The WECAN Podcast

In today's episode of WECAN, host Stephanie Ferrario chats with Kashika Khurana, a high school junior from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, about girls in STEM and redefining what it means to lead with purpose. Kashika is the founder of ComputHER SHEience, a podcast amplifying the voices of women in STEM and business, and the visionary behind initiatives like Reviving Calm and Code with Impact. From competitive dance to public speaking, from AI and data science to mental health advocacy, Kashika shares how she balances academics with entrepreneurship, all while staying grounded in her mission to create meaningful change. Kashika shares powerful advice for young women: take action before you feel fully ready, trust yourself deeply, and remember that rejection can sometimes be protection. Explore Kashika’s podcast ComputHER SHEience and join the movement to make STEM and mental health advocacy more inclusive: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BGjRXy2Rb5HwHWToSw4wS?si=1cdc418b172f44a2 #WeCan #WomenInSTEM #GirlsInTech #MentalHealthMatters #TeenEntrepreneur #AI #Leadership ________________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, share your thoughts, and tell us who your favourite role model is? 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c

In this powerful WeCan conversation, we sit down with Lee Chambers, business psychologist, male allyship specialist, and founder of Male Allies UK, to explore what it truly means to lead with inclusion. Lee shares his personal and professional journey from growing up in the north of England to becoming one of the UK’s leading voices on gender equity and inclusive leadership. From founding a tech business and navigating a life-changing health recovery to becoming a stay-at-home father, Lee’s lived experiences deepened his understanding of caregiving, workplace culture, and the realities of gender bias. In this episode, we discuss: 🔹 What male allyship really looks like in practice 🔹 Why allyship is about consistent, intentional actions — not grand gestures 🔹 The importance of self-education and challenging our own biases 🔹 How gender inclusion drives innovation, strengthens teams, and mitigates business risk 🔹 Workplace well-being in a hyper-digital world 🔹 Redefining success and focusing energy on what we can control Lee also shares insights from his book Momentum, which highlights 13 lessons from his 20-year career, and reflects on how we can periodically redefine success as we grow. For Lee, success means waking up to do work he loves, with people he loves, creating meaningful impact. Looking ahead, Lee outlines exciting plans for 2026, including research into boys and senior male leaders, the UK’s first National Allyship Summit, and the first Festival of the Boy, all aimed at building a more inclusive and equitable future. If you care about leadership, well-being, gender equity, and creating workplaces where everyone can thrive, this conversation is for you. Male Allies UK: https://www.maleallies.co.uk 00:00 Meet Lee 04:05 Message for The World 09:55 Where Do We Start? 16:20 More Diversity in Companies 21:05 Top messages 25:04 Lessons for Unlocking Potential 27:55 Success 29:27 How We Can Support Male Allies UK #MaleAllies #LeeChambers #WeCan #WhereRoleModelsInspire ________________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, share youshare your thoughts, and tell us who your favourite role model is? 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c

Celebrating our first-ever couple interview this Valentine's Day, with the inspiring Toby and Jo Gorniak. We explore their extraordinary journey from teenage refugee beginnings to global recognition and the development of The Gorniak Method. Toby shares his transformation from feeling unwanted as a child to receiving an MBE at Buckingham Palace. At the same time, Jo, the strategist and driving force behind their family and business, reveals how their partnership became the foundation for a movement that empowers thousands worldwide. Together, they unpack the creation of the Gorniak Method, a hip-hop-based leadership philosophy built on eight core elements: Respect, Peace, Love, Unity, Fun, Knowledge of Self, Discovering Genius and Courage. Recognised at the PhD level, their method is designed to unlock individual genius, helping people of all ages rediscover purpose, ownership, and confidence. In this conversation, you’ll discover: 🔹 How authenticity fuels powerful personal branding 🔹 Why open communication strengthens both relationships and leadership 🔹 What success really means beyond titles and awards 🔹 How hip-hop culture became a framework for transformation 🔹 Their exciting next chapter, international speaking, global ambassadorship, and writing their life story Toby and Jo also share insights into Toby’s appointment as a global ambassador for the World ROMA Federation, and their mission to spread kindness, empathy, and empowered leadership worldwide. This is a conversation about resilience, partnership, purpose, and the courage to live your truth. The Gorniak Method MBE: https://tobygorniakmbe.com/ 00:00 Meet Jo and Toby 02:45 Main Learnings as a Couple and Working with People 04:33 Pivotal Points 06:24 Setting Up Community Programs 12:43 Jo's Learnings, Personal Branding and Tips 21:16 Keeping The Flame Alive and Growing Together as a Couple 24:35 Legacy for The World 27:10 How Can We Support Toby and Jo? #GorniakMethod #Leadership #PersonalDevelopment #Authenticity #HipHopLeadership #WeCan ________________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, share your thoughts, and tell us who your favourite role model is? 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world

In this WECAN interview, Stephanie speaks with Pauline Vuyelwa Muswere-Enagbonma, Co-Founder and CEO of Jessamy Care Group, about transforming social care through ethical leadership, compassionate governance, and responsible AI. Pauline shares her journey founding Jessamy Care Group after the loss of her daughter, Jessamy, and her mission to raise standards across staffing, home care, housing, transport, and care technology. She discusses Jessamy Care One, the UK’s first ethically intelligent care management platform, designed to improve safety, accountability, and care quality. The conversation explores leadership in the care sector, accessibility as intelligent design, scaling services with integrity, and why compassion and structure must work together to protect vulnerable people. Visit Pauline's website: https://paulinevmuswere.com/ Jessamy Care One: https://jessamycareone.co.uk/ #ethicalcare #JessamieCareGroup #PaulineMuswerema #WeCan ________________________________________________________________________For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, share your thoughts, and tell us who your favourite role model is?👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/Substack: https://shecan.substack.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c

WELCOME TO OUR SECOND SEASON. A NEW YEAR AND THREE NEW WEEKLY ROLE MODELS FULL OF ADVICE AND INSIGHTS:Exploring leadership, curiosity and creativity with Fredrik Haren, a renowned global speaker, author, and creative explorer, to dive deep into the true nature and what it means to lead humanely in a technology-driven world. Fredrik shares insights from his latest book, The World of Creativity, based on his journey across 37 countries studying how creativity shows up across cultures. Rather than treating creativity as an output or talent, Fredrik reframes it as a personal journey of self-discovery, driven by curiosity and reflection. In this conversation, we explore why creativity is one of the most important skills for future leaders, how introversion and solitude can fuel powerful creativity, and Fredrik’s unique lifestyle of travelling the world and creating from his private island. He shares practical strategies to nurture creativity at work (including turning creative “outlets” into productive “inlets”) and why leaders should act more human in an increasingly automated world. Fredrik also reflects on his success as a speaker, his approach to leadership and parenting, and why continuous growth, not comfort, is his definition of success. This episode is a must-watch for leaders, creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about unlocking their creative potential and inspiring others by leading with humanity. #curiosityandcreativity #technology #FredrickHaren #WeCan ________________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, share your thoughts, and tell us who your favourite role model is? 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c

In our final week of the January recap series, we reflect on Catherine Coleman Flowers story, environmental justice activist, author, and one of the most powerful voices fighting for clean water and sanitation in the U.S. Catherine talks about “America’s dirty secret”: the lack of basic sanitation infrastructure in many rural communities, especially those that are Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and low-income. She shares her personal journey, what drives her work, and why access to clean water should be treated as a fundamental human right. She has testified before the UN and U.S. Congress, and in this conversation, she opens up about her mission, leadership lessons, and what’s next for her. Don’t miss it! Learn more about Catherine’s work: https://www.catherinecolemanflowers.com/work Chapters: 00:00 – Meet Catherine 02:22 – Climate Justice 05:15 – Her Purpose & Motivation 07:55 – Key Qualities 10:43 – Tips for Changemakers 12:22 – What’s Next 13:32 – Role Models #OneWomansFight #EnvironmentalActivist #WeCan ________________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, share your thoughts, and tell us who your favourite role model is? 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wecan-podcast/id1790078746

Every January and August we re-run amazing mentors to re-inspire you again with their stories and insights, today this is Temple Grandin.Featuring the renowned American academic and animal behaviourist, Dr Temple Grandin, covering a wide-ranging conversation on autism, innovation, and purpose. Dr Grandin did not speak until she was three and a half years old and was later diagnosed with autism. Despite a doctor’s recommendation that she be institutionalised, her parents chose a different path—one that nurtured her intelligence and curiosity through a series of supportive schools. That decision changed everything. Watch until the end to learn how Dr Grandin’s lived experience with autism became the foundation for her groundbreaking work designing systems that reduce stress in both human and animal populations. Dr Grandin went on to become a leading author, speaker, and advocate in the fields of autism and animal behaviour, while also building a highly successful career consulting on livestock handling equipment design and animal welfare. An Emmy Award-winning HBO film starring Claire Danes chronicled her life, and in 2016, she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Today, nearly half of all cattle in the United States are handled in facilities she designed. Books by Temple Grandin include: - Different Kinds of Minds: A Guide to Your Brain - Autism and Education: The Way I See It: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know - Visual Thinking - Navigating Autism: 9 Mindsets For Helping Kids on the Spectrum - The Outdoor Scientist - The Wonder of Observing the Natural World - Calling All Minds - How to Think and Create Like an Inventor - The Way I See It - Thinking in Pictures, My Life with Autism - The Autistic Brain: Helping Different Kinds of Minds Succeed Chapters: 00:00 Meet Temple 04:24 Her Work 07:00 Motivations 08:35 Pride 10:58 Top Tips 12:30 Inspiration 15:54 Plans & Goals #autism #innovation #TempleGrandin #WeCan ________________________________________________________________________(We are sorry the quality of this episode is not great)For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, share your thoughts, and tell us who your favourite role model is?👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/Substack: https://shecan.substack.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465cApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wecan-podcast/id1790078746

As part of our `January Recap:Twice a year in January and August we re-run our most listened to episodes to re0-inspire you with these amazing mentor's stories.Redefining Venture Capital by Empowering Women Globally: WECAN sat down with Isabella Mandis to discuss venture capital and how she's encouraging girls to get involved. Isabella is a Harvard undergraduate, Forbes 30 Under 30 (Boston) honoree, Kleiner Perkins Fellow, and founder of Girls Into VC. Isabella shares her journey into venture capital, her work addressing gender bias in tech, and why she created Girls Into VC to help close the gender gap in VC. From publishing peer-reviewed research on reducing bias in machine learning to becoming Harvard’s first undergraduate Campus Investment Partner for The MBA Fund, Isabella is redefining what’s possible for women in finance and startups. 🔗 Learn more about Girls Into VC: https://www.girlsintovc.com/ 00:00 Meet Isabella 03:35 Data Doesn’t Lie 05:05 Main Motivator 06:05 Challenges 08:23 Top Qualities 10:12 Pride 10:54 Top Tips 12:09 Future Plans 13:10 Role Models #venturecapital #womeninvc #girlsintovc #forbes30under30 #womeninbusiness #Wecan ________________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, share your thoughts, and tell us who your favourite role model is? 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c