The Courage to Pivot: Ashley Varnado on Success, Reinvention & Choosing Yourself

Back by Popular Demand: Iryna Wood on Self-Love, Relationships & Building Gemini Near Me

One of our most requested episodes is back. Just over a year ago, Staci Swiderski sat down with Iryna Wood, relationship expert, entrepreneur, author, and creator of Gemini Near Me, for a conversation that continues to resonate with listeners today. At the time, Gemini Near Me was in its early stages. Today, the platform has grown significantly, making this episode a fascinating look back at the vision, passion, and purpose that sparked its creation. In this inspiring conversation, Iryna shares her journey from studying psychology, counseling, and spiritual development to building an innovative app designed to help people better understand themselves, strengthen relationships, and cultivate self-love. She opens up about overcoming personal challenges, embracing authenticity, trusting intuition, and taking bold action on an idea she believed could make a difference. Together, Staci and Iryna explore self-worth, emotional wellness, manifestation, gratitude, relationship intelligence, entrepreneurship, and why understanding yourself is the first step toward creating the life you truly want. Looking back, it's incredible to hear Iryna's vision for Gemini Near Me and see how far both she and the platform have come since this episode first aired. This conversation remains a powerful reminder that every successful venture begins with a decision to believe in yourself before anyone else does. Because when she decides to trust her vision, even before the world sees it, extraordinary things can happen. 🔗 Connect with Iryna Wood * Website: https://gemininearme.com * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irynawoodofficial * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irynawoodofficial * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IrynaWood * Gemini Near Me App: https://gemininearme.com

The Courage to Pivot: Ashley Varnado on Success, Reinvention & Choosing Yourself

In this episode of SHE DECIDES, Staci Swiderski sits down with Ashley Varnado, a first-generation corporate executive, author, speaker, and former Managing Director at Bank of America Private Bank.  Born and raised in a small Mississippi town, Ashley shares her remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the youngest African American female Managing Directors at one of the nation's largest financial institutions. But after achieving everything she thought success was supposed to look like, a series of life-changing events, including the loss of loved ones and three strokes in 2025, forced her to reevaluate what truly mattered.   Ashley opens up about taking what she calls a "radical sabbatical," walking away from a high-powered career, and choosing time, health, family, and purpose over titles and expectations. Together, she and Staci discuss ambition, burnout, reinvention, networking, mentorship, using your voice, and why it's never too late to pivot toward a life that feels more aligned.  This conversation is an inspiring reminder that success isn't just about what you build, it's about having the courage to decide what comes next.  Because when she decides to choose herself, she creates space for an entirely new chapter.     🔗 Connect with Ashley Varnado  * Website: https://www.theashleyexchange.com [https://www.theashleyexchange.com/]   * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyvarnado [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyvarnado]   * Instagram: @theashleyexchange   * Book: Out of the Yazoo Clay   * Upcoming Book: Halftime

Legacy, Leadership & Innovation: Anna Burch on Carrying SmartMouth Forward

In this episode of SHE DECIDES, Staci Swiderski sits down with Anna Burch, Director of Integrated Marketing at SmartMouth [https://www.smartmouth.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com], for a conversation about legacy, leadership, innovation, and finding confidence in your own voice. Anna shares the deeply personal story behind SmartMouth, the oral care brand founded by her grandfather, dentist Dr. Marvin Cohen, who spent decades developing the company’s patented zinc-ion technology to solve the root causes of bad breath. After losing both her grandfather and father, who laterhelped grow the company into a nationally recognized retail brand, Anna and her sister stepped into leadership roles to help carry their family’s mission forward. Together, Anna and Staci talk about navigating impostersyndrome, transitioning from accounting into marketing leadership, learning to trust yourself in rooms where you feel inexperienced, and the power of simply being willing to learn. Anna opens up about the emotional connection she still feels seeing SmartMouth products on store shelves nationwide and how honoring her family’s vision continues to inspire her every day. This episode is a reminder that legacy is not just aboutwhere you come from, it’s about how you choose to carry it forward with passion, purpose, and innovation. Because when she decides to step into her purpose, legacybecomes impact. Connect with Anna & SmartMouthWebsite: SmartMouth [https://www.smartmouth.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Instagram: @smartmouthwash [https://www.instagram.com/smartmouthwash/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]TikTok: @smartmouthwash [https://www.tiktok.com/@smartmouthwash?utm_source=chatgpt.com]Facebook: SmartMouth Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/smartmouth?utm_source=chatgpt.com] LinkedIn: Anna Burch LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-timm-cpa-0212b4194/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

Strong at Every Stage: Dr. Christine Boev on Menopause, Muscle, and Reclaiming Women’s Health

In this empowering episode of SHE DECIDES, host Staci Swiderski sits down with Dr. Christine Boev, founder of Master Menopause and Vitalize Fitness, for a powerful conversation about women’s health, hormones, confidence, and why aging does not have to mean decline.  After experiencing her own struggles with inflammation, brain fog, weight gain, and hormonal shifts in her early 40s, Dr. Boev turned to science and fitness to better understand what women truly need during perimenopause and menopause. What she discovered changed not only her own life, but now the lives of women she coaches every day.  Together, Staci and Dr. Boev dive into the realities many women silently face, from exhaustion and cognitive changes to losing confidence and feeling disconnected from themselves. They discuss why traditional “eat less, do more cardio” advice often stops working for women as hormones shift, and how strength training, proper nutrition, sleep, recovery, and sustainable habits can dramatically transform health and longevity.  The episode also explores hormone replacement therapy, inflammation, metabolic health, Alzheimer’s prevention, the importance of muscle for long-term wellness, and why women deserve to prioritize themselves without guilt. Most importantly, Dr. Boev reminds listeners that it is never too late to reclaim your health, your confidence, and your power.  Because when SHE DECIDES to prioritize herself, she becomes stronger in every area of her life.  Connect with Dr. Christine Boev:  🌐 Master Menopause Website [https://mastermenopause.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]  📸 Dr. Christine Boev Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drchristineboev/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]  Connect with Staci Swiderski, Family Source Consultants & SHE DECIDES COLlECTION:  🌐 Staci Swiderski Website [https://staciswiderski.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]  📸 Staci Swiderski Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/staciswiderski/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]  💼 Staci Swiderski LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/staciswiderski/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]  ✨ She Decides Collection [https://shedecidescollection.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]  📸 She Decides Collection Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/shedecidescollection/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]  🌐 Family Source Consultants [https://www.familysourceconsultants.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]  📸 Family Source Consultants Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/familysourceconsultants/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

Lunches, Leap of Faith, and Building OmieLife: Nancy Yen on Creating Products with Purpose

In this inspiring episode of SHE DECIDES, host Staci Swiderski sits down with Nancy Yen, founder and CEO of OmieLife, the company transforming the way families approach mealtime with innovative, aesthetically designed lunch solutions for kids.  What began as one mother’s concern over her young son coming home from preschool hungry and cranky became a globally recognized brand helping parents simplify lunchtime while making kids excited to eat. Nancy shares the deeply personal story behind creating the original OmieBox, the challenges of leaving corporate life after more than a decade in strategy and product development, and the realities of building a physical product company from the ground up.   Together, Staci and Nancy dive into entrepreneurship, resilience, manufacturing hurdles, motherhood, mentorship, and the importance of trusting your instincts when you know there is a better solution waiting to be built. Nancy also opens up about taking the leap into entrepreneurship after the birth of her second child, learning every aspect of the business firsthand, and how community support and asking for help became key parts of her success journey.   The conversation also celebrates a major milestone for OmieLife as the brand prepares to launch nationwide in Target stores, proving that meaningful ideas built with heart, persistence, and purpose can truly grow into something extraordinary.   Because when SHE DECIDES to trust her vision, she creates something that changes lives.  Connect with Nancy Yen & OmieLife:  🌐 OmieLife Website [https://www.omielife.com/]  📸 OmieLife Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/omielifeinc/]  🎵 OmieLife TikTok [https://tiktok.com/@omielife]