Kick-Ass Women of the Carolinas

Betsy Fleming
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Kick-Ass Women of the Carolinas features dynamic, deeply connecting conversations with phenomenal women who are reshaping the narrative of success for women and girls of the Carolinas. Betsy Fleming, South Carolina native, museum director, college president and executive coach, dives in with these powerhouse women to understand how they navigate work and life on their own terms, with authenticity and without apology.  Tune in to discover new role models and gain inspiration. 

  1. FEB 10

    Cat Carter

    Cat Carter is a restaurateur, magazine editor, food writer, and former consultant who opened Charlotte’s gastronomic giant, L’Ostrica, with her partner (in food and in life), Eric Ferguson in 2024. A citizen of the world, Cat grew up in a bicultural home and on military bases all over the globe. She brings flavors and learnings from multiple cultures into her restaurant and our conversation. Cat shares her sliding door moment of leaving a consulting job to enter the food world and how understanding the language of people and teams has been critical to her success (whether in a new country or business setting.) We discuss her values of curiosity and freedom, how her through-line and love language has always been food, and why vulnerability benefits both the individual and the community. Cat sheds light on the Carolinas as a unique growing region and a place whose strength resides in the fact that much of its contemporary culture is open for definition. Join us for this delicious episode! Find Cat on Instagram @ lostrica_clt, lostrica_mkt or cat_yi_carter. Find us on Instagram @cressence.co, LinkedIn @BetsyFleming or the web www.cressence.co.

    54 min

  2. JAN 22

    Elizabeth Bradford

    Elizabeth Bradford, renowned artist and self-described naturalist, inspires one to slow down, breathe deeper and focus on essentials. Asserting that kickass is all about "owning your power unashamedly and unabashedly," she has been making extraordinary marks and embracing her power since an early age. Elizabeth makes the case for why we shouldn't play small, how constancy reshaped her perspective on aging, and how to reframe perfectionism. This conversation is about nurturing a sense of wonder and adventure -- in nature, in art and in life.  Find us on Instagram @cressence.co LinkedIn @BetsyFleming or the web www.cressence.co.  Find Elizabeth on Instagram @elizabethbradford or the web @ https://www.elizabethbradford.com/.

    1h 3m

  3. JAN 6

    Dianne Chipps Bailey

    Fierce optimism grounds this conversation with Dianne Bailey, Bank of America's Managing Director and National Philanthropic Strategy Executive. A self-proclaimed "warrior for good" who evangelizes the power of the collective, Dianne has crafted her own unique pathway from traditional corporate lawyer to national leader who facilitates private giving for public good. Join us for this inspiring conversation that promises a sense of abundance and gratitude!    Find us on Instagram @cressence.co, the web www.cressence.co or LinkedIn @BetsyFleming.   Find Dianne on LinkedIn @Dianne Chipps Bailey

    57 min

  4. 12/17/2025

    Susan Walker

    Raised in a traditional, Southern home by parents who held conventional roles, Susan Hull Walker could have easily followed suit. Instead, she chose to live life from the inside out—listening deeply to her inner yearnings and seeking out an unconventional path. Susan set aside her role as religious leader and picked up a new cloth, literally, with the launch of The Ibu Movement—curating luxury handcrafted textiles and home goods made by women globally. This beautifully bold conversation offers wonderful lessons in how to create a life, not just live it.    Find us on Instagram @cressence.co, LinkedIn @BetsyFleming or the web www.cressence.co.  Find Susan on Instagram @ibumovement, LinkedIn Ibu Movement, Pinterest Ibu Movement, or the web ibumovement.org.

    1h 5m

  5. 12/02/2025

    Stella Patterson

    A boundary-breaking leader who loves people, Stella Patterson has elevated to the highest ranks of law enforcement, having served as Raleigh's Chief of Police and now beginning her tenure as Charlotte-Mecklenburg's first woman police chief. Kind, strong and real, Stella shares her amazing professional journey, which includes a tour in Iraq, and how a determined introvert grew into a magnetic, deeply authentic public servant and leader. Find us on Instagram @cressence.co, LinkedIn @BetsyFleming or the web www.cressence.co. Find Stella on Instagram @ estelladpatterson and LinkedIn @ Stella Patterson.

    57 min

  6. 11/21/2025

    Elizabeth Davis

    Elizabeth Davis is president of the 200-year-old Furman University in Greenville, SC. She has shattered multiple glass ceilings, doesn’t take herself too seriously, prioritizes fairness, and has even played with Wynton Marsalis! In this episode, she shares how making the first overture created limitless opportunity for her professionally, the dynamic between risky decisions and deeply-held values, and the nuances of living in different parts of the American South. With grace, humility and humor as her secret weapons, listen to learn more about how Dr. Davis has written her own powerful story. Find us on Instagram @cressence.co, LinkedIn @BetsyFleming or the web www.cressence.co.  Find Elizabeth through https://www.furman.edu.

    56 min

  7. 11/05/2025

    Liz Clasen-Kelly

    Liz Clasen-Kelly, CEO of Roof Above in Charlotte, exemplifies servant leadership. In this episode, she shares her journey of growing from a shy, observant child whose heart would hurt for others into a deeply caring, tougher-skinned leader whose life work is to end homelessness. Liz describes the drawbacks and gifts of being a people-pleaser and why faith, curiosity and listening are the tools she values most. Liz also considers why, at her core, she is more an activist leader than a CEO, and how she made the decision to step out of direct service and into executive leadership. Join us for an incredible dose of kindness and ambition!   Find us on Instagram @cressence.co, LinkedIn @BetsyFleming or the web www.cressence.co.  Find Liz on Instagram @roofabove, LinkedIn @liz clasen-kelly, Facebook Roof Above | Charlotte NC | Facebook   or the web Roof Above - Uniting the community to end homelessness - Roof Above.

    58 min

  8. 10/21/2025

    Hannah Hasan

    Revered for the powerful way she tells others' stories, Hannah Hasan now shares her own book of stories. Join us for a provocative, generous love letter to family, community, risk taking and brand building. Hannah shares her experiences in navigating difference with respect to race and faith in the Carolinas, and how embracing the messiness of ourselves and others is essential to cultivating belonging and deeper understanding. Poet, playwright, performer and entrepreneur, Hannah models what it's like to live a truly creative, one-of-a-kind, kick-ass life.  Find us on Instagram @cressence.co, the web www.cressence.co or LinkedIn @BetsyFleming.  Find Hannah on Instagram @iamhannahhasan or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamhannahhasan/.  Booking inquiries can be made using the link at hannahhasan.com.

    1h 5m
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Kick-Ass Women of the Carolinas features dynamic, deeply connecting conversations with phenomenal women who are reshaping the narrative of success for women and girls of the Carolinas. Betsy Fleming, South Carolina native, museum director, college president and executive coach, dives in with these powerhouse women to understand how they navigate work and life on their own terms, with authenticity and without apology.  Tune in to discover new role models and gain inspiration. 

Information

  • Creator
    Betsy Fleming
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Kick-Ass Women of the Carolinas
  • Show Website
    Kick-Ass Women of the Carolinas