Catalyzing Change in a Changing World with Dr. Susan Wente

Business For Good with Catherine Mitchell Jaxon ‘98 and Hope Skouras ‘12

Catherine Mitchell Jackson '98 and Hope Skouras '12, are two Wake Women who saw a problem and created a product to solve it: not for not only their families, but for countless others across the country. Catherine and Hope both started at Wake Forest ready to begin careers in journalism, but along the way discovered their contributions to the greater good would be delivered in a different way. In this episode, they share their inspiring journeys from campus to successful product launches–for Catherine Mitchell Jaxon, it’s Mission Mighty Me, a product designed to introduce peanuts early in a child’s life and for Hope Skouras, it’s “The Whole Hope,” a company that develops Lemon Swirl, a product that Hope discovered along her own health journey. In this episode, Catherine and Hope will discuss overcoming challenges, scaling their businesses, and the social impact behind their innovative products for children with allergies and health-conscious consumers. Mission Might Me [https://missionmightyme.com/] The Whole Hope [https://thewholehope.com/?country=US&shop_sign_in=true]

Wedding Traditions, Trends, and Tips with Amy Shack Egan ‘14, Jeanne Sommer ‘83, Becca Atchison ‘03

Weddings can be one of the most joyous yet stressful events in a couple's life. With so many details to consider—from choosing the right venue to managing guest lists—it's no wonder many find themselves overwhelmed. Add to that the pressure of creating viral social media moments, and it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters: celebrating love. In this episode, you’ll hear from three Wake Women wedding professionals who will share how to simplify the process and focus on what truly counts. Let’s break down a few barriers and make planning a wedding a joyful experience rather than a stressful one!  The Rebel Wedding Planning Guide - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXYZ1234 [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXYZ1234] Cheersy Platform - https://cheersy.com [https://cheersy.com/] Rebecca Rose Events - https://rebeccaroseevents.com Hidden River Events - https://www.hiddenriverevents.com/ [https://www.hiddenriverevents.com/]

On Death and Dying with Laurie Furr-Vancini '87, Becca Omlor MD '13, and Anne Smith '89

In a world where conversations about death are often avoided, understanding how to navigate this challenging transition can be daunting. This discomfort often stems from societal norms that discourage open discussions about mortality. On this episode, we dive into the insights of people who understand the importance of addressing death openly and honestly–Laurie Furr-Vancini '89 is a retired minister and is now trained as a death doula (we’ll talk about what that even is) and Becca Omlor MD '13 is a hospice coctor who has dedicated her career to helping families through the dying process. And Anne Smith '89 joins the conversation as a family member whose mother recently passed. In this conversation, we’ discuss the role of hospice in end of life care, the value a death doula can bring to the process, and how to navigate the tensions that can arise between family members, caregivers and healthcare professionals. This episode will give you actionable strategies to engage in meaningful conversations about mortality, ensuring you feel empowered and informed as you face transitional times for your loved ones.  Resources:  Nothing to Fear: Demystifying Death to Live More Fully by Julie McFadden, RN https://www.hospicenursejulie.com/book [https://www.hospicenursejulie.com/book] Being with Dying Cultivating Compassion and Fearlessness in the Presence of Death by Joan Halifax https://www.joanhalifax.org/publications [https://www.joanhalifax.org/publications] Being Mortal by Atul Gawande https://atulgawande.com/book/being-mortal/ [https://atulgawande.com/book/being-mortal/]

Pregnancy in the Workplace with Stephanie Kramer '04 and Kristen Bryant Smith '12

Navigating pregnancy while maintaining a career can be challenging. Expectant parents face unique obstacles, from managing workloads to ensuring a supportive work environment. As a human resource professional, Stephanie Kramer saw team members struggle to figure out how to balance their desire to excel in their careers while also growing a family. She drew on hundreds of conversations with working mothers, as well as her own experiences to write a book called “Carry Strong: An Empowered Approach to Navigating Pregnancy and Work.” Kristen, an accomplished marketing and branding professional, has recently had her second child, so it seemed like a good idea to bring these two Wake Women together for a  deep discussion on pregnancy at work, to explore the challenges, opportunities, and strategies for working mothers. If you know someone who is juggling career and pregnancy, this episode is for you.  Resources Carry Strong: An Empowered Approach to Navigating Pregnancy and Work - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXYZ1234 [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXYZ1234]  LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/stephaniekramer LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/kristenbryantsmith

Leadership with Precision: Dr. Patricia Turner MD '96 on Healthcare Advocacy, AI in Medicine, and Surgical Leadership

Patricia Turner knew she wanted to be a surgeon from a very early age. With the support of her mother and key mentors, she built the resilience needed to navigate a demanding medical journey, and never looked back. Since earning her medical degree from Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1996, Dr. Turner has built a remarkable career in surgery and healthcare leadership. Now serving as CEO of the American College of Surgeons, she joins us to share her path from aspiring surgeon to one of the most influential voices in American healthcare. In this episode, you'll hear: * How mentorship shaped her career in surgical medicine * Why quality improvement in surgical care is more critical than ever * How surgeons and healthcare leaders are navigating political changes while staying committed to evidence-based practices * The real promise — and real challenges — of artificial intelligence in medicine * Why advocacy for both surgeons and patients is at the heart of her mission Whether you're a medical professional, a healthcare policy enthusiast, or simply curious about what it takes to lead at the highest levels, this conversation delivers insight you won't find anywhere else.