The Power Of Stories Podcast

Elisa Gambino began her career as a producer in the CNN Rome bureau. After 15 years of covering conflict and upheavals for CNN, she together with her partner and husband founded their own production company, One Production Place Films, where they devote their time, energy and talents to sharing stories about how we live in community with each other. One of Elisa’s recent projects was the catalyst for the largest environmental justice grant in the state of New York when the governor provided 150 million dollars for the city of Mount Vernon to repair their sewage systems. In this episode, Elisa discusses her early work as a journalist and how it still shapes her filmmaking… her work in the CNN Rome bureau… being sent with the team covering the fall of the Berlin Wall and facing the challenges and opportunities of handling new responsibilities as history unfolded… continuing to win new assignments in various regions of the world… “growing” into being a producer at CNN… meeting her husband, who was a cameraman at CNN… her experiences seeing communities destroyed because of conflicts that were oftentimes out of their control… the important role that the legendary Ingrid Formanek has played in her career, giving her increasing responsibilities and encouragement when they worked together, and encouragement that continues today… leaving CNN and deciding to pursue something totally new by opening a successful fresh pasta shop that eventually closed as a result of the economic crisis of 2008… with her partner and husband, founding a production company that focuses on community and how we live together… approaching documentary filmmaking from the vantage point of being observers rather than being part of the story they are sharing… being in a constant state of learning as she covers a wide range of issues in her filmmaking… still needed to remind herself to be her own best friend… the importance of asking ourselves how we can do better, and then working in community to change what needs to be changed… recognizing that we have the power to drive change… empowering others by letting them know that their voices matter and that people are listening. (USA)

River Savante is 16 years old and has already set a world record as the youngest American female to summit Imja Tse in the Nepal Everest region, which is 20,500 ft. River is training to be the youngest American female to summit Mount Everest, scheduled for next May/June 2025. In this episode, River discusses going with her mother leading trips to Kathmandu after the 2015 earthquake in Nepal to help with humanitarian aid, and building earthquake-proof homes, and sponsoring schools… adding an Everest Base Camp trip to their expedition company as it evolved into a trekking company… being asked by her mother to return to Everest in 2022 to represent their company… learning from her mother about the importance of adapting to any situation, and watching her accomplish “incredible things” in foreign countries… knowing that the life lessons and skills that she has learned will help her when she goes off to college… living in Ulaanbaatar now, the capital of Mongolia and loving the vibe and feeling of this city… summiting Imja Tse, a mountain in the Himalayas of eastern Nepal, with a Sherpa guide teaching her the skills to use on Everest… living in Malaysia and meeting a three-times Everest summitter representing Malaysia, and accepting his invitation to train with his Malaysian Everest summiting team… her upcoming season in Nepal in October… her focus on school online with her high school in North Carolina, USA, that has been very supportive of her pursuing her dreams… reminding us that we are even more capable than we think we are, and that we can lead by example and follow our dreams, and support and encourage each other… the importance of offering compassion, understanding, and listening to each other... and wanting women to know that it's so important to speak their truth and to stand up for themselves and their dreams. (USA and Nepal) Here is River’s GoFundMe page... https://gofund.me/405b1ef9

Sadia Jahan Rothi is an Environmental and Climate Activist. She is the Board Director of Eco-Network Global, which is a youth-led organization. She started climate and environmental activism with Eco-Network in 2018 when she first witnessed how climate change has been affecting the lives of coastal regions people of Bangladesh. She is also a climate researcher, working at BRAC University. In this episode, Sadia discusses how she began environmental activism at University in 2018, and how it led to shifting her focus from environmental activism to climate activism. During a field trip from her university, she was conducting a survey and got the opportunity to interact with local people in the coastal region of Bangladesh. She got to know about the impact of climate change on their lives and livelihoods, especially the harmful effects of salinity intrusion on groundwater and agricultural land, resulting in the loss of livelihoods, health, and economy. At a young age, her family’s commitment to recycling and conserving water, then joining a group of like-minded young students at university, led her to work with Eco-Network Global, a youth-led organization now working in 25 countries. She emphasized the inclusion of youth voices not only in the formulation of National Plans and Policies but also a growing need for youth voices in policy implementation. She believes in being patient when it comes to activism for society because a change doesn't happen overnight. In the International Conferences where she attends, she always ensures to bring and represent the local voice. She believes in creating a safe space for women and girls where they can express their opinions and thoughts openly without being judged and mentoring them. (Bangladesh) ~ Episode description written by Sadia Jahan Rothi

Belinda Greb is an accomplished nature and wildlife photographer who has been influenced by her sense of belonging in, and connecting with, nature. In this episode, Belinda discusses growing up in a rural setting and finding solitude and peace in nature… her interest in photography and beginning her work as a professional photographer with landscape photography and transitioning to more of a focus on wildlife, photographing animals in their natural habitat, trying to capture their essence and translate that to others… the consciousness of animals… the increasing impact of climate change on wildlife and people… losing her home in the Oregon forest fires of 2020, and how that experience gave her even more compassion towards other people in other areas who are being affected by climate change or anything else that causes them to lose their home or their country… belonging… the beauty of nature as a pillar of strength… the importance of believing in ourselves, following our intuition, living life to the fullest, and not getting hung up on what other people think. (USA) https://belinda-greb.pixels.com/

Joan Kembabazi is a full time gender equality activist and she actively campaigns for an end to child marriage. Joan is also the founder of Gufasha Girls Foundation. In this episode, Joan discusses the reasons she campaigns and advocates for girls’ education, for an end to child marriage, for every girl’s right to thrive and to dream… her grief in losing her best friend, Gufasha Moureen, to child marriage at age 13, and Gufasha’s death in childbirth… beginning community work and then, in 2016, founding Gufasha Girls Foundation to honor her friend’s memory by working to end child marriage… how societal norms and traditional mindsets deny girls’ right to education, and how girls’ dreams, hopes, and childhoods are stolen by child marriage… her own father’s and grandmother’s commitment Joan’s education… her grandmother’s love and her role as a “strong pillar” in Joan’s life… the role of teachers in encouraging her to use her voice to advocate for positive change in her community… the importance of supporting girls in realizing that they are powerful, that they must believe in themselves, and that no one has the right to tell them that they cannot become the empowered person they want to be. (Uganda)

Nisha Benny-Varghese is a humanitarian, storyteller and describes herself as “an aspiring Good Human Being” who tries to make a difference and inspire others to do the same. In this episode, Nisha discusses volunteering at Breath of Life, a children's home in East London, South Africa, that cares for abandoned and orphaned babies until they find a suitable home for them or until they are reunited with their families… her liberating experience ziplining in 2016 to raise funds for Smile Train to repair 42 cleft palates… how having cerebral palsy and needing help every day has inspired her philanthropy and volunteerism… the importance of not “labeling” people… getting great joy from the small things in life… practicing gratitude every morning and every night by mentioning to herself a list of things for which she is grateful… reminding us to use past pain to help someone else in the present… and this inspiring advice for us all, “Don't let anyone tell you that your voice doesn't matter.” (South Africa)

Tsehay Getu is a passionate chef who has a platform called Tsehay’s Kitchen where she shares her love for food and culture. In this episode, Tsehay discusses how, in her childhood, her parents stressed the importance of education for her and her brothers… moving from Ethiopia to Sweden at a young age… the challenges of going through a divorce, being a single mom, and moving to the U.S… feeling alone and moving on with her life by not giving up during challenging times… starting to cook, learning over time, and falling in love with food, her playground, her “happy place”… overcoming gender biases in the food industry… her first post on Instagram, 11 years ago, showing videos about the food she loves… the importance of love and of not taking things for granted… and the importance of loving ourselves, and of listening, having more compassion, and supporting each other. (Sweden and Ethiopia)

Dr. Oliver-Burgess is a senior humanitarian and development expert with experience working in complex emergencies and post-conflict contexts, including regions of Middle East, Central Asia, West and East Africa, Eastern Europe, and Central America. Angela is the Founder and President of the non-profit organization SMILE for Budgie, which she started in honor of her late husband, Paul “Budgie” Burgess. In this episode, Angela discusses the phased work of humanitarian aid workers in crisis situations and of development workers in addressing the needs of communities moving forward… from an early age, her life’s calling to be of service to others… working in a male-dominated field, learning not to take things too personally, and asking, “Where is the higher goal here? What are we all trying to work for?”… overcoming fear and dealing with trauma at your own pace… the work of SMILE for Budgie and the man who inspired it, believing that there is no reason why any child needs to live in violence… providing educational and psychosocial assistance for young people in the system of care, and ensuring that their voices are heard… collaborating with all Agencies working in child welfare to identify community-based solutions… the importance of encouraging young people to believe that what they say matters and to embrace their own authentic voice. (USA)

Maureen Twahirwa is a Rwandan citizen and a mother who is passionate about advocating for women, girls and young people. She has worked in the private sector, as well as in national and international organizations to make that difference. In this episode, Maureen discusses her recent move from Rwanda to South Sudan, wanting to do more for communities while also pursuing career growth… working to end to gender-based violence and to advance everyone’s rights, with a focus on the rights of women, girls, and young people… the great strength and potential of young people in creating positive change… the gap in gender quality… combining her career with her responsibilities as a mother… involving her family and children in her decision to work in South Sudan, and the role of technology in staying connected with her family… the importance of seeking help from the support system around us… and encouraging every woman and every girl to use their voice to encourage or advocate for others… using her own voice to make a difference in terms of policy changes, programming and services for those whose voices are not heard yet they contribute to peace and sustainable development. (Rwanda)

Helen Tai has already held many roles in her life. She has had successful careers as an entrepreneur and innovator in Corporate America and, at the same time, has been highly engaged in public service. Helen has held local and State elected offices and continues to be committed to advocacy and addressing injustices in her community and beyond. In in this episode, Helen discusses childhood experiences that shaped her later engagement in politics, including being an environmentalist at a young age and facing racism as one of very few Asian Americans in her school… the progression of her political engagement from voting in all elections and writing to express her opinions to elected officials, on to various forms of political activism, and then successfully running for local and State elected offices… her focus on engaging the public to speak up and to show up for positive change… her experience as the only female on a community board… working for restrictions on gun access in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including universal background checks… voting as a sacred right and privilege, and the importance of educating ourselves about issues and candidates… ways we can use our individual talents in supporting the political process… doing our part to change the world. (USA)

Franka Cadée, PhD is a midwife, an anthropologist, a mother, a gardener and avid rower. Franka’s passion in life has been sexual and reproductive justice and she is currently Director of Global Initiatives at Maternity Foundation in Copenhagen. In this episode, Franka discusses the origins of her passion for sexual and reproductive justice… the politics of aid… studying anthropology and, within that, medical anthropology… her decision to leave academia and to become a midwife… midwifery as a fantastic profession that is deeply important to women, their families, and their community… her definition of “a good birth”… how people can become powerful and strong when they can access the rights they deserve…midwives as a marginalized group globally whose knowledge has not been valued and has been medicalized in many ways… her former role as President of the International Confederation of Midwives… the important leadership quality of asking for help… overcoming a fear of public speaking… the global, skills-building work of Maternity Foundation that supports midwives and skilled birth attendants in facilitating safer births… our responsibility to support each other and to use our voice, because our voice matters. (Denmark and The Netherlands)

Hawa Bah is originally from Guinea, in West Africa. Hawa moved to the UK in 2007. As a survivor of FGM and child marriage, She created an organization called HawaDal-Peaceful Mind to end FGM. Hawa also works for Touchstone in partnership with the National Health Service to advocate for girls who are FGM survivors and for Solace, an organization that works with refugees and asylum seekers. In 2022, Hawa received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. Hawa is also the owner of Mahin Ka Men, a catering business. In this episode, Hawa discusses her advocacy to end FGM in the U.K. and globally… the pain and trauma she experienced as a survivor of FGM at 8 or 9 years old, and her forced child marriage at 13 years old in Guinea the country where she was born… her strength in surviving… faith, forgiveness, and moving on… the significance of being recognized with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service… the importance of being respected, values, and recognized… appreciating being able to stay in the U.K., where she can make her own decisions and use her voice to help end FGM… the need for education, investment, and the involvement of community members in the flight to end FGM. (United Kingdom and Guinea, West Africa)

Fernanda Vázquez is a decolonial feminist and activist in women’s rights and sexual and reproductive rights. In this episode, Fernanda discusses studying International Relations at university… attending the Women’s March in México City with her mother… learning about feminism during the pandemic, becoming a decolonial feminist, and being inspired by Angela Davis… having a very good childhood, with her parents allowing her to make many decisions for herself… observing her parents share the responsibilities of the household… being aware of the high rates of violence against women in her country and, at an early age, pretesting street harassment when she observed her mother experiencing it… the importance of young people’s participation in political discussions and decisions, and the privilege of having the opportunity to speak in events related to the United Nations general Assembly in September, 2023… positive change that is coming from grassroots organizations and from the leadership of young people… believing that we can work together to have a better world… advocacy for women’s rights, including the right to decide what they want to do with their bodies, the right to education, and the right to avoid early marriage and to choose whether or not that want to be married at all… the importance of mentorship and of intergenerational dialogs… the role of support networks for young people where they can speak and develop themselves. (México)

Yodit Kifle Smith is a daughter, sister, wife, friend to many, and now also the mother of a precious daughter, a role she treasures deeply. Among her many other roles, Yodit is the co-host of the Power of Stories Podcast In this episode, Yodit discusses her new role as a mom… learning to see the world through her daughter’s eyes… facing fears in parenthood, and overcoming those fears… trusting God and the strength that He gives… distinguishing between rational fears and irrational ones… how her own experiences inspired her to create a series of online workshops to help pregnant moms be more prepared for their first year of motherhood, honestly and openly sharing real-life experiences rather than romanticized descriptions of what to expect… the “aloneness” often felt by new moms… matrescence, the transition into motherhood… the importance of asking for help, and knowing that you are not alone… and how we can all take the time to encourage the people who are right next to us. (USA)

Ana Laura Araya is the Co-Founder of Soy Niña. She has worked in nonprofit organizations and private foundations since she finished college. Ana Laura studied Journalism and Photography but during the past years she has worked in fundraising, event planning and communications in nonprofit organizations. Currently, she is finishing a certificate degree in Nonprofit Management from Harvard Extension School. Ana Laura is very passionate about the rights of girls. In this episode, Ana Laura discusses the inspiration to start a non-profit organization focused on young girls, Soy Niña, and the organization’s work to empower girls in vulnerable communities, beginning at age six, and working with girls through ninth grade… her move from Costa Rica to the U.S. at age twelve, how that move affected her life and then, ten years ago, following her intuition and moving back to Costa Rica… the importance of discovering the essence of what makes us unique and of not comparing ourselves to others and … the importance of listening to your heart… reminding us all to believe that girls’ opinions matter, to listen to girls, and to realize that, most often, they know what is best for themselves. (Costa Rica)

Theodora Biney-Amissah is a first-generation Ghanaian-American, a community and women's public health and impact professional, a birthworker-entrepreneur and family caregiver. Theodora is deeply committed to helping pregnant, birthing, and postpartum women and people and their families navigate reproductive and maternal health care, particularly postpartum healing and recovery with doula support, community care and education. In this episode, Theodora discusses growing up in a large family of many cousins, and learning lessons in childhood about caring for people in community… being called a doula years before she actually became one… after college, her experiences working in public health and working with midwives… volunteering in women’s shelters… practicing self-care by taking time to pause… setting boundaries for herself in her different roles… her experiences of being a family caregiver at various times in her life… gaps in community and national maternal healthcare… learning many things from her grandmother, who was an entrepreneur, as is her mother… encouraging community members to discuss health concerns and issues… her role in getting people to think about what they want for themselves regarding their maternal health journeys, and what they don’t want… the importance for us to believe that we are all unique and have gifts to share in the world. Saa Yare Boah Doula Care LLC (USA)

Yasmina Benslimane is a feminist activist, consultant, and women empowerment coach. Yasmina is the founder of Politics4Her, a non-profit organization that advocates for greater political participation of young women and girls. In this episode, Yasmina discusses bring born in Morocco, living in Dubai, and her early exposure to different countries and cultures… after living in several countries, seeing herself as a global citizen… facing racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia… tokenism and other experiences of young leaders and advocates who are working for positive change… the importance of being outspoken and of speaking truth to power… the role of her mother, and her own role, in helping her believe in herself… the power of social media platforms for young people… launching Politics4Her in 2017, first as a blog and then expanding into digital advocacy, capacity-building, and a movement for more inclusive involvement of young women and girls in politics… approaches for dealing with online hate… the importance of being kind to ourselves and of celebrating what we have accomplished. (Morocco and Puerto Rico)

Ruchi is a Medical Doctor and a Public Health professional in India. She also writes blogs and articles as chronicles of her journey of evolution as an individual. In this episode, Dr. Ruchi discusses her parents’ expectations that she would become a Medical Doctor… moving to a new city for medical school, and her openness to new experiences while there… her exploration and path to a career and Public Health… making unconventional choices… the importance of internal exploration and introspection for us all, and awareness of our full being… seeking and listening to advice and guidance from others… how gender norms affected her professional life… learning from mistakes and moving on… and the importance of being self-aware, and of breaking through the boundaries of other peoples’ perceptions and our own. (India)

Linda Joy is the Storytelling Guide and Bestselling Publisher at Inspired Living Publishing (ILP) AND Publisher of the beloved Aspire Magazine-the premiere inspirational magazine for women. Since 2010, through ILP’s Authentic Storytelling™ model and sacred anthology division, over 260 women have overcome their writing blocks and embraced their inner storyteller to become bestselling authors while healing part of themselves in the process. In this episode, Linda discusses deserving a life that aligns with the truth of who we are… living an authentic life… shedding the SHOULDs and HAVE TOs in order to live an intentional life… tapping into and building a relationship with our inner wisdom… the important role of journaling and of having conversations with our Sacred Self and with our fear… the pivotal moment that inspired her to transform her life “from the inside out”… the power of our thoughts and beliefs in determining our future… staying focused on being the highest and best version of herself… how other people’s stories can help us during our periods of transformation… the importance of sharing our stories and of remembering the truth of who we are. Linda is offering you a free magazine and bonus gifts at www.SubscribetoAspire.com

Eva Nangalo is a midwife working in Nakaseke General Hospital in Uganda. In April, 2023 Eva was featured in Bill Gates's Heroes in the Field. In this episode, Eva her belief that she was born to be a midwife and as a little girl growing up in rural Uganda, telling her mother that she wanted to be a midwife… having a challenging relationship with her father in her early years, his taking her away from her mother, and his insistence that she become a teacher even though that was not her dream… being forced into a marriage that she did not want and then having her first child… fulfilling her dream of becoming a registered midwife… faith and the grace of God… forgiveness healing her heart… being recognized and acknowledged internationally for her passion for midwifery and her commitment to saving the lives of mothers and babies… her excitement at being featured in Bill Gates's Heroes in the Field… the importance for us all to be bold, be strong, work hard and be proud. (Uganda)