The CauseGirl Podcast

As a mom of a transgender teenager, Janet Uradomo is the ultimate expression of love and advocacy, compassion and discovery. In this episode, Janet generously and openly chronicles her daughter Kylee’s journey all the way to their recent visit to the White House, where VPOTUS Kamala Harris told them, “You’re not alone. You will never be alone.” In truth, it takes a village to raise a transgender child. Learn about Janet’s resourcef...

What do you do when a mysterious voice says, “you gotta do more?” Non-profit leader Tara Nierenhausen shares her journey to faith-based leadership by answering the call time and time again. From an early age, Tara led with a compassionate heart, bringing home “stray people” and collecting unused items for the homeless. As CEO of Community’s Child, a homeless shelter for women and food pantry for families, she speaks about what to d...

Ad exec and Latina powerhouse Yareli Esteban shares her insights on multiculturalism, its impact on organizations and businesses, the role of women in the workplace, and how to support future generations. Her experience connecting brands to communities based on macro trends from the 2020 U.S. Census and other data show us a hopeful glimpse into the future. From being the first Latina and often only Latina in the room, learn how Yar...

After each of our shows wrap, we continue to think about what’s been shared, the advice, the unbelievable journeys and experiences of the CauseGirls we speak with each month. And even with all of their unique differences and backgrounds, there is a common theme that’s occurring. That all we need to do is look around us, and the opportunities to help someone or even create a movement, are right there in front of us. In this first so...

About this Episode

For 20 years, Paloma Lopez has been dedicated to building healthy and sustainable food systems and programs for companies like Kellogg and Clorox where she had incredible success designing programs that had social and environmental impact. After a departure from corporate life and a 10-month stint travelling the world, she felt the call to become a greater vessel for change in the food industry that puts people an...

Small business super-fan, Laura Clise shares the motivation behind her Seattle-based social enterprise and tech start-up, Intentionalist. Making up for lost ground as an LGBTQ youth in search of belonging, she pursues what really matters: creating connections to one another and community through her work. Laura reveals her dorky-side and we talk post-college a cappella groups, nerdy fashion, and how to order chocolate in any countr...

Enjoy this conversation with CauseGirl Deesha Dyer, who shares her remarkable path to the White House without having a single connection, fancy degree or even linear path. Instead, she used her background in community organizing and hip-hop culture. From the working-class city of brotherly love, Deesha shows us how to lead with genuine heart and live by a just-do-it work ethic. From her last ride on Air Force One, you’ll hear the s...

Hello CauseGirl and welcome to our third episode with Lebanese-Syrian activist and community organizer Farah Salka, who teaches us how to unnormalize the injustice we see. In the face of war, inhumane conditions and injustice, Farah is doing an inside job fearlessly advocating for migrant women and domestic workers in Lebanon. Her superpower of asking questions and going deeper show us how to find inspiration around us, raise the v...

Welcome to the CauseGirl Podcast! I am your host, Elena Sacca Smith, and I’m so excited that you are here. In this episode we’ll cover everything you need to know about this inspirational podcast – the origin story, the why, what you can expect, and all the good, juicy stuff. Watch out for some BIG name-dropping on my part, but it’s all in the name of learning! In uncertain times, we really just need a pick-me-up, some lightness in...

Hello CauseGirl and welcome to our first episode with author and researcher Bea Boccalandro. Without knowing what was missing exactly, Bea quit her corporate job in her 20s and went on a mission to “not do lame work.” As a self-proclaimed nerd, she set her sights on finding the answer to why she quit and the difference between petty, complaining co-workers looking for other jobs and those who were happy and productive and staying p...

Hello CauseGirl and welcome to our second episode with dynamo Jennifer Bartkowski on how to be the CEO of your life. Spoiler alert, I actually wanted to name this episode after Jennifer’s prediction that the first female President of the United States will be a Girl Scout. After listening to this episode, you will see why we’re both doubling down on this bet. Thanks to leaders like Jennifer, you can bet your bottom dollar on girls....