Carry As You Climb

Know your why. Then let it carry you through the rooms that were never built with you in mind. Nan Whaley sits down with Ohio State Representative Desiree Tims at Nan’s dining room table in Dayton for a conversation about purpose, public service, and what it means to keep showing up when democracy itself feels fragile.  Desiree traces her path from West Dayton public schools to Xavier University,...

Stop waiting for the perfect words, the perfect training, or the perfect moment. Betsy Hodges says the work starts where you are. Nan Whaley sits down with her longtime friend Betsy Hodges, former Mayor of Minneapolis, writer, and one of the country's most candid voices on racial equity, for a conversation about race, responsibility, and what it means to keep choosing action over avoidance.  Betsy...

Once called “the most dangerous person in the world.” Randi Weingarten says she'd rather be known as both a fighter and a problem-solver. Host Nan Whaley sits down with Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, for a conversation about labor, leadership, and the challenges facing working people today. From her experience working in a GM rubber plant during the oil crisis...

Julie Chávez Rodriguez ran two presidential campaigns in a single cycle, and says she has no plans to write a book about either one. Host Nan Whaley sits down with Julie Chávez Rodriguez, former campaign manager for the 2024 Biden-Harris and Harris campaigns. The two reflect on leading through uncertainty, keeping teams grounded during rapid change, and why widening the doorway for future leaders...

Not all women's leadership advice is created equal, and Angel Beets isn't afraid to say so. Nan Whaley talks with Angel Beets, CEO of Gilman Partners , about leadership presence, executive search, mentorship, and the subtle ways women are evaluated differently at work.  Drawing from her experience rising from marketing director to CEO within the same organization, and now helping companies hire an...

What happens to a community when no one's left watching? Host Nan Whaley sits down with veteran Ohio journalist Ellen Belcher for a conversation about the collapse of local journalism, the shrinking role of editorial boards, and what communities lose when accountability reporting disappears. After more than three decades helping shape public conversation in Ohio, Belcher reflects on the changing m...

What does it look like to build power while also living a full, real life? In this episode, Nan sits down with newly appointed Ohio State Representative Ashley Bryant Bailey (District 26) for a candid conversation about what it really looks like to serve as a young Black Democratic woman in Ohio’s legislature.  Bailey shares how her early career at Procter & Gamble helped shape her leadership...

Mary Anne Sharkey spent her career asking tough questions…even when the answers came with consequences. Host Nan Whaley sits down with longtime Ohio political journalist Mary Anne Sharkey to reflect on a career spanning decades of reporting, leadership, and change in the media industry. A Dayton native and University of Dayton graduate, Sharkey began at the Dayton Journal Herald while still in col...

Liz Brown has never separated her leadership from her life. Host Nan Whaley sits down with Liz Brown, a former Columbus City Councilmember and current President & CEO of YWCA Columbus, to talk about what it means to lead with both conviction and care. From running for office while pregnant to advancing policies that support working families, Liz has built a career rooted in advocacy, equity, a...

Host Nan Whaley sits down with Rita Danish, CEO of Signal Ohio, a nonprofit network of local newsrooms she built from the ground up over three years. Before leading one of the fastest-growing nonprofit news organizations in the country, Rita spent three decades in public service and law, holding some of Ohio’s most influential legal and civic roles, including: Chief Legal Counsel, Ohio Department...

Note: Episode reposted due to a hosting sync issue and number / Nan Whaley reconnects with longtime friend and fundraising powerhouse Alexandra Acker-Lyons. Al, a dedicated political consultant with over two decades of experience, shares insights on her journey into politics, mentorship, and her passion for supporting women candidates and issues. They discuss the evolution of women in political le...

Nan Whaley welcomes Cincinnati entrepreneur Rachel DesRochers for a conversation about gratitude, grit, and building businesses that give back. From launching Power to Pursue and Grateful Grahams to founding the Incubator Kitchen Collective – now supporting more than 200 food startups – Rachel shares how a lifelong gratitude practice shaped her leadership and entrepreneurial journey as a changemak...

Host Nan Whaley sits down with Judge Mary Wiseman of Montgomery County to discuss her journey to becoming a seasoned judge. They explore her early career in private practice, her switch from engineering to law, and her dedication to the legal profession. Judge Wiseman shares her experiences navigating the judicial system, including maintaining impartiality and adapting to the limitations of expres...

Host Nan Whaley sits down with Liz Walters, CEO of TargetSmart and former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, for a wide-ranging and insightful conversation about leadership, politics, and the power of data. Liz reflects on her political journey - from leading in Ohio to shaping the future of political technology - and shares lessons learned working alongside some of the most influential women in...

Host Nan Whaley interviews Kimberly Hamlin, a historian and professor specializing in women's history and rights. They discuss the historical and contemporary contributions of women leaders and how we can learn from the past to deal with today’s challenges. Their conversation covers:  Changing perspectives on women's leadership across generations  The importance of addressing intersectionality and...

Host Nan Whaley engages in a heartfelt conversation with Heather Booth, a renowned activist known for her work in the civil rights movement and abortion rights. They discuss Booth's journey from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to the establishment of the 'Jane' collective, which provided thousands of safe abortions before it was legalized by Roe v. Wade.  Heather Booth shares...

Host Nan Whaley engages in a fascinating discussion with Betsy Fisher Martin, a prominent journalist and the Director of American University's Women & Politics Institute. The conversation delves into Betsy's career journey, from growing up in a politically charged environment in New Orleans to leading 'Meet the Press' for decades. Betsy shares insights into the evolving role of women in leader...

Host Nan Whaley is joined by Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers and Secretary Treasurer of the Ohio AFL-CIO, for a discussion on her journey in labor leadership. Melissa shares insights into the Federation's growth and challenges, efforts to organize new sectors such as libraries and social services, and the complexities of labor advocacy in a politically tough state lik...

Host Nan Whaley sits down with Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund, for a candid conversation about her unexpected path into national leadership, the complexity of steering an organization under constant attack, and the delicate balance between long-term vision and daily crisis response. The dig into the emotional...

Host Nan Whaley sits down with Mayor Sharetta Smith of Lima, Ohio, a trailblazing leader who made history as the city’s first female and first African American mayor. They talk about her transition to the mayor’s office, what it means to lead with transparency, and how she’s making city government more accessible and responsive. Sharetta and Nan explore the challenges of affordable living, the imp...

Host Nan Whaley sits down with Nikol Miller, Executive Director of the Miami Valley Urban League, to explore what true mentorship looks like – and how lifting others can transform careers, communities, and lives. Nikol embodies the spirit of Carry As You Climb. A trusted community leader and lifelong mentor, she shares how she approaches guiding others with honesty, humility, and purpose. Nan and...

In this energizing episode, host Nan Whaley sits down with Katie Paris, founder of Red Wine & Blue, to talk about how suburban women are reshaping politics and reclaiming the power of community. From kitchen tables to neighborhood text threads, Katie shares how real conversations among women can change hearts, minds, and outcomes—and why humor, authenticity, and connection are some of the most...

In this inspiring episode, host Nan Whaley sits down with Dr. Amy Acton, physician, community leader, and current candidate for Governor of Ohio. Together, they explore what it means to lead with both strength and empathy - and how to keep climbing even when the path feels steep. Their conversation covers: The crossroads of their own leadership journeys - and how their paths have intersected What...

Connie Schultz is a Pulitzer Prize winning, nationally syndicated columnist for Creators Syndicate, and Professional in Residence at Kent State University School of Journalism. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 2005 for Commentary for columns that judges praised for providing “a voice for the underdog and the underprivileged.”  She also won the Robert F. Kennedy […]

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, now in her fifteenth term as the Congresswoman for the District of Columbia, is the Chair of the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. She serves on two committees: the Committee on Oversight and Reform and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Before her congressional service, President Jimmy Carter appointed her […]