Role Models We Celebrate, Who Show Us What Is Possible

Role Models We Celebrate, Who Show Us What Is Possible

I want to honour and celebrate Shannon Watts today, our WECAN Role model and truly inspiring mentor who wrote “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age” -get the book, it’s a real guide to starting new ventures. She founded Moms Demand Action. She now mentors people, writes an insightful and well-written Substack, “Playing with Fire, her latest one, explains how staying small has a cost and what that cost is. What are you waiting for to do what you want with your life?” My two role models of this week are an absolute must-watch or listen: Watch on YouTube and Substack or listen on Podcast; Danielle Crittenden: In this deeply moving episode, Danielle Crittenden, author and journalist, discusses her raw and profound journey of losing a child, grief, and her memoir, "Dispatches from Grief: A Mother's Journey Through the Unthinkable." Danielle is leading with light for anyone navigating life's darkest moments: surviving child loss, grief, mothering, and raw humanity. Her story completely shatters the uncomfortable silence around parental loss. Danielle opens up about why traditional grief advice fails, the reality of managing trauma through EMDR therapy, and the intense strain child loss puts on marriages and families. She leaves us with profound hope, reminding us that even in our darkest hours, we are never truly alone. brings ultimate hope to families facing the unimaginable. I am so deeply thankful to Danielle for her story and embrace her and her family in the best way I know how - by spreading her story as far and wide as I can, to help others! God, I am thankful for Danielle’s honesty. I feel safer in this world knowing she is leading with her story and vulnerability, and I cried after our interview as we mothers grieve alongside her for all the mothers and families who have lost children. Dr Markos Kounalakis: Award-winning foreign affairs columnist, Stanford University visiting professor, Hoover Institution fellow, author of "Freedom Isn't The Price of World Order", and the first-ever Second Gentleman of California to talk about Geopolitics, AI and, of course, his story and how he got to where he is today. His journey would take him from California classrooms to some of the most significant moments in modern history, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Romanian Revolution, and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Dr Markos Kounalakis is the ultimate role model for the next generation, leading with decades of observing global change, teaching future leaders, and supporting his wife, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, in her campaign for California State Treasurer. He reminds us of what's possible when we choose to live with deep purpose and raw humanity. He leads with profound knowledge and a spirit of true servitude, showing each of us how we can find meaningful ways to impact our own lives and the lives of those around us. We are so honoured to have Dr. Markos Kounalakis and grateful for his leadership. Your Story Matters! You Matter! Role Models Matter! Lead By Example To Support Others! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

From War Correspondent to First Second Gentleman of California: Dr. Markos Kounalakis x WECAN

In today's episode of WECAN, Stephanie sits down with Dr. Markos Kounalakis, award-winning foreign affairs columnist, Stanford University visiting professor, Hoover Institution fellow, author of "Freedom Isn't The Price of World Order", and the first-ever Second Gentleman of California to talk about Geopolitics, AI and of course his story and how he got top where he is today. Born into a working-class Greek immigrant family, Markos became the first in his family to attend college. His journey would take him from California classrooms to some of the most significant moments in modern history, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Romanian Revolution, and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Dr. Markos Kounalakis is the ultimate role model for the next generation, leading with decades of observing global change, teaching future leaders, and supporting his wife, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, in her campaign for California State Treasurer. He reminds us of what's possible when we choose to live with deep purpose and raw humanity. He leads with profound knowledge and a spirit of true servitude, showing each of us how we can find meaningful ways to impact our own lives and the lives of those around us. Follow his journey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markoskounalakis/ We are so honoured to have Dr Markos Kounalakis and grateful for his leadership. #MarkosKounalakis #WECANInterviews #SecondGentleman #Geopolitics #HooverInstitution #StanfordProfessor #FutureOfAI #DefendingDemocracy #CaliforniaPolitics #Resilience #ForeignAffairs _______________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: / wecan.shecan LinkedIn: / shecan-world Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuyl... Your Story Matters! You Matter! Role Models Matter! Lead By Example To Support Others! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Surviving Child Loss: WECAN x Danielle Crittenden’s Book Dispatches from Grief

Losing a child and surviving child loss is one of life's saddest, most devastating realities a parent can endure. In this deeply moving episode, Stephanie from WECAN sits down with Danielle Crittenden, author and journalist, to discuss her raw and profound journey of losing a child, grief, and her memoir, "Dispatches from Grief: A Mother's Journey Through the Unthinkable." In 2024, Danielle’s life was shattered by the sudden loss of her 32-year-old daughter, Miranda, due to complications from a brain tumour. On a February morning, her world cleaved in two: the life before her daughter Miranda was found dead in her Brooklyn apartment, and the life after. Danielle is the most beautiful role model, leading with light for anyone navigating life's darkest moments; surviving child loss, grief, mothering, and raw humanity. Her story completely shatters the uncomfortable silence around parental loss. Danielle opens up about why traditional grief advice fails, the reality of managing trauma through EMDR therapy, and the intense strain child loss puts on marriages and families. She leaves us with profound hope, reminding us that even in our darkest hours, we are never truly alone. Her latest book, "Dispatches from Grief," is a powerful testament to a mother's love and an essential guide that offers comfort, reduces isolation, and brings ultimate hope to families facing the unimaginable. I am so deeply thankful to Danielle for her story and embrace her and her family in the best way I know how - by spreading her story as far and wide as I can, to help others! Connect with Danielle: Website: https://daniellecrittenden.com/ Buy the Book: https://infinitebooks.com/products/dispatches-from-grief Thank you, Danielle, for everything that you are and do. #DanielleCrittenden #DispatchesFromGrief #WECANInterviews #GriefJourney #ParentalLoss #HopeAndHealing #ChildLossSupport #EMDRTherapy #Humanity #Resilience _______________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: / wecan.shecan LinkedIn: / shecan-world Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuyl... Your Story Matters! You Matter! Role Models Matter! Lead By Example To Support Others! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How WECAN Navigate Changing Our Sexual Identity Later in Life | Anne-Marie Zanzal

Today on WECAN, Stephanie sits down with Anne-Marie Zanzal to explore the complex, often isolating journey of women transitioning their sexual identities later in life. What happens when the life you built no longer fits who you are? For ordained minister, grief counsellor, and coming out coach Anne-Marie, coming out at age 52 after a 27-year marriage and four children, was a complete spiritual and personal reorientation. Anne-Marie turned her own lived experience into a sanctuary for others, founding powerful peer-to-peer mentoring spaces like her "Authentically Us" community, her courses and workshops. If you are quietly questioning, navigating the "messy middle" of a late-in-life transition, or trying to untangle your faith from your truth, you do not have to walk this path alone. She fully supports people through the transition of their sexual identities. "Anne-Marie is the perfect role model for anyone rewriting their narrative. She uses community as a medicine to life's heaviest challenges, acting as a vital mirror and mentor to get women through profound midlife changes." Stephanie, WECAN Tune in for advice on how to navigate divorce, untangle internalised homophobia, and manage the varying reactions of children (from teenagers to adults). Connect with Anne-Marie Zanzal: Website: https://annemariezanzal.com/ Read the Article on the Advocate on how she was dropped from a faith podcast for being queer: "Queer minister Rev. Anne-Marie Zanzal reflects on faith, dignity, and what happens when LGBTQ+ identity is treated as a debate." https://www.advocate.com/opinion/dropped-faith-podcast-queer #WECAN #AnneMarieZanzal #ComingOutLaterInLife #LateBloomers #AuthenticallyUs #MidlifeTransition #LGBTQIA #FaithDeconstruction #WomenEmpowerment #SpiritualGrowth For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c Your Story Matters! You Matter! Role Models Matter! Lead By Example To Support Others! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

WECAN Build Resilience & Start Over in Our 60s with Angelica Fuentes

In today's WECAN interview, Stephanie sits down with Angelica Fuentes, to unpack a masterclass on how to build resilience, start over in your 60s, and live with radical reinvention. Angelica is a Mexican-American businesswoman, impact investor, and one of Latin America’s most influential advocates for gender equality. After a legendary 40-year corporate career leading major enterprises across 17 countries in Latin America, where she pioneered equal pay and gender equality policies decades before they were mainstream, Angelica faced a devastating personal and professional betrayal 11 years ago. How exactly do you build resilience and start over later in life? Instead of shrinking, Angelica anchored herself in daily rituals, self-reflection, and unshakeable resilience. Now, at 62, she is redefining what global impact looks like with the launch of her new wellness ecosystem, NOWFUL, making high-quality, holistic self-care accessible to all without labels, limits, or outdated rules. They create the tools to help the next generation of women find their own grounding and financial independence. "Angelica is the ultimate proof that you can always reinvent yourself, no matter your age. Her story shows us how to completely redefine the impact we want to have in this one wild, precious life, and most importantly, how to be present with our presence ." Stephanie, WECAN Connect with Angelica: Website: https://angelicafuentes.com/ #WECAN #AngelicaFuentes #ReinventYourLife #WomenInBusiness #Resilience #FemaleLeadership #WomenOver60 #Nowful #PersonalGrowth #LeaveALegacy _______________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c Your Story Matters! You Matter! Role Models Matter! Lead By Example To Support Others! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.