Ladybits and Leadership

What happens when 5 women from the community decide to step into their courage? They get real at The Black Table. Sponsored by FitbyWhitt, The Black Table is a collective, co-created space where women speak about the hard and often shame-filled experiences of womanhood.  On this four-part episode, we cover the topics of postpartum mental health and wellness, being a woman in business, our relationship to food, nutrition, and our bodies, and answer a listener's question about how she take the brave steps to accepting and celebrating her body. Join Whitt Anela Soares, Dr. Sara Vogel, Chrisovolandou "Vol" Gronowski, Skye Narvaez, and Phelicia Magnusson as we dive deep and get real about what we really need to be whole, happy, healthy, and fulfilled. Follow their journeys on IG: Whitt theoriginal_fitmama Sara ladybitsandleadership Vol vivaciouskitties Skye skyepieeeee Phelicia Queenandcrow

What happens when 5 women from the community decide to step into their courage? They get real at The Black Table. Sponsored by FitbyWhitt, The Black Table is a collective, co-created space where women speak about the hard and often shame-filled experiences of womanhood.  On this four-part episode, we cover the topics of postpartum mental health and wellness, being a woman in business, our relationship to food, nutrition, and our bodies, and answer a listener's question about how she take the brave steps to accepting and celebrating her body. Join Whitt Anela Soares, Dr. Sara Vogel, Chrisovolandou "Vol" Gronowski, Skye Narvaez, and Phelicia Magnusson as we dive deep and get real about what we really need to be whole, happy, healthy, and fulfilled. Follow their journeys on IG: Whitt theoriginal_fitmama Sara ladybitsandleadership Vol vivaciouskitties Skye skyepieeeee Phelicia Queenandcrow

What happens when 5 women from the community decide to step into their courage? They get real at The Black Table. Sponsored by FitbyWhitt, The Black Table is a collective, co-created space where women speak about the hard and often shame-filled experiences of womanhood.  On this four-part episode, we cover the topics of postpartum mental health and wellness, being a woman in business, our relationship to food, nutrition, and our bodies, and answer a listener's question about how she take the brave steps to accepting and celebrating her body. Join Whitt Anela Soares, Dr. Sara Vogel, Chrisovolandou "Vol" Gronowski, Skye Narvaez, and Phelicia Magnusson as we dive deep and get real about what we really need to be whole, happy, healthy, and fulfilled. Follow their journeys on IG: Whitt theoriginal_fitmama Sara ladybitsandleadership Vol vivaciouskitties Skye skyepieeeee Phelicia Queenandcrow

What happens when 5 women from the community decide to step into their courage? They get real at The Black Table. Sponsored by FitbyWhitt, The Black Table is a collective, co-created space where women speak about the hard and often shame-filled experiences of womanhood.  On this four part episode, we cover the topics of postpartum mental health and wellness, being a woman in business, our relationship to food, nutrition, and our bodies, and answer a listener's question about how she take the brave steps to accepting and celebrating her body. Join Whitt Anela Soares, Dr. Sara Vogel, Chrisovolandou "Vol" Gronowski, Skye Narvaez, and Phelicia Magnusson as we dive deep and get real about what we really need to be whole, happy, healthy, and fulfilled. Follow their journeys on IG: Whitt theoriginal_fitmama Sara ladybitsandleadership Vol vivaciouskitties Skye skyepieeeee Phelicia Queenandcrow

Sarah Moshman is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker whose exceptional storytelling has captivated and inspired audiences globally. She uses storytelling as a tool for creating social change and it is her mission to tell stories that uplift, inform and inspire as well as showcase strong female role models on screen. In this episode of Ladybits and Leadership, we discuss Sarah's filmmaking journey, how her film Unbound about the first mother-astronaut, Dr. Ana Lee Fisher, went intergalactic and was shown on the International Space Station, and her excitement to debut her upcoming project A Mother is Born which highlights the first three months of the sleep-deprived, milk-stained, and emotional haze of early motherhood and how a writer tries to make sense of her surreal identity as a new mom. Sarah loves capturing the human experience through her lens and shining a light on stories that represent women in all of their complexities, flaws, strength and beauty. Sarah's films gravitate towards women who are blazing trails, redefining stereotypes, and are truly ordinary women doing extraordinary things - even if that comes in the form of extraordinary courage to speak up for oneself. Sarah's films are intertwined with social impact and each one has been used as a tool for discussion and change and to uplift, inform and inspire audiences worldwide. Connect with Sarah and follow her work on IG @sarahmoshmanDon't forget to sign up for my ⁠mailing list⁠ to receive your free copy of Nine Pathways to Pleasure. And if really wanna help a sister out, leave me a review on Apple and Spotify and send your favorite episode to your bestie.

This is not a standard Ladybits and Leadership podcast, but as a Hawaiian woman, living on the neighboring island to Maui, I felt the need to express myself and my love for Hawaii during this time of great, unprecedented tragedy. This is not the most eloquent episode-there is a lot of crying, there are a lot of pauses. I am not as put together as usual. But because for many of us, yourself included, it is hard to find the words. It is hard to know where to begin. I wanted to share this episode so those who are struggling to know what they can do to support Maui and to make sense of this atrocity will find a couple ways to support Maui both tangibly and energetically. For those who are looking for places to donate monetarily, start with Hawaiian-based organizations and Hawaiian people. Here are some I trust: Hawaii Community Foundation Lahaina Ohana Venmo

Dirty Lola, an award-winning sex edutainer, speaker, and self-proclaimed dildo slinger is joining us on Ladybits and Leadership. You may know her as sex educator on the Netflix docuseries, "The Principles of Pleasure," or learned about her sex life on HBO's Docuseries "Sex Diaries." Lola has spent over a decade working to end the stigma and shame surrounding sex and sexuality. Having started her journey sharing personal discoveries with polyamory and kink online, Lola now uses her knowledge, warm candor, and public platforms to teach the masses in person and rapt Internet audiences. In this episode of Ladybits and Leadership, we talk about Lola's experience with ethical non-monogamy, being a submissive, and how having a dom changed her relationship with her body confidence for the better. To connect with this badass queen follow Dirty Lola on IG at: @dirtylola Don't forget to sign up for my mailing list to receive your free copy of 9 Pathways to Pleasure, If you wanna help a sister out, leave me a review on Apple and Spotify. If you REALLY love the show, make sure to send your favorite episode to your bestie.

Miriam Diana is a conscious-dating coach who aims to help every person with an adventurous spirit and a sensitive soul have fun and hold their heart with care while navigating the world of sex. She is here to support you in living your best fucking life and harness your horniness in your journey of connecting with others. She studied for three years at the Tantric Institute for Integrated Sexuality which draws from both modern psychology and ancient healing traditions. Today she joins us on Ladybits and Leadership to unpack the Barbie movie. In this episode we talk about what we loved about the Barbie movie, what we thought the Barbie movie lacked, and what we hope for when working with Ken, I mean, the men in our lives. Join us as we discuss power, patriarchy, and pleasure through the pink, sparkly world, or Greta Gerwig's Barbie. Connect with Miriam on IG @mircat18  Check out her podcast Sensitive Slut @sensitiveslutpodcast And for those of you who are loving the show, help a sister out by rating and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple and share this episode with a friend!

What happens when 5 women from the community decide to step into their courage? They get real at The Black Table. Sponsored by FitbyWhitt, it was a collective space where women spoke about the hard and often shame-filled experiences of womanhood. This month, on the kick off Black Table, we discussed motherhood, mental health, and social comparison (aka why we always want to keep up with the Joneses). Join Whitt Anela Soares, Dr. Sara Vogel, Chrisovolandou "Vol" Gronowski, Skye Narvaez, and Phelicia Magnusson as we dive deep and get real about what we really need to be whole, happy, healthy, and fulfilled.

Public speaking is the number one skill to grow your business. Imagine speaking with confidence and ease and articulating your message, ideas and story in a way that captivates audiences.  Laura Reid will help you find your voice and slay the stage, whether you are speaking to a ballroom or a boardroom, it's time to be the speaker you're meant to be.  Laura is an award-winning International keynote speaker, author, public speaking coach, trainer, storytelling expert and stand-up comic. Connect with Laura on IG: @laura_inwonderland Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-reid-339456175/ Create Your Story with Laura: https://www.thespeechslayer.com/story And for those of you who are loving the show, help a sister out by rating and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple and share this episode with a friend!

Elizabeth Sneed, aka CurvySurgerGirl, is the visionary pioneer of the Curvy Surfer Girl movement. She is a women's advocate, social change leader, entrepreneur, surfer, model, environmentalist, and a surf ambassador for Jolyn's Curvy Swimwear Line! Her goal is to continue building a community of women worldwide to share the stoke of surfing while encouraging women to pursue their dreams by diving deeper into their individual power through self-love and confidence. In this episode we chat about her love for the Hawaiian waters, what inspired her to make body and size inclusivity in the surfing community her personal and professional mission, and how she handles the haters online by taking action to protect the emotional and physical safety of female leaders across social media. Connect with Elizabeth on IG @curvysurfergirl And for those of you who are loving the show, help a sister out by joining my mailing list, rating and reviewing the podcast, and sharing this episode with a friend!

After having her first child at 19, Donna McCluer, knew she needed not just exercise, but healing. That's when Buti Yoga found her. She was certified in 2014 and began teaching yoga in every setting imaginable. Now she is the owner of EVRY Collective Hi Fitness and Yoga Studio, the cutest yoga studio in Hilo, Hawaii. Creating a fitness studio for her community has been a heartfelt journey. In this episode of Ladybits and Leadership, we talk about how BUTI yoga can help you tap into your sensuality and gain confidence in your body, what it took to open her own yoga studio, and how she landed Channing Tatum's doppelganger as a husband. To connect with this badass queen follow Donna on IG at: @mindbodysoul_bydonna and @evrycollectivehi Better yet, book a class and feel what a powerful, baddie queen feels like. And for those of you who are loving the show, wanna help a sister out?!  Sign up for my mailing list which you can find in my link in bio on IG or on my website. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share this episode with a friend!

Happy International Women's Day! Today on Ladybits and Leadership, we have, the founder of Ladies Artisan Market and Fempire Finder, my business coach, my Pisces birthday twin, the fierce, fabulous femprenuer Aesha Shapiro. In this episode, we talk about what it takes to launch your fempire, feminine entrepreneurship, being a single mama with a son with disabilities, and what drives her to make this world more equitable for women. If you need a story and guidance about what it takes to overcome adversity as a woman in business, honey, this is the episode for you. To connect with this badass queen, check her out on IG at: @ladiesartisanmarket or @aesharoseshapiro LOVING the show? Wanna help a sister out?! I need your help doing 3 things! Sign up for my mailing list which you can find in my link in bio on IG or on my website. And just for signing up you get my free guide to the 9 favorite ways I like to spice up my sex life and elevate my sexyness in general! If you have not left a review yet on Apple Podcasts, what are you waiting for? Show your girl some love and leave a review! It means the world to me, and it helps get the word out to others about the podcast! Speaking of sharing this with others, please share this episode with a friend! You never know how the introduction to this community of badass, strong, confident, sexy powerful women could change their lives for the better!

Lillian Claire Love is a mentor for femme leaders and a coach who runs the embodied feminine leadership program, Bloom. In this episode, we explore the power of women coming together and sharing their stories, how I felt getting naked in the jungle at her monthly Goddess Spa Temple retreat, how our voices and our yoni are connected, and dive into the power of Bloom, where women create space to level up their creative and personal development businesses. Make sure you Connect with Lillian on IG at: lillieclairelove And for those of you who are loving the show, wanna help a sister out?! I need your help doing 3 things! Sign up for my mailing list which you can find in my link in bio on IG or on my website. And just for signing up you get my free guide to the 9 favorite ways I like to spice up my sex life and elevate my sexyness in general! If you have not left a review yet on Apple Podcasts, what are you waiting for? Show your girl some love! It means the world to me, and it helps get the word out to others about the podcast! Speaking of sharing this with others, please share this episode with a friend! You never know how the introduction to this community of badass, strong, confident, sexy powerful women could change their lives for the better!

OBGYN Nurse Brandi Branch has served in the US Military for over 20 years- both in the Navy and now the US Air Force. Everyday, she strives to empower all birthing people to have the healthiest, safest, most empowered births. As a mother of 5, she understands how scary childbirth can be. As a Black mama, she knows how much scarier the statistics are for her, and others who identify as Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color (BIPOC). In 2022, a Black mother was 4 times more likely to die in childbirth than their White mama counterparts. Brandi believes that a powerful antidote to this grave issue is educating and empowering Black mothers, which is why she serves as a doula and is currently working to become a sex educator. Outside of birthing, we also cover what it was like taking the Sexual Attitudes Reassessment class in the sexual educator coursework for the Institute for Sexual Education and Enlightenment and how it opened up conversations between us and our partners. We also explore how we can make sexual kink play more empowering through exploring boundaries, safe words, and past trauma with our partners. Lastly, Brandi shares the story of escaping from an abusive relationship, and how that experience informed how she advocates for her wellness and her empowerment daily. Connect with Brandi on IG at: branch.mum Check out her services at: https://branchmum.com/

Who hasn't heard or said the words, I am just not in the mood tonight? Everyone of you should be raising your hand. On this week's episode of Ladybits and Leadership, we explore arousal non-concordance, getting turned on, and some of the brain chemistry behind safe sex with therapist, Kari Oberlin. We talk about the confusing messages our bodies send us, like lubrications and getting hard at strange times, the best methods to set the sexual mood and desire, how exploring your kinky side can be like entering a haunted house, and how who does the laundry may be affecting the way you show up in your sex life. To connect with Kari, check out her IG page: anewleaftherapy

Is it possible to have confidence while wearing a bikini? Our guest today knows that it is ABSOLUTELY possible, because she makes it happen for women every single day. Our guest on Ladybits and Leadership is Rachel Frederick, the owner and lead designer at The 'Kini Shop Hawaii- a small business that makes custom fit bikinis for women of all sizes. After gaining 40 pounds Rachel could not find a bathing suit that fit her, so she took matters into her own hands and sewed herself custom bikinis that made her feel sexy. Seeing a huge positive reaction from friends and family, Rachel started to make more, and soon, she opened up her own shop- The 'Kini Shop Hawaii. Now Rachel meets with women from around the world in her virtual fitting room, takes their measurements, and sews them garments that make them feel their most confident and beautiful. From the choice of fabrics, the shape, the size, every single thing is chosen by the customer, with Rachel's expert eye for fashion and design. And they are affordable, because Rachel believes that every body deserves custom. Your curves deserve custom! Check out her work on IG: thekinishop.hawaii or book your free 'Kini consult today on her website: https://thekinishop.com/

Dr. Nellie Tran is the daughter of Vietnamese refugee "boat people” who has built her career researching and teaching on topics related to mental well-being, social injustice, inequity, and privilege. On this episode of Ladybits and Leadership, we talk about racial microaggressions and how they affected Dr. Nellie's life trajectory, as well as how they affect marginalized populations. Dr. Nellie gets vulnerable by sharing her experiences with childhood sexual molestation and how the life-long effects of trauma have played out in parenting, partnership, marriage. Dr. Nellie talks about her healing process and how she shares her story to amplify what others have gone through and/or are going through, and to reclaim her voice, because she was silent for so long. As a Community Psychologist, Dr. Nellie spends her days working in San Diego researching microaggressions and developing training and education to make this world more inclusive and just. She educates future therapists on the effects of subtle forms of discrimination in education, the workplace, and counseling settings, so they can be more inclusive practitioners. Dr. Nellie's academic scholarship identifies and examines subtle biases toward underprivileged populations, with the aim of improving cultural climates and reducing biases in work, educational, and counseling contexts. She is the lead researcher in the development of the Perceived Subtle Gender Bias Index which allows researchers to evaluate the experiences of women in academia. Her work has also been cited in two different U.S. Supreme Court Amicus Briefs in the Fisher v. University of Texas Austin case and she has co-written congressional testimony, and presented to the White House on the state of Asian American health and wellness. Get in Touch with Dr. Nellie Tran: Hangout with her on TikTok: drnellietran Check out her work with: drnellietran.com Don't Forget: Follow Ladybits and Leadership on Instagram Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts so others can find our community! Check out Our Sponsor: OttoBooks, LLC is a proud sponsor of Ladybits and Leadership. Want to ditch the boring bookkeeping so you can focus on building profits?! Let Kelsey Ottoson Villegas take your bookkeeping off your hands!

We're talking all about fat bodies today with social media strategist, filmmaker, producer, and activist Linda Dianne. After over 30 years of living in a fat body, Linda shares her trials and tribulations of living in a larger body. We explore the harassment and discrimination that still exists in the world today for those who live in fat bodies, and some steps one can take towards fat liberation. On this episode of Ladybits and Leadership, Linda and I explore the scale of fatness (smaller fats, midifats, larger fats, and infini-fats), and how privilege and oppression still exist across the scale of fatness. We explore discrimination in the fashion industry, sports, and medicine as it relates to body size. As a Chingona, Latinx, storyteller and advocate, Linda works diligently to keep the voices and stories of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities at the center of her storytelling. She shares with us how her activism with Abundant Bodies and the Allied Media Corporation, as well as with her organization Diversify Social Media, continues to keep marginalized voices at the forefront. Get in Touch with Linda: Follow her on Instagram @elle_lo Check out her work with: Diversify Social Media Find more information on Abundant Bodies and Allied Media Corporation Don't Forget: Follow Ladybits and Leadership on Instagram Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts so others can find our community! Check out Our Sponsor: OttoBooks, LLC is a proud sponsor of Ladybits and Leadership. Want to ditch the boring bookkeeping so you can focus on building profits?! Let Kelsey Ottoson Villegas take your bookkeeping off your hands!

Girl, you better werk! When I created Ladybits and Leadership: The Podcast, I had a list of dream podcast guests. My trainer, Whittney Anela Soares, was on that shortlist. Whitt inspires women and mamas to become empowered in their bodies, strong in their spirit, and believe in themselves. She is not afraid to put in #werk and she shows up #everydamnday to support women, build her empire of female fitness and empowerment, and make sure her family is happy and healthy. As a pre/postnatal specialist and fitness instructor, she ensures that women, especially mamas, have what they need to heal physically and emotionally through their motherhood journey. In this episode of Ladybits and Leadership, we explore Whitt's journey from a broke AF single mama (get the tissues, ready) to owning her incredibly successful fitness and female empowerment business, FitbyWhitt. This journey took grit, tenacity, and the undying mission to make sure that her children not only had everything they needed, but that they saw their mama as a shining example of what it means to be an empowered wahine, dedicated mama, and a woman who builds both her family and community. Get in Touch with Her! Follow her on Instagram @theoriginal_fitmama Don't Forget: Follow Ladybits and Leadership on Instagram Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts so others can find our community! Check out Our Sponsor: OttoBooks, LLC is a proud sponsor of Ladybits and Leadership. Want to ditch the boring bookkeeping so you can focus on building profits?! Let Kelsey Ottoson Villegas take your bookkeeping off your hands!

Jennifer Bringle is a mom, award-winning writer, editor, and breast cancer survivor. She is passionate about bringing light to the complexities- physically and emotionally- of being diagnosed with breast cancer, going through chemotherapy, her double mastectomy surgery, and surviving cancer. In this episode of Ladybits and Leadership, Jen talks about finding out she is a carrier for the BRCA gene mutation, having scanxiety as she continues to live in remission, and how she navigates being a mom and motherhood as a cancer survivor. She is currently working on a memoir about her post-cancer experiences. Her beautiful writing has been featured in Glamour, Good Housekeeping, Huffpost, Parents, Health, The Washington Post, Southern Living and more. Jennifer also has been featured on Good Morning America, Al Jazeera, and the Associated Press. Get in Touch with Jennifer Bringle Check out her offerings on her website: https://jenniferbringle.com/ Follow her on Instagram at @jbhandy78 Don't Forget: Follow Ladybits and Leadership on Instagram Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts so others can find our community! Check out Our Sponsor: OttoBooks, LLC is a proud sponsor of Ladybits and Leadership. Want to ditch the boring bookkeeping so you can focus on building profits?! Let Kelsey Ottoson Villegas take your bookkeeping off your hands!

Chef Justine Ma was a special education teacher turned school principal before she became a professional chef. Originally from NYC, she moved to Milan, Italy for her career in education and on weekends, she found herself teaching Italians English in exchange for cooking lessons. She started a blog titled Little Miss Local and traveled around the world to write about local cuisine. When she returned to NYC, she graduated from The Natural Gourmet Institute, worked for the James Beard Foundation, sous'ed for celebrity chefs, hosted boutique dining events for clients like lululemon, Athletica and SELF Magazine, and then she became the food editor of NY Yoga Life Magazine. In 2016, Justine experienced extreme burnout and left everything behind to attend yoga teacher training on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. She was so taken with the local culture and cuisine, she stayed and in 2017, she purchased an acre of Hawaiian jungle, built some tiny homes, planted a culinary garden, and returned to creating artisanal foods for the local people. Today, on Ladybits and Leadership, Chef Justine's walks us through her incredible adventure, and teaches us how to ask for what you need and what you deserve. We explore how Farm to Table Hawaiʻi is now an operational farm stay and cooking school, and find out where she is going next. This episode will leave you in awe, and hungry for dumplings and adventure. Get in Touch with Chef Justine Ma Check out her offerings on her website: www.farmtotablehawaii.org/food Follow her on Instagram at @chefjustinema Don't Forget: Follow Ladybits and Leadership on Instagram Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts so others can find our community! Check out Our Sponsor: OttoBooks, LLC is a proud sponsor of Ladybits and Leadership. Want to ditch the boring bookkeeping so you can focus on building profits?! Let Kelsey Ottoson Villegas take your bookkeeping off your hands!

When Audrey's 20+ year relationship & marriage broke down in 2017 she found herself divorced, bewildered, lost, trying to process her own grief, all the while helping her three sons navigate the transition, too. The first year post-divorce was a shit show, and she struggled to find resources and safe spaces to share and explore her pain safely. After she hired her first life coach in 2020, she was so transformed in her post-divorce healing, that she decided to add divorce coaching to her business. Through mindset coaching, embodied movement, and energy sessions, Audrey now helps women get through one of the hardest times of their lives, offering the support and accountability she could have done with when she first separated. On Ladybits and Leadership, we explore getting divorce with divorce coach Audrey Alice. Audrey believes that life does not end when one is divorced, it is merely the beginning of a new chapter. She continues by saying when we normalize congratulating our friends on their divorces, it will help eliminate the shame and stigma around divorce and can help one reclaim their power during the divorce process. Get in Touch with Audrey Alice Check out her offerings on her website: https://www.iamaudreyalice.com/ Follow her on Instagram at @iamaudreyalice Don't Forget: Follow Ladybits and Leadership on Instagram Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts so others can find our community! Check out Our Sponsor: OttoBooks, LLC is a proud sponsor of Ladybits and Leadership. Want to ditch the boring bookkeeping so you can focus on building profits?! Let Kelsey Ottoson Villegas take your bookkeeping off your hands!

Do you feel like motherhood broke you? Or like you are on a hamster wheel frantically spinning your wheels and going nowhere in your life? Have you spent the last couple of weeks (maybe months) tearing up (or sobbing)? Feel like one day you are happy and productive and the next day you unexpectedly dread getting out of bed? If so, this episode of Ladybits and Leadership is for you. I want you to know there are answers and you can get help. You do not have to feel like this forever. For years, I felt I did not have what it took to be a happy mom. When women told me they loved being a mom, I was filled with jealousy. Why couldn't I feel that way, too? My postpartum journey was filled with months of anger, resentment, depression, and feeling physically ill. With encouragement from my husband, I finally sought help from a therapist. What happened after that changed the course of my life, motherhood, my career, my understanding of my mental health, and my sense of self. My son turns three in a week and I can finally say, I am enjoying motherhood. The reason for this has in large part to do with the exploration inward into my mental health and my body. This episode explores my diagnosis with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, the common symptoms of this disorder, and how it often manifests as depression and anxiety. I also cover how working with a therapist and psychiatrist helped me uncover undiagnosed ADHD- which helped me forgive and understand my brain in so many new ways. I discuss the use of medication and therapy as treatment, and how to come to terms with being neurodivergent. Know someone who is struggling? Share this episode with them. Know a new mama? She may be silently struggling. Share this episode with them. Don't Forget: Follow Ladybits and Leadership on Instagram Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts so others can find our community! Check out Our Sponsor: OttoBooks, LLC is a proud sponsor of Ladybits and Leadership. Want to ditch the boring bookkeeping so you can focus on building profits?! Let Kelsey Ottoson Villegas take your bookkeeping off your hands! Follow Kelsey on Instagram and check out our interview in Episode 21 on Visiting a Korean Spa

Victoria Magaña Ledesma's story of immigration, deportation, and inheriting her father's Kona Coffee business at 21-years old, is so surreal it is at times unbelievable. And yet, elements of her story are also central to the story of so many immigrant families, who come to the United States to change their lives, create stronger communities, and build new legacies for their children and grandchildren. After an unprecedented deportation of her father in 2017, Victoria needed to step into the CEO role of her father's company. As the oldest daughter of Mexican immigrant parents, she took on all the burden and responsibility of the family business. During this episode of Ladybits and Leadership: The Podcast, Victoria reflects on how she felt as if her life was not her own- that everything happened to her, and because of this, she was unable to pursue her own dreams. That was, until she found her purpose- to tell the story of immigrant families, and eing the daughter of immigrants, through growing and roasting delicious Kona Coffee. She was not just making coffee, she was now using her company to share the story that is core to so million's of family's legacies- the immigrant experience. In 2021, Victoria started her own estate-grown coffee company, Misma Lani Farms, which is a tribute to her bi-cultural heritage, as the daughter of Mexican immigrants who was raised on the coffee slopes of Kona, Hawaii. A mix of Spanish and Hawaiian, Misma ("the same") and Lani ("the sky/heavens"), the name of her estate-grown Kona Coffee brand honors that although her family may be separated by deportation and borders, they can always find comfort knowing they look up to the same sky. You will laugh, cry, and ultimately be inspired in this gorgeous episode. You don't want to miss it. For more information: Follow Misma Lani Farms on Instagram Purchase some of this delicious estate-grown Kona coffee to start your morning knowing you are supporting another badass woman of color! Check out Our Sponsor: OttoBooks, LLC is a proud sponsor of Ladybits and Leadership. Want to ditch the boring bookkeeping so you can focus on building profits?! Let Kelsey Ottoson Villegas take your bookkeeping off your hands! Follow Kelsey on Instagram and check out our interview in Episode 21 on Visiting a Korean Spa Remember! Follow Ladybits and Leadership on Instagram Share This Episode with a Friend Don't Forget to Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts so others can find our community!

Ever thought about booking a naked photo shoot? Or a boudoir photo shoot? Well today's guest and I are here to tell you that it is the best thing you can do to build your confidence! On this episode of Ladybits and Leadership, San Diego-based boudoir photographer Keeley Miller of Keeley Miller Portrait and I talk about how Keeley creates a transformative, inclusive, and empowering experience for women through contemporary black and white boudoir photography. Her boudoir photoshoot will change the way you see yourself! Want more power? Let's get naked, girl! Keeley is a professional hype-woman, award-winning photographer, and your personal cheerleader. For more than ten years she has been creating art and has been featured in publications such as Vogue Italia, SDVoyager, The Portrait Masters and Canvas Rebel. Keeley understands how it feels to struggle to see her own beauty and worth, and knows how it feels to fall out of love with oneself. This is why she provides empowering photoshoot experiences that will capture your beauty from the inside out - every curve, every inch, and every gorgeous detail. It's about so much more than taking sexy photos. It's about taking the time to celebrate you, right now, exactly how you are — even if you don't feel like enough yet. Wanna learn more? Book your photoshoot today with Keeley: https://keeleymiller.com/ Connect with her on Instagram: keeleymillerportrait Play with her on TikTok at keeleymillerportrait Mentioned in the intro was another photography queen kelseybielerphotography and I wanna make sure you check her out, too! If you love Ladybits and Leadership: The Podcast, it would mean so much if you told two friends about our community, and left a written review on Apple Podcasts. Wanna connect? Check out the website: https://www.ladybitsandleadership.com/ Let's hang on IG: ladybitsandleadership

Come with my bestie and I to the Korean Spa (jjimjilbang) to get our naked bodies scrubbed and our vaginas steamed. Yes, you read that right! My bestie, Kelsey and I got naked and steamed our vaginas for your listening pleasure. It was all for the sake of Ladybits and Leadership research. And boy did we connect with our Ladybits more than we ever have! Korean Spas and Yoni Steaming are both ancient practices from Asia that are now practiced globally. In this episode we giggle about getting comfortable seeing strangers' naked bodies, discuss our relationships with our post-pregnancy bodies and vaginas, and what it was like being naked and scrubbed down by aunties in black lacy lingerie. We go into the benefits of Yoni Steaming for vaginal health, emotional health, and building stronger relationships with our Ladybits. When was the last time you connected with you Ladybits? Maybe booking a Korean Spa is the best next step! Get brave and open to a new experience and you too can be steaming your vagina to help you feel more powerful and connected to your body. Don't Forget Subscribe to Ladybits and Leadership on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Don't forget to rate and leave a written review so others can find our community. Say aloha on Instagram! If you have ideas for the podcast, including topics and possible guests, or are interested in working with me in individual and group coaching, please email me at sara@ladybitsandleadership.com

Lee Noto is an intimacy coach who helps women, men, and couples find their version of untamed intimacy. She spent years unlearning toxic narratives around love passed on from generational trauma, and is now using her voice and education to help others do the same. We are so excited to have her on Ladybits and Leadership: The Podcast. Lee helps people feel grounded and confident in who they are, teaches people how to communicate their needs, boundaries and desires with ease, and helps others love their bodies and feel proud of who they are and the work they have done. She is deeply connected to her sensual side, the part of her that sees the wonder and beauty in each moment and knows how delicious it feels to go slow and relish in life's pleasures, and she can teach you to do the same. If this is for you, get on the waitlist for her Unleash Your Seductress course. Want to feel empowered in your sexual expression and learn to masterfully navigate sexual experiences both solo and with a partner(s). Then check out everything Lee offers https://www.leenoto.com/work-with-me Wanna Learn More? Follow Lee Noto on Instagram at leenoto_ Check out all of her offerings and how to work with this goddess here Don't Forget Subscribe to Ladybits and Leadership on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and rate and review us so others can find our community. Make sure to connect with me on Instagram and join our Facebook group If you have ideas for the podcast, including topics and possible guests, or are interested in working with me in individual and group coaching, please email me at sara@ladybitsandleadership.com

Ever feel like a foreigner in your own culture? Like you are not Hawaiian enough, Filipino-enough, Native enough to claim your own community and cultural heritage? For many of us, this unease in our own skin is often due to decades of assimilation and racism. In Episode 19 of Ladybits and Leadership, Dr. Erica Alcanta Aros and I speak about the importance of connecting with your cultural heritage and how learning about your past can make you feel more confident in your present and future. As a leader within higher education, Erica was asked to participate in a Filipino cultural group for incoming first year students. She hesitated at first, feeling like she was not “Filipina enough” to participate. This feeling of being “enough” to be accepted into one's own culture is so common, and often leaves people feeling confused and shameful that they do not intrinsically connect with, or feel they belong, in their own communities. Despite her unease, she participated in this cultural group and found that there were many young Filipina and Filipino students looking to her as a leader. Intrigued by this experience, Erica went on to study how mentoring relationships can impact the career advancement for Asian American women. The conclusion- get a mentor and be a mentor to others. The mentoring relationships are so important for your career, growing in your confidence, and finding peace with yourself. Wanna Learn More? Follow Dr. Erica Alcantara Aros on Instagram at mom.who.can Don't Forget Subscribe to Ladybits and Leadership on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and rate and review us so others can find our community. Make sure to connect with me on Instagram and join our Facebook group If you have ideas for the podcast, including topics and possible guests, or are interested in working with me in individual and group coaching, please email me at sara@ladybitsandleadership.com

What happens when your husband forgets you had sex yesterday? Or when bird's nests and little figurines begin showing up in your house unexpectedly? What happens when death becomes a regular topic at the dinner table? In Episode 18, we have Dr. Melanie Dorado Wilson answering all of these questions and more as she grapples with the reality of her husband living with moderate Alzheimer's disease. Living amongst Alzheimer's disease is a complex reality of beauty, sadness, grace, loss, forgiveness, acceptance, and love. In the United States, more than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer's, and by 2050, that number will rise to 13 million. One may think that this episode would be full of sadness, but in reality, as Paul's condition worsens his childlike imagination and propensity for play has increased-making their home a nest of toys and joy. As Melanie's time with the Paul she knows and loves evolves, there is a recognition that every moment spent with him matters. Time is of the essence as his mind continues to evolve and change. Melanie shares their decades-long love story of marriage, parenthood, and multiple degenerative diseases including Paul's battles with Guillain-Barre syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. Together, we explore how Melanie is able to balance being a compassionate partner, lover, caregiver, and mother, and she provides a wealth of knowledge and wisdom for those who find themselves becoming the caregivers of loved ones. Wanna Learn More? Follow Dr. Melanie Wilson on Instagram at onebadbead Learn more from the Alzheimer's Association https://www.alz.org/ Don't Forget Subscribe to Ladybits and Leadership on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and rate and review us so others can find our community. Make sure to connect with me on Instagram and join our Facebook group If you have ideas for the podcast, including topics and possible guests, or are interested in working with me in individual and group coaching, please email me at sara@ladybitsandleadership.com

June 24, 2022: End of Roe v. Wade. In addition to processing the multitude of emotions around this decision, I discuss how to take the pain and rage and turn it into action. I explore how in many ways, women like my grandma, Nell Mirels, inspired me to work in community action and advocacy. We all have the power to take small imperfect action and lead- your time is now to make the decision to be brave and stand up for yourself, your sisters, and your community.

Nicole Colleen is a psychotherapist turned sex and intimacy coach. True story, I did not edit out any words from this episode because everything out of Nicole's mouth was valuable and full of fire. In this episode we talk about improving your sexual communication, leaning into your vulnerability and authenticity to have a stronger connection with your body, how to improve our internal dialogue with yourself and your body to create more intimacy, ways to find more pleasure and connection with your partner, building a new story around your sexual narrative, making your intimacy a priority, and getting yourself out of a shame cycle. Nicole explains the difference between Gourmet Sex, Take Out Sex, and Rally Sex, how pleasure is found outside of the sheets, and how to navigate difference in sex drives. Nicole is a woman of many talents but focuses mainly on helping new moms and couples redefine their sexual lives, create stronger bonds of intimacy with themselves and each other, and find a sexual recipe that works for them. Sex is so much more than what happens between the sheets. Inevitably your intimacy and sex life spills into the way you show up for your children, your spouse or partner, and your career. I can't wait for you to learn from this goddess. Wanna Learn More? Follow Nicole Colleen on Instagram at nicolecolleencoach Find her masterclass, subscribe to her newsletter, sign up for her free Facebook group here. Don't Forget Subscribe to Ladybits and Leadership on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and rate and review us so others can find our community. Make sure to connect with me on Instagram and join our Facebook group If you have ideas for the podcast, including topics and possible guests, or are interested in working with me in individual and group coaching, please email me at sara@ladybitsandleadership.com

It's pride month, baby! We are here, and we are queer with Savannah McCully! How do you know you are gay? What is the best way to come out to family and friends? Ever wondered about the challenges of planning a gay wedding? Are you over size 14 and can't seem to find a wedding dress? Our guest Savannah shares her insight into it all! Savannah McCully, is an associate professional clinical counselor who works with people of all ages, but has a particular focus on teens, young adults and LGBTQIA+ folks. Her specialties include: Coping Skills, Self-Acceptance/Compassion, Healthy Attachment & Boundaries In this episode, Savannah shares her coming out story, her obsession with the British Royal family, meeting the love of her life on a dating app, the beauty of size-inclusive wedding boutiques that carry dresses for bigger bodies, working through complications of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), family planning in a same-sex couple, and planning a big, beautiful lesbian wedding (which will be later this year!). Wanna Learn More? Follow Savannah on Instagram at savannahmccully.apcc Email her at savannah@tendriltherapy.com Don't Forget Subscribe to Ladybits and Leadership on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and rate and review us so others can find our community. Make sure to connect with me on Instagram and join our Facebook group If you have ideas for the podcast, including topics and possible guests, or are interested in working with me in individual and group coaching, please email me at sara@ladybitsandleadership.com

Are you lacking the desire or spark to be sexually intimate with yourself or others? Are you feeling in your head & insecure about your body more than usual in AND out of the bedroom? Do you find yourself NOT voicing your needs or desires with your sexual partner(s)? If so, this is the perfect conversation for you. Elan Zelenka is an Intimacy and Leadership Mentor who guides you back home to your body so that you can fully integrate and embody the power, pleasure, and prosperity you were born to experience. In this episode we talk about ethical non-monogomous relationships, being "monogomish," how to participate in threesomes with your long-time partner, and what it's like to attend a sex party. Elan's work helps people move confidently while experiencing more pleasure, look in the mirror and see a sexy, self-assured, fully-expressed, person, and release and heal sexual shame/discomfort/guilt/frustration. You don't wanna miss this one. Wanna Learn More? Follow Elan on Instagram at elan.zelenka Keep in touch with her latest offerings at https://www.elanzelenka.com/ Don't Forget Subscribe to Ladybits and Leadership on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and rate and review us so others can find our community. Make sure to connect with me on Instagram and join our Facebook group If you have ideas for the podcast, including topics and possible guests, or are interested in working with me in individual and group coaching, please email me at sara@ladybitsandleadership.com

For Mothers Day 2022, we are celebrating with our doula Kathy Grimmett who helped me birth Nainoa into the world in September 2019. She is a literal angel  on earth helping people feel empowered during their pregnancy, labor, delivery, and in the postpartum life. This episode describes what a doula does, the importance of doulas in child preparation and birthing, post-partum depression, and post-partum care. She is the owner of Custom Childbirth Education which is an innovative service dedicated to assisting, educating and empowering people to have the birth experience they desire; before, during and after birth. A birth doula is a companion who provides people with continuous support during labor and birth. They help with pain management, physical and emotional support, childbirth preparation and advocacy for the mother and families during the labor and delivery process. Although I remember my labor in bits and pieces (thank you unmedicated birth), Kathy's presence is in all my memories of my labor. Kathy held my naked body throughout various labor positions, she stroked my hair as I labored in the warm tub, she fed me orange jello when I needed a shot of energy, and she coached my husband and mother-in-law on how to properly apply pressure to my body to help decrease pain during labor. Kathy was integral to my successful labor and birth. I am sure that without Kathy's assistance that night, I would not have been as calm, and I would not have had as positive of an experience as I did. Kathy empowered me throughout my journey and created an environment where my family felt confident in their roles during labor and delivery. Wanna Learn More? Follow Kathy on Instagram at custom_childbirth_ed Keep in touch with her latest offerings at https://www.customchildbirthed.com/ Don't Forget Subscribe to Ladybits and Leadership on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and rate and review us so others can find our community. Make sure to connect with me on Instagram and join our Facebook group If you have ideas for the podcast, including topics and possible guests, or are interested in working with me in individual and group coaching, please email me at sara@ladybitsandleadership.com

The recent attacks on a woman's right to choose made it imperative that I share my abortion story. Abortion is a topic that is often steeped in shame, and due to this shame, many women live in silence and solitude with this experience, which leads to a lack of support needed for them to process this experience. I kept my abortion secret for years. Every time abortion debates came up in the news, I was filled with shame, sadness, and exhaustion with the misunderstandings of why women choose abortion, and how critical it is for their economic and emotional well-being. For those who experienced or will experience an abortion in their lifetimes, you are not alone. I never want my friends and family to experience the loneliness and shame I experienced. Please know, if you are suffering or need to talk about your abortion I am here. Abortion is a family issue. Although the decision to have an abortion is ultimately for the pregnant person to make, the decision often comes with support (or consequences) with their family. I chose to have an abortion, with the support of my husband, because it was the right decision for our family at the time. And, in order to speak openly about this topic on the podcast, I had to “come out” to my parents, in-laws, and siblings. I do not regret my abortion, but I do mourn that I experienced it. It was a traumatic event for me, but I am so grateful that I had the option. We need to do everything we can to fight for the women, and their families, who will have to make this decision today and in the future. Don't Forget! Subscribe to Ladybits and Leadership on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and rate and review us so others can find our community. Make sure to connect with me on Instagram and join our Facebook group If you have ideas for the podcast, including topics and possible guests, or are interested in working with me in individual and group coaching, please email me at sara@ladybitsandleadership.com

Is it possible to get a higher education degree with a baby on your boob? Our guest today shows us it sure as hell is! (Almost Dr.) Michiko Kealoha, is the Student Life and Leadership Manager at Cañada College in the Bay Area and doctoral candidate in the International and Multicultural Education Program at the University of San Francisco. She is a leader in her community and a relatively new mom who experienced her entire pregnancy and birth during a pandemic. Tune in to find how she navigated achieving her personal and professional goals, all while raising a baby through a pandemic. On this episode we cover: Can new moms have it all? Successful ways to balance careers, personal life, and motherhood The importance of vulnerability in seeking help and community How a community of mamas can support and uplift you Identifying subtle forms of gender-based harassment moms experience at work Reality of being fat shamed during her pregnancy Wanna Learn More? Should you want to connect with Michiko, email her at kealoham@smccd.edu Don't Forget! Subscribe to Ladybits and Leadership on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and rate and review us so others can find our community. Make sure to connect with me on Instagram and join our Facebook group If you have ideas for the podcast, including topics and possible guests, email me at sara@ladybitsandleadership.com

Surviving, let alone thriving, after a sexual assault is something that many people struggle with for months, years, and sometimes decades. We are so grateful to have Christina Cummins, a Hilo-based therapist, share the story of her survival and recovery after a horrific attack of sexual violence, that occurred when she was a teenager. We often refer to people who have experienced sexual assault as survivors, rather than victims. This is a story of survival. This is the story of a young girl, doing what she could to make it through every day after the assault. It is the story of a woman, who continues to live daily with the repercussions of the trauma of this incident. It is a story of a woman who, despite experiencing a horrific event, created a life of meaning, purpose, and joy. If you are a survivor of sexual violence, this story is for you. If you believe you may have experienced sexual assault, but are not sure, this story is for you. If you know someone who has experienced sexual violence (which, based on research, is everyone), this episode is for you. Christina shares the experiences that helped her heal right after the assault, and in the years to come. If you want to seek help, I encourage you to connect with RAINN's sexual assault hotline. Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. Calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline gives you access to a range of free services including: Confidential support from a trained staff member Support finding a local health facility that is trained to care for survivors of sexual assault and offers services like sexual assault forensic exams Someone to help you talk through what happened Local resources that can assist with your next steps toward healing and recovery Referrals for long term support in your area Information about the laws in your community Basic information about medical concerns Wanna Learn More? Connect with Christina on Instagram at christinacummins Find all the services she provides at on her website https://www.cumminscounseling.com/# Don't Forget! Subscribe to Ladybits and Leadership on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and rate and review us so others can find our community. Make sure to connect with me on Instagram and join our Facebook group If you have ideas for the podcast, including topics and possible guests, email Dr. Sara Vogel at sara@ladybitsandleadership.com

We're talking self love, body love, intuitive eating, rewiring your trauma responses through breath work and ice baths, and finding clarity through plant medicine. What?! This is gonna be fun! Rachel Varitimos grew up silent and shy. To combat her insecurities, she began eating for comfort. When she was just nine years old, she had become clinically obese and even more reserved. She begged her parents to allow her to go to a weight-loss camp, and although she went and lost the weight, she gained disordered eating habits. This story is about the fourteen years of research and recovery she took after weight loss campus to become the woman she is today- strong, confident, and not controlled by food. Through her one-on-one coaching, Goddess Retreats, and podcast A to B with Rachel V., she helps women around the world take control of their realities and begin living for themselves. You're not gonna want to miss this episode. Wanna Learn More? Follow Rachel on Instagram at rachel_varitimos Keep in touch with her latest offerings and retreats on her website https://rachelvaritimos.com/ Check out her podcast A to B with Rachel V Don't Forget Subscribe to Ladybits and Leadership on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and rate and review us so others can find our community. Make sure to connect with me on Instagram and join our Facebook group If you have ideas for the podcast, including topics and possible guests, email Dr. Sara Vogel at sara@ladybitsandleadership.com

Get the tissues for this one, folks. We're talking about choosing a childless life after years of struggling with infertility, finding yourself again, and being open to new adventures. Caroline Elliott and her husband Chris were ready for children. But year after year, children did not come. Dealing with the emotional weight of infertility, Caroline was so scared of becoming all-consumed with trying to have a baby, and being the person that only talked about trying to conceive, that she did not talk about it at all. Soon their house grew quiet as did her relationship with her husband. Feeling helpless and hopeless, life went on. They continued to live in the big house, and the good school district until one weekend they looked at each other and realized they were letting life happen to them. They decided to take their lives back. This episode is about choosing a childless life, telling their families they were not going to have children, redefining what a good life would be for them, and taking the leap to move to a brand-new state in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. This episode is about Caroline taking control of her life. This episode is about a gorgeous couple redefining their lives together in the face of hardship. This episode is a beautiful story of the strength of love and adventure in the face of adversity. For those who are childless, who have chosen to be childfree, who have struggled with infertility, who have felt like their relationships are out of control, or people who have always wanted to sell everything and move to a new land, this episode is for you. Wanna Learn More? Follow Caroline on Instagram at ournextthing Keep in touch with her latest adventures on her blog Our Next Thing Don't Forget Subscribe to Ladybits and Leadership on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and rate and review us so others can find our community. Make sure to connect with me on Instagram and join our Facebook group If you have ideas for the podcast, including topics and possible guests, email Dr. Sara Vogel at sara@ladybitsandleadership.com

Am I…normal? If you've ever had this thought about your body or your sex life, do I have the perfect guest for you! Self-proclaimed sex nerd, Sabrina Baldini, is a sex educator who is on a mission to empower people to learn about their bodies and sexualities. And her approach is sooo fun! With an audience of almost 100k people on TikTok, Sabrina doesn't spend her time learning complex dance routines, she spends her time educating and empowering people about their bodies and their sex lives. Using research-informed information and authentic candor, she answers the questions that people have a hard time asking. Sabrina is also the host of the After Sex Ed Podcast where she interviews guests about BDSM, demystifying female pleasure, sex and ADHD, polyamory, and more. If you are intrigued: Join the 100k people following Sabrina's sex lessons on Tik Tok here. Subscribe to Sabrina's podcast After Sex Ed found here. Connect with Sabrina on Instagram here. To explore all of Sabrina's offerings, check out her website here. Don't forget to subscribe to Ladybits and Leadership on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and rate and review us so others can find our community. Make sure to connect with me on Instagram and join our Facebook group. If you have ideas for the podcast, including topics and possible guests, email Dr. Sara Vogel at sara@ladybitsandleadership.com .

Wanna level up your confidence? Start by getting yourself a new bra. Say, what?! This week I share a story about how a sexy, little, yellow bra I inherited from a friend, spiced up my life, deepened my friendship, and helped teach my friends and I a valuable lesson about the power of dressing sexy. You don't wanna miss this short, sweet, powerful episode. Help others find us by rating and reviewing us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Follow @ladybitsandleadership on Instagram. Sign Up for the Ladybits and Leadership newsletter here. If you have ideas for the podcast, including topics and possible guests, email Sara at sara@ladybitsandleadership.com .

eeman agrama and I debrief watching Netflix's Sex, Love and Goop, and our profound insights about how merely talking about sex and the ways we find/need to experience pleasure, have been such a taboo topic, especially as women of color. We exchange stories about our experiences of shame instilled within our own sexual awakenings, and fighting beyond it to grow into our own power, agency, and sexual confidence! eeman is an educator and visual artist (owner of myownbeat photography) committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level of her work. As a daughter of Egyptian immigrants, she reflects on how she often had to keep information and learning about bodies, sexuality, and intimate relationships secret. As an adult, she has been actively exploring how socialization and cultural expectations around sexuality and intimacy have resulted in a lifetime of prioritizing others before herself, and impacted all of her life decisions. She has been on a powerful journey unlearning internalized shame and building up her sexual self-confidence and self-love. As she holds up a mirror to herself to see her own beauty and power, she does so with other women and teenagers by capturing their confidence through stunning portrait photography, helping them walk to their own beat. For more information about eeman, her myownbeat brand, and her unique artistic style, be sure to follow her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myownbeat and check out her full portfolio on her website: https://www.myownbeatphotography.com/ If you love this podcast and want more, rate and review us, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Make sure to follow @ladybitsandleadership on Instagram. If you have ideas for the podcast, including topics and possible guests, email Sara at sara@ladybitsandleadership.com .

Happy Valentine's Day, my loves! Sexual wellness educator and intimacy coach Rashida Ahmed has over 20 years of experience shining a light on Black sexuality, feminine empowerment, and inclusive and comprehensive sexual education. Together we laugh and chat about topics that are hilarious and heartwarming, serious and sad. In this episode we cover: Rashida's dedication to sexual empowerment from the time she was a little girl Researching sex in the public library Masturbating for the first time What exactly is “Big Dick Energy” Pondering the question, do dicks really cure everything? Strong Pussy Audacity Designing your sexual salad bar Keeping sex playful and adventurous Our experiences with abortion Celebrating Black sexuality And soooo much more! For more information and to discover more ways to work with Rashida, email her:  rashida@rashidaahmed.com or find her on the web: www.rashidaahmed.com and on Instagram:  @iamrashidaahmed  If you love this podcast and want more, rate and review us, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Make sure to follow @ladybitsandleadership on Instagram and email me at sara@ladybitsandleadership.com for more information of working together!

In my first solo episode, I explore how my role in my professional career has been impacted by the launch of the Ladybits and Leadership Podcast. Within two weeks of launching my first episode, I have already been met with messages from colleagues of unprofessionalism, and a doubt in my ability to do my job, because I was so bold, so audacious, so open to talking about women's vaginas and self-pleasure. People don't bat an eye when we spit out statistics about rape, abusive relationships, and stalking, but I have somehow crossed a line when I talk about women having the confidence to love, explore, and respect their bodies. This experience only further illustrates why these conversations need to happen. This story also illustrates how often women are shamed back into silence when they become leaders, who speak boldly, rally the masses, and become confident in themselves. There are very real, economic, social consequences women begin speaking out about their experiences as it relates to their bodies and sexualities. And I am here to make sure we fight against that. Remember to rate and review this podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Reviews help others find their way to our community! Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter to keep up with all the resources, classes, special offers, updates, and juicy details by clicking here.

Meet Monster Mirels and Anazilla. Yes, these were our nicknames. Yes, we survived and are now two thriving, confident, hot, academic mamas. Dr. Analucía Lopezrevoredo, my college-bestie, and the illustrious Founder and Executive Director at Jewtina y Co. joins me for a delightful conversation on: Growing up large (over 5'10”) Dating losers Finding our worth Defining our multicultural identities Following our dreams Pregnancy loss Feminist Motherhood Finding joy in our lives If you are a multiracial, multi-faith, person who finds themselves living in the margins, this podcast is for you. Ana talks all about the goal behind founding Jewtina y Co. and helping Latino/Latina/Latinx Jews build a community that celebrates the intersections of religion and culture. Ana is a feminist powerhouse, who says, “I want the women in our lives to see us as being the manifestation of our dreams. And in order for us to do that. We need to continue to uplift each other, empower one another, celebrate each other, celebrate ourselves as well…take up space, and use the space that you have to also bring in other goodness and celebrate other women and continue to lift each other up.” Remember to rate and review this podcast wherever you get your podcast. Reviews help others find their way to our community. Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter to keep up with all the resources, classes, special offers, updates, and juicy details by clicking here.

Jenn Mason, the owner of Wink Wink Boutique, a woman-owned sex shop that prides itself on being inclusive, all-ages, and not creepy, joins us for our inaugural episode of Ladybits and Leadership! In this episode, we talk about helping people find their own intimacy which translates in people finding power in their lives. She shares insights about how people can go "off template" with their sexuality, how sex should be a "kitchen table conversations," and how we can pursue sex as an adventure to discover what makes you and your partner(s) feel better. At the end of our episode, Jenn shares candid insights about how her life as a mother went off template when her daughter experienced a traumatic brain injury during birth, developed cerebral palsy, and lives her life using a wheelchair, a feeding tube, and is nonverbal. But that hasn't stopped her daughter or her family from smiling and loving each other. As Jenn says, "There's so much joy in being off template and we're just gonna do what we do and find joy and happiness for our family in the ways that we want to and we're just gonna let go of expectations."

Welcome to Ladybits and Leadership the podcast. I am your host Dr. Sara Vogel; educator, leader, mama, wife, craft beer drinking, thrift store exploring, woman who, for the last fifteen years, has been on a mission to help all women unlearn shame, prioritize their pleasure, and rediscover their power. The world desperately needs more women leaders, and here at Ladybits and Leadership we are focused on fulfilling this very goal. Together we explore all the intersections of womanhood and leadership, and when I say Ladybits, I am talking about all of it. So if you are ready for intimate and honest conversations with myself and some of the most diverse, empowered women in our communities, then come along for the ride, girl!

Here we go friends. It's a long time coming but I am finally ready to start the podcasting journey. Built off of my research on women in leadership, Ladybits and Leadership is a badass female-focused community where we talk candidly about how to recognize the sexist bullshit, push through it, and become confident in ourselves. The world needs more women leaders. And I am here to help build them. Want to learn more? Come along for the ride! Full episodes coming January 2022.