In this episode, we chat with Gwyn Lurie, who shows us how life can look when we understand that funding work that builds women and girls lifts us all!  *Note: episode was recorded prior to the 2024 elections.*

Gwyn Lurie began her career as a Journalist for ABC News in New York, serving as Special Assistant to News President, Roone Arledge, as an off-air reporter and an associate Producer. In 1987 she produced the award-winning documentary “Voices From the Attic” about her family’s years in hiding during the holocaust. She spent six months in Managua, Nicaragua as a reporter. Gwyn worked as an executive for 20th Century Fox and later for Interscope Entertainment’s feature film division; she then worked as a screenwriter for two decades writing such projects as the 2016 feature film “Nine Lives” starring Kevin Spacey and Jennifer Garner; and co-writing/adapted Oliver Sacks’ “The Last Hippie”, which became “The Music Never Stopped” starring JK Simmonds (Sundance opening selection, 2010).  She adapted Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “The BFG.” Gwyn has written for almost every major motion picture studio.

Gwyn became a full-time Santa Barbara resident in 2009 along with her husband, Les Firestein, and two daughters, Sydney and Noa. She
completed two terms as an elected member of the MUS School Board, serving as President for five years; Gwyn chaired the SB County Child
Safety Net Task Force. She co-founded the Program for Resilient Communities after the 1/9 debris flow. She co-chaired Santa Barbara’s
Human Rights Watch Committee. Gwyn received her BA from UCLA where she was elected Student Body President; she’s a Truman Scholar and attended graduate school at Oxford University at Balliol College as a Newton Tatum Scholar, after becoming a finalist for the Rhodes
Scholarship. In 2019 Gwyn raised capital through local investors to purchase the Montecito Journal and founded the Montecito Journal Media
Group, for which she currently serves as CEO and Executive Editor. Gwyn co-founded The Giving List Santa Barbara, The Giving List Los Angeles, The Giving List Bay Area, and most recently The Giving List Women, a national publication that promotes intersectional feminist philanthropy.

Learn more about Gwyn's work at givinglistwomen.com.

In this episode we're talking with LC Johnson, visionary and community change-maker.

LC Johnson is an award-winning writer, entrepreneur, and activist with a passion for empowering women, especially women of color (WOC). After graduating from Duke University in 2010 with a degree in Women’s Studies, she immediately began a career in the nonprofit sector, seeking out a range of opportunities that mirrored her passion for racial equity, gender equity, and entrepreneurship.

Fifteen years into her journey as a dynamic, creative, and committed social justice professional with a well-established entrepreneurial spirit, LC has deep experience in curriculum development and facilitation, nonprofit program design, entrepreneurship, public speaking, and community building. She is a recognized subject matter expert whose work and writings on the topic of race and gender have appeared in outlets such as Forbes Magazine, Huffington Post, and Black Enterprise.

Most notably, LC is the founder and CEO of Zora’s House—a co-working space and leadership incubator created by and for WOC. She has been recognized as a community leader, including Columbus CEO’s “CEO of the Year”, Columbus Business First’s “40 under 40” and “Columbus Future 50”. In her non-existent free time, LC enjoys reading Afro-futuristic novels; hiking with her hubby, two kiddos, and mutt; and EATING ALL OF THE THINGS.

You can learn more about LC's work by visiting https://zorashouse.com/.

Shelby Frederick, a multifaceted individual known as "Lady Jewels" to her social media followers, is making a remarkable impact as an author, coach, trainer, and equipper. Her unique communication style enables her to bridge generational gaps and deliver practical coaching for successful living. As a Holistic Life Practitioner, Shelby's vision is to empower women with holistic strategies, inspiring them to take personal responsibility for all eight dimensions of wellness and positively influence their spheres of influence. 

 With over sixteen years of experience as a Licensed Massage Therapist, Shelby possesses extensive knowledge and training in various forms of holistic healing. Her expertise allows her to educate the public about the power of holistic approaches to well-being. Furthermore, as a Certified Instructor and a Professor at the International Institute of Faith-Based Counseling and Northeastern College of Theology in Ohio, Shelby brings over 10 years of instructional experience in higher education, further enriching her ability to equip others. She is also the founder of War Room Warriors Equipping Center, an apostolic discipleship hub that equips believers for the work of the ministry. Shelby completed her Master of Theology studies in April 2023.

Shelby Frederick's passion for holistic living, her commitment to empowering women, and her depth of knowledge make her a highly respected figure in her field. Through her books, coaching, training, and equipping, she is making a significant and positive difference in the lives of individuals, helping them thrive in all aspects of their well-being: spirit, soul, and body.

Learn more about her work at https://www.jewelsofwellness.net.

In this episode, we talk with Meg Brown--a luminary in the children's literary world of Columbus, Ohio.  She shares about the importance of stepping into her best work, the power of women writing and being different versions of yourself throughout life.

Meg Brown is the Director of Children’s Education at Thurber House and brings their creative writing programs to libraries, schools, and community centers throughout Central Ohio while also managing their in-house education activities such as their summer writing camp and Writing Wizards. She has been on board of the Discovery District Civic Association for ten years and is also the secretary of the Heart of the City Foundation board. She keeps busy judging writing contests for schools, working with Ohioana and the State Library as a Choose to Read Ohio reader and committee member, and working on partnerships in the community.

You can learn more about Meg's work at www.thurberhouse.org.

This episode features Brenda Joyce Johnson, who weighs in on healthy socialization, seeing ourselves holistically and confidence.

Brenda Joyce Johnson is a leadership development strategist for today’s woman. As the founder of The Get Noticed Academy LLC, she sponsors virtual mentoring courses for women aspiring to personal, professional and spiritual growth. Her passion is to empower women desiring to discover their value, voice and vision. Brenda is also the founder and CEO of The Gold Medallion Foundation--School of Esther, a 501(c) 3 providing mentoring and educational services for youth and adults. Her passion for empowering youth and the family has been a lifelong endeavor.  As an author, mentor and coach, Brenda has served women and girls nationwide for more than 30 years, equipping them with practical and spiritual guidance enabling them to embrace their uniqueness. Lady Brenda has a passion for bringing clarity to the ways that spirituality and our everyday lives meet. For this reason, she finds delight in writing and facilitating personal, professional and spiritual development programs. Her annual nationwide “Gathering” brings women together from across the nation for enrichment and personal growth. She and her husband, the Rev. Dr. Lonnell Johnson, have partnered in ministry for more than 50 years. Brenda is not only a wife, but the mother of two married daughters, Melissa Simkins and Angela Joyner. She is the grandmother of Kingston Simkins.

In this episode we talk with Sue Jablonski--a marketing executive who empowers her team to tell healthcare stories that matter.

Sue Jablonski is passionate about the power of “brand” when it comes to business strategy and culture.  Since 2008, she has been leading those efforts for OhioHealth as the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. Laser focused on pushing the
boundaries of creativity and strategy, she and her team direct their energy towards connecting with internal and external stakeholders and creating relationships that make a difference and help the organization achieve its goals. Their work follows all kinds of paths: marketing, digital transformation, reputation management, user experience, internal communications, public relations, events, sponsorships, media relations and any other channel or avenue that makes sense. Her career has included 17 years at The Ohio State University Medical Center where she
was Chief Communications Officer and Associate Vice President. 

Sue serves as a board member with Experience Columbus and Diabetes Youth Services. She also serves on the Franklin University Communications Advisory Board and maintains many professional affiliations including the Public Relations Society of America, the American Hospital Association's Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development, and the American Marketing Association.

Episode 8 features Chiquita Toure, a librarian, educator and curator who talks with us about the uniqueness of every "Fire" and the connection between literacy and living as our best selves.

Chiquita R. N. Toure was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She is a proud graduate of Chicago Public Schools and received both her B.S. in Elementary Education and M.Ed. in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a second M.Ed. in School Library and Information Technologies from Mansfield University in Mansfield Pennsylvania.  Chiquita's passion as a literacy liberator has spanned almost 30 years. In 1995 she relocated to Columbus, Ohio and has spent 13 years first as an ELA educator for the elementary and middle school grades; in 2009 she transitioned to the role of school librarian for grades K-12. Currently she serves as the school librarian for the Columbus Africentric Early College school for grades 6-12. In addition to being an educator-librarian, she is a speaker, writer and social justice workshop facilitator for nonprofits, faith-based and independent educational organizations. She has received numerous grants which have enabled her to bring creative and innovative programming to the school communities she serves. In 2018 she was awarded the Helen Jenkins Davis Award for Social Justice for her work in transforming the school library space and creating a safe writing hub for students.  She enjoys teaching young people not only how to read with a discerning lens, but also how to write their lives through courageous truth telling. Her future plans are to complete her Ed.D. by 2026 in Educational Policy and Leadership with a concentration in Diversity and Equity also from the UIUC. She would love to teach in higher education and open an independent bookstore where folks can visit, read, write, chat and sip organic tea paired with their favorite books. Chiquita resides in Ohio and is the mother of four daughters and about 25 plants. She enjoys nature walks, vintage shopping, journaling, and visiting bookstores across the country.

Learn more about Chiquita online at www.chiquitantoure.com.

In this episode, Olympia Della Flora talks about how tragedy can fire up courage and why we must always both learn from elders and empower those coming behind us. 

Ms. Della Flora began her educational career in Columbus City Schools as a teacher and continued to take on more progressively challenging roles. Ms. Della Flora has found ways to collectively engage multiple stakeholders including students, staff, families, and community members to find creative solutions versus focusing on problems. As a school principal, she was able to successfully lead efforts to move one of the lowest performing elementary schools in Ohio out of failing status. Ms. Della Flora strongly believes that schools should continuously seek ways to address and support the whole child when it comes to learning, addressing not only academics but social emotional outcomes as well. During 2018-2022 Della Flora worked in Connecticut for Stamford Public Schools where she served as the Associate Superintendent for School Development. She has recently relocated back to Ohio where she is currently serving as the first female and first person of color to serve as the Superintendent in Marion City Schools in Marion, Ohio. 

Ms. Della Flora has received numerous awards and recognitions for her contributions to education. She obtained the highest certification a teacher can earn, National Board Certification, in Early Childhood and was named an Emerging Leader by ASCD. One of her most humbling achievements includes delivering a TED Talk in 2019 titled, Creative Ways To Get Kids To Thrive in School, in which she has received over 3.5 million views. 

You can learn more about Olympia and her work at www.olympiadellaflora.com.

In this episode, we spent time talking with Bonnie James--a longtime business owner who shares thoughts about reinvention, finding oneself and helping others to push past their limits.

Bonnie James is president and co-founder Advanced Reading Concepts.  She is a nationally recognized speaker and trainer who conducts instructor-led speed reading courses for conferences, trade associations, schools, corporations, government installations and the military, as well as public classes for teens and adults and summer school programs for pre-teens and teens in the Columbus area. A few years ago she even taught a class in Bangkok for the United States Agency for International Development.

Bonnie's passion is helping people fulfill their potential and reach their career and education goals through superior reading skills.  She is a graduate of the Ohio State University where she was honored to receive the Career Achievement Award from the Ohio State University’s College of Education and Human Ecology.

Learn more about Bonnie's work at https://advancedreading.com/.

In this episode, environmental expert Nicole Jackson discuss the power of nature and solitude for fueling our fire.

Nicole Jackson is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Education & Interpretation. A nature enthusiast and bird watcher, she loves spending time outside and has a passion for getting people connected to the wonders of the natural world. Nicole currently works as a freelance environmental education consultant advising organizations on program development for youth and families to help them build healthier relationships with nature. In 2021, Nicole started N Her Nature LLC to provide more nature therapy opportunities to Black women seeking life balance and joy through meaningful nature experiences. Her coaching business focuses on increasing the connections to nature for improved mental health and well-being.