What if buying an engagement ring felt as personal as the proposal? Wove CEO Simone Kendle sits down with Emily Merrell to unpack how Wove reinvented custom jewelry, from virtual design sessions with GIA-trained experts to their genius “try-before-you-buy” replica ring that de-stresses proposals and perfects fit and style. Simone shares the brand’s surprising military roots, why lab-grown color diamonds expand creative freedom, and how she scaled a consumer luxury company by leading wit...

In this inspiring episode of The Second Degree Podcast, host Emily Merrell sits down with V Peterson, the energetic founder of Bodied, Denver’s rhythm-based fitness studio redefining what it means to move with purpose. V shares how she blended step aerobics, strength training, and Pilates into a signature workout that’s as much about connection as it is about sweat. Together, Emily and V explore the journey from vision to brick-and-mortar, the lessons learned from leading a team o...

On this episode of The Second Degree Podcast, Emily Merrell sits down with Erin Hines, a holistic business coach and founder of Darn Good Business Coach, to dive into the intersection of business strategy, human design, and personal alignment. Erin shares her journey from corporate burnout to building a business that aligns with her energy and purpose. We explore how human design can be a game-changer in decision-making, leadership, and entrepreneurship—helping you work smarter, not har...

In this episode of The Second Degree Podcast, host Emily Merrell chats with Erica Ballard, a life coach, sound healer, and Theta healing practitioner. Erica shares her journey from public health to health coaching and into the transformative world of spirituality and energy work. They dive into the power of rest, navigating life's pivots, and embracing personal growth with humor and grace. Whether you're an overachiever on the brink of burnout or someone seeking alignment and clar...

Welcome to The Second Degree Podcast with Emily Merrell! In this episode, Emily sits down with the extraordinary Susan Lieu, a multi-hyphenate powerhouse: author, playwright, TEDx speaker, podcast host, and so much more. Susan shares her journey of turning intergenerational trauma into art and healing, her reflections on resilience as a first-generation Vietnamese-American, and the lessons she's learned from chasing success while staying true to herself. This conversation is packe...

Dating in the modern world can feel like a whirlwind—endless swiping, ghosting, and frustration. But what if you could navigate it with confidence and clarity? In this episode of The Second Degree Podcast, Emily Merrell sits down with Evan Marc Katz, a dating coach for smart, strong, successful women, to uncover what really works in dating today. Evan shares why traditional dating rules don’t serve us, how to filter through the noise of dating apps, and why chemistry alone won’t s...

In this episode of The Second Degree with Emily Merrell, we sit down with Yesenia Reinoso, award-winning bilingual founder of Y Communicate. Yesenia shares her expertise on how businesses can effectively craft their unique story, establish a strong brand presence, and leverage PR and corporate communications to scale. From debunking misconceptions about PR to offering actionable tips on thought leadership and visibility, this episode is packed with invaluable insights for entrepr...

On this week's episode of The Second Degree podcast, Emily Merrell connects with Emma Andrews, an intuitive medium and teacher, to discuss all things spirituality, intuition, and the magic of connecting with loved ones who have passed. Emma shares her incredible journey from photographer to spiritual guide, her powerful experiences with mediumship, and how she teaches others to trust their intuition and embrace radical self-love. Get ready to dive deep into self-discovery and the unsee...

In this episode of The Second Degree Podcast, host Emily Merrell sits down with Jenny Maenpaa, a burnout coach and licensed psychotherapist, to explore the unique challenges faced by high-achieving millennial women. Jenny, known for her candid and empowering approach, dives into the struggles of perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and the impact of the pandemic on personal aspirations. Listeners will gain insights into why many women feel they’ve lost control over their lives and how soc...

On this episode of The Second Degree Podcast, Emily Merrell chats with Allison Carter, the vibrant founder of Allison Carter Celebrates. They explore Allison's journey from second-grade teacher to powerhouse business coach, event planner, and subscription box creator. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on leveraging authenticity in business, finding joy in life's celebrations, and redefining success on your terms. Allison shares how her love for connection and creativity help...

In this enlightening episode of The Second Degree Podcast, host Emily Merrell sits down with Jennifer Hanway, a board-certified holistic nutritionist, certified personal trainer, and wellness expert. Jennifer shares her journey from West End dancer to sought-after health coach, offering invaluable insights on nutrition, fitness, and overall well-being for high-achieving women. Listeners will gain practical tips for balancing hormones, optimizing energy levels, and achieving sustainable...

In this enlightening episode of The Second Degree Podcast, host Emily Merrell sits down with Jennifer Hanway, a board-certified holistic nutritionist, certified personal trainer, and wellness expert. Jennifer shares her journey from West End dancer to sought-after health coach, offering invaluable insights on nutrition, fitness, and overall well-being for high-achieving women. Listeners will gain practical tips for balancing hormones, optimizing energy levels, and achieving sust...

In this episode of The Second Degree podcast, host Emily Merrell sits down with the inspiring Victoria Kar, a transformative coach and business strategist, to dive deep into the journey of finding alignment in life and business. Victoria shares her story of self-discovery, how she helps clients embrace authenticity, and the importance of creating businesses that resonate with who we are at our core. Tune in for an enlightening conversation on how to live, lead, and work fr...

In this episode of The Second Degree, Emily Merrell sits down with Shannon Matson, founder of The Social Bungalow and Bungalow Coffee. Shannon shares her journey from a high-powered corporate career to launching and scaling her own successful business. Together, they discuss the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the importance of authentic marketing, and why consistency in showing up is the secret sauce for success. Tune in for actionable tips, real talk, and an inspiring conv...

In this week’s episode of The Second Degree podcast, host Emily Merrell sits down with the talented Natalee Linez, actress and host of The Ground Up podcast. Natalee shares her inspiring journey from her first audition at 19 to landing roles on shows like Tell Me Lies and Raising Kanan. They dive deep into what it takes to succeed in the entertainment industry, how to stay grounded in Hollywood, and how manifestation and vision boards have played a role in Natalee's success. Whether ...

On this week's episode of The Second Degree podcast, Emily Merrell connects with Emma Andrews, an intuitive medium and teacher, to discuss all things spirituality, intuition, and the magic of connecting with loved ones who have passed. Emma shares her incredible journey from photographer to spiritual guide, her powerful experiences with mediumship, and how she teaches others to trust their intuition and embrace radical self-love. Get ready to dive deep into self-discovery and the unseen force...

In this episode of the Second Degree podcast, host Emily Merrell welcomes Carrie Verrocchio—better known as Carrie V—a motivational speaker, coach, and author. Carrie shares her incredible story of transitioning from a corporate career to becoming an inspiring keynote speaker and coach after a life-changing message from her late brother. She dives into the power of small dreams, building a speaking career, and how she infuses her love of music into her professional life. Tune in to hear how C...

In this episode of The Second Degree with Emily Merrell, we dive into the world of social media with Dawn Ferguson, founder and CEO of Sneakers and Kale. Dawn shares her inspiring journey from burnout in the corporate fashion world to building her own social media agency focused on authenticity and helping purpose-driven brands grow. Tune in to hear her tips on finding your voice, creating sustainable social media strategies, and making marketing work for you—without the overwhelm! What You'l...

In this episode of the Second Degree Podcast, Emily Merrell sits down with Jen Jamula, co-founder of GoldJam Creative, to explore the fascinating journey from acting to entrepreneurship. Jen shares how her theater background inspired the creation of a unique communications training company that helps individuals and teams master public speaking, storytelling, and overcoming gender bias in the workplace. Tune in to hear Jen's insights on adapting your career, the power of storytelling in pitch...

In this episode of The Second Degree with Emily Merrell, host Emily dives deep into the world of intentional dating with Lauren Fondriest, a Chicago-based women’s dating coach. Together, they explore everything from rom-com nostalgia to breaking free from the dating hamster wheel, and how women can approach dating with confidence, clarity, and self-love. Lauren shares her own dating journey and offers practical tips on finding your true match, advocating for your needs, and approaching love w...