Power to Pursue

What happens when creativity, resilience, and storytelling collide?
In this deeply honest and inspiring episode of Power to Pursue, host Rachel DesRochers sits down with Jennifer Siems, founder of Immortal Perfumes, indie perfumer, perfume historian, and writer, to explore what it means to build a life, and a business, in true alignment.
Jennifer shares her journey from self-taught perfumer to successful business owner, weaving together stories of motherhood, anxiety and depression, surviving breast cancer at 35, and the unexpected viral moment that transformed her business during treatment. She opens up about imposter syndrome, grief, identity, and how creativity became both a lifeline and a path forward.
This episode is a powerful reminder that your work doesn’t have to consume your identity, that healing and ambition can coexist, and that alignment often shows up after life’s hardest chapters.
✨ Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, writer, or someone finding their way through a season of change, this conversation is for you.
Learn more about Jennifer and explore her creations at immortalperfumes.com, and follow her on social media @ImmortalPerfumes.

In the third and final conversation of our financial well-being series with Truepoint Wealth Counsel, host Rachel DesRochers sits down with Kate Brownstein, Senior Financial Planner and Shareholder, and Kristine Kolzing, Director of Client Growth, to talk about the power of rewriting your money story.
Together, they explore what it means to build trust, confidence, and clarity in your financial life... whether you’re navigating major life transitions, redefining success, or simply learning where to begin. Kate shares how intentional financial planning can reduce stress and create lasting impact for families, while Kristine reflects on helping people find the right advisory relationships and access tools that make financial wellness more attainable.
This episode reminds us that clarity, about our goals, values, and next steps, is the foundation of true financial freedom.
Presented in Partnership with Truepoint Wealth Counsel. Learn more about Truepoint Wealth Counsel at truepointwealth.com.

In this episode of the Power to Pursue Podcast, host Rachel DesRochers continues the Power to Pursue Financial Well-Being series in partnership with Truepoint Wealth Counsel. She’s joined by Lauren Niestradt, Senior Portfolio Manager, and Michelle Stevens, Director of Financial Planning, for an honest conversation about confidence, clarity, and care in personal finance.
Together, they unpack what it really means to build a financial plan, how emotions and behavior shape investment decisions, and why empowerment, not perfection, is the key to long-term success. Lauren and Michelle share approachable wisdom on integrating goals and investments, understanding risk, and overcoming financial shame through education and trust.
If you’ve ever felt intimidated by money talk or unsure where to begin, this episode offers a refreshing, human perspective on financial wellness and the power of asking questions.
Listen now and start pursuing a more confident relationship with your finances.
Featuring:
Lauren Niestradt, Senior Portfolio Manager, CFA, CFP®
Michelle Stevens, Director of Financial Planning, CFP®
Presented in partnership with Truepoint Wealth Counsel

In this episode of the Power to Pursue Podcast, host Rachel DesRochers kicks off a three-part Financial Well-Being Series in partnership with Truepoint Wealth Counsel. Joined by financial advisors Gwen Keihl and Deanna Sicking, this conversation brings money talk back to the basics. No jargon, no shame, just real guidance for women and families ready to take control of their finances.
Together, they unpack what “financial freedom” really means, why it’s never too late (or too early!) to start, and how even $1 can be the start of your plan. Gwen and Deanna share practical insights on budgeting, saving, investing, and building stability through every life stage... whether you’re navigating student loans, starting a business, or planning for retirement.
This episode is about empowerment, because confidence with money isn’t about how much you have, but how well you know what to do with it.

In this episode, Rachel sits down with mindset & movement coach Nadia Murdock for a conversation about confidence, alignment, and coming home to yourself. Nadia shares her journey from psychology to PR to nonprofit work.. and how each chapter led her to helping women reconnect with their inner strength and trust their own voice.
Together, they explore what alignment really feels like, why trusting your gut is a practice, how comparison steals our joy, and why women thrive when we are rooted in community instead of competition. This conversation is full of truth, heart, and those “goosebump moments” that remind us we’re all navigating similar stories.
If you’ve been craving permission to take up space, trust your intuition, and pursue the life you’re meant for, this one’s for you.
Connect with Nadia: @nadiamurdock | nadiamurdockfit.com

In this episode, Rachel sits down with Kacy Fleming, a workplace strategist, organizational psychologist, and founder of The Fuchsia Tent, to talk about redefining women’s health and leadership at work. From her own journey through burnout and perimenopause, to her mission of helping companies create compassionate, inclusive environments, Kacy shares how values alignment, wellbeing, and humor have shaped her life and work.
They dive into why menopause is not a women’s issue, but a workplace opportunity, how businesses can reframe “accommodation” as “optimization,” and what true support and access for midlife women can look like. Along the way, Kacy opens up about entrepreneurship, discernment, and the tension between safety and significance that drives so many of us to grow, stretch, and build something meaningful.
It’s a powerful conversation about leading with integrity, trusting your gut, and creating systems that let women thrive... in work, in health, and in life.

Welcome to Power to Pursue, a groundbreaking podcast hosted by Rachel DesRochers, a serial entrepreneur and nonprofit founder. Launched in the Spring of 2025, this podcast aims to celebrate and normalize the diverse pursuits of women-from perfecting their morning coffee to building successful businesses.
With a focus on inspiring and empowering listeners, Power to Pursue will feature interviews with women from various backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and everyday heroes.
In this episode, host Rachel DesRochers is joined LIVE at Cincy Start-Up Week by Natasha Williams, Founder of Blk Wine Fest, and Abby Grimm from Cintrifuse. 
Listen in for an open conversation about building events that celebrate equity, inclusion, and authentic community.
Over a glass of wine (thanks to Natasha!), we explore what it means to create spaces where everyone feels seen and safe... from dismantling outdated systems and reimagining what “startup” means, to redefining success through collaboration and shared purpose.
They discuss the real work of intentional event design, the challenges of inviting diverse audiences, and the joy that comes from partnership and persistence. It’s a vibrant, laughter-filled dialogue about building with love, leading with equity, and fueling the Cincinnati ecosystem for what’s next.

In this episode, we converse with the incredible Susanna Wong of Oriental Wok (a Cincinnati staple!) and dive into a story rich with family legacy, entrepreneurial grit, and the power of community.
Susanna shares the remarkable journey of her family, starting with her parents' move from Hong Kong to the United States in pursuit of the American Dream, and how they built their beloved restaurant from the ground up, starting in 1977.
Discover the unique challenges and unexpected joys of growing up in the restaurant industry, the wisdom of a father who tried to keep his children out of the business, and how Susanna and her sister ultimately found their place in carrying on a tradition built on genuine hospitality and deep gratitude.

This week, we talked to Cindy, founder of Vessel Collective and Mom Prom Cincy! 💖 After having three babies (including twins!) during COVID, Cindy was on a mission to build the village she needed for herself—and for all moms.
Cindy shared her vulnerable journey raising twins on the spectrum and how she’s creating a new program to support moms of kids with special needs.
This conversation is a reminder that you are not alone and that "it's alright to not be okay sometimes". Tune in for a powerful discussion about finding your community! 🎧

This week on the podcast, we chatted with Jen Spieser, CEO of the Cincinnati Parks Foundation! 🌳 She's in pursuit of balance and boundaries while leading a massive effort to make Cincinnati's parks the best they can be.
The highlights:
Cincinnati has the 4th best urban park system in the country!
The Foundation has raised over $110 million in its 30 years to support our green spaces.
We're learning about "third spaces"—safe, communal spots—and how grassroots groups are getting free funding for neighborhood park programs.
They’ve partnered with the Osher Center for Integrative Health to launch Parks & Rec for Wellness, focusing on mindfulness and holistic health in nature.
Jen shares how the pandemic gave her a much-needed gift of time and flexibility with her daughter, proving that work-life balance is possible.
It's all about how strong communities and great parks make us better together! Tune in! 🎧
About this week's guest:
Jennifer brings over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, where her passion, authenticity, and commitment to equity have made a lasting impact. As a leader at the Cincinnati Parks Foundation, she has been instrumental in advancing inclusive initiatives, particularly around accessibility in public infrastructure and programming. Under her leadership since 2015, the Foundation has raised morethan $30 million in support of Cincinnati Parks.
Previously, Jennifer served as Head of Development for the Cincinnati Fire Department, where she successfully raised over $35 million and made history as the Department’s first female Public Information Officer.
A dedicated civic leader, Jennifer has served on the boards of the National Association of Park Foundations and the Cincinnati Recreation Foundation. She has lent her expertise to advisory panels for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Give Back Cincinnati, Greater Cincinnati Hamilton County Disabilities Services, Cincinnati Ballet Academy, ArtWorks, and the Women’s Fund of the Greater CincinnatiFoundation.
Jennifer is a Founding Member of the Women’s Committee of Cincinnati Parks, a graduate of Leadership Cincinnati Class 45, and a proud member of the Sons & Daughters of Italy. She currently serves on the boards of the Cincinnati Fire Foundation and Cincinnati Children’s Theater, and as an Advisory Council Member for Duke Energy.