Episode Description: Holly Diamond arrived in New York with $400 and a dream, faced the heartbreak of job searching during the 2009 recession, and eventually opened a restaurant during the pandemic to employ her parents. Now she's the CEO of Work Onward, a map-based hiring platform connecting small businesses with local workers, especially in immigrant-owned businesses and blue-collar industries.

What You'll Learn:

• How to turn personal struggles into scalable solutions
• The power of taking action before you feel ready
• Creating dignity in employment for overlooked populations
• Building technology that serves vulnerable communities
• Balancing profit with social impact in business

Key Timestamps:

• [00:00] Introduction and Holly's nomination
• [01:30] What is Work Onward and how it works
• [04:30] The restaurant origin story during COVID
• [10:45] Holly's "Just Do It" philosophy
• [12:30] The concept of dignity in employment
• [18:30] Self-care and taking care of your wellbeing
• [24:15] Who Holly nominates for the show

Key Takeaways:

• Sometimes the craziest-sounding decisions are exactly what the moment requires
• Your personal struggles can become your professional superpowers
• Technology should make opportunities visible, not create more barriers
• Dignity in work starts with how we see and treat each other
• Community and collaboration are essential for creating lasting change

Resource Links:

• Work Onward: [Platform information]
• Holly's Restaurant: [Location details]
• Connect with Holly: [Professional contact information]

Guest Bio: Holly Diamond is the CEO of Work Onward, a map-based hiring platform that connects small businesses with local hourly workers. Originally from South Korea, she moved to New York in 2009 and has spent over 10 years as a recruiter specializing in blue-collar industries. In 2020, she opened a restaurant to employ her parents during the pandemic, which became the inspiration for Work Onward's mission to create more inclusive hiring practices.

Host Bio: Aransas Savas is a researcher, coach, and host of The Uplifters Podcast. Connect with her:

• Instagram: @aransas_savas
• Podcast Instagram: @the_uplifters_podcast
• TikTok: @theuplifterspodcast
• Website: www.theuplifterspodcast.com
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theuplifterspodcast
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aransassavas/

Keywords: career transition, immigrant entrepreneurs, job search platform, social impact business, small business hiring, dignity in work, pandemic pivots, family entrepreneurship, tech for good, inclusive hiring

Join host Aransas Savas as she reconnects with Alex Stried, former Chief Product Officer at Cerebral who left her executive role to co-found Poppins, a revolutionary 24/7 pediatric care and parent coaching platform. In this candid conversation, Alex shares how the Surgeon General's declaration of parent stress as a public health crisis became her wake-up call to build the company she wished existed as a working mother. From managing teams of hundreds to starting from scratch, Alex reveals the data-driven approach that helped her raise courage capital and turn overwhelming parenthood into a scalable solution.

• How to transition from corporate executive to entrepreneur without losing momentum in your career
• Parent stress management strategies that address both behavioral and medical needs
• Fundraising tips for female founders pitching to investors who may not understand your market
• Work-life balance techniques for high-achieving parents juggling career pivots
• Building courage capital through evidence-based decision making and strategic risk-taking
• Startup validation methods using personal pain points to identify market opportunities
• Leadership strategies for downsizing teams and making difficult business decisions with empathy
• Career change advice for professionals feeling called to solve problems they've experienced firsthand

00:00 - Introduction and reconnecting after years at Weight Watchers

03:15 - The Surgeon General's parent stress crisis declaration as a catalyst

06:30 - What Poppins offers: 24/7 pediatric care and parent coaching

09:45 - Making the leap from CPO to founder: financial and personal considerations

14:30 - Overcoming intimidation through "listening tours" and data collection

18:15 - Pitching investors who don't understand the parenting market

22:45 - Building courage through preparation and power posing

25:30 - Advice for managing fear of failure and career setbacks

28:15 - Self-care strategies for high-achieving working parents

32:45 - Guest nominations: Hillary Manger, Haley Barna, Emily Green

35:00 - How listeners can support Poppins and connect with Alex

✅ Turn frustration into fuel: Your biggest parenting challenges might be pointing toward your next business opportunity

✅ Build evidence-based courage: Create compelling data to support both investor pitches and major life decisions

✅ Practice the "listening tour" approach: Gather perspectives from multiple stakeholders before making intimidating moves

✅ Reframe failure as temporary: Remember that careers are resilient and setbacks are learning opportunities

✅ Prepare to be spontaneous: Practice presentations until you can deliver them authentically and confidently

• Poppins - Alex's 24/7 pediatric care and parent coaching platform
• Amy Cuddy's research on power posing
• BJ Fogg's behavior change work from Stanford

Alex Stried is the co-founder of Poppins, a comprehensive parenting platform offering 24/7 pediatric care via text and parent coaching services. Previously, she served as Chief Product Officer at Cerebral, a telehealth mental health company, where she led product strategy and team management during rapid scaling and restructuring phases. Alex's career spans over a decade in product leadership at companies including Ellevest, where she helped build the women-focused financial platform from startup to established company. She began her career at Weight Watchers (now WW International) during the Points Plus era, contributing to significant company growth and innovation. Alex holds expertise in behavioral science, product development, and creating evidence-based solutions for complex human challenges. She lives with her partner Scott and their two daughters, ages 5 and 7.

Connect with Alex:

• Poppins Platform: heypoppins.com
• LinkedIn: Connect with Alex Stried for professional updates

Aransas Savas is a Wellbeing and Leadership Coach, researcher, and host of the award-winning Uplifters Podcast. For over two decades, she has conducted behavioral research and design for companies like Disney, Weight Watchers, Best Buy, and US Bank. Aransas has coached thousands of women through transformative group and individual programs, helping them build what she calls "courage capital" - the renewable resource that grows each time we face our fears and take brave action. She's the author of dozens of journals and workbooks, including materials used on Oprah Winfrey's 2020 Vision Tour, and is currently writing "Courage Capital: How 100 Inspiring Women Do Big, Brave Things and How You Can Too." As a Board Member of 826NY, she helps young people discover their voices through storytelling.

Connect with Aransas:

• Instagram: @aransas_savas
• Podcast Instagram: @the_uplifters_podcast
• TikTok: @theuplifterspodcast
• Facebook: Aransas Savas
• Website: theuplifterspodcast.com
• YouTube: @theuplifterspodcast
• LinkedIn: Aransas Savas

parent stress management, working mother entrepreneur, chief product officer career change, startup founder journey, pediatric care platform, parent coaching services, female founder fundraising, work life balance tips, courage capital building, career pivot strategies, telehealth parenting solutions, executive to entrepreneur transition, behavioral science applications, evidence based parenting, startup validation methods, leadership during downsizing, fear of failure overcome, power posing confidence, listening tour strategy, compelling investor pitch, parenting overwhelm solutions, working parent support system, 24/7 pediatric care, parent stress public health crisis

Dina Berrin is a professional intuitive and coach, but her journey from corporate sales executive to master tarot reader wasn't a straight line. For years, she kept her mystical studies hidden, reading cards at parties but never discussing it at work, helping colleagues in bathroom conversations but always waving them away when her boss was around. What would her kids’ parents think? Would people dismiss her as crazy, unintelligent, unserious? When COVID forced a choice between her nine-to-five life and her calling, she decided it was time to step fully into her dreams despite those questions and fears.

Signature Practice: Refusing to Hide Her Light

Dina's most powerful practice isn't about cards or crystals—it's about the daily choice to show up authentically, even when it feels uncomfortable. After decades of compartmentalizing her gifts, she made a radical decision: no more shrinking, no more hiding, no more apologizing for who she is.

This practice ripples outward in everything she does. Her presence gives others permission to explore their own curiosity about the mystical, the intuitive, the parts of themselves they've kept hidden. By refusing to dim her light, she illuminates paths for others to step into their own authentic power.

You've ever felt like you need to hide parts of yourself to be "professional" or acceptable, you're tired of asking everyone else what you should do instead of trusting your own judgment, you feel stuck repeating the same patterns and want to understand how to break free, or you're curious about how ancient wisdom traditions can support modern decision-making and personal growth.

Support Dina's mission to help people reconnect with their intuition by:

• Reading her book: The Way Within: Igniting Your Intuition with Sacred Tools
• Work with her: Visit her website to learn about her unique charm journal and divination tools, or work with her through coaching to help you understand your astrology and tarot

• Episode 92: Candy Motzek - Who Nominated Dina
• Episode 57: Rahti Gorfien - The creative coach who helps scattered professionals follow through and finish things
• Episode 99: Dr. Shayna Kaufmann - The psychologist who left forensic work at 50 to embrace heart-centered practice
• Episode 76: Alma Schneider - The mother who found her voice advocating for disability rights
• Episode 18: Beth Carroll - The pastor creating safe spaces for those marginalized by traditional faith communities

How to Stop Taking Everyone's Stress Personally | 5,000-Year-Old Secret to Better Relationships | Carey DavidsonEver wonder why some people drain your energy while others light you up? Or why the same communication patterns keep causing problems in your relationships, no matter how hard you try to fix them?In this episode, relationship expert Carey Davidson reveals the ancient Chinese wisdom that explains exactly why we clash with certain personality types – and how to break those frustrating cycles for good.

Carey, author of The Five Archetypes and founder of Harmin Labs, has helped major organizations like Microsoft, Starbucks, and Tony Robbins solve their most persistent relationship challenges using a 5,000-year-old system that's backed by modern neuroscience.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The 5 elemental personality types that determine how you handle stress

• How to recognize when you're in your "distorted state" before it ruins relationships

• The specific recovery strategy for your personality type (hint: what works for others might stress you out more)

• Why slowing down is the secret to faster problem-solving

• How to stop absorbing other people's emotional chaos

Key Takeaways: 

 Fire elements (like Aransas!) need connection and food when stressed 

 Each personality type has predictable triggers and recovery methods 

 Judgment and criticism from others reflect THEIR stress, not your worth 

 Real power comes from pausing, not pushing through 

 You can prevent relationship spirals by catching yourself at the "distortion point"

Perfect for:

• Leaders struggling with team dynamics
• Anyone tired of the same relationship conflicts
• People who want to understand personality differences
• Those interested in ancient wisdom for modern problems
• Anyone who feels "too much" or "not enough" in relationships

About Carey Davidson: Carey Davidson is a behavioral expert who bridges 5,000-year-old Chinese medicine wisdom with cutting-edge neuroscience. She's the author of "The Five Archetypes" and has been hired by Fortune 500 companies to solve relationship challenges that traditional approaches can't fix.

Resources Mentioned:

• Take the free Five Archetypes Assessment
• The Five Archetypes book
• Carey's work with major corporations

Connect with Carey: Instagram: @careydavidsonofficial https://www.careydavidson.com/books/

Connect with Aransas:

• Subscribe to The Uplifters Newsletter: www.theuplifterspodcast.com
• Follow on Instagram: @theuplifterspodcast and @aransas_savas
• Website: theuplifterspodcast.com

Timestamps: 00:00 Intro - Why relationship patterns repeat 03:30 What are the Five Archetypes? 08:00 How stress shows up in each element 16:30 The real meaning of "too much" 22:30 Fire element challenges (Aransas's results!) 30:45 How to slow down when triggered 35:15 Why criticism isn't about you 42:00 Carey's courage practice 48:30 Practical steps to break patterns

Like this episode? Subscribe for more conversations with inspiring women doing big, brave things!

Tags: #relationships #personality #communication #leadership #stress #neuroscience #ancientwisdom #teamwork #conflictresolution #selfawareness #emotionalintelligence #workplace #chinesemedicine #personalitytypes #boundaries

Hi! New here? Welcome to the Uplifters! I'm Aransas Savas. I've spent the last 20 years at the intersection of behavior change research and coaching. On The Uplifters Podcast, we share diverse stories of women who have found something beautiful on the other side of the hard stuff. Despite self-doubt and fear (and honestly, who doesn't have those?), they've done big, brave things anyway, and show us how we can too!

Our next series is Late Bloomers! 🌸

Do you know a woman whose late-blooming journey would inspire our community? Or maybe that someone is YOU? Hit reply or fill out this form to nominate someone for our Late Bloomers series.

Kate Milligan's story begins with frustration—the kind that sits heavy in your chest when you know something needs to change, but don’t see the change happening. After seven years in Washington D.C.'s political machine, Kate found herself pitching inspiring stories about women who weren't waiting for broken systems to fix themselves—women who were becoming the solution. Story after story got rejected. So she packed up a U-Haul and drove home to Detroit.

In reading about Detroit's motto, "There is always hope and it will rise from the ashes", Kate found her North Star. "That's what women are," she realized. "Women are the most resilient. They're so powerful that they can transform this world." That moment of recognition sparked 1 Girl Revolution, a multimedia platform amplifying the stories of everyday women changing the world.

Through her background in PR and media, Kate has made it her mission to identify women with important stories, ask the right questions to help them see their own significance, and create safe spaces for their voices to emerge.

She gives women permission to see themselves as worthy of attention, as leaders worth following, as revolutionaries in their own right.

In the process of uplifting others, Kate discovered her own voice. What began as a way to showcase other women's courage became the foundation for her own transformation from shy, bullied kid to Emmy-nominated documentary producer and movement builder.

• Aren’t quite sure what your big purpose is
• Feel like your voice doesn't matter in a noisy world
• Are tired of waiting for broken systems to change themselves
• Want to turn your own pain into purpose for others
• Are ready to stop playing small and start building something meaningful

• 1 Girl Revolution Podcast: 260+ episodes of women's stories (available on all podcast platforms and YouTube)
• Emmy-nominated documentaries: "The Girl Inside" and "In Tandem" (watch on YouTube)
• Main website: www.1girlrevolution.com
• Nonprofit platform: www.onegirlrevolution.org

• Subscribe to the One Girl Revolution podcast (available on all platforms and YouTube)
• Follow on social media:
• Instagram: @1girlrevo
• Facebook: facebook.com/1girlrevo
• Twitter: @1girlrevo
• YouTube: 1GirlRevolution
• Support through donations at www.onegirlrevolution.org to help tell more stories
• Shop their female empowerment merchandise to rep the movement
• Share the stories that resonate with you—every share amplifies another woman's voice

• Terry Grahl (Episode 114): The woman who nominated Kate and founded Enchanted Makeovers, transforming shelters for domestic violence survivors
• Kerry Brodie (Episode 79): Founder of Emma’s Torch who left DC to create a systemic solution for the needs of asylees and immigrants
• Rachel Lipson (Episode 4): Music educator who built a global teaching network from her studio apartment

00:00 - Introduction and nomination from Terry Grahl

03:00 - Kate's DC frustration and the decision to move home

08:30 - Finding her calling in Detroit's motto

15:45 - Starting One Girl Revolution with 10 episodes

22:15 - The power of giving others permission to be seen

28:40 - Building courage capital through community

35:20 - Emmy nomination and documentary work

42:10 - Self-care and taking care of uplifters

48:35 - Next brave steps and fundraising goals

52:00 - Kate's nomination for the next guest

Every week, host Aransas Savas celebrates remarkable women who are doing big, brave things and changing their corner of the world. Through conversations about "courage capital" - the renewable resource we build through brave choices - The Uplifters proves that ordinary women can do extraordinary things.

If this episode inspired you, please subscribe, rate, and share with the uplifters in your life! Your support helps us reach more women who need to hear these stories.

#OneGirlRevolution #CourageCapital #WomenEmpowerment #TheUplifters #Storytelling #Detroit #DocumentaryFilmmaker #PodcastLife #WomenSupportingWomen #BeBrave #EmmyNominated #Inspiration #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #MediaRepresentation

In this inspiring episode of The Uplifters Podcast, host Aransas Savas sits down with Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely, a California-French educator who made a bold career pivot from 20 years in teaching to founding Big Belly Breathing, her mindfulness and meditation platform.

Vanessa shares her transformative journey from San Francisco classroom teacher to entrepreneur, including a life-changing sabbatical year in the French Alps, her discovery of yoga and meditation during the pandemic, and how she built courage to leave educational stability behind. Learn about her innovative approach to family mindfulness, her bilingual meditation podcasts, and her newest venture co-hosting a WNBA podcast.

Listen for: A bonus guided meditation led by Vanessa that will refresh your afternoon and energize your next brave step!

• Career transitions after 40: How to pivot from a stable 20-year career to entrepreneurship
• Mindfulness and meditation: Building a daily practice and teaching it to families
• Entrepreneurship journey: From idea to execution, testing and iterating products
• Overcoming perfectionism: Embracing the "messy" process of building something new
• Work-life balance: Taking care of yourself while serving others as an "uplifter"
• Bilingual education: Creating resources in French and English
• Sports and community: Finding joy and building connections through women's basketball

Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely is a California-French educator, writer, and mindfulness advocate based in San Francisco. She's the founder of Big Belly Breathing, where she teaches meditation workshops and creates mindfulness resources for families, kids, and adults. She also co-hosts "Valkyries, Say Less," a podcast covering the WNBA's Golden State Valkyries. After 20 years in education, including time as a PE teacher and instructional coach, Vanessa took a brave leap to build her own platform focused on wellness and joy.

• [02:00] The sabbatical year that changed everything - moving to a French Alpine village
• [06:30] How the pandemic shifted her perspective on education and connection
• [09:15] Getting yoga teacher certification while teaching PE outdoors
• [12:30] The meditation insight that gave her business its name
• [14:45] Testing her first product and learning to scale back based on feedback
• [21:00] The scary but exhilarating leap from stable employment to entrepreneurship
• [24:30] Her "throwing pasta at the wall" philosophy for overcoming perfectionism
• [32:45] BONUS: Guided meditation demonstration - Vanessa leads a calming body scan
• [38:30] Self-care strategies for busy entrepreneurs and "uplifters"

Ready to add more mindfulness to your family's life? Big Belly Breathing offers guided meditations in both French and English, plus journals and workshops for all ages. Find the podcast on any platform, visit bigbellybreathing.com for resources, and if you're feeling generous, leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

For WNBA fans, check out Valkyries Say Less for pure basketball joy and community celebration. And if you're in the Bay Area, maybe you'll spot Vanessa in her season ticket seats, evangelizing the power of women's sports with infectious enthusiasm.

Connect with Vanessa's work at bigbellybreathing.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.

• Big Belly Breathing podcast and website (bigbellybreathing.com) - Vanessa's guided meditation platform with over 100 episodes in French and English
• Valkyries Say Less - Her newest podcast celebrating the Golden State Valkyries WNBA team
• Breathe for Change - The organization where she earned her yoga teacher training and social emotional learning certification
• Core Power Yoga - Where she discovered her love for teaching yoga
• The Elles Collective - The francophone women entrepreneur group that became part of her support system
• Insight Timer - The meditation app she recommends for building a consistent practice
• Transcendental Meditation - Her personal practice and training background

• Episode 51: Konika Ray Wong - Science teacher who founded Girl Power Science (nominated Vanessa)
• Episode 8: Julie Hartigan - Engineer turned chef and travel guide
• Episode 20: Jen Liddy - Teacher turned entrepreneur
• Episode 34: Heather Markel - Corporate executive turned full-time traveler

#CareerChange #Mindfulness #Meditation #Entrepreneurship #MidlifeTransition #TeacherTurnedEntrepreneur #WomenInBusiness #PersonalGrowth #Courage #SecondAct #WorkLifeBalance #SelfCare #WNBA #BilingualEducation #YogaTeacher #Uplifters

Love this episode? Subscribe to The Uplifters Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Leave us a 5-star review and tell us which part of Vanessa's story inspired you most!

New episodes drop weekly featuring women who are breaking barriers, creating change, and reinventing themselves while lifting others up along the way.

The Uplifters Podcast is hosted by Aransas Savas. Connect with the show at theuplifterspodcast.com.

Episode 117 Episode Description

Host Aransas Savas sits down with multihyphenate artist Karisma Jay to explore how to build an abundance mindset even when resources feel scarce. Karisma, a Broadway performer, filmmaker, educator, and founder of Abundance Academy, shares her powerful reframe from asking "What don't I have?" to "What's in my luggage right now?"This conversation is packed with practical wisdom about overcoming self-doubt, navigating financial struggles as an artist, and choosing wholesome work over controversy. Whether you're a creative professional, entrepreneur, or anyone looking to shift from scarcity to abundance thinking, this episode offers actionable strategies for building courage capital and finding resources you didn't know you had.

About Karisma Jay

Karisma Jay is an award-winning performing artist, dancer, actress, filmmaker, director, wellness coach, teacher, entrepreneur, and founder of the 12-year-old nonprofit Abundance Academy. She has:

• Performed on Broadway
• Been featured in The New York Times
• Taught at Juilliard
• Won awards for her short films at film festivals
• Mentored countless artists through her educational work

Despite her success, Karisma openly discusses navigating the same challenges we all face – from self-doubt to financial struggles – while maintaining an abundance mindset that fuels her multifaceted career.

Key Topics Discussed

Building Abundance Mindset

• How to shift from scarcity thinking to abundance thinking
• The power of asking "What's in my luggage?" when resources feel limited
• Strategic memory management: playing miracles on repeat instead of trauma
• Building emotional and spiritual reserves before you need them

Artistic Career & Entrepreneurship

• Navigating multiple creative paths as a multihyphenate artist
• Dealing with financial uncertainty in creative careers
• The importance of choosing wholesome work over controversial content
• Building sustainable artistic practices

Personal Development & Self-Care

• Facing "courage corners" and dealing with avoided emotional work
• The Artist's Way practice and creative development
• Showing up for yourself with the same integrity you show others
• Creating supportive communities that "give you back to yourself"

Education & Mentorship

• Teaching and mentoring for over two decades
• The connection between learning and inspiration
• Building programs that nurture conscious artists
• The difference between being controversial vs. courageous

Featured Quote

"I have been committed to playing the miracles over and over again. The moments that reassured my faith when I couldn't see. I play that so often... What's in my luggage that I can go back to?"Resources Mentioned

• "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron - Karisma's "artist bible" for creative development
• Abundance Academy - Karisma's nonprofit organization supporting artists
• Erykah Badu quote: "I'm an artist and I'm sensitive about my sh*t"

Connect with Karisma Jay

Follow Karisma on social media and support her work:

• Learn more about Abundance Academy and their educational programming
• Share her content with your networks to amplify her message
• Connect her with speaking opportunities and collaborations
• Support her upcoming film projects and artistic endeavors

Key Takeaways

1. Reframe scarcity questions: Ask "What do I have in my luggage?" instead of focusing on what's missing
2. Build abundance reserves: Make deposits in your emotional and spiritual accounts during good times
3. Face avoided work: Deal with "courage corners" to create space for creativity and growth
4. Choose courage over controversy: Focus on wholesome, uplifting work that creates positive change
5. Maintain learning mindset: Stay curious and open to growth in all areas of life

About The Uplifters Podcast

The Uplifters Podcast features conversations with women who are doing big, brave things in the world. Hosted by Aransas Savas, each episode explores how ordinary women build extraordinary courage and create meaningful change in their communities and beyond.

Tags

#AbundanceMindset #CreativeEntrepreneur #ArtistLife #BroadwayPerformer #WomenInArts #PersonalDevelopment #Mindfulness #CreativeCourage #ArtistWay #Nonprofit #Education #Filmmaking #TheaterArts #WomenLeaders #Inspiration #SelfCare #ArtistStruggles #CreativeProcess #Mentorship #UpliftingContentEpisode

Keywords

abundance mindset, creative entrepreneur, Broadway performer, multihyphenate artist, artist struggles, creative courage, personal development, mindfulness practices, women in arts, nonprofit founder, artistic career, financial struggles artists, self-doubt, creative process, mentorship, wholesome content, courage vs controversy, artist way, creative development, scarcity thinking, abundance thinkingListen to The Uplifters Podcast wherever you get your podcastsSubscribe and Review: Help us reach more uplifters by subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Connect with The Uplifters:

• Website: theuplifterspodcast.com
• Instagram: @theuplifterspodcast
• LinkedIn: The Uplifters Podcast
• Substack: Uplifters Newsletter
• Host Website: www.aransassavas.com

New episodes drop every week featuring women who are changing the world through courage, creativity, and community. (edited) 

Meet Emily Levin, who made a stunning career pivot from trauma therapist to tech co-founder, creating AI solutions for the affordable housing crisis. In this powerful conversation, Emily shares how she went from helping individuals heal to transforming entire systems, co-founding Access—an AI platform that's already raising capital and getting families into homes faster.

🏠 What You'll Learn:

• How Emily transitioned from 15 years as a psychoanalyst to co-founding a tech startup
• The "slow enrollment of possibility" that prepared her for this major leap
• Why storytelling skills matter more than technical expertise in early-stage startups
• Her "future casting" practice for building confidence in unfamiliar territory
• How she's navigating the male-dominated startup world as a female founder
• The shocking statistics about affordable housing and why this problem matters

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Only 1 in 5 Americans who qualify for affordable housing actually receive it
• It takes property managers 80 hours to lease up one affordable housing unit
• Female-run startups receive only 1.4% of venture funding
• Your existing expertise is more transferable than you think
• Community and mentorship are essential for courage-building

🎯 Perfect for:

• Women considering major career pivots
• Anyone interested in social impact entrepreneurship
• Therapists or helping professionals wanting to scale their impact
• People curious about the affordable housing crisis
• Anyone building courage to start something new

00:00 - Introduction to Emily Levin

01:48 - The kitchen table moment that changed everything

04:46 - The "slow enrollment of possibility"

07:00 - Leading a tech company without tech background

10:19 - Navigating the male-dominated startup world

11:47 - The power of play and "future casting"

13:00 - Finding community in the Robin Hood accelerator

15:02 - Getting support from her 82-year-old father

17:19 - Bringing her daughters into the business

21:04 - The affordable housing crisis explained

26:25 - Future plans: scaling nationally and writing a book

27:45 - Advice for "words and feelings" people entering business

28:41 - How to support Emily's mission

Emily Levin co-founded Axccess, the first AI platform that streamlines affordable housing processes. After 15 years as a psychoanalyst and trauma therapist working with chronically mentally ill New Yorkers transitioning from the streets into stable housing, Emily recognized that individual healing wasn't enough—the system itself needed to change. Axccess is already raising capital, signing customers, and generating revenue while getting families into safe, affordable homes faster.

Start with Emily's Nominator:

• Susannah Ludwig - The woman who saw Emily's courage and nominated her for this show

Fellow Founders Breaking New Ground:

• Susie Jaramillo - First Latina CEO of a media company in the US
• Jenny Jing Zhu - From village maid to $100M company founder
• Jennifer Maanavi - Built Physique 57 from startup to global fitness brand
• Sarah Dusek - Founder of Enygma Ventures investing in African female entrepreneurs
• Regina Gwynn - Co-founder of Black Women Talk Tech

Systems Changers Tackling Big Problems:

• Kerry Brodie - Founder of Emma's Torch empowering refugees through culinary training
• Amy Cohen - Co-founder of Families for Safe Streets after losing her son to traffic violence
• Shelley Zalis - Founder of The Female Quotient, creating women's spaces in male-dominated conferences
• Dr. Aziza Shad - Founder of The Aslan Project expanding global cancer care
• Taylor Scott - Founder of RVA Community Fridges addressing food insecurity

Career Pivoters and Reinventors:

• Julie Hartigan - Left engineering to become a chef and travel guide
• Cleyvis Natera - Left lucrative business career to write award-winning fiction
• Heather Markel - Quit her desk job to travel 39 countries

• Axcess
• Robin Hood Foundation Impact Accelerator program
• Girls Who Code
• Ezra Klein talking about housing access

Support Axccess: Visit their website to learn more about how AI is revolutionizing affordable housing applications and wait list management. Share their story with investors, property managers, or anyone working in housing advocacy.

Spread the word: With only 1.4% of female-run startups receiving funding, Emily's mission to prove you can build profitable companies that create systemic change needs amplification. Tell her story to anyone who needs evidence that impact and income can coexist.

Follow her journey: As Emily works to close her seed round and scale nationally, your encouragement and connections could make the difference between reaching one family or reaching millions. Find her on LinkedIn.

Guest: Mahogany L. Browne - Award-winning writer, playwright, organizer, educator, Lincoln Center's inaugural poet in residence, and founder of the Woke Baby Book Fair

Episode Summary:

In this powerful conversation, Mahogany L. Browne shares her journey from a young mother who almost dropped out of college to becoming Lincoln Center's inaugural poet in residence. We explore how she learned to bet on herself when no one else would, the difference between naming problems and solving them, and why service doesn't have to be selfless to be meaningful. Mahogany discusses her acclaimed novel Chlorine Sky, the importance of creating spaces where marginalized voices can thrive, and how to turn opposition into rocket fuel for your dreams.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The universal experience of playing both victim and perpetrator in our relationships
• How poetry serves as a mirror but isn't therapy - and why both are needed
• The importance of choosing critics who want you to succeed
• Building sustainable service models that feed the giver too
• Creating spaces for voices that haven't been heard
• Turning rejection into motivation and opposition into opportunity
• The difference between naming injustice and taking action to change it

Guest Bio:

Mahogany L. Browne is an award-winning writer, playwright, organizer, and educator whose work spans poetry, young adult literature, and community building. She is the inaugural poet in residence at Lincoln Center and founder of the Woke Baby Book Fair, where she creates spaces for marginalized voices to be heard and celebrated. Her books include the award-winning Chrome Valley, the frequently banned Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice, and her novel Chlorine Sky. She has been recognized for her unwavering commitment to lifting up other voices while refusing to play small in a world that often asks artists and activists to diminish themselves.

References mentioned in the interview:

• Mahogany's books Chlorine Sky, Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice, Chrome Valley
• The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison - the book that changed everything for young Mahogany
• Mahogany’s Substack

Lift Mahogany Up:

• Follow her on Substack for her latest thoughts and work
• Buy two copies of her books (gift one!) and start a book club discussion
• Attend or support the Woke Baby Book Fair
• Invite her for conversations and speaking engagements that matter
• Share her work with the truth-tellers in your life
• Create spaces in your own community where marginalized voices can be heard – be part of the ripple effect that says everyone deserves to play big

Nominated by: Desha Philyaw, who said: "She is one of one. She is genre bending, white poetry, adult fiction. It's her heart that's on the page. Mo is eternally gracious, patient, insightful. She has a vision. And she's just bringing people along and beyond."

Mahogany's Nomination: She nominates Hala Alyan who "writes about the atrocities and the dreams deferred from love torn relationships. As a mother, author, curator, anthropologist, and psychologist, she's a cultural worker who remains a beacon of resilience to us all."

Connect with The Uplifters:

• Website: theuplifterspodcast.com
• Follow us on social media for daily inspiration
• Rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Share episodes with the uplifters in your life

The Uplifters Podcast celebrates the courage it takes to build a life that matters. Each week, we share stories of people who refuse to let circumstances define them, proving that ordinary people can create extraordinary change.

In 2006, Terry Grahl received a simple phone call asking if she'd volunteer to paint one wall at a women's shelter. What she discovered in that dormitory—30 women sleeping on prison-donated bunk beds held together with duct tape—changed the trajectory of her life forever. Today, Terry is the founder and CEO of Enchanted Makeovers, a national nonprofit that has transformed shelter spaces across the country for women and children escaping domestic violence and human trafficking.

In this powerful conversation, Terry shares how her own experience with childhood homelessness became the compass for serving "the girl within" every woman she meets. From cold-emailing mattress companies to getting doors slammed in her face at paint stores, Terry demonstrates exactly how to build something meaningful from nothing—using what she calls "putting the cart before the horse" and trusting that each next step will reveal itself.

You'll discover Terry's revolutionary "feeling-first" approach to creating change, why she calls the women she serves "warriors" instead of victims, and how a polka-dotted pillow became the divine signal that launched a movement. This is a masterclass in turning personal pain into purpose and proof that you don't need credentials, resources, or even a plan—you just need to say yes to what calls to your heart.

• How childhood homelessness shaped Terry's calling to serve others
• The moment a polka-dotted pillow changed everything
• Building a national nonprofit without money, volunteers, or experience
• Why focusing on feelings rather than logistics creates breakthrough results
• The power of "putting the cart before the horse" when starting something new
• How to turn rejection into motivation and keep moving forward
• Why authentic vulnerability opens more doors than perfect presentations
• The difference between helping victims vs. empowering warriors
• Creating sustainable impact through community and collaboration
• The importance of protecting your mission from partnerships that don't align

Terry Grahl is the founder and CEO of Enchanted Makeovers, a national nonprofit dedicated to transforming shelter spaces for women and children who have escaped domestic violence and human trafficking. What began as a simple request to paint one wall has grown into a movement that has renovated shelters across the country and created innovative programs like the Cape Program for children and Pillowcase Dreams initiative.

Terry's approach combines practical transformation with emotional healing, focusing on creating spaces where women can envision hope and children can remember their inner superpowers. Her work has been featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show and continues to expand nationally through a network of volunteers and donors who share her vision of serving "the girl within" every person who needs support.

Visit enchantedmakeovers.org to learn more about their programs and impact. Email Terry directly to share what you love to do—as she says, "You now have become a messenger for the mission." Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @enchantedmakeovers.

Whether you're a podcaster, writer, or simply someone who wants to serve from your unique talents, Terry invites you to join the "enchanted train" that's moving forward to create change.

• Website: enchantedmakeovers.org
• Facebook: @enchantedmakeovers
• Instagram: @enchantedmakeovers

The Uplifters Podcast is the 2023 Gold Signal Award Winner for Most Inspiring Podcast. Hosted by Aransas Savas, this show is dedicated to celebrating women who have found something beautiful on the other side of hard stuff and are making their corner of the world better. Each episode shares the deeply personal stories of inspiring women who have worked through challenges to create big, joyful lives, revealing how their blocks and barriers became tools for success.

• Website: theuplifterspodcast.com
• Instagram: @aransas_savas
• LinkedIn: Aransas Savas

Subscribe to The Uplifters on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Leave a rating and review to help more uplifters discover these inspiring stories.

This episode was produced with support from our incredible team at Produce Your Podcast. Music by Savannah Savas.