In this episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat, we sit down with Dr. Tracy Baynes — oceanographer, educator, and visionary leader committed to expanding college access for low-income high-school students. After earning her doctorate from the prestigious Scripps Institution of Oceanography and conducting coral reef research, Tracy shifted her focus to teaching, developing field courses for institutions like Columbia University’s Biosphere 2 Center, Sea Education Association, the University of Pittsburgh, and more.

In 2004, she founded STEP, a transformative college-prep and leadership program serving Arizona teens. Today, 96% of STEP alumni are in college or have earned a degree — a testament to the power of mentorship, leadership training, and immersive educational experiences.

This episode explores Tracy’s passion for youth empowerment, and the life-changing impact of STEP.

Contact information for Dr. Baynes

tbaynes@stepexpedition.org

https://www.stepexpedition.org/impact

In this episode, Karen and Cat talk with Ariel Fristoe, founder and Artistic Director of Out of Hand Theater, a company redefining how art can drive social change. Ariel shares her journey blending creativity, activism, and community conversation to address issues like justice, empathy, and belonging.

Discover how her award-winning model became a Harvard Business School case study, and why she believes every performance can inspire civic transformation.

🎧 Listen in to learn:

• How art can advance social justice

• What makes Out of Hand Theater a national model

• The future of community-centered arts leadership

Email: ariel@outofhandtheater.com
Phone Number: 4043129871
Website: https://www.outofhandtheater.com

In this uplifting episode, we sit down with Leida Rountree, a Certified Financial Planner™ turned Certified Life Coach, 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, and Mindfulness Meditation Teacher who has made it her mission to help women design the lives they were born to live.

After years of professional success, Leida realized her fast-paced lifestyle was unsustainable — and that true fulfillment required more than achievement. Through self-discovery, yoga, and mindfulness, she began to realign her life with her passions and values.

Today, Leida guides women through that same journey of transformation, helping them find clarity, purpose, and peace through intentional living.

In this episode, we explore:
✨ How burnout can become a catalyst for self-discovery
💖 Practical steps to begin redesigning your life — starting today

This is a conversation for anyone ready to slow down, realign, and live from a place of balance, passion, and purpose.