Powerful On Purpose

Leslie Capps
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship

Powerful on Purpose is a podcast for women who are done playing small and ready to lead boldly. Each episode features candid, unscripted conversations with brilliant women using their gifts, stories, and expertise to build brands, businesses, and missions that impact the world. Expect truth, strategy, and permission to stop shrinking — without pretending, performing, or staying stuck.

  1. 3d ago

    Why One Woman Left Corporate America to Build a Wellness Business | Ep 84

    Why does women's health research still leave so many women feeling overlooked? And what happens when doctors blame the patient instead of questioning whether the treatment is right for her body? In this episode of Powerful on Purpose, Leslie Capps talks with Shereen Kassam, a stand-up comedian, TEDx speaker, and entrepreneur who went from working at Deloitte, Amazon, and Disney to founding wellness businesses, including Brown Body Reset. Shereen shares how corporate burnout, workplace bullying, and unexplained health challenges changed the direction of her life. After struggling with her own health and experiencing unexpected results from a GLP-1 weight-loss treatment, Shereen began questioning how medical research accounts for differences among populations. She shares what she discovered about gaps in research involving South Asian women and why those experiences inspired her to build a wellness brand focused on communities she believes have been overlooked. We also get into the courage it took to leave a secure corporate career, why Shereen hired a coach just to help her quit, and how stand-up comedy became part of her journey toward living life on her own terms. There are plenty of laughs along the way, including how her parents reacted when they discovered she was a comedian. The takeaway: You don't have to keep living by someone else's definition of success. Ask better questions, advocate for your health, and build a life that works for you. Connect with Shereen and Brown Body Reset:https://brownbodyreset.com Brown Body Reset is preparing for a 2027 launch. Visit the website to join the waitlist for updates, launch offers, and a free gift. Subscribe to Powerful on Purpose for conversations with women who are challenging expectations, sharing their stories, and creating meaningful change. This conversation shares personal experiences and perspectives, not individualized medical advice. Chapters 00:00 Meet Shereen Kasam 01:30 When Corporate Success Isn't Enough 03:25 Choosing Family Over Your Job 05:50 Turning Workplace Stress Into Change 08:15 Building a Business Before Quitting 10:45 Leaving Corporate Life Behind 13:00 When Stress Affects Your Health 15:40 Questioning One-Size-Fits-All Healthcare 18:00 Why Brown Body Reset Exists 23:40 Advocating for Your Own Health #powerfulonpurposepodcast #womenshealth #healthadvocacy #womenentrepreneurs #corporateburnout

  2. Oct 11

    Why We Need to Stop Judging Mothers of Only Children | Chef Sofya Stearns | Ep 83

    Why are mothers of only children so often judged for a deeply personal decision—or circumstance—that other people know nothing about? Chef, author, and entrepreneur Sofya Stearns knows firsthand how assumptions about women, motherhood, infertility, family size, and career can shape the way people are treated. In this episode of Powerful on Purpose, Sofya joins Leslie Capps to share the unexpected path that took her from pre-med and finance to creating Izabella’s Gourmet Chow, a cooking school that uses food, language, culture, music, and movement to bring people together. Sofya also shares the personal experiences that inspired her book, The One and Only: By Fate or By Choice. After experiencing judgment about having one child, she interviewed 40 other single-child families and discovered how much can be hidden behind a family’s circumstances, from infertility and illness to adoption and other deeply personal experiences. We talk about the assumptions we make about other people, why kindness matters when we don’t know someone’s full story, and how Sofya brings those values into her work with children, adults, and people with disabilities. And because food is at the center of so much of Sofya’s work, we also talk about cooking as a creative and therapeutic experience—including one very pink solution for helping a picky eater become more adventurous with food. Connect with Chef Sofya Stearns:[WEBSITE] Find The One and Only: By Fate or By Choice:[AMAZON/BOOK LINK] Subscribe to Powerful on Purpose for more conversations with women using their stories, expertise, and purpose to make a positive impact in the world. Chapters 00:00 Meet Chef Sofya Stearns 02:48 One class becomes a business 05:31 From pre-med to entrepreneurship 06:30 Being judged by assumptions 08:20 Judgment after becoming a mother 09:20 Why she wrote The One and Only 11:25 Creating spaces without judgment 14:28 Cooking as connection and healing 18:14 Helping picky eaters experiment 21:48 The One and Only 22:17 Choose kindness over judgment #powerfulonpurposepodcast #onlychild #motherhood #kindness #womenentrepreneurs

  3. Oct 8

    Stop Fighting Your Brain: Build Systems That Actually Work | Ep 82

    What if struggling to write your book or complete something important in your business isn’t a discipline problem? What if the system simply doesn’t fit the way you work? In this episode of Powerful on Purpose, Leslie Capps explores friction as useful information. Sometimes friction tells us we’re pursuing the wrong thing. Other times, the goal is right, but the process we’re trying to force ourselves through was never designed for our brains, energy, or way of creating. Leslie shares how talking through her ideas helped her write a book in 30 days, while another author chose to give herself a year and why neither approach is wrong. She also explains how connecting ChatGPT to her CRM eliminated at least 10 hours of administrative work each week while removing an even greater amount of mental clutter. You’ll hear: • Why “just start writing” doesn’t work for everyone • How to recognize when the process, not the person, is the problem • Why generic books and generic AI both create more noise • How giving AI a clear job produces better results • Why your voice, judgment, expertise, and humanity still matter • The questions Leslie uses to identify friction and design a better system AI should not replace the human. A writing system shouldn’t force every author into the same box. The goal is not to make humans better at serving systems. It’s to create systems that better serve humans. If you’re experiencing friction around writing your book or somewhere in your business, reach out. Let’s have a conversation about what’s driving you nuts, what needs to happen instead, and whether AI or a different system could make the process easier. Connect with Leslie: Leslie@lesliecapps.com Subscribe to Powerful on Purpose for conversations about writing the right book, using AI intentionally, and building systems that fit the humans using them. CHAPTERS 00:00 When the system doesn’t fit 01:20 Friction is useful information 02:10 Different people need different systems 03:00 Finding a writing process that fits 04:10 Eliminating the administrative drain 05:10 Why generic AI falls short 06:25 Give AI a specific job 08:00 Give your book a job 09:35 Find your biggest friction points 12:10 Protect your human creativity #PowerfulOnPurpose #NonfictionWriting #AIForBusiness

  4. Oct 4

    How to Trust Your Voice (Even If You Can't Sing) | Ep 81

    How do you find your voice and develop the confidence to express who you really are? Intuitive voice coach, singer-songwriter and workshop facilitator Aideen Ni Riada believes our voices can become a powerful path to greater self-trust, confidence, authenticity and self-expression. In this episode of Powerful on Purpose, Aideen joins Leslie Capps to explore the connection between voice, singing, confidence, vulnerability, creativity and personal growth—even for people who believe they “can't sing.” Aideen shares how her own journey began when someone asked about her dream and she answered, “I want to be a singer, but I can't do that.” Years later, her desire to sing evolved into work helping others strengthen their voices from the inside out. We talk about why using your voice can feel so vulnerable, how singing can help us access parts of ourselves we've kept hidden, and why finding your authentic voice can affect far more than music. Aideen shares how that deeper self-trust can carry into business, communication, relationships and the courage to express what matters to you. We also explore the role music can play in shifting our energy and emotions, why small steps toward a dream still matter, and Aideen's reminder that no one else gets to be you—and your presence in the world matters. 🎁 Aideen's Free 10-Day Mantra Meditation Journey: USE code 2026FREEACCESS https://aideen-ni-riada.simplero.com/cart/213111-10-Day-Meditation-Journey Explore mantra meditation and learn to use your own voice and sound as a practice for connecting with yourself and supporting your nervous system. Connect with Aideen Ni Riada: https://confidenceinsinging.com Subscribe to Powerful on Purpose for more conversations with brilliant women using their stories, expertise and purpose to make a positive impact in the world. Chapters 00:00 Meet Aideen Ni Riada 01:40 “I can't be a singer” 04:10 Your voice changes you 06:15 Singing builds self-trust 08:10 Move beyond self-consciousness 10:15 Give your dreams room 13:20 Small steps create momentum 15:25 Don't diminish your progress 17:35 Let music support you 20:00 Choose what you bring forward 22:15 Your voice matters 23:20 Aideen's meditation gift #powerfulonpurposepodcast #findyourvoice #selfexpression #confidence #personalgrowth

  5. Sep 27

    How Trauma Changes Your Brain and How You Can Heal | Wilma Kinsman | Ep 80

    Trauma healing, nervous system regulation, neuroplasticity, and faith come together in this conversation with Wilma Kinsman, an RN and Christ-centered trauma coach who grew up Amish and ultimately had to learn how to understand—and work with—the effects trauma had on her brain and body. Wilma shares the pivotal childhood moment that made her decide she would eventually leave the Amish community, the impact of being repeatedly told she was “too sensitive,” and how spiritual approaches that didn't account for trauma initially left her feeling even more broken. Everything began to shift when she learned more about the brain, nervous system, and neuroplasticity. Wilma explains how the amygdala can continue sounding an alarm even when we intellectually know we're safe, why empathetic relationships can be an important part of healing, and what it means to build new pathways back to regulation and joy. We also talk about faith, forgiveness, shame, learning to listen to your body's responses instead of judging them, and the possibility of moving from a life driven by fear and survival toward one shaped by identity, desire, love, and choice. One of Wilma's most important reminders: you can change. Your past may have shaped your nervous system, but it doesn't mean you're destined to stay there. 🎁 Wilma's Free Grounding Exercise: a free video grounding exercise incorporating prayer, singing, and being present with yourself. Visit https://WilmaKinsman.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up and access the video. 📕 Wilma is also the author of Dancing on the Dumpster, published under the pen name Willie J. Subscribe to Powerful on Purpose for more conversations with people turning their experiences, expertise, and stories into meaningful work in the world. Chapters 00:00 Meet Wilma Kinsman 01:32 Growing up Amish 03:30 The moment everything changed 05:02 Questioning what she'd been told 07:00 How trauma changes the brain 09:47 Finding a pathway back to joy 12:05 Creating safety after trauma 13:51 Rebuilding your sense of self 15:53 The power of empathetic connection 19:44 Working with your nervous system 21:44 Wilma's grounding exercise 22:29 Why change is possible #powerfulonpurposepodcast #traumahealing #nervoussystemregulation #neuroplasticity #christianhealing

  6. Sep 19

    Food, Family, and the Stories Behind the Recipes | Josh C. Epstein | Ep 79

    What makes a family recipe unforgettable? Often, it’s not just the food—it’s the person who made it, the memories around the table, and the connection we felt while sharing it. In this episode of Powerful on Purpose, Leslie Capps talks with chef and author Josh C. Epstein about his book, The Company We Keep, a collection of meaningful recipes and personal stories that celebrates food, family, friendship, and human connection. After losing his father, Josh wanted to honor the people who supported him through a difficult time. He invited 35 people in his life to contribute recipes that meant something to them, along with the stories behind those dishes. Josh then added his own memories of each person, creating a book that blends cookbook and memoir. We talk about the chicken piccata recipe Josh’s son chose, the family kitchens that shaped his love of cooking, and why sharing a meal can bring us back to one another in a disconnected world. Josh also shares what it took to finish his first book while balancing a busy work schedule—and why he had to stop tweaking it and let it be done. The takeaway: You don’t need an elaborate menu or a special occasion to reconnect. Invite someone over, make a meal together, or call the person you’ve been meaning to catch up with. As Josh puts it, “Food is the excuse. Connection is the point.” 📕 Josh’s book: The Company We Keep: Stories and Recipes from People I’ll Never Forget is available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Company-We-Keep-Stories-Recipes/dp/B0HB72XJZH 🎁 One-copy book giveaway: Josh has offered to give away one complimentary copy of The Company We Keep. If you’re interested, reach out to Josh and ask about the book giveaway. https://www.facebook.com/joshcepsteinchef Subscribe to Powerful on Purpose for more conversations with authors and people using their stories, expertise, and experiences to make an impact. Chapters 00:00 Meet chef and author Josh 01:50 Why Josh wrote his book 03:02 Recipes with personal stories 03:57 The recipe his son chose 05:35 What’s inside the cookbook 07:05 Why food creates connection 08:20 Where his cooking began 09:30 Finishing a first book 12:45 Bring people back to the table 16:15 Start with one shared meal 20:05 A cookbook meets memoir 22:35 Reconnect with someone you love #powerfulonpurposepodcast #familyrecipes #foodandconnection #cookbookauthor #thecompanywekeep

  7. Sep 13

    Returning to Work After Years Away: What Women Need to Know | Ep 78

    Returning to work after a career break can bring questions about confidence, identity, skills, and whether your experience still counts. Dr. Ann Marie Peters, executive coach, leadership strategist, and author of We’ll Be Right Back, wants women to understand something important: a career pause doesn't erase the experience, talent, or value you already have. In this episode of Powerful on Purpose, Ann Marie shares her own journey from a Fortune 500 career through part-time work, full-time caregiving, entrepreneurship, and eventually earning her PhD. Her doctoral research became the foundation for We’ll Be Right Back, a book for women finding their way back to meaningful work after a career pause. We talk about the identity shifts that can happen when women step away from paid work, the grief that can accompany changing roles, and why women often overlook the valuable skills they've developed while caregiving, volunteering, managing families, and contributing to their communities. Ann Marie also shares what surprised her most in her research: many of the women she studied weren't ultimately hired through some faraway opportunity—they were recognized and pursued by people already in their communities who had seen what they were capable of. Whether you're preparing to return to work, reconsidering what you want your next chapter to look like, or wondering whether you're still the capable woman you were before your pause, this conversation is a reminder that your first landing place doesn't have to be your final destination. 📕 Get We’ll Be Right Back We’ll Be Right Back launches September 16, 2026 and helps women reconnect with who they were, recognize what they've gained during their pause, and move confidently toward whatever they choose next. Learn more and get the book: https://annmariepeters.com 🎁 Companion Workbook A companion workbook to help readers capture their reflections and work through the questions and exercises in We’ll Be Right Back. Get it inside the book or here: https://www.annmariepeters.com/book-well-be-right-back Subscribe to Powerful on Purpose for more conversations with brilliant women using their stories, expertise, and experience to create meaningful impact. Chapters 00:00 Meet Dr. Ann Marie Peters 01:52 Choosing a career pause 04:56 Your unpaid work still counts 07:32 Reframe your career gap 09:08 Why women's stories matter 12:31 Reconnect with who you are 13:27 The hidden grief of change 15:02 From pause to leadership 18:05 Inside Will Be Right Back 19:23 Where opportunities really come from 21:09 Your next chapter may be best #powerfulonpurposepodcast #careerbreak #returntowork #womeninleadership #careercomeback

  8. Sep 6

    Want to Give a TEDx Talk? Start With Your Message | Mimi Donaldson | Ep 77

    What makes a TEDx talk or keynote speech powerful enough that people actually remember it? Speaker coach and longtime keynote speaker Mimi Donaldson knows that great public speaking isn't about cramming more information into a presentation—it's about knowing your message, understanding your audience, and communicating in a way that holds their attention. Mimi Donaldson has spent decades speaking on major stages alongside names including Maya Angelou and Suze Orman. Today, she coaches business owners, keynote speakers and TEDx speakers, with 30 clients taking TEDx stages since 2018. In this episode of Powerful on Purpose, Mimi shares what she's learned from a career spent studying audiences from the stage. We talk about why great speakers “show them the movie and let them in on the jokes,” why shorter stories can be more powerful, and why knowing your message matters before you ever start worrying about delivery. Mimi also shares her fascinating “legacy speech” exercise: if you had only 15 minutes left to speak to the entire world, what would you absolutely need to say? Whether you're preparing for a TEDx talk, building a keynote, speaking about your business, or simply trying to communicate your expertise more effectively, Mimi's advice comes down to understanding what your audience needs—and then having the confidence to own what you know. 🎁 Mimi's Free Gift: 30-Minute Speaker Strategy Call Meet one-on-one virtually with Mimi to talk about your speaking goals, and what could make your message stronger. https://www.mimidonaldson.com/speech-coach/ Connect with Mimi: https://mimidonaldson.com Subscribe to Powerful on Purpose for more conversations with brilliant women turning their expertise, stories and experience into work that makes an impact. Chapters 00:00 Meet Mimi Donaldson 02:05 From performer to educator 04:15 Becoming a speaker coach 06:40 Show them the movie 08:25 Breaking onto big stages 11:05 Why TEDx changed speaking 13:25 Build a TEDx-worthy message 16:10 Your 15-minute legacy speech 19:25 Own your expertise 23:15 Lead with their need #powerfulonpurposepodcast #publicspeaking #tedxtalk #speakercoach #keynotespeaker

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About

Powerful on Purpose is a podcast for women who are done playing small and ready to lead boldly. Each episode features candid, unscripted conversations with brilliant women using their gifts, stories, and expertise to build brands, businesses, and missions that impact the world. Expect truth, strategy, and permission to stop shrinking — without pretending, performing, or staying stuck.

Information

  • Creator
    Leslie Capps
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Leslie Capps