WHERE BRAINS MEET BEAUTY Podcast

Jodi Katz sat down with two powerhouse women making waves in personal health: Taryn Shockley, USA Sales & Education Manager at AlumierMD, and Kelly Murphy, General Manager at Lola. What followed was a deep, human, and often hilarious look at ambition, imposter syndrome, reinvention—and the workouts that keep them grounded.

Taryn’s story starts on the balance beam. A gymnast from age two, she was competing at elite levels by ten and earned a full ride to ASU. But when an injury ended her collegiate career, she made her first major pivot—into skincare. What began as a passion for facials turned into a sales role that demanded she master the art of influence in highly clinical, physician-led spaces. Today, she's navigating a category that’s equal parts science and sales—and getting real about how to stay resilient when your numbers (or your self-worth) are on the line.

Meanwhile, Kelly dreamt of being editor-in-chief of Seventeen Magazine—a goal she nearly touched when working at Penguin Books. But the realities of New York rent pushed her into digital marketing, where she built a versatile toolkit across SEO, UX, and data strategy at top agencies like Publicis and Havas. Now, she’s steering the ship at Lola, a pioneer in clean period care, and facing challenges every modern marketer knows too well: a saturated market, rising media costs, and a pressing need to evolve the brand story. Her secret weapon? Relationship-building. Whether managing a 20-person team or advocating for upper-funnel investment, Kelly leads with connection—and a healthy dose of what she calls “female rage.”

While their paths are wildly different, Taryn and Kelly share a trait we see often in the Where Brains Meet Beauty community: the willingness to leap. Whether it’s changing industries, stepping into roles they weren’t quite ready for, or pushing back on outdated business norms, both women prove that reinvention isn’t just possible—it’s powerful. 

Yes, we had fun. From underwater spin classes to soundscape-enhanced yoga, Taryn and Kelly gave us their go-to workouts and how they use fitness as both therapy and mental reset. (Spoiler: one peed on a trampoline, one has a Fuze House membership in every city.)

Their stories are packed with honesty, hustle, and the kind of lessons you only learn by leaping before you're ready.

What does a TikTok-famous hand surgeon and the descendant of mushroom farmers in France and have in common? Purpose—and the courage to follow it, even when the path looks nothing like the plan.

Jodi Katz sat down with Dr. Erin Nance, founder of FeelBetr Health and Sonia Gaillis-Delepine, founder of Verdoie. While their companies serve different corners of the wellness space, both women share a mission: to help people better understand their bodies—and to redefine what care really looks like. Their stories of resilience, purpose, and transformation show how following your passion can lead to powerful change, even when the path takes unexpected turns. We end with a fun game of TikTok trends and what these start ups will pick to promote their brands.

Want to try Verdoie - Use Promo Code BeautyBrains20 for 20% off your first order of Clinical skincare powered by mushrooms at Verdoie.com. And Join the waitlist for FeelBetr Health at feelbetr.health/subscribe-to-feelbetr

We sat down with two trailblazers in women’s health Claire Coder, founder and CEO of Aunt Flow and Smita Asrani, VP of Partnerships at UE Life Sciences. The episode opened with childhood dreams—Claire reminisced about staging Britney Spears concerts in her closet, while Smita shared her early love of horses. Neither imagined a future in healthcare, but both ultimately found themselves tackling some of the most overlooked (and long overdue) issues in women’s wellness.

Claire shared her journey from being a Party Princess to becoming a purpose-driven entrepreneur, a path sparked by a frustrating moment on her college campus that inspired the creation of Aunt Flow. Smita talked about her pivot from a career in finance to one focused on health innovation, where she now works to expand access to early breast cancer screening for women under 40.

Their conversation delved into the challenges of career pivots, the weight of imposter syndrome, and what it’s like to lead in industries still dominated by men. They explored the impact of advocacy too—Claire’s work has helped bring period products into schools in 28 states, while Smita is helping to bring lifesaving tools like iBreast Exam to underserved communities.

The episode wrapped on a fun note with a game of “real vs. fake legislation,” revealing how surprising—and sometimes downright inspiring—health policy can be.

At its heart, this episode was a reminder to speak up, stay curious, and ask the tough questions. Because more often than not, real change starts with one brave voice.

A must-listen for anyone passionate about innovation, equity, and the power of personal stories to drive public impact. Check out more info on both guests brands at GoAuntFlow.com and UELifeSciences.com.

In this raw and honest conversation, leaders Cara Kamenev, President of Stripes Beauty and Sharon del Valle, General Manager of Kose America Inc, break away from the typical leadership talk to share real, unfiltered truths about navigating life and leadership. In this episode, they dive into the power of self-trust, the importance of listening to your inner needs, and the strength found in vulnerability.

Cara opens up about how making decisions based on what you truly need—not just your goals—leads to more authentic leadership. Sharon reflects on how her framework for life evolved as she learned to adapt to shifting priorities and the importance of offering yourself grace. The conversation weaves through themes of ambition, fear, and the delicate balance of intuition and data in leadership, all while reminding us that growth isn’t about having everything figured out, but about evolving with intention.

They also explore the complexities of relationships, the importance of leaning on others, and how real leadership comes not from a title, but from alignment and authenticity. This episode is for anyone looking to embrace the journey, evolve without pressure, and understand that not having it all figured out is, in fact, part of the process.

Tune in to this powerful episode—you’ll leave with insights, but more importantly, you might walk away feeling seen. Sharon also sent us a promo code it’s WBMB20 for 20% off any of the KOSE portfolio of products found at: Decortecosmetics.com, Sekkisei-usa.com and AddictionTokyoBeauty.com.

What if the key to exceptional leadership isn’t commanding authority but leaning into vulnerability? What if the moments you feel most uncertain are the ones that hold the greatest growth opportunities?

In this week’s episode of Where Brains Meet Beauty, host Jodi Katz delves into these questions with Henry Davis, CEO of Sakara Life, and Debbie Perelman, a partner at InviNext Growth. Together, they explore how leading with radical candor, authenticity, and empathy can ignite team transformation.

Debbie opens up about how Kim Scott's Radical Candor changed her perspective on leadership through behavior. Instead of fearing difficult conversations, she learned to approach them with honesty and care. For Henry, navigating leadership with ADHD has further shaped his belief that vulnerability isn’t a weakness—it’s a superpower. When leaders are transparent about their challenges, they create environments where teams feel empowered to do the same.

But what does radical candor look like in practice? For Debbie, it’s focusing on recognizing each player’s strengths and guiding them toward a collective goal. Henry emphasizes the importance of continuous feedback, creating space for authentic dialogue that drives accountability and growth.

Throughout this conversation, the group explored how even small shifts can transform leadership. Jodi introduces the idea of walking meetings—a simple yet powerful change that fosters open dialogue. Both Henry and Debbie swear by the clarity that comes from moving side by side, whether along the Hudson River Greenway or through Prospect Park. There’s something about the rhythm of walking that breaks down walls and sparks honest reflection.

And it doesn’t stop at the workplace. Debbie’s advocacy with the Child Mind Institute, inspired by her daughter Maya’s journey with anxiety and selective mutism, exemplifies leadership in action. Her commitment to mental health advocacy serves as a reminder that strong leaders don’t just drive business results—they champion causes that matter.

Mentorship also takes center stage. Henry reflects on the mentors who shaped his path, offering not just guidance but unwavering belief. Debbie emphasizes the responsibility of paying it forward, encouraging today’s leaders to nurture the next generation with genuine support and actionable feedback.

So, what’s the biggest takeaway? True leadership isn’t about knowing all the answers. It’s about showing up, asking the hard questions, and creating space for others to grow.