Kali-Kat's Tap Talks Podcast

Kathleen G. Churchwell

Kali‑Kat’s Tap Talks goes behind the scenes of real lives, the stories people never tell on stage, on camera or in their highlight reels. Actors, entrepreneurs, brewers, winemakers, professors, attorneys, ESPN broadcasters, TEDx speakers, founders and survivors come here to share the truth they’ve carried for years. Some stories aren’t meant to be polished.They’re meant to be felt. Kali‑Kat’s Tap Talks is a raw, unfiltered storytelling podcast where real people open up about the moments that broke them, shaped them and rebuilt them. Host Kali sits down with guests from every walk of life actors, business owners, brewers, winemakers, startup founders, professors, attorneys, athletes, creators and survivors of trauma to reveal the truth behind their journeys. These conversations go deeper than success stories.They explore: Childhood wounds and the abuse no one sawWeight loss, identity shifts and rebuilding self-worthSexual trauma and the courage to speak it out loudReinvention after failure, betrayal or rock bottomThe collapse of breweries, wineries and small businesses and the grit it takes to rebuildThe messy, human, behind‑the‑scenes chapters that shaped who they becameEvery episode is a reminder that resilience isn’t pretty it’s powerful.And when people share the truth of what they’ve lived through, they give others permission to heal too.  If you’re searching for the kind of stories that hit your chest, linger in your mind and make you feel less alone in your own journey, you’ve found your people.  This is where real people tell the real story.  Sip, listen and step into the moments that changed everything.

  1. 4D AGO

    Reclaiming Voice After Silence: Andrea Leeb on Hidden Trauma, Truth Telling and the Children No One Talks About

    Send a text In this raw and deeply human episode of Kali Kat Tap Talks, Kat sits down with Andrea Leeb National Bestselling Author of Such a Pretty Picture: A Memoir, survivor advocate, former attorney, registered nurse and a powerful voice for those who were silenced long before they ever had a chance to speak. Andrea’s story is not just about trauma. It’s about truth. It’s about the lifelong impact of what happens behind closed doors. And it’s about the courage it takes to reclaim a narrative that was stolen in childhood. Growing up in a home defined by secrecy, Andrea survived incest and carried the weight of silence for decades. Today, she breaks that silence with intention, clarity and a fierce commitment to protecting others. While the world fixates on headlines like the Epstein files, Andrea asks a question we don’t hear nearly enough: “What about the kids in the homes—the ones being hurt by someone they know?” This conversation goes far beyond a memoir. Andrea opens up about: The hidden trauma that shapes a lifelong before the world ever sees itThe moment she realized she could no longer stay silentHow writing became both a lifeline and a form of justiceWhy truth‑telling is an act of liberation, not shameThe emotional cost and emotional power of reclaiming one’s voiceHer work with the UCLA Rape Treatment Center and Stuart House Advisory BoardMentoring young women from post conflict and climate challenged countriesWhat survivors need, what they deserve and what society still refuses to confrontAndrea’s honesty is unflinching. Her compassion is unmistakable. And her message is one every listener needs to hear whether they are a survivor, love a survivor or simply want to understand the realities so many endure in silence. This episode is a reminder that healing is not linear, truth is not optional and silence is never the answer. Andrea shows us what it looks like to step out of the shadows and into a life defined not by what happened to her, but by what she chose to do with it. If this conversation resonates with you, please share it. Someone you know may need it more than you realize. Support Kali Kat Tap Talks  Venmo: @kathyi66  Linktr.ee/kalikatbeeradventures  Instagram & TikTok: Kathleen Kali Kat Beers | Kalikatbeeradventures Thank you for listening, supporting, and holding space for stories that matter. Support the show 💬 Join the Adventure! Love what you heard? Follow Kali Kat’s Tap Talks for more behind-the-scenes stories, brewery deep dives, and craft beer journeys. 📲 Connect with me: 📷 Instagram: @KaliKatBeerAdventures 🎥 TikTok: @KaliKatBeerAdventures Kalikatbeeradventures@gmail.com 🍻 Got a brewery or taproom story to share? Reach out—I’d love to feature you on a future episode! 🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—your support helps keep the taps flowing! Until next time, sip, savor, and adventure on! 🍺✨

    57 min
  2. 4D AGO

    “From Philly to Pura Vida: Richard Blank’s Vision Quest, Pinball Empire & the INXS Rock Story You Won’t Believe”

    Send a text What happens when a 27‑year‑old dreamer from Philadelphia walks away from expectations, guilt, and the “safe path” to chase a vision that won’t leave him alone? On this episode of Kali‑Kat’s Tap Talks, we sit down with Richard Blank, a CEO whose life story feels like a blend of spiritual quest, entrepreneurial gamble and rock‑and‑roll legend. Richard didn’t just move abroad he reinvented himself. Landing in Costa Rica with no safety net, he built Costa Rica’s Call Center from scratch, eventually growing to 150 employees and training over 10,000 telemarketers in advanced communication, rhetoric, conflict management and interpersonal soft skills. His leadership philosophy blends psychology, empathy, gamification and old‑school human connection the kind AI can’t replicate. But Richard’s journey isn’t just about business. It’s about identity, courage and choosing a life that feels true. His story begins with a deeply personal vision quest that pushed him to break free from expectations and trust his intuition. That decision opened doors he never imagined including one that leads straight to a global rock icon. Because when most CEOs talk about “culture,” they mean casual Fridays. Richard? He hired Garry Gary Beers of INXS to produce a full rock song and music video filmed inside his call center. A legendary bassist. A Costa Rican office floor. A music video shot between cubicles and headsets. It’s the kind of story that makes you stop and ask: Who actually pulls something like this off? Richard does because he follows the sparks most people ignore. In this episode, we explore: How he built a thriving company in a foreign country with no roadmapWhy he believes tone, storytelling and emotional intelligence outperform any scriptThe pros and cons of AI in customer support and where humans still winHow he became a guest on 300+ podcastsWhy he endows a scholarship for students studying world languagesHow a Gen‑X dream turned into the largest restored pinball and jukebox collection in Costa RicaWhat motivates people, what burns them out and what leaders often get wrongRichard’s story is a reminder that extraordinary lives belong to people willing to take extraordinary risks people who trust their instincts, embrace their quirks and refuse to settle for a life that doesn’t feel like their own. If you’re an entrepreneur, a builder, a dreamer or someone standing at the edge of a big decision, this conversation will hit you right where you need it. Richard’s energy is electric. His wisdom is earned. His journey is unforgettable. Pura Vida and welcome to the world of Richard Blank. Support the show 💬 Join the Adventure! Love what you heard? Follow Kali Kat’s Tap Talks for more behind-the-scenes stories, brewery deep dives, and craft beer journeys. 📲 Connect with me: 📷 Instagram: @KaliKatBeerAdventures 🎥 TikTok: @KaliKatBeerAdventures Kalikatbeeradventures@gmail.com 🍻 Got a brewery or taproom story to share? Reach out—I’d love to feature you on a future episode! 🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—your support helps keep the taps flowing! Until next time, sip, savor, and adventure on! 🍺✨

    39 min
  3. FEB 24

    How to Heal After Heartbreak | Dr. Corey Seemiller’s Soulmate Strategy (Raw Story)

    Send a text What does healing after heartbreak really look like behind the scenes? In this powerful episode of Kali Kat Tap Talks, we go beyond the surface with Dr. Corey Seemiller as she shares her deeply personal journey through heartbreak, emotional healing, self-awareness, and ultimately finding love again. This is not just a story about loss — it is a real-life healing journey filled with resilience, growth, vulnerability, and transformation. Dr. Seemiller opens up about the pain of heartbreak, the lessons she learned through self-reflection, and how those experiences led her to write her memoir, “The Soulmate Strategy.” Her story highlights the importance of community support, emotional strength, and the courage it takes to rebuild your life after emotional setbacks. If you are navigating heartbreak, personal growth, or a period of healing, this conversation is meant to remind you that you are not alone. This behind-the-scenes interview focuses on real struggles, real healing, and real transformation — the kind of story that inspires long-term personal growth and emotional resilience. Kali Kat Tap Talks is a behind-the-scenes podcast where guests share the raw truth about what they have been through and how they became who they are today. These are not surface-level interviews — they are real stories of adversity, strength, and purpose. Topics Covered: Healing after heartbreak Emotional resilience and growth Self-awareness and personal transformation Writing a memoir about healing The Soulmate Strategy by Dr. Corey Seemiller Mental health, healing, and life lessons Inspirational real-life journey 🔗 Connect with Kali Kat Tap Talks: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Kalikatbeeradventures 🎙️ Listen to the Podcast: Spotify | Buzzsprout | YouTube 💙 Support the Show & Independent Storytelling: Venmo: @Kathyi66     (Kali Kat Tap Talks) Your support helps us continue sharing real behind-the-scenes stories of resilience, healing, and transformation. Subscribe to Kali Kat Tap Talks for more behind-the-scenes stories of resilience, healing, entrepreneurship, and personal transformation. Support the show 💬 Join the Adventure! Love what you heard? Follow Kali Kat’s Tap Talks for more behind-the-scenes stories, brewery deep dives, and craft beer journeys. 📲 Connect with me: 📷 Instagram: @KaliKatBeerAdventures 🎥 TikTok: @KaliKatBeerAdventures Kalikatbeeradventures@gmail.com 🍻 Got a brewery or taproom story to share? Reach out—I’d love to feature you on a future episode! 🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—your support helps keep the taps flowing! Until next time, sip, savor, and adventure on! 🍺✨

    33 min
  4. FEB 3

    “She Built an Okanagan Winery From Raw Land | Maddison Violet’s Untold Story”

    Send a text In this episode of Kali‑Kat’s Tap Talks, Maddison Violet shares the raw, unfiltered story of how she built one of the Okanagan’s most innovative new wineries  Ve Oh Lay Acres completely from the ground up. From navigating land, licensing, and startup chaos to mastering mead, fruit wines, and alcohol‑free creations, Maddison breaks down the real founder journey behind building a modern winery in a traditional industry. She talks resilience, reinvention, and the grit it takes to create something that doesn’t fit the mold. What we cover: How Maddison went from idea to fully operating wineryThe early challenges no one warns you aboutWhy she chose mead + fruit wines and how she innovatesBuilding a farm‑forward, family‑run winery experienceLessons for founders, creators and anyone building from scratchIf you’re a builder, dreamer, or someone grinding through your own early chapters, this episode will hit home. 🎙️ Guest: Maddison Violet award winning winemaker, entrepreneur and co‑founder of Ve Oh Lay Acres 🎧 Host: Kat founder, creator and host of Kali‑Kat’s Tap Talks Support the show 💬 Join the Adventure! Love what you heard? Follow Kali Kat’s Tap Talks for more behind-the-scenes stories, brewery deep dives, and craft beer journeys. 📲 Connect with me: 📷 Instagram: @KaliKatBeerAdventures 🎥 TikTok: @KaliKatBeerAdventures Kalikatbeeradventures@gmail.com 🍻 Got a brewery or taproom story to share? Reach out—I’d love to feature you on a future episode! 🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—your support helps keep the taps flowing! Until next time, sip, savor, and adventure on! 🍺✨

    37 min
  5. 11/07/2025

    A woman’s journey from 1940s doorstep deliveries to global wine mastery

    Send a text What do you get when you mix 13 siblings, no fridge, a borrowed disguise, and the determination to become a sommelier? You get Kathy Healy — and a story so bold it could only be told on Kali Kat Tap Talks. In this unforgettable episode, Kathy takes you from her 1940s childhood—where beer, bread, and milk arrived at the door—to the moment she dressed as a man just once to break into a world that wasn’t built for women. Her journey is raw, witty, full of grit, and overflowing with heart. Kathy shares:  • Growing up as the 2nd oldest of 13 children  • Working in the airline industry just to fly home and care for her mother  • Her path from beer to Bordeaux and the unshakable drive to become a sommelier  • Her passion for writing, brewing, storytelling, and breaking rules with purpose  • The two icons she’d love to share a drink with: Nelson Mandela and Princess Diana A wife. A mother. A veteran’s partner. A woman who’s reinvented herself more times than most people dare to try. Kathy’s life is proof that resilience can be poured, shaken, and served with elegance. Press play — and let Kathy pour you a story you’ll never forget. Trending Hashtags: #KaliKatTapTalks #WomenInBeverage #SommelierLife #UntoldStories #PodcastDiscovery #InspiringWomen #BehindThePour #Subscribe # Support the show 💬 Join the Adventure! Love what you heard? Follow Kali Kat’s Tap Talks for more behind-the-scenes stories, brewery deep dives, and craft beer journeys. 📲 Connect with me: 📷 Instagram: @KaliKatBeerAdventures 🎥 TikTok: @KaliKatBeerAdventures Kalikatbeeradventures@gmail.com 🍻 Got a brewery or taproom story to share? Reach out—I’d love to feature you on a future episode! 🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—your support helps keep the taps flowing! Until next time, sip, savor, and adventure on! 🍺✨

    51 min
  6. 11/05/2025

    Election Day & Empty Plates: SNAP, COVID Lessons and Culture Collide

    Send a text "Welcome to Kali Kat Tap Talks, where policy meets people. I'm your host Kali, and today we're diving into a powerful intersection of politics, poverty, and public health. It's Election Day  and while ballots are cast, millions of Americans face empty plates. What can we learn from the COVID-era expansion of SNAP and how does culture shape our response to hunger?" 🗳️ Segment 1: The Politics of the Plate Brief overview of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)How elections influence food policyKey ballot measures or candidates affecting SNAP today🦠 Segment 2: COVID’s Wake-Up Call What changed during COVID: emergency allotments, expanded eligibility, online accessData on how these changes impacted food insecurityWhy some of these changes were rolled back — and what that means now🧠 Segment 3: Culture, Stigma, and the American Narrative How cultural attitudes toward poverty and welfare shape policyThe myth of the “undeserving poor” and its political consequencesVoices from communities: stories of resilience, shame, and survival🔄 Segment 4: Lessons and Leverage What COVID taught us about rapid response and dignity in aidHow voters can use their power to support food justicePolicy ideas: universal school meals, SNAP modernization, guaranteed income pilots🎤 Outro "As we mark another Election Day, let’s remember: democracy isn’t just about votes — it’s about values. And when it comes to hunger, the question isn’t just who we elect, but what kind of society we choose to build. Thanks for listening." Support the show 💬 Join the Adventure! Love what you heard? Follow Kali Kat’s Tap Talks for more behind-the-scenes stories, brewery deep dives, and craft beer journeys. 📲 Connect with me: 📷 Instagram: @KaliKatBeerAdventures 🎥 TikTok: @KaliKatBeerAdventures Kalikatbeeradventures@gmail.com 🍻 Got a brewery or taproom story to share? Reach out—I’d love to feature you on a future episode! 🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—your support helps keep the taps flowing! Until next time, sip, savor, and adventure on! 🍺✨

    9 min
  7. 11/01/2025

    The Untold Story of Savor City: How Denise Is Feeding a Movement One Sip, One Step, One Soul at a Time

    Send a text From a single pot of gumbo to a city-wide revolution, Denise didn’t just start a food brand—she sparked a movement. In this episode, we uncork the rich, flavorful story behind Savor City, the soulful culinary and cultural experience that’s transforming her Florida community.  A passionate wine connoisseur and the visionary behind Savor City’s walking wine and beer tours, Denise curates unforgettable journeys through local neighborhoods—pairing craft beverages with stories of resilience, flavor, and community pride. Her tours don’t just taste good—they do good, spotlighting local makers and pouring love back into the city she calls home.  Hear how Denise turned her kitchen into a launchpad for change, how she’s empowering local chefs and artisans, and why her work is redefining what it means to serve with purpose.  And don’t miss this: Savor City’s biggest celebration yet is coming this December in Florida, and you’re invited. Expect bold flavors, soulful music, and a community gathering like no other. If you’ve ever wanted to taste purpose and walk the streets of a city that’s healing through hospitality—this is your moment.  Tune in now, share with your crew, and make plans to show up in December. Denise is pouring more than wine—she’s pouring heart into every step. Support the show 💬 Join the Adventure! Love what you heard? Follow Kali Kat’s Tap Talks for more behind-the-scenes stories, brewery deep dives, and craft beer journeys. 📲 Connect with me: 📷 Instagram: @KaliKatBeerAdventures 🎥 TikTok: @KaliKatBeerAdventures Kalikatbeeradventures@gmail.com 🍻 Got a brewery or taproom story to share? Reach out—I’d love to feature you on a future episode! 🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—your support helps keep the taps flowing! Until next time, sip, savor, and adventure on! 🍺✨

    36 min

Trailer

About

Kali‑Kat’s Tap Talks goes behind the scenes of real lives, the stories people never tell on stage, on camera or in their highlight reels. Actors, entrepreneurs, brewers, winemakers, professors, attorneys, ESPN broadcasters, TEDx speakers, founders and survivors come here to share the truth they’ve carried for years. Some stories aren’t meant to be polished.They’re meant to be felt. Kali‑Kat’s Tap Talks is a raw, unfiltered storytelling podcast where real people open up about the moments that broke them, shaped them and rebuilt them. Host Kali sits down with guests from every walk of life actors, business owners, brewers, winemakers, startup founders, professors, attorneys, athletes, creators and survivors of trauma to reveal the truth behind their journeys. These conversations go deeper than success stories.They explore: Childhood wounds and the abuse no one sawWeight loss, identity shifts and rebuilding self-worthSexual trauma and the courage to speak it out loudReinvention after failure, betrayal or rock bottomThe collapse of breweries, wineries and small businesses and the grit it takes to rebuildThe messy, human, behind‑the‑scenes chapters that shaped who they becameEvery episode is a reminder that resilience isn’t pretty it’s powerful.And when people share the truth of what they’ve lived through, they give others permission to heal too.  If you’re searching for the kind of stories that hit your chest, linger in your mind and make you feel less alone in your own journey, you’ve found your people.  This is where real people tell the real story.  Sip, listen and step into the moments that changed everything.