The Empowered Woman | Storytelling & Women Empowerment

In this episode, Cathy Derksen shares her unexpected journey from a career in medical genetics and financial planning to creating multi-author books that give women the opportunity to become published authors. Cathy explains how becoming an author herself in 2019 sparked a passion for helping women share their stories, wisdom, experiences, and lessons with the world. Through her multi-author books, each featuring approximately 20 women around a shared theme, Cathy creates opportunities for women to build confidence, connect with a global community, and amplify what they are doing in their lives and businesses. She also shares how authors receive support throughout the writing and publishing process, from developing their chapter and editing to professional publishing, marketing, and opportunities for visibility.
Cathy also shares inspiring stories of women who initially believed their stories were not important enough to share, only to discover the powerful impact their words could have on others. She discusses how participating in a multi-author book can become a starting point for women who eventually want to write their own books, build a platform, or expand their visibility. Cathy's work has grown into a larger community through her Women's Wisdom and Impact Collective, connecting authors from her various books through networking and spotlight opportunities. At the heart of Cathy's message is the belief that an empowered woman takes ownership of her passions and goals, gives herself permission to embrace new possibilities, and remembers that it is never too late to start something new.
Connect with Cathy:
Website: www.inspiredtenacity.com
LinkedIn: Cathy Derksen
Instagram: @inspired_tenacity
Facebook: Cathy Derksen



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Victoria Wright is an author, speaker, and mentor who helps people challenge the limiting beliefs that keep them playing small so they can step into a more limitless life. In this episode, Victoria shares the deeply personal turning point that transformed her own life. After being unexpectedly demoted during a corporate reorganization, she experienced a profound crisis of identity and began confronting the beliefs and inner criticism she had carried for years. What initially felt like a devastating setback ultimately became the catalyst for a spiritual awakening, early retirement, and a completely new chapter that led her to writing, speaking, and mentoring. Victoria opens up about how her journey taught her that many of the beliefs we carry are planted in us by family, culture, society, and our experiences, but that we have the power to decide which ones we continue to carry.
Victoria also talks about her latest book, The Quiet Butterfly, a young adult story inspired in part by her experiences with bullying and her desire to help young people recognize their worth and inner strength. She shares how her own lived experiences shape the way she mentors others, offering guidance and a safe space for people to take the next step when they feel too overwhelmed to see what is possible. Victoria also reflects on what it means to be an empowered woman, describing empowerment as being able to simply be and recognize that what we need is already within us. Listeners can learn more about Victoria, explore her books and speaking work, and connect with her mentorship opportunities through her website, where she also offers a free 30-minute conversation for those interested in working with her.
Connect with Victoria:
Website: www.victoriawrightspeaks.com
LinkedIn: Victoria Wright
Instagram: @healingwordssource
Facebook: Healing Words by Victoria Wright



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Instagram: @martaspirk
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Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?
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Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking

Erin Barbossa, LCSW, is a grief coach and the founder of Lionflower Studio, where she helps women navigate grief and loss through creativity, connection, and self-trust. Erin's journey is anything but traditional. She began her career in television, working at NBC before spending four years working for Oprah, where she discovered the power of listening to women's stories. She later returned to school to earn her master's in social work and spent 15 years as a therapist, primarily supporting women through postpartum experiences. After experiencing a profound personal loss, Erin's perspective on grief, mental health, and healing shifted, inspiring her to create a space that goes beyond traditional clinical care and helps women reconnect with themselves and find their way back to life.
In this episode, Erin shares how creativity became an essential part of her own healing journey and how she now uses it to support women experiencing many forms of loss, including death, diagnosis, divorce, and other life-altering transitions. She explains why creativity isn't about being talented or producing something "good," but about creating space for play, choice, gentleness, and self-compassion—what she calls "baby chick energy." From writing and painting to singing, gardening, and cooking, Erin encourages women to rediscover what brings them joy and helps them reconnect with their voice and inner world. She also shares her definition of an empowered woman: someone who is connected to herself while also recognizing the importance of safe, supportive community. Learn more about Erin and Lionflower Studio at lionflowerstudio.com or connect with her on Instagram and book a free consultation to explore whether her one-on-one coaching is the right fit.
Connect with Erin:
Website: www.lionflowerstudio.com
Instagram: @lionflowerstudio
 
Let's keep the conversation going!
Website: www.martaspirk.com
Instagram: @martaspirk
Facebook: Marta Spirk
Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?
Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest 
Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking

In this episode, we're joined by Carrie Mayers and Samantha Mayers, a mother-daughter duo behind a corporate coaching company focused on transforming potential into performance. With Carrie bringing more than 30 years of experience in sales, client relationships, training, coaching, and consulting, and Samantha bringing her background in tech consulting and leadership development, they combine two generations of experience and perspectives to help teams communicate better, build accountability, strengthen leadership, and work more effectively together. They share the story of how Carrie's business evolved organically from workshops into consulting and coaching, along with the unique journey of becoming business partners as a mother and daughter.
Carrie and Samantha also take us behind the scenes of their highly customized approach to leadership development, from workshops and retreats to individual coaching and team programs. They share powerful client stories that demonstrate how creating common language, strengthening accountability, and developing leaders can create lasting organizational impact. We also talk about their upcoming Lead Out Loud one-day leadership retreat for women in San Diego, their experience working together as a mother-daughter team, and what they've learned from bringing different generations and perspectives into the business. Plus, they each share their definition of an empowered woman and why choosing your own path—and owning it without shame—is at the heart of true empowerment.
Connect with Carrie and Samantha:
Website: www.corpcoachingco.com
LinkedIn: Corporate Coaching Co.
 
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Website: www.martaspirk.com
Instagram: @martaspirk
Facebook: Marta Spirk
Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?
Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest 
Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking

Suzanne Longstreet, known as the "Millionaire Activator," helps women break through limiting beliefs, build confidence, and unlock their potential for greater financial success. In this episode, Suzanne shares her inspiring journey from corporate HR to entrepreneurship, NLP coaching, and hypnotherapy. She opens up about the challenges she faced along the way, including self-doubt, past experiences, and the mindset patterns that were holding her back from fully stepping into her potential.
Suzanne explains how changing the way we think, feel, and show up can create powerful shifts in business and life. She shares the story of a client who went from $300,000 to more than $1 million in revenue in just 110 days, as well as insights from her books, The Millionaire Codes and The Millionaire Brain. Most importantly, Suzanne encourages women to stop shrinking, speak up, embrace their worth, and reconnect with the confident version of themselves that has always been there.
Connect with Suzanne:
Website: www.successandclarity.com
LinkedIn: Suzanne (Smith) Longstreet | Success & Clarity
Instagram: @successandclarity | @suzanneglongstreet
YouTube: Suzanne Longstreet



Let's keep the conversation going!
Website: www.martaspirk.com
Instagram: @martaspirk
Facebook: Marta Spirk
Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?
Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest 
Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking