She Speaks | A Let Her Speak Podcast

As Women's History Month comes to an end this weekend, today we're sharing our final episode of Season 2 of the She Speaks Podcast, and we’re closing it out with some real talk about how important supporting other women in your community is as a leader. In this final episode, we share a conversation between Let Her Lead established leader graduate, Kirby Deal, and her mentor, Erika Biddix. Both of these women are dynamic role models for other women leaders and have put so much into empowering others in their communities. Some of the topics they cover include remembering that you are more than just your title, taking ownership of your human-ness outside of work and family, and what it means to leave behind a legacy — especially embracing the fact that they are leaving legacies that don't need to be compared to others. At the end of this episode, Kirby shares her own personal legacy statement about how leaving a legacy is like “planting seeds in a garden you will never get to see.” She connects her favorite flowers to qualities that she wants to inspire in others in such a beautiful way. Be sure to listen all the way to the end of the episode. This quote from her legacy statement was one of our favorites! About Season 2 of the She Speaks Podcast: Throughout Season 2 we will be featuring the graduates and mentors/coaches in our first cohort of the Let Her Lead program. Each woman you will hear from throughout this season embarked on a 12-week journey in late 2023 to gain new skills and insights to become the leader SHE wants to be. __________ Connect with Kirby: Connect with Kirby on LinkedIn Connect with Erika: Connect with Erika on LinkedIn More About Erika How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor partners: Schaad Companies & Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of Vagabondary Our photographers: Javon Renee Portraits, Smoke Signal Photography, Ashley Gurley Photography, and Kara Hudgens Photography Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong somewhere, and that you were out of your element? In today’s new episode of the She Speaks Podcast, we hear from Let Her Lead aspiring leader program graduate, Rachel Baker, and her mentor, Leslie Batchelor. When Rachel initially heard back that she had been chosen for the Let Her Lead program, she thought we had mistakenly chosen her — and our team can vouch that it was NOT a mistake! During their conversation, Rachel and Leslie discuss a lot of hard things on Rachel’s leadership journey, including understanding that we all have internal, inherent worth that external validation cannot touch, learning to believe in yourself, balancing a career and motherhood, and so much more. Rachel’s fire and passion for her community really comes through during this conversation, as well as her hope for what she wants to accomplish as a leader. At the end of the episode, Rachel shares her legacy statement, which honors the spirit of her mother and the way she was able to inspire Rachel’s leadership journey by encouraging her to always sparkle and shine, wherever life took her — and that experiencing loss also allows us to experience gratitude. About Season 2 of the She Speaks Podcast: Throughout Season 2 we will be featuring the graduates and mentors/coaches in our first cohort of the Let Her Lead program. Each woman you will hear from throughout this season embarked on a 12-week journey in late 2023 to gain new skills and insights to become the leader SHE wants to be. __________ Connect with Rachel: Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn Connect with Leslie: Connect with Leslie on LinkedIn How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor partners: Schaad Companies & Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of Vagabondary Our photographers: Javon Renee Portraits, Smoke Signal Photography, Ashley Gurley Photography, and Kara Hudgens Photography Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

If you’re familiar with the saying “The best-laid plans are paved with good intentions” - then you know there is power in being able to handle changes and interruptions, even if you’re feeling uncertain about the future. In today’s drop on the She Speaks Podcast, we share a conversation with Let Her Lead established leader graduate, Emma Moran, and her coach, Alysia Bullock. They speak openly about how we react to change. Emma’s leadership journey has experienced many changes, and some of the topics that come up in this episode include what her journey has looked like, how she has evolved into the leader she’s always wanted to be, and how she shows up for others when she can’t physically be there with her community. At the end of the episode, Emma shares her legacy statement, which is a beautiful look into how chasing external validation from outside of her community wasn’t fulfilling her — and how focusing on individual relationships and the way she makes people around her feel gave her the fulfillment she needed. About Season 2 of the She Speaks Podcast: Throughout Season 2 we will be featuring the graduates and mentors/coaches in our first cohort of the Let Her Lead program. Each woman you will hear from throughout this season embarked on a 12-week journey in late 2023 to gain new skills and insights to become the leader SHE wants to be. __________ Connect with Emma: Connect with Emma on LinkedIn Connect with Alysia: Connect with Alysia on LinkedIn Learn More About Alysia How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor partners: Schaad Companies & Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of Vagabondary Our photographers: Javon Renee Portraits, Smoke Signal Photography, Ashley Gurley Photography, and Kara Hudgens Photography Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

“To take care of others, you must take care of yourself first.” If you’ve not heard this saying before, today’s episode drop of the She Speaks Podcast is a good reminder of how important self-care truly is. Because you’re not showing up fully for yourself, how can you show up for others? In this episode, we hear from Let Her Lead established leader graduate, Porschia Pickett, and her coach, Booth Andrews. Throughout their conversation, they touch on subjects surrounding self-care, including the guilt that can come with taking the time to care for your own needs, juggling being a leader and a mother (and the pressure that women feel when they are sharing those roles), and breaking cycles to create a healthier environment for yourself and others. At the end of this emotional interview, Porschia shares her legacy statement with the world - speaking to a life of service and how important it is to show up for yourself as much as you do for others. About Season 2 of the She Speaks Podcast: Throughout Season 2 we will be featuring the graduates and mentors/coaches in our first cohort of the Let Her Lead program. Each woman you will hear from throughout this season embarked on a 12-week journey in late 2023 to gain new skills and insights to become the leader SHE wants to be. __________ Connect with Porschia: Connect with Porschia on LinkedIn Connect with Booth: Connect with Booth on LinkedIn Follow Booth on Instagram Learn More About Booth How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor partners: Schaad Companies & Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of Vagabondary Our photographers: Javon Renee Portraits, Smoke Signal Photography, Ashley Gurley Photography, and Kara Hudgens Photography Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

Have you ever walked into a room and felt afraid to truly show up as yourself? Like you had to tone down your personality to fit in? When you listen to today’s new episode of the She Speaks Podcast, you’ll be reminded that you’re not the only one who feels they can't be their full-selves sometimes. In this episode, we hear from Let Her Lead aspiring leader graduate, Angelee Day, and her mentor, Bonnie Cassimassima. These women have a lot to say about what it’s like to feel like you’re too excited, too emotional, or too much of anything to fit into certain spaces, especially in the corporate world. Their conversation dives into how they worked through embracing their big personalities, the importance of nurturing a relationship with their passion and curiosity, connecting to and trusting your intuition, and the power that comes with giving yourself permission to be YOU. Be sure to listen to the very end of the episode, where Angelee shares her legacy statement about not making yourself smaller, for anyone or anything, and how important it is to dance to the beat of your own drum. *Sparkle, sparkle, jazz hands* About Season 2 of the She Speaks Podcast: Throughout Season 2 we will be featuring the graduates and mentors/coaches in our first cohort of the Let Her Lead program. Each woman you will hear from throughout this season embarked on a 12-week journey in late 2023 to gain new skills and insights to become the leader SHE wants to be. __________ Connect with Angelee: Connect with Angelee on LinkedIn Connect with Bonnie: Connect with Bonnie on LinkedIn Learn More About Bonnie How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor partners: Schaad Companies & Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of Vagabondary Our photographers: Javon Renee Portraits, Smoke Signal Photography, Ashley Gurley Photography, and Kara Hudgens Photography Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

When was the last time you took a moment to ground yourself when you found yourself in a challenging or triggering situation? In today’s episode, we hear from Let Her Lead established leader graduate, Rachel Dellinger Stallings, and her mentor, Jennifer Gamble. In their conversation, they speak about the ups and downs of leadership journeys, disconnecting our personal worth from our achievements, and the power of being in the present moment and observing what is happening in not only our minds — but also our bodies. This episode starts with a grounding practice that helped get Rachel focused and fully present for her episode recording — which started the conversation about how pausing and collecting ourselves mindfully can have a profound effect on our lives and how we show up for those around us. As you're listening to Rachel and Jennifer's conversation followed by Rachel's legacy talk, we encourage you to take the opportunity to emerge yourself in being fully present wherever you are in that moment. About Season 2 of the She Speaks Podcast: Throughout Season 2 we will be featuring the graduates and mentors/coaches in our first cohort of the Let Her Lead program. Each woman you will hear from throughout this season embarked on a 12-week journey in late 2023 to gain new skills and insights to become the leader SHE wants to be. __________ Connect with Rachel: Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn Connect with Jennifer: Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn Learn More About Jennifer How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor partners: Schaad Companies & Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of Vagabondary Our photographers: Javon Renee Portraits, Smoke Signal Photography, Ashley Gurley Photography, and Kara Hudgens Photography Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

We're doing things a little differently in this episode. Abby Hassler is a graduate of the aspiring leader cohort of the Let Her Lead program and a brilliant storyteller. One goal that Abby set for herself coming out of the program was to start her own podcast where she shares the stories of people in the community who are overlooked and forgotten. As a way to help her make that dream a reality, we invited Abby to use her podcast episode as an opportunity to share her story, her way. You will hear first her legacy statement about the impact she sees storytelling can have on the world followed by the story of one of her neighbors she interviewed. Tune in to this incredible episode with Abby. ... And remember, we are all legacies in progress. About Season 2 of the She Speaks Podcast: Throughout Season 2 we will be featuring the graduates and mentors/coaches in our first cohort of the Let Her Lead program. Each woman you will hear from throughout this season embarked on a 12-week journey in late 2023 to gain new skills and insights to become the leader SHE wants to be. __________ Connect with Abby: Follow Abby on Instagram Connect with Abby on LinkedIn How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor partners: Schaad Companies & Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of Vagabondary Our photographers: Javon Renee Portraits, Smoke Signal Photography, Ashley Gurley Photography, and Kara Hudgens Photography Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

In this episode, you'll be hearing from Jaleria Rivera and Victoria Frankel. Jaleria was a graduate of our aspiring leader cohort in the Let Her Speak program while Victoria was her mentor. These two women are the definition of leading with purpose and passion in the work that they do. Throughout their conversation, they discuss that calling to entrepreneurship. They're both entrepreneurs in their own right. Jaleria is in the arts and the leader of a movement that celebrates and emphasizes the importance that the arts and creatives play in the culture and identity of a community. Victoria's work is in the science and STEM space where she helps scientists, engineers, and founders take their complicated technologies and inventions and translate them into a language anyone can understand. If you have been struggling with leaping into your passion and purpose or taking a risk and pursuing entrepreneurship - you're going to want to listen to this episode! Tune into this amazing conversation between Jaleria and Victoria. About Season 2 of the She Speaks Podcast: Throughout Season 2 we will be featuring the graduates and mentors/coaches in our first cohort of the Let Her Lead program. Each woman you will hear from throughout this season embarked on a 12-week journey in late 2023 to gain new skills and insights to become the leader SHE wants to be. __________ Connect with Jaleria: Follow Jaleria on Instagram Connect with SpaceCraft on Instagram Learn More About SpaceCraft Connect with Victoria: Connect with Victoria on LinkedIn Learn More about Victoria How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor partners: Schaad Companies & Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of Vagabondary Our photographers: Javon Renee Portraits, Smoke Signal Photography, Ashley Gurley Photography, and Kara Hudgens Photography Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

In this episode, Rainey Rawles, a recent graduate of our Let Her Lead program and incredible woodworker, has a conversation with her mentor and equally talented photographer, Jasmine Newton. This episode is especially for those of you who are entrepreneurs or thinking about becoming an entrepreneur and what it really is like mentally and emotionally to be in that space. Both Rainey and Jasmine are full-time entrepreneurs themselves. They do some amazing work in the space of creativity, photography, and woodworking. They have both felt like imposters since the beginning of their entrepreneurial journeys. They discuss feeling ill-equipped and underskilled when it comes to being an entrepreneur and working in the spaces that they do. Part of that issue is that they feel that they don't have a voice or the "right" to assert themselves as experts because there's no institution necessarily vouching for them. It's them vouching for themselves. Tune into this amazing conversation between Rainey and Jasmine. About Season 2 of the She Speaks Podcast: Throughout Season 2 we will be featuring the graduates and mentors/coaches in our first cohort of the Let Her Lead program. Each woman you will hear from throughout this season embarked on a 12-week journey in late 2023 to gain new skills and insights to become the leader SHE wants to be. __________ Connect with Rainey: Follow Rainey on Instagram Connect with Rainey on LinkedIn Learn More About Rainey Connect with Jasmine: Follow Jasmine on Instagram Connect with Jasmine on LinkedIn Learn More About Jasmine How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor partners: Schaad Companies & Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of Vagabondary Our photographers: Javon Renee Portraits, Smoke Signal Photography, Ashley Gurley Photography, and Kara Hudgens Photography Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

In this episode, you will meet Jaime Conry and Berta Medina, who were matched in our Let Her Lead program as an established leader participant and coach (respectively). Jaime is a whiz at all things numbers, finance, and wealth management. And Berta is the coach that almost every single person could benefit from greatly. In their conversation, these two amazing women dive into the fact that Jaime has been working with her mother at a wealth management firm that her mom started decades ago. They dig into the dynamics that happen when you are working in a family business, the benefits of it, and the frustrations that come with it. Specifically, having to gain trust from the founder of the business, who happens to be a family member of yours, and ensuring they see you as a leader and not just a child that they've known since birth. There are a lot of nuances and complications that come with this dynamic they'll be diving into as well as talking about the importance of communication and different types of communication styles, especially across different generations. These conversations all converge on the importance that meditation has played in Jaime's life, which becomes very apparent when you hear her legacy statement at the end of this episode. Now, tune into this amazing conversation between Jaime and Berta. About Season 2 of the She Speaks Podcast: Throughout Season 2 we will be featuring the graduates and mentors/coaches in our first cohort of the Let Her Lead program. Each woman you will hear from throughout this season embarked on a 12-week journey in late 2023 to gain new skills and insights to become the leader SHE wants to be. __________ Connect with Jaime: Connect with Jaime on LinkedIn Learn More About Jaime Connect with Berta: Connect with Berta on LinkedIn Follow Berta on Instagram Follow Berta on Facebook Learn More About Berta How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor partners: Schaad Companies & Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of Vagabondary Our photographers: Javon Renee Portraits, Smoke Signal Photography, Ashley Gurley Photography, and Kara Hudgens Photography Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

Do you make yourself a priority? For many, putting yourself as a priority can sometimes be an afterthought, a "nice to do" if you have the time and energy after doing all the other things and tending to everyone else. That's one of the topics that Dr. Dasha Lundy and Amy Moden dive into in this latest episode. Amy is a graduate of the Let Her Lead program and Dasha was her coach this year. Not only do they dive into putting yourself as a priority, but they also discuss self-care, the need to have to pour into yourself, and the fact that taking care of yourself is not selfish whatsoever, especially when you need to show up as a leader and guide others. Amy also shares the journey she's been on of calling herself a leader and truly owning that title. If you are someone who has trouble putting yourself first, pouring back into yourself, caring for yourself, or looking at yourself in the mirror and recognizing the leader that you are - you're really going to love this conversation. Tune into this amazing conversation between Dasha and Amy. About Season 2 of the She Speaks Podcast: Throughout Season 2 we will be featuring the graduates and mentors/coaches in our first cohort of the Let Her Lead program. Each woman you will hear from throughout this season embarked on a 12-week journey in late 2023 to gain new skills and insights to become the leader SHE wants to be. __________ Connect with Amy: Connect with Amy on LinkedIn Learn More About YWCA of Knoxville & TN Valley Connect with Dasha: Connect with Dasha on LinkedIn Learn More About Dasha How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor partners: Schaad Companies & Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of Vagabondary Our photographers: Javon Renee Portraits, Smoke Signal Photography, Ashley Gurley Photography, and Kara Hudgens Photography Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

In this episode, you will be hearing from Coy Kindred and Lina Evans who were matched as an aspiring leader and a mentor in our Let Her Lead program. In their conversation, they cover a lot of ground around leadership, motherhood, and having a strong friendship circle. They talk about the wisdom that comes with time and the falsehood that we all think we should have it all figured out at any given time. They talk about boundaries and being a full-time, working mom and all that entails, as well as how important it is to have the right people around you all the time that you can rely on and count on as friends. Tune into this amazing conversation between Coy and Lina. About Season 2 of the She Speaks Podcast: Throughout Season 2 we will be featuring the graduates and mentors/coaches in our first cohort of the Let Her Lead program. Each woman you will hear from throughout this season embarked on a 12-week journey in late 2023 to gain new skills and insights to become the leader SHE wants to be. __________ Connect with Coy: Follow Coy on Instagram Connect with Coy on Facebook Learn More About Coy Connect with Lina: Connect with Lina on LinkedIn How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor partners: Schaad Companies & Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of Vagabondary Our photographers: Javon Renee Portraits, Smoke Signal Photography, Ashley Gurley Photography, and Kara Hudgens Photography Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

Welcome to Season 2 of the She Speaks Podcast! Throughout Season 2 we will be featuring the graduates and mentors/coaches in our first cohort of the Let Her Lead program. Each woman you will hear from throughout this season embarked on a 12-week journey in late 2023 to gain new skills and insights to become the leader SHE wants to be. The outcomes and stories of each of these women are truly incredible to hear. We can't wait for you to hear each interview. In our first episode of the season, our founder, Catherine Porth, and Let Her Lead co-facilitator, Gina Lisenby, have a conversation about the things they learned while facilitating this first-of-its-kind program, some of the topics coming up for the rest of Season 2, and the complexities of women showing up as leaders in their communities, whether they see themselves as leaders or not. __________ Connect with Gina: Follow Gina on Instagram Connect with Gina on LinkedIn Learn More About Gina How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor partners: Schaad Companies & Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of Vagabondary Our photographers: Javon Renee Portraits, Smoke Signal Photography, Ashley Gurley Photography, and Kara Hudgens Photography Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

If you’ve been connected to our community for a while, then you already know how we feel about “hustle” culture. One other thing that we're getting REAL tired of is the requirement for women to live in a world where we have to be constantly resilient. Why is it not enough to just be? The frustration with our society celebrating hustle and resiliency led to a very interesting conversation between our founder. Catherine Porth, and photographer, Ashley Gurley, in late 2022. That conversation is what sparked the inspiration for The Found Project. We started this project because we are believers in the power of rest — it’s in periods of rest, when we are doing something for pure enjoyment, that we can rediscover who we really are. The woman who was there all along - growing despite the societal pressures and NOISE from the outside world. It only seemed fitting that the last woman we feature in this project is Ashley herself. Not only did Ashley photograph the other 11 fabulous portraits we've been teasing all month — but she had the additional challenge of taking a self-portrait! Both growing up and today, Ashley likes to escape to and feels found in books. As a child, Ashley’s mother would often be searching for her — to finish her homework or to work on household chores — and Ashley would be hiding, usually in a tree, with a book. Her favorite book? Anne of Green Gables. “There is nothing like getting lost in a story. I find that books are such a mirror for us…I’m able to look at myself and see where I am in the stories and remind myself of my bravery, and courage, and MY strength, and all of the things I have accomplished in my life.” To get the complete Found Project experience, visit The Found Project Gallery to view each woman's portrait and listen to her interview. How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley Photography Our social media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal Media Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

Chances are if you grew up as the eldest sibling in a large household, the idea of rest is something that you aren’t too familiar with. Oftentimes when you’re the older sibling, your childhood includes caring for and watching over younger brothers and sisters. This was the reality for Jaleria Rivera who just recently discovered she felt found through dance. Jaleria always enjoyed dancing and movement growing up and into adulthood, but didn’t have time to explore her passion for it until the pandemic hit. It was early in lockdown that her long “watch list” of dance videos finally became a part of her restful routine. She shares: “Everyone you adore as an artist started in the same place as you — a complete beginner and admirer. So I just started doing the practice, and it started to cultivate into that rest. To me, rest is joy and flow. And I find that when I dance.” To get the complete Found Project experience, visit The Found Project Gallery to view each woman's portrait and listen to her interview. How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley Photography Our social media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal Media Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

If you've been listening to other women's interviews from The Found Project, you may have noticed a theme — many of the featured women have found rest when they are doing something outside. But what about doing “nothing” outside? When we say nothing, we mean going out into nature with no goal or expectations in mind… just being. That idea may be hard for some to imagine, but for Sarah Schortz spending time in nature and moving slowly is where she feels most found. Growing up, Sarah found herself escaping in nature - slowly exploring, wandering, or sitting near water. She was never taught how to rest, but she naturally found herself drawn to these quiet moments. Even now as an adult, Sarah makes sure to take the time everyday to find little moments where she can slowly wander around her wilderness property that she calls home. Today, Sarah integrates Forrest Bathing — an ancient form of physiological exercise — in her professional life. Sarah says “In nature I always felt very held and safe and loved, and it was a place where all of my curiosities felt welcomed, cultivated, fostered and safe. And that’s still what I love about it. Being in nature, it’s a place I can just be, with my guard down.” To get the complete Found Project experience, visit The Found Project Gallery to view each woman's portrait and listen to her interview. How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley Photography Our social media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal Media Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

Rest can be a hard thing to prioritize when we are tuned in to the preachings of hustle culture — because if you’re not working, what are you doing? This mentality is common among women, especially those who are juggling running a business, raising a family, and/or managing a household. But Jordan Morgan discovered that she felt found through yoga after only seeing it as another form of work for many years. Always on the go growing up, Jordan’s mindset was that rest felt like the opposite of productivity. Her first introduction to yoga was as a form of exercise — hot yoga and power yoga in particular. She eventually came back to her yoga practice after she got married and started a family, as a way to take time for herself away from the demands of being a mother and caregiver. But now, it was no longer about pushing her body. It was about taking the time to slow things down. She says “I took a different path when I rediscovered yoga. I’m not in a hurry anymore. I need space to slow down, space to sit, space to breathe. Yoga calms your mind, and it softens your heart.” To get the complete Found Project experience, visit The Found Project Gallery to view each woman's portrait and listen to her interview. How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley Photography Our social media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal Media Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

Discovering new activities as adults can feel extra magical — but sometimes it takes seeing the world through the eyes of your own child to remember how exciting it is to explore new passions. This was how Raquel Leal discovered that she feels found through all things creative. It wasn’t until Raquel moved to the United States and started her own family that she felt she had the time to step away from her demanding life as a lawyer to really take some time for herself. After taking a year off of work, she began to find joy and rest in doing activities with her 9-year-old daughter — spending time at the library, crafting, painting… Raquel shares that “I have been using planners and calendars for years, so I make sure to make those dates with me in there. Me time. I really enjoy the silence and peacefulness of spending time with me.” In her interview, she shares that she leaves plans of her dates with herself in her planner, on her phone calendar, and post-it notes on her mirror when she has her “mirror talks” with herself as a reminder. To get the complete Found Project experience, visit The Found Project Gallery to view each woman's portrait and listen to her interview. How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley Photography Our social media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal Media Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

When you think about what you like to do when you’re resting, does it involve another person…or an animal? Growing up on a farm with a big noisy family (lots of brothers), Rachel Woods had to share everything except for one thing — her horses. She learned to escape to her restful place when she was just a child, finding solace in the quiet of the barn. To this day, Rachel still feels the most found with her horse, Belle. In her interview, Rachel shares that spending time around Belle forces her to slow down — and when she doesn’t she can feel the effects physically and mentally. Rachel says “Rest doesn’t always have to look like doing something. It doesn’t have to be pretty or perfect or have an Instagram-worthy aesthetic. It can be simple, and dirty, and something that you’re comfortable with.” To get the complete Found Project experience, visit The Found Project Gallery to view each woman's portrait and listen to her interview. How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley Photography Our social media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal Media Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

We are all aware of the healing power of nature. Being outdoors is a great way to step away from the constant stream of news, screen time, and to-do lists that only perpetuate the feeling of being disconnected from our true selves — after all, we are inherently a part of nature. Growing up in Florida, Michelle Guanaga spent time outdoors paddling, sitting around the fire, and riding her bike. Even now, as an adult, she feels most found in the outdoors. In her interview, Michelle shares that she keeps Mondays and Tuesdays scheduled for restful time outdoors, even though that means her business, Outdoor Gear Revival, is closed, explaining: “As a small business owner, I knew it was important not to get burnt out. I give myself that time to enjoy my restful activity, and I feel really good when I go to work on Wednesday. If we don’t rest, life will just pass us by.” From sitting around a campfire with family and friends, to using her outdoor kitchen, Michelle savors these moments to connect with friends and family in nature. To get the complete Found Project experience, visit The Found Project Gallery to view each woman's portrait and listen to her interview. How to Connect with Let Her Speak: Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Stay updated with our Newsletter Thank You to: Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio Our photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley Photography Our social media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal Media Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org