This week, I had an awesome chat with Dr Milette Gillow and Sedinam Simpson, the brilliant minds behind The Tech Bros. These ladies are shaking up the male-dominated world of tech by increasing the number of all-female, all-technical startups with hackathons, panels, and workshops…AND a newly launched accelerator programme!

If you're a woman in STEM with a startup itch, or just curious about how we can level the playing field in tech, you definitely want to listen to this one.

What We Dug Into:

• Milette and Sedi's stories and why they said "enough!" to the status quo.

• The sneaky ways bias shows up for women founders.

• How The Tech Bros are creating a supportive community and giving women the tools to build amazing tech companies.

• Their upcoming accelerator – seriously exciting stuff if you're looking to launch!

• Cool tech areas they're hyped about (robotics, anyone?).

• Why building a strong network is EVERYTHING.

• Their big dreams for a more diverse tech future.

• Plus, a quick chat about the different hurdles for women coming from academia vs. industry.

Innovators who Have Their Attention:

• Polari Labs: Making preparation for anal sex effortless, quick, and totally spontaneous.

• Level Zero Health: Leveraging continuous monitoring for reproductive health

• YAMLRG (Yet Another Machine Learning Group): - An awesome community for machine learning researchers, engineers, and hobbyists.

Applications now open!

If you have a brilliant tech idea, applications are now open for The Tech Bros accelerator! Deadline to apply is May 31st! 

If you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at [email protected] or send me a message on LinkedIn. 

Podcast recording and editing by me, Rachel Sosin.

Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/

Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/ 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella

License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Welcome back!

As part of my planning for season 2, I invited the brilliant Nick Drage to interview me and help me figure out what I'm doing with this project. Of course, with the tables turned, and me as the interviewee, I have to give this episode an E for language.

While I'm sure Nick is quite expert in the types of cyber security things he's built a career on, I want to emphasise what a fantastic thought partner he is. He creates the space for you to examine your own thoughts and asks questions that help you dig deeper. If you are looking for someone to help you extract your own thoughts, or if you are curious about the intersection of gaming and business strategy, check out his website at https://www.pathdependence.co.uk/ or drop him a line at [email protected].

This week, I’m talking with Dan Phan, founder of Workbreaker, providing unique business experiences that blend Dan’s leadership and training expertise with time to focus on your work and curated exploration of Lisbon, Portugal, where he lives. This Study Abroad for Grownups was what drew me to interview Dan, but the conversation turned into a great brain wander through how we engage with learning, new ways to frame our time, and lots more. 

Find out more about Workbreaker here: https://www.workbreaker.com/ 

The Zeus Jones report: https://zeusjones.com/athena/articles/rethinking-resilience-at-work-a-qualitative-research-study

Vox article on semester planning: https://www.vox.com/even-better/23835758/divide-life-semesters-not-in-school-motivation-goals#:~:text=Semesters%20can%20help%20you%20maintain%20motivation&text=Having%20a%20distinct%20cutoff%20to,more%20realistic%20goals%2C%20Woolley%20says. 

Dan’s Six Degrees of Innovation recommendations are: pot-sized spaghetti (why has this taken so long?!), https://mysimplepetlab.com/, and the broader re-imagining of Uber as a transporter of people, food, and even packages with Uber Connect.

If you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at [email protected] or send me a message on LinkedIn. 

Podcast recording and editing by me, Rachel Sosin.

Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/

Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/ 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella

License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Today’s guest is Tim Ward, co-founder and CEO of Think Cyber, a company taking an innovative approach to cyber security awareness. We’ve all made it through those periodic cyber security training quizzes that are a regular part of work these days. But do we actually feel any more prepared about what to do when faced with a risky situation? 

Think Cyber is the only company utilising behavioural change theory in the moment to teach employees how to make better decisions! Real time nudges to broaden awareness and encourage you to pause and assess if you are making the right choice. Behaviour change is hard but with the help of Think Cyber’s RedFlags, companies are seeing real, substantive improvements.

Listen in as we discuss the psychology of cyber safety!

Find out more about Redflags at https://thinkcyber.co.uk/ 

Tim’s Six Degrees of Innovation recommendation is Phil Guest, the CEO of Revcelerate.

Tim references BJ Fogg throughout the episode - you can find out more about his research and buy his book at https://www.bjfogg.com/ or check out his TED Talks online.

If you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at [email protected] or send me a message on LinkedIn. 

Podcast recording and editing by me, Rachel Sosin.

Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/

Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/ 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella

License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Today’s guest is Adina Rose Levin, a fellow American living abroad, who is based in Barcelona, where she has recently completed a master’s degree in territorial studies and urban planning at the Autonomous University. Perhaps thanks to her undergraduate studies that spanned economics to the arts, or as she likes to call it, a degree in “cocktail conversation” Adina is a really talented storyteller and has put that skill to good use as a freelance copywriter. Now that she’s completed her master’s degree, I think you can find her doing a lot more writing in her own voice as a thought leader on urban studies and community. Or at least I hope so! Join me for a fascinating discussion and a bit of a wild romp through urban studies, history, politics, and the need to listen to your neighbours. 

You can find Adina’s Six Degrees recommendations here:

Lior Steinberg, Hayden Clark aka @the_transit_guy and Feargus O'Sullivan 

With a bonus recommendation: female-led group Col·lectiu Punt 6, urban planners who shine a light on making cities accessible and more liveable for marginalized communities, like women and elderly people who (newsflash) tend to use public spaces and public transportation (at least in Europe and LATAM) way more than one might think.

Adina also mentions more writers, academics, and Barcelona mayors than I could capture here, so if you want to know more about any of them, contact her on LinkedIn here. 

If you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at [email protected] or send me a message on LinkedIn. 

Photo credit: Michelle Rose

Podcast recording and editing by me, Rachel Sosin.

Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/

Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/ 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella

License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Today’s guest is Lucy Jeffrey, the founder of Bare Kind. Lucy took her love of animals and launched a business that contributes directly to saving endangered species. But what really struck me, is her commitment to transparency - not just her business strategy, but sharing her learnings with other small business owners as well. 

Buy Bare Kind socks at https://barekind.co.uk/. Find transparent and valuable content on building a business on YouTube at @candidfounders. Follow Bare Kind on various social media platforms at @BareKind. 

You can find Lucy’s Six Degrees recommendation, Emmie Faust and Female Founders Rise here: https://www.femalefoundersrise.com/ 

If you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at [email protected] or send me a message on LinkedIn. 

Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/

Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/ 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella

License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Today’s guest is Jemma Davis, a security behaviour and culture change expert and the founder of Culture Gem. To find out how you can hire Jemma as a consultant or to receive a demo of the inclusive (and fun!) eLearning platform, visit culturegem.co.uk.

Find Jemma’s soggy blogging by searching @infosecjem on Twitter and Medium or adding her on LinkedIn. 

You can find Jemma’s Six Degrees recommendation, Red Flags from Think Cyber here: https://thinkcyber.co.uk/product/ 

If you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at [email protected] or send me a message on LinkedIn. 

Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/

Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/ 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella

License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Today’s guest is Denise McQuaid, a leader in building and growing businesses with a focus on strategy, aligning culture with business models, especially in complex and challenging environments. She has a successful track record with both start-ups and established organisations.

At your local bookstore: How to Have a Happy Hustle, by Bec Evans

Dr Dana Kanze on gender bias in investor questions: https://www.ted.com/talks/dana_kanze_the_real_reason_female_entrepreneurs_get_less_funding?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

Learn more about Awaken Angels and the Awaken Hub here: https://www.awakenhub.com/awakenangels

I'm taking a break for the month of June, but more episodes will drop in July! If you have suggestions for a guest, email me at [email protected] or send me a message on LinkedIn.

Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/

Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/ 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella

License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Today’s guest is James Scroggs, a rock and roll entrepreneur for social impact, whose latest project, New Working Class College will reimagine the college experience blending Learning and Earning, giving students, businesses, and the community the chance to build an experience together. 

While we didn’t discuss it at length on this episode, James is also the Chair of Campaign Against Living Miserably, a suicide awareness and prevention charity. Learn about their award-winning 2022 campaign The Last Photo here: https://www.thecalmzone.net/thelastphoto 

Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/

Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/ 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella

License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E