Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy

Lifelong broadcaster Ann Thomas joins Dr. Nancy in a conversation about her journey as a professional woman in a field that has seen numerous changes for women since she began as an intern at WJR 760 in Detroit. Lucky to be in a business that she instantly loved, Thomas pursued her dream in many capacities as producer, news reporter, anchor, executive producer of the award-winning “Paul W. Smith S...

Welcome to Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy , a podcast that examines the stories of life and leadership for smart, amazing women (and men). Each episode features powerful conversations with people who are changing the world and making a difference in their communities. Our guests share their personal stories, insights, and advice on how to break through barriers and achieve success and...

This episode is all about the future and how we can support the young leaders who will shape it. Highlights from previous interviews with inspiring changemakers show the work that’s being done to empower and equip today’s youth to become leaders and create the change they want to see in the world. Show Notes: First, DeNora Getachew and Keely Quinn, leaders of DoSomething.org, discuss how their org...

Today we’re exploring one of the most powerful forces for connection and change - the stories we tell and the ones we choose to preserve. Throughout history, stories have shaped our understanding of who we are and what’s possible. But too often, the voices of women, changemakers, and diverse communities have been overlooked or forgotten. In this episode, Dr. Nancy revisits some of our favorite con...

Dr. Nancy welcomes four powerful young activists fighting for women’s rights. First, Asha Dahya and Monica Morales-Garcia stop by to talk about their podcast series, “Green Tide Rising.” Borrowing the title from the Green Wave, a movement started by feminists and organizers across Latin America to champion reproductive freedoms, the podcast features a human rights attorney and shares the stories o...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Mona Sinha, CEO of Equality Now, who shares her journey from growing up in India and volunteering with Mother Teresa’s all-girls orphanage, to learning the value of women supporting women at Smith College, to leading a global organization that drives the legal and systemic change needed to end violence and discrimination against all women and girls. Sinha discusses the rising ch...

Dr. Denise Dunning joins the conversation to share her transformative journey as the founder of Rise Up Together, an organization dedicated to the global empowerment of women and girls by supporting local leaders in solving problems and driving impactful change. Dr. Dunning discusses the challenges women face in accessing resources and power, emphasizing the need for collective action and solidari...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Dr. Krishauna Hines-Gaither, a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and women’s empowerment, to discuss her inspiring journey from North Carolina to Los Angeles. Dr. Hines-Gaither shares how mentors, like her mother and other influential women in her life, shaped her path and ignited her mission to advance gender equity through women’s education. She highlights the transfo...

Dr. Nancy welcomes The Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney, former U.S. Congresswoman, to share her inspiring journey of public service, focusing on her unwavering commitment to gender equality and the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). She discusses her upcoming “Driving the Vote for Women’s Equality” campaign, modeled after historic suffragist efforts, to raise awareness and mobilize support for the ERA. Re...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Francine Mbvoumbo, founder of Mothers to Daughters, for an inspiring conversation about empowering women through intergenerational mentorship and support. Mbvoumbo shares her journey, highlighting how her upbringing and her mother’s entrepreneurial spirit shaped her mission to lift women up. She discusses the alarming lack of funding for women and girls, the importance of resili...

Dr. Leah Robinson: Optimal Health for an Optimal Life Get full access to Dr. Nancy O’Reilly and the Women Connect4Good Foundation at drnancyoreilly.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Nancy welcomes Michelle Milford Morse, Vice President for Girls and Women Strategy at the United Nations Foundation, for an inspiring conversation about advancing global gender equality. Milford Morse shares how her Texas roots and influential women leaders have shaped her journey, and highlights the UN Foundation’s critical role in fostering global cooperation to address challenges such as ge...

Dr. Nancy sits down with David G. Smith, PhD, a sociologist, author, and leading expert on the benefits male allies bring to women in the workplace. Sharing his unique journey from Navy pilot alongside his wife to be to passionate advocate for male allyship and gender equity in the workplace. It was through her experiences, especially surrounding a lack of mentor and resources that transformed the...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Heidi Sieck and Dr. Nicole Haggard for a powerful compilation on the topic of equality. Sieck shares her insights on the decades-long political strategy to limit reproductive freedom, and its critical role in empowering women to step into leadership. She also weighs in on the importance of local political engagement to protect these rights. Haggard highlights the necessity of in...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Janine Firpo, investor, author of Activate Your Money, and co-founder of Invest for Better. Firpo shares the story of her unconventional path from tech and international development to pioneering values-aligned investing for everyday women. She introduces the Sheconomy, a collaborative national campaign that reframes what’s possible when women control capital and create impact w...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Natalie Byrne, founder of the impact strategy firm blank space and the social profit blank space collaborative. Byrne shares her journey from journalism to advising global leaders, brands, and philanthropists on activating their purpose. She details the launch of BE Human at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), an initiative to re-center humanity in the age of AI. Byrne discusse...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Sara Lomelin, founding CEO of Philanthropy Together and a global catalyst for democratizing philanthropy. Lomelin shares her journey from her childhood in Mexico City to becoming a visionary leader, named to the TIME100 Philanthropy list and Forbes 50 Over 50 for her work expanding the power of collective giving. She explains how giving circles—groups of people who pool their re...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Andreas Pettersson, author of Power Without Permission and longtime advocate for women’s leadership. Having been raised by a single mother in Sweden where equality is the norm, he expresses his shock at finding such extreme inequality in leadership in the U.S. He shares how his life’s mission has become focused on empowering women and challenging self-doubt and imposter syndrome...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Sarah Haacke Byrd, a visionary leader in philanthropy and CEO of Women Moving Millions, to discuss her mission of advancing gender equality through bold investments, collective leadership, and systems-level change. With over two decades of experience, Haacke Byrd has mobilized nearly $300 million to support women and girls globally, earning her recognition on the TIME100 Most In...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Hali Lee, a trailblazing philanthropist and founder of the Asian Women Giving Circle, to discuss her mission of transforming generosity into community-driven change. As a co-founder of the Donors of Color Network and Philanthropy Together, Lee champions the power of giving circles to unlock collective impact through community giving. She shares insights from her new book, The Bi...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Tracy Evans-Land, a three-time Olympian and freestyle skiing pioneer, to share her inspiring journey from the slopes to creating change. As the founder of Kids Play International, she promotes gender equity and the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect by using sports to inspire and heal post-genocide communities. Evans-Land also discusses her work as a casting d...

Dr. Nancy welcomes DeNora Getachew and Keely Quinn, leaders at DoSomething.org , as they share their inspiring work empowering youth to drive change. Highlighting the importance of civic engagement, equity, and environmental activism, they discuss how DoSomething.org equips young people with the tools and resources they need to take action and make a difference. From fostering leadership to addres...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Dr. Ludy Green, a global expert on violence against women and economic empowerment for victims of abuse, as she shares her remarkable journey of linking financial security to breaking the cycle of domestic abuse. Considering the crucial role that financial independence plays in helping survivors gain control of their lives, Dr. Green highlights several groundbreaking initiatives...

Dr. Nancy sits down with Danette Leighton and Jean Tatge of the Women’s Sports Foundation to discuss the critical role of sports in fostering equality and leadership. Reflecting on Billie Jean King’s founding vision and Title IX’s 51-year legacy, they discuss the role of sports in teaching resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, and how that prepares women for leadership. They highlight...

Dr. Nancy welcomes Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters of the United States. Stewart shares how her early passion for justice and civil rights led to her role in championing democracy. Growing up in a military family and inspired by her mother’s childhood experiences of cruelty during racial integration, she knew from a young age she wanted to make a difference in the country her fam...