Podcast Summary: Simple Pin Podcast – "Summer Story Series: My Mastermind"

Episode Information

• Title: Summer Story Series – {My Mastermind}
• Host: Kate Ahl
• Release Date: July 9, 2025

1. Introduction to the Summer Story Series

In this special episode, Kate Ahl launches the Summer Story Series, a beloved segment of the Simple Pin Podcast that shares inspiring stories to offer listeners a break from traditional Pinterest marketing content. Kate explains the genesis of the series, highlighting its purpose to inspire and provoke new ideas through engaging storytelling.

"The spirit behind these few summer episodes is to give you a bit of a break in talking about Pinterest marketing, to listen to a story that will inspire you or maybe give you some food for thought."
— Kate Ahl [00:01]

2. Origins of the Mastermind Group

The mastermind group was initiated in 2017 following a conference where Kate connected with like-minded women. Fueled by conversations over wine, the idea was born to create a smaller, more intimate group focused on business, life, and faith.

"We began this conversation with what if we could recreate this on a smaller scale where we are having these conversations about business and life and faith."
— Kate Ahl [01:30]

3. Evolution of the Group

Originally consisting of seven members, the group met in Cancun with the intention of fostering deep connections beyond typical Zoom sessions. Over time, the group streamlined to four members—Kate, Natalie Gingrich, Kelly Snyder, and Erin Chase—emphasizing flexibility and adaptability as members' lives and businesses evolved.

"We are all gathering in Cancun. And that was a really important component to it, was that we didn't want it to just be on Zoom."
— Kelly Snyder [11:43]

4. Embracing Diversity: Business Models and Personalities

A key strength of the mastermind lies in its diversity. The members bring varied business models and personal perspectives, enriching the group's dynamic. They include both B2B and B2C businesses, allowing for a broad range of insights and strategies.

"We have differences as well. We have got faith differences, we've got political differences, we've got business differences."
— Natalie Gingrich [14:55]

5. Superpowers: Leveraging Individual Strengths

Each member contributes unique strengths, or "superpowers," to the group. Kate excels in team-building and connecting people, Kelly is a strategic marketer with exceptional memory and relationship-building skills, Natalie is an operational maestro with excellent communication skills, and Erin brings a balance of creativity and strategic thinking.

"You are one of the best connectors I know of people. You do an amazing job of knowing people and then knowing how to connect them to other people for them to continue on their journey."
— Kelly Snyder [19:27]

6. Memorable Moments: Trips and Experiences

The mastermind group has shared numerous memorable trips, each fostering both business growth and personal bonding. Highlights include:

• Marco Island: Solidified the group's cohesion with deep conversations and fun poolside moments.

  "We spent almost. I think it was five days together. It was one of our longer trips. We had a lot of deep conversations about family and about money and our businesses."
  — Kelly Snyder [38:03]

• Whale Watching in Cabo: An unforgettable experience that symbolized the group's adventurous spirit.

  "I saw the question, what was your favorite memory? And those were the two that popped up. Or seeing the whales, I'm telling you."
  — Natalie Gingrich [51:03]

• Fun Incidents: Kelly’s legendary moment of banging on a window in frustration, showcasing the group's camaraderie and ability to handle conflicts humorously.

  "She is our mama bear, though. Like, she. She is our mama bear. She loves us so fiercely, and she was straight pissed that this person would be rude to me."
  — Natalie Gingrich [50:36]

7. Structuring Mastermind Meetings

The group employs a flexible yet structured approach to their meetings, typically held twice a year in various luxurious locations. Each session focuses on one member at a time, allowing for personalized attention and tailored advice. They maintain a balance between business discussions and leisure activities, ensuring both professional growth and personal relaxation.

"We each get an individual session... It generally starts with sort of like State of the Union, where are things right now, what's working, what's not working."
— Erin Chase [35:02]

8. Advice for Starting or Joining a Mastermind

The members share valuable insights for those looking to establish or join a mastermind group:

• Be Willing to Give and Receive: Embrace vulnerability and open communication.

  "You have to be willing to give and receive. You have to be willing to be open, you have to be vulnerable, you have to not judge."
  — Erin Chase [57:44]

• Embrace Diversity: Seek out members with different strengths and perspectives to enrich the group's dynamic.

  "We are more different than we are alike, but for the right reasons, it works."
  — Natalie Gingrich [18:19]

• Foster Deep Connections: Prioritize building genuine relationships over transactional interactions.

  "This is a place, a bubble that we have created that is very whole person."
  — Natalie Gingrich [64:52]

• Manage Conflicts Gracefully: Develop the ability to apologize and forgive to maintain group harmony.

  "There will be conflict. The ability to say I'm sorry and I screwed up and can you forgive me?"
  — Kelly Snyder [59:53]

• Take Risks and Be Open: Step out of your comfort zone to foster meaningful connections and growth.

  "Be open to take a risk because it is a risk... being willing to risk vulnerability."
  — Kate Ahl [68:24]

9. Conclusion: Building a Supportive Community

Kate wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to take the plunge into forming or joining a mastermind group. She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing such relationships despite the challenges, underscoring how these connections can sustain entrepreneurs through high and low tides.

"Take prioritization off it on it because they risked at first... This is time out of our family lives. This is time out of our business lives."
— Kate Ahl [68:24]

Key Takeaways:

• Founding a Mastermind: Originates from shared experiences and the desire for deeper connections beyond professional interactions.
• Group Dynamics: Diversity in business models and personalities enhances the group's strength and versatility.
• Superpowers: Leveraging individual strengths leads to collective growth and problem-solving.
• Memorable Experiences: Shared trips and experiences foster strong personal and professional bonds.
• Advice for Others: Emphasizes vulnerability, diversity, deep connections, conflict management, and taking risks.

Notable Quotes:

• "Sometimes when we listen to stories, we hear pieces and parts that ignite certain parts of our brain to either do new things or try new things." — Kate Ahl [00:01]
• "I look at this group as my board of directors..." — Natalie Gingrich [25:43]
• "We have all come to the table with that and that's why I think we are as strong and as deep as we are." — Kelly Snyder [61:12]

This episode offers a heartfelt glimpse into the power of mastermind groups in fostering both personal and business growth. Through shared stories and experiences, Kate and her mastermind members illustrate the profound impact of supportive, diverse, and committed peer relationships.