The Women in Your Life

Melody Cobbe: Managing Attorney, Cobbe Law and President, Junior League of Boca Raton

Juliana Kafka — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode of The Women in Your Life, Juliana Kafka sits down with Melody Cobbe, managing attorney of Cobbe Law and president of the Junior League of Boca Raton. Melody's life of service started as a childhood crossing guard and carried her through law school as a Guardian Ad Litem advocating for children, years of civil litigation and jury trials, and finally to launching her own firm, where she now serves as in-house counsel for small businesses across Boca, Delray and West Palm.

Melody shares why she made the leap to go out on her own when her kids were young, how networking groups helped her build a client base from scratch, and her advice for anyone weighing a career in law or thinking about starting their own business. She also explains what the Junior League of Boca Raton really is, how the League helped start the Boca Raton Historical Society and the diaper bank, the self-esteem program she built for middle school girls, and what's ahead at the Women Volunteer of the Year luncheon. Plus her favorite Boca spots and why the beach is always a must.

This episode is sponsored by Peak Veterinary Surgery in Delray Beach.

New episodes every Tuesday.

Follow Juliana: https://www.instagram.com/juliana_kafka_podcast/

Where to listen: https://thewomeninyourlife.transistor.fm/

Maru Acosta and Carly Schulman: Co-Founders, Wynn & Jade PR

Juliana Kafka — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Women in Your Life, Juliana Kafka sits down with Maru Acosta and Carly Schulman, the duo behind Wynn & Jade PR, whose decade together started as coworkers at a corporate PR agency and grew into roommates, bridesmaids, neighbors and co-founders. Maru and Carly share why they launched their own firm in 2020 with young kids at home, how they kept the friendship and the business strong, and where the name Wynn & Jade comes from.

They break down the real difference between PR and marketing, why passion really does persuade, and the one rule they never break as business partners. They also get into how AI is reshaping PR and the way people find recommendations, how a nonprofit or small business can tell its story on a tight budget, why most viral moments are by design, and their favorite Boca spots for a coffee or lunch meeting. Plus a little Mahjong talk.

This episode is sponsored by Peak Veterinary Surgery in Delray Beach.

New episodes every Tuesday.

Follow Juliana: https://www.instagram.com/juliana_kafka_podcast/

Where to listen: https://thewomeninyourlife.transistor.fm/

Officer Heather Leinonen: Navy Veteran, Boca Raton Police

Juliana Kafka — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Women in Your Life, Juliana Kafka sits down with Officer Heather Leinonen of the Boca Raton Police Department to hear about a career spent serving in three different uniforms. Heather shares how she walked into a Navy recruiting office on a whim and signed up that day, serving as military police in Japan and Hawaii before working as a correctional officer in Texas and finally landing in Boca Raton.

Heather opens up about what the military taught her that college didn't, why staying authentically herself has made her better at a job that asks something different every day, and the rescue that earned her a life saving challenge coin. She also shares how the Boca community can support local police in real, everyday ways, plus her favorite hidden gems in town and her go to coffee order.

This episode is sponsored by Peak Veterinary Surgery in Delray Beach.

New episodes every Tuesday.

Follow Juliana: https://www.instagram.com/juliana_kafka_podcast/

Where to listen: https://thewomeninyourlife.transistor.fm/

Julia "Hudd" Tucker: Head Coach, Lynn University Women's Basketball

Juliana Kafka — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Women in Your Life, Juliana Kafka sits down with Julia "Hud" Tucker, head coach of Lynn University Women's Basketball, to hear about her journey from player to coach and the lessons learned along the way. Coach Hud shares her early love for sports, the challenges of transitioning from a competitive player to a thoughtful coach, and the importance of building a strong team culture. She opens up about the moment she received the call for her first head coaching role and the nerves that came with it, emphasizing the need for small wins and resilience in the face of adversity.

Coach Hud also discusses her commitment to community engagement and the significance of mentoring young athletes. In a rapid-fire segment, she answers community questions and highlights the upcoming season, inviting everyone to support the team.

About the guest:
Julia "Hud" Tucker is the head coach of Lynn University's Women's Basketball team. She has built a program focused on developing confidence, resilience, and a strong team culture.

In this episode:
Coaching Journey: Hud shares her path from a graduate assistant to head coach, emphasizing the importance of learning from mentors.
Transitioning Roles: She discusses the shift from being a competitive player to a thoughtful coach who prioritizes player development.
Building Culture: Hud highlights the significance of small wins in establishing a positive team culture and mindset.
Community Engagement: She talks about the importance of giving back to the community and how it enriches the team experience.
Recruiting Philosophy: Hud explains her approach to recruiting, focusing on finding the right fit for her program rather than just talent.
Life Skills: She emphasizes the life skills she aims to instill in her players, preparing them for success beyond basketball.
Nervous Beginnings: Hud reflects on the nerves she felt when she received the call for her first head coaching role and how she overcame them.
Upcoming Season: She invites the community to support the team during the upcoming season, highlighting the free admission to games.

Where to find the guest:
Lynn University Women's Basketball

New episodes every Tuesday.

Follow Juliana: https://www.instagram.com/juliana_kafka_podcast/

Where to listen: https://thewomeninyourlife.transistor.fm/

Dr. Karen Lee Diaz, Entrepreneur

Juliana Kafka — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Karen Lee Diaz, a remarkable woman whose journey from social worker to beauty entrepreneur is both inspiring and enlightening. With over 22 years of experience in social work, Karen has dedicated her life to helping others during their most challenging moments. We delve into her multifaceted career path, which includes stints in real estate and interior design, ultimately leading her to become Blushington's very first franchisee in the country. Karen shares her motivations for joining Blushington, her vision for the Boca Raton location, and how her background in social work informs her approach to business and team leadership.

Throughout our conversation, we explore the importance of creating a welcoming space for women, where they can feel understood and empowered. Karen reflects on the challenges of parenting while working in a high-stress field, the lessons learned from her experiences, and the parallels between her past and present roles. We also discuss the significance of community engagement and the personal growth that comes from embracing change. This episode is a testament to the power of resilience, empathy, and the drive to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Join us as we uncover Karen's story and the heart behind her entrepreneurial journey.

00:00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Karen Lee Diaz
An overview of Karen's journey from social work to beauty entrepreneurship and her vision for Blushington.

00:01:21 - Background in Social Work
Karen discusses her extensive experience as a social worker, including crisis response and training first responders.

00:04:04 - Motivation for Entering Social Work
Karen shares her childhood aspirations and the circumstances that led her to a career in social work.

00:06:14 - Parenting Challenges
A conversation about the complexities of parenting in today's world and the balance between safety and freedom.

00:07:27 - Lessons from Social Work
Karen reflects on the insights gained from her social work experience that apply to her business.

00:09:12 - Moving to Boca Raton
Karen explains her transition to Boca Raton and how it influenced her career path.

00:11:22 - Becoming Blushington's First Franchisee
The story of how Karen became the first franchise owner of Blushington and her motivations behind it.

00:14:05 - Overcoming Doubts
Karen shares her feelings of uncertainty and commitment as she embarked on her entrepreneurial journey.

00:15:08 - What is Blushington?
An introduction to Blushington and its mission to enhance clients' confidence through beauty services.

00:16:43 - Parallels Between Social Work and Beauty
Karen discusses the similarities between her past work in social work and her current role in the beauty industry.

00:17:33 - Real Estate Insights
Karen talks about her experiences in the real estate market and the changes she's observed.

00:18:44 - Advice for Career Change
Karen offers guidance for those seeking change in their careers based on her own experiences.

00:19:55 - Finding Safety and Security
A discussion on how Karen has navigated her personal and professional growth.

00:21:49 - Work-Life Balance
Karen shares her perspective on balancing work and family life through different seasons.

00:23:24 - Board Involvement
Karen talks about her involvement in various boards and her commitment to empowering women and girls.

00:24:49 - The Importance of Community Impact
A reflection on the significance of making a positive impact in the community.

00:25:53 - Self-Reflection and Feedback
Karen discusses the value of receiving feedback from others to understand her impact.

00:27:29 - Finding Mentors and Sponsors
Karen shares her experiences in seeking mentorship and the challenges she has faced.

00:29:20 - Serving the Community at Blushington
An insight into how Blushington aims to create a welcoming and personalized experience for clients.

00:31:07 - Fast Questions Segment
A rapid-fire round where Karen shares her favorite spots and recommendations in Boca Raton.

00:33:14 - Closing Thoughts
Karen's final message about the experience clients can expect at Blushington.

Stephanie Pitts: Founder, artNEST

Juliana Kafka — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 15:50:48 -0400

Stephanie Pitts grew up on her filmmaker father and mother's production sets, learning early what it meant to build something real under pressure. She trained as a classical pianist, switched to fine arts and became an elementary school art teacher in Miami before running franchise operations for School of Rock. Then she and her father opened artNEST together.

In this conversation, Stephanie and Juliana talk about what it takes to build something of your own: the imposter syndrome that doesn't disappear just because the business works, the goal she sets for herself once a decade, and the philosophy behind artNEST's process-based approach to teaching creativity and confidence in kids. They also talk honestly about balance and what it means to give yourself grace while building a life and a business at the same time.

This is Stephanie's story: the classroom, the creative risk, and the community that showed up for her along the way.

00:00:00 - Introduction to Stephanie Pitts and Artnest
00:01:22 - Stephanie's Background and Early Influences
00:02:09 - Growing Up in a Creative Environment
00:03:35 - The Evolution of Stephanie's Artistic Journey
00:05:01 - The Role of Family in Nurturing Creativity
00:06:35 - Transitioning from Teaching to Corporate
00:07:50 - Finding Purpose in Teaching Art
00:10:30 - Challenges in the Education System
00:12:40 - The Shift to School of Rock
00:15:40 - The Journey to Starting Artnest
00:20:09 - Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship
00:23:00 - Community Engagement and Class Offerings
00:25:32 - Philosophy of Process-Based Art
00:30:54 - The Importance of Confidence and Creativity
00:32:21 - Future Aspirations for Artnest
00:35:25 - Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
00:39:37 - Fun Quickfire Questions
00:41:20 - Well-Kept Secrets and Community Integration
00:42:12 - Closing Thoughts and Gratitude