Boss Babes of the Bluegrass

29 - How Angela Addington Turned Petsitting, Photography, and Travel Into Her Dream Lifestyle

Angela Addington discusses her inspiring journey of reinvention, entrepreneurship, and living life to the fullest. Angela shares how she balances a full-time remote job with a thriving side hustle that includes house/pet sitting across the U.S., international mission work, and her passion projects in travel and photography—recently rebranded as “Lenses and Latitudes.” She offers insights on creative income streams (like uploading travel photos to stock websites), turning your interests into opportunities, and the importance of saying “yes” to new adventures after thoughtful reflection. The episode also highlights Angela’s strong belief in mentorship, asking questions, and building community by supporting other women in business. For more on Angela’s work, check out lensesandlatitudes.com and follow her on Instagram at @lensesandlatitudes. Reach her directly via email at addingtonconsultingky@mail.com.

28 - Podiversary Reflections: Lessons from Hosting Boss Babes of the Bluegrass

In this special “Podiversary” episode of Boss Babes of the Bluegrass, host Kris Castle celebrates one year of amplifying the inspiring stories of women in business from Central Kentucky. Kris reflects on her journey into podcasting—starting from scratch with no experience, the role of mentorship, and the invaluable help of Jennifer Longworth from Bourbon Barrel Podcasting. She shares five key lessons learned from interviewing 30 local women, emphasizing courage, the importance of mentorship, embracing change, and ways to recharge. Kris also highlights book and podcast recommendations from Mel Robbins (“Let Them”) and Brené Brown, and closes with a powerful Ruth Bader Ginsburg quote on women’s leadership. Want to be a guest? Visit castleinsuranceky.com and click on the podcast link. Recommended reads: Let Them by Mel Robbins and Brené Brown’s books & podcast.

27 - The Power of Saying Yes: Oz Davis on Entrepreneurship, Balance, and Philanthropy

Oz Davis is founder of Peer House, an outsourced accounting firm in Central Kentucky. Oz shares her inspiring journey from corporate controller to successful entrepreneur, describing how she identified a unique industry need and built Peer House into a thriving business with a diverse team and client base. The conversation looks at her leadership philosophy, the importance of passion and mentorship, and the challenges currently facing the accounting industry—especially the looming shortage of CPAs and the impact of technology. Oz also opens up about her personal growth, work-life harmony, and her love for ballroom dancing, as well as her deep commitment to local charitable organizations like CASA of Lexington and DV8 Kitchen. If you're looking for insight, inspiration, and practical advice on leadership, career change, and community involvement, this episode is a must-listen! Learn more about Peer House at peerhousecpa.com, and connect with Oz on LinkedIn as Ozlem Eva Davis. For more on the causes discussed: CASA of Lexington and DV8 Kitchen.

26 - Creating Lasting Impact: Michele Carlisle’s Vision for Fighting Hunger in Scott County

Michele Carlisle is the Executive Director of the Amen House in Georgetown, KY. Michele shares her inspiring journey from running a photography business to leading an impactful nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger in Scott County. The conversation dives into the "why" behind her work, leadership through building intentional team culture, challenges and opportunities brought by federal food program changes, and the exciting launch of a new soup kitchen funded by generous community support. Michele also discusses her hands-on philosophy and candidly reflects on work-life harmony and career evolution. If you want to learn more about the Amen House, support their mission, or attend their Denim & Pearls fundraiser to benefit the backpack weekend meals program, visit amenhouse.org. For behind-the-scenes tours or donations, all details are available on their website.

25 - Lessons From the Tow Truck Office: Leadership, Flexibility, and Motherhood With Heather Finley

Heather Finley of Finley's Towing and Recovery discussdx her inspiring journey from working in insurance to co-founding a successful family business in Georgetown, Ky. Heather shares insights on taking calculated risks, balancing motherhood and work, and the importance of giving back to the local community. She candidly recounts the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship and offers empowering advice for women considering new directions in their careers. The episode wraps up with some fun facts—including Heather’s unexpected hobby as a beekeeper! Interested in learning more or in need of reliable towing? Visit Finley's Towing and Recovery at finleystowingandrecovery.com or call 502-863-7759. You can also connect with them on Facebook. This episode is powered by Castle Insurance.

24 - Civic Leadership and Community Impact: Vanessa Grossl’s Journey from Teacher to State Representative

Vanessa Grossl is the State Representative for Kentucky's District 88. Vanessa shares her journey from growing up in Eastern Kentucky to becoming a legislator, highlighting her passion for education, community service, and problem-solving. She talks about how encouragement from her family and friends—particularly her mother—helped her step into public service, her approachable leadership style, current bipartisan efforts in Frankfort, and the importance of creating harmony rather than balance in work and life. Vanessa also touches on her nonprofit work with the Bluegrass Community Foundation, her Saturday KET ritual for relaxation, and gives advice for staying present in the moment. Don’t miss her book and podcast recommendations: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom and Kentucky Politics Weekly. Connect with Vanessa on Facebook and Twitter/X. Powered by Castle Insurance.

23 - Reinventing Your Career: Jessica Lewis on Finding Purpose After Teaching and Motherhood

Jessica Lewis is a former educator turned successful entrepreneur in the direct sales field. Jessica shares her journey from school administrator to stay-at-home mom, and how she found purpose and fulfillment building her business with Neora, a holistic skincare and wellness company. The conversation dives deep into overcoming imposter syndrome, balancing a busy family life with leadership in business, and setting boundaries for personal time. Jessica also opens up about her passion for giving back, notably through her involvement with The Gathering Place Mission and Big Brothers Big Sisters. For resources and to connect with Jessica, check out her Facebook profile Jessica Lewis and her Instagram @jessb_juvenescent. Be sure to tune in for real-life strategies, inspiration, and more about Jessica’s journey!

22 - Embracing Your Purpose and Supporting Others: Insights from Authentic Joy’s Joy Harris-Edwards

Joy Harris-Edwards of Authentic Joy explores her journey from profound grief after her father's passing to finding purpose as a helper, therapist, and leader. Joy shares how personal loss inspired her to launch her business, write a book, and dedicate herself to mental health advocacy, especially for women and families overcoming addiction. The conversation covers practical strategies for balancing professional and personal life, the importance of setting boundaries and staying authentic, and the value of leadership within community and church. Joy also discusses her upcoming projects, including a new center for growth and hope in Nicholasville and books on loneliness and lessons from her beloved dog Tobias. For more, connect with Joy at joyaharris.com and follow her as Authentic Joy on social media. Don’t miss her recommended listens, especially anything by Brené Brown, and check out her own podcast, The Kitchen Isn't Clean Unless the Stove is Wiped Down.
Links:
Joy’s website: joyaharris.com
Authentic Joy on social: Facebook Business Page (search “Authentic Joy” on all platforms)
Joy’s book: Authentic Joy: Sharing True Joy
Recommended listens: Brené Brown Podcasts
Joy's podcast on Spotify: Embers of Joy: The Kitchen Isn't Clean Unless the Stove is Wiped Down 

21 - Building the Beef Lady Brand: Amanda Hall’s Story of Agriculture and Advocacy

Amanda Hall of Hallstead Farms and Meats discusses her journey as a woman in agriculture, building a family business, and managing the challenges of work-life harmony. Amanda shares stories about growing up in Georgetown, Kentucky, her experiences in 4H and FFA, and meeting her husband through her agricultural pursuits. She offers practical advice for balancing multiple roles—as a business owner, mom, and active community member—and highlights the importance of building financial literacy and self-confidence, especially for women breaking into male-dominated industries. Amanda also touches on the growth of the local beef movement, her commitment to community initiatives like the Scott County Livestock Showcase, and the value of teaching the next generation about where their food comes from. Connect with Amanda and learn more about Hallstead Farms and Meats on Facebook. For more on Boss Babes of the Bluegrass and upcoming episodes, visit Castle Insurance.

20 - From Courtrooms to Capes: CASA’s Fight for Abused Kids with Melynda Jamison

Melynda Jamison is the Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. She talks top Kris about the vital work her organization does for children who are victims of abuse or neglect in Central Kentucky. Melynda explains the CASA volunteer model, where trained community members act as Court Appointed Special Advocates to support children navigating the complexities of family court. She shares eye-opening realities about the prevalence of child abuse in Kentucky, the gaps in the reporting and protection system, and how CASA uniquely steps in to make sure each child’s best interest is represented—especially in the most severe cases. Melynda also describes how CASA uses facility dogs like Matilda to provide comfort to kids during difficult court testimonies.
Beyond the organization’s mission, Kris and Melynda discuss the challenges of leading a nonprofit, the importance of setting boundaries to prevent burnout, and how anyone—with any skill set—can get involved, from volunteering on cases to helping with events or even weeding the CASA building’s garden. Melynda shares the impact CASA has on individual children’s lives, reflects on her own motivations for staying in this demanding field, and encourages listeners to consider how their unique talents could support the cause.
For more information on volunteering, donating, or participating in upcoming events, visit www.casaoflexington.org or call 859-246-4313. Join the movement to give every child the chance for a safe, permanent home!