The Power Of Stories Podcast

Pooja Priyamvada is a higher education educator in various fields, including media, literature, mental health and theater. Pooja holds a background in media. She is an author, a translator and, more recently, an entrepreneur. Pooja likes to say that she is also a full-time parent. In this episode, Pooja discusses her reasons to begin writing about mental health after experiencing postpartum depression about 16 years ago… her prior interest in mental illnesses and mental health… the stigma and taboo one faces in discussing depression, and the challenges at the time, of finding psychiatrists and psychologists in Delhi… beginning to educate herself about mental health support and training to become a counselor… the broad misunderstanding of mental health… the dismissal and resistance someone faces when speaking about their mental health experiences… cultural norms that expect women “to  stay within the margins that are defined for us”  and to not speak out….  the books she has written and translated… writing newspaper columns and appearing on radio shows… being labeled a mental health activist despite her diverse roles and areas of expertise… her experiences with the cultural expectations related to death and grieving… her role as a grief counsellor… the various forms of grief…. intersectional feminism… the importance of women lending support to each other and building each other up… the power of sisterhood, of community, and of our collective voice… and the reminder that “You are the most important person in your life.” (India)

Vivi Lin is a Taiwanese human rights activist who founded the global nonprofit organization With Red & Period Museum, fighting for period equity and menstrual justice, and ending period poverty and stigma. Vivi is a youth advisor for the Taiwanese government and is currently studying public policy in Oxford. In this episode, Vivi discusses her inspiration to fight for menstrual justice and then to establish the With Red & Period Museum in Taipei… the lack of education about and awareness of menstrual issues, including period poverty, where financial constraints result in lack of access to menstrual products… the importance of having a safe space where people can discuss and ask questions about periods… her parents’ commitment to her education and to exposing her to books, ideas, and information about Taiwan's history… attending political protests and rallies as a child… the importance of fighting for opportunities and taking action, even if you fail… as an undergrad in Scotland, learning from activists who fought for Scotland to become the first country to legislate the right to access free period products for anyone who needs them... her realization that if this was possible in Scotland, it was possible in Taiwan, too… starting her organization from her dorm room… the power of collective action from a society or a community to create sustainable change… the reminder that change takes time, so it is it is important to never lose hope. (Taiwan)

Patience Nyange serves as the Spokesperson for the Office of the Executive Secretary at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). With over 18 years of experience in media, communications, and advocacy, she is a seasoned professional specializing in broadcast journalism, international public relations, social media management, and mentorship for young journalists and PR practitioners. Patience is particularly passionate about human rights, with a strong focus on women's and girls' rights and empowerment. She has been a leading advocate for gender-sensitive reporting across Africa. Patience is also the visionary behind the #KenyaWomenSeries, a platform dedicated to celebrating the remarkable achievements of Kenyan women. This initiative highlights inspiring stories of women making a difference, showcasing Patience's dedication to amplifying women's voices and accomplishments.In this episode, Patience discusses seeing, at a young age, how gender inequality limited opportunities for women in her community and how this sparked a deep sense of injustice… her gratitude for her parents, their messages that she and her brothers and sisters are all equal, and the opportunity to be able to speak out… role models who inspired her pursuit for education… her commitment to continue to advocate for a world where every woman and girl can realize her full potential… working with two volunteers, Esther Karagu and Nancy Marangu, to profile 52 women leaders in Kenya, celebrating them and highlighting their stories and their impact on their communities… the importance of creating a platform where women could tell their stories in a way that they wanted it told… the importance of mentorship and of publicly affirming those we mentor… how women sharing our stories can encourage us in overcoming obstacles and challenges…. and the importance of challenging stereotypes and amplifying women's achievements. (Kenya)

Maricar Jagger was born in a small town on the island of Borneo in Indonesia. She has experienced life in different countries growing up, and studied in the United States.  Maricar wanted to be an artist but studied business in college and pursued a career in Marketing. She is a creative at heart, and she believes in the power of the arts to change lives. You can see Maricar’s beautiful, handmade cards at http://etsy.com/shop/MaricardsIn this episode, Maricar discusses how her mother taught her to be a businesswoman and entrepreneur at a very young age, and how she began making and embroidering purses that she sold to classmates… realizing later, in secondary school, that she could earn money from her creative work… the importance of recognizing your unique skills… experiencing bullying at work and then resigning from her job during the pandemic… accepting an administrative job working with Ukrainian refugees and helping match them with local hosts in the UK… encouraging artists to explore their exhibit and sell their work… the importance of saying “yes” to opportunities… overcoming fear… and this inspiring advice to us all, “I realized that sometimes you really need to speak up to get your voice heard. It's no point waiting for people to discover you or to find you. Feel the fear, but do it anyway.” (Indonesia and United Kingdom)

Mushairat Mamun is a first-generation American Bangladeshi who was born and raised in Queens, New York. At 17, she moved to Bangladesh to pursue her undergraduate degree, focusing on Public Health and Philanthropy. Throughout her early medical career, Mushairat played a crucial role in addressing challenges in Maternal Health in Bangladesh. Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies in Atlanta, and is the first person in her family to pursue a career in medicine. In this episode, Mushairat discusses how, even as a child, she sought ways to learn through new challenges. She reflects on growing up in a community where health and medicine were rarely discussed, and making big decisions, like moving to Bangladesh to study and find her own sense of identity. She shares how she grew through friendships and storytelling, driven by a desire to learn more, do more, and pursue a field where she could help others. Mushairat emphasizes the importance of discussing feelings, emotions, love, and relationships to support mental health, even when these topics are considered taboo. She highlights her experience speaking with women across all age groups, valuing the significance of hearing them discuss their health and bodies, and challenging long-standing cultural norms. Mushairat encourages women to use their voices to advocate for themselves and others, engage in meaningful issues, and promote change. Her advice to women and girls is: “Find what challenges you and do what scares you the most. Once you learn to control that fear, you can unleash your true potential.” (USA)

Margaret Akullo is a Ugandan born British citizen, a Criminologist and a visionary with ethical leadership qualities. In her extensive career of three decades in international development she has led diverse teams delivering programmatic change and social impact in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. In 2022, at the age of 55 and after more than three decades of work in various organizations, Margaret retired early from her job in the United Nations to embark on a journey of purpose and self-discovery and to craft her soul-led future career.  In this episode, Margaret discusses her path to becoming a criminologist and her interest in behavior from a very young age… wanting to study law at university but encouraged by her parents to pursue a business degree and continuing on to do marketing… starting a job with the Metropolitan Police in London and working there for about 15 years, first in a department dealing with finance… how her deep interest in studying behavior eventually led to a position working as a criminal intelligence analyst… pursuing a Master's Degree in criminology… working as a criminologist in various organizations and in five different roles in the United Nations, and being exposed to many diverse experiences and cultures around the world... traveling extensively and living in Thailand, Austria, and Ethiopia… the process of deciding to retire early after having an ongoing inner dialogue with herself about her unexpressed potential, and then coaching herself out of the United Nations… discussing her article, “Quitting Is Leading, Too” and her empowering leadership decision that led her to “deconstruct” the person she was and beginning a journey of transformation… asking herself who she was without her career and aligning with the core of who she truly was… taking the bold and courageous decision to quit her job at 55 years old… grieving the loss of her career but knowing this was part of her journey to reach her personal transformational goal… and this beautiful advice for us all about introspection, “I think it's important to shine the torch inwards as it leads to self-growth.” (Uganda, United Kingdom, Austria)

Yolandé Conradie describes herself as an ordinary woman who lives an ordinary life but has had extraordinary experiences. She is a psychosocial therapist by profession, but loves teaching and educating, and puts her skills to use as a life coach and a university educator. In this first episode of Season 4, Yolandé discusses growing up in a cult where her parents were members, a cult in which there were many rules for girls and women and very few for men, and where friendships outside of the cult were discouraged… the fear that was instilled in cult members, and the excommunication they faced, if they did not adhere to the rules… being an observant child, and noticing the inconsistencies between what people preached and what they did… at 19 years old, getting married within the cult… being exposed to more of life and eventually realizing that she had to leave the cult, even though it would not be a quick or easy process… finding a psychosocial therapist who first helped her discover herself and a different life path, “writing a new ending to an old beginning”… studying to become a psychosocial therapist herself… getting divorced from her husband of 20 years at age 39… moving to a new city to begin a brand new life and a new career, making her way completely on her own terms… realizing that she is stronger than she thought, and that she was capable of doing more than she once believed was passible.  (South Africa)

Dr. Joannie Marlene Bewa, MD, PhD, is a physician, public health researcher, global advocate for girls & women's sexual and reproductive health, and the founder and CEO of DOTOH Health.  She has over fifteen years of combined experience in global health, health policy, digital health, clinical care, research, international development and non-profits management. In this episode, Dr. Bewa discusses how her own encounter with the health care system as a girl sparked her passion for health and how that evolved to her focus on sexual and reproductive health... volunteering in a community organization that was focusing on health, respecting cultural and social norms while also challenging them… beyond basic health care, the importance of health information, education, community engagement, awareness and the spectrum of preventative care… the importance of addressing health inequities… the encouragement and support of her parents, and the valuable lessons she learned from them about hard work and about why it is important to help others… setting up a nonprofit at age 21, the Young Beninese Leaders Association, successfully establishing partnerships with other nonprofits, and then receiving support from  First Lady Michelle Obama’s Young African Women Leaders Grant Program to scale up programs… the importance of making the right decision at the right time, and of being open to opportunities and not missing them… continuing her studies to become a medical doctor and then working for a Masters degree and a PhD… ensuring that all girls have access to quality education by removing the financial, cultural, social, and logistical barriers they face… the essential role of mentors and role models, and safe spaces where girls can  express themselves freely without being judged… the need to see more women in politics and in leadership roles globally, and as medical doctors, engineers, astronaut, and journalists… and this encouragement for us all, “Believe in yourself, believe in your power, believe in your voice. Start somewhere because tomorrow starts today.” (Republic of Benin and USA)

Dr. Suchi Gaur is the Founder of Mission Hummingbirds and is on a new journey to resource the work that women and young women are doing in their local communities.  In this episode, Suchi discusses the story of hummingbirds and how this powerful and tiny bird has inspired her personally, appearing in challenging times in her life and giving her hope… the loss of her mother two years ago after fighting a strong battle with cancer and long COVID… understanding that everyone's journey through grief is different… not knowing how to process her grief, and then deciding to convert that grief into gratitude… the new organization, Mission Hummingbirds, that she recently founded to honor her inspiring mother… her goal of capitalizing on her 20 years in the development space to support, resource, and nurture women and young women to live their dreams through the concept of “Find, Foster, Fund”… that one of the biggest problems in the development sector is that most of the financial resources rarely reach the hands of women and young women in their communities… the importance of listening to  women and young women, trusting that they know how resources can be best used, and resourcing their work… and the reminder that “Every one of us can contribute to making the world a better place.”  (The Netherlands and India)

Akinyi Juma is the current Mrs. Universe Kenya 2024 and the founder of Rebirth of a Queen, a community-based organization with a mission to empower and include survivors of sexual & gender-based violence and human trafficking to become economically empowered. In this episode, Akinyi discusses how her own experiences as a survivor of sexual violence and domestic violence motivated her to launch Rebirth of a Queen five years ago and to give survivors a safe space and a home… the importance of ensuring that survivors are included in programming and decision-making, and that they are supported to become financially independent… how helping others heal has also helped her heal from her own trauma… the launch of a full economic empowerment program… recent attacks on the shelter and the process of identifying a new location for the shelter, in a safer community, and involving the community, community elders, local police, and other stakeholders… her daily prayer that she never lose her kindness and never stop being a safe space… the hopes and dreams of the young women she supports… her belief that this is divine work that she was called to do… her selection as Mrs. Universe Kenya 2024… the importance of reminding women that their voices are powerful, and of continuing to tell our own stories and embracing their power.  (Kenya)

Elisa Gambino began her career as a producer in the CNN Rome bureau.  After 15 years of covering conflict and upheavals  for CNN, she together with her partner and husband founded their own production company, One Production Place Films, where they devote their time, energy and talents to sharing stories about how we live in community with each other.  One of Elisa’s recent projects was the catalyst for the largest environmental justice grant in the state of New York when the governor provided 150 million dollars for the city of Mount Vernon to repair their sewage systems.In this episode, Elisa discusses her early work as a journalist and how it still shapes her filmmaking… her work in the CNN Rome bureau… being sent with the team covering the fall of the Berlin Wall and facing the challenges and opportunities of handling new responsibilities as history unfolded… continuing to win new assignments in various regions of the world… “growing” into being a producer at CNN… meeting her husband, who was a cameraman at CNN… her experiences seeing communities destroyed because of conflicts that were oftentimes out of their control… the important role that the legendary Ingrid Formanek has played in her career, giving her increasing responsibilities and encouragement when they worked together, and encouragement that continues today… leaving CNN and deciding to pursue something totally new by opening a successful fresh pasta shop that eventually closed as a result of the economic crisis of 2008… with her partner and husband, founding a production company that focuses on community and how we live together… approaching documentary filmmaking from the vantage point of being observers rather than being part of the story they are sharing… being in a constant state of learning as she covers a wide range of issues in her filmmaking… still needed to remind herself to be her own best friend… the importance of asking ourselves how we can do better, and then working in community to change what needs to be changed… recognizing that we have the power to drive change… empowering others by letting them know that their voices matter and that people are listening.  (USA)

River Savante is 16 years old and has already set a world record as the youngest American female to summit Imja Tse in the Nepal Everest region, which is 20,500 ft. River is training to be the youngest American female to summit Mount Everest, scheduled for next May/June 2025. In this episode, River discusses going with her mother leading trips to Kathmandu after the 2015 earthquake in Nepal to help with humanitarian aid, and building earthquake-proof homes, and sponsoring schools… adding an Everest Base Camp trip to their expedition company as it evolved into a trekking company… being asked by her mother to return to Everest in 2022 to represent their company… learning from her mother about the importance of adapting to any situation, and watching her accomplish “incredible things” in foreign countries… knowing that the life lessons and skills that she has learned will help her when she goes off to college… living in Ulaanbaatar now, the capital of Mongolia and loving the vibe and feeling of this city… summiting Imja Tse, a mountain in the Himalayas of eastern Nepal, with a Sherpa guide teaching her the skills to use on Everest… living in Malaysia and meeting a three-times Everest summitter representing Malaysia, and accepting his invitation to train with his Malaysian Everest summiting team… her upcoming season in Nepal in October… her focus on school online with her high school in North Carolina, USA, that has been very supportive of her pursuing her dreams… reminding us that we are even more capable than we think we are, and that we can lead by example and follow our dreams, and support and encourage each other… the importance of offering compassion,  understanding, and listening to each other... and wanting women to know that it's so important to speak their truth and to stand up for themselves and their dreams. (USA and Nepal)Here is River’s GoFundMe page... https://gofund.me/405b1ef9

Sadia Jahan Rothi is an Environmental and Climate Activist. She is the Board Director of Eco-Network Global, which is a youth-led organization. She started climate and environmental activism with Eco-Network in 2018 when she first witnessed how climate change has been affecting the lives of coastal regions people of Bangladesh. She is also a climate researcher, working at BRAC University.In this episode, Sadia discusses how she began environmental activism at University in 2018, and how it led to shifting her focus from environmental activism to climate activism. During a field trip from her university, she was conducting a survey and got the opportunity to interact with local people in the coastal region of Bangladesh. She got to know about the impact of climate change on their lives and livelihoods, especially the harmful effects of salinity intrusion on groundwater and agricultural land, resulting in the loss of livelihoods, health, and economy.  At a young age, her family’s commitment to recycling and conserving water, then joining a group of like-minded young students at university, led her to work with Eco-Network Global, a youth-led organization now working in 25 countries.She emphasized the inclusion of youth voices not only in the formulation of National Plans and Policies but also a growing need for youth voices in policy implementation. She believes in being patient when it comes to activism for society because a change doesn't happen overnight. In the International Conferences where she attends, she always ensures to bring and represent the local voice. She believes in creating a safe space for women and girls where they can express their opinions and thoughts openly without being judged and mentoring them.  (Bangladesh)~ Episode description written by Sadia Jahan Rothi

Belinda Greb is an accomplished nature and wildlife photographer who has been influenced by her sense of belonging in, and connecting with, nature.In this episode, Belinda discusses growing up in a rural setting and finding solitude and peace in nature… her interest in photography and beginning her work as a professional photographer with landscape photography and transitioning to more of a focus on wildlife, photographing animals in their natural habitat, trying to capture their essence and translate that to others… the consciousness of animals… the increasing impact of climate change on wildlife and people… losing her home in the Oregon forest fires of 2020, and how that experience gave her even more compassion towards other people in other areas who are being affected by climate change or anything else that causes them to lose their home or their country… belonging… the beauty of nature as a pillar of strength… the importance of believing in ourselves, following our intuition, living life to the fullest, and not getting hung up on what other people think. (USA) https://belinda-greb.pixels.com/

Joan Kembabazi is a full time gender equality activist and she actively campaigns for an end to child marriage. Joan is also the founder of Gufasha Girls Foundation. In this episode, Joan discusses the reasons she campaigns and advocates for girls’ education, for an end to child marriage, for every girl’s right to thrive and to dream… her grief in losing her best friend, Gufasha Moureen, to child marriage at age 13, and Gufasha’s death in childbirth… beginning community work and then, in 2016, founding Gufasha Girls Foundation to honor her friend’s memory by working to end child marriage… how societal norms and traditional mindsets deny girls’ right to education, and how girls’ dreams, hopes, and childhoods are stolen by child marriage… her own father’s and grandmother’s commitment Joan’s education… her grandmother’s love and her role as a “strong pillar” in Joan’s life… the role of teachers in encouraging her to use her voice to advocate for positive change in her community…  the importance of supporting girls in realizing that they are powerful, that they must believe in themselves, and that no one has the right to tell them that they cannot become the empowered person they want to be.  (Uganda)

Nisha Benny-Varghese is a humanitarian, storyteller and describes herself as “an aspiring Good Human Being” who tries to make a difference and inspire others to do the same. In this episode, Nisha discusses volunteering at Breath of Life, a children's home in East London, South Africa, that cares for abandoned and orphaned babies until they find a suitable home for them or until they are reunited with their families… her liberating experience ziplining in 2016 to raise funds for Smile Train to repair 42 cleft palates… how having cerebral palsy and needing help every day has inspired her philanthropy and volunteerism… the importance of not “labeling” people… getting great joy from the small things in life… practicing gratitude every morning and every night by mentioning to herself a list of things for which she is grateful… reminding us to use past pain to help someone else in the present… and this inspiring advice for us all, “Don't let anyone tell you that your voice doesn't matter.” (South Africa)

Tsehay Getu is a passionate chef who has a platform called Tsehay’s Kitchen where she shares her love for food and culture.In this episode, Tsehay discusses how, in her childhood, her parents stressed the importance of education for her and her brothers… moving from Ethiopia to Sweden at a young age… the challenges of going through a divorce, being a single mom, and moving to the U.S… feeling alone and moving on with her life by not giving up during challenging times… starting to cook, learning over time, and falling in love with food, her playground, her “happy place”… overcoming gender biases in the food industry… her first post on Instagram, 11 years ago, showing videos about the food she loves… the importance of love and of not taking things for granted… and the importance of loving ourselves, and of listening, having more compassion, and supporting each other. (Sweden and Ethiopia)

Dr. Oliver-Burgess is a senior humanitarian and development expert with experience working in complex emergencies and post-conflict contexts, including regions of Middle East, Central Asia, West and East Africa, Eastern Europe, and Central America. Angela is the Founder and President of the non-profit organization SMILE for Budgie, which she started in honor of her late husband, Paul “Budgie” Burgess.In this episode, Angela discusses the phased work of humanitarian aid workers in crisis situations and of development workers in addressing the needs of communities moving forward… from an early age, her life’s calling to be of service to others… working in a male-dominated field, learning not to take things too personally, and asking, “Where is the higher goal here? What are we all trying to work for?”… overcoming fear and dealing with trauma at your own pace… the work of SMILE for Budgie and the man who inspired it, believing that there is no reason why any child needs to live in violence… providing educational and psychosocial assistance for young people in the system of care, and ensuring that their voices are heard… collaborating with all Agencies working in child welfare to identify community-based solutions… the importance of encouraging young people to believe that what they say matters and to embrace their own authentic voice.  (USA)

Maureen Twahirwa is a Rwandan citizen and a mother who is passionate about advocating for women, girls and young people.  She has worked in the private sector, as well as in national and international organizations to make that difference.In this episode, Maureen discusses her recent move from Rwanda to South Sudan, wanting to do more for communities while also pursuing career growth… working to end to gender-based violence and to advance everyone’s rights, with a focus on the rights of women, girls, and young people… the great strength and potential of young people in creating positive change… the gap in gender quality… combining her career with her responsibilities as a mother… involving her family and children in her decision to work in South Sudan, and the role of technology in staying connected with her family… the importance of seeking help from the support system around us… and encouraging every woman and every girl to use their voice to encourage or advocate for others… using her own voice to make a difference in terms of policy changes, programming and services for those whose voices are not heard yet they contribute to peace and sustainable development. (Rwanda)

Helen Tai has already held many roles in her life.  She has had successful careers as an entrepreneur and innovator in Corporate America and, at the same time, has been highly engaged in public service.  Helen has held local and State elected offices and continues to be committed to advocacy and addressing injustices in her community and beyond.In in this episode, Helen discusses childhood experiences that shaped her later engagement in politics,  including being an environmentalist at a young age and facing racism as one of very few Asian Americans in her school… the progression of her political engagement from voting in all elections and writing to express her opinions to elected officials, on to various forms of political activism, and then successfully running for local and State elected offices… her focus on engaging the public to speak up and to show up for positive change… her experience as the only female on a community board… working for restrictions on gun access in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including universal background checks… voting as a sacred right and privilege, and the importance of educating ourselves about issues and candidates… ways we can use our individual talents in supporting the political process… doing our part to change the world. (USA)