Sash & Soul
Welcome to the "Fearlessly Authentic: Sash & Soul Podcast," the show that goes beyond the stage to prioritize mindset, wellbeing, and triumphs in the pageant journey. Each episode explores the power of embracing authenticity, sharing mindset tips, self-care strategies, and inspiring success stories to help you navigate the pageant world with confidence and resilience.
Episodes
In this week's episode, I'm breaking down the recent Miss Universe controversy and the bigger conversation it sparks about conflict, mistreatment, and emotional maturity in pageant culture. I'm sharing my own experiences as a former titleholder, the lessons I learned the hard way, and what Miss Mexico's response can teach all of us about grace under pressure. Whether you're a new competitor, a...
Alayna Wilson, recently crowned Miss Kansas Volunteer 2026, joins me for a real, heart-forward conversation about service, healing, and growth. We trace her journey from small-town Nebraska to PhD student and state titleholder, unpacking the story behind her initiative "Love & Light: Giving Back, Moving Forward," and how grief, family addiction, and losing a friend to childhood cancer shaped her purpose....
AI in pageants? Yep, we're going there. Before you picture robots on stage or chatbots writing your paperwork, take a breath, because this conversation is all about authenticity meets innovation.
In this episode, we're diving into how you can use tools like ChatGPT to actually enhance your prep, not replace it. From organizing your thoughts for paperwork and brainstorming interview questions, to refining your...
Competition week doesn't come with a pause button... School, work, family, and life keep going, even when you’re trying to feel prepared and confident. In this episode, Raeanna gets real about what it's like to handle time pressure when your schedule is overflowing and your brain is running on adrenaline.
She breaks down why your body reacts to time stress like a survival threat (yes, your nervous system thin...
This week on Sash and Soul, Raeanna dives deep into one of the most universal parts of competition: nerves. Whether it's your heart racing before interview or your stomach flipping before walking on stage, that anxious energy isn't a sign of weakness... it's your body's way of saying, this matters to you. Raeanna breaks down the science behind the fight-or-flight response, shares her favorite minds...
It's officially spooky season, and we're kicking off October with a conversation so many of my clients needed this week: conviction. If you've been second-guessing your choices - taking a break from school, choosing a 2-year program over a 4-year degree, heading into cosmetology or a trade - this one’s for you. Pageantry invites judgment by design, but leadership looks like standing by your decisions an...
Episode 59 is a lighter, sassier breath of fresh air. We're diving into some unpopular opinions and pageant pet peeves. From the pressure to "build a brand" to multi-thousand dollar gowns, sponsor politics, secrecy around paperwork, and that overused interview crutches, - I'm sharing what I've seen as a coach, judge, and former titleholder, and why staying in your lane (and protecting your ene...
This week is a reset for anyone grinding through back-to-back locals. I break down how to treat every competition as an opportunity, not an ultimatum, using a growth-mindset lens. We walk through smart ways to study competitors without slipping into self-judgment, why "busy" isn't the same as "making progress," and evidence-backed self-care that actually improves performance (think boundaries,...
This episode takes you on a journey through the sharp contrast between joy and heartbreak. It started with me celebrating my anniversary on a blissful spa weekend, only to return home and be met with the heated online debates following Miss America; and then, just days later, national tragedies that shook us all.
Having been on the pageant stage myself, I know how much vulnerability it takes to stand there and invite j...
This episode is a real, unfiltered look at resilience and authenticity... the kind that's forged through life's hardest seasons. In the past year, I've walked through grief, pregnancy loss, medical emergencies, and stepping into the role of caregiver after my dad's stroke. Those moments completely shifted my perspective, not just on pageantry, but on life as a whole.
Stepping back forced me to ask m...
What happens when you pursue a dream for a decade, facing rejection six times, before finally achieving it on your last possible attempt? Carlehr Swanson, Miss Virginia 2024, reveals the powerful journey that transformed her from a shy music student into a confident state titleholder whose mission transcends the crown itself.
Carlehr's story isn't just about persistence—it's about the profound ...
What does it truly mean to hold a state title in the Miss America Organization? In this heart-to-heart conversation, Miss Indiana 2024 Kalyn Melham pulls back the curtain on her journey through pageantry with refreshing candor and wisdom.
Kalyn's path wasn't the typical one – she started competing in college at 18, not as a little girl with a childhood dream. Her story reveals the power of authentic...
From a driven competitor who placed as runner-up six times to the confident woman wearing the Miss Maryland crown, Bridget O'Brien's journey exemplifies the power of resilience and authenticity in pageantry and life. Her refreshing candor about the realities of state titleholder life will resonate with anyone who's ever faced rejection or wondered if they're "enough."
Bridget&apo...
What happens when you refuse to give up on a dream, even after 13 straight losses? Paris Matthews, Miss Utah 2024, reveals the extraordinary journey that led her from wearing "evening gowns from Ross" at her first pageant to representing Utah on the Miss America stage.
This conversation peels back the glossy veneer of pageantry to explore something far more valuable: the power of authentic self-comp...
What does it truly mean to wear the crown for 365 days? Behind the polished Instagram posts and stage performances lies a journey filled with grit, growth, and occasional tears. In this revealing conversation, Miss North Carolina 2024, Carrie Everett, brings us into the heart of her unlikely path to the title and the profound lessons she discovered along the way.
As a child of Liberian immigrants who moved ac...
Kirsten Corey, Miss Massachusetts 2024, pulls back the curtain on her remarkable 20-year journey through the pageant world in this candid, eye-opening conversation. After competing since childhood and experiencing far more losses than wins, Kirsten's persistence finally culminated in achieving her lifelong dream of representing Massachusetts on the Miss America stage.
With refreshing authenticity, Kirste...
What happens when your dream comes true? For Jordan Naylor, Miss Alaska 2024, claiming the crown was just the beginning of a transformative journey – one that followed directly after her reign as Miss Alaska USA. With less than a week between titles, Jordan stepped into her role with a unique dual-system perspective and a crystal-clear vision: build a sustainable legacy for every future Miss Alaska who follows.
Authenticity beats perfection every time. That's the powerful message from Miss Hawaii 2024 Hayley Cheyney Kane, who joins us for a transformative conversation about wellness, identity, and the healing power of being unapologetically yourself.
As the first openly gay Miss Hawaii, Haley has navigated her year with a refreshing blend of candor and compassion. Her journey reveals how radical self-acceptance...
What does it truly mean to wear a state crown when life's hardest moments don't pause for your title? In this deeply moving conversation, Miss Ohio 2024 Stephanie Finoti reveals the raw, unfiltered reality behind the sparkle.
As a biomedical scientist, first-generation American, and daughter of immigrants, Stephanie brings an unexpected perspective to her role. Growing up in poverty with big dreams ...
What happens when you've aged out twice, moved to a new state, and decide to give your pageant dream one last shot? For Raechel Warren, Miss Nebraska 2024, that final attempt led to the crown and a transformative year of service that's coming to a close with only 45 days remaining.
In this candid conversation, Raechel reveals the powerful mindset shift that finally unlocked her success after years o...
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