She Lights the Way

Bloom Where You’re Planted, with Sharon Davis


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Sharon Davis—former First Lady of California and lifelong advocate—shares her remarkable journey of public service, personal growth and unwavering commitment to making a difference. At 70, Sharon reflects on her decades of experience, offering timeless lessons on leadership, aging well, and thriving through life’s challenges.

She reveals how her early career as a flight attendant taught her to master people skills, handle crises, and excel under pressure—qualities that shaped her future roles in politics and business. She emphasizes the lost art of listening as a transformative tool for bridging divides and fostering collaboration in today’s polarized world.

From working across political divides to advocating for children’s health and literacy, Sharon’s experiences highlight the enduring value of perseverance, curiosity, and humility. Her mother-in-law’s mantra, “bloom where you’re planted,” encourages us all to thrive wherever life takes us and to bring our best selves to every opportunity. 

Sharon’s stories of resilience, from weathering political storms to finding joy in everyday moments with family, remind us that even in life’s challenges, we can choose to rise above and move forward with grace. She also dives into the importance of health—physical, mental, and emotional—and how living intentionally creates a foundation for thriving in later years.

This conversation is a celebration of resilience, connection, and making a difference. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, leadership lessons, or tips for living boldly, Sharon’s wisdom will leave you motivated to excel at every stage of life.

Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more.


TRANSCRIPT:
https://www.shelightstheway.com/sharon-davis-transcript 

STORY:
https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories/sharondavis

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EPISODE LINKS:
First Ladies of California: 
https://web.archive.org/web/20130122054052/http://firstladies.library.ca.gov/34-Davis.html 
Sharon Davis on Wikipedia: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Davis 

KEY MOMENTS:
00:00 Introductions & Opening Thoughts
02:00 Aging Gracefully
04:00 Early Career Lessons
06:00 Building Bridges in Leadership
10:00 Practical Solutions for a Better Future
15:00 A Family Foundation in Public Service
20:00 Children’s Education & Media Literacy
26:00 Advice for Future Generations
28:30 Resilience in Life’s Challenges
33:00 What ‘She Lights the Way’ Means to Sharon
34:30 Closing Remarks

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She Lights the WayBy Nicole Huesman