Women, Life and Science

At the core of MicroSkills lies a simple yet profound principle - any significant objective, complex task, positive habit, or personal trait can be broken down into small, easily-learnable skills that can be honed and implemented in real-life situations. These skills, aptly named MicroSkills, can be applied to a variety of scenarios, from efficiently managing your to-do list and cultivating a positive professional reputation to becoming an expert in your field and improving your communication skills. MicroSkills is the brainchild of two successful women who have written a guidebook filled with valuable insights and actionable tips for individuals seeking to advance their careers without sacrificing their well-being.

The story: A young woman with aspirations of singing finds herself journeying to Manhattan without the backing of a family, where she quickly befriends a street dancer encountered during her musical performances in public spaces. Faced with the dire necessity of making enough money for her living expenses, she becomes the subject for a painter’s transition into a new phase of artistry—shifting from scenic landscapes to the intimate portrayal of nudes. This tangle of personal and professional connections among them drives a collective contemplation on what art signifies and what true success looks like for an artist. The book Naked City offers a deep dive into the thoughts and experiences of Eric Drooker, a distinguished artist and true New Yorker. His lauded graphic novels, particularly starting with Flood!, have redefined what the graphic novel genre can encompass. This thoughtful examination of the nature of art and the complexities of life reveals crucial truths: that inspiration can manifest in the most unexpected moments and that the life of an artist is a constant hustle, endlessly striving for creation and recognition.

Join me and my co-host Wendy as we begin our journey to interpreting the book The Courage to Be Disliked - the Japanese Phenomenon that shows you how to change your life and achieve real happiness - authors are Ichiro Kishimi and Jumitake Koga. This book will surprise you as the reader - it's not what you think it is about, but rather delves into a deeper conversation on perception; both internal and external.

David Tereshchuk, an experienced TV reporter, has traveled the world, facing war criminals and victims alike. With a long career, he mastered the art of uncovering secrets from oppressors and the oppressed. However, his own heritage remained a mystery, as his mother, Hilda, kept his father's identity hidden. It wasn't until his fifties, following many difficult discussions, that Hilda revealed through a fax that she was raped by a priest at 15 in the Scottish Borderlands. This led Tereshchuk on a challenging quest to discover the priest's identity, involving police, the Catholic Church, and DNA tests, which only uncovered distant cousins in Germany. Amidst ongoing investigations and dead ends, Tereshchuk questioned if the truth was linked to rumors of his mother's involvement with a German POW. His book, A Question of Paternity, delves into his search for his father and his own identity, alongside his journey overcoming poverty, illegitimacy, alcoholism, and professional insecurity despite interviewing global leaders and working for major networks.

Having personally used poetry as a means of healing, Meredith Heller has since been sharing her methods of self-expression with others. Through her book, Writing by Heart, she presents the techniques she developed to help her students navigate challenging experiences and explore their emotions, ultimately finding their voice. The book includes inspiring themes and example poems, as well as Body/Mindfulness exercises to aid readers in achieving a creative flow. The WRITE NOW! invitations encourage exploration of themes like belonging, metamorphosis, and more. Writing by Heart's innovative approach to personal growth facilitates emotional processing and offers clarity in the midst of life's challenges. The book teaches readers the tools of poetry, including metaphor and simile, point of view, and editing techniques. By starting and maintaining a regular writing practice, readers can connect with themselves and others with greater depth and honesty. Through Writing by Heart, past wounds and emotional hurdles can become opportunities for growth.

You find yourself at a pivotal moment, having amassed years of experience and expertise. Now, you're eager to pass on your knowledge to the next generation. Today’s show is dedicated to The Mentor Project and CEO, Deborah Heiser. Introducing The Mentor Project: We've identified a vast community of educators, scientists, engineers, technology specialists, and corporate professionals who have considered mentoring but were unsure how to begin. The Mentor Project bridges this gap by inviting the crème de la crème to create a lasting legacy for future generations. One of the most remarkable outcomes is that many mentees eventually become mentors themselves, perpetuating a continuous cycle of inspiration and education. We extend an invitation to schools seeking to connect with our mentors and programs, community organizations, and students from kindergarten to university level who have questions for our mentors. If you are interested, please reach out to us!

Fat, Stressed, and Sick: MSG, Processed Food, and America's Health Crisis, authored by Katherine Reid, PhD, and Barbara Price, PhD, delivers a riveting exploration into the detrimental effects of glutamate, commonly referred to as MSG, prevalent in processed foods. The book offers a wealth of scientific evidence linking MSG to various preventable inflammatory diseases. Released by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers on September 18, 2023, this comprehensive 298-page tome (ISBN-10: 1538180766, ISBN-13: 978-1538180761) can be acquired in several formats, including Kindle Edition ($44.00), Audible Audiobook ($19.48 or free with membership trial), Hardcover ($47.00), and Audio CD ($57.39). It is an essential read for anyone invested in their health and nutrition. About the Book: Biochemist Katherine Reid and veteran science writer Barbara Price uncover the concealed perils of MSG, elucidating its association with conditions like obesity, diabetes, autism, addiction, depression, and cancer. Their investigative work not only elucidates the process by which MSG is synthesized during food production but also offers actionable dietary strategies to mitigate its adverse impacts.

From Doubt to Do: Navigating Your Path to Possibility is an essential guide for anyone at a crossroads, grappling with uncertainty about what lies ahead, regardless of their life stage. Kat asserts that when life presents us with change, it’s an opportunity to create something extraordinary. By embracing this change, we unlock new horizons of possibility. In the first part of the book, Kat weaves together stories of personal and professional metamorphosis, inspirational quotes, and provocative questions designed to embolden you to transition from DOUBT to ACTION. This section not only offers hope, motivation, reassurance, and support, but also outlines a clear strategy, plan, and practical tools to aid you in your journey from impossible to possible. The second part, Your Transformational Journal, is filled with prompts aimed at deepening your self-reflection, encouraging you to ponder the insights you've gained, the questions that arise, and the further research that could assist you as you chart your course towards possibility.

When a state trooper arrived at Rachel Zimmerman's doorstep to inform her that her husband had leaped to his death from a nearby bridge, she collapsed to the ground, struggling to comprehend the shocking news. How could her husband—a devoted father and an MIT robotics professor with no history of mental illness—commit such an act? How would she explain this tragedy to their young daughters? And could she have done anything to prevent it? As a seasoned journalist, Rachel delved deeply into her investigation, convinced that finding answers would help her endure. She interviewed doctors and suicide experts. She even spoke with a man who had survived a jump from the same bridge. While she uncovered many insights, the ultimate question of why her husband took his own life remained unanswered. Thus began her journey of learning to find peace with uncertainty. Us, After is a book that explores domestic turmoil and recovery, the tension between our public and private selves, the evolving nature of life, the challenges of motherhood, and the secrets we harbor. It confronts the unimaginable and finds solace in what remains.

Famine, severe climate change, global conflict, and vast wealth inequalities threaten our survival. Philosopher Jon Mills explores the potential for apocalypse in his urgent book, examining the crises that could end civilization. He argues that humanity's passive attitude towards these threats could be due to a collective desire for self-destruction, analyzing psychological and societal factors that contribute to our perilous situation.

The inception of modern biotechnology—encompassing genetic engineering and cellular manipulation—traces back to 1973, when it was first demonstrated that genes from disparate organisms could be recombined and cultivated within Escherichia coli. Over half a century later, biotechnology has emerged as a defining force of the 21st century. As a fledgling scientist, Tim Harris dedicated himself to this burgeoning field. Now, as a seasoned researcher and accomplished biotech executive, he has penned a memoir detailing the industry's origins and its development into a ubiquitous presence in modern life. Dr. Tim Harris weaves together narratives of scientific breakthroughs and setbacks with his personal journey of ambition, challenges, and discoveries. From the groundbreaking days of gene cloning and monoclonal antibodies to the present forefront of cell therapy, gene editing, and personalized medicine, Harris offers an insider's perspective on biotechnology's extraordinary evolution and its significant influence on healthcare. He documents the achievements, trials, and victories that unfolded in laboratories and boardrooms across various companies eager to harness the technology, revealing the vibrant personalities behind these endeavors. The memoir is a captivating fusion of science, business, and ethics, exploring the intricate dynamics of rapid technological advancements and the ethical obligations of scientists in steering the future.

Many gifted young individuals embark on their educational journeys with the ambition to enact meaningful change in the world. However, they frequently encounter global institutions that are not only complex to comprehend but also challenging to access and navigate. In her insightful book, Let’s Change the World, Emiliana Vegas of Harvard Graduate School of Education presents an actionable and uplifting guide tailored for anyone—regardless of age—aspiring to effect positive change through their careers. From ensuring equitable access to quality education and clean water to enhancing healthcare systems and fostering safer communities, this guide is comprehensive in scope. The book is enriched with personal anecdotes from Dr. Vegas’s extensive professional experiences and is systematically divided into three segments. The first segment, “How You Get In,” delineates the various categories of international development organizations, the types of roles available within them, the essence of the work involved, and the requisite skills for gaining entry. The second segment, “How You Thrive,” delves into the intricacies of navigating these organizations. It covers how to utilize internal resources effectively, the dual role of being both a collaborative team player and an effective team leader, and strategies for career advancement within these entities. The final segment, “How to Make a Real Difference,” provides insights on identifying the right individuals to collaborate with, building and nurturing efficient teams, and balancing a rewarding professional life with personal and familial commitments. Aimed at both current and future changemakers, and penned by a seasoned expert with a fervent belief in the transformative power of education and over two decades of experience in international development, Let’s Change the World amalgamates insider knowledge, best practices, and precise advice. This book serves as a detailed blueprint for anyone committed to being a positive force in the world, offering a wealth of guidance and inspiration for those determined to make a significant impact.

Burnout is a real thing for physicians, we've heard that many times, but what have we learned? Physician suicides (especially in women physicians) are higher than ever. What do we need to do to arm our healers the tools they need to heal themselves:. Anthony Avellino, MD author of Finding Purpose A Neurosurgeon’s Journey of Hope and Healing tells us his story and journey to understanding key triggers and will show us some of the truths and tools that helped him - help him to not take his life. Join us on January 17th live on Voice America Empowerment Channel!

The prospect of our show drawing in additional listeners presents an exciting opportunity for us to expand our understanding of World War I and World War II particularly within the global intelligence community. Often, the stories we encounter in this realm are so astonishingly unbelievable that they read like works of fiction, but in reality, those involved in this line of work face considerable risk and danger. Thanks to the insights shared by Jason Bell, PhD, we will have the chance to delve deeper into the enigmatic world of a top-secret agent previously unknown to us.

In April, one of the panel discussion at the Women, Life, and Science Conference focused on navigating the early stages of your career. Discover diverse career trajectories and decision-making strategies as panelists share their personal journeys. Explore the myriad external and internal factors that shape career choices, including family dynamics, workplace environments, personal values, and fears. Gain an understanding of the profound influence mentorship and coaching have on career growth through compelling real-life anecdotes from our speakers. We tackle questions such as: Which career path should I follow? What internal and external factors influenced your career decisions? What advice can we offer to help the audience navigate the early stages of their careers in innovative ways? Reflecting on your journey, is there anything you would have done differently? What would have helped you better align with your true aspirations?

Disneyland is a universally beloved destination, offering a whimsical escape where even grown-ups can relive the wonder of childhood. However, few are aware that there was once a plan to build a Disneyland Ski Resort. On September 27th at 7 am PT/10 am ET, Greg Glasgow and Kathryn Mayer, authors of Disneyland on the Mountain, will join us to explore this controversial proposal and the protracted struggle that ultimately resulted to not happen.

The convergence of science and faith is a subject that evokes strong opinions and perceptions. But what exactly is this intersection and why is it so intriguing? Joining us today to shed light on this topic is Leslie Wickman, PhD, who is a renowned author, professor, aerospace and astro engineer, and also known as the Rocket Girl.

Join my co-host Wendy O'Shaughnessy as we dive into our final portion of Winning the War in Your Mind. Part 4 takes us from the beginning and leading us into the full practice of what it takes to Reframe our mindset and the principles behind the reframing. In the end, what we think we want isn't what we receive - or is it really different? It's a dynamic discussion!

The task of being a female founder is a weighty responsibility. As a woman in the business world, it can be challenging to consistently show up as your true self due to the multitude of factors affecting your life. Extensive research has shown that running a business as a woman is significantly more difficult compared to our male counterparts. During the Women, Life and Science April 2024 Conference's Female Founders Segment, our esteemed panel members delved into the persistent challenges faced by women founders today. From a female investor's perspective, they also discussed the essential qualities that investors seek in potential investment opportunities. The panel comprised of notable industry figures such as Lindsey Calcutt, PhD, Co-founder and CEO of Incora Health, Greenville, SC and Victoria Palatnik, CEO of Raw Ventures UK.

Join my co-host Wendy O'Shaughnessy as we dive into Part 3 of Winning the War in Your Mind. Part 3 takes us into what it takes to Reframe our mindset and the principles behind the reframing. What are the lenses and filters that each of us use and how that changes the perception of what we are experiencing. How to use Collateral Goodness to change how we view or perceive a situation or the story we tell ourselves. In the end, what we think we want isn't what we receive - or is it really different? It's a dynamic discussion!