City Girl Empower Hour

City Girl Empower Hour is a new and inspiring podcast aiming to serve up grounded advice and whole bean wisdom from smart women, business, and life experts to empower and guide women in both their personal and professional lives.

Episode 47: Sober not Somber: Journey to Create a Healthy Drinking Culture 05/26/2023

Episode 47: Sober not Somber: Journey to Create a Healthy Drinking Culture A perfect ending to season 3, this week we’re excited to share Jen Gilhoi’s experiences, and the ‘saving grace’ coffee has had in her journey, now her beverage of choice! Jen’s 20 plus years in Minneapolis and St. Paul as a marketing and communications professional have helped make her an advocate and creator for healthy social experiences that decentralize alcohol, as a result of the challenges she’s navigated. She is the epitome of what a positive alcohol-free lifestyle can lead to. A seasoned strategist and founder of Sparktrack and Zero Proof Collective, we will use her experiences to dig deep into shedding the shame and the empowerment sobriety has resulted in regaining power to take her life back. Her soon to be launched Tedx talk brings awareness to alcohol misuse and the power of uncoupling its use with activities. So grab your favorite cup of coffee and sit back and listen. It is worth what you will learn about the power of a no-foam americano and cold brew has on one's journey to conquer an addiction to alcohol. Join City Girl Coffee in following @jengilhoi and @sobernotsomber_ @zeroproofcollective on Instagram and @zeroproofcollective on Facebook, LinkedIn: jengilhoi company: zeroproofcollective and Twitter @zeroproofMSP on Twitter. hashtags: #sobernotsomber #tedxtalks #tedxspeaker #tedxedina /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/26956413

Episode 46: Connecting Communities 05/11/2023

Episode 46: Connecting Communities The well-known phrase ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ could not hold truer when it comes to the support that mothers need in raising their children. Being a mom is overwhelming, to say the least. No mother is fully prepared for the emotions that come with postpartum, or in the years to come. Don't throw in the towel, help is out there! Just in time for Mother’s Day, our guest this week, Stephanie Flies, is the mother of 3 girls and the CEO and Founder of City Mom Collective, an online community and website providing a positive voice for motherhood by connecting moms to resources and parenting perspectives unique to their communities. She considers herself the OG of connecting and empowering local moms via parenting blogs and websites. Listen as we discuss the catalyst for City Mom Collective, her role of overseeing their national network and the vast importance of connecting with your local community, either through connections with other moms or local businesses, and so much more. Follow Steph @citymomcollective @stephanie.flies on Instagram and City Mom Collective on Facebook. Be sure to support Alyza on Facebook and Instagram @CityGirlCoffee and @CityGirlEmpowerhour or visit us at to learn more. /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/26824449

Episode 45: The Wine Episode 04/27/2023

Episode 45: The Wine Episode Do you enjoy a nice cabernet or a cold glass of Rosé? Or maybe you wish you could take a permanent trip to wine country?? Our guest this week has carved out a little piece of Napa Valley on a main street in Minnesota. Born and raised in Minnesota, Ali moved to California & fell in love with wine and wanted to bring a slice of the Golden State back to the Midwest. The Vine Room is a fun welcoming wine bar also offering workshops & wine education classes; The Vine Shop next door is a curated bottle shop focusing on sustainably produced domestic wines and has the coolest wine club around! City Girl Empower Host and City Girl Coffee founder Alyza Bohbot James and Ali talk all things Wine in the episode. From navigating the pandemic to debunking common wine myths, answering the questions we’re all thinking but too scared to admit we don’t know the answers to, and more! Follow Ali @ and @o on Facebook and Instagram or visit their website to learn more about upcoming events and to learn more about joining their wine club. Be sure to support Alyza on Facebook and Instagram @CityGirlCoffee and @CityGirlEmpowerhour or visit us at to learn more. /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/26671311

Episode 44: Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 04/13/2023

Episode 44: Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is It’s a song, it’s a saying… but have you ever wondered what it really means to “put your money where your mouth is?” Our guest this week not only talks the talk, but has been walking the walk for more than 40 years by investing in transformative futures of women and girls. Gloria Perez, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, the first statewide women’s foundation in the country, has become one of the country’s leading experts in two-generation strategies to reduce poverty. Since they were founded in 1983, the Women’s Foundation has distributed more than $45 million through community investments supporting ongoing research on the status of women and girls in Minnesota; advocating for public policy resulting in greater economic security and safety for women and their families; and investing in organizations and leaders who are leading in gender and racial justice to benefit all families and communities. Follow Gloria and the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota @WomensFndnMN on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter or on LinkedIn and support Alyza on Facebook and Instagram at @CityGirlCoffee and @CityGirlEmpower Hour. Be sure to like and share this podcast with your coffee-loving friends. /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/26527842

Episode 43: Finding Balance 03/16/2023

Episode 43: Finding Balance Every entrepreneur has been there. Balancing the health of your business with your personal health and the wellbeing of the many employees, customers and partners who depend on your business every day. It’s especially difficult for entrepreneurs with mission-driven businesses who balance an obligation to the bottom line with the goal to make a meaningful difference in the world. City Girl Empower Hour host and City Girl Coffee Founder Alyza Bohbot James discusses this delicate balance with Carley Kammerer, Founder and Executive Director of Wildflyer Coffee. Founded in 2017, Wildflyer is a social services enterprise that addresses youth homelessness through a program centered around two Twin Cities coffee shops. City Girl Coffee empowers women of coffee through sustainable sourcing from women-owned and operated farms. Hear how Carley and Alyza address these challenges and learn about how you can support women throughout the coffee value chain by checking out the City Girl Coffee x Wildflyer Coffee collaboration in celebration of Women’s History Month. Follow Carly and Wildflyer Coffee at @Wildflyercoffee on Instagram and Facebook and support Alyza on Facebook and Instagram at @CityGirlCoffee and @CityGirlEmpower Hour. Be sure to like and share this podcast with your coffee-loving friends. #coffee #coffeeshop #entrepreneurship #entreprenista #people #youth #business #mission #support #women #homelessness #minneapolis #collaboration #balance #advice #welbeing #health #empowerment #citygirlcoffee #wildflyercoffee #twincities #doinggood #socialenterprise /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/26240895

Episode 42: Climbing the Mountain 02/17/2023

Episode 42: Climbing the Mountain Have you ever climbed to the top of a mountain, paused to look around and realized you’re only half-way to the summit? Or picked a dozen dandelions in your yard, only to find twice as many have grown back in their place? Welcome to the life of an entrepreneur! Jaime Teats, Author, Founder & CEO of professional consulting firm Keystone Group International, is our guest for episode 41 of City Girl Empower Hour with host and City Girl Coffee founder Alyza Bohbot James. Join Jaime and Alyza as they get real about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the power of making mistakes, riding the wave, and Jaime’s recent experience climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Connect with Jaime on Facebook and Instagram at @keystonegroupintl and on LinkedIn. And follow, like and share her adventures and company. You can also connect with Alyza on Facebook and Instagram at @CityGirlEmpowerHour and @City Girl Coffee #business #entrepreneurs #womenbosses #girlbosses #citygirlcoffee #leadership #consulting #enterpreneurship #author #hiking #entrepreneurslife /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/25963578

Episode 41: The Power of Play 02/02/2023

Episode 41: The Power of Play You know the saying, “all work, no play?” Well, we’ve got you covered. In this week’s City Girl Empower Hour, City Girl Coffee CEO and Empower Hour host Alyza James chats with Christine Goepfert, Christina Hussman Rhode and Katie Nyberg about preserving some of our greatest natural resources as places to learn, reflect and play. Tune in for a meandering chat about how work-life balance, inclusivity and the great outdoors can make us all better humans and better leaders. Be sure to follow, like and share the @citygirlempowerhour podcast with your network. And support Christina, Katie, Christine and Alyza: Christina Hausman Rhode, Executive Director of Voyageurs Conservancy: Twitter @npconservancy, Instagram & Facebook @VoyageursConservancy Katie Nyberg, Executive Director, Mississippi Park Connection: Twitter @NPCA, Instagram @ParkConnection, Facebook @MissParkConnection Christine Goepfert, Associate Director, National Parks Conservation Association: Twitter @NPCA, Instagram @NPCApics, Facebook @NationalParks Alyza James, Founder of City Girl Coffee: Facebook and Instagram @CityGirlCoffee @citygirlempowerhour /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/25802739

Episode 40: Out of the Closet 01/19/2023

Episode 40: Out of the Closet Have you ever looked at your closet full of clothes and thought, “I have nothing to wear?” We’ve got you covered! Join Host Alyza James, founder and CEO of City Girl Coffee, as she chats with Anne Rogers about meandering paths, the power of pause and what’s in our closets. Anne, founder and CEO of Mezmira, a virtual personal stylist, spills the tea on how personal styling can give you more time and confidence to pursue your ambitions. Connect with Anne on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook by following her company Mezmira and be sure to follow Alyza and City Girl Coffee at @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour. /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/25648569

Episode 39: New Year, New You! Syncing up with Cycle Chats 01/05/2023

Episode 39: New Year, New You! Syncing up with Cycle Chats We’re back and so excited to kick off Season 3!! Host Alyza James, founder and CEO of City Girl Coffee, chats with Emily Palacios and Stephanie Loverde, the women behind the popular podcast Cycle Chats. They talk coffee and swap stories about performing on stage, mental health, puppies, the power of pivoting and the day-to-day realities of womanhood. Make sure to follow, like and support Alyza, Emily and Stephanie as they do the work to change the narrative around women’s empowerment. Follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram. Sync up with Cycle Chats on Instagram + Facebook: @CycleChats Cycle Chats, podcast, women, life, coffee, pandemic, theater, Hollywood, high school. growing, chats, support, cycle, teach, periods, puppies, City Girl Coffee /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/25509855

Episode 38: Diversity in Public Safety 09/01/2022

Episode 38: Diversity in Public Safety This week, Alyza chats with Illiana Cantu Delgado about her work as the only woman of color to hold a Director of Public Safety title at a University or College in the United States, overseeing security in a hospital setting during the riots in Minneapolis following the murder of George Floyd, and much more. For more information, follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram o /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/24240747

Episode 37: Meet the Makers: Beckon Ice Cream 08/18/2022

Episode 37: Meet the Makers: Beckon Ice Cream Gwen Burlingame and Kate Flannery, founders of Beckon Ice Cream, chat with Alyza about starting the first-ever clean label premium lactose-free dairy ice cream on the market. They discuss working as partners in business, growing a company into the retail space, what it's like to be a female entreprenuer in a male-dominated field, and much more! For more information, follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram @beckonicecream - social handle for all channels Our website is: beckonicecream.com If you want to include Katy and Gwen's handles: @katy_flannery and @gwenburlingame /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/24096318

Episode 36: Knowing Your Body and Mind with Dr. Rachel Allyn 08/04/2022

Episode 36: Knowing Your Body and Mind with Dr. Rachel Allyn Dr. Rachel Allyn has been a licensed holistic psychologist for almost 20 years specializing in mind-body medicine, relationships, and intimacy issues. This week, she talks with Alyza about the differences between hollistic and modern medicine practices, why we need more than mindfulness, how pleasure practices can be healing, the future of psychology involving bodywork and plant medicine, and much more! For more information, follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram www.DrRachelAllyn.com @drrachelallyn On Instagram Holistic Psychology by Rachel Allyn, PhD on Facebook Rachel Allyn on LinkedIn /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/23958579

Episode 35: Living Your Passion with Laura Best 07/21/2022

Episode 35: Living Your Passion with Laura Best Laura Best of the Passion Collective chats with Alyza about her career in PR/Marketing in the corporate world, putting yourself and your needs first, and the Passion Collective which she started in 2014 to connect professional women with real conversations about passion, identity, and fulfillment at a time when many women didn’t feel they had the permission to support each other or talk openly about their paths. For more information, follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram @passioncollectivecommunity FB, @passioncollective IG /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/23816840

Episode 34: The Importance of Clean Labels with Andee Robb 07/07/2022

Episode 34: The Importance of Clean Labels with Andee Robb Alyza's longtime friend and clean cosmetic lobbyist, Andee Robb, chats with Alyza about the importance of cleaner labels on personal care products and how to make choosing those products for yourself less daunting. Andee gives listeners advice on where and how to find safer products, including in her Brand Advoacate work with Beautycounter. For more information, follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram Follow Andee on Instagram at @becounterforgood and stay in touch on becounterforgood.com Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Database: www.ewg.org/skindeep EWG Healthy Living App (Free): Shop Kitchen Clean Up Bundle: www.citygirlcoffee.com/gifts For 30% Off use promo code: EmpowerHour30 Shop Beautycounter: www.beautycounter.com/andeerobb For 30% Off use promo code: CLEANFORALL30 Safer Soaps that we discussed: Molly’s Suds: www.mollyssuds.com Puracy Soaps and Stain Removers: www.puracy.com Seventh Generation Easy Dose Ultra Concentrated Laundry Soap: /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/23668433

Episode 33: Meet the Maker: Belgian Boys 06/23/2022

Episode 33: Meet the Maker: Belgian Boys This week Alyza talks with Anouck Gotlib CEO of Belgian Boys. They chat about building Belgian Boys from the ground up with her husband, creating a healthy workplace culture, and bringing European delicacies to American plates. For more information, follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram @anouckgotlib - Instagram and Twitter // anouckgotlib.com @belgianboys - Instagram and Twitter / /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/23521874

Episode 32: Meet the Maker: Java Moose 06/09/2022

Episode 32: Meet the Maker: Java Moose Alyza chats with long-time friend and collaborator Sarah Jorgenson-Hallberg, owner and operator of Grand Marais's staple coffee shop, Java Moose. They talk about returning home to a small town as a business owner, taking over the family business, the majestic beauty of the North Shore, and much much more. For more information, follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram Facebook: javamoosegrandmarais Instagram javamoosegrandmarais website: m /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/23378684

Episode 31: The Power of Pivoting with Chef Asia Mei 05/26/2022

Episode 31: The Power of Pivoting with Chef Asia Mei Chef Asia Mei has an impressive resume, including appearances on Food Network's Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay, but her true pride and joy is bringing her own restaurant, Moonshine 152, and her approachable fine dining and fusion style to life as a true fixture of the South Boston Community. In this episode, chef Mei joins Alyza to reflect on her journey, the ups and downs of the restaurant world, life as a restaurateur throughout the Pandemic, bringing real representation to the culinary world, and what her future holds. A truly inspiring conversation for anyone who loves food! For more information, follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram Instagram: @chefasiamei Facebook: Moonshine 152 Twitter: @Moonshine152 You can see Chef Mei on Season 39 episode 1 of Chopped, "Lamb Slam" and on Season 22 episode 6 of Beat Bobby Flay, "Fey vs. Flay" on www.foodnetwork.com /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/23238047

Episode 30: Meet the Maker: Angie's BOOMCHIKAPOP 05/12/2022

Episode 30: Meet the Maker: Angie's BOOMCHIKAPOP Angie Bastian founder of Angie's BOOMCHIKAPOP talks with Alyza about founding the company with her husband, what it's like to burst into the snacking industry, and how the simplest ideas can spark the best companies. For more information, follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/23091455

Episode 29: Representation and Empowerment with Dr. Lisa Williams 04/28/2022

Episode 29: Representation and Empowerment with Dr. Lisa Williams This week, Alyza is joined by Dr. Lisa Williams, an award-winning academic trailblazer, philanthropist, founder of The Fresh Dolls, The Fresh Squad, simply Fresh and Positively Perfect Doll Collections. The discuss how representation in toys is incredibly important in the lives of young children, and how sometimes taking a leap towards your passions is worth the risk. For more information, follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram Instagram and Facebook: @thefreshdolls youtube: The Fresh Dolls /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/22943999

Episode 28: Embracing Personal Growth 04/14/2022

Episode 28: Embracing Personal Growth Host of the Catalyst for Conversation Podcast and Personal/Proffessional Coach Shelby Wagner chats with Alyza aobut finding your authentic self, living your truth, and embracing personal growth in your professional life as well as your personal life. For more information, follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram Instagram: @shelby.m.wagner Website: www.catalystforconvo.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/shelbymwagner Podcast: /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/22796744

Episode 27: The Power of the Hustle with Sibley Scoles 03/31/2022

Episode 27: The Power of the Hustle with Sibley Scoles Actress, producer, musical artist, and Grade A Hustler, Sibley Scoles, joins Alyza this week to discuss how she turned her passions into a career in the entertainment industry. They discuss Sibley's time growing up in the Bay Area, what it's like to be a woman of color in show business, her burgeoning production company, and how her music has opened many doors. For more information, follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram Twitter and IG: @Sib_Vicious /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/22640780

Episode 26: Women in Coffee 03/17/2022

Episode 26: Women in Coffee Dr. Sarada Krishnan of the International Women's Coffee Alliance shares her incredible knowledge of the coffee industry from growing up on coffee plantations, her career in Horticulture research in Madagascar, to owning her own coffee farms and supporting women in coffee. For more information, follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram Twitter: @KrishnanSarada Instagram: @saradak Facebook: Sarada Ramdas Krishnan LinkenIn: Sarada Krishnan Learn more about the IWCA: Learn more about the Global Crop Diversity Trust: /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/22480739

Episode 25: Recruiting for the Future 03/03/2022

Episode 25: Recruiting for the Future Alyza sits down with Jennifer Laible from Antenna, a marketing staffing and consulting firm about her experience in recruiting, corporate America, motherhood, and more. For more information, follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram About Antenna: https://goantenna.com About Jennifer: www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlaible /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/22325042

Episode 24: Meet the Maker: Lil Beanstalk 02/17/2022

Episode 24: Meet the Maker: Lil Beanstalk Lil Beanstalk founder Lisa Shol talks this week with Alyza about her sustainable children's clothes company, sustainable parenting practices, and much more. For more information, follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram and @Lilbeanstalkco For more information on the Minnesota Crisis Nursery go torg /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/22168673

Episode 23: Lake and Company 02/03/2022

Episode 23: Lake and Company Megan Kellin and Kelly Kabotoff join Alyza to talk about friendship in life and in their business, Lake and Company. For more information, follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram and @lakeandcompany on FB and @thelakeandcompany on IG /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/22015241

Episode 22: Meet the Maker: The Buttered Tin 01/20/2022

Episode 22: Meet the Maker: The Buttered Tin Alyza is joined this week by Alicia Hinze, owner and head pastry chef of the Buttered Tin. In this episode, they discuss changing careers, finding success in the restaurant industry, and chasing your dreams. For more information, follow @citygirlcoffee and @citygirlempowerhour on FaceBook and Instagram @aliciabakeseverything @thebutteredtin /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/21838043

Episode 21: Sports Journalism with Erin Coscarelli 01/06/2022

Episode 21: Sports Journalism with Erin Coscarelli This week Alyza is joined by TV Host and Sportsbroadcaster, Eric Coscarelli. Besides her work as a host for Raiders media and a correspondent on ABC's Ultimate Surfer, Erin is also a passionate feminist who helps uplift female entrepreneurs through her IGTV Live series, Women Crushing it Wednesday! In this episode, Erin gives Alyza an inside look into the world of sports journalism and how she got there. /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/21695426

BONUS: Empower Hour Season 1 Wrap-up 06/17/2021

BONUS: Empower Hour Season 1 Wrap-up Thank you for listening to the first season of City Girl Empower Hour! In this bonus clip, Alyza thanks our guests and listeners for joining us and encourages you to stay tuned for Season 2 coming in the fall. /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/19511840

Episode 20: The Pursuit of Intentional Greatness, with Sue Hawkes 06/07/2021

Episode 20: The Pursuit of Intentional Greatness, with Sue Hawkes As CEO of YESS!, an Expert EOS® Implementer and Community Leader, Certified Business Coach, and WPO Chapter Chair, Sue Hawkes brings over 25 years of leadership development training to her clients. Whether it’s through keynotes, workshops, company training or online offerings, Sue helps people gracefully work through the tough stuff. /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/19385795

Episode 19: AS SEEN ON SHARK TANK! Meet the Maker: Beth Fynbo (Busy Baby Mat) 05/13/2021

Episode 19: AS SEEN ON SHARK TANK! Meet the Maker: Beth Fynbo (Busy Baby Mat) After 10 years in the Army and 10 years in Corporate America, Beth Fynbo finally met her perfect match and started a family at age 40. /episode/index/show/citygirlempowerhour/id/19089539

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