Celebrating 100 Episodes: Lessons Learned from Inspiring Female Entrepreneurs

1. Intro:

MEGAN: Holy smokes! Can you believe it? We’re at the 100th episode of ‘Self StartHER’! 

I remember when I first got started with the show, I was just so determined to make it past the pod fade – which is 8 episodes and where the majority of podcasts drop off. Instead, 2 years later, we are in triple digits and in the top 10% of all podcasts. It’s truly unreal. 

But, 100 episodes would not have been possible without you. So, before we dive into our special episode today, I want to take a moment to thank you. Whether you’ve been with me from day one, hopped in at the middle or are literally tuning in for the first time today – you are the reason I keep going. 

I love what I do and I thank you for supporting my guests and me week after week.

So… Today, we’re shaking things up a bit – 

There will be no spotlight guest interview. 

Instead, we’re celebrating  by looking back at the amazing stories we’ve captured on the show and the common themes we’ve found in the 2 years and 100 episodes. 

These women’s journeys are packed with inspiration and wisdom. 

So, grab your favorite drink, get comfy or go on that walk, and let’s dive in!

2. Main Segment:

Theme 1: Embracing the Unknown

MEGAN: First up, let’s talk about embracing the unknown. It’s something every entrepreneur faces, right? Our guests have shared some incredible insights on this. Listen to what Jax Hurst had to say in Episode 1…

Soundbite: Jax Hurst (Episode 1): “People are always so afraid of the future…but what if it did work?”

MEGAN: “Our first episode could not have started out any stronger or been more fitting for the theme of the show. We then had Ali Rizacos echoe this sentiment in Episode 3. Here’s what she said…”

Soundbite: Ali Rizacos (Episode 3): “I always know that there is this better future that we can absolutely attain if we just get out of our way.”

MEGAN: and then Teresa Heath-Wareing put the cherry on top in episode 40:

Soundbite: Teresa Heath-Wareing (Episode 40): “You have to have this belief that this is what you were meant to do and it’s got to be for the right reasons…If you do something you adore and love, you have the power to keep going.”

MEGAN: Whenever you start something new there are always a lot of question marks and unknowns, but our guests have willingly taken these risks in order to better their future. Their stories serve as great reminders for us all to push past our fear and to trust in the journey ahead. 

Theme 2: Passion and Purpose

MEGAN: Next, let’s dive into finding passion and purpose. This is such a key part of starting a business. Payton Hollingsworth discovered a hidden passion, and it changed everything for her…

Soundbite: Payton Hollingsworth (Episode 14): “It was a passion I didn’t know I had. Seeing that you can give back by doing something you love is crazy.”

MEGAN: And Haley Thomas, in Episode 15, shared a beautiful reflection on her journey…

Soundbite: Haley Thomas (Episode 15): “I look back and I’m so proud of that woman who started because I’m just so in awe that she was willing to take those steps in the midst of so much uncertainty.”

MEGAN: And then Kristina Gundlach in episode 52, reminds us of something important…

Soundbite: Kristina Gundlach (Episode 52): “You hear that phrase of if you find something you love doing you’ll never work a day in your life. And that was it – that was what I found.”

MEGAN: Discovering a hidden passion and pursuing it wholeheartedly is a beautiful journey, believe me – I’ve lived it. Like me, many of our guests found their true calling through entrepreneurship, turning their passions into meaningful careers.

Theme 3: Self-Belief and Taking Initiative

MEGAN: Next we dive into the topic of Self-belief and taking initiative. Kendall Warson shared an empowering moment in Episode 16…”

Soundbite: Kendall Warson (Episode 16): “I just kept waiting for someone to give me permission to build a company and at a certain point you’re like okay, I’m going to do it!”

MEGAN: Sia Lanu Estrella had a similar experience, and her words in Episode 23 really hit home…

Soundbite: Sia Lanu Estrella (Episode 23): “Do I take a leap of faith even though it terrifies me and trust or turn my back on it even though this is what all of these little baby steps have been leading to? So I said yes…”

MEGAN: And then Kemper Brennan in episode 26 chimes in…

Soundbite: Kemper Brennan (Episode 26): “There’s just something in you that’s like yeah I can do this. I can follow this path. There’s something here that I just have to go for, if I don’t, I honestly think I’m going to regret it.”

MEGAN: We’re all going to have moments where doubt creeps in, but  If you don’t trust yourself, then who will? Our guests showed such courage in trusting themselves and making the leap into entrepreneurship despite having fears and uncertainties. 

Theme 4: Overcoming Doubts and Challenges

MEGAN: Facing doubts and challenges is part of every entrepreneur’s story. Alicia Stemper shared a powerful perspective in Episode 32..

SOUNDBITE: Alicia Stemper (Episode 32): “Everything that I have done has been very uncomfortable. The growth and everything I have done up until this point I have been scared out of my mind. But, I truly believe that if it scares the crap out of you, but it makes your heart beat with excitement that you’re on the right path.”

MEGAN: Marie Hogard had a similar experience, and her words in Episode 35 are so inspiring…

SOUNDBITE: Marie Hogard (Episode 35): “I feel like throughout all of this process it’s been like are you sure you should do that – or whatever – and I’ve never had a real doubt. I’ve just been like I know I’m meant to do this.”

MEGAN: Facing doubts and challenges is part of every entrepreneur’s story. These incredible women pushed through their fears, proving that perseverance and conviction can lead to remarkable outcomes.

Theme 5: Empowerment and Impact

MEGAN: Empowerment and making an impact are at the heart of what we do. Jenna Rogers shared some wise words in Episode 42…

SOUNDBITE: Jenna Rogers (Episode 42): “You have the confidence and the capability to do this. You just need to find the right people to ask the right questions to.”

MEGAN: Tanya Wilson, in Episode 88, also spoke beautifully about empowerment…

SOUNDBITE: Tanya Wilson (Episode 88): “There is nothing more beautiful than showing women who and what they can be and helping them get there.”

MEGAN: And, speaking of helping women, Jill Lisi in episode 27 touches on just that…

SOUNDBITE: Jill Lisi (Episode 27): “We’re in such a shift in our world of what women now can do. It’s just been so incredible to be able to help women start their businesses or take their businesses to the next level.”

MEGAN: And speaking about what women can do, Amy Traugh in episode 87 shows us that we truly can have it all…

SOUNDBITE: Amy Traugh (Episode 87): “I was told time and time again that, like, I had to choose, I had to compartmentalize. Like, if I want a successful business, okay, that has to be completely separate than your life as a mom. You can’t do both. Well, you have to pick one or the other and like, no. I felt like as a mom, I had such an inherent skill set that you see that highly successful business people have these skills. Like, what’s you too, like? What do you mean? My kids make me a better business owner and I’m a better business owner because I have my kids. Why can’t I have both?”

MEGAN: “Empowerment and making an impact are at the heart of our podcast. Our guests have shown that by lifting each other up, we can achieve incredible things and create a supportive community of women self starthers.”

Theme 6: Following Your Calling

MEGAN: You know that little voice that just keeps popping up? The one that’s constantly reminding you that there is more for you…well, Domenice Clifton made mention of that in episode 34…

SOUNDBITE: Domeniece Clifton (Episode 34): “I felt like I was saying yes to the version of myself I had always envisioned but felt so far away from that I was finally at the point where I was like I’m ready to figure out what it looks like to become her and that was literally the first step.”

MEGAN: And these voices or callings aren’t limited to just entrepreneurs…Miranda Von Fricken, in episode 46, shares how she helps her clients with just this…

SOUNDBITE: Miranda Von Fricken (Episode 46): “I love helping people to gain awareness of who they are and then be so abundant in their life and business that they end up living the calling that has been on their heart. And, I found in the 9-5 space that was held back. It was kind of frowned upon.”

MEGAN: Now, these voices callings remain just that unless we take action. Mary Henderson in episode 48 shares just that…

SOUNDBITE: Mary Henderson (Episode 48): “I’m all about being the potential. Where can I take these ideas? How can I expand my mind? What, what else is there? What more can I learn? That was me. So I took that risk and I left my corporate life and my multi-six figure salary. I said goodbye to that. And I never looked back.”

MEGAN: “Following your calling often means stepping away from the known and comfortable to pursue something deeply meaningful. Our guests have shown that when you follow your heart, incredible things can happen.”

3. Closing Segment:

Looking Forward:

I still can’t believe we’ve hit the triple digits. To some, it may just be a number – and it is. But to me, it’s so much more. 

It’s an example of what can happen when you just decide to put yourself out there and go for it. 

Because I did that, I have been able to meet so many incredible women and share them all with you. 

So, thank you. 

Thank you for supporting me and supporting all of these incredible women.

I hope we, in turn, have supported and inspired you too. 

We’ll see you here next week!