She Speaks | A Let Her Speak Podcast

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.”How to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley PhotographyOur sociel media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave 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.”How to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley PhotographyOur sociel media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave 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 Shortz 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.”How to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley PhotographyOur sociel media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave 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.”How to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley PhotographyOur sociel media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave 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.How to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley PhotographyOur sociel media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave 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 affects 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.”How to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley PhotographyOur sociel media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave 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.How to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley PhotographyOur sociel media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

Prayer is something that is used by many people throughout the world, regardless of religion or spiritual affiliation. Sometimes we use it as an intentional form of thankfulness or gratitude, but if you’re like today’s featured woman in The Found Project, it can also be a form of rest, reflection, and meditation.Elena Petzold didn’t discover the feeling of being found through her restful activity of prayer until 2020.Things didn’t start out easy and she recalls that her first prayer wasn’t pretty, but her practice has evolved over time. She had an incredible experience one day after dedicating an hour to strictly resting in prayer, and it’s something she reflects back to now after realizing how amazing she felt afterwards.In her interview, Elena reflects back on how she feels after she prays, saying “Now I feel peace, I feel a lot calmer, I feel like a better version of myself, I feel like I have more to give other people, and I feel like I have more to give to the world.”How to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley PhotographyOur sociel media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

Skills and crafts passed down from generation to generation is something many of us value because it makes us feel close to loved ones — especially when they are no longer with us.Can you remember watching your grandmother or aunt making something with their hands? As we mentioned in a previous post, sometimes DOING something is more relaxing for us than NOT doing.Growing up in a full house, Halee Sprinkle fondly remembers her creativity space set up with a sewing machine, bedazzling tools, and crafting supplies. This was a space just for her to escape and this is where she stills feels found — crafting and creating.Halee shares “When I don’t rest, my sparkle will dull — and I’m really big on not letting anything dull my sparkle. But when I’m resting, and creating — just really letting my brain have fun — my sparkle is at it’s shiniest. I’ll be smiling even if no one else is in the room watching me.”For anyone who as ever met Halee, you likely have seen her in hot pinks, sparkles, and Lisa Frank-inspired colors. Without a doubt, she embodies what it means to "sparkle".How to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley PhotographyOur sociel media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

In a world that celebrates hustle culture, it can be hard to step back from the grind and recalibrate ourselves. But when burnout catches up with us, our minds and bodies have a way of telling us things need to change.Meet Jasmine Ball. Jasmine feels found in restorative time with herself — and it’s something she works into her everyday routine.As a child, Jasmine enjoyed quiet time and reading books to immerse herself in stories. As an adult, Jasmine continues to enjoy those “quiet time” moments, but with a grown-up twist. A warm bath, burning candles, journaling, meditating — and you’ll still find a book thrown in there.She notes “I don’t necessarily have markers that tell me when it’s time to rest, however, I have learned over time to automatically have a morning routine and a night routine to reset and recenter myself.”How to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley PhotographyOur sociel media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

Rest looks different for everyone and we know for some, it means movement — which sounds counterintuitive. But what if an active version of rest could be embraced for what it can do for our mind AND our body?In Sarah Prater's portrait and accompanying interview, she shares that:“I feel found while riding my bike.”Sarah talks about growing up as a very sick child who wasn’t allowed to be super active, so rest was a difficult topic for her. Her restful activity of being on a bike was accidentally discovered in high school and eventually became her favorite activity for turning off the noise of the world.Being a mother and owner of Tennessee Reproductive Acupuncture, Sarah finds solitude in nature when her hands find the handlebars of her bike — but rest is something that she has to schedule for herself, or she begins to feel the effects of needing it.How to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley PhotographyOur sociel media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

Do you remember how it felt the first time you said “no” and had a sense of calm and relief come over you?⁠⁠Often when we say "no", it’s because we are too overwhelmed, too overstimulated, and in need of rest. And sometimes, saying “no” is what we need to do to make time for rest.⁠⁠Rest is what The Found Project is all about — what it looks like to each of the women who are a part of the project, what it feels like when they haven’t made time for it, and how rest makes them feel. ⁠⁠We created mini-podcast episodes from our interviews with each woman, and the talented Ashley Gurley captured each woman at rest from behind her camera lens.⁠⁠When we asked Femeika Elliott where she feels most found, she said:⁠⁠“I feel found through soul-nourishing food and tea time.”⁠⁠In her interview, Femeika shares that the ritual behind making tea and preparing a meal gives her comfort and allows her mind to tune out the noise and chaos of the world. 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 InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley PhotographyOur sociel media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

It's Our Final Episode of Season 1!Thank you so much for tuning in to the first season of the She Speaks Podcast. Throughout this season, we have been commemorating the journeys we have all been on over the last 2+ years by listening to interviews from women collected during the pandemic and checking in with them now. We've also brought in other leaders in our community to talk about topics like imposter syndrome and embracing a new path.One point of view we wanted to make sure we captured in this First Season is from an ally. While listening to these interviews you may not know it, but Travis Tench has been with us throughout this first season as our producer, sound mixer, and theme music composer. Every "Now" episode was recorded with Travis in the room and he remastered every interview collected for the "Then" episodes.As an organization dedicated to women, Let Her Speak has been very fortunate to have many male allies supporting our organization. If you have attended any of our in-person events recently, you may recognize Travis as the quiet guy in the corner running sound and selecting impeccable playlists in-between speakers. He is without a doubt one of the greatest ally supporters of our work.Travis is the owner of Oak Hill Audio, the frontman and creator of the band Tinca Tinca, and an active member of the music community in Knoxville. Considering Travis has had the opportunity to be in the room where these conversations were happening, we wanted to bring him in to get his perspective on allyship, equality, and intentional community building.Listen in as Catherine and Travis talk about his reflections on the stories shared throughout this season, his work in creating communities that support all artists, and his thoughts on the impact allies can have in building better opportunities for everyone. We also encourage you to share this season with the allies in your life. After all, it's through stories that we're able to gain new perspectives and empathize with those who have walked a much different path than us.Thank you for joining us on this journey. We can't wait to continue these conversations in Season 2!Connect with Travis:Follow Travis on InstagramLike  Travis on FacebookLearn More About TravisConnect with Tinca TincaHow to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor partners: First Horizon Bank & Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of VagabondaryOur photographer: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaAnd if you are listening back to some of our previous episodes, make sure to share your homework with us that Catherine assigns during episodes 8 and 13! Shoot us a DM on Instagram or send us an email. We'd love to celebrate with you!

In our last episode, we interviewed a woman who whose life story and philosophy on living is something all of us need to hear. Berta Medina is an accountability coach for those who dream big and a powerful person to have in your corner. But where has life taken her since 2020?The answer is a journey of transformation. Two days before the world shut down in 2020, Berta asked her husband for a divorce. However, because of their love and mutual respect for eachother, they chose to put that aside during the pandemic to focus on the safety of their family.It was also during this time that Berta took the opportunity to look inward at herself and her business. She began looking at the ways she could help even more to ensure her clients not only survived that period of so many unknowns but actually leveled up in their businesses. The question of "What comes next?" was also something she dived into very intentionally to ensure whatever may happen in the world - she was doing the work that fulfilled her.Listen to her story of navigating the chaos, taking risks, and embracing her legacy. It is an inspiring story of no regrets, lots of travel, and abundant happiness.If you connect with Berta's work and want to hear from more big dreamers - check out her podcast "The Dreamers Succeed Podcast" on your favorite podcast platform.Connect with Berta:Follow Berta on InstagramLike  Berta on FacebookLearn More About BertaConnect with BertaHow to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor partners: First Horizon Bank & Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of VagabondaryOur photographer: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

In September 2020,  Catherine Porth sat down (virtually) with past Women's Summit Storyteller and dear friend, Berta Medina - Founder of Dreamers Succeed and the coach we all need in our lives. Any time spent with Berta is sure to be filled with laughter, motivation, support, and hugs. You also need to be careful about telling your dreams and passions to Berta because she will hold you accountable to go after them.Berta's story is truly inspiring and the way she lives her life is a constant reminder that age should never be a barrier to doing and being exactly what you want. Not only is Berta an incredible coach to dreamers and entrepreneurs everywhere, but she also has the most giving (and adventure-seeking) heart. Listen to her story of how she followed her purpose to become a professional coach and her vision of the legacy she wants to leave (it's AMAZING).In the 2+ years since we recorded this interview with Berta, A LOT has changed in her life including the end of a long marriage, a move to a new state, and a transformation into being her full self. We will dive more into that story next week when we catch back up with Berta, but to understand how far she has come - we must first learn where she's been.Thank you, Berta, for not only being an incredible friend and supporter but for all you give to inspire others to pursue their dreams! Connect with Berta:Follow Berta on InstagramLike  Berta on FacebookLearn More About BertaConnect with BertaHow to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor partners: First Horizon Bank & Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of VagabondaryOur photographer: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

In our last episode, we interviewed a woman who isn't afraid to talk about the "embarrassing" stuff, Shannon Hamaker, who is a Sexual Health Educator and Relationship Coach. But where has life taken her since 2020?The answer is on a journey of intention and self-discovery. During the pandemic, Shannon found herself at a crossroads both in her business and her personal life. This crossroad led to many internal questions like "Is what I'm doing impactful?" and "Where is my time best spent?" - each question taking stock of the intentionality behind her actions and choices. At the time of this interview recording, the United States was also facing its own crossroads - a period during Roe v. Wade and the period that followed its ultimate overturn by the Supreme Court. Our interview happened to hit at a very timely and uncertain period for women across the nation - a period that we are all continuing to grapple with in our daily lives.Listen to her story of modeling her work with intention, placing a priority on her close relationships, and realizing the impact she can have to empower others to have a voice about their sexuality. It is an encouraging story of growth, expansion, and impact.If you have been searching for a safe space to talk about and learn about your own sexual health - check out her podcast "Sexually Speaking with Shannon Hamaker" on your favorite podcast platform.Connect with Shannon:Follow Shannon on InstagramLike  Shannon on FacebookLearn More About ShannonConnect with ShannonHow to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor partners: First Horizon Bank & Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of VagabondaryOur photographer: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at letherspeakus@gmail.com

In September 2020, Catherine Porth sat down (virtually) with Sexual Health Educator (& sexual awakening advocate), Shannon Hamaker, to have a conversation about women's sexual health. A topic that many of us need to be talking about more but might be too ashamed to bring up. In their conversation, they cover all the things many of us often wonder about in our own sexuality and desires but may not feel comfortable enough to talk about out loud.To any woman who feels shame talking about pleasure - Shannon is here to help you in that journey. Listen to her story of how she found her calling for empowering women to step confidently into their own sexuality and educate them on the many benefits our sex life has for our health - both mentally and physically.In the 2+ years since we recorded this interview with Shannon, A LOT has changed in her life including many trials and tribulations both personally and professionally. We will dive more into that story next week when we catch back up with Shannon, but to understand how far she has come - we must first learn where she's been.Thank you, Shannon, for your honesty, openness, and care for helping more women understand and connect with their own sexual health!Check out these resources mentioned during the Interview:Sex with Emily Podcast"Come As You Are" by Emily Nagoski Sexual Personality TestConnect with Shannon:Follow Shannon on InstagramLike  Shannon on FacebookLearn More About ShannonConnect with ShannonHow to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor partners: First Horizon Bank & Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of VagabondaryOur photographer: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at letherspeakus@gmail.com

In our last episode, we interviewed the remarkable Drocella MugoreWera who at the time was the Executive Director of Bridge Refugee Services. But where has life taken her since 2021?The answer is one that may motivate many of you to chase your own dreams and answer a call to do something bigger. On June 10th, 2022, Drocella stepped down from her role as an executive director to pursue a bigger calling.  That calling included becoming a public speaker, coach, and trainer to help others overcome fear, trauma, and poverty. While her passion and advocacy for the refugee community will remain a large part of her life - Drocella realized that by stepping out on her own she is able to make an impact on a more global scale.Listen to her story of forging a new path for herself, taking action on her dreams, and leaving a lasting impact on the world. It is an amazing story of overcoming adversity, building a new legacy, and thriving.If you are wanting to hear more of Drocella's incredible story - check out her talk "Breaking Our Own Barriers" she delivered during our May 2020 workshop where we dived into imposter syndrome.Connect with Drocella:Follow Drocella on InstagramLike  Drocella on FacebookLearn More About DrocellaConnect with DrocellaHow to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor partners: First Horizon Bank & Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of VagabondaryOur photographer: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at letherspeakus@gmail.com

In February 2021, Catherine Porth sat down with (at the time) non-profit Executive Director, Storyteller, and Coach, Drocella MugoreWera. The two had been introduced almost a year prior as a mutual friend when Catherine was searching for a storyteller to talk about breaking down barriers for a virtual Let Her Speak event in the midst of the pandemic. During their conversation, they covered topics from Drocella's journey since arriving in the United States as a refugee, to how we can help more refugees, like herself, and the many legacies she wants to leave behind.Drocella is from Rwanda, a beautiful country with a painful history. During the Rwandan genocide of 1994, her country lost almost 1,000,000 people. She survived. Many did not. Rather than continuing life with bitterness, anger, and regret - Drocella chose to become a beacon of kindness and light.Her answer to the question "What legacy do you want to leave behind?" consisted of several amazing visions for the life she wants to live. One of our favorite quotes from her answer was: "I want people to love themselves more. And to appreciate who they are. This is why one of my missions is awakening [gifts]."Fast forward to 2022 and Drocella has made many changes in her life in pursuit of making her visions a reality. We will talk more about that next week when we share Drocella's follow-up interview, but to understand how far Drocella has come - it's important to first learn where she's been.Thank you, Drocella, for the warmth, kindness, and heart you bring to everything you do!If you enjoyed our conversation with Drocella, also checkout the story she shared at our May 2020 event, "Breaking Down Our Own Barriers", where she shares more about her story.Connect with Drocella:Follow Drocella on InstagramLike  Drocella on FacebookLearn More About DrocellaConnect with DrocellaHow to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor partners: First Horizon Bank & Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of VagabondaryOur photographer: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at letherspeakus@gmail.com

At one point or another, almost all of us have experienced feeling like an imposter. Through the interviews we have shared so far in this podcast, the topic of imposter syndrome has come up time and time again.On this special (Not-so-mini) Expert  Episode, Catherine sits down with local financial sector leader (and our podcast sponsor), Tiffany Gardner, to talk about the different ways the imposter mindset has come up in her life and how she has worked to overcome them. Tiffany is the Senior VP Manager of Corporate and Commercial Banking at First Horizon Bank with a career in the financial sector that spans multiple decades of working with business owners to grow their operations. Initially when Catherine approached Tiffany about having a discussion about this topic - Tiffany was very honest that she had never heard the term "imposter syndrome" but the minute she heard its definition, she knew immediately what it was. Being a woman in a male-dominated industry - especially at the leadership level, Tiffany has often found herself in roles and rooms where she was either the youngest, the only woman, or both.Listen in as they discuss Tiffany's own experiences with imposterism, how she has not let that interfere with growing in her career, why she loves what she does, and what she has learned along the way in becoming a leader in her industry. Their conversation is FILLED with so many insightful nuggets and pieces of advice for any woman leader.If you are a woman in finance looking to connect with others in the industry or are a business owner searching for a banking relationship - we encourage you to connect with Tiffany and all of the other AMAZING women at First Horizon Bank who are passionate about supporting women.And make sure to share your homework with us that Catherine assigns at the end of the episode! Shoot us a DM on Instagram or send us an email. We'd love to hear from you!Connect with Tiffany & First Horizon Bank:Follow First Horizon on InstagramLike First Horizon on FacebookLearn More About First HorizonConnect with Tiffany GardnerHow to Connect with Let Her Speak:Follow us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelStay updated with our NewsletterThank You to:Our sponsor partners: First Horizon Bank & Knoxville Entrepreneur CenterOur producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill AudioOur brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of VagabondaryOur photographer: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal MediaHave any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at letherspeakus@gmail.com