The Uplifters

summary In this episode of the Uplifters podcast, host Aransas Savas interviews her husband, Andy Savas, about his recent experience covering the papal conclave in Rome. Andy shares insights into the preparation, the excitement of the event, and the emotional moments of witnessing history as a new pope was elected. The conversation highlights the challenges of live reporting, the atmosphere in St....

summary In this conversation, Aransas Savas and Shannon Russell explore the transformative journey of women reinventing themselves, focusing on Shannon's transition from a successful television executive to an entrepreneur. They discuss the importance of mindset shifts, defining non-negotiables, and the role of research in building confidence. Shannon shares her insights on overcoming mental barri...

Episode Summary In this special tribute episode, host Aransas Savas honors her grandmother, Rosemary Baker, who recently passed away at age 95. Aransas shares the inspiring story of her grandmother's remarkable life and the valuable lessons she embodied about living fully at every age. Key Moments Chapters 00:00 Inspiration and Influences 02:54 Family Values and Homelife 06:25 Adventures and Aspir...

summary In this heartfelt conversation, Angela shares her journey of navigating profound loss, leaving a high-demand religion, and embracing her creativity. Through her experiences, she discusses the importance of self-discovery, the complexities of grief, and the power of community. Angela emphasizes the significance of being present, allowing oneself to feel emotions, and the beauty of imperfect...

keywords menopause, women's health, empowerment, community, self-discovery, education, entrepreneurship, resilience, awareness, support summary In this enlightening conversation, Aransas Savas and Julie Gordon White delve into the often-taboo subject of menopause, exploring its challenges and opportunities. They discuss the importance of breaking the silence surrounding menopause, the need for edu...

I found myself smiling at Sandra Bookman's refreshing candor throughout this conversation. There's something deeply reassuring about hearing an accomplished broadcast journalist—who has guided New Yorkers through 27 years of collective triumphs and tragedies—reject the "icon" label and instead emphasize her fundamental humanity. What struck me most was Sandra's self-awareness about her goal-orient...

Today’s Featured Uplifter: Jessica Varian Carroll She started her business with a box of Hefty garbage bags and zero experience. As a single mom of four with spotty child support, Jessica Varian Carroll 's motto was stark and simple: "Work or be homeless. Those were the only choices I had." There was a time when Jessica collected the loose change from her dryer just to feed her children. The water...

Today’s Featured Uplifter: Melissa Petro I was standing in my kitchen the other day, staring at a pile of produce I'd optimistically purchased, thinking about all the healthy meals I wasn't going to make. That familiar feeling crept in—the one that whispers I'm falling short, not measuring up, failing at yet another standard that seems so effortless for others. We all have these moments, don't we?...

Join us next Thursday, March 13th live in NYC for a day of connection, celebration, and boosting our collective courage to do big, bold things, because goodness knows we are gonna need to be brave this year! Proceeds are going to Emma's Torch (empowering refugees through culinary education + catering our amazing lunch), 826NY (uplifting the voices of diverse young authors), and Lonely Worm Farm (a...

Join us on March 13th live in NYC for a day of connection, celebration, and boosting our collective courage to do big, bold things, because goodness knows we are gonna need to be brave this year! Proceeds are going to Emma's Torch (empowering refugees through culinary education + catering our amazing lunch), 826NY (uplifting the voices of diverse young authors), and Lonely Worm Farm (an arts and e...

Join us on March 13th at Brooklyn Brewery for a one-day retreat to raise funds for some amazing organizations while connecting, celebrating, and filling our cups. Proceeds are going to Emma's Torch (empowering refugees through culinary education + catering our amazing lunch), 826NY (uplifting the voices of diverse young authors), and Lonely Worm Farm (an arts and ecology organization for people of...

Join us on March 13th at Brooklyn Brewery for a day of transformation, connection, and celebration. To celebrate our 1st 100 episodes of the podcast, my dream is to assemble as many inspiring women in one room as possible for a one-day retreat to connect, celebrate, and boost our collective courage to do big, bold things, because goodness knows we are gonna need to be brave this year! Proceeds are...

Join us on March 13th at Brooklyn Brewery for a day of transformation, connection, and celebration. Like Lauren, who you’ll meet in today’s episode, every woman in our community has a story that can light the way for others. Whether you're navigating your own reinvention, seeking deeper purpose, or ready to create meaningful change, you'll find your people here. This isn't your typical networking...

Join us on March 13th at Brooklyn Brewery for a day of transformation, connection, and celebration. Like Laura Kavanagh, who you’ll meet in today’s episode, every woman in our community has a story that can light the way for others. Whether you're navigating your own reinvention, seeking deeper purpose, or ready to create meaningful change, you'll find your people here. This isn't your typical net...

Join us on March 13th at Brooklyn Brewery for a day of transformation, connection, and celebration. Like Karen Robinovitz, who you’ll meet in today’s episode, every woman in our community has a story that can light the way for others. Whether you're navigating your own reinvention, seeking deeper purpose, or ready to create meaningful change, you'll find your people here. This isn't your typical n...

In today's episode, you'll meet Katie Horwitch, who reminds us how the right community can make all the difference. On March 13, please join me for Uplifters Live, where we'll come together as a community of brave, beautiful Uplifters for a day of deep connection, courage-building workshops, celebration (including my own 50th birthday!), and an amazing lunch created by Emma’s Torch . I hope to see...

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...