Behind Her Empire (2025)

11/08/2025

In this week's episode, we're joined by Kadi Lee, a celebrity hair colorist and the co-founder of Highbrow Hippie, a luxury beauty and wellness brand rooted in clean ingredients, intentional rituals, and timeless beauty.

Kadi Lee is a celebrity hair colorist and the co-founder of Highbrow Hippie, a luxury beauty and wellness brand rooted in clean ingredients, intentional rituals, and timeless beauty.

Growing up in a small town outside New York, Kadi learned to care for her own textured hair at just eleven, sparking a passion for beauty that would shape her life. That passion took her from a college side hustle to training at Aveda and working in some of New York City’s top salons. In 2019, she and her longtime friend Myka Harris brought that experience to Venice Beach, launching Highbrow Hippie — a beauty and wellness destination that embodies clean living and a laid-back California vibe, which we’re going to talk all about today. She’s become a go-to for celebrity clients from Julia Roberts to Meghan Markle to Gwyneth Paltrow.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear how Kadi built Highbrow Hippie from the ground up, learning every part of running a business completely from scratch. She went from figuring out fundraising to creating products with zero prior experience — all while trusting her instincts at every turn. We talk about how her early life shaped her independence, the hustle that led to her first big break, and the leap of faith it took to launch a luxury beauty brand in the middle of a global pandemic. Kadi shares powerful lessons on financial literacy, learning to delegate, and staying clear on your vision when the path forward feels uncertain. She also opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of building a business, the moments she almost walked away, and the support that helped her push through. If you’ve ever dreamed of starting something from nothing, Kadi’s story will inspire you to take the leap.

Full episode available here: https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/kadi-lee

04/08/2025

In this week's episode, we're joined by Dr. Whitney Bowe, a board-certified dermatologist, award-winning research scientist, and the founder of Dr. Whitney Bowe Beauty—one of the fastest-growing skincare brands on the market.

Face taping, red light, microneedling—oh my! With so much conflicting skincare advice online, it’s hard to know what actually works and what’s just hype. In this episode, we’re joined by world-renowned dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe to cut through the noise and bring you the science-backed truths about healthy, glowing skin.

From morning routines to active ingredients, acne myths to the gut-skin connection, Dr. Bowe shares her top tips for simplifying your skincare and healing your skin from the inside and out.

In this episode you’ll learn:
- The only morning skincare routine you actually need
- How to properly use active ingredients without damaging your skin
- The connection between gut health and skin health
- Foods that naturally boost collagen and support healthy aging
- Tips for treating acne-prone skin (without overdoing it)
- A dermatologist’s take on how to approach skin treatments
- The truth about face taping vs. Botox
- And more…

Dr. Whitney Bowe is the force behind the viral skin-cycling trend and the best-selling author of The Beauty of Dirty Skin, where she dives into the powerful link between gut health, mental health, and skin. Whether she’s treating celebrities or educating millions online, Dr. Bowe brings science-backed skincare to the forefront. Her mission is helping you glow from the inside out.

Full episode available here: https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/whitney-bowe

28/07/2025

In this week's episode, we're joined by Elizabeth Stein, the Founder and CEO of Purely Elizabeth, the number one granola brand in America and a trailblazer in the natural foods industry.

Her journey began far from the aisles of Whole Foods. In 2008, she was working as a certified holistic nutrition counselor, focused on helping people one-on-one. But when she brought a batch of homemade gluten-free blueberry muffins to a local triathlon to promote her practice, something unexpected happened: people went crazy for them. That moment sparked an idea. From her tiny New York City apartment, Elizabeth started selling muffin mixes and hand-delivering orders. Over time, she pivoted to granola, a bold move that would put her on the map. What began as scrappy kitchen experiments turned into Purely Elizabeth, now sold in over 30,000 stores nationwide. With backing from General Mills and a cult following among health-conscious shoppers, she’s built more than a food company — she’s built a movement.

In our conversation, Elizabeth takes us behind the scenes of what it really looks like to build a food company from the ground up, starting with no industry experience and a whole lot of curiosity. She shares how she created her first product (yes, those famous blueberry muffins), and how one pivot led her to granola, now the brand’s bestseller and the product that took everything to the next level. We talk about bootstrapping for seven years, early manufacturing struggles, and the moment a Whole Foods buyer gave her a shot that changed everything. Elizabeth also opens up about walking trade show floors to get noticed, teaching herself how to fundraise, and learning to trust her gut long before she felt ready. She gets honest about the personal growth it takes to scale a business, from building confidence to setting boundaries, and why letting go of perfection was one of the best decisions she ever made.

Full episode available here: https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/elizabeth-stein

21/07/2025

In this week's episode, we're joined by Dr. Natalie Crawford, OBGYN & Fertility Expert.

Thinking about having kids someday, or just curious about your body? This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to better understand fertility, whether you're planning ahead or just want to feel more connected to your cycle.

In this episode you’ll learn:
- Why fertility matters even if you’re not trying for kids
- The truth about birth control and future fertility
- Which fertility tests to get and how to improve egg quality
- A crash course on how reproduction works
- How to track your cycle and use the Fertility Awareness Method
- What s***m health has to do with the bigger picture
- And more…

Unlike many physicians, Natalie has a whole body approach to medicine, fusing lifestyle and functional medicine with science backed facts to help people conceive and understand their bodies. Dr. Crawford has helped thousands of patients and followers learn about their bodies and their fertility, empowering them with education and learning to advocate for themselves in their own fertility journeys. Natalie also hosts the successful As a Woman Podcast with over 5 million downloads.

Full episode available here: https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/natalie-crawford

14/07/2025

In this week's episode, we're joined by Angela Vranich, the Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Little Spoon, a company that’s become the go-to destination for fresh, healthy meals for kids.

Angela’s journey to transforming kids’ food was anything but traditional. While still in college, she was cold-calling brands and building a grassroots food marketing startup out of her dorm room, eventually growing it to over 100 team members nationwide. After graduating, she landed a job in food television, thinking that was her dream, until she realized she didn’t just want to talk about food, she wanted to change it. That spark came when she walked down the baby food aisle and saw how outdated it all felt. The idea for Little Spoon was born, but turning it into a real product was far from easy. Angela had zero experience bringing a physical product to life, had to shut down her first business, and was constantly figuring things out as she went. Still, she launched Little Spoon in 2017, and it took off, selling over a million meals in its first year. Since then, it’s become a go-to for parents across the country, delivering over 35 million fresh meals for babies, toddlers, and big kids.

In this episode, Angela gets real about the emotional rollercoaster of building a company from scratch, the pivots, the rejections, and the moments she questioned it all. We talk about the power of what she calls “healthy naiveté” and how sometimes not knowing what you’re up against is what gives you the courage to take the leap anyway. She opens up about shutting down her first venture after college and the biggest lessons she learned there about what to do and not to do in business. We also dive into what it actually takes to scale fresh food at a national level, why going direct-to-consumer gave Little Spoon a major advantage, and how Angela learned to surround herself with the right people, ask for help, and celebrate the small wins.

Full episode available here: https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/angela-vranich

07/07/2025

In this week's episode, we're joined by Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple, a muscle physiology researcher and science communicator with a Ph.D. in Integrative Physiology from McMaster University and an M.S. in Exercise Science from the University of South Florida.

We’re busting myths and breaking down the science behind some of the most misunderstood topics in wellness, starting with cycle syncing. Is it really the key to better workouts, or just another trend? We dive into what the research actually says and why women may not need totally different fitness advice after all.

We also explore how muscle, fat loss, and bone health shift as we age—and what you can actually do about it. If you’ve ever felt confused by conflicting hormone advice, this episode is your no-BS guide to what’s real, what’s hype, and what your body actually needs.

In this episode you’ll learn:
- How cycle syncing advice misses the mark
- What we’re getting wrong about fasted training
- The truth about cortisol face
- What women need to know about Ozempic and GLP-1s
- Muscle-building basics for beginners
- And more…

Her research focuses on how ovarian hormones influence exercise-induced adaptations, helping bridge the gap between female physiology and evidence-based training.

In addition to her academic work, Dr. Colenso-Semple is an experienced strength and conditioning coach and sports nutrition expert. She brings years of hands-on experience to her science communication, making complex topics accessible and actionable. She is also a co-owner of the MASS Research Review, where she helps distill cutting-edge research for athletes, coaches, and health professionals.

Full episode available here: https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/lauren-colenso-semple

30/06/2025

In this week's episode, we're joined by Kristin Charbo, the Co-Founder and CEO of Glonuts, the better-for-you donut brand redefining indulgence with clean ingredients and low sugar.

But her journey didn’t start in food or even in business. Kristin spent over 15 years in luxury hospitality, opening hotels for brands like Mandarin Oriental and PUBLIC in New York. It wasn’t until a PCOS diagnosis in her early 20s that she was forced to rethink her relationship with food, wellness, and ultimately, her career. That health wake-up call eventually sparked the idea for a nostalgic, blood-sugar-friendly treat she wished existed. What started as a “healthy donut thing” from a coffee cart quickly took on a life of its own, leading Kristin and her partner Grover to deliver over 100,000 donuts from their one-bedroom apartment and even use their wedding money to rebrand the business. Today, Glonuts is one of the most exciting brands in wellness snacking, stocked everywhere from Erewhon to H-E-B markets and other retailers all across the US.

In this episode, Kristin gets real about what it actually takes to build something from nothing—when you don’t have a blueprint, just a product people love and the grit to figure it out. She opens up about the mental rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, the scrappy early days of hand-delivering donuts, and the power of iterating on feedback. We talk about the challenges of fundraising as a female founder, how she built a network of powerhouse women who now double as investors and advisors, and why personal growth is just as critical as business growth. Whether you’re dreaming of starting your own thing or in the thick of figuring it out as you go, Kristin’s story is your reminder that success isn’t always linear but it always starts with taking the first messy step.

Full episode available here: https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/kristin-charbo

23/06/2025

In this week's episode, we're joined by Carrie Jones, ND, FABNE, MPH, MSCP, an internationally recognized speaker, consultant, author and educator on the topic of women's health and hormones with over 20 years in the industry.

Ever feel like your body’s changing and no one gave you the memo? In this candid and empowering episode, we unpack the often-overlooked realities of perimenopause—what’s really happening with your hormones and why it can feel like everything from your mood to your memory is shifting. We dive into how this phase of life impacts sleep, mood, memory, libido, and long-term health. Dr. Jones also breaks down the latest thinking on hormone replacement therapy, clears up common misconceptions, and shares how supportive tools like seed cycling can offer natural relief.

If you’re navigating perimenopause or want to prepare for it with clarity and confidence, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode you’ll learn:
- What your hormones are really doing in every decade
- The truth about HRT from a doctor’s perspective
- How perimenopause affects mood, sleep, memory, and libido
- The top chronic diseases women face and their hormonal ties
- How seed cycling can support you through perimenopause
- And more…

Dubbed the “Queen of Hormones,” Dr. Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who did her 2-year residency focused on women's health and endocrinology. She went on to get her Master of Public Health (MPH), was one of the first to become board certified through the American Board of Naturopathic Endocrinology (FABNE), and is a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP). She was the first Medical Director for Precision Analytical (the DUTCH Test), the first Head of Medical Education at Rupa Health and was on Under Armour’s Human Performance Council. She co-hosted the highly popular show, the Root Cause Medicine Podcast that has over 10 million downloads and now hosts her own, Hello Hormones podcast.

Full episode available here: https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/carrie-jones-2

16/06/2025

In this week's episode, we're joined by Shazi Visram, the founder of HealthyBaby, the first-ever EWG-certified babycare brand.

Shazi has always been on the mission to give every child the healthiest start to life. Born to immigrant parents and raised in a motel in Alabama, she learned early what grit, sacrifice, and resilience really look like. After earning her MBA from Columbia, Shazi launched Happy Family with a homemade recipe and a bold idea to revolutionize baby food. She grew it into the #1 organic baby food brand in the U.S. and sold it to Groupe Danone but her story didn’t stop there. When her son was diagnosed with autism, it shifted her entire worldview and became the spark behind her second company, HealthyBaby, which she built to support babies' neurodevelopment and protect their health from day one.

In this week’s episode, Shazi shares what it really means to lead with purpose - even when the path isn’t clear. She opens up about how her upbringing shaped her view of business, why resilience matters more than confidence, and how she scaled Happy Family & had a successful exit despite the many roadblocks they faced. We talk about the decision to sell the company, the turning point of her son’s diagnosis, and how it sparked her next mission with HealthyBaby. Along the way, she shares many lessons from decades in business, insights on leadership, and her belief that anything is possible when you challenge the status quo and lead from your authentic self. We talk about letting go of perfection, prioritizing well-being, and building with heart. Whether you’re a parent, an entrepreneur, or someone who believes business can be a force for good, Shazi’s story will leave you inspired to fight for the future you believe in.

Full episode available here: https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/shazi-visram

09/06/2025

In this week's episode, we're joined by Cindy, a serial entrepreneur and champion for women’s health and wealth.

Over her 25+ year career in healthcare, she’s built and sold not one but two companies for over $1 billion, including Sprout Pharmaceuticals, where she launched Addyi, the first prescription drug for women’s low libido and what many people call the “female Viagra.” After selling Sprout, Cindy made headlines again when she bought the company back to launch it on her own terms and make sure the drug reached the women it was made for. She’s now the founder of The Pink Ceiling, where she invests in and mentors women-led businesses breaking barriers in health, wellness, and beyond. Whether she’s battling the FDA, redefining success, or helping other women build empires, Cindy’s mission is clear: to make women really rich - financially, socially, and in their own self-worth.

In this week’s episode, Cindy shares the real, behind-the-scenes lessons of building billion-dollar companies and she doesn’t hold back. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by the idea of starting your own business, Cindy’s story will make you believe that you can do it — even if you don’t have it all figured out yet.

Cindy talks about why competence matters more than confidence, and how taking the shot, even when you don’t have all the answers, is what moves the needle. She shares how growing up constantly on the move taught her how to adapt quickly, build relationships, and embrace change — skills that became her foundation in business. She opens up about the emotional toll of entrepreneurship, the power of building a strong team, and why women need to talk more openly about pleasure, power, and money. From redefining success to using money as a tool for impact, this episode is packed with practical insights, personal stories, and powerful reminders that you’re more ready than you think. If you’re looking for the nudge to start, build, or believe in what you’re creating — Cindy’s story will leave you inspired and ready to take action.

Full episode available here: https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/cindy-eckert

04/06/2025

In this week's episode, we're joined by Nicole, a Certified Women’s Health Coach and author of Fix Your Period, a step-by-step natural protocol for hormone balance.

Ever feel like your period is trying to tell you something, but you're not sure what it's saying? In this episode, women’s health coach and bestselling author Nicole Jardim (a.k.a. the “Period Girl”) breaks it all down. Whether you're dealing with PMS, painful periods, irregular cycles, or navigating the transition into perimenopause, this episode is packed with real talk and practical tools.

In this episode you’ll learn:
- What your period symptoms actually mean
- The role of nutrition in hormone health
- How to start the fertility awareness method
- The most underlooked part of your cycle
- How to support your body through perimenopause
- What hormone tests to ask your doctor for
- And more…

Nicole is known as the “Period Girl,” her work has helped tens of thousands improve PMS, period pain, and cycle irregularities through a blend of science, simplicity, and sass. She’s the founder of The Fix Your Period Collective—a first-of-its-kind membership that starts with a quiz and delivers a clear, personalized plan for better periods. Nicole is also the host of the top-rated podcast The Period Party and a trusted expert featured in The Guardian, Well+Good, mindbodygreen, and Healthline.

Full episode available here: https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/nicole-jardim

02/06/2025

In this week's episode, we're joined by Nancy Twine, the founder of Briogeo, one of the first clean haircare brands to land in Sephora, and eventually one of the fastest-growing in the category.

But her story didn’t start in beauty. Nancy began her career in finance, landing a role at Goldman Sachs in 2007, right as the global financial crisis hit. By her mid-twenties, she was a VP on Wall Street. Then, everything changed in 2010 when she lost her mother unexpectedly. That moment reshaped her sense of purpose and gave her the clarity to build something of her own. With no background in chemistry or beauty, Nancy started Briogeo in her tiny New York apartment. She self-funded the business for six years, pouring her salary into the idea, doing research at the public library, and pitching investors with just drawings all while working full-time. Briogeo officially launched in 2013 with just four products. Within a year, Nancy cold-emailed her way into her dream retail partner, Sephora, and became the youngest Black woman to launch a line with the retailer. In 2022, Briogeo was acquired by Wella Company.

In today’s episode, Nancy talks about the mindset and grit it took to keep going when the path ahead wasn’t clear, and how learning to trust her instincts changed everything for her. We talk about how she taught herself the beauty industry from scratch, and why believing in herself, even when the odds were stacked against her, became her greatest strength. She takes us into the early days of Briogeo, building the brand at night while working on Wall Street, pitching investors and getting many rejections, and navigating the challenges of growth. She also reflects on the pivotal moment with Sephora, the decision to finally walk away from her corporate job, and how she grew into the role of CEO as the company scaled.

Nancy opens up about selling Briogeo, what it meant to let go of something she built from scratch, and why she’s now focused on mentoring other women founders through her new platform, Makers Mindset. If you’ve ever questioned your timing, doubted your path, or needed a reminder of what’s possible when you bet on yourself, you’re going to love this episode.

Full episode available here: https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/nancy-twine

Behind Her Empire

11/08/2025

04/08/2025

28/07/2025

21/07/2025

14/07/2025

07/07/2025

30/06/2025

23/06/2025

16/06/2025

09/06/2025

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