Shows
Sash & Soul#66 The Power of Gratitude: High-Vibration Mindset for Pageant Prep & Goal SettingSend us a textIn this Thanksgiving week episode of Sash & Soul, I dive into the real power of gratitude, not just the "go around the table and say what you're thankful for" version. We talk about how gratitude actually elevates your energy and mindset and why that matters for your pageant prep, goals, and overall well-being. I break down what manifestation really is (and isn't), how to use visualization and micro shifts to get into a higher-vibe headspace, and simple practices you can start today, especially if this season feels heavy, complicated, or emotional.
2025-11-2839 minSash & Soul#65 Miss Universe 2025: Beyond “Sit Down, Look Pretty, Be Grateful”Send us a textIn this week's episode, I'm breaking down the recent Miss Universe controversy and the bigger conversation it sparks about conflict, mistreatment, and emotional maturity in pageant culture. I'm sharing my own experiences as a former titleholder, the lessons I learned the hard way, and what Miss Mexico's response can teach all of us about grace under pressure. Whether you're a new competitor, a seasoned titleholder, or someone who supports the industry, this episode offers a real, grounded look at how to advocate for yourself, navigate difficult dynamics, and protect your peace without hurting...
2025-11-2140 minSash & Soul#64 Beyond the Crown: Alayna Wilson, Miss Kansas Volunteer 2026Send us a textAlayna Wilson, recently crowned Miss Kansas Volunteer 2026, joins me for a real, heart-forward conversation about service, healing, and growth. We trace her journey from small-town Nebraska to PhD student and state titleholder, unpacking the story behind her initiative "Love & Light: Giving Back, Moving Forward," and how grief, family addiction, and losing a friend to childhood cancer shaped her purpose. We talk confidence through action (not perfection), leaving the "runner-up club" mindset, switching systems, protecting your energy, and finding balance when life is full. If you've been chasing a crown or a goal on...
2025-10-311h 02Sash & Soul#63 Can AI Help You Win a Pageant? Let’s Talk About It.Send us a textAI in pageants? Yep, we're going there. Before you picture robots on stage or chatbots writing your paperwork, take a breath, because this conversation is all about authenticity meets innovation.In this episode, we're diving into how you can use tools like ChatGPT to actually enhance your prep, not replace it. From organizing your thoughts for paperwork and brainstorming interview questions, to refining your speaking points and saving time on research, AI can be a huge asset when you know how to use it mindfully.But here's the thing...
2025-10-2426 minSash & Soul#62 When You Feel Like There’s Never Enough TimeSend us a textCompetition week doesn't come with a pause button... School, work, family, and life keep going, even when you’re trying to feel prepared and confident. In this episode, Raeanna gets real about what it's like to handle time pressure when your schedule is overflowing and your brain is running on adrenaline.She breaks down why your body reacts to time stress like a survival threat (yes, your nervous system thinks your to-do list is a bear), and how to turn that energy into focused confidence instead of panic. You'll learn how to...
2025-10-1717 minSash & Soul#61 Reframing Nerves: How to Channel Adrenaline Into ConfidenceSend us a textThis week on Sash and Soul, Raeanna dives deep into one of the most universal parts of competition: nerves. Whether it's your heart racing before interview or your stomach flipping before walking on stage, that anxious energy isn't a sign of weakness... it's your body's way of saying, this matters to you. Raeanna breaks down the science behind the fight-or-flight response, shares her favorite mindset reframes, and offers practical tools to turn that adrenaline into focus and flow. From gentle mantras to grounding techniques and confidence-building reminders, this episode will help you see...
2025-10-1025 minSash & Soul#60 Stop Second-Guessing: Lead With ConvictionSend us a textIt's officially spooky season, and we're kicking off October with a conversation so many of my clients needed this week: conviction. If you've been second-guessing your choices - taking a break from school, choosing a 2-year program over a 4-year degree, heading into cosmetology or a trade - this one’s for you. Pageantry invites judgment by design, but leadership looks like standing by your decisions and your opinions without apologizing for them.In this episode, I share the mindset shifts I coach on during local season: how to stop editing yo...
2025-10-0326 minSash & Soul#59 Unpopular Opinions: Pageant EditionSend us a textEpisode 59 is a lighter, sassier breath of fresh air. We're diving into some unpopular opinions and pageant pet peeves. From the pressure to "build a brand" to multi-thousand dollar gowns, sponsor politics, secrecy around paperwork, and that overused interview crutches, - I'm sharing what I've seen as a coach, judge, and former titleholder, and why staying in your lane (and protecting your energy) will always outshine playing the game.Here's what we get into:Personal branding vs. actually knowing yourselfCoaching programs and budgets (value > price tag)Couture gowns, recycling looks...
2025-09-2636 minSash & Soul#58 Burnout-Free Prep: Your Local Season Game PlanSend us a textThis week is a reset for anyone grinding through back-to-back locals. I break down how to treat every competition as an opportunity, not an ultimatum, using a growth-mindset lens. We walk through smart ways to study competitors without slipping into self-judgment, why "busy" isn't the same as "making progress," and evidence-backed self-care that actually improves performance (think boundaries, short breaks, movement, and celebrating small wins). You'll get a simple game plan to structure prep weeks with balance, use locals as practice for bigger stages, and stay anchored to your why - so you...
2025-09-1928 minSash & Soul#57 More Than Politics: Human Dignity, Pageantry, and PerspectiveSend us a textThis episode takes you on a journey through the sharp contrast between joy and heartbreak. It started with me celebrating my anniversary on a blissful spa weekend, only to return home and be met with the heated online debates following Miss America; and then, just days later, national tragedies that shook us all.Having been on the pageant stage myself, I know how much vulnerability it takes to stand there and invite judgment. Watching the backlash toward our new Miss America led me to think about comparison, not as something that...
2025-09-1238 minSash & Soul#56 Turning the Page: Lessons for a New Season of CompetitionSend us a textThis episode is a real, unfiltered look at resilience and authenticity... the kind that's forged through life's hardest seasons. In the past year, I've walked through grief, pregnancy loss, medical emergencies, and stepping into the role of caregiver after my dad's stroke. Those moments completely shifted my perspective, not just on pageantry, but on life as a whole.Stepping back forced me to ask myself why this work matters and what makes it meaningful. And through hundreds of conversations with contestants who are navigating their own storms, I kept hearing the...
2025-09-0545 minSash & Soul#55 Crowned & Candid: Carlehr Swanson, Miss Virginia 2024Send us a textWhat happens when you pursue a dream for a decade, facing rejection six times, before finally achieving it on your last possible attempt? Carlehr Swanson, Miss Virginia 2024, reveals the powerful journey that transformed her from a shy music student into a confident state titleholder whose mission transcends the crown itself.Carlehr's story isn't just about persistence—it's about the profound self-discovery that happens when you stop trying to become what others expect and finally embrace your authentic self. "Once I finally accepted this is who I am, this is what I ca...
2025-06-2059 minSash & Soul#54 Crowned & Candid: Kalyn Melham, Miss Indiana 2024Send us a textWhat does it truly mean to hold a state title in the Miss America Organization? In this heart-to-heart conversation, Miss Indiana 2024 Kalyn Melham pulls back the curtain on her journey through pageantry with refreshing candor and wisdom.Kalyn's path wasn't the typical one – she started competing in college at 18, not as a little girl with a childhood dream. Her story reveals the power of authenticity in a world often associated with perfection. "You can either wear the title or it can wear you," she shares, capturing the essence of her approach to...
2025-06-1359 minSash & Soul#53 Crowned & Candid: Bridget O'Brien, Miss Maryland 2024Send us a textFrom a driven competitor who placed as runner-up six times to the confident woman wearing the Miss Maryland crown, Bridget O'Brien's journey exemplifies the power of resilience and authenticity in pageantry and life. Her refreshing candor about the realities of state titleholder life will resonate with anyone who's ever faced rejection or wondered if they're "enough."Bridget's community service initiative "Boomerang" perfectly encapsulates her philosophy: failure isn't final—it's simply a detour on your journey to success. Using the powerful metaphor of a GPS recalculating rather than telling you to turn ar...
2025-06-061h 04Sash & Soul#52 Crowned & Candid: Paris Matthews, Miss Utah 2024Send us a textWhat happens when you refuse to give up on a dream, even after 13 straight losses? Paris Matthews, Miss Utah 2024, reveals the extraordinary journey that led her from wearing "evening gowns from Ross" at her first pageant to representing Utah on the Miss America stage.This conversation peels back the glossy veneer of pageantry to explore something far more valuable: the power of authentic self-compassion. Paris shares how she lost 13 competitions without ever placing before finally winning her first local title. Rather than becoming discouraged, she found value in each competition, viewing...
2025-05-301h 02Sash & Soul#51 Crowned & Candid: Carrie Everett, Miss North Carolina 2024Send us a textWhat does it truly mean to wear the crown for 365 days? Behind the polished Instagram posts and stage performances lies a journey filled with grit, growth, and occasional tears. In this revealing conversation, Miss North Carolina 2024, Carrie Everett, brings us into the heart of her unlikely path to the title and the profound lessons she discovered along the way.As a child of Liberian immigrants who moved across the country to attend an HBCU, Keri's story defies conventional pageant narratives. With astonishing candor, she reveals how she won her state title...
2025-05-2957 minSash & Soul#50 Crowned & Candid: Kiersten Khoury, Miss Massachusetts 2024Send us a textKirsten Corey, Miss Massachusetts 2024, pulls back the curtain on her remarkable 20-year journey through the pageant world in this candid, eye-opening conversation. After competing since childhood and experiencing far more losses than wins, Kirsten's persistence finally culminated in achieving her lifelong dream of representing Massachusetts on the Miss America stage.With refreshing authenticity, Kirsten dismantles the glossy facade often associated with pageantry, revealing the intense work that happens behind the scenes. "This job is so hard because you never leave it," she explains, describing how the crown becomes inseparable from your...
2025-05-231h 07
DAR Today PodcastDAR Today Podcast - May 2025 - Week 3May 2025 - Week 3 - DAR Today PodcastNational Society Daughters of the American RevolutionPresident General Pamela Edwards Rouse WrightBrooke Bullmaster Stewart, National Chair DAR Today PodcastClick for more information about the Daughters of the American Revolution!CLICK HERE to visit our YouTube (video) version of this podcastTo support the goals and mission of the DAR, please visit our web site at DAR.org/GivingIn This Episode:Spokane Washington Chapters Honor Vietnam Veterans! Jonas Babcock Chapter Regent RaeAnna Victor let...
2025-05-2113 minSash & Soul#49 Crowned & Candid: Jordan Naylor, Miss Alaska 2024Send us a textWhat happens when your dream comes true? For Jordan Naylor, Miss Alaska 2024, claiming the crown was just the beginning of a transformative journey – one that followed directly after her reign as Miss Alaska USA. With less than a week between titles, Jordan stepped into her role with a unique dual-system perspective and a crystal-clear vision: build a sustainable legacy for every future Miss Alaska who follows.Unlike titleholders from larger pageant states, Jordan navigates the distinct challenges of representing Alaska – a place where rubber boots often replace high heels, volcanic eruptions can...
2025-05-161h 42Sash & Soul#48 Crowned & Candid: Hayley Cheyney Kane, Miss Hawaii 2024Send us a textAuthenticity beats perfection every time. That's the powerful message from Miss Hawaii 2024 Hayley Cheyney Kane, who joins us for a transformative conversation about wellness, identity, and the healing power of being unapologetically yourself.As the first openly gay Miss Hawaii, Haley has navigated her year with a refreshing blend of candor and compassion. Her journey reveals how radical self-acceptance forms the foundation of true wellbeing. "You cannot fully love yourself without fully knowing yourself," she shares, explaining how embracing her identity allowed her to prioritize her health in ways she never...
2025-05-1558 minSash & Soul#47 Crowned & Candid: Stephanie Finoti, Miss Ohio 2024Send us a textWhat does it truly mean to wear a state crown when life's hardest moments don't pause for your title? In this deeply moving conversation, Miss Ohio 2024 Stephanie Finoti reveals the raw, unfiltered reality behind the sparkle.As a biomedical scientist, first-generation American, and daughter of immigrants, Stephanie brings an unexpected perspective to her role. Growing up in poverty with big dreams that seemed impossible, she transformed obstacles into stepping stones—but winning the crown brought challenges she never anticipated. From battling crippling imposter syndrome during her first week to surviving a se...
2025-05-081h 13Sash & Soul#46 Crowned & Candid: Raechel Warren, Miss Nebraska 2024Send us a textWhat happens when you've aged out twice, moved to a new state, and decide to give your pageant dream one last shot? For Raechel Warren, Miss Nebraska 2024, that final attempt led to the crown and a transformative year of service that's coming to a close with only 45 days remaining.In this candid conversation, Raechel reveals the powerful mindset shift that finally unlocked her success after years of top-five finishes. "I am her and I just have to go get the crown," she realized, embracing a sense of detachment from the outcome...
2025-05-021h 02Sash & Soul#45 Crowned & Candid: Kaylee Wolfensberger, Miss Montana 2024Send us a textWhat really happens after the crown goes on and the cameras stop? In this brand new series, Crowned & Candid, I’m sitting down with Kaylee Wolfensberger, Miss Montana 2024, to talk about the realities of state titleholder life; the stuff most people don’t see.Kaylee is only 20 and went into Miss Montana just planning to get some experience. She wasn’t expecting to win, and that pressure-free mindset? It allowed her to show up fully as herself… and walk away with the crown. But with that win came a crash course in doing...
2025-05-011h 02Sash & Soul#44 Battling Burnout: Why High Achievers Struggle & How to HealSend us a textFeeling drained by pageant prep? Been there. If you're finding yourself pushing harder but enjoying it less, you're not alone. Burnout shows up in sneaky ways - not just physical exhaustion, but emotional depletion, constant comparison, and that awful loop of "I'm doing all the things… so why does it feel like it's never enough?"In pageantry, burnout can be especially tough because it chips away at the very things that matter most: your presence, your passion, your authenticity. You could have the most polished performance on stage, but if the jo...
2025-04-1832 minSash & Soul#43 Strategic Partnerships: Taking Your Platform from Volunteering to ImpactSend us a textIt's time to zoom out and focus on the big picture: What does it actually mean to be the titleholder? Beyond the wardrobe, the prep, and the preliminary jitters lies a powerful opportunity to create real impact and build the foundation for your future career.In this episode, you'll hear:The difference between volunteering and partnerships—and why one offers long-term value while the other is often short-termA step-by-step guide to developing strategic partnerships that elevate your platform and help you serve with confidence and clarityMindset support for those struggling wi...
2025-04-1147 minSash & Soul#42 Beyond the Crown: Miss Iowa 2017, Chelsea Constantino (Dubczak)Send us a textFormer Miss Iowa Chelsea Constantino redefines nutrition by blending biblical wisdom with modern health science in this insightful episode. Inspired by her pageant experience, Chelsea shares how she developed a sustainable, faith-aligned approach to health - one focused on long-term consistency rather than extreme dieting.Her book, The Guide to Eating Biblically in a Modern World, breaks down complex nutrition into seven biblical principles. From cravings to ancient dietary laws, Chelsea connects scripture with science in practical, thought-provoking ways. Whether you're faith-based or just curious, Chelsea's approach offers a g...
2025-04-041h 08