What if we stopped underestimating children and started listening to them as leaders?

In this episode, Ashley sits down with Leah Ellis, founder of the Society of Child Entrepreneurs, for a powerful conversation about youth empowerment, creativity, and what true intergenerational leadership actually looks like.

Leah challenges the belief that children should wait their turn to lead. Instead, she shows what happens when kids are trusted with real responsibility, real decision-making power, and real-world learning through entrepreneurship. 

This conversation is for parents, educators, nonprofit leaders, and anyone rethinking how we prepare the next generation to lead with confidence, curiosity, and courage.

What if financial confidence wasn’t about having more money but about trusting yourself?

In this episode, Ashley is joined by Nancy Griffin, founder of Women, Worth, and Wellness, for an honest and empowering conversation about money, mindset, and the systems that have historically kept women from fully owning their financial power.

Nancy breaks down the myths that hold women back from financial independence and reframes wealth as a tool for freedom, health, impact, and choice - not intimidation or shame. 

Together, Ashley and Nancy explore how confidence compounds, why asking questions is a leadership skill, and how women can take small, intentional steps to build long-term financial clarity.

What does it really take to stop being overlooked and start being recognized for your expertise?

In this episode, publicist and brand strategist KJ Blattenbauer joins Ashley to break down the truth about public relations, visibility, and why so many women undervalue their voice before they’re even seen.

What does it take to build a business from the ground up - without burning out, losing yourself, or shrinking your ambition?

In this episode, founder and CEO Meesha Gerhart (Redtree Web Design) joins Ashley to break down the real story behind purpose-led leadership, women’s entrepreneurship, and how confidence grows when community does.

In this episode, we are joined by Ruth Fleury - author, entrepreneur, and founder/CEO of Scholars of Tomorrow Publishing - for a conversation about storytelling, education, and empowerment. Ruth shares how her journey as a teacher and mother led her to write her first children’s book during the pandemic, inspiring a new chapter as both an author and publisher. 

In this episode of Queen Me, we are joined by Hailey Krajewski - a conversion copywriter, messaging strategist, and former nonprofit development professional - for a conversation about the power of words, the art of storytelling, and how women can show up boldly in business without burning out.

In this episode of Queen Me, we are joined by Jennifer Love, celebrated entrepreneur, money therapist, and CEO of the Livewell Institute. With more than 25 years in the C-suite, Jennifer has guided mission-driven leaders to redefine wealth, align with true purpose, and create legacies rooted in love and gratitude.

In this episode of Queen Me, we sit down with Denali Sai Nalamalapu, author of Holler - a stunning graphic memoir chronicling the fight against the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Through their words and art, Denali explores love as resistance, the human cost of environmental extraction, and the transformative power of storytelling as a tool for survival and change.

In this episode of Queen Me, Ashley Lynn Priore is joined by Erica Reid, Senior Director of Chapter Success at Friends of the Children - a national nonprofit pioneering long-term mentorship. Erica shares her inspiring journey through education and community work, reflecting on how a deeply rooted mission of serving youth, supporting families, and strengthening communities has guided her career and life.

In this episode of Queen Me, Ashley Lynn Priore is joined by Kate Grant, the founding CEO of the Fistula Foundation and author of No Woman Left Behind. Kate shares her bold leap from a high-powered advertising career to becoming one of the world’s leading advocates for maternal health.

In this deeply personal episode, we sit down with Sari Caine - chess champion, educator, playwright, former performer, and upcoming memoirist. Sari opens up about her journey through trauma, teaching, identity, and art - all viewed through the lens of chess. From classrooms in New York City to new beginnings in the woods, Sari shares how the game saved her life, shaped her soul, and helped her discover who she really is when she stops performing and starts being.

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Annemarie Penny, founder and CEO of Dreamore, to talk about technology, leadership, and the mindset shifts required to thrive in a rapidly changing world. From her beginnings in Arkansas to her journey as a tech leader in California, Annemarie shares how she’s using AI, strategy, and emotional intelligence to shape a more equitable and expansive future - especially for women.

In this soulful episode, harpist and 2025 Doris Duke Artist Award recipient Brandee Younger opens up about her journey through music, identity, and self-discovery. From blending classical roots with contemporary sound to creating her latest album Gadabout Season, Brandee reflects on joy, healing, and what it means to live authentically - even in spaces where you're told you don’t belong.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jerad Morey, a peacemaker and leader at the Minnesota Council of Churches. Jerad shares their journey from early life experiences with mental illness in the family to their leadership in conflict resolution and community dialogue. Together, we explore how chess, empathy, and deep listening can help us build bridges in a polarized world - and why curiosity may be our most underused superpower.

In this energizing episode, Amanda Litman - co-founder and president of Run for Something and author of When We’re in Charge - shares what it really means to be in charge without losing yourself in the process. From launching a political movement to advocating for humane, sustainable leadership, this conversation is a masterclass in owning your values, building power with purpose, and designing a future that works for you.

In this episode of Queen Me, we sit down with Kelly Ross - nonprofit leader, social entrepreneur, and founder of The Echo Collective in Lincoln, Nebraska. Kelly shares the journey behind her mission to uplift immigrant and refugee women through economic independence, community-building, and entrepreneurship. From humble beginnings as an ESL volunteer to launching The Refinery program, Kelly’s work shows how local action can create generational impact - and how stepping past fear can change everything.

In this inspiring episode of Queen Me, we sit down with Abby Lane - founder and CEO of Chérie Lane, a bold fashion brand empowering ambitious women through timeless, sparkly style. From starting her first jewelry business at age seven to launching a full-time brand while still in college, Abby shares the real behind-the-scenes of entrepreneurship: the early hustle, the hard decisions, and the deep why behind every sequin and stitch.

In this powerful episode of Queen Me, we sit down with Therese Pitman - Director of Student-Athlete Development at the University of Pittsburgh and a former Division I lacrosse player. From her time as a multi-sport high school athlete to leading one of the most impactful departments in college athletics, Therese shares how she turned sideline moments into stepping stones, why supporting athletes off the field matters more than ever, and how she’s shaping the future of inclusive, purpose-driven sports leadership.

In this episode, we’re joined by Ashley Lamb-Sinclair—award-winning educator, National Geographic Explorer, author, and the visionary behind 2892 Miles to Go. From her days in a Kentucky classroom to the frontlines of education reform and youth-led storytelling, Ashley shares how she’s built a life rooted in purpose, policy, and radical authenticity. This conversation explores what it means to lead from where you are, why stories can shift systems, and how being underestimated might just be your greatest strength.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Anna Steve—a trailblazing plastic surgeon at Neinstein Plastic Surgery who specializes in breast surgery. From her small-town Canadian roots to her patient-first, minimal-scar approach to cosmetic care, Dr. Steve brings a refreshing, human-centered voice to the field of aesthetic medicine. She opens up about what it means to empower women through surgical care, how she balances motherhood and medicine, and why confidence—not trends—should guide beauty decisions.