Join us for a conversation with Kate, an arts administrator and modern dance enthusiast, as she talks us through her journey of redefining her career path, advocating for the arts, and championing self-empowerment through her passion for people, moving her body, and mentorship. Kate talks about the long game and short game, and how collaboration, volunteerism, and corporate support can help sustain local art in local communities. Kate's journey inspires us to think about our impact through personal growth, artistic expression, and meaningful change.

Shout-outs:

- Really into dance? Check out the Across the Floors Podcast >

- Learn more about Kate and Wellspring >

- Michigander? Check out the Kalamazoo Arts Council >

- ⁠Ten Percent Happier⁠ podcast with Dave Harris

- Built to Move, by Kelly by Kelly & Juliet Starrett

- Let's Get Physical, by Danielle Friedman

Join Nicole in a conversation with Dr. Maria Urso, whose life story drips in resilience, endurance, and the pursuit of passions against all odds. The convo delves into Maria's journey, from overcoming challenges in her scientific career to defying expectations in the military and impostor syndrome, all while finding solace and strength in her love for running, mentoring, and fulfilling job in the biotech industry.

Meet Hannah Howard, writer, author, editor, cheese maven, and old work friend of Alex's from the grocery industry. As Alex and Nicole venture into freelancing, LLCs, and maybe even book publishing, our conversation could not have been more perfectly timed. From Hannah's post-college journey through restaurant management training to mommyhood and balancing freelance writing about all things food and parenting, join us for a conversation on bravery, balance, community, and cheese... don't miss Hannah's desert island cheese recommendation!
Shout-outs:

- Learn more about Hannah and her current projects >

- Cheeses referenced: Hook's Cheese Company, La Tur (a soft-ripened cheese), Uplands Cheese, Murray's Cheese

- A little bit about NYC's quintessential Upper West Side original market, Fairway Market >

- Read more on Bon Appetit about Hannah's Desert Island Cheese >

Trying to conceive (TTC) is literally science. You're not broken or less of a woman when it's a challenge and takes longer than you planned. And, yet, societal pressures continue to tell a different story. Throw in the fact that infertility needs and procedures like IVF are only required to be covered by insurance in 15 states and that most women in the US do not have access to sufficient or, in some cases, any paid maternity leave... it can seem impossible.

In this episode, Nicole talks with Melissa about her journey to motherhood and how her unexpected three years of TTC and IVF threw off her very planned plans to become a mom. Is there a right time to have a baby and still crush it at work? Spoiler: it's a fool's errand.

Nicole and Alex are back for Season 2 of "This Could Have Been an Email," the podcast. From a honeymoon of gallivanting throughout Italy for 2 weeks to leaving jobs by choice and becoming pioneering entrepreneurial women, our first episode back is jam-packed with goodness. This season, we're excited to focus on the theme of community and how critical our tribes are, no matter the era. Subscribe and stay tuned!

We feel so grateful for the opportunity to have and share every amazing conversation on this podcast this year. Join us on our season finale for updates from December and the amazing things we learned from starting our podcast this year. Don't miss our favorite quotes at the end - all the inspo to start 2023 off on the right foot because empowered women empower women. Thank you to every guest for their vulnerability, to our partners for their patience and flexibility, and to us for treating ourselves with kindness and taking a leap in 2022 that started this podcast.

One of us has a Masters, and one of us doesn't, and that's okay because higher education isn't for everyone. It's a huge expense, time commitment, and investment in yourself which, as our guest shares, is a choice you should not make a rash decision about. Today we're talking to Alex's sister Adrienne, a Ph.D. student in Epidemiology and published researcher, all about her journey beyond higher education in her pursuit of a Ph.D... and sainthood through her research and passion for health equity with a focus on health disparities among Black and Hispanic/Latinx people.