• Jordan Chiles: Beyond the Beam with Tokyo 2020 Olympic Silver Medalist (+ Simone Biles' BFF!)
    Mar 28 2023

    Welcome to Season 2/Episode 6 of Smart As A Cookie: The Podcast, presented by USA Girl Scouts Overseas in partnership with Pop Singer/Songwriter Kristina Lachaga! We have a very inspiring Special Guest for you to meet! Meet Jordan Chiles: Gymnast, 2020 Tokyo Olympics Silver Medalist and UCLA Sophomore! This confident, cool and courageous gymnast took home the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Silver Medal alongside her Team USA Teammates...and she's SO amazing! Olympic Gymnast Jordan Chiles knows firsthand the importance of believing in the power of your dreams! Having aspired to be an Olympic athlete for most of her young life, Jordan is currently living her dream as the winner of a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

    Best known as half of the dynamic duo, "Biles and Chiles," Jordan famously trained alongside her best friend and the GOAT, Simone Biles, as she prepared to embark on the journey of a lifetime. Jordan is now a UCLA Sophomore and hopes to help the Bruins bring home a NCAA title alongside her college gymnastic teammates.

    In our full interview with Jordan, our Super-Special Smart As A Cookie Guest shared her secrets to Olympic success, how to be fearless, and SO much more!

    Get inspired by this Team USA Olympic Gymnast as you reach new heights!


    Keep up with Jordan's adventures on and off the beam on her Website, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter. Plus, check out her Team USA Profile for more fun facts about Jordan!

    Website: https://www.gym-style.com/jordanchiles/

    Instagram: @jordanchiles  

    TikTok: @jordanchiles  

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordanchiles2020/ - Jordan Chiles

    Twitter: @chilesjordan

    Artistic Gymnastics - TeamUSA.org Profile

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    Host: @KristinaLachaga

    Website: www.USAGSO.org, www.KristinaLachaga.com

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    27 mins
  • Gabi Robledo: Living Life "Off-Script" & Being the Hero of Your Story with Gabi (Mindset Coach, World Traveler, Surfer, Climber, Adventurer, & Entrepreneur!)
    Mar 21 2023

    Welcome to Season 2/Episode 5 of Smart As A Cookie: The Podcast, presented by USA Girl Scouts Overseas in partnership with Pop Singer/Songwriter Kristina Lachaga! And...we have a very adventurous & inspiring Special Guest for you to meet! Meet Gabi Robledo: Mindset Coach, Full-Time World Traveler, Surfer, Climber, Adventurer, & Entrepreneur!


    When Gabi was 14 her life totally changed when her parents made the bold decision to sell everything they owned in their house, ditch conformity, and move into an RV...to go travel the world! Gabi went from playing soccer & being a gymnast while living a "normal" suburban life in California to taking on the world in an RV with her entire family and following adventure and their souls' purposes wherever it took them. They were in search of rocks to climb, waves to surf, and peaks to hike.

    These adventures have brought Gabi and her family to 26 countries around the world and 15+ states and even helped Gabi debut as a TEDx Speaker this year.

    Get inspired by Gabi's life adventure and learn how to be the hero of your own story, embrace others' strength (and weaknesses!) to create a successful & thriving teamwork environment, and live life "off-script!"


    Get to know Gabi!

    - Gabi Robledo is a 19 year old entrepreneur and full-time nomad (a person who does not stay long in the same place; a wanderer!!)

    - She began pursuing her dream of becoming an entrepreneur when at 16, she and her mom launched an adventure travel blog, nomadswithpurpose.com

    - Gabi now runs 3 different businesses and has been featured in HuffPost! (So cool!) 

    - She firmly believes that you don't have to follow the script and you can be more than people say you can be! 

    - Gabi is excited to help Girl Scouts reach for the stars during an exclusive interview at our Cookie Rally!


    Keep up with Gabi's adventures on her Website and Instagram!


    https://gabirobledo.com

    Instagram: @gabirobledo_ 

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    Host: @KristinaLachaga

    Website: www.USAGSO.org, www.KristinaLachaga.com

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    29 mins
  • Lily Arispe: 9-Year-Old Founder of Lilypad Prints - How Lily Became a 3D-Printed Earrings Designer, Junior Girl Scout and Business Owner!
    Mar 16 2023

    Welcome to Season 2/Episode 4 of Smart As A Cookie: The Podcast, presented by USA Girl Scouts Overseas in partnership with Pop Singer/Songwriter Kristina Lachaga! Meet Lily Arispe: Founder of Lilypad Prints, Junior Girl Scout and total STEMinist! At 8 years old, Lily used her Dad's 3D printer to create a busy business of her very own and in her first 3 months of business she sold over 1000 pairs of 3D printed earring (now that's a total goal-getter!).

    Lily has over 100+ 3D-printed earring designs, including mermaid tail, hearts, moons, and origami cranes and we love her commitment to excellence with each pair of earrings she makes.

    Find out Lily's advice for young girls starting businesses, turning your passion for fashion into a (super creative & innovative!) business, giving back to the community, her (brand new!) Girl Scout journey, and more!

    Lily has such an amazing personality and energy and it was so much fun talking with her over Zoom for our interview!


    Get to know our fab entrepreneur, Lily!

    - Lily sells her earrings in local shops in North Carolina and in her online store. For every pair of earrings sold in these shops, she donates a dollar to a local women's shelter! (Love this!!)

    - Lily is a brand-new Girl Scouts (catch her wearing her Junior vest to her Troop meetings!)

    - Lily loves being homeschooled and learning new things every day!


    Follow Lily's journey on her Website, Instagram, and Facebook as she leaps to new heights!

    Website: lilypadprints.com

    Instagram: @lilypad_prints

    Facebook: Lilypad Prints

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    Host: @KristinaLachaga

    Website: www.USAGSO.org, www.KristinaLachaga.com

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    22 mins
  • Simone Bridges: Sweet Advice for 'Baking' the World a Better Place!
    Mar 14 2023

    Welcome to Season 2/Episode 3 of Smart As A Cookie: The Podcast, presented by USA Girl Scouts Overseas in partnership with Pop Singer/Songwriter Kristina Lachaga! Meet Simone Bridges: Teen Founder & CEO of Goddess Food Factory, award-winning celebrity chef, author, and speaker!

    Simone Bridges is an award-winning celebrity chef, author, and speaker. She is celebrated for her unique twist on traditional desserts and her work in increasing science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STREAM) education using culinary concepts.

    Simone founded Goddess Food Factory in 2017 and her delicious pastries have received raving reviews by celebrities and master chefs from around the globe. Additionally, she has graced the cover of several magazines for her work in increasing STEM/STREAM education, created the #1 educational baking kit for kids, and speaks to youth everywhere about embracing their inner superpowers.

    Find out how Simone took turned her bakery dreams into a reality, what it was like speaking at NASA, how she uses her superpowers for good through her nonprofit organization Simone Bridges Inspires, Inc., and SO much more!

    Some sweet facts about Simone!

    - Simone is celebrated for her unique twist on traditional desserts (how about her brand new banana pudding cake that she baked for a client's wedding?! YES PLS!)

    - Simone has graced magazine covers, been a special guest on Steve Harvey's talk show "Steve" and "Wonderama" and* she's one of ten kids who are a part of LeBron James "Always Believe" campaign. Whoa!! So epic!

    - Simone teaches STREAM concepts through her fun-filled, hands-on cooking classes

    - Get This: This young mogul is a regular keynote speaker at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Hello, NASA!)

    - Simone is helping kids "Bake the World a Better Place" through her nonprofit organization, Simone Bridges Inspires, Inc.


    Stay in the know about Goddess Food Factory & Simone Bridges on their Website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

    www.goddessfoodfactory.com

    Instagram: goddessfoodjax

    Facebook: Goddess Food Factory

    Twitter: @goddessfoodjax

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    Host: @KristinaLachaga

    Website: www.USAGSO.org, www.KristinaLachaga.com

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    33 mins
  • Charlotte Durif: Climb with Courage with 6x World Champion Rock Climber, Engineer & World Traveler!
    Mar 9 2023

    Welcome to Season 2/Episode 2 of Smart As A Cookie: The Podcast, presented by USA Girl Scouts Overseas in partnership with Pop Singer/Songwriter Kristina Lachaga!

    We're 'Climbing with Courage' with 6x World Champion Rock Climber Charlotte Durif! Learn how to overcome obstacles, travel the world creatively, and get up and stretch and climb with us so you can prepare to take on any challenge (watch the video version on Spotify & YouTube!).

    Pro Climber Charlotte Durif is from the Burgundy Region in France and has been living in Salt Lake City UT for the last 3 years. Charlotte started climbing with alpinism in the mountains with her brother and her father in the Alps, on multipitch routes with sometimes a bivouac on a glacier. Then, when she was 9 years old, she discovered indoor climbing, and stopped gymnastics. 

    In competition, Charlotte has won 6 World Championships and 17 National Championships (including one in the US!). She was the second woman in history to climb a 9a (5.14d), and has climbed more than 680 routes/boulders 8a (5.13b) and up.

    2 of the most exciting climbing adventures that she has recently completed are a 2 years World Tour that she did with my boyfriend (now husband) and that they called A World Less Traveled. It was the best time ever, with travels to 13 destinations over 5 continents with their life in their bags.

    In 2021, she had the chance to go to the Olympics where Sport Climbing was represented for the first time ever!! She was not there as an athlete because she had retired a few years ago, but as the commentator for French National TV during the Sport Climbing Event, and as an Experience provider for Airbnb, which was very fun!

    (P.S. Did we mention that Charlotte is also a World Traveler, Engineer & Scientist?! Yes, she's that cool).

    Make sure you follow Charlotte on Instagram and Facebook and check out her adventures & amazing work on her Website and Cold House Media (her Climbing & Adventure Production Studio!) and their A World Less Traveled travel series!

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    Host: @KristinaLachaga

    Website: www.USAGSO.org, www.KristinaLachaga.com

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    28 mins
  • Winter Vinecki: Competing at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in Aerial Skiing & Smashing World Records!
    Mar 7 2023

    Welcome to Season 2/Episode 1 of Smart As A Cookie: The Podcast, presented by USA Girl Scouts Overseas in partnership with Pop Singer/Songwriter Kristina Lachaga! 

    For the kickoff episode to Season 2...we're so excited to introduce you to Winter Vinecki: Olympian, Athlete, Entrepreneur and Motivational Speaker! And...Winter even competed for Team USA in Aerial Skiing at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China! 

    Winter Vinecki joined us right before she traveled to Beijing to compete in Aerial Skiing at the 2022 Winter Olympics (WHOA!) and gave amazing advice for girls pursuing their big dreams and goals, shared what it's like to smash world records and change the world (Go #TeamWinter!), and even told us what it feels like to fly. Winter is SO inspiring!

    Winter Lee Vinecki was born on December 18, 1998 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She grew up in Gaylord, Michigan and Salem, Oregon and now trains in Park City, Utah.

    After losing her Dad at the age of 9 to an aggressive form of prostate cancer, she formed TeamWinter.org a 501 (c) (3) non-profit to raise money for prostate cancer research & awareness. She has raised over $500,000 toward that effort and counting.

    Winter began racing triathlons at the age of 5 and completed her first Olympic triathlons at 9. She went on to become the Ironkids National Champion for 2010 & 2011 and spent three years as the official ambassador of the sport.

    Winter was also the 2011 recipient of the Annika Inspiration Award. At age 12, Winter was invited to an aerial skiing camp by two-time Olympian, Emily Cook. After completing the week long camp, Winter moved to Park City, UT to train and compete for the next three years on the Fly Freestyle elite development team. During that time, she set a world record by becoming the youngest person to run a marathon on all seven continents, the youngest person to run 26.2 miles on Antarctica and the first mother/daughter duo to run a marathon on all seven continents.

    Winter was first named to the US Ski Team in 2016 after winning the North American Tour. She is now going on her sixth year on the US Ski Team and has garnered results such as the gold medal at the 2021 Moscow World Cup. After Beijing 2022, she also became the first "Winter" to compete in the Winter Olympics!

    All the while, Winter recently graduated magna cum laude from the University of Utah with a major in Business Administration and a minor in nutrition. She is also a seasoned public speaker and speaks to thousands every year at conferences, schools, sports teams, cooperate events and more.

    Keep up with Winter's adventures on her Website and Instagram!

    Hope you enjoy our interview with Winter!

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    Host: @KristinaLachaga

    Website: www.USAGSO.org, www.KristinaLachaga.com


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    25 mins
  • How to Sell 30,535 Boxes of Girl Scout Cookies
    Feb 28 2023

    Welcome to Episode 4 of Smart As A Cookie: The Podcast, presented by USA Girl Scouts Overseas in partnership with Pop Singer/Songwriter Kristina Lachaga! During Season 1, we were joined by amazing Special Guests, including teenpreneurs, CEOs, and...Girl Scouts! In this Bonus Episode, we're meeting two Top Girl Scout Cookie Sellers (and ultra-amazing Girl Scouts!) and getting all their tips for rocking this Cookie Season! We can't wait for you to meet Mikayla Butler (National Top Girl Scout Cookie Seller) and Olivia Trader (Girl Scout Council Top Cookie Seller).

    During the 2020 Cookie Season, Mikayla Butler sold...get this: 23,535 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies. Yes, you read that right. And that makes her the 2020 Top Girl Scout Cookie Seller in the Nation. (Did I mention she did this *during* a Pandemic?? She's a total GOAL GETTER). 

    Mikayla was a Girl Scouts for 13 years and Girl Scouts changed her life as it let her pursue her passion of helping others and making the world a better place. Through Girl Scouts, Mikayla was able to accomplish goals and dreams she once thought were impossible, reach outside her comfort zone, and help her community. She says, "I wouldn't trade all of the memories I have in Girl Scouts for the world."

    We loved having the chance to talk with Mikayla at Cookie Rally! She shared her top Cookie Selling tips to help YOU can sell 23,535 boxes of cookies (or whatever your epic goal is!) this season! Get out a pen and paper! Take notes!! You've got a Cookie expert ready to help!

    And...we're also introducing you to a Girl Scout celebrity!

    Olivia Trader has been a Girl Scout for 10 years and has achieved both her Bronze and Silver awards! Through the Girl Scouts cookie program Olivia has been able to acquire many skills such as marketing, entrepreneurship, leadership, and how to run her own business. Olivia is featured on Girl Scouts' Tagalong box (so cool!) and she is sharing her selling tips with her sister Girl Scouts to inspire other girls to reach for the stars this Cookie Season!!

    Find out how she became a total cookie star *and* her Girl Scout Council's Top Cookie Seller -- She holds her council's sales record of 7,000 boxes!

    Make sure you check out their Episode for allll the Cookie Selling Tips!

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    Host: @KristinaLachaga

    Website: www.USAGSO.org, www.KristinaLachaga.com

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    28 mins
  • Rakia Reynolds: Branding Tips to Stand Out & Be Remembered with Skai Blue Media's Founder and Executive Officer!
    Feb 24 2023

    Welcome to Episode 3 of Smart As A Cookie: The Podcast, presented by USA Girl Scouts Overseas in partnership with Pop Singer/Songwriter Kristina Lachaga! It's time for YOU to meet our PR, Communications & Brand strategist extraordinaire: Rakia Reynolds! Rakia is ready to help you build your Cookie-selling "brand," make yourself stand out and be remembered!

    Find out what Rakia's job is like as the Founder and Executive Officer of Skai Blue Media, an award-winning multimedia communications firm that works with people, products, and places on their business, branding, and bragging. Over a decade of leading industry leaders has positioned Rakia Reynolds as one of the foremost minds in strategic communications and business innovation as an adviser to top Fortune 100 companies and influential figures. Rakia serves a robust and diverse client list, including Airbnb, Dell, Glennon Doyle, Morgan Stanley, Serena Williams, and more. A thought-leader and tastemaker, Rakia is a proven authority in marketing, strategic communications, and business development. In addition to Skai Blue Media, Rakia is the founder of Evryday Jane and Fan of Your Brand.

    In our interview, Rakia will introduce you to the world of communicating, understanding your audience, making a strategic communications plan/marketing plan to achieve a certain goal, and determining & creating your personal brand -- all key points for reaching your Girl Scout Cookie Selling Goals!

    Plus, Rakia was a Girl Scout until she was 18-years-old! So amazing to find out about her Girl Scout roots!!

    Make sure you follow @RakiaReynolds & @FanOfYourBrand on Instagram!

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    Host: @KristinaLachaga

    Website: www.USAGSO.org, www.KristinaLachaga.com

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    22 mins