
As I bring The Commons with Karla to a close, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared since the podcast launched in March 2021. What began as a simple idea to highlight the stories of everyday women has blossomed into three years of exploring the beauty and complexity of our shared human experiences — connection, loss, purpose, and joy. Through these stories, I’ve grown, and I hope you have too. It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to this chapter, but I’m fill...
Aug 20, 2024
19 min

Today, I am joined by Lara Ritchie, the culinary director at a cooking school who has a profound appreciation for connection and learning. Our show often explores themes of intention and connection, and Lara's story is a perfect example. As we dive deep into her experiences, these themes become evident in both her past and present. Lara discusses her passions and how she cultivates connection and learning within her family, friends, and community. She is a delightful person, and I am confiden...
Jun 18, 2024
1 hr 4 min

Welcome back to The Commons with Karla. Join me for an inspiring conversation with Alison Butler as we dive into her powerful story and its profound impact on her life. Alison candidly shares hard truths and offers a message of hope, showing us how our own stories can shape our relationships, faith, and purpose. Through Alison’s journey of pain, redemption, and blessing, we are encouraged to reflect on our own experiences and find beauty and hope in them. We explore the beauty and comp...
Jun 4, 2024
52 min

In this episode of The Commons with Karla, I sit down for a compelling conversation with Stephanie Sherman, a remarkable woman whose journey embodies resilience, faith, and social activism. Stephanie's transition from nurturing her children to joining Awaken, a faith-driven organization dedicated to combating commercial sexual exploitation, sets the stage for an exploration of personal growth and spiritual evolution. Together, Stephanie and I explore profound topics, including race, parenting...
May 7, 2024
1 hr 4 min

Welcome back to another episode of The Commons with Karla! Today, I have a special guest, Gretchen Huijskens, who is dedicated to using fashion as a catalyst for positive change in alleviating poverty. In our conversation, Gretchen shares her journey, including her experiences founding a charity in Haiti and co-founding Trades of Hope. Through her work, she has witnessed women overcoming poverty, trafficking, and gender inequality. Gretchen's book, "Our Voices Rising: One CEO’s Journey to All...
Apr 16, 2024
53 min

Welcome to The Commons with Karla, where we dive into the stories of everyday women making extraordinary impacts in their families and communities. My passion for this podcast stems from a deep belief in the power of shared experiences and connections. Through conversations, we uncover the common threads that unite us as human beings, from our desires and struggles to our capacity for purpose and joy. In today's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jamie Hanson, a woman whose r...
Apr 2, 2024
51 min

In this episode of The Commons with Karla, I dive deep into the concept of superpowers with my guest, Ashleigh Harvey. Rather than envisioning superpowers as the typical superhero abilities like invisibility or teleportation, we explore the idea that each of us possesses a unique superpower – a special skill, mindset, or belief that profoundly shapes our lives and influences the world around us. Through Ashleigh's captivating story, you'll witness firsthand how her superpower has left an inde...
Mar 19, 2024
47 min

Welcome back to The Commons with Karla. In this episode, I have the privilege of sitting down with Amy Riley, who graciously shares her poignant journey of caring for her mother during the challenging final stages of Lewy Body Dementia. As Amy navigates this difficult path, she also manages to fulfill her roles as a wife, mother, volunteer, writer, and marketing professional. Through her story, we discover the profound ways unexpected challenges can reshape our lives and prompt personal growt...
Mar 5, 2024
1 hr 19 min

Welcome to Episode 134 of The Commons with Karla! In today's episode, we explore the themes of strength, resilience, and the transformative power of adversity. Many of us aspire to become stronger and more adept at navigating life's challenges. However, it's often during moments of change and hardship that we truly discover our inner resilience. Our guest, Melissa Saldana, shares her profound journey marked by significant life changes and trials. Like a diamond forged under press...
Feb 20, 2024
54 min

Welcome back to The Commons with Karla. Today, I have the incredible Charlotte Sanchez joining me. Charlotte wears many hats – she's a devoted wife, a mom to two adorable little ones, and the Chief Communications Officer at the Luis Palau Association. We're diving into her journey, and trust me, it's a rollercoaster of embracing beauty in the midst of life's bumps and bruises. Working with a team of fellow creatives, Charlotte sees her role as a Chief Communications Officer not j...
Feb 6, 2024
1 hr 6 min
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