VEST Her Podcast

What if your career as a working parent came crashing down because of a lack of accessible childcare? Could you imagine being forced to choose between your profession and your child's wellbeing? 

We're peeling back the layers on a pressing issue - the Childcare Cliff - and how its domino effect threatens the progress women have made in the workforce. The expiration of $24 billion in funding puts more than 70,000 child care centers at risk, and with it, the livelihoods of millions of families.

Our discussion doesn't end there. We're throwing light on solutions and actions we can take, as individuals, communities, and policymakers. This issue isn't just a challenge—it's an opportunity for collective action. So, let's stay informed, share these insights with our communities, and actively participate in advocating for a sustainable solution to the "Childcare Cliff."

Support the show

If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button.

If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co 

Last week we were joined by the wonderful, Danette Leighton, CEO of Women’s Sports Foundation, and we discussed everything from the gender pay gap and representation in sports, to the political discourse surrounding Women athletes.  For this session, lets dive deeper into the world of sports and the real time obstacles hindering female athletes as as VEST Talks about the power of Women in Sports.

From record-breaking viewership at the US Open to the historic FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, women athletes are making waves. We also explore the legacy of Billie Jean King, a pioneer for equal pay. 

While progress is being made, there's much work ahead. We discuss some ways we can  push for change and the importance of championing athletes who speak out against inequality.

Support the show

If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button.

If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co 

We're  doing things a little different. In this episode, get to know the team behind VEST for our latest podcast installment of VEST Talks. 

Get to know Erika Lucas, VEST Founding Member, Gaby Eichenlaub, Operations, Sarah Soetarjo, Member Relations and Kourtney Leigh, Entrepreneur-in-Residence. 

We dive deeper into the mission and vision of VEST, our individual perspectives on the barriers women face in the workplace and share practical tips and strategies for navigating  workplace challenges.

Each month, we'll still have in-depth interviews with experts and thought leaders discussing various barriers women face in the workplace, but now, in between those interviews, you'll start seeing weekly segments where we will dive deeper into the month's topic, address real-world issues, and share inspiring stories and actionable takeaways.

We can't wait to hear from you! Your stories and questions will play a vital role in shaping our discussions.

Support the show

If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button.

If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co 

Imagine a world where women's sports stand shoulder to shoulder with men's, where the prowess and athleticism of female athletes are celebrated instead of their appearance. This utopia is not so far-fetched if we rally behind the mission of the Women's Sports Foundation. We sat down for an eye-opening conversation with Danette, dissecting the highs and lows of women in sports, the pressing need for equal investment, and the gender-specific hurdles that still plague the industry.

We didn't merely stop at debating the challenges; we took a profound look at how we can overturn societal norms that suppress women athletes. From challenging expectations and norms to redefining the narrative around women in sports. The conversation also steered towards the invaluable role sports play in fostering a sense of community and providing life lessons for girls and women - two crucial aspects that underline the importance of sports in their overall development.

Beyond the playing field, the discussion moved into the challenges parents face in a youth sports system that favors certain socioeconomic backgrounds. We shared some practical advice when encouraging young women to consider careers in the sports industry. We also examined the scarcity of women in C-Suite sports roles and the skills needed for growth opportunities. So, if you're ready to explore the changing landscape of sports distribution, understand the importance of equal pay, and align with the long-term objectives of the Women's Sports Foundation, this conversation is for you. 

Support the show

If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button.

If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co 

Ever wondered how meaningful relationships can a play a pivotal role in shaping our personal and professional life? We joined Susan McPherson, serial connector, founder of McPherson Strategies and author of The Lost Art of Connecting, in an intriguing conversation about the power of authentic connections. Susan shares her journey of becoming a connector and provides valuable insights on how to build these relationships in today’s digital era. 

We further delved into the impact of businesses in addressing societal and environmental concerns. Susan highlighted how the advent of social media has changed the way companies interact with stakeholders and the potential corporations have in leading crucial initiatives. We also discussed the complexities of scaling a business, with Susan revealing her experiences as an "accidental entrepreneur" and imparting wisdom on overcoming these challenges.

Finally, we touched upon maintaining a healthy balance in life. With Susan emphasizing the importance of reading and prioritizing health, she imparts a simple yet powerful challenge for us all - reach out to two people tomorrow. As you tune into this episode, you'll gain a fresh perspective on connections and acquire practical tools to foster them effectively. So, are you ready to transform your approach to building relationships?

Support the show

If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button.

If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co 

In our latest podcast episode, we talk to Nadya Okamoto, co-founder of August and Gen Z marketing expert, about how we can better understand, support, and leverage Gen Z in the workplace. Join us as we unravel the myths and misconceptions that often surround GenZ. 

Nadya's fresh perspective comes from her own experiences and expertise in understanding Gen Z's mindset and motivations. Together, we challenge the stereotypes and preconceived notions about Gen Z's approach to work and explore the real-life dynamics of this tech-savvy and socially conscious generation. Tune in and gain valuable insights to bridge the generation gap in the modern work environment. 

In this episode we deconstruct Gen Z's complex relationship with social media and their demand for transparency, accountability, and the value they place on human connection in a digitized world. We also delve into the hot topic of gender inclusivity from a Gen Z perspective, their professional expectations, and strategies to facilitate their career advancement. We also examine Gen Z's brand loyalty, the importance of brand representation, and its impact on their purchasing decisions.

Special thanks to VEST Member Perrin Clore Duncan for moderating the session. 
Bios and show notes for both Nadya and Perrin can be found below. 

This episode is sponsored by Audible ,the leading provider of audiobooks, podcasts, guided wellness programs, theatrical performances and more. They have over 1000 titles for you to choose from, including our Guest’s book - Period Power. Click on this link and get a 30 Day Free Trial plus a free credit to use on Nadya's book!

About Nadya Okamoto

Nadya Okamoto is the co-Founder of August, a lifestyle period brand, author of PERIOD POWER: a Manifesto for the Menstrual Movement, and former Executive Director of the nonprofit PERIOD. Nadya is also a social media creator with over 4m Tiktok followers and host of the podcast, Tigress. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Gen Z marketing expert and Harvard College recent graduate. Connect with Nadya on LinkedIn

About Perrin Clore Duncan

Perrin Clore Duncan works at the Arnall Family Foundation, where she focuses on criminal justice reform. Perrin is an advocate for inclusive collaboration as our communities collectively work to improve systemic challenges. Perrin graduated Cum Laude from DePauw University and has a Masters of Fine Arts from the Burren College of Art in Ireland. Her artwork has been shown in galleries nationally and internationally.  Connect with Perrin on LinkedIn 

Show Notes

Welcome to Your Bland New World, Nadya references this article to outline how easy it is to launch a new company in today's world. 

Period Power, A Manifesto for the Menstrual Movement, Nadya's book.

Support the show

If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button.

If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co 

Have you ever felt the weight of trauma in the workplace, struggling to find healing and equity? We are joined by the incredible Minda Harts, bestselling and award-winning author of "The Memo", "Right Within", and "You Are More Than Magic", to share her journey of overcoming these hurdles and finding ways to create safe, inclusive and thriving work environments.

In this inspiring conversation, we discuss the importance of courage, advocacy, and healing from workplace trauma. We share personal stories of dealing with toxicity and the lifelong journey of unpacking the baggage it leaves behind. Minda encourages us to find our voice, advocate for ourselves and others, and emphasizes the power of courageous listening, self-advocacy, and creating safe spaces for women, particularly women of color in the workplace.

Finally, we touch on leveraging privilege and building collaborative tables to create a more equitable world. We explore Minda's forthcoming book and the essential role trust plays in any successful work environment. Tune in for an empowering and healing conversation that will inspire you to demand better and create change.

For our guest full bio, LinkedIn Profile and show notes click here

Support the show

If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button.

If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co 

In this episode we  about career transitions, navigating workplaces and the challenges of getting to and staying in the C-suite in a male dominated industry. 

Join us as we talk to talk to Jill Castilla, President & CEO of Citizens Bank of Edmond. Jill Castilla is a nationally recognized innovator in banking and financial technology. She currently serves on the 12-member Federal Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors representing the 10th Federal Reserve District. Jill is also a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, a three-star protocol role. In addition, Jill chairs the SW Graduate School of Banking at SMU, and is on the board of the Community Bankers Association of Oklahoma, and the board of trustees at Hawaii Pacific University .

Check out Jill's full bio and show notes, click here

Support the show

If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button.

If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co 

In this episode we discuss common misconceptions and stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, sex therapist, and the founder and CEO of Inclusive Insight Psychotherapy, Laura Grimes. We also cover ways to identify our own cultural blindspots, so that together we can build more inclusive workplaces.

For our guest full bio and show notes click here.

Support the show

If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button.

If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co 

In this episode we discuss all things women's health with Jacqueline Blocker, the Data & Policy Director at Metriarch an Oklahoma women’s public health think tank that aims to normalize and broaden women’s health conversations through data storytelling, policy evaluation, and interactive outreach events.

We discussed everything from the social determinants impacting women's health to the role providers, employers and individuals play in advocating for women’s health and wellbeing.

Available on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcast and everywhere you get your podcasts. 

Support the show

If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button.

If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co