B The Way Forward

“We Have to Help Them” - Anu Bhardwaj on How Her Daughter Sparked a Global Movement

In 2018, serial entrepreneur Anu Bhardwaj launched a project inspired by a simple, brilliant insight from her 7-year-old daughter, Arya: if you want adults to understand cryptocurrency, teach their kids first. And so, Krypto 4 Kids (K4K) was born. What began as a two-day event quickly evolved into a financial literacy app - focused on crypto -  designed in collaboration with the K4K cohort and presentations by the kids themselves to world leaders at the United Nations. But then, overnight, it vanished. The app disappeared from the App Store, the partner company went silent, and a project that came together in months fell apart just as quickly. For two years, it seemed like the story was over - a discontinued app and a broken promise to a group of kids who’d worked so hard. But the project's next chapter was sparked, once again, by Arya. After learning how school closures were affecting girls in the developing world, she asked, "We've got tokens in the Krypto for Kids wallet. Can we send it to them?" That single question led Anu to found Sheqonomi, a global audio platform built to advance learning and opportunity through podcasts for women and girls - even those without access to a smartphone.In the final episode of Season Two, Anu joins Brenda to share this incredible story of failure, resilience, and reinvention. They discuss how to navigate professional disappointments, the power of a child's perspective in innovation, and why your "why" must be big enough to survive your biggest setbacks. What happens when your dream project falls apart? You listen to your daughter and build an even bigger one. A note to listeners: this episode features a brief discussion of the financial troubles and alleged questionable practices of a particular company. Although this company is now largely non-operational, its name and the names of some of its staff have been obscured to protect the anonymity of individuals who were not involved in those issues. For more check out Anu... On LinkedIn - /anubhardwaj/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anubhardwaj/] On Facebook - /anu.bhardwaj [https://www.facebook.com/anu.bhardwaj] Check out SHEQONOMI... On the web - sheqonomi.com [https://sheqonomi.com/] Instagram - @sheqonomi [https://www.instagram.com/sheqonomi/] Facebook - /sheqonomi [https://www.facebook.com/sheqonomi] LinkedIn - /sheqonomi [https://www.linkedin.com/company/sheqonomi] And explore the work of The State of Women... On the Web - thestateofwomen.org [https://www.thestateofwomen.org] --- At AnitaB.org, our mission is to enable and equip women technologists with the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to thrive. Through innovative programs and initiatives, we empower women to chart new paths, better prepared to lead, advance, and achieve equitable compensation. Because when women succeed, they uplift their communities and redefine success on their terms, both professionally and personally. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org [https://www.instagram.com/anitab_org/] Facebook - /anitab.0rg [https://www.facebook.com/AnitaB.0rg/] LinkedIn - /anitab-org [https://www.linkedin.com/company/anitab-org/] On the web - anitab.org [http://www.anitab.org/]  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Hosted and Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson. Produced by Avi Glijansky Associate Produced by Kelli Kyle Sound design and editing by Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Additional Producing help from Faith Krogulecki Operations Coordination for AnitaB.org by Quinton Sprull. Creative Director for AnitaB.org is Deandra Coleman Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Frequency Machine [https://www.frequencymachine.com/]  Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org [https://www.anitab.org/]

It’s Not the End - How Nina Sossamon-Pogue Turned Life’s Worst Chapters Into a Playbook for Success

Nina Sossamon-Pogue was a member of the US National Gymnastics Team, an Emmy-winning news anchor, and a tech executive who helped guide a startup to a successful IPO.But Nina’s incredible career wasn’t a straight line - it was a series of reinventions born from a series of devastating setbacks.  An injury that ended her athletic career. A layoff at the height of her popularity as a newscaster. A tragedy that made being in front of the camera unbearable. Each time, Nina was forced to ask the question we all dread: What now? Nina’s search for an answer led her to study resilience and how people can not just survive serious challenges, but thrive.  Her research became the book “This is Not the End: Strategies to Get You Through the Worst Chapters of Your Life” [https://a.co/d/4ZitaVa] In this episode, Nina joins Brenda to share the hard-won strategies that help us not just survive our worst chapters, but thrive. They discuss how to reframe terrible lows as isolated moments in time, why most of us define resilience the wrong way, and the single question that shift your momentum forward. We’ve all been knocked down. This is your masterclass in the art of getting back up. For more, check out Nina... On LinkedIn - /ninasossamonpogue [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninasossamonpogue/] On Facebook - /NinaTheAuthor [https://www.facebook.com/NinaTheAuthor] On Instagram - @nina_sp.eaks [https://www.instagram.com/nina_sp.eaks/] On TikTok - @ninasossp [https://www.tiktok.com/@ninasossp] On the Web - ninasossamonpogue.com [https://www.ninasossamonpogue.com/] --- At AnitaB.org, our mission is to enable and equip women technologists with the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to thrive. Through innovative programs and initiatives, we empower women to chart new paths, better prepared to lead, advance, and achieve equitable compensation. Because when women succeed, they uplift their communities and redefine success on their terms, both professionally and personally. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org [https://www.instagram.com/anitab_org/] Facebook - /anitab.0rg [https://www.facebook.com/AnitaB.0rg/] LinkedIn - /anitab-org [https://www.linkedin.com/company/anitab-org/] On the web - anitab.org [http://www.anitab.org/]  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Hosted and Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson. Produced by Avi Glijansky Associate Produced by Kelli Kyle Sound design and editing by Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Additional Producing help from Faith Krogulecki Operations Coordination for AnitaB.org by Quinton Sprull. Creative Director for AnitaB.org is Deandra Coleman Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Frequency Machine [https://www.frequencymachine.com/]  Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org [https://www.anitab.org/]

The 24 Year Overnight Success - Lisa Gelobter on Delayed Degrees and Disrupting Systems

Silicon Valley loves the story of a College Dropout Founder - the genius who was just too brilliant for school. The implication of these stories is that of course they could graduate if they wanted to… it just wouldn’t be worth their time. But for every one of those, there are countless others who leave not because they want to, but because they have to. Computer scientist, Technologist, and tEQuitable Founder, Lisa Gelobter was one of them. And while finances played a big part, so did her deep struggle with something intrinsic to college coursework. Writing. Math and code came easy, but writing a paper was like being forced to write in perfect script with your left hand… despite being right-handed. The vision was there, but the execution felt impossible. In this episode, Lisa opens up about the 24-year long road to her college degree - a commitment she made to herself while doing groundbreaking work on the invention of Shockwave and holding leadership roles at Hulu, BET, and even the Obama Administration. Plus, Lisa chats with Brenda about the sources of her confidence, the power of perseverance and how to accept your limitations - without ever letting them limit you. /lisagelobter [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagelobter/] And Find out more about tEQuitable on the web - .tequitable.com [https://www.tequitable.com] --- At AnitaB.org, our mission is to enable and equip women technologists with the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to thrive. Through innovative programs and initiatives, we empower women to chart new paths, better prepared to lead, advance, and achieve equitable compensation. Because when women succeed, they uplift their communities and redefine success on their terms, both professionally and personally. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org [https://www.instagram.com/anitab_org/] Facebook - /anitab.0rg [https://www.facebook.com/AnitaB.0rg/] LinkedIn - /anitab-org [https://www.linkedin.com/company/anitab-org/] On the web - anitab.org [http://www.anitab.org/]  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Hosted and Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson. Produced by Avi Glijansky Associate Produced by Kelli Kyle Sound design and editing by Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Additional Producing help from Faith Krogulecki Operations Coordination for AnitaB.org by Quinton Sprull. Creative Director for AnitaB.org is Deandra Coleman Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Frequency Machine [https://www.frequencymachine.com/]  Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org [https://www.anitab.org/]

Fear is Just an Emotion - Betsy Tong on Resilience, Reinvention and Finding Your Voice

Disclaimer: This episode includes brief use of strong language. As part of our mission to support real, lived experiences in tech, we’ve chosen to preserve the authenticity of this conversation. 2023 was not a great year for Betsy Tong. Only three years after losing her mother to cancer, Betsy found herself navigating a series of personal challenges - a sick father, the end of a long-term relationship - and sudden unemployment at the age of 56.  For years, Betsy had been a near-unstoppable Tech Industry badass, leading teams that developed complex systems for companies like IBM, Lenovo, Symantec, and Intel. But now, just when she thought she’d be able to coast and enjoy the payoff of all her hard work, Betsy’s entire life felt like it was falling apart. For the first time in decades, Betsy had no idea what her next step was - or how she’d achieve it without the clout of a big company behind her. But, Betsy did figure it out, and in this episode she talks to Brenda about how she set aside fear, resolved to reinvent herself, and ultimately found purpose - and a thriving second act - in helping other women do the same through her consulting firm, FocusOS. Brenda and Betsy talk about what it takes to release outdated assumptions, rebuild the architecture of our authority, and recognize the unexpected people who help us find our way, like Betsy’s own “Shannon.” For more, check out Betsy on... LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsytong/] And, read The Edge : Your Brain on AI [https://a.co/d/elPbdqa], the book that Betsy set out to write in 72 hours! --- At AnitaB.org, our mission is to enable and equip women technologists with the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to thrive. Through innovative programs and initiatives, we empower women to chart new paths, better prepared to lead, advance, and achieve equitable compensation. Because when women succeed, they uplift their communities and redefine success on their terms, both professionally and personally. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org [https://www.instagram.com/anitab_org/] Facebook - /anitab.0rg [https://www.facebook.com/AnitaB.0rg/] LinkedIn - /anitab-org [https://www.linkedin.com/company/anitab-org/] On the web - anitab.org [http://www.anitab.org/]  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Hosted and Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson. Produced by Avi Glijansky Associate Produced by Kelli Kyle Sound design and editing by Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Additional Producing help from Faith Krogulecki Operations Coordination for AnitaB.org by Quinton Sprull. Creative Director for AnitaB.org is Deandra Coleman Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Frequency Machine [https://www.frequencymachine.com/]  Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org [https://www.anitab.org/]

From Micro Failures to Success - McKinsey & Co’s Lareina Yee on Succeeding After Setback

Lately, we’ve been talking to some of the most incredible women in Tech about some of the most non-incredible moments in their careers - stories of setbacks, mistakes that felt unrecoverable, and outcomes that seemed like failures.  We’ve been doing this because we want all of you in our community to know you’re not alone - this happens to all of us. We truly believe that you can learn some of the most important lessons from the times you think things went irrevocably wrong. But what about when you feel like the career ladder has just broken beneath you despite doing great work? Why does it sometimes seem like the only option is to leave the tech field behind instead of finding new ways forward? In this episode, Brenda sits down with Lareina Yee — senior partner at McKinsey, co-author of “The Broken Rung,” [https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/the-broken-rung] and champion for women in tech — to talk about setbacks, resilience, and the real strategies that help women move forward during those crucial forks in their career paths. Lareina gets real about micro-failures, the power of honest feedback, and why bold career moves matter. Plus, why building your own “board of directors” can be a game-changer, and how to pack a “round trip ticket” for your career — no matter how long you plan to step away. Whether you’re navigating your own broken rung, considering a big leap, or just need a reminder that you’re not alone, Brenda and Lareina have you covered with practical advice, actionable insights, and the support to keep climbing, no matter how high on the ladder you are. For more, check out Lareina on... LinkedIn - /lareinayee [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lareinayee/] And you can find out more about The Broken Rung, and order your own copy, here [https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/the-broken-rung]. --- At AnitaB.org, our mission is to enable and equip women technologists with the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to thrive. Through innovative programs and initiatives, we empower women to chart new paths, better prepared to lead, advance, and achieve equitable compensation. Because when women succeed, they uplift their communities and redefine success on their terms, both professionally and personally. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org [https://www.instagram.com/anitab_org/] Facebook - /anitab.0rg [https://www.facebook.com/AnitaB.0rg/] LinkedIn - /anitab-org [https://www.linkedin.com/company/anitab-org/] On the web - anitab.org [http://www.anitab.org/]  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Hosted and Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson. Produced by Avi Glijansky Associate Produced by Kelli Kyle Sound design and editing by Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Additional Producing help from Faith Krogulecki Operations Coordination for AnitaB.org by Quinton Sprull. Creative Director for AnitaB.org is Deandra Coleman Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Frequency Machine [https://www.frequencymachine.com/]  Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org [https://www.anitab.org/]