Savage Simplicity

In this episode of Storytellers: Journeys, host Bernadette Hill sits down with Kim Stephens, PMP — Senior Technical Project Manager at UC Davis, mentor, and advocate for women building careers in tech. Kim didn’t follow a traditional path into IT leadership. With a degree in political science, she built her career through curiosity, courage, continuous learning, and a willingness to try what other...

In this episode of Storytellers: Journeys, host Bernadette Hill sits down with Dr. Lola Adeyemo—speaker, ERG strategist, systems advocate, and author of Thriving in Intersectionality. Lola shares her journey from Nigeria to corporate America — an experience that revealed how workplaces often fail to reflect the identities and needs of immigrant professionals. Instead of shrinking, she chose to cre...

In this Shortcuts episode of Storytellers: Journeys , host Bernadette Hill sits down with efficiency expert Helena Weiss-Duman to explore the ideas behind Priya Parker’s Art of Gathering — and how they transform the way we design virtual meetings, workshops, and everyday connection. When digital calendars overflow and every Zoom call starts to blur together, intentional gathering becomes a radical...

In this Shortcuts episode of Storytellers: Journeys, host Bernadette Hill shares a practical, confidence-building insight inspired by returner and people leader Priya Venkatesan. Returning to work after a long career break can feel overwhelming — especially for women navigating identity, caregiving transitions, cultural expectations, or major life shifts. This micro-lesson introduces the power of...

In this episode of Storytellers: Journeys, host Bernadette Hill sits down with Priya Venkatesan—a business analyst, immigrant, mother, and returner whose journey reflects deep courage and reinvention. After immigrating from India through an arranged marriage, Priya put her own ambitions on hold—even with a degree in computer science. A 16-year career break followed, filled with caregiving, identit...

In this episode of Storytellers: Journeys, host Bernadette Hill sits down with Jen Carmichael, Director at UC Davis and a powerhouse in higher education logistics and operations. With more than 23 years of service at one of the top public universities in the country, Jen has become a respected leader known for discipline, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to people-first leadership. As Preside...

In this Shortcuts episode of Storytellers: Journeys, host Bernadette Hill shares how she used the Lean 5S method — yes, that workplace organizing tool — to bring structure, peace, and a little joy to her family’s chaotic pandemic homeschool setup. With a 6-year-old first grader, a tiny desk overflowing with Legos, and a need to create calm during uncertainty, Bernadette turned to 5S as a practical...

In this Shortcuts episode of Storytellers: Journeys, host Bernadette Hill breaks down a simple but powerful insight inspired by productivity expert David Allen, creator of the Getting Things Done (GTD) method. GTD isn’t about doing more — it’s about clearing mental clutter so you have the space to think, create, and lead with intention. This micro-lesson explores one foundational GTD shift that ca...

In this episode of Storytellers: Journeys, host Bernadette Hill sits down with Helena Weiss-Duman—efficiency expert, community builder, and thoughtful voice in intentional living. Helena believes personal efficiency isn’t about doing more — it’s about designing systems that honor your strengths, reduce friction, and help you show up as your best self. Together, Bernadette and Helena explore the hu...

I’m Bernadette Hill, and welcome to Savage Simplicity — a podcast about real women navigating the messy, complicated, beautiful reality of life. Around here, we believe simplicity isn’t about doing less — it’s about doing what matters. It’s about telling the truth, sharing our stories, and designing a life that works for us. I’m a mom, a continuous improvement expert, and a woman who has rebuilt h...