in healthcare, as well as her encouragement for women to pursue their passions and take chances, provides valuable insights for anyone seeking inspiration and growth. Don't miss this empowering and heartfelt episode filled with wisdom and practical advice.

#34 - Nicki Ball: The Power of Pivots

In this episode of the She Lift Project Podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Nicki Ball, the Chief Operating Officer at Mary Engelbreit, to explore the fascinating journey of her multifaceted career. From her beginnings in hospitality and wine expertise to healthcare and art licensing, Nicki shares her experiences of navigating through various industries and the lessons learned along the way.
Nicki highlights the importance of self-advocacy, work-life balance, and the courage to pivot when necessary. She discusses the challenges of working in male-dominated environments and the significance of mentorship and supportive leadership. With anecdotes about her time in restaurants, healthcare, and the corporate world, Nicki emphasizes the value of adaptability, continuous learning, and finding joy in one’s career.
Join us as Nicki Ball provides insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, the power of being genuine, and the critical role of collaboration and open communication in achieving professional success. Whether you're at the start of your career or considering a change, this episode offers valuable takeaways on embracing the power of pivots and pursuing your passion.

#33 - Whitney Toates: Building a Business Club

In this episode of the She Lift Project podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Whitney Toates, a dynamic businesswoman who relocated to St. Louis and successfully established a chapter of the ACA Business Club. Whitney shares her inspiring journey of building a thriving business community amidst personal and professional challenges. From her extensive background in sales and marketing to the unique networking culture of St. Louis, Whitney offers invaluable insights on entrepreneurship, relationship-building, and overcoming adversity.
Listeners will learn about the transformative power of the ACA Business Club, a private, invitation-only organization focused on fostering meaningful relationships, professional development, and marketing strategies. Whitney's story includes navigating a major career pivot, the birth of her daughter Bishop, and the unwavering support of her business community during difficult times.
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or simply looking for motivation, this episode is packed with practical advice, heartfelt stories, and lessons on the importance of community and resilience in the business world. Tune in to discover how Whitney's faith, determination, and the power of connections helped her and her members achieve remarkable success.

#32 - Kristin Thompson: Juggling Fertility & Finance

This episode of the She Lift Project podcast features Kristin Thompson, a Financial Advisor at Renaissance Financial. Host Cynthia Kirkpatrick talks with Kristin about the intersection of her professional life and personal challenges, including motherhood and fertility struggles, shedding light on how these experiences shape women's careers.
Kristin candidly shares her experiences with fertility treatments providing listeners with insights into balancing personal adversity with professional growth. She also addresses the broader implications of gender stereotypes and the importance of authentic communication in building meaningful business relationships.
Embracing diversity was discussed to gain unique perspectives, with a focus on female representation contributing to success in business settings. She shared experiences on mentorship, learning from failures, and promoting inclusivity in male-dominated industries. They talked about personal growth, authenticity, and the value of advocating for individuality while navigating work-life dynamics and overcoming professional challenges.
 

#31 - Debbie Champion: The Jury Whisperer

In this episode of the She Lift Project Podcast, Cynthia Kirkpatrick talks with Debbie Champion, a successful litigator. They explore Debbie's journey, highlighting effective communication in litigation and trial dynamics.
 
Debbie's unconventional path to law, rooted in psychology and diverse education, shapes her approach to connecting with jurors authentically. She navigates trials with humor and insight, leveraging counseling background to understand juror behavior, emphasizing reading people effectively.
 
Discussions delve into Debbie's experiences of being underestimated and her strategy of gradually expressing personality through attire and jewelry in court. She emphasizes understanding jurors' intelligence and emotions, learning from losses, and detaching self-worth from case outcomes. Debbie discusses managing challenging facts with empathy, advocating for authentic interactions and personal growth through failures.
 
Lessons from setbacks lead to improvements, emphasizing communication in legal disputes and respecting diverse perspectives while upholding core values. Through embracing resilience and authenticity, Debbie's insights extend beyond litigation, providing valuable lessons for personal and professional development across different life endeavors.

#30 - Cathy L. Davis: Somebody Needs to Hear Your Story

"Somebody needs to hear your story," is an earnest call to action from Cathy L. Davis, an experienced book publisher and strategist. She and her authors have received countless reviews and thank you notes that express the life changing effects of the stories shared. We may not think our story matters, but Cathy says that's not true. No matter who you are, she insists that you have some sort of wisdom that needs to be shared. 
In this episode, Cathy L Davis, explains how she helps people share their stories and wisdom through books and anthologies. They discuss how everyone has a story to tell and the power of storytelling in creating connections and providing hope. Cathy shares her journey of starting Davis Creative and explains what an anthology is—a collection of stories written by multiple authors on the same subject. She also highlights the importance of community and how anthologies can fill the need for hope and connection, especially during challenging times like COVID-19. Cathy's team includes writing coaches who support authors throughout their writing process, whether they have little writing experience or need assistance with emotional topics. She emphasizes that sharing one's story can lift both oneself and others up while creating positive ripples in the world. Additionally, Cathy reveals her wish list for future book ideas, including more male contributors sharing their experiences as fathers or sons. Overall, she encourages people to overcome their fears about writing by recognizing that everyone has wisdom worth sharing.
They discuss the logistics, economics, and benefits of writing a chapter in an anthology. The cost of writing a chapter for the anthology is one-tenth of the cost of writing a solo book. Authors retain ownership of their own words, but the sponsor retains ownership of the theme and title of the book. Authors can sell their books individually or as part of the anthology, but Amazon takes most of the money from sales made by solo authors. The program also teaches authors how to buy books at cost and distribute them through various channels, such as local printing companies or global distributors like Ingram. It emphasizes that self-publishing allows authors to keep 100% royalties and copyright control. Cathy explains the strategy of using books as marketing tools, additional income streams, and ways to promote oneself as an author through speaking engagements, social media, and networking events. Overall, it encourages individuals to take a chance on themselves and share their stories with others.

#29 - Katherine Flett - Don't Be A Jerk

"Don't Be A Jerk." - This is sage advice that Katherine Flett received while taking a class in law school called "Lawyering". It's proven to be practical wisdom that has come in handy for Katherine, who is a Principal and Attorney at Danna McKitrick, P.C. (https://www.dannamckitrick.com/)
In episode 29, Cynthia and Katherine discuss various topics including their introduction, Katherine's expertise in business law and litigation, her journey to becoming a litigator, the concept of being a full-service law firm, the importance of character and dealing with adversity in sports and professional life, the challenges of balancing work as an attorney with being a mother of two children, overcoming impostor syndrome, tips for effective networking such as finding the right group and not focusing on selling but building genuine relationships.
Katherine, an attorney at Danna McKitrick, discusses the importance of networking and building relationships in her profession. She emphasizes the need for intentionality and continuous effort in networking, even during busy periods. Katherine also shares tips for effective networking, such as being genuine, avoiding immediately selling a service or product, and focusing on building relationships rather than solely discussing personal matters. She highlights the significance of social capital and how it can benefit one's career in the long run. Additionally, Katherine reflects on her experiences as a litigator and offers advice to fellow attorneys about not being a jerk and maintaining professionalism in court. Finally, she expresses her passion for helping people and small businesses navigate legal issues proactively to avoid potential problems down the line.

#28 - Tamara Keefe:Trading Golden Handcuffs for Genuine Happiness

Tamara Keefe is the CEO, Founder, and Flavor Temptress of Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamery, an ice cream shop with eight locations in the Greater St. Louis Area that serves unique small-batch ice cream flavors, including alcoholic and vegan options. Clementine’s is one of the few Micro Creamery’s in the world, a designation that requires strict ingredients and production methods that helps them produce the best ice cream in the world. Clementine’s is a two time winner of the North American Ice Cream Association’s Flavor of the Year (2019 and 2023), the most distinguished honor in the ice cream world.
 
Tamara talks to Cynthia about her love and passion for ice cream, dating back to her early childhood, and how it helped her carve out her current lifestyle and path to genuine happiness. Tamara started out in corporate America, rising steadily through the ranks to become a highly successful executive. She exceeded her wildest dreams of achievement, but it wasn’t what she thought it would be. She was miserable and had to get out. This episode describes what she did next and how she was able to trade suits for scoops.
 
She doles out the truth on the sacrifices she had to make personally and professionally to make her dream come true, including downsizing her home and adjusting her management style. This is a masterclass on entrepreneurship, leadership, and betting on yourself. When it’s over, if you need a little taste of happiness, then don’t forget that Clementine’s ships!

#27 - Danni Eickenhorst: Leadership 101: Pour Into Your People

Danni Eickenhorst is a community builder actively working to make the St. Louis region a better place to live, and she is also the CEO of HuSTL Hospitality. Her restaurants include Steve's Hot Dogs, Steve's Meltdown and The Fountain on Locust.
Danni talks to Cynthia about her carnival of careers in corporate America before deciding to go all in on the hospitality industry. The only problem? She had no experience whatsoever.
Danni is a master at leveraging her own strengths and lifting up others. She succeeded and learned some valuable lessons along the way, which she shares in this episode. She learned how to be a great leader and has create a new kind of restaurant culture that pours into each person and helps them pursue audacious personal and professional goals.
Dannie is also actively involved in making St. Louis a better place, sitting on numerous boards and participating in community building. She is unstoppable!
This episode will make you want to work with Danni and try every restaurant in her portfolio.