The Powerhouse Diaries

When a Sunshine Girl Learns to Glow in the DarkIn this electric and deeply human episode of The Powerhouse Diaries, Yaela Raber sits down with Kimberley Crossman, an actor, comedian, producer, creator of Pretty Depressed, grief survivor, mental health advocate, marine biology nerd, and the woman who somehow lives ten lives at once without losing the plot or her light.For years, the world saw Kimberley as the sunshine girl. Cheerful. Bubbly. Always on. But what most people never saw was the grief she was carrying through auditions, deadlines, miscarriages, and the pressure to stay “fine” on screen and online. This episode opens the curtain on that truth but not in a tragic way rather in a way that shows how softness and strength can co-exist in one woman who absolutely refuses a small life.We explore the wildly parallel worlds she moves through. Los Angeles sets. New Zealand bush walks. Comedy stages. Shark tagging adventures. Solo healing. Creative entrepreneurship. And a career built on resilience that would break most people long before the ten thousandth no.This conversation is bright, funny, disruptive, emotional, and full of moments that make you feel like you are sitting with a woman who has lived enough for three seasons of her own show. Kimberley brings receipts on what it means to keep going after loss, to redefine resilience, to stop performing for approval, and to let your messy and magnificent parts all have space at the table.If you’ve ever felt split between who the world sees and who you actually are or ever carried grief while still building a big life this episode feels like oxygen.---In This Episode We Explore00:00 Episode trailer02:10 The duality of being Kimberley in Hollywood and Kimberley at home07:40 How 10,000 rejections shaped her optimism without hardening her12:15 The quiet heartbreak of miscarriage and the identity rebuild that followed18:20 Why joy became her compass and not a personality trait23:50 The moment she stopped performing for approval and started choosing truth28:30 Finding purpose beyond visibility and the story behind Pretty Depressed35:10 The sunshine reputation and the shadows people never see41:20 Bees, sharks and the passions that keep her grounded and alive48:00 Living parallel lives and the freedom of being multidimensional55:40 Letting herself be loved in the mess instead of the performance01:03:00 Boundaries that saved her from burnout and performative wellness01:08:45 What resilience and delusion really look like behind the scenes01:15:00 How she chooses a big life without apology01:21:30 What she hopes her audience feels, not just sees01:24:00 Closing reflections---Episode LinksKimberley Crossman on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/kimcrossmanPretty Depressed Podcasthttps://open.spotify.com/show/04dZVSSbP7A3hQAyHx4s2B---Follow The Powerhouse DiariesListen on Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-powerhouse-diaries/id1791081472Listen on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3ExGnkttIzhK8NMjyWLINwInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/powerhousediaries

She Built a Fashion Legacy by Choosing Joy Over the GrindThere is ambition that burns people out.And then there is ambition that makes you lighter.Kathryn Wilson chose the second path.In this episode of The Powerhouse Diaries, Kathryn strips back the fashion gloss and talks about what really built her twenty four year career. Not hustle. Not ego. Not a five year plan. Joy. The kind that feels almost rebellious in a world obsessed with productivity and proof.But this conversation is not the surface level self care Instagram loves. It is for the woman who knows success can feel heavy even when it looks perfect. The woman who needs a reminder that her intuition is a strategy. And the woman who secretly wants permission to enjoy her life more without losing her edge.Kathryn reveals just enough to pull you in. The moment she realised she wanted her business decisions to feel like fun again. Why she would rather talk to five year olds about optimism than sit in a board meeting. How she leads her team by asking what lights them up instead of what boxes they have ticked. And how a pair of shoes can shift your whole posture and your whole life.What she does not do is give you a formula.She gives you something better.A lens. A way of choosing. A way of staying human in the climb.We talk about what it really takes to put your name out there and keep your soul in the process. We peek behind the glamor into the grind, the resets, the pivots, and the moments where her body whispered stop long before her calendar did. We explore how joy has quietly been her compass through every unexpected chapter.This episode will not tell you to slow down. It will remind you to tune in.Because sometimes the bravest thing a woman can do in business is choose what feels good and trust that it counts.In This Episode We Discuss00:00 Kathryn on what joy really means in business 04:20 The childhood spark and discovering her love for shoes 08:55 Falling into business by following what felt fun 14:20 The real grind behind the glamor 20:10 Why she would rather mentor five year olds about optimism 26:40 How she leads her team through care instead of KPIs 31:55 Creating confidence through design 38:45 The emotional power of shoes and why women stand taller in them 45:20 Reinventing constantly in a fast changing industry 52:15 Protecting her energy without losing her magic 58:40 Knowing when to pivot versus when to push 01:04:30 Building a brand that reflects who you are 01:10:20 Choosing what feels good at forty five 01:17:55 Building a life she actually wants to wake up to01:24:00 Closing reflectionsEpisode ResourcesGuest Websitehttps://www.kathrynwilson.comGuest Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/kwfootwear/Guest LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-wilson-373b361a7/Follow Us OnApple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-powerhouse-diaries/id1791081472Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3ExGnkttIzhK8NMjyWLINw?si=184cc0b3c89d440fInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/powerhousediaries

Designing the Dream, Then Dismantling ItThis is what happens when ambition meets awakening.Yaela Raber sits down with Mia Feasey, founder of Siren Design Group, to talk about what success really costs when you’ve spent your life chasing it.Mia built one of the most celebrated design studios in Asia Pacific, leading teams, winning awards, and creating spaces that shaped culture. From the outside it looked perfect. Inside, it was a slow collapse of identity, ego, and exhaustion.In this raw and unguarded conversation, Mia opens up about the reckoning that followed the burnout that forced her to rebuild from soul instead of status. She shares how she learned to lead without losing herself, why she dismantled the version of success she once worshipped, and what happens when you finally stop performing and start becoming.This episode isn’t about walking away. It’s about walking home.--In This Episode We Discuss00:00 Episode trailer01:10 The rise of Siren Design and the architecture of ambition06:00 When achievement becomes addiction12:30 Burnout, identity, and the ego that built the empire18:45 The power and pain of letting go25:00 Motherhood, leadership, and the cost of proving yourself31:15 Rebuilding from alignment instead of exhaustion37:20 What success looks like when peace becomes the goal43:40 Creativity after collapse48:00 How to design a life that finally fits--Episode ResourcesGuest Website: https://sirendesigngroup.comGuest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mia_FeaseyGuest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miafeasey--Follow Us OnApple Podcast: The Powerhouse DiariesSpotify: The Powerhouse DiariesInstagram: @powerhousediaries

She Cracked the CFO Code: Candice Tait on Money Mastery, Mindset & FreedomIn this episode of The Powerhouse Diaries, Yaela Raber sits down with Candice Tait a seasoned Chief Financial Officer turned founder, investor, and financial empowerment mentor who’s on a mission to help women reclaim their power through financial fluency.From working in London’s high-stakes tech scene as a CFO surrounded by men to building a purpose-driven career in New Zealand, Candice opens up about breaking glass ceilings, redefining safety, and creating what she calls the “F*** You Fund” a savings system designed to give women true freedom of choice.This conversation dismantles money myths, explores how trauma and safety shape our financial behaviors, and reveals why understanding your numbers is the most radical act of empowerment a woman can take.We Discuss:In This Episode 00:00 - Episode Trailer02:10 - From London finance executive to female founder in New Zealand05:45 - Cracking the code of the male-dominated world of tech and private equity09:00 - Sexism in the boardroom and learning to play the game differently13:20 - The pivotal lessons from 14 company exits and multi-million-dollar acquisitions17:00 - The “F*** You Fund”: what it is and why every woman needs one20:30 - Turning scarcity into empowerment through intentional money management23:10 - Rewriting your attachment style to money27:00 - Why financial literacy is the second language every founder must speak30:20 - How to pay yourself properly as a founder (and when to start)33:50 - Why numbers tell your story and how to make them work for you38:10 - Overcoming shame and rewriting your financial narrative42:00 - Using business strategy and profit & loss as your power tools46:10 - How to bridge feminine intuition with financial confidence50:00 - The money myths that need to die and how to build true wealth on your termsEpisode Resources:Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_tait/Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candice-tait-38602226/Follow Us On:Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yaela.raber/Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerhousediaries/Spotify: The Powerhouse DiariesYouTube: The Powerhouse Diaries

From Breaking Point to Breakthrough: Jody Boshoff on Reinventing Success and Building a Business With IntegrityIn this episode of The Powerhouse Diaries, Yaela Raber sits down with Jody Boshoff founder of Launch PR, communications strategist, and storyteller to unpack the raw truth behind starting over when life and business fall apart.From navigating motherhood and burnout to rebuilding her life from scratch after losing everything, Jody’s story is one of courage, reinvention, and radical self-belief. She shares how she turned crisis into creativity, walked away from corporate PR, and built an agency that thrives on transparency, results, and human connection.This episode is for every woman who’s ever hit rock bottom and wondered if she could start again. Jody proves you can and come back stronger than ever.In This Episode We Discuss:00:00 - Episode Trailer01:15 - From corporate comms to chaos: when everything collapsed at once05:20 - Bathing the kids in a bucket and the moment everything changed09:00 - Rebuilding from the ground up and redefining success12:45 - Why “having it all” nearly broke her16:10 - Building Launch PR: doing business differently20:30 - The ethics of storytelling and getting results with integrity24:00 - From invisibility to leadership: reclaiming her voice28:45 - The truth about burnout and balance33:20 - Using failure as fuel for reinvention36:40 - What it really means to be a powerhouse womanEpisode Resources:Guest Website: https://launchpr.co.nz/Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodyboshoff/Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodyboshoff/Uri Hasson TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/uri_hasson_this_is_your_brain_on_communicationUri Hasson TED Talk Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDhlOovaGrIFollow Us On:Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yaela.raber/Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerhousediaries/Spotify: The Powerhouse DiariesYouTube: The Powerhouse Diaries

She Went to Sleep a Newlywed and Woke Up a Viral SensationIn this raw and wildly inspiring episode, Yaela Raber sits down with Jony Lee, creative strategist, content powerhouse, and storyteller at The Attention Seeker whose life changed overnight after a deeply personal act of love went viral.At just 20 years old, Jony shaved her head during her wedding to honor her terminally ill mother. She went to bed a newlywed and woke up with 100,000 followers and the internet’s brutal spotlight. What followed was a crash course in grief, identity, and the strange duality of social media fame.Now one of New Zealand’s most magnetic voices in digital storytelling, Jony shares how she turned pain into purpose, learned to “speak from scars, not wounds,” and built a career helping brands tell human-centered stories that actually matter.This episode is for every creative, founder, and woman who’s ever wondered what it means to be seen and what it costs.In This Episode We Discuss:00:00 - Episode trailer01:45 - The wedding day that changed everything05:10 - Shaving her head for her dying mother08:30 - Grief, humor, and love colliding in one unforgettable moment12:20 - Going viral overnight 100,000 followers in a single night17:00 - Dealing with internet hate and reclaiming her own story21:45 - The birth of The Attention Seeker and finding her creative calling26:20 - How storytelling became her healing process31:00 - “Speak from a scar, not a wound” how to share authentically online35:45 - The dark side of parasocial fame and finding real connection39:20 - The human truth behind every viral moment43:00 - Why vulnerability isn’t a performance46:30 - Breaking the fear of judgment and posting anyway50:10 - From content to sales: redefining success on her own terms55:20 - Storytelling as the heart of every powerful brand01:00:30 - Owning your story and why that’s your obligation, not an optionEpisode Resources:Guest Website: https://www.theattentionseeker.com/Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonymlee/Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jony-lee-the-attention-seeker/Follow Us On:Apple Podcast: The Powerhouse DiariesSpotify: The Powerhouse DiariesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerhousediaries/

She Built an App That Broke the Internet While Recovering From SurgeryIn this electrifying episode, Yaela Raber sits down with Nicole Retter, co-founder of PAM, the revolutionary app easing the invisible mental load carried by parents particularly mothers. What began as a duct-taped prototype created by a burnt-out mum has become one of the fastest-growing tools for families worldwide.Nicole opens up about the day PAM went viral while she was in the hospital recovering from surgery, the chaos of scaling overnight, and the deep personal burnout that almost broke her. Together, she and Yaela unpack the dark side of high-achieving entrepreneurship, the addiction to productivity, and how Nicole rebuilt both her health and her leadership by finally slowing down.This is a brutally honest conversation about motherhood, mental load, ADHD, and the hidden emotional toll of building something that matters and how reclaiming your own wellbeing is the ultimate act of power.In This Episode We Discuss:00:00 - Episode Trailer01:22 When the app “broke the internet” overnight03:50 The mental load parents carry and why PAM had to exist06:30 Solving a problem 20 years overdue07:56 ADHD, motherhood, and building a product for your past self10:15 From burnout to body breakdown: the wake-up call12:22 The scariest moment and the lesson it forced14:50 The addiction to doing more and how it’s rewarded17:00 Finding the line between obsession and burnout19:42 Relearning to rest the hardest skill21:20 Setting boundaries as a founder and mother23:03 The guilt of “doing it wrong” and finding grace again25:19 Recognizing the “have to” mindset as a warning sign27:20 The myth of productivity and redefining success30:10 The burnout loop: never feeling “enough”33:42 Childhood patterns and the high-achiever trap35:44 Reconnecting to the body after years of disconnection38:12 Building PAM: from wine nights to beta testing42:15 Turning messy steps into massive impact46:10 Data, safety, and protecting what matters most50:20 The lesson from her biggest business mistake54:00 Full-circle moments: from wanting kids to building PAM for parents56:00 The real measure of impact and the power of following intuitionEpisode Resources:Guest Website: https://nicoleretter.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleretter/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-retter/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.retter/Follow Us On:Apple Podcast: The Powerhouse DiariesSpotify: The Powerhouse DiariesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_powerhouse_alliance/Website: https://www.drdanielkirkbride.com/

From Bored to Boss: How Georgia Patten Turned Restlessness Into a MovementIn this episode, I sit down with Georgia Patten entrepreneur, podcast host, and the voice behind Bored to Boss. What started as a feeling of disconnection and frustration with the “safe path” became the catalyst for Georgia to step into entrepreneurship, build a personal brand, and create a platform that empowers young women to chase what really lights them up.We dive into Georgia’s journey of turning boredom into fuel, building a business from scratch, and the mindset shifts that helped her trade expectations for alignment. This conversation is for anyone who’s ever looked around at their life and thought, surely, there’s more than this.In This Episode We Discuss:00:00 - Episode Trailer01:15 - The moment Georgia realized she was bored with the “safe” path05:30 - How boredom can be a signal for growth and change09:40 - Launching *Bored to Boss* and creating a podcast for young women14:00 - Lessons from building a brand in real time18:30 - The role of social media in growing a movement23:00 - How to move from idea to action (without overthinking)27:45 - Navigating self-doubt and imposter syndrome32:00 - Why aligned community matters more than metrics36:15 - Turning creativity into consistency40:00 - Georgia’s advice for anyone ready to stop waiting and start buildingEpisode Resources:Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgia.patten/?hl=enGuest Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bored.george/?hl=enGuest Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boredtobosspodcast/?hl=enGuest Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50vTQvbEfenwLx4SvfXm6g?si=e8bca594ab6440aeFollow Us On:Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-powerhouse-diaries/id1791081472Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ExGnkttIzhK8NMjyWLINw?si=184cc0b3c89d440fInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_powerhouse_alliance/Host Website: https://www.drdanielkirkbride.com/

From Pastor to Building Empire: Natalie Williams on Trauma, Real Estate, and Building Generational WealthIn this episode, I sit down with Natalie Williams speaker, coach, and founder of Wealth Creators whose journey has been anything but ordinary. From her early years as a pastor and suicide prevention advocate in New Zealand to becoming a luxury real estate entrepreneur in Dubai, Natalie’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless ambition.We dive into the trauma and transformation that shaped her path, including losing her father, facing depression, and learning to turn pain into power. Natalie shares how she built a multi-million-dollar real estate business in one of the world’s most competitive markets, why financial literacy and wealth creation are essential for women, and the mindset shifts that allow anyone to step into their next level.This conversation is packed with practical insights, raw truth, and a powerful reminder that you are the architect of your own life.In This Episode We Discuss:00:00 - Episode Trailer01:00 - From pastor to entrepreneur: Natalie’s unlikely beginning05:00 - Losing her father, depression, and the power of forgiveness10:00 - Building resilience through grief and trauma14:00 - Creating a national suicide prevention tour18:00 - Transitioning into PR, coaching, and real estate22:00 - Pitching and winning the biggest property deal in New Zealand28:00 - Moving to Dubai: why a one-way ticket changed everything33:00 - The truth about financial freedom, wealth, and contribution38:00 - Money mindset: shifting from scarcity to abundance42:00 - Female founders, tall poppy syndrome, and building global empires48:00 - Why pain can be your greatest teacher53:00 - Final reflections: success, sacrifice, and legacyEpisode Resources:Guest Website: https://nataliewilliams.komi.io/Guest Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/nataliewilliams.coach/?hl=enGuest Instagram (Wealth Creators): https://www.instagram.com/wealthcreators.ae/?hl=enGuest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-williamsFollow Us On:Apple Podcast: The Powerhouse DiariesSpotify: The Powerhouse DiariesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_powerhouse_alliance/Host Website: https://www.drdanielkirkbride.com/

She Built One of New Zealand’s Most Iconic Restaurants And Redefined What It Means to LeadIn this episode, I sit down with Judith Tabron, legendary restauranteur and hospitality leader, whose story is one of grit, innovation, and fearless reinvention. From building and running the iconic Soul Bar & Bistro for over two decades to reimagining what life and leadership look like beyond it, Judith has consistently led from the front in one of the toughest industries in the world.We dive into how she navigated the relentless pressures of hospitality, what it really means to scale and sustain a brand over decades, and the personal toll that comes with being “always on.” Judith shares lessons in leadership, resilience, and legacy and why she believes the next chapter of her life is her boldest yet.This conversation is a rare behind-the-scenes look at an industry icon, packed with wisdom for any founder, leader, or creative building something meant to last.00:00 - Episode Trailer01:20 - Building Soul Bar & Bistro from vision to institution06:30 - The relentless grind of hospitality and leadership11:00 - Lessons in resilience: navigating setbacks and comebacks15:20 - The realities of being a woman leader in a male-dominated space20:00 - Sustaining success over two decades24:45 - The personal cost of being “always on”30:10 - Leadership lessons from hospitality that apply everywhere35:00 - Reinvention: what comes after building an empire40:15 - Judith’s advice to the next generation of women leadersGuest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judetabron/?hl=enGuest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-tabron-3a318830Apple Podcast: The Powerhouse DiariesSpotify: The Powerhouse DiariesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_powerhouse_alliance/Host Website: https://www.drdanielkirkbride.com/In This Episode We Discuss:Episode Resources:Follow Us On: