The WECAN Podcast

WECAN welcomes Elizabeth Tait and Aryssa Lee Burrs from the incredible acapella sextet, Lyyra, to discuss their debut album Rising. If you haven’t heard them yet, prepare yourself. Their voices don't just reach you; they re-arrange your nervous system, leaving you with a profound sense of hope and connection. Lyyra is redefining the role of upper-voice ensembles in the choral landscape, highlighting the astonishing capabilities of women’s vocal artistry. As the new all-women vocal ensemble from The VOCES8 Foundation based in the USA, Lyyra creates world-class musical experiences to inspire audiences. The sound of this bright, young group combines velvety richness alongside star-like brilliance. With a broad texture and exhilarating range of sound, the group’s talented members specialise in classical, jazz, pop, and folk music from diverse traditions and backgrounds. Lyyra seeks to redefine the genre of upper-voice music, highlighting the astonishing capabilities across the full spectrum of women’s singing. LYYRA, you are soul food, thank you! We honour and celebrate the six of you! With an upcoming European tour across Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and Northern Ireland, Lyra is inviting audiences to join them on what they describe as both a musical and personal journey. Listen to "Rising": https://www.lyyramusic.com/ Follow Lyyra: @lyyra_official If this interview gave you chills, make sure to Like, Subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear this magic! #Lyyra #Acapella #AngelicVoices #HauntinglyBeautiful #WarnerClassics #Rising #WomenInMusic #VOCES8 #ChoralRevolution #FullBodyChills ________________________________________________________________________ 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

What a truly wonderful human Lisa Bonos is! In this episode, we are given a front-row seat to a major career transition in journalism unfolding in real time. After 20 years as a reporter for The Washington Post, Lisa recently experienced a layoff. Instead of shying away from the uncertainty, she is here to share exactly what it feels like to reset, pivot, and decide what comes next. We often only hear about career changes after they’ve been "figured out." Lisa breaks that mould. She shares the raw reality of being in a "limbo" state and shows us how to navigate fear with an incredible secret weapon: Curiosity. By treating this phase as an exciting period of discovery rather than just a negative setback, Lisa offers a masterclass in resilience. I had such a lovely time with Lisa, and I think her perspective is exactly what we all need to hear right now. Whether you are facing a career change or just feeling the weight of the unknown, Lisa’s journey will leave you feeling encouraged and inspired. We honour and celebrate you and your journey, Lisa! Connect with Lisa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-bonos-288218a/ #LisaBonos #CareerTransition #Journalism #TheWashingtonPost #WeCan #FutureOfMedia ________________________________________________________________________ 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

Today's episode of WECAN, global diversity and inclusion leader Celeste Warren shares her mission to make equity accessible and actionable for everyone. Drawing from her experience as a Chief Diversity Officer at a Fortune 100 company, she discusses her book, “The Truth About Equity.” She provides a roadmap for leaders and individuals to build truly inclusive environments. Celeste shares how her lifelong commitment to equity was inspired by her father, who broke barriers as the first Black teacher and principal in his community. She views DEI not as a specialised initiative, but as "Management 101" and a fundamental business practice. The Six Steps to Equity from her book, The Truth About Equity, Celeste outlines a practical framework for creating change: Awareness: Recognising the gaps and biases. Access: Ensuring opportunities are available to all. Advocacy: Using your platform to support others. Action: Implementing equity into daily habits. Accountability: Measuring progress and taking responsibility. Empowerment: Giving others the tools to succeed. We are incredibly thankful to Celeste for speaking so plainly about a topic that has recently faced significant pushback. By providing clear business cases and a management approach, she proves how DEI is crucial to supporting broader business objectives. Visit Celeste's website for more: https://crwdiversity.com/ #topsite #Equity #DEI #BusinessStrategy #CelesteWarren #WeCan ________________________________________________________________________ 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, Kirsten explores how we can create a handmade future by shifting our perspective on what, and how, we buy. Fast and cheap is not the way forward. We all know we need to get off the consumption hamster wheel and reclaim our power as consumers to change the world. Stephanie is joined by the incredibly resourceful Kirsten Dickerson. She has helped launch and grow both impact businesses and global nonprofits, such as Raven + Lily and Tirzah International. She is the founder of Artist & Nomad and the director of the documentary Handmade Future. Kirsten is a visionary who proves that you don't need a massive studio budget to make a massive impact. She filmed a world-class documentary with almost no resources, and now it’s taking the film festival circuit by storm! We dive into why cultural heritage and traditional skills matter. It’s about more than just "stuff"—it’s about connection. Connection to ourselves, to our surroundings, to others, and to the traditions that define us. Kirsten’s big-picture thinking is truly inspiring. Everything she does, from her time at Raven + Lily to her new life in Waco, Texas, works toward a global vision of a more intentional, beautiful world.We honour and celebrate Kirsten and her purpose, one that we wholeheartedly support. Thank you, Kirsten, for leading so powerfully by example.Visit Artist and Nomad for more: https://artistandnomad.com/#HandmadeFuture #ArtistandNomad #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

WECAN reimagine the future with the Circle This Duo to cure the loneliness epidemic. In this soul-stirring Episode of the WECAN Partner Series, Stephanie is joined by Andrea Bendewald and Emily Kratter, the visionary co-hosts of the Circle This Podcast. This isn't just an insight into media, it’s a reflection on how friendship can serve as the ultimate foundation for a professional venture and a remedy for the modern "loneliness epidemic." Andrea and Emily show how we can have limitless love in friendship, blasting the barriers we set between ourselves and making room for a friendship and love that we all might long for. Emily and Andrea share their journey of weaving stories and people together, proving that when we integrate information through deeper connection, we don't just learn, we transform. Traditional networking often feels hollow, and digital content can leave us feeling isolated. Emily and Andrea are redefining what it means to share a stage, shifting the focus from "presentation" to integration. Through poetry, music, and radical transparency, they show us how to find the words for our truths and the remedies for our collective challenges. Some key takeaways from connecting with Andrea and Emily are community first and moving beyond the speaker-audience divide to create immersive, circular formats where everyone is a participant. Authentic love, where learning to give love as a "gift" without the attachment to validation. And finally, we can create sacred spaces where there is the potential for future collaborations that combine storytelling with ancient practices of connection. 00:00 Meet Andrea and Emily 05:30 Season 2 of Circle This 08:30 Creating Deeper Connections 15:50 Partnership 25:25 Love and Keeping the Flame Alive 39:48 Plans and Goals 45:40 The Future of Events 🔗 Connect with Our Guests Listen to Circle This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vedOp5rp2h2IET51LhWBP?si=cbb54dcebf054701 #DeeperConnections #EmilyKratter #AndreaBendewald #WeCan #CircleThis ________________________________________________________________________ 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

Thank you for joining us as we explore how Mike Brcic uses immersive experiences to help us slow down, mine the gold of our own challenges, and find the courage to be seen and connected in all our messy, beautiful truths. Mike is the founder of Wayfinders, and in this Episode he explores with Stephanie how creating immersive experiences in remote places brings entrepreneurs back to themselves, for a deep dive into the truths unearthed when we leave the noise of the world behind to find ourselves. Mike doesn't just share a business timeline, he honours the gold mined from his own life, the pivots, the silences, and the profound realisation that being "seen" is the ultimate catalyst for growth. Mike’s story is a testament to the magic that happens when we are willing to be vulnerable. He reflects on his transition from the high-pressure "cult of the individual" to a life centred on connection. From walking away from a successful but soul-draining business to building something rooted in alignment. He is responsible for taking leaders to the edges of the earth, from the monasteries of Bhutan to the wilds of Iceland. Mike creates a sanctuary where entrepreneurs can drop their armour and shows us that when one person is brave enough to be seen, it creates a ripple effect, helping everyone else feel safe enough to do the same. While the locations are remote, the real 'immersive experiences' are the journeys inward. Mike teaches us how to listen to the subtle messages of the heart that are often drowned out by the hustle. He discusses the vital importance of showing up as our full selves in every role, as fathers, partners, and friends, not just as CEOs. We are so grateful for Mike's story and his insights that teach us so much. We honour his journey and celebrate his wisdom. Find Your Wild with Mike: https://www.mikebrcic.com/ Wayfinders: https://way-finders.com/ Wayfinders on Substack: https://wayfinders.substack.com/ 00:00 Meet Mike 03:30 Creating Immersive Experiences 10:20 Connection and Immersion 17:30 Advice for Entrepreneurs 21:50 Human Insights and Lessons Learned 29:30 Advice for Younger Generations 33:05 Tips for Your Children 36:48 Plans for Wayfinders in 2026 #immersiveexperiences #MikeBrcic #FindYourWild #WeCan ________________________________________________________________________ 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 today's episode, Stephanie sits down to talk corporate strategy with Kelly McGinnis, President of Thermo Fisher Scientific, powerhouse Corporate Strategist, Fortune 100 Executive & Author. Kelly pulls back the curtain on how she manages a global workforce of tens of thousands by focusing on what truly matters: People, Reflection, and Strategy Execution. She leads through complexity at the intersection of strategy, transformation, and where people collide. If you’ve ever felt like your career is "confining" or that work-life balance is an impossible myth, this conversation is for you. Kelly shares her philosophy on Work-Life Integration, the "Red Team" approach to business planning, and why she believes the future of leadership depends on mentorship. In this Episode, we cover: The "Red Team" Strategy: How to identify threats and stress-test your business plans before they fail. Beyond Work-Life Balance: Why Kelly chooses integration over balance (and how she brings her family into her professional world). The 30% Rule: Why every leader should dedicate 30% of their time to coaching and mentoring. Strategy vs. Execution: Navigating the complexities of leading a massive global organisation. Daily Reflection: The simple habit Kelly uses to stay aligned with her long-term priorities. Legacy of Leadership: How Kelly mentored 13 future CFOs and executives. "You can design a fulfilling career that doesn't feel confining. Leadership isn't just about the numbers; it's about the meaningful impact you leave on your team." — Kelly McGinnis Connect with her here: Website: https://kellymcginnis.com/ Subscribe to her Substack: https://substack.com/@leadwithkelly Kelly’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyamcginnis/ Thermo Fisher Scientific: https://www.thermofisher.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a comment below: What is one "key initiative" you are focusing on this month? ________________________________________________________________________ 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!

Nearly 40% of executive transitions fail within the first 18 months because leaders are not set up to succeed. Executives fail when they ignore the human side. Transitioning into a C-suite or executive role is one of the most challenging leaps a leader can take. In this episode on WECAN, Stephanie welcomes Navid Nazemian, ranked the World's #1 Executive Coach, Bestselling Author of "Mastering Executive Transitions," Keynote Speaker and NED. His work focuses on helping high-level executives maximise their impact to avoid the common pitfalls of new roles, building high-performing teams and creating admired organisations. This episode provides a roadmap for navigating the high-stakes world of corporate leadership. Learn about his fascinating career pivot from Sales to HR, and the raw insights he gained along the way, why culture, relationships, and stakeholders matter more than technical ability! Above all, we should seek and accept mental feedback. We also explore: The Career Pivot: How Navid transitioned from a sales background into the heart of Human Resources. Mastering Transitions: The core themes of Navid’s book, why most executive transitions fail, and how to intervene successfully. The Power of the Last 90 Days: Why the end of your first three months is just as critical as the beginning. The 6 Qualities of Extraordinary Leaders: A deep dive into Confidence, Self-Awareness, Connection, Inspiration, Courage, and Clarity. A Framework for Growth: Navid’s personal strategy for continuous individual development and understanding customer needs. "Success is not measured by my own milestones, but by the achievements and growth of the clients I serve. Don’t just prepare for the role—prepare for the transition." — Navid Nazemian Connect with Navid: Website: https://www.masteringexecutivetransitions.com/ Book: Mastering Executive Transitions https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637308132 LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/navidnazemian/?originalSubdomain=ae #ExecutiveCoaching #Leadership #ExecutiveTransitions #NavidNazemian #CareerGrowth #WeCanInterview #CorporateLeadership ________________________________________________________________________ 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