Melissa McCracken is an artist with synesthesia, a condition that allows her to attach color to sounds. McCracken as taken this superpower and channeled it into her art by painting songs through vibrant artwork. She talks of her journey being an au pair in Germany and finding her true passion, the impact of family, and channeling creativity into her artwork.

Links of interest

• Website: Melissa McCracken
• Instagram- @melissamccrack
• Facebook: Melissa McCracken

I sat down with Erin Zimmerman to talk about her journey to being the President of KCWIFT (Women in Film and Television) all before the age of thirty. Zimmerman talks of her process when sitting down with a client and how she helps them become visible.

Links of Interest

• Latino Arts Foundation (Deanna Munoz)
• Queer Eye,
• Morgan Cooper
• "The Stylist"
• KCPT

In this weeks' InnovateHER Podcast, inventor and STEMinist Conner Hazelrigg of 1773 Innovation Co. talks about inventing The Sunshine Box and how she hopes to ethically and sustainably ensure that no one is left without electricity and a lifeline to the world.

Links of interest

• 1773 Innovation Co.
• William Jewell College
• Sunshine Electronic Display Co.
• The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
• The White Man's Burden
• Why We Lie About Aid

Cynthia Fails (alias CL Fails) is author, podcaster and founder of LaunchCrate Publishing. In this episode, she stops in to chat with us about her writer's journey, true equity and what it means to be creative.

Links of interest

• C.L. Fails
• LaunchCrate Publishing
• University of Missouri Kansas City
• NaNoWriMo
• Latinx Education Collaborative
• Kauffman Scholars

Sarah Shipley, CEO of Shipley Communications, joins us this week to talk about her thirst for knowledge, her ability to stretch her pennies and the importance of building your brain trust.

Links

• Shipley Communications

Emily Brown, the founder of the Food Equality Initiative, an allergy-friendly food pantry, shares her journey into social entrepreneurship. In this inspiring episode, we discuss Emily's story, from her struggles to find nutritious, non-allergenic food to feed her family and on to her work as an advocate and activist for individuals and families in need.

Links: 

• The Food Equality Initiative
• WIC
• Harvesters
• Kanbe's Markets
• Jewish Family Services

Emily Weber, Missouri Congressional Candidate for the 24th district joins us this week to discuss her run for office, her origins as a creative and breaking the mold of what politics can look like in the Midwest.

Links of interest:

• Emily 4 Missouri
• Planned Parenthood
• Missouri Pitbull Rescue
• Sharice Davids
• Fight for 15
• Coletta Hummel
• Vote NO for Prop A

Katie Mabry Van Dieren, owner and curator of The Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair and co-founder of Troost Market Collector, joins us this week to talk about makers and community - and share her personal commitment to voicing your truth always.

Links

• Katie Mabry Van Dieren
• Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair
• Troost Market Collective
• Kansas State University
• Crissy Dastrup
• Reconciliation Services
• KC Star Maker City
• Surly Bird Boutique
• LaCour Design
• Carly Rae
• PaKou Her

Musician, songwriter and community activist Ellie Grace sits down with The InnovateHER Podcast to discuss community, the intersection of art and advocacy and her experience producing her upcoming CD release.

Links of interest

• Leela Grace Music
• Smith College
• Arts KC
• The Arts Asylum

Stephanie Carey, co-owner of The Pitch, sits down with us to discuss her work in publishing and how she came to helm Kansas City's premier alternative monthly. Stephanie candidly shares her story with us and lets us know why she will always ask for what she wants.

Links of interest:

• Frank Morris
• KCUR
• The Daily Record
• Second Street
• Tito's Vodka