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

In this uplifting episode, we sit down with Leida Rountree, a Certified Financial Planner™ turned Certified Life Coach, 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, and Mindfulness Meditation Teacher who has made it her mission to help women design the lives they were born to live.

After years of professional success, Leida realized her fast-paced lifestyle was unsustainable — and that true fulfillment required more than achievement. Through self-discovery, yoga, and mindfulness, she began to realign her life with her passions and values.

Today, Leida guides women through that same journey of transformation, helping them find clarity, purpose, and peace through intentional living.

In this episode, we explore:
✨ How burnout can become a catalyst for self-discovery
💖 Practical steps to begin redesigning your life — starting today

This is a conversation for anyone ready to slow down, realign, and live from a place of balance, passion, and purpose.

In this episode, we sit down with Atlanta-born Author and Advocate, Astrid Serika Ross, affectionately known as Sister Sayeedah. A mother, grandmother, suicide loss survivor, and fierce voice for mental health and education, Sister Sayeedah shares her journey of transforming personal tragedy into powerful advocacy.

As Executive Director of the Mental Health Support Network and a 20-year leader at the City of Knowledge Islamic School, she has dedicated her life to breaking the stigma around mental health, especially in communities of color. Certified through NAMI, a leader of the Gwinnett Comm-UNITY Mental Health Task Force, and a newly published author of children’s books on emotional wellness, her impact spans classrooms, communities, and policy circles.

In this conversation, she opens up about:

• Her journey as a suicide loss survivor and how she found purpose through pain

• The importance of early mental health education for children

• Her new children’s books that empower kids to embrace emotions

• Why representation and advocacy in politics and education matter more than ever

• Her vision for mental health equity across Georgia schools and beyond

This is a powerful episode for parents, educators, advocates, and anyone committed to transforming mental health in our communities.

In this soul-stirring episode, we sit down with Pastor Moses Brown—visionary leader and founder of Feed Our Children. For over four decades, Pastor Brown has championed the underserved, delivering food, supplies, and hope to thousands of children and families in need.

He shares:

• The personal faith journey that led him to launch a global movement

• How Feed Our Children grew from a local outreach to an international force

• Stories that fuel his mission to restore dignity and opportunity

• Insights on leadership, partnership, and sustainable change

• His call to action for us all to do more for our neighbors

📍 Learn more: www.FeedOurChildren.org
📲 Follow us: IG @Karen.And.Cat, YouTube @conversationswithkarenandcat, TikTok @KarenAndCat
🎧 Subscribe & share to inspire others!

In this episode, we sit down with Sharoya Ham — a mother of three, devoted wife, and the founder of Embrace Behavior Change. As a behavior change specialist and parent coach, Sharoya is passionate about helping families, educators, and workplaces shift their focus from constant problem-solving to creating meaningful, joy-filled connections.

Through her Parent Coaching, Teacher Coaching, and Workplace Coaching services, Sharoya equips people with the tools to reduce stress, strengthen relationships, and reclaim the precious moments that matter most.

Join us as we explore:

• Sharoya’s personal journey and what inspired her to start Embrace Behavior Change

• Practical strategies parents can use to bring more peace into their homes

• How teachers can manage classroom behavior while fostering stronger student relationships

• The surprising ways behavior change principles transform workplace culture and leadership

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or professional, this conversation will inspire you to embrace change not just as a challenge, but as an opportunity to build healthier, more joyful connections.

You can find "Help, My Child Won't Go to School" on Amazon https://a.co/d/bU0uHIq and Barnes and Noble

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/help-my-child-wont-go-to-school-katie-fowle/1145720686?ean=9798990129719

We’re joined by Michelle Kang: first-generation Korean American, mom of three, community advocate, and candidate for Georgia State House District 99.

Michelle shares her inspiring journey—from organizing service projects as a teen in South Korea to supporting immigrant families and small businesses in Gwinnett County. Now, she’s running for office to fight for housing, education, public safety, and equity for all.

💬 Tune in for a powerful conversation on leadership, service, and building a Georgia where every voice counts.

#MichelleKang #District99 #GeorgiaPolitics #CommunityLeadership #ConversationsWithKarenAndCat