49 - The Power of Networks, Leadership, and Balance with Anastasia Del Valle

49 - The Power of Networks, Leadership, and Balance with Anastasia Del Valle

Author: Kris Castle September 1, 2026 Duration: 41:30
Anastasia Del Valle, district manager at Starbucks, shares about her dynamic career journey through organizations like Pandora Jewelry, Target, and the Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce, before landing her current leadership role at Starbucks. Anastasia shares insights into overcoming career setbacks, the importance of networking, and her approach to leadership that blends accountability, visibility, and genuine care for her team. The conversation highlights her personal growth in balancing direct communication with empathy, lessons learned from pivotal work experiences, and the value of integrating professional and family life. Recommended resources from the episode include Annie Duke's "Thinking in Bets" and works by David Sedaris for a mix of business acumen and humor. Connect with Anastasia on LinkedIn.

Kris Castle hosts Boss Babes of the Bluegrass, a series of conversations that feel more like a coffee chat with a friend than a formal interview. Each episode sits down with a different woman who has carved out her own version of success right here in Central Kentucky. The focus isn't just on professional accolades, though you'll hear plenty about that; it's about the real, often messy, journey of building a career while building a life. You'll listen to stories about the late nights, the tough decisions, the unexpected pivots, and the small victories that define the path. This podcast digs into the practicalities and the personal philosophies that these local leaders use to navigate their worlds. It’s for anyone curious about how other women are stitching together ambition, community, and personal well-being into something that works for them. Tune in for genuine dialogue that offers both inspiration and tangible takeaways, reminding you that work-life harmony is a personal composition, not a prescribed formula.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Boss Babes of the Bluegrass
Podcast Episodes
48 -  Dr. Crystal Miller on Redefining Leadership in Public Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:30
Dr. Crystal Miller discusses her journey into public health, the importance of direct leadership, and building emotionally intelligent workplace cultures. She shares how her background in education, mentorship, and a pas…
47 - Advocating for Safer Medicines with Jimmie Wilson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:03
Jimmie Wilson shares her inspiring journey from a career in early childhood education and workforce development to her recent experience surviving acute liver failure caused by a compounded medication, which led to a lif…
46 - Lessons in Wellness from Shalonda Smith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:46
Shalanda Smith is a seasoned nurse, yoga instructor, and wellness advocate in Central Kentucky. Shalanda Smith shares her journey from 30 years in long-term care nursing to her current roles at Bluegrass Care Navigators’…
45 - Championing Children and Community with Stephanie Spires [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:49
Stephanie Spires, CEO of Spires Strategies, shares about her journey in business, passion for advocating for children and families, and balancing life as a single mother of five. Stephanie shares insights on her unique b…
44 - Confidence and Business with Rachael Bullock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:44
Rachael Bullock is a longtime Mary Kay entrepreneur who discusses her journey of nearly 29 years in the beauty industry. Rachel shares how she empowers women through confidence-building with makeup, skincare, and entrepr…
43 - The Executive Method with Amanda Woods Hall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:36
Amanda Woods Hall is founder of The Executive Method, to explore how embracing your authentic self—and understanding the way your brain works—can transform your life and business. Amanda shared actionable strategies for…
42 - Navigating Law and Life with Judge Lucy VanMeter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:02
Judge Lucy Van Meter shares her inspiring journey from Bourbon County High to becoming Fayette Circuit Court Judge and now running for Kentucky Court of Appeals. We talk about the challenges of making tough decisions, na…
40 - Turning Struggles into Strength with Keary Snapp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:13
Kris welcomes Keary Snapp to discuss her inspiring 20+ year journey in the health and wellness industry. Keary shares how her career evolved from personal training and figure competitions to massage therapy, functional w…