In the first full episode of The Things We Have Learned, I sit down with Emily Esquivel (she/her), a psychotherapist and Dr. Jessica Esquivel (she/her), a physicist and STEM advocate, a married couple whose professional and personal journeys intertwine in powerful ways.

Together, Emily and Jessica reflect on how identity, lived experience, and partnership shape the way they show up as leaders — in the therapy room, in the lab, and in their communities. From navigating mental health in helping professions to breaking barriers as a queer woman of color in STEM, they share how love and authenticity fuel resilience, advocacy, and growth.

This conversation offers a window into what it means to lead with vulnerability, build supportive relationships, and honor the fullness of who you are: both at work and at home.