Shawnta Hooks discusses her journey from a corporate career in financial services to becoming a mindfulness advocate and entrepreneur. She emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in leadership, stress management, and personal growth. Shawnta shares practical tips for integrating mindfulness into daily life, the significance of presence in parenting, and how to cultivate a mindful workplace culture. The discussion also touches on the challenges of navigating disruption and the need for ...

In this engaging conversation, Madeleine Pollak shares her journey from the media industry to executive coaching, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, collaboration, and personal growth. She discusses the challenges of balancing motherhood with a demanding career, the emotional toll of documentary production, and the significance of addressing bullying in children. As an empty nester, Madeleine reflects on the transition to this new phase of life, the power of coaching in t...

In this inspiring conversation, Lara Merriken — founder of LÄRABAR and current Co-Founder of Anther — opens up about her remarkable journey from a self-proclaimed junk food-loving teenager to a mission-driven entrepreneur. She shares the challenges and triumphs of building LÄRABAR, the role of community and connection in her success, and how motherhood reshaped her perspective. Lara also explores the importance of self-care, authenticity, and curiosity — emphasizing how asking...

In this episode, Lori and Jenny sit down with Princess Castleberry, a leadership strategist, global speaker, and mom of two. Princess shares her path from a 22-year career in corporate risk management to launching her own business and stepping onto the TEDx stage. She opens up about breaking “bad agreements,” navigating motherhood, co-parenting, divorce, and postpartum struggles—and how her mother’s resilience inspired her along the way. Princess also gives us a sneak peek into he...

In this episode of The BAM with Lori and Jenny, the hosts reconnect after summer to share travel stories, personal updates, and reflections. Jenny talks about upcoming plans to visit the Dolomites in Italy, while Lori kicked off the season with a special trip to Japan and South Korea tied to her stepson’s adoption. They discuss using AI tools to plan travel and improve work efficiency, balancing busy schedules with fitness routines, and overcoming injuries. The conversation also...

Meet Amy Wolff! A conversation filled with heart, hope, and humanity. Amy opens up about how yard signs with a simple message of encouragement sparked a worldwide movement of connection. She shares how her deep-rooted sense of unconditional love from her own upbringing influences her parenting, and why she believes ordinary people can create extraordinary change. We talk about the profound loss of her brother at age 14, and how that tragedy shaped her worldview and deepened her em...

Meet Amy Stark, a former science teacher whose journey into energy healing began with meditation and a growing awareness of her intuitive gifts—such as sensing the physical pain of others. In her new book, Bridging the Divide, Amy explores the powerful intersection of science and spirituality, offering insights into how energy healing can help people reconnect with their inner light. She shares how she scientifically validated her abilities in a laboratory—changing the pH of water, influencin...

In this episode, Cindy Gunderson shares her journey as an author, discussing her experiences writing across multiple genres, the importance of self-narration, and the impact of AI on the writing process. She reflects on her family life and the challenges of balancing writing with motherhood. Cindy emphasizes the power of storytelling to foster empathy and connection, and she shares her excitement for upcoming projects, including a Kickstarter for her fantasy romance series. Website https://ci...

Meet Lauren Wingate — storm chaser, mom, and aspiring psychedelic therapist — to explore her incredible journey. Lauren opens up about her struggles with postpartum depression, how storm chasing became an unexpected path to healing, and her newfound passion for psychedelic therapy. She shares her experiences with ketamine treatments, the science behind how these therapies work, and her studies to become a licensed facilitator using natural medicines like psilocybin. This pow...

Cynthia Dvorak joins to discuss her initiative, Screen Less Play More, aimed at reducing children's screen time and promoting real-world engagement. Cynthia shares her background in the entertainment industry, including nearly 20 years at Access Hollywood, and how reaching out to mentors shaped her career. The conversation dives into strategies for managing children's screen time, especially for neurodivergent kids, and offers advice on setting gradual, consistent boundaries. Cynthia sh...

Meet Haylee Romrell, a nurse and mother of three, sharing her inspiring journey through life, career, and personal growth. Growing up in Salt Lake City, Haylee developed a deep love for the outdoors, which shaped her adventurous spirit. After studying anthropology and global health in Hawaii, she transitioned into nursing, inspired by a chance encounter with a wilderness nurse. Her nursing career has included neurotrauma, pediatrics, oncology, and end-of-life care, roles that deeply influence...

Meet Laura Bonnell! Laura shares her inspiring journey as a mother to two daughters with cystic fibrosis (CF) and her evolution into a passionate advocate for the CF community. Drawing from her own family’s experiences, Laura founded a nonprofit to provide resources and financial assistance to families affected by CF, as well as a podcast that amplifies diverse voices in the fight against the disease. She reflects on the challenges of caregiving while balancing a demanding career in the news ...

Welcome to the first episode of 2025! In this lively and heartfelt conversation, Lori and Jenny reflect on the highs and lessons of 2024 while sharing their excitement for the year ahead. Jenny recounts her adventurous trip to Costa Rica, which took an unexpected turn when a rope swing mishap led to a dislocated and broken finger. Despite the injury, she kept her spirits high, offering a humorous and inspiring look at adapting to life's surprises. The hosts also dive into their family traditi...

Meet Rachel Hagen! In this episode, we dive into the inspiring story of Rachel, the founder of Noted & Company, a business dedicated to reviving the art of handwritten communication. Rachel shares how her passion for tangible, meaningful connections led her to create a line of luxury stationery that stands out in a digital age. She reflects on the emotional and professional significance of handwritten notes. Rachel highlights the enduring value of physical keepsakes like recipe cards, let...

Meet Katie Stoddard, a mom of three and a successful business owner. Katie shares her inspiring journey, from starting as a middle school teacher to transitioning into publishing, marketing, and eventually launching her own business. She opens up about the challenges of balancing a demanding career with motherhood, the pivotal moment that led her to take the leap into entrepreneurship, and how she’s navigated it all with grace and determination. Tune in for an honest and empowering conversati...

Hosts Lori and Jenny opt for a relaxed, personal conversation, sharing insights into their lives, goals, and the concept of “Misogi.” They introduce Misogi, a Japanese idea of setting one memorable, meaningful goal each year to create lasting life highlights. Both hosts reflect on the past year’s experiences, such as Jenny’s trip to New Mexico, where she embraced spontaneity by saying “yes” to new opportunities, underscoring the power of simple, yet impactful experiences.They discuss goa...

Meet Heather Cracraft! Heather is an the assistant to the athletic director at the University of Colorado Boulder, a role she has held for the past 6 years. She is a passionate sports fan who bleeds the black and gold of CU, having been a student there herself. Heather has faced significant personal challenges in recent years, including losing her home in the 2021 Marshall Fire in Boulder County and the sudden passing of her partner. Despite these tragedies, Heather has maintained a...

Meet Andrea Vahl! Andrea is a former engineer who transitioned into social media marketing and then comedy. She started an in-home wine tasting business and used social media to promote it, which led to her writing a book on Facebook marketing. Andrea then started doing stand-up comedy on the side, using Facebook and Instagram ads to market her shows. Earlier this year, she quit her marketing business to pursue comedy full-time, creating a show called "Mom's Unhinged" featuring all-...

This episode features a candid conversation between Jenny and Lori, two friends and co-hosts, as they discuss the challenges and joys of their current life stages. Jenny shares her experience of becoming an empty nester, describing the bittersweet feelings of this transition and the need to grieve the end of a chapter. Lori, still in the thick of parenting, discusses the emotional ups and downs of her children's growth, including her younger son's newfound self-awareness and her older so...

Meet Renee Good! She is a nurse practitioner who recently opened her own practice, Good Integrative Healthcare, which specializes in hormone health, medical weight loss, and sexual function. She previously worked in various nursing roles, including family practice, the ER during COVID, and as a nurse practitioner in primary care, but found that she wanted to be more proactive in her patients' health. Renee also has a background in real estate, which she says helped her develop important peopl...