Root to Rising

Root to Rising isn’t just a podcast—it’s a call to every woman ready to step into her own story. Hosted by Christine Hummel, this unfiltered, soul-stirring series takes you inside the real lives of women who’ve dared to pivot, rebuild, and rise. From classrooms, to boardrooms, to fresh starts, heartbreaks to breakthroughs, these are the raw conversations you didn’t know you needed—about courage, risk, resilience, and finding your true direction. Christine sits down with trailblazers, dream-chasers, and everyday women with extraordinary lessons, giving you the mindset shifts, practical tools, and fierce motivation to grow where you’re planted and reach higher than you thought possible. Whether you’re launching your first career move, rewriting your next chapter, or searching for that spark again—Root to Rising will meet you where you are and inspire you to rise into the woman you’re meant to become.

Root to Rising is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 41 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Root to Rising, a business show with 41 episodes published.

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  Root to Rising

  College Through a First-Gen Lens

  Aug 19, 202633 min

  What does it look like to enter college carrying not only your own dreams, but the sacrifices of the generations before you? In this episode of Root to Rising , Christine Hummel welcomes back Ema Adakauskas , a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin–Madison double majoring in biochemistry and Spanish. Ema shares how growing up in a Lithuanian immigrant family shaped her work ethic, her education, and her desire to build a career in healthcare centered around human connection. Ema opens up about watching her parents build a life in America from the ground up and how their sacrifices became one of her greatest sources of motivation. She also shares why she shifted her dream from medical school to becoming a physician assistant—and why choosing a career that leaves room for family and a fulfilling life matters to her. As she prepares for sophomore year, Ema gets candid about the pressure to succeed, fear of failure, managing college stress, finding your people, and learning to use the resources around you. In This Episode Growing up as the daughter of Lithuanian immigrants Why Ema chose biochemistry and Spanish Turning her parents' sacrifices into motivation Choosing purpose over a predetermined career path Why work-life balance changed her vision for her future Navigating the pressure and stress of college What she wishes more freshmen knew Making friends when you don't know anyone Using college as an opportunity to reinvent yourself Why social media doesn't tell you who someone really is Staying open-minded when things don't go as planned Whether you're heading to college, navigating a new season, or simply figuring out what comes next, this conversation is a reminder that you don't need to have everything figured out—you just need to stay open to where the journey takes you. Listen now to Root to Rising and share this episode with someone stepping into a new chapter. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: RKVMSNJFRQUWGWPA

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  Root to Rising

  Finding Confidence Through Courage

  Aug 12, 202644 min

  What If the Life That Looks Good on Paper Doesn’t Feel Good Anymore? What happens when the path you worked so hard to build no longer feels like the path you want? In this episode of Root to Rising , Christine sits down with Michelle Pollack, executive leadership coach , who helps high achievers build lives and careers that feel as good as they look on paper. Michelle shares her unexpected journey from studying theater at Northwestern and working in New York’s entertainment industry to Hollywood—and eventually discovering executive coaching. Along the way, she found herself asking a question many high-achieving women eventually face: Is this really what I want? Christine and Michelle unpack why women can feel trapped by the careers, expectations, and identities they once chose—and why changing direction doesn’t mean you failed. They explore the pressure to prove yourself, perfectionism, people-pleasing, leadership, delegation, and the inner critic that can convince us to stay where we are instead of exploring what could be next. Michelle also shares a powerful reminder: confidence doesn’t have to come before the leap. Sometimes courage comes first, and confidence is built by taking the risk, learning, adjusting, and realizing that even if things don’t go perfectly—you’ll be okay. In this episode: Why success can look right but feel wrong Giving yourself permission to change your mind The pressure high-achieving women put on themselves How perfectionism and people-pleasing show up in leadership Why great leaders don’t need to have all the answers Learning to delegate, trust, and grow your team How to recognize your inner critic Asking yourself what you actually want Why courage comes before confidence Becoming comfortable with being a beginner again This conversation is a reminder that you’re allowed to evolve. The person you wanted to become at 20 doesn’t have to define who you become at 30, 40, 50, or beyond. Root to Rising — where women share their stories and experiences so others can listen, learn, and grow. Connect with Michelle Continue the conversation and learn more about Michelle’s work in executive leadership coaching. Connect with Michelle: website: www.michellepollack.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-pollack/ Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: NESVV8DL8HHECNDN

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  Root to Rising

  Should You Rush? Midwest Students Tell All

  Aug 5, 202650 min

  Episode Description Is rushing a sorority worth it? If you're heading to college this fall—or wondering whether Greek life is right for you—this conversation offers an honest look at the sorority recruitment experience. Christine sits down with four college students from different universities, each with a unique perspective on rush. Some found lifelong friendships, one chose not to join, and all of them share the highs, lows, and lessons they wish they knew beforehand. From navigating rejection and overcoming stereotypes to finding confidence and staying true to yourself, this episode is packed with advice that extends far beyond college. Whether you're planning to rush, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about what the process is really like, this conversation provides a refreshing and authentic perspective. In This Episode Why each student decided to rush (or almost didn't) The biggest misconceptions about sorority life The emotional side of recruitment no one prepares you for What rejection during rush really feels like Why comparing your journey to others can hurt your experience How to know when you've found the right chapter—or when walking away is the right decision The confidence lessons that last long after college Key Takeaways ✨ Be yourself—the right people will appreciate the real you. ✨ Rejection doesn't define your worth. ✨ Comparison steals the joy from your own journey. ✨ Rush is about finding where you belong, not fitting into someone else's expectations. ✨ The confidence you build through uncomfortable experiences will serve you for years to come. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome & why this conversation matters 1:15 Why each guest decided to rush 7:30 Breaking the stereotypes around sorority life 15:45 The stress and emotions of recruitment week 24:30 Dealing with rejection and uncertainty 34:20 The biggest surprises about rush 41:10 What everyone wishes they knew beforehand 48:00 Advice for anyone preparing to rush Meet the Guests Khrestyna Fidziak – Marquette University Emma Adakauskas – University of Wisconsin–Madison Julia Maliszewski – Loyola University Chicago Ella Sands – University of Kansas If This Episode Helped You... Follow Root to Rising for more conversations that inspire confidence, growth, and purpose through authentic stories. ⭐ Follow the podcast ⭐ Leave a rating and review ⭐ Share this episode with a student preparing for college or sorority recruitment Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: EUQPKBLWJZUIOFNU

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  Root to Rising

  When Adversity Becomes Your Greatest Teacher

  Jul 29, 202641 min

  Episode Summary What if the biggest obstacle in your life could become the very thing that transforms it? In this episode of Root to Rising , Christine Hummel sits down with author, speaker, and transformation strategist Youness El Fehdi to explore how adversity can become the catalyst for growth. From reversing Type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes to raising a neurodiverse son, immigrating to the United States, mastering five languages, and building a career centered on communication, Youness shares the lessons that shaped his life. Together, they discuss why emotional intelligence, resilience, and authentic human connection are becoming the most valuable skills in an AI-driven world. If you're navigating change, searching for confidence, or looking to grow through life's challenges, this conversation offers practical wisdom and an inspiring perspective on transformation. In This Episode How Youness reversed Type 2 diabetes through consistency—not perfection Why raising a neurodiverse son changed his definition of empathy The surprising lessons learned working in federal corrections How learning five languages shaped his worldview Why human connection will always matter in an AI-first world The truth about confidence—and how it's actually built Why embracing discomfort leads to personal growth How to turn adversity into your greatest advantage Practical advice for young professionals entering today's workforce The power of communication, emotional intelligence, and resilience Memorable Quotes "Confidence isn't something you're given—it's something you build by keeping promises to yourself." "Comfort is the biggest enemy of confidence." "Everything is impossible until somebody does it." "The future belongs to people who master human connection." About Our Guest Youness El Fehdi is an author, motivational speaker, and transformation strategist dedicated to helping people turn adversity into opportunity. His work focuses on resilience, communication, emotional intelligence, language learning, and personal growth. Drawing from his own experiences—including reversing Type 2 diabetes, raising a son with autism, immigrating to the United States, and working in federal corrections—Youness empowers others to embrace change and create meaningful transformation. Connect with Youness Website: https://elfehdiauthor.com/ Books: Dominate the World of Languages , Dominate the Weight Loss Game & Diabetes , Content That Captivates , and his book supporting parents of children with autism. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: RLJWDA5NW3EMIXNP

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  Root to Rising

  The Leap That Changed Everything with DJ Peyton Plumlee

  Jul 22, 202631 min

  Sometimes the biggest opportunities start with one small decision. For Peyton Plumlee, it was buying a DJ controller with babysitting money. What began as a hobby quickly turned into a career performing across the South, producing original music, and landing festival stages like Breakaway Dallas. But her journey wasn't a straight line. In this episode of Root to Rising , Peyton shares how she walked away from the career path she originally envisioned, switched majors in college, embraced uncertainty, and learned to trust herself—even in a male-dominated industry. This conversation isn't just about music. It's about having the courage to pivot, blocking out outside expectations, building confidence, and realizing that your path doesn't have to look like anyone else's. If you've ever wondered whether you're on the "right" path, this episode is for you. In This Episode: Why Peyton switched from psychology to marketing How a hobby became a full-time career Building confidence in a male-dominated industry The reality of balancing college and chasing a dream How to handle criticism on social media The importance of networking and relationships Why your twenties are meant for figuring things out Journaling, goal setting, and staying motivated Learning to trust your gut instead of outside expectations Why "YOLO" became Peyton's philosophy for taking risks Memorable Quote "If you've always wanted to try something, just go for it. If you don't, you'll always wonder what could have happened." About Peyton Peyton Plumlee (DJ P Plum ) is a Dallas-based DJ, music producer, and University of Mississippi graduate. After discovering her passion for DJing in college, she transitioned from psychology to integrated marketing and communications and has since performed throughout the South, including Breakaway Dallas, while continuing to create original music. Connect with Peyton Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peyton_plumlee/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@peyton_plumlee SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/v4TsNK0dZAoD8e6l9v Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: IFAGY0CZ7KSCC9V4

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