Brave Your Fear

Adji Cisse - The Natural

Podcast Intro: Adji Cisse is a businesswoman. At 17 years old, she is the founder of Flawless Fro, a product line for Black girls and women embracing their natural hair. Adji is a great student, but that doesn’t mean she likes school.  She is an activist, using her voice to advocate for Black girls, for more kids to have opportunities that she has gotten. She is brewing confidence - the reliable kind that comes from knowing what she loves, how she adds value to the world, and what she stan...

Holly Austin - High Risk, High Reward

Podcast Intro: Holly Austin is a coach. She loves kids, she loves teaching, she loves motivating, and she loves building courageous young leaders who seek challenge instead of fear. As the founder of Ready Set Row, a competitive rowing club for girls who want to pursue rowing in college, Holly combines data and metrics, and  the charge of organized emotions to make an impact on her athletes. She is a hard work role model. At 5’6” and only 145 lbs, she beat all odds and made the Varsity Hea...

Patti Phillips - The Leader’s Leader

Podcast Intro: Patti Phillips is the CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Her life’s work - and the mission of this robust and growing organization she has been running for over a decade - is to develop, connect and advance women in college sports. She played ball in college, was a color analyst on TV, and went on to live her childhood dream of being a coach. Now, she is a knockout keynote speaker, a possiblitarian, and a leader who leads leaders.  She values hard work. She overflows wi...

Alex Aust - Confidence Booster

Podcast Intro: Alex Aust is a super-decorated lacrosse superstar - she was an All-American and national Champion at the University of Maryland, a World Cup Champion on the Women’s National Team, and a multi-year professional lacrosse player. She co-runs a business coaching the game to young girls, and during COVID pivoted to coaching and teaching fitness to women of all ages in her monthly membership program called The Sweat Life. She is an Under Armour athlete who is currently braving her...

Cate Luzio – The Adapter

Podcast Intro: Cate Luzio is the Founder and CEO of Luminary, a collaboration hub for women who are passionate about professional development and expanding their networks. Cate is a long-time advocate for empowering women and girls. Right now, she focuses Luminary’s impact toward women in the workforce, in entrepreneurship, and in transition. For 20 years before all of this great and necessary work, Cate was in financial services, her last post as the Executive Vice President and Global He...

Denise Wiggins - Made For This

Podcast Intro: Denise Wiggins is a CEO. She has started and continues to run multiple multi-million dollar businesses including Einnaf Cosmetics, a global company that empowers women with great products, but also supports an ambassador program for any woman to drive her own business. Einnaf is Denise’s grandmother’s name - Fannie - spelled backward, and it’s not the only place Denise draws inspiration. All of her organizations put community - and community building at their center, in larg...

BRAVE YOUR FEAR PODCAST

Kylie Ohlmiller - The Smiling Underdog

Podcast Intro: Kylie Ohlmiller is one of the best lacrosse players in the entire world, graduating last year from Stonybrook Univeristuy after a career that saw the program go from being ranked #70 in the nation to #1. She broke a 17-year old NCAA DI record for career points, and 9 year old NCAA DI  record for career assists. She is now dedicating her game and her life to teaching and inspiring the next generation of girls. She is the kind of superstar that feels like she is your best frie...

Shana Renee - Major League Badass

Podcast Intro: Shana Renee is a 5-ft tall sports fanatic whose passion was triggered in her sports-loving family. She says she was lucky to have grown up in the 90s - “the best time for sports” - and has cultivated this love alongside a commitment to create way more room in the industry for the telling of important stories of Black athletes. She is a producer of content - writing, podcasting, and video. She is an expert on the intersection of sports and culture. Shana Rene is a major leagu...

Kerstin Anderson - The Storyteller

Podcast Intro: Kerstin Anderson has always loved to sing. She always felt like an artist, but grew up in a family packed with parents who were into sports and science. Following her passion and using her voice, she came to NYC for college and after only 2 years, booked her dream job as lead role of Maria in the National Tour of The Sound of Music. Now, at 24 years old, she is on Broadway in My Fair Lady. She uses her voice to tell stories and her passion to fuel her resilience in a busines...

Jennifer Francis – Disrupt Now

Podcast Intro: Jennifer Francis is the Vice Provost for Relay Graduate School of Education. She grew up in Chicago, attended boarding school in Vermont, Scripps college in California, and a life-changing semester at Spellman College in Atlanta, GA. With a graduate degree from USC, Dr. Francis talks to us on the eve of her second wedding. And when she talks, she doesn’t stay on the surface of anything. She is deep, she is proud, she has big reasons for interrupting, and bigger visions to di...

Jacquette Timmons - We All Need a Wealth Therapist!

Podcast Intro: Jacquette Timmons is a financial behaviorist, which means she focuses on the human side of money. With a career start in fashion, it took the stock market crash of ’87 to spark her passion for finance. She has lived a life packed with the twists of small business ownership and the turns of grief from the loss of the two most important people in her life. She is not just still standing, she is glowing with joy. She is omnipresent and made of the same things that make the sun ...

Arkeema Chandler – Young, Black and Plus Size

Podcast Intro: Arkeema Chandler is an 18-year-old powerhouse who has many stories to tell. She lost her father when she was 7 years old to AIDS and her mother at the age of 12 to sickle-sell related lung disease. With an incredible extended family, and the help of amazing teachers and school leaders, she fought her way out of grief and found a way to express her anger. Show Notes: https://www.morebrave.com/23arkeema

Jera Foster-Fell - The Accidental Influencer

Podcast Intro: Jera Foster-Fell was born and raised in New York City, went to school in LA, worked as a graphic artist, then, to help her get over a break-up, started a fitness regimen that led her all the way to the Soul Cycle instructor podium. In less than 4 years, she has amassed nearly 200,000 instagram followers by sharing her life, which has most recently been in flux. Her followers love her because she is raw, open and as willing to be as unedited as she is capable of being sexy. S...

Karen Sutton - Surgical Competitor

Podcast Intro: Dr. Karen Sutton was once a fierce defender from Duke University and now she is among the 3-6% of female Orthopedic Surgeons in this country. She is pint-sized. She is a mother of four. She is fueled by intensity. And she is so competitive, she might just call a timeout and rip you a new one if you’re not IN it to win it. Dr. Karen Sutton is a strong woman who knows her strengths, is constantly looking for ways to increases her competencies and step out of her comfort zone. ...

Jess Ekstrom - Hustle, Hope & Headbands

Podcast Intro: Jess Ekstrom is a social entrepreneur who started Headbands of Hope, a non-profit organization that gives a free headband away to a kid with cancer for every one that is sold. Headbands of Hope has donated headbands to every single children’s hospital in the united states. Jess was born a businesswoman – she sold her American girl dolls when she was done playing with them and swapped her clothes online to rotate her closet without spending any additional money. She is funny....

Ask Me Anything! (#2)

Ask Me Anything is a raw mini-episode of the Brave Your Fear podcast where host Crista Samaras answers fan-and-friend questions about anything and everything. It's funny, authentic, deep, shallow and totally unscripted. Questions are submitted via FB and IG and asked by Nick Coleman, producer of the podcast. Crista has no idea what questions are coming when.

Ask Me Anything!

Ask Me Anything is a raw mini-episode of the Brave Your Fear podcast where host Crista Samaras answers fan-and-friend questions about anything and everything. It's funny, authentic, deep, shallow and totally unscripted. Questions are submitted via FB and IG and asked by Nick Coleman, producer of the podcast. Crista has no idea what questions are coming when.

Cathy Samaras – Mother of Six

#17 Episode with Cathy Samaras – Mother of Six APRIL 18, 2018   Cathy Samaras. 1987. Annapolis. I am energetic. I am creative. I connect the dots. BE next, now.   Badass Quotes: “Why did I do it? Because no one else would.” (3:00) “I wanted that and I figured out how I was going to get that.” (21:38) “I was not the smartest kid in the class, but I could make things happen.” (23:19) “It was scary because we were giving up our independence, the right to decide the ...

LaKisha Adams – Brooklyn Born

#16 Episode with LaKisha Adams – Brooklyn Born APRIL 11, 2018   LaKisha Adams. 2003. Venice, Italy. I am a servant. I am love. I am light. BE a blessing.   Badass Quotes: “I gotta figure out a plan to make this work. (11:32) “Kids feel good when their mom is hanging around.” (19:00) “If ACS needs anybody, they need somebody like me.” (25:06) “Family is being surrounded by people who love and support you and who you love and support and it doesn’t necessarily have...

Theresa Sherry – She Plays to Win

#15 Episode with Theresa Sherry – She Plays to Win MARCH 21, 2018   Theresa Sherry. 2000. Truckee, California. I am driven. I am thoughtful. I am learning. BE ready.   Badass Quotes: “My teams were my families.” (5:15) “I didn’t know what I didn’t know.” (15:30) “I think striving for excellence rather than perfection is the way to go.” (19:45) “I’m overscheduled.” (22:00) “If I see something that can be done, I want to do it the best.” (23:00) “I really hate ...

Murray Hill - Showbiz!

#14 Episode with Murray Hill – Showbiz! MARCH 14, 2018   Murray Hill. 1996. New York City. I am chubby. I am nice. I am here to make a difference. BE funny.   Badass Quotes: “I’m a little different than the other guys.” (3:09) “That’s for the memoir.” (8:15) “I’ve had a lot of great teachers along the way.” (9:20) “I’m not like the other girls.” (11:49) “I love camp. I love humor. I love getting to the political stuff without - through disarming and laughter at...

Ann Rodriguez - Pro Sports' Creative Catalyst

#13 Episode with Ann Rodriguez – Pro Sports’ Creative Catalyst MARCH 7, 2018   Ann Rodriguez. 2003. California. I am relentless. I am rock solid. I am wild at heart. Be real.   Badass Quotes: “I was always good at selling things.” (5:20) “I just appreciated that she was very busy.” (8:47) “Sometimes, the switch just goes off.” (21:19) “I wanted to leave. I wanted to take some time off. And I was scared to do it.” (22:38) “I’m the friendly type. I’ve got that fa...

Damian Pitts - Ball Player, Math Teacher, Community Change Agent

#12 Episode with Damian Pitts – Ball Player, Math Teacher, Community Change Agent FEBRURY 28, 2018   Damian Pitts 2002. East New York, Brooklyn. I am relentless. I am reflective. I am passionate. BE influential.   Badass Quotes: “I played the best player 1 on 1 and that was that.” (6:55) “Anything I start I want to finish.” (8:56) “That was a time, I was starting to rebel and be bad, and the school let me.” (16:26) “Blatant disrespect. I just can’t get with it.” ...

Amelia Christensen - Butch of Center

#11 Episode with Amelia Christensen – Butch of Center FEB 21, 2018   Amelia Christensen. 2010. Brooklyn, New York. I am sensitive. I am intense. I am in flux. BE enough.   Badass Quotes: “We have a particular way of communicating with one another and usually feelings are left out of that.” (5:35) “We were so close growing up, it’s kind of like when you plant trees too close together and they grow around each other. (6:47) “I’m moved by teamwork.” (8:53) “I have s...

Chaquetta Grace - Alpha Woman, Scientist, Bride

#10 Episode with Chaquetta Grace – Alpha Woman Scientist Bride FEB 14, 2018   Chaquetta Grace 2004 Atlanta, GA I am a servant. I am a scientist. I am a sister. BE better.   Badass Quotes: “I knew that I was pretty good, but I wasn’t phenomenal.” (3:15) “I knew what my potential was.” (10:43) “I had no hesitation. I had no hesitation.” (18:59) “It was stepping out of that comfort zone because I knew I was destined for more.” (39:25) “It becomes this fire within ...

Nadia Lopez - The Great Disruptor

#09 Episode with Nadia Lopez – The Great Disruptor JAN 31, 2018   Badass Quotes: “I’m brown girl, brilliance, born and raised in Brooklyn.” (1:19) “Great teachers just know when something’s wrong.” (4:17) “I just need a minute to breathe and figure me out.” (16:59) “Our experience always drives our ability to connect.” (25:12) “I wouldn’t let my mind be idle.” (29:20) “I don’t feel like fighting. Not today.” (40:37) “I create an experience within the school that makes them...

Chris Sailer - The Coach, The Defender, The Legend

#08 Episode with Chris Sailer: The Coach, The Defender & The Legend JAN 24, 2018   Badass Quotes: “You have to meet kids where they are now, you can’t coach the same way you coached 30 years ago and think you’re going to be successful with the kids of today.” (4:35) “Kids at elite universities struggle with the fear of failure.” (5:50) “To really grow the team, you have to find a way to help kids be vulnerable with each other.” (7:43) “I just always had this inner confidence.” (...

Diane Nathaniel - She Beat Stage 3!

#07 Episode with Diane Nathaniel – She Beat Stage 3! JAN 17, 2018   Badass Quotes: “The perception in our society that smaller people are not sick, inside.” (2:10) “Why don’t we take this on the road for other survivors.” (8:22) “They were not educated, but they were always working.” (13:50) “I decided I have to fight, I came this far.” (17:04) “When they unplug you, that’s when you’re sick.” (23:18) “I am not afraid to die, but I am afraid to suffer.” (25.05) “There were ...

Jeff Namnum - Guy, Geek & Guru

#06 Episode with Jeff Namnum –  Guy, Geek & Guru JAN 10, 2018   Badass Quotes: “I’m very rarely an “I”. I’m usually a “we”.” (2:10) “Can I actually go into Hooters?” (6:00) “That is when I panicked.” (6:59) “Ignorance is great because you don’t know that you can f*ck things up.” (7:36) “It was totally, full-on, fear based decision making.” (8:50) “I know now that I was going through a depression.” (13:35) “I’m still thinking the only way I can make money is to get in my ca...

Cory Samaras Griffeth - Sister, Mother, Power-Lifter

#05 Episode with Cory Samaras Griffeth JAN 3, 2018   Badass Quotes: “The bravest thing I ever did was cancel my wedding 3 weeks out.” (2:00) “I had to be sad. I had to be in my sadness” (11:30) “I call them my fissues – food issues.” (12:55) “If I’m going to eat 5000 calories, I’m going to remember it.” (16:00) “I love women with sculpted, gorgeous, beautiful, functional muscles.” (18:15) “It will be a lot more than about sex.” (21:35) “I have 1 M&M and then I have 555 mil...

Kelly Kimball - The Woman, The Witch, and the Acting Teacher

#04 Episode with Kelly Kimball DEC 27, 2017   Badass Quotes: “I was doing many things, not realizing that I was wanting to be in a relationship with fear.” (2:18) “I was not allowing the “more” through my very tight perfection.” (15:04) “What we’re really trying to do is be human.” (30:30) “I knew that was in me. I knew that it had to get fed and expressed.” (36:30) “Who would want to teach. You want to be on the stage acting.” (40:37) “Then there was just the stillness. And...

Holly Rilinger - 5’4” WNBA Baller

#03 Episode with Holly Rilinger DEC 20, 2017   Badass Quotes: "More money doesn't always mean better." (12:00) “Stay down there for a little bit. Stop struggling to get back to the top. Maybe there is something to learn down there for a little bit.” (15:40) “The fear was [me] becoming irrelevant.” (18:17) “I don’t know, but then again I have to reframe – well, it’s ok.” (19.07) “I like for everybody in that room to feel like they’re with me.” (29:48) “Make a decision and the...

Courtney Banghart - One of Fortune Magazine’s 50 Greatest Leaders

#02 Episode with Courtney Banghart Overview DEC 14, 2017   Badass Quotes: “I coach players who want to be great; they think they can be. “Fear hinders progress in every way. We have all been paralyzed by fear. Been driven by consequences versus going toward the goal.”  “Comfortable is not living. Life is supposed to have edges.” “Bravery is everywhere, it’s just masked under uncertainty.”   Podcast Intro: Courtney Banghart was a superstar athlete, an Ivy League grad - she w...

Teaser - Brave Your Fear

We are all scared. Dealing with that fear is not about reducing it or trying to eliminate it or tucking it away. It’s about facing it. Brave Your Fear tells the stories of how people are meeting their fear with brave action.