Diaries of a Boss Babe

#36 Christina Kirkey: Grit, Glam, & Girl Power

Buckle up, beauties! In this episode, we’re diving deep with Christina Kirkey, founder and owner of Pin Up Studio in Raleigh, NC—where inclusivity, empowerment, and killer hair come together! From her early ambitions to building a salon that’s more than just a business (it’s a movement), Christina gets real about the highs, the heartbreaks, and the hustle behind her success.
🌟 What’s Inside This Glow-Up of an Episode?💋 How Christina turned her passion for beauty into a thriving salon💋 The emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship—miscarriages, losing key employees, and rebuilding with resilience💋 Creating a safe and empowering space for women in the beauty industry💋 The magic (and madness) of coaching younger stylists & leading with patience and accountability💋 Social media vs. reality—navigating perceptions, expectations & industry pressures💋 Balancing fun, creativity, and structure in a fast-paced, high-energy environment💋 The unfiltered truth about motherhood, grief, and the power of community support
🎧 Whether you're an entrepreneur, a beauty industry pro, or someone who just loves raw, real, and inspiring convos—this episode is for you! Get ready for a mix of laughs, life lessons, and leadership gold.
🔑 Boss Babe Takeaways:✨ Ambitions don’t always follow a straight line—but they do lead to greatness.✨ Therapy isn’t just self-care; it’s a power move for growth.✨ Resilience and adaptability are the real MVPs of entrepreneurship.✨ Communication is the secret sauce for business, relationships, and leadership.✨ Social media isn’t real life—authenticity wins.✨ Boundaries aren’t selfish—they’re necessary for your sanity.✨ Success isn’t about what society says—it’s about what feels right for YOU.
💫 Hit play, get inspired, and remember—your story is yours to write. 🎧🔥
👉 Follow & Subscribe to Diaries of a Boss Babe for more fearless, unfiltered conversations with powerhouse women!
 
To learn more about your host, Katelyn Gerhardt: 
Cultivate with KG: Katelyn is a business coach, consultant and speaker specializing in help women build their empire as a fierce and loving woman! She helps you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you dream to be. With a focus on building the woman who makes her daydreams a reality, she helps you get crystal clear on what you want and helps you implement the plan to get there one step at a time. If you're looking to start or build a business, grow your team, expand, hire, or create an intentional company culture; let's do it. She's helped hundreds of women master their time so they can build the life they desire. She offers self paced courses, 1:1 coaching and workshops!
Independence Academy: In 2015, Katelyn co-founded Independence Academy a private Montessori and Reggio inspired school serving children 2 yrs through elementary. Sitting on 13 acres, Independence Academy is a place where children are immersed in nature and are taking back their childhood. With a team of 30+ women, (and her smokin' hot and oh so wise husband), Katelyn's mission is to create a ripple affect that will impact the lives of the children that attend, their families, and her team to give them skills and a mindset that will forever serve them on their journey. 
Diaries of a Boss Babe Podcast: The passion project! Cultivating community is the main mission of this podcast. To connect, to relate, to create magic one conversation at a time. Come follow along on Instagram where we keep the conversation going and need YOUR input! 
 
 

#35: Samantha Kehoe - The No BS Approach to Life

This week, we’re diving deep into the art of self-awareness, empowerment, and owning your damn worth with the incredible Samantha Kehoe—trained therapist, mom, happily married wife, and all-around badass. 💥
Samantha keeps it real as she shares her journey from playing by the rules to rewriting them—starting with walking away from a wedding just two months before the big day (talk about trusting your gut! 😮). She brings that Jersey girl energy with her no-BS approach to life, love, and letting go of what no longer serves us.
💡 In this episode, we unpack:✨ The fine line between intuition and fear—how to tell the difference✨ Why women often know the answer but struggle to admit it✨ The mental load women carry (and how to stop shouldering it alone)✨ How boundaries = self-worth (and why setting them is an act of love)✨ The evolving roles of women in career, family, and relationships✨ Why letting go of control is essential for personal peace✨ The unspoken struggles of men & how it impacts modern relationships✨ The messy, wild world of dating apps—and why they make vulnerability harder
This episode is all about growth, grit, and giving yourself permission to step into your power. 💖 Whether you’re balancing a career and motherhood, navigating relationships, or just trying to figure out WTF you actually want—this one’s for you.
 
To learn more about your host, Katelyn Gerhardt: 
Cultivate with KG: Katelyn is a business coach, consultant and speaker specializing in help women build their empire as a fierce and loving woman! She helps you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you dream to be. With a focus on building the woman who makes her daydreams a reality, she helps you get crystal clear on what you want and helps you implement the plan to get there one step at a time. If you're looking to start or build a business, grow your team, expand, hire, or create an intentional company culture; let's do it. She's helped hundreds of women master their time so they can build the life they desire. She offers self paced courses, 1:1 coaching and workshops!
Independence Academy: In 2015, Katelyn co-founded Independence Academy a private Montessori and Reggio inspired school serving children 2 yrs through elementary. Sitting on 13 acres, Independence Academy is a place where children are immersed in nature and are taking back their childhood. With a team of 30+ women, (and her smokin' hot and oh so wise husband), Katelyn's mission is to create a ripple affect that will impact the lives of the children that attend, their families, and her team to give them skills and a mindset that will forever serve them on their journey. 
Diaries of a Boss Babe Podcast: The passion project! Cultivating community is the main mission of this podcast. To connect, to relate, to create magic one conversation at a time. Come follow along on Instagram where we keep the conversation going and need YOUR input! 
 

#33 Gina Trimmer: The Journey to Revitalized Womanhood

Gina Trimmer is a wildly successful entrepreneur, momma of four, world traveler (65 countries + in the last 8 years!) We chat all things motherhood, healing, money, and the kind of personal growth that shakes things up—this episode has it ALL. 💥
Join us for a conversation that’s equal parts deep and hilarious, diving into:
✨ The wild ride of new motherhood—joy, exhaustion, and all the WTF moments✨ Holistic healing—because women deserve options when it comes to their health✨ Why financial literacy is NON-NEGOTIABLE (ladies, know your money!)✨ The reality of postpartum depression—and how it doesn’t always look the way we expect✨ How community and safe spaces can be a game-changer for growth✨ Breaking the cycle of comparison, gossip, and burnout (spoiler: it’s possible!)✨ The power of intentionality in parenting, friendships, and self-care
💡 Major Takeaways:💖 Investing in YOURSELF is never selfish—it's survival🚀 Midlife isn't a crisis; it's an invitation to reinvent and expand🙅‍♀️ Boundaries = self-respect, not selfishness🌍 Travel with your family—you’ll never regret it🧘‍♀️ Mindfulness isn’t a buzzword, it’s a blueprint for peace👑 YOU are the CEO of your own life. Make decisions accordingly.
This one’s for the woman who wants MORE. More joy, more freedom, more ownership of her life. Don’t miss it. 🎧✨
 
To learn more about your host, Katelyn Gerhardt: 
Cultivate with KG: Katelyn is a business coach, consultant and speaker specializing in help women build their empire as a fierce and loving woman! She helps you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you dream to be. With a focus on building the woman who makes her daydreams a reality, she helps you get crystal clear on what you want and helps you implement the plan to get there one step at a time. If you're looking to start or build a business, grow your team, expand, hire, or create an intentional company culture; let's do it. She's helped hundreds of women master their time so they can build the life they desire. She offers self paced courses, 1:1 coaching and workshops!
Independence Academy: In 2015, Katelyn co-founded Independence Academy a private Montessori and Reggio inspired school serving children 2 yrs through elementary. Sitting on 13 acres, Independence Academy is a place where children are immersed in nature and are taking back their childhood. With a team of 30+ women, (and her smokin' hot and oh so wise husband), Katelyn's mission is to create a ripple affect that will impact the lives of the children that attend, their families, and her team to give them skills and a mindset that will forever serve them on their journey. 
Diaries of a Boss Babe Podcast: The passion project! Cultivating community is the main mission of this podcast. To connect, to relate, to create magic one conversation at a time. Come follow along on Instagram where we keep the conversation going and need YOUR input! 
 

Cultivate #4: Luke and Katelyn - Relationship Habits That Keep Us Close

You asked, we answered — and we’re baring it ALL. 💕 In this follow-up to our most downloaded episode (yep, the one where we got real about the massive struggles in our marriage), we’re sharing the relationship habits that keep us deeply connected, wildly playful, and totally irresistible to each other. 😍
Ever wonder how to keep the intimacy alive when life’s throwing stress, obligations, and screaming kids your way? We’ve got you. From the power of pooping in private (yes, seriously) to the magic of clear communication and off-loading duties to relieve stress, we’re diving into the nitty-gritty of what makes our partnership thrive.
In this episode, we talk about:
✨ Why working on YOURSELF is the ultimate relationship hack✨ The surprising reason couples therapy didn’t work for us — and what did✨ How humor and light-heartedness can fix almost any fight✨ Why privacy and personal space fuel attraction (and why we are NOT roommates)✨ The importance of setting boundaries with kids to prioritize your partnership
✨ Focusing on & looking forward to silly little games with each other✨ Managing stress so it doesn’t kill your vibe (or your sex life)
This convo is raw, honest, and filled with both practical advice and laugh-out-loud moments. We’re not therapists — just two people committed to growing together and sharing what actually works for us. If you want more intimacy, joy, and connection in your relationship, this one’s for you. 🎧
 
Learn more about your host, Katelyn Gerhardt: 
Cultivate with KG: Katelyn is a business coach, consultant and speaker specializing in help women build their empire as a fierce and loving woman! She helps you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you dream to be. With a focus on building the woman who makes her daydreams a reality, she helps you get crystal clear on what you want and helps you implement the plan to get there one step at a time. If you're looking to start or build a business, grow your team, expand, hire, or create an intentional company culture; let's do it. She's helped hundreds of women master their time so they can build the life they desire. She offers self paced courses, 1:1 coaching and workshops!
Independence Academy: In 2015, Katelyn co-founded Independence Academy a private Montessori and Reggio inspired school serving children 2 yrs through elementary. Sitting on 13 acres, Independence Academy is a place where children are immersed in nature and are taking back their childhood. With a team of 30+ women, (and her smokin' hot and oh so wise husband), Katelyn's mission is to create a ripple affect that will impact the lives of the children that attend, their families, and her team to give them skills and a mindset that will forever serve them on their journey. 
Diaries of a Boss Babe Podcast: The passion project! Cultivating community is the main mission of this podcast. To connect, to relate, to create magic one conversation at a time. Come follow along on Instagram where we keep the conversation going and need YOUR input! 
 

#32 Lolly Nazario: Through the Lens of Lolly: Parenting, Photography & Planning a Post-Military Life

 I’m sitting down with the incredible Lolly Nazario of Lolly’s Lens Photography—photography queen, military wife in the throes of geo-bacheloretting, and supermom to two little girls. 📸✨ Hold onto your hats (and your camera straps), because this episode is a whirlwind of energy, resilience, and all the real talk you didn’t know you needed! With her husband on the cusp of retiring from the Army, Lolly is juggling solo parenting, business growth, and prepping for a major life transition like an absolute boss.
In true Enneagram Seven fashion, we dive deep into big dreams, bold moves, and embracing life’s chaos with open arms. We cover everything from the mental gymnastics of parenting alone to finding joy in the small moments and even get into the magic of Taylor Swift’s influence (because, duh).
✨ What’s Inside This Episode? ✨🎤 The universal dream of being a rockstar (anyone else?)👩‍👧‍👧 Solo parenting struggles and why community is everything💡 The mental load of motherhood & why it’s impossible to fully share🏡 Preparing for life post-military and embracing the unknown💰 Money as a tool for freedom (and teaching kids about sacrifice)🛠️ Why kids should do chores (and how it builds confidence)💫 The emotional journey of letting go of idealized parenthood🎨 Seasons of creativity in business—growth vs. maintenance🎥 Pop culture, connection, and why shared experiences matter🧘‍♀️ Trusting your gut, setting boundaries, and making peace with imperfection
Lolly’s story is a testament to resilience and the power of owning your path. Whether you’re a military spouse, a business owner, a parent navigating life’s curveballs, or just here for the fun and feels, this episode will leave you laughing, reflecting, and feeling SEEN.
🔥 Hit play, grab your favorite coffee and get ready for a heart-to-heart with a woman who truly does it all—while still finding time to capture life’s most beautiful moments.
🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to rate, review, and share with your boss babe besties!
 
o learn more about your host, Katelyn Gerhardt: 
Cultivate with KG: Katelyn is a business coach, consultant and speaker specializing in help women build their empire as a fierce and loving woman! She helps you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you dream to be. With a focus on building the woman who makes her daydreams a reality, she helps you get crystal clear on what you want and helps you implement the plan to get there one step at a time. If you're looking to start or build a business, grow your team, expand, hire, or create an intentional company culture; let's do it. She's helped hundreds of women master their time so they can build the life they desire. She offers self paced courses, 1:1 coaching and workshops!
Independence Academy: In 2015, Katelyn co-founded Independence Academy a private Montessori and Reggio inspired school serving children 2 yrs through elementary. Sitting on 13 acres, Independence Academy is a place where children are immersed in nature and are taking back their childhood. With a team of 30+ women, (and her smokin' hot and oh so wise husband), Katelyn's mission is to create a ripple affect that will impact the lives of the children that attend, their families, and her team to give them skills and a mindset that will forever serve them on their journey. 
Diaries of a Boss Babe Podcast: The passion project! Cultivating community is the main mission of this podcast. To connect, to relate, to create magic one conversation at a time. Come follow along on Instagram where we keep the conversation going and need YOUR input! 
 

#31 Caitlin Briggs: The Art of Feeling at Home in Your Body

Get ready for a conversation that will move you — literally and emotionally! This week, I sit down with Caitlin Briggs of Ladybird Soma, a somatic practitioner who helps us reconnect with our bodies and find healing through movement, breath, and deep self-awareness.
We dive into the juicy stuff: the dance between masculine and feminine energies, why understanding your life’s current season matters, and how music and movement can crack you wide open (in the best way). Caitlin shares how grounding practices and emotional intelligence can transform your relationships — starting with the one you have with yourself.
Ever struggled with being seen, expressing your needs without blame, or navigating household responsibilities without resentment? We go there. We talk about the art of communication, the power of vulnerability, and how to cultivate authenticity and self-acceptance even when life gets messy.
Plus, Caitlin breaks down the magic of breathwork, the importance of creating space in our lives, and the incredible insights we gain when we tune into our internal family systems. If you’ve ever felt the tug between who you are and who you’re becoming, this episode is your permission slip to slow down, get curious, and lean into your growth.
Don’t miss this soul-nourishing conversation — hit play and let’s go deep!
 
To learn more about your host, Katelyn Gerhardt: 
Cultivate with KG: Katelyn is a business coach, consultant and speaker specializing in help women build their empire as a fierce and loving woman! She helps you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you dream to be. With a focus on building the woman who makes her daydreams a reality, she helps you get crystal clear on what you want and helps you implement the plan to get there one step at a time. If you're looking to start or build a business, grow your team, expand, hire, or create an intentional company culture; let's do it. She's helped hundreds of women master their time so they can build the life they desire. She offers self paced courses, 1:1 coaching and workshops!
Independence Academy: In 2015, Katelyn co-founded Independence Academy a private Montessori and Reggio inspired school serving children 2 yrs through elementary. Sitting on 13 acres, Independence Academy is a place where children are immersed in nature and are taking back their childhood. With a team of 30+ women, (and her smokin' hot and oh so wise husband), Katelyn's mission is to create a ripple affect that will impact the lives of the children that attend, their families, and her team to give them skills and a mindset that will forever serve them on their journey. 
Diaries of a Boss Babe Podcast: The passion project! Cultivating community is the main mission of this podcast. To connect, to relate, to create magic one conversation at a time. Come follow along on Instagram where we keep the conversation going and need YOUR input! 
 
 

#30 Dr. Mahsa: Healing Trauma & Rewriting Your Story

We’re diving deep into a story of resilience, identity, and healing with the incredible Dr. Mahsa—a woman whose journey will leave you breathless.
From fleeing Iran during the revolution to building a new life in California, Dr. Mahsa shares the raw and unfiltered truth about navigating cultural identity, trauma, and the power of healing. Through heartbreak, loss, and the weight of societal expectations, she found a path to transformation—one that challenges everything we think we know about the mind-body connection.
💡 In this conversation, we unravel:✨ How childhood experiences shape self-esteem and identity.✨ The subconscious patterns that hold us back—and how to break them.✨ The unexpected power of chiropractic care in emotional healing.✨ Why love, curiosity, and joy are the greatest medicine.✨ How parenting with intention can shape future generations.
This episode is raw, inspiring, and deeply human. If you’ve ever felt trapped by past wounds, cultural expectations, or limiting beliefs, this one’s for you. 🎧💫
🔗 Listen now and unlock the power of self-healing. You don’t want to miss this! ❤️🔥

#29 Angela Niswender: Old Habits & New Beginnings

 I sit down with Angela Niswender, the powerhouse behind a Kumon tutoring center, to unpack the challenges of entrepreneurship, the evolving landscape of education, and the deep-rooted patterns we carry from our upbringing.
Angela opens up about the struggles of balancing personal and professional life, navigating toxic family dynamics, and the transformative power of friendship. We dive into the importance of self-awareness, resilience, and the courage to break old cycles, all while tackling real-life parenting challenges in the digital age.
From multi-faceted learning methods to helping children overcome test anxiety, Angela shares practical tips for parents and educators, shedding light on how foundational skills, early learning, and confidence play a massive role in shaping a child’s future. Plus, we get real about staffing struggles in education, the highs and lows of running a business, and finding balance in the midst of passion-driven work.
Key Takeaways:✨ Growth comes from pushing yourself outside your comfort zone.✨ Confidence is the foundation for success in school—and in life.✨ Handwriting skills are fading fast thanks to technology (and why that matters!).✨ Saying NO can be one of the most powerful skills you develop.✨ Family influences run deep—sometimes in ways we don’t realize until adulthood.✨ The importance of reading aloud to kids (yes, even when they can read on their own!).✨ Finding community is essential for both personal and professional well-being.
If you've ever felt stuck in patterns from your past, questioned your parenting choices, or struggled with balancing passion and work, this episode will hit home. Angela’s honesty, wisdom, and heart make this a must-listen for parents, educators, and entrepreneurs alike.
🎧 Tune in now and let’s get real about learning, leading, and rewriting our stories.

#28 Samantha Gold: Sobriety, Reinvention & Building a Business with a Purpose

In this deeply moving and unfiltered episode, Samantha Gold, founder of Motette, an elevated children's sleepwear brand, takes us through her journey of transformation—both in business and in life. From leaving the U.S. and returning to Sydney to navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship, motherhood, and sobriety, Samantha opens up about the struggles, the lessons, and the healing process that has shaped who she is today.
Check out Motette here: @shopmotette www.shopmotette.com
She shares the realities of starting a business while simultaneously rebuilding her identity, the personal cost of high-achieving corporate culture, and how grief and loss forced her to reassess everything. This is a conversation about resilience, self-awareness, and the power of community—especially in the moments when we feel the most alone.
Buckle in baby- here's what we cover:
✨ Entrepreneurship & Purpose: The challenges of launching Motette and the importance of aligning personal values with business goals.
✨ Sobriety & Self-Discovery: The transition from a party-centric lifestyle to sobriety and how it reshaped her relationships, career, and self-worth.
✨ The Weight of Feedback: How receiving criticism in both personal and professional spaces has pushed her to grow.
✨ Grief & Healing: The profound impact of losing her father and how it influenced her choices.✨ Rebuilding After Setbacks: Overcoming the loneliness that comes with independence and learning to ask for help.✨ The Power of Community: Why surrounding yourself with the right people is crucial for personal and business success.
Samantha’s story is one of deep reflection, courage, and reinvention. If you’ve ever faced a crossroads in your life or business, this episode will resonate deeply. Not only are you going to be inspired, but you're going to want to hang out with her ASAP. 
🎧 Listen now and be ready to feel, reflect, and be inspired.
 
To learn more about your host, Katelyn Gerhardt: 
Cultivate with KG: Katelyn is a business coach, consultant and speaker specializing in help women build their empire as a fierce and loving woman! She helps you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you dream to be. With a focus on building the woman who makes her daydreams a reality, she helps you get crystal clear on what you want and helps you implement the plan to get there one step at a time. If you're looking to start or build a business, grow your team, expand, hire, or create an intentional company culture; let's do it. She's helped hundreds of women master their time so they can build the life they desire. She offers self paced courses, 1:1 coaching and workshops!
Independence Academy: In 2015, Katelyn co-founded Independence Academy a private Montessori and Reggio inspired school serving children 2 yrs through elementary. Sitting on 13 acres, Independence Academy is a place where children are immersed in nature and are taking back their childhood. With a team of 30+ women, (and her smokin' hot and oh so wise husband), Katelyn's mission is to create a ripple affect that will impact the lives of the children that attend, their families, and her team to give them skills and a mindset that will forever serve them on their journey. 
Diaries of a Boss Babe Podcast: The passion project! Cultivating community is the main mission of this podcast. To connect, to relate, to create magic one conversation at a time. Come follow along on Instagram where we keep the conversation going and need YOUR input! 
 

Cultivate #3: Luke and Katelyn - 17 Years Unfiltered

Join me and Luke for a sweet little deep dive into the masculine and feminine energies, how it all collides in our 17 year relationship through military life, parenting dynamics, and all the dirt we spill about how our interactions resulted in butting heads, separation 6 years in, and the way we refused to quit in order to now live the life we desired full of joy, fulfillment, pleasure and so much laughter.
We share the real growth we've worked so hard for- what it took to truly shift perspectives and what we would've done differently.
Here's what you can expect: 
✨ How personal growth changes relationship dynamics✨ The art of balancing traditional and modern roles without losing yourself✨ Why surrendering control can be the most freeing (and fiery!) move in love✨ The power of humor, trust, and effective communication in conflict resolution✨ The ripple effect of love, routine, and intention on family life
Press play to hear the highs, the lows, and everything in between of a love story that’s still being written—and laugh along with us as we reveal why not taking life too seriously is the key to it all.