A LOT with Audra

Audra Dinell
  • 5.0 (47)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

"A LOT with Audra" is the podcast for women juggling big dreams and full lives. Each episode, host, Audra Dinell, Midwestern wife, mom and neurodivergent multi-six figure entrepreneur encourages women to embrace their many roles holistically by living a values-based life with confidence and joy. Through candid discussions, practical strategies and inspiring stories, this podcast is your guide to designing and achieving success without losing yourself in the process.

  1. 5D AGO

    68. The Courage to Create with Jill Luton

    What if the most creative thing you ever did had nothing to do with a paintbrush? Creativity isn't reserved for the artists with the fancy titles — it's a way of moving through the world, and it might be the most powerful form of self-trust you have. I sat down with Wichita-based multidisciplinary artist Jill Nicole Luten to talk about what happens when you stop performing creativity and start practicing it honestly. We covered everything from how she stumbled into photography through a food blog, to why play is non-negotiable for a creative life, to the one-word-a-month self-portrait practice that changed how she sees herself. HIGHLIGHTS Jill shares how she didn't recognize her own creativity until her late twenties — and why that's more common than we thinkThe food blog that accidentally launched a photography career (and what her mom's unused camera had to do with it)Why other people's belief in you can unlock what you can't yet see in yourselfHow motherhood and therapy led Jill to claim the identity of "artist" for the first timeThe difference between seeing your own creativity and noticing creativity in the world around you — and why both matterCreativity isn't just for visual artists: Jill's definition — "something didn't exist, and now it does" — changes everythingWhy play is scientifically backed to improve self-confidence, intuition, and problem-solving — and why our culture makes it a battle to prioritizeThe pressure vs. play distinction: you can create under both, but only one fills you upHow Jill gives herself big, bold projects (like a solo art show or a year of self-portraits) to force herself to share her workThe one-word-a-month self-portrait practice — and how non-photographers can adapt itThe biggest creative advice for anyone stepping into a second act: go after it loosely, boldly, and with low expectations CHAPTERS 1:03 — Creativity as Self-Trust 1:54 — Meet Jill Nicole Luten 2:57 — Early Signs of Creativity 4:39 — Food Blog to Photography 6:46 — Others Reflect Your Gifts 9:39 — Motherhood, Therapy, and Core Self 11:26 — Seeing Creativity Everywhere 14:50 — Redefining What Counts 16:48 — Why Play Fuels Creativity 19:01 — Play as an Adult and Mom 20:14 — Books That Spark Play 21:34 — Pressure vs. Play 24:05 — Making Creativity Sustainable 26:39 — Trust Yourself and Share 29:36 — Going Big to Be Seen 30:16 — Year of Self-Portraits 30:54 — One Word a Month Method 32:30 — Non-Photographer Options 35:16 — Small Creative Practice 37:04 — Where to Find Jill RESOURCES MENTIONED Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert — https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/big-magic/Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness by Ingrid Fetell Lee — https://aestheticsofjoy.com/the-book/The War of Art by Steven Pressfield — https://stevenpressfield.com/books/the-war-of-art/Jill Nicole Luten on Instagram: @sincerelyjill and @jillnicolelutonJill Nicole Luten's website: jillnicoleluton.com Want to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

    38 min

  2. APR 13

    67. A Powerful Moment for Ambition & Motherhood with Ashley Bowen Cook

    What does it look like when a leader stops splitting herself in two? Ashley Bowen Cook, owner of Alpha Charlie — an aviation-focused marketing firm based in Wichita, Kansas — stepped into full business ownership in January 2026 after nearly 23 years with the agency. The moment she did, something unexpected happened: a candid photo of her and her 10-year-old son Charlie, taken on a snow day in her office, ended up on the cover of the Wichita Business Journal — and it sparked something much bigger than a rebrand announcement. Women who saw it exhaled. In this conversation, Ashley walks us through her three-year transition into ownership, the meaning behind the Alpha Charlie name (hint: it's deeply personal on multiple levels), and what it truly means to hold motherhood and ambition and leadership all at once — not in separate boxes, but together, exactly as they are. She shares how becoming a mom completely rewired her definition of success, why she leads her team with grit, grace, and gratitude, and the practical, tactical wisdom she's gathered for ambitious women who refuse to leave any part of themselves at the door. HIGHLIGHTS Ashley purchased Greta Group — now rebranded as Alpha Charlie — from founder Sonya Greta after a deliberate three-year ownership transition planThe name Alpha Charlie carries layers of meaning: Ashley's own initials, a nod to "Air Capital," the concept of being a leader and a new beginning, a faith reference, and a tribute to her son CharlieA spontaneous snow-day photo with her son became the cover of the Wichita Business Journal — and sparked an outpouring of gratitude from women who felt seenAshley shares how the photo communicated "permission to stop splitting ourselves in two" — a message she didn't even know she was sendingSuccess, post-motherhood, looks like raising a kind human being who contributes positively to the worldShe reflects on the shift from women competing against each other to genuinely cheering each other on — and why that matters for leadershipMotherhood has directly shaped how Ashley leads her team: empowerment over micromanagement, flexibility with accountabilityThe Wichita Children's Business Fair became an unexpected classroom for teaching her son that losing is part of entrepreneurshipHer non-negotiables: Sunday church, morning workouts with a mom friend group, and unstructured time just for herselfFinal wisdom: You don't have to own a business to be a leader — leadership is about impact, not management CHAPTERS 0:00 — Meet Ashley Bowen Cook 2:05 — Second Act Ownership Leap 3:42 — The Three-Year Transition Plan 6:27 — Alpha Charlie Rebrand Story 7:06 — The Cover Photo With Charlie 9:50 — Permission to Be Whole 13:39 — Redefining Success as a Mom 15:06 — Dropping the Instagram Myth 16:16 — Women Supporting Women Shift 18:39 — Men and Caregiving Culture 22:12 — Raising a Leader Son 23:25 — Grit, Grace & Gratitude Lessons 26:03 — Flexibility With Accountability 28:36 — The Ambitious Motherhood Toolkit 32:06 — Non-Negotiables and Self-Care 35:07 — Final Leadership Wisdom RESOURCES MENTIONED Alpha Charlie — Ashley's aviation-focused marketing agency (formerly Greta Group), based in Wichita, KansasWichita Aero Club WIBA (Wichita Independent Business Association) Want to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

    37 min

  3. APR 6

    66. Spring Ahead Vision Exercise

    What if you could plant one seed today that would change everything about spring? This episode is an invitation to slow down, breathe, and get intentional about what you want to grow over the next year. Inspired by a vision exercise from one of our cohorts at The Thread, I'm walking you through the Spring Ahead Vision — a 10-minute practice you can do with a journal and your favorite drink in hand. Whether you're new to seasonal living or have been tuning into the rhythms of the year for a while, this one is for you. Highlights Seasonal living as a framework for self-care and intentional growthThe Spring Ahead Vision exercise, originally created for The Thread cohort communityA guided breathwork moment to settle in before the exerciseThe central question: What wants to grow next?Visualizing spring one year from now — what feels lighter, braver, and more aliveChoosing your "seed word" or phrase to anchor your growth for the yearThe power of finding an accountability mirror — someone who reflects your effort back to youCommitting to one small action this week to water your seed Chapters 1:03 — Seasonal Living 1:34 — Spring Ahead Vision Setup 2:13 — Breathwork and Growth Question 2:53 — One Year Spring Visualization 3:26 — Choose Your Seed Word 4:16 — Accountability Mirror Text 5:40 — Commit to One Small Action 6:00 — Spring Mindset Closing Want to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

    7 min

  4. MAR 30

    65. Rewriting Your Inner Rules with Amanda Mulsow

    What does it actually look like to shed the roles, rules, and expectations that no longer fit — and build something entirely your own? That's exactly what Amanda Mulsow did when she turned 40 in the middle of a global pandemic, a personal health crisis, and a mental health emergency with her daughter. Instead of falling apart, she chose a word, created a mantra, and started rewriting the story she had been living by for decades. Amanda is the founder of Grit Marketing and Strategy, a full-service agency helping small and local businesses grow through intentional, strategic marketing. Her story is one of unbecoming — and becoming more fully herself in the process. HIGHLIGHTS • Amanda's word of the year for 2020 was "life giving" — chosen before the world shut down, it turned out to be exactly what she needed • She developed the mantra "No F*cks at 40" as a declaration to stop living for other people's opinions and expectations • How COVID became an unexpected reset and opportunity for deep personal growth and self-investment • The power of building your tribe — why community is the second lever alongside personal development • A peer resource specialist's advice that changed Amanda's inner dialogue: "You would never talk to anybody else the way you talk to yourself" • Why a solo retreat is one of the most powerful tools for quieting outside voices and getting clear on who you are and where you want to go • Amanda's MS diagnosis in 2017 and how it forced her to finally prioritize rest and recovery • The farm upbringing that ingrained "always be productive" — and the leaders who helped her unlearn it • How three friends in one week told her she had "grit" — and how that became the foundation of her business name and brand • GRIT as an acronym: Growth Requires Intention and Tenacity • Why starting her own agency gave her deeper empathy for her clients and made her feel lighter, happier, and more confident • The value of embracing an experimental mindset: "I don't fail — I learn" • Perfectionism as a daily practice to rewrite — and why embracing a hobby you're bad at (hello, golf and watercolors) is a surprisingly powerful tool CHAPTERS 0:00 – Introduction 1:03 – Meet Amanda Mulsow 2:21 – Turning 40 in Chaos 4:05 – Life Giving Boundaries 5:09 – COVID Reset and Growth 10:33 – No F*cks at 40 13:24 – Quieting Outside Voices 17:49 – Rewrite the Rules 20:45 – Pressure on High Achievers 21:47 – Motherhood and Boundaries 22:58 – Modeling Rest for Kids 24:07 – Blocking Time to Recharge 26:28 – Starting Grit Marketing 29:15 – Rebrand and Upleveling 30:02 – Live Boldly, Take Risks 33:15 – New Identity as Owner 34:51 – Failure, Learning, and Regret 38:39 – Rewriting Perfectionism 39:44 – Hobbies That Teach Imperfection 41:16 – Closing Thanks and Goodbye RESOURCES MENTIONED • The Hive (https://thehivewichita.com/) — the women's community Amanda joined during COVID for connection and support • Grit Marketing and Strategy (https://gritmarketingks.net/) — Amanda's full-service marketing agency for small and local businesses Want to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

    42 min

  5. MAR 23

    64. The Messy Beauty of Blooming Where You Are with Kelly Jackson Crabb, Author of Beyond the Bloom

    Are you waiting for permission to chase what makes you come alive? Maybe you've convinced yourself you need more time, more certainty, or more proof that your curiosity is worth following. But what if the real work isn't in achieving—it's in cultivating the conditions for growth? Kelly Jackson Crabb, author of Beyond the Bloom, joins me to talk about courage, second chances, and the messy beauty of blooming right where you are. Through the lens of her cut flower garden, Kelly shares hard-won lessons about brave starts, the pressure to always be productive, and why slowing down might be the most radical act of all. Highlights • Why Beyond the Bloom is part memoir, part pep talk—and definitely not just a gardening book • The emotive response that became Kelly's breadcrumb to starting a cut flower garden • How turning 50 shifted Kelly's relationship with "shoulds" and freed up energy for what truly matters • What we lose when we tie our worth to being in bloom all the time (hint: our humanity) • The surprising introvert revelation that changed how Kelly shows up in relationships • Why cultivating your life is more about preparing the soil than forcing the bloom • Kelly's decade travel tradition and the sacred significance of seeing monarch butterflies in Mexico • The permission to try things simply because they make you come alive—even if you're bad at them Chapters [0:00] Introduction [1:04] Brave Starts Quote [3:16] What Beyond the Bloom Is [5:38] Why She Wrote It [9:40] Curiosity Versus Distraction [12:19] Pressure to Always Bloom [17:01] Goals and Cultivating Life [19:20] Letting Go of Shoulds [25:52] Slowing Down and Success [28:30] 50th Birthday Monarch Trip [31:18] Decade Travel Reflections [33:15] Final Takeaways and Where to Find Her Resources • Beyond the Bloom by Kelly Jackson Crabb • The Lost Kitchen with Erin French Connect with Kelly Jackson Crab: Instagram: @IamKellyCrabb LinkedIn: Kelly Jackson Crabb Want to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

    36 min

  6. MAR 16

    63. The Truth About Growth

    Are you speeding up or slowing down? That simple question from a fellow entrepreneur mama stopped me in my tracks and sparked something big. We're either pushing the gas pedal, hitting the brakes, or keeping things on cruise control—but here's what nobody tells you about growth: it's supposed to feel uncomfortable. That pit in your stomach? The sweaty palms before you hit publish? Those aren't red flags—they're green ones. I'm sharing why I carry deodorant everywhere (seriously), what my 80-year-old self taught me about courage, and how to pace your growth without burning out. Because growth isn't about becoming someone else—it's about becoming more fully who you were created to be. Highlights • A chance encounter sparked a powerful question: Are you speeding up or slowing down this year? • Why discomfort is actually a green flag for growth, not a red one • The importance of building "one sweaty moment" into your week • How to balance growth with recovery based on your capacity • The Santa Fe retreat experience and learning about emotional agility • Why asking "What would my 80-year-old self want me to do?" changes everything • Growth makes us feel alive, but we don't have to grow in every season Chapters 0:00 - Speed Up or Slow Down 1:43 - Why We Crave Growth 3:28 - Discomfort Is a Green Flag 5:28 - Create One Sweaty Moment 6:21 - Pace Growth and Recovery 9:28 - Santa Fe and Emotional Agility 11:32 - Ask Your 80 Year Old Self Want to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

    13 min

  7. MAR 9

    62. Choosing the Unknown: A Second Act Conversation on Work, Worth & Risk with Bryan Steele, Founder of Forge Podcast Co.

    What happens when your five-year-old asks, "When can you retire?" and it forces you to reconsider everything? Today's guest, Bryan Steele—the producer of this podcast—shares the story of how that single question from his daughter revealed a profound truth: the corporate path he'd carefully followed wasn't creating the life he actually wanted. After 15 years as an aerospace engineer, Bryan found himself building a recording studio in his basement, falling backwards into podcasting, and eventually making the leap to full-time entrepreneurship. We talk about following breadcrumbs from music to recording to podcasting, setting financial milestones before leaving corporate life, and creating the freedom and flexibility he'd been chasing all along. If you're feeling the tension between the life you're living and the life you want, or if you've been ignoring those creative side quests that keep calling to you, you'll want to hear this conversation. HIGHLIGHTS • The moment Bryan's daughter asked when he could retire—and how her simple question revealed he needed to change everything about his career path • Why Bryan built a recording studio in his basement while working full-time as an aerospace engineer • How Bryan accidentally fell into podcasting through Wichita State basketball in 2014 • The two milestones Bryan and his wife set before he could leave his corporate job: becoming debt-free and building a two-year financial cushion • Why tearing his ACL delayed Bryan's entrepreneurial leap but didn't stop it • The 13-year timeline from first creative exploration to full-time business owner • How Bryan balanced side hustle work while staying present for coaching his kids' sports teams • The "putting ideas in amber" strategy for managing creative distractions without losing focus CHAPTERS [1:03] Introduction and Welcome [1:53] Engineering Success Path [3:46] Big Company Machine [4:46] Redefining Success [6:24] Values Misalignment [8:58] Creative Roots Return [9:42] Basement Studio Side Hustle [10:50] Falling Into Podcasting [12:45] Breadcrumbs To Business [14:33] Daughter's Retirement Question [18:04] Building Time Boundaries [20:31] Outsourcing And Support [21:50] Outsourcing Home Tasks [22:12] Debt Free Milestones [24:03] Building a Safety Net [25:25] Torn ACL Setback [27:21] From Studio to Full Time [29:19] Following Breadcrumbs [30:52] Ideas in Amber Method [32:17] Launching Side Hustle Dad [34:15] Why It's for Dads [35:17] Mindset Strategy Tactics [35:47] Where to Listen and Wrap Up RESOURCES • The Side Hustle Dad Podcast - Bryan's new podcast launching to help dads create flexibility and freedom through side businesses; www.thesidehustle.dad • Forge Podcast Co. - Bryan's podcast production company; www.forgepodcast.co Want to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

    37 min

  8. MAR 2

    61. Encouragement for the Entrepreneur

    What if the key to lasting success isn't perfect execution, but a willingness to experiment and iterate? As entrepreneurs, we're constantly bombarded with advice—some brilliant, some misaligned—and it can feel overwhelming to know which path to take. I'm sharing the mindset shifts that have helped me navigate the uncertainty, the comparison traps, and those moments when you're standing at the edge, wondering if you should keep going or burn it all down. This is about building something that feels aligned with who you are, not just impressive on paper. Highlights • Entrepreneurship is an experiment, not a performance—mistakes become data, not shame • "Good" advice isn't always the right advice for you; alignment matters more than credentials • Stop abandoning your strengths in pursuit of someone else's version of success • The edge is where growth lives, but you need self-awareness to navigate it safely • Surround yourself with "wow people" who expand your vision, not just "how people" who focus on logistics • Identity expansion is the real work—becoming someone who can take risks and adjust in real time • Joy isn't at the finish line; it's in the messy, brave journey of becoming Chapters [0:00] Introduction[1:02] Entrepreneurship as Experiment[2:17] Iterate Not Inconsistent[2:39] Advice Is About Fit[4:50] Stop Abandoning Your Strengths[6:46] Finding Your Edge[7:54] How People vs Wow People[9:56] Identity Expansion and Bravery[10:40] Resilience Contract Closing Want to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

    12 min
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5
out of 5
47 Ratings

About

"A LOT with Audra" is the podcast for women juggling big dreams and full lives. Each episode, host, Audra Dinell, Midwestern wife, mom and neurodivergent multi-six figure entrepreneur encourages women to embrace their many roles holistically by living a values-based life with confidence and joy. Through candid discussions, practical strategies and inspiring stories, this podcast is your guide to designing and achieving success without losing yourself in the process.

Information

  • Creator
    Audra Dinell
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Forge Podcast Co. 2025
  • Show Website
    A LOT with Audra

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