Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy

In this episode Darcy J. Totten, interim executive director at the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, discusses the critical economic and social challenges women face, particularly emphasized by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Nancy and Darcy explore the disproportionate job losses and childcare burdens impacting women, the persistent pay gap, and its severe effects on women of col...

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Haggard, Director of the Center for the Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary’s University, joins Dr. Nancy O’Reilly for an inspiring discussion about the importance of “listening to the light that wants to live in you” and how to use it to become a powerful change maker. Dr. Nicole shares her journey from her unsupported dissertation work to becoming an advocate for...

Today, Dr. Nancy welcomed Montecito Media Group CEO and Executive Editor Gwyn Lurie to discuss the power of collaboration, need for positive female role models, and impact of lifting up women and girls, which Gwyn said is “the strongest lever for change.” They also explored the importance of storytelling, value of investing in women, and the positive effects of women leaders. From championing wome...

Welcome to “Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy”! In this episode, Dr. Nancy O’Reilly engages in a captivating and empowering discussion with the remarkable Frédérique Campagne Irwin, President and CEO of the National Women’s History Museum. They delve into Frédérique’s entrepreneurial journey, her frustration with systemic change’s slow pace, and her commitment to empower women and girls....

Listen to Maggie O’Neill discuss why she strongly believes that art can support and drive societal change. For over two decades, Maggie has contributed to the vibrant arts scene of Washington D.C. making her name and work synonymous with artistic innovation, entrepreneurship, and activism. Her newest project, Vote For Your Daughter, leverages the visual and emotional impact of 51 statues represent...

Learn how Jasmine Minhas uses her principles of selfless service (seva) from her Sikh upbringing and her unwavering commitment to equity and justice to demonstrate how a single person can be a force for change. With a degree in French, history and science from Bucknell University, she isn’t waiting for her law degree to work for systemic change. Among her many professional achievements, Jasmine pl...

Join us in exploring the dynamic leadership of Christian Nunes, the second African American president of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Through her inclusive and intersectional approach, Nunes is reshaping the future of feminism in the United States. Discover how her background in social work and community organizing drives NOW's initiatives for marginalized communities, advocating...

Discover the inspiring journey of Brianna Baker as she leads the charge for justice and empowerment for Black girls across the country. From personal experiences to nationwide advocacy and program development that creates safe spaces and paths for Black girls to thrive. Witness how Brianna is transforming the narrative and celebrating the talents and abilities of Black girls. Join the movement and...

As the 2024 election season unfolds, Crystal Quade has emerged as a powerful advocate for equality and working-class Americans in Middle America. Currently serving as Minority Leader in the Missouri House of Representatives, Crystal shares her journey from a challenging rural upbringing to becoming the first in her family to graduate high school and attend college. Now, she's on a mission to a...

Join us for an engaging discussion with Elisa Parker, with the ERA Coalition and Fund for Women’s Equality, as we dive into the intricate aspects of gender inequality and the pursuit of the Equal Rights Amendment. During this conversation, Elisa will shed light on her impactful work, which revolves around empowerment, opportunities, and collaboration. She will explore the intersections of media an...

Zakiya Thomas is President and CEO of the ERA Coalition and the Fund for Women’s Equality. An agent for change, Zakiya leads a diverse coalition of over 290 partner organizations, representing 80 million people, all fighting for equality. The Coalition advocates for gender, racial, and reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and much more under the unifying banner of sex equality and the goal to ensh...

Kathy Caprino has seen the power that can be unleashed when women discover and unlock their potential. As an international career and leadership coach, writer, speaker, and educator, she is dedicated to helping women build rewarding and impactful careers. Her mission is to create what she calls “finding brave moments” that empower women to close the power gaps in their professional pursuits and so...

Kirthi Jayakumar and Keturah Shammah are women driven by similar missions. While they grew up worlds apart, they were brought together through the power of World Pulse, an independent, women-led social network for social change. By harnessing the power of technology to accelerate women's leadership, the organization not only connecting women, it is speeding up the pace towards gender equity. G...

Julie Hermelin is way out front in the drive to help social profit and for-profit organizations connect their messages with their audiences through impactful storytelling. As co-founder and managing partner of Gutsy Media, a narrative change storytelling studio, Julie is using storytelling to change the way we engage with complex issues and to transform the way people think. By opening what she ca...

In this episode, Dr. Nancy is joined by renowned artist, activist, and filmmaker Tiffany Shlain, and Emmy-nominated film producer Sawyer Steele. Together, they discuss their longstanding partnership and their mission to create positive change in the world through their documentaries and initiatives. They also share their upcoming project, a collaboration with Women Connect for Good and the Nationa...

Ashely Avis is an award-winning writer, director, editor, and passionate advocate for horses. She has completed five feature films and is the founder and president of the Wild Beauty Foundation. Her recent remake of "Black Beauty" for Disney+ not only modernized the classic tale but also shed light on the pressing issue of wild horse preservation in the American West. Witnessing the plight...

Lauren Schiller and Hadley Dynak are the co-authors of "It's a Good Day to Change the World: Inspiration and Advice for a Feminist Future.” The two women's paths converged when they met through mutual connections, recognizing their shared passion for making a difference. Together, they embarked on a mission to create a book that would inspire others to be part of the feminist future th...

Heidi Sieck is a civic entrepreneur and a powerful advocate for reproductive freedom and gender equality. As founder and chief empowerment officer of #VoteProChoice, Heidi has created a platform that arms voters with comprehensive information about candidates' stances not only on reproductive rights, but also on the broader issues of healthy communities and economic equity in the context of re...

Dr. Jackie Glenn is a prominent force in the drive to make diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) a given in the workplace. For more than 30 years, Dr. Jackie has connected the dots between DE&I, innovation, and profitability. Her work has influenced positive and lasting change in corporate culture, reinforcing diversity, equity and inclusion as a business imperative. Her book,  Lift As I...

Mona Sinha is the Executive Director of Equality Now and a renowned advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment. The seeds of standing up for social justice and women's rights sprouted early. She was the youngest of three daughters, growing up in Calcutta, where more value was placed on boys than girls. Early awareness of the gender disparity shaped her passion for challenging the...

As executive director of Taking The Reins, an urban farm and equestrian program in Los Angeles, Dr. Jane Haven is leading an effort to close the confidence gap and empower the next generation of women to be confident, courageous, and prepared to drive their lives in the direction they want to go. From her childhood in Western Colorado to her current role as a clinical psychologist and executive di...

Adam Torres has made amplifying stories his life's work. Adam is co-founder of Mission Matters, a full-service media agency specializing in podcasts, publishing, social media and PR. He is the author of several books and an international speaker. Adam and Dr. Nancy discuss their shared passion for empowering individuals and amplifying voices, and announce that Women Connect4Good will partner w...

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo shares the story of her 38-year career from door-to-door sales at Royal Caribbean to CEO of Celebrity Cruise Lines and how she credits being open to learning, caring about people, and the support of the male mentors to her successful path to the C-Suite. Get full access to Dr. Nancy O’Reilly and the Women Connect4Good Foundation at drnancyoreilly.substack.com/subscribe

Danna Beal tells about how the main point of her new book, The Illuminated Workplace: Shining a Light on Workplace Culture, is for everyone to understand that they are part of the workplace culture--from top management to new hires and they are responsible for the outcomes of their behavior. She hopes to share how we can rebuild relationships and replace fear with trust and compassion to create th...

Karen Korponai is the CEO and Founder of Konscious Konsulting – guiding conscious companies in their quest to turn their visions into reality. She promotes a business paradigm that focuses on people, planet, purpose and prosperity. Karen calls connecting one of her superpowers. As a super-connector, Karen is always focused on how she can help others. She says that when she's encountered obstac...