The Second Degree with Emily Merrell

Emily Merrell
  • 5.0 (43)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

The Second Degree podcast with Business Coach and Second Degree Society Founder Emily Merrell, is the podcast where we grill our guests about the things that make them tick and find out how human connection plays a role in their life. This in depth style business podcast is helping ambitious women reflect, learn actionable skills and stay inspired by the stories of others while looking inward at their own stories as they carve their path in this world. 

  1. Breaking the Money Taboo: Building Wealth with Carolin Helff

    12/29/2025

    Breaking the Money Taboo: Building Wealth with Carolin Helff

    After building a successful career in finance, Carolin realized that access to information wasn’t the real problem—confidence, language, and systems were. Today, she helps women feel powerful, informed, and unapologetic about their money through education, strategy, and mindset work. Together, Emily and Carolin unpack: Why women are conditioned to stay quiet about moneyThe biggest financial mistakes high-achieving women makeHow to build wealth without restriction, shame, or burnoutThe difference between “earning more” and actually keeping moreWhy financial literacy is a form of self-trust and self-advocacyHow entrepreneurs can make smarter decisions with cash flow, taxes, and investingThis episode is practical, empowering, and a must-listen for any woman who wants to feel financially confident, capable, and in control—whether you’re building a business, growing your career, or simply ready to stop avoiding your bank account.  To learn more about Carolin Helff check out instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the_financially_fierce for more information on her upcoming programs. Sign up for The Second Degree Membership! By becoming a member, we’re getting more intimate than ever! Get the Membership now!  Check our past episodes of The Second Degree podcast! Remember to follow us on Instagram.

    42 min
  2. From Single Mom to Med Spa Mogul: Karen Martiz on Building Skin Mix & Lash Boulevard

    11/24/2025

    From Single Mom to Med Spa Mogul: Karen Martiz on Building Skin Mix & Lash Boulevard

    In this inspiring episode of The Second Degree Society Podcast, host Emily Merrell sits down with powerhouse entrepreneur Karen Martiz, founder of Skin Mix and Lash Boulevard. What began as a chance meeting in a Denver neighborhood turned into a deep friendship — and today, Karen opens up about her remarkable journey from struggling single mom to thriving med-spa owner, product developer, educator, and beauty industry innovator. Emily and Karen dive into: Scaling Lash Boulevard into a product line, online academy, and international supply chainPivoting during the pandemic and finding new growth through e-commerceLaunching Skin Mix, building luxury branding, and creating community through membership-based skincareWhat it really takes to build a business while raising kids, taking big risks, and trusting your instinctsThe chance encounter that introduced Karen to the beauty industryOpening her first spa with limited resources—but unlimited driveBecoming an early leader in lash extensions and product developmentTraveling to South Korea and China to build her supply chainGrowing Lash Boulevard through e-commerce and online trainingNavigating pandemic shutdowns and restructuring her businessLaunching Skin Mix and creating elevated skincare experiencesThe power of community, collaboration, and neighborhood rootsBuilding a recurring-revenue model with The Good Skin ClubAdvice: Start before you’re ready and solve problems as you goPlus, Karen shares her favorite treatments, unexpected hobbies (mountain biking!), and the advice she wants every woman in business to hear. If you’re dreaming of launching something new or are craving a dose of bold entrepreneurial energy this episode is a must-listen. To learn more about Karen Martiz  check out her website https://skin-mix.com/  and on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/skin_mix_/  Sign up for The Second Degree Membership! By becoming a member, we’re getting more intimate than ever! Get the Membership now!  Check our past episodes of The Second Degree podcast! Remember to follow us on Instagram.

    39 min
  3. Rings, Replicas & Real Leadership: Wove CEO Simone Kendle

    11/10/2025

    Rings, Replicas & Real Leadership: Wove CEO Simone Kendle

    What if buying an engagement ring felt as personal as the proposal? Wove CEO Simone Kendle sits down with Emily Merrell to unpack how Wove reinvented custom jewelry, from virtual design sessions with GIA-trained experts to their genius “try-before-you-buy” replica ring that de-stresses proposals and perfects fit and style. Simone shares the brand’s surprising military roots, why lab-grown color diamonds expand creative freedom, and how she scaled a consumer luxury company by leading with storytelling, community, and collaboration. They also dig into women-first leadership, team culture across cities, and the power of building your “village” before you need it. Whether you’re ring-curious, scaling a startup, or obsessed with great networking, this episode is a gem, pun very much intended. Here are the highlights:  Inside Wove’s model: Virtual designers, GIA expertise, and fully custom pieces—without the showroom pressure.Replica rings = relief: A sterling silver & CZ duplicate lets couples test drive a design before committing.Lab-grown color diamonds: Creativity, access, and why yellow diamonds don’t have to live only in museums.Military roots to luxury brand: How two West Point grads sparked Wove—and why that mission still matters.Scaling as a modern CEO: Marketing, partnerships, and turning meaning-rich pieces into a movement.Culture > burnout: Building trust on distributed teams, “social capital,” and women-led management.Your network = your village: Simone’s framework for finding mentors, peers, and protégés before you pivot.A fifth C for jewelry: Beyond Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat—Collaboration drives the perfect piece.Permission slip: Give yourself grace—you can be inspired and still figuring it out.To learn more about Wove check out https://wovemade.com/ and on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/wove_made  Sign up for The Second Degree Membership! By becoming a member, we’re getting more intimate than ever! Get the Membership now!  Check our past episodes of The Second Degree podcast! Remember to follow us on Instagram.

    52 min
  4. Building Community Through Movement with V Peterson, Founder of Bodied

    11/03/2025

    Building Community Through Movement with V Peterson, Founder of Bodied

    In this inspiring episode of The Second Degree Podcast, host Emily Merrell sits down with V Peterson, the energetic founder of Bodied, Denver’s rhythm-based fitness studio redefining what it means to move with purpose.  V shares how she blended step aerobics, strength training, and Pilates into a signature workout that’s as much about connection as it is about sweat.  Together, Emily and V explore the journey from vision to brick-and-mortar, the lessons learned from leading a team of women, and the power of staying open when you’re building something entirely new. Here are some of the episode highlights:  How V blended step aerobics, strength training, and Pilates to create the Bodied methodThe story behind turning a road-trip idea into a Denver fitness destinationWhy celebration and community are central to Bodied’s cultureThe power of being bad at something new—and showing up anywayHow V manages leadership, boundaries, and team dynamics while growing a brandPlans for expansion and virtual offerings beyond DenverTo learn more about V Peterson check out Bodied Denver and on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bodieddenver   Sign up for The Second Degree Membership! By becoming a member, we’re getting more intimate than ever! Get the Membership now!  Check our past episodes of The Second Degree podcast! Remember to follow us on Instagram.

    47 min

  5. 03/03/2025

    Unlocking Your Potential: Business, Human Design & Alignment with Erin Hines

    On this episode of The Second Degree Podcast, Emily Merrell sits down with Erin Hines, a holistic business coach and founder of Darn Good Business Coach, to dive into the intersection of business strategy, human design, and personal alignment.  Erin shares her journey from corporate burnout to building a business that aligns with her energy and purpose. We explore how human design can be a game-changer in decision-making, leadership, and entrepreneurship—helping you work smarter, not harder. Whether you’re a business owner or just looking to better understand yourself, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss! Highlights: Erin’s journey from corporate burnout to becoming a holistic business coachThe role of human design in entrepreneurship and decision-makingUnderstanding energy alignment for productivity and avoiding burnoutHow different human design types thrive in businessUsing human design for stronger leadership and communicationThe importance of trusting your intuition in business and lifeTo learn more about Erin Hines check out her website Darn Good Business Coach and on instagram at https://instagram.com/bedarngood/  Sign up for The Second Degree Membership! By becoming a member, we’re getting more intimate than ever! Get the Membership now!  Check our past episodes of The Second Degree podcast! Remember to follow us on Instagram.

    38 min

  6. 02/24/2025

    Finding Your Flow: Rest, Energy, and Transformation with Sound Healer Erica Ballard

    In this episode of The Second Degree Podcast, host Emily Merrell chats with Erica Ballard, a life coach, sound healer, and Theta healing practitioner.  Erica shares her journey from public health to health coaching and into the transformative world of spirituality and energy work. They dive into the power of rest, navigating life's pivots, and embracing personal growth with humor and grace.  Whether you're an overachiever on the brink of burnout or someone seeking alignment and clarity, Erica’s story will inspire you to slow down, trust yourself, and embrace your path. Highlights: From Public Health to Personal Healing Erica's journey from public health and corporate wellness into health coaching and spiritual practices.The moment she realized it was time to stop focusing on kale and start focusing on mindset and energy work.The Power of Rest Why rest is the ultimate key to unlocking your energy and creativity.Erica’s advice for overachievers who struggle to slow down and embrace stillness.Sound Healing & Theta Healing A beginner-friendly breakdown of sound healing and Theta healing.How these practices combine science and spirituality to release trauma, rewire beliefs, and create alignment.Navigating Life’s Pivots Erica's evolution from health coaching to life coaching, overcoming perfectionism, and finding her voice in a crowded industry.The challenges of optics and authenticity while building a meaningful business.Creating a Life on Your Terms How to shift from living for external validation to designing a life that feels good to you.Why it's okay to take a step back, reevaluate, and restart when necessary.Practical Self-Help & Spirituality Erica's approach to blending science and spirituality in her coaching practice.Tips for accessing inner guidance and trusting the journey, even when it’s messy.Permission to Play and Rest Erica’s heartfelt message: You can’t screw up your life—so embrace rest, follow your energy, and create your own rules.To learn more about Erica Ballard check out her website https://www.ericaballard.co/  and on instagram at @IamEricaBallard Sign up for The Second Degree Membership! By becoming a member, we’re getting more intimate than ever! Get the Membership now!  Check our past episodes of The Second Degree podcast! Remember to follow us on Instagram.

    45 min

  7. 02/17/2025

    Healing Through Heartbreak and Humor with Susan Lieu

    Welcome to The Second Degree Podcast with Emily Merrell!  In this episode, Emily sits down with the extraordinary Susan Lieu, a multi-hyphenate powerhouse: author, playwright, TEDx speaker, podcast host, and so much more.  Susan shares her journey of turning intergenerational trauma into art and healing, her reflections on resilience as a first-generation Vietnamese-American, and the lessons she's learned from chasing success while staying true to herself. This conversation is packed with humor, heartbreak, and inspiration—don’t miss it! Highlights: Susan’s Storytelling Journey Susan began as a stand-up comedian and transitioned into storytelling through her one-woman show, 140 Pounds: How Beauty Killed My Mother.The inspiration behind her work stems from her mother's tragic death during a botched cosmetic surgery and the unresolved trauma within her family.Navigating Identity and Success Growing up as a Vietnamese-American, Susan grappled with cultural expectations, the weight of perfectionism, and her dual identity.She shares how these pressures shaped her drive for success and her ongoing battle to redefine what success truly means.Creating Art Through Healing Susan tracked down her mother’s surgeon, studied legal depositions, and explored her family’s history to process her grief and build her narrative.Her storytelling blends heartbreak with humor, showing how vulnerability can lead to liberation and deeper connections.Reflections on Body Image and Society Susan discusses how intergenerational trauma influences body image and self-worth, tying her mother’s experiences in the beauty industry to broader cultural expectations.Her TEDx talk, “How to Make Peace with Your Belly Fat,” reframes body insecurities through empathy and empowerment.Entrepreneurship and the Immigrant Dream Susan reflects on her mother’s entrepreneurial spirit, building a thriving nail salon business from nothing to create a better life for her family.She emphasizes the sacrifices and resilience of immigrant families and the lessons they teach about perseverance and resourcefulness.Impact Through Creativity Susan’s memoir, The Manicurist’s Daughter, is now taught in colleges and used as a tool for healing in therapy settings.Her podcast, Model Minority Moms, explores the challenges of being everything for everyone while learning to prioritize oneself.To learn more about Susan Lieu check out her book The Manicurist’s Daughter and her podcast Model Minority Moms and on instagram at instagram.coms/susanlieu.  Sign up for The Second Degree Membership! By becoming a member, we’re getting more intimate than ever! Get the Membership now!  Check our past episodes of The Second Degree podcast! Remember to follow us on Instagram.

    58 min

  8. 02/10/2025

    Dating Smarter: Finding Love with Confidence with Evan Marc Katz

    Dating in the modern world can feel like a whirlwind—endless swiping, ghosting, and frustration. But what if you could navigate it with confidence and clarity?  In this episode of The Second Degree Podcast, Emily Merrell sits down with Evan Marc Katz, a dating coach for smart, strong, successful women, to uncover what really works in dating today.  Evan shares why traditional dating rules don’t serve us, how to filter through the noise of dating apps, and why chemistry alone won’t sustain a relationship.  Whether you’re single, dating, or looking for a fresh perspective on love, this episode is packed with game-changing insights! Highlights: How Evan transitioned from aspiring screenwriter to top dating coachWhy dating apps feel broken—and how to actually use them effectivelyThe biggest mistakes smart, successful women make in datingThe CEO mindset for dating—treating men like interns, not hiring the wrong oneHow to tell if a first date is worth a second (or third!)The role of chemistry vs. compatibility in a lasting relationshipWhy effort matters more than perfection when choosing a partnerTo learn more about Evan Marc Katz check out his website https://www.evanmarckatz.com/  and on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/realevanmarckatz/  Sign up for The Second Degree Membership! By becoming a member, we’re getting more intimate than ever! Get the Membership now!  Check our past episodes of The Second Degree podcast! Remember to follow us on Instagram.

    53 min
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5
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

The Second Degree podcast with Business Coach and Second Degree Society Founder Emily Merrell, is the podcast where we grill our guests about the things that make them tick and find out how human connection plays a role in their life. This in depth style business podcast is helping ambitious women reflect, learn actionable skills and stay inspired by the stories of others while looking inward at their own stories as they carve their path in this world. 

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