season 6 | episode 14
Amanda Bonilla is a powerhouse advocate, speaker, and connector who’s made it her mission to create spaces where women can thrive. A first-generation college graduate, she’s navigated challenge and change with courage — from being the “first and only” Latina voice in many rooms to launching WE Brunch, an intentional gathering that empowers women through connection and conversation.
In this episode, Amanda shares how her early experiences shaped her resilience, what it means to build an ecosystem of support, and why representation and reinvention matter now more than ever.
She encourages you to use your own voice, create your own table, and lift up others along the way.
Season 6 | Episode 13
Jennifer Pace Robinson is the creative force and badass behind The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis -- the largest children’s museum in the world. After nearly 30 years of saying “yes” to bold ideas, she’s now the President & CEO, leading with curiosity, courage, and a whole lot of badassery.
From dinosaurs and princesses to global villages and powerful exhibits like Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See, Jennifer has turned imagination into impact and made learning come alive for millions. Her story proves that curiosity can change the world — and reminds us it’s not just for kids.
"I’m not afraid to step outside my bubble…to travel, try something new, meet someone new, build a relationship that makes something bigger than I could have done happen." - Jennifer Pace Robinson
In this episode, we dig into:
• How Jennifer worked her way from intern to CEO
• The “impossible” projects that actually worked
• What curiosity and creativity teach us about leadership
• How she balances innovation, vulnerability, and joy
Season 6 | Episode 12
Beth McCarthy Smith is the founder behind Simplicity Cold Pressed Juice & Cocktails.
Before she built a brand that landed everywhere from Whole Foods and Kroger to the Super Bowl Players Tailgate and the Indy 500, Beth was running fast in the corporate media world. But life threw her some curveballs: fertility struggles, health challenges, and a need to slow down and heal from the inside out.
Beth’s story is raw, real, and packed with lessons on resilience, reinvention, and joy. From juicing in her kitchen to leading one of Indy’s most recognized wellness brands, she shows us what it means to “fail forward” and to live life out loud.
In this episode, we dig into:
How “failing forward” shaped her story
The little mindset shifts that made a huge difference
How she turned kitchen-counter juicing into a national brand
What badassery means to her (hint: it’s not about being perfect)
https://simplicityjuice.com/
Jennifer Magley is fire, fearless, and full of badassery. From the tennis court to the keynote stage, she’s reinvented herself time and again — always out loud, always unapologetically.
In this episode, we talk about presence, audacity, and joy. We laughed. We got real. We got silly. And through it all, Jennifer reminds us what it means to boldly say what you want — over and over again — and then go for it.
Listen in as Jennifer talks about growing up, athletics, motherhood, dreams of being a background stooge on the Pat McAfee Show (ESPN) and to be a Talent Advocate in WWE, her LinkedIn power moves, and why she calls her mom her “Mom-ager.”
Jennifer is a former NCAA Division I head coach turned Chief Brand Officer of The Basketball League and Basketball Super League. A dynamic speaker and emcee named Woman of the Year by Pass The Torch for Women Foundation, and so much more. She brings energy, honesty, and humor to every stage and every conversation - including this one.https://www.magleyjennifer.com/
Season 6 | Episode 10
This is a mini-episode — recorded LIVE during an event and shared completely unedited.
Joanna Taft is the badass visionary behind PreEnactIndy - an anti-gentrification project that uses the power of arts, community, and courage to reimagine what’s possible. We sat down with her LIVE during the latest PreEnactIndy and talked about turning fear into fuel, using creativity to connect with your neighbors, and how you can “preenact” the life you want.
Joanna Taft serves as the Executive Director of the Harrison Center in Indianapolis, where she leads initiatives that combine arts, community building, and storytelling to inspire lasting change.https://www.harrisoncenter.org/
#BadasseryLife #PodcastDrop #Preenactment #IndyArts #HarrisonCenter
She grew up in a log cabin. Now she leads one of the most historic women’s organizations in Indianapolis. This is the story of how Chelsea Marburger built a badass life of creativity, courage, and community impact.
In this episode of Badassery Life, Chelsea shares how she’s helped others through nonprofit leadership, launched a creative stationery brand that brings joy to others, and now serves as Executive Director of the historic Indianapolis Propylaeum — an organization founded by badass women 135 years ago and still going strong.
We talk about:
The power of legacy and honoring women who came before us
What it really means to show up with intention (even when things fall apart)
Building community, chasing curiosity, and why “no body died and no body cried” is her life mantra
What makes her happy (spoiler: horses and hype songs)
Chelsea reminds us that success isn’t about a straight path — it’s about showing up, staying open, and leaving every space (and person) better than you found it.
Season 6 | Episode 8
In this episode, we sit down with Jenny Boyts, President of Forty5 and the creative force behind some of Indy’s most electric music experiences (The Vogue, Rock the Ruins, Turntable, Made Rock & Roll). From growing up knowing she was gay at six in a deeply evangelical family, to leading massive events and making space for voices that don’t always get heard, Jenny shares how she’s learned to lead loudly — and unapologetically.
We talked about:
-Why making people feel seen drives everything she does
-What it means to stay true to yourself in a male-dominated industry
-And why her story is about so much more than music
https://www.forty5.com/
Season 6 | Episode 7
In this episode of Badassery Life, host Kelly Young sits down with Rosetta Clay—an equity advocate, social impact strategist, and fierce champion for women and girls. Rosetta shares how her personal journey shaped her professional calling, why true inclusion is about more than just workplace initiatives, and what it really means to lead with purpose, passion, and unapologetic truth.
Tune in for a conversation that’s honest, inspiring, and full of badass energy —from conversations about justice and systems change to reflections on self-care, sisterhood, and standing in your power.
Whether you're doing the work or just starting to lean into the conversation, this episode is for you.
In this episode of Badassery Life, I’m joined by the one and only Martha Hoover—a true powerhouse in hospitality, a champion for women, and now the founder of MSH Collective, a bold new initiative focused on empowering women through mentorship, community, and connection.
We talk about what it means to step into new chapters—especially in your 50s, 60s, and beyond—when society so often tries to make women feel invisible. Martha isn’t just pushing back—she’s building something entirely new (and it's badass!)
We dive into:
The quiet realities of ageism—and how to make noise anyway
Why women over 50 are a force brands can’t afford to ignore
What legacy really looks like when you’re not even close to done
And how MSH Collective is creating space for women to lead, grow, and thrive—at every age
If you’ve ever felt underestimated, overlooked, or just plain fired up to keep going—this episode is for you.
Claire is hilarious, talented, and unforgettable . She's an actor, improviser, and member of Indianapolis' badass arts community. At the time of taping this interview, she is starring in Indiana Repertory Theatre's production of "The Play That Goes Wrong," where she brings her signature wit and bold presence to the stage.
She describes herself as a happy combination of artist, teacher, and activist. She has acted on professional stages for over 20 years and is an improviser at heart, always ready to say yes to a new creative adventure.
We talked about being funny, fat, and road tripping across the US in an RV- among so many other great things, including her pre-show rituals and comfort food.
You can learn more about Claire at https://www.clairewilcher.com/
Get your tickets to the IRT at https://www.irtlive.com/
Season 6 | Episode 4
In this episode of Badassery Life, we sit down with the brilliantly creative and delightfully spooky author, Paige Lavoie, who writes stories about misfits, monsters, and falling in love. Paige shares her journey from growing up in a haunted house to becoming a writer of quirky, heartfelt novels like I'm in Love with Mothman. We dive into her love for blending the spooky with the sweet, her transition from webcomics to novels, and how she balances storytelling with motherhood.
At the time of the recording, Paige is in the final stages of a Kickstarter campaign to bring her "Mothman in Love" trilogy to life in a special collector's edition! This exclusive set features hardcover editions of:
Each book is beautifully designed, capturing the enchanting blend of romance and mystery that Paige is known for.
Tune in as Paige discusses the inspiration behind the trilogy, the creative process of crafting this collector's edition, and how you can be part of making it happen. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the series, this episode offers a captivating glimpse into the world of a badass author.
#BadasseryLife #Podcast #PaigeLavoie #MothmanInLove #WomenWhoWrite #KickstarterCampaign
https://paigelavoie.com/
To support Paige and her kickstarter visit:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/4horsemenpubs/mothman-in-love-triology-the-collectors-edition
Season 6 | Episode 3
In this episode ofBadassery Life, meet Heather Pirowski—a powerhouse advocate, breast cancer survivor and all-around badass. She turned her diagnosis into action and making waves in policy as the founder of Hoosier Breast Cancer Advocates and is pushing for Indiana’s first breast cancer research fund. Heather is proving that one determined womancan change the world.
She launched the Midwest’s first fashion truck, produced IndyStyle’s “Fashion Fix” segment, and founded Mentor Apparel—because, in her words, you shouldnever wear a shitty polo again. And if that wasn’t badass enough, she made headlines rocking a pink cowboy hat while representing Indiana’s District 5 at the DNC, catching the attention of MSNBC,The Daily Show, CNN, Fox News, andNewsweek.
Tune in for a conversation about resilience, advocacy and how this survivor is living her badassery life!
Visithoosierbcadvocates.com/about-4 to find out more about Hoosier Breast Cancer Advocates
Season 6 Episode 2
Andrea is an advocate, writer, and fearless leader who turned her passion into purpose. She’s the Communications and Policy Manager at Health by Design, a consultant, and co-founder of Nonprofit Girl Gang. But she’s also a brave badass who made headlines with her courageous op-ed in the Indianapolis Star, calling out systemic harassment and abuse of power in politics.
Andrea has seen firsthand how toxic dynamics can poison workplaces, silence voices, and block progress. In this episode, she opens up about her experiences and delivers bold, actionable solutions for building safer, more equitable spaces in local and state politics.
Click here to read Andrea's Op-ed
Jeronna Bolden is a powerhouse leader who’s transforming lives through her work at Dress for Success Indianapolis. She’s resilient, empowering, and authentic—a true badass in every sense of the word.
She has turned obstacles into stepping stones - whether it’s battling imposter syndrome, juggling family and career, or facing challenges head-on, Jeronna has learned to embrace the chaos and grow stronger through it all. And yes, she's learned how to walk in heels on both figurative and literal tightropes!
In this episode, Jeronna talks about finding her voice by leaning into her faith and resilience. As a leader, she has faced racism and microaggressions, often having to prove her worth in rooms that weren’t ready for her. She has overcome these challenges by showing up unapologetically and building a community that celebrates diversity and inclusion.
Here Jeronna's story!
From chaos to connection, distrust to action, pain to purpose. In this episode, we had a raw and real conversation with Denise Herd and Angie Carr Klitzsch about building trust, creating community, and protecting our joy in the face of political chaos. We tackled tough questions around the divides between Black and white women, the power of local action, and how to stay focused on making a difference without losing ourselves. It’s honest, necessary, and filled with insights for anyone ready to move forward with purpose during a time of chaos.
Resources
Frank is a modern-day pop artist and songwriter from Indianapolis. Known for her powerful, evocative voice and striking live presence, Sydney spent three years fronting and touring with acclaimed 5-piece band Forstory. Sydney conceived FRANK in 2022 from a desire to create music of her own design. Her sound is shaped by soul and rock artists like Billie Holiday, The Eurythmics and Blondie. She's more than her art! In this episode we also talked about how she struggled with dyslexia and other learning disabilities as early as kindergarten and her diagnoses with HEDS (Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome).
This creative, resilient and bold badass has overcome some challenges, faced her worst fear and is now using her music to encourage others to live a purposeful, grateful and authentic life. Meet Frank, aka Sydney Elliott.
https://www.absorbme.com/artists-frank
photo credit: Absorb
Sarah is a self-proclaimed Vulnerability Queen who encourages women to own their story and their skin through B.O.W (Beauty of Women) Sessions. She's a photographer of 18 years turned woman empowerment advocate, writer, women's event/retreat host, professional speaker, and most recently the new Co-Owner of a co-working holistic wellness center @epicenter_indy. Her spirit is beautiful and her energy is badass!
More about Sarah: Creator at B.O.W Beauty of Women, Executive Director at Regeneration Indy and Owner at Photography By Sarah Boutwell
Gwendolyn Rogers is the president and owner of The Cake Bake Shop, a whimsical table service restaurant and bakery. With two locations in Indianapolis and one set to open in Disney World, Gwendolyn is leaving her badassery life.
Before the interview she told us she's been working since she was 12 and was very independent from a young age. She learned to take care of herself despite a number of struggles along the way. She's living a life she never thought she would have - and she talked about it in this "sweet" interview!
The 3 words she uses to describe herself: determined, creative and immature. Others would use the words: tenacious, joyful, strong. We use the word BADASS!
Read her full bio here: https://thecakebakeshop.com/pages/our-story
Download, rate and review the episode.
Angie is a Notre Dame graduate, lived in Cairo, Egypt, started her career in Republic of Moldova in the Peace Corps, she's an adventurer and a servant leader and is now leading an organization called Women4Change. Personally, she’s managing a household filled with cats, dogs, a husband and two boys. She describes herself as passionate, articulate and a fast-learner. Friends describe her as enthusiastic, fun/funny and individualistic. We call her a badass!
In this episode we talk with Angie about everything from her career to mentors, travels and adventures, and her focus and future advocating for women leading Women4Change.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aklitzsch/
https://www.women4changeindiana.org/
This badass woman is a mom, wife, entrepreneur, and a baker. A few fun facts about her: she was adopted from South America when she was a baby and grew up in Minnesota. She moved to Indiana to go to college and study journalism but after a few years she transferred to culinary school in Chicago. She owns a bakery in Baltimore – one of the most popular ones in Maryland. She's not only baking for her family and customers, but for Baltimore Ravens players and their head coach.
Meet Kelly Sokolis, Owner & Wedding and Event Director, Cake, by Jason Hisley.
cakebyjason.com/kelly