In our latest Meaningful Conversations podcast episode, I had the deep pleasure of speaking with Erica Gies, award-winning journalist and author of Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge. This conversation left me both grounded and inspired — Erica brings not only science, but also soul, to the way we think about water.

At the heart of Erica’s work is the Slow Water movement — a powerful shift in how we manage water by working with it rather than trying to control or rush it. Her approach is rooted in ecology, Indigenous wisdom, and a deep understanding of the natural systems we’ve so often overlooked in our attempts to engineer the landscape.

Erica drew the Majestic card during our conversation, and it set the tone beautifully. She spoke about how water is not just physically vital, but emotionally sacred. We begin our lives in water; we are mostly water. In many cultures, water is not a commodity — it’s a relative. A friend. Something to be honoured.

Show notes: 

• Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge. 
• American Society of Civil Engineers: Endorses the use of nature-based solutions as crucial tool in combatting climate change
• Julie Beagle: The Nation’s Chief Engineers Turn to Nature to Improve Flood Protection: Scientific American 
• Ursula K. Le Guin: The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction – Link to book.  Link to article.
• More than Carbon sticks.  A story discussed in the podcast featuring Atmospheric Physicist Anastassia Makarieva and University of Washington atmospheric scientist and ecologist Abigail Swann
• Laura Norman, Physical Scientist, US Geological Survey: What if we let water flow where it wants, slowly? Article in Popular Science. 
• The meaning of Lichen 
• The science behind forest bathing 
• Edward O. Wilson’s Biophilia
• Edward O. Wilson – Half Earth: Our Planet’s Fight for Life 
• LuminUS Reflection Cards 

In this inspiring conversation, Pamela Lynch, President of BlueWave Strategy and investing member of Portfolia, invites us to rethink how we approach water, leadership, and collective wellbeing.
 Drawing from two decades of innovation in water and climate tech, Pamela shares insights on cathedral thinking, building wellness into water strategies, and the vital role of meaningful conversations in creating lasting change.

We explore:

• The connection between water, wellness, and creativity
• Why future-focused thinking is essential for the next 100 years
• How collective responsibility can heal the water cycle
• The importance of slowing down for real conversations that move the needle

Tune in to be inspired by Pamela’s powerful vision for the future of water — and the world.

Show Notes 

• The Good Ancestor - How to think long-term in a short-term world. Roman Krznaric
• Jeremy Hunter - Groundbreaking work on the Red, Green, and Grey Zones - Leading mindfully for a positive culture.   Jeremy Hunter

In this inspiring episode of Meaningful Conversations, we sit down with Julie Bliss Mullen, Founder and Advisor of Aclarity, a company on a mission to destroy "forever chemicals" forever.

Julie shares her journey from PhD researcher to Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur, and how motherhood has deepened her purpose. We explore the connection between healing water and healing people, trusting your instincts as a leader, creating flexible workplaces, and celebrating small victories in big, complex industries.

Julie’s perspective reminds us that true leadership is about courage, community, and nurturing — and that in water, just like in life, energy and vitality matter.

Topics We Cover:

• Healing water vs. just cleaning it
• Trusting intuition in leadership
• Building flexible, purpose-driven workplaces
• Celebrating small victories in big industries
• Women leading the future of water
• Redefining success as integration, not sacrifice

Show Notes:

1. Water Always Wins, Erica Gies - Slow Water
2. We need to change to solve the Water Crisis, Cees Buisman - We need to change to solve the Water Crisis 
3. The Eden in Iraq Wastewater Garden Project - https://edeniniraq.com/ 
4. Professor Kongjian Yu - Sponge Cities: Sponge Cities 
5. Emily's Wonder Labs - https://www.netflix.com/ie/TITLE/81128389 

Welcome to the first episode of our Meaningful Conversations Podcast where we talk with the wonderful Laura Gallindo, the Global Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications at Grundfos Water Utility.

In this episode, Laura and Annyse dive into a rich and reflective conversation about leadership, purpose, and the future of work — through the lens of intention, rest, and the wisdom of water.

They ask the big questions:

• What if we’re not behind — but exactly where we need to be?
• Can doing less actually create more impact?
• How do fear and hope shape the future we want to co-create?

From redefining productivity to reimagining how we hire, this conversation invites us to challenge the status quo and slow down just enough to notice what’s trying to emerge.

Together, Laura and Annyse explore:

• The power of dissolving fear (instead of conquering it)
• How nature and rest can unlock flow and insight
• The role of curiosity, vulnerability, and co-creation in recruitment
• Rethinking job descriptions and leadership expectations
• The deep connection between how we live, work, and lead

And throughout it all, one quiet but powerful question lingers:

What would water teach us about how to lead — and how to live?

Tune in and join the conversation.
We’re so glad you’re here.

Show notes: 

·        Clarice Lispector - Clarice Lispector - Wikipedia 

·        Erica Gies, Water Always Wins - Erica Gies – Author and journalist Erica Gies  

·        Our Blue World - Brave Blue World  

Join us in meaningful conversations with inspiring women from water and beyond. Together, we explore bold visions, plant seeds for possibility, and reflect on what’s emerging in our world — as professionals, as humans, as a global community.