What does it mean to be a "late bloomer" who still builds an extraordinary life on her own timeline? Adia Zuri May—entertainment attorney, Howard University alum, and the woman who took a wild leap from Chicago to LA without ever having been there—opens up about redefining success, hiring a dating coach, and finally claiming the love she always wanted. Her journey from corporate ladder-climbing to harvest season wisdom led her to understand that "comparison is the thief of joy" and that sometimes you have to unblock your emotional pipes before love can flow. "The jig is up," she tells host Maura about the moment she decided to invest in her personal life with the same intentionality she brought to her career, embodying the courage it takes to bet on yourself at any age. But this conversation goes beyond professional achievements. Adia breaks down why she reconnected with a man she met at LAX airport 13 years ago, how working with dating coach "Spicy Mari" taught her to clear emotional baggage, and why believing truly is seeing when it comes to manifesting your deepest desires. From creating a pipeline for Howard University students to Hollywood careers to learning that failure is "the juice that makes you say I'm not staying here," her insights hit different when you realize she's living proof that your timeline doesn't have to look like everyone else's. Whether you feel behind in love, career, or life in general, Adia's story reminds you that sometimes the best things happen when you finally decide to bet on yourself.

What does it mean to design a life that feels like Sunday morning every single day? Jameelah Watkins-Mallett—Spelman sister, Emmy-nominated design producer, and the entrepreneur who's been in business since age 12—gets deeply honest about the evolution from fearless creative to intentional curator. Her journey through major life transitions, divorce, and the pressure-cooker world of television production led her to create the CASE method: a design philosophy that works for both homes and hearts. "I'm waiting, but I'm not settling," she tells host Maura Chanz, embodying the tension between patience and standards that now guides everything from her four-story townhouse to her career pivots. But this conversation goes beyond beautiful spaces. Jameelah breaks down why she asks clients about their spiritual practices and favorite scents, how working on HGTV's "Married to Real Estate" taught her leadership while nearly breaking her spirit, and why her ultimate life goal involves a beach, no bra, and probably cutting her hair off again. From her HomeGoods obsession and Facebook Marketplace treasure hunts to the profound realization that "progress is the length of time between breakdowns," she's serving up practical wisdom wrapped in vulnerability. Whether you're someone who thinks your house needs to look Pinterest-perfect or you're tired of chasing what you think you should want, Jameelah's approach to designing with soul—not desperation—will shift how you think about creating sanctuary in a chaotic world. This is for anyone ready to stop settling for spaces (and lives) that don't truly reflect who they are.

Ever have everything you thought you wanted shift, only to realize it feels exactly right? Your fave Maura returns to share her messy, beautiful evolution: landing an in-house job, buying her first home (a four-bedroom sanctuary that just felt right), and redefining what fulfillment looks like. She gets real about the sparks she used to chase (hint: they were anxiety, not passion), choosing peace over chaos, and being with someone who isn’t threatened by her success. Maura opens up about endings that made space for what’s meant to be and the difference between wanting more and finally feeling met.

What makes you want to slide into someone's DMs and say "I want to know you"? Jackie Nickelberry—Spelman woman, Georgetown Law grad, and the kind of sister-friend who makes you want to be better just by watching how she moves—spills all the tea on living life in seasons and the power of showing up authentically. From entertainment law to leading multi-million dollar fundraisers, from navigating grief with grace to making golf accessible to women of color, Jackie's story is about the messy, beautiful reality of building community one vulnerable moment at a time. "To have a friend, you have to be a friend," she tells host Maura Chanz, sharing wisdom passed down from her mother that continues to guide how she moves through the world. This isn't your typical networking story. It's about recognizing when your soil isn't fertile for certain opportunities, shifting from grieving death to celebrating life, and why Jackie considers women who don't have female friends a "red flag, red flag." From the profound dream that showed her a community of women would catch her when she needed it most to her philosophy behind her blog Jackie Unfiltered, this conversation will have you reaching for your phone to send that handwritten note (yes, handwritten—Jackie will judge you otherwise) to the women who deserve to know how much they mean to you.

What does it really mean to design a life that’s yours, and yours alone? Architect and multidisciplinary artist Anne Dereaux spills all the tea on designing a life that's unapologetically hers. From building homes for Grammy winners to walking away from a music career that had Rick Rubin sliding into her DMs, Anne's story is about the messy, beautiful reality of choosing yourself over and over again. "I have a network of passions, of friends, of community, of purpose," she tells host Maura Chanz, "and I'm simply not going to center a man in that universe." This isn't your typical success story. It's about navigating $150 million projects you'll never get to post about, attracting people who want to steal your light instead of helping it shine, and why Anne believes "the great work will collide with the visibility" when you stop chasing and start creating. Whether you're pivoting careers, redefining relationships, or just tired of playing by everyone else's rules, this conversation will have you questioning everything—and that's exactly the point.

What if the moment you've been waiting for is the one you create? This week, Maura sits down with Grammy Award–winning artist and The Mama's Den podcast co-host Melanie Fiona, whose voice has been a soundtrack to so many of our lives, through heartbreak, healing, and everything in between. Melanie gets raw about one of the hardest chapters of her career: leaving her label while simultaneously losing her voice to vocal issues. But here's the thing — sometimes rock bottom becomes the foundation for something beautiful. She shares how this double blow became her spiritual awakening, giving her the clarity and courage to rebuild on her own terms. You'll hear the real stories behind her most personal songs, including her latest single, Mona Lisa Smile, and learn how she's created The Mama's Den as a space where mothers can show up authentically. Melanie says, "No more waiting for the right moment — you have to make the moment right now." This conversation is about the messy, beautiful work of becoming more yourself over time, how motherhood shifts everything, and why your vulnerability might be your superpower.

What if your career could feel as good as it looks? In this conversation, host Maura Chanz sits down with media powerhouse and wellness advocate Tai Beauchamp, former Chief Brand Officer of Brown Girl Jane and founder of Morning Mindset with Tai. As Maura dives deeper into her own relationship with Pilates and the power of community movement, she pulls wisdom from Tai on building a life rooted in purpose. Their conversation explores sisterhood and the courage it takes to evolve beyond what you've been known for. Tai also reflects on the enduring influence of her grandmother’s faith and what it means to choose alignment over achievement.

Welcome to the very first episode of Women in Progress! Before we hit our "30, flirty, and thriving" era, many of us experience a cosmic shake-up known as the Saturn return. In this premiere, host Maura Chanz reflects on her own turning point and explores how intergenerational wisdom can guide us through life’s biggest transitions.

Welcome to Women in Progress, a podcast hosted by Maura Chanz that explores the stories and wisdom of women navigating change, growth, and new chapters in life. Each episode blends Maura’s reflections with intimate conversations featuring trailblazing women, creating a living archive of their HERstories and her own. After all, who are we without the sage wisdom of the women who came before us? This is just the trailer; episode 1 is coming on 4/27!