Claim Your Space

If you’re a fish out of water, how the hell do you keep swimming? And how do you find success without losing yourself?

With unwavering honesty, rock singer, street artist, and former radio host Ria Burns-Wilder shares how embracing her truest self and seeking supportive mentors paved the way for her to break free from the confines of conformity and carve out a life filled with purpose and authenticity. Join us as we explore the power of resilience, the importance of finding mentors who champion your growth, and the transformative journey of embracing your truest self, even when it feels like you're swimming against the current.

We talk a lot about choice in our society, particularly women’s rights to abortion. However, we don’t talk much about how women have been controlled when giving birth and how empowering it can be when a woman steers the ship on her own childbirth experience. We don’t talk about the critical connection between how women are treated during the birth of their child and the larger ramifications of that treatment. Join Eliza VanCort as she sits down with award-winning obstetric nurse Shannon Cheng to discuss the larger story behind birth stories. Cheng talks about empowered births, birth, trauma, informed consent, and the crisis in maternal mortality rates in the Black community.

This is the episode for every person who might give birth, and it will be healing for those who had a difficult birth experience. Finally, it will give men a window into the challenges and joys women experience during one of the most powerful moments of our lives.

How do you control a population? Don’t let them vote. In this episode, fearless advocate for voting rights and criminal justice reform, Jan Combopiano, explores actionable steps to dismantle systemic injustices in the prison system and empower women to reclaim their voices and agency. From incarcerated mothers giving birth, to the hard-to-believe history of felony disenfranchisement, to what happens when women get their period in prison, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the intersectionality of race, gender, and incarceration in shaping our democracy, and discover how you can be part of the movement towards a more just and equitable society.

It can be so easy to assume that the person sitting across from us has their whole life together. Here we are sitting on this side, wondering “How the hell do they do it?” We can feel like no one in the world can relate to what we’re going through, and that can be deeply isolating. But what about when someone has the courage to share their story? Marci Hopkins, award-winning TV personality, podcast host, and news Recovery Expert, sits down with Eliza to share her deeply personal story of navigating through abuse, trauma, addiction, and finding her way to self-love, success, and triumph. Through her story, listeners are invited to embrace their own narratives, no matter how daunting they may seem. Tune in for more!

Step into the world of the visionary entrepreneur, author, producer, speaker, and professional transformation coach Fernanda Carapinha as she joins Eliza VanCort in this thought-provoking dialogue. Together, they explore the deeper dimensions of success, the power of intentional actions, and the radical center that paves the way for sustained and impactful achievements. 

Fernanda shares her story as the founder of WE Global Studios, an AI-powered Innovation Studio and Founderverse™ platform that develops and produces investor-ready female-led startups at scale. The conversation goes far beyond conventional business discussions. Fernanda's genuine love for women and her authentic approach to support shine through as she discusses the importance of understanding beliefs, embracing inner growth, and fostering a community-driven approach to success. 

Uncover the keys to achieving lasting success through supportive networking, the transformative power of intentions, and the concept of the radical center that forms the cornerstone of Fernanda's entrepreneurial philosophy. After all, why get to the top of the mountain if there is no one to celebrate with you at the end?

In this messed up world, resilience isn’t just a nice thing to have. Thriving in the unknown is now a bona fide skill that is necessary for anyone to survive and thrive. In this episode, Eliza sits down with award-winning musical comic, actress, director, writer, filmmaker, author, and speaker Katie Goodman, who shares her profound insights on improvisation, the art of pivoting, and addressing difficult topics through humor and authenticity. As a seasoned expert in the world of improv comedy, Katie brings a unique perspective to navigating life's uncertainties with grace and resilience. Listeners will be treated to a masterclass in the transformative power of improvisation as Katie delves into how spontaneity and adaptability can be powerful tools for personal and professional growth. The episode explores the nuances of pivoting—making strategic shifts in life and career—and how embracing change can lead to new opportunities and self-discovery. Her experiences serve as an inspiration for others to find their voice, speak up, and engage in conversations that may be uncomfortable yet crucial for personal and societal growth.

Check out Katie’s 8 Tools of Improv Comedy here! 

When women don't turn from each other's pain, but listen, believe, and unite, we all claim space.

This podcast has a trigger warning, and for many, it will be hard to hear, but Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, EdD does not leave listeners in despair. Quite the opposite, she offers concrete things, big and small, that every woman can do to make a difference. She joins Eliza VanCort to tell us all about it while bringing light to an important issue today. Leslyn’s research centers around the impacts Black women experience after their unarmed children have been unjustly killed. Leslyn and Eliza discuss why many women turn a blind eye to this issue and what every woman can do to support Black women. It is essential that these grieving and courageous Black mothers' stories are heard. When we rise together, we rise higher. Be a witness to these stories. Learn what you can do to help. That's how we'll claim space.

The Internet has undeniably become a big part of our lives, making it our very own personal storage for memories or even our own digital diaries. For parents out there, that includes posting about our kids online—from significant milestones to the mundane. While done with good intentions, we have unwittingly shared piles of data on our children that could have big implications for their privacy. As they say, the Internet is forever. Leah Plunkett is a Harvard law professor and a mom who decided she needed to make a difference for our kids. She joins Eliza VanCort to dive deep into this concerning phenomenon she calls “sharenthood.” From public shaming to mob mentality to identity theft, Leah sheds light on where the Internet has gone wrong and how we can right the ship. Follow along to this conversation to learn more about sharenting and why we should care.

Being different is not a setback. In fact, it can be the very key to our success. In this episode, Alma Derricks, master strategist, consultant, and serial intrapreneur, offers invaluable advice on optimizing our differences. She discusses the three mantras to help find your superpower and thrive both professionally and personally. She also shares six ways you can embrace differences and create deep, rewarding relationships that promote growth and last. Alma is the current Korn Ferry Consulting Senior Partner, former CMO of Cirque du Soleil, Founder and Managing Partner of REV, past president of the Stanford National Black Alumni Association (SNBAA) board, and, for the fans of Eliza VanCort's book, the woman who wrote Eliza's foreword. She also co-founded Think Twice labs with Eliza, a consulting firm which takes a fresh approach to building emotional intelligence and improving communication across differences. Don’t miss out on this great conversation and learn to tap into your superpower to have a better life.

Yao Huang is unlike any woman you've ever met before. Partly this is because she's saving the world, and that's kind of rare... partly because she lives unapologetically.

Yao has built an international network of women, a network which models what's possible if women commit to supporting each other.

Yao is also working with a company which might just stop climate change.

In this podcast Yao drops knowledge like it's her job without qualifiers or apologies. Watch this and you'll sleep better at night because, as she says, she's got this.

Yao Huang is a superhero. She’s just missing the cape.