Purposeful Professional Media

In Part I of this extended conversation, Surayya interviews Titilope , the founder of Sisterly HQ, a digital platform for Nigerian women. They discuss the empowerment of Nigerian women, the rise of African female artists, and the societal backlash faced by women who openly embrace their sexuality. The conversation delves into the impact of patriarchy, misogyny, and religious influences on women in...

In this conversation, Surayya interviews Crystal Da Cruz , the owner and founder of Box in Black, a high-end curating service that features black and brown-owned brands. They discuss the importance of the 15% Pledge, which calls for major retailers to dedicate 15% of their shelf space to black-owned businesses. Crystal shares her inspiration behind Box in Black and her goal to make it a leader in...

Sustainable food entrepreneur Taylor Quinn joins Surayya to discuss his journey from shy Canadian kid to dynamic founder of Tailored Foods. They explore the importance of food in our lives, the challenges and opportunities of the food system, and Taylor's vision for a more sustainable future. Learn how Taylor Quinn turned his passion for food into a thriving business dedicated to sustainabilit...

Zoey Zheng , a life coach and inspiration, discusses the importance of finding meaning and purpose in our careers. She highlights the lack of long-term vision and alignment of values as a major reason for the lack of meaning in work. Zoey emphasizes the need for a shift in leadership models to enable entrepreneurs to find their missions and build organizations that benefit society. She provides th...

In this episode, Surayya interviews Jessica Gooding , a writer and civil rights advocate, about her journey and work in the civil rights field. They discuss the recent Supreme Court verdict on affirmative action and its impact on education. Jessica shares her perspective on the verdict and the loss of opportunities for marginalized students. They also discuss the importance of speaking up and usin...

Uche Ogbonna , a social entrepreneur and advocate for mental health, discusses the stigma surrounding mental health in Africa and how it influenced her subsequent career choices. She shares her experiences growing up with both Nigerian and Zimbabwean backgrounds and the prevailing messages she received about mental health. Uche opens up about their calling to work in the mental health field and th...

Summary In this episode, Surayya interviews Lauren Martin , the founder of Luminate Love , a self-love focused brand. They discuss Lauren's journey as a business major and how she found direction after college. Lauren shares her experience of transitioning from a full-time job to entrepreneurship and the challenges she faced. They also talk about the importance of recognizing one's entrepr...

Bianca Jackson on Tech Innovation, Human-Centric Leadership, & Building Brickrose Exchange Join us for part II of a captivating conversation with Bianca Jackson, tech innovator and founder of Brickrose Exchange. We explore: Pioneering AR/VR: Bianca's early fascination with technology and her groundbreaking work in augmented and virtual reality. The Humanist Technologist: The importance of...

In Part 1 of this extended conversation, Surayya interviews Lauren Martin , an inspirational speaker and personal development coach, about her journey and work in the empowerment and self-love space. They discuss the impact of social media on women's self-esteem, the importance of managing one's social media feed, and the need for authenticity in online platforms. Lauren shares her experie...

Join Surayya as she sits down with Mayra Tenorio , a passionate advocate for women's empowerment. Discover the inspiring story behind Mayra's work with Vital Voices and how her personal experiences fuel her dedication to creating a more equitable world. Learn about the challenges and triumphs of women in Latin America and beyond. Plus, a fun segment discussing singer Shakira's take on...

Tech Trailblazer Bianca Jackson on AI Bias, DEI, and Expanding Global Opportunity Join us for an inspiring conversation with Bianca Jackson, a visionary leader in the tech industry. We delve into: The Rise of Chat-BlackGPT: Bianca shares her thoughts on the need for inclusive AI algorithms and how they can combat biases in technology. From Corporate America to Entrepreneurship: Bianca's journe...

Join Surayya as she interviews Preeti Adhikary, founder of the Great Nepali Diaspora, about LinkedIn mastery , career navigation , and authentic professional growth . Preeti shares her expertise on: Standing out in your industry Building an authentic LinkedIn presence Being taken seriously as a professional Overcoming self-doubt and embracing your true self The power of introversion and observatio...

In this insightful conversation, Surayya interviews Christa Stephens, a seasoned marketer and entrepreneur. They tackle: Fearless Fund Controversy: The importance of supporting organizations that empower women of color entrepreneurs, and why claims of discrimination are unfounded. Entrepreneurial Journey: Krista's personal story as a woman of color in business, the challenges faced, and the re...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Rachel Labi , a Ghanaian-American trailblazer making waves in social impact and tech. Discover her journey from childhood dreams to founding Building Financial Freedom, a nonprofit empowering youth with financial literacy. Learn about her passion for ethical fashion, anti-trafficking advocacy, and her experience landing a coveted internship at Google. Gai...

In this episode, Wafa shares her fascinating journey from aspiring journalist to successful tech product manager. She reveals how her diverse upbringing and early career in journalism equipped her with the skills to excel in the fast-paced world of tech. Learn how she leaped, the challenges she faced, and the valuable lessons she learned along the way. Wafa also offers insightful advice for those...

Join us in this episode as we dive into a captivating conversation with Louis Chan , a trailblazer in the sustainability field based in Singapore. From his early days in pharmaceuticals to his current ventures revolutionizing the way we approach sustainability, Louis shares his inspiring journey and insights into creating a greener future. Discover how his upbringing amidst nature fueled his passi...

Delroy Walters , Chief Growth Officer of inSIDEkonnect, shares his journey from the world of commercial lending to entrepreneurship, driven by a desire to empower underrepresented communities. In this episode, he reflects on the influence of his entrepreneurial family, the importance of connections in business growth, and the transformative experiences that shaped his outlook. Delroy offers insigh...

Join us for an illuminating pop-culture segment where we explore the dynamic landscape of the Girl Economy, examining its influence through cultural phenomena like the Barbie Movie and iconic music tours by Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. Delving into the power of female consumerism, we analyze how these cultural touchstones shape economies and empower women worldwide. From the empowering messages conve...

Join us in this captivating episode as we delve into the inspiring journey of Drea DeMarchi, a visionary storyteller and co-founder of In Creative Company. From her roots as a passionate reader to becoming a powerhouse in branding and marketing, Drea shares invaluable insights into her entrepreneurial path and the pivotal role of supportive environments in realizing her dreams. Discover how she se...

Can your faith give you the wherewithal to pave a new path in life? For Fadaka George, it can. During this episode, we unpack Fadaka's journey as a student leader in college, and how her faith has always pushed her to make a difference. Join Fadaka and Surayya as they reflect on their upbringings in faith, being a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion; and taking the leap to boldly move t...

How do artists see the world? How do artists balance their interests with more common ways of living, being, and working? Milena Beretsko is an artist and a researcher - a multipotentialite in every sense of the word. Listen as Milena and Surayya bond over their shared multipotentiality, discuss the process is takes to write a book, and have a friendly debate on whether art can be done quickly or...

What does the earth have to do with entrepreneurship? Turns out, the earth and entrepreneurship are closely linked. Join Surayya and Lorena as they discuss Lorena's path into ecopreneurship, being an entrepreneur that cares for the earth, traveling the world and broadening your horizons, and the times when the reality of entrepreneurship hits. For our environmental activists and world traveler...

Inspired by the groundbreaking work of Ta-Nehisi Coates, Surayya, and Eric Washington seek to discuss his story through activism and the creative arts. We also talk in-depth about the Black experience - and what the pursuit of happiness means for us. This is the first part of a two-part series unpacking Eric's stories and some powerful thoughts on what it means to be a Diasporic leader.

What's the craziest thing that Beyonce made you do? For our guest Deaunna Watson , Beyonce's RENAISSANCE influenced her to quit her job! In this episode, we unpack the reality of quitting a job - even without a backup plan - and how spontaneous decisions like these, while nerving, are sometimes necessary. We also discuss Beyonce's cultural impact and how she has paved a bold and brazen...

When I say "New York City" and "mindfulness," what comes to mind? For Samantha Powell , it reminds her of her childhood in New York City's Upper East Side, immersed in NYC's elite schools and striving to make it in the "city that never sleeps." As a woman whose motto is "make your day, and make it last," her NYC days have shaped her perspective on wh...