The Empowered Woman | Storytelling & Women Empowerment

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
 
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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

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.
 
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

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

What if the key to navigating difficult workplace dynamics isn't becoming more confident, but understanding what's really driving the behavior of the people around you? In this thought-provoking episode, leadership coach and author James Dakin explores how insecure leadership impacts women and why so many talented women find themselves shrinking, second-guessing, or feeling powerless in professional environments. Drawing from his own journey of overcoming childhood trauma and confronting his own insecurities, James shares how a life-changing wake-up call led him to dedicate his work to helping women recognize unhealthy patterns, reclaim their voice, and create change without unnecessary confrontation.
James also discusses the hidden effects of patriarchal systems on both men and women, why confidence is often misunderstood, and how greater self-awareness can transform relationships at work and beyond. He introduces the ideas behind his book, How to Stop Taking Shit from Insecure Men, offering practical insights for women who want to stop playing small and start living on their own terms. Whether you're navigating workplace politics, difficult relationships, or your own journey toward personal empowerment, this conversation will leave you with a deeper understanding of human behavior and practical tools to communicate with greater confidence, clarity, and self-worth.
Connect with James
Website: www.jamesdakin.co.uk
Special page for listeners: https://www.jamesdakin.co.uk/marta LinkedIn: James Dakin
Substack: www.jamesdakin.substack.com

 
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

 
Burnout doesn't just exhaust you. It silently erodes your most important relationships.
Aurora Method Coaching helps high-achieving women uncover the root beliefs driving their relationship conflicts and burnout, moving them from emotional reactivity to calm, clarity, and confidence.
Ready to restore connection?
Book your FREE consultation at meetwithtracy.coach

In this episode, Susan Dabbar shares what it really takes to build businesses that last. With nearly four decades of entrepreneurial experience, seven companies founded, and five successful exits, she reflects on the lessons she's learned from designing nuclear submarines, launching businesses across multiple industries, living abroad, and even playing professional poker. She discusses identifying untapped market opportunities, building strong networks, creating companies that can thrive beyond their founders, and why planning for a successful exit should begin long before you're ready to sell.
Susan also introduces Provoked Magazine, a digital publication created to amplify the voices of women over 50 through bold storytelling, thoughtful journalism, and meaningful conversations about wellness, culture, relationships, money, and midlife. She shares her passion for creating space where women are encouraged to speak up, tell their stories, and take their seat at the table. Whether you're an entrepreneur building your next venture, a founder thinking about long-term growth, or someone looking for inspiration to embrace your next chapter with confidence, this conversation is filled with practical wisdom and empowering insights.
Connect with Susan:
Website: www.provokedmagazine.com
LinkedIn: Susan Dabbar
Instagram: @provokedbysusan
 
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

 
Burnout doesn't just exhaust you. It silently erodes your most important relationships.
Aurora Method Coaching helps high-achieving women uncover the root beliefs driving their relationship conflicts and burnout, moving them from emotional reactivity to calm, clarity, and confidence.
Ready to restore connection?
Book your FREE consultation at meetwithtracy.coach