The Broad Pod

At 35 years old, Leslie Barr’s life changed in ways she could never have imagined. A sports reporter turned communications professional, wife, and mom, Leslie was diagnosed with stage IV cancer…a diagnosis that became the dividing line between the woman she was and the woman she would become. In this deeply honest conversation, she shares how surviving cancer reshaped her perspective on faith, family, gratitude, and wh...

Dr. Stacy Edds-Ellis is an educator, leader, and change-maker whose career is defined by service, growth, and community impact. Growing up in Calhoun, Kentucky, she learned leadership from her parents and carried those values into 20 years at Owensboro Community & Technical College, where she served in several roles including academic advisor, Discover College Grant Director, Dean of Academic Affairs, among others.

A graduate o...

In this special Mother’s Day episode, we’re celebrating the powerful influence of a mother and the way it shapes who we become.

We sit down with Analea Sanders, daughter of co-host Allyson Sanders, to talk about what it looks like to grow into leadership at a young age, pursue purpose with confidence, and carve out your own path while carrying the values you’ve learned along the way. From her experience as a stude...

After years of moving from place to place, searching for where she truly belonged, Natasha Stanley came back to Owensboro, and in a whirlwind, opened Bella Ragazza Boutique. A wife of 10 years and mom of two girls, she’s created a life and business that's all about building connections and confidence. Behind her warm, welcoming smile is a seven-year health journey most people haven't seen. Despite the daily challenges, she ke...

Brende Lott was born and raised in Owensboro, growing up in a childhood marked by hardship. Despite the challenges she faced, she pursued her education at the University of Kentucky, married her high school sweetheart, and created her own path. She began her career in labor and delivery and later became a nurse midwife with a commitment to evidence-based care. Brende’s story is one of perseverance, transformation, and using h...

Ashley Morris knows what it means to build a life the hard way. Raised just outside of Owensboro in Knottsville, on homegrown meals, Sunday dinners, and church picnics, her love for food started early…long before she realized it would become her purpose. As a young, single mom, Ashley learned quickly that survival required tough choices. For a season, life experiences led her down a dangerous path, but she refused to stay th...

Sheila Crowe has always known how to make something out of what she had. Raised in Owensboro, she started cooking at nine years old, feeding her siblings while her dad worked second shift. What began as responsibility became passion…food was comfort, creativity, and connection. After years of working, from telemarketing as a teen to a decade in medical debt collection, Sheila felt the pull toward something bigger. A snow con...

Cindra Stiff’s story is one of steady strength and lasting impact. From becoming a teen mom in a small town to building a 42-year career in higher education in finance, she navigated life with resilience, wisdom, and grace. A leader in a male-dominated field, she helped guide seasons of growth, rebuild after disaster, and shape campus communities…all while staying deeply connected to the students and people around her.

In this episode, Kristin Whitney takes us behind the scenes of her career in law…from public defender to prosecutor to corporate counsel for Southern Star. She shares what it was like meeting clients in the jail, earning trust in tense, high-stakes situations, and navigating a male-dominated field. Kristin also reflects on the lessons she’s carried from her upbringing, the challenges and joys of motherhood, and how she...

From cheerleader to tattoo shop owner, Gabriele Wright has never followed a straight line and that’s exactly what makes her story compelling. A 2009 Owensboro Catholic graduate, Gabriele began in cosmetology (thanks to her mom signing her up), fell in love with the art, and eventually carved her own path into the male-dominated tattoo industry. Now the owner of False Idols Tattoo, she shares how mentors shaped her journey, wh...

Lauren Layson’s life is a testament to intentional change. A wife, mother of three girls, and speech-language pathologist, she chose to step away from practicing to build a life centered around her family. Her story isn’t defined by what she experienced as a young girl, but by what she chose to do differently. By breaking generational cycles, Lauren has built a home rooted in safety and love. Drawing from both her profe...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Janae Kittinger, a plastic surgeon at Owensboro Health. From a childhood dream inspired by doctors who help others, Janae carved a path for herself in a male-dominated field. She’s navigated becoming pregnant during residency, infertility, and building a blended family.

She shares what it’s like working alongside her husband, also a surgeon, and her human...

That’s a wrap on Season 3! 🎉 This year we shared stories from 17 incredible women, added a brand-new voice to the mic with our cohost Allyson Sanders (who crushed it, by the way), and celebrated all things Broad. In this wrap-up, we look back on the laughs, lessons, and moments that made Season 3 so special. And don’t forget, our Broad of the Year event is happening September 18th at 11:30am. You won’t want to mi...

It’s our final guest episode of Season 3. Stay tuned for a final wrap up. In this episode, we sit down with Vicki Quisenberry, a woman whose life has been guided by one powerful question…What if? Born in Daviess County, Vicki’s passion for education and community runs deep. From earning her MBA to raising four children with her husband of 40 years, she’s lived out her belief that if you’...

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with a woman who has worn many hats…wife of 35 years, mom to eight, caregiver to both parents, and the heart behind Nona’s Catering…a business built on connection, celebration, and good food. While Maria Kelly pours into her family, friends, and community, she also navigates life with Multiple Sclerosis. From her childhood as a military brat overseas to decade...

In this episode, we meet a resilient single mom, Hannah Blandford. who turned the hard into healing after navigating postpartum anxiety, divorce, and childhood trauma. Now a Psychology student, entrepreneur, and founder of Faith Found Me, she’s using her story, faith, and powerful affirmations to inspire others. You will be inspired by her advice to “sit in it to move through it” as you navigate life’s tough...

In this episode, we meet a dynamic small-town woman stepping fully into the role of her life…and no, it’s not just on stage or screen. Mercedez Varble is a mom of two, a medical professional, a college student, and a passionate performer who’s found healing through creativity after the loss of her Mom at a young age. From belting out karaoke classics to starring in the cult short film Fall of Greysk...