Shows
Women and WorkWomen and Work: Sarah WallaceFor Sarah Wallace, impact didn’t come from knowing the technology — it came from understanding the humans behind it.In an industry driven by systems engineers and technologists, Sarah entered with a different lens: psychology, behavioral economics, and human-computer interaction. She wasn’t there to out-code anyone — she was there to bridge the gap between people and the products built for them.As a Customer Experience Strategy Leader and Consultant, Sarah has spent her career translating human behavior into better design, better conversations, and better business decisions. She was the “soft” perspective in a hard tech world —...
2025-11-2543 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Ashley JablowWholeness. Bravery. Alignment.For Ashley, success wasn’t just about leading at a high level — it was about finally feeling whole.For years, she felt split in two: “work Ashley” and “real Ashley.” And instead of choosing between them, she built a career where she never had to.From executive leadership to motherhood to creativity and community, Ashley chose spaces where she could show up as all of herself — not a curated version.Her story is a reminder that alignment isn’t a luxury. It’s a form of courage.Are you living...
2025-11-1840 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work Podcast 31: Nancy GriffinBias. Balance. Empowerment.For Nancy Griffin, success didn’t come from following the rules — it came from realizing the system wasn’t built for her.When an executive once said, “She has a family,” to deny her an international opportunity, Nancy never even knew. Years later, she found out that decision — made for her — changed the course of her life.But it also became the moment she decided to rewrite her story.From one of Procter & Gamble’s first female managers to founder of Women Worth and Wellness, Nancy transformed her career into a mission —...
2025-11-1134 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Chandler StroudFreedom. Ambition. Design.For Chandler Stroud, getting her MBA wasn’t about climbing higher — it was about living freer.Success, for her, wasn’t defined by titles or power. It was about choice — the freedom to design a career that honored both her ambition and her family.From long commutes to flexible work and paid maternity leave, Chandler set out to find — and create — workplaces that worked for women, not against them.Her story is a reminder that ambition doesn’t have to mean sacrifice — it can mean design.Would you ever choose flex...
2025-11-1150 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Lisa GiruzziAwareness. Transformation. Clarity.For Lisa Giruzzi, power didn’t come from proving herself — it came from realizing she never had to.After years of walking into boardrooms “guns blazing,” ready to defend her worth, Lisa discovered that confidence doesn’t come from fighting for validation — it comes from knowing your value.A former social worker and domestic violence advocate turned transformational coach, Lisa has spent decades helping people break invisible barriers — in their work, their thinking, and their lives.Now co-founder of the EMS Leadership Academy, she teaches others how to lead with empa...
2025-10-2850 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Dr. Felicia Dortch-GreerCourage. Reinvention. Purpose.Dr. Felicia Dortch-Greer’s life has never followed a straight line.A nurse of 27 years, a mother of four, and a survivor of domestic abuse — she rebuilt her world one bold decision at a time.When her life nearly ended, she made a promise: If I survive, I’ll live my purpose.She did.While raising and homeschooling her children, she wrote screenplays, modeled internationally, and built a career in film and television. She learned how to make her job work around her kids — not the other way around.
2025-10-2137 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Alexa StarksShe didn’t leave corporate life — it left her.When Alexa Starks returned from maternity leave, she found herself in a culture that expected her to “bounce back” overnight — no re-onboarding, no support, no understanding.Instead of accepting it, she built something better. Alexa founded Executive Moms to help companies create parent-forward cultures, redefine productivity, and empower working mothers to thrive.Her story is about courage, transformation, and the power of turning burnout into a blueprint for change.Watch how Alexa turned a lack of support into a movement for working moms every...
2025-10-1429 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Holli Beth ClauserEver had life completely fall apart — only to realize it was pushing you toward your purpose?That’s exactly what happened to Holli Beth Clauser.She was a young mom navigating the unpredictable world of raising two children — both with unique needs. Between food banks, hospital visits, and sleepless nights, she faced more than her fair share of challenges. But through it all, she discovered something powerful: purpose often hides in hardship.A chance moment at her children’s preschool changed everything. When a teacher noticed how naturally Holli connected with autistic kids, it opened a...
2025-10-0736 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Maximiliane MihajlovicMaximiliane Mihajlovic was only 16 when she began chasing her dream as an actress. But somewhere along the way, she gave it up—pressured by a boyfriend who told her it wasn’t safe, practical, or worthy of her future. That decision led her down a path she never expected: toxic relationships, heartbreak, and eventually raising two children on her own.Her journey as a single mom was anything but easy. She faced lonely nights, financial stress, and even health challenges, all while trying to hold onto her identity. There were moments she admits she felt lost, broken, and...
2025-09-301h 01Women and WorkWomen and Work: Jerria DonelsonDenied. Overlooked. Told she was “too much.That was Jerria Donelson’s reality, even with two master’s degrees and years of experience. She was qualified — more than qualified — but still shut out of opportunities simply because she’s a woman.At first, she played along. She kept quiet. She tried to fit in.But not anymore.Now, Jerria shows up authentically — as a Black woman, a mother, and a leader who refuses to shrink. Her story is about courage, confidence, and claiming space in workplaces that weren’t built for women like her.
2025-09-2327 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Suzy CarbreyShe thought she had found her calling as a speech-language pathologist.But the reality was long hours, holidays away from family, and endless pressure from insurance rules.Then came burnout.Suzy Carbrey had always been entrepreneurial. So she started building a private practice on the side. The very same day she finalized her business, Illinois shut down for Covid.What looked like disaster turned into opportunity.Her medical job slowed down. Patients stopped coming. And in that space, Suzy built something new.She launched a tele-practice, helping adults with ADHD who suddenly...
2025-09-1625 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Dr. Sakira JacksonDr. Sakira Jackson’s story is one of resilience and bold choices. Growing up in Illinois with entrepreneurship in her blood, she rose through the ranks in sales before facing a defining moment: when her boss told her to choose between her job and her kids, she chose her kids and walked out. Years later, after securing a $10M federal contract with a $1M commission, she was fired on the day the deal closed—but instead of breaking, she signed a new client and launched her first business that same day.Since then, Dr. Sakira has built mult...
2025-09-0928 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Marisa CieslukWhat happens when you land your dream job—only to realize it’s breaking you? Marisa Ciesluk had everything she thought she wanted: a senior leadership role, a growing family, and a thriving career. But behind the scenes, she was burned out, crying on her commute, and battling an identity crisis. In this candid interview, Marisa shares:• How she navigated postpartum depression and career burnout• The turning point that changed everything• Why she walked away from the role she worked her whole life for• The lessons she learned about success, identity, and well-being
2025-09-0234 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Katie DunnWhat happens when you pour 25 years into a career… only to be told you’ll never move up? Katie Dunn faced that moment after leading the biggest deal of her career. Instead of giving up, she built a new path—one focused on empowering women and underrepresented founders. In this episode, Katie shares:✔ Why being the only woman in the room shaped her career✔ The breaking point that changed everything✔ How she transitioned from finance to angel investing✔ Tips for women considering a big career shift If you’ve ever fel...
2025-08-2631 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Rebecca TorresRebecca Torres lost her best friend at 13, her mom, dad, and brother in later years — yet she refused to be defined by grief. After nearly 20 years as a recruiter, including at Amazon, she turned her pain into purpose, becoming a mindset coach who helps others overcome challenges and unlock their potential. In this episode, Rebecca shares how she learned to control her mindset, rise above tragedy, and transform loss into strength. If you’ve ever struggled with grief, self-doubt, or a career transition, her story will inspire you to see challenges as your “next level up.” How do...
2025-08-1942 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Marisa MannMarisa Mann spent decades climbing the corporate ladder, working at firms like JP Morgan, Accenture, and other top consulting firms — often being the only woman at the table. Despite being a top performer, she waited five years for a promotion and learned that perfection doesn’t guarantee advancement. Now, she’s the CEO of Uplift All, where she helps underrepresented leaders rise with confidence, clarity, and strategy.In this episode of Women and Work, Marisa opens up about balancing an ambitious career with motherhood, redefining leadership as a working mom, and how she’s coaching others to bring th...
2025-08-1226 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Susan MacNicolWhen Susan MacNicol’s corporate job disappeared just days before she returned from maternity leave, she faced a choice: start over in the corporate grind or build something of her own. With a 3-month-old baby and no job, she launched her own marketing business — and never looked back.In this episode of Women & Work, Susan shares how she navigated the “boys’ club,” grew her company into an agency, landed government contracts, and built a real estate portfolio — all while raising two kids.If you suddenly lost your job tomorrow, would you go back to corporate life — or st...
2025-08-1236 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Noelani MitchellNoelani Mitchell, mom of six and former nurse, opens up about her powerful journey from single motherhood and working multiple jobs to building a business that gave her time, freedom, and presence with her family. Raised with a strong message about independence from her own mother—“Make more than your husband, because you never know”—Noelani’s story is raw, inspiring, and real. She shares how she navigated child-rearing, college, burnout, and eventually found purpose through entrepreneurship. Tune in to hear how Noelani rewrote the rules of motherhood and work. Diane Moca, founder and CEO of MomSu...
2025-07-2922 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Andrea PikscherAndrea Pikscher, mom of three and founder of her own social media business, shares her powerful journey from juggling it all to learning how to ask for — and accept — help. From postpartum depression to starting her own company, Andrea opens up about the struggles and breakthroughs of balancing motherhood, marriage, and entrepreneurship.Watch as she reveals the moment she realized she didn’t have to do it all alone — and why accepting help made her a better mom and business owner.What’s one way you’ve learned to ask for or accept help?Diane M...
2025-07-2325 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Laurie SwansonLaurie Swanson went from being excluded in the boys’ club of tech to building her own multimillion-dollar recruiting firm — all while navigating motherhood, leadership, and personal growth. In this episode, she shares how she overcame workplace sexism, trusted her inner voice, and created a career and life that truly fit her.If you’ve ever felt undervalued or stuck in a toxic culture, this is the inspiration you need to take control of your path.Diane Moca, founder and CEO of MomSub, talks with leaders like this every week—follow her for more.Do...
2025-07-1646 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Caroline Sanchez CrozierCaroline Sanchez Crozier, a Latina immigrant and pioneer in tech, shares her incredible journey from corporate CPA to entrepreneur to nonprofit founder. She explains how she accidentally found her passion for technology, built a company partnering with Apple, and now empowers underrepresented communities to thrive in the digital economy through her Ganas initiative. Her mission: to inspire more diverse digital leaders and close the opportunity gap in tech.Watch to hear how she overcame barriers, raised her family while growing her career, and continues to pay it forward.Diane Moca, founder and CEO of...
2025-07-0821 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Bonnie Lee KunkelBonnie Lee Kunkel, a seasoned attorney and former elected official, reflects on her decades-long career navigating gender bias, caregiving responsibilities, and finding purpose in unexpected places. From being the only woman in the courtroom to empowering clients to stand up for themselves, Bonnie’s story is one of quiet strength and unapologetic confidence.In this episode of Women and Work, Bonnie shares:How being assertive came at a cost—but she did it anywayWhy women must advocate for themselves, even in divorceThe hidden caregiving labor that shaped her choicesHer unplanned path to becoming a family law atto...
2025-07-0120 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Krystina LeeKrystina Lee opens up about the isolation of modern motherhood and how raising kids without nearby support has changed everything. In this episode, she reflects on family, burnout, and the growing need for connection among moms.Diane Moca, founder and CEO of @MomSub, talks with leaders like this every week—follow her for more.#WorkingWomen #WomenAndWork #MomSub #WomenInBusiness #SingleMom #StartupLife #WomenInTech #WorkingMomsVisit MomSub.com to learn more.Support the show
2025-06-2411 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Erica BishafErica Bishaf is a single mom, market strategist, and two-time tech founder who walked away from a full-time job—with zero income lined up—to build her dream. In this candid conversation, she opens up about the juggle between motherhood and entrepreneurship, why she doesn’t feel “mom guilt,” and how she makes bold decisions with clarity.Diane Moca, founder and CEO of MomSub, talks with leaders like this every week—follow her for more.#WorkingWomen #WomenAndWork #MomSub #WomenInBusiness #SingleMom #StartupLife #WomenInTech #WorkingMomsVisit MomSub.com to learn more.Support...
2025-06-2315 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Delaine BlazekIn this inspiring episode of Women and Work, Delaine Blazek shares how she went from therapist to sales powerhouse—and why she walked away from a toxic tech culture even after hitting #1 on the sales board.She talks candidly about sexism in the workplace, scaling a business by mentoring women in sales, and launching her own company, Solis Coaching & Consulting.Diane Moca, founder and CEO of @MomSub, talks with leaders like this every week—follow her for more.#WorkingWomen #WomenAndWork #MomSub #WomenInBusiness #SalesCoach #EntrepreneurJourney #Leadership #WorkplaceEqualityVisit MomSub.com to learn more...
2025-06-1022 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Michelle FadeleyMichelle Fadeley, a marketing executive, community advocate, and longtime feminist leader, shares her path from navigating male-dominated industries to helping ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in Illinois—in our Women and Work podcast.After more than a decade balancing a full-time career with volunteer leadership in the National Organization for Women, Michelle opens up about what it means to lead with purpose, face systemic barriers, and push through imposter syndrome—all while redefining what ambition looks like.She talks about building coalitions for gender equality, stepping into high-stakes public service by running for state representative, and...
2025-06-0325 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Lynette Correa-VelezLynette Correa Vélez, a career coach, tech entrepreneur, and mom of one, shares her journey from getting laid off during the Great Recession to launching a social impact startup—and ultimately building a platform aimed at closing the global women’s wage gap—in our Women and Work podcast.After navigating early career setbacks, becoming a first-time mom in grad school, and juggling life as part of a dual-career household, Lynette opens up about the hard choices working parents face and the power of flexibility, community, and purpose.She shares what it was like to grad...
2025-05-2738 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Holly O'DonnellIn this episode, we talk with Holly O’Donnell, a leadership consultant and mom of one, about walking away from corporate America after becoming a parent—and accidentally launching a business that took off faster than she imagined. From a demanding three-hour commute to missing her daughter’s first steps, Holly shares the raw turning points that pushed her to redefine success on her own terms. She opens up about the unexpected challenges of entrepreneurship, including juggling travel with motherhood and overcoming the guilt that comes with both. Holly also shares how she built a new career from he...
2025-05-2018 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Brittney KellerIn this episode, we talk with Brittney Keller, a marketing leader and mom of two, about navigating leadership in a male-dominated industry while balancing the complex demands of working parenthood. From being mistaken for an intern in her first job to growing into a trusted expert who leads paid media teams, Brittney shares the pivotal moments that helped her find her voice—and her value.She opens up about the emotional toll of not being taken seriously early in her career, and how supportive mentors helped her shift from frustration to confidence. We also dive into her re...
2025-05-1322 minWomen and WorkWomen and Work: Jill SimonianIn this episode, we talk with Jill, a parent and investigative reporter, about her unexpected journey through a childcare crisis—and the reporting project that grew from it. After moving from New York to Los Angeles with her husband and young daughter, Jill found herself facing limited parental leave, expensive care options, and the impossible math many families are forced to calculate when juggling work and parenting.Jill opens up about how a moment of breaking down in her car sparked a larger mission to uncover the realities families face when support systems fall short. Through her re...
2025-05-0646 minWomen and WorkWomen And Work: MJ WexlerIn this episode, we talk with MJ Wexler, a digital consultant, educator, and now children's book author of Moses Could Have Been Selfish. MJ shares how motherhood and a desire to teach empathy through storytelling inspired her to write and self-publish a meaningful Passover story for young readers.From juggling web design clients and teaching at UCLA to raising her energetic son, MJ reflects on the challenges of parenting, working through exhaustion, and finding creative ways to preserve joy and connection. Her journey is filled with resilience, resourcefulness, and a deep commitment to raising compassionate...
2025-04-2946 minWomen and WorkWomen And Work: Stephanie CecilStephanie Cecil fought hard to bring paid maternity (and paternity) leave to Frontier Credit Union when she worked there as a human resources director. In today’s episode of “Women and Work,” Stephanie explains the creative approach she took to finally get the top brass to agree despite their reservations about the cost.This example underscores how it takes all of us to make improvements that benefit women and everyone else in the long run. While the workplace can feel different for women – who may bristle when they have to prove themselves in ways that men don’t...
2025-04-2221 minWomen and WorkWomen And Work: Dr. Maria MalayterIn this episode of Women and Work, we sit down with Dr. Maria Malayter, a business psychologist, professor, wellness coach, and author who shares her powerful story of reinvention after a traumatic brain injury changed the course of her life and career.Maria opens up about identity loss, depression, and the long journey to healing—physically, emotionally, and professionally. She shares how she rebuilt her sense of purpose and found joy through connection, creativity, and community.One way Maria found strength during recovery was through the support of chosen family—church members, lifelong friends, and ment...
2025-04-1517 min
Women and WorkWomen And Work: Jen Mendoza Leading The Way For Other WomenHost and MomSub CEO Diane Moca sits down with Jen Mendoza, an entrepreneur and non-profit executive whose journey has taken unexpected turns—from facing rejection in her early career dreams to discovering purpose in a completely new path. Jen opens up about resilience, redefining success, and how she found fulfillment where she least expected it.One way Jen managed her working mom responsibilities was the village she developed to help with child care. MomSub.com is on a mission to be part of that village of support for working mothers who want to make their careers fit th...
2025-04-1117 min
This Week in Startups70mph Drone Deliveries, 125% Tariffs & What $10M Exits Really Mean | E2109Today’s show: Jason, Alex, and Lon talk about stories reshaping the startup world: 70mph drone deliveries are officially live in Dallas, with Zipline and Walmart promising groceries “as the crow flies” in under 5 minutes. Meanwhile, Trump slaps a 125% tariff on China and hints at a global economic shakeup — Jason warns founders to brace for layoffs and bankruptcies unless they’ve got a Plan B and C. Finally, a UK startup sells for $450M and VCs barely break even… but the founders walk with $20M. Jason explains how small exits create the most dangerous kind of founder: the one who never ne...
2025-04-101h 07
Women of AuroraBeing Persistent, Conquering Mindset and Managing Stress-The Keys to Successful Entrepreneurship with Diane MocaHave a question for Diane or Cyndi?
Join the conversation here.
Diane Moca might be very familiar to you. You might know her as a reporter at Talking Cities. Or maybe from her MomSub app, which brings moms of young children together in a local community for support and friendship. Perhaps you met her through one of her other businesses- as the CEO of Lawn Greeting Cards, or through her real estate company Happy Home Solutions. Diane is a serial entrepreneur and on today’s podcast she is sharing how she manages it all...
2022-12-2026 min