Courage in Your 20s

The Woman She Had Never Met

In this deeply honest episode of Her Becoming, Dara sits down with Kim MacDonald for a conversation about sobriety, healing, identity, and what it looks like to rebuild your life after years spent surviving in chaos. After more than two decades in the automotive industry, Kim appeared successful on the outside while privately battling addiction, trauma, perfectionism, and emotional exhaustion. Now over eight months sober, she shares what it has been like to meet a version of herself she had never truly known before. Together, Dara and Kim discuss: * navigating life and relationships through sobriety * learning boundaries and accountability * healing from trauma and survival mode * redefining self-worth and emotional safety * the challenge of giving yourself compassion * and discovering peace after years of internal chaos This episode is not about perfection or having everything figured out. It is about courage, honesty, and the ongoing process of becoming. If you have ever found yourself performing strength while quietly struggling underneath the surface, this conversation will resonate deeply. Please pardon our dust… this is only the beginning of Her Becoming.

Identity, Belief, and the Confidence You Didn’t Realize You Had

Some conversations don’t end when the recording stops. This was one of them. In this episode of Her Becoming, I sit down with Meshell Baker, Chief Confidence Igniter, for a conversation that moves far beyond the surface of confidence and into the deeper work of identity, belief, and becoming. Meshell shares her journey from early identity struggles and seasons of shame to building a life rooted in intentional growth, and challenges the way we often think about confidence. Not as something you either have or don’t have, but as something you are already using every single day. Because the truth is, you are already confident in something. The question is what you are confident in, and whether that belief is working for you or against you. We talk about the difference between chasing goals and defining vision, how identity shapes leadership, and what it looks like to build a life that is aligned with who you are becoming, not just what you are accomplishing. This conversation is honest, grounded, and deeply practical. It speaks to the woman who knows she is meant for more, but feels stuck in the space between where she is and where she wants to be. In This Episode, We Cover: * What confidence really is, and why it’s often misunderstood * How identity is formed and why it matters more than you think * The difference between goals and vision, and why one leaves you empty * What leadership looks like when it’s rooted in identity * Simple, daily practices that support long-term becoming If that’s you, this episode will meet you there. Links & Resources Read the full Her Becoming article: https://darakoenig.com/post/her-becoming-meshell-baker [https://darakoenig.com/post/her-becoming-meshell-baker] Connect with Meshell Baker: meshellrbaker.com 📥 MASTER Your Mornings https://resources.meshellbaker.com/masteryourmornings [https://resources.meshellbaker.com/masteryourmornings] 🎶 2-Minute Tibetan Bowls https://youtu.be/Ih-rtou1PTc?si=dc9530OiXW3oYZVk [https://youtu.be/Ih-rtou1PTc?si=dc9530OiXW3oYZVk] 🌬️ 2-Minute Box Breathing Guided https://youtu.be/J8WFgoeKStI?si=G-8KO92Ep2RsZ5xu [https://youtu.be/J8WFgoeKStI?si=G-8KO92Ep2RsZ5xu]

Courage in Your 20s

Welcome to the very first episode of Her Becoming with Dara. Most leadership stories are told from the finish line. The promotion. The milestone. The company built. But the most meaningful part of the journey often happens before that. The uncertainty. The courage to take the next step. The decisions that shape who we are becoming. Her Becoming is a conversation series where executive coach and leadership writer Dara Koenig sits down with women who are building their lives and leadership in real time. In this inaugural episode, I speak with Carlee Bean, a young woman stepping into her future with courage and clarity.In this conversation, we explore: * Finding courage in your twenties * Stepping forward even when you feel uncomfortable * Choosing growth before you feel fully ready * The desire to build a life that serves others Carlee shares her journey toward law school, her experiences serving families in need through community work, and the mindset that has helped her take meaningful steps forward even when the path feels uncertain.These are not stories from the finish line.They are conversations from the middle of becoming. Subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss future conversations.