Penny for your Shots

Building a Business That Fits Your Life | Kym Brake

What does it take to build a business when your family’s needs have to come first? For Kymbirley “Kym” Brake, it began in a hospital room. While caring for her daughter, she started helping other parents with taxes and insurance paperwork. That work grew into a business that allowed her to support them both while remaining available for her daughter’s care. Kym joins me to talk about financial independence, finding confidence in your own abilities, and making business decisions that reflect the life you actually need. We also discuss taxes, asking for professional guidance, and the challenge of knowing when to keep going and when to change direction. In this episode: • How helping other families became the beginning of Kym’s business • A teacher who saw her gift for numbers • Building a career around caregiving • Asking better questions about your business and taxes • Perseverance, pivoting, and the pressure to keep your word • Choosing your clients and protecting your energy • Making room for travel, connection, and a little fun Connect with Kym: Website: https://www.octaxbrake.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octaxbrake/ Visit her website to explore her services, courses, and membership. Know a woman who is building a business around a complicated life? Share this conversation with her. This conversation is for general information and is not individualized tax or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional about your circumstances before acting on any tax strategy discussed. Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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Build a Business That Fits Your Life | Lisa Somers

What happens when growth turns the business you wanted into a job you no longer recognize? Lisa Somers joins me for an honest conversation about building Marketplace Superheroes with her brother, navigating a million-dollar debt, and learning that there is almost always another solution, even when the numbers feel overwhelming. Lisa shares how she moved from psychology training into entrepreneurship, why she eventually chose a lean team over a large corporate-style structure, and what makes a family business work without damaging the family relationship. We also talk about therapy, confidence, the people you call when a problem feels enormous, and why human connection matters even more in an AI-heavy world. In this episode, you'll hear: ▪️ How Lisa found her way into entrepreneurship without a business degree ▪️ The hard lessons that came from bad business deals and major debt ▪️ Why agency and problem solving matter more than having every answer ▪️ How Lisa and her brother divide roles and protect their relationship ▪️ Why bigger is not always better when you are designing your business ▪️ What authentic connection looks like when so much content is automated Connect with Lisa: Marketplace Superheroes Instagram Free resources: Go Live Get Paid training Free companion guide Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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What Happens When Your Body Stops Responding the Way It Used To | Corry Matthews

What happens when you’ve spent decades understanding fitness and nutrition, and suddenly your own body stops responding the way it always has? Corry Matthews spent more than 25 years in fitness and nutrition, including competing as a professional bodybuilder. But in her 40s, the strategies she had always relied on stopped working the same way. We talk about perimenopause, hormones, food, strength training, HRT, changing bodies, and why the answer in midlife isn’t always to simply try harder. We also talk about learning to work with the body you have now and giving yourself some grace along the way. In this episode: • Why Corry’s 40s changed what she thought she knew about fitness • Perimenopause and hormone changes • Food, blood sugar, and learning your individual triggers • Resistance training and everyday movement • HRT and the evolving conversation around menopause • Confidence, aging, and giving yourself grace • A family trip to Italy involving gelato, limoncello, and some fabulous memories Connect with Corry: https://corrymatthews.com/ Corry also mentioned a symptom tracker during our conversation. Find it here: https://strengthandgracefitness.com/hormonequiz/ Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

Find Yourself First, Then Watch Who Shows Up | Rose Lambert

A lot of us have quietly expected one person to be everything: best friend, travel partner, confidant, our whole social life. It rarely works, and it's not really fair to ask it of anyone. Rose Lambert has been married twice, twenty-four years the first time, twelve the second. Today she's single, and she says she has more friends than she's ever had in her life. Rose is a professional matchmaker who works with some of the wealthiest clients in the country, and she came to the work sideways, after losing a close friend to suicide during what she calls the loneliness epidemic, and after a spiritual awakening that changed how she saw her own marriages. In this episode, you'll hear: Why Rose calls it "the loneliness epidemic," and what she watched it do to her own life Chosen family, and why some friendships outlast marriages Numerology and Vedic astrology as tools for understanding compatibility Where Rose and Penny disagree on marriage, divorce, and "fixing" a partner Why real richness can't be taken from you Guest: Rose Lambert, professional matchmaker Website: roselambertmatchmaker.com Facebook: facebook.com/roselambertmatchmaker Instagram: instagram.com/roselambertmatchmaker Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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The Conversation Most of Us Avoid (And Why It's an Act of Love) | Lynn Lambrecht

If something happened to you tomorrow, would the people who love you know where to start, or would they be left guessing? This week's guest is Lynn Lambrecht, a former aviation executive turned contingency planning advisor whose work started the day she volunteered on airplane crash sites in her 20s. She's since walked her own parents through illness and decline, written a book on getting prepared, and built a career on making a scary-sounding topic feel doable. In this episode, you'll hear: Why this is daily life, not a doomsday plan The one feature already on your phone that could help EMTs help you What ER doctors say is the hardest part of an emergency (and the fix) Why baby steps beat trying to do it all in a weekend Show notes and Lynn's links: thelivingplanner.com | linkedin.com/in/lynnlambrecht Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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What Can't Come With You? A Lesson in Letting Go to Level Up

Ever notice how "leveling up" always seems to mean doing more? More hours, more offers, more on your plate? This week, Andrea Engstrom joins me to make the case for the opposite. Andrea's built a business generating six figures a month while working three days a week, and she got there by figuring out exactly what needed to go, not what needed to be added. In this episode: - The hot air balloon analogy that reframes what growth actually requires - How mental load quietly limits what women build - The process Andrea used to shrink a four-day sales process into three - A simple journaling prompt for reconnecting with what you actually want - Why your circle either grows you or keeps you exactly where you are Learn more about Andrea and grab a spot for her free Nail Your Niche coaching call at andreaengstrom.com. Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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It's Not Bragging. It's Letting the Right People Find You. | Lynn Harris

Have you ever done something meaningful and kept it to yourself because talking about it felt like bragging? Lynn Harris is the founder of Gold Comedy, the online school and community helping women and non-binary creators build comedy careers, side hustles, and creative confidence — but this conversation goes way beyond comedy. Lynn and I talk about the real difference between bragging and simply letting people know what you do, and why staying quiet about your gifts isn't humility, it's a habit that keeps you small. In this episode: - Why staying quiet about what you do isn't humility, it's a habit - How two of Lynn's students changed their careers in midlife by no longer keeping quiet - The real difference between an anecdote and a story worth telling - Why being specific, not broad, is what actually makes people relate to you More from Lynn Harris & Gold Comedy: - Gold Comedy: https://www.goldcomedy.com/ - Explore classes & community: https://club.goldcomedy.com/ - Build and Pitch Any Idea with Ryan Cunningham (starts Sept 28): https://goldcomedy.com/ - Use code GOLD10PERCENTOFF for 10% off any Gold Comedy class or membership - Book a free comedy consult with Lynn: https://calendly.com/chat-with-lynn-harris/chat-about-your-comedy-goals-w-lynn-harris-gold-comedy Also mentioned in this episode - Dead Moms Club: It'll Be Funny, We Promise: https://youtu.be/vYwpnawcC1M Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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Build a Life You Control: What's the Worst That Could Happen? with Melissa Broughton

Ever caught yourself wondering if the "safe" job is actually the risky one? This week I'm sitting down with Melissa Broughton, owner of Busy Bee Advisors and creator of the One Hour Bookkeeper training system, to talk about what it really takes to leave corporate behind and build something that's actually yours. Ten years into her own business, Melissa's found a rhythm most corporate jobs could never offer — the freedom to fly out for her son's college football games every weekend, fire a client who isn't a fit, and build an income on her own terms. We talk about: - Why corporate "job security" isn't what it used to be - A simple exercise for facing the fear that keeps women stuck ("what's the worst that could happen?") - The real story behind a $90,000 fraud catch — and why the human touch still matters even with AI in the mix - What to actually plan for before you take the leap Melissa's sharing a free 3-step guide to work-life balance with our listeners: https://gift.1hourbookkeeper.com/penny Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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You Already Have the Skills, with Sarah Noked

Have you ever looked at your own past (a job, a business, twenty years of running a household) and quietly decided that none of it counts toward what you want to do next? This week I'm sitting down with Sarah Noked, a 20-year Online Business Manager (OBM) and the founder of OBM School, who admits she believed exactly that when she started her own business, even though she'd already run a landscaping company from the ground up. In this episode, you'll hear: What an OBM actually does, and why it's different from hiring a VA Why Sarah calls the idea of "having no transferable skills" a total farce How to know if your "why" is strong enough to carry you through the hard days Why documenting your systems (yes, even the ones in your head right now) might be the single biggest thing missing from your business What quality of life actually looks like on the other side of twenty years of building something real Sarah's free resources for our community: OBM Starter Kit: https://www.obmschool.com/penny-starter SOP Kit: https://www.obmschool.com/penny-sop-kit Find Sarah at https://www.sarahnoked.com/, on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sarahnoked/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahnoked/), and on YouTube at The OBM Show with Sarah Noked. Read the full blog post: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/blog/you-already-have-the-skills Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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Your Story Doesn't Have to Be Polished to Matter | Elizabeth Brett

Have you been telling the same version of your story for so long it started to feel like a performance instead of the truth? This week I sit down with Elizabeth Brett, a former NBC reporter turned storytelling coach, to talk about what happens when we stop polishing our stories and start telling the true ones. Elizabeth spent almost a decade shaping thirty-minute interviews into ninety-second segments, covering everything from presidential campaigns to hurricanes, to the Olympics. Somewhere in the middle of that career, she left it all behind after a heartbreak that made her question everything, and built a new one helping women find their voice. We talk about: - The difference between your origin story and what Elizabeth calls your North Star story - Her sovereignty filter for knowing what's actually yours to share, and when - A near-death experience in the ocean with her daughter that reshaped how she shows up - Why your story was never really about you in the first place And yes, we also talk mocktails, because a girl's gotta relax at the end of the day too. Find Elizabeth at elizabethbrett.com or on Instagram @elizabethsbrett. Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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How to Stop Letting Fear Make Your Decisions | SL Gillespie

How many decisions do we make because we truly want something—and how many do we make because fear, an old belief, or some invisible “rule” tells us we should? This week, Penny sits down with SL Gillespie for a conversation that starts with golf and goes far beyond the course. They talk about confidence, self-talk, intuition, joy, and the beliefs women carry about success, money, achievement, and what we're “supposed” to do. SL also shares how she uses EFT (tapping) in her coaching to help women calm the nervous system and work through the beliefs that keep them stuck. In this episode: • Recognizing when fear is making the decision • Questioning the rules and beliefs we've carried for years • Why criticizing yourself isn't the path to success • Building confidence on—and off—the golf course • Using EFT/tapping to work with the nervous system • Trusting yourself, following joy, and making decisions differently Learn more about SL: https://thegolfadvantageforwomen.com/ https://thegolfadvantageforwomen.com/about/ Learn more about LEGS: https://legs.golf/ Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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Self-Care Is Survival: Stop Playing Small and Start Choosing Yourself | Cass UK

Women are often so busy taking care of everyone else that caring for themselves begins to feel selfish. Cass UK believes self-care isn’t selfish—it’s survival. After a traumatic childbirth experience nearly cost Cass and her baby their lives, she stopped waiting for the right time and committed fully to the business she had been building alongside her nursing career. In this conversation, Penny and Cass discuss making a change before life forces us to, recognizing the value of the skills we’ve gathered throughout our careers and lives, moving through imposter syndrome, and allowing other people to support us. They also explore what becomes possible when women stop playing small, trust what they already know, and give themselves permission to want more. Connect with Cass UK: Website: https://cassukonline.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassuk/ Cass is also the author of The Delicious Way, available on Amazon. Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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You Know What to Do… So Why Can’t You Get Started? | Barb Hubbard

Have you ever known exactly what you wanted (or needed) to do, but still couldn’t seem to get started? ADHD coach and EFT tapping practitioner Barb Hubbard explains why getting started isn’t always as simple as making a list, managing our time better, or trying harder. We talk about the overlap between ADHD symptoms, chronic stress, sleep deprivation, and perimenopause... And why so many capable women find themselves feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or frozen. Barb also introduces us to EFT tapping, a simple practice that may help calm the nervous system, bring the thinking brain back online, and create enough clarity to take the next step. She even walks us through a gentle tapping exercise during the conversation. In this episode, we talk about: • Why motivation and executive function can make getting started difficult • How ADHD and perimenopause can sometimes look surprisingly similar • Why procrastination is often an emotional issue rather than a time issue • How fight-or-flight affects focus, prioritization, and problem-solving • Using EFT tapping to calm the body and mind • A simple tapping practice you can try for yourself • Why consistency matters less than knowing how to restart • Creating a list of tools to use when overwhelm takes over • Moving through fear, visibility, and imposter syndrome • The importance of intentionally making time for our girlfriends Links & Mentions from This Episode Barb Hubbard Coaching: https://barbhubbardcoaching.com Connect with Barb on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbhubbard/ Sometimes the next step isn’t to push harder. Sometimes it is to pause, calm the noise, and give ourselves enough space to hear what comes next. Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

Why Being Yourself Is Good for Business with Deanna Dolecki & Ashley Ruggeri

We spend so much time trying to make our businesses look polished, professional and perfectly put together that sometimes we edit out the very thing people would connect with most: ourselves. Deanna Dolecki is the president of Blue Duck Agency, where Ashley Ruggeri serves as account director. Together, they also host the Ducks Unplugged podcast—an unscripted mix of business, work, life and the wonderfully ridiculous debates that happen when two women with different perspectives stop trying to sound polished and simply let themselves talk. Deanna and Ashley share why their podcast became more effective when they stopped trying to make every episode perfect, how being themselves helps clients understand what it is actually like to work with them, and why fun, creativity and human connection still matter in business. We also talk about resilience, career pivots, raising children who may eventually work in jobs that do not exist yet. And, naturally, whether anyone should get bangs. In this episode, we talk about: Following the fun as a business strategy Why people want to work with people they like Creating trust through real human connection Using AI without losing your ideas, creativity or voice Releasing imperfect work and learning from the response Hiring for personality, motivation and other intangibles Why trying something and changing direction is not failure Making room for both meaningful conversations and ridiculous debates Connect with Deanna and Ashley: Website: https://www.blueduckagency.com/ Ashley’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-ruggeri/ Deanna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-dolecki-45b2482/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blueduckagency/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueduckagency/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blueduckagencymarketing/ Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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How Hormone Shifts Affect Women’s Health with Sarah Norris, ARNP, MSCP

What if the symptoms you’ve been blaming on stress, aging, or “just life” are actually connected to hormone shifts? This week, I’m joined by Sarah Norris, a nurse practitioner in urology and a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner. Sarah also happens to be my urology provider, and I have been so excited to share this conversation because it touches on so many things women experience but often don’t talk about openly enough. We talk about peri-menopause, post-menopause, hormone therapy, vaginal estrogen, urinary symptoms, recurrent UTIs, painful sex, libido, testosterone, sleep, bone health, heart health, and that hard-to-explain feeling of, “I just don’t feel like myself.” Sarah explains these topics in such a clear and compassionate way, and my hope is that this episode helps you feel less alone, more informed, and more confident starting a conversation with your own healthcare provider. This conversation is educational and encouraging, but it is not personal medical advice. Please talk with your own healthcare provider about your body, your symptoms, and what may be right for you. Resources: Sarah Norris, ARNP, MSCP: https://www.mercycare.org/doctors/doctor-public-profile/sarah-norris/ The Menopause Society: menopause.org Books: Avrum Bluming, MD and Carol Tavris, PhD, Estrogen Matters Mary Claire Haver, MD, The New Menopause… Mary Claire Haver MD, The New Perimenopause… Kelly Casperson, MD, The Menopause Moment… Heather Hirsch, MD, The Perimenopausal Survival Guide… Dr. Louise Newson, Preparing for Perimenopause and Menopause Dr. Jessica Shephard, Generation M… Stephanie Faubion, MD, The New Rules of Menopause… Podcasts: You Are Not Broken The Dr. Louise Newson Podcast The International Menopause Society Podcast Menopause and Cancer Hello Menopause Menopause: Unmuted Guest speakers to search for: Kelly Casperson, Corrine Menn, Heather Hirsch, Mary Claire Haver, Stacy London Documentaries: Balance: A Perimenopause Journey, Amazon Prime (Jan. 2026) The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause (2024) Your Fantastic Mood: Menopause, PBS (2023) Sex, Myths and the Menopause (2021) Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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Visibility Is Service: Sharing Your Story with Priya Dua

If you've ever hesitated to post about a client win, an award, or even the impact you're making because you didn't want people to think you were bragging...this episode is for you. One of the things Priya Dua and I kept coming back to in this conversation is how uncomfortable so many women are talking about what they do. We work hard. We care deeply about serving others. But when it's time to share our accomplishments or tell people how we can help, many of us suddenly get quiet. Priya's expertise is in public relations, and she spends her days helping founders and business leaders tell their stories. I work with women who are building businesses rooted in service, not sales. Although we come at it from different angles, we agreed on something that's so important: People can't benefit from your gifts if they don't know you exist. Sharing your story isn't about making yourself the hero. It's about helping the people who need what you offer find you. We also talked about the difference between PR and marketing, why authenticity will always outlast chasing social media trends, how AI can support your business without replacing your voice, and why your experience and wisdom are some of your greatest strengths. And because this is Penny for Your Shots, we couldn't end the conversation without talking about espresso martinis, bowling leagues, and why making time for your girlfriends might be one of the smartest things you do all week. Sometimes filling your own cup is exactly what allows you to keep pouring into everyone else. In this episode, we talk about: Why visibility is an act of service, not self-promotion The difference between public relations and marketing Why women often downplay their accomplishments How to share your story without feeling like you're bragging Choosing authentic connection over chasing social media trends Using AI as a tool while keeping your unique voice Making time for friendships, fun, and filling your own cup Connect with Priya Dua Website: https://arkivepr.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyadua/ Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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How to Stay Open and Connected in a Guarded World with Tracey Elam

How do you stay open to people while still trusting your instincts? In this week's conversation, Tracey Elam and I explore one of the biggest challenges many of us face: balancing discernment with connection. We talk about the conditioning that shapes our beliefs, the ways fear can quietly influence our decisions, and why staying curious may be one of the most powerful tools we have for creating meaningful relationships. While we don't see every topic exactly the same way, that's part of what makes this conversation so valuable. It's a reminder that we can stay open, ask questions, and learn from one another without abandoning our own inner knowing. In This Episode: • The difference between instinct and fear • How conditioning influences the way we see the world • Why assumptions often block genuine connection • The importance of curiosity in relationships • What it means to be fully present with another person • Being prepared versus living in fear • Learning to trust yourself without shutting others out Key Topics • Self-trust • Personal growth • Midlife mindset shifts • Connection and relationships • Curiosity and discernment • Fear versus intuition • Women rediscovering themselves Connect with Tracey: https://www.instagram.com/iamtraceyelam/ Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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How Women Build Confidence Through Connection with Jillian Johnson

What if confidence isn't something you find... but something you build? In this week's conversation, Penny sits down with Jillian Johnson, founder of LEGS (Ladies Executive Golf Society), to explore how connection, community, and a little bit of courage can transform the way women show up in their lives and businesses. While golf may have brought these women together, this conversation is really about something much bigger: creating opportunities, embracing joy, and stepping into spaces where we may not have always felt invited. Jillian shares how she went from corporate employee benefits consulting to building a national organization designed to help women feel confident, connected, and empowered through golf. They also explore why play matters, how community supports our mental health, and why women deserve spaces that encourage collaboration over competition. Please note: This episode includes discussion of trauma and attempted assault. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode: • How Jillian turned an idea into a national community for women • Why confidence is built through connection and experience • The networking opportunities many women miss and how to change that • Why fun and play are essential, not optional • The role community plays in women's well-being • How to stop worrying about what others think and start showing up authentically If you've been craving more confidence, meaningful friendships, or permission to try something new, this conversation is for you. Connect with Jillian: Website: legs.golf LinkedIn: Jillian Johnson, founder of #LEGS Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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Follow the Nudge: What's Ahead on Penny for Your Shots

What if the ideas that keep nudging you aren't random at all? In this special solo episode, Penny shares an exciting preview of what's ahead on Penny for Your Shots and the experiences she's creating for women who are ready for more connection, confidence, courage, and joy. From upcoming conversations about building confidence through golf and advocating for women's health, to Wine Camp, Sipper Club, and launching Pour Decisions with Penny and Jeff, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to wait until everything is perfect to begin. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is simply follow the nudge. In This Episode: • Upcoming conversations about confidence, connection, and women's health • Why women need more spaces to show up exactly as they are • What Wine Camp is really all about • How Sipper Club creates community one cocktail at a time • The six-year journey behind launching Pour Decisions with Penny and Jeff • Why joy deserves a place on your priority list • The permission slip to stop waiting and try something new Whether you're considering your next chapter, craving deeper connection, or simply need a reminder that it's never too late to follow what lights you up, this episode is for you. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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Trust Your Gut: Danielle Frank on Reinvention & Joy

What if the thing you're supposed to do next doesn't make sense to anyone but you? Danielle Frank has built a fascinating career that took her from Hollywood publicity to the luxury wine and spirits industry, where she's spent more than two decades representing some of the world's most iconic brands. Along the way, she's made some bold decisions, including ending relationships that no longer fit, walking away from toxic work environments, and finally publishing a book she wrote 14 years earlier. In this conversation, Danielle shares why trusting your gut is often the first step toward finding the life you're actually meant to live. You'll hear: • How Danielle went from Hollywood to the world of champagne • Why she quit a toxic job without having a backup plan • The difference between intuition and impulsiveness • How confidence is built through action, not certainty • The story behind A Wine Lover's Guide to Parenting • Why it's never too late to pursue a dream you've put on hold • The importance of becoming your own hype woman This episode is for any woman standing at a crossroads and wondering whether she should take the leap. Connect with Danielle: Website: www.daniellefrankauthor.com Instagram: @createagreatstory LinkedIn: Danielle Frank Email: danielle@daniellefrankauthor.net Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails. We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info. Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

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