She Lights the Way

Iwalani Kaluhiokalani—a biracial businesswoman, artist, and wellness pioneer—reflects on her journey across two distinct passions: Pilates and painting. She shares how her childhood love for swing sets evolved into running a successful Pilates and GYROTONIC® wellness studio while pursuing her passion as an international artist. Iwalani reflects on the key moments that shaped her, the lessons she’s learned, and her path to embracing her role as a leader. With roots in diverse cultural backgrounds, she brings a rich perspective on identity and the power of creating space for others to thrive.

Hear from Vinothini Raju and Diane Mueller, leaders in the world of AI and cloud native, as they share their insights into the powerful dynamics of their mentor-mentee relationship, built on mutual learning and respect. Vinothini discusses her journey from consulting to innovating with generative AI, while Diane reflects on the joy of mentoring and continuous learning. Discover how their inspiring mentor-mentee bond fuels meaningful change and illuminates paths for others. This duo illustrates that the best mentorships aren't just about guidance—they're about growing together.

Vino’s LinkedIn: 

Bela Friedman, daughter of Holocaust survivors, shares her remarkable journey from a successful career in public relations to a life dedicated to helping others as a life coach and hypnotherapist. She discusses the transformative power of intuition and gratitude in reshaping her life and finding purpose. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of resilience and the importance of following one's inner voice to live authentically and inspire others. 

Born in a displaced persons camp to Holocaust survivor parents, Bela Friedman shares her remarkable journey from PR executive to transformational life coach. Discover how meditation, intuition, and the power of daily practice helped her find her true calling and now guides her work empowering others.

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

With refreshing candor, Anna Maria Ponzi shares her journey from planting vineyards at age four with her family to leading one of Oregon’s first and most iconic wine brands. Facing a male-dominated industry, she had to “work twice as hard” to build the renowned Ponzi name. She reflects on balancing motherhood with the demands of an international business and the complex dynamics of growing a family enterprise with her sister.

From a town of 300 in South Dakota to transforming education across borders, Christi Harter's journey defies convention. Through Peace Corps service in Ghana, she discovered true education transcends rigid structures. Now at Eastern Washington University, she's revolutionizing credentials and career pathways, building bridges between employers and education, and creating opportunities for underserved communities. Her mission? To help people access education on their own terms and timeline.

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

TRANSCRIPT:

https://www.shelightstheway.com/christi-harter-transcript 

FOLLOW:

Website: shelightstheway.com/

Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/ 

X: x.com/she_lights_way

LISTEN TO THE POD:

Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/

RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS 

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N 

Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m 

READ THE BLOG:

https://www.shelightstheway.com/blog

CONNECT:

Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact

Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story 

EPISODE LINKS:

Christi’s LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christi-harter-28986247/ 

Christi Harter Brings Connectivity to New Role: 

https://www.ewu.edu/stories/102127/ 

EPISODE TOPICS:

00:00 Introduction

01:30 Meet Christi Harter

03:30 Small town life in South Dakota

05:30 Transformative Peace Corps years in Ghana

08:30 Pursuing a path in education

11:00 Struggling with perfectionism as a teacher

11:30 Connecting with students

15:00 The true gifts of technology in the classroom

22:30 Building bridges between education and employment

24:30 Supporting refugees and immigrants

28:00 The shift towards skills-based hiring

34:00 Importance of communication, managing emotions & addressing inequities

37:00 Defining success

40:00 What "She Lights the Way" means to Christi

41:00 The future of education

43:00 Closing thoughts

Penporn Koanantakool, a senior software engineer, shares her courageous journey from growing up in Thailand to being awarded a Fulbright scholarship, confronting challenges in moving to the U.S., earning a PhD from U.C. Berkeley, and eventually helping shape the future of AI at one of the world’s leading tech companies.

In this warm heart-to-heart with my colleague and good friend Nithya Ruff, we dive deep into her incredible journey from India to Silicon Valley, where she's now leading the open source program office at Amazon and serving on the board of the Linux Foundation. Nithya opens up about the pivotal moments in her life—moments that weren’t just about career choices but about the people who believed in her and the values that have guided her.

- Nithya’s journey into open source and how a leap of faith to move to the U.S. shaped her life and career

Vani Jain, an emerging Indian-born interior designer fresh out of Pratt Institute, shares her experiences of overcoming challenges, from navigating a cross-cultural move during COVID to embracing resilience in her professional journey. Her passion for empowering women, promoting environmental justice, and creating spaces that enhance well-being shines through as she discusses her influences, time management strategies, and the pivotal transitions in her life. 

• The importance of mentorship and support systems

Her story exemplifies the power of facing difficulties head-on with optimism and courage. Listen in to be inspired by Vani's fresh perspective and dedication to making a positive impact through design.

Show Notes: 

00:00 Introductions

01:08 Embracing Challenges and Building Resilience

01:31 Meet Vani Jain: A Journey of Resilience and Innovation

02:59 Vani's Background and Professional Journey

03:54 Influences and Early Experiences

05:23 Navigating Cross-Cultural Transitions

06:29 Balancing Academics, Internships, and Self-Care

08:37 Empowering Women and Promoting Environmental Justice

10:35 Unique Talents and Perspectives in Design

11:42 Overcoming Challenges and Future Goals

13:14 The Importance of Mentorship and Support Systems

15:01 Inspiration and Vision for the Future of Design

20:18 Impact of the Pandemic and Technology on Design

22:36 Defining Success and Embracing Positivity

24:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Guest Bio: 

Vani Jain is a junior interior designer with a BFA in Interior Design and a minor in Sustainability Studies from Pratt Institute. With a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental justice, Vani integrates these principles into her design philosophy, aiming to create spaces that both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally responsible.

Learn more about Vani’s work and connect with her:

LinkedIn 

Brittany Istenes gives us a kickass blueprint for thriving as she shares her remarkable journey of personal growth, career pivots, and finding success through adaptability and compassion. She reveals how moving through 15 different schools by the time she finished high school instilled in her a remarkable ability to adapt to new environments. Her unexpected career pivots—from following the Grateful Dead on tour to becoming a special education teacher and then transitioning into the tech industry—showcase her fearless approach to life and career.

Brittany's story is one of resilience and continuous learning filled with valuable life lessons, including the importance of embracing change, trusting your gut, and never fearing failure. She emphasizes the value of community, mentorship, and the impact of supportive environments in personal and professional growth. Her heartfelt reflections on success, self-love, and perseverance provide a powerful reminder that our paths may be winding, but they are filled with opportunities for learning and connection.

During our conversation, Brittany talks about:

- Overcoming instability in her youth to develop adaptability skills

Join us for a conversation that will leave you inspired to embrace the unknown, relish personal growth, and seek out meaningful connections. Don't miss out on this powerful story of a woman lighting the way in her own unique and authentic style!

Guest Bio: 

Mother-daughter duo Anne Gudger and Maria Gibson open up about their powerful journey through grief and how it became their shared mission. After losing her husband while pregnant with Maria's older brother, Anne transformed her pain into purpose. Together, they've created a safe space for others to explore and express their grief through podcasts, a reading group, and writing workshops.

In this moving interview, Anne and Maria reveal:

Discover how these inspiring women are normalizing the conversation around grief and loss. Their story will touch your heart and may even transform how you view your own experiences with grief. Don't miss this intimate look at turning pain into purpose and connection.

Show Notes: 

Guest Bio: 

In addition to her writing, Anne and her daughter, Maria Gibson, founded Coffee and Grief, a community initiative that includes a podcast and monthly reading series focused on grief. They also lead writing workshops on the topic. Together, this mother-daughter duo seeks to normalize discussions around grief and provide support for those navigating their own experiences of loss.

Learn more about Anne & Maria's work and connect with them:

Website

Instagram

The Fifth Chamber

Coffee, Grief & Gratitude Podcast

Coffee Talk Reading Group

Coffee & Grief Community