On Becoming

What does feminine energy look like in tech, one of the most masculine sectors in the world? This week on On Becoming, I’m joined by Ida Tin, the visionary Danish entrepreneur demonstrating what leadership and innovation looks like with feminine intelligence at its center. Ida is the co-founder and former CEO of Clue, the groundbreaking menstrual health app used by millions, and the creator of the term “femtech,” a $28 billion industry transforming women’s health and lives globally. Since leaving her post as CEO of Clue, Ida’s written a book about her entrepreneurial journey and has recently launched Femtech Assembly, a think tank that explores the link between Femtech, economy and planetary health.Ida’s story is as bold and unconventional as the solutions she’s built. Growing up on motorcycles, traveling the world with her family, she witnessed firsthand how childbirth and childcare profoundly shaped women’s futures. These experiences sparked a question that would guide her life’s work: What if we created tools that truly supported women—on their terms?In a tech world dominated by linear, competitive, masculine energy, Ida offers a radical counterpoint. Her approach is cyclical, relational, and deeply intuitive, drawing on the intelligence that comes from living in a woman’s body. Ida challenges the cultural blindness toward women’s needs and shows us what’s possible when we innovate from a place of connection, care, and inclusion.In this episode, we explore:• The profound connection between women’s health and planetary health—and why empowering women could save the global economy $1 trillion every year.• How Ida’s global travels shaped her mission to build Clue and pioneer the femtech movement.• What feminine leadership looks like in action—grounded in cycles, intuition, and emotional intelligence—and why the world needs it now more than ever.• How to move past fear and radically reimagine systems that include and serve everyone.Ida’s story is not just inspiring; it’s urgent. She reminds us that breaking the silence around women’s health is revolutionary work—that it’s not just about individual empowerment but about transforming systems, economies, and ecosystems.Ida’s story will leave you inspired to think differently about leadership, bold enough to tap into your own unique wisdom, and hopeful about what’s possible when we center women’s voices and needs in our world.Links and mentions:Ida Tin's LinkedInClueMcKinsey reportConnect with Me:• Book a discovery call at www.zevabellel.com• Subscribe to my Substack: On Becoming• Email me: zeva@zevabellel.com• Leave me a voice message on SpeakpipeP.S. If you love this episode, share it with a friend, leave a 5-star review, or drop me a line. I love hearing from you!

What does it take to lead with heart—even when it's shattered into smithereens? In this episode of On Becoming, I sit down with Colleen Curtis, a powerhouse in community leadership and a woman who’s redefined what it means to lead with a strong back, and soft heart.Colleen was my boss for four years at Yelp, and she’s the one who had to let me go during a massive company-wide layoff back in 2016. But here’s the thing: I don’t just respect her—I absolutely adore her. Because the way she handled that impossible moment taught me what true leadership looks like: thoughtful, human, and deeply invested in the people she serves. Over her impressive career—from rising to VP at Yelp to leading community at The Mom Project, Miro, and now Reddit—Colleen has championed the idea that community isn’t just a buzzword. It’s about creating spaces where people can connect around a common interest or cause and "become the best versions of themselves." Whether it’s writing LinkedIn testimonials for laid-off team members or rallying her network with “Let’s Get People Hired” campaigns, Colleen has never stopped building bridges and empowering others to step into their full potential.What We’ll Explore:How to balance empathy and decisiveness when faced with the hardest leadership moments.The messy middle of career pivots, and how falling flat can lead to a better path.What truly separates a community from an audience.The power of women’s natural inclination for care and connection as a leadership strength.Learning the liberating power of saying no as a lifelong people pleaser.Questions to Consider:• What does leadership with heart and humanity look like in your life?• How do you create community in a way that fosters true connection and belonging?• What role does self-realization play in your professional and personal growth, and who's supporting you on that journey?Colleen’s story will inspire you to think differently about leadership—how you show up when things get messy, how you balance strength with softness, and how you create spaces that lift others up. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn tough moments into transformative growth—for yourself and the people around you—this is the episode for you.Connect with Me:• Book a discovery call at www.zevabellel.com• Subscribe to my Substack: On Becoming• Email me: zeva@zevabellel.com• Leave me a voice message on SpeakpipeP.S. If you love this episode, share it with a friend, leave a 5-star review, or drop me a line. I love hearing from you!

What happens when empowerment is only half the equation? In this season dedicated to the feminine edge of leadership, a sobering reality hit me post-election: empowering women is vital, but what about the work needed to address the fears that keep men (and women!) from embracing strong female leaders? In this solo episode of On Becoming, I’m diving into the silent fears, old narratives, and cultural barriers that keep true gender equality at bay. We’ll explore how stories—whether in advertising, literature, or personal relationships—can shape a culture where power isn’t a zero-sum game but something we all benefit from sharing. Along the way, I’ll unpack lessons from coaching, insights from historians, and even a viral ad that flips gender stereotypes on their head.What We’ll Explore:What I accidentally unearthed as the #1 fear holding women back from expressing themselves & their power fully.Why equality often feels threatening to men—and how we can address those fears without judgment.How storytelling, from midlife feminist memoirs to ad campaigns, can challenge deeply held beliefs about power and gender.Questions to Consider:What unconscious fears or beliefs have shaped how you think about power and equality?What kind of stories do we need to create a world where equality doesn’t feel like a threat, but an opportunity?Links and Mentions:Misogyny: The World's Oldest PrejudiceMetro Shoes AdEpisode #17 with Cindy GallopEpisode #18 with Jessi KleinDeborah LevyMiranda JulyConnect with me:Book a discovery callSubscribe to my SubstackLeave a message on SpeakpipeFollow me on InstagramCredits: Artwork Jessie Kanelos Weiner; Editing Matthew Jordan; Music © Fabrice Fortin; Photo: Virginie FaucherP.S. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode!

What happens when life doesn’t call for a hero, but a sense of humor? In this episode of On Becoming, I’m joined by Jessi Klein—Emmy-winning writer, comedian, and one of the funniest people I know—to remind us that sometimes, survival isn’t about grand heroics but finding humor in the middle of motherhood, midlife, and all the “what in the actual f*ck” moments we never saw coming. In a time when women’s rights and bodies are still up for debate (and sometimes outright denial), Jessi shows us how laughter can be our greatest tool for resilience, connection, and yes, even protest.About Jessi Klein: Jessi Klein is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning writer, comedian, and producer known for her work on Inside Amy Schumer, Big Mouth, and Dead to Me. She’s also the author of two bestselling books, You’ll Grow Out of It and I’ll Show Myself Out, where she brings the unvarnished, laugh-out-loud truths about womanhood to the page.In this episode, we’ll explore:• The quiet courage it takes to stay present through motherhood’s hardest moments, and why Jessi calls it the “ultimate hero’s journey.”• How Jessi uses humor to confront the emotional shifts of midlife and keep herself grounded (or at least laughing) through it.• Why unfiltered storytelling about womanhood—complete with underwear sandwiches and other intimate details—helps us connect over experiences we rarely share.• Her journey to realizing that comedy is more than just jokes—it’s a powerful way to make people feel less alone.As you listen, consider these questions:• How might laughter help you face the big, messy challenges in your own life?• What would it mean to see your own struggles as a hero’s journey, where the courage lies in just showing up, day after day?• How can humor help us feel less alone in the experiences we usually keep quiet about?Links and Mentions:• You’ll Grow Out of It, I’ll Show Myself Out• Jessi's IGConnect with me:• Book a discovery call• Subscribe to my Substack• Leave a message on Speakpipe• Follow me on InstagramCredits: Artwork Jessie Kanelos Weiner; Editing Matthew Jordan; Music © Fabrice Fortin; Photo: Virginie FaucherP.S. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode!

What happens when you stop playing by the world’s rules and start living unapologetically on your own terms? For my next guest on On Becoming, it’s not about “breaking the rules”—it’s about smashing the outdated systems that were never built for us in the first place. Whether she’s rethinking how we view sex, reshaping power dynamics, or fighting to overhaul outdated payment systems, Cindy is rewriting the world through a female lens. In this episode, Cindy opens up about her radical journey from the male-dominated world of advertising to becoming a pioneering voice in sextech, and why she believes the world will be a better place when it’s 50-50 equally led, managed, and designed by women.About Cindy Gallop:Cindy Gallop is a British-Chinese entrepreneur, advertising veteran, and fearless leader in the fight for sex positivity and gender equality. After founding the U.S. office of ad agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) in 1998, she went on to win Advertising Woman of the Year in 2003. Her career took a major pivot after a TED Talk in 2009 that went viral, launching her groundbreaking platform MakeLoveNotPorn, which promotes real, consensual sex as a counter-narrative to mainstream porn. But MakeLoveNotPorn is just the start. Cindy’s ecosystem has grown to include MakeLoveNotPorn Academy for sex education, a FinTech solution to ensure fair payment systems for sextech businesses, and an ad tech platform for ethical advertising. She’s even working on an AI tool to visualize and model real consent—something the world desperately needs!In this episode, we’ll explore:• The birth of MakeLoveNotPorn and how dating younger men casually opened Cindy’s eyes to the real impact of porn as sex education.• Why she’s pushing for a 50-50 world where women lead, manage, and design systems of power.• The roadblocks Cindy faces trying to fund MakeLoveNotPorn and how she’s tackling systemic barriers with radical solutions.• Why Cindy believes that open, honest conversations about sex can change everything from relationships to power dynamics in the workplace.• Why Cindy’s recipe for self-care will make every married mom weep with envy. :)This conversation is not just about sex or power—it’s about flipping the system, breaking down barriers, and living unapologetically in a world designed through a female lens.Links and mentions:• Cindy’s Instagram• MakeLoveNotPorn• WeFundHerConnect with me:• Book a discovery call• Subscribe to my Substack• Leave a message on Speakpipe• Follow me on InstagramCredits: Artwork Jessie Kanelos Weiner; Editing Matthew Jordan; Music © Fabrice Fortin; Photo: Virginie FaucherP.S. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode!

In this special solo episode of On Becoming, I dive into a topic that’s been on my mind lately: the environments we choose to live, work, and grow in. Are they nurturing us, helping us thrive and evolve? Or are they neglecting our growth, keeping us stuck in places we’ve outgrown?After a transformative retreat in the South of France, I began reflecting on how the spaces we surround ourselves with—from our homes to our workplaces to our broader communities—play a crucial role in shaping our development. I share stories from my own journey, from Vassar College in upstate New York to my life in Paris, and how each environment either nurtured my voice or constrained it.In this episode, I explore:• How the environments you choose impact your personal and professional growth• The difference between nurturing and neglecting spaces• How to identify when your space no longer supports your evolution• Practical tips to start shifting your environment, one small step at a timeWhy listen:• If you feel like your environment no longer supports your growth• If you want to learn how small shifts in your space can lead to big changes in your life• If you’re curious about how environments impact leadership, creativity, and personal evolution• If you want to hear personal stories of transformation with actionable insights to create changeListen now and explore how the spaces you choose can unlock your potential.Links and mentions:Madame de la Maison's The Good Life RetreatVassar CollegeEpisode #15 with Rha GoddessMy Vision Board WorkshopsConnect with me:Book a discovery callSubscribe to my substackLeave a message: speakpipe.com/onbecomingFollow me on InstagramCredits: Artwork Jessie Kanelos Weiner; Editing Matthew Jordan; Music © Fabrice Fortin; Photo: Virginie FaucherPS: Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode far and wide!