The Courage Effect

#79: When Susan Lieu's mother died from a botched cosmetic surgery at age 11, her Vietnamese immigrant family did what they knew how to do: they never spoke about it again. For three decades, the silence persisted. But when Susan faced the question "How do I become a mother if I never knew my own?" everything changed.

In this deeply moving conversation, Susan Lieu – a Vietnamese American author, playwright, and performer – shares her extraordinary journey from Microsoft cybersecurity professional to acclaimed solo performer and author. With zero theater training, she wrote and starred in a 65-minute show playing 15 family members, performed 60 times to 7,000 people while pregnant, and wrote the memoir "The Manicurist's Daughter" — an Apple Book Pick and NPR Best Book of 2024.

Susan's story is about the courage to break generational silence, the power of becoming your family's archive keeper, and discovering that sometimes the stories we're forbidden to tell are exactly the ones the world needs to hear.

Key Topics Discussed:

Family Secrets & Silence

Intergenerational Trauma & Healing

Body Image

Truth & Memory

Notable Quotes:

"For me to go on a quest to avenge my mother's death, to track down the killer, to bring justice to our family, but really to know her was this confrontation of being courageous in my own family."

"My body is my mother's last gift to me. When I say I hate my body, that means you're saying you hate where you come from."

"Sometimes the stories we're not allowed to tell are exactly the ones the world needs to hear."

"In activating this courage, we will learn something new. It'll give us new information to keep pivoting, to keep inching toward what we think will give us our self-actualization."

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#78: In this conversation, Lisa Fain discusses the concept of developmental networks and the role of courage in creating intentional learning relationships. She emphasizes the importance of community, connection, and reciprocity in mentoring relationships, and how these elements contribute to personal and professional growth. Lisa also shares insights on navigating career transitions, the significance of identity, and the power of intentional connections in fostering a supportive environment for learning and development.

Key Topics:

Standout Quotes:

"Impact isn't built alone."

"Everything is figureoutable, but everything is not figureoutable on your own."

"If you're gonna share your wisdom, make sure it ends with a question mark and not with a period."

Chapters:

00:00 Exploring Developmental Networks and Courage

10:06 The Importance of Community and Connection

19:59 Understanding Mentoring Relationships

30:12 Navigating Career Transitions and Identity

39:52 The Power of Intentional Connections

Key Takeaways:

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#77: George shares how a chance coffee shop conversation led to uprooting his family (three kids, ages 11-13) and moving to a small Spanish village for what became a two-year adventure. From navigating bureaucracy and language barriers to watching his children courageously walk into Spanish schools, this episode explores what it takes to "run toward the roar" of our biggest fears.

Key Highlights:

Memorable Quotes:

"What right do I have to be coaching these people if I'm constantly comfortable and haven't done much of a big change in my life?"

"Courage is not the absence of fear, it's having fear there but working your way through it."

"Your kids can do it. You can do it. And the adventure is there waiting for you."

Perfect For:

Key Takeaway:

Sometimes the most transformative experiences come from running toward what scares us most - and our children might just be our best teachers in courage.

Find more information about George Brewster at:

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#76: Join host Suzanne Weller and Patricia Bravo (Founder of Bravo for You) as they explore why empathy requires courage in today's workplaces and how leaders can use empathy strategically without sacrificing results.

Key Topics:

Key Takeaways:

Notable Quote: "It's not about slowing down business. It's actually about creating relationship shortcuts, which saves time."

Find more information about Patricia Bravo at:

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Substack: Sign up for Suzanne’s Reimagine Growth newsletter at https://suzanneweller.substack.com/about

#75: In this conversation, Suzanne Weller interviews Michele Y. Smith, CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), discussing her journey of courage and leadership in the nonprofit sector. They explore themes of democratizing pop culture, the importance of community engagement, and the challenges faced during the pandemic. Michele shares her personal story, the influence of her mother, and her innovative approaches to revitalizing institutions. The discussion emphasizes the significance of philanthropy and representation in leadership roles, highlighting how small acts can lead to significant change.

Key Topics:

Notable Quote: "I consider my entire organization positive disruptors... What is the opportunity?"

Key Takeaways:

Leadership:

Community Building:

Career Growth:

Essential viewing: Michele’s rap at The Peer 150 event in October 2024.

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#74: Join host Suzanne Weller for an unflinching conversation with award-winning photojournalist and writer Ashley Gilbertson, who has spent over two decades documenting conflict, migration, and pivotal moments that shape our world. From the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan to the halls of the US Capitol on January 6th, Ashley brings us face-to-face with uncomfortable truths through his lens.

In this deeply personal conversation, Ashley shares the magic that drew him to photography at 13, the weight of witnessing history, and why he believes documenting difficult stories is more crucial than ever. We explore his groundbreaking work,  his evolution as a storyteller, and what it means to find courage in the darkest places.

Content Warning: This episode discusses war, conflict, domestic terrorism, and loss. Listener discretion is advised.

Finding Your Voice Early:

War Correspondence and Personal Cost

January 6th: An Insider's Perspective

Evolving Storytelling

Migration and Global Issues

"There's nothing in the world that beats that magic... trying to find that moment, what Cartier Bresson would have described as the decisive moment."

"You can't cover these places and come home the same. All of this comes with responsibility. There's no way of getting over any of this crap - it's learning how to carry it."

"The harder the work is, the better the work will be. When you get really deep into it and you want to stop, that is exactly the moment that you have to try twice as hard."

"What I saw was an insurrection. And what happened there was an insurrection. There is no question about that... These pictures will stand."

"One man holds them up for long enough to save the Vice President of America, Nancy Pelosi, and senators... That type of courage, that type of heroism, that's what I live for."

About Ashley Gilbertson

Ashley Gilbertson is an Australian photographer and writer based in New York City. Recognized for his critical eye and unique approach to social issues, Ashley Gilbertson is an Australian photographer and writer living in New York City recognized for his critical eye and unique approach to conflict, global migration, climate, social and health issues. 

Photograph

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Special thanks to Ashley Gilbertson for his courage, honesty, and friendship.

#73: In this conversation, Sharon Podobnik (leadership coach, facilitator, and founder of The Center for Conscious Leadership) and Suzanne Weller explore the multifaceted nature of courage, emphasizing its inner and outer dimensions. They discuss personal experiences of courage, the evolution of what courage means over time, and the importance of somatic practices in understanding our bodies' responses to fear and discomfort. The dialogue also touches on the significance of boundaries and the courage required to say no, highlighting that courage is a skill that can be developed rather than an innate trait. In this conversation, Sharon Podobnik and Suzanne Weller explore the importance of setting boundaries, the individualization of oppression, and the need for collective responsibility in creating social change. They discuss the concept of courage as a skill that can be developed, the significance of acceptance in the face of challenges, and the role of community in fostering empowerment. The dialogue emphasizes the necessity of recognizing our agency and the power of saying no, while also advocating for a shift in societal expectations and norms.

Takeaways:

Get more information about Suzanne and Weller Collaboration at wellercollaboration.com

#72: In this engaging conversation, Pelumi Nubi shares her inspiring journey as a trailblazing travel content creator, adventurer, and the first black woman to drive solo from London to Lagos. She discusses the courage it takes to travel alone (especially as a woman!) and the importance of community support. Pelumi also opens up about her experience with dyslexia and how it shaped her perspective. Through her travel series One Week In, she aims to change the narrative around African destinations, showcasing their beauty and culture. The conversation emphasizes the transformative power of travel, the joy it brings, and the importance of taking courageous steps in life.

Takeaways:

Referenced in this show:

Pelumi’s series 28 Days of Brave: https://www.tiktok.com/@pelumi.nubi/video/7467990401132006689

Her TedX Talk: How to embrace imperfect action:  ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qplHjdyoXtQ

Find Pelumi online at:

WWW.PELUMINUBI.COM

https://www.instagram.com/pelumi.nubi/?hl=en

Get more information about Suzanne and Weller Collaboration at wellercollaboration.com

#71: Jill Angelo (a visionary leader in women's health in midlife, and one of Inc. Magazine’s 2020 Top 100 Female Founders) talks with Suzanne about her journey of founding Gennev, a clinician-built menopause care platform. She shares her challenges and triumphs of founding the organization, shepherding its acquisition by United Women’s Healthcare, and the importance of community in addressing women's health issues. The discussion also touches on the courage required to embrace change, key steps in her growth as a leader, and the significance of listening to oneself during transitions.

Takeaways:

Sound Bites:

"I had the courage to start it."

"The stakes have changed for me."

"I've learned to lean back."

"Do more than learn and plan."

"Trust your gut a little bit more."

"We're driving change from within."

Find more information about Weller Collaboration at wellercollaboration.com

#70: In this micro show, Suzanne announces our brand new season launching June 11th. From there, get ready for an incredible range of topics:

As always, these stories are about wrangling the hard stuff: persevering when life presents mountains, hurdles, or even just speed bumps. That’s what The Courage Effect is all about—real conversations about facing fear, taking risks, and finding possibility on the other side.

Don’t Miss Out If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe and like the podcast so you won’t miss a single episode—and mark your calendar for June 11th.

More information about Weller Collaboration: wellercollaboration.com

Sign up for Suzanne’s Reimagine Growth newsletter at https://suzanneweller.substack.com/about