She Lift Project Podcast

In this episode of The She Lift Project, Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Melissa Gragg of Bridge Valuation Partners for a deep dive into what it really takes to win high-stakes negotiations. From complex business sales and mergers to high-net-worth divorces and closed mediations, Melissa shares how her background in business valuation, forensic accounting, expert testimony, and investment banking shaped an unconventional negotiation approach. Through real-world stories from boardrooms, courtrooms, and mediation rooms, she reveals why most negotiations fail, how power imbalances form, and why traditional back-and-forth bargaining often leads to bad outcomes.
Melissa breaks down the psychology behind winning negotiations and explains why outcomes are driven by preparation, data, timing, and patience rather than pressure or compromise. She introduces a repeatable framework for anchoring the deal, controlling leverage, reading behavioral “tells,” and using silence as a strategic tool. The key takeaway is clear: winning isn’t about overpowering the other side, it’s about setting the foundation so the outcome becomes inevitable. Whether you’re negotiating a business deal, navigating a divorce, or advocating for yourself in any high-stakes situation, this episode offers a powerful blueprint for negotiating with confidence, clarity, and control.

Accountability That Unlocks Potential features a powerful conversation between Cynthia Kirkpatrick and Angie Lovatto, Vice President of Human Resources at KCI Construction, about leadership, non-linear career paths, and building a people-first culture in a male-dominated industry. Angie shares her journey from starting on a construction job site at 18 to becoming an executive leader, navigating HR, education, family life, and personal growth along the way. Her story challenges the idea that leadership follows a straight line and highlights how grit, curiosity, and support can shape meaningful careers and strong organizations.
Throughout the episode, Angie reframes accountability as a positive and essential leadership tool, not rooted in fear or compliance, but in coaching, care, and belief in people’s potential. She explains how accountability, when done well, builds confidence, psychological safety, and trust, allowing individuals and teams to grow. From redefining the role of HR at KCI Construction to leading with empathy, humility, and integrity, this conversation offers practical insight for leaders, managers, and anyone seeking a workplace culture where people are supported, challenged, and empowered to be their best.

In this episode of The She Lift Project, Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Lisa Govro, founder of Big Heart Tea Co., to explore how a deeply personal mission turned into a nationally recognized, values-driven brand. Lisa shares the journey of building Big Heart Tea Co. from a trailer at local farmers markets to shelves at Whole Foods and boutique shops across the country, all while staying rooted in authenticity, ethical sourcing, and human connection. With a background in social work and a belief that healing should be accessible, Lisa explains how intuition, storytelling, and heart-led leadership shaped a business that refuses to compromise its values.
This conversation goes far beyond tea. Lisa opens up about self-worth, redefining success, resisting comparison, and learning to trust yourself as a woman, a founder, and a mother. She reflects on the courage it takes to say no, the importance of aligning business decisions with personal values, and how true leadership starts with self-belief. Listeners will walk away inspired to bet on themselves, embrace authenticity over perfection, and remember that success is not just what you build, but how you live while building it.

In this episode of the She Lift Project podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick welcomes Krystal Weigl, an attorney, author, and advocate passionate about transforming the legal field. Krystal runs her own law firm, Weigl Law, where she focuses on civil rights, employment law, and supporting individuals and small businesses through creative, people-centered legal solutions. This episode explores her journey in law, her mission to make justice more accessible, and how she’s redefining traditional legal practice with authenticity and empathy.
This episode is for anyone who has ever felt dismissed or overlooked in professional spaces, clients seeking legal support, or aspiring leaders. Listeners will learn how Krystal built her practice by challenging outdated norms, prioritizing fairness, and trusting her values over status quo expectations. After hearing her story, they’ll be better equipped to advocate for themselves, set healthy boundaries, and create spaces—personally or professionally—where integrity and compassion thrive.

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.