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What leads people to evolve, unlearn, or drastically change the course of their life? What happens when you stop relying on societal constructs and start questioning what you’ve been taught to believe? Join Edvo CEO Shireen Jaffer and an eclectic mix of guests as they attempt to find the answers to these questions. Earnest, raw, and compelling, this is a look into how we make the most important choices of our lives.
19 Episodes
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In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Jen opens up about her path to finding a meaningful career for herself. From her high school teacher telling Jen she would never be a good writer, to her best friends calling Jen's business ideas "the dumbest they've ever heard," Jen talks about rejecting societal expectations every step of the way and betting on herself. We talk about the unconventional 80 year old mentor Jen found in her twenties, her struggle with a...
In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Tyrone shares how he lifted himself and his family out of poverty, became a track star, qualified for Olympic tryouts, only to see his life fall into pieces within one year. As he battled a deep depression, Tyrone found himself contemplating suicide. He opens up about the moment that almost ended his life and the flood of realizations that followed as soon as he decided to live for himself. We further discuss the impact of "...
In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Justin opens up about how he built a successful tech career in sales despite experiencing failure after failure in his earlier years. From struggling in school as a teenager to jumping from job to job in his early twenties, Justin recounts the moments that led him to bet on himself and others that threatened his sense of self-worth. We further discuss how he found the motivation that enabled him to find his own path. About ...
In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Carlita tells us why she ended an 18-year marriage and shares the journey that led to this life-changing decision. Carlita also talks about navigating the world of new challenges after her divorce, from overcoming financial insecurity to dealing with a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. About Carlita: Carlita L. Coley is a licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia with 10 years of experience providing mental health ser...
In this episode, LaToya opens up about the sexual and emotional abuse that started for her at the age of five. She tells us about the societal messaging that prevented her from recognizing the toxicity of her environment and worse, influenced LaToya’s understanding of her self-worth. We learn about how LaToya finds her voice and overcomes years of trauma, limiting beliefs, and millions of voices telling her she’s not good enough. We further discuss her work as a chaplain in the military and t...
In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Emily talks about her decision to leave her family, the Amish culture, and everything she knew at the age of 17. We discuss the many culture shocks and challenges that she had to overcome, from identity crises to abusive relationships. As Emily takes her happiness into her own hands, she commits to making positive changes and finding strength within herself. This road brings her to powerlifting, and Emily tells us how she we...
In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Chris talks about experiencing homelessness at the age of 19 and finding himself without a job, unable to pay for school, and without support from family or friends. This month, four years later, Chris became a home owner at the age of 24 and is making six-figures. Chris shares how he overcame depression and suicidal thoughts to find his path despite the odds being against him.
In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Alex shares how she built a successful sales career in New York City, only to leave the glamorous lifestyle and buy a one-way ticket to Brazil. She tells us about dealing with a pre-cancer diagnosis at the age of 24 and battling fear, insecurities, and awakenings all at the same time. We further discuss the importance of stepping outside of your environment and unapologetically being yourself. About Alex: Alexandria Smith...
In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Nabila shares her experiences as a solo-traveler and how she visited 30+ countries while being a full-time student. Coming from a traditional South Asian family, Nabila talks about being the girl that always followed the rules and stayed on the path that her parents wanted for her: going to pharmacy school, getting a job, marrying, and having a family. But when Nabila found herself miserable during school, she decided to mak...
In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Rebecca discusses her decision to reject the corporate route after business school and fly to Tanzania instead. She talks about losing her father at the age of 9 and her mother's cancer diagnosis, both of which influence her to question, “What would I do if I only had one year to live?” Rebecca tells us about her journey into the world of international development and discovering the darker side of “good” work. We further di...
In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Austin shares his struggle with school, how he learned to ignore bad advice, and how he discovered his passion. We discuss his five failed businesses and his fear of failure. We then learn about how Austin built his current successful business, grew his platform to 300K+ followers, and managed his time while working full-time at Microsoft. About Austin Belcak Austin is the founder of CultivatedCulture.com where he helps pe...
In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Melissa shares her story of living in poverty, getting pregnant at 16, and ultimately deciding to take control to create a more aligned life for herself. We discuss her evolution into a successful startup CEO and she tells us about how she overcomes systemic biases. We further discuss the way our society treats people who have unconventional pasts, and how we can do better collectively. About Melissa: Melissa Strawn...
In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Veline tells us her story about growing up with a father who served as an officer in the Los Angeles Police Department and a passionate mother who took her to her first protest when Veline was still in a stroller. She shares her experiences of growing up in a white suburban neighborhood as a brown woman and the ideological differences within her community. We further talk about her feelings of being a daughter of a police of...
In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Sasha tells us her story about working in San Francisco at a “sexy” tech company and living the life she dreamt of as a child. As she recalls her experiences, Sasha shares both the good and the bad. She also talks about navigating the high-performing tech culture, understanding the concept of “golden handcuffs,” and dealing with immense burnout. We discuss the moments that lead her to make a pivot and the aftermath of her de...
In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Trish joins Shireen to discuss her move from Hollywood, FL to Hollywood, CA to pursue a career in entertainment, despite many people advising her not to. She further shares her experiences working with countless celebrities and building a successful career in LA, and then ultimately asking the big question: “What else is out there?” Tune in to learn how Trish went from working with Oprah to working with women fighting ...
Jill Knobeloch: Dealing with Emptiness, Rationality vs Intuition, Relationships In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Jill tells us why she chose to walk away from her “perfect life:” a supportive husband, a beautiful house in California, and a good job. All before the age of 30, Jill files for divorce, moves to Chicago by herself with no job or friends, and deals with two life-threatening health concerns. We discuss the aftermath of her decisions, question why...
Deborah Benton: Chasing Stability, Learning to Think, Success in School & Work In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Deborah shares how success was defined for her during her childhood, and how following the path to “stability” led her to a “prestigious” job that got her physically sick. This wake-up call serves as a catalyst for Deborah to re-define success for herself, build confidence within herself, and overcome the need for validation from others. We a...
Daria Tsvenger: Childhood, Emotional Trauma, How Our Brains React In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Daria and I discuss her childhood in Russia as a “childhood prodigy,” and then her move to America, where feelings of inadequacy, helplessness, and loss of identity take over. She shares how she finds answers in neuroscience; learning about how the brain works helps Daria overcome her fears. Daria shares the research along with the work she’s now ...
Elizabeth Marks: Navigating a Financial Crisis, Freelancing, Career Advice In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast with host, Shireen Jaffer, Liz tells us about how she navigated her career after graduating into the financial crisis of 2008. Despite doing everything she was told to do--excelling in school, going to NYU, and even getting a job at the Times in NYC--Liz learns early-on that she must create her own path in order to live the lifestyle she wants. And she does just tha...
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