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Woman-Run

di Wright Lindsey Jennings

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Stagione 2

Breaking the Patterns of the Past with Claire Brown

Welcome to an in-depth episode of the Woman Run Podcast, hosted by Meredith Lowry. In this installment, Meredith sits down with Claire Brown, a dynamic multi-hyphenate realtor, author, podcaster, and the inspiring founder of Power Women. What began as a local, private Facebook group in Little Rock, Arkansas, has rapidly transformed into a sprawling statewide network with over 10,000 members. It offers women a strictly curated safe haven to openly discuss deeply personal, financial, and societal topics that are traditionally shrouded in shame or swept under the rug. Claire shares the raw, authentic origin story of her organization, reflecting on a profound personal crisis that occurred two years after her divorce. Following a deeply painful heartbreak involving a long-distance relationship and a financial betrayal, she found herself journaling intensely on the flight home from Europe. Rather than focusing on the heartbreak itself, she turned her analytical lens inward to figure out why she felt so isolated and how she had previously defined herself solely through the roles of wife and mother, rather than as an individual woman. Recognizing a desperate collective need for authentic female friendship, she immediately reached out to five moms to organize a carpool schedule and a fateful night out, which sparked the creation of "Power Moms"—a group that she quickly renamed "Power Women" because she realized that restrictive labels are completely counterproductive to female growth. The conversation beautifully shifts toward the strategic mechanics of juggling a high-powered career, public advocacy, and single parenthood. Claire emphasizes the critical role that intense self-reflection, selective time management, and professional coaching play in her daily execution, noting that she has worked with 16 different coaches over the last 11 years to ruthlessly target her own personal blind spots and maintain strict accountability. She addresses the raw realities of moderating a massive online community, the legal and physical safety interventions she has had to personally make for members fleeing domestic violence, and the vital importance of providing anonymous posting features so women can access life-saving resources without public stigma. Ultimately, Claire leaves listeners with an inspiring challenge to cultivate their own dreams and build intentional, uplifting inner circles, highlighting that real progress requires moving past passive intention, because "the manifestation doesn't happen without action."

Leading with Heart, A Talk with Jamie Jones Walsworth

In this comprehensive episode of the Woman Run Podcast, host Meredith Lowry sits down for an in-depth conversation with Jamie Jones Walsworth, the 128th President of the Arkansas Bar Association. Reflecting on her historic tenure as only the ninth woman to serve as president—and part of a rare streak of consecutive female leadership—Walsworth notes that while progress is being made, her primary, overarching mission was to foster structural empathy and civil connection. She reminds listeners that the daily reality of legal practice is incredibly grueling, noting that community bonds built through the Bar Association are vital because they "help us survive the day... what we do isn't easy. There's a reason that lawyers have high alcoholism rates, high drug rates, high suicide rates, because it's hard." A massive portion of Walsworth’s presidency involved hitting the pavement to visit individual county bar associations across the state. Through these visits, she confronted the harsh reality of legal deserts—rural areas and county seats where residents have few, if any, accessible attorneys. "There are counties in Arkansas where you will not find a licensed lawyer to go to," Walsworth warns, highlighting how rural lawyers find themselves "in their car five or six hours a day because they have to drive sometimes three hours to get to a client and three hours back home." She notes that these rural lawyers are doing essential work for everyday people, from helping teachers with "estate planning" to resolving critical "title issues" that can quietly devastate families if left unaddressed. To combat this, Walsworth champions law school incubator projects to incentivize young lawyers "to go back to their communities to practice." To amplify these human-centered legal issues, Walsworth launched the initiative "ArcBar on Air: President's Mic." The podcast was designed to pull back the curtain on the profession, exploring everything from "the legislative process and... the sausage behind the scenes" to a deep-dive book club series analyzing Devil in the Grove and systemic injustice. The show even touched on modern culture with an episode dedicated to "the legal era of Taylor Swift," alongside an exploration of Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation. Walsworth uses the platform to speak passionately about how technology is eroding societal norms, warning against the "dehumanizing nature" of social media. "Social media... allows me to make you 'the other' and not see you as a human being anymore," Walsworth cautions. "I shouldn't attack your humanity just because you don't agree with me." The episode also highlights Walsworth's forward-thinking internal leadership, specifically her initiative to bring the CliftonStrengths personality assessment to the Arkansas Bar to improve collaboration. Rather than focusing heavily on trying to fix inherent weaknesses, Walsworth argues that people should "double down on [their] strengths" and learn how their colleagues process the world. As she prepares to hand over the gavel, she leaves listeners with a poignant reminder of why collective service matters, asserting that when it comes to the legal community, "we really are—as cliché as it is to say—better together than we are apart."

Engineering the Skies with host Jane Kim & guests Suzanne Peyton and Mary Fair

In this full-length episode, host Jane Kim sits down with trailblazing aviation civil engineers Suzanne Peyton and Mary Fair. They dive deep into the world of aviation infrastructure—explaining what it actually takes to run and build airports—and tackle the critical business and cultural challenges of retaining women in traditionally male-dominated STEAM professions. The guests share their personal career trajectories, discuss moving from engineering into executive leadership, and offer invaluable, candid advice on how to navigate constructive feedback, build professional trust, and negotiate a career that accommodates personal priorities without sacrificing upward momentum.

Building From Scratch: The Serial Entrepreneur Playbook with April Seggebruch

In this full episode of the Woman Run Podcast, host Meredith sits down with serial entrepreneur April Seggebruch to look back on her journey from a central Illinois farm girl to a major business founder in Northwest Arkansas. April shares how growing up on a farm shaped her work ethic, jokingly noting that her upbringing is "probably where I got a lot of my persistent grit." Driven to find a path to a bigger city, she earned a basketball scholarship to the University of Arkansas, becoming the first in her family to graduate from college. April reflects warmly on her athletic days, laughing that her time on the court was "back when I actually lifted weights—now I just lift laptops." The conversation digs deep into her academic and professional evolution at the Walton College of Business, where pivotal mentorship from professors like Dr. Jensen and Dr. Carol Reeves completely changed her trajectory. April details the reality of co-founding the retail workforce management software platform Movista in 2010 with Stan Stanowski, calling their leap of faith "Mayday" because "we left our corporate jobs and started Movista the following week." She explains how they revolutionized a "pencil and paper era" into a company that grew to over 100 employees, and opens up about her transition away from the business to focus on her true passion as a builder, noting that in entrepreneurship, "there's no role you can be afraid to do... thus, there's no role you can shy away from learning." Meredith and April also discuss the critical economic and cultural importance of local independent businesses. April passionately defends the food and beverage industry as the heartbeat of the regional ecosystem, arguing that "without them, we wouldn't be cool—we wouldn't have the vibe that folks now flock to be within." Finally, April previews her latest venture as a partner at Good Gravy Group, a hospitality management company stepping in to revitalize iconic local brands. She shares an exclusive look at their mission to bring back the nostalgia of the beloved AQ Chicken brand to Springdale, alongside expansions for other favorites like Trash Ice Cream, jokingly admitting that while she loves the operational side of hospitality, she has "robot envy" for automation that can help local kitchens scale.

Deanna Ray: The Shifting Tides of Corporate AI

In this episode of the Woman Run Podcast, the Meredith Lowry interviews Deanna Ray, the Chief Legal Officer for the Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority, to unpack the intersections of local government, vendor negotiations, and the implementation of organizational artificial intelligence policies. Deanna describes her organization as a municipality or government agency that reclaimed used water, treated it, and discharged it back into the Arkansas River, adding that "water wastewater treatment actually is very technology-based." The catalyst for their conversation stems from recent state regulation, specifically Act 848 passed during the 2025 Arkansas legislative session. Deanna explains that under this act, "if you are a government agency that uses any type of AI, then you must have an AI policy." She clarifies that the law defines AI broadly, encompassing everyday features like text autocorrect, spelling tools, and automated note-takers rather than just generative text programs. An essential pillar of Act 848 is ensuring that artificial intelligence does not operate unchecked. Deanna emphasizes that under the law, "you must have a human component to it. You cannot let AI make any decisions... there has to be a human check on any of those decisions." Beyond state compliance, the episode highlights a collaborative, multi-departmental approach involving leadership, human resources, legal, and IT teams to refine these guidelines. A key area of concern is customer and employee data privacy, which Deanna describes as a major responsibility since "we are responsible for shepherding our customers and their information and our employees and their information." The hosts also discuss the practical challenges of software terms of use, noting that platforms like Microsoft Copilot often contain clauses designating the tool "for entertainment purposes only," meaning tech providers carry no liability for professional errors. This lack of vendor liability emphasizes the necessity of internal policies, as Deanna points out that "the AI vendors, they don't care if their stuff is misused because they've already decried all liability." The discussion covers a real-world learning experience where an IT director innocently used an AI note-taker during a Microsoft Teams meeting. This highlighted a massive legal risk, as using automated transcription can inadvertently destroy confidentiality. Deanna warns that if a note-taker records an internal conversation, it can "destroy attorney-client privilege" and create a record that becomes "foiable" under public records requests. This risk is reinforced by a recent ruling from the Southern District of New York. In that case, the government successfully subpoenaed a defendant's search and prompt history from a generative AI platform because information shared with commercial AI platforms lacks confidentiality. The episode addresses other technical shortcomings, such as AI "hallucinations." Deanna mentions that even top legal research databases have faced scrutiny because their specialized research bots were "putting out incorrect summaries of cases." This reinforces why continuous verification remains mandatory, since a language model "is a language prediction tool, and it's trying to give you the next word in the sequence." Ultimately, the episode encourages leaders to proactively engage with these technologies rather than avoiding them. Deanna concludes by urging organizations to adapt continuously, advising managers "to not be afraid of AI" but to "respect it" and commit to ongoing policy reviews as the software evolves.

Mastering Business Communications and Storytelling with Kerri Jackson Case

In this deep-dive episode, Meredith Lowry speaks with Kerri Jackson Case about the evolution of "MarCom" (Marketing and Communications) and the vital role it plays in business. With over 20 years of experience transitioning from TV news reporting to corporate and boutique PR, Kerri explains how strategic communication is built on the foundation of storytelling. The conversation covers the tactical use of press releases in the age of AI, the importance of "plain English" in professional settings, and the personal "plot twists" of being a "whole person"—balancing motherhood, adoption, and entrepreneurship. The conversation explores the definition and necessity of MarCom (Marketing and Communications), which Kerri Jackson Case defines as the strategic act of delivering the right message through the most effective channel to a specific intended audience. A central theme is the importance of storytelling, with Kerri noting that people understand their world through narratives and that businesses must learn to tell stories about themselves that are fundamentally focused on the needs of the customer. The participants discuss the critical timing for engaging a communications professional, advising that they should be "at the table" from the very beginning of a business or project to identify potential barriers and prevent costly public relations blunders. This early involvement is particularly vital when mediating between legal departments and public perception; a communications expert can translate dense legal jargon into "plain English" that satisfies the spirit of the law without alienating or terrifying the audience. The episode also highlights the evolution of tactical tools like the press release, which Kerri defends as a vital instrument for establishing credibility not just with traditional newsrooms, but with search engine algorithms and AI models like ChatGPT. By using a Q&A or FAQ format in their digital infrastructure, businesses can ensure that AI pulls from trusted, authoritative sources when users ask questions about the brand. Finally, the discussion touches on the personal reality of being a "whole person" in the industry, emphasizing the challenges of balancing professional leadership with the unpredictable "plot twists" of family life and motherhood. SheSpeaks Communications https://shespeakscommunications.com/

Kathleen Lawson: Just Get Started!

Just Get Started—Entrepreneurial Secrets with Kathleen Lawson In this episode of the Woman Run podcast, host Ricky Smith sits down with Kathleen Lawson, the Executive Director of Economics Arkansas, to discuss how entrepreneurial thinking serves as a foundational life skill. Economics Arkansas, a nonprofit established in 1962, defines economics as the "science of decision-making," focusing on how individuals manage scarcity to make better choices as professionals and citizens. The organization provides over 200 workshops annually and offers free resources and stipends to PreK-12 educators across the state to integrate financial literacy into their classrooms. Kathleen’s own venture into business began when she decided to participate in her organization's $10-Challenge, an experiment where individuals invest a small amount of their own money into a micro-business idea. Kathleen practiced this principle by investing $100 into chocolate and supplies to create "cocoa bombs," which she marketed through a single Facebook post under her business name, Sprinkles and Spice. The business grew rapidly, generating over $2,000 in sales in the first month and eventually landing her products in 13 retail stores across Arkansas within a single year. This journey led her to identify five key ways to think like an entrepreneur, starting with the directive to just get startedrather than waiting for a perfect plan. She emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset, noting that she spent hours on YouTube learning specialized skills like cake decorating to meet customer demand. Kathleen also stresses the need to know when to pivot or stop, explaining that she eventually "sunsetted" her business when it no longer aligned with her personal scale and passion, viewing it as a successful chapter rather than a failure. Furthermore, she advises professionals to focus on their unique value by identifying core strengths and delegating or automating tasks that do not add to the primary product. Finally, she encourages others to look for opportunities everywhere, training the brain to see problems as solvable business or mission-driven opportunities. Beyond business strategy, Kathleen maintains her leadership at Economics Arkansas and her family life through intentional habits like explicit scheduling on a calendar and a unique daily "Google Photos" purge to remain proactive and organized. Her story serves as a testament to the power of small experiments in building real-world confidence and professional success. Individuals and teachers interested in these economic tools and competitions, such as the Stock Market Game, can find more information at EconomicsArkansas.org.

Building Resilient Business Networks with Shaheen Lokhandwala

In this episode, Meredith Lowry sits down with Shaheen Lokhandwala, the founder of Kinwork, to discuss the critical role of social capital in the success of startups. They dive into new research concerning "community-facing" businesses in Northwest Arkansas—such as coffee shops, florists, and bookstores—and how these owners often feel excluded from traditional entrepreneurial spaces. The conversation provides a roadmap for creating "affinity groups" that foster trust, resource sharing, and technical skill development. Key Takeaways The Power of Social Capital: Beyond financial capital, a business’s social capital—the strength of its networks—is one of the highest indicators of startup success. Support for "Main Street" Businesses: Local, community-facing businesses (often labeled "lifestyle" or "mom and pop" shops) often feel a legitimacy gap and lack the specific support structures available to tech-based startups. The Problem with Traditional Pitching: Traditional networking environments, like Chambers of Commerce, often require a "high-energy" pitch that doesn't align with the energy or needs of many small business owners. Organic Peer Groups: Successful networking often happens organically outside of formal programs, where owners text each other for advice or refer customers to one another. The Affinity Group Model: Creating structured "affinity groups" (based on industry, like tattoo artists, or identity, like queer-owned businesses) allows for deeper trust and specialized problem-solving. Demystifying "Technical Skills": Technical skills aren't just for coding; for a small business, they include essential functions like payroll, legal compliance, marketing, and navigating AI tools. How do I build a business network?

Meg Green: Empowering Women Through Functional Nutrition

In this episode of the Woman Run Podcast, host Rickie Smith sits down with Meg Green, a Registered Dietitian and Integrated and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner. Meg shares her personal and professional evolution from working in pediatric oncology at St. Jude to launching her own virtual functional medicine practice. Key Discussion Points: Meg’s Career Evolution: Her journey from clinical pediatrics to discovering functional medicine after facing her own undiagnosed autoimmune challenges. Functional vs. Traditional Medicine: Understanding the "root cause" approach to health—moving beyond masking symptoms to true healing. The Gap in Women’s Research: A look at why women were excluded from medical studies until 1993 and how that affects modern hormonal health. Hormonal Health & Perimenopause: Validating symptoms like brain fog, sleep disruptions, and fatigue that are often dismissed as "just stress". Building a Business: The challenges of moving from a medical mindset to an entrepreneurial one, and the importance of a support "village". The Power of Personalization: Why there is no such thing as a universal "superfood" and how bio-individuality dictates nutrition. Connect with Meg Green: Website: meggreenrd.com Instagram: @meggreen_rd Email: meg@meggreenrd.com The Woman Run Podcast is a production of Wright Lindsey Jennings, dedicated to sharing the stories of women who inspire us.

The Repair Revolution: Scaling Sustainability and the Future of Fashion with Robin Atkinson

In this episode, we welcome back Robin Atkinson, a veteran of the fashion industry and CEO and Founder of Upkept. A creative leader dedicated to sustainable fashion and workforce development in the sewn trades. Robin shares the story behind Upkept, from the initial beta launch using a simple website form to building a proprietary tech platform that simplifies apparel repair for the modern consumer. We dive deep into the environmental impact of "fast fashion," the disappearing craft of tailoring, and how Upkept is bridging the gap between traditional skills and 21st-century convenience. Takeaways: The Upkept Mission: Upkept is designed to make apparel repair as easy as ordering DoorDash. Users can ship their damaged or ill-fitting clothes to be fixed, hemmed, or modified through a streamlined online process. The Beta Phase: Robin discusses the importance of an "authentic" beta launch. Upkept started with a basic Squarespace form to test demand—proving that people across the country were eager for a reliable, remote repair service. Combatting Fashion Waste: With the average American throwing away over 81 pounds of clothing annually, Robin explains how repair can divert massive amounts of waste and break the "purchase-replace" cycle. The Future of Repair: Looking toward Europe's legislative lead in brand responsibility, Robin envisions a future where "reverse logistics" make it easier for consumers to maintain and extend the life of their wardrobes. The "Secret Sauce": Robin reflects on co-founding the company with her husband, Cash, combining operational fashion expertise with high-level tech development to build a unique, proprietary platform.

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