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What happens when your life falls apart… and you book a one-way ticket to Italy anyway? At 44, with no plan and no art background, Kippi Leonard did exactly that—and everything changed. In this episode, I talk to Kippi about the solo trip that sparked a complete reinvention. From her first emotional moment in front of Michelangelo’s David to selling her paintings for five figures, Kippi’s journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to become who you really are.

We talk about creativity, risk, finding your voice as a woman in midlife, and the realities of building a thriving art business after 40. Kippi shares how she taught herself to draw, built gallery relationships, navigated fear, pricing, and success—and what she’s learned about working hard, setting boundaries, and becoming unshakably herself.

If you're standing at a crossroads, this one’s for you.

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In this solo episode, I’m talking about grit—the unglamorous, sweaty, get-back-up-again kind. The kind that shows up when your house burns down. (Yep, that happened.) The kind that keeps you going when your catalog business tanks spectacularly. (Also me.) And the kind that lets you smile through a massively awkward, under-attended ballroom event where you hired a band, belly dancers, and booked a venue the size of a Costco… for 30 guests.

I take you through the real stories that taught me what grit really looks like—plus why it matters more than talent, IQ, or even confidence.

You’ll hear:

• The surreal moment I watched my bedroom go up in flames
• How I lost money (and probably a little dignity) chasing a dream business in my 20s
• The ball that bombed—and the lesson that stuck
• Why failing big gave me the skills I needed to eventually succeed
• And the quote I come back to every time I want to crawl under a blanket and never try again

This one’s for anyone who’s ever failed, flopped, or felt like giving up. If that’s you—listen up. This is your sign to keep going.

Because your empire? It’s still waiting.
And you? You were built for it.

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In this episode, I’m talking with beauty influencer and author Lauren Hale, who went from teaching kindergarten in Idaho to building a thriving online business with nearly a million followers. She’s known for helping women feel confident in their skin through makeup that actually works for aging faces — but her story is about so much more than eyeliner.

We talk about:

• The moment she decided to quit her job and go all in on content creation
• The big break that helped her brand explode
• The personal values she refuses to compromise — even when it means turning down big money
• Why getting invited isn’t always as fun as not getting invited (yes, we went there)
• What’s next in the ever-evolving world of beauty influencing

Lauren’s journey is such a powerful example of what's possible when you take a risk, trust your gut, and build something aligned with who you really are.

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In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my story — the whole messy, magical, not-always-pretty truth about how I went from single mom in survival mode to professional photographer with a thriving business.

You’ll hear about the freedom of my wild childhood, the influence of a fearless mother, and the power of curiosity and reinvention. I’ll take you through the leap I made when I left my marriage, the scrappy early days of building my business, and the moment I hung my work in Starbucks with no idea what I was doing (but knew I had to start somewhere).

This one’s for the woman standing at the edge of her next chapter — scared but ready. If that’s you, this episode is your sign.

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I couldn’t think of a better way to kick things off than with Angie Monson—creative entrepreneur, global retreat founder, photographer, and all-around soulful badass. Angie turned her passion into a career that lets her travel the world, host transformational retreats in places like Bali, Morocco, Croatia, and Italy, and live life on her own terms.

In this episode, we dive deep into:
• Why female friendships can feel hard—and how to find connection that truly supports you.
• The truth about making money as a creative (hint: it’s not just about talent).
• How personal healing impacts your success, happiness, and business growth.
• Angie’s journey from photographer to global retreat leader—and what it really looks like behind the scenes.

If you’ve ever thought, “Can I really turn my passion into a business?” or “Why does building community as a woman feel so complicated?”—this conversation is for you.

Hit play and let’s start building your creative empire—together.

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Connect with Angie Monson:
The Traveling Sisterhood

Let’s Stay Connected:
Follow me on Instagram: @leahclancyphotography
Join my free broadcast channel for behind-the-scenes content + creative business tips: Her Creative Empire
Subscribe to Her Creative Empire so you never miss an episode!

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Coming Up Next Week:
It’s just you and me. I’m sharing my personal story—how I went from being a divorced single mom with nothing but a camera and a dream, to building a photography business that supported my family, my creativity, and my freedom. If you’ve ever wondered if it’s too late to start, or if doing something artistic can actually pay the bills—don’t miss it.

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In this very first episode of Her Creative Empire, Leah shares the spark that inspired the podcast—an honest reflection on female friendship, ambition, motherhood, and the quiet longing for deeper connection.

She opens up about always feeling like she didn’t quite fit in traditional circles, and how one brutally honest character from White Lotus helped her realize she wasn’t “too much”—she was just in the wrong room.

This episode is an invitation into a new kind of space: one where creative, curious women can talk about real things—art, business, psychology, spirituality, identity—and build something that’s theirs.

If you’re craving honest conversations, creative inspiration, and true sisterhood… welcome. You’ve found the right room