She Lift Project Podcast

Meet Courtney English, a trademark business attorney and founder of Upscale Law who specializes in helping small business owners and entrepreneurs navigate the complete business lifecycle from startup to scaling. With expertise in brand protection, trademark law, and business contracts, Courtney has built her practice around being proactive rather than reactive, focusing on preventing costly legal problems before they arise. In this episode, she shares her journey from a small farm town to building a thriving legal practice, while revealing the critical legal steps every business owner must take to protect what they've built.
This episode is essential listening for current and aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women who are considering leaving corporate careers to start their own businesses or those already running small businesses without proper legal protection. Listeners will learn the three foundational legal steps every new business needs, how to protect their brand from copycats and domain thieves, why contracts are non-negotiable, and how to advocate for themselves in business relationships. Armed with this knowledge, business owners should immediately assess their current legal vulnerabilities, conduct trademark searches for their business names, establish proper contracts for all services, and most importantly, shift their mindset from seeing legal protection as an expense to viewing it as an investment in their business's future success.

Kelly Spann is an attorney and entrepreneur who owns and operates three distinct law firms: FortmanSpann (franchise law), TM Law and Associates (trademark and copyright), and True Estate Planning (estate planning and probate). Her expertise lies in franchise law, where she exclusively represents franchisees against franchisors in an industry she describes as having "zero regulation" despite being promoted as highly regulated. This episode explores her unconventional journey from pregnant teen to legal powerhouse, her strategic approach to building multiple businesses, and her refreshingly authentic leadership style that breaks every stereotype about what attorneys should look like and how they should operate.
This episode is essential listening for aspiring entrepreneurs, current business owners, legal professionals, and anyone considering franchise ownership. Listeners will learn the hidden realities of the franchise industry, discover why traditional business advice often fails, and understand the power of authentic leadership and strategic delegation. Most importantly, you'll gain practical wisdom about pivoting through life's challenges, the importance of asking for help, and how to build sustainable businesses by being genuinely yourself rather than trying to fit someone else's mold—knowledge you can immediately apply to your own professional and entrepreneurial journeys.

Join host Cynthia Kirkpatrick as she sits down with Lauren Cohen, founder and CEO of Cohen Leadership Group, who made the bold transition from successful corporate lawyer to transformational leadership coach. Lauren shares her powerful journey of leaving a lucrative 10-year legal career after experiencing what she calls a "low grade fever" of misalignment, and how she now helps leaders and teams in fast-growth companies boost energy, engagement, and purpose in the workplace. She discusses her innovative approach to "energy leadership," the importance of authentic leadership, and why people want to be people at work—not just cogs in a machine.
This episode is perfect for anyone feeling stuck in their career, struggling with workplace culture, or questioning whether success should feel this hard. Leaders, managers, and ambitious professionals will learn practical frameworks for having difficult conversations, managing stress reactions, and creating psychologically safe environments where teams thrive. By the end, you'll understand how to identify when you're operating "above or below the line," recognize your own limiting beliefs, and have the tools to either transform your current leadership style or find the courage to pursue work that truly aligns with who you are.

Sheila Pride is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Moksha Group, where she works with organizations and executives worldwide to create conscious leadership and transform toxic workplace cultures. As both a therapist and organizational consultant, she specializes in using neuroscience-based approaches to build psychological safety, improve communication, and help teams stay connected despite their differences. In this conversation, she reveals why most workplace culture efforts fail and shares practical frameworks like the "depletion vs. renewal grid" and structured dialogue techniques that actually work.
This episode is essential for CEOs, team leaders, managers, and anyone struggling with workplace dysfunction, difficult conversations, or toxic team dynamics. Listeners will learn evidence-based strategies for creating psychological safety, facilitating productive meetings, handling feedback effectively, and building teams that thrive under pressure. By applying Sheila's neuroscience-backed methods, you'll transform not just how you show up at work, but how you communicate in every relationship—creating ripple effects that improve your leadership, reduce stress, and help you build the collaborative, high-performing culture you've always wanted.

This episode features Amy Rivera, who shares her remarkable journey with primary lymphedema - a rare disease she was born with that caused her right leg to grow 200% larger than her left.  Amy recounts her decades-long struggle without a proper diagnosis, the pivotal moment when she finally discovered what she had in 2013, and how she transformed her pain into purpose by creating multiple businesses and a non-profit to serve the lymphedema community globally.
This episode is ideal for listeners facing health challenges, entrepreneurs looking to build purpose-driven businesses, and healthcare professionals wanting to better understand lymphedema from a patient perspective. Listeners will learn about lymphedema's physical and emotional impacts, the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare, and how to transform personal struggles into meaningful work. The insights Amy shares about resilience, business-building, and creating community around a medical condition can inspire anyone to find purpose in their pain and take actionable steps toward both personal healing and helping others.

In this enlightening episode of The She Lift Project Podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Alara LaPlante, a healer, guide, and what one client aptly called an "illuminator." Alara shares her remarkable journey from serious illness to vibrant health and spiritual awakening.
The conversation explores how our physical "dis-eases" often reflect deeper spiritual and emotional misalignments. Alara discusses her approach to healing—helping people shed dense emotional energies, reconnect with their authentic selves, and integrate forgotten or fragmented parts of their being. She explains how neurodivergence can be a gift rather than something to suppress, and shares insights about consciousness, Christ consciousness, and the multi-dimensional nature of human existence.
Listeners will be fascinated by Alara's discussion of various healing modalities, from modern medical sciences to ancient esoteric traditions, and how she integrates these approaches to help clients discover their true purpose. The episode also touches on the healing power of cacao ceremonies, the importance of play in healing generational trauma, and how something as simple as learning to receive a proper hug can be transformative.
Whether you're on your own healing journey or simply curious about expanded consciousness, this conversation offers wisdom, compassion, and practical insights on becoming more fully yourself and living with greater joy and authenticity.

Jana Franklin is a serial entrepreneur who has mastered the art of scaling businesses efficiently. From owning multiple Fantastic Sams and Jimmy John’s franchises to founding CEO Concierge, she helps business owners leverage virtual assistants to regain time and focus. Her journey of growth, setbacks, and strategic delegation has made her an expert in building businesses that thrive without burnout.
This episode is for entrepreneurs and professionals feeling overwhelmed by their workload. Listeners will learn why doing it all is hurting their success and how outsourcing can create more efficiency and balance. Jana shares practical tips on delegation, finding the right support, and shifting from managing everything to leading smarter.

In this episode of The She Lift Project Podcast, Dr. Rachel Feinberg shares her remarkable journey from anesthesiology to becoming a leader in pain management. She opens up about the challenges she faced as a woman in medicine, the pivotal moments that shaped her career, and the innovative approaches she uses to help patients truly heal. With decades of experience, she offers a fresh perspective on how understanding the body’s signals can lead to more effective and compassionate medical care.
This episode is for anyone struggling with chronic pain, those frustrated by traditional medical treatments, or individuals seeking a deeper understanding of how their body communicates discomfort. Listeners will learn how pain is more than just a symptom—it’s a message that requires attention, analysis, and the right approach to treatment. Whether you're a patient, a healthcare professional, or someone interested in advocating for better care, Dr. Feinberg’s insights will empower you to take control of your health and explore new paths to healing.

Kelly Kirkpatrick is more than just a dance studio owner—she’s a mentor, entrepreneur, and community builder. As the owner of On Your Toes Dance Studio and On Pointe Dancewear, Kelly has spent 27 years shaping young dancers, not just in technique but in confidence, resilience, and character. In this episode, she shares how she turned a childhood side hustle into a thriving business, her journey through pivots and self-doubt, and why teaching kids life lessons is at the core of everything she does.
This episode is for entrepreneurs, parents, coaches, and anyone striving to make an impact. You’ll learn how to build a strong team, create a lasting culture, and push past fear and self-doubt—whether in business, leadership, or personal growth. Kelly’s story will inspire you to embrace resilience, trust the process, and remember that anything worth having requires hard work. Tune in and get ready to be motivated!

In this episode, Shannon Shores shares her incredible transformation from a quiet, people-pleasing young girl to a bold, unapologetic leader, entrepreneur, and kind-hearted powerhouse. Shannon dives deep into her journey of overcoming childhood struggles, setting boundaries, and facing the "monsters under the bed" that held her back for years. Through humor, raw honesty, and empowering insights, Shannon inspires listeners to embrace their authentic selves, manifest confidence, and step fully into their power.
If you’re a woman who struggles with self-doubt, people-pleasing, or finding the confidence to speak up and take control of your life, this episode is for you. Shannon’s journey will show you how to set boundaries, build resilience, and turn your setbacks into stepping stones for growth. By listening, you’ll gain the tools and inspiration to let go of what’s holding you back, embrace your inner strength, and take bold, unapologetic steps toward becoming the person you’re meant to be.