As I bring The Commons with Karla to a close, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared since the podcast launched in March 2021. What began as a simple idea to highlight the stories of everyday women has blossomed into three years of exploring the beauty and complexity of our shared human experiences — connection, loss, purpose, and joy. Through these stories, I’ve grown, and I hope you have too. It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to this chapter, but I’m filled...
Today, I am joined by Lara Ritchie, the culinary director at a cooking school who has a profound appreciation for connection and learning. Our show often explores themes of intention and connection, and Lara's story is a perfect example. As we dive deep into her experiences, these themes become evident in both her past and present. Lara discusses her passions and how she cultivates connection and learning within her family, friends, and community. She is a delightful person, and I am confiden...
Welcome back to The Commons with Karla. Join me for an inspiring conversation with Alison Butler as we dive into her powerful story and its profound impact on her life. Alison candidly shares hard truths and offers a message of hope, showing us how our own stories can shape our relationships, faith, and purpose. Through Alison’s journey of pain, redemption, and blessing, we are encouraged to reflect on our own experiences and find beauty and hope in them. We explore the beauty and comple...
In this episode of The Commons with Karla, I sit down for a compelling conversation with Stephanie Sherman, a remarkable woman whose journey embodies resilience, faith, and social activism. Stephanie's transition from nurturing her children to joining Awaken, a faith-driven organization dedicated to combating commercial sexual exploitation, sets the stage for an exploration of personal growth and spiritual evolution. Together, Stephanie and I explore profound topics, including race, parenting...
Welcome back to another episode of The Commons with Karla! Today, I have a special guest, Gretchen Huijskens, who is dedicated to using fashion as a catalyst for positive change in alleviating poverty. In our conversation, Gretchen shares her journey, including her experiences founding a charity in Haiti and co-founding Trades of Hope. Through her work, she has witnessed women overcoming poverty, trafficking, and gender inequality. Gretchen's book, "Our Voices Rising: One CEO’s Journey to All...
Welcome to The Commons with Karla, where we dive into the stories of everyday women making extraordinary impacts in their families and communities. My passion for this podcast stems from a deep belief in the power of shared experiences and connections. Through conversations, we uncover the common threads that unite us as human beings, from our desires and struggles to our capacity for purpose and joy. In today's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jamie Hanson, a woman whose rem...
In this episode of The Commons with Karla, I dive deep into the concept of superpowers with my guest, Ashleigh Harvey. Rather than envisioning superpowers as the typical superhero abilities like invisibility or teleportation, we explore the idea that each of us possesses a unique superpower – a special skill, mindset, or belief that profoundly shapes our lives and influences the world around us. Through Ashleigh's captivating story, you'll witness firsthand how her superpower has left an inde...
Welcome back to The Commons with Karla. In this episode, I have the privilege of sitting down with Amy Riley, who graciously shares her poignant journey of caring for her mother during the challenging final stages of Lewy Body Dementia. As Amy navigates this difficult path, she also manages to fulfill her roles as a wife, mother, volunteer, writer, and marketing professional. Through her story, we discover the profound ways unexpected challenges can reshape our lives and prompt personal growt...
Welcome to Episode 134 of The Commons with Karla! In today's episode, we explore the themes of strength, resilience, and the transformative power of adversity. Many of us aspire to become stronger and more adept at navigating life's challenges. However, it's often during moments of change and hardship that we truly discover our inner resilience. Our guest, Melissa Saldana, shares her profound journey marked by significant life changes and trials. Like a diamond forged under pressur...
Welcome back to The Commons with Karla. Today, I have the incredible Charlotte Sanchez joining me. Charlotte wears many hats – she's a devoted wife, a mom to two adorable little ones, and the Chief Communications Officer at the Luis Palau Association. We're diving into her journey, and trust me, it's a rollercoaster of embracing beauty in the midst of life's bumps and bruises. Working with a team of fellow creatives, Charlotte sees her role as a Chief Communications Officer not jus...
In this episode of The Commons with Karla, I am joined by the incredible Shanna Southam, a devoted wife and mother with a deep passion for advocating for her young adult children. Shanna shares her inspiring journey, revealing how she navigates challenges, leverages her strengths, and fosters a sense of community among warriors, both in her gym and in the broader context of life with advocacy for individuals with disabilities. Shanna's narrative showcases her resilience and unwavering strengt...
Welcome to a special bonus episode of The Commons! In our regular episodes, we are privileged to hear the inspiring stories of everyday women, sharing their pivotal moments, connections, and experiences within their communities. Today, however, my dream of bringing together multiple women to explore a specific topic is becoming a reality. I am thrilled to be joined by two remarkable women, Brooke Shay, and Stacy Fisher, each bringing her own unique story to the conversation. What binds t...
Welcome back to The Commons with Karla! In this episode, our guest is the incredible Val Saborio, a platform software engineer based in Reno, Nevada. Beyond her coding expertise, Val is deeply passionate about knowing Jesus and spreading that passion to others. In today's episode, we explore the pivotal events and relationships that have shaped Val's journey, exploring themes of faith, prayer, meaningful conversations, mentorship, and the profound impact of community in her life. Val's story ...
In this episode of The Commons with Karla, I sit down with Louise Zevan, a prayer counselor, author, and captivating storyteller. Louise shares her powerful journey of redemption and restoration, recounting her personal experience of inner healing and her subsequent training and work as a prayer counselor. Through her compelling narrative, Louise sheds light on the transformation she has witnessed in the lives of countless individuals. The conversation delves into her recent book, "Root Thera...
Welcome back to The Commons with Karla, Episode 129! Today, I'm joined by Michelle Gennaro Lapp, the Southwest Mobilizer for Africa Inland Mission. Beyond her role in missions, Michelle's life is a tapestry woven with speaking, teaching, writing, and church ministry. Based in San Diego, California, Michelle shares her captivating journey, a story she delves into further in her memoir, "Worst Case Scenario: Finding Overwhelming Rescue in the Promises of God." Living alongside her husband ...
What is your family story? How can you make sure future generations know more of their own history? Welcome back to another episode! In today's conversation, we reconnected with a previous guest, Bonnie Deach. If you haven't already, I highly recommend checking out episode 126 for our initial discussion, where we delved into our mutual fascination with true crime and the importance of community. During that conversation, we touched on Bonnie's deep-seated love for storytelling, and today...
In this episode of the podcast, I'm joined in conversation by Joy Smalley, a devoted wife and mother of four teenagers aged 13-17. She's deeply involved in her children's lives, homeschooling them and sharing their passions for activities like volleyball, jiu-jitsu, art, and anime. Joy is also a writer and proudly identifies as an introvert. Today's discussion delves into community and coping with past traumas. Joy opens up about her personal experiences with trauma and its enduring effe...
I'm pleased to introduce our guest today, Bonnie Deach. Bonnie, a retired speech pathologist, holds a deep affection for her family, creative undertakings, and quality time spent with friends. She is actively engaged in volunteering within her community and cherishes the moments she can share with her beloved grandson. Additionally, Bonnie has a notable fascination with the realm of crime. Our conversation today delves into the true crime genre, examining what it means to be an enthusiast. We...
*Trigger Warning- This podcast episode contains discussions about miscarriage and pregnancy loss, which may be emotionally distressing for some listeners. Please exercise discretion and consider your own emotional well-being before listening.* Did you know October is Infant and Pregnancy Loss Awareness Month? Today’s guest, Lauren, unfortunately, is all too familiar with the hurt and grief that comes along with the loss of multiple miscarriages. However, Lauren’s story is one ...
Do you ever consider how much power your words and your thoughts have over your life? Today's guest, Victoria, shares with us how when she realized the impact and weight that her words had on her life- she made a conscious effort to transform them positively and shift into a more hopeful outlook on life. Victoria possesses a strong passion for the influence of language and the importance of following our life's purpose. She reassures us that life is too short to remain t...