We Can Make a Difference

In this episode, I interview Elena Paolini. Elena shares her personal journey dealing with the stigma associated with menstruation and the physical and mental challenges that ensued. She also shares the field research on attitudes towards menstruation that she conducted in Nigeria. Eliana discusses the taboo in Africa against talking about menstruation, the discrimination that girls face during their menstruation cycle, and the restrictions placed on them such as not being allowed to enter sacred spaces, cook for family, needing to dress in a certain way that affects their daily life. She also shares supersitions associated with menstruation and how menstrual blood is used for black magic that leads to fear and anxiety among young girls. Finally, she shares strategies to normalize menstruation that takes into account the social and cultural norms and attitudes in Africa.

Season 3 titled "Young African Flow Feebles" is a special series of my podcast in partnership with Ruth Egbedi of the Young Africa Foundation. In this series, Ruth and I will interview young girls in Africa to provide a platform to break the myths surrounding menstruation and foster open conversations about this crucial aspect of women's health. 

In this introductory episode, Ruth shares her inspiration behind starting this podcast. Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!

In this episode, I interview 19-year old Alya Sabira, the founder of Save the Youth Sukabumi in Indonesia. Alya shares the incredible work she is doing to tackle climate change and dismantle deep-rooted societal and cultural challenges such as child marriage and gender and education inequality. We discuss the role of government, legislation, and advocacy in driving societal change. Finally, as a Gen-Zer herself, Alya shares advice for how we can strive to have an impact in areas that we care about.

In this episode, I interview Cal St. Denis, the Global Director of Sustainability at J&J MedTech. Cal shares his journey and his transition from commercial roles to leading J&J MedTech's sustainability efforts. We discuss J&J's environmental sustainability initiatives and Cal shares his insights on the challenges and advantages of developing more environmentally sustainable business practices. Finally, Cal provides advice on how Gen-Zers like us can start to make a difference especially in the area of environmental sustainability.

In this episode, I interview the founder of Opportunity Desk and iKapture Networks, Grace Ihejiamaizu-Paul.  Grace shares her journey as her a social entrepreneur and educator and discusses how both iKapture and Opportunity Desk provide a platform to help young people in Africa prepare themselves to succeed in the workplace. We discuss the educational equity challenges unique to Africa such as the lack of mentorship and resources for youth living in underserved communities. Grace shares her own challenges and obstacles in setting up her two ventures and provides great advice on how Gen-Zers like us can start making a difference. Finally Grace shares key takeaways from her book "Go Global with Opportunities". You can check out her book here:

Go Global with Opportunities

In this episode, I interview Livia Maria Souza, the 19-year old founder of the Levanta Jovem Project in Brazil. Livia shares her journey as a change-maker that started when she was 12 years old and discusses the incredible work that she is doing to provide leadership training and mentorship to the Amazonian youth from the northern regions of Brazil.  We discuss the challenges that the youth from these regions have had to deal with including the historical and political dynamics of the country that propagated stereotypes against the indigenous people.  We discuss the educational system in Brazil that emphasizes grades over leadership skills and the importance of public policy and societal engagement to drive positive change.  Livia also shares how the leadership programs at Levanta Jovem focus on self awareness and identifying one's purpose and how that has led to positive outcomes for many of the participants of the program.  Finally, Livia shares great advice on how Gen-Zers like us can make a difference. 

In this episode, I interview Ruth Egbedi, the founder and President of the Young Africa Foundation and an Ashoka Young Changemaker from Nigeria. Ruth shares her changemaking story that began when she was 14 years old. Still in her teens, Ruth is striving to end the stigma associated with menstruation, eliminate period poverty and advance gender equality in the workplace.  In this interview, Ruth discusses the challenges that girls face in Africa, the cultural and societal norms that propagate the stigma against menstruation and the general oppression of women.  We discuss the roadblocks that Ruth had to overcome to establish her non-profit and Ruth shares her vision for a world where gender equality is the norm and all girls and young women feel empowered to pursue their dreams and passions.

In this episode, I am in conversation with Ravi Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary of the Government of Assam. Mr. Ravi Prasad has held portfolios in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and has served as India's Lead Climate Negotiator under Prime Minister Modi's government. In this insightful and engaging conversation, we discuss why climate change is such a pressing issue today and the magnitude of challenges it presents.  We also discuss India's push towards renewable energy and the implications on Indian businesses. We discuss the role of the UN Framework Convention of Climate Change in driving global consensus around climate change issues.  Mr. Prasad also shares his insights on the challenges in acquiring global alignment on climate change issues and the importance of alliances, agreements, technology transfer and knowledge sharing required on a global scale. Finally, Mr. Prasad provides advice on how Gen-Zers like us can be leaders in driving global climate change efforts.

In this episode, I interview Rebecca Bratspies, Law Professor at CUNY  School of Law and founding Director of the Center for Urban Environmental Reform. We discuss the role of legislation and advocacy in driving environmental justice. Professor Bratspies provides insight into the impact of individual choices, systemic change and education to address the climate crisis. She discusses her environmentally themed comic book series Mayah's Lot and Bina's Plant and her goal of promoting environmental literacy to the new generation more comfortable with visual learning. Professor Bratspies also shares with us fun facts from her latest book, Naming Gotham: The Villians, Rogues and Heroes Behind New York Place Names. We discuss the impact of the recent supreme court ruling on Affirmative Action in College Admissions.  Finally, Professor Bratspies provides us with great advice on what we can do as Gen-Zers to make a difference.

You can check out Professor Bratspies' books here:

Mayah's Lot

Bina's Plant

We All Count

Naming Gotham: The Villians, Rogues and Heroes Behind New York Place Names

In this episode, I interview Corrina Grace, entrepreneur, consultant and author of The Weaver's Way. Corrina shares her inspiring journey from Australia to Guatemala where she now helps indigenous women and young people become leaders and entrepreneurs within their communities.  We engage in a wide ranging conversation on leadership, climate justice, and racial equity. Corrina discusses her motivation for writing The Weaver's Way and shares some key insights from the book. Finally, Corrina has some great advice for young Gen-Zers on how can become change agents by "finding the story that we have a personal connection with."

To learn more about Corrina Grace and her work please visit:

https://www.corrinagrace.com/