
Hosted by Marta Spirk | Entrepreneurship & Storytelling Mentor · EN

In this episode, mindfulness meditation instructor and high-performance coach Aaron Hendon explores the powerful connection between meditation, performance, and sustainable success. Aaron shares his journey from running a successful real estate business while silently battling constant anxiety and "Jaws music" in his chest, to discovering how mindfulness transformed both his personal life and professional results. Through relatable stories and practical analogies, he explains why hustle culture often traps high achievers in a cycle of stress and overworking — and how slowing down can actually increase clarity, confidence, sales, and fulfillment. The conversation also dives into why women are often more open to seeking support, how meditation physically changes the brain, and why flow consistently beats force. Aaron also breaks down the biggest misconceptions about meditation, explaining that it is not about emptying your mind or becoming overly spiritual, but rather building mental fitness and emotional agency. He compares meditation to going to the gym for your brain, helping people become less reactive and more present in everyday life. The discussion highlights the science-backed benefits of mindfulness, Aaron's nine-week meditation cohorts, and the remarkable results his students have experienced — from doubling business performance to improving relationships and emotional regulation. The episode closes with a thoughtful conversation about empowerment, loving-kindness, and what it truly means to live a peaceful, intentional, and meaningful life in a fast-paced world. Connect with Aaron:Website: www.aaronhendon.com LinkedIn: Aaron Hendon Instagram: @aaronhendon_themindfulceo Facebook: Aaron Hendon YouTube: The Mindful CEO Podcast Let's keep the conversation going!Website: www.martaspirk.com Instagram: @martaspirk Facebook: Marta Spirk Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking

In this episode, Bev Hampson, co-founder and CEO of Category 3 Media, unpacks the evolving world of podcast monetization and why women-led shows deserve a bigger spotlight in the advertising industry. Bev shares her journey from radio advertising to building a female-focused multimedia agency that helps podcasters turn their platforms into profitable businesses through sponsorships, affiliate partnerships, and multi-channel visibility strategies. She also explains why authenticity matters more than ever in podcast advertising and how creators can monetize without needing millions of downloads. The conversation dives deep into practical strategies for podcasters and entrepreneurs alike, including how to attract sponsorships, leverage affiliate marketing, improve audience engagement, and understand the metrics that actually matter. Bev breaks down concepts like touch points, consumption rates, and omnichannel campaigns while encouraging creators to think of their podcasts as long-term business assets rather than just passion projects. Whether you're starting a podcast, growing an audience, or looking to increase visibility for your business, this episode is packed with actionable insights on building sustainable revenue and creating content with purpose. Connect with Bev:Website: www.category3.ca LinkedIn: Bev Hampson Instagram: @thebevhamps | @category3media Let's keep the conversation going!Website: www.martaspirk.com Instagram: @martaspirk Facebook: Marta Spirk Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast? Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking

In this episode of The Empowered Woman, serial entrepreneur Paresa Noble shares the realities of building businesses, balancing motherhood, and following bold ideas even before feeling fully ready. Paresa opens up about her entrepreneurial journey—from selling anti-bullying bracelets in college and pursuing music, to navigating corporate America and eventually launching Nobler Media. She also shares the lessons she learned through pivoting during COVID, building a team, and creating an "authority marketing" strategy that helps founders grow their personal brands through podcasting, content creation, and thought leadership. The conversation also dives into the powerful mission behind Shield Our Schools Foundation, the nonprofit Paresa co-founded after the tragedy in Uvalde. Inspired by her role as a mother, she explains how the organization helps schools improve safety through grants for security upgrades like locks, communication systems, and protective film. This episode is a meaningful conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, faith over fear, and using your gifts to create impact in both business and community. Connect with Paresa:Website: www.nobleermedia.com LinkedIn: Paresa B. Noble Instagram: @paresabn Facebook: Paresa B. Noble Let's keep the conversation going!Website: www.martaspirk.com Instagram: @martaspirk Facebook: Marta Spirk Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking

In this episode, Lisa Simone Richards shares her bold transition from a 20-year career in public relations to building a purpose-driven product business. She opens up about navigating a shifting industry, facing imposter syndrome, and the pivotal moment that inspired her to create Pearl Spark Pages—a stationery brand designed to help women entrepreneurs build confidence from within. She also highlights the power of community, particularly through Entreprenista, and how consistent visibility and connection helped shape her next chapter. The conversation dives into the realities of launching a physical product, from validating the idea through a high-stakes Kickstarter campaign to managing timelines, manufacturing, and inventory. Lisa also breaks down the structure and intention behind her Female Founder's Journal—a therapist-approved tool designed to help women overcome limiting beliefs, celebrate wins, and build confidence from the inside out. This episode is a powerful reminder that reinvention is always possible—and that confidence is something you build, one intentional step at a time. Connect with Lisa:Website: www.pearlsparkpages.com Instagram: @pearlsparkpages Let's keep the conversation going!Website: www.martaspirk.com Instagram: @martaspirk Facebook: Marta Spirk Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking

This episode features psychotherapist and author Kristine Jensen in a deep conversation about the hidden inner dialogue so many high-achieving women carry—especially the quiet but persistent voice of self-doubt. Drawing from over 40 years of clinical experience and her book Bruised, Not Broken: Healing the Shame of a Troubled Childhood, Kristine unpacks how these internal narratives are often rooted in childhood as protective mechanisms tied to love, acceptance, and belonging. Even the most confident, capable women can feel like imposters beneath the surface—and this experience is far more common than it seems. A powerful reframe emerges: those critical inner voices are not flaws to eliminate, but signals to understand with compassion. The conversation explores the gap between the "professional self" and the "personal self," encouraging space for honest inner dialogue that leads to healing and self-trust. Through real-life stories and practical insight, this episode highlights that while the past may shape patterns, it doesn't define identity—and with awareness and compassion, it's possible to soften old narratives and step into a more grounded, empowered way of being. Connect with Kristine:Website: www.kristine-jensen.com LinkedIn: Kristine (Belnap) Jense Instagram: @kristinejensen7 Facebook: Kristine B Jensen, author Let's keep the conversation going!Website: www.martaspirk.com Instagram: @martaspirk Facebook: Marta Spirk Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking

In this episode, Daniel Wakefield shares how powerful visuals and intentional personal branding can transform a business. As the founder of Top Tier Headshots, he opens up about his journey from high school science teacher to thriving commercial photographer, revealing how a passion for wildlife photography evolved into a business serving speakers, entrepreneurs, and executives. Daniel also highlights the realities of entrepreneurship—from slow beginnings and consistent networking to the importance of showing up both online and in person—and how momentum is often built through persistence before breakthrough moments happen. The conversation dives into the impact of personal branding in today's digital landscape, emphasizing why people connect with individuals over faceless brands and how platforms like LinkedIn can be used to build genuine relationships instead of pushing sales. Daniel shares powerful client stories that show how the right images can elevate confidence, strengthen positioning, and open doors to new opportunities. This episode is a practical guide for anyone looking to build trust, stand out, and grow a brand that people recognize and remember. Connect with Daniel:Website: www.toptierheadshots.com | www.danielwakefield.co LinkedIn: Daniel Wakefield Instagram: @toptier_headshots Let's keep the conversation going!Website: www.martaspirk.com Instagram: @martaspirk Facebook: Marta Spirk Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking

In this episode, Julie Cole—co-founder of Mabel's Labels—shares the real, behind-the-scenes journey of building a product-based business from a basement startup to a category leader. What began as a simple solution to a frustrating everyday problem turned into a thriving company powered by innovation, word-of-mouth marketing, and a deep understanding of moms as consumers. Julie opens up about the early days of testing products, navigating e-commerce before it was mainstream, and building a business alongside three co-founders—all while raising a growing family. She highlights the power of community, both as a customer base and as a support system, and how partnerships can provide not just shared risk, but shared resilience. Julie also dives into the evolution of leadership, personal branding, and what it really takes to grow a sustainable business. From learning when to delegate and hire the right people, to stepping out of day-to-day operations, she offers honest insights into scaling without losing your vision. She reflects on her transition into becoming the face of the brand, an author, and a speaker, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and connection in today's digital world. The conversation wraps with a powerful perspective on empowerment—tuning out societal noise, trusting your own path, and quieting the "brain gremlins" that try to hold you back. Connect with Julie:Website: www.mabelslabels.com LinkedIn: Julie Cole, LLB, MA Instagram: @mabelslabels | @juliecoleinc Let's keep the conversation going!Website: www.martaspirk.com Instagram: @martaspirk Facebook: Marta Spirk Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking

In this episode, communications expert Amy Reczek shares her journey from a background in psychology and the arts to becoming a successful entrepreneur and author. She discusses the evolution of her career over seventeen years in sales, which eventually led her to "walk away" from corporate life to create a more fulfilling path centered on the human element of connection. Amy introduces her "BREW" methodology—Be the moment, Raise confidence, Engage, and What about the crap—a framework designed to help professionals uplevel their communication by focusing on micro-moments and authentic presence in every business interaction. The conversation also dives into the modern landscape of business tools, specifically the role of AI in professional communication. Amy emphasizes that while AI is a phenomenal tool for structure and efficiency, it should never replace a person's unique voice; she advocates for a balanced approach where technology supports, rather than dictates, human connection. Listeners will walk away with actionable insights from Amy's new book, Connect to Close, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be an empowered, centered professional in today's fast-paced world. Connect with Amy:Website: www.salesandpresence.com LinkedIn: Amy Reczek Let's keep the conversation going!Website: www.martaspirk.com Instagram: @martaspirk Facebook: Marta Spirk Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking

In this episode, we have a conversation with Nancy Li Smith, founder of Boop and a seasoned AI product leader with experience at Meta and Microsoft, to explore how her global upbringing and deep tech background led her to reimagine the way we plan travel. Nancy shares the inspiration behind Boop, sparked during her honeymoon in Venice, where she realized how fragmented and time-consuming travel planning can be. By combining AI with personal travel data, Boop transforms everyday memories—like photos and notes—into instantly shareable, bookable itineraries, making it easier for friends to discover, customize, and actually commit to trips together. Nancy also dives into the bigger vision behind Boop: empowering women to monetize their travel experiences and shift a portion of the massive travel economy back into their hands. She opens up about the leap from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, the importance of mentorship and community, and how building from a female lens is shaping both the product and its impact. This conversation is a powerful blend of innovation, storytelling, and purpose—highlighting how lived experiences can become valuable assets in creating meaningful, scalable change. Connect with Nancy:Website: www.boopwithme.com Instagram: @nancylistyle | @boopwithme Let's keep the conversation going!Website: www.martaspirk.com Instagram: @martaspirk Facebook: Marta Spirk Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking

In this episode, Stephanie Cartin, co-founder of Entreprenista, shares the story behind building a thriving media company and membership community designed to support women founders and leaders. After successfully building and selling their social media agency, Socialfly, Stephanie and her co-founder created Entreprenista to help women access the tools, mentorship, and relationships needed to grow and scale their businesses. What started as a podcast to share entrepreneurial stories quickly evolved into the Entreprenista League, a dynamic membership community where women can connect, collaborate, and learn from each other. Stephanie also opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship, from navigating new business models to investing in coaches and experts to fill knowledge gaps. She shares personal insights about building a company while raising a young daughter and managing a challenging pregnancy, emphasizing the importance of support systems and work-life integration. From launching a community during the pandemic to hosting large-scale gatherings like Entreprenista Founders Weekend, Stephanie highlights how connection, collaboration, and empowering women entrepreneurs remain at the core of the Entreprenista mission. Connect with Stephanie:Website: www.entreprenista.com LinkedIn: Stephanie (Abrams) Cartin Instagram: @entreprenistas | @stephjillcartin Let's keep the conversation going!Website: www.martaspirk.com Instagram: @martaspirk Facebook: Marta Spirk Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking If you're a cultural catalyst, what got you here won't get you there. Cultural change happens through peers at your level — not through previous cycles of friends, mentees, or employees. Join our free masterclass: The Science-Backed Secrets to Activate Your Legacy as a Cultural Catalyst Without Burnout Register at activateherlegacy.com.