In this heartfelt update episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat, your favorite duo returns with major announcements and a ton of gratitude for the community that continues to support their journey.

Karen and Cat share the incredible honor of being named the Gwinnett NAACP 2025 Voice of the Community Award recipients — a recognition that affirms their commitment to uplifting voices, sparking dialogue, and standing in the gap for equity and advocacy.

But that’s not all! Catherine Hardrick takes listeners behind the scenes of her latest milestone: being elected to the Snellville City Council, Post 5. She opens up about the campaign trail, what inspired her run, and her vision for fostering connection and progress in Snellville.

Together, Karen and Cat reflect on:

• What these achievements mean personally and professionally

• The community partnerships and supporters who made this possible

• How their platform will grow and evolve with these new responsibilities

• Why representation, visibility, and unity continue to guide their work

Whether you’ve been here since episode one or you’re joining the conversation today, this episode is filled with celebration, transparency, and heartfelt appreciation.

📌 Tune in, celebrate with us, and get inspired for the journey ahead.

In this episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat, we sit down with Dr. Tracy Baynes — oceanographer, educator, and visionary leader committed to expanding college access for low-income high-school students. After earning her doctorate from the prestigious Scripps Institution of Oceanography and conducting coral reef research, Tracy shifted her focus to teaching, developing field courses for institutions like Columbia University’s Biosphere 2 Center, Sea Education Association, the University of Pittsburgh, and more.

In 2004, she founded STEP, a transformative college-prep and leadership program serving Arizona teens. Today, 96% of STEP alumni are in college or have earned a degree — a testament to the power of mentorship, leadership training, and immersive educational experiences.

This episode explores Tracy’s passion for youth empowerment, and the life-changing impact of STEP.

Contact information for Dr. Baynes

tbaynes@stepexpedition.org

https://www.stepexpedition.org/impact

In this episode, Karen and Cat talk with Ariel Fristoe, founder and Artistic Director of Out of Hand Theater, a company redefining how art can drive social change. Ariel shares her journey blending creativity, activism, and community conversation to address issues like justice, empathy, and belonging.

Discover how her award-winning model became a Harvard Business School case study, and why she believes every performance can inspire civic transformation.

🎧 Listen in to learn:

• How art can advance social justice

• What makes Out of Hand Theater a national model

• The future of community-centered arts leadership

Email: ariel@outofhandtheater.com
Phone Number: 4043129871
Website: https://www.outofhandtheater.com