Advertise on podcast: Inside Source

Women carry a lot—and sometimes the weight builds quietly. In this episode of Inside Source, board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Avani Patel returns to discuss the outside forces that can shape our mental health, from demanding careers and family responsibilities to social media, relationships, constant connectivity, and seasonal changes. Dr. Patel shares practical ways to recognize burnout, create healthier boundaries with technology, prioritize meaningful rest, and distinguish between the "winter blues" and seasonal affective disorder. She also explains why mental health care doesn't have to begin at a breaking point—and why investing in your mental fitness can be just as important as taking care of your physical health.

What happens when a life-changing experience, an unexpected diagnosis, and one creative idea all collide at the right moment? On this episode of Inside Source, we sit down with Emily Henning, founder and owner of Upcountry Camp, to talk about the journey that led her from life in Kenya to building a one-of-a-kind glamping and event business in Mississippi. Along the way, she reflects on entrepreneurship, risk, relationships, resilience, and the power of creating experiences that bring people together in meaningful ways.

What if the very traits that make learning harder in a traditional classroom are the same traits that fuel creativity, innovation, and leadership? In this episode of Inside Source, Gina Englund, founder and director of Bright Academy, shares how her work with dyslexic learners is helping students rediscover confidence, build essential skills, and see themselves in a new light. This is a powerful conversation about advocacy, education, and the importance of creating environments where different kinds of learners can truly thrive.

Amanda Fontaine, president of the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters and founder of She Gets Success, joins Inside Source to share how intentional planning, strong teams, meaningful networking, and effective time management have shaped her leadership journey. From choosing three daily priorities to redefining success beyond titles, Amanda offers practical encouragement for professional women who want to lead with confidence, protect their time, and make room for what matters most.

In this episode of Inside Source, Mary Straton Smith sits down with Toya Barnes-Teamer and Tia Teamer for a meaningful conversation about legacy, leadership, and working alongside family. From the roots of Teamer Strategy Group to the ways the next generation is helping shape its future, this episode explores what it means to lead with excellence, stay open to growth, and create a business culture that values both innovation and people. It's an inspiring look at how strong values can guide both a company and a family across generations.

What does it look like to build a career that strengthens both people and place? On this episode of Inside Source, Mary Straton Smith talks with architect Belinda Stewart about the work of preserving history, serving communities, and leading with vision in a profession that shapes everyday life. From small-town roots to lasting impact across Mississippi, this conversation offers thoughtful insight on leadership, creativity, and the power of designing with purpose.

On this episode of Inside Source, Mary Straton Smith talks with Musee Bath founder Leisha Pickering about the journey from a small creative idea to a thriving international business. Leisha reflects on motherhood, leadership, personal adversity, and why creating opportunity for others has remained central to her company's mission.

What happens when trust, relationships, and opportunity come together? In this episode of Inside Source, host Mary Straton Smith sits down with Hartwell Furr and Brenley Rinuado, co-founders of the Hartwell Collective, to discuss how the seasonal Nanny Network evolved into a people-first staffing partner creating real career pathways for young women. From grassroots beginnings to long-term community building, this conversation highlights the power of relationships, integrity, and saying yes before you have it all figured out.

In this episode of Inside Source, we sit down with historical fiction author Gabriella Saab to explore how untold women's stories shape the way we understand identity, resilience, and belonging. From her journey as a lifelong writer with a background in marketing to becoming a traditionally published author, Gabriella shares how curiosity, research, and creative discipline come together to bring forgotten moments of history back to life.   We talk about her process for balancing historical accuracy with imagination, how she chooses the pivotal moments in history she wants to explore, and why women's experiences—often overlooked in textbooks—deserve to be centered and remembered.

What does it take to bring scientists, business leaders, government officials, and communities together around a shared vision? In this episode, Roberta Swann of the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program shares her unexpected journey from economics and community development into environmental leadership. She reflects on partnership-building, long-term thinking, conservation as quality-of-life strategy, and why listening, service, and faith have shaped the way she leads.

What if wellness wasn't something extra—but essential? In this heartfelt conversation, Carrie Smith, Director of Student Care and Outreach at the University of Georgia, shares her winding career journey from corporate PR in New York to founding a groundbreaking student support program in Athens. Carrie opens up about mental health, meaningful pivots, and the power of simply "taping ankles"—creating space for students to be heard, seen, and supported. From suicide prevention (QPR training) to why back-to-school photos can unexpectedly trigger deep reflection, this episode is an honest look at what it means to be well, human, and present—for ourselves and each other.

From Mississippi to Capitol Hill, Sandra Sentell Klaich has built a career on connection, courage, and authenticity. In this episode of Inside Source, we sit down with Sandra, Vice President of Government Affairs at Amentum, to talk about mentorship, navigating male-dominated spaces, and why using your voice can change everything. She channels her experiences into real-world lessons on confidence, self-advocacy, personal branding, and mentoring the next generation, and shares them through her program Unspoken, where she gives real-world tips to young women in the early stages of their careers. It's an empowering conversation about showing up, standing out, and believing in your own worth.

From luxury hotels in D.C. to iconic restaurants in Jackson, designer and entrepreneur Mary Sanders Cavicchi shares how storytelling shapes every space she touches. In this conversation, she opens up about balancing beauty and functionality, preserving community institutions like Hall & Mal's, and why she believes design should reflect personal and local identity. With candid reflections on challenges, lessons learned, and the joy of creating spaces that transport people, Mary reveals what it takes to build not just rooms, but stories worth living in.

What happens when a mom's desire for flexibility meets entrepreneurial grit? Katherine Rosenblatt shares her journey from corporate consulting to founding Mom to Virtual Assistant, a company connecting moms with meaningful, remote work. In this episode, she opens up about balancing motherhood and business, shifting from client work to building a scalable company, working alongside her husband, and helping other women discover their potential. Her story is a powerful reminder that success isn't just about titles or money—it's about creating the life you want for yourself and your family

What if the changes you're feeling aren't "just in your head"? In this dynamic follow-up episode of Inside Source, psychiatrist Dr. Avani Patel returns to unpack how hormones profoundly impact women's mental health, especially high achievers navigating burnout, social media pressures, and unrealistic expectations. From decoding hormonal shifts to building boundaries, Dr. Patel offers expert insights, empowering stories, and practical tools for listening to your body, trusting your gut, and advocating for your wellbeing.