Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy

Asha Dahya, award-winning filmmaker and storyteller, sits down with Dr. Nancy to discuss the power of storytelling to change culture and how she has used that power in recent projects. Inspired to tell stories by her immigrant family’s colorful heritage, and not hearing those stories in the media or seeing anyone who looked like her while growing up in Australia, Asha embarked on a career in entertainment, first working in pop culture at MTV, Disney, and Nickelodeon. She realized how valuable it was to use her voice and platform for something she felt passionate about and began producing independent films.The way the mainstream media talked about Hillary Clinton in relation to Donald Trump in the 2016 election sparked a fire in Dahya to tell women’s stories, especially underrepresented women, using art and entertainment to tell their truth. Among her most recent projects is “Green Tide Rising,” an 8-episode, bilingual video and audio series with social media segments showcasing Latin America’s Green Wave abortion rights movement and the strategies they’ve used in authoritarian countries to circumnavigate barriers to reproductive freedom. All episodes were released in 2024, leading up to the election, but remain available as an example of what the Global South is doing that could set an example for the U.S., where, in some states, women are afraid to get pregnant because laws restrict their health care.As Dahya explains, the Green Wave is made up of peer-to-peer organizers that share knowledge by word of mouth. They don’t start with the law; they use different strategies to spread knowledge and create a cultural reckoning that reproductive rights are foundational. Community by community, school by school, church by church, people become aware of what is happening, and by the time a bill is introduced, Congress knows what is in the hearts and minds of the people. Argentina and Colombia provide success stories for what happens when lawmakers realize people care whether or not their policies protect women from dying from preventable causes.Dahya’s newest short film, to be released in the fall of 2026, is called “A Tiny Revolution,” and features the story of Meg Crane, a 25-year-old graphic designer, who worked for a pharmaceutical company in 1967. Pregnancy tests had been invented, but had to be administered by a doctor, which caused unnecessary delays. Meg thought it would work better if women could do it themselves and technically invented the first home pregnancy kit. Dahya said Meg never received a dime for the invention and fought the medical establishment’s resistance to trusting women to perform the test. She notes that women couldn’t go to a doctor without their husbands, and unmarried women often faked marital status by wearing a ring. Crane wanted her story told because of current-day parallels in states like Texas, where a positive pregnancy test can be weaponized against you.Dahya hopes that by pushing against the boundaries that hold women back, she can share stories that show women as leaders and change the culture of today’s young women. She wants them to see themselves as leaders in today’s world, not just leaders of the future. We all need to tell our stories, share our truths, and connect to change the culture to support one another. Check out her website to see more of her project and learn more stories.About:Asha Dahya is a social impact filmmaker and storyteller. She is the director and producer of an award-winning short documentary about later abortion called Someone You Know, which premiered at the 2024 Athena Film Festival. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for My Name Is Siri, an autism awareness documentary that premiered on PBS. In 2025, Asha Executive Produced and co-hosted an award-winning audio and video series about Latin America’s Green Wave abortion rights movement called Green Tide Rising. Her latest short documentary is A Tiny Revolution, the story of how Meg Crane invented the first home pregnancy test. Get full access to Dr. Nancy O’Reilly and the Women Connect4Good Foundation at drnancyoreilly.substack.com/subscribe

Kim Villanueva, President of the National Organization for Women (NOW), sits down with Dr. Nancy for an in-depth perspective on the power of sisterhood, feminism, the founding of NOW, and how it serves today’s women. Dr. Nancy stresses the relationship of organizations like Women Connect4Good and NOW during the current attacks on women, and Villanueva agreed, saying, “Sisterhood is powerful. We need to keep reinforcing that.”NOW was formed 60 years ago when women met in Washington, D.C., to push for implementation and enforcement of new EEOC laws meant to protect women in the workforce. Back in their hotel room, with little action in Congress, Betty Friedan wrote NOW on a napkin, and the first members put down their five dollars and joined.Villanueva explained that the organization is based on the NAACP as a civil rights organization and continues today with multiple issues: working to recognize the Equal Rights Amendment, stop violence against women, abortion rights, economic rights, racial justice. In 1966, women sought the economic right to own their own credit card without their husband’s signature and checking accounts in their own name. Today, women want to be able to buy a house and raise a family. She sees all of the issues as being connected and feels there’s a place in NOW for anyone who wants to change the way things are done. Even for people who claim not to be a feminist, Villanueva says there are common issues they care about, like equal pay, retaining the right to vote, and access to childcare—and the organization has a place for all.Currently, Villanueva said NOW is awarding grants for get-out-the-vote actions to encourage and build young women voters. She notes the irony of celebrating the 19th Amendment when the federal government is trying to restrict women’s voting through the SAVE Act and household voting, with men, as head of household, getting to vote. Villanueva stressed NOW’s educational component to show the importance of voting if you don’t like something the government is doing. Young women—all women—need to know.NOW has chapters throughout the U.S., and, Villanueva said, they have connections to resources to help women with personal issues and many ways to get involved. Check out https://now.org/ for more.About:Kim Villanueva joined the National Organization for Women in 1987 to be part of something larger than herself. For nearly four decades, she has fought on the front lines of women’s rights, serving as state president of the Illinois chapter of NOW, chairing NOW’s National Elections Committee, and co-founding NOW’s Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus. She has helped pass historic legislation in Illinois, including ERA ratification, reproductive health protections, and marriage equality.In July 2025, she was elected president of NOW by one of the largest margins of victory in the organization’s history. Along with Vice President Rose Brunache, Kim is half of NOW’s first all-woman-of-color leadership team. She is also NOW’s first Asian American president and its first out lesbian CEO. Get full access to Dr. Nancy O’Reilly and the Women Connect4Good Foundation at drnancyoreilly.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Nancy sits down with William He, founder of Dream for America, to learn how he feels about democracy and why he launched the nonprofit/social-profit organization at 16 years old. He recalls feeling compelled to contribute to democracy and do his part to help his generation find purpose in politics rather than cynicism. He wanted to give young people a place to contribute and fight back against the Christian Nationalists and fascism with the great values, ideas, and policies that have made America great. That’s what Dream for America does, with chapters springing up in all 50 states and more than one billion views on social media.Dream for America’s mission is “to identify, educate and inspire the next generation of young American leaders…to become the vanguards and defenders of our democracy for decades and generations to come.” To encourage that leadership within the organization, He said they’ve created a culture where leadership is earned through initiative, merit, and skill. Most of their teams are led by women at the moment, and He said that organizations that treat women’s leadership as a separate issue are leaving talent on the table.“I think the future of elite American leadership will be shaped by women in every field, and organizations have responsibility to create the pathways for that leadership to emerge,” he said, arguing against rigid roles for men and women. For He, healthy masculinity is about responsibility and service and using your strength to protect rather than dominate. The point of democracy is to give people the freedom to contribute and live the life they want, not create barriers to opportunity.The goal for Dream for America now is to grow in scale and impact. They’ve built the engine, and intend to grow it into a durable institution, a long-term pipeline for civic leadership that serves future generations of young people. Check out their website and learn more about how to get involved. Get full access to Dr. Nancy O’Reilly and the Women Connect4Good Foundation at drnancyoreilly.substack.com/subscribe

Maggie O’Neill, award-winning artist and founder of Vote for Your Daughter and Our Daughters’ Futures Fund, joins Dr. Nancy in a discussion about the FEMME Art Fair August 26-30, with a sneak peek available for attendees of Take The Lead’s Power Up Concert and Conference, August 25 and 26, Women’s Equality Day, the 106th anniversary of the certification of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women the right to vote. O’Neill says that opening FEMME on Women’s Equality Day is appropriate since women are so under-represented in the art world. Only seven percent of artists shown in major collections are women, but as long as men are in leadership, they will control the market, pricing, and representation.FEMME Art Fair is a market correction, offering women an opportunity, not just to show and sell their work, but to gather in community and learn from other artists. For four days, attendees will be exposed to women in creative entrepreneurial pursuits. In addition to traditional visual artists, women in film, and women in food, fashion, and many other creative industries will be showcased throughout the programming.Launching in Washington, D.C., announces it as a national platform and creates business networking and social impact channels to make it both a community and business movement. O’Neill reminds us that artists are small-business owners who mostly work alone or in other industries as creative personnel. She hopes this event and all of the FEMME Art Fairs to come will change the course to put more money in the pockets of female business entrepreneurs by helping them reach out to potential mentors also working in the business of art.Tying in with the PowerUp Conference is also worth noting, and Dr. Nancy recalls women attending past conferences discussing the annual event as the first time they felt they were no longer alone. This opportunity to join together and share stories and wisdom of their experiences is remarkable on many fronts. Learn more about the FEMME Art Fair and Power Up Conference, two events making an impact for change.About:Maggie O’Neill is an award-winning artist, entrepreneur, and creative visionary whose work has transformed spaces, inspired communities, and demonstrated the power of art to spark meaningful change. With more than two decades of experience, she has shaped Washington, D.C.’s cultural landscape through immersive design, public art, and creative placemaking. As co-founder of Swatch Room, she has helped bring more than 80 restaurants, hotels, and commercial spaces to life through innovative design.O’Neill’s signature pop impressionist artwork is collected across the United States and internationally, and her public murals and immersive installations encourage connection, conversation, and community engagement. A passionate advocate for women and civic participation, she uses art as a catalyst for civic engagement, empowering communities to take action on issues that affect women and girls through initiatives including Vote for Your Daughter, Our Daughters’ Futures Fund, the Forever Fearless exhibition, and the upcoming FEMME Art Fair. Get full access to Dr. Nancy O’Reilly and the Women Connect4Good Foundation at drnancyoreilly.substack.com/subscribe

Julia Stewart, founder and CEO of Alurx, joins Dr. Nancy for a discussion about her career path, forging a place for herself as a business leader in the hospitality industry, eventually becoming CEO at IHOP, then buying Applebee’s and creating Dine Brands Global. Her story traces what happens when barriers to advancement appear, and the choice is to endure or leave to keep growing. Stewart chose to leave companies that didn’t support her advancement and advises others to find a culture that supports them, values them, and cares about their growth. The culture will help you make a difference or block your way with the glass ceiling.Founding Alurx is Stewart’s second career. Raised to take care of herself, she watched so many women in the food service business put themselves last, often in the midst of burnout and overwhelm. She had a vision of what would make self-care easy and available, and that led to the development of the Alura AI app, the first voice-activated wellness coach designed to shift health and wellness from reactive to proactive, preventive solutions.As a female entrepreneur, Stewart faces many of the same barriers as she did while pursuing advancement in corporations. Pointing out that since less than 2% of venture capital goes to women startups, she is again on the leading edge of a pioneering trend, pursuing another CEO path as a woman. Determined not to take no for an answer, Stewart is pursuing a long-held desire to make a difference and build something that will change people’s lives—a personalized wellness coach to adapt to your daily needs. Sign up for the launch this summer, Alura.About:Julia Stewart is an entrepreneur and former public-company CEO with extensive experience in creating and building global businesses and brands across hospitality and wellness. She is recognized for increasing sales, profits, and shareholder value through accelerated innovation, high-performance cultures, bold leadership, and results-driven strategies. She is currently the Founder and CEO of Alurx, leading the development of Alura AI, an AI-powered wellness platform designed to deliver science-backed activities that support sustained habit changes and improve health outcomes for individuals and enterprises alike.Her leadership drove the rejuvenation and growth at companies such as Taco Bell, Applebee’s, and IHOP. Through her strategic vision, IHOP acquired Applebee’s, resulting in the creation of Dine Brands, the world’s largest sit-down restaurant chainShe has also served on numerous public, private, and nonprofit boards, is a sought-after consultant and speaker, and regularly shares insights with executive audiences on how purpose, culture, resilience, and disciplined decision-making drive long-term value creation.She has received numerous awards recognizing her leadership, innovation, and impact across industries, including being named by Fortune magazine as one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in the U.S. Get full access to Dr. Nancy O’Reilly and the Women Connect4Good Foundation at drnancyoreilly.substack.com/subscribe