Cara Flynn

Cara Flynn is a professional storyteller, retreat leader, and podcast host, passionate about helping others move beyond fear, limitation, and self-doubt to live a fuller, more authentic life.

Driven by a desire to create real-world connection and community, Cara founded Beyond Barriers, a series of women’s retreats rooted in adventure, yoga, and authentic storytelling. These retreats travel into communities to amplify the voices of local women, creating space for inspiration, healing, and empowerment.

Fueled by the courage and authenticity of the women she meets, Cara is on a mission to lift others up and encourage them to move beyond—beyond fear, beyond doubt, and beyond the barriers that hold them back.

Several years ago, she embarked on a deeply personal mission—to lean into her fears, one at a time, for one year at a time. That journey gave birth to 1Year1Fear, a podcast exploring the bold and often transformative stories of individuals who have faced their fears head-on to pursue lives of passion, purpose, and possibility.

Building on that momentum, Cara collaborated with her friend and co-host, Dr. Jackie Kamradt, PhD, to launch the Out of Your Mind podcast—an invitation to listeners to break free from the noise in their heads and engage more fully with the world around them. Each episode is a thoughtful dive into self-discovery, personal growth, and the social issues that shape our lives, all with a focus on moving from internal chatter to external action.

Through every conversation, gathering, and story, Cara invites us to embrace the messy, magical, and meaningful journey of being fully alive.

Beyond Barriers

Beyond Barriers women’s adventure and yoga retreats are here to reach beyond your walls to support, share, offer inspiration & be inspired, and hear the stories of women not just in our community but... beyond!!

So with that in mind, we have created Beyond Barriers. Going into communities to listen to local women tell their stories and to gather to lift each other up!!

  • Beyond Barriers hosts an annual adventure retreat to Colorado, where women are encouraged to face their fears and push beyond what they think they’re capable of.

    Learn more about this summer’s adventure retreat, where we will rock climb, go canyoning, hike a 14er (or 4!), and learn to be comfortable getting uncomfortable.

  • Check out the website to learn what weekend retreats we have coming up!

    Packed with guest speakers, great food, comfortable accommodations, various wellness sessions, yoga, journaling, and more- our goal for weekend retreats are you allow you to slow down, prioritize yourself, and feel the true human connection we often overlook.

  • Follow along to see what day-long events are right around the corner!

Out of Your Mind

The podcast that invites you to move beyond your thoughts and into your life more fully and freely. From self-discovery to societal issues, each episode is a journey toward breaking free from the confines of our minds and embracing the vibrant reality around us.

It's time to break through the mental chatter and dive into the messy, beautiful world waiting when you get out of your mind.

  • Cara Flynn had spent what felt like a lifetime putting up self-imposed boundaries until she realized later in life that she struggles with ADHD.

    Learning this freed her to live the bold, creative lifestyle she now embodies, and she encourages you to embrace the beauty and wildness that lives within all of us, too.

  • Dr. Jackie Kamradt is an overthinker helping other overthinkers stop overthinking. Since childhood, she struggled with OCD, feeling trapped in her mind.

    Dr. Kamradt forged a path of personal healing, becoming a psychologist and yoga teacher. Now recognizing the value in helping others get out of their mind and into their life, she’s on a mission to help people share and explore their own relationships with their minds.

  • Cara and Jackie dive into a different topic each episode, touching on feelings and situations they have seen and struggled with to make everyone feel a little less isolated in these thoughts.

    The challenges discussed include jealousy, over-editing yourself, feeling like a misfit, self-promotion, body image, uncomfortable conversations, parenting, self-care, OCD, and relationships with the fitness industry, among others.

1 Year 1 Fear

This podcast is an extension of Cara’s journey to face her fears once and for all, one at a time, one year at a time. It’s all about finding others who have walked straight into their fears and come out the other side living bolder and more authentic lives.

Join Cara as she hears their stories and find out what happens when you get uncomfortable, face your fears and learn just how magical this life can truly be.

  • Every Monday, a new episode is released, sharing the journeys of Iowans who have faced their fears and challenges, coming out stronger on the other side.

  • Grab a bite and join Cara at Field Day Brewing Co. monthly as she speaks candidly with a guest or two who have left their mark on the community.

    From a preacher (Sarah Goettsch) to a sex therapist (Lisa Schmidt) to a clinical psychologist (Dr. Jackie Kamradt, PhD), there’s something to learn from those who dedicate themselves to helping others.

  • Every story shared on 1 Year 1 Fear hands time over to you to take those words, the emotions, the story and to feel the impact on how you see yourself and the world around you. It is up to YOU to determine what impact you will have had, so do it big and don’t play safe!

    Share the words so often we leave stuck inside! Do something that scares you EVERY DAY! Live boldly and TELL YOUR STORY! 

Let’s Connect!