Mary Tribble and Alison Smith explore the profound impact of transformational travel on personal growth and self-discovery. They discuss the significance of study abroad experiences, the role of empathy in travel, and the concept of pilgrimage, particularly through the lens of the Camino de Santiago. The dialogue highlights how stepping out of one's comfort zone can lead to deep self-reflection and lasting change.

Bonita Brown, the new chancellor of Winston-Salem State University discusses her upbringing, educational journey, and career path that led her to higher education. Bonita shares insights on the importance of historically Black colleges and universities, community engagement, and her initiatives to enhance academic success for minority students.

Allison McWilliams, Ph.D., talks with Mary about setting a course for career success. Through mentoring and connecting with others, you can create a plan to make the coming year one of curiosity, learning, and advancement. Allison helps women figure out what they want in their careers, whether it’s their first act or one later in life.

In this engaging conversation, Mary Tribble interviews Kate Kennedy about her journey of writing “'Once Upon a School', a memoir which chronicles her experience starting a school for homeless children in Atlanta. The discussion delves into themes of personal growth, vulnerability, and the importance of community engagement. Kate shares her motivations, the challenges she faced, and the profound impact of her education at Wake Forest.

In this episode, Kasha Patel ‘12 discusses her journey in combining humor and science. She outlines her unusual career path from working at NASA, the Washington Post, and science-themed comedy. She shares her experiences performing comedy for penguins in Antarctica and explores her identity as an Indian woman from West Virginia. Kasha also talks about the importance of humor in science communication and her research on the effectiveness of science jokes. She envisions a future where science humor is more ubiquitous and contributes to improving science literacy. Kasha can be followed on her YouTube channel, Instagram, and Facebook page, where she shares funny science content and updates on her shows and projects.

Chef and food stylist Ashton Keefe discusses her philosophy on food: that it is as an act of love and an opportunity for beauty. Food is not just about the taste, but also about the way it makes you feel and the memories it creates. Ashton shares her career path, from working in a gourmet food shop to becoming a chef and then a food stylist. She talks about the differences between styling food for video or photo shoots and serving food in a restaurant. Ashton also discusses her approach to developing recipes, focusing on fresh ingredients, simplicity, and making recipes that can be personalized and become a part of someone's cooking repertoire.

Brittney Bogues '09 a serial entrepreneur and PR expert, shares her career journey and the impact of her experiences at Wake Forest University. She discusses her love for special events and sustainability, as well as her passion for community and learning. Brittney emphasizes the importance of finding mentors and being a mentor, and she shares her personal experience with domestic violence advocacy. She also talks about her goals for the future, including growing her business and traveling to Bali, Ibiza, and Thailand. Brittney's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to do their research, test out their ideas as a side hustle, and go for it when they see potential.

In this conversation, Kate T. Parker '98 discusses her book 'Force of Nature' and the importance of empowering young girls to find their voice and believe in themselves. She shares stories of girls who have used their voices to make a difference, such as a group of high school seniors who fought to change Title IX regulations. Parker also discusses the role of organizations like Girl Scouts and Girls on the Run in the development of young girls. She addresses the impact of social media on girls' self-esteem and emphasizes the importance of consuming it with a critical eye. Parker expresses her hope for the future, where she can slow down and enjoy time with her family and friends. She encourages readers to celebrate their kids for who they are and instill a sense of confidence in them.

Through approaching life with authenticity and creativity, Serena Dugan’s passion is to bring beauty to the world around her. She co-founded Serena and Lily, a design-driven luxury furniture

and home accessories company. Now, she leads Serena Dugan Design, an art and

textile design studio that reflects her unique talent and philosophy. In this episode, we talk about

Serena’s successful business, her purpose, and how she has built a life of

beauty and meaning.

A turn of the century pocket watch that sold for $24 million. An original copy of the constitution that was auctioned for over $43 million. Who buys and sells these extraordinary items? Meet Meaghan Steele, Auctioneer and Director of Luxury Business Operations at Sothebys. As an Art History major at Wake Forest, Meaghan was trained to research and interpret artifacts in the context of our history and culture. She uses that knowledge every day as she navigates the high-finance world of luxury objects in the Americas.