Daughters of Change

On this episode, I follow up with a very special Daughter of Change, Esi Chantal Umuraza. You may remember Chantal from our podcast in July of 2021 entitled “Daughter of Rwanda”.  On that podcast, we discussed her journey from a young survivor of the Rwandan Genocide to a budding social entrepreneur. Since we last spoke, Chantal’s dream of creating a retreat in her homeland to highlight the rich,...

Dr. Lisa Berkley’s life work is dedicated to how we thrive, as individuals and as a society. For more than 30 years, Lisa has worked within the peace and security sector with a focus on human security and how we thrive and live in peace.  She is the founder of the Institute for Inner Economy and is the Director of Resiliency and Wellbeing at Crown College, University of California, Santa Cruz wher...

Sue Keller is an American ragtime pianist and singer, who has released several albums.  As a child, she had flute and singing lessons and also played guitar. Sue attended DePauw University.  She played professionally in various styles before settling on ragtime and old forms of jazz. In 1992 Sue founded the publishing firm Ragtime Press and the recording label HVR. She was the festival music direc...

Introducing the Girl Scouts of Maine’s new Media Squad initiative. Designed to empower Girl Scouts to share their experiences with peers and become active spokespeople across various media channels, this opportunity will equip participants with the skills and platforms to effectively promote the values, benefits, and experiences of being part of the organization. True to the - girl-led, learning-b...

Today I’m bringing back a very special Daughter of Change - Carolyn Delaney - my very first guest on this podcast in the July 2019 episode “Amplifying Hope”.  We’ll learn how her platform, Journey Magazine, has grown by making recovery visible and changing the narrative about addiction. Carolyn is the founder and publisher of Journey Enterprises - a media company on a mission to make recovery from...

My guest on this episode, Aliza Hava, is an award-winning singer/songwriter whose music explores the deepest levels of love, life, and the power of positive social change. After college, she began performing at and co-producing concerts at the United Nations headquarters in NYC. She earned a position as Chair of the UN International Day of Peace NGO Music Committee and went on to produce live conc...

Girl Scout Camp enhances kids’ well-being through face-to-face connections and outdoor activities. Kids can be screen-free in a fun and safe environment that fosters social skills and happy campers! More outdoor experiences allow campers to embrace challenges and excel in problem-solving, qualities vital for future success, both academically and personally. Time in nature boosts concentration and...

I’m excited to be re-releasing this episode with our youngest Daughter of Change to date - Rosie – from the popular Go Rosie Grow show. Rosie is an amazing eight-year-old from Detroit Michigan who uses her talents to shine a light on historical black figures and icons. Since we spoke in March of 2023, big things have been happening for Rosie and her family's team of talented women known as “The Bi...

Raising strong girls is finally having its moment and the Girl Scouts are front and center in helping to make that happen.  Studies show that the development of attitudes, behaviors, and skills like confidence, conflict resolution, and problem-solving are critical to well-being and rival academic and technical skills in their capacity to predict long-term positive life outcomes. Girl Scouts is the...

If you are educated about the latest frauds and scams, you become better equipped with tools to recognize potential red flags. Therefore, we are dedicating today’s podcast to this very important subject. I will be talking with Tammy Plummer and Emily Cantillo of First National Bank about Fraud education and awareness. This practical awareness and tips for how to avoid scams and spot red flags is k...

In this episode, I talk with our Daughters of Change podcast producer and audio engineer, Sarah Stacey, about her recently completed radio documentary entitled -The Iveagh Trust: How Ireland's Richest Man Housed Dublin's Poor. This story about Ireland's oldest housing charity is close to Sarah’s heart, as her own family has been tenants of The Iveagh Trust for four generations and counting.  Sarah...

Navigating today’s complex world can be tough, especially for girls and teenagers. Girl Scouts of the USA and their trusted partners have joined forces to make it a little easier. New activities and trainings give Girl Scouts and their families, caregivers, and volunteers the essential tools to support emotional intelligence, mental health, and wellness, and to proactively practice self-care.    T...

Daughter of Change, Kyna Rampersad of Trinidad, and Tobago is empowering minds through literacy, advocacy, and practical instruction. Kyna is a dyslexia practitioner and the founder of the literacy organization: A World of Books- an online learning and support platform driven by the mandate to give the gift of reading through researched and evidence-based instructions.  She is deeply passionate ab...

Stephanie Emery is a Lifetime Member of the Girl Scouts and the owner of Adventure Bus -an affordable way for like-minded people from all over to get together, get outside, see the world, and have fun with nature.  Originally from West Paris, Maine, Stephanie spent her summers at Girl Scouts of Maine’s Camp Pondicherry where her mother was the nurse. Her days were filled with hiking, swimming, can...

There are many layers to liberation from domestic abuse. Each person’s path is different and complex.  Through the work of the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, and its member Domestic Violence Resource Centers, survivors receive a comprehensive array of support and resources.  DVRC advocates work closely with survivors to develop safety plans and reduce barriers that stand in the way of a...

I initially interviewed today’s honorary Daughter of Change, Greg Lathrop, for the Never Been Old B4 podcast. As we delved into our conversation, I realized that this intriguing subject would appeal to all of you. Greg Lathrop is licensed as a Registered Nurse. At age 15, he experienced what he thought would be the moment of his immediate death. The transpersonal, mystical state of being he experi...

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a one-of-a-kind leadership development program for girls, with proven results. It is based on time-tested methods and research-backed programming that help girls take the lead—in their own lives and in the world.  Today’s Daughter of Change, Mikayla Reynolds, is a prime example of the success of this program.  Mikayla, originally from Waterville, Maine is a...

This episode's Daughter of Change is a retired professor, researcher, author, and consultant whose work focused on gender equality. Cindy Berryman-Fink, Ph. D., taught in the Departments of Communication and Women's Studies at the University of Cincinnati for 31 years. Her teaching and research focused on gendered language, women in management, sexual harassment, and workplace diversity. She has a...

Today’s guest, Jamie Ribisi-Braley, is an artist from Auburn, Maine, and the Office Manager of the United Society of Shakers at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from Boston University. Jamie is also the Leader of a multi-level Girl Scout Troop, and is the recipient of the Volunteer of Excellence Award, the Volunteer Appreciation Pin, and the Linda Shos...

Today’s Daughter of Change is 20-year-old Halle Roy.  Born in and raised in Maine, Halle is currently getting ready for her second year at Southern Maine Community College where she is studying fire science and is part of a live-in program. Students accepted into the “live in” program live in area fire-EMS stations in exchange for being “on call” during specific hours. They have additional respons...

Raising girls to be happy, healthy, and successful is a key tenant of the Girl Scouts. In addition, Girl Scouts stands with parents and caregivers as they raise up the next generation of girls and young women. Best of all, Parents can create their own experience while supporting the girls in their lives.  Today’s guests are a prime example of the Girl Scout family connection. Mom, Mariah, is the l...

Matilda Issata Sawie is the Refugee Congress Delegate for Pennsylvania. She is a former refugee originally from Liberia. Matilda has had a lifelong commitment to public health and outreach. While in the refugee camp, she volunteered as a peer educator, teaching her peers how to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies. When she came to the U.S., Matilda earned an associate...

Anna Maria Ponzi has dedicated her life to Oregon wine. At the age of four, she helped plant one of the earliest vineyards as her pioneering parents established one of the first wineries in the Willamette Valley. She’s had the rare opportunity of working in every aspect of the wine business and has served the industry in myriad ways, most importantly, as an ambassador for Oregon wine both national...

Nejra Sumic has been a refugee advocate for many years, working at various human rights organizations. Currently, she is the National Field Manager with the We Are All America Campaign , where she helps organize refugee leaders across the country.  Being a former Refugee who was forced to flee from her home country of Bosnia and Herzegovina has instilled in Nejra a sense of purpose, passion, and d...

Today’s Daughter of Change, Thalia-Maria Tourikis, is a self-described digital nomad, successful blogger, and the founder of Notes by Thalia .  With a monthly readership of over 20,000 people and growing, Thalia focuses on realistic wellness and covers topics like health & wellness, self-care, productivity, well-being, and intentional living. After spending the majority of her twenties in a toxic...