Boss Babes of the Bluegrass

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!

19 - Pivoting with Purpose: Victoria Byrd on Career Change and Personal Growth

Kris sits down with Victoria Byrd, team lead of the Birdhouse Group with Real Broker in Georgetown, Kentucky. Victoria shares her inspiring journey from dance major and nonprofit work to flight attendant and, ultimately, a thriving real estate profession working alongside her husband. She dives into industry trends, like the importance of open communication and transparency with clients, and offers practical tips for buyers and sellers this spring. Victoria also discusses her community involvement, from serving at the Gathering Place Mission to teaching yoga classes, and gives valuable advice on achieving work-life balance, the power of walking, and not being afraid to pivot in your career. To connect with Victoria, follow her on Instagram (@mrsvictoriabyrdrealtor), Facebook, or email her at victoria.o.byrd@gmail.com. Tune in for motivational insights, practical advice, and a few fun surprises. Don't forget to check out the upcoming Gathering Place Gala in November!
For more resources mentioned:
Mel Robbins Podcast
Let Them Theory Book by Mel Robbins
Gathering Place Mission
Powered by Castle Insurance.

18 - Building Teams and Breaking Barriers: Monica Owens’ Path to Success

Kris sits down with Monica Owens, Senior Manager at International Crankshaft in Georgetown, Kentucky. Monica shares her journey as a leader in the manufacturing and business technology world, discussing the value of continuous improvement (Kaizen), her approach of "listen, learn, then lead," and how her background as a basketball player has inspired her management style. She opens up about navigating male-dominated industries, building team motivation through daily huddles, and the shifts in workplace culture post-Covid and with emerging technologies like AI. Monica also reveals how ballroom dancing has become her favorite way to recharge and maintain work-life harmony, encouraging listeners to find moments of quiet and self-care in their routines. The episode wraps up with Monica’s current involvement in "Dancing with the Lexington Stars" and advice for younger women in the workplace. Connect with Monica via Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and support her journey with Dancing with the Stars.
Book mentioned:
Reclaiming You by Abby Rawlinson
Want more practical inspiration? Listen to the full episode for insights on leadership, harmony, and finding joy in new seasons of life!

17 - Embracing Change: Morgan Murray's Journey to Financial Planning and Divorce Support

Guest Morgan Murray discusses her journey from majoring in English to becoming a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. She shares her personal experience with divorce and how it influenced her career path, emphasizing the importance of holistic financial advice during such times. Morgan highlights the role of a CDFA in bettering divorce outcomes by assisting with property settlements beforehand, which can potentially reduce the time and conflict involved in traditional legal proceedings. She also talks about the shift towards boutique independent firms providing holistic financial advice and the challenges and strategies of maintaining work-life harmony as an entrepreneur. Connect with Morgan on her website, https://abri.io, or through her Facebook group "Financial Advice for Divorced Women," for more insightful advice and tips.

16 - Running with Purpose: Katie and Samantha's Inspirational Story

Kris sits down with Samantha Eddington, a medical director and nursing educator, and her daughter, Katie, a determined 16-year-old athlete with a passion for running. Samantha shares her journey from oncology to aesthetics and the life-changing event of Katie's leg injury, which led to Katie's impressive achievements in sprinting and pursuing coaching and prosthetics work. Tune in to hear about their philanthropic efforts with 50 Legs and valuable insights on coping with trauma and achieving a balanced life. Connect with Samantha and Katie through Instagram @KatieBug Racing or learn more about their work with 50 Legs at 50legs.org.

15 - Karen Butcher on Building a Successful Coaching Business and Embracing Life's Challenges

Karen Butcher is a seasoned educator turned entrepreneur. Karen shares her journey from being a classroom teacher with a variety of career experiences to owning her own coaching and training business, Karen Butcher Coaching and Training. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes the importance of resilience, mentorship, and staying true to oneself. Karen candidly discusses the challenges she's faced, including personal losses and her son's recent health issues, and explains how her faith and resilient mindset have helped her maintain balance. For those looking for motivation, practical tips, and insights into personal and professional growth, this episode is a must-listen. 

14 - From Corporate Dropout to Entrepreneur: Davonna Saier's Inspirational Story

Kris interviews Davonna Saier to explore empowering themes of entrepreneurship and personal growth. Davonna shares her journey from being a "corporate dropout" to establishing Davonna, Inc., focusing on supporting and inspiring women. With a background in elder care and teaching strategic planning and leadership development in collaboration with Sutherland and Associates, Davonna offers rich insight into her multifaceted career. The conversation touches on embracing life's privileges, overcoming personal challenges like infertility, and the importance of trusting oneself. Featuring motivational and practical tips, the episode is a deep dive into building a fulfilling career and life. For more insights, visit Davonna's website at davonna.net and follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

13 - How Divine Intervention Led Caitlin Tudor to Found an Adoption Agency

Caitlin Tudor is a dynamic leader involved in various organizations in Central Kentucky. Caitlin shares her journey from nursing to becoming a safety manager and founding Unexpected Blessings Adoption and Foundation. She discusses the challenges and rewards of her career paths, highlighting her leadership style focused on teaching and relationship building. Caitlin opens up about the importance of divine intervention in her work, particularly the inspiration behind starting the adoption agency. She also talks about achieving work-life harmony, the lessons learned over the years, and her aspirations to complete her J.D. to further her impact. Caitlin invites listeners to join in community events like the upcoming baby showers and encourages those interested in adoption to reach out. For more information, visit Unexpected Blessings Adoption or contact Caitlin at 502-370-5055.