The Uplifters

In today's episode, you'll meet Chef Sheri, who found her true calling at 50 in the most delicious way possible. This March, I hope you'll join me at Uplifters Live, where we'll explore our own moments of reinvention together. We'll gather at Brooklyn Brewery for a day of deep connection, courage-building workshops, celebration (including my own 50th birthday!), and an amazing lunch created by Emm...

Today’s Featured Uplifter: Heather Hester Standing in the darkness of a hotel room across the country from her children, Heather Hester received the call that would transform her life. Her missing teenage son was alive – and he had something to tell her. In that moment of raw relief, as her son's voice crackled through the phone line with his truth, Heather felt her world shift. "I'm gay," he said...

Today’s Featured Uplifter: Candy Motzek You know those rare conversations that feel like sinking into a comfortable chair? That's what it felt like talking with Candy Motzek . There's an immediate ease that settles over you – a superpower she didn't even recognize she had until people kept telling her how calm they felt in her presence. (Though she'll be the first to tell you that doesn't mean she...

Today’s Featured Uplifter: Tania Kinsella When I sat down with Tania Kinsella, the first woman of color to serve as Deputy Chief of the NYPD, I expected the usual leadership conversation – strategies, milestones, carefully crafted responses. Instead, I found myself swept up in a current of pure, unbridled love. Yes, love . In the world of law enforcement. (Stay with me here.) There's something alm...

Today’s Featured Uplifter: Aditi Sethi, MD Aditi Sethi, MD is a hospice and palliative care physician, end-of-life doula, and Executive Director of the Center for Conscious Living and Dying . Featured in the forthcoming film The Last Ecstatic Days , Aditi is an emerging and important voice for shifting our culture’s understanding and approach to dying, death, and bereavement care. She recently did...

Today’s Featured Uplifter: Claude Silver This excerpt from Claude’s website is the best introduction I could possibly give you for the story you’re about to hear. Everyday you are leaving a heart print with everyone you meet. At 5 I knew I could feel and pick up on people's emotions By 14 I knew I could instinctually/intuitively know/sense/see what would happen in the near future By 17 I began to...

Featured Uplifter: Gisela A 13-time Emmy award-winning TV producer turned disability advocate, Gisela's journey of self-discovery began when her neurodivergent children helped her recognize and embrace her own identity as a disabled person. With 25 years of experience telling others' stories through film and television, she's now using her voice to expand society's understanding of disability and...

Ever notice that the faces of founders of billion-dollar tech companies all look pretty much the same? Regina Gwynn has – and she's doing something about it. As co-founder of Black Women Talk Tech , Regina is flipping the script on what a tech founder looks like, helping Black women build the next generation of billion-dollar businesses. "When you think about a tech founder, you think of Mark Zuck...

At just 22, Alli Schroeder has already blazed trails most wouldn't dare to walk. As the first woman to play in the Canadian Collegiate Baseball Conference and a 2X bronze medalist with Team Canada's national baseball team, she's no stranger to being the only woman on the field. But perhaps even more impressively, when she's not commanding the pitcher's mound, she's battling wildfires in British Co...

In a week where election results have left many Americans feeling the depths of our divisions, Susan McPherson's wisdom about authentic connection feels more vital than ever. As communities across the country grapple with political polarization and social isolation, her message about breaking out of our "hermetically sealed bubbles" and connecting across differences offers a path forward - not jus...

From a tiny Chinese village without electricity to launching a $100 million home décor empire, Jenny Jing Zhu 's story is a masterclass in turning limited resources into limitless possibilities. As the founder and chairwoman of Lush Decor Home , Jenny transformed herself from a hotel maid in Beijing to a powerhouse entrepreneur in America, while learning english alongside the toddler she was carin...

In the 1970s, Melanie Cohen's dad had a PhD in chemical engineering and applied physics, doing innovative work in clean fuels. He was also dealing drugs to fund his addictions and lavish lifestyle. His addiction to drugs and money was a continuation of his father's addiction to gambling. This inherited tendency toward an insatiable desire for "more" led to Melanie's food addiction, which we joked...

It’s pretty scary to put yourself out there in a world that can feel really divided, but  Lovisa Brown , the Executive Director of  Extreme Kids and Crew , is proving that we find our way back to one another not through layering on our protective masks, but by taking them off. A nod or smile acknowledges our shared humanity, moments of honesty when we admit that we don’t know all the answers help...

Every episode of this podcast is special, but this one is extra, extra special. Today I'm thrilled to introduce you to the wizard behind my own dreams coming true. As we close on our dream house (today!), I'm acutely aware this wouldn't be possible without our guest's expertise. While I understand human behavior, the stock market was Greek to me (the non-Greek in my marriage). Enter Veronica Karas...

What were you doing at 26? I was just barely figuring out how to adult. But, Taylor Scott is revolutionizing food access in Richmond, Virginia. What started as a simple desire to share excess tomatoes from her hydroponic garden has blossomed into RVA Community Fridges , a network of 14 community fridges serving food apartheid communities. Taylor's infectious enthusiasm and "delusionally optimistic...

Kerry Brodie is impatient. When she saw a problem and realized the existing solutions could take years or decades to create change, she created a whole new system: one that would have immediate and lasting impact for generations. As the founder of Emma's Torch , she's created a launchpad for refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking. Through culinary education, ESL classes, and job pla...

It can seem almost impossible to escape homelessness, but with the support of her community, LaKeshia Hodge broke a generational cycle. Now, she’s dedicating her life to helping others do the same. Her journey is a testament to the power of community and the ripple effect of love. As co-founder of the Struggle of Love Foundation , Lucky LaKeshia has spent over two decades uplifting her Denver comm...

When you think of powerhouse executives in the marketing world, you might imagine sharp suits and even sharper elbows. But Gail Tifford shatters those stereotypes, proving that true leadership comes from authenticity, vulnerability, and a deep sense of purpose. In this episode, Gail takes us on a journey from her early days at Unilever to her transformative roles at Weight Watchers and beyond. She...

As a mother of four, including a child with a disability, Alma Schneider has experienced her fair share of challenges. Yet, rather than letting those trials weigh her down, she's learned to lean into her passions, set healthy boundaries, and uplift those around her. Alma describes herself as a "recovering 'I'm supposed to do everything' person". Ummmm…. I can relate. How about you? Through therapy...

In this week’s episode, you’ll meet Alison Mariella Désir . Author, TV host, community organizer, activist, and running enthusiast - Alison wears many hats, all in service of creating more inclusive spaces in the world of athletics and beyond. From founding Harlem Run to championing diversity in the running industry, Alison's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and going the distan...

When Susan R. Pryde was diagnosed with stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver, she could have been forgiven for retreating in fear. Instead, she dove headfirst into reclaiming her health and her joy - and the results have been nothing short of extraordinary. Sue's story is one of triumph over adversity, of finding purpose and possibility in the midst of crisis. Facing down a dire prognosis, she embarked o...

Meet Cher Hale, an inspiring force of nature who's rewriting the rules of public relations and her own life story. As the founder of Ginkgo PR , Cher is on a mission to create a more equitable media landscape by amplifying the voices of underrepresented authors and entrepreneurs. But her journey to this purpose wasn't a straight line - it was a winding path of self-discovery, loss, and ultimately,...

Hey Uplifters, Dr. Marcia Morgan is a force of nature who has dedicated her life to giving women a voice in some of the toughest environments imaginable. From pioneering as one of the first female law enforcement officers in the 1970s to advocating for incarcerated women, Marcia has faced down challenges with grace, grit, and an unshakeable commitment to justice. In this episode, Marcia takes us o...

Today you’ll meet Daisy Auger-Dominguez. Born in New York City but raised in the Dominican Republic, Daisy's journey took her from feeling like an outsider in American high school to becoming a trailblazer in workplace diversity and inclusion. With stints at powerhouse companies like Moody's, Google, and Disney under her belt, Daisy now shares her hard-won wisdom on creating more inclusive workpla...

Hey Uplifters, May I ask for your help with something, right quick? I super love The Uplifters Podcast and all of the amazing stories we’ve featured. I want to make it even better for you, though - so I need your help! I've created a quick survey to understand what you love and what you'd like to hear more about. Please click here to help shape the future of The Uplifters Podcast. In this week's e...