In this powerful episode, we sit down with the passionate founder of the Fistula Foundation and author of No Woman Left Behind, to explore the life-changing work being done for women suffering from childbirth-related injuries in the world's most underserved regions. You’ll hear how one woman's journey from Madison Avenue to rural Africa sparked a global mission that’s now transformed over 100,000 lives—and counting. This conversation is full of compassion, purpose, and a deep reminder of how access to care can change everything.

🎧 Tune in and be inspired by the healing power of hope, advocacy, and dignity restored.

Kate Grant is the founding CEO of Fistula Foundation, the global nonprofit leader dedicated to treating childbirth injuries. A passionate advocate for maternal health, she has expanded critical fistula care across 35 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. No Woman Left Behind is her deeply personal account of the journey to bring healing to women suffering in silence. Grant joined the Foundation as its first chief executive in 2005 and has led the expansion from supporting one hospital in one country, Ethiopia, to its current position as the world leader in fistula treatment.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

Website: https://fistulafoundation.org/ , https://fistulafoundation.org/ga-love-a-sister/

New book - No Woman Left Behind: A Journey of Hope to Heal Every Woman Injured in Childbirth (She Writes Press: June 24, 2025) - https://amzn.to/4jOBZYD

Instagram: www.instagram.com/fistula_foundation

Facebook: www.instagram.com/fistulafoundation

LinkedIn: @fistula-foundation

Youtube: @FistulaFoundation

Connect with me:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidischalkcoaching

FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/femaleentrepreneursandleaders

Spotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

Ready to grow your biz: scalewithheidi.com

In this heartfelt episode, we dive into a powerful and necessary conversation about self-love, emotional eating, and body image with Marla Mervis-Hartmann. She shares the raw, real story behind her book and the pivotal realization that changed her life: the journey to healing begins when we become our own best friend.

We unpack why “self-love” often feels abstract or empty—and how shifting the lens to friendship with yourself can bring clarity, compassion, and real transformation. You’ll hear about the third path that goes beyond control or chaos—the one grounded in trust, listening, and inner safety.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of shame, guilt, or food battles, this conversation will speak directly to your heart.

Do you love your body?

As the creator of Love Your Body, Love Yourself, Marla Mervis-Hartmann helps women access their yes! to that question.

After experiencing years of dysfunction in relation to food, exercise, and body confidence, Marla transformed her life through the radical act of self-compassion and friending herself. She has since used her experiences to help empower women as they choose appreciation for their bodies, honor themselves through nourishing lifestyle choices, and cultivate confidence along the way.

Marla works at Ai Pono a Eating Disorder Recovery Center sharing Body-Love Reiki Circles and was known as the leading body image expert and Reiki Master at Journey Malibu–a Drug and Alcohol rehabilitation center. Most recently, she has been featured at TEDx Salinas. Her dedication to women’s studies has had several focuses including women’s sexual wellness, postpartum care, pelvic floor support, tantra and yoga instruction, massage therapy, and lifestyle coaching through Love Your Body, Love Yourself.

Marla’s mission is to inspire women to feel good about themselves as they pursue the lives they desire.

Currently, Marla lives in Maui with her husband, Olaf, and son, Aspen–where she works full-time as a professional coach, speaker, facilitator, and Living Light Reiki Master and Instructor. Marla will see her first book, Be-Friend Yourself on bookshelves October 2024.

💡 Practical takeaways, powerful insights, and permission to begin again—with grace.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

Website: www.loveyourbodyloveyourself.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveyourbodyloveyourselfalways

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveyourbodyloveyourself, https://www.facebook.com/marla.mervis

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/marlamervis

Book Launching October 1 https://www.loveyourbodyloveyourself.com/book

Breaking the Cycle of Emotional Eating "https://goloveyourbodyloveyourself.com/emotionaleating"

Connect with me:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidischalkcoaching

FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/femaleentrepreneursandleaders

Spotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

Ready to grow your biz: scalewithheidi.com

What does it really mean to live fully in the here and now? In this episode, I sit down with Palak Dave to explore how we can bring more intention, joy, and connection into our daily lives. Palak shares her inspiring journey of following a deeper calling, building community through curated experiences, and learning to live with presence even in the chaos. Whether you’re craving more meaning in your everyday or simply need a reminder to slow down, this conversation will leave you both inspired and equipped.

Palak Dave (@paldave) is a mission-driven entrepreneur, experience expert, speaker and author of Beautiful Everydays: A Guide to Living in the Here and Now. Formerly an award-winning marketer with senior-level positions at companies including the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and Indigo Books and Music Inc., Palak began her entrepreneurial journey in 2017 by founding Embiria {meaning experience}, which has since evolved to Embiria Social Club (ESC)—a community helping women feel more fulfilled in their everyday lives. Having curated and hosted over 350 community and media events, Palak believes in the profound impact of bringing people together—especially over a shared meal.Through facilitating experiences, hosting events, working with brands, speaking and media engagements, Palak is championing a movement towards everyday fulfillment and joy, encouraging others to prioritize real-life experiences and human connection over digital distractions. Palak has garnered significant media attention, with features in renowned outlets such as The Everygirl, Authority Magazine, and The Huffington Post. She has also been a guest on numerous top-rated podcasts, including Live Well Anyway, Hotter Than Health podcast, Talk Healthy to Me, and AsianBoss Girl. Additionally, Palak has cultivated partnerships with dozens of global brands, including Lululemon, Bumble, and Knixwear, further showcasing her influential presence and expertise in living a fulfilled life.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

Website: https://www.embiria.ca

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paldave/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embiriasocialclub/

Beautiful Everydays on Amazon (in the US): https://tinyurl.com/9rt2n8yt

Beautiful Everydays on Indigo (in Canada): https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/beautiful-everydays-a-guide-to-living-in-the-here-and-now/9781738214709.html

Embiria Social Club (ESC)—a community helping women feel more fulfilled in their everyday lives. Having curated and hosted over 350 community and media events, Palak believes in the profound impact of bringing people together—especially over a shared meal.

https://www.embiria.ca/esc?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaaQ5hskHUhqiP0JffatQauXGJN29LmpbI6o6trEiLd3F6iiXsVz2jH7GY_aem_fCWp30GxZENsOR9tcCjdww

Connect with me:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidischalkcoaching

FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/femaleentrepreneursandleaders

Spotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

Ready to grow your biz: scalewithheidi.