Day Away Podcast

Sally Johnston - Beauty at the Bottom

About the topic:  We have all found ourselves at the bottom — a place that can feel hopeless and lonely. This seminar will explore practices that may be helpful to you if you find yourself at the bottom. In this seminar, Sally shares vulnerably and openly, hoping that each woman will recognise something of her own story. Sally suggests that the bottom may not only be a place of pain, but also a place of possibility — perhaps even exactly where you need to be. About the speaker: Sally Johnston founded Day Away Seminars for Women in Zurich in 1991 and later formalised it as a Swiss non-profit. After returning to the United States in 2010, she completed a Master’s degree in Counselling and worked in addiction and marriage therapy, specialising in Emotionally Focused Therapy. Now based in St. Louis, Sally is active in women’s ministry, serves on the board of Arch Oars supporting breast cancer survivors through rowing, and continues to return to Switzerland each year. Thank you for listening to this seminar. Please do not make copies, reproduce or sell this audio. This is copyrighted property of DAY AWAY Association Switzerland.

Empowered with Purpose – What if you were made for more? with Dagmar C. Müller

About the Topic: When life feels uncertain, it’s natural to ask: Does any of this matter? But what if the moments you resist are the ones shaping your purpose? This episode looks at the unexpected wisdom of four biblical women and one modern midwife—stories that reveal how setbacks can become turning points. What if your waiting is preparing you? What if the places you feel weakest are where God is forming strength? If you’re hungry for clarity, courage, or a new way to see your story, this message invites you to imagine that you were made for more. About the Speaker: Dagmar C. Müller began her career as a midwife in Switzerland and later moved to New Orleans, where she founded and led a crisis pregnancy centre from 1995–2007. Returning to Switzerland, she has spent the last 18 years working as a trauma counsellor. Through her professional experience and personal faith, Dagmar empowers women to discover purpose, healing and the freedom to walk boldly into what lies ahead. Thank you for listening to this seminar. Please do not copy, reproduce, or sell this audio. It is the copyrighted property of Day Away Association Switzerland.

Lisa Fernihough - How will you measure your life?

About the topic In business we spend a lot of time talking about performance, metrics, return on investment and even how to evaluate the meaning of success.  But why should that thinking be reserved for business?  What about the whole of your life, how will you measure your life?  We are drawn, through social media and well-intentioned friends, to spend our lives on many diversions (often good), going through life caught up with seeking success, comfort, and pleasure perhaps above all else.  But will you look back and say that it's been a life of purpose? We'll explore together how we might look at our time, our energy and our talents to give better hope that we can say we've lived a life that has not been wasted. About the speaker Lisa Fernihough is an alumni speaker at Day Away.  In 2010 she shared on the topic "Don't Waste Your Life."  Fifteen years later she's back to talk about how you might measure that and help course correct where things need to change.  Lisa is an accountant and finance person by background.  She has lived and worked in the US, Switzerland and now resides in the UK.  She currently is on the Executive Committee of KPMG UK leading the Advisory business with a turnover of £1.4 billion and about 6,000 employees.  She was recognised last year in her industry for "Lifetime Achievement", though her 92 year old father who only recently retired would state that is a bit premature!   Thank you for listening to this seminar. Please do not make copies, reproduce or sell this audio. This is copyrighted property of DAY AWAY Association Switzerland.

An Interview with Vicki Bagdasarianz

In this episode, we sit down with Vicki Bagdasarianz, the inspiring woman behind the Day Away Association for Women in Switzerland. Since 2010, she has served as the organization's Executive Director, dedicating her life to faith and service. Born in Texas, Vicki started as an elementary school teacher before a transformative encounter with Campus Crusade for Christ led her into full-time ministry. Her journey took her across the world—from working with high school students in the U.S. to missionary work in Abu Dhabi and church planting in Italy. In 1989, she embraced a new chapter, marrying Sérge and becoming a stepmother to his four children. After his passing in 2008, she stepped into her leadership role at Day Away, where she continues to serve with passion. Join us for an engaging conversation about moving abroad, marriage, learning new languages, and the role of faith through life’s transitions.

Kirsten Müller Daubermann - The Digital Dilemma

About the Topic Social media, AI and technology are often blamed for rising mental health concerns and the ‘loneliness epidemic.’ Join us to examine research and explore the risks and benefits of technological innovation. We’ll discover how to balance our habits, emphasizing a person-oriented approach that greatly benefits all aspects of our lives and embraces control over fear. About the speaker In 2018, Kirsten left New York City and a career as a political commentator on TV and radio, host, speaker and former Miss America (2008), to follow her heart and her love to Zürich. Since then, she has continued in communications consulting in the realm of digital media, working in research on topics such as youth mental health and well-being and child data privacy at the University of Zürich, and assisting the Global Network of Centers on Internet & Society in Geneva on projects related to AI governance and communication strategy. She keeps her love for movement and her creative side alive as a fitness coach, teaching Barre, HIIT and indoor cycling at The Mix studio in Seefeld, and is completing her Master’s studies at the University of Zürich in Internet & Society. About Day Away The DAY AWAY Association for Women began in 1991 in Zurich as an opportunity for English-speaking women to get together and wrestle with deeper life issues we all face.  Founder, Sally Johnston, established women's breakfasts twice a year, inviting competent speakers who could provide women with practical advice, helpful insights and fresh perspectives from a biblical point of view.  Join us on our next breakfast: Dates posted regularly on our website and instagram. www.dayaway.org