In this episode, we chat with Gwyn Lurie, who shows us how life can look when we understand that funding work that builds women and girls lifts us all! *Note: episode was recorded prior to the 2024 elections.*

Gwyn Lurie began her career as a Journalist for ABC News in New York, serving as Special Assistant to News President, Roone Arledge, as an off-air reporter and an associate Producer. In 1987 she produced the award-winning documentary “Voices From the Attic” about her family’s years in hiding during the holocaust. She spent six months in Managua, Nicaragua as a reporter. Gwyn worked as an executive for 20th Century Fox and later for Interscope Entertainment’s feature film division; she then worked as a screenwriter for two decades writing such projects as the 2016 feature film “Nine Lives” starring Kevin Spacey and Jennifer Garner; and co-writing/adapted Oliver Sacks’ “The Last Hippie”, which became “The Music Never Stopped” starring JK Simmonds (Sundance opening selection, 2010). She adapted Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “The BFG.” Gwyn has written for almost every major motion picture studio.

Gwyn became a full-time Santa Barbara resident in 2009 along with her husband, Les Firestein, and two daughters, Sydney and Noa. She
completed two terms as an elected member of the MUS School Board, serving as President for five years; Gwyn chaired the SB County Child
Safety Net Task Force. She co-founded the Program for Resilient Communities after the 1/9 debris flow. She co-chaired Santa Barbara’s
Human Rights Watch Committee. Gwyn received her BA from UCLA where she was elected Student Body President; she’s a Truman Scholar and attended graduate school at Oxford University at Balliol College as a Newton Tatum Scholar, after becoming a finalist for the Rhodes
Scholarship. In 2019 Gwyn raised capital through local investors to purchase the Montecito Journal and founded the Montecito Journal Media
Group, for which she currently serves as CEO and Executive Editor. Gwyn co-founded The Giving List Santa Barbara, The Giving List Los Angeles, The Giving List Bay Area, and most recently The Giving List Women, a national publication that promotes intersectional feminist philanthropy.

Learn more about Gwyn's work at givinglistwomen.com.

In this episode we're talking with LC Johnson, visionary and community change-maker.

LC Johnson is an award-winning writer, entrepreneur, and activist with a passion for empowering women, especially women of color (WOC). After graduating from Duke University in 2010 with a degree in Women’s Studies, she immediately began a career in the nonprofit sector, seeking out a range of opportunities that mirrored her passion for racial equity, gender equity, and entrepreneurship.

Fifteen years into her journey as a dynamic, creative, and committed social justice professional with a well-established entrepreneurial spirit, LC has deep experience in curriculum development and facilitation, nonprofit program design, entrepreneurship, public speaking, and community building. She is a recognized subject matter expert whose work and writings on the topic of race and gender have appeared in outlets such as Forbes Magazine, Huffington Post, and Black Enterprise.

Most notably, LC is the founder and CEO of Zora’s House—a co-working space and leadership incubator created by and for WOC. She has been recognized as a community leader, including Columbus CEO’s “CEO of the Year”, Columbus Business First’s “40 under 40” and “Columbus Future 50”. In her non-existent free time, LC enjoys reading Afro-futuristic novels; hiking with her hubby, two kiddos, and mutt; and EATING ALL OF THE THINGS.

You can learn more about LC's work by visiting https://zorashouse.com/.

Shelby Frederick, a multifaceted individual known as "Lady Jewels" to her social media followers, is making a remarkable impact as an author, coach, trainer, and equipper. Her unique communication style enables her to bridge generational gaps and deliver practical coaching for successful living. As a Holistic Life Practitioner, Shelby's vision is to empower women with holistic strategies, inspiring them to take personal responsibility for all eight dimensions of wellness and positively influence their spheres of influence.

With over sixteen years of experience as a Licensed Massage Therapist, Shelby possesses extensive knowledge and training in various forms of holistic healing. Her expertise allows her to educate the public about the power of holistic approaches to well-being. Furthermore, as a Certified Instructor and a Professor at the International Institute of Faith-Based Counseling and Northeastern College of Theology in Ohio, Shelby brings over 10 years of instructional experience in higher education, further enriching her ability to equip others. She is also the founder of War Room Warriors Equipping Center, an apostolic discipleship hub that equips believers for the work of the ministry. Shelby completed her Master of Theology studies in April 2023.

Shelby Frederick's passion for holistic living, her commitment to empowering women, and her depth of knowledge make her a highly respected figure in her field. Through her books, coaching, training, and equipping, she is making a significant and positive difference in the lives of individuals, helping them thrive in all aspects of their well-being: spirit, soul, and body.

Learn more about her work at https://www.jewelsofwellness.net.