In this inspiring conversation, Suzanne Heywood now the COO of one of Europe’s largest holding companies, opens up about her unbelievable childhood journey. 

When Suzanne Heywood was seven, her father announced their family would sail around the world. What was supposed to be a three-year adventure following Captain Cook's route turned into a ten-year struggle for survival and Suzanne's future.

Suzanne recounts her childhood on a cramped sailboat, facing danger and lacking formal education. After a near-fatal storm in the Indian Ocean, she pursued correspondence courses, seeing education as her escape and hope for a better future.

At sixteen, left in New Zealand while her parents sailed on, Suzanne took control—writing to elite universities, picking kiwi fruit to fund her passage to England, and eventually reaching Oxford.

Now the COO of Exor, a board member of major companies, and a mother of three, Suzanne's journey from sea isolation to leadership in Europe is a testament to resilience and determination. Her memoir, Wavewalker, challenges her parents' narrative and explores the power of reclaiming one’s life.

In addition to 'Wavewalker,' Suzanne has authored a bestselling biography of her late husband, Jeremy Heywood, who served under various UK Prime Ministers. Titled 'What Does Jeremy Think?', this book narrates his story and reflects a question often asked in Whitehall.

The World Woman Foundation has awarded Suzanne the prestigious World Woman Hero Award, acknowledging her efforts to expand access to education and enhance global equality. This accolade is part of the World Woman Davos Agenda event, which takes place concurrently with the World Economic Forum.

Suzanne Heywood chairs CNH Industrial, Iveco Group, and Shang Xia, and sits on the boards of The Economist and Christian Louboutin.

Episode Highlights

• Growing up on a boat for ten years, without formal schooling
• Being left in New Zealand at 16, and finding the courage to apply to universities around the world
• How she made it to Oxford without formal education—and the culture shock that followed
• Why she wrote Wavewalker, and what it means to finally tell her own story
• The leadership skills her unusual upbringing gave her—and how they shape her work today

Guest link:

suzanneheywood.com

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What happens when success becomes a mask—and control becomes a cage?

In this episode, Ashlee Ilg shares her powerful journey from perfection-driven college student to purpose-filled entrepreneur, speaker, and mother of five. Once addicted to achievement and validation—planning her life down to the calorie Ashlee hit a wall that forced her to face her deepest limitations.

That breaking point became the birthplace of transformation.

Now leading a thriving family, podcast, and business, Ashlee opens up about the shift from striving to surrendering, and how releasing control reshaped her faith, family, and future. From launching Kids Business Day to the miraculous adoption of her daughter Hannah, Ashlee’s story is a moving testimony of what’s possible when we trade hustle for trust.

Together, we explore:

• The pressure high-capacity women feel to “do it all”
• How to set boundaries without guilt
• Learning to prioritize your well-being unapologetically
• Why surrender isn't giving up—it's stepping into your greatest strength

This episode is a must-listen for every woman who feels stretched thin by expectations but longs to live a life anchored in purpose, not performance.

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Elisabeth Bykoff is a powerhouse in the SaaS world—startup founder, investor, advisor, and global operator with over 17 years of experience scaling companies across the tech landscape. She is the Founder and CEO of Boxsy, an AI-powered SaaS platform helping startups scale. She is also an Operating Advisor at Alinea Ventures, supporting early-stage startups in CLM, fintech, AI, and DEI. Previously, she held leadership roles at Agiloft and YayPay and began her career at PwC. Elisabeth holds an MBA from the University of Washington and a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering from ENAC.

In this episode Elisabeth shares her courageous journey from French aerospace engineer to American tech entrepreneur. Her new memoir, French Landing: A French Woman's Journey to Her American Dream, offers a humorous and insightful look at the American experience through European eyes. With clarity, grit, and a deep understanding of both startup chaos and corporate culture, Elisabeth opens up about the cultural contrasts, bold career moves, and the resilience it takes to thrive in a male dominated sector.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Leaving PwC after 10 years despite being on track for partnership because of burnout and feeling the expectations were different for women
 • Building Boxee, a platform to help entrepreneurs scale smarter by providing operational guidance and best practices
 • Navigating cultural differences between France and America, from education systems to credit scores and healthcare
 • Challenges of being a female founder in tech, including fundraising difficulties with only 1.8% of women getting funded
 • Learning resilience as an entrepreneur and finding support through networks of fellow founders
 • Taking calculated risks throughout life, from 155 parachute jumps to quitting stable jobs to starting a business
 • Creating a solution that increases the success rate of startups making it from seed funding to Series A

From go-to-market strategies to exit planning and AI integration, Elisabeth brings clarity and vision to what it takes to grow smart in today’s fast-moving landscape.

You can connect with Elisabeth on:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabethbykoff

🌐 Learn more: www.boxsy.io

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Why not you?

When Anne Taylor Hartzell’s daughter left for college, she found herself in the quiet aftermath of empty nest grief. But instead of staying stuck, Anne chose to ask a life-changing question: “Why not us?” That single nudge sparked a profound journey—selling the family home of 17 years, moving to a lakeside retreat, launching a podcast, and eventually writing a powerful new book: All Who Wander: A Guide to Finding Your Path in Seasons of Change.

In this encouraging episode, Anne shares how grief can become a gateway to growth, and how getting quiet can help us hear the wisdom within. With grace, humor, and vulnerability, she breaks down her 5-step framework for navigating life’s transitions—whether you’re a midlife explorer, a new graduate, an empty nester, or someone standing at a major crossroads.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• How to reframe fear as curiosity and take your next brave step
• Why transitions feel isolating—and how to reach for connection instead
• How synchronicities show up when you start saying yes to possibility
• The difference between adventure-seeking and life-leaping
• What writing her book taught Anne about vulnerability and courage

Anne reminds us: adventure doesn’t require a passport or a perfect plan—just the willingness to listen for what’s next and say yes, even when it feels uncertain.

Grab her new book All Who Wander wherever books are sold, and explore free resources at annetaylorhartzell.com.

Tune in and be inspired to embrace the unknown—and discover the path that’s been waiting for you all along.

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What happens when three women—two of whom had never backpacked overnight—decide to hike 67 miles on the Appalachian Trail with 40-pound packs, all in honor of a grandmother who was forced to walk a similar distance at age 16 when taken by Nazis during WWII?

In this special episode, Lauren Elhajj, Stefanie Flynn, and I share the raw, unfiltered truth of our six-day journey through Shenandoah National Park—complete with trail blisters, false summits, unexpected courage, and the unforgettable “trail magic” that kept us going.

This hike wasn't just a physical challenge; it was a mission. We set out to raise funds for Charity: Water, and thanks to generous supporters, we’ve already raised $3,697 toward building a clean water well for a community in need. (And yes—you can still donate! Just head to https://www.charitywater.org/teams/67miles#).

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why this journey was deeply personal for me, and why all 3 of us took on this challenge
• Expectations vs reality
• The hilarious and humbling reality of camp life (bougie eyelash brushes included & other weird items we brought on the trial)
• Our “scream, spray, stab” defense protocol 
• What it's like to hike with marathon runners (when you are not one)
• What the trail taught us about resilience (and wool toe socks with Vaseline!)
• Reflections on the trails we walk—and blaze—for future generations

We came for the cause, but we left changed—more connected, more grounded, and more aware of what really matters. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re capable of when you say yes to something outside your comfort zone, this conversation is for you.

🌍 Donate to our clean water well project here: https://www.charitywater.org/teams/67miles#

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In this Mother’s Day episode, I share 10 important life lessons I learned from observing my incredible mother, Olya—who was born in the Soviet Union during a time of significant persecution and adversity. Her story includes experiences of living under KGB surveillance, being denied an education due to her beliefs, and her brave immigration to the U.S. Her life stands as a powerful testament to resilience, faith, and joy amidst suffering.

Here I share ten lessons I learned by her example, a woman who would not allow darkness to overshadow her light. This episode is a tribute to every mother who loves passionately, lives with purpose, and creates a legacy that impacts generations to come.

What about you? What are some valuable lessons you learned from your mother?

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What happens when life feels like too much for too long? In this powerful episode, Kara Stout joins us to share her remarkable journey through wave after wave of loss—from surviving a near-stroke just one month after marriage, to losing both parents to cancer, enduring a decade-long path to motherhood through infertility and adoption, and experiencing the heartbreak of a failed adoption before finally bringing home her daughter, Nora.

Through it all, Kara found not just survival, but supernatural peace. She opens up about the raw honesty she brought into her relationship with God—an honesty that turned anxiety into strength and suffering into sacred ground. As a trained counselor and author of An Untroubled Heart, Kara offers wisdom for anyone walking through grief, anxiety, or long seasons of waiting. Her story reminds us that peace isn't found in perfect circumstances, but in a faithful God who meets us in our pain.

If you're in a waiting season, searching for peace, or grieving deeply—this conversation will help you feel seen, strengthened, and reminded that you are not alone.

An Untroubled Heart is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and other retailers.
Connect with Kara on Instagram @SincerelybyKara or at karastout.com

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Navigating the Fourth Trimester with Rachel Taylor: Essential Insights for Postpartum Recovery

Postpartum recovery is far more than a six-week checkup—it's a profound physical, emotional, and spiritual transformation that deserves greater care and attention. In this episode, we’re joined by Rachel Taylor, a registered nurse with 15 years of experience in mother-baby care and author of After Baby Comes: Physical, Spiritual and Emotional Recovery for Postpartum Moms.

Rachel shares powerful insights into the often-overlooked fourth trimester, offering hope and practical wisdom for new mothers navigating this tender season. We discuss:

• Why postpartum is a transition, not a permanent state
• How to distinguish baby blues from postpartum depression and anxiety
• The truth about physical recovery timelines and why it takes longer than six weeks
• Simple yet powerful practices like diaphragmatic breathing to aid healing
• How spiritual rhythms can shift in this season without guilt
• The importance of community and creating a “how you can help me” list before birth
• Why you are uniquely designed to be the mother your child needs

If you’re in the postpartum season—or love someone who is—you’ll walk away feeling seen, supported, and equipped.

Find Rachel’s book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or ChristianBook.com, and connect with her at mamadidit.com or on Instagram @mamadiditofficial for more encouragement and resources.

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Have you ever said yes to something that stretched you beyond your capacity? 

In a few weeks, I’ll be hiking 67 miles on the Appalachian Trail with two of my  friends, Lauren and Stef. Both are marathon runners. It’s not just for the adventure (though it’s definitely going to be one). It’s to honor my grandmother, Tasia.

At 16, she was forced by Nazi soldiers to walk nearly that same distance—67 miles—with nothing but a letter from her grandmother and the words of Psalm 91 to carry her. “No harm will overtake you.”

And here we are, generations later, choosing to walk—freely, intentionally, and for a cause that matters. We’re raising money for @charitywater to help build a well for a community that doesn’t have clean water. 100% of every donation goes directly to the well.

Training hasn’t been easy (hello 30lb backpacks), but the kindness and support we’ve already received has reminded me—none of us are meant to do hard things alone.

Maybe you’re not hiking 67 miles, but I know you’re carrying something heavy. Let this be your reminder: you are stronger than you think, and generations before us have done hard things.

If you want to be part of something meaningful, you can donate or learn more here: https://www.charitywater.org/67miles/67miles

And as you go about your day, know that I am cheering you on. Live boldly. Love deeply. And let’s make this life count.

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Living for over a century gives a unique lens on what truly matters. In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca Drick, a radiant 103-year-old who shares her extraordinary journey and the powerful simplicity behind her long, fulfilling life. From milking cows at six years old to sewing thousands of unipads for women in developing countries—her story is one of resilience, purpose, and everyday joy.

Key Takeaways from Rebecca’s 103 Years of Wisdom:

• Farm Roots & Responsibility: Grew up with six brothers on a fruit farm; began milking cows in first grade.
• Simple, Wholesome Diet: A lifetime of apples, home-cooked meals, no processed food—and intermittent fasting.
• Purpose at Every Age: Has sewn over 3,000 reusable pads ("unipads") for women in need—just in the past five years!
• Daily Routine: Bible study, gentle exercise, sewing, and reading keep her days meaningful.
• Resilience Through Hardship: Lived through the Great Depression, WWII, and the loss of two husbands—yet continues to "keep going."
• Lifelong Relationships: Family, 4-H clubs, and decades of reunions sustained deep, life-giving connections.
• Graceful Aging: Accepts her limitations with peace and focuses on what she can do—not what she can’t.
• Simple Joys: Novels, Rummikub, and desserts continue to bring delight.
• Her Life Mantra: “Do your best. Be as good a person as you can be.”

Whether you're seeking inspiration, struggling with life’s challenges, or curious about what it means to live well for 100+ years, Rebecca’s perspective will leave you feeling encouraged, grounded, and full of hope.

Let’s live simpler, love deeper, and keep going—just like Rebecca.

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