Owning Your Legacy

Hosted by Laurette Rondenet

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Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Owning Your Legacy is a podcast for those who seek inspiration on leadership and what it takes to courageously leave your mark on the world. It is centered on the belief that together we can change the world for the better. First, by defining the legacy we each wish to leave behind. And then, by being brave enough to take ownership of it.Join Laurette Rondenet as she hosts intimate discussions with fellow leaders, visionaries, and trailblazers who are making an impact in their space. They go deep on topics like relationships, leadership, business growth—and, of course, what it means to own your legacy. Laurette is president and CEO of Edlong, an innovative, globally-recognized food flavoring company. As a leader, Laurette’s calling is to create a culture of authentic belonging and be a beacon of light, challenging others to shine their light.

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60 recent

June 9, 2026Episode 143 min

How AI Is Changing Food Innovation with Justin Shimek

What if AI is not here to replace creativity, but to expand it?In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette is joined by Justin Shimek, CEO of Mattson, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping food and beverage innovation.Justin shares his journey from food science to leadership, the role of curiosity in building a career, and how Mattson helps companies imagine what is coming next in food. The conversation dives into AI as a creative thought partner, not an answer machine, and how tools like Mattson’s AI persona “Leo” are helping teams generate ideas, understand consumers, and rethink innovation workflows.Together, they discuss the fears and opportunities surrounding AI, how companies can begin integrating it responsibly, and why the future of innovation still depends on real human intelligence, judgment, and creativity.This episode is for leaders, innovators, food scientists, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about how AI can help teams do their highest and best work.Learn more about Justin Shimek and Mattson:www.mattsonco.comIf you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

June 2, 20261 min

Owning Your Legacy Season 12 Trailer

Season 12 of Owning Your Legacy brings together leaders, founders, creators, innovators, and storytellers who are building something meaningful through courage, curiosity, and intention.This season explores what it takes to step into your next chapter, trust your instincts, build the right team, embrace change, and keep moving forward even when the path is uncertain.From food, design, entrepreneurship, AI, sustainability, personal reinvention, and the power of community, these conversations remind us that legacy is not something we leave behind someday. It is something we build every day through the choices we make, the people we support, and the stories we choose to tell.Featuring conversations with Steve Dolinsky, Lakeisha Rose, Justin Schimmick, Brittany Chibe, Denise Senter, and Gail Scott.Watch Season 12 of Owning Your Legacy and join the conversation.If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

May 26, 2026Episode 102 min

Season 11 Finale: What Legacy Do You Want to Leave Behind? | Owning Your Legacy

What does it really mean to leave a legacy?In the final episode of Season 11 of Owning Your Legacy, guests reflect on one of the most meaningful questions of the series: What is the legacy you would like to leave behind?Their answers reveal that legacy is not only about achievement, status, or recognition. It is about the people we inspire, the love we put into the world, the courage to be ourselves, and the way we help others grow into who they are meant to become.This Season 11 finale brings together powerful reflections on family, mentorship, authenticity, purpose, resilience, and staying committed to what truly matters.If you are thinking about the life you are building, the people you are shaping, or the impact you want to leave behind, this episode is a reminder that legacy is created through the choices we make every day.If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

May 12, 2026Episode 951 min

Donna Berry on Dairy, Food Science & Processed Foods | Why nutrient density matters

What if the future of food depends on better science, better communication, and a little more nuance?In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Donna Berry shares how a lifelong curiosity about food and nutrition led her from an early internship at Edlong to becoming one of the dairy industry’s most trusted voices.As a food scientist, writer, and founder of Berry on Dairy and The Daily Dose of Dairy, Donna has spent decades translating complex food science into meaningful industry insight while championing transparency, education, and the value of dairy.This conversation explores the debates surrounding ultra-processed foods, sugar, food safety, and consumer trust, and why Donna believes the focus should shift toward nutrient density, affordability, and helping people better understand how food is made. Donna also shares her passion for mentorship, the importance of exposing young people to careers in food science, and how personal loss taught her to live fully, stay true to herself, and keep moving forward with purpose.Donna also shares her passion for mentorship, the importance of exposing young people to careers in food science, and how personal loss taught her to live fully, stay true to herself, and keep moving forward with purpose.Learn more about Donna Berry and her work with Berry on Dairy: https://www.berryondairy.com/✔ Food conversations need more science and less fear ✔ Nutrient density matters more than oversimplified labels ✔ Transparency builds trust with consumers ✔ Mentorship can shape the next generation of food leaders ✔ Staying true to your values is part of your legacyIf you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

May 5, 2026Episode 815 min

Gertrude Lyons on The Mother Code with Gail Scott

In this special episode of Owning Your Legacy, Gertrude Lyons, author of Rewrite the Mother Code, joins Gail Scott, Director of Administration at Edlong and one of the producers of the podcast, for a powerful conversation on motherhood, identity, vulnerability, and the cultural expectations women inherit.Gertrude shares the personal journey behind writing Rewrite the Mother Code and how the process invited her into a deeper level of honesty, healing, and self-discovery. Together, she and Gail explore how motherhood has been shaped by history, why there is no single “right” way to mother, and what it means to rewrite the beliefs and roles that no longer serve us.This conversation is a thoughtful reminder that women are more than the expectations placed on them — and that legacy begins when we choose what we are willing to question, heal, and redefine.Topics discussed include: • Rewriting the Mother Code • Vulnerability and personal storytelling • Motherhood as a cultural construct • The pressure to parent perfectly • Women’s purpose beyond traditional roles • Healing inherited beliefs • Creating a more authentic legacy#OwningYourLegacy #GertrudeLyons #GailScott #RewriteTheMotherCode #Motherhood #WomenInLeadership #PersonalGrowth #Vulnerability #Legacy #WomenEmpowermentIf you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

April 28, 2026Episode 738 min

She Followed the Signs and Built a Global Brand | Holly Garrard on turning intuition into a business

What if the signs you keep ignoring are actually pointing you toward your purpose?In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Holly Garrard, founder of Fundae, shares how she walked away from a 25-year career in media to build a brand rooted in purpose, sustainability, and personal transformation.After years in corporate leadership roles at companies like iHeart and ESPN, Holly felt a deeper pull to create something of her own. What followed was a journey shaped by personal challenges, intuition, and a relentless drive to build something meaningful.From navigating a difficult divorce and a life-altering health scare to launching Fundae from scratch, Holly’s story is a powerful reminder that clarity often comes through action, not certainty.This conversation explores what it takes to trust yourself before you feel ready, how personal experiences can shape a mission-driven business, and why resilience is required to bring any vision to life.Holly also shares how she built Fundae, a sustainable footwear brand designed around modular design and personalization, and how she took it from an idea to the runways of Paris and Milan Fashion Week. If you are building something, questioning your path, or waiting for the right moment, this episode will challenge you to move forward anyway.Learn more about Holly Garrard and Fundae:https://fundae.com✔ Purpose often reveals itself through hardship✔ You do not need permission to start✔ Intuition is a powerful guide in business and life✔ Building something meaningful takes time and patience✔ The journey is bigger than the productIf you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

April 14, 2026Episode 642 min

She Became CEO Without Chasing It | Christie Tarantino-Dean on Leadership and Mentorship

What if leadership is not something you chase, but something that finds you?In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Christie Tarantino-Dean shares how she stepped into a CEO role unexpectedly and what it really takes to grow into leadership over time.As CEO of the Institute of Food Technologists, Christie leads a global community of scientists, innovators, and industry leaders working to advance the science of food and address challenges around safety, nutrition, and sustainability.This conversation explores the reality of stepping up before you feel ready, the mentors who help shape your path, and how trust and relationships define long term success.Christie also shares how she approaches leadership in complex environments, builds alignment across diverse stakeholders, and helps guide an organization at the intersection of science, business, and global impact.If you are building something, leading a team, or figuring out your next step, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership and growth.Learn more about Christie Tarantino-Dean and her work with IFThttps://www.iftexchange.org/about-ift/leadership/christie-tarantino-dean✔ Leadership often comes before confidence✔ Mentorship can shape your entire career✔ Trust is built through consistency and relationships✔ Self doubt is part of the process✔ Build your network before you need itIf you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

March 31, 2026Episode 542 min

Mara Smith: From Stay-at-Home Mom to Tequila Founder | Reinvention, Risk & Starting Over

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, we sit down with Mara Smith, founder of Inspiro Tequila, to talk about what it really looks like to start over and build something meaningful on your own terms.After stepping away from her career for 16 years to raise her family, Mara re-entered the workforce with no traditional roadmap, no network, and plenty of self-doubt. What followed was not a return to what she once knew, but a bold pivot into entrepreneurship.From her background in law and corporate strategy to launching Inspiro Tequila in a male-dominated industry, Mara shares the mindset shifts, risks, and decisions that shaped her journey. This conversation explores confidence, imposter syndrome, motherhood as leadership training, and why being an outsider can be a powerful advantage.This is not just a founder story. It is a story about reinvention, purpose, and building a legacy that extends beyond business.In this episode, we cover:✔ Mara Smith’s journey from stay-at-home mom to founder of Inspiro Tequila✔ Reinventing your career after time away from the workforce✔ How motherhood builds leadership, resilience, and adaptability✔ Navigating imposter syndrome and earning credibility in a new industry✔ Why being an outsider can drive innovation✔ Building a purpose-driven brand in a competitive market✔ The importance of community, mentorship, and showing upIf this conversation resonates, share it with someone who is thinking about starting over. #MaraSmith #InspiroTequila #OwningYourLegacy #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #CareerPivot #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #FounderStoryIf you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

March 17, 2026Episode 436 min

Katrina Markoff: Rebuilding After Losing Everything | From Vosges Chocolate to Violet Flame

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, host Laurette Rondenet sits down with Katrina Markoff, founder of Violet Flame Chocolate and the original creator of the globally renowned chocolate brand Vosges Haut-Chocolat.Katrina shares the remarkable journey that took her from studying chemistry and psychology at Vanderbilt to culinary training in Paris and eventually building one of the most innovative chocolate companies in the world. Her entrepreneurial path was guided by creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to follow intuition even when it meant taking risks others would not. But success did not come without challenges.After years of building her company, Katrina experienced profound personal and professional setbacks and ultimately lost control of the business she created. Rather than giving up, she chose to rebuild. Now, as the founder of Violet Flame Chocolate, Katrina is creating a new vision for chocolate. Her new venture blends luxury craftsmanship, ritual, and creativity while encouraging people to reconnect with their inner voice and imagination.This conversation explores entrepreneurship, resilience, intuition, and the power of starting again.📲 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations about leadership, entrepreneurship, and legacy.In this episode:✅ The rise of Vosges Haut-Chocolat✅ What it feels like to lose the company you built✅ How intuition shapes entrepreneurial decisions✅ The inspiration behind Violet Flame Chocolate✅ Rebuilding identity, creativity, and purpose after adversityCreditsIG: @rishi.productionsIG: @gosiasimprintIf you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

March 3, 2026Episode 356 min

Rewrite the Mother Code: Motherhood, Guilt & Feminine Leadership | Dr. Gertrude Lyons

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, host Laurette Rondenet sits down with Dr. Gertrude Lyons, author of Rewrite the Mother Code, for a transformative conversation on motherhood, identity, intuition, and the hidden cultural narratives that shape women’s lives.Dr. Lyons shares her personal awakening, from navigating fertility through a holistic lens to questioning deeply ingrained expectations around pregnancy, birth, and what it truly means to be a “good mother.” Together, they unpack the invisible “mother codes” that drive guilt, self-sacrifice, perfectionism, and burnout.This episode explores how women can rewrite outdated narratives and reclaim their power by integrating both masculine and feminine values, balancing productivity with process, structure with intuition, and achievement with self-nurturing.Dr. Lyons also discusses:✅ Why self-mothering is essential, not selfish✅ The myth of putting yourself last to be a “good mom”✅ How guilt is culturally conditioned✅ Feminine leadership in work and family life✅ The importance of community, modeling, and support✅ Rewriting your own personal Mother CodeWhether you are raising children, building a career, leading a team, or nurturing a vision, this conversation will challenge you to examine the codes you are living by, and decide which ones need to be rewritten. 🌐 Learn more about Dr. Gertrude Lyons: https://www.drgertrudelyons.com/🎧 Listen to the Rewrite the Mother Code Podcast: https://www.drgertrudelyons.com/podcast📲 Follow Dr. Gertrude Lyons on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgertrudelyons/🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms📲 Like, comment, and subscribe for conversations on leadership, love, and legacyVideo and Photo Credits:IG: @rishi.productionsIG: @gosiasimprint#RewriteTheMotherCode #DrGertrudeLyons #Motherhood #FeminineLeadership #WomenInLeadership #IntentionalParenting #SelfMothering #LeadershipDevelopment #OwningYourLegacy #PersonalGrowthIf you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.