Leading Without Illusions

In this episode of the Lifting While Climbing podcast, Athena CEO Holly Smithson sits down with Claude Jones, CEO of Do It With AI, for a powerful, perspective-shifting conversation about what it really means to lead with AI.

Together, they explore how fear-based narratives around artificial intelligence are stalling progress—and how shaping AI, rather than reacting to it, is the key to ethical innovation, equity, and future-ready leadership.

“We’re not just teaching people how to use AI—we’re preparing them to shape it.”

— Claude Jones

Key Takeaways:

• Why AI isn’t just a tech trend—it’s a leadership shift

• How co-creating with AI unlocks creativity, efficiency, and purpose

• Why soft skills like empathy and communication are now mission-critical in the AI era

• How Athena’s AI Mastery Academy is transforming fear into fluency—one cohort at a time

One of the most striking moments from the conversation came when Claude described today’s challenge:

“The best sword in the world in the hands of a novice is no more functional than a wet noodle.

That’s what’s happening with AI right now—we’re giving people the most powerful tool humanity has ever created, but we’re not teaching them how to become expert swordsmen.”

Athena’s response?

The AI Mastery Academy—a 3-week, hands-on leadership experience launching September 15, designed to build practical fluency, ethical awareness, and human-centered AI confidence.

Tune in and discover how Athena is flipping fear into power—and helping STEM leaders shape a future worth leading.

In this powerful episode of Athena’s Lifting While Climbing, host Holly Smissen sits down with biotech trailblazer Dr. Tina Nova for an intimate, candid conversation about resilience, leadership, and purpose.

From humble beginnings in Central California to leading multiple publicly traded companies and shaping the field of molecular diagnostics, Dr. Nova shares her remarkable journey with humor, clarity, and heart. She reflects on navigating a male-dominated industry, confronting self-doubt, and how she found her true calling in science—not by design, but by determination.

Whether you’re early in your STEM career or leading your own team, this episode is a reminder of the power of community, the value of persistence, and the importance of tuning out the noise to stay focused on your signal.

Topics include:

• Finding purpose through unexpected paths

• Mentorship, allyship, and women in leadership

• Leading with conviction in times of uncertainty

• Why “lucky and good” isn’t a contradiction

Dr. Nova’s story is both a masterclass and a mirror—listen in and be inspired.

As political pressure mounts and corporate DEI efforts are being quietly rebranded or rolled back, Athena’s leadership is standing firm. In this powerful episode, Athena CEO Holly Smithson is joined by Board Chair Susan Poser (Oracle) and Vice Chair Jaye Connolly (RippleNami) for a candid conversation about resilience, global perspectives, and why Athena remains unapologetically committed to advancing 1 million women in STEM by 2030. From boardroom votes to tribal conversations in Africa, this episode is a call to lead with clarity, courage, and community.

In this month’s Lifting While Climbing podcast, we spotlight the unstoppable Rijon Charne—a lawyer, cancer warrior, and fierce advocate who turned every obstacle into ammunition for change.

Just two days after graduating from law school, Rijon was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Before starting chemo, she tried to freeze her eggs—but her insurance company denied the claim, calling fertility preservation “not medically necessary.” The cost? $18,000. The response? She didn’t just fight back—she rewrote the rules.

What started as a personal battle became a national movement. That denial sparked a campaign that helped pass fertility preservation laws across 16 states, with 18 more in progress.

In this episode, Rijon shares how she met resistance at every turn—lawmakers, doctors, even the legal community—and kept going anyway. Her story is one of defiance, grit, and radical impact.

If you’ve ever been shut down by the system, blocked by bureaucracy, or told "no" one too many times—this episode is your reminder to keep going.

In Athena’s April edition of Lifting While Climbing, CEO Holly Smithson welcomes Dr. Nima Alamdari, Chief Science Officer at Ritual, as the podcast’s first featured workplace ally. Against the backdrop of today’s politically charged climate, this timely conversation explores how authentic allyship — rooted in action, intention, and abundance — must be an active leadership practice, not just a passive title.

Dr. Alamdari shares his personal journey shaped by a trailblazing mother and a strong ally father, demonstrating how real allyship starts at home and translates into building inclusive, high-performing teams. From emphasizing active listening to reframing leadership around co-creation and empowerment, Dr. Alamdari offers a blueprint for how allies can create space, amplify others’ voices, and drive collective success, even in an era of societal headwinds.

“As we face turbulence in today’s market and society, allyship must become a daily ritual — a conscious choice to lead with integrity, fairness, and courage,” said Smithson.

Listen to this powerful conversation and discover why cultivating workplace allies is essential for a thriving future — in STEM and beyond.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Athena was honored to spotlight powerhouse entrepreneur, marketing strategist, and business reality show host Misti Cain on our Lifting While Climbing podcast. And if you missed it—trust us—you’ll want to press play on this episode.

Raised in a humble, working-class family in Visalia, CA, Misti’s story isn’t one of a straight path—it’s a testament to the power of reinvention, relentless curiosity, and unapologetic proactivity. From selling pizza coupons in third grade to gracing the TEDx stage, starring in Mailchimp’s Intuit business reality series, and landing in Forbes as the “Strategic Queen Bee,” Misti is proof that success doesn’t require a roadmap—just a fierce commitment to take the first step.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Lara Wynne, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Gate Sciences, on this month’s episode of Lifting While Climbing. Lara shares her remarkable journey from being a stay-at-home mom to leading groundbreaking innovations in orthopedic care, all while balancing motherhood and a thriving career.

Discover how Lara’s work at Gate Sciences is revolutionizing pain management with a dual-platform technology that offers opioid-free pain relief for up to 30 days post-surgery. Plus, hear about her recent surgical mission trip to Honduras with her 17-year-old daughter, Delaney, and how the experience sparked a passion for orthopedic surgery in her teen.

Lara’s story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of mentorship. Don’t miss this episode filled with insights on leadership, women in STEM, and making a meaningful impact in healthcare.

In this dynamic episode of Athena’s Lifting While Climbing podcast, Athena’s President and CEO, Holly Smithson, sits down with trailblazing leader Kiva Allgood for a candid and inspiring conversation. Kiva shares her extraordinary career journey in the technology industry, offering invaluable insights on leadership, perseverance, and breaking barriers.

Together, Holly and Kiva discuss the power of board readiness, the importance of gender equity in STEM, and how data-driven leadership can drive greater performance and productivity. If you’re looking for inspiration to “reach further and higher,” this episode is a must-listen.

Tune in to the latest episode of Athena’s Lifting While Climbing podcast, where CEO and host Holly Smithson dives into an inspiring conversation with Dr. Manna Semby. Dr. Semby shares her extraordinary journey from a successful career on Wall Street to becoming a naturopathic doctor and functional medicine expert. Motivated by personal challenges, including her children’s autism diagnoses and her own health battles, Dr. Semby discusses her dedication to midlife women’s health and brain resilience.

This episode explores:

• The pivotal moments that transformed Dr. Semby’s life and career.

• Her groundbreaking work at Aruna Precision Medicine and the Cognitive Resilience Center.

• Insights on the often-overlooked challenges women face during perimenopause and menopause in corporate environments.

• A preview of Dr. Semby’s upcoming TEDx talk on the “Perimenopause Broken Rung Hypothesis.”

Don’t miss this empowering conversation that highlights resilience, advocacy, and the critical need for holistic health solutions for women. Listen now to find inspiration and actionable insights!

In this episode of Athena's Lifting While Climbing podcast, Holly Smithson, President and CEO of Athena, sits down with Lifting While Climbing Summit speaker Dr. Sheila Gujrathi. 

Dr. Gujrathi shares her inspiring journey from the world of medicine to becoming a leader in the biotech industry. She discusses the importance of listening to one's inner voice, and the core values that guided her path. 

This compelling conversation also covers her recent high-impact TEDx talk focusing on "mirrors rather than the glass ceiling," her approach to leadership, and the potential significance of the upcoming presidential election on gender equality and leadership. 

Join Holly and Sheila for a deep dive into perseverance, authenticity, and the power of community.