Not A Great Whisperer

Robert Hamilton Owens is the kind of guest who doesn’t just inspire you—he makes you want to jump up and take action. In this episode, Katy Rey dives into the extraordinary life of a man who has faced more challenges, achieved more victories, and made more of an impact than most of us can imagine. Robert isn’t just someone who’s lived a life worth hearing about—he’s someone who shows you what’s possible when you push past your limits.

Prepare to be inspired as Katy Rey welcomes the phenomenal Courtnie Nichols to Not a Great Whisperer. Courtnie isn’t just making waves in the travel industry; she’s creating a whole new ocean. As a Business Strategist, Luxury Travel Advisor, and the powerhouse founder of The Biz Huddle, Courtnie has made it her mission to equip today’s travel advisors with the tools, insights, and mentorship they need to break barriers and redefine success in a fast-evolving industry.

Join Katy Rey as she sits down with the incredible Chason Forehand for a Not a Great Whisperer episode filled with inspiration, laughter, and raw honesty. Chason’s journey is anything but ordinary—he’s faced trauma, battled addiction, and even experienced homelessness. But through it all, he found his way out, thanks to an unexpected source: his passion for culinary arts and the healing power of community.

In this thought-provoking episode of Not a Great Whisperer, Katy Rey welcomes Carolina Mendonca, a true powerhouse in the mental health world. Carolina's journey from Brazil to New Jersey, and now to Florida is filled with inspiring experiences and powerful lessons in resilience, self-understanding, and helping others.

Tune in to this episode of Not a Great Whisperer, as Katy Rey sits down with the absolutely remarkable Carol Gravante, a woman who has not only lived an incredible life but has used every part of her journey to serve others. Carol is the kind of person you instantly fall in love with — her energy, heart, and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place radiate in everything she does. From her early years as a proud Air Force veteran to her roles as a daycare owner and PE teacher, Carol has always put people first. But what truly sets her apart is her relentless dedication to children, especially those in foster care.

Katy Rey chats with the one and only Alysa Southall, a truly phenomenal human being whose heart and soul are poured into everything she does. Alysa is the founder and owner of A People Partner, an HR and recruiting firm that goes beyond the norm. But what sets her apart isn’t just her professional expertise—it’s her genuine love for people. Alysa’s life has been defined by her relentless commitment to creating a better, more inclusive world where everyone is valued, heard, and treated with empathy.

Jennifer Gilman knows firsthand what it’s like to struggle with health challenges that seem impossible to overcome. With a weak immune system, thyroid issues, and an autoimmune disease, Jennifer faced a turning point in her life. Conventional medicine wasn’t cutting it, so she took a different route—a route that led her to become the vibrant, passionate health coach she is today.

Katy Rey welcomes the truly amazing Lisa Hansen, a woman who seems to do it all—and does it all incredibly well. Lisa is a mom of two boys, a mechanical engineer, a talented pastry chef, and the founder of the Thriving Women's Conference. If you ever needed proof that you can chase your dreams and still have a fulfilling life, Lisa is it.

This episode features Katy Rey in conversation with the incredible Jabari Irons, a man who’s making a big impact in his community and beyond. A proud Fort Myers native, Jabari wears many hats—he’s a dedicated school teacher, a fierce Team USA wrestler, and the driving force behind Irons Elite Wrestling Club. But more than any title, Jabari is a man who puts his heart and soul into everything he does, deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of others.

Curiosity and creativity collide in a warm, wide-ranging conversation with Mitzi Ocasio, children’s book author and host of Mitzi, Let’s Think About It, whose blend of imagination and introspection keeps the dialogue lively; their easy rapport—sparked when Katy guested on Mitzi’s show—returns here on Not a Great Whisperer as the two trade stories, probe disagreements, and uncover surprising common ground through thoughtful, playful exchange, delivering moments of storytelling, candid reflection, and genuine laughter that make the episode as entertaining as it is illuminating.

High-octane energy and life‑rewriting grit collide in a conversation with Susan Guidi—comedian and improviser, pioneering sonographer, business owner, bodybuilding champion, and motivational speaker—whose relentless curiosity and “age is just a number” ethos propel every story she tells; after a pandemic wake‑up call that pushed her into new arenas, she explains how comedy stages, clinical breakthroughs, entrepreneurship, and competitive lifting all feed the same fearless drive, and when she and Katy Rey bring that momentum to Not a Great Whisperer, listeners get an inspiring, laugh‑filled episode that motivates, surprises, and proves reinvention is always possible.

Catch the latest episode of Not a Great Whisperer, where host Katy Rey chats with the amazing Phil Nahajewski, a down‑to‑earth CFO who makes finance fun and relatable; from his childhood as an identical twin in a bustling Detroit neighborhood to his role as a partner at the Florida CFO Group, Phil shares memorable stories, practical lessons, and candid insights on leadership, money, and career growth—expect warm anecdotes, clear takeaways for entrepreneurs, and a conversational episode that turns complex finance into something approachable and surprisingly entertaining.

Brimming with heart and purpose, this episode of Not a Great Whisperer features an inspiring conversation with Jim Hardwick, sales expert and cofounder of the Hardwick Foundation; after a visit to Kenya revealed a desperate need for dental care, Jim and his wife Jodi turned that urgency into a nonprofit that’s since organized multiple life‑changing trips, delivering essential dental services to hundreds who otherwise had no access—on the show, Jim and host Katy Rey trace the foundation’s origins, the logistics and emotional impact of those missions, and the lessons about service, leadership, and sustained compassion that make this episode both deeply moving and practically illuminating.

Expect a wild ride on Not a Great Whisperer as the magnetic Kimberlee Nicole Smith—storyteller, status‑quo disrupter, and founder/CEO of The Tenacious Rose Project—brings her fierce spirit and unapologetic energy to a conversation that shifts atmosphere and challenges assumptions; through vivid stories and sharp insight she maps the work of elevating marginalized voices and driving audacious social change, delivering a candid, electrifying episode that’s equal parts inspiration, provocation, and celebration.

Laughs and heart collide in a warm, revealing conversation with Chelsey Goodan, author of Underestimated: The Wisdom and Power of Teenage Girls, whose bubbly candor and deep respect for young voices turn vulnerability into strength; joined by host Katy Rey on Not a Great Whisperer, they unpack the surprising wisdom of teenage girls, the power of authenticity, and practical ways adults can listen better, delivering a rollercoaster of laughter, poignant moments, and actionable insight that leaves listeners inspired and ready to rethink how we value young people’s perspectives.

Expect a lively, deeply reflective conversation that blends creativity and courage as Jillian Abby—a storm of imagination and bold, life‑changing ideas—unpacks vivid stories and practical insights that invite listeners to embrace change and evolve; the chemistry between her and host Katy Rey feels like two longtime friends trading candid reflections, which turns each anecdote into a call to action and leaves listeners seeing their own lives in a new light on Not a Great Whisperer.

A fierce protector and relentless advocate, Kate Spurlock brings courtroom grit and deep empathy to a conversation about justice, survivor advocacy, and public service; as the Pinellas County Assistant State Attorney in the Special Victims Unit and a candidate for Circuit Court Judge in the Sixth Circuit (Pinellas and Pasco Counties), Group 9, she discusses the human stories behind the cases, the emotional labor of prosecuting crimes against the vulnerable, and the principles that drive her bid for the bench—joined by host Katy Rey on Not a Great Whisperer, this episode blends legal insight, personal conviction, and a clear commitment to restoring dignity and safety to survivors.

Empathy-driven leadership and entrepreneurial savvy converge in a revealing conversation with Christy Vogel, CEO of Marketing Direction and founder of the nonprofit Sounding Joy, as she traces a career shaped by a love of communication—from childhood dreams of starring in commercials to leading impactful marketing campaigns and building mission‑driven work that feels like a calling; on Not a Great Whisperer, Christy and host Katy Rey explore how purpose, creativity, and compassion intersect in business and nonprofit life, sharing practical lessons, heartfelt stories, and the strategies that keep her work both effective and deeply human—an episode that inspires anyone who wants to lead with both head and heart.

Janice Noehulani brings an infectious energy and a deeply compassionate perspective to a conversation that blends laughter with transformation; a natural‑born psychic and healer who began seeing spirits at a young age, she walks listeners through how empathic abilities and emotional honesty can become gateways to deeper understanding, how facing life’s illusions opens the path to growth, and how connection with the divine can be practical, grounding, and surprisingly joyful—tune in to Not a Great Whisperer as Janice and Katy Rey mix playful warmth with profound insight in a single, illuminating episode.

From Minnesota to Atlanta, Colleen Murphy‑Gomez turns everyday moments into marketing magic—she grew up belting TV commercial jingles in her family living room, studied marketing at St. Cloud State University, and learned the real craft of the trade by building relationships early in her career; on Not a Great Whisperer, host Katy Rey and Colleen trade stories about the people‑first side of marketing, the power of networking, and how a joyful, curious approach to life fuels creative leadership, making this episode equal parts practical playbook and feel‑good inspiration.

From humble Trinity roots to the polished floors of downtown Tampa, Alex Stead brings family‑first grit and genuine warmth to the world of style—grounded by a close‑knit family that turned loss into deeper connection, shaped by a mother’s easygoing strength and siblings who taught her to speak up and stand tall; now a commission‑driven stylist at Tom James, Alex loves helping everyone from college newbies to corporate pros step into confidence through the right suit, blending hustle, heart, and a no‑nonsense approach to fashion that’s as much about empowerment as it is about looking good.

A life shaped by global travel, disciplined values, and quiet resilience, G. Holloman takes listeners from a multicultural childhood in Japan to the unexpected challenges of a Florida high school—born to baby‑boomer parents with military and government careers, raised as the middle child among four brothers, he learned to carve out his identity while absorbing a strong work ethic and sense of duty; devoted husband and father, Holloman reflects on how those early experiences forged his priorities, informed his relationships, and guided his choices, sharing candid stories and thoughtful insights with Katy Rey on Not a Great Whisperer that are both eye‑opening and deeply human.

Get ready for an exhilarating episode of Not a Great Whisperer as host Katy Rey sits down with photographer and founder Jess Veguez, a storyteller who blends professional brand photography with intimate boudoir work through her project Girl Gang Pinellas; known for her playful tagline “Businesses and Butts,” Jess celebrates the multifaceted beauty of women, using her lens to transform how women see themselves, share powerful stories of empowerment and self‑acceptance, and offer practical insight into building confidence, community, and a thriving creative business.

Join Katy Rey for a powerful, intimate retrospective on a transformative 2023—two‑time bestselling author, entrepreneur, and founder of Fostering Hearts Florida, Katy reflects on a year of impact that includes her children’s‑meant‑for‑adults book Uniquely Loved for Being YOU, which grew from affirmations she shared with her children and fuels her mission to bring hope to foster kids, and her second memoir‑style book Your Labels Don’t Define You, a raw exploration of identity, resilience, and reclaiming one’s story; she also previews CelebrateYou, a motivational networking event on February 25th designed to uplift and connect, and shares how every project and encounter is guided by a single aim—to leave people better than she found them.

Meredith Killingsworth is a life coach and strategist who helps high‑performing women and female entrepreneurs reclaim energy, set boundaries, and rebuild lives that truly fit. After the overwhelm of new motherhood, Meredith discovered her grit through hybrid racing and personal training—transformations that became the foundation of a coaching practice and community where ambitious women hit the reset button and thrive. On Not a Great Whisperer, she shares candid stories, practical tools, and fierce encouragement for anyone ready to move from surviving to flourishing.

A former ICU nurse who went rogue and rewrote the rules, Diana Nicorici is a serial entrepreneur and single mother of five who turned personal courage into systemic change—founding community‑based healthcare centers and The Blind Investment, a nonprofit that tackles every barrier survivors of domestic violence face, from housing and employment to childcare, transportation, healthcare, and legal support. Born to Romanian immigrants, Diana navigated cultural constraints and corporate healthcare’s failures before pivoting to entrepreneurship; after leaving an abusive marriage she chose co‑parenting for her children’s sake and has since built a mission that blends fierce advocacy with practical solutions, proving resilience can become a roadmap for others to reclaim safety, stability, and self‑determination.

Ilene Mitnick and Alli Baldwin — partners in life and business for over 30 years and the creative forces behind The Good Life and The Zest Zone — share how love, curiosity, and fearless creativity have shaped a life full of joy, passion, and adventure. Their story traces a spirited creative beginning, a deep emotional and intellectual bond that blossomed into family life, and a playful, wholehearted approach to raising two children and a lively pet crew (Bodie, Epstein, and Jersey). On Not a Great Whisperer, Ilene and Alli reveal the habits, rituals, and mindset that keep their partnership vibrant and their work overflowing with zest.

From strawberry fields to skyscrapers, Charity Golden’s journey blends southern charm, fierce curiosity, and a relentless commitment to lifting women up—Barnard‑educated and a former corporate lawyer who found her true calling in the Peace Corps, Charity built The Lipstick Network to fuse strategy, empathy, and community, turning cross‑cultural lessons from Manhattan and Bulgaria into a sanctuary for collaboration, personal growth, and professional development that aligns head, heart, and hands.

From the sidelines to the forefront of change, this episode of Not a Great Whisperer follows a leader who’s redefining sports‑driven community impact. Once a Denver Broncos cheerleader and professional ballerina, Tara Battiato now channels that performance grit into leading community initiatives for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, building programs that advance youth football, gender equity, and social justice. Her work with the Glazer Vision Foundation—including the quiet, powerful moment when a child picks out their first pair of glasses from the mobile clinic—captures the heart of her mission: turning the energy of the game into lasting opportunities and uplift for the community.

Survival turned into strategy: after enduring physical abuse, emotional trauma, and serious health battles, Lindsey White rebuilt her life into a playbook for generational empowerment—Tampa’s #1 Amazon Best‑Selling author brings fierce honesty, practical habits, and hard‑won mindset shifts to Not a Great Whisperer with Katy Rey, showing how to reclaim agency, channel pain into purpose, and build a legacy that lifts the next generation.

When life hands you chaos, some people rewrite the rules—this episode shows how to do it with grit and grace. On Not a Great Whisperer, Katy Rey sits down with Tampa’s #1 Amazon Best‑Selling author Lindsey White to unpack a life forged through physical abuse, emotional trauma, and serious health battles—and rebuilt into a playbook for generational empowerment. Expect fierce honesty, practical strategies for reclaiming agency, and energizing stories that turn survival into leadership. Listen for concrete habits, mindset shifts, and the kind of no‑nonsense encouragement that helps you grab your chaos and write your own playbook.

From hidden shadows to authentic light, this episode of Katy Rey’s podcast, Not a Great Whisperer, follows a courageous journey that began in a conservative Midwestern town where feeling “different” showed up as early as age ten. Bullying and isolation forced a convincing facade that held through college athletics and into adulthood, until a pivotal intervention from her then‑wife sparked a reckoning. About a year into her transformation, Noelle Soncrant began the difficult work of living authentically; she joins Katy to share the pain, breakthroughs, and steady courage required to claim her true self.

Radiant positivity and a simple, profound message—we are all born to matter—drive this heartfelt conversation on Not a Great Whisperer with Katy Rey and Tom Doherty, whose zest for life turns personal highs and heartbreaking losses into a beacon of hope; from California landscapes that sparked a young imagination far from his Boston roots to earning the nickname "The Diplomat" in high school, Tom’s stories brim with warmth, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the worth of every life.

From thrifted treasures to bestselling pages, this conversation on Not a Great Whisperer traces Shirley Jump’s unconventional rise—from a TV desk to journalism and freelancing, then into a prolific romance career that’s produced over 50 novels for Berkley, Harlequin, Entangled, and Kensington—driven by grit, adaptability, and a fierce commitment to sustainability born from post‑divorce hardship; a New York Times bestselling author whose stories blend fairy‑tale warmth with real‑life grit, Shirley also champions thrifting as both necessity and eco‑minded joy, and her awards and nominations (HOLT Medallion, Booksellers Best, Romantic Times nods) underscore a career that’s as compassionate as it is commercially triumphant.

Transformation meets leadership: Amy Mangueira, named a Top Life Coach to Watch Out for in 2022 by NYC Journal, joins Katy Rey on Not a Great Whisperer to unpack her evolution from three‑time entrepreneur with notable acquisitions to founder of Humans First Coaching, where she’s guided 300+ leaders to build healthier cultures, mitigate burnout, and prioritize team well‑being; she also creates Victory Co. jewelry honoring runners and is racing toward becoming one of the first 200 women to complete the Abbott 6 World Major Marathon series—an inspiring blend of grit, purpose, and people‑centered leadership.

From loss and trauma to radical renewal, Michelle J. Lamont’s story is a testament to the power of perspective and persistence: a first‑generation Colombian‑American from Dallas who learned to manifest her life despite the crushing blows of her mother’s death, childhood trauma in an orphanage, a two‑decade abusive marriage, and five miscarriages. At her lowest—after divorce and a second brush with suicidal despair—a surreal moment with a television message redirected her path, sparking an 18‑month dive into Mindfulness Cognitive Therapy informed by MRI findings of a uniquely active brain. On Not a Great Whisperer with Katy Rey, Michelle shares how that revelation reshaped her purpose, turning near‑breakdown into a disciplined practice of healing, meaning, and renewed agency.

Creativity turned into a crafted life: born in the Bronx with proud Jamaican roots, Karimah Henry transformed a childhood sketchbook habit and a parenting philosophy of freedom into Crafting a Fun Life, a joyful manifesto for playful parenting, everyday creativity, and fearless self‑expression; a USF grad who met her husband in college, she now juggles two lively boys and dachshund Milo while sharing practical projects, heartfelt stories, and a warm, accessible approach that invites families to make room for curiosity, connection, and a little bit of magic every day.

From D1 athlete to balanced‑life advocate, Erin Washington turns two decades of struggle with weight, body image, and eating disorders into a message of hard‑won balance—she’s the voice behind Squats and Margaritas, a lifestyle podcast and book that champions strength, self‑acceptance, and practical fitness for busy moms; a Columbus, Ohio native and former collegiate soccer standout who worked for the Washington Redskins before settling in Atlanta with her husband and two kids, Erin shares candid, unedited stories and actionable tips for women who work out but aren’t seeing results, celebrating the journey that led her to her best body at 37.

Healing and hustle collide as Jessica Hurley pulls back the curtain on a season she calls Rich in Real Life, sharing candid stories of struggle, growth, and wholehearted reinvention; as host of Rich in Real Life, CEO and founder of Instapodcasts (a podcast and media management agency that helps busy entrepreneurs scale their brands through storytelling), co‑founder of the Innovative Income Summit, and a mother who’s done deep healing to show up fully, Jessica talks honestly about the messy middle of entrepreneurship, the coaches and healers who helped her, and the all‑in mentality she brings to every new venture—expect unfiltered conversation about resilience, leadership, and embracing every season of success and setback.

Valerie McDonald joins Not A Great Whisperer to talk about her journey in politics. Valerie is a Tampa native, mother of two, and a human with a passion for local politics and saving animals.

Lindsay aka Animal Based Bae joins Not A Great Whisperer Podcast. Her work is driven by the question: "How can one build, hone, expand and thrive in physical and emotional resilience?" Lindsay’s goal is to inspire people to revolutionize their lives through an ancestral way of eating and upgrade their physical strength.

Ashley Mulholland joins Not A Great Whisperer Podcast to talk about being a business owner, mother and influencer. Ashley is an influencer and small business owner of Elli Wellness. She started her brand to educate others about non-toxic living.

Michael Hernandez joins Not A Great Whisperer to talk about breaking the stigma of false masculinity and the work he has put in to heal and help other men grow. Michael is a trauma informed yoga teacher, human breath and exposure coach, resilience coach and personal trainer.

Amy and Katy join Not A Great Whisperer Podcast to talk about the new company they recently launched, Humans First Coaching and the reason behind it. They both have been in leadership positions for over 35 years combined.

Tia joins Not A Great Whisperer podcast to tell us her story as a 44 year old "happily divorced" entrepreneur living in Tampa Bay. Originally from NW Pennsylvania she grew up with entrepreneurs on both sides of her family.

Ludmila Woodruff joins Not A Great Whisperer to talk about her journey and why she became a coach. Ludmila is an international Dating and Relationship Coach who helps high achieving women obtain success in love and relationships.

Mimi joins Not A Great Whisperer Podcast to talk about her company, MYET Protection and how it all began. Myrlande aka Mimi, is a 27 year old entrepreneur living in Florida and dedicated to giving you the very best and affordable self defense tools to keep you safe.

Alyssa Young joins Not a Great Whisperer Podcast to talk about her journey and the career she has built for herself. Her story started with trauma, and has blossomed into triumph. Alyssa is a 24-year old Florida native.

Rochelle joins Not A Great Whisperer podcast to talk about her journey opening her own medical and beauty spa. She was born in Detroit and raised throughout the Tampa Bay Area.

Christy King joins Not A Great Whisperer podcast to talk about being an educator and working with kids in this current climate. She is a music educator, military wife, and outdoor enthusiast. Christy talks about teaching, married life, navigating loss and doing it all with a loving attitude.