Holy smokes! These times are a lot for every single one of us to absorb. How can anyone be expected to maintain a clear focus at work with so much going on around us? In this episode, Alex and Terra felt like this is the ideal time to talk about the deep relationships we each have cultivated with a colleague that helps us to maintain balance no matter the circumstances. You will be introduced to Alicia Mader, who you may know from our Breaking Barriers series, and Tyler Kirkland, the people we lovingly call our work spouses. The four of us have an open discussion about how we connected and why our respective relationships are the adorable secret to our ongoing professional and personal success. We also offer our thoughts on how to find your own work spouse. Don’t worry, no dating apps are required.

We hope you enjoy this special episode of A Little Louder Now featuring Alicia and Tyler!

Welcome to the Breaking Barriers series of our A Little Louder Now podcasts. During this series, Alex and Alicia shine a light on two trailblazing women in a different themed topic each month. These two take their fangirling seriously and are excited to share about women who broke down barriers and reached back to pull up the next generation.

The Bridge Initiative is dedicated to inclusion and so, for June's theme, we chose Rainbow Connection. This month we are shining a light on two amazing women who broke barriers in their respective fields for the LGBTQ community. Both women are beacons of hope and light for the community. Our featured Barrier Breaker for this episode is the icon Megan Rapinoe. Megan is an inspiration. She is an advocate for equality in sports, specifically Major League Soccer. She’s a women’s soccer great, leading the US Women’s National Team to three world championships and a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics. We celebrate Megan's contributions to the LBGTQ community and sports equality. Alex and Alicia are excited to take you on a journey through Megan's life. Take a listen!

Music by Jennifer Szakolczay

Editing by Brittany Waltmire

Megan's soccer experience - outline:

https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/TsVlC31G19S90XgcQwEN3

Learn more about Megan Rapinoe:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megan_Rapinoe#2011_FIFA_Women's_World_Cup

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megan_Rapinoe

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2019/06/29/megan-rapinoe-is-being-well-megan-rapinoe-at-the-world-cup/39639569/

https://ew.com/books/2019/07/25/megan-rapinoe-memoir/

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/megan-rapinoe-uswnt-qa-mailbag

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/megan-rapinoe-united-states-world-cup-youre-not-gonna-get-rid-of-your-girl-that-easily

https://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-womens-world-cup/story/3878587/why-megan-rapinoes-brother-brian-is-her-greatest-heartbreakand-hope

https://equalizersoccer.com/2011/07/08/wps-top-of-table-clash-and-rapinoes-value/

https://www.teamusa.org/us-soccer/athletes/Megan-Rapinoe

http://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/megan-rapinoe

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_FIFA_Women%27s_World_Cup

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reign_FC#2016_season

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/08/sports/womens-soccer-team-lawsuit-gender-discrimination.html

https://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-fifa-threatened-players-lawsuit-20141028-story.html

https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/soccer/ny-alex-morgan-megan-rapinoe-carli-lloyd-uswnt-lawsuit-20191007-om53n37y3rfjfm5vwllfv3r75q-story.html

https://www.ussoccer.com/players/r/megan-rapinoe

https://www.ellevest.com/magazine/newsletter/2019-09-10?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter-2019-09-10&utm_source=subscriptions&utm_content=body

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_women%27s_national_soccer_team

https://nypost.com/2017/09/21/us-womens-soccer-is-sick-of-being-relegated-to-artificial-turf/

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/megan-rapinoe-womens-sports-equality-gay-rights

https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/u-s-women-s-soccer-team-boldly-embraces-field-activist-n1027726

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/videos/megan-rapinoe-soccer-icon-activist-generations

https://www.outsports.com/2019/9/24/20881073/megan-rapinoe-soccer-fifa-best-womens-player-award-world-cup-uswnt-2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSgcLb8AeQ8

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/megan-rapinoe-comes-out-olympic-soccer-player-_n_1646700

https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/a28321598/megan-rapinoe-girlfriend-sue-bird/

Welcome to the Breaking Barriers series of our A Little Louder Now podcasts. During this series, Alex and Alicia shine a light on two trailblazing women in a different themed topic each month. These two take their fangirling seriously and are excited to share about women who broke down barriers and reached back to pull up the next generation.

For May's theme, we chose Amazing Artists. This month we are shining a light on two amazing women who broke barriers in their respective fields in the art world. Our featured Amazing Artist for this episode is Georgia O'Keeffe, one of the first female painters to achieve worldwide acclaim from critics and the general public. We celebrate Georgia's contributions to art and culture. Her artwork is stunning and Alex and Alicia are excited to take you on a journey through Georgia's life and art. Take a listen!

Music by Jennifer Szakolczay

Editing by Brittany Waltmire

Learn more about Georgia O'Keeffe:

https://www.georgiaokeeffe.net/

https://www.okeeffemuseum.org/about-georgia-okeeffe/

https://www.theartstory.org/artist/okeeffe-georgia/life-and-legacy/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_O%27Keeffe

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_Poppies_(painting)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Canna_(paintings)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precisionism

Welcome to the Breaking Barriers series of our A Little Louder Now podcasts. During this series, Alex and Alicia shine a light on two trailblazing women in a different themed topic each month. These two take their fangirling seriously and are excited to share about women who broke down barriers and reached back to pull up the next generation.

For the month of May, we chose the theme of Amazing Artists. This month we are shining a light on two groundbreaking women who broke barriers in their respective artistic mediums. Our featured Amazing Artist for this episode is Ivy Benson, whose all female band broke gender barriers to become the BBC Radio’s resident dance band and headlined at the London Palladium for six months in the 1940s. We celebrate Ivy's life and the amazing art she contributed to the world. One thing we learned was how many women Ivy gave an opportunity to become a professional musician. She was truly an incredible woman. Alex and Alicia are excited to take you on a journey through Ivy's life. Take a listen!

Music by Jennifer Szakolczay

Editing by Brittany Waltmire

Learn more about Ivy Benson:

https://www.last.fm/music/Ivy+Benson+&+her+Girls+Band/+wiki

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy_Benson

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny_Goodman

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_dance_band

https://www.welcometoleeds.co.uk/channel/history/video/ivy-benson/

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/clhlwr/research/ivybenson

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ivy-benson-mn0000965233

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-ivy-benson-2322038.html

http://jaquo.com/ivy-benson-band/

https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29557015

https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/articles/343718ed-4caf-44a2-8291-4aaa18d48c2c

https://veryintelligentprincess.com/guest-posts/ivy-benson/

Welcome to the Breaking Barriers series of our A Little Louder Now podcasts. During this series, Alex and Alicia shine a light on two trailblazing women in a different themed topic each month. These two take their fangirling seriously and are excited to share about women who broke down barriers and reached back to pull up the next generation.

For April's theme, we chose Science Mavens. This month we are shining a light on two amazing women who broke barriers in their respective fields in science. Our featured Science Maven for this episode is Stephanie Kwolek, the woman who discovered Kevlar. We celebrate Stephanie's contributions to science and all the ways her work made the world a safer place for all of us with her incredible discovery. Alex and Alicia are excited to take you on a journey through Stephanie's life. Take a listen!

Music by Jennifer Szakolczay

Editing by Brittany Waltmire

Learn more about Stephanie Kwolek:

https://www.sciencehistory.org/historical-profile/stephanie-l-kwolek

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevlar

https://bulletsafe.com/pages/the-history-of-bulletproof-vests

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Kwolek

https://www.invent.org/inductees/stephanie-louise-kwolek

https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/stephanie-kwolek-7081.php

https://cen.acs.org/content/cen/articles/92/i26/Stephanie-Kwolek-Dies-90.html

https://www.theepochtimes.com/the-bulletproof-vest-inventor-will-always-be-remembered-for-her-life-saving-discovery_2830168.html

Welcome to the Breaking Barriers series of our A Little Louder Now podcasts. During this series, Alex and Alicia shine a light on two trailblazing women in a different themed topic each month. These two take their fangirling seriously and are excited to share about women who broke down barriers and reached back to pull up the next generation.

For April's theme, we chose Science Mavens. This month we are shining a light on two amazing women who broke barriers in their respective fields in science. Our featured Science Maven for this episode is Florence Nightingale, the founder of what we now think of as modern nursing. We celebrate Florence's contributions to science and all the ways she worked to make hospitals a cleaner and safer place for all of us. Alex and Alicia are excited to take you on a journey through Florence's life. Take a listen!

Music by Jennifer Szakolczay

Editing by Brittany Waltmire

Learn more about Florence Nightingale:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/florence-nightingale/

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/florence-nightingale

https://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/florence-nightingale-1

https://www.bbc.com/timelines/z92hsbk

https://www.florence-nightingale.co.uk/resources/biography/?v=7516fd43adaa

https://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/nitegale.htm

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Florence-Nightingale

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Nightingale

https://www.biography.com/scientist/florence-nightingale

https://archive.triblive.com/news/mother-daughter-from-western-pa-volunteer-to-help-those-whove-lost-everything-start-to-move-forward/

https://www.nursing.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/pittnurse_spring2012.pdf

https://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/Citation/2002/05000/American_Nurses_Receive_International_Recognition_.49.aspx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimean_War

In this episode, Terra and Alex decided to do something a little different. This month we are featuring our good friend, colleague and ally, Matt Wolniewicz, Vice President of Sales at Fi360. Matt has been an advocate for The Bridge Initiative from the very start. In fact, most people don’t know this, but it was Matt who first suggested an event dedicated to women in finance at the Fi360 Conference. He has a unique ability to excite any room with his intense but positive energy. He cares deeply about his colleagues and his clients, believing in the power of good people and their ability to deliver on a mission. During our conversation, he shares some great insights into what he believes makes a strong ally that we know you will find valuable.

We’re thrilled for you to meet the leader we know and love! Here is our interview with Matt Wolniewicz!

Music by Jennifer Szakolczay

Editing by Brittany Waltmire

Welcome to the Breaking Barriers series of our A Little Louder Now podcasts. During this series, Alex and Alicia shine a light on two trailblazing women in a different themed topic each month. These two take their fangirling seriously and are excited to share about women who broke down barriers and reached back to pull up the next generation.

This month, our topic is Boss Babes. We are shining a light on two fearless women in power and leadership. Our featured Boss Babe for this episode is Julia Gilliard, the first and only woman to date to hold the positions of Deputy Prime Minister, Prime Minister and leader of a major party in Australia. We celebrate Julia's iron strength, determination and vision to lead her country. Alex and Alicia are new to Australian politics and did their level best to take you on a journey through Julia's life in the best way possible. Take a listen!

Music by Jennifer Szakolczay

Editing by Brittany Waltmire

Learn more about Julia Gilliard:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Gillard

https://www.aec.gov.au/voting/counting/hor_count.htm

https://www.peo.gov.au/learning/fact-sheets/ministers-and-shadow-ministers.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Australian_Labor_Party_leadership_spill

https://www.ag.gov.au/About/ForcedAdoptionsApology/Pages/default.aspx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misogyny_Speech

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_prime_ministers_of_Australia_by_time_in_office

http://www.executivestyle.com.au/one-cool-customer-2orn0

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-19/julia-gillard-shares-heartfelt-note-from-airline-passenger/11223258

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Labor_Party

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Julia-Gillard

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-girl-in-the-letter-emily-gunnis/1130510511?ean=9781472255099

In this episode, Terra and Alex speak with Robin Green, president and head of research at RGIdeas, an independent research and consulting company in the financial services industry. Robin also happens to be a former colleague and dear friend of ours. From the very beginning, Robin has charged ahead with a joie de vivre that had her destined for great things. A self-described bulldozer, we see Robin as a woman who drives hard toward her goals, refusing to let obstacles slow her down. But her edges are softened by an unyielding positivity and genuine care for everyone around her. Robin has been an inspiration for both Terra and Alex and an example of how a woman can dominate in a male-dominated industry while staying true to the kind, uplifting person she is straight to her core. We’re excited for you to meet Robin so let’s get to it! Here is our interview with Robin Green!

Music by Jennifer Szakolczay

Editing by Brittany Waltmire

Welcome to the Breaking Barriers series of our A Little Louder Now podcasts. During this series, Alex and Alicia shine a light on two trailblazing women in a different themed topic each month. These two take their fangirling seriously and are excited to share about women who broke down barriers and reached back to pull up the next generation.

This month, we celebrate Black History month. In keeping with that, our theme is Queens of Black History. Our featured Queen of Black History for this episode is Katherine Johnson. Without Mrs. Johnson, the US Space Program would likely not have succeeded when it did. Her calculations and analysis of orbital mechanics(which didn't exist at the time)were absolutely critical to the success of the first (and subsequent) manned spaceflights and many more. We celebrate Mrs. Johnson's unparalleled work as a "female computer" and the barriers she and other women of color worked to break at NASA. She is truly extraordinary. Take a listen!

Music by Jennifer Szakolczay

Editing by Brittany Waltmire

Learn more about Katherine Johnson:

https://www.nasa.gov/content/katherine-johnson-biography

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Johnson

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Katherine-Johnson-mathematician

https://www.makers.com/profiles/591f267c6c3f646439558630

https://www.thehumancomputerproject.com/women/katherine-johnson

https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/26/us/katherine-johnson-hidden-figure-birthday-trnd/index.html

http://mentalfloss.com/article/555114/facts-about-katherine-johnson-nasa

https://www.computerhistory.org/fellowawards/hall/Katherine-Johnson/

https://www.britannica.com/explore/100women/profiles/katherine-johnson/

https://www.space.com/42913-katherine-johnson-hidden-figure-autobiography-september-2019.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/23/science/nasa-hidden-figures-katherine-johnson.html

https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Figures-Readers-Margot-Shetterly/dp/0062662376/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=hidden+figures+book&qid=1580158906&sr=8-2