Podcasts about inspiring women

Taylor Guglielmo is an award-winning advertising executive, culture builder, and growth strategist who currently serves as the President of Chemistry, an independent, full-service creative advertising and technology agency. Leadership at Chemistry: Guglielmo was promoted to President of Chemistry in late 2025. Prior to taking the helm, she served as the agency's Chief Growth Officer, where she led seven consecutive years of growth and helped more than double the firm's size. The "Agility Premium": She champions an integrated, modern agency model rooted in continuous creative experimentation. Guglielmo heavily advocates for real-time data tracking, combining brand health metrics with performance marketing, and eliminating traditional process friction or handoffs within account teams. Pre-Chemistry Experience: Her extensive tenure in the advertising industry includes foundational roles at major agencies such as Grey Worldwide, McCann Erickson, Fallon NY, and TGM. Early in her career path, she also completed an internship at the Pentagon. Guglielmo is widely recognized as a trailblazer in the marketing and media landscape: Named one of Campaign US' Inspiring Women in 2026. Honored as an Advertising Week Future Is Female recipient. Serves on the Executive Leadership Board of the Ad Council. Driven by personal experiences, Guglielmo is a dedicated social advocate. She expands the agency's pro-bono commitments and helped co-found Covenant Families for Brighter Tomorrows, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to advancing gun safety legislation and bipartisan reform. She holds a bachelor's degree in advertising from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Dr. Amber Michelle Hill spent 14 years inside medical research — as a neuroscientist, in the lab, on the preclinical side, and patient-facing — before she discovered the real reason 90% of clinical trials fail. And it has almost nothing to do with the science. In this Inspiring Women conversation, host Laurie McGraw sits down with the founder and CEO of Research Grid (R.grid), the London-based, VC-backed company she built to take the administrative burden out of clinical trials, speed them up, and make them more diverse and representative of the people the medicines are meant to serve. Research Grid didn't start as Research Grid. It grew out of Movement for Hope, a nonprofit Amber founded during her academic years that brought researchers, artists, and patient advocates together to raise awareness for neurological conditions. When COVID shut the events down and investors passed on the idea, she repurposed the technology — and the hard-won community relationships behind it — into two AI products: Inclusive, which automates everything that happens before a trial starts and expands access to underrepresented patients, and Trial Engine, which automates the back office of the trial itself. Today that network spans 99,000+ communities, 400 million members across 157 countries, and 2,000 health indications — all built by hand, over years, with no bought data, while the company stayed stealth for four years before launching in 2023. Amber breaks down why a single medicine takes 10 to 14 years to go from bench to bedside, why $400 million per trial is burned on admin alone, and how women were once excluded from drug testing entirely. Then she gets brutally honest about raising money as a woman of color in a world where less than 2% of funding reaches female founders — including the investor-scoring matrix she built to decide who's even worth her time. And through all of it, she stays an artist: every painting in her home, including the giant acrylic pour behind her, is her own. WHAT WE COVER: - The art-and-science mind behind the company — and why painting quiets her thinking - 14 years as an end-to-end researcher, and how Movement for Hope became Research Grid - Why 90% of clinical trials fail — and why it's an admin problem, not a science one - The hidden cost of research: $400M per trial and 28,000 hours per person on admin - Why 84% of trials still don't reach the people who need them in time - How women were excluded from drug trials, and the fight to diversify research - Building a 400-million-member network the hard way, with no bought data - How AI took a six-month site feasibility process down to minutes - The truth about raising capital when you're "different from the person across the table" - How she scores and filters investors instead of chasing them - Repositioning to seed and landing in the top 1% of seed-stage companies globally - Her golden rule for founders: never assume common sense GUEST: Dr. Amber Michelle Hill, Founder & CEO, Research Grid (R.grid) HOST: Laurie McGraw ABOUT INSPIRING WOMEN: Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw features candid conversations with the women leaders, founders, and changemakers reshaping their industries.

Frances Whiting has spent almost 30 years writing her beloved Sunday column in Queensland’s Sunday Mail. But behind a career built on telling other people’s stories, some of the biggest chapters in her own life arrived later than expected. On this episode of the Stellar podcast, Frances reflects on becoming a mother in her 40s, publishing her first novel at 46, the runaway success of her latest book The Nocturnals at 61, the reader letter that moved her deeply, and why it is never too late to start again. You can buy Frances Whiting’s new novel The Nocturnals via the link in our show notes or at any good bookstore. Watch the full episode with Frances Whiting here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand. Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellar, TikTok @stellar_aus, or stellarmag.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the biggest health crisis in America is one almost no one is being treated for? In this episode of Inspiring Women, host Laurie McGraw sits down with Alexandra Drane, co-founder and CEO of ARCHANGELS, recorded at the WBL conference. Alexandra has spent her career proving a simple, radical idea: when life goes wrong, health goes wrong. After gathering more than one billion data points at her former company, Eliza Corporation, she identified what she calls the unmentionables: caregiver stress, financial stress, relationship stress, and workplace stress. Her conclusion was that these are among the biggest diseases in the United States, and that at the center of all of them sits the unpaid caregiver. Today, more than 40 percent of adults are unpaid caregivers, and between 40 and 50 percent of them are men. Drawing on both the data and her own experience caring for her sister-in-law, who died of glioblastoma at 32, Alexandra makes the case for why caregiving must be recognized, measured, and celebrated. IN THIS EPISODE: - How unpaid caregiving is really defined, and the many roles people never recognize as caregiving, from installing grab bars to handling finances and navigating benefits - Why 40 to 50 percent of caregivers are men, and why so many never see themselves in the role - How gathering over a billion data points at Eliza Corporation led her to the unmentionables - Why she insists on broadening the definition of health to include life - The personal loss that shaped her mission, and the founding of Engage with Grace - Why she uses the word intensity instead of burden, and what that reframe makes possible - The Caregiver Intensity Index, and what it means to be in the clear, yellow, or red - Why being in the red means a 90 percent risk of a mental health impact, a 50 percent drop in productivity, and four times the cost - How the share of caregivers in the red tripled from 8 percent before COVID and never came back down - The sandwich generation, the panini, and the club sandwich, and why double-duty caregivers face double the intensity - Overtreatment, the rising cost of care, and what it really means for the great wealth transfer - The growing gap between how many people will need care and how few are available to give it - The Care Badge, built in partnership with Joint Commission, and why a career break was never a gap, it was a job - The skills caregivers build, and why they are exactly the people employers should be hiring - Grief, the rogue waves that keep coming, and the phrase that drives her: memento mori Alexandra Drane is a serial entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of ARCHANGELS, a women-owned public benefit corporation supporting unpaid caregivers across all 50 states. She previously co-founded Eliza Corporation and Engage with Grace, among other companies. Inspiring Women is a weekly podcast about advancing women to healthcare leadership and keeping them there. Women make up 70 percent of the healthcare workforce but hold just 20 percent of the C-suite. Each week, Laurie bridges that gap through conversations with the women rewriting healthcare's leadership playbook. Subscribe for new episodes, and share this one with a caregiver in your life. #InspiringWomen #Caregiving #UnpaidCaregivers #ARCHANGELS #WomenInLeadership #Healthcare #CaregiverSupport #AlexandraDrane

This episode celebrates women in sports and running, highlighting trailblazers who have broken barriers and inspired change. From Olympic legends to ultra runners, discover their stories, achievements, and the ongoing fight for equality and recognition.Chapters00:00 Celebrating Female Athletes01:52 Trailblazers in Sports04:10 Breaking Barriers in Running07:10 Olympic Achievements of Women10:22 The Evolution of Women's Sports13:09 Ultra Running and Female Pioneers19:13 Coco Dona: A Historic Win for Women21:37 The Ultra Running Community: Rising Stars and Records25:21 Celebrating Female Ultra Runners: Achievements and Recognition27:51 Breaking Barriers: Body Positivity in Sports31:06 Inspiring Women in Ultra Running: Jasmine Paris and Others37:18 The Future of Women in Sports: A New EraMy Race Tatt's - Check out My Race Tatts and support the pod when you buy your next set by using our My Race Tatt's Link.Strava GroupLinktree - Find everything hereInstagram - Follow us on the gram YouTube - Subscribe to our channel Patreon - Support usThreadsEmail us at OnTheRunsPod@gmail.comDon't Fear The Code Brown and Don't Forget To Stretch!

Mary Varghese Presti didn't plan to end up running healthcare AI for one of the most powerful technology companies on earth. She came to the United States at four years old, the daughter of an Indian nurse recruited by Penn Medicine during India's brain drain era. Growing up in Philadelphia in the shadow of one of the world's top nursing schools, she watched her mother and many of the women in her Indian community use the nursing profession as a vehicle for immigration, education, and female empowerment in a generation where very few professional doors were open to them. She began her career as a pediatric nurse at Johns Hopkins. On the floors, she saw everything in a single shift: early cases of congenital HIV, double lung transplants in young children, East Baltimore asthmatic exacerbations. And she kept asking the same question over and over again: why is healthcare organized this way? That single question became a career. From bedside nursing she moved into consulting, working on harmonizing clinical quality measures across NCQA, NQF, AMA and CMS, foundational work that paved the way for value-based care. She helped shape the policy framework that led to meaningful use and the electronic health record adoption wave. She joined Pfizer at the exact moment Lipitor was losing patent protection, watching 10 billion dollars in revenue evaporate in a single year while the entire pharma commercial model was rewritten around her. Today she is the Corporate Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Microsoft's Health & Life Sciences organization, leading at what she calls one of the few generational shifts in technology in her lifetime. In this episode of Inspiring Women, host Laurie McGraw sits down with Mary to talk about the arc from bedside nursing to Microsoft, from the Manila folder era of medicine to a Stanford pilot where AI agents now compress cancer treatment decisions from weeks and months down to days. They go deep on the AI that hundreds of thousands of physicians are already using today, why nurses describing themselves as "data entry analysts" broke something in her, and what it actually means to build technology that fades into the background instead of getting between a patient and the person caring for them. They discuss: - Growing up as the daughter of an immigrant nurse, and what nursing did for female empowerment in her mother's generation in India - Why she began her career at Johns Hopkins and the moment as a 24-year-old floor nurse that turned her into a systems thinker - The four-act arc of her career across nursing, policy, pharma and technology, and why every zig and zag felt rational at the time - Inside Pfizer during the Lipitor patent cliff, when one drug lost 10 billion dollars in revenue in a single year - Why healthcare still tolerates a digital experience nobody would accept from Uber, Venmo, or online banking - Dragon Copilot for physicians, and how it removes the keyboard from between doctor and patient - Dragon Copilot for nurses, and why nursing workflows demand a fundamentally different technology design - The physical, emotional and cognitive burden that AI is finally lifting off frontline clinicians - The Stanford multi-agent tumor board experiment compressing cancer treatment decisions from weeks to days - Why she refuses to be put in a box as clinician, operator, strategist or policy person, and what a lattice career actually looks like - What she means when she says she expects to remain intrepid for the next five years If you care about the future of healthcare, the real impact of AI on frontline workers, or what a non-linear career built across nursing, policy, pharma and tech actually looks like, this one is for you.

Discover how Katie Stabler built a thriving CX consultancy through resilience, authentic leadership, and a human-centred approach to customer experience. In this special edition of the Inspiring Women in CX podcast series, celebrating the winners of the Inspiring Women in CX Awards 2025, Katie Stabler joins Clare Muscutt to explore what it really takes to build a successful customer experience consultancy rooted in humanity, resilience, and authentic leadership. Named Solopreneur of the Year 2025, Katie reflects on her journey from unexpected redundancy to running a thriving independent CX consultancy for over five years. Together, Clare and Katie unpack the realities of solopreneurship, navigating personal adversity, and maintaining a human-centred CX philosophy in an increasingly AI-driven world. The conversation also dives into Katie's book, CXism, which challenges traditional views of customer experience by reframing CX as a cultural belief system rather than simply a business function. Whether you're a CX consultant, leader, founder, or someone navigating the future of customer experience in the age of AI, this episode offers honest insights into resilience, leadership, and building a values-led business.   Key Insights: Building a customer experience consultancy in an AI-driven world requires more human connection – not less. Resilience in business is often about continuing to show up through uncertainty and personal adversity. Human-centred CX creates stronger long-term customer relationships built on trust and empathy. Solopreneurship can feel isolating, but it also creates freedom, adaptability, and authenticity. Visibility, relationships, and reputation can become more powerful than traditional marketing strategies. CXism reframes customer experience as a mindset and cultural philosophy rather than a department or process.   Timestamps: 02:07: Career Inspiration & Human-Centred CX Leadership 05:48: Staying Human in an AI-Driven Customer Experience Industry 10:03: Why Women in CX Technology Matter More Than Ever 12:19: Starting a CX Consultancy During the Pandemic 19:42: Burnout, Grief & Building Resilience as a Solo Entrepreneur 29:19: Writing “CXism” & Growing a Global CX Brand 37:17: Advice for Women Starting a Business in Customer Experience About Katie Stabler: Katie Stabler is an award-winning customer experience consultant, speaker, and author of CXism. As the Inspiring Women in CX Awards 2025 Solopreneur of the Year winner, Katie is passionate about helping organisations create more human-centred customer experiences through culture, empathy, and authentic leadership.   Resources & Links: Explore the Women in CX Community Learn more about the Inspiring Women in CX Awards Discover upcoming Women in CX Events Listen to more Inspiring Women in CX Podcast Episodes

In this episode of Inspiring Women, Laurie McGraw speaks with Dr. Veronica Mallett, a physician, educator, and trailblazer with four decades of experience advancing health equity and workforce representation in American medicine. Dr. Mallett is Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the More in Common Alliance, a 10-year, $100 million partnership between Morehouse School of Medicine and CommonSpirit Health created to expand representation in medicine and close the physician shortage in underserved communities. Dr. Mallett shares the story behind her drive, growing up in Detroit as the daughter of two educators and civil rights leaders, who taught her that education was "the great leveler" and that having a principle means being prepared to stand alone. She talks about deciding at age 9 to become a doctor, navigating Barnard College and medical training as one of very few women of color in the room, and learning to turn individual setbacks into collective action. In this conversation, Dr. Mallett discusses: - Why the More in Common Alliance is doubling the class size at Morehouse School of Medicine and building regional medical campuses and graduate medical education sites in underserved areas - The work happening in communities like Bakersfield and Kern County, California — one of the most medically underserved regions in the state - Why she believes the promise that women "can have it all" was a myth, and what to build instead: a real support system and intentional choices - Her case for leaning into leadership roles — and how the autonomy that comes with them benefits your family, not just your career - Managing a blended family of six children, and what work-life balance actually means in practice - Overcoming imposter syndrome at every level, and the mantra her sister gave her: "Who I am is enough" Dr. Mallett previously served as Senior Vice President of Health Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine at Meharry Medical College, and as President and CEO of Meharry Medical College Ventures. Earlier in her career she helped launch a new medical school at Texas Tech University in El Paso. She is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, earned her medical degree at Michigan State University, and holds a master's in Medical Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Inspiring Women, hosted by Laurie McGraw, features candid conversations with women leaders about the choices, setbacks, and turning points behind their careers. Full conversation with Dr. Veronica Mallett on Inspiring Women.

Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to explain the D.C. Circuit arguments over Trump's 2025 executive order punishing elite law firms for representing clients and causes he dislikes, the firms' lower court wins, the government's failed arguments, and the court's skepticism. Then, the #Sisters examine the DOJ subpoena to the Wall Street Journal issued as part of a leak investigation, and discuss its threat to press freedom.  They also review Jamie Raskin's anti-corruption bills that strengthen emoluments rules, ban pardon payments, and further other good-government reforms.Remember to send in audio questions to SistersInLaw@politicon.com for the #Sisters to answer on their new companion podcast, SistersInLaw Sidebar!  It airs Wednesdays wherever you normally get your podcasts!Get the brand new ReSIStance T-Shirt, Mini Tote, and other #SistersInLaw gear at politicon.com/merch! Additional #SistersInLaw ProjectsCheck out Jill's Politicon YouTube Show: Just The FactsCheck out Kim's Newsletter: The GavelJoyce's new book, Giving Up Is Unforgivable, is now available, and for a limited time, you have the exclusive opportunity to order a signed copy here. Barb is going on a book tour!  You can also pre-order Barb's new book, The Fix. Her first book, Attack From Within, is now in paperback. Add the #Sisters & your other favorite Politicon podcast hosts on BlueskyGet your #SistersInLaw MERCH at politicon.com/merchWEBSITE & TRANSCRIPTEmail: SISTERSINLAW@POLITICON.COM or Thread to @sistersInLaw.podcastGet text updates from #SistersInLaw and Politicon. Mentioned By The #SistersPre-order Barb's new book, The Fix, and get tickets for her upcoming book tour!From Barb - Patel's Exploits Are A Serious Risk To The FBIFrom Barb - Jack Smith's Latent Honesty Is Valuable — But New Challenges Require New RulesSupport This Week's SponsorsHexClad:Find your forever cookware @hexclad and get 10% off at hexclad.com/SISTERS! #hexcladpartnerBlueland: Get 15% off your order of green cleaning products at blueland.com/sistersMill:Try Mill risk-free for 90 days and get $75 off at mill.com/SISTERS and use code SISTERS at checkout.HoneyLove:Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/SISTERS! #honeylovepodWild Grain: Get $30 off your first box and free croissants for life when you start your subscription to delicious quick-bake artisanal pastries, pasta, and bread at wildgrain.com/sisters with promo code: SISTERSGet More From The #SistersInLawJoyce Vance: Bluesky | Twitter | University of Alabama Law | Civil Discourse Substack | MSNBC | Author of “Giving Up Is Unforgiveable”Jill Wine-Banks: Bluesky | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Author of The Watergate Girl: My Fight For Truth & Justice Against A Criminal President | Just The Facts YouTubeKimberly Atkins Stohr: Bluesky | Twitter | Boston Globe | WBUR | The Gavel Newsletter | Justice By Design PodcastBarb McQuade: barbaramcquade.com | Bluesky | Twitter | University of Michigan Law | Just Security | MSNBC | Attack From Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America

Less than 2% of venture capital goes to female founders. When Laurie McGraw started Inspiring Women five years ago, the number was 2.4%. A few years later it had dropped to 1.8%. Absolute dollars going to women have grown, but the share of total capital has gone the other way, and the gap is now one of the largest unsolved problems in capital allocation. Laurie sits down with three women working to change that from inside the system. The guests: Ita Ekpoudom is a Partner at Gingerbread Capital, a family office fund started by a former co-chair of tech banking at Goldman Sachs who realized after retiring that she had never made a private investment in her entire career. Gingerbread now invests directly into female-founded and co-founded companies, and as an LP into majority women-led funds. Jenny Abramson is the Founder and Managing Partner of Rethink Impact, the largest fund in the country backing female CEOs across health, education, environment, and economic empowerment. Jenny was a tech CEO herself before founding Rethink in 2015. Her mother had run one of the earliest institutional funds backing women roughly twenty years before that, and the share of VC going to women was higher in her mother's era than in Jenny's. Erin Harkless Moore leads the investment platform at Pivotal Ventures, the organization founded by Melinda French Gates to advance women's power and influence. Pivotal pulls on three levers: philanthropy, policy and advocacy, and investing. Erin deploys capital both into next-generation fund managers as an LP and directly into early-stage companies across the care economy, women's health, and financial access. Topics covered: 01. The $648B care economy, larger than the pharmaceutical industry, and why Pivotal partnered with The Holding Company to size it 02. Maternal mental health, childcare infrastructure, elder care, and women's health as one connected market 03. The companies these funds are backing: Midi (the first unicorn in menopause), 7 Starling, Winnie, Wellthy, Bold, Spring Health, and Maven 04. How to spot category-creating founders before the rest of the market catches on 05. April Koh, Spring Health, and what it meant to see her on the cover of Time 06. Why "emerging manager" is the wrong label for funds like Rethink, Magnify Ventures, and Cherry Rock Capital 07. Stacy Brown-Philpot's path from early Google to Task Rabbit CEO to founding Cherry Rock Capital 08. The pattern-matching problem at the heart of venture capital 09. Why nine firms captured 50% of all venture capital raised last year 10. Gender-diverse teams, capital efficiency, and the data on returns 11. Who actually sits on investment committees at endowments, foundations, and pensions, and why many pension funds are already run by women 12. The great wealth transfer heading largely to women and what it means for financial services 13. Why most women change financial advisors after inheriting wealth 14. The Casa Dragones story, Berta Gonzalez, and the speed gap between male and female capital decisions 15. Donna Khan's research on prevention versus promotion questions and how investors interview female founders differently 16. The $5 to $6 trillion gender parity opportunity in entrepreneurship 17. Why women are twice as likely to invest in other women, and why that still is not enough 18. Practical advice for women ready to invest, lead, or fund the next wave Full episode on Inspiring Women. Subscribe for more conversations with the women shaping business, capital, and leadership. #InspiringWomen #VentureCapital #FemaleFounders #WomenInBusiness #Investing #CareEconomy #WealthTransfer

Meme Stokes Callnin had spent two decades inside global human capital consulting building talent strategies, advising on M&A integrations, and leading the Mountain States for Mercer across all things human capital. Then she went to a Harvard executive program on women in the boardroom. And everything shifted. She came back with a clear mission. 2024 was going to be her year. Then she hit the wall: her firm didn't allow paid board seats. Within months, the pieces fell into place. She raised her hand for a package, walked out, and entered what she calls her "rewirement." Today, Meme Stokes Callnin is an independent board director and growth strategist, sitting on the boards of Select Health, Wonderbound, and the American Heart Association's Colorado Go Red for Women campaign, which she chaired in 2024. She has helped raise over $1 million for the AHA, driven by a single realization at a breakfast back in 2018: women's heart attack symptoms are different from men's, and most women don't know it. In this episode of Inspiring Women, host Laurie McGraw sits down with Meme at the WBL Summit to trace the full arc, from corporate executive to professional board director, and unpack what it actually takes to land a seat in a room that doesn't post its openings. They discuss: The 2018 American Heart Association breakfast that pulled her in for good, and the survivor story that made her realize women's heart attack symptoms differ from men's, and that despite heart disease running in her family, she'd never been told Why women are dangerously underserved when it comes to CPR, and her blunt take: "I'd rather live than worry about a broken rib" The Harvard executive program that flipped the switch, and why "rewirement" is her word for what most people would call retirement Her honest read on the post-DEI slowdown in the boardroom, what's changed, what hasn't, and why advocacy for women still matters The "secret club" of board recruiting, why the big executive search firms won't place you on a public board until you've already got one, and what to do about it Her 5 Fs framework, Family, Financial, Fitness, Fun, Faith, and how she uses it to filter every meeting, every coffee, every yes Why she chose healthcare as her board focus, drawing on sandwich-generation experience and decades of consulting across the ecosystem Her core advice for women seeking their first board seat: be bold about what you know, make the direct ask, and raise your hand often Meme Stokes Callnin is proof that "rewirement" isn't slowing down. It's choosing, with intention, exactly what the next chapter looks like, and then asking for it out loud.

Dr. Sandy Chung never planned to become a doctor. She grew up in a trailer park, on Medicaid, the daughter of Chinese immigrants who couldn't get professional jobs in the U.S. despite their advanced degrees. Her mom sold clothes in a factory. Her dad was a waiter before the family eventually opened a Chinese restaurant. And in the fourth grade, standing at a bus stop trying to figure out what to be when she grew up, the mother of one of her friends — who turned out to be an OR nurse — told her: "Sandy, you should become a doctor." That single sentence redirected her entire life. Today, Dr. Sandy Chung is the past President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the founder of the Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP) — now a $15 million state-funded program that has handled over 13,000 consult calls — and the founder of Trusted Care Foundation, a nonprofit she built to match college students to careers across the healthcare ecosystem. In this episode of Inspiring Women, host Laurie McGraw sits down with Dr. Chung to talk about how a single tragic case in 2017 — a 14-year-old patient with bipolar disorder who couldn't access his psychiatrist in time, ran out of his medication, and ended up taking another person's life in a parking lot fight — became the inflection point for a program that now exists to make sure no family ever falls through that crack again. They discuss: Why 1 in 5 people have a diagnosable mental health condition — and why the national shortage of child psychiatrists will not be solved by training more child psychiatrists The patient case from 2017 that exposed every system failure in pediatric mental health, and how Dr. Chung turned grief into the model that became VMAP Why pediatricians were taught to refer mental health cases out — and why that model has completely broken down in an era of six-month wait lists How VMAP trains primary care clinicians, gives them a specialist consult line, and connects families to care navigators — and how it expanded to cover autism diagnosis and maternal mental health Why independent physician practices matter, why the financial pressure on them is unprecedented, and what we lose when every doctor becomes an employee How growing up working in her parents' Chinese restaurant taught Dr. Chung the business skills most physicians never learn Why she founded Trusted Care Foundation to expose college students to the full range of careers inside healthcare — beyond the five jobs most kids think exist Her three rules for the next generation of women leaders: always be curious, never say no, and always assume it will work Dr. Sandy Chung is proof that the largest systems in American healthcare can be reshaped by one physician who refuses to accept that this is just how things are.

Recorded live at the WBL Summit — part of the Inspiring Women WBL Series. A real estate executive in New York spent years as the only woman at the table in a male-dominated industry, learning the rules of a game no one had taught her. Her husband, watching her navigate corporate rooms full of men, kept asking pointed questions. Why did you say it that way? Don't you see how that lands? That was the moment Julie Zuraw started writing down what she was learning. Years later, Lead Like a Woman is a program she has delivered to female executives around the world, and Julie is now President & CEO of Invest Ahead, the national forum formerly known as the Thirty Percent Coalition, representing over 90 institutional investors, pension funds, asset managers, and private equity firms with more than $8 trillion in assets under management. But the path there was anything but linear. Julie started her career running the branding division at what is now Publicis, left with a few women to build a consulting practice, then went in-house with a real estate client and ran that company for ten years before running a second New York real estate firm as COO. Large, male-dominated, high-stakes. She figured the game out the hard way, and built the program she wished she'd had. Today Julie is leading the organization that pioneered the 30% goal for women on public company boards back in 2011, when only about 12% of US corporate board seats were held by women. The moral argument was obvious. The business case was obvious. But the progress was slow, and in the current climate some of it is actively being rolled back. In this episode of Inspiring Women, recorded at the WBL Summit, host Laurie McGraw sits down with Julie Zuraw, President & CEO of Invest Ahead, to talk about what it actually takes to move the needle on boardroom diversity, and what she tells executive women about building real power in rooms that weren't designed for them. They discuss: ▪ How Julie's years running male-dominated real estate companies in New York taught her there was a game being played, and why her husband's feedback became the founding insight for Lead Like a Woman ▪ Why the fundamental rule of finance — diversify or your risk goes up — has always been the business case for diverse boards, and why the opposition has always been social rather than economic ▪ How Invest Ahead's members engage with the companies they invest in as shareholders, why those conversations can take years to land, and why they still work ▪ The private equity program that pulls curated candidate profiles from pipeline organizations like LCDA, LEAP Pinnacle, ELC, and 50/50 Women on Boards, so deal teams have a broader bench before the next board seat opens ▪ Why "I can't find the talent" is a ridiculous argument, and what's actually happening when boards default to the same small network every time ▪ The California SB 826 story — seven years of fighting to pass it, Judicial Watch's lawsuit, the ruling still in the courts — and why hundreds of women got onto boards through Invest Ahead regardless of whether the law survives ▪ Why the advice to "just be more confident" is terrible advice, and where real personal power actually comes from ▪ The difference between female and male communication rituals, why the compliment game doesn't land in male-dominated hierarchies, and why that's not a reason to stop being who you are ▪ Julie's single piece of advice to the several hundred executive women in the room at WBL: you are the only one who decides you are worthy, and you are the only one who can decide you are not Julie Zuraw has spent her career inside rooms that weren't built for her, and she walked out of every one of them having figured out how they actually work. Now she is running the organization that gets other women into those rooms — and teaching them the game before they walk in. This episode is part of the Inspiring Women WBL Series, recorded on-site at the WBL Summit. WBL (Women Business Leaders of the US Health Care Industry Foundation) brings together senior women leaders across healthcare to connect, learn, and lead. Learn more about WBL at wbl.org. #InspiringWomen #WBL #WBLSummit #WomenInLeadership #BoardDiversity #InvestAhead #LeadLikeAWoman — Inspiring Women is hosted by Laurie McGraw. Subscribe for more conversations with the women shaping healthcare, finance, and business at the highest levels.

Why me, why Sydney, why now?In this special solo episode of the Inspiring Women in Hospitality Podcast, Naureen shares the story behind Inspire Influence Live ANZ, taking place on 30 April at the InterContinental Sydney.From her journey across Asia and Europe, to building a career in hospitality, revenue and data, to ultimately founding Inspiring Women in Hospitality, Naureen reflects on the experiences that shaped her mission to champion gender balance and support the next generation of leaders in the industry.She also shares:why Sydney felt like the right place to bring this workshop to life how the advisory board helped shape the content the gaps and opportunities identified for women in the ANZ marketwhy financial fluency, confident communication and authentic networking became the pillars of the day and why learning to harness her own voice was the turning point in her careerThis episode is for anyone curious about the heart behind the workshop, the purpose behind the platform, and what attendees can expect to gain from joining us on 30 April.To learn more about Inspire Influence Live – ANZ or secure your place: https://www.inspiringwomeninhospitality.com/events

Dr. Debra Clary started her career at 4 AM, driving a Frito-Lay route truck in Detroit as a Teamster. Three decades later, she had held senior leadership roles across four Fortune 50 brands (Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel's, and Humana), spent nearly 17 years building Humana's Leadership Institute, performed a one-woman off-Broadway show, and written The Curiosity Curve, a research-backed leadership book published by Fast Company Press in October 2025. In this episode of Inspiring Women, she sits down with Laurie McGraw to unpack what tied all of it together: curiosity. It started with a single question. During a Humana board meeting, then-CEO Bruce Broussard leaned over and quietly asked her, "Do you think curiosity can be learned, or is it innate?" Debra promised she'd find out. What followed was a trip to Italy where she noticed Europeans had fundamentally different conversations than Americans, a Gallup engagement report showing the lowest numbers in the firm's history, and ultimately a multi-year research project (commissioned with researchers out of MIT) that produced something no one had measured before: a direct correlation between a leader's level of curiosity and the performance of their team. In this conversation, Debra explains: Why curiosity is a state and not a trait (which means it can be built) The four-factor framework behind The Curiosity Curve: exploration, inspirational creativity, focused engagement, and openness to new ideas The Coca-Cola moment that nearly cost her a job, until a former chief of staff told her, "Unless Tom asks for something three times, take no action" She also opens up about leaving Humana to write the book, getting talked into an off-Broadway debut by her mastermind group, and what she learned about borrowing other people's belief in you until you can own it yourself. The episode closes on what may be the most important leadership skill of the AI era. As Debra puts it, AI levels the playing field because anyone with a phone can now get the answer. The edge belongs to the leaders who ask the boldest questions: What are we not asking? What signals are we missing? And for women specifically, her research surfaced a striking finding. Men and women score equally on curiosity, but women don't show up as curious in the room. Her closing message is a challenge to change that. Topics Covered From a Frito-Lay route truck to the Humana boardroom, and why starting at the bottom built her credibility The boardroom moment with Bruce Broussard that sparked a multi-year research project on curiosity An Italian train ride, an American joke, and the conversational habit it exposed Why Gallup's worst-ever engagement report pointed to a missing ingredient in leadership Commissioning MIT researchers and the direct correlation they found between curiosity and team performance The four factors of The Curiosity Curve: exploration, inspirational creativity, focused engagement, and openness to new ideas A Coca-Cola chief of staff lesson on knowing how your boss processes information Building Humana's Leadership Institute through the company's shift from insurance company to health company Leaving Humana to write the book, and getting talked into A Curious Woman off-Broadway by her mastermind group Why AI raises the floor for everyone and makes question quality the real differentiator Her message to women: ask more questions in the room, and say your point of view out loud Closing Thought Debra's career arc, route driver to Fortune 50 executive to author to performer, is itself an argument for the thesis of her book. Curiosity is what makes the pivots possible. And in a moment when answers are cheap and questions are scarce, the leaders who keep asking what are we missing? will be the ones who actually move things forward.

On episode #155 of the 2B Bolder Podcast, I got to sit down with someone I could have honestly talked to for hours — Dr. Fern Halper. And if you've been feeling overwhelmed by all the AI noise out there, this one is for you.Fern has been working in data and AI for over 30 years — long before it was a headline — and she is the real deal. What struck me most wasn't just her brilliance or depth of knowledge; it was her warmth, her wisdom, and the genuine human kindness she brings to everything she does. It was such an honor to have her on the show, and I walked away inspired.We got into all of it — data foundations, governance, trust, and the career skills that keep you valuable as AI tools and agents move faster than most organizations can keep up with. No fluff, just real talk.Here's what we covered:Fern's unexpected path from oceanography research to data and AI leadershipThe career forks that shaped her journey and why speaking up is everythingWhat companies are actually coming to her for: strategy, starting points, and governanceThe new roles emerging around responsible AI, ethics, stewardship, and operationsWhy so many enterprises are lagging behind and what "building a foundation" really meansWhat feels genuinely different about this AI moment — and why it comes with real risksWhere agentic AI and multi-agent systems are taking businesses in the next 3 to 5 yearsThe skills that stay valuable no matter what: critical thinking, risk, communication, and literacyThe mistakes leaders keep making — skipping the business need and treating governance like a choreWhy trust isn't just technical — it's the change management your people can actually believe inWhy we need more women's voices at the table when it comes to AI governance and ethicsIf this resonates with you, please share it with a friend who needs to hear it — and don't forget to like and subscribe!Resources:

A venture capitalist in London watched her closest friend disappear into postpartum depression. Texts, calls, visits, the slow realization that the transition into motherhood had no real support system around it. That was the moment Kate Ryder stopped writing about problems and started building for them. Twelve years later, Maven Clinic is the largest virtual care clinic for women's and family health in the world, working with thousands of employers across hundreds of countries, and Kate is one of the rare female founders to have taken a company to unicorn status. But the path there was anything but smooth. Her Series A was the worst fundraise of her life. Male tech investors didn't understand healthcare. They didn't understand women's health. They certainly didn't understand fertility, miscarriage, or postpartum depression as a market. Kate quickly figured out she was wasting her time on anyone who needed to be educated before they could be excited. The round was eventually led by Lauren Brueggen, a woman who happened to be pregnant with her third child and instantly understood the opportunity. Today Kate is taking Maven back to its roots with a direct-to-consumer platform launching nationwide, built on a decade of clinical rigor inside the enterprise system and powered by integrations with companies like Oura that give providers a complete real-time picture of the patient. In this episode of Inspiring Women, host Laurie McGraw sits down with Kate Ryder, founder and CEO of Maven Clinic, to talk about what it actually takes to build a category-defining company in a space the industry kept calling niche. They discuss: Why Kate's first close encounter with postpartum depression became the founding insight for Maven, and how her years as a journalist trained her to spot the untold stories inside women's healthcare The brutal reality of raising a Series A as a female founder in 2014, and why Kate's advice to founders today is to stop wasting time on investors who need to be educated before they get excited The single anchor client moment that made or broke Maven in the early years, and why she tells founders to know exactly what they need to prove and how long it will take How Maven's value system (patient first, then client, then Maven, then your team, then yourself) drives every product decision the company makes Why the new direct-to-consumer launch is a bet on a fundamentally different consumer than the one that existed when Maven started, post-Covid, post-GLP-1, post-AI front door The Oura partnership and what it means to actually have providers looking at wearable data in real time as they care for patients Why fragmentation in women's health is the problem Maven is now built to solve, and why one monopolistic front door to healthcare would be bad for innovation What the next decade of truly personalized, proactive women's health looks like when data finally flows freely between systems Why this is the steepest learning year of Kate's twelve years running Maven, and what every CEO is currently trying to figure out about AI Kate Ryder built Maven by ignoring the rooms that told her women's health was niche and finding the rooms where the problem was obvious. Twelve years in, she is still following the patient.

I had the pleasure of talking with Sally Gunnell about her journey from being an elite athlete to navigating life after retirement. Sally is still the only woman to hold the World, Olympic, European, and Commonwealth Gold Medals at the same time, a phenomenal acheievement.We discussed the importance of mindset, body image, motherhood, and the challenges women face in maintaining health and fitness. Sally shares her insights on how to inspire women to embrace their bodies, the significance of mental wellbeing, and lots of practical advice for staying active. What I love about Sally's approach is how simple it is, just starting with small daily changes can make a huge difference to how you feel."Starting simple is key to maintaining fitness" If you'd like to find how you could Improve your health and fitness with Sally visit www.lifehurdle.comChapters02:15 Mindset and Transition from Athletics06:50 Body Image and Motherhood10:14 Inspiring Women and Health14:22 Practical Fitness Advice19:34 Mental Wellbeing and Exercise21:25 Sleep and Its Importance23:34 Holistic Approach to Health24:58 Redefining Success28:10 Future Goals and Community Building@sallygunnellbody confidence ,athletics, mindset, body image, motherhood, women's health, fitness advice, mental wellbeing, sleep, holistic health, community supportDon't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share with a friend. Your support means these conversations will reach even more women who need to hear them.Keep being fabulousRachel  

Fluent Fiction - French: Élise's Parisian Triumph: A Bold Campaign Success Story Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/fr/episode/2026-04-02-07-38-19-fr Story Transcript:Fr: À l'orée du printemps, sous les pétales rosés des cerisiers en fleurs, Élise reçut une nouvelle inattendue.En: At the edge of spring, beneath the pink petals of cherry blossoms in bloom, Élise received unexpected news.Fr: Dans le quartier d'affaires animé de Paris, sous un ciel limpide, la journée débutait avec un certain frisson d'anticipation.En: In the bustling business district of Paris, under a clear sky, the day began with a certain thrill of anticipation.Fr: Elle était toujours arrivée tôt au bureau, mais ce matin-là, Claudine l'attendait déjà.En: She always arrived at the office early, but that morning, Claudine was already waiting for her.Fr: « Élise, une opportunité unique se présente, » annonça Claudine avec un sourire qui en disait long.En: "Élise, a unique opportunity has come up," announced Claudine with a knowing smile.Fr: « Nous avons besoin de toi pour mener une campagne publicitaire à Paris.En: "We need you to lead an advertising campaign in Paris.Fr: Tu es prête pour l'aventure ?En: Are you ready for the adventure?"Fr: » Élise ressentit un mélange d'excitation et de panique.En: Élise felt a mix of excitement and panic.Fr: Claudine, toujours sage et encourageante, eut cette expression douce qui calmait toutes les tempêtes.En: Claudine, always wise and encouraging, had that gentle expression that calmed all storms.Fr: Mais Élise savait que Claudine comptait sur elle pour exceller.En: But Élise knew that Claudine was counting on her to excel.Fr: Elle hocha la tête, cachant ses doutes derrière un sourire déterminé.En: She nodded, hiding her doubts behind a determined smile.Fr: La mission était claire : impressionner le client avec une approche novatrice.En: The mission was clear: to impress the client with an innovative approach.Fr: Cependant, Élise savait que le risque n'était pas son fort.En: However, Élise knew that taking risks was not her strength.Fr: Elle consulta Mathieu, son collègue brillant mais souvent trop compétitif.En: She consulted Mathieu, her brilliant but often too competitive colleague.Fr: « Suis ton instinct, Élise, » conseilla-t-il, avec une sincérité rare.En: "Trust your instincts, Élise," he advised, with rare sincerity.Fr: Arrivée à Paris, la beauté de la ville l'accueillit.En: Upon arriving in Paris, the beauty of the city welcomed her.Fr: Chaque coin de rue semblait murmurer une promesse de succès.En: Every street corner seemed to whisper a promise of success.Fr: Cependant, dans les murs modernes d'une salle de conférence, son assurance commençait à fléchir.En: However, within the modern walls of a conference room, her confidence began to waver.Fr: Élise s'assit, le cœur battant, devant un groupe de clients exigeants.En: Élise sat, heart racing, in front of a group of demanding clients.Fr: Les solutions traditionnelles pour le projet avaient toujours fonctionné.En: Traditional solutions for the project had always worked.Fr: Mais aujourd'hui, un murmure intérieur lui disait de faire preuve de courage.En: But today, an inner whisper told her to be brave.Fr: Dans une respiration profonde, Élise choisit son chemin.En: With a deep breath, Élise chose her path.Fr: Elle présenta son idée originale, inspirée par la ville elle-même.En: She presented her original idea, inspired by the city itself.Fr: Couleurs vives, thèmes modernes entremêlés au charme ancien de Paris, un mariage audacieux qui révéla la ville sous un nouveau jour.En: Bright colors, modern themes intertwined with the ancient charm of Paris, a bold marriage that revealed the city in a new light.Fr: Les visages à l'autre bout de la table s'illuminèrent.En: The faces across the table lit up.Fr: Claudine, assise parmi eux, fit un clin d'œil discret qui signifiait tout.En: Claudine, sitting among them, gave a discreet wink that said it all.Fr: Le verdict final fut un triomphe.En: The final verdict was a triumph.Fr: La salle éclata en applaudissements.En: The room erupted in applause.Fr: Élise, saisie par la joie, réalisa que c'était son moment.En: Élise, seized by joy, realized that it was her moment.Fr: Elle avait osé, et la réussite l'avait suivie.En: She had dared, and success had followed her.Fr: Ce simple acte de bravoure la propulsa vers une nouvelle dimension de sa carrière.En: This simple act of bravery propelled her towards a new dimension of her career.Fr: En revenant vers son bureau, les cerisiers semblaient saluer son retour triomphal.En: Returning to her office, the cherry blossoms seemed to salute her triumphant return.Fr: Elle franchit la porte, une confiance nouvelle rayonnant en elle.En: She walked through the door, a newfound confidence radiating within her.Fr: Mathieu lui sourit, un véritable respect dans ses yeux.En: Mathieu smiled at her, genuine respect in his eyes.Fr: C'était le début d'une nouvelle ère pour Élise, une ère où enfin, elle croyait en elle-même.En: It was the beginning of a new era for Élise, an era where she finally believed in herself.Fr: Fin de cette aventure printanière, mais début prometteur de bien d'autres à venir.En: End of this spring adventure, but a promising beginning of many more to come. Vocabulary Words:the edge: l'oréepetal: le pétaleto bloom: fleurirunexpected: inattendudistrict: le quartieranticipation: l'anticipationopportunity: l'opportunitécampaign: la campagneadventure: l'aventureexcitement: l'excitationpanic: la paniquedetermined: déterminéinnovative: novateurrisk: le risqueinstinct: l'instinctconfidence: l'assurancewhisper: le murmurebreath: la respirationcolor: la couleurcharm: le charmebold: audacieuxlight: le jourwink: le clin d'œiltriumph: le triomphevictory: la réussitebravery: la bravouredimension: la dimensionconfidence: la confiancerespect: le respectera: l'ère

A nurse in neurotrauma and cardiac services, someone who had spent her entire adult life inside the healthcare system, was sent home from the ER repeatedly, told it was probably a migraine, given pain medication, and dismissed. It took losing her vision before anyone took her seriously. Sandy Goldstein had a congenital heart defect she didn't know about until her 20s. A hole in her heart was routing unoxygenated blood in the wrong direction, collapsing a vessel in her brain and preventing the release of cerebrospinal fluid. What followed was weeks of misdiagnosis, brain angioplasty, a two-year insurance battle, and finally open heart surgery in August 2010. Around one year later, she had her daughter. Today, the American Heart Association recognizes Sandy as a Woman of Impact in Colorado. She is in the final weeks of a nine-week statewide campaign: working with school districts, deploying hands-only CPR training, earning a gubernatorial proclamation, and closing in on the record for top Woman of Impact in Colorado history. Sarah Lux manages the educational community at The Pause Life, the platform built by Dr. Mary Claire Haver, the physician who has become the most recognized voice on perimenopause and menopause science. The community is free, serves millions of women, and exists to give women the resources and vocabulary to understand what is happening inside their bodies at midlife — because, as Sarah points out, most of their doctors were never taught any of it either. In this episode of Inspiring Women, host Laurie McGraw sits down with Sandy Goldstein and Sarah Lux to make the case that women's heart health is not just underserved — it is the single largest cause of death in women, claiming more lives than all cancers combined. They discuss: Why cardiovascular disease kills more women than all cancers combined — and why most women have no idea How Sandy was dismissed and misdiagnosed for weeks inside the very system she worked in as a nurse, and what it took for one doctor to refuse to give up The direct connection between perimenopause, shifting hormones, and exponentially rising cardiovascular risk that almost no physician is trained to address Why the black box warning on hormone replacement therapy was removed, and what was fundamentally flawed about the original study population How women's cardiac symptoms , GI distress, jaw pain, vision loss — look nothing like the clutching-the-chest picture everyone recognizes, and why that gap costs lives Why women remain underrepresented in the clinical research that sets treatment protocols, and what Sandy's AHA campaign is doing to change the funding behind that What The Pause Life community offers women who have been dismissed, unheard, or simply never given the right vocabulary for what they're experiencing Sandy Goldstein and Sarah Lux are proof that changing the narrative on women's health requires the people who lived it — and the communities built around them — to be louder than the systems that stayed silent.

Raised in the high Himalayas, educated across 22 homes in multiple countries, and fluent in five languages , Simmi Singh was never going to follow a conventional path. She started out wanting to be a UN translator. A mentor stopped her and said: you have a voice of your own. That single conversation redirected her toward management consulting at Booz Allen and Ernst and Young, then entrepreneurship, then scaling the health vertical at Cognizant from a $10M fledgling unit into one of the company's most significant growth stories, then 15 years as a partner and global practice leader at Egon Zehnder placing boards and entire management teams for some of the most transformational companies in the world, then a secondment as Senior Advisor on Health Innovation to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and most recently joining Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts as Chief People Officer and Executive Vice President. In this episode of Inspiring Women, host Laurie McGraw sits down with Simmi Singh to trace the through line of a brilliantly discontinuous career and pull out the lessons that only come from decades of doing it at the highest levels. They discuss: Growing up in the Himalayas surrounded by brilliant women with broken dreams, and how that shaped her hunger for agency at a time when no recipe existed for women like her Being one of 12 women in a college of 3,000 men and becoming the first female valedictorian in the institution's 100 year history What she learned scaling Cognizant's health vertical by giving away power before she had any, and why that was the most strategic move she made How she decoded great leadership by surrounding herself with human textbooks, including mentors under 30, even at 62 Why she believes women need sponsors far more than mentors, and what it actually means to be worthy of one The mistake she sees leaders making in healthcare AI right now, and the more audacious problems she believes women should be solving Simmi Singh is proof that intellectual homelessness, the restless feeling of living on the bridges between worlds, is not a liability. It is the rarest kind of preparation.

Malala Yousafzai is a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a global advocate for girls' education and the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. In this conversation from October 2025, Yousafzai sits down with Jenna to discuss her memoir Finding My Way, reflecting on her years at Oxford, her mental health, finding love and rebuilding her life after the Taliban attack. Plus, she opens up about her evolving relationship with her mother and why her fight to ensure every girl has access to education remains as urgent as ever. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Every woman has a moment when everything changes. But what does it actually take to pivot? Season 5 of She Pivots premieres March 25th and we are SO excited bring you honest conversations about career pivots, personal reinvention, and the choices that shape our lives, so that you can be inspired to make your own pivots with confidence. Hosted by Emily Tisch Sussman, She Pivots is the podcast where women share the bold career moves and personal turning points that changed everything. This season, we’re diving even deeper into the stories behind success, the risks, the doubts, and the moments that redefine what’s possible. We’re launching with a very special guest and a season full of powerful insights you won’t find anywhere else. Follow now to be the first to listen when Season 5 drops, and join our community of women who support each others' pivots, great and small!Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Five years ago, Laurie McGraw launched Inspiring Women on International Women's Day — her own birthday — with a simple belief: when women lead, we build a more just and equitable society. What followed was hundreds of conversations with some of the most remarkable women in leadership, healthcare, tech, business, and beyond. This episode is different. There's no single guest. Instead, Laurie steps back and reflects on the conversations that have shaped her most — and the lessons that have stayed with her long after the recording stopped. From Chelsea Clinton's conviction that those with power and voice have a responsibility to remove bias for those without it, to Kara Swisher's unshakeable self-belief in the face of being told she was "too confident." From Carla Harris drawing a sharp line between mentors and sponsors — and why the difference could define your career — to Dr. Jenny Schneider rejecting work-life balance entirely in favour of ruthless prioritization. From Missy Krasner reframing failure as the fuel that drives the next big thing, to four-time Olympian Joetta Clark Diggs picking up her cleats again at 62 and breaking national records, living proof that your why will always outlast your how. This is five years of hard-won wisdom distilled into one conversation. And it is for every woman — and every person — who has ever wondered what it really takes to lead. Topics Covered: Chelsea Clinton on using platform and power to remove bias for others How Chelsea manages an extraordinary portfolio of work Kara Swisher's early mentor and the generosity of sharing the room Why the best leaders never stop being students Kara Swisher being told she was "too confident" — and her response Carla Harris on the critical difference between mentors and sponsors Why imposter syndrome is just a distraction — and how to set it aside Carla Harris on senior women's responsibility to build the bench Missy Krasner on AI as healthcare's third watershed moment Why once you nail the fundamentals, nobody cares that you're a woman Dr. Jenny Schneider on ruthless prioritization over work-life balance The power of an intentional pause before the next big thing Why great leaders actively seek out dissenting voices Joetta Clark Diggs on leadership as a "we, not a me" Breaking national records at 62 — and why staying power has no expiration date Cara Munnis on what happens when strategy meets obsessive detail The hardest leadership skill — learning to delegate what you do best Five years of Inspiring Women and what comes next

Slow down. The story is already there. Photographer, writer, and National Geographic Explorer Arati Kumar-Rao joins us for a conversation about listening, slow storytelling, and documenting a world in transition. Named one of the BBC's 100 Most Influential and Inspiring Women in 2023, her work has been published internationally, exploring the fragile relationship between people and the environments they inhabit. We discuss her long-term project Marginlands and the stories she has documented across India — from the Thar Desert all the way to the Sundarbans — where disappearing groundwater, habitat loss, and environmental change reshape both landscapes and the lives of people and wildlife alike. Along the way, we talk about her journey from corporate life into photography, why patience matters more than speed, and how meaningful storytelling often begins long before the camera is raised. This conversation marks the first of three upcoming talks with remarkable Indian female storytellers, each bringing a different perspective on photography and storytelling. So, grab a coffee, slow things down for a moment, and join us — the kettle's on, and the story's waiting! *****

Dr. Cedrek McFadden breaks down progress being made in colorectal cancer detection and treatment. Also, three inspiring women entrepreneurs share their stories. Plus, Cazzie David joins to talk about her new book ‘Delusions: Of Grandeur, of Romance, of Progress,' sharing personal stories and reflections ahead of her 30th birthday. And, bestselling author Myka Meier shares lessons on resetting kindness. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jessica Palacios was two semesters away from her nursing degree when she walked into a patient's room mid-clinical and found an elderly woman alone in the dark, covered in bed sores, on the wrong mattress, with photos of her family taped to her IV pump. When Jessica raised the alarm, her professor told her to worry about it when she was a real nurse. She sat in her driveway and cried for 30 minutes that evening. That one moment sent her on a decade-long journey through accounting, psychology, sociology, and business before a faculty advisor finally looked at her history and said, you should be in HR. What followed was a 20+ year career at the Texas A&M University System, where Jessica now serves as Associate Director of System Benefits Administration, overseeing healthcare and benefits for over 50,000 covered lives across one of the largest university systems in the United States. In this episode of Inspiring Women, host Laurie McGraw sits down with Jessica to unpack the full journey, the pivots, the promotions, the hard feedback, and the leadership lessons that only come from doing it the hard way. They discuss: The clinical experience that forced Jessica to walk away from nursing and what it still teaches her about advocacy today How she accidentally stumbled into benefits while working at Webb County before she even had her degree What it was like to be thrust into management early with no guidance and be told her tone was a problem The HR director who sat her down with emotional intelligence books and met with her every week until something shifted Why she believes benefits is the single greatest place in any organisation to change an employee's life outside of their paycheck How she now intentionally invests in her team's growth, certifications, master's degrees, vendor relationships and beyond Jessica Palacios is proof that the career you planned and the career you're meant for are rarely the same thing, and that a life spent in service to people can take more shapes than you ever expected.

"When you do your homework... when you can speak to the facts... they stop and they listen." In this episode of Inspiring Women, Laurie McGraw sits down with Kristy Whitehurst, the powerhouse behind the employee benefits strategy at Genuine Parts Company (GPC). Managing the well-being of over 60,000 members across a global landscape is no small feat, yet Kristy has navigated this complex "puzzle" for over two decades. Kristy opens up about her unconventional start—from a degree in dietetics to becoming a leading voice in HR. She shares the raw reality of rising through the ranks in a male-dominated industry, the nerve-wracking moment of her first executive presentation, and why "owning your mistakes" is the ultimate catalyst for growth. Whether you are looking to scale the corporate ladder, master the art of data-driven persuasion, or find the balance between professional passion and personal life, Kristy's "Maiden Voyage" into the podcast world provides a blueprint for sustainable, high-impact leadership. In this episode, we discuss: The strategy of managing benefits for a global workforce of 60,000+. How to command respect and "stop the room" in male-dominated boardrooms. The "Puzzle of Benefits": Balancing rising costs with employee retention. Why asking the "simple" questions is a leader's greatest superpower. Navigating corporate evolution, M&A, and the future of AI in healthcare. The importance of mentorship and watching how the "greats" prepare for the big moments.

What if the key to transforming education isn't working harder, but leading with greater alignment and purpose? Meet Dr. Stephanie Duguid, who empowers women educators to serve with goodness, lead with greatness, and educate with impact. With three decades as an educator, athletic trainer, and administrator, Stephanie combines experience from education and sports medicine to help leaders move from exhaustion to inspiration. A keynote speaker, podcaster, and bestselling author of Exponentially Elevate Your Leadership Impact, she provides purposeful strategies that eliminate imposter syndrome and spark transformation—creating cultures of trust where educational leaders can realize their true purpose and exponentially elevate their impact.   Episode Highlights: 02:35 The Influence of Dr. Stephanie Duguid's Mother 03:51 Transition to Teaching 08:20 The Impact of Mentorship 10:46 Addressing Imposter Syndrome 14:18 Serve with Goodness, Lead with Greatness 18:05 Stephanie's Branding Journey 24:53 How to Connect with Dr. Stephanie Duguid Show Links:  DrStephanieDuguid.com Stephanie's Podcast

Ever feel like you did everything “right” and still got sidelined? We sit down with Andrea Mohamed, COO and co‑founder of QuantumBloom, to unpack why so many women exit tech and what it takes to build workplaces they won't want to leave. Andrea traces her journey from first‑gen college student to strategy executive and founder, sharing how an MBA unlocked confidence and how glass-cliff roles, nitpicky performance feedback, and unspoken power dynamics still got in the way. The message is clear and practical: stop blaming individuals and start redesigning systems, while equipping women early with the skills that make influence, advocacy, and staying power feel natural.We dig into the critical inflection points where women quietly disengage: the first year after a STEM degree, the leap to management, and the jump to senior leadership, where relationships and influence matter more than output. Andrea explains why the school playbook fails at work, how to unlearn “merit-only” thinking, and what durable skills, communication, negotiation, and cross-functional trust look like in real roles. We talk about psychological safety, manager capability, and pro-family flexibility that benefits everyone, not just mothers, and how these choices change retention.The conversation turns tactical for leaders and HR. Learn to quantify turnover, model retention ROI, and speak the CFO's language so talent programs no longer get cut. Andrea outlines how HR can evolve, as modern marketing did, moving from “arts and crafts” to a revenue partner, by connecting programs to profit. We also address DEI headwinds, the tall poppy problem, and the courage it takes to be values-aligned and visible without burning out. If you care about keeping women in STEM, building fair systems, and turning excellence into advancement, this one gives you the data, the playbook, and the push.If this resonates, follow, share with a colleague who leads teams, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. Your feedback helps us keep these conversations bold and useful.Resources:Quantum Bloom is helping companies retain and advance women in STEM by fixing the systems that push them out Andrea Mohamed on LinkedInGet the LinkedIn Visibility Foundation. Use coupon code: "BOLDER" to receive $50 off.

What do you do when you receive a life-altering diagnosis and you're still raising kids, building a life, and holding everyone else together?  In this powerful episode of Inside the Moms Club, we sit down with Nancy Davis, founder of Race to Erase MS, who shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis--and how that moment became the catalyst for one of the most influential MS research organizations in the world.Nancy opens up about living with MS as a mother, advocating for herself when answers were limited, and channeling fear into action.  We talk about groundbreaking research, real hope for families affected by MS, and what moms need to know when navigating chronic illness while still showing up for everyone else.This conversation is honest, empowering, and deeply human--proof that a diagnosis doesn't have to define you, but it can inspire change.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inside-the-moms-club--4709676/support.

Barbie has unveiled a new Inspiring Women doll honoring Opal Lee, widely known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth. The tribute recognizes Lee's decades of activism that helped make Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021 and highlights her historic Walk for Freedom. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Barbie has unveiled a new Inspiring Women doll honoring Opal Lee, widely known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth. The tribute recognizes Lee's decades of activism that helped make Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021 and highlights her historic Walk for Freedom. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the latest episode of the Inspiring Women in Hospitality podcast, host Naureen Ahmed engages with industry experts to explore the multifaceted concept of success in the workplace. With unique perspectives from seasoned professionals, this discussion sheds light on how success is not merely defined by titles or positions but rather by personal fulfillment and impact.The insights shared by Naureen, Janet, Salomé, and Alessandra offer a rich tapestry of thoughts on success in the workplace. Success is not a one-size-fits-all concept; it is a personal journey defined by individual values, strengths, and the impact one has on others. By cultivating self-awareness, embracing failure, and celebrating strengths, women can navigate their careers with confidence and purpose.

In this episode, Laurie McGraw, Chief Commercial Officer at Transcarent and host of the Inspiring Women podcast, shares lessons from her 30+ year career in healthcare and technology, offering practical advice for emerging women leaders and insights on how innovation and mentorship can accelerate professional growth.

In this episode of 2B Bolder, I sit down with Sandy Carter, Chief Business Officer at Unstoppable Domains, former AWS and IBM executive, Forbes contributor, and author of AI First, Human Always.We talk about what it really means to take smart risks, build influence through visibility, and lead in fast-moving spaces like AI and Web3, even when you don't feel 100 percent “ready.”Sandy shares pivotal career moments, including a $5 billion bet that didn't seem obvious at the time, and the lessons she learned about arriving early, staying late, and taking ownership before permission is granted. We reframe visibility, not as self-promotion, but as credibility, narrative control, and leadership when the stakes are high.We also dig deep into what an AI-first, human-always mindset actually looks like in practice. Sandy explains why AI should start with business outcomes, not tools, and how leaders can redesign workflows, decisions, and customer experiences with AI as the lever, while keeping human judgment firmly in control. From pressure-testing arguments to accelerating research, we talk about where AI adds leverage and where humans must always own voice, values, and accountability.This conversation gets refreshingly real. Sandy shares stories about AI agents quietly changing their own limits, robots learning the wrong behaviors by watching humans, and why simple guardrails, human-in-the-loop oversight, logging, and escalation paths matter more than flashy demos. We also explore why building your own agents, not just relying on ChatGPT, is becoming essential for leaders who want real control and resilience.Finally, Sandy walks through the origin of Unstoppable Women of Web3 and AI and the powerful three-part formula behind it: education, tribe, and recognition, a model that has trained tens of thousands of women and dismantled the tired excuse of “we can't find qualified women.”If you're a senior leader navigating responsible innovation, or a rising builder wondering if now is the moment to step forward, this episode offers a clear message: lead while you learn, act before consensus, and put guardrails in place so innovation compounds instead of derails.If this conversation resonated, share it with someone who needs a nudge to be bolder, and leave a review telling me the bold move you're committing to this week.Resources: Sandy's Profile linkedin.com/in/sandyacarterBooksBySandy.comsocialmediasandy.wordpress.com/ 

(00:00-24:15) – Query & Company opens on a Thursday with Jake Query welcoming producer Eddie Garrison back after three days off by asking how things went with the Big Head Federation. They get into the news that Anthony Richardson’s 21-day practice window has been opened and touch on the likelihood that the Chicago Bears could be moving to northwest Indiana to fulfill their aspirations for a new stadium. (24:15-37:39) – Tony East from Locked On Pacers, Forbes Sports, and Circle City Spin, joins the show to give his perspective on where Pascal Siakam is mentally with the Pacers struggling and him having one of the best seasons of his career. Jake also asks Tony about tonight’s game for the Pacers against the New York Knicks and assesses who could be seeing more minutes the further along in the season we go so the team can get a look at some guys. (37:39-44:10) – The first hour of the show concludes with Jake Query comparing what Shane Steichen and Anthony Richardson said today about where Richardson is at in his recovery from his orbital bone fracture. (44:10-1:06:14) – Hour two of Query & Company with Jake Query and producer Eddie Garrison discussing what they heard when Shane Steichen and Anthony Richardson spoke on his recovery. They agree as to why each person said things the way they did. Plus, is there a real chance that the Chicago Bears will be coming to Indiana? (1:06:14-1:20:50) – David Woods joins Jake Query on the show to discuss his new book, “Inspiring Women of Indiana Sports” in terms of Caitlin Clark’s impact on the city, if we have ever experienced a golden era of women in Indiana sports, and how the idea came to mind. Jake also asks David about what Cole Hocker is up to nowadays and the (1:20:50-1:26:24) – The second hour of the show concludes with Jake Query adding more information on the reported plane crash involving Greg Biffle, his wife, and both of his children. Jake and Eddie also highlight what was shared today about the health status for key Colts players. (1:26:24-1:50:55) – The final hour of Query & Company starts with Jake Query highlighting some comments made last night by NC State Head Coach Will Wade that have gone viral. He brings in producer Eddie Garrison to voice his opinion on what Shane Steichen and Anthony Richardson said earlier today on where the former fourth overall pick is at in his recovery from hi orbital bone fracture. Adam Alexander joins the show to provide an some information on what he knows about the plane crash linked to Greg Biffle in North Carolina today, shares some things that he know about Biffle, and highlights some of his accomplishments in NASCAR. (1:50:55-2:02:34) – The voice of the Indianapolis Colts, Matt Taylor, makes his weekly appearance on the show to preview the upcoming game for the Colts against the San Francisco 49ers, provides an injury update on some of the Colts players that weren’t at practice today, and plays along with some of technical issues. (2:02:34-2:09:12) – Today’s show closes out with JMV joining Jake from Coaches Tavern to preview his show!Support the show: https://1075thefan.com/query-and-company/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lani Woods is a passionate cyclist, adventurer, and creative force behind a vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts. Known for blending her love of cycling with a flair for design, Lani leads initiatives like Triple Crown Adventures to inspire others to explore the world on two wheels. Whether organizing group adventures in Hawaii or crafting unique cycling gear, she's dedicated to building an inclusive, adventure-loving community. * Marked as explicit — just one F bomb! ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Lani Being based in Hawaii  Being a full time adventurer Loving to travel and explore Being a curious soul Growing up in Southern California Not being athletic when she was younger  Getting into athletics in her 30s What happened in her 30s  Having kids at a young age and being in a long term relationship  Deciding to leave an abusive relationship  Wanting to feel stronger and release the relationship stress Getting back into running and how it made her feel better  Getting back into the gym and how it helped her mental health  Deciding to try an obstacle course race  Dealing with injury and needing to rehab after 3 surgeries  Getting into bike riding Deciding to ride 20 miles to the beach and back Feeling the rewards after doing something hard Deciding to ride a 100 miles Being inspired by the Race Across America  The self confidence piece  Being attracted to challenge Gaining new knowledge about cycling Hosting 2 podcasts :-  Podcast - Unrelenting Humans  Podcast - Black with Endurance  Joining Major Taylor Cycling Club, Los Angles  Riding from San Francisco to Los Angles  Wanting to do more business with women  Tripe Crown Adventures - where the name came from (the California triple crown, riding 3 double centuries in a year) Adventure Femmes  Hosting her first event in Hawaii Honolulu Century Ride Lanikai Pillbox Hike  New event happening in 2026 Training…. Working with different mentors How many bikes… Making the decision to move to Hawaii Dealing with the heat in Hawaii Bucket list races Being in a place where she knows what she's capable of and want she can accomplish  Wanting to create her own challenges  Wanting to create more than be apart of other people races and challenges Her love for road cycling  Travelling in Europe Bike packing adventures? Lael Wilcox  Jenny Graham  Lael Rallies  How to connect with Lani Final words of advice for women who want to get into cycling and go on more adventures Stay curious, fail big and don't wait for anyone else Don't be afraid to make your own way—do what you feel is right for you.   Social Media Instagram @lanitheadventurer @triplecrownadventures @adventurefemmes   

"Get us re-listed. You have 12 months." When Crissy Carlisle walked into HealthSouth in 2005, the FBI had already raided the building. The company held the distinction of being one of the largest frauds in American history. She filed six years' worth of 10-Ks in 12 months, deploying such autocratic leadership that she earned the label "dictator." Then she did something remarkable: she spent the next two years consciously rebranding herself. This is the story of a leader who refuses to be defined by crisis or constrained by labels. From PricewaterhouseCoopers to Summit Behavioral Healthcare, Carlisle has built a career on walking into impossible situations and transforming them through strategic vision and radical self-awareness. Her secret? Understanding that even when you deploy the right leadership style, there are consequences. And having the courage to evolve anyway. "I went from chicken little to now people say, 'How do you stay so calm in these situations?' My response is generally: years of practice." Today, as CFO of Summit Behavioral Healthcare, Carlisle brings decades of high-stakes experience to behavioral health's most pressing challenges. But her most powerful lesson came from managing an accounts payable team who taught her that while some people are motivated by promotions, others just want to wear jeans. The revelation changed everything about how she builds and leads teams. In this episode of Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw, discover why removing "I don't have time" from your vocabulary might be the most important leadership decision you make. From being the only woman at investor conferences to consciously surrounding herself with people who think nothing like her, Carlisle reveals how strategic leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about asking better questions. For Crissy Carlisle, leadership isn't about getting rich and famous. It's about serving patients well and knowing everything else will follow. In a healthcare system desperate for strategic financial leadership, she's proof that the best CFOs don't just manage costs. They reimagine what's possible. Key Insights: Why deploying autocratic leadership successfully still required two years of rebranding How managing accounts payable taught her more about leadership than managing MBAs The mental shift from "I don't have time" to "That's not a priority today" Why finding common ground through Alabama football changed everything How to build teams with people who think nothing like you About the Guest: Crissy Carlisle serves as CFO of Summit Behavioral Healthcare, bringing 30+ years of experience from PricewaterhouseCoopers, HealthSouth (now Encompass Health), and taking companies public. She navigated one of the largest corporate frauds in American history, transforming from "dictator" to strategic visionary through conscious leadership evolution. Her personal mission: walk by faith, give with a generous heart, and make a difference in the lives of others. Health Podcast Network Chapters 00:00 Introduction  3:06 From Auditor to Healthcare CFO  5:44 Leadership Lessons from HealthSouth  6:54 Rebranding After 'Dictator' Label  10:08 Choosing to Change Your Leadership  14:00 Building Diverse-Thinking Teams  15:51 Being the Only Woman in the Room  19:53 Priorities Over Excuses  21:49 Career Advice: Assess, Learn, Build Guest & Host Links Connect with Laurie McGraw on LinkedIn Connect with Crissy Carlisle on LinkedIn Connect with Inspiring Women Browse Episodes | LinkedIn | Instagram | Apple | Spotify

"What's the problem we're trying to solve? Because oddly enough, sometimes that's not really understood." Before Mercedes Ikard solves a problem, she asks a question most leaders skip: Are we even solving the right problem? In a world demanding immediate action, she's built her leadership on something more powerful: the discipline to pause, listen, understand, and ensure everyone's calibrated on what actually matters before moving forward. As Senior Director of US Benefits Operations at The Walt Disney Company, Mercedes leads benefits strategy for one of the world's most complex workforces—six generations, cast members in theme parks and executives in boardrooms, each with different needs. For Mercedes, this complexity requires constant calibration. "Empathy I think is important. And I think it's important to be a decent human. If we start out to be a decent human, that really is a good barometer and we really make decisions a lot easier." This is where calibration begins. Not with spreadsheets or plan designs, but with a fundamental check: Are we being decent humans? When issues explode in the cultural ethos, Mercedes does a gut check: Is this really an issue within this organization? She's learned to calibrate signal from noise, solving problems that actually impact her workforce rather than chasing topics du jour. In this episode of Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw, discover why constant calibration might be leadership's most powerful skill. Not as hesitation, but as disciplined checking that everything stays aligned with what actually matters. From bifurcating work and home with precision to extending grace in postmortems, Mercedes has built her career on understanding before acting, clarity before speed, grace before perfection. Her superpower isn't speed. It's the wisdom to calibrate constantly on the right problems, with empathy, and with grace. Key Insights: Why "what's the problem we're trying to solve?" eliminates most organizational chaos How listening to understand rather than respond creates scalable solutions The discipline required to separate workforce-relevant issues from topics du jour Why plain language and "side streets" serve six generations better than complex plan details How bifurcating your day prevents the exhaustion of never decompressing Why showing yourself grace isn't optional for sustainable leadership About the Guest: Mercedes Ikard serves as Senior Director of US Benefits Operations at The Walt Disney Company, leading benefits strategy for one of the world's most complex and diverse workforces. Her leadership philosophy centers on calibration: constantly checking that she's solving the right problems, leading with empathy, and extending grace to herself and others navigating the high-pressure demands of corporate leadership. Health Podcast Network Chapters 0:00 Intro 2:05 Why Benefits Leadership Matters 4:03 Finding Her Passion in Healthcare and Retirement Benefits 6:59 Managing Disney's Multigenerational Workforce 10:42 Problem-Solving Framework for Complex Workforce Challenges 13:26 Leadership Skills That Matter: Empathy and Listening 15:03 The Power of Processing: Resisting the Urge to Act Immediately 18:29 Work-Life Balance and Decompression Strategies 21:11 Career Advice: Be Yourself and Show Grace Guest & Host Links Connect with Laurie McGraw on LinkedIn Connect with Mercedes Ikard on LinkedIn Connect with Inspiring Women Browse Episodes | LinkedIn | Instagram | Apple | Spotify

"I had no idea. I didn't know what an HSA was, all the acronyms—HRA, HSA, HDHP, ERISA. I really had to learn all of that." When Tammy Sun pitched her fertility startup a decade ago, the category she was building didn't exist. Investors dismissed it as a lifestyle business, a niche play unworthy of venture capital. After 99 rejections, she raised her first million. Today, Carrot Fertility operates in 170 countries, serving millions in a market that didn't even have a name when she started. This conversation arrives at an inflection point. Women over 40 represent the only demographic having more babies, while one in six couples confronts infertility—a number experts believe vastly undercounts reality since you're only counted if you can afford to seek care. Sun saw these contradictions not as obstacles but as opportunities. Without a male co-founder, without prior startup experience, without even knowing basic healthcare acronyms, she built one of the most valuable fertility companies in the world. Her secret wasn't expertise. It was embracing what she didn't know. "Having a beginner's mind and coming in with curiosity and excitement and imagination around the art of what is possible—I can't think of an area of the world that needs it more now than healthcare", Sun explains. From that first million that was "the hardest million dollars I ever raised" to expanding beyond fertility into what she calls "post reproductive fertility care" with their menopause product—which became their fastest growing product ever—Sun has earned the right to her radical advice about imposter syndrome: "You can totally ignore it. You can pretend like it doesn't exist, and you can just act the way that you feel like you should act." In this episode of Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw, discover how a non-professional founder transformed a personal fertility crisis into a global healthcare platform. From recognizing that "half of all infertility is related to male factor" to launching Sprints at the nexus of metabolic and fertility care, Sun reveals why the future of women's health isn't about incremental improvements to a broken system. It's about having the audacity to imagine something entirely new. For Tammy Sun, building in the space between naivete and expertise isn't a disadvantage. It's the only way to create categories that don't yet exist. In a world where knowing too much can blind you to what's possible, she's proof that sometimes the best qualification for changing healthcare is not knowing why it can't be changed. Key Insights: Why the fastest-growing fertility demographic reveals everything about modern family planning How embracing ignorance became a competitive advantage in healthcare innovation The hidden truth about male factor infertility that affects half of all cases Why imposter syndrome is a luxury founders can't afford How moving from California to Arkansas changed everything What GLP-1s mean for the future of fertility and healthcare About the Guest: Tammy Sun is the Founder and CEO of Carrot Fertility, now operating in almost 170 countries after starting with 12. Without prior founder experience or healthcare expertise, she transformed a personal fertility journey into a category-defining company. She built Carrot into one of the most valuable fertility platforms globally, expanding from fertility into menopause and metabolic fertility care. Chapters 2:03 The State of Women's Health and Political Landscape 4:51 Origin Story: Building a Category from Scratch 8:01 Fertility Trends and the Education Gap 11:41 Raising the First Million: The Founding Journey 15:11 Embracing the Beginner's Mind in Healthcare 16:41 The Future: From Fertility to Lifelong Care 22:38 Advice for Women Founders: Throwing Away Imposter Syndrome Guest & Host Links Connect with Laurie McGraw on LinkedIn Connect with Tammy Sun on LinkedIn Connect with Inspiring Women Browse Episodes | LinkedIn | Instagram | Apple | Spotify

What if the fastest way forward wasn't pushing harder, but tuning in sharper? On episode #144 of the 2B Bolder podcast, I had the chance to sit down with Karina Marie Diaz, a trusted and sought-after leadership coach who explores how high-performing founders, CEOs, and senior executives create meaningful change by turning down the static and turning up their own signal. Karina's journey from internationally published photographer to sought-after executive coach brings a rare blend of creativity, empathy, and strategic rigor to the conversation, proof that bold transitions can be both brave and practical.Karina breaks down her coaching philosophy as a true collaboration grounded in presence and deep curiosity. Instead of prescribing fixes, she helps clients hear their own station more clearly, unlocking decisions that bring more ease without losing ambition. We dig into vertical leadership development, the Energy Leadership Index, and the mindset shifts that move leaders from overdrive to aligned performance. Her stories, from global weddings on the Nile to boardroom breakthroughs, illustrate how seeing people clearly can change how they see themselves.You'll learn specific strategies for navigating career pivots: how to listen for what lights you up, find the hidden map in your curiosities, and build a circle that reinforces creation over doubt. Karina shares her “Olympic-level emotional thought cardio” for designing habits backward from the future you want, plus a simple but powerful invitation: if you feel the itch to evolve, lean into it. The result is a blueprint for leadership that is clear, human, and sustainable.If this conversation sparks something, consider that a sign. Then share the episode with a friend who's ready for growth, subscribe for more candid career insights, and leave a quick review so others can find the show. Your next small step might be the one that changes your map.Resources: Karina Marie Diaz on LinkedInHi Mary here, through my conversations with women leaders, I've learned just how urgent the need is for AI strategies that actually make sense. It's not about adopting tools just to keep up; it's about building a smart foundation. That's exactly what Beyondsoft is doing. To learn more visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-yCsEeZbsl6ivoZoS9YW1quYxbQr1Teo

As The Make a Difference Series comes to a close, we're taking time to reflect on the incredible women whose stories have inspired all of us to lead with purpose and serve with heart. This episode is a celebration of how faith, courage, and authenticity can create ripple effects of change that touch countless lives.We revisit some of our favorite moments from the series — including Noelle Schnacky, Miss Florida's Teen 2025, whose Hope for Heart Kids Foundation was born out of love and loss, supporting families impacted by congenital heart defects. We also highlight Christy Ashby and Kate Slentz, the powerhouse mother-daughter duo behind Orange Appeal Magazine and The Orlando Women's Conference, who have built platforms that celebrate women and strengthen our community.Paris Richardson, Miss Florida 2025, continues to inspire us through her C.R.O.W.N. of Health initiative, bringing wellness and education to children and families across Florida. Jaeann Ashton, Executive Director of Community Engagement at AdventHealth Central Florida, reminds us how compassion-driven leadership and listening first can transform the way we care for our communities We also share updates from Keesha Scott, whose honesty and courage around motherhood and recovery continue to inspire; Karen Keene, whose strength and advocacy following tragedy uplift women through mentorship; and Dr. Karwanna Irving, whose passion for helping women create wealth with purpose is transforming the entrepreneurial space.Finally, we spotlight the continued work of Jessica Galo with Be a MindLeader and Johanna Kandel with The National Alliance for Eating Disorders, two women who continue to make monumental strides in mental health awareness and healing.Each of these stories reflects the heart of what The Make a Difference Series stands for — women using their voices, their gifts, and their experiences to create lasting impact. We hope this finale reminds you that your light, your story, and your purpose truly have the power to make a difference.…And because this series was such a success, we will be doing it again! Stay tuned for more information!

Patti Nowak is a business leader in tech with stories so inspiring you'll want to take notes. In this episode of the Manufacturing Happy Hour, we grab a beer with Patti, Owner of Control+M Solutions, to talk about mid-life entrepreneurship, mentoring women in manufacturing, and what it takes to build a thriving tech business. Patti started her career in accounting but quickly found her passion in IT and software, where she discovered a talent for turning complex technology into real business results. That blend of business acumen and tech know-how eventually led her to launch multiple successful companies - all at the age of 50. Through it all, Patti's built her career on empathy, mentorship, and level-headed leadership. Whether she's guiding a client through digital transformation or helping the next generation of women find their voice in manufacturing, Patti shares her advice on how to handle any situation with equal parts confidence, compassion, and common sense.In this episode, find out:How the path to entrepreneurship is not a destination but a journey that, in Patti's case, started a decade before she opened the door to her first business Why starting a business later in life is an advantageWhy Patti sees ERP as one of the most powerful tools manufacturers can adopt todayWhy mentoring women in the industry matters more now than ever, and why young women need to see other women in leadership positionsThe leadership lessons behind how Patti handles tough conversationsHow the smallest process change can sometimes make the biggest difference on the shop floorEnjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It's feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:“You start your business ten years before you open it.” “Technology is just a tool no different than a hammer for a carpenter. Used right, it can build your business. Used wrong, it can cost you a lot of anxiety and money.” “You can never really give anything away. That anything you give to the community, it will give back to you.” “Younger women really need to see older women in a successful position so they know that route exists.” “Great leadership is about trust. If you hired someone for their expertise, let them use it.” Links & mentions: Connect with Patti on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-nowak-mba-pmp-45311511/Control+M Solutions, project management, configuration, testing and data conversation assistance for Plex users: https://www.controlm.solutions/Plex by Rockwell Automation, the smart manufacturing platform that connects your people, systems, machines, and supply chains: https://plex.rockwellautomation.com/?utm_source=show+notes&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=manufacturing+happy+hour Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

"By 2030, 2035, they're saying we're gonna have more older adults than children in this country. And if Medicaid cuts happen, where are people gonna get care? Their first resort is gonna be going to the emergency department." Dr. Sarita Mohanty knows exactly what's coming—she sees it every shift in urgent care. As President and CEO of The SCAN Foundation, she's racing to transform how America ages while still practicing medicine because, as she puts it, "clinical work gives me an opportunity to really engage on the ground versus being at the 50,000 foot level." Her non-linear journey from LA County General Hospital—where patients waited for days with lines wrapping around the building—through health plan leadership at LA Care and Kaiser Permanente, to now running a major philanthropy, taught her one crucial lesson: the system wasn't built for the people who need it most. Now, with potential Medicaid cuts threatening services like adult day health centers and in-home support, she's watching decades of progress hang in the balance. "When everything costs money, many people just avoid going to see a doctor if they can," shares one older adult through The SCAN Foundation's "People Say" platform—a stark reminder of what's at stake. In this episode of Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw, Dr. Mohanty reveals: Why she still practices urgent care despite running a major foundation ("I get to see how patients come in, what their challenges are") The coming demographic crisis that will reshape America's healthcare system How COVID proved what's possible when stakeholders drop their silos and move fast Why she went back to business school with three small kids to transform her leadership The power of elevating older adults' voices directly to policymakers How impact investing can catalyze innovation when traditional approaches fail after 30 years Her philosophy: "Leadership isn't about having all the answers, but by listening and collaborating" "Medicine teaches you to avoid mistakes. But leadership requires you to take risks and sometimes fail forward," Dr. Mohanty reflects on her transformation from exam room to boardroom. From treating uninsured patients at LA County to leading a foundation that's reimagining aging in America, Dr. Sarita Mohanty embodies the physician-leader who refuses to choose between ground-level care and systems change. At The SCAN Foundation, she's not just preparing for the silver tsunami—she's ensuring that when it arrives, America's older adults can age with the dignity, purpose, and support they deserve. Her mission isn't just professional—it's personal. With three kids and an aging mother, she's fighting for the healthcare system she wants them to inherit. One where aging isn't a crisis, but a universal reality we're prepared to honor. Chapters 03:35 - Still Practicing Medicine While Running a Foundation 05:33 - The Non-Linear Path from Physician to CEO 08:28 - America's Aging Crisis: More Seniors Than Children by 2035 10:05 - When Medicaid Cuts Hit: Real Impact on Real People 12:20 - Influencing Policy in Today's Political Environment 16:35 - Leading Differently: Doubling Down in Challenging Times 19:31 - Finding Energy When Optimism Seems Impossible 23:32 - Paying It Forward: Advice for Women Leaders Guest & Host Links Connect with Laurie McGraw on LinkedIn Connect with Sarita Mohanty, MD, MPH, MBA on LinkedIn Connect with Inspiring Women Browse Episodes | LinkedIn | Instagram | Apple | Spotify

Want a real look at how breakthrough tech actually gets built and shipped? I had the pleasure of sitting down with Samira Naraghi, Chief Business Officer at Enovix, who has held previous roles at AWS, Meta, Qualcomm, and other notable companies, to unpack a career defined by tackling challenging problems, making significant pivots, and achieving results that speak louder than titles. From growing up in post-war Iran, where power outages made technology feel magical, to leading global go-to-market strategies and launching industry-defining products, Samira shows how adaptability, curiosity, and grit compound into leadership.We trace the through line across semiconductors, cloud, and next-gen batteries: translating deep technology into real business impact. Samira breaks down why go-to-market must start on day one, how co-building with early customers derisks product-market fit, and what it takes to prioritize nascent bets like AR when constraints around power, space, and manufacturability are unforgiving. She shares the unglamorous truth of innovation, fighting physics, supply chains, and disbelief, while still hitting commitments through decisive execution and a culture built for pressure.For women in tech navigating ceilings and seeking visibility, the guidance is clear and actionable. Choose the messy, high-impact work others avoid. Build trust by delivering under pressure. Communicate with clarity, drop the hedging, and be overprepared. We also explore becoming future-ready with AI: learn the fundamentals, speak the language, and use the tools to amplify your work. Mentorship, peer networks, and “quiet boldness” round out a candid playbook for career growth that doesn't wait for permission.I hope this conversation gives you the nudge to take the harder path intentionally, and if so, share it with a friend who needs the encouragement. Subscribe for more honest, tactical stories from leaders building the future, and leave a review to tell us the bold move you're making next.Hi Mary here, through my conversations with women leaders, I've learned just how urgent the need is for AI strategies that actually make sense. It's not about adopting tools just to keep up; it's about building a smart foundation. That's exactly what Beyondsoft is doing. To learn more visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-yCsEeZbsl6ivoZoS9YW1quYxbQr1Teo

On this week's episode of The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast, we welcome Shannon Murphy — co-host of iHeartRadio's Mojo in the Morning show, wife, mama, radio personality, and all-around powerhouse woman! This episode is a full-circle moment for me because I first met Shannon years ago — when I was a sophomore in college — backstage at a Switchfoot concert. We instantly connected over being from Michigan (she grew up on Grosse Ile, and my grandparents lived there!) and our shared love of music and media. At the time, Shannon was just a few years into her radio career, and I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. And here we are - many years later - with so many stories to tell! Since then, I've followed Shannon's career and admired her journey — from Indianapolis to Atlanta, and then back home to Michigan, where she continues to light up the airwaves on Mojo in the Morning. She's built an incredible, long-lasting career in radio and continues to inspire so many people with her authenticity, kindness, and heart for others. Beyond the mic, Shannon dedicates so much of her time and energy to giving back — supporting amazing causes like the New Day Foundation, which helps families facing cancer, and Tim Tebow's Night to Shine, which celebrates people with special needs. And so much more! (And by the way, Shannon will be performing at New Day's Celebrity Lip Sync Battle next week — so be sure to grab your tickets today!) In this episode, you'll hear: ✨ Shannon's story growing up and how she stumbled into radio; ✨ What it's really like to balance life, motherhood, and a public career; ✨ How she stays grounded, authentic, and true to herself amid life's ups and downs; ✨ Her favorite memories from her career (including that unforgettable moment on Regis and Kelly!); ✨ The causes and community work closest to her heart; ✨ And so much more!

This week, Allison Walsh welcomes the extraordinary Karen Keene, a visionary leader, advocate, and survivor whose story is equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring.

(00:00-23:58) – Query & Company opens on a Hump Day Wednesday with Jake Query and producer Eddie Garrison chatting about the Fever defeating the Dream last night to force a game three tomorrow night. Plus, they start previewing this weekend’s game for the Colts down in Nashville. (23:58-38:33) – Don Fischer makes his weekly appearance on Query & Company, and the voice of the Indiana Hoosiers previews Saturday’s big game against Illinois. Don comments on playing a night game on NBC, the running back depth that Curt Cignetti has built, does believe that there were some things that Curt Cignetti learned in the demolishing of Indiana State, and how the fan support is rapidly growing for the Hoosiers. (38:33-44:05) – The first hour of the show concludes with Jake discussing some news that he found out yesterday when preparing for the show. (44:05-1:06:50) – The one o’clock hour starts with Jake Query and Eddie Garrison discussing their thoughts on how the other teams in the AFC South have looked thus far. It leads to a debate as to whether the Colts are, in fact, the best team in the division and should be considered the favorites to win it. (1:06:50-1:25:45) – Indiana Fever Head Coach Stephanie White joins Query & Company to recap last night’s win over the Atlanta Dream to force a winner-take-all game three on Thursday night. She shares what the team must do against the Dream to win tomorrow night, credits the group of players for sticking together through everything this season, shares what it was like last night being able to host a playoff game, and the support that the team receives from the Pacers. (1:25:45-1:28:50) – The second hour of the show concludes with Jake discussing history that was made in Major League Baseball last night. (1:28:50-1:55:31) – Independent journalist and writer David Woods joins the program to discuss how Cole Hocker is doing over in Japan right now and previews his upcoming book “Inspiring Women of Indiana Sports” by highlighting some of the ladies that will be featured in it. (1:55:31-2:04:04) – Earlier in the show, Jake and Eddie discussed who the best team was in the AFC South. They examine the rest of the divisions through two weeks to say who they believe is the best team in each one and then discuss which team they are least confident in. (2:04:21-2:11:26) – Today’s show closes out with Jake and Eddie discussing what they will be doing the rest of the night and if they were fans of the Monday Night Football double header. Plus, JMV joins the show to tell Eddie he saw his mom earlier today and preview his show!Support the show: https://1075thefan.com/query-and-company/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.