Behind Her Empire

Thinking about having kids someday, or just curious about your body? This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to better understand fertility, whether you're planning ahead or just want to feel more connected to your cycle.In this episode you’ll learn: * Why fertility matters even if you’re not trying for kids* The truth about birth control and future fertility* Which fertility tests to get and how to improve egg quality* A crash course on how reproduction works* How to track your cycle and use the Fertility Awareness Method* What sperm health has to do with the bigger picture* And more…Unlike many physicians, Natalie has a whole body approach to medicine, fusing lifestyle and functional medicine with science backed facts to help people conceive and understand their bodies. Dr. Crawford has helped thousands of patients and followers learn about their bodies and their fertility, empowering them with education and learning to advocate for themselves in their own fertility journeys. Natalie also hosts the successful As a Woman Podcast with over 5 million downloads.This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Dr. Natalie: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliecrawfordmd/* Website: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela Vranich is the Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Little Spoon, a company that’s become the go-to destination for fresh, healthy meals for kids.Angela’s journey to transforming kids’ food was anything but traditional. While still in college, she was cold-calling brands and building a grassroots food marketing startup out of her dorm room, eventually growing it to over 100 team members nationwide. After graduating, she landed a job in food television, thinking that was her dream, until she realized she didn’t just want to talk about food, she wanted to change it. That spark came when she walked down the baby food aisle and saw how outdated it all felt. The idea for Little Spoon was born, but turning it into a real product was far from easy. Angela had zero experience bringing a physical product to life, had to shut down her first business, and was constantly figuring things out as she went. Still, she launched Little Spoon in 2017, and it took off, selling over a million meals in its first year. Since then, it’s become a go-to for parents across the country, delivering over 35 million fresh meals for babies, toddlers, and big kids.In this episode, Angela gets real about the emotional rollercoaster of building a company from scratch, the pivots, the rejections, and the moments she questioned it all. We talk about the power of what she calls “healthy naiveté” and how sometimes not knowing what you’re up against is what gives you the courage to take the leap anyway. She opens up about shutting down her first venture after college and the biggest lessons she learned there about what to do and not to do in business. We also dive into what it actually takes to scale fresh food at a national level, why going direct-to-consumer gave Little Spoon a major advantage, and how Angela learned to surround herself with the right people, ask for help, and celebrate the small wins.In this episode, we’ll talk to Angela about:* Surrounding yourself with experts can guide your journey. [03:00]* How healthy naivete fuels bold decisions. [04:04]* Lessons from launching a business in college. [07:28]* Managing people as a first-time student founder. [11:52]* Shutting down her first venture and pivoting. [14:03]* Spotting a gap in the baby food market. [17:54]* The first steps in building Little Spoon. [20:28]* Figuring it out: cold calls and scrappiness. [23:49]* Product challenges in fresh baby food. [26:53]* Retail hurdles and going DTC instead. [30:48]* Building brand awareness from scratch. [34:51]* Why a strong team makes all the difference. [36:19]* Staying grounded through business highs and lows. [40:24]* Delegating and making the most of your time. [42:38]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Angela: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelavran/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlespoon/* Website: https://www.littlespoon.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re busting myths and breaking down the science behind some of the most misunderstood topics in wellness, starting with cycle syncing. Is it really the key to better workouts, or just another trend? We dive into what the research actually says and why women may not need totally different fitness advice after all.We also explore how muscle, fat loss, and bone health shift as we age—and what you can actually do about it. If you’ve ever felt confused by conflicting hormone advice, this episode is your no-BS guide to what’s real, what’s hype, and what your body actually needs.In this episode you’ll learn: * How cycle syncing advice misses the mark* What we’re getting wrong about fasted training* The truth about cortisol face* What women need to know about Ozempic and GLP-1s* Muscle-building basics for beginners* And more…Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple is a muscle physiology researcher and science communicator with a Ph.D. in Integrative Physiology from McMaster University and an M.S. in Exercise Science from the University of South Florida. Her research focuses on how ovarian hormones influence exercise-induced adaptations, helping bridge the gap between female physiology and evidence-based training.In addition to her academic work, Dr. Colenso-Semple is an experienced strength and conditioning coach and sports nutrition expert. She brings years of hands-on experience to her science communication, making complex topics accessible and actionable. She is also a co-owner of the MASS Research Review, where she helps distill cutting-edge research for athletes, coaches, and health professionals.This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Dr. Lauren: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlaurencs1/* Website: https://www.drlaurencs.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kristin Charbo is the Co-Founder and CEO of Glonuts, the better-for-you donut brand redefining indulgence with clean ingredients and low sugar. But her journey didn’t start in food or even in business. Kristin spent over 15 years in luxury hospitality, opening hotels for brands like Mandarin Oriental and PUBLIC in New York. It wasn’t until a PCOS diagnosis in her early 20s that she was forced to rethink her relationship with food, wellness, and ultimately, her career. That health wake-up call eventually sparked the idea for a nostalgic, blood-sugar-friendly treat she wished existed. What started as a “healthy donut thing” from a coffee cart quickly took on a life of its own, leading Kristin and her partner Grover to deliver over 100,000 donuts from their one-bedroom apartment and even use their wedding money to rebrand the business. Today, Glonuts is one of the most exciting brands in wellness snacking, stocked everywhere from Erewhon to H-E-B markets and other retailers all across the US.In this episode, Kristin gets real about what it actually takes to build something from nothing—when you don’t have a blueprint, just a product people love and the grit to figure it out. She opens up about the mental rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, the scrappy early days of hand-delivering donuts, and the power of iterating on feedback. We talk about the challenges of fundraising as a female founder, how she built a network of powerhouse women who now double as investors and advisors, and why personal growth is just as critical as business growth. Whether you’re dreaming of starting your own thing or in the thick of figuring it out as you go, Kristin’s story is your reminder that success isn’t always linear but it always starts with taking the first messy step.In this episode, we’ll talk to Kristin about:* Glonuts began as an unexpected leap into entrepreneurship. [03:07]* The early days of building Glonuts + getting feedback. [04:55]* When Kristin first felt the entrepreneurial itch. [11:34]* Kristin’s upbringing and relationship with food. [15:14]* Getting fired from corporate + going all in on Glonuts. [18:15]* Starting Glonuts from their home kitchen. [20:13]* How they got into Erewhon. [21:35]* Navigating the tough moments as a founder. [26:27]* Debunking the myth of overnight success. [33:08]* The unique challenges women face in fundraising. [34:38]* Investing in branding can significantly impact business success. [41:48]* Finding the right co-packer and the exact steps she took. [45:50]* Personal growth is a significant part of the entrepreneurial journey. [54:16]* The power of journaling for reflection and gratitude. [56:14]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Kristin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinfromglonuts/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatglonuts/* Website: https://eatglonuts.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever feel like your body’s changing and no one gave you the memo? In this candid and empowering episode, we unpack the often-overlooked realities of perimenopause—what’s really happening with your hormones and why it can feel like everything from your mood to your memory is shifting. We dive into how this phase of life impacts sleep, mood, memory, libido, and long-term health. Dr. Jones also breaks down the latest thinking on hormone replacement therapy, clears up common misconceptions, and shares how supportive tools like seed cycling can offer natural relief.If you’re navigating perimenopause or want to prepare for it with clarity and confidence, this episode is a must-listen.In this episode you’ll learn: * What your hormones are really doing in every decade* The truth about HRT from a doctor’s perspective* How perimenopause affects mood, sleep, memory, and libido* The top chronic diseases women face and their hormonal ties* How seed cycling can support you through perimenopause* And more…Carrie Jones, ND, FABNE, MPH, MSCP is an internationally recognized speaker, consultant, author and educator on the topic of women's health and hormones with over 20 years in the industry. Dubbed the “Queen of Hormones,” Dr. Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who did her 2-year residency focused on women's health and endocrinology. She went on to get her Master of Public Health (MPH), was one of the first to become board certified through the American Board of Naturopathic Endocrinology (FABNE), and is a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP). She was the first Medical Director for Precision Analytical (the DUTCH Test), the first Head of Medical Education at Rupa Health and was on Under Armour’s Human Performance Council. She co-hosted the highly popular show, the Root Cause Medicine Podcast that has over 10 million downloads and now hosts her own, Hello Hormones podcast. This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Dr. Carrie: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carriejones/* Website: https://www.drcarriejones.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shazi Visram is the founder of HealthyBaby, the first-ever EWG-certified babycare brand.Shazi has always been on the mission to give every child the healthiest start to life. Born to immigrant parents and raised in a motel in Alabama, she learned early what grit, sacrifice, and resilience really look like. After earning her MBA from Columbia, Shazi launched Happy Family with a homemade recipe and a bold idea to revolutionize baby food. She grew it into the #1 organic baby food brand in the U.S. and sold it to Groupe Danone but her story didn’t stop there. When her son was diagnosed with autism, it shifted her entire worldview and became the spark behind her second company, HealthyBaby, which she built to support babies' neurodevelopment and protect their health from day one.In this week’s episode, Shazi shares what it really means to lead with purpose - even when the path isn’t clear. She opens up about how her upbringing shaped her view of business, why resilience matters more than confidence, and how she scaled Happy Family & had a successful exit despite the many roadblocks they faced. We talk about the decision to sell the company, the turning point of her son’s diagnosis, and how it sparked her next mission with HealthyBaby. Along the way, she shares many lessons from decades in business, insights on leadership, and her belief that anything is possible when you challenge the status quo and lead from your authentic self. We talk about letting go of perfection, prioritizing well-being, and building with heart. Whether you’re a parent, an entrepreneur, or someone who believes business can be a force for good, Shazi’s story will leave you inspired to fight for the future you believe in.In this episode, we’ll talk to Shazi about:* Resilience is key to overcoming life's challenges. [02:48]* Confidence can be built through unique experiences. [11:29]* Graduating college and starting her “first” entrepreneurship journey. [17:57]* Business school can provide valuable connections and insights. [22:47]* The early stages of HappyBaby. [25:45]* Understanding consumer behavior is essential for success. [29:16]* Shazi sold her first company to focus on her child's health. [31:43]* Starting her second business, HealthyBaby. [34:43]* Developmental health is a critical issue that needs attention. [35:17]* HealthyBaby mission: to create safe and effective products for children. [41:22]* Entrepreneurship requires resilience and adaptability. [45:39]* Personal health and well-being are crucial for effective leadership. [48:39]* The spirit of entrepreneurship is about creating positive change. [51:16]* Anything is possible when you challenge the status quo. [52:44]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Shazi: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shazi_visram/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthybaby.co/* Website: https://www.healthybaby.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cindy is a serial entrepreneur and champion for women’s health and wealth. Over her 25+ year career in healthcare, she’s built and sold two companies for over $1 billion, including Sprout Pharmaceuticals, where she launched Addyi, the first prescription drug for women’s low libido and what many people call the “female Viagra.” She’s now the founder of The Pink Ceiling, where she invests in and mentors women-led businesses breaking barriers in health, wellness, and beyond. In this week’s episode, Cindy shares the lessons of building billion-dollar companies. She talks about why competence matters more than confidence, and how importance of taking the shot, even when you don’t have all the answers. She shares how growing up constantly on the move taught her how to adapt quickly, build relationships, and embrace change — skills that became her foundation in business. She opens up about the emotional toll of entrepreneurship, the power of building a strong team, and why women need to talk more openly about pleasure, power, and money, and so much more.Disclaimer:ADDYI is for premenopausal women with acquired, generalized hypoactive (low) sexual desire disorder who have not had problems with low sexual desire in the past, and who have low sexual desire no matter the type of sexual activity, the situation or the sexual partner. The low sexual desire is troubling to them and is not due to a medical or mental health problem, problems in the relationship or medicine or other drug use. ADDYI is not for use in men or to enhance sexual performance. Your risk of severe low blood pressure and fainting is increased if you drink 1-2 standard alcoholic drinks close in time to your ADDYI dose. Wait at least 2 hours after drinking before taking ADDYI at bedtime. Your risk of severe low blood pressure and fainting is also increased if you take certain prescription, over the counter or herbal medications, or have liver problems. Low blood pressure and fainting can happen when you take ADDYI even if you don’t drink alcohol or take other medicines. Do not take if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in ADDYI. Allergic reactions may include hives, itching or trouble breathing. Sleepiness, sometimes serious, can occur. Common side effects include dizziness, nausea, tiredness, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep and dry mouth. See full PI and Medication Guide, including Boxed Warning at addyi.com/pi or call 844-PINK-PILL.In this episode, we’ll talk to Cindy about:* Competence is the key to overcoming challenges. [03:04]* Disruption can be a catalyst for growth. [08:29]* The power of curiosity during Cindy’s college years. [11:52]* Lessons from Cindy’s first business. [22:45]* Cindy’s mission to empower women. [28:43]* Getting rejected by the FDA. [33:37]* Women on pleasure and health. [43:47]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Cindy: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindypinkceo/* Website: https://thepinkceiling.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever feel like your period is trying to tell you something, but you're not sure what it's saying? In this episode, women’s health coach and bestselling author Nicole Jardim (a.k.a. the “Period Girl”) breaks it all down. Whether you're dealing with PMS, painful periods, irregular cycles, or navigating the transition into perimenopause, this episode is packed with real talk and practical tools.In this episode you’ll learn: * What your period symptoms actually mean* The role of nutrition in hormone health* How to start the fertility awareness method* The most underlooked part of your cycle* How to support your body through perimenopause* What hormone tests to ask your doctor for* And more…Nicole is a Certified Women’s Health Coach and author of Fix Your Period, a step-by-step natural protocol for hormone balance. Known as the “Period Girl,” her work has helped tens of thousands improve PMS, period pain, and cycle irregularities through a blend of science, simplicity, and sass. She’s the founder of The Fix Your Period Collective—a first-of-its-kind membership that starts with a quiz and delivers a clear, personalized plan for better periods. Nicole is also the host of the top-rated podcast The Period Party and a trusted expert featured in The Guardian, Well+Good, mindbodygreen, and Healthline.This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Nicole: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolemjardim/* Website: https://nicolejardim.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nancy Twine is the founder of Briogeo, one of the first clean haircare brands to land in Sephora, and eventually one of the fastest-growing in the category.But her story didn’t start in beauty. Nancy began her career in finance, landing a role at Goldman Sachs in 2007, right as the global financial crisis hit. By her mid-twenties, she was a VP on Wall Street. Then, everything changed in 2010 when she lost her mother unexpectedly. That moment reshaped her purpose and gave her the clarity to build something of her own. With no background in chemistry or beauty,  she started Briogeo from her tiny New York apartment—self-funding it for six years, researching at the public library, and pitching investors with just drawings, all while working full-time. Briogeo launched in 2013 with four products. Within a year, Nancy cold-emailed her way into Sephora, becoming the youngest Black woman to launch a line with the retailer. In 2022, Briogeo was acquired by Wella Company.In today’s episode, Nancy talks about the mindset and grit it took to keep going when the path ahead wasn’t clear, and how learning to trust her instincts changed everything for her. We talk about how she taught herself the beauty industry from scratch, and why believing in herself, even when the odds were stacked against her, became her greatest strength. She shares the early days of Briogeo, building the brand at night while working on Wall Street, pitching investors and getting many rejections, and navigating the challenges of growth. She also reflects on the pivotal moment with Sephora, the decision to finally walk away from her corporate job, and how she grew into the role of CEO as the company scaled.Nancy opens up about selling Briogeo, what it meant to let go of something she built from scratch, and why she’s now focused on mentoring other women founders through her new platform, Makers Mindset. If you’ve ever questioned your timing, doubted your path, or needed a reminder of what’s possible when you bet on yourself, you’re going to love this episode. In this episode, we’ll talk to Nancy about:* The mindset needed to overcome entrepreneurial challenges. [02:57]* Cultivating confidence and shutting down self-doubt. [05:18]* How her mother and grandmother shaped her upbringing. [07:46]* How personal loss sparked a life and career reevaluation. [17:04]* Nancy’s first steps in starting Briogeo. [18:47]* A pivotal moment: meeting Sephora buyers. [23:59]* Lessons from fundraising journey. [25:44]* The power of self-belief in entrepreneurship. [28:41]* Leaving a secure job to pursue a passion. [38:36]* Why selling the business was strategic. [46:19]* Transforming Nancy’s passion into new ventures. [49:33]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Nancy: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancytwine/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briogeo/* Website: https://www.briogeohair.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laney Crowell is the founder & CEO of Saie, a clean beauty brand dedicated to making high-performing products that are elevated, effortless, and always easy to use.Laney’s path to entrepreneurship was anything but traditional. The daughter of a diplomat, Laney spent her childhood bouncing between continents, learning to adapt before she even knew the word for it. She began her career in entertainment, pivoted into editorial at ELLE and Lucky, and eventually found herself leading digital strategy at Estée Lauder – just as social media was transforming the beauty industry. But even with a dream job and a coveted title, something felt off.While pregnant with her first daughter, Laney stepped away from corporate life to start a wellness blog called The Moment. She didn’t have a master plan – just a desire to create space for more real & honest conversations around beauty and wellbeing. That blog would spark an incredible community and eventually give birth to Saie, the clean beauty brand that’s now backed by Gwyneth Paltrow and Unilever Ventures, and leading a new wave of what beauty can look and feel like.In today’s episode, Laney opens up about the real journey behind the brand: how she built Saie without industry connections or startup experience, the moments she almost gave up, and why learning to trust her gut was the best business strategy she never planned. We talk about persistence, resilience, the unglamorous side of fundraising, and the unexpected ways motherhood reshaped her leadership—and her mission. If you’ve ever felt like the outsider in the room, or you’re dreaming of building something meaningful on your own terms, this episode is for you.In this episode, we’ll talk to Laney about:* What “perfectionism” looks like for Laney. [02:26]* How Laney’s childhood shaped her comfort with discomfort. [04:37]* Struggling to fit into corporate culture. [06:40]* Breaking into the editorial world. [08:37]* Working at Estée Lauder and finding expanders. [11:11]* Launching her blog and building community. [13:19]* The inspiration behind founding Saie. [14:28]* How past work experience prepared her for Saie. [17:09]* Laney’s first experience with motherhood. [18:13]* Early days of creating Saie. [19:09]* Biggest lessons from fundraising. [20:40]* Secured key investors including Unilever and Gwyneth Paltrow. [25:00]* Developing Saie’s first product. [28:00]* How building Saie changed Laney as a person. [31:07]* How motherhood made her a stronger businesswoman. [35:40]* Awareness as a key driver of Saie’s growth. [39:30]* The power of trusting her team to lead and grow. [43:09]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Laney: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laney/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saiebeauty/* Website: https://saiehello.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.