The Women's Current

This week I talk with two different women, each making an impact in these crazy times.  One who is spreading Happiness and the other, Gratitude. 

Donna VanderPoel, Creator of Stamford CT Rocks, Mother, Student, Former Teacher and 'I Spy'. 'I Spy this, I Spy that' was a game that Donna noticed so many parents were repeatedly doing with their children. The pandemic and social distancing were having parents pull from their childhood. An oldie and sometime goodie, Donna thought that there had to be something a little better. And so, Stamford CT Rocks was born. Yes, rock painting, hiding rocks, and finding the hidden rocks was not new. But this was different, it was taking place on social media for her New England town of Stamford, CT during a pandemic. Within 3 weeks Stamford CT Rocks had over 738 members. And its members now include people from near and far. Seems that spreading happiness and bringing smiles to people, is not a small thing.

Lauren Zajac, Chief Legal Officer for WorkHuman, single full time working mom of 3, stumbled at the beginning. Twin teenage girls and a fifteen year old son, home schooling, working from home and running the house, just a slight change to her her daily life. Lauren discovered the opportunity to gain a balanced perspective due to the pandemic. Her children were deputized, yes deputized. Life may not always be perfect and days may be different than planned but Lauren took a deep breadth and realized that this could be the time to take a pause, look around and be grateful for things that she taken for granted. Gratitude is what Lauren is spreading. Her journey has not always been easy and the house may be messy at times, but even when life is not all roses, gratitude is what has led to her success. She is sharing her journey.

Both women are spreading happiness and gratitude during these strange times. Two things that can sometimes make days easier, even for just a little while.

Only 6 months to live? Hah, that was over 10 years ago and Indie Lee is still going strong. She knew what she needed to do and nothing was going to stand in her way. A planner all her life, the plan that she had created was not going to work anymore. We’re given bumps along the way of life, Indie was given mountains. From making home grown ‘tush’ cream for her new nephew, to creating a clean skin care company, Indie speaks to me about the life changing words she heard: Welcome to the rest of your life. How would your life change if you were told that you only had six months to live?

Educating people about what we put on our skin, is Indie’s mission. After learning that 60% of what we apply to our skin may be absorbed in as little as 26 seconds, Indie’s journey has led her to the creation of a clean beauty collection, inspiring and empowering people to be mindful as to what we put on our skin as well as into our body.

Ida Morris is a mom, writer, marketer, lover of cooking and CEO of the Morris Family Kitchen. And oh yes, winner of the Covid-19 Cooking Challenge.

Food has always been a symbol of family and bringing people together. In these strange and uncharted times, we need connection. Meet Ida, MacGyver and Mary Poppins rolled into one amazing lady. Ida is an inspiration to all, cooks or not. She not only cooks, but she gathers her family and friends in ways that some of us would never have thought possible. People are following her not just for her recipes, but to see what she has discovered. Discovered in that pantry of hers. Ida is our cooking MacGyver. She’s able to adapt on the run - don’t have a specific ingredient, Ida to the rescue.  Ida is Mary Poppins, you never know what she is going to pull from her pantry.

Hope, inspiration and creativity. Let’s not forget that part. Many have followed her example of a Covid Cooking Challenge and many are waiting with watering mouths for her next meal. Vicariously that is. Listen to a fun conversation in times that we could all use a reason to smile.

Illana Raia is the founder of Être Girls. ‘Who exactly do you want to be?’ - Être Girls, a knowledge strategy and a resource and mentorship platform for girls approaching high school. Do your children know much about your career? Do they think of you as the cook, driver, cleaner, supplier of your clothes and other various items? When Illana realized that her daughter had no clear idea of what she actually did or that the women who she was around were accomplished women in their own right, Illana decided she wanted to change that. Illana was determined to make sure that young girls knew that there are many options to choose from. And so, the beginnings of Être Girls.

Illana is the author of Être: Girls, Who Do You Want To Be?, a former Skadden Arps lawyer, guest lecturer at Columbia University, and a contributor to HuffPost, Ms. Magazine and Thrive Global. Illana was named a Mogul Influencer in 2017 and has appeared in the HuffPost “Talk To Me” video series and participated in the 2019 #WomenWhoRock campaign.

“Say their name. Say their name out loud.”

Gillian Anderson is starting a mental health revolution. Abby was just 15 when she succumbed to suicide. Abby is Gillian’s daughter.

The rate of young people between the ages of 15 and 24 in the United States who have died by suicide, has sharply risen in the past couple of years. Suicide is thought to be the second leading cause of death for Americans between 10 and 34.

Gillian’s mission now is to get rid of the stigma and shame of depression and anxiety. How did Gillian stay strong enough to make sure that Abby’s friends understood that Abby suffered from an illness? She founded My Friend Abby whose mission is to empower youth and young adults to actively create peer to peer connections. And to make sure that the stigma and shame surrounding mental illness is eliminated.

Before founding My Friend Abby, Gillian worked as Development Director for WSHU Public Radio.

Mysteries. Ariana Neumann, is the author of When Time Stopped, A Memoir of My Father’s War and What Remains, a New York Times Bestseller. Ariana's father had never spoken about his past. Her father left her the pieces to a puzzle. As a child she had always dreamed of being a detective. As an adult, she put her childhood dream to use and uncovered a family that had been veiled in silence, her family.

Have you ever wondered if you have relatives living far away? Or maybe even in the next town over? Ariana discovered a family she never knew and the secrets of her father's past, years spent hiding in plain sight in war-torn Berlin. According to the New York Times reviewer, “The story she uncovers is worthy of fiction with hairpin plot twists, daredevil acts of love and unexpected moments of humor in dark times.”

Mysteries. At a young age Ariana found a box in her father's study containing an identity card with her father's picture. The mystery, the card had someone else's name on it. More than 20 years later that box led her on a journey that would reveal her father's struggle. A struggle of survival during the Holocaust and Nazi Germany, a part of his life she never knew. It's a story of love and heroism and the discovery of a family she never knew existed.

Born and raised in Venezuela, Ariana has a BA in History and French Literature from Tufts University, an MA in Spanish and Latin American Literature from New York University and a PgDIP in Psychology of Religion from University of London. She previously was involved in publishing, worked as a foreign correspondent for Venezuela’s The Daily Journal and her writing also appeared in The European.

She currently lives in London with her husband, three children, a basset fauve de Bretagne, a border terrier and a rescue mutt.

She’s a grandmother of 4, she’s competitive by nature, she’s a multi – winning Ironman Champion. What would you be doing at the age of 73? For Bobbe, well she’s looking forward to another win in Hawaii later this year. When did she find out that she has a competitive streak? Try 5th grade and knee raises. An inspiring woman for all ages, listen to what drives Bobbe. It really is never too late to try. We can all use some of her enthusiasm.

We just wrapped up Season 2 and will be kicking off Season 3 next Tuesday, April 7th. Conversations with inspiring, extraordinary women who are making their mark on the world by changing their lives and the lives of those around them. In these frightening, stressful times we can all use some inspiration. In case you missed any episodes of Seasons 1 and 2, or want to hear any again, you can find them on your favorite podcast platforms or on our website https://lifeapres.com/podcast/.  If you know of an extraordinary, inspiring woman, please contact me at [email protected]. Be smart and stay safe.

Suzanne Vita Palazzo, founder of Upper Deck Fitness. In motion more often than not, Suzanne is an Empowerment Coach whose philosophy is heavily rooted in the concept of mind over matter. Suzanne believes that both the body and mind were designed to progress, even if moving forward requires taking a step back to reflect. Through a combination of movement, mindfulness, and written and spoken word, Suzanne’s encourages us to live our lives: 'with intention, strategy and plenty of opportunities to play.' With over fifteen years in the industry, both dance and fitness, her approach directly addresses the barriers so many of us have self-constructed to stand in our own way. Suzanne has a unique way of encouraging and motivating and reminding us that it's never too late to start taking care of ourselves.

How do you know when you have a passion for something? Anna made her solo piano debut at age seven at the Special Central Music School in Moscow, Russia. Daughter of professional musicians, Anna and her twin sister started when they were only 5. Her parents being professional musicians, she only knew a life of musical training.  Immigrating to the US in 1990, this teenager quickly learned that not all teenagers where so focused. Believing that she wanted more, Anna enrolled herself into the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music. Read on and you will get an idea of her passion, talent and work that she does inspiring so many through music. Her most important role, being a single mom to a delightful 6 year old daughter. We’ve included a sample of Anna’s music in this episode.

Anna has appeared with the Moscow Virtuosi, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, just to name a few. She’s collaborated with Yo-Yo-Ma, David Shifrin and Peter Wiley, just to name a few. Anna has given concerts in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the Vienna Konzerthaus, the Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall’s Stern, just to name a few. And let’s not forget, Anna tours extensively throughout the US, Europe and Asia. Anna is a frequent guest at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. She is a recipient of a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship and the Andrew Wolf Chamber Music Award.