Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy

Kim Villanueva, President of the National Organization for Women (NOW), sits down with Dr. Nancy for an in-depth perspective on the power of sisterhood, feminism, the founding of NOW, and how it serves today’s women. Dr. Nancy stresses the relationship of organizations like Women Connect4Good and NOW during the current attacks on women, and Villanueva agreed, saying, “Sisterhood is powerful. We need to keep reinforcing ...

Dr. Nancy sits down with William He, founder of Dream for America, to learn how he feels about democracy and why he launched the nonprofit/social-profit organization at 16 years old. He recalls feeling compelled to contribute to democracy and do his part to help his generation find purpose in politics rather than cynicism. He wanted to give young people a place to contribute and fight back against the Christian Nationalists and fas...

Maggie O’Neill, award-winning artist and founder of Vote for Your Daughter and Our Daughters’ Futures Fund, joins Dr. Nancy in a discussion about the FEMME Art Fair August 26-30, with a sneak peek available for attendees of Take The Lead’s Power Up Concert and Conference, August 25 and 26, Women’s Equality Day, the 106th anniversary of the certification of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women the right...

Julia Stewart, founder and CEO of Alurx, joins Dr. Nancy for a discussion about her career path, forging a place for herself as a business leader in the hospitality industry, eventually becoming CEO at IHOP, then buying Applebee’s and creating Dine Brands Global. Her story traces what happens when barriers to advancement appear, and the choice is to endure or leave to keep growing. Stewart chose to leave companies that didn&r...

Lifelong broadcaster Ann Thomas joins Dr. Nancy in a conversation about her journey as a professional woman in a field that has seen numerous changes for women since she began as an intern at WJR 760 in Detroit. Lucky to be in a business that she instantly loved, Thomas pursued her dream in many capacities as producer, news reporter, anchor, executive producer of the award-winning “Paul W. Smith Show,” and creator and h...

Welcome to Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy, a podcast that examines the stories of life and leadership for smart, amazing women (and men). Each episode features powerful conversations with people who are changing the world and making a difference in their communities. Our guests share their personal stories, insights, and advice on how to break through barriers and achieve success and, in the process, provide access to ...

This episode is all about the future and how we can support the young leaders who will shape it. Highlights from previous interviews with inspiring changemakers show the work that’s being done to empower and equip today’s youth to become leaders and create the change they want to see in the world.

Show Notes:

First, DeNora Getachew and Keely Quinn, leaders of DoSomething.org, discuss how their organization was originally ...

Today we’re exploring one of the most powerful forces for connection and change - the stories we tell and the ones we choose to preserve. Throughout history, stories have shaped our understanding of who we are and what’s possible. But too often, the voices of women, changemakers, and diverse communities have been overlooked or forgotten.

In this episode, Dr. Nancy revisits some of our favorite conversations with three in...

Dr. Nancy welcomes four powerful young activists fighting for women’s rights. First, Asha Dahya and Monica Morales-Garcia stop by to talk about their podcast series, “Green Tide Rising.” Borrowing the title from the Green Wave, a movement started by feminists and organizers across Latin America to champion reproductive freedoms, the podcast features a human rights attorney and shares the stories of women suffering...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Mona Sinha, CEO of Equality Now, who shares her journey from growing up in India and volunteering with Mother Teresa’s all-girls orphanage, to learning the value of women supporting women at Smith College, to leading a global organization that drives the legal and systemic change needed to end violence and discrimination against all women and girls. Sinha discusses the rising challenges and systemic backlas...

Dr. Denise Dunning joins the conversation to share her transformative journey as the founder of Rise Up Together, an organization dedicated to the global empowerment of women and girls by supporting local leaders in solving problems and driving impactful change. Dr. Dunning discusses the challenges women face in accessing resources and power, emphasizing the need for collective action and solidarity to reach gender equality in the ...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Dr. Krishauna Hines-Gaither, a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and women’s empowerment, to discuss her inspiring journey from North Carolina to Los Angeles. Dr. Hines-Gaither shares how mentors, like her mother and other influential women in her life, shaped her path and ignited her mission to advance gender equity through women’s education. She highlights the transformative work at Mount S...

Dr. Nancy welcomes The Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney, former U.S. Congresswoman, to share her inspiring journey of public service, focusing on her unwavering commitment to gender equality and the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). She discusses her upcoming “Driving the Vote for Women’s Equality” campaign, modeled after historic suffragist efforts, to raise awareness and mobilize support for the ERA. Rep. Maloney highli...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Francine Mbvoumbo, founder of Mothers to Daughters, for an inspiring conversation about empowering women through intergenerational mentorship and support. Mbvoumbo shares her journey, highlighting how her upbringing and her mother’s entrepreneurial spirit shaped her mission to lift women up. She discusses the alarming lack of funding for women and girls, the importance of resilience, and the power of mentor...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Michelle Milford Morse, Vice President for Girls and Women Strategy at the United Nations Foundation, for an inspiring conversation about advancing global gender equality. Milford Morse shares how her Texas roots and influential women leaders have shaped her journey, and highlights the UN Foundation’s critical role in fostering global cooperation to address challenges such as gender-based violence, climate ...

Dr. Nancy sits down with David G. Smith, PhD, a sociologist, author, and leading expert on the benefits male allies bring to women in the workplace. Sharing his unique journey from Navy pilot alongside his wife to be to passionate advocate for male allyship and gender equity in the workplace. It was through her experiences, especially surrounding a lack of mentor and resources that transformed the way he saw gender in the workplace...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Heidi Sieck and Dr. Nicole Haggard for a powerful compilation on the topic of equality. Sieck shares her insights on the decades-long political strategy to limit reproductive freedom, and its critical role in empowering women to step into leadership. She also weighs in on the importance of local political engagement to protect these rights. Haggard highlights the necessity of intersectionality, comprehensiv...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Janine Firpo, investor, author of Activate Your Money, and co-founder of Invest for Better. Firpo shares the story of her unconventional path from tech and international development to pioneering values-aligned investing for everyday women. She introduces the Sheconomy, a collaborative national campaign that reframes what’s possible when women control capital and create impact while expanding returns. Firpo...