THE FWORD

6. Solo Travel, Fear, Freedom & Finding Yourself

What happens when you stop waiting for the “right” travel partner… and just go? In this episode, Amber is joined by Becky and Kristen for an honest, energizing conversation about solo travel.. what it looks like, why it matters, and how it can completely change the way you experience the world (and yourself). From backpacking across Australia to fiber art retreats in Morocco to navigating foreign countries alone, this episode breaks down the myths, fears, and unexpected joys of traveling solo as a woman. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or someone who’s been saying “maybe someday,” this conversation might just be the push you need. Key Takeaways: * You don’t need to wait for someone else to start exploring the world * Solo travel doesn’t have to mean being alone * Confidence comes from doing things that initially feel uncomfortable * Sometimes the best experiences come from getting lost (literally and figuratively) * Travel isn’t just about seeing places; it’s about discovering yourself You don’t have to be fearless to travel solo. You just have to be willing to start. Discover more on our website [https://www.amberbardon.com/fword].  Let’s get unapologetic: Follow Amber on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberbardon/] & TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@amberbardon] 🎧 Subscribe, share, and tag Amber

5. Cancer, Leadership, and the Gift Nobody Asked For with Nicole Gann

Cancer doesn’t just interrupt your calendar. It interrupts your identity. In this episode, Amber Bardon [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberbardon/] sits down with returning guest and leader Nicole Gann [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-gann-ba62638/] for an unfiltered conversation about breast cancer. What it takes from you, what it reveals, and what it forces you to finally stop pretending you can “handle alone.” Amber shares her 2025 breast cancer diagnosis, the shock of hearing the word cancer, and how the following weeks felt like life stacking one hard thing on top of another. Nicole opens up about her own diagnosis, the brutal reality of treatment, and the moment she realized: there was nothing that would’ve slowed her down like cancer did. Together, they talk about the complicated truth that can exist alongside pain: cancer can be a teacher. Not because it’s “good” but because it demands you get honest about your pace, your stress, your boundaries, and your relationships. This is the episode for anyone who’s ever tried to be strong by being silent. Resources & Mentions * Anti-Cancer Living by Lorenzo Cohen  [https://www.amazon.com/Anticancer-Living-Transform-Your-Health-ebook/dp/B074S6D1FN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KKGBSROQP9XL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.a8AQDm6s0xOgh5NTcXgQNmjc65KTB5_J-o6m79G1qS2URbq6_oGF-E-VVIR723xq3hCyvdwmQcEQRpjifbxW3vADthHRu7xCCA6h4nQ1jj6BXcVhBUVACzI9rEn8qSFtq8l-kYSl-nUxY_BXQ-YHWJ2tEGbib8c1h7PqfmGkCiJnkyFQQqpd9Wi7m6L4k8_Eb04J3dvr18JneptTMOtBuIMQOCoJoqXWVMOoudC92J4.t8CBliC6zvLe8aHZcvgpwER7KiB3QXTTd7LfkmuDgk4&dib_tag=se&keywords=anticancer+living&qid=1771007103&s=books&sprefix=anticancer+liviing%2Cstripbooks%2C151&sr=1-1] * Brené Brown on Empathy [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw] Discover more on our website [https://www.amberbardon.com/fword].  Let’s get unapologetic: Follow Amber on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberbardon/] & TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@amberbardon] 🎧 Subscribe, share, and tag Amber

4. Heart Over Hierarchy with Kim Hoppe

In this episode, Amber Bardon [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberbardon/] talks with Kim Hoppe [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-hoppe-6423231/], founder and CEO of KSH Consulting [https://www.ksh-consulting.com/] and Zen Midwest [https://www.zenmidwest.com/], to talk honestly about what it’s really like to step off the traditional corporate track. Kim’s gone from public accounting to fractional CEO work to building a business that mixes C-Suite strategy with mindfulness and yoga. Her path is all about clarity, courage, and choosing reinvention on her own terms. Amber and Kim get into the highs and lows of being a female entrepreneur. The rush of landing that first client, the doubts that hit out of nowhere, and the reminder that women don’t need permission to go after what they want. We just need a sense of purpose.  Learn more about KSH Consulting [https://www.ksh-consulting.com/] and Zen Midwest [https://www.zenmidwest.com/].  Connect with Kim [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-hoppe-6423231/] on LinkedIn.  Discover more on our website [https://www.amberbardon.com/fword].  Let’s get unapologetic: Follow Amber on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberbardon/] & TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@amberbardon] 🎧 Subscribe, share, and tag Amber

3. CEO Mergers and Leading Without Permission with Karen Lehman & Jane Mack

In this episode, we’re talking power, partnership, and purpose with two phenomenal CEOs: Jane Mack [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-mack-b703228/] of Friends Services Alliance [https://www.fsainfo.org/] and Karen Lehman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-lehman-8319743/] of Mennonite Health Services [https://mhs-association.org/]. What happens when two women leaders decide to rewrite the rules of legacy organizations and merge them into something bigger, bolder, and built on shared values? You get a conversation that’s part business strategy, part leadership truth bomb, and 100% fire.  We get real about: * The unfiltered journey from turnaround expert to association leader * Navigating power dynamics as female CEOs (inside & out of the office) * Faith, feminism, and forging new paths in mission-based organizations * What happens when women lead with both strength and heart If you've ever felt like you had to work twice as hard to get half the credit… this episode is your permission slip to claim your power and lead on your own terms. Listen in and fuel your fire. Because the future isn’t female, it’s already here. Discover more on our website [https://www.amberbardon.com/fword].  Let’s get unapologetic: Follow Amber on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberbardon/] & TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@amberbardon] 🎧 Subscribe, share, and tag Amber

2. The Audacity to Be Happy with Carolina Gonzaga

Amber gets deep down with comedian, producer, and senior living powerhouse Carolina Gonzaga [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-gonzaga-a44595140/] for a no-filter conversation about being “too much” in a world that asks women to shrink. From fast friendship to bold vulnerability, they dive into how Carolina turned her so-called “flaws” into superpowers at work, on stage, and at home. This episode is a celebration of emotional honesty, feminine audacity, and the women rewriting the rules. Topics Covered: * Female friendship as radical connection * Being loud, loving, and unapologetically YOU * Motherhood, mental health, and breaking generational patterns * Comedy as catharsis and career * Why the patriarchy hates happy women If you've ever been told to tone it down, quiet your joy, or make yourself smaller—this one's for you. Carolina reminds us that taking up space isn’t a flaw, it’s a revolution. Hit play, feel seen, and remember: you were never “too much” you were always just enough.  📲 Follow Carolina: IG [https://www.instagram.com/caro_deegee/] + LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-gonzaga-a44595140/] Discover more on our website [https://www.amberbardon.com/fword].  Let’s get unapologetic: Follow Amber on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberbardon/] & TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@amberbardon] 🎧 Subscribe, share, and tag Amber