Today, we're joined by an individual whose roots in our community run as deep as her impact: Joan Fisk. This past May, Joan was the recipient of the 025 Oktoberfest Women of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award. Joan is a powerhouse leader. Her incredible career began right here at her family's business, the Tiger Brand Knitting Company. It’s a place that holds a surprising bit of fashion history; if you wore a Cotton Ginny or Beaver Canoe t-shirt in the '80s, you were likely wearing a piece of Joan's legacy.

As the current CEO of the United Way, Joan is now focused on strengthening the fabric of our community. I was curious to have this conversation because, like most people I know, I understand what the United Way is and I can recognize its logo, but I didn’t fully understand its unique funding model and the many ways it can help a community.

Joan explains it as this: United Way is a little bit from a lot of people to make a difference for people that you don't even know.

Links and Resources

Joan’s LinkedIn

The United Way



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Today’s guest, Natalie Dumond, is someone who knows that leadership isn’t just about strategy and results—it’s about courage, vulnerability, and authenticity. Natalie is a leadership coach, speaker, and certified Dare to Lead facilitator. Her journey began as an HR professional, where she developed her own unique feedback framework, which led to her contribution to Brené Brown’s bestselling book, Dare to Lead—flip to page 205 to read Natalie’s words of wisdom.

In our conversation, Natalie shared her wisdom on the keys to great communication, active and present listening, the art of asking better questions, and even why silence can be your most powerful tool. We also explored how to quiet what she calls the “itty bitty shitty committee,” the role of vulnerability in leadership, and the importance of emotional awareness.

Links and Resources

Natalie's Website

Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

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Listen to Jody and Kirstie's podcast! Listen to Chef Over Your Shoulder on all major podcast platforms!

In this episode, I’m joined by two dynamic chefs and educators who have turned their passion for food into a thriving business and a lasting friendship. Red Seal qualified chefs Jody O'Malley and Kirstie Herbstreit are the co-founders of The Culinary Studio.

Together, they bonded over properly cooked calamari and never looked back. What began as a shared love of food and teaching grew into a business built on connection, community, and curiosity.

In this episode, we talk about why food is so much more than fuel. And how it creates memories, brings people together, and even saves marriages. Jody and Kirstie talk about their duelling chicken noodle soup recipes and the three of us share memories we had cooking with our grandmothers.

This conversation was more than a behind-the-scenes look at what happens in their online cooking class. Jody and Kirstie share what it takes to build and grow a business as partners, the lessons they’ve learned through entrepreneurship, and how being lifelong learners has shaped their journey.

This conversation was an inspiring reminder that the kitchen isn’t just a place for cooking. It is also a place of joy, connection, and creativity.

Join us every other week for stories that inspire. Hear leadership stories from female founders, trailblazers in women leadership and entrepreneurs sharing their success stories.

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Culinary Studio Website

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Facbook

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