Forming a Circle Without a Net | Ep. 7 COH | Valerie Hope

Update: 2025-09-30

Description

This episode of The Circle of Hope podcast takes you inside an extraordinary life journey with Chef Dr. Yadira Stamp—a culinary entrepreneur, author, and true trailblazer whose entire story is fueled by resilience, curiosity, and indomitable hope. Inspired by a connection made on Instagram (shout out to my mom for the introduction!), Yadira and I dive deep into her transformation from a street-smart survivor in Panama and the U.S. to a cultural bridge-builder, food advocate, and role model for anyone facing impossible odds.

We travel with Yadira as she recounts how her relentless passion for learning—and the empowering words of her late father—pushed her through harsh family opposition, homelessness, and setbacks in her engineering career, all the way to the heights of government service. Then she shares how she traded electrical engineering for culinary adventure, immersing herself with Panama’s indigenous tribes to uncover ancestral food wisdom for her doctorate—enduring creature discomforts, language hurdles, and a whole lot of creative hustling along the way. Through it all, Yadira reveals how every fleeting connection and stranger’s kindness became part of her unique “circle of hope.” Trust me—this is an episode about perseverance, cultural pride, and the magic that happens when you refuse to let life’s barriers stop you.

Watch This If:

You need a real-life example of perseverance and reinvention.
You’re curious about indigenous Panamanian cuisine and culinary cultural preservation.
You want to hear how someone overcame homelessness and adversity to become a doctor and entrepreneur.
You’re passionate about servant leadership, giving back, or building community ties across cultures.
You love stories about making impactful connections—sometimes with complete strangers!
You need inspiration to push past your own obstacles.

Quotes to Remember:

“I can do anything I want to do if I put my mind to it.” – Yadira Stamp
“Sometimes God closes some doors and opens another door… Out of the blue, I got a call from the federal government.” – Yadira Stamp
"You also challenged a bit my idea of a circle of influencers… Not everybody that we ask for support is willing to provide it. Sometimes, those connections are temporary but pivotal.” – Valerie Hope
“If that was the price and that was the sacrifice, so be it… I survived because in my mind, I was going to graduate.” – Yadira Stamp

What You’ll Learn:

The power of perseverance when family and society don’t support your dreams.
How fleeting connections—sometimes with total strangers—can become life-changing and part of your “circle of hope.”
Insights into Panamanian indigenous food traditions and why food culture matters.
Creative survival strategies for overcoming homelessness and scarcity.
Why personal values and integrity matter more than shortcuts to success.
The value of adaptability—pivoting between careers, countries, and life goals.
The importance of giving back and supporting underserved communities, both at home and abroad.