For this episode, I sat down with Dr Megan Manassah and Rylee Molhollen ‘27 to talk about classes and we ended up talking about compassion: where it’s learned, how it’s practiced, and what happens when education moves beyond the classroom and into the community. How does empathy become action and how can learning shape the way we show up for others?

When Rylee Mulhollen ‘27 was deciding which first year seminar to take at Wake Forest, Dr. Megan Manassah’s class Poverty and Prosperity: Inequality in Winston-Salem jumped out at her. Growing up, Rylee’s mom had taught her to pay attention to community needs, so the idea of working on issues around poverty in the town of W-S intrigued her. She didn’t know it would set her on a path of solving problems and serving others. The seminar, which focuses on how the root causes of poverty play out in a North Carolina city, sparked Rylee’s interest in creating solutions for social change, which influenced the direction of her educational career. 

In this conversation we explore the impact of first-year seminars on the students–not just academically but personally. We discuss the importance of connecting academic learning with local community issues, particularly in the context of economic inequality and poverty. Through literature, such as The Great Gatsby, the class analyzed themes of inequality and social dynamics–information that challenged the students’ world views and encouraged them to think critically about potential solutions. You’ll come away from this conversation like I did: inspired and proud of the quality of experiences that Wake Forest students enjoy. The conversation also highlights the significance of experiential learning and community engagement in shaping their future aspirations and the role of education in driving social change.

Books from Megan’s syllabus you may want to read:

The Broken Ladder, Payne, K 

The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald, F. S. 

Poor Economics, Banjeree, A & Duflo, E

Poverty, by America, Desmond, M.

Did you know that 40% of small business owners are women, but only 4 % of revenue is generated by women businesses? Jamie Trull, Wake Forest class of 2006, is out to change that. After starting her career in one of the big four accounting firms, Jamie pivoted her career to focus on empowering women in business. Her business helps women entrepreneurs understand the importance of financial strategies to help them achieve their highest aspirations. Jamie emphasizes the need for women to pay themselves first and to understand their money personalities to overcome financial challenges. The discussion also highlights the intersection of profit and purpose in business, encouraging entrepreneurs to take action and embrace their ambitions. If you own a business or have ever thought about starting one, this episode’s for you.

Do you roll your eyes when you think of attending a networking event? Do you have to drag yourself to civic or corporate receptions where you fear you’ll be faced with someone staring over your shoulder to find someone more interesting to talk to? Katherine Naylor Pullman gets it –she felt the same way–so she figured out a way to make networking fun. 

Katherine started an organization called Our Third Place to help women create meaningful connections in their professional lives. In our conversation, Katherine Naylor Pullman talks about the challenges of traditional networking, particularly for those who are not extroverted or professional networkers. She shares her innovative approach to networking through social gatherings for women, emphasizing the importance of building relationships in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. So listen up. I know you’ll enjoy it.

Today's guest is Annabel Love, Wake Forest Class of 2018, Along with her classmate and best friend, Courtney Toll, Annabel co-founded Nori—a company that has reimagined something as simple, and as everyday, as a clothes iron.

What began as a dorm-room solution—an easy, effective way to remove wrinkles from clothes without all the clutter—has grown into a nationally recognized brand, driven by Annabel and Courtney’s creativity, grit, and vision. In this conversation, Annabel shares her journey from Wake Forest to successful entrepreneur, offering insight into how Nori came to life and the challenges the founders faced in the early days of the startup.

She also reflects on the importance of mentorship and collaboration, along with some true pinch-me moments, including being featured live in the studio on the Today Show. Looking ahead, Annabel discusses the founders’ vision for Nori’s future as a household name in clothing care—and underscores the value of pursuing your passions with the support of a strong community.

Melissa Rogers is the Distinguished Scholar in Residence in Faith, Law, and Public Policy at the Wake Forest University School of Divinity. She joins me to talk about how our voices can create positive change in government and society.

A nationally recognized leader in religion, law, and public life, Melissa brings decades of public service, policy expertise, and scholarly depth to her role at Wake Forest. She has shaped national conversations on religious freedom, church-state relations, and the role of faith in civic life. 

We sat down to talk about religious liberty, the Constitution, and what it really means to protect freedom of belief in a pluralistic society.

Melissa brings deep historical perspective, legal expertise, and years of public service experience, including her time advising presidents. We talked about Baptist roots in religious freedom, the balance between faith and government, and why protecting religious liberty for everyone is essential to a healthy democracy.

It’s a conversation about principle, humility, and how we live alongside people who believe differently than we do.

Over the past year, I’ve asked Wake Women alumnae one simple question: “What’s your favorite spot on campus?”

The answers reveal just how powerful place can be—each one tied to memories of growth, connection, and joy. Today’s episode is a quick highlight reel of those favorite spots, and we hope it inspires you to think about yours.

Today’s guest is Erin Regan, Wake Forest class of 2002, who shares with us what drives her in her life and career. Erin was recruited to Wake Forest to be a goal keeper on the women's soccer team. It was there that she learned about the value of competition as a means of self-improvement, a quality that she has applied to every aspect of her life. In our conversation, Erin shares her inspiring journey from a competitive soccer player at Wake Forest to a trailblazing firefighter. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of her athletic career, the transition to firefighting, and her commitment to empowering women in the field. Its a story that will surprise and inspire you.

In this episode, Holly Welch Stubbing shares a powerful perspective on money and the meaning we attach to it. She talks about how, once our basic needs are met, prosperity can become less about accumulation and more about giving back.

In the book The Soul of Money, author Lynne Twist writes that money is a distinctly human invention. It’s a total fabrication of our genius and its power comes from the power we give it. What if we thought about prosperity in a different way–can Prosperity be about giving back to others rather than accumulation for self? In the true spirit of Pro Humanitate, Holly has dedicated her entire career to the power of philanthropy. In this conversion, we discuss the complexities of philanthropy, focusing on the motivations behind giving, the evolution of donor-advised funds, and the impact of technology on charitable giving. Holly shares her personal journey and the mission of the National Philanthropic Trust, an organization which she now leads. We explore generational shifts in giving, the importance of trusting leadership, and the need for nonprofits to adapt to changing societal expectations. We talk about the power of money as a tool for positive change. It might just change the way you think about how money impacts your life and the community in which you live.

Are you stuck in your career? Do you feel like you’ve done all the things that have been asked of you but you’re not advancing the way you had hoped? Do you get frustrated when you learn how the politics of the workplace actually works? Career Maven Tiffany Tate has some great advice for you. 

Together, we explore the challenges and opportunities faced by mid-career professionals. We talk about  leadership as a mindset, the invisible ceiling that many encounter, and the role of kindness in the workplace. The conversation also delves into the impact of AI on careers and the necessity of building relationships within and outside of work. 

In this episode I have a guest co-host–Wake Forest alumna Cheryl Fischer Class of 1993 who hosts the Mind your Midlife podcast, which I hope you’ll check out as well. https://www.mindyourmidlifepodcast.com

So sit back and enjoy this engaging conversation today on the Wake Women podcast.

By popular demand, Katie Neal ‘03 is back to the Wake Women Podcast, this time giving us tips on how to be bold (and not bitchy) while communicating in the workplace. When you walk into a meeting at work, do you command attention? Or do you think that being assertive may make you look “bossy” to your colleague? Katie is here to tell us that ambition and achievement should not be shamed in women. Power is a tool to be used for the greater good, and to be successful leaders should communicate hope, trust, empathy and compassion. But how do you move outside your comfort zone to portray confidence? Well, lean in, because we are about to learn how.