Lead Like a Woman

Andrea Heuston

The Lead Like a Woman Show, hosted by Andrea Heuston, features top women leaders who share their inspirational stories on life and leadership. read less
BusinessBusiness

Episodes

I Keep Going
5d ago
I Keep Going
Carla Fowler, MD PhD is the Founder and Managing Director of THAXA Executive Coaching, Inc., a boutique executive coaching firm that leverages the best ideas from performance science to help global leaders. Graduating magna cum laude from Brown University and holding both an MD and a PhD from the University of Washington, Carla's journey showcases her multidisciplinary expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence. As an angel investor with a focus on med tech and biotech, she has built a diverse portfolio of over a dozen investments. Additionally, Carla engages in social impact initiatives with organizations such as Social Venture Partners, Seattle Rotary Club, Washington Women's Foundation, Alliance of Angels, and the Keiretsu Forum. In this episode… Performance science shows us how combining different skills can lead to amazing results. Whether in sports, business, or everyday life, we can achieve incredible results when we combine skills like creativity, strategy, and communication. How can you tap into the diversity of talents around you and within you to open doors to fresh opportunities and transformative breakthroughs? Executive coach Carla Fowler believes that embracing diverse interests and skills, coupled with strategic focus and resilience, can lead to transformative career opportunities and personal growth. She emphasizes principles like brutal focus, relishing uncertainty, self-awareness, adaptability, and confidence in navigating career transitions as keys to personal power. To find what truly makes you happy in life, you must deviate sometimes from traditional career trajectories and empower yourself to pursue your passions. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston sits down with Carla Fowler, MD PhD, the Founder and Managing Director of THAXA Executive Coaching, Inc., to talk about performance science and how it can help us in our daily lives. Carla discusses repurposing your skills and capabilities, her top three performance science principles, and how to harness personal power in our lives.
Your Message Matters
Mar 7 2024
Your Message Matters
Julie Fry is the CEO and Founder of Your Expert Guest, a podcast booking agency specializing in connecting service providers and impact-driven leaders with top-ranked podcast shows. Before Your Expert Guest, Julie was the CEO of Business Among Moms (BAM), where she provided visibility and education for mom-owned small businesses. Prior to BAM, she spent 11 years as the National Account Manager for canine hardware company Chuckit. Passionate about the power of meaningful conversations, Julie aims to help experts and business owners leverage podcast guesting as a tool for increasing visibility, brand awareness, and lead generation. In this episode… Feeling stuck in your career despite having a clear vision for your future? You might be yearning to break free from the confines of corporate life and pursue your entrepreneurial dreams. But how do you navigate this transition while ensuring you gain the exposure needed to thrive in your new venture? Podcast matchmaker Julie Fry shares her remarkable journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship. With over 2300 interviews booked for clients and a keen focus on tracking business growth through podcast appearances, Julie unveils the power of podcasting as a tool for thought leadership and audience engagement. To be an effective podcast guest, you must showcase your expertise and connect with the audience by understanding your audience and building a relationship with the host. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston sits down with Julie Fry, the CEO and Founder of Your Expert Guest, to discuss how to ensure your message matters as a podcast guest. Julie talks about how she created Your Expert Guest, who should consider being a podcast guest, and tracking the ROI of your podcast appearances.
Just Watch Me
Feb 22 2024
Just Watch Me
Dr. Michelle Jorgensen is the Founder of Total Care Academy, which teaches dentists to provide health-based dental care, and Living Well with Dr. Michelle, where she offers guidance for healthy living and natural health care. As a Functional Integrative Dentist (DDS) and a Board Certified Traditional Naturopath (BCTN), she founded Total Care Dental and Wellness to combine dental and overall health to heal chronic diseases. Dr. Michelle started the Living Well Foundation, a nonprofit providing organic, locally grown food and teaching communities how to grow their own food. In this episode… Research shows that 50-60% of people haven’t reached an ideal level of happiness. They often reference guides on attaining happiness, not recognizing that it’s a subjective state of mind differing between individuals and cultures. What actionable steps can you take to achieve happiness and general well-being? After developing mercury poisoning from exposure to metal cavity fillings, naturopathic dentist Dr. Michelle Jorgensen was ready to sell her practice. However, discovering the power of homegrown foods and holistic care led her to a life of health, wellness, and satisfaction. Dr. Michelle maintains that fear, negativity, and scarcity are harmful and limiting environments. Through self-sufficient living, you can gain the skills and abilities to care for yourself, creating security and vigor.  Join Andrea Heuston in today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as she sits down with Dr. Michelle Jorgensen, the Founder of Living Well with Dr. Michelle, to discuss the importance of maximizing your health and well-being. Dr. Michelle shares her definition of living well, her journey into entrepreneurship, and how she helps patients transform their health.
Creating a Life of Joy
Feb 8 2024
Creating a Life of Joy
April Roberts is the Founder of the Vixen Gathering, a coaching program and community for Gex X female entrepreneurs looking to scale to seven figures while enjoying life. As a keynote speaker, podcast host, and high-performing coach, she has helped guide hundreds of women’s transformations. April has been coaching entrepreneurs for 15 years through her financial practice and the Vixen Gathering. In this episode… Many Gen X women have reached a turning point where they’ve achieved their career goals and started a family. This sense of finality can cause them to lose direction and feel unfulfilled. How can you achieve personal satisfaction to reignite your passions? Having grown tired of living for others, self-established coach April Roberts discovered how to live her best life while juggling other responsibilities. She maintains that women face burnout when exerting their masculine energies in both personal and professional endeavors. Instead, women must channel feminine attributes to identify a work-life balance and attain optimal happiness. This often requires structuring your calendar around your energy by scheduling time for relaxation and enjoyment. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston sits down with April Roberts, the Founder of Vixen Gathering, to talk about finding enjoyment in your personal and professional life. April gives an overview of her podcast, explains how to transition from masculine to feminine attributes, and shares the importance of defining your personal values and goals.
Unstoppable Grit
Feb 1 2024
Unstoppable Grit
Danielle Cobo is a motivational keynote speaker, best-selling author, and medical sales career consultant who helps organizations lead through change. As a former Fortune 500 senior sales manager, she built a high-performing team despite company-wide downsizing, restructuring, and acquisitions. This earned Danielle several awards, including Regional Sales Manager of the Year and four Sales Excellence awards. She is also the author of Unstoppable Grit and the host of the Unstoppable Grit podcast. In this episode… The professional landscape is demanding, especially for women leaders. These individuals face immense pressure in all aspects of their lives. How can you cultivate sheer determination to mitigate burnout and grow exponentially? Versatile leader Danielle Cobo was raised by a domineering mother who eventually committed suicide, nearly lost her husband in the Iraq war, and experienced a toxic work culture. Rather than surrendering to her trauma, Danielle identified and honed her propensity for resilience and grit. When facing hardships in work and life, she advises recognizing when to reprioritize and rest. Before lending yourself to others, caring for yourself, your family, and your business is vital to foster a long-term impact. On today’s episode of The Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston speaks with Danielle Cobo about her path to resilience and determination. Danielle shares how to discover your superpowers, the origin story of her brand, and how her traumas shaped her career journey.
Expand Your Community
Jan 25 2024
Expand Your Community
Hayley Painter is the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Painterland Sisters, an Icelandic-style Skyr yogurt made with USDA-certified organic milk. As a fourth-generation farmer, she strives to sustain her family’s organic regenerative farm in rural Pennsylvania. Hayley believes in nutritious, sustainable food and connects consumers to its source. In 2024, she and her sister were named in Forbes 30 Under 30 in the food and drink category. In this episode… Farmers are the foundation of US society, paving the way for consumers to work and live. Yet many farmers struggle to stay in business, especially those prioritizing sustainability and regeneration. One inspiring woman has revitalized the industry by empowering and connecting local farmers. With a mission to accelerate sustainable agriculture, pioneer and connector Hayley Painter engages with and supports diverse farmers to facilitate balanced regeneration. Having grown up on her family’s dairy farm, she recognizes the value of accelerating other farm’s unique missions to strengthen and integrate like-minded communities. When advancing these beneficial relationships, Hayley recommends creating a dialogue with those inside and outside your network.  Tune in to the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston sits down with Hayley Painter, the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Painterland Sisters, to discuss the brand’s mission to elevate farmers. Hayley describes how the brand became national, the farm’s early history and manufacturing process, and why she produces Icelandic-style Skyr yogurt.
Let’s Talk About Money
Jan 18 2024
Let’s Talk About Money
Hannah Smolinski is the Founder and CEO of Clara CFO Group, a virtual CFO agency providing small businesses with financial clarity and profit maximization strategies. As a CPA, Hannah's professional experience with one of the world's largest accounting firms shaped her vision of bringing high-level financial expertise to the small business community. She founded Clara CFO Group to be a trusted resource for small businesses as they navigate key financial decisions, strive for sustainable revenue, and plan for scale. Hannah also hosts a YouTube channel with over 50,000 subscribers, where she extends her mission of empowering small businesses. Through this platform, she shares financial strategies, best practices, and educational resources that assist companies in understanding their financial statements and achieving financial success. In this episode… The majority of US companies are small businesses, and women own 40% of them. Yet many of these entrepreneurs lack knowledge and awareness of how to manage their finances. Through empathy and accessible education, one leader helps women and other small business owners gain financial clarity. For many small business entrepreneurs, finances constitute their income and life savings, which often hampers their decision-making. With many of these professionals lacking transparency and managing their companies based on money in the bank, it’s crucial to maintain emotional intelligence to guide them through their journeys. As a CPA and entrepreneur, Hannah Smolinski hires analysts and consultants who possess a keen sense of empathy. She also creates comprehensible content to educate small businesses on loans and forecasting. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston invites Hannah Smolinski, the Founder and CEO of Clara CFO Group, to address financial management basics for small businesses. Hannah shares common financial management mistakes, her experience working for her family’s business, and how she educates businesses through transparency.
Build Your Confidence
Jan 11 2024
Build Your Confidence
Barbara Wichmann is the Founder and CEO of ARTEMIA, a full-service strategic communications and digital marketing agency. As a marketing and communications strategist, she prioritizes DEIA in public outreach, national advertising, and culturally relevant in-language marketing programs. Barbara has garnered media coverage for her clients in outlets, including Good Morning America, the New York Times, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal. In this episode… Women-owned businesses comprise 40% of all businesses in the US, amassing $2.7 trillion annually. These companies have a tremendous impact on local communities, providing support and spearheading environmental, social, and governance initiatives. How can you advance your endeavors to inspire your community? Through empathy and reciprocation, women-owned companies promote employee, partner, and community growth. Drawing on her upbringing in the Netherlands, sustainability strategist Barbara Wichmann established a Women’s Business Enterprise certified, ESG-focused, and green business. She maintains that female-led organizations can assess and mitigate their carbon footprints, provide training and other resources for employees, and educate the community on social and environmental initiatives. Tune in to this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston sits down with Barbara Wichmann, the Founder and CEO of ARTEMIA, to discuss her social and environmental impact. Barbara details her path to entrepreneurship, how to become ESG certified, and her experience as a member of WBEC.
Be Each Other’s Storytellers
Jan 4 2024
Be Each Other’s Storytellers
Krista Bourne is a business leader and speaker who specializes in sales, service, operations, and workplace culture. As the former Chief Operating Officer of Verizon’s Consumer Group, she led five consumer channels, including 1,500 corporate stores and more than 5,000 authorized retail stores, multiple non-exclusive national retail relationships, and a globally operated customer service program. Krista focuses on challenging biases, embracing diversity and inclusion, and mentoring underrepresented groups into sales leadership roles. In this episode… Everyone has choices to make in their professional lives. Rather than relying on fate alone, your decisions shape your impact and how you present yourself. Learn how calculated choices can help you become a powerful leader. After dropping out of college to raise a child at 19 years old, Black business leader Krista Bourne decided she didn’t want to become another statistic. Through self-discipline, leadership, and personal accountability, Krista became a key changemaker at a Fortune 20 company before transferring her skills to coach other rising professionals. By choosing to build a portfolio of skills, capabilities, and experiences, you can communicate and lead authentically through storytelling. In today’s segment of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston invites Krista Bourne to speak about creating an intentional life. Krista shares how storytelling facilitates effective communication, how to silence your critics through authentic leadership, and her approach to leading professionals.
Then What?
Dec 28 2023
Then What?
Maeve Wang is the Co-founder and CEO of IAMBIC, a tech-driven footwear company that reimagines the shoe manufacturing process. With 10 years of experience in strategy, market research, and entrepreneurship, she strives to bring personalization and innovation to the traditionally mass-produced footwear industry. Maeve has worked with Fortune 500 companies and invested in wellness, wearables, and data analytics technologies. She is a recipient of the US National Science Foundation grant for IAMBIC’s groundbreaking footwear. In this episode… The startup landscape is dominated largely by white men. So when women and minorities try to acquire funding for a new venture, they often face criticism. One Asian-American woman defied the odds to execute an innovative and passionate vision. After noticing her feet changing shape and growing bunions from traditional footwear, Maeve Wang struggled to find specialty shoes to support her feet. What began as a mission to develop an accurate size-prediction tool for footwear blossomed into technology-driven shoes that conform to consumers’ feet. Yet this journey was met with judgment about Maeve’s identity as a minority entrepreneur, leading her to doubt her capabilities. Through mentorship, encouragement, and a supportive team, Maeve launched substantial ideas with conviction. On today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston welcomes Maeve Wang, the Co-founder and CEO of IAMBIC, to discuss her mission-driven journey. Maeve shares how she fuses art and science to revolutionize traditional shoe manufacturing, the origin story behind one of IAMBIC’s most notable inventions, and how to build a passionate and collaborative team.
Be Okay With Being Uncomfortable
Dec 21 2023
Be Okay With Being Uncomfortable
Heather Dominick is the Founder and CEO of A Course in Business Miracles, a full-service coaching business where she trains highly sensitive entrepreneurs to work less, increase their income, and make a higher social impact. As a seven-figure entrepreneur with a branded mission, she has created the Highly Sensitive Leadership Training Program for Entrepreneurs. Heather is also the author of Different: The Highly Sensitive Leadership Revolution. In this episode… Research shows that up to 20% of the world is highly sensitive, meaning some people’s nervous systems process stimulation at higher degrees. This can lead to burnout and the false belief that highly sensitive people can’t excel in leadership positions. How can you recognize and harness your strengths to amplify your impact? After burning out during the first 10 years of entrepreneurship, highly sensitive coach Heather Dominick discovered her sensitivities and strengths. Particularly sensitive individuals are intuitive, empathetic, and exceptional listeners, making them supportive leaders. Yet many of these professionals become discouraged by the mere possibility of feeling overwhelmed, so Heather recommends remaining proactive and conserving energy during these periods. This allows you to leverage your strengths to serve your business, relationships, and community. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston welcomes Heather Dominick, the Founder and CEO of A Course in Business Miracles, to discuss highly sensitive leadership. Heather shares her journey as a highly sensitive entrepreneur, the degrees of high sensitivity, and why you should follow your intuition.
Constantly Humbled
Dec 14 2023
Constantly Humbled
Thais Gibson is the Founder of The Personal Development School, which offers personal development courses to empower employees and teams. As a best-selling author, speaker, and counselor, she has been recognized by Psychology Today and other publications for her cutting-edge research on the subconscious mind, attachment styles, and personal transformation. Thais is certified in over 13 modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, somatic processing, and trauma work. In this episode… Childhood trauma and experiences become embedded in the subconscious mind, dictating relationships and work styles. This belief is known as the attachment theory, which focuses on emotional connections formed in early childhood. What are the various attachment styles, and how can you identify and heal them? Professional counselor, teacher, and theoretical researcher Thais Gibson has discovered four main attachment styles. The securely attached style is characterized by healthy emotional expression and balanced relationships, whereas anxious, preoccupied individuals experienced inconsistent emotional attention in their formative years, leading to people-pleasing tendencies and poor boundaries in adulthood. Similarly, dismissive and fearful-avoidant people internalize volatility and struggle with workplace communication and relationships. Reconciling these styles involves subconscious reprogramming through repetition and memory. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston invites Thais Gibson, the Founder of The Personal Development School, to speak about attachment styles in the workplace. Thais talks about her research on attachment theory, how to recondition the subconscious mind, and her impetus for founding The Personal Development School.
Forward Is a Pace
Dec 7 2023
Forward Is a Pace
Emily Drake is the CEO of The Collective Academy, a leadership development firm working with global organizations. With decades of experience in counseling, coaching, and facilitation, she helps leaders and teams create cultures that foster community, purpose, and well-being. Emily produces and leads programs for professional services and nonprofit organizations, supporting entrepreneurial thinkers, creators, and leaders to envision the future. As a mental health clinician, she hosts the Who’s Missing podcast, which explores the stories and perspectives of people from diverse backgrounds. In this episode… Every high-reaching leader has a personal growth story. Whether originating from trauma or accomplishments, these anecdotes facilitate meaningful connections. Learn about the impact of community on personal and professional development from an esteemed mental health expert. According to therapist Emily Drake, the most effective way of discovering your identity is through connection and community. These facilitation groups should include a humanitarian leader who can make decisions and support and appreciate other members. However, leaders need support too, so Emily says to cultivate relationships with other high-achieving women and diverse individuals to advocate for you and help you attain your next endeavor. In today’s installment of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston welcomes her guest Emily Drake, the CEO of The Collective Academy, to discuss discovering yourself through high-achieving leadership and support. Emily shares the importance of honesty and self-acceptance, how she establishes personal development programs, and why she decided to interview her mother on her podcast.
The Power of Mindset
Nov 30 2023
The Power of Mindset
Jane Frankel is the Managing Partner of The Art of Performance, which provides business education services to help organizations develop and grow through customer and partner relationships. As an Adjunct Professor of Economics at Temple University, she oversees project-based internships and corporate partnerships. Jane is a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum in Greater Philadelphia, an advisory board member for Temple University’s Center for Regional Economics, and a member of the Middle Market Steering Committee for the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. In this episode… Women have a competitive advantage in today’s corporate environment, with businesses dependent on their autonomy and authoritative decision-making. However, to become leaders, women must discover and own their strengths. How can you harness your mindset to boost performance? With a versatile career in education and innovation, Jane Frankel has identified four components of mindset: goals, values, beliefs, and work styles. Once you’ve established these elements, you can align them by observing and recording your behaviors and reactions. Gaining full control of your mindset lets you assess opportunities effectively to propel your personal and professional life. Tune in to this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as host Andrea Heuston sits down with Jane Frankel, The Art of Performance’s Managing Partner, to discuss the fundamentals of mindset. Jane breaks down the difference between mindset and mindfulness, her definition of women in leadership, and how to identify your five “whys.”
Less Judgment More Curiosity
Nov 23 2023
Less Judgment More Curiosity
Brandi Marek is a Business Advisor at Ferguson Alliance, which helps family businesses increase their value. As a second-generation family business leader, she helps leaders and owners assess their companies by aligning organizational structure, strategies, and finances with family goals. Before joining Ferguson Alliance, Brandi held leadership and management roles at Magnolia Gardens Nursery, a family-owned business. In this episode… Leaders in family businesses often face an overwhelming sense of obligation to uphold familial expectations. How can you maintain relationships to build a thriving inter-generational company? In a family-owned company, many members struggle to differentiate between work and relatives. As a former second-generation daughter-in-law in a family business, Brandi Marek simultaneously faced judgment for her role in the company and a duty to preserve the family legacy, causing her to develop imposter syndrome. Having become an advisor, she encourages families to communicate with each other by identifying their needs and goals, maintaining honesty, and clarifying expectations. Join Andrea Heuston in this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as she hosts Brandi Marek, a Business Advisor at Ferguson Alliance, who talks about reconciling expectations and commitments in family businesses. Brandi shares her transition from an executive assistant to the manager of a family business, how her role as a daughter-in-law impacted her business relationships, and her desire to become a consultant.
Own Your Walk
Nov 16 2023
Own Your Walk
Claire Chandler is the Founder, President, and CEO of Talent Boost, which helps businesses assess and accelerate growth. With 30 years of experience in people, leadership, human resources, and business ownership, she helps organizations achieve strategic alignment and culture integration. As a strategic partner and leadership advisor, Claire helps purpose-driven CHROs (chief human resources officers) of large organizations navigate growth through mergers and acquisitions. She is also a Keynote Speaker at the Call for Culture Speaker’s Network. In this episode… Women in management positions often conform to corporate culture, emulating the leadership styles of male CEOs and suppressing visibility to avoid conflict and confrontation. How can you own your authority and inspire others to follow you? While serving as the vice president of HR at a leading corporation, Claire Chandler’s boss requested that she adjust her walk to avoid seeming overly confident. After burning out from an unfulfilling career, Claire uncovered and pursued her passions. Aspiring women leaders must discover and display their hidden strengths and stay true to their values and beliefs. This inspires uniqueness, authenticity, and confidence. On today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston welcomes Claire Chandler, the Founder, President, and CEO of Talent Boost, who shares her journey of discovering her leadership style. Claire explains the value of fulfilling work, why she left the corporate space to become an entrepreneur, and why women must own their walks.
Focus & Finish
Nov 9 2023
Focus & Finish
Michelle LaBrosse, PMP, CCPM, RYT, is the Founder and Head PMP Exam Prep Coach at Cheetah Learning, which offers accelerated exam preparation for the PMP (project management professional) test. In 2008, the Project Management Institute (PMI) recognized Cheetah as the Professional Development Provider of the Year. The institution also selected Michelle as one of the 25 Most Influential Women in Project Management in the World. She is also the author of Cheetah Negotiations, Cheetah Project Management, and Cheetah Know How, and her articles have appeared in over 1,000 publications globally. In this episode… Women are often perceived as control freaks, dictating others to complete tasks under specific terms. Rather, these determined individuals become frustrated when attempting to oversee a project through completion. Learn how to gauge your capabilities and capacity from an entrepreneur who has mastered accelerated learning. As a Certified PMP (project management professional) and coach, Michelle LaBrosse has developed holistic and integrated courses instructing participants on project management and advanced goal completion. She emphasizes the value of training your brain to absorb knowledge through healthy eating, neuro-linguistic programming, and exercise. Whether undertaking a new business venture or completing a certification, assess your capabilities to develop practical objectives and maintain a high level of focus. On the latest episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston invites Michelle LaBrosse, the Founder of Cheetah Learning, to discuss accelerated project completion. Michelle shares an overview of a PMP, how she persevered during her first entrepreneurial venture, and information about her four-day accelerated learning course.
Stay Wild
Nov 2 2023
Stay Wild
Barbara Jo Jenkins is the author of So Long as It’s Wild, which details her three-year, 3,000-mile walk across America. She also co-authored the international bestseller, The Walk West, which was chosen as one of the most influential books in American culture and became part of the permanent White House Library. As a keynote speaker at colleges, conferences, and national conventions, Barbara has appeared in various magazines, including Reader’s Digest, and on national TV shows like Good Morning America. She has served as commissioner for two Tennessee Governors, Board Chair for Benton Hall Academy, and President of the Tennessee Women’s Forum. In this episode… Women often face fear, stigma, and backlash from society, discouraging them from reaching their potential and living fulfilling lives. One courageous nomad recounts her journey of self-discovery and confidence, inspiring freedom of expression among women from all walks of life. Despite judgment from family and friends, self-doubt, and fear, Barbara Jenkins walked 3,000 miles across America. Having hiked the Cascades at two months pregnant during the coldest winter and survived an outlaw attack in Colorado, she discovered her strengths and weaknesses. If you want to recognize and fulfill your destiny, Barabara recommends acknowledging the fear and persisting. However, it’s crucial to pace yourself in your endeavors to conserve mental, physical, and emotional energy. Tune in to this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston interviews renowned author Barbara Jenkins about her walk across the US. Barbara describes how her childhood in the Ozarks influenced her adventure, her book’s endorsement by Dolly Parton, and how to persevere amid adversity.