Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast

Today’s guest is Marina Paulenka, exhibition director of Fotografiska Berlin and a fearless voice in contemporary photography. Born in Yugoslavia before the war, Marina’s story is one of resilience. From growing up during conflict to building a global platform for artists, often without institutional support.

We talked about using photography as a tool for empowerment, activism, and storytelling. Marina shared what it reall...

Today’s episode marks an exciting milestone: it’s the official launch of our year-long partnership with flaconi, Germany’s leading online retailer for beauty and perfume. Flaconi stands for more than just beauty products, it’s a brand that celebrates diversity, mental well-being, empowerment, and culture. Values that align deeply with what we do here at WAA. And to celebrate this moment, we’ve planned this special edition ...

Viviane Sassen doesn’t just take photographs, she creates entire worlds. Known for her dreamlike use of light and shadow, she moves seamlessly between fashion, fine art, and documentary photography, always pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling, often exploring themes of identity, memory, and mortality.

In this conversation, we’ll uncover the influences that shaped her artistic vision, from her childhood in Kenya to ...

I’m joined by Maria von Scheel-Plessen, who traveled all the way from Munich to meet me at Fotografiska’s cozy Bar Clara—bringing luxury straight to the show. As a senior marketing leader for a top luxury brand, Maria is a powerhouse in her field, blending strategy, tech, and business. But her path wasn’t conventional. Instead of stepping into her family’s 300-year-old legacy, she carved her own path—moving across the worl...

This episode's guest is Annett Kuhlmann, co-founder of Marsano—a brand that redefined floristry in Berlin. Annett’s journey is fascinating. With training in photography from the Ostkreuzschule and interior design at St. Martin’s, her unique eye for beauty is what sets Marsano apart. Over the past 20 years, she and her co-founders, Katrin and Andreas, have built Marsano into something extraordinary—a perfect blend of creati...

Today, I’m thrilled to sit down with someone truly inspiring—Leyla Piedayesh, the founder and creative heart behind Lala Berlin.

For over two decades, Leyla has been at the forefront of redefining contemporary fashion, blending Berlin’s cosmopolitan energy with her Persian heritage to create a brand that’s as bold as it is personal. From navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship and steering through turbulent times to m...

In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s not just about living longer but living better: longevity. My guest is the amazing Dr. Kati Ernst, co-founder of ooia, a brand that has transformed the period market in Germany and she is now exploring how to have healthier, more vibrant lives at any age.

Kati’s journey is nothing short of inspiring—from consulting for luxury brands to building a purpose-driven company a...

This time around, I’m taking you with me to the Merz b. Schwanen flagship store in Berlin. Picture this: a rainy November evening, yet inside the store, we are welcomed by the whole crew into their world of timeless design. I sit down with Gitta Plotnicki, the co-owner and creative director of the brand, to dive into this fascinating story.

Merz b. Schwanen, a brand that dates back to 1911, has been revived in the most ...

In this episode, recorded live at the intimate Nomi Winebar in Kreuzberg, we dive into how Anahita Sadighi is reimagining the traditional art gallery, merging art, culture, and music to create spaces that challenge stereotypes and foster deep connection. Anahita’s energy is contagious as she opens up about reimagining what an art gallery can be, turning it into a space for connection, creativity, and dialogue. We even dive...

From growing up in Berlin with a multicultural background to creating timeless spaces that balance opulence and minimalism, the story of Ester Bruzkus is filled with inspiration. We’ll dive into how her early love for architecture grew into a celebrated career, what it’s like breaking barriers as a woman in the male dominated area, and her passion for bold colors, and the balance she strikes between trends and timelessness...

Milka Loff Fernandes started her career as a presenter at the music channel VIVA TV in 1999. What remained a secret for a long time was that during this colorful period, the peak of Milka’s popularity, she also struggled with depression, eating disorders, and later epilepsy. In 2004, she decided to withdraw from public life and embarked on a "healing journey".  Back then she looked for means and ways that enabled her to co...

Today we would like to introduce you to Hila Limar, chairwoman of the non-profit organization Visions for Children and co-founder of the jewelry brand SEVAR Studios, which aims to enable girls and women in Kabul to train as goldsmiths. After years of voluntary work for the Hamburg-based association, in 2018 Hila gave up her job as an architect to devoted herself full-time to her vision. She is working on improving learning...

With this episode all roads are leading to Torstraße here in Berlin. Julia Winkels shares some great insights into cultural marketing with her renowned agency BOLD, and talks about the most hyped match brand of Germany - Matchasome which she founded back in 2022 with Nina Bröer! This conversation is all about harvesting green gold, building timely brands, and how Julia turned her passion for matcha into a successful brand ...

Who are the "forgotten" beauty customers and what is hair and scalp neutrality? Let's decode in today's episode. Founded by Nana Addison, Ancient Beauty is more than just another beauty brand. As the mainstream hair care brands overlook diverse hair textures and scalp conditions, Nana advocates for inclusivity and recognition of all beauty customers. Nana shared her impressive founder journey, the economic and agricultural...

We had a privilege to sit down with Miriam Wohlfarth, one of the first female fintech founders in Germany and a pioneering figure in the fintech industry. From her humble beginnings in the travel industry to co-founding RatePAY and later Banxware, Miriam has played a pivotal role in shaping the digital payment landscape in Europe. With nearly two decades of experience in online payments and fintech, Miriam shares great ins...

Today we welcome you to a live edition of the show recorded from the eclectic Kreuzberg based showroom Objekte Unserer Tage with an audience of over 80 people! In this episode, we dive into the journey of a courageous woman who in the early stages of her career had to face self-doubt. From her beginnings in management consulting to her current role as Managing Director at Airbnb for DACH, CEE and CIS, Kathrin Anselm has be...

Today, we dive into the theme of "Awakening for Change" with Birgit Amelung and Susann Sitte, founders of The HER KLUB, joined by a live audience at a gorgeous venue of Princip members club here at Hotel Telegraphenamt in Berlin. As we embrace the arrival of Spring, Birgit and Susann lead us through reflections on pivotal moments in their lives. They share experiences of leaving toxic environments, navigating personal heal...

We recorded a live episode at the iconic Berlin State Opera Unter den Linden, as we delved into the world of opera and culture with Anja Gossens, the Head of Development of the institution. The Berlin State Opera holds a rich cultural heritage, dating back to its founding in the 18th century. Seated in the heart of Berlin, this institution has been a beacon of artistic excellence, captivating audiences with its breathtakin...

Another episode which we recorded straight from Mexico City with Andrea Cesarman – a visionary in the world of design, an interior architect with over 30 years of experience, and a key advocate for Mexican design and creativity. In 1990, along with her partners Emilio Cabrero and Marco Coello, Andrea founded C Cúbica Arquitectos, a multidisciplinary Interior architect firm where numerous times their work has earned them pr...