Powerful Ladies® Podcast

Accessibility, Ambition & the Business of Being Funny | Danielle Perez | Comedian, Actor & Writer

May 20, 2026

What does it mean to create a life that’s both deeply authentic and unapologetically ambitious? Comedian, actor, and writer Danielle Perez joins Kara Duffy to talk about building a career in entertainment while navigating disability, representation, and the realities of modern creative life. Together they explore the power of visibility, the importance of accessibility, and why success in creative industries requires far more than talent alone. Danielle shares candid stories about stand-up c...

Grief, Rituals & Raising Emotionally Literate Humans | Korie Leigh, PhD | Thanatologist & Childhood Bereavement Expert

May 13, 2026

Why are we so uncomfortable talking about death, and what is that avoidance costing us? In this episode, Kara Duffy sits down with grief educator and thanatologist Korie Leigh to unpack how Western culture became disconnected from death, ritual, and communal grieving. From childhood development and emotional regulation to collective trauma and meaning-making, this conversation offers practical tools for navigating grief at every age. Korie shares insights from her work with children and fam...

Family Law, Judicial Ethics & the Human Side of Justice | Ami Sagel | Orange County Superior Court Judge

May 06, 2026

Family court impacts some of the most personal and emotional moments in people’s lives, but most of us know very little about how it actually works. In this episode, Orange County Superior Court Judge Ami Sagel pulls back the curtain on the realities of being a judge, the moral responsibility of making life-altering decisions, and the human stories behind divorce, custody, and domestic violence cases. Kara and Ami explore how judges balance fairness with discretion, the growing mental health...