Women Killing It!

In this episode, listen to the story of how pioneers Jennifer Jones and Cynthia Hornig took the leap to found Women You Should Know and change the conversation around women. From how to ask for what you want to how to overcome the impostor syndrome, listen for lessons Jennifer and Cynthia learned in their nearly 18-year long partnership and three entrepreneurial endeavors.  Jennifer and Cynthia share that their frustration with how women were being talked to – only about beauty, fashion and kids -- spurred them to open up the conversation to reflect women’s many dimensions. Jennifer and Cynthia also talk about their highly anticipated sister brand, Women You Should Fund, a crowdfunding platform built to help women and women-led teams make their products, projects, and ventures a reality. 

Rachel Meeropol is a Senior Staff Attorney and Associate Director of Legal Training and Education at the Center for Constitutional Rights, where she works on prisoners’ rights, Muslim profiling, criminalization of dissent, and First Amendment issues. Rachel recently argued before the United States Supreme Court, an experience she describes as "terrifying" but that she wants to repeat! Get inspired by Rachel's successes that have had tremendous impact on the lives of many, including prisoners who got to see the sky for the first time in decades due to her work with others to stop the prisoners' solitary confinement.  No matter what your field, learn from Rachel the value of knowing yourself in identifying the role that you are best suited to play.

Claudia Chan is the CEO of S.H.E. Summit and S.H.E. GLOBL and the author of This Is How We Rise, which releases on October 17. S.H.E. Summit is an award-winning global leadership conference, which has made advancing women’s leadership accessible and actionable. S.H.E. GLOBL Media is a purposeful women’s media and education company that empowers women to lead their optimal personal and professional lives so they can become change agents in their own lives and the world.  On this episode, Claudia talks her new book, which provides practical strategies for living your purpose, reaching your potential, and working toward gender equality.  She also shares her own life journey and her belief that every person can life a purposeful and big life.

Jill Richburg is a life coach, acting coach, and lawyer.  Our host Sally Hubbard credits Jill's life coaching for her own career success.  Jill's coaching method is premised on her belief that "In this life, you get what you're willing to be, do, or have." On this episode, she provides simple exercises that help you get in touch with your Will and make things happen in your life.  Jill also talks about her own career path, and even shares the moment she met Barack Obama as a classmate at Harvard Law School.  Listen for advice on how to live your purpose and hear what Jill views as the riskiest career move you could make - it might surprise you! Learn more about Jill's coaching at willbedonelifecoach.com    

Ashley M. Williams is the founder and CEO of RIZZARR, the social media platform built by Millennials, for the Millennial creator. Ashley began her career in high school, hosting television shows for an educational access channel. By college, she worked at NBC News and the BBC, and she won the Student Journalist of the Year Award from the National Association of Black Journalists in 2011. She's also been the host of Nation Now at USA Today network. On this episode, Ashley talks about how she had the confidence to work at major networks at such a young age, how she doesn't let obstacles stand in her way, and the importance of making an impact.  

This week's episode is a bit different.  Host Sally Hubbard and producer Carolyn Duncan sit down to discuss some of the issues brought up by last week's interview of Gretchen Rubin. Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality paradigm indicates that men are "obligers"in equal numbers as women. Essentially, Obligers are people pleasers, most easily meeting expectations placed on them by others. So how is it that the selfless mother who "takes care" is the vaulted feminine archetype while the man who "takes charge" is most valued under stereotypical gender roles?  We take a look at the vastly different external expectations placed on men and women.  And we talk about the challenges of embracing women's unique strengths while acknowledging that the differences within the genders are greater than the differences between them.

Gretchen Rubin is the author of several books, including the blockbuster New York Times bestsellers, Better Than Before, The Happiness Project and Happier at Home. On her podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin, she discusses happiness with her sister Elizabeth Craft. On this episode, Gretchen talks about her new book The Four Tendencies, a personality paradigm that helps you learn how to understand yourself better and how to influence others more effectively. Gretchen also talks about her bold move of leaving the law to become a writer, just when she had reached the pinnacle of success after law school - clerking for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. As a bonus, Gretchen also shares the secret to getting your partner to do more housework!

Jill Filipovic is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times, a lawyer, and the author of The H-Spot: The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness. In her book, Jill advocates for prioritizing women's happiness and pleasure in forming public policy. On this episode, Jill shares how the cult of female sacrifice does a disservice to women, how attitudes toward sex are disconnected from reality, and the importance of working both to change the rigged system and to make personal and cultural changes within the existing system. Jill also talks about her bold career path, from working at a law firm to becoming a full-time writer living in Kenya.    

Nancy Calderone, CEO of Sassy Pants, is on a mission to create quality, functional athletic apparel that is inclusive of those left out of traditional fitness culture. She is building a fitness company and a community that believes you have the perfect body right now, and that your fitness apparel should make you feel that way. Listen to hear what inspired Nancy to launch Sassy Pants as a side hustle on top of her job in technology policy, how what we wear impacts our state of mind, and why you should give yourself the grace to pivot in your career.

Jocelyn Arem is a NYC-based GRAMMY Award-nominated producer and founder of the multimedia production company Arbo Radiko  She is also a singer/songwriter under the name Rabasi Joss.  Her work - at the intersection of the arts, archives, digital storytelling, social justice, and community action - has been featured in media outlets ranging from the New York Times to Rolling Stone. Listen to Jocelyn's story of crafting her own career based on her lifelong interest of uncovering untold stories. Jocelyn shares how collaboration has been key to her success and how surrounding yourself with people with good energy makes all the difference.

Samantha Ettus, a work/life expert and best selling author, talks about her book "The Pie Life."  She shares her view that women are happiest when they play in several different slices of life -- their career, their personal life, and even hobbies. She talks strategies for achieving the ever illusive work-life balance and discusses the unrealistic expectations that society places on mothers. For a hopeful view that it is indeed possible to "have it all," check out this episode!

Amelia Robinson is a classically trained musician, as well as a composer, producer, and entrepreneur.  She is also the founder of Mil's Trills, a children's music project that invites families to celebrate community through interactive performances. Amelia believes in living life to the fullest and is "not really interested in doing what everyone else has done." Her career has included traveling the world with a ukelele and even forming and conducting an orchestra of 500 people playing bicycle bells in a London square! Get inspired by Amelia's lessons of paying attention, accepting the flow of making art, prioritizing self care, and building friendships around womanhood.

Ilyana Kadushin is a voice performer, music and documentary producer, audio book narrator, podcast host, and founder of Stories Love Music Inc., a creative engagement program for elders with memory loss and their care givers. Learn about her relentless activism and the importance of overcoming the resistance within. Hear about Ilyana's career path -- a series of fascinating projects, many of which involve Ilyana utilizing her talents to be of service. From hosting the "No, I know" podcast with her husband to producing the award-winning documentary, Separate But Equal, Ilyana refuses to just "dial it in."

Nancy Halpern is a leadership development consultant and principal of KNH Associates.  She's also a serial career switcher who never wants to get stuck in a rut. On this episode, Nancy shares wisdom learned through coaching top executives and emphasizes the importance not just of confidence but of competence.  Hear why we should embrace aging and the increased competence that it brings.  Get inspired by a  woman who is not afraid to pivot and try new things, and who has thrown so much spaghetti on the wall that she has "marinara wallpaper."

Kristen Pressner is the Global Head of Human Resources for Roche Diagnostics, based in Basel, Switzerland. Kristen gave a TEDx talk entitled, "Are You Biased? I Am," telling of her surprising discovery of her own gender bias.  In the talk, she proposes the Flip It To Test It challenge as a way for us all to become aware of our own biases.  On this episode, Kristen also shares her path to taking on a high level international job while parenting four children.

A lot has been written about workplace conflict between Generation X'ers and Millennials, but Tori Dunlap shows that the younger generation has its own wisdom to share. Tori tells her story of starting her first business at age 9, and taking ownership of her life ever since. She talks about managing a corporate job and a side hustle, being open to unexpected opportunities, finding a support network, and trusting in the goodness of people. This episode made me hopeful for the future, and I hope it makes you hopeful too!

New York Times bestseller Sarah MacLean is the author of historical romance novels that have been translated into more than twenty languages, and winner of back-to-back RITA Awards for best historical romance from the Romance Writers of America. Sarah talks about why romance novels are feminist -- they are by, for, and about women, and they feature women finding their power.  She shares her career journey of writing her first four books as a side hustle while working full-time, the importance of finding your tribe, and how her writing has inspired women to make changes to their lives.

Glynda Carr and Kimberly Peeler-Allen are the co-founders of Higher Heights For America, building a national infrastructure to harness Black women’s political power and leadership potential.  Higher Heights invests in a long-term strategy to analyze, expand and support a Black women’s leadership pipeline at all levels and strengthen their civic participation beyond just Election Day. On this episode, Glynda and Kimberly share good news about black women in politics, discuss exciting candidacies, and talk about their own inspiring career paths.

Amanda Hesser is the Co-founder and CEO of Food52, which has been described as an online food empire. Before Food52, Amanda was a celebrated food writer for the New York Times, the author of several cookbooks, including the New York Times Essential Cookbook, and had reached the top of her field.  But she was determined to keep challenging herself and to forge a career that truly made her happy, and she made the bold leap to entrepreneurship. Neither of Amanda's parents went to college, and Amanda views this as an advantage -- she was not expected to conform to a set of rules or a particular path, so she carved her own.

I am replaying this episode because I think its message is so important.  Patti Clark talks about how women lose their sense of self when they spend their lives taking care of and pleasing others. She talks about how women "get lost in the lives of others" and how to reconnect with ourselves, how to find our flow, and how to focus inward rather than outward.  Her lesson is a critical part of Step One of My 7 Steps To Killing It Action Plan, Find Your Joy.  Get the plan at womenkillingit.com