Rooted in the mission of the Fearless initiative, The Fearless Podcast empowers Iowa women to succeed in work and life. Each episode features candid conversations with trailblazers who share personal stories of courage, resilience and impact. From navigating careers and caregiving to advancing equity and rewriting the rules of leadership, Fearless creates space for bold voices and honest dialogue about gender equity — inspiring listeners to lead with confidence, advocate for change and embrace their own fearless path.
E13 | Doing the hard thing #2: Major career shifts | Jessica Youngblood Kirkpatrick | Fearless
Sometimes, we have to do hard things that will lead to a more fulfilled, stable life — like making a major shift in our careers. Jessica Youngblood Kirkpatrick joined the Fearless podcast to share the consequential decision to leave the career she’d always known.
This is the second of three episodes in a series focused on “Doing the Hard Things.”
19 Aug 2026
E12 | Doing the hard thing #1: Grief and death | Fearless
Some hard things we choose to do, but one of the hardest things comes from a situation everyone will experience but no one wants. Death doula Kerri Hays joined the Fearless podcast this month to talk about planning for and navigating death with intention and care.
This is the first of three episodes in a series focused on “Doing the Hard Things.”
15 Jul 2026
Fearless: Nontraditional Paths to Pursuing Higher Education
There are many paths for pursuing the education that fulfills us and helps us procure the career we want. Women often face different life and financial circumstances than men as they make decisions about their education, especially if they are doing it in a nontraditional way. Kayla Kovarna, marketing director at Baker Group, and Cathy Edwards, CEO of Edward Creative, joined the Fearless podcast to discuss how they navigated these decisions to achieve their educational goals.
17 Jun 2026
Fearless: Women in Charge
Women were born to be leaders. Deidre DeJear, president and CEO of Oakridge Neighborhood, and Anya Jensen, founder and CEO of Anya’s Reviews, Anya’s Shop and the Barefoot Shoe Expo, joined host LaDrina Wilson to discuss their approach to leadership and how they empower others and themselves to reach their highest potential.
13 May 2026
Fearless: Masculinity and allyship
Alex Kretzinger, the executive director of the Des Moines YMCA Camp, joined the Fearless podcast to talk about all things masculinity and allyship. We explored issues today’s boys are facing, how masculinity norms are affecting both men and women, and what we can do to grow allyship.
15 Apr 2026
Fearless: ‘Mompreneur’ - In conversation with Julie Martin
Julie Martin launched enerj Balls in Bettendorf after making healthy and convenient snacks for her family that she thought others might like. We talked with her about being a mom and a business owner, and how those two areas of her life coexist.
18 Mar 2026
Fearless: Nasty or nice - When and how women negotiate
When women negotiate they’re often labeled, perhaps called too direct or too soft. How can women gain confidence in negotiating, and what can be done to overcome stereotypes that create barriers for women during negotiation? In this episode of the Fearless podcast, co-hosts LaDrina Wilson and Macey Shofroth talk about negotiation with Cristy Tackett-Hunt, general counsel of Perfusion Solution Inc., and Beth Livingston, the Sheets associate professor of industrial relations at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business.
19 Feb 2026
Fearless: Challenges and choices - A look at child care in Iowa
Three-quarters of parents with children under 6 work outside of the home in Iowa, making child care a significant need for Iowa parents. But affordability and lack of access causes significant barriers for many families. In this episode of the Fearless podcast, co-hosts Emily Wood and LaDrina Wilson talk with Iowa Women’s Foundation interim CEO Claudia Schabel and former executive director of Postville Childcare Services Kristy Turner about systemic solutions to the child care crisis. Then, host Macey Shofroth talks with Natalie Mahoney and Anna Squier about their real-life experiences navigating their families’ child care decisions.
14 Jan 2026
Fearless: (Her)Story - Women Making History Now
All too often, we reflect on history with a look in the rearview mirror. On this episode of Fearless, we take a look at the history being made right in front of us. We spoke with Ella Schmit, a senior at the University of Iowa and a member of the women’s wrestling team, and her experience advocating for the growth of women’s wrestling in Iowa.
17 Dec 2025
Fearless: The Sabotage of Self-Doubt
There are numerous factors that affect women’s confidence, both in and out of our control. These factors shape the internal dialogue we are having as we move through the world, changing how we show up in our lives. In this episode, Melissa Vine, president of Capital Vine, and Kasey Froeschle, senior training consultant with Sedgwick and an avid runner, share with Fearless how they overcome self-doubt to live their fullest lives.
13 Nov 2025
Fearless: Our Complex Identities
There are certain things people notice when we first walk into a room, like the way we dress, the color of our skin or the shape of our body. These markers of our identity are in constant conversation with the world. In this episode of Fearless, we talk with Nola Cartmill, chief diversity officer and legal counsel at Holmes Murphy, Sylvia Nemmers, environmental science department chair at American Public University System, and Abi Reiland, president of commercial real estate at Sara Hopkins, about how our complex identities affect how we navigate through the world.
13 Nov 2025
Introducing: Fearless
Introducing Fearless, the podcast where we share stories that empower women and work in life. Meet hosts Emily Wood, LaDrina Wilson, and Macey Shofroth, and see what you can expect in future episodes.
13 Nov 2025
Fearless: The Lonely Only
In this episode, we explore a question submitted by a Fearless reader: “I’d like advice for women to gain respect and authority when comments are made that they are the only female in the room of males, they are young (at least 15-20 years younger than anyone else in the room), or that the person that they are speaking to makes a comment like ‘I’m probably older than your dad.’” LaDrina and Macey are joined by Saloni Patel, an architect from the Quad Cities, and Perlla Deluca, owner and CEO of Southeast Constructors, co-founder of the Iowa School of Construction, and founder of the Pink Hardhat Foundation.
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