Do you love hearing inspiring stories? I know I to talk to people and hear how they have overcome adversity and hard times in their lives. That’s why I loved interviewing these guests on my podcast, “Courtney, Beyond the Cake”. If you haven’t heard these women’s stories, check them out below in my list of inspiring podcast episodes you will love!
11 Inspiring Podcast Episodes You Will Love
1- Jessica Frew
Jessica Frew is a wife, ex-wife, mom, stepmom, and a BOLD action taker. Together with her husband Matt and ex-husband Steve, she created the podcast, “Husband in Law,”. Here they share their stories of love, marriage, coming out, divorce, remarriage, and co-parenting. They want to help others know they are not alone. The three also co-own The BOLD Logic. A company devoted to helping people take BOLD action towards keeping and reclaiming their sense of self.
After years of working through her own healing, Jessica served as a facilitator for support groups for Friends and Family of Pornography Addicts. It was during this time, she realized she had been given a gift that she could use to help others heal as well.
Jessica is a firm believer in knowing what you want in life so you can “boldly” create a life you love. Together Jessica, Matt, and Steve are working to spread the values of love, kindness, and acceptance for creating healthy relationships. Listen to Jessica’s inspiring story here.
2- Monica Packer
Monica Packer is a self-proclaimed recovering perfectionist. Her journey started when she was a teenager battling the need to reach an ideal she had created in her mind about academics, spirituality, and body image. After years of battling perfectionism and developing eating disorders, Monica decided it was time to change. She began to focus on progress. That shift in perspective led Monica to start a blog, which quickly transformed into a popular podcast, About Progress.
Monica is a wife, a mom, a podcaster, and a progress coach. Her goal is to save women from themselves by helping them ditch perfectionism, step into their gifts and move toward real progress. Find her story, here.
3- Karalynne Call
Fifteen years ago Karalynne Call found herself in a life-threatening battle with depression. After attempting to take her own life, Karalynne was desperate for help and healing. Help was available in the form of medication, but she still searched for true healing. That is, until she found a doctor who believed that what Karalynne was experiencing was something that could be healed. Karalynne then went on a two-year journey with this doctor that completely changed her mental and physical health.
Karalynne is a mom of six, a certified nutritionist, a wellness coach, and a mental health advocate. She offers tips and tricks, how-to’s and why’s behind choosing better, whole, non-toxic ingredients.
On this podcast episode, Karalynne and I talked about her journey to overcoming depression. Along with the changes she’s made in her lifestyle to help in healing, how we can correct hormone imbalances through the foods we eat and products we use, and what Karalynne hopes to teach others from her experiences.
4- Courtney Anderson
In 2011, Courtney discovered her passion for the beauty industry when she started working as a manager for a local spa. While Courtney was falling head over heels for her job, the company was unknowingly about to go out of business. By the time she found out about the company’s financial woes, she had already fallen in love with the work and was determined to save it.
Nine years later, Courtney is the CEO of five Spa Trouvé locations in Utah. And she has elevated Spa Trouvé to one of the premier medical spas in Utah.
Today, we’re talking about how Courtney turned a failing company into a success story, as well as her thoughts about how the beauty industry has changed over the years. Along with sharing her must-have skincare services and products, Courtney shares how the beauty industry shapes our perceptions of self-care. Listen to this inspiring podcast episode here.
5- Michelle Inkley
Michelle Inkley is the mom of four boys. She is also an organizer, wedding and event planner, DIY guru, and lover of all things beautiful. When Michelle gave birth to her second son Tanner, now 25, she and her husband were surprised to learn that Tanner had Down Syndrome. Feeling blindsided by the news, and in an era before support groups and social media, Michelle found herself feeling lost and alone.
In this episode of “Courtney, Beyond the Cake”, Michelle shares her journey of raising a child with special needs. You’ll love hearing how this journey has changed her outlook on life, as well her perspective on motherhood. You’ll love hearing Michelle’s story here.
6- Andrea Davis
Navigating our kids’ and teens’ usage of screens can feel overwhelming. What’s the right age to give them a phone? What kind of phone is okay to give my kids? Should I withhold technology altogether? How do I teach them to use social media responsibly? What do I do if I feel like I’m losing my kids to the screen?
On today’s episode, I’m talking to Andrea Davis, founder of Better Screen Time, who’s made it her mission to help arm parents and families with the tools and knowledge for teaching and preparing youth for a tech-heavy, social-media centered world. This is one of my favorite inspiring podcast episodes. Find it here.
7- Lacy Gadegaard-West
In her early 20’s, Lacy Gadegaard-West was traveling the country working with high-profile celebrity clients as a hairstylist for the Bellagio in Las Vegas. She was loving her life and booming career but felt the desire to turn her attention to her new family. Lacy moved across the country to support her then-husband through law school and raise her two boys. She did this all while trying to keep a new business afloat.
In the years that followed, Lacy’s journey took her through her fair share of ups and downs. She had to navigate being a single mom, growing her business, and a brain tumor that ultimately led to a multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
In today’s episode, Lacy shares with us many of the life lessons she’s learned throughout her journey, including how her MS diagnosis gave her a second chance at life. I know you’ll be inspired by Lacy’s story! Listen here.
8- Ashley DiLello
You may remember today’s guest from ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, when she and her husband both made it on the show and then both made it to the finals. Since then, Ashleigh Di Lello has traveled the world as a professional dancer. She has appeared on Broadway, Dancing with the Stars, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. But life wasn’t always spotlights and cameras for Ashleigh. In fact, dancing was completely taken away from her not once, but twice!
At age 13, Ashleigh was suddenly faced with a life-threatening illness and was told she wouldn’t survive past her teenage years. Her determination, resilience, and faith proved doctors wrong. By 19, Ashleigh was on the dance floors again and became a nationally recognized name. Unfortunately, much of what Ashleigh experienced as a teen was something she faced yet again as an adult. But against all odds, Ashleigh persevered and overcame what doctors said was the impossible. Her mission in life is to help others do the same.
In today’s episode, Ashleigh talks about her 20-year journey of chronic illness and pain. She talks about how dance saved her even when she couldn’t get out of bed, and how she discovered that to fully heal the body, you also have to treat the brain. Find Ashleigh’s story here.
9- Jeanette Bennett
I had to include Jeanette’s story in my lineup of inspiring podcast episodes you will love! Jeanette Bennett is the founder and editor-in-chief at Bennett Communications, parent company to Utah Valley Magazine, BusinessQ Magazine, and Utah Valley Bride Magazine. She’s also moderated gubernatorial debates, numerous business panels and is a regular guest on HuffPostLive. Jeanette is one of the hardest working women and mothers I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Despite the ups and downs of starting and running a business while raising five kids, she’s a positive and inspiring leader in her community.
Jeanette’s positivity continues to inspire her community as she has recently opened up about a new chapter in her journey – her battle against thyroid cancer.
In today’s episode of “Courtney, Beyond the Cake”, Jeanette tells us about her journey so far. She also shares how not receiving the miracle she hoped for helped her to discover the desire for the next right step. Listen in here!
10- Katie Cheesman
From a young age, Katie Cheesman had a great love for the elderly. As a newlywed, she and her husband had the opportunity to live with and take care of her grandpa as he battled dementia. After he passed away, Katie went on to continue to care for a generation she says often goes unnoticed and unappreciated. During those years as an in-home caregiver, she realized each and every person she cared for had a story to share. And not just a story, but value! Value still to add to their families, their peers, and their communities.
It didn’t take long for Katie to find her true passion in her field – listening to and telling the stories of the older generation. In today’s episode, Katie tells us about The Listening Ear Project. She shares how it’s changed her life and how making connections with the older generation will greatly bless each and every one of us. Find Katie’s story, here.
11- Diana Pace
After finishing her degree in broadcast journalism at Brigham Young University, Diana Pace was ready to take the broadcast world by storm. However, Diana found herself faced with a ‘course correction’, as she calls it. The first of many in her career and life path that have landed her where she is today.
In today’s episode, we follow Diana’s journey. We will learn the invaluable lessons her course corrections have taught her. And ultimately, how they shaped her into the woman she knew she was always meant to be. Diana shares her inspiring story, here.
Inspiring Podcast Episodes You Will Love
I hope you check out these podcast episodes soon. I know you will be as inspired as I was when I listened to these women’s stories. There is so much goodness to be found in the world and I love to share it with my friends and followers. If you aren’t following me on Instagram already, check me out @cakebycourtney. And for more episodes from my podcast, you can find me here.
