In this episode, I interview Cara McFadyen, Founder and Principal Consultant at Ooshka, for a conversation that’s equal parts raw, inspiring, and real. Cara shared how she’s found her footing as both a leader and a founder, channeling purpose into something new during a period of transition. That clarity helped her move past expectations of what life should look like and start creating a career path she never expected.

We also talk about the courage it takes to step out on your own, to become the product, the operator, and the brand — and how Cara stays grounded through it all with storytelling, connection, and a deep belief in culture-driven leadership. She emphasizes that the insurance industry was built on relationships and that marketers and leaders alike have the opportunity to humanize the business. From tackling talent retention and equity to reframing how the industry tells its story, Cara believes that when culture sits at the top of the agenda, everything else flows from it.

In this special crossover episode, I sat down with another women in insurance podcast host, Meg McKeen of Bound & Determined℠. We came together for an open, honest conversation about purpose, community, and the power of sharing women's stories. With deep respect for one another’s work, we reflected on what it means to create space for women in the insurance industry, why collaboration matters more than ever, and how podcasting has transformed the way we show up as leaders, listeners, and women.

This conversation was held live on October 1st.

In this episode, I interview Alex Eidenberg, President of The Insurance People, to hear her inspiring story of designing a career where she could be her authentic self, and her team could too. Alex shares how she has built her career by leaning into curiosity, authenticity, and a deep commitment to people-first leadership. From navigating challenges in the industry to stepping into her role as President, she opens up about what it means to lead with empathy while still driving strong business results.

Alex is dedicated to creating an environment where both clients and colleagues feel valued and supported. She talks about how intentional culture-building fuels growth, how confidence evolves when you trust yourself, and why women should never shrink themselves in spaces of leadership. What I loved most is Alex’s passion for mentorship, especially among women. She reflects on the importance of women supporting women, creating a ripple effect that lifts others up and broadens opportunities across the industry.

In this episode, I interview Trindl Reeves, Chief Revenue Officer at Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA), whose journey into insurance was shaped by resilience, perspective, and a little wisdom from her grandmother. Trindl shares how her dream of becoming an Olympic athlete shifted after a health challenge, leading her to pursue insurance, a path that has given her both opportunity and fulfillment. With more than 30 years in the industry, she’s grown alongside MMA, helping it expand from a regional firm into a national powerhouse. I admire how her early experiences taught her not to fear challenges, but to embrace them with focus and resilience.

We also discuss her leadership philosophy and the impact of her GROW initiative, Growth and Relationships and Opportunities for Women, which began small at Barney & Barney and is now a full-fledged program across MMA. Trindl is passionate about mentoring young talent, empowering women to see what’s possible, and encouraging everyone to step into stretch opportunities, even (and especially) if failure is part of the journey. Trindl believes that success comes from curiosity, human connection, and making your aspirations known, and of course, women and men working together along the way.

In this episode, I interview Morgan Scott, Chief Operating Officer at The Mahoney Group, to talk about her career path, leadership philosophy, and what it means to drive meaningful impact in the insurance industry. Morgan shared her journey from starting in the business at a young age to rising into executive leadership, reflecting on the resilience, adaptability, and intentionality it took along the way. We talked about how her diverse experiences shaped her perspective on operations, culture, and strategy, and why she believes insurance remains a people-first business at its core.

Morgan has so much openness about growth, both personal and professional. She shared how mentorship and collaboration have shaped her leadership style, how she balances data-driven decisions with empathy, and why creating inclusive, supportive teams is central to her role as COO. Morgan also gave powerful advice for women in the industry about stepping into leadership with confidence, finding their voice, and redefining what success looks like on their own terms. My favorite part of our conversation was her idea to revisit the construction paper chains we made as kids. Listen to her episode to hear more!

In this episode, I interview Loretta Worters, Vice President of Media Relations at the Insurance Information Institute (III). Loretta has been a steady voice during some of the most challenging moments for the insurance industry, everything from natural disasters to civil unrest to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond crisis communications, Loretta has devoted her career to improving understanding of insurance and the pivotal role it plays in people’s lives. Her ability to take complex industry issues and translate them into accessible, human-centered stories is one of her greatest strengths.

What I loved most about our conversation is how Loretta ties her professional work to her personal passion for advocacy, particularly for women. She’s helped shape initiatives that spotlight women leaders in insurance and continues to mentor and amplify voices across the industry. We also discussed the evolution of media relations, the importance of trust and credibility in communications, and how she approaches telling stories that resonate not just with reporters, but with everyday consumers.

In this episode, I interview Rose Shamash, Supervising Partner at Jones, Jones, LLC, to explore her journey into insurance litigation, a path she stumbled into after law school but quickly grew to love. Rose describes the field as dynamic, complex, and even strategic, comparing it to a game of chess. Rose speaks passionately about the relationships she’s built along the way and her ability to transform challenges into opportunities, like leading the formalization of her firm’s dedicated construction practice. Rose also shared that she is exploring guest lecturing at her former law school, opening students’ eyes to underexplored career paths like workers’ compensation defense, roles that offer both intellectual challenge and the possibility of true work-life balance.

Rose and I also delved into her experiences as a woman in traditionally male-dominated fields like construction law and insurance. She shared relatable stories about overcoming gender assumptions early in her career, including the time she was mistaken for a paralegal, and how she developed confidence and quiet certainty in her expertise. I loved hearing how her role as a parent has also shaped her professional life, making her more empathetic, efficient, and skilled at negotiation and team management.

In this episode, I sit down with Keri-Lynne “KL” Shaw, Founder of The Salary Bump. KL’s career began in the automotive industry before she built a long career in HR, eventually serving as a Chief People Officer. Along the way, she discovered a calling: helping professionals confidently own their worth, navigate career transitions, and negotiate for the pay and opportunities they deserve. I admired her calm authority when I first heard her speak, and in our conversation, KL shares the same mix of strategy, authenticity, and actionable tools that make her work so impactful.

KL also explains how salary negotiation is about so much more than just numbers, it’s about alignment, self-worth, and creating win-win outcomes that empower both professionals and organizations. KL also reflects on the ways women, in particular, can step into their power by reframing the conversation around value, not just compensation. Whether you’re in insurance or not, KL’s approach will inspire you to take the driver’s seat in your career and find a road that feels both ambitious and authentic.