In this episode of Tech Brat, Alecia interviews Emmy Award-winning documentary director and producer, Alexandra Dean. They explore the extraordinary life of Hedy Lamarr—Hollywood icon and brilliant inventor—whose groundbreaking concept of "frequency hopping" paved the way for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Alexandra shares her journey in uncovering Lamarr’s hidden genius and discusses the broader struggles women face in tech, both past and present. The conversation delves into the ongoing gender disparities in tech funding and the urgent need for empathy, equal representation, and systemic change in today’s political and technological landscape.

Links from this episode:

• Watch Alex's documentary, Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, on Apple TV
• Check out her other documentary, This Is Paris
• Follow Alex on Twitter and Instagram

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In the debut episode of Tech Brat, host Alecia Vogel sits down with Carolyn Oglesby to explore the incredible life and legacy of her mother, Dr. Gladys West—a woman whose groundbreaking work in mathematics and satellite data analysis quietly paved the way for the invention of GPS.

From her early life in rural segregated Virginia as the daughter of sharecroppers to her pivotal role at the U.S. Naval Proving Ground, Dr. West’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and overcoming obstacles as a Black woman in a male-dominated field. Carolyn shares personal stories of her mother’s love of learning, their shared connection with Alpha Kappa Alpha, and the quiet strength that fueled her 42-year career—one that would ultimately change the way we navigate the world.

Links from this episode:

• Purchase Dr. West's memoir, It Began With A Dream, on Amazon
• Follow Dr. West on Facebook & Twitter
• Contribute to the Ira & Gladys West Scholarship Fund

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Introducing Tech Brat, a brand-new podcast about women in STEM who’ve defied expectations, broken barriers, and challenged the outdated norms of the tech industry. Join host Alecia Vogel as she unravels stories of resilience and rebellion in a field where nearly half of women drop out before they turn 35.

If you've ever felt like you don't belong in the tech space or wondered how an industry once shaped by women became so hostile towards them, Tech Brat is here to uncover the truth and share the voices of women who are rewriting the rules.

Support the show

Join the movement at techbrat.fm