Women's Work

Lacey Beam is a small-town attorney, primarily doing indigent defense work. Where she lives and works isn’t large enough for a public defender’s office, so this means she works for a small firm, but the majority of her caseload is court-appointed work. She says it allows her to have her heart broken on a regular basis, but she’s grateful she gets to serve her community with this type of legal work. Plus, a big announcement about some BIG changes around here! Stay to the end. Notes: Lacey on Instagram Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter Feel Free, by Zadie Smith Join us in Patreon Get the email 5 Quick Things Subscribe to Simple, and you'll get next week's Women's Work episode!

Sallie Miura and her family have lived in Brazil for quite awhile, for her husband’s work, actually, but she’s taken it upon herself to create her own career as a conversational English teacher. She takes in students and uses the power of conversation to help them learn English without the hassle of a classroom. Notes: Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter The Untethered Soul, by Michael Singer An American Marriage, by Tayari Jones Join us in Patreon Get the email 5 Quick Things

Liz Dolan has been a podcaster since before podcasting was even a well-known thing, which is why many in the industry consider her truly a podcasting pioneer. Her show, Satellite Sisters, has won more Gracie Allen awards for excellence in women's media than any other radio show/podcast ever. And before this? She was a badass in the business world, working for brands you might have heard of: Nike, Oprah, and National Geographic, just to name a few. Notes: Satellite Sisters Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter Where the Peacocks Sing, by Alison Singh Gee Join us in Patreon Get the email 5 Quick Things

Lauren Porter is a scientist who does research at basically a think tank — you can hear it in her voice how excited she gets about the tiny little things most of us don’t even know about, much less pay attention to. But her work is so important, and it both depends on the work of others and contributes to what future scientists like herself can discover and learn for the betterment of our entire world. These scientists are truly unsung heroes, because they contribute so much to our society’s well-being. Notes: Janelia Research Campus Janelia on Twitter Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter Composing a Life andComposing a Further Life, by Mary Catherine Bateson Join us in Patreon Get the email 5 Quick Things

Cori Salchert is a hospice mom. What's that? Basically, she says she’s ready and willing to receive babies into her home with her family who have a life-limiting prognosis or terminal diagnosis. Her job? Is to love them just like a mama for whatever time they have before they pass away. She has 8 biological children and have fostered or adopted 7 more children. Cori says she and her family aren’t professionals; they’re just here, telling their story so others are aware of the needs of these babies, and how much other people could change things, too, by being brave and being willing to come alongside a child who needs love and care for a brief season. Notes: Safe Haven for Babies Cori's book, I Will Love You Forever Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter Of Stillness and Storm, by Michelle Phoenix I Can Only Imagine, by Bart Millard When Is It Right to Die?, by Joni Eareckson Tada Yawning at Tigers, by Drew Dyck Support a child with Compassion (and get a signed copy of my book!) Join us in Patreon Get the email 5 Quick Things

Amy Anderson's title is civil engineer, but really, she’s a water resources engineer — which is really cool, you’ll hear more about what that means in our chat. Amy’s part of the Partnership for River Restoration and Science in the Upper Midwest (pronounced "prism"); basically, she’s one of the many engineers who make our world function without most of us non-engineers even realizing it. Interviewing smart women like Amy has given me a newfound appreciation for engineers. Notes: PRRSUM in Minnesota Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter The Read-Aloud Family, by Sarah Mackenzie What Works for Women at Work, by Joan C. Williams & Rachel Dempsey Join us in Patreon! Get the email 5 Quick Things!

Both of Luci Ramos Hoppe’s parents grew up in poverty, but then she grew up with some wealth—and she’s the daughter of an immigrant and a woman of color. This all ties closely to her calling to social work education and social justice. In her work as a professor of social work, Luci’s focus includes diversity, ethical faith integration in social work practice, work with children and families, curriculum development and undergrad student experiences. And? She was the first person in her family to attend college. Notes: Baylor University's School of Social Work Luci on Twitter Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter Leaving Church, by Barbara Brown Taylor Join us in Patreon!

Kate Edwards hosts quarterly gatherings where 16 creatively-driven women, most of whom have never met before, come together and share a meal, conversation, and experience. Every attendee brings something both literally and figuratively to the table, and the night's success, from the tablescape to the food to the entertainment, relies upon the group's collective efforts. Kate started all this, and the idea has completely taken off. Notes: Create Dinners Create Dinners on Instagram Kate on Instagram Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter Milk and Honey, by Rupi Kaur Heart Talk, by Cleo Wade Join us in Patreon!

Toni McEwan is a project manager, which sounds pretty broad, right? I mean, what is that, even? Well, she’s worked for her company, Dow Agro Sciences, for awhile now, but specifically, she simply leads teams of people. Her work is all about the people who do the work, making sure they have what they need to do their job well.  She helps leads projects, from start to finish, and encourages people to do their best work so everyone can work well together — and if you’ve had any experience in the corporate world, you know that can sometimes be hard to find, yet is so essential.  Notes: Toni on Instagram Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter Be Our Guest, by the Disney Institute The Muse, by Jessie Burton Support Compassion, and they’ll also send you a signed copy of my latest book, At Home in the World!  Support the podcast by becoming a patron!

Jenni Burke a fairly unassuming literary agent, because she’s one of the nicest people in the world to talk to, but the woman can get things DONE when it comes to contracts, business negotiations, and representing her authors well. I love her approach and philosophy of slow publishing, authors living well so they don’t burn out, and writing from a genuine place of having something to say instead of writing just to publish something. (And yep… she’s actually my own literary agent, and as both an author and a friend, I couldn’t love her more.) Notes: DC Jacobson & Associates Jenni on Instagram #TuscanyWritersRetreat on Instagram! Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter A Circle of Quiet, by Madeline L’Engle The Wisdom of the Enneagram, by Don Riso & Russ Hudson Rhythms of Rest, by Shelley Miller Join us in Patreon!

Jo Ellis started a nonprofit crafting school in her town called Make Do, where she and others in the community use the unassuming power of different crafting skills like sewing, quilting, felting, and painting to make a difference in their community. Jo first saw overseas how teaching something like sewing could change the attitude, perspective, and even future of young women, so when she returned home, she wanted to impart that same simple power in her small town. She’s learning a lot about what it’s like to blend the running of a non-profit with holding on to her original love of crafting, and making time to wear her many hats well. Notes: MakeDo MakeDo on Facebook & Instagram Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L'Engle Join us on Patreon!

Amber Rae began her work in marketing, but then took a giant leap of faith and moved into work as an artist, which for her, also took a major move across the country for a clean do-over. She ended up doing some pretty cool installations across New York City, and eventually, took her experience and encouraging voice and put it to use encouraging others to take risks with their own work and art. The title of her book says it all about her approach. Notes: Amber on Twitter & Instagram Amber's website & book, Choose Wonder Over Worry Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter Sign up for Hope*Writers! Join us on Patreon!

What’s a presentation creator, right? Well, Sandra Johnson has been in this industry a long time now, enough to where she used to call herself a power point creator, but now she works in all sorts of mediums. Basically, she helps presenters make good presentations. Anyone who needs help giving a compelling talk, she’s your gal. And because she’s been doing this for awhile, she knows what makes a presentation that WORKS. She loves what she does, and she has a lot to say about how we sell our ideas, our work, and even ourselves to the world. This is a useful skill in any line of work, so what she does applies to so many of us. Notes: Sandra on Twitter Presentation Wiz The Presentation Podcast Presentation Guild Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Artemis, by Andy Weir Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter & Instagram

Callie Salmon has been in the wedding industry for a few years now, but she just started her business less than a year ago at the time of our conversation. So this one’s a fun, slightly different episode because I’m talking with her about the early stuff she’s learning as a wedding florist — how to run her business as a young solopreneur, the lessons she’s learning about finance, marketing, time management, and learning her trade. It’s a good reminder on what it’s like to start something new, when you love your idea and what you’re starting to do, but when it’s just so much work at the beginning to make it happen. Her hard work is admirable. Notes: Callie Salmon on Instagram The Sacred Search, by Gary Thomas Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter & Instagram

Maile Urbancic saw a gap in both the jewelry and STEM fields, and wanted to intersect the two. So, she founded Boutique Academia when she was pregnant with her third child (she actually did her business taxes during labor!). She loves both science and art, so creating this somewhat unorthodox jewelry has given her a creative outlet for giving women like her a way to express their love for things like anatomy, engineering, astronomy, tech, and more. She’s learning a lot about being her own boss and growing a business while working from home. Notes: Boutique Academia Boutique Academia on Instagram and Twitter Fighting Stereotype Threat With Jewelry, Maile's piece on Medium Shoe Dog, by Phil Knight Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter & Instagram

Heather Whaling started the PR company she’s currently president of, called Geben Communication, a PR firm where she oversees a small team of people that handles multiple clients. She’s currently passionate about helping other small businesses roll out comprehensive paid parental leave programs similar to the one she started at her company, which is called Geben Loves Families. Her workplace program offers 10 weeks of 100% paid leave to new moms and dads whether they give birth or adopt, in addition to a two-week transition period once they return to work — and she believes other small businesses can and should do the same. Notes: Geben Communication Heather's blog Rewrite the Rules Heather on Instagram and Twitter What I Know For Sure, by Oprah Winfrey Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter & Instagram

Tanorria Askew is a personal chef and runs a business called Tanorria’s Table, where people can hire her for both everyday meals and special occasions. Her cooking roots originate from the south, and Tanorria’s had fun putting a modern spin on American Comfort Food — she recently placed 4th on Master Chef! She’s passionate about good food, gathering people around the table to have good conversations, and enjoying life through it all. Her can-do attitude is contagious. Notes: Tanorria's Table Treats By Tanorria Tanorria on Instagram and Twitter Masterchef Season 7 Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter & Instagram Of Mess and Moxie, by Jen Hatmaker Disunity in Christ, by Christena Cleveland

Bethany Rydmark is an eighth-generation Oregonian and a small business owner, raising her young kids and helping shape the places people live with their families. She's passionate about care for the natural environment and leaning into its natural cycles of cycles of growth, beauty, respite, and renewal. She’s also the founder of something called the PDX Food Swap, a pretty fantastic idea! Notes Bethany's business website Her blog Bethany on Instagram and Twitter PDX Food Swap Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter & Instagram The Invention of Nature, by Andrea Wulf How to Survive a Shipwreck, by Jonathan Martin

Kirstin Yates is a therapist working at a local community clinic, doing work that’s so valuable and necessary to our communities, but largely goes unnoticed and unappreciated. I’ve personally benefited so much from the therapists in my life, so I’m grateful for the work Kirstin does in her local space, and I’m honored to share her story so we can all benefit. There’s many, many people like her all around us — they deserve our many thanks. Notes Kirstin's blog Kirstin on Instagram Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter & Instagram How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind, by Dana K. White Decluttering at the Speed of Life, by Dana K. White

Connie Gabbert is a book cover designer, and you may have heard me talk about her before—this is because she’s not only a personal friend of mine, but she also designed the covers of my last two books, At Home in the World and Notes From a Blue Bike (and I’m so impressed with her work that if I have it my way, I’m going to ask for her to design all my book covers for the rest of my career). Connie is supremely talented, her portfolio keeps growing with new and brilliant takes on book cover design, and she never ceases to surprise me. Notes Connie's amazing portfolio Connie on Instagram Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter & Instagram My books (the latest two of which Connie designed) Sign up for my personal monthly letter!