The WECAN Podcast

In today's episode of WECAN, Stephanie sits down with Dr. Markos Kounalakis, award-winning foreign affairs columnist, Stanford University visiting professor, Hoover Institution fellow, author of "Freedom Isn't The Price of World Order", and the first-ever Second Gentleman of California to talk about Geopolitics, AI and of course his story and how he got top where he is today.Born into a working-class Greek immigrant family, Markos became the first in his family to attend college. His journey would take him from California classrooms to some of the most significant moments in modern history, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Romanian Revolution, and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Dr. Markos Kounalakis is the ultimate role model for the next generation, leading with decades of observing global change, teaching future leaders, and supporting his wife, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, in her campaign for California State Treasurer. He reminds us of what's possible when we choose to live with deep purpose and raw humanity. He leads with profound knowledge and a spirit of true servitude, showing each of us how we can find meaningful ways to impact our own lives and the lives of those around us. Follow his journey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markoskounalakis/ We are so honoured to have Dr Markos Kounalakis and grateful for his leadership. #MarkosKounalakis #WECANInterviews #SecondGentleman #Geopolitics #HooverInstitution #StanfordProfessor #FutureOfAI #DefendingDemocracy #CaliforniaPolitics #Resilience #ForeignAffairs _______________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: / wecan.shecan LinkedIn: / shecan-world Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuyl...

Losing a child and surviving child loss is one of life's saddest, most devastating realities a parent can endure. In this deeply moving episode, Stephanie from WECAN sits down with Danielle Crittenden, author and journalist, to discuss her raw and profound journey of losing a child, grief, and her memoir, "Dispatches from Grief: A Mother's Journey Through the Unthinkable." In 2024, Danielle’s life was shattered by the sudden loss of her 32-year-old daughter, Miranda, due to complications from a brain tumour. On a February morning, her world cleaved in two: the life before her daughter Miranda was found dead in her Brooklyn apartment, and the life after. Danielle is the most beautiful role model, leading with light for anyone navigating life's darkest moments; surviving child loss, grief, mothering, and raw humanity. Her story completely shatters the uncomfortable silence around parental loss. Danielle opens up about why traditional grief advice fails, the reality of managing trauma through EMDR therapy, and the intense strain child loss puts on marriages and families. She leaves us with profound hope, reminding us that even in our darkest hours, we are never truly alone. Her latest book, "Dispatches from Grief," is a powerful testament to a mother's love and an essential guide that offers comfort, reduces isolation, and brings ultimate hope to families facing the unimaginable. I am so deeply thankful to Danielle for her story and embrace her and her family in the best way I know how - by spreading her story as far and wide as I can, to help others! Connect with Danielle: Website: https://daniellecrittenden.com/ Buy the Book: https://infinitebooks.com/products/dispatches-from-grief Thank you, Danielle, for everything that you are and do. #DanielleCrittenden #DispatchesFromGrief #WECANInterviews #GriefJourney #ParentalLoss #HopeAndHealing #ChildLossSupport #EMDRTherapy #Humanity #Resilience _______________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: / wecan.shecan LinkedIn: / shecan-world Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuyl...

Today on WECAN, Stephanie sits down with Anne-Marie Zanzal to explore the complex, often isolating journey of women transitioning their sexual identities later in life. What happens when the life you built no longer fits who you are? For ordained minister, grief counsellor, and coming out coach Anne-Marie, coming out at age 52 after a 27-year marriage and four children, was a complete spiritual and personal reorientation. Anne-Marie turned her own lived experience into a sanctuary for others, founding powerful peer-to-peer mentoring spaces like her "Authentically Us" community, her courses and workshops. If you are quietly questioning, navigating the "messy middle" of a late-in-life transition, or trying to untangle your faith from your truth, you do not have to walk this path alone. She fully supports people through the transition of their sexual identities. "Anne-Marie is the perfect role model for anyone rewriting their narrative. She uses community as a medicine to life's heaviest challenges, acting as a vital mirror and mentor to get women through profound midlife changes." Stephanie,WECAN Tune in for advice on how to navigate divorce, untangle internalised homophobia, and manage the varying reactions of children (from teenagers to adults). Connect with Anne-Marie Zanzal: Website: https://annemariezanzal.com/Read the Article on the Advocate on how she was dropped from a faith podcast for being queer: "Queer minister Rev. Anne-Marie Zanzal reflects on faith, dignity, and what happens when LGBTQ+ identity is treated as a debate." https://www.advocate.com/opinion/dropped-faith-podcast-queer#WECAN #AnneMarieZanzal #ComingOutLaterInLife #LateBloomers #AuthenticallyUs #MidlifeTransition #LGBTQIA #FaithDeconstruction #WomenEmpowerment #SpiritualGrowthFor any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 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 deeply soulful episode, Stephanie sits down with Melody Godfred Poet, Author, Speaker, and Self-Love Advocate, to explore what it truly means to love ourselves and find our purpose. She is an oracle who uses poetry as her medium and shares her journey from high-powered litigation attorney to bestselling author, revealing how motherhood and twins became the catalyst for a profound awakening around purpose, authenticity, and self-worth at the age of 30. There is beauty in self-love, and it takes courage to choose devotion over expectation. Purpose and profession don’t always have to perfectly align. Find out what it truly means to live an authentic, devoted life, where you choose to love yourself and follow your authentic path. Her latest book, Moon Garden: Poetry for Manifestation, is a one-of-a-kind poetry book where the moon becomes your manifestation guide, welcoming you home to yourself. There is enough room to love ourselves and others. "Melody Godfred feels like a soul sister. Her voice and her words are medicine in our current times." Stephanie, WECAN Connect with Melody Godfred: Website: https://www.melodygodfred.com/ Substack: https://substack.com/@melodygodfred Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodygodfred/?hl=en #WECAN #wecandothis #MelodyGodfred #SelfLove #MoonGarden #PersonalGrowth #RedefiningSuccess #CreativePurpose _______________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 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

Engagement. Performance. Retention. In this episode of WECAN, I have the absolute pleasure of welcoming Ian Watts, the founder of Employee Success Company. Ian is such a deeply human-centred leader who teaches companies exactly how to put people first and become experts in company culture. What a beautiful mission in life! If you are curious to know how to build the best company culture and scale your business while ensuring your people actually thrive, this is just the episode for you! Ian’s roadmap to developing engaged workforces in deeply human ways saves companies billions of dollars. He proves that you don't have to choose between empathy and profit. Forget surface-level office perks, Ian introduces his game-changing ACTS Method (Aspirations, Calling, Transformation, and Support), a leadership framework built on genuine relationships & their Performance Guarantee: Enhance engagement and reduce turnover in 90 days. Think of the coach, mentor, or leader who changed your life. How are you putting your people first in your business today? Have you noticed a drop in "discretionary effort" in your workplace? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! This is an absolute must-listen for all entrepreneurs and managers out there who want and need perfect teams to drive business forward. Visit Employee Success Company for more: https://employeesuccesscompany.com/ We honour and celebrate your story and insights and thank you for sharing so generously, Ian. #EmployeeSuccessCompany #HumanCenteredLeadership #CompanyCulture #BusinessGrowth #ACTSMethod #WeCanInterview #Entrepreneurs #ManagementTips _______________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 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

WECAN welcomes the phenomenal Beth Flippo, a Software Engineer, CEO, and Founder of DEXA, an innovative company pushing the goalposts of drone delivery, reimagining last-mile delivery through next-generation drone logistics, designed to help local businesses compete on speed and convenience, and leading the future of 15-minute, eco-friendly delivery systems in the United States. Beth paints an amazing picture of the future of how we will live, showing us exactly how technology can bring about massive, positive change to both everyday people's lives and local businesses. From her humble beginnings as a mother of four, frustrated by the logistics of getting urgent medication, Beth leveraged her background as an embedded software developer to build a groundbreaking autonomous drone intelligence platform. Today, she is the first female CEO of an unmanned airline, commanding a $120 million aviation asset portfolio with a rare Part 135 domestic air carrier certification. Beyond the tech, this conversation dives deep into why Beth is such an incredible leader. From her transparent communication style to the way she treats her employees and investors, Beth leads with a massive vision and a genuinely big heart. Delivering Quality Products Faster Than Traditional Delivery. Connect with Beth & DEXA: Website: https://flydexa.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-flippo-102b9822/ We are so impressed with Beth and what she is building. Our money is on you, Beth! #DroneDelivery #WomenInTech #Aviation #FemaleFounders #LeadershipVision #WECAN #DEXA #FutureOfLogistics _______________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 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

Trust Yourself Anyway: Designing a Life That Fits. What does it mean to "design a life that fits"? How can you feel empowered when you don't feel confident? In this episode of WECAN, Stephanie talks to the incredible Sally Miller, an award-winning fashion designer, author, and one of the most profoundly heart-driven creative leaders you will ever meet. Sally is deeply invested in the art of mentoring and fostering creativity, reminding us that the "flow" is always there, sometimes we get in our own way! She shares how getting lost isn't a dead end; it’s often just a stepping stone to finding a new puzzle piece of ourselves. Just listening to Sally’s soothing voice and story makes you feel more grounded, in your body, and connected to your true self. Sally shows us how to come back to ourselves in all our different life phases. Her book, Trust Yourself Anyway, is my memoir and guide to help inspire and grow a global community of girls and women who are designing lives that actually fit. A roadmap to gracious, kind ways of showing up as ourselves, of trusting ourselves again. Growing Confidence • Creativity • Connection Visit her website: https://www.sallymiller.com/ Sally Miller’s new book, Trust Yourself Anyway: Designing a Life That Fits, officially launched on Friday, the 8th of May! Grab your copy to discover a kinder, more gracious way to show up as yourself. https://www.sallymiller.com/book #SallyMiller #TrustYourselfAnyway #CreativeLeadership #SelfTrust #FashionAndSoul #WeCanPodcast #Mentorship ________________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 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 episode of WECAN, I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing David Homan, founder of Orchestrated Connecting and author of Orchestrating Connections - known as a “Connector of Connectors,” David connects people. David is an intentional idealist who has managed something rare. He has built trust and a purposeful world around him that mirrors his deepest values back to him. He is a deeply generous human who cares about the greater good more than anything else, and listening to his dreams and the massive action he takes to achieve them is a true shot of hope. We live in a world that often feels fractured, but David reminds us that trust is the cornerstone. He doesn’t just talk about community; he engineers it. Through his global network of 2,600 connectors and his platform SOAR Connect, David creates immersive frameworks where authenticity and vulnerability aren't just "nice to have", they are the requirements for giving a piece of our soul to others and finding true connection. He is also a recognised classical composer whose music can be found by saying “Alexa–please play the music of David Homan,” with 7 albums and international radio play. His latest project is a film or mini-series about a composer who loses his mind to Alzheimer’s. A Note from Stephanie: Listening to David made me dream bigger. It made me want to double down even more on creating the world I want to see and be a part of. We all have the power to co-create our ideal reality for ourselves and each other; it doesn’t even take that much. Ask yourself today: What can I do for someone else? What will my ripple effect be? Orchestrated Connecting: https://orchestratedconnecting.com/ Buy his book: https://orchestratingconnection.com/ #WECAN #DavidHoman #IntentionalLiving #CommunityBuilding #Generosity #Vulnerability #EthicalConnection #Hope #CoCreation ________________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 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