The Vital Voices Podcast highlights women leaders and change-makers from around the world. Hosted by Vital Voices President and CEO, Alyse Nelson, the Vital Voices Podcast provides a space for extraordinary women to be heard. To learn more about Vital Voices, visit www.VitalVoices.org. Follow us on Twitter (@VitalVoices), Instagram (@VitalVoices) and like us on Facebook (facebook.com/VitalVoices)! You can also donate to Vital Voices by texting VITAL to 41444.
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Vital Voices Podcast


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Google.org President Jacquelline Fuller on the Google.org Impact Challenge for Women and Girls
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President of Google.org, Jacquelline Fuller, joins Alyse Nelson on the heels of the announcement of the 34 selected organizations for Google.org's $25M Impact Challenge for Women and Girls. They discussed the importance of private sector collaborations with organizations like Vital Voices, a partner on the Challenge, how we can realistically create…
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Vital Voices Podcast


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Power to Empower: A Special International Youth Day Episode with Activist Melissa Shang
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18:41
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18:41
Melissa Shang, disability rights activist, joined host, Alyse Nelson, for a special International Youth Day discussion on advocacy and the power of young voices. Born with a form of muscular dystrophy called Charcot-Marie-Tooth, Melissa has worked throughout her young-adult life to incorporate anti-ableist conversation into popular discourse. In th…
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Vital Voices Podcast


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HRH Intisar AlSabah on Rebuilding Strength in the Face of Adversity
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41:10
Her Royal Highness, Intisar AlSabah, Kuwaiti social entrepreneur, philanthropist, and princess of the House of Al Sabah, joined host, Alyse Nelson, for a discussion on how we can use lessons learned from overcoming adversity to empower others. A survivor of domestic abuse and military occupation, Her Royal Highness explores how traumatic events in …
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Power to Empower – Mary Robinson on the Importance of Feminist Leadership
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24:11
Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Chair and founding member of the Council of Women World Leaders, and current President of the Mary Robinson Foundation Climate Change joined host, Alyse Nelson for a discussion on her experience as a woman leader in Irish politics and global organizations, mental hea…
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Vital Voices Podcast


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Power to Empower – A Special Juneteenth Episode with Cici Battle
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46:53
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46:53
Cici Battle, social impact strategist, organizer, and facilitator, joined host, Alyse Nelson, for a discussion on Juneteenth and how the United States must move beyond performative solidarity in order to address its deep-rooted issues with race and equality. By reflecting on the events of the past year, including the murder of George Floyd, the glo…
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Vital Voices Podcast


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Power to Empower: Adriana Hinojosa Céspedes on Mexico’s Femicide Crisis
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TW || Former Mexican congresswomen and life-long advocate against gender-based violence in Mexico, Adriana Hinojosa Céspedes, joined the Vital Voices Podcast with host Alyse Nelson, to discuss Mexico’s ongoing femicide crisis, the strength of women in this time of uncertainty, and the hope that is generated from small steps of progress in the fight…
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Vital Voices Podcast


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Power to Empower: Adi Tafuna'i on the Power & Importance of Rural Economic Systems in Building a Sustainable Future
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24:45
Visionary Entrepreneur and Co-founder of Women in Business Development Inc in Samoa, Adi Tafuna’i joined host Alyse Nelson to discuss her pioneering work revitalizing the local economy in Samoa by building female entrepreneurship using locally-sources resources and tapping into external markets. Adi and Alyse discuss the impact climate change has h…
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Sandra Pepera on Building Systems to Sustain Inclusive Democracy
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27:22
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27:22
Career diplomat and NDI Director for Women, Gender and Democracy Sandra Pepera joined host Alyse Nelson on the podcast to discuss her career building inclusive, resilient democracy. Sandra reflected on the need to focus on creating systems that push for culture change to really secure lasting impact when it comes to greater gender equity and repres…
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Power to Empower: Obiageli Ezekwesili on Values-Driven Leadership
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23:48
Democratic activist and economist Obiageli (Oby) Ezekwesili joined host Alyse Nelson to discuss how her leadership style has been shaped by a staunch commitment to her values and deep community engagement. Leading by example, Oby explains how she uses her power to empower community voices around her, coaching a new generation of leaders who are dri…
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Power to Empower: Working Toward Equity with Sage Ke'alohilani Quiamno
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36:15
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36:15
Future for Us Founder and Leadership Incubator Fellow Sage Ke'alohilani Quiamno sat down with host Alyse Nelson to discuss her passion for equity and her fight to get more women of color in leadership within the modern workplace. Sage shared how dealing with her own experiences of discrimination in the workplace motivated her to put her passion for…
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Vital Voices Podcast


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Power to Empower: Chouchou Namegabe on Changing Culture by Catalyzing Conversations
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29:57
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29:57
Outspoken Congolese radio journalist and co-founder of the South Kivu Women’s Media Association Chouchou Namegabe sat down with host Alyse Nelson to discuss Chouchou’s efforts enacting cultural change surrounding sexual assault and gender-based violence. Throughout her career, she has focused on bringing the stories of survivors to light by leverag…
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Power to Empower: Amar Singh on Male Allyship and Using Art to Spark Change
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21:45
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21:45
Owner of the Amar Singh Art Gallery, Human Rights Activist and Solidarity Council Member Amar Singh, sat down with Host Alyse Nelson to discuss men’s critical role in the fight for gender equality and his work in bridging the gender gap and championing women within the art space. As an art gallerist, Amar saw the blatant lack of representation of w…
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Power to Empower: Amanda Nguyen on Anti-Asian Racism and the Blueprint for Social Change
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26:27
Civil rights activist and the CEO and founder of Rise, Amanda Nguyen sat down with host Alyse Nelson to discuss the recent rise in hate crimes against the AAPI community and how she uses her activism to advocate for more informed and collaborative change. Amanda reflects on how she got involved in activism, her work with Rise Justice Labs and the i…
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Power to Empower: Sara Minkara on Redefining Inclusivity for Empowerment
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23:45
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23:45
Advocate and disability and inclusion expert Sara Minkara sat down with host Alyse Nelson to discuss her approach to framing inclusivity as a value-based proposition and how we can all lead with empathy and without assumption. Sara, the founder of the non-profit Empowerment Through Integration (ETI), draws from her experience as a blind, Lebanese-A…
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Power to Empower: Chelsea Miller on Black Activism & the Mobilizing the Youth for Change
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Activist, Social Impact Strategist, co-founder of Freedom March NYC and all-round icon Chelsea Miller joined Host Alyse Nelson for a special Black History Month episode of the Vital Voices Podcast series: Power to Empower. Tune in to hear Chelsea share her thoughts on everything from mobilizing youth last summer following the murder of George Floyd…
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Making an Unexpected Impact with Jessica Hubley and Leah Lizarondo
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40:15
‘Leap and the net will appear.’ Vital Voices network women Jessica Hubley, CEO of AnnieCannons, and Leah Lizarondo, co-founder of Food Rescue Hero, sat down with Alyse Nelson to discuss the power of pivoting. In both of their careers, Jessica and Leah each took leaps of faith, changing their trajectories to make an impact in their communities. Desp…
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Power to Empower: Saskia Nino de Rivera and Priti Patkar on Breaking the Cycle
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47:56
President of the non-profit Reinserta, Saskia Niño de Rivera, and social worker and co-founder of the non-profit Prerana, Priti Patkar, sat down with Vital Voices Podcast host Alyse Nelson to discuss current barriers to achieving human rights for children around the world. Saskia and Priti explain their efforts to break the cycle of intergeneration…
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Power to Empower: Faith Florez on Building Legacy and Leadership
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23:26
Young women will lead the way. That much is clear when speaking with women like Faith Florez, founder of the Latina Legacy Foundation and creator of the Calor App. Faith reconnected with podcast host Alyse Nelson to discuss the way that Faith’s family inspired her work protecting farm workers and informing them of their rights through technology. F…
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Power to Empower: Donna Langley on Making Big & Bold decisions to create change
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36:06
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36:06
Donna Langley, Chairman of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, joined Vital Voices Podcast host Alyse Nelson to talk about her journey from intern to Chairman, and how she forged her way through challenges by making a plan and pushing herself to the next level. Donna shares stories from her childhood, catalyzing moments from her career and how sh…
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Celebrating a New Milestone with Artist Tronja Anglero
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16:11
Artist and activist Tronja Anglero joined Vital Voices President and CEO Alyse Nelson to disucss the new portrait of Kamala Harris Vital Voices commissioned from Tronja. The two discussed the power that art like this has to showcase the positive and strong side to women and their contributions, the deep impact representation at high levels can have…
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Vital Voices Podcast


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Power to Empower: A Special Episode on Leadership Re-imagined ft. Dr. Rola Hallam & Kah Walla
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39:00
Last month, we gathered our network of supporters– virtually – to celebrate and recognize the launch of our book, Vital Voices: 100 Women Using their Power to Empower. At that event, we brought together two women leaders, Global Leadership Awards Honoree, humanitarian and CanDo founder Dr. Rola Hallam and VV Board of Directors member, Cameroonian p…
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Vital Voices Podcast


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Power to Empower: Laura Liswood on Empathy and Ethics in Leadership
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50:19
Secretary General and co-founder of the Council of Women World Leaders, Laura Liswood joined Vital Voices Podcast host Alyse Nelson to talk about her leadership journey, the lessons learned along the way and how she uses ethics and empathy in leadership to empower others. Tune in to hear how Laura’s theories on power and leadership that can exclude…
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Vital Voices Podcast


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Power to Empower: Peru Prime Minister Violeta Bermudez on Democracy, Good Governance and Using Her Power for Meaningful Change
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25:29
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25:29
VVEngage Fellow and current Interim President of Peru’s Council of Ministers, Violeta Bermudez spoke with host Alyse Nelsonabout building a career fueled by a passion for creating change. The staunch gender equality advocate discusses her goal for gender parity in politics, and the cascading impact of seeing women in leadership positions. Tune in t…
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Vital Voices Podcast


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Power to Empower: Ravi Kant on Men’s Allyship and the Importance of Breaking the Silence around VAW
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23:58
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23:58
Human rights advocate Ravi Kant joined the Vital Voices Podcast series: Power to Empower with host Alyse Nelson to talk on the importance of men’s allyship and his fight in breaking the silence around violence against women and children in India. In this episode, Ravi shares how his mother raised he and his brothers to be advocates in the fight for…
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Vital Voices Podcast


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Power to Empower: Chessy Prout on her Journey towards Activism and the Importance of Allyship for Survivors
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28:25
Author and Activist Chessy Prout joined the new episode of the Vital Voices Podcast series: Power to Empower with host Alyse Nelson to talkabout her journey as a survivor of sexual assault and how critical the allies around her were as she and her family worked through the draining process of seeking justice. Chessy reflected on the importance of c…
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Vital Voices Podcast


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Title: Power to Empower: Kiran Bir Sethi on using Empathy, Ethics and Evolution to Build Humanity in Children
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29:00
VV Woman Leader Kiran Bir Sethi joined the new episode of the Vital Voices Podcast series: Power to Empower with host Alyse Nelson to talk about the turning point for her leadership journey: becoming a mother. In this episode, Kiran shares how - through role as a mother - she learned the importance of empathy, ethics, excellence, elevation and evol…
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Vital Voices Podcast


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Power to Empower: Maria Pacheco on the Realities of Entrepreneurship and the Power of Connection
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28:25
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28:25
Biologist, entrepreneur and founder of Wakami, Maria Pacheco, joined the Vital Voices Podcast new series: Power to Empower with host Alyse Nelson to talk about her work as a bridge between communities and the larger world. Maria spoke about her focus on channeling positive energy to make change happen for people and the environment, and how the 20-…
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Vital Voices Podcast


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Power to Empower: Hindou Oumaru Ibrahim on Bringing Voice and Power to Indigenous Communities
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19:57
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19:57
Climate change and indigenous rights activist Hindou Oumaru Ibrahim joined the Power to Empower series to discuss the way she brings the unique perspective of the Mbororo community to the international stage to inform global climate change efforts with on-the-ground experience. With Host Alyse Nelson, Hindou shares her path to leadership, her conne…
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Vital Voices Podcast


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Habiba Ali on Building Strength of Character through Resistance with Persistence
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26:23
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26:23
Managing Director of Sosai Renewable Energies, VV GROW Fellow, Global Ambassadors alumna, WE Empower Awardee and Global Leadership Awards Honoree Habiba Ali joined this episode of the Vital Voices Podcast new series: Power to Empower. Habiba joined host Alyse Nelson to talk about her work in the renewable energy space in Nigeria, how her past has b…
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Vital Voices Podcast


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Power to Empower: Christine Lagarde on Being the First and Daring the Difference
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19:25
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Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, joins this week’s episode of the Vital Voices Podcast new series: Power to Empower! President Lagarde joined host Alyse Nelson for a thoughtful and dynamic conversation about being the first woman in a role – and both the responsibility and motivation that comes with the title. She offered …
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Power to Empower: Amira Yahyaoui on Fighting for Dignity and Women as Changemakers
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29:21
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29:21
Tunisian human rights activist, global technology entrepreneur and founder of Mos.com, Amira Yahyaoui joined the second episode of the Vital Voices Podcast new series: Power to Empower. Amira joined host Alyse Nelson to talk about her past, present, and future as an advocate for change and what it means to be a trailblazing human rights advocate, a…
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Vital Voices Podcast


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Power to Empower: Amanda Gorman on Building Confidence and Encouraging Others to Speak Up
29:27
29:27
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29:27
Inaugural US Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman joined the debut episode of the Vital Voices Podcast new series: Power to Empower. Amanda joined host Alyse Nelson to talk about building her confidence as a poet and leader to overcome her speech impediment and raise her voice as an agent for change. Amanda talked about the lessons she’s learned as sh…
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Voices of Resilience: Panmela Castro on Crisis, Leadership and Hope in Brazil
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22:46
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Street artist, human rights advocate and survivor Panmela Castro gave us a first-person update from Brazil on how the country is handling the pandemic - from concerns of inequitable healthcare and crowded housing, to increased domestic and gender-based violence. But despite it all, Panmela is energized by the artistic options still available and th…
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Voices of Resilience: Fighting for Justice with Claire Russo
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37:50
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37:50
Former Marine and Congressional Candidate Claire Russo joined Vital Voices' Alyse Nelson to share her harrowing story of sexual assault, and discuss the deeply difficult journey she had to undertake to fight for justice within the armed forces. Claire's courage didn't stop there - she not only shared her story to get justice, but also as a part of …
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Voices of Resilience: The Danger of Biased Data with Emily Courey Pryor
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25:48
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In this conversation, Data2X's Emily Courey Pryor outlines the crucial points as to why gender data matters in building a more equal world. Biased data leads to biased policies, which widen economic and opportunity gaps and leave women behind when pushing for progress. From the way data is gathered to how questions are structured to how it's analyz…
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Voices of Resilience: Voting Rights and Women in Politics with Cynthia Richie Terrell
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33:32
For Women's Equality Day and the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in the United States, we're joining RepresentWomen's Cynthia Richie Terrell to discuss voting access and best practices for election systems to bring better gender balance and representation into politics. Find out more about RepresentWomen: https://www.representwomen.org/ See t…
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Voices of Resilience: Women's Role in the Aftermath in Beirut with Joelle Abou Farhat
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VVEngage Fellow Joelle Abou Farhat spoke with VV President and CEO Alyse Nelson about the devastating impact of not only the explosion in Beirut, but the lack of formal response in the country. She offered perspective on the government's response, and shed light on why Lebanese women - at the center of recovery efforts today - are always ready to s…
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Voices of Resilience: Representation and Investment with Mona Sinha
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44:59
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44:59
Business leader and philanthropist Mona Sinha joined Vital Voices President and CEO Alyse Nelson for a passionate conversation about women's role investing in causes that matter and why authentic representation will make the world a better place for more people. Mona discussed her journey and drive to prioritize issues that advance equality, and wh…
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Special Episode: Reflecting on Dr. Hawa Abdi's Life Serving Others
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38:36
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38:36
Last week, the world lost an unparalleled human rights activist, Dr. Hawa Abdi. Hawa gained international attention when she was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2012, but spent a life long before that committed to overcoming obstacles so that she could care for those around her. After losing her mother at a young age to maternal mortality, Haw…
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Voices of Resilience: Dispatch from Beirut from Aline Kamakian
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32:29
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32:29
Entrepreneur and restauranteur Aline Kamakian was hosting a staff meeting in her restaurant near the port when the explosion in Beirut went off. The restaurant she worked to create for 20 years was immediately destroyed, and the 25 members of her team in the space were all injured. She joined the podcast to update us on the disaster, the quick work…
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Voices of Resilience: Reinvention with Rally Racecar Driver Renée Brinkerhoff
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31:10
Renée Brinkerhoff is breaking records as a rally racecar driver with a mission. She shared her journey from homeschool teacher and stay at home mom to racing around the world on all 7 continents. Renée is on a global tour to bring awareness and raise funds to fight child trafficking, and scheduled to race on her 7th and final continent – Antarctica…
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Voices of Resilience: Anna Phearman on Disabilities and the Pandemic
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24:13
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Anna Phearman from Mobility4All joined Vital Voices President and CEO Alyse Nelson to discuss the ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the disabled community. The additional considerations that people with disabilities range from difficulties wearing masks to issues masks pose to reading lips and gathering facial expressions for deaf people…
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Voices of Resilience: eSwatini Artisan Collective on Collaborating in Crisis
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17:57
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Three Vital Voices women leaders have come together in South Africa to join their artisanal forces to create masks and other goods to sustain artisans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hear directly from Eswatini Founder Kerry James and Signhild Brosvik on their work to sustain business throughout closures in South Africa, how they’ve seen strengths in…
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Voices of Resilience: Kah Walla on Colonialism’s Legacy and Anti-Blackness
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43:06
Cameroonian activist and former Presidential candidate Kah Walla joined the podcast for an insightful conversation on anti-Blackness and racism in the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and so many more. Kah reflects on the legacy of colonial control and its design for power held by few and oppression of the masses - and how that's…
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Voices of Resilience: Tamara Adrian on Activism in Leadership
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29:21
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29:21
VVEngage Fellow and Venezuelan Member of Parliament Tamara Adrian joined Vital Voices President and CEO Alyse Nelson to talk about why her career as a politician is centered on her activism. As the country continues to face multiple crises, from oil to economy to COVID and more, Tamara continues to fight for her community. Tune in to hear her persp…
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Voices of Resilience: Sherrie Westin on Sesame Street’s Early Childhood Education
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32:25
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32:25
Vital Voices Board Member Sherrie Westin, President of Social Impact at Sesame Workshop – the nonprofit behind Sesame Street – works to transform early childhood education and ensure kids around the world are equally prepared to learn and grow. Tune in to hear her discuss Sesame Street’s work in ensuring kids identify with the characters they see o…
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Voices of Resilience: Amanda Nguyen on Creating Rights and the Increase of GBV in COVID
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After survivor and activist Amanda Nguyen learned her rape kit could be destroyed even if the statute of limitations on her case hadn’t yet been reached, she took action. That action led her to create RISE – an organization dedicated to helping ordinary citizens pen their own rights into laws. She joined the podcast to reflect on her journey, some …
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Voices of Resilience: Gary Barker on Systemic Changes to End Gender-Based Violence
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Vital Voices' Solidarity Council member and Promundo founder Gary Barker joined Alyse Nelson for this episode of Voices of Resilience to discuss ways the COVID-19 pandemic impacts gender based violence and gender roles, and the changes we need to make long-term to end gender based violence. Tune in. To learn more about Vital Voices, visit www.vital…
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Voices of Resilience: California Governor Chief of Staff Ann O’Leary on Leading through Crisis
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Honored to be joined by Ann O’Leary, Chief of Staff for California Governor Gavin Newsom, on our #VoicesofResilience podcast today! Tune in to hear her first-hand perspective on leading through #COVIDー19, how #California is working through the pandemic and the crucial qualities leaders demonstrate in crisis. Subscribe now. To learn more about Vital…
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Women Leading at Every Level: Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Leadership in COVID-19
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"A leader doesn’t have to be a president or prime minister, it’s someone with courage & strength." Global Leadership Awards honoree and GAVI Board Chair Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala joined Vital Voices’ CEO Alyse Nelson for an honest conversation on the women front-line workers and political giants showing leadership during the COVID crisis, and the way…