The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth

Molly Knuth
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Welcome to The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth, a podcast for women who are founding and getting found with their businesses online. I'm your host Molly Knuth, and my mission is to help women in rewrite how we live and work on our own terms. We want to grow families, impact others for the better, and be a positive force in our communities…but we also want to have a fulfilling life, ya know? In the past 6 years I've gone from a stay-at-home mom to a freelance social media marketer to a #bossbabe managing client needs, talented team members, and my husband and four kiddos and our little farm in Eastern Iowa. What I've learned in that time is that it's not just about going full force or any one-size-fits-all strategy a business owner. It takes you leaning into your unique gifts, intuition, and goals, and learning about who you are as a person along the way. So come along for lessons and stories from female founders growing and scaling businesses with energetics, tried-and-true tactics, and high-vibe personal growth. Be ready to get found.

  1. 12/23/2025

    233: One From the Heart: 4 Women Leading Community Change

    This episode is a little different — and honestly, it might be one of the most important ones I've ever shared. Instead of one long-form interview, you're getting four mini-interviews with women who are quietly (and powerfully) making their communities better — through nonprofit work, community organizing, and the kind of "someone has to do something… so I will" leadership that changes everything. These women were listener-nominated, and every story proves the same thing: You don't need a massive following or a fancy title to make a difference. You just need the willingness to notice a need… and participate in the solution. In this compilation, you'll meet: Callie FitzGerald — founder of Centrally Rooted Mission + Mindful Musicians (building confidence and brain-health skills through music) Molly Schreiber — founder of Mindful Minutes (bringing yoga + mindfulness practices into schools, healthcare, shelters, and more) Dee McKenna — community leader and organizer of the Woodbury County Fair Bonus Sale (investing in youth through 4-H & FFA premium support) Nicole O'Dell — board member for the Bernard Playground Project (building an accessible community space and rallying a small town to do the "impossible") And at the end, I'll give you a 14-day challenge to help you turn inspiration into action. What You'll Hear in This Episode Why community impact rarely starts with a "grand plan" — it starts with noticing How Centrally Rooted + Mindful Musicians teach resilience and confidence through music The "five parts of practice" behind Mindful Minutes and how mindfulness becomes a life skill How the Woodbury County Bonus Sale works — and why it matters for the future of agriculture and youth development The story behind the Bernard Playground Project and the power of phased momentum Practical ways to support these missions (donate, volunteer, subscribe, spread the word) Molly's 14-day challenge: support, thank a helper, or nominate a community leader Resources & Links Centrally Rooted Mindful Musicians Mindful Minutes Woodbury County Fair + Bonus Sale Info Bernard Playground Project Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Nominate a future community helper: molly@mollyknuthmedia.com Instagram: @mollyknuth

    1 hr

  2. 12/17/2025

    232: Nourish the Body, Feed the Soul: A Conversation with Whitney Sanger of Project Rooted

    Whitney Sanger isn't just a nonprofit founder — she's a mother of seven, a Dubuque native, a communications and storytelling pro, and the kind of woman who sees a gap and refuses to accept "that's just how it is" as an answer. In this conversation, Whitney shares the very personal journey that shaped her relationship with food, and how that journey eventually turned into Project Rooted — a nonprofit built on the belief that nutrition isn't only about what's on the plate… it's also about connection, dignity, community, and hope. We talk about the moment that sparked her curiosity (a simple school birthday lunch), the pushback she faced when she started asking bigger questions, and what it looked like to launch a nonprofit in early 2020 — and then pivot fast as the pandemic hit. You'll also hear how Project Rooted has evolved over the last five years, including their incredible Rooted Box program that's helping first graders build a relationship with fresh, local food in a way that's joyful, empowering, and deeply human. If you've ever felt a nudge to do something meaningful in your community — but you weren't sure where to start — Whitney's story will light something up in you. What You'll Hear in This Episode Whitney's early relationship with food — and how healing changed everything Why curiosity is often the beginning of meaningful work The birthday lunch that sparked the idea for Project Rooted How she found the right co-founder and built an aligned board What it looked like to launch in 2020… and pivot into immediate community impact The "Notes of Hope" that continue to anchor every program How the Rooted Box program works (and why kids LOVE "Rooted Box Day") Whitney's advice for anyone with a big idea that feels scary to say out loud What Whitney has found about herself: confidence + empathy Resources & Links Project Rooted Volunteer opportunities in Dubuque: volunteerdbq.com

    58 min

  3. 12/10/2025

    231: The Quiet Work of Changing Lives: How One Small-Town Teacher Serves New Families in Big Ways with Sarah Palmer

    This week's episode of The Found Podcast isn't about a flashy brand or a viral business story. It's about a woman you'll probably never see on a billboard, but whose work is changing lives quietly, consistently, and deeply in rural Eastern Iowa. In this episode, Molly sits down with Sarah Palmer, an English Language Learning (ELL) teacher in the Western Dubuque Community School District. For the past 18 years, Sarah has been teaching language, yes—but also welcoming refugee and immigrant families, connecting them to food, furniture, transportation, and community support, and modeling what everyday service can look like in a small town. You'll hear about students arriving with only what they could carry, the growing diversity in rural Iowa schools, and how public educators often become the "first point of contact" for families navigating a brand-new system and culture. This conversation is an invitation: to see the hidden work being done around you, to recognize the power of simple acts of service, and to ask how you might bring your own gifts to the needs in your community. What You'll Hear in This Episode How Sarah "fell into" English language teaching and discovered it was absolutely her calling The shift from a handful of ELL students to 40+ on a roster—and a rural school district filled with global diversity What it means to be the first trusted connection for families arriving with almost nothing The unseen ways public schools support families: food, clothing, furniture, rides, and more Stories of partnering with local organizations like Resources Unite, food pantries, and community foundations The cascade effect of one gift—a car, a bike, a bed—and how it can change an entire family's trajectory How growing up in a family of service shaped Sarah's worldview and the way she's raising her boys Why acting as "the connector" matters just as much as being the direct giver Practical ideas for how you can serve in your own community (even without a big budget or a lot of time) Resources & Links Resources Unite (Dubuque-area support + connections) Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Connect with Molly: @mollyknuth

    43 min

  4. 12/03/2025

    230: Small Acts, Big Impact: Rethinking What Community Service Looks Like in 2025

    As we enter December and close out the final month of 2025, this episode brings our year-long exploration of restored, intentional female leadership full circle. We've spent the past twelve months talking about presence, friendship, boundaries, nervous system health, community spaces, and the internal work that helps women lead sustainably. This month, we're turning our attention outward—to the communities we belong to. In this episode, Molly shares a deeply personal story of her own evolution as a community volunteer: from an enthusiastic, overcommitted "young mom with a mission" to a thoughtful, seasonally-aware leader who has learned how to give back without losing herself (most of the time, anyway). I talk about the boards I have served on, the projects I've helped lead, the burnout that followed, and the moment I finally gave herself permission to step back. You'll also hear how to bring your gifts, energy, and leadership into your community in ways that honor your capacity, why service doesn't have to be huge or flashy to be meaningful, and how even small acts of care ripple out more than you think. What You'll Hear in This Episode Molly's personal stories of serving on local boards, capital campaigns, and community revitalization projects What I learned from burnout, resentment, and stepping away Malcolm Gladwell's 3 criteria for "meaningful work" and how they apply to volunteering The shift from "lifelong service clubs" to "short-term, high-impact" volunteer models Ideas for serving your community in ways that fit your season of life Real examples of women who made big change through small acts (cookie fundraisers, concert series, park lighting, youth leadership) Why your leadership belongs—even if your gifts look different than someone else's Practical questions to help you discern where and how you are called to serve right now Key Quotes "You don't have to change the world for your service to be meaningful and valuable." "Some seasons are for rolling up your sleeves. Some seasons are for amplifying others. Both are service." "When women bring ideas into community spaces, change happens faster and it sticks." Resources & Links Malcolm Gladwell, Outliers (for the three keys to meaningful work) Previous Found Podcast episodes on community, leadership, and intentional living Connect with Molly on Instagram: @mollyknuth Share this episode with someone doing good work in your community

    43 min

  5. 11/26/2025

    229: Things Are Just Better When They're Fun: A Thanksgiving Giggle Fest with My Mom & Sister

    This week on The Found Podcast, we're trading strategy for stories and KPIs for giggle fits. To celebrate Thanksgiving and our November theme of family for the ambitious woman, I invited two of the biggest influences in my life and leadership to join me on the mic: my sister, Jessica Ryan, and my mom, Kathy McAllister. This episode is…unhinged in the best way. We swap stories about handmade Halloween costumes, soda cans secretly stashed in dresser drawers, hiding Dad's favorite candy, President's Day "mystery trips," and the legendary Mother's Day "Guilty Pleasure" road trip. We talk about the chaos of motherhood, what's different from the generations before us, and how much we all rely on humor to make the hard parts lighter. If you need something cozy and familiar in your ears while you bake pies, drive to Grandma's, or hide in the pantry from your kids for five minutes of peace—this one's for you. Underneath all the laughter, there's a quiet throughline: ambitious women need people who know where they came from, cheer them on, and don't mind making fun of them (lovingly) along the way. Key Quotes "The influences in my life, I feel like you guys have always taught us that things are just better when they're fun." "Not everything has to be so serious. And even when it is serious, it's okay to bring a little levity to the situation." "That's what we need as ambitious women—we need our cheerleaders, our support system, the people who remember where we came from and aren't afraid to make fun of us along the way." Resources & Links Connect with Molly on Instagram: @mollyknuth Listen to more episodes of The Found Podcast: https://mollyknuthmedia.com/podcast/ Share this episode with a friend who needs a laugh this week!

    1h 4m

  6. 11/19/2025

    228: Wildly Intentional Living with Mandy Webber: Motherhood, Homesteading & Choosing a Life That's Yours

    Today's episode feels extra special — because I finally got to sit down in person with someone I've admired online for months: Mandy Webber of the Wildly Intentional Podcast. She drove from West Branch, Iowa, to my home office in Cascade, and what started as a podcast interview turned into a three-hour, soul-filling conversation about motherhood, homesteading, family culture, learning (and unlearning), running a business from your values, and choosing a life that's deeply rooted in intention. We recorded a double-pod, so you'll hear the Found-side of our interview today, and you can catch the second half over on Mandy's podcast, Wildly Intentional. If you don't know Mandy yet, you're in for a treat. She's a maverick mom of three, a homesteader, a maker, a family culture builder, and one of the most curious, energetic, truth-telling women I've met. Mandy helps people unlearn the noise of modern life and return to rhythms that actually matter — whether that's rethinking school at home, preserving 50 pounds of tomatoes, or bravely starting something from scratch. This conversation is honest, warm, hilarious, grounding, and full of gems you'll carry with you. Settle in. This one's good. Resources & Links Take Mandy's Quiz: https://www.wildlyintentional.com/quiz Wild + Rooted Seasonal Journal & Planner: https://www.wildlyintentional.com/shop/p/wild-rooted-winter My episode on Mandy's podcast, Wildly Intentional: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6J19AhLH0FCMSE1RU7ArNb?si=y64gMjh_ScqmqqI-ocNOrQ

    48 min

  7. 11/12/2025

    227: Motherhood & the Ambitious Woman: Holding Both Without Losing Yourself

    This week on The Found Podcast, we're continuing our November series on family — and we're going right into the tender middle: motherhood. Because motherhood changes everything. Your time. Your nervous system. Your calendar. Your priorities. Your sense of self. And if you're an ambitious woman on top of that? It changes the way you define success, too. In this solo episode, I talk honestly about what it looks like to be a mom who loves her kids deeply and a woman who has dreams, goals, clients, and callings. We'll name the myths, talk about the invisible labor, and tell the truth about "balance" (spoiler: it's more recalibration than perfection). You'll hear: why you don't have to choose between being a "good mom" and a "good business woman" the emotional load and backward-planned days no one sees how ambition can actually make us better mothers questions I ask myself when I'm doing too much: What am I trying to prove? To whom? Does it even matter? a different way to measure motherhood — not by output, but by alignment This one's for the mom with toddlers on the floor, the mom of teens in 47 activities, the mom navigating IVF, the mom with grown kids… and the woman who still wants something for herself.

    44 min

  8. 11/05/2025

    226: This is Not a "How-To Marriage" Podcast

    Hey listener, welcome back to The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth. November's theme is family — not just the cute-holiday-card kind, but the real, evolving, sometimes-stretchy relationships that ambitious women have to tend to while they're also growing businesses, teams, and impact. Today, I'm pulling back the curtain on one of those relationships: my marriage. This is not a "5 steps to a perfect partnership" episode. It's a real-time reflection from someone who's been married 16 years, building a business for 9, raising 4 kids, and learning (over and over) how to love a person while also loving her work. I share: why I don't give marriage advice (and why I unfollowed the Hollises 👀) the story of "dinner at La Hacienda" — aka the night I realized my husband didn't totally know what I do 😅 what it looks like when two independent people are trying to stay connected in busy seasons how our roles have changed from my stay-at-home years to now and why tiny, intentional reconnections matter more than grand gestures This episode's for you if you've ever wondered: "Can I be ambitious and still have a healthy marriage?" Short answer: yes — but it takes communication, trust, and… sometimes queso.

    56 min
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About

Welcome to The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth, a podcast for women who are founding and getting found with their businesses online. I'm your host Molly Knuth, and my mission is to help women in rewrite how we live and work on our own terms. We want to grow families, impact others for the better, and be a positive force in our communities…but we also want to have a fulfilling life, ya know? In the past 6 years I've gone from a stay-at-home mom to a freelance social media marketer to a #bossbabe managing client needs, talented team members, and my husband and four kiddos and our little farm in Eastern Iowa. What I've learned in that time is that it's not just about going full force or any one-size-fits-all strategy a business owner. It takes you leaning into your unique gifts, intuition, and goals, and learning about who you are as a person along the way. So come along for lessons and stories from female founders growing and scaling businesses with energetics, tried-and-true tactics, and high-vibe personal growth. Be ready to get found.

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