Advertise on podcast: Miss Style, Strength and Grace with Deidra Murphy

I thought I failed, but I didn't... The only part that I was failing at was my mental mindset and my reactions. In this deeply personal episode of Miss Style, Strength, and Grace, Deidra Murphy opens up about her experience competing at United States of America Pageants Nationals and the mindset spiral that followed. What began as a stressful series of unexpected events — insomnia, losing a hotel key, technology issues, and nearly missing interview — slowly turned into something much bigger: self sabotage fueled by overthinking, exhaustion, and getting stuck inside her own head. In this honest recap, Deidra shares: How mental pressure impacted her performance throughout nationals The difference between performing and truly being present Why mindset matters just as much as preparation The hidden cost of perfectionism and rumination What she learned about resilience, self awareness, and letting go in real time Most surprisingly, Deidra later discovered she had actually won Fitness preliminaries, tied for second in evening gown, and remained a top interview contender — despite convincing herself she had failed. This episode is not just about pageantry. It's about the moments in life where we allow fear, pressure, and self doubt to disconnect us from ourselves… and the work it takes to come back. With honesty, grace, and reflection, Deidra reminds listeners that growth often comes through the very moments we wish had gone differently. Follow along with Deidra's journey: facebook and Instagram @stylebydeidra. youtube: @stylebydeidra #MissStyleStrengthAndGrace #PageantPodcast #MindsetMatters #SelfSabotage #WomenEmpoweringWomen

Episode Description / Show Notes In this episode of Miss Style, Strength, and Grace, host Deidra Murphy continues the Stories of Hope series, highlighting women whose journeys illuminate the many different paths to building a family. Jenna Ghisolfo, USOA Mrs. Arizona 2026, is a proud wife, mother, and domestic violence survivor who transformed her pain into purpose. Through her national initiative, Still Standing in Heels, she helps survivors move immediately from crisis into safe, stable housing — because she knows firsthand that housing is hope with a key. A professional chef in the making and a six-time egg donor who remains connected to several families she helped create, Jenna leads with resilience, compassion, and heart. Jenna joins the show to share her deeply personal story of resilience, healing, and purpose. Jenna opens up about recognizing the warning signs of emotional and financial abuse in a past relationship and the courage it took to walk away and rebuild her life. Today, Jenna is helping others create families in a powerful and unique way. As an egg donor, she has helped multiple families experience the joy of parenthood, offering hope to couples and individuals navigating infertility and other challenges on their journey to motherhood. Through vulnerability and honesty, Jenna reflects on the lessons she has learned along the way and how difficult seasons can ultimately lead to meaningful purpose. This conversation is a reminder that motherhood does not follow a single path, and that hope can be found even in the most unexpected places. In This Episode We Discuss • Jenna's personal story of recognizing emotional and financial abuse • Why warning signs in relationships can be difficult to see in the moment • Finding the courage to rebuild and reclaim your life • Jenna's journey as an egg donor and how she has helped create multiple families • The many non-traditional paths to motherhood • How sharing our stories can empower and support other women About the Stories of Hope Series The Stories of Hope series highlights women whose journeys reflect the many different paths to building a family. Through conversations about infertility, adoption, donor conception, and other non-traditional routes to parenthood, this series celebrates resilience and reminds listeners that there are many ways to become a mother. These stories align with Deidra's advocacy platform, The Map to Motherhood, which encourages women to explore and embrace alternative pathways to motherhood with hope and confidence. About Your Host Deidra Murphy is the host of Miss Style, Strength, and Grace, a podcast dedicated to sharing stories of resilience, faith, and personal growth. A former teacher, entrepreneur behind Style by Deidra, and titleholder within United States of America Pageants as USOA Mrs. West Coast, Deidra uses her platform The Map to Motherhood to advocate for women navigating alternative paths to motherhood. She lives in Washington with her husband, Dr. Chris Murphy of NewEdge Family Chiropractic, and their son Declan. Connect with Deidra Instagram: @stylebydeidra YouTube: @stylebydeidra official handle: @usoamrswestcoast on instagram and facebook Jenna's official handles @usoamrsarizona on instagram and facebook If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Miss Style, Strength, and Grace on your favorite podcast platform.

Episode Overview In this deeply moving episode, I'm joined by my longtime friend and fellow titleholder BreAnna Smith, USOA Mrs. Texas, for an honest conversation about grief, resilience, faith, and the many roads to motherhood. BreAnna opens up about her early days in childhood acting, how she met her husband Jared, and what life looked like as an NFL wife during his time with the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys. While their story includes exciting public moments, it also holds profound private loss — including four miscarriages that reshaped her path to becoming a mother. We talk about the emotional and physical journey of IVF, the joy of welcoming their two daughters, and how sharing our stories transforms silent suffering into powerful connection. BreAnna also shares how community — both online and in person — became a lifeline during infertility and loss. From modeling in a charity event alongside Tony Romo and his wife, to leading in business as Vice President of an architectural firm and owner of two coffee shops, BreAnna embodies what it means to build the community you want to be part of. This episode is also a full-circle moment as we reflect on meeting back in Miss Washington USA 2012 and why we both love the mission, growth, and sisterhood of the United States of America Pageants. This conversation is for every woman navigating loss, fertility, IVF, or alternative paths to motherhood — you are not alone. About Our Guest BreAnna Smith is the reigning USOA Mrs. Texas, married to her husband Jared for 10 years and mother to two beautiful daughters. She serves as Vice President of an architectural firm and is a small business owner of two coffee shops. BreAnna is passionate about building strong, supportive communities and creating spaces where everyone feels they belong. What We Cover Childhood acting and early life experiences Meeting her husband and navigating life connected to the NFL The emotional reality of four miscarriages Choosing IVF as an alternative pathway to motherhood Finding purpose through sharing our stories The power of infertility and loss communities Modeling in a charity fundraiser with Tony Romo Women in leadership and entrepreneurship Why the USOA sisterhood matters Who This Episode Is For This episode will speak to you if you are: ✨ Experiencing infertility or pregnancy loss ✨ Considering IVF or other alternative paths to motherhood ✨ Searching for faith-filled encouragement ✨ Looking for authentic female connection ✨ A pageant woman who believes in using her voice for impact Connect with BreAnna Facebook: @Breannasmith  USOA Mrs. Texas: @usoamrstexas Resources & Links 🤍 The Map to Motherhood youtube.com/@stylebydeidra  Instagram: @stylebydeidra Facebook: @stylebydeidra  👑 United States of America Pageants www.unitedstatesofamericapageants.com 💌 Private support community for women navigating alternative paths to motherhood DM @stylebydeidra for access Share This Episode If this conversation encouraged you, please share it with a woman who needs to hear that her story is not over and her path to motherhood still matters 💕

Episode Summary In this deeply heartfelt episode, Deidra sits down with Anne Rogers to share the story of how her family came to be — a journey through IVF that was filled with waiting, prayer, heartbreak, resilience, and ultimately… joy. Anne opens up about the emotional weight of longing to become a mother, and the quiet strength it took to continue hoping — even when the path was uncertain. And then, with tears and laughter, she shares the moment everything changed: A phone call. A room full of nurses. And the words she had been dreaming of hearing: "You're pregnant." This is a story of faith holding firm, love expanding, and the profound beauty of a family built through determination and grace. Key Moments (07:12) When the desire to grow their family began (18:55) Navigating the emotional side of infertility (27:48) How IVF shaped their marriage and faith (49:38) The joyful call — "You're pregnant!" (54:20) What Anne wants women in the waiting to know   💛 About the Guest Anne Rogers is a wife, mother, former educator, and a woman of deep faith. Her motherhood journey didn't unfold the way she expected — but it unfolded beautifully. Her willingness to share her IVF story with honesty and grace is an invitation to other women to honor their own journeys, in all of their complexity and courage. 🎙️ Key Conversation Highlights (03:15) When the desire to grow their family first began (07:44) Receiving unexpected news and entering the world of infertility (14:12) The emotional and physical realities of IVF that most people never see (21:40) How Anne and her husband supported one another through the waiting (33:05) The moment faith and surrender became the anchor instead of fear (41:28) Learning to release comparison and timelines (48:50) What Anne wants other women to know if they're walking the same road BONUS: Curious about alternative paths to motherhood? Check out Deidra's free workshop series, The Motherhood Map, on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@stylebydeidra 📲 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you stream podcasts. 🎧 Stay connected and inspired @stylebydeidra on Instagram. #MissStyleStrengthAndGrace #ThreeRoadsToMotherhood #MapToMotherhood #AdoptionStory #EmbryoAdoption #CysticFibrosisAwareness #SpecialNeedsParenting #AlternativePathsToParenthood #FaithFilledMotherhood #EmpowerInspireUplift #StyleByDeidra

Three Roads to Motherhood: Jessica Babcock's Journey of Diagnosis, Adoption & Faith ✨ Episode Summary: In this heartfelt episode of Miss Style, Strength, and Grace, I sit down with my dear friend Jessica Babcock—a woman whose path to motherhood followed three uniquely beautiful roads. Her journey began with Colby, her firstborn, who lives with cystic fibrosis and is on the autism spectrum. Because she and her husband Brent both carry the CF gene, they faced a 1 in 4 chance of passing it on with each pregnancy. Their desire to grow their family led them down two alternative paths: first, through adoption—welcoming their daughter June after a devastating failed match and adoption scam—and then through embryo adoption, which gave them their youngest son, Tanner, whom Jessica carried as a gestational mother despite no biological relation. From navigating diagnosis and special needs parenting to rebuilding trust in the adoption process and embracing the miracle of embryo adoption, Jessica's story is layered with faith, perseverance, and so much love. We share laughter, tears, and even a little friendly banter about pickleball. This conversation is for anyone who needs hope that families come together in many ways—and all of them are sacred. 👩‍👧‍👦 Guest Bio: Jessica Babcock is a devoted mom of three, wife to chiropractor Brent Babcock, and a former hairstylist and beauty trainer. Today, she juggles motherhood with managing her family's chiropractic clinic—and finding joy in the unpredictable, unforgettable journey of growing a family built by love. 💫 In this episode, we cover: Parenting Colby through cystic fibrosis and autism The heartbreak of a failed adoption scam—and the joy of adopting June What it's like to experience embryo adoption and carry your non-biological child The emotional and spiritual highs and lows of alternative paths to motherhood Pickleball, beauty biz days, and lifelong friendship 💖 Jessica's journey is proof that there's more than one way home—and every path has a purpose. 📲 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you stream podcasts. 🎧 Stay connected and inspired @stylebydeidra on Instagram. #MissStyleStrengthAndGrace #ThreeRoadsToMotherhood #MapToMotherhood #AdoptionStory #EmbryoAdoption #CysticFibrosisAwareness #SpecialNeedsParenting #AlternativePathsToParenthood #FaithFilledMotherhood #EmpowerInspireUplift #StyleByDeidra

Stories of Hope: Ryanna Cook on Breaking Cycles, Infertility, and Building a Heart Family Show Notes: In this deeply moving episode of Miss Style, Strength, and Grace, part of our Stories of Hope series connecting women battling infertility, Deidra sits down with Ryanna Cook, newly crowned Mrs. Washington America 2025—a passionate entrepreneur, community advocate, and adoptive mom. Ryanna opens up about the life-altering moment she chose to adopt her infant niece after discovering her in a makeshift cage, a heartbreaking reality born out of generational abuse and neglect. Her decision to rescue and raise her niece became the foundation for her platform, Breaking Cycles, and her belief in the power of heart families—those built on love, not just biology. In this powerful conversation, we explore:  Ryanna and her husband's journey through infertility  How she became a mother through the adoption of her niece Her mission to break cycles of trauma and create a legacy of love  Her thriving businesses, including her jewelry brand May and Moon  How she's using her Mrs. America platform to advocate for vulnerable children and families Whether you've faced infertility, considered adoption, or are seeking purpose in your own journey—this episode will touch your heart and inspire you to believe in second chances.  Available starting April 30 wherever you listen to podcasts. BONUS: Curious about alternative paths to motherhood? Check out Deidra's free workshop series, The Motherhood Map, on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@stylebydeidra Connect with Ryanna: instagram: @ryannacook Jewelry Brand: @mayandmoonjewelry TikTok: @mrswashingtonamerica2025 Facebook: Ryanna Cook & May and Moon

In this episode of Miss Style, Strength, and Grace, host Deidra Murphy continues the Stories of Hope series—conversations designed to uplift and connect women navigating the challenges of infertility and alternative paths to motherhood. This week's guest is Dr. Jen Goddard, USOA's Mrs. Maine, a Board Certified Doctor of Natural Health, and founder of Thriving Proof, a holistic health practice in Brewer, Maine. Jen shares her deeply personal journey to motherhood, including how she conceived her first child naturally but later faced unexpected infertility struggles while trying to conceive her second son. Her story is a powerful reminder that fertility journeys are not always linear—and that healing and hope can come from both science and the soul. Through her work at Thriving Proof, Jen now helps women holistically navigate hormone balance, chronic stress, fertility issues, and overall wellness. She blends personal experience with professional expertise to support others on their paths to parenthood and healing. In This Episode, We Discuss: Jen's motherhood story: from natural conception to infertility and beyond The emotional toll of secondary infertility How holistic and natural health practices can support fertility and overall wellness Encouragement for women exploring alternative methods of becoming a mom Jen's role as a mother of three and grandmother of three, and what she's learned along the way Guest Links: 🌐 Website: www.thrivingproof.com 📸 Instagram: @thrivingproof 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/thrivehw 👑 Pageant Socials: @USOAMRSMAINE Connect with Deidra: 🎙️ Podcast: Miss Style, Strength, and Grace 📲 Instagram: @stylebydeidra 💻 Watch The Motherhood Map 5-part video series: youtube.com/@stylebydeidra If this episode resonates with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing with a friend who needs to hear this message. 💛 #PodcastShowNotes #InfertilitySupport #StoriesOfHope #DrJenGoddard #ThrivingProof #HolisticFertility #AlternativeMotherhood #MotherhoodMap #SecondaryInfertility #NaturalHealth #MissStyleStrengthAndGrace #DeidraMurphy #USOAMrsMaine #ManyOtherMethods

Stories not only connect us, but they provide healing, hope, and ultimately are the foundation of relationships and empathy. Continuing with my series: Stories of Hope, Connecting Women Battling Infertility, I am sharing my guest's battle and journey that many of you may resonate with. We are breaking the silence surrounding this struggle that more and more women are dealing with.  Allow me to introduce today's guest, Stephanie Kraemer. Stephanie Kraemer is an author, animal ambassador, frequent flyer, and wine enthusiast (yes, she'll happily take some cheese with that). Passionate about making an impact, Stephanie currently serves as USOA Mrs. Wisconsin 2025, using her platform to uplift her community. She and her husband, Kyle, are proud infertility warriors, living in Sauk City with their beloved platoon of fur babies. Join Stephanie and I as we discuss methods of trying to conceive, her battle dealing with miscarriages, the love she still has and gives to her community, and how she has fought to find the strength to still keep trying to start a family with her husband. Hear her message today and find out how you can still find ways to feed into a heart of service in this special guest feature.  If you have battled some form of infertility and would like to be featured on my podcast, please reach out to me via social media today. Let's share your story to provide hope and healing for other women.  As always, please rate and review this podcast, and follow me online on Instagram @stylebydeidra and on Facebook at Miss Style, Strength, and Grace.

I would venture to bet that you probably know a woman who has battled some form of infertility. Infertility has many facets and looks different for any family, but ultimately the definition is the inability to concieve or carry to term after a year or more of trying.  This has been an episode on my heart for over three years now, but I never had the guts to finally sit down and record the full story until now. Today, as we celebrate Valentine's week and all things love, I am sharing the love my family was finally able to share with our little boy who joined our family through the beautiful journey of adoption. Go deep with me, even as I fight back tears, to share my battle of infertility, the methods I considered when trying to conceieve, and how we finally ended up choosing an adoption agency. I provide insights for families that may be considering adoption or fostering, to even the choices I had to make concerning my hormones and trying to get pregnant.  Why am I sharing this episode? I go deeper in the podcast, but I feel within the depths of my soul that I need to open up about this struggle in order to help connect other women who may be battling infertility. This is the first episode in a series I have titled Stories of Hope: Connecting Women Battling Infertility. Stories provide healing, hope, and empathy. I am compelled to bring this topic to light for many women, bringing more awareness to an issue that is typically a silent struggle.  Join me today as I tell our complete story to bringing our baby boy home, and more about the selfless choice a young woman made in order to see a bright future for her son.  If you have battled some form of infertility and would like to be featured on my podcast, please reach out to me via social media today. Let's share your story to provide hope and healing for other women.  As always, please rate and review this podcast, and follow me online on Instagram @stylebydeidra and on Facebook at Miss Style, Strength, and Grace.

Hey listeners! Today we have a very special guest episode where my sleep expert, Dr. Elizabeth Bonet, has taken over the podcast and leads you through a hypnosis session catered especially for sleep. Now you can get this amazing audo to help you drift off to a great night's rest and wake up feeling refreshed and rejuventated.   Please make sure when you listen to this episode to be in a safe place, not operating any machinery, and somewhere where you can lay down and relax without interruptions. You can do this practice during the day time to help you drift off to sleep later at night, or you can listen to it as you try to fall asleep for the night. Either way, you will experience an amazing difference in your sleep quality. A huge thank you again to Dr. Liz for offering this free session to my listeners. To get in touch with Doctor Liz Bonet for your personalized sleep hypnosis, be sure to go to www.drlizhypnosis.com Please share this episode and rate, review, and subscribe for more tips.  To check out all my content, head to www.instagram.com/stylebydeidra

Meet the doctor that was able to save my life and my sleep - Doctor Elizabeth Bonet, Licensed Mental Health Care Practioner and Clinical Pyschologist. Discover in today's episoe how hypnotherapy ended up being the key to unlocking my sleep and ending my chronic nightmare.  Winner of numerous awards including Top 100 Moms in Business, Dr. Liz provides deeper healing to people all over the world who are seeking a holistic, mindful way to transform. An entrepreneur most of her life, Dr. Liz sold an award winning business in 2016. She is currently a six-figure speaker, owner of a hypnotherapy practice, and the host of the Hypnotize Me podcast. Dr. Liz is a dynamic speaker and a Mindset Ninja who brings a depth of knowledge and a huge dose of compassion to help others overcome the blocks in their subconscious mind so that they can create their best life. During today's interview, Dr. Liz shares her best tips for your best sleep of your life, including how hypnosis can specifically help with insomnia, overall mental health, and even overcoming addictions.  Be sure to also stay tuned for the episode immediately following this, as I will be sharing a hypnosis audio from Doctor Liz specifically for helping listeners fall asleep.  To find out how you can connect with Doctor Liz and see if she can help you with your sleep, go to www.drlizhypnosis.com. For more information on style, pageants, and holistic health, connect with me on social! www.facebook.com/stylebydeidra www.instagram.com/stylebydeidra

March is coming up and with that comes St. Patrick's Day and all things green. It got me thinking about colors, and how green specifically can be an intimidating color to wear, no matter the time of year or festivities. After listening to the podcast episode, you'll know what color undertone you are and how to best accentuate it, how to wear whatever color you want, plus have the tools at your disposal to save you from buyer's remorse in the future. Bonus inside the episode: I specifically break down how to choose cosmetics and even jewelry tones to best suit you! Join me for today's colorful conversation!  Want more in-depth knowledge for pulling out confidence from your closet? Visit www.mystylesuccess.com to get started!  For more daily fun and videos, head to my socials  Facebook Instagram

Meet today's guest, Devoreaux Walton, an author and confidence coach who serves as the CEO and Founder at The Modern Lady, a lifestyle company that educates and empowers women to live their best lives. Walton and her team teach women worldwide how to elevate their lives with elegance – helping them to unlock and unleash their feminine power through coaching, courses and community. Walton knows the power of mindset, wardrobe and charisma, and teaches timeless life principles for women to upgrade the essence of their chic selves to truly thrive. A Spelman College graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Washington University in St. Louis graduate with a Master's degree in Business Administration, Walton is candid about sharing lessons learned from her corporate career at Google and IBM to inform and inspire her clients. A southern belle from Atlanta, Georgia, Walton currently resides in Dallas, Texas, with her Maltipoo daughter, Nyla. To learn more please visit www.TheModernLady.com. This is your one-stop shop for style, fashion, health, and fitness. Deidra's passion is to help empower women. Deidra is Mrs. Washington 2017, has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Whitworth University, and is a professional fashion stylist and health guru that helps women become more confident both inside and out.  Check out her story, free resources, and more at: FREE Wardrobe Checklist www.StyleByDeidra.com & www.TheSynergyChallenge.com Insatgram@StyleByDeidra   facebook.com/StyleByDeidra/ twitter.com/stylebydeidra

Oh no, do you look frumpy or like a frazzled mess? This not only keeps you from feeling AH-mazing when you look in the mirror, but it also keeps you from reaching your potential every day. Not to mention, these three mistakes are actually VERY common mistakes a lot of women are making.  How we look on the outside IS a reflection of how we feel on the inside. Find out today if you are making one or more of these mistakes, PLUS find out how to fix them and my cheats/hacks for helping you look your best, every day!  To listen to my episode I mention in the podcast ALL about the biggest style mistakes women make, click here.   This is your one-stop shop for style, fashion, health and fitness. Deidra's passion is to help empower women. Deidra is Mrs. Washington 2017, has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Whitworth University, and is a professional fashion stylist and health guru that helps women become more confident both inside and out.  Check out her story, free resources, and more at: FREE Wardrobe Checklist www.StyleByDeidra.com & www.TheSynergyChallenge.com Insatgram@StyleByDeidra   facebook.com/StyleByDeidra/ twitter.com/stylebydeidra

In today's podcast, meet Gretchen: Gretchen is one of my in-person styling clients. When she and I first started working on her style and image, she thought it was just a surface issue. She she *thought* just needed some "new clothes." As we started working together, I discovered the issue was much deeper than just not having enough clothing in her closet or having items that fit/flattered her figure (which side note, there usually is a deeper issue that becomes a limiting belief). The issue was that now being an empty-nester, her kids had grown and moved out, Gretchen truly didn't feel inspired by her closet anymore, hadn't actually shopped for herself in almost 30 years (she still had maternity clothing in there), and was still in the mode of everyone-first-but-me-last mentality. This left her feeling lackluster, uninspired to even get dressed, and worse, like she wasn't WORTHY of dressing for who she was WORTHY of being seen.  Does this sound familiar/similar to you? Listen in to find out HOW by working with a stylist, Gretchen was able to transform her self-worth, spark her love life again, and even travel the world with her spouse. Because let's be honest, if she KNEW how to feel worthy again and transform her self-image, she would have done it on her own already. I guided her and gave her a unique framework to develop her confidence again through the power of style.  To listen to my past episode #51, You Can't Give from An Empty Cup, click here.  Want more in-depth knowledge for pulling out confidence from your closet? Visit www.mystylesuccess.com to get started!  For more daily fun and videos, head to my socials  Facebook Instagram