In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by her friend Gina Schaefer for this special episode of The Optimized Mind. Gina interviews Dr. Kate to celebrate the conclusion of the podcast’s three-year run and the launch of Dr. Kate’s new book, Step Away: The Keys to Resilient Parenting. The conversation reflects on key lessons from over 160 episodes, emphasizing that resilience is a uniquely personal journey shaped by context and experience. The episode explores the challenges of modern parenting, including screen time, mindsets, and navigating differing needs among children and co-parents, while sharing insights that extend beyond parenting into leadership and everyday life.

Gina Schaefer is the Founder and Co-Owner of 13 hardware stores located in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, MD, and their suburbs. She and her team of 300 have helped millions of customers shop right where they live, in their urban communities, despite continuous pressure from bigger, stronger competitors.

Gina is a professional speaker and storyteller, engaging audiences on topics that include competing in a male dominated field, building a strong corporate culture, business succession planning, and all things small business. In her book, Recovery Hardware, Gina chronicles her experiences building a business while learning from non-traditional teachers like folks from the recovery community and returning citizens. She serves as an advocate and spokesperson for causes directly related to raising wages, anti-monopoly legislation and small business development.  

She draws her inspiration from fellow entrepreneurs who strive to be creative, think differently and help make a difference. People like Judy Wicks, founder of the White Dog Cafe in Philadelphia who inspired her to use her voice as a force for good; Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig, founders of gourmet food group Zingerman's Community of Businesses in Michigan, from whom Schaefer learned innovative business strategies and Father Gregory Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, who taught her that nonprofit organizations need to think beyond simple charity. 

Gina’s guiding principle comes from a treasured quote “I always wondered when somebody would do something about that.  Then I realized I was somebody”.  She invites you to feel that way too.   

To Learn More, visit:
www.katelundspeaks.com

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund