In this episode of The Unfiltered with Kara podcast, I sit with my photographer and videographer, Jordan Alieair for a deep, soul-stirring conversation around the many layers of the human experience and how to navigate the highs and the lows of life. We talk about how to sit with loss and grief and how to allow life’s events to shape us into who we’re ultimately meant to become.



This conversation is a powerful reminder that even in your darkest seasons, there is an opportunity for growth, power and purpose to emerge. It will leave you reflecting on your own path and how every chapter, no matter how painful, has been preparing you for the beauty that lies ahead.

On this episode of Unfiltered with Kara, I sit down with the incredible Melissa Crook to dive into her powerful F.E.E.L. Framework (Finding Empowerment, Embracing Layers)—a transformative approach to navigating life’s challenges with authenticity, emotional awareness, and resilience. Melissa shares how this simple yet profound method can help you connect more deeply with yourself, process emotions in a healthy way, and create a life that feels aligned and empowered. Whether you’re in the middle of a transition, healing from the past, or simply ready to live more intentionally, this conversation will inspire you to truly feel your way to freedom.



Find out more info at: www.embracinglayers.com

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with one of my closest friends to unpack the lies we once believed about ourselves—lies that made us question our worth and settle for less than we deserved. We dive into how those beliefs took root, how they showed up in our relationships and decisions, and the powerful shifts that happened once we began to unlearn them. This is a raw and empowering conversation about remembering who you are beneath the conditioning. If you’ve ever doubted your value or felt stuck in patterns that dim your light, this episode is for you.

RHONA BENNETT



Member of the legendary ‘funky divas’ En Vogue, a Broadway Executive Producer, accomplished actress, and Founder of Personal Power University.




With 36 years professionally in the entertainment industry, Rhona Bennett's talent has graced the studio, the stage and the screen. As a singer/songwriter/actress/dancer / author / 'Personal Power' Life Coach and overall creative spirit, Miss R&B has been afforded the opportunity to travel to many places around the world.



Some of her accolades include being the 'First Lady' of Darkchild with her debut solo effort on Rodney Jerkins’ Darkchild/Sony imprint; her now classic role as “Nicole” on the Jamie Foxx Show in Jingles 2000; her beginnings as a Mouseketeer with the likes of Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, and other industry titans from the show; her “BIG BREAK” coming from the media giant, Oprah Winfrey, on her television series “Brewsters Place,” and her current tenure with the legendary 'Funky Divas' En Vogue, which has been a recurring collaboration for over 20 years. Check out the original Lifetime Television movie, “An En Vogue Christmas”, starring Miss R&B along with her band mates (Terry Ellis and Cindy Herron-Braggs)!



You can also check out her global outreach coaching school, Personal Power University, established in 2016.



Her motto: "I believe in personal growth and contribution until we leave the planet."




Find all her information here:



https://www.instagram.com/officialmissrnb/?hl=en



https://www.facebook.com/rhonabennett7



https://www.youtube.com/user/Rhonabeezone/videos



https://www.rhonabennett.com

I talk about redefining yourself and raising the bar on your finances! I had the honor and privilege of being invited onto the “We got issues” show hosted by none other than the Super Bad All Day Long Powerhouse @gloriamayfieldbanks and her super bad “Force of Friendship” girlfriends. I have been looking up to this woman since my Mary Kay days. I’ve watched her build her GloNation empire and continue to influence women from all walks of life to rise to their highest potential so you knowwwwww I brought the 🔥🔥🔥 to her show!!

Yes, there will be necessary losses on your growth journey. Don’t fret.. it is what it is 🤷🏽‍♀️ Remember that people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. You can’t take everyone with you everywhere you will go on this journey. You are graduating into the next season of your life and no, not everyone from this season will come along with you AND that shouldn’t stop you from ascending and transcending the space you’re currently in. You will soon align yourself with people who are vibrating at the frequency you are moving into. Take your Leap!

Real talk.. I was a broke lawyer…(2 words that should never go together) and that is why I share this story…. I didn’t want to ACT like a lawyer with money in the bank, I wanted to BE a lawyer with money in the bank… and enjoy that lifestyle! There’s an assumption that by virtue of being an attorney, one is financially set. That is actually pure bullshit! The truth is, many lawyers are slaving in dead end law jobs, barely making ends meet and asking themselves, like I once did: “Is this it? Is this what I busted my ass all these years for?” No one in law school prepared me for the cold hard truth that the lifestyle I saw lawyers living on TV was the exception not the rule; that to create that lifestyle, I could not count on a partner to deem me worthy of a large enough salary without wanting my soul in exchange; that I would not only need to go in business for myself and that I would have to reprogram my mind around money so I could go from employee mentality to a businesswoman mindset. When I shifted my mindset, my habits changed and lo and behold, my income shifted. I realized that my scarcity mindset was keeping me trapped in undesirable circumstances that only I had the power and control to change.

REAL TALK ALERT 🚨It’s time to step into your power ladies!! Let’s talk about “Securing the bag” … But first, can we establish that YOU ARE THE BAG!?! Financial independence changed my life because I realized I didn’t need to depend on anyone but ME! I felt empowered to take control over my life and my dreams when I overcame social stigmas and gained financial freedom! I did it MY WAY on my OWN TERMS. And guess what? I have never felt HAPPIER, been MORE SUCCESSFUL, MORE FREE, and felt MORE ME. 👏🏾 So ladies, don't forget that you are and ALREADY have everything you need! You have already fought hard and overcome so many obstacles to get you to this point you’re at now (especially my fellow lawyers.. I KNOW the price you paid..) Don’t settle for a mundane life or mediocre pay. YOU DESERVE MORE. And when you feel inspired and start believing it, you won’t stop until you achieve it!🤩

Chuck Garcia is the founder of Climb Leadership International and coaches executives on leadership development, public speaking, and Emotional Intelligence. He is an Amazon best selling author, professional speaker, an Amazon best-selling author, and Talk Radio Host of A CLIMB TO THE TOP: Stories of Transformation. Chuck also teaches Leadership Communication at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Engineering. He is also a mountaineer and has climbed some of the world’s tallest peaks, including Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Elbrus, the Matterhorn, as well as mountains in Alaska and the Andes.



Website
chuckgarcia.com



Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/aclimbtothetop/
https://www.facebook.com/chuck.garcia.545
https://twitter.co@aclimbtothetop
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-garcia-015128/

Whether it’s not speaking up when you have something to say or playing small because you don’t want to make the people around you feel uncomfortable, dimming your light is never OK. You are here to shine your light onto this world and doing anything less than that is a disservice to yourself, to those connected to you and to your maker.

Loren Lahav is a dynamic trendshaper who is unwavering in her resolve to Stay True to how she chooses to live her life and leave her imprint on others.  By daring to look herself in the eye, call herself out if necessary and make course corrections, she is one of the few who actually fulfills dreams for herself and for others.  She doesn’t just reach for them… she goes after them with unflappable determination!  She calls it GOYA.  Translation:  Get Off Your Ass!

Needless to say, she is consistently switched on, especially when it comes to delivering her message to others from the front of the room, no matter the size of the audience.  Classy, brassy and poised, Loren has shared the stage with notable and celebrated luminaries such as Barbara Walters, Tony Robbins, Gary Vaynerchuk, Mike Rowe, Kevin O’Leary, Barbara Corcoran, Erin Brockovich, Campbell Brown, Robert Herjavec, Bear Grylls and Jean Chatsky.

Loren’s leadership and business triumphs are a testament to her obsession with creating value.  She has built explosive teams in 25 countries.  She is a real estate investor and property owner throughout the United States.  Her ability to lead teams and her business savvy have brought her to deliver her message to companies such as LIFEAID, Zappo’s, Lululemon, Four Seasons Hotels, Success Resources, Tony Robbins Companies, NMP and Hilton Grand Vacations.

Social Media

Website: lorenlahav.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LorenLahavOfficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamlorenlahav/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LorenLahav

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChIJKRHkym6Q02CgnXpylIg

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loren-lahav-speaker-mc-executive-coach/

This message is for the ladies…. Let’s talk coins, moula, dinero…This Episode is all about the importance of financial independence for women. It’s about how empowering your purse leads to total freedom and choice. Warning: Explicit Language

Rochelle Gapere is an Attorney, Happiness Coach and Entrepreneur. Known for bringing her charismatic personality and sheer joy for living to every experience and individual she encounters, Rochelle has mastered the art of living life fully and passionately. The release of her Amazon bestselling book, One Happy Thought at a Time: 30 Days to a Happier You, cements her lifelong practice of adding more happiness to this world by empowering others with science-based tools and techniques that help them lead happier, more fulfilling lives. Rochelle believes in living a life that is engaging at every level and utilizes practical techniques to teach audiences her unique approach to living a happy life.

Rochelle describes herself as an “Attorney by trade and Happiness Coach by heart.” Rochelle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Tennessee State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She graduated with a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law in 2005. In 2018, she earned a Positive Psychology Specialization Certification through the University of Pennsylvania. She is the 2019 recipient of The Florida Bar YLD Michael K. Reese Quality of Life Award.

Website: https://rochellegapere.com/

Instagram: @rochelle.gapere

Twitter: @rochellegapere

 

Frustrated by her own healing and transformation journey, Certified Trauma Support Specialist and Intuitive Life Coach Yamarie Negron founded Namaste N’ Slay. Namaste N’ Slay combines Trauma-informed tools, mindset principles and alternative energy healing techniques to help individuals break free from the patterns and wounds that are holding them back from living their best lives.
Social Media Handles
@namastenslay - IG

Leading a team, mentoring, and sales was not the world Tanya King originally envisioned for herself. The thought of public speaking made her sick to her stomach. Tanya’s comfort zone was trapped in the halls of Baptist Hospital, in Miami where she served as an ICU nurse. She never imagined that one day she would be trading the sound of beeping heart monitors and ventilators for a room filled with cheering and motivated people ready to take charge of their futures!

With persistence, dedication, and passion Tanya joined the direct selling world and reached the top in record time. Tanya grew up seeing first-hand what it meant to work hard and selflessly. Her mother held several jobs at once just to make ends meet. She watched her mom workday and night, sleeping on the couch just so her children could have a space to call their own. This is why when the opportunity to take control of her future presented itself, she seized the moment. Now after sixteen plus years of leading teams to new heights, and raising the bar for any upcoming entrepreneur, she is excited about the next chapter!

This drive and desire to create has always been a part of Tanya’s life, she just needed the right vehicle! No matter what company Tanya has worked with she consistently established her brand and motto as LIFE, Living in Faith and Focus Every Day! It is not just a name, or a brand she slapped on a shirt, it was a way of living for her. LIFE is a vision to create without limits. To inspire without fear. To surrender to the divine process.

To live your LIFE how you’ve always dreamt it would be. When people see the word LIFE, Tanya wants them to feel like master creators. She wants them to know they are enough! Your LIFE is yours. What are YOU willing to create? That’s the vision you will capture when you are Living in Faith and Focus Every Day!


Website
www.derailedinlife.com



Social Media Handles
@tanyalife
https://www.facebook.com/tanya.king.104855
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanya-king-1423479/

Herdyne Mercier is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Grief Coach, retreat facilitator, and transformational international speaker. She is also the host of the “Redefining Grief” podcast. Herdyne’s life calling is to create non-judgmental spaces for broken hearts to heal and purposeful living restored.

Alongside her husband and best friend, Dr. Jameson Mercier, they own and operate Mercier Wellness and Consulting. They use their expertise and experience to help individuals, couples, and families deal with the heartbreak and unresolved grief that lead to unhealthy coping skills.


Social Media Handles
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdynemercier/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HERDYNEMERCIER
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herdynemercierlcsw
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/herdyne
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herdyne-mercier-lcsw-chief-grief-crusader-6050aa72/