Hazard Girls:
Women in Non-Traditional Fields

Host Emily Soloby, founder of Juno Jones Safety Shoes, interviews women who have successfully broken barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields. These dynamic women share their stories and advice for the next generation. Emily's goal with this podcast series is to show listeners that there are many ways to be successful - and being successful often requires hard work, community, and creativity, even when faced with adversity.

FOLLOW THIS PODCAST

Want to be a guest on Hazard Girls?

FILL OUT GUEST REGISTRATION FORM

Hazard Girls
EPISODES

Sn 6 #14: Cassie Alexander – From Chemistry to Consulting: Promoting Workplace Safety

Cassie Alexander, the founder of Xendros Unlimited, joins Host Emily Soloby to talk about everything safety. As a female chemist in a male-dominated industry, Cassie experienced and witnessed several unsafe situations throughout her career – both physical and psychological. The need for change led to the launch of Xendros Unlimited, a safety consulting firm that …

Read more

Season 6 #13: Jessica Scanlan, Mine Life Media – The Mining Industry Breaking into Social Media

On this episode, Host Emily Soloby welcomes back Jessica Scanlan, a geological engineer, and Owner of Mine Life Media. As a previous guest on Hazard Girls’ all-time top episode, Season 1, #20: Women in Geology, Jess recaps the 2020 episode and how it has helped shed light on her industry.  She talks about what she’s …

Read more

Sn 6 #12: Molly Rose Speed – Virtual Assistants Helping with Everyday Responsibilities

Molly Rose Speed is a military wife and the Founder & CEO of Virtual Assistant Management, an online training and placement company with a mission to provide virtual jobs for military spouses. In this episode, Molly discusses the importance a Virtual Assistant can bring to both business owners and the everyday person juggling family responsibilities. …

Read more

Sn 6 #11: Sam Kolner – From Retail Sales to Business Technology CEO

The Hazard Girls podcast is delighted to welcome to the show Sam Kolner, the founder of Prime Structured Cabling one of the only woman-owned construction companies in Charleston, South Carolina. After experiencing burnout in retail management, Sam took the leap of faith and transitioned into sales at a low-voltage cabling company, a business she knew next …

Read more

Sn 6 #10: Olivia Olczak Day – A Disruptor In The Construction and Marketing Space

The Hazard Girls podcast welcomes Olivia Olczak Day, President & CEO of Day Media to the show. Olivia discusses her early days in fax and copy machine sales and how cold calling, knocking on doors, and ducking security to get her foot in the door helped her develop her incredible work ethic and the ability …

Read more

Sn 6 #9: Jennifer Crozier – Jill Of All Trades

Jennifer Crozier is the Co-owner of Crozier Construction Services as well as the Safety Compliance Manager at Delta Valley Trucking, a wife, mother, and author of the children’s book “Jenny – A Jill Of All Trades: I Am A Welder”. Jennifer joins Hazard Girls Host Emily Soloby for a look at her inspiring career(s) and …

Read more

Sn 6 #8: Dr. Suzy Cronje – Mindset Coach for Successful Women Entrepreneurs

Internationally certified exercise physiologist, strength and conditioning specialist, and biokineticist, Dr. Suzy Cronje helps women develop the courage and confidence to step up and reach for their goals. Her impressive resume includes 5 university degrees, figure skating championships, ballroom dancing, cycling, and more. Dr. Cronje and Hazard Girls Host Emily Soloby discuss what it takes …

Read more

Sn 6 #7: Alison Kronebusch – Breaking The Status Quo Around Construction Being A Man’s Job

Alison Kronebusch, Chief Sales Officer with Reconstruction Experts shares her experience with increasing annual revenue through sales, tips and tricks for women in sales in a male-dominated industry, and why a female-dominated c-suite sets Reconstruction Experts apart from the rest.

Sn 6 #6: Michelle Lemoi Helps Women Stand In Their Power

Michelle Lemoi has had an incredible career in the construction industry. Michelle started working in construction at 19, was working on the Big Dig in Boston in her twenties, and eventually ran her own steel erecting company. She’s seen her share of challenges, overcome endless “mansplaining” and discrimination and shattered glass ceilings, soaking up every …

Read more

Sn 6 #5: Rachel Benyola – Executive Coach and Business Advisor

Rachel Benyola Integrative Leadership and Founder Coach with Phathom with nearly a decade of experience in leadership, psychotherapy, and executive coaching. Hazard Girls Host Emily Soloby welcomes Rachel to the show, where they discuss mental stability (what it is and why it’s important), the differences between individual and team coaching, and how coaching gives founders a strategic …

Read more

Sn 6 #4: Alicia Streetman – Climbing Trees with a Chainsaw Is Just Another Day At The Office

Alicia Streetman is an arborist and tree climber in Lake Tahoe, California. On this episode of the Hazard Girls podcast, Host Emily Soloby discusses Alicia’s fascinating career and the challenges of being a petite woman in a very physical and male-populated field. Alicia talks about the many challenges she faces including finding PPE that fits properly, …

Read more

Sn 6 #3: Tammy Alvarez – Coaching and Training To Level Up Your Career

On this episode of The Hazard Girls podcast, Host Emily Soloby welcomes Tammy Alvarez, CEO, and founder of Career Winners Circle, a comprehensive collection of coaching and training programs designed to strengthen leaders to grow their careers quickly and sustainably. Today’s conversation includes insight into how to become the CEO of your career, how to …

Read more

Sn 6 #2: Julie Chin – The Real AF Guide for New Real Estate Agents

Julie Chin is a mother of 3, a licensed Realtor, the founder of the Real AF Program, and the author of the book The Real as F*ck Guide for New Real Estate Agents. Hazard Girls Host Emily Soloby talks with Julie about her business journey and her Real AF Program which helps her share what she’s …

Read more

Sn 6 #1: Bree Carroll – Event Planning As A Strategy

Bree Carroll is an Event Strategist and Speaker with a background in Civil Engineering with the U.S. Air Force. Today as the CEO of B. Carroll Events, Bree uses the problem-solving and strategic thinking skills she mastered as an engineer to create memorable, brand-building events. Hazard Girls Host Emily Soloby takes a deep dive into …

Read more

Sn 5 #25: Kasey Kelly – Bringing A Women’s Voice John Deere’s Construction Division

The Hazard Girls podcast is proud to welcome Kasey Kelly, Product Marketing Manager, Articulated Dump Trucks at John Deere to show. Kasey and Host Emily Soloby share an insightful conversation about Kasey’s career before John Deere as well as the rewarding and challenging experiences in her current role at the company.

Sn 5 #24: Failing Forward with Bose Houser

On this episode of the Hazard Girls podcast, host Emily Soloby welcomes Bose Houser, President and CEO of Rocks + Cornerstones, a design décor and construction company. Bose was born and raised in Lagos Nigeria, West Africa. Her incredible success story takes us through her college years, her first jobs, her successes and failures and …

Read more

Sn 5 #23: Julie Berman – Learning More About What Sparks You

Today’s guest on the Hazard Girls podcast is Julie Berman, host & producer of the “Women With Cool Jobs” podcast and a Sparkologist. As a Sparkologist,  Julie helps people and teams do more work that sparks them. Host Emily Soloby learns what it means to be a Sparkologist, the infinite possibilities for women who want …

Read more

Sn 5 #22: Liz Prestella – NASCAR Crew Member and Clothing Company Founder

Liz Prestella is a tire specialist and mechanic in NASCAR as well as the founder of Torq’d Clothing, a clothing line that makes work wear designed for women by women in racing and similar trade industries. On today’s episode of the Hazard Girls podcast, Host Emily Soloby sits down with Liz to learn all about …

Read more

Sn 5 #21: Erin Moore – Approaching Sales As A Woman In A Male Populated Industry

The Hazard Girls podcast is proud to welcome to the show Erin Moore. With over 10 years experience as a leader in the male-populated tech industry, Erin brings a unique perspective and a strategic mindset to her role as Director of Sales at Centerspan. Erin and Hazard Girls Host Emily Soloby discuss the difference between …

Read more

Sn 5 #20: Haleigh Fickett is a Truck Driving Champion

Professional Truck Driver Haleigh Fickett made a name for herself by competing in the National Truck Driving Championship and winning first place in the Tanker Class. This makes her first female in the state of Maine to ever take first place in any class as well as the youngest female in the nation to ever compete in …

Read more

Sn 5 #19: Abby Ferri – Keeping The Workplace Safe Is No Accident

Abby Ferri, Chief Risk Officer at Insurate, and Hazard Girls podcast Host Emily Soloby take a deep dive into Abby’s important work in the field of safety and beyond. They touch on everything from the selection and fit of PPE for women (never DIY your PPE!), the pay gap, and making sure the construction field is …

Read more

Sn 5 #18: Perilla Deluca – Living Proof That Women Can Do Well In Construction

Perilla Deluca came to America with $100 in her pocket, a phenomenal work ethic and little else. Today she is a General Contractor and Owner of Southeast Constructors as well as the Founder of the Iowa School of Construction. Perilla joins Hazard Girls podcast host Emily Soloby for an incredible, inspiring interview, during which we …

Read more

Sn 5 #17: JC Sykes Founder of Black Girls Build

JC Sykes is a carpenter, co-owner 90 Degree Construction, author, and the Founder and Executive Director of Black Girls Build, a non-profit organization that “Brings boldness and authority to all women and young girls by providing exposure and opportunity in the construction industry.” On this episode of the Hazard Girls podcast, JC and Host Emily …

Read more

Sn 5 #16: Dr. Ronda Hamm – Passionate About Providing Enriching Science and Agriculture Experiences For Everyone

Dr. Ronda Hamm is an entomologist, educator, and a princess in Reinvented Magazine’s Princesses with Powertools calendar. Dr. Hamm and Hazard Girls Host Emily Soloby discuss her unique story and her passion for insects, agriculture, and STEM.

Sn 5 #15: Diana Iracheta – Founder of Latina Engineer and A Strong Advocate for STEM

On this episode of Hazard Girls we welcome Diana Iracheta to the show. Diana is the Founder of Latina Engineer, an organization she founded in 2019 and who’s mission is to empower Latinas in Engineering by providing educational and professional development resources. Diana sits down with Hazard Girls Host Emily Soloby and shares her experiences …

Read more

Sn5 #14: Kristina Holzweiss – Education Is The Great Equalizer for Everyone

The Hazard Girls podcast welcomes high school edtech librarian Kristina Holzweiss to the show. Kristen and Host Emily Soloby discuss the importance of libraries and librarians for professional development, fostering a love of reading, creating a safe and welcoming space for students, and integrating STEM with literacy.

Sn 5 #13: Hope Zvara – Yoga Can Be A Mother Trucker

After running her yoga studio for a couple of years, Hope Zvara said, “OK universe, what’s next?” The answer came to her after a question from a stranger at a small-town mixer in Wisconsin. On this episode of the Hazard Girls podcast, Host Emily Soloby welcomes Hope Zvara, Founder and CEO of Mother Trucker Yoga. …

Read more

Sn5 #12: Dr. Jenny Patel: On a Mission to Engineer, Educate, and Empower.

As a child in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Dr. Jenny Patel always wanted to be a pediatrician. During her last year of high school, she was introduced to the field of biomedical engineering and realized she could do so much more as a Biomedical Engineer. Join Dr. Patel and Host Emily Soloby on this episode of the Hazard Girls Podcast …

Read more

Sn5 #11 Susan Martinez: Payload Systems Engineer with a Passion for Space, STEM and Star Wars

Susan Martinez is a Payload Systems Engineer with a passion for space exploration. As long as she can remember Susan has dreamed of working at NASA. While studying engineering in college, a staff member at her school presented her with a tattered flyer from the 90’s she found on her desk. On a lark, Susan applied for …

Read more

Sn5 #10 Cait Lowe: Pretty Pretty Precon Is Getting The Job Done In A Male Run Industry

Cait Lowe is the Principal of Pretty Pretty Precon, a preconstruction firm located in Acworth, Georgia. Cait joins Hazard Girls host Emily Soloby for a fun conversation about Cait’s journey through the male-dominated world of construction. As the founder of a woman-owned small business, she’s seen it all in a very short period of time. …

Read more

Sn5 #9 Maria Telleria: Augmentation Over Automation

As a child, Maria showed an interest and proficiency in tinkering and improving things. When her father’s job took her from her home in Mexico to the suburbs of Detroit at 14, Maria joined the robotics team and never looked back. Today in her role as Chief Technical Officer and co-founder at Canvas, Maria has …

Read more

Sn5 #8 Louise Azzopardi: Working Through Self Doubt And Gaining Confidence

Growing up on a farm on the outskirts of Sydney, Australia Louise Azzopardi found her love for working with her hands early. By the age of 15, she had left school and was working full-time as a mechanic. During that time she attended an Apprenticeship Expo where she met a woman who was a Heavy Vehicle …

Read more

Sn5 #7 She’s Not Here To Get Attention. She’s Here To Win

Ashton Thompson has been burning rubber since the age of 6. Now at 22 her impressive racing resume and passion for motorsports stand out in the male-dominated racing field. On today’s episode, Ashton takes time out of her busy racing schedule to talk to Hazard Girls Host Emily Soloby about the challenges and rewards of …

Read more

Sn5 #6 Asia Fee: Bridging The Gap Between Science And Beauty

Asia Fee is a chemist, the founder of Alchemist Asia cosmetics, a self-described “Remote Chemist”, and a Princess in Reinvented Magazine’s Princesses with Powertools 2023 calendar. Today Asia is our very special guest on the Hazard Girls podcast. Growing up in a small town, Asia had a passion for science but didn’t have a lot …

Read more

Sn5 #5 Ayesha Iftiqhar: Taking Her Love For Physics From The Electronics Lab To The Skatepark

Growing up in a small community in India, Ayesha Iftiqhar saw most of the women in her family getting married and starting a family. When Ayesha read about Kalpana Chawla, an Indian-born American astronaut and mechanical engineer and the first woman of Indian origin to go to space, she said to herself “I can do …

Read more

Sn5 #4 Dr. Hannah Shows: At The Intersection of Mathematics, Engineering And Communication

On this episode of Hazard Girls, we welcome Dr. Hannah Shows, Artificial Intelligence Specialist at Haynes Beffel & Wolfeld LLP. When Dr. Shows was in tenth grade, her geometry teacher told her he would be placing her in a remedial math class “as a favor to her” because she would never use math in her …

Read more

Sn5 #3 Kaylin Leas: Journeyman Welder, Rodeo Cowgirl and sometimes… Wonder Woman

On this episode of Hazard Girls, Host Emily Soloby welcomes back to the show Kaylin Leas. Kaylin is a Journeyman Pipe welder for TDIndustries in Fort Worth, Texas She is their first Leadwoman welder. and Empowering Women in Industry initiative’sTradeswoman of the year 2021. Kaylin and Emily catch up on Kaylen’s work with projects including …

Read more

Sn5 #2 Jennie Blumenthal: Ditch The Hustle Culture and Thrive Again

Jennie Blumenthal is a professional speaker, author, CEO and founder of Corporate Rehab, an acclaimed professional coaching consultancy that has helped hundreds of executives ditch workplace hustle culture and find their path toward a greater sense of purpose. When the pandemic hit it gave Jeannie a moment to think. The constant hustle, being on 3 planes a week, …

Read more

Sn5 #1 Linking Unlike Things with Sydney Floryanzia

As a young girl, Sydney Floryanzia was forced to attend an engineering camp one summer. There, she was introduced to the field of neuro-engineering, which ultimately skyrocketed her into a career that she is incredibly passionate about today! Sydney is a National Science Foundation (NSF) graduate research fellow and a Ph.D. student in chemical engineering …

Read more

Sn4 #25 World-renowned Researcher Dr. Rachel Kowert Talks Girls, Gaming and The Pragmatic Princess

On today’s episode of Hazard Girls we welcome Rachel Kowert, Ph.D. Dr. Kowert is the Research Director of Take This, a mental health advocacy organization that provides resources, training, and support to individuals and companies that help the gaming community improve its mental well-being and resilience. Rachel and Emily discuss how Take This addresses issues women …

Read more

Sn 4 #23 The Intersection of Modern Construction and Environmental Responsibility with Nadean Carson

Nadean Carson graduated from college in the morning and was in the Air Force that evening. While serving she learned how important it was to protect the environment by preventing stormwater pollution. On this episode of Hazard Girls,  Host Emily Soloby talks with Nadean about how she fell in love with stormwater which led to …

Read more

Sn 4 #22 Running a female-dominated construction firm, with Skelly Build CEO

When Diana Skellenger graduated from the University Of Texas with a degree in Public Relations she never imagined a career in construction would be in her future. On this episode of Hazard Girls, Host Emily Soloby shares an amazing conversation with Diana who recounts her incredible journey to her position as CEO and Founder of …

Read more

Sn 4 #21 Former Hustle Culture Devotee Sara McElroy Hits The Reset Button On Her Life And Career

The Wall Street Journal’s poster girl for pandemic career burnout Sara McElroy sits down with Host Emily Soloby to discuss her journey from Chief Marketing Officer to founder of Raze to Rise – an organization created to amplify women’s voices from the Great Resignation. Her journey took her through Peru’s Sacred Valley (with a few …

Read more

Sn 4 #20: Finding Your Voice As A Double Minority Professional with Tasanee Durrett

Tasanee Durrett has spent her life surrounded by strong, resilient, powerful women, so it’s no surprise that she has turned into one herself. As a double minority professional working in the architecture and construction spaces, Tasanee has had to learn to find her voice and build her confidence in order to thrive. And thrive she …

Read more

Sn 4 #19 Emily Soloby: A Recap of The Hazard Girls Podcast and The Future of This Show

“Hazard Girls is about women in male-populated industries.” Today on the Hazard Girls Podcast, we are discussing what we do on this podcast! You will hear all about why we do the podcast, what our mission is, whom we interview, and why we need to shift the terminology from “Male Dominated” to “Male Populated.” We …

Read more

Sn 4 #18 Nancy Surak: Getting Under The Hood of Commercial Real Estate

With us today is Nancy Surak. She is a Senior Advisor and Managing Broker for the Tampa Bay office of the Land Advisors Organization. Nancy has more than 20 years of commercial real estate experience and has specialized in land brokerage since 2005. Tune in as we dive deeper into the commercial real estate industry …

Read more

Sn 4 #17 Jennifer Todd: Taking up Space in Construction and Beyond

Joining us today on the Hazard Girls podcast is the inspirational Jennifer Todd. Jennifer is a lawyer, the founder of an NPO called A Greener Tomorrow, and the founder and president of LMSGeneral Contractors and is here with us to discuss being a woman in the construction industry. We discuss Jennifer’s journey to getting her …

Read more

Sn. 4, #16 Founding Health-Ade Kombucha: Daina Trout

The entrepreneurs who win the ‘game’ are the ones who keep going when the going gets tough! Joining us today on Hazard Girls is the CEO of Health-Ade, Daina Trout. Daina has an impressive resume and is passionate about gut health. In this episode, you will hear all about the positive effect kombucha and other …

Read more

Sn. 4, #15 Barbara Res: Blatant Sexism in the Workplace and Working with Donald Trump

As women in construction today, we deal with microaggressions in the workplace. But what was it like when sexism was a blatant part of women’s working lives? Here to tell us all about this is author of Tower of Lies, Trump’s ‘woman in construction,’ and incredible speaker, Barbara Res. Today on Hazard Girls we discuss …

Read more

Sn. 1, #1 (Re-air) Alison Mountford: Busting Gender Stereotypes and Reducing Food Waste

According to the US Department of Agriculture, Americans waste more than $161 billion each year on food, with most of it ending up in landfills. Our guest, interviewed by host Emily Soloby of Juno Jones Shoes, is a creative problem solver on a mission to end this kind of household food waste. Chef Alison Mountford …

Read more