The Women's Advocate

For our latest session, we got the opportunity to speak with a guest we have long admired: the powerfully empathetic, action-minded Claire Wasserman. We discuss Claire's journey of channeling her anger at persistent corporate misogyny and the importance of financial empowerment for women – forces that played a key role in her founding of Ladies Get Paid. Claire further shares her inspiring story o...

In this week's episode, the inimitable Gloria Allred walks us through key elements of how she helps victims and survivors of sexual assault fight for justice. She also talks about how powerful it is to be free from the yoke of needing to be liked, the egregious contexts in which women are criticized for not smiling, and her strategy of shifting fear from victims to perpetrators. Gloria further sha...

Some of us crushed on boy bands as teenagers. Our guest Rachel Pusey, however, recalls crushing on California's first female Chief Justice (in a lovely, inspired, non-romantic manner of course). On this episode of  The Women's Advocate , Rachel and Sarah talk about Rachel's beautiful, evolving path through the law – a journey that has taken Rachel from representing employees to supporting employer...

"When you're a coach, your life is the curriculum."   This week, Allison Tibbs tells us about how her vision of becoming a corner-office media executive transformed into a mission of helping women lead excellent careers and reframe their health and wellness as tools – not additional exhausting to-dos – for their success and happiness. Allison and Sarah discuss how Allison's openness about her expe...

Deidre shares her own powerful journey of navigating many big life changes at once as she dives into the challenges of being a woman and mother, leaving a job, her battle with cancer, divorce, and ultimate decision to found Von Rock Law. Deidre and Sarah discuss how these experiences have been a strength to Deidre as she has centered her award-winning trust and estate law practice around kindness...

In this week's episode, Sarah and ERISA litigation superstar Cassie Springer-Ayeni discuss the ins and outs of applying for disability benefits and appealing benefit denials. The ladies talk about the power of storytelling, treating people as more than their disability, why it can be so hard for folks to plan for or admit that they may have a long-term disability, and why it is ultimately so impor...

In this week's episode Sarah sits down with  Carolyn  Elefant – nationally recognized civil rights and energy attorney, longtime solo practitioner, and the force behind MyShingle.com, the longest-running blog for small firm lawyers.  Carolyn  has spent her career challenging extractive energy practices, defending community rights, and empowering lawyers, especially women, to take bold steps in bui...

In this week's episode Sarah sits down with  Leti  McNeill Light - Associate Vice Chancellor of UCSF and Co-Founder and President of SIGAP - a nationally recognized leader in higher education philanthropy. With nearly 25 years of experience across top universities and transformative fundraising initiatives,  Leti  shares what it means to lead with intention, curiosity, and care.   Together, Sarah...

In this week's episode Sarah Nichols sits down with Katy Song, certified financial planner and founder of Katy Song Financial Planning. With deep experience across Wall Street, tech startups, and independent practice, Katy shares how financial clarity empowers women to take control of their lives, whether they're navigating career changes, family responsibilities, or dreaming of something differen...

In this week's episode of  The Women's Advocate,  Sarah sits down with Julie Castro  Abrams , a gender and racial justice activist and the CEO and founder of How Women Lead. Julie shares her journey of advocating for systemic change, from increasing diversity on corporate boards to empowering women through venture capital investments. Together, they discuss the persistent barriers women face in le...

In this week's episode of The Women's Advocate , Sarah Nichols sits down with  Karen  Fleshman, founder of the Interracial Sisterhood Coalition.  Karen , an attorney and seasoned expert in anti-sexual harassment training and DEI workshops with over 20 years of experience leading diverse teams, shares insights into her career journey. Together, they explore the challenges of promoting diversity and...

How do you push forward when people tell you it can't be done?  In this week's episode of  The Women's Advocate , Sarah Nichols sits down with Gretchen Carlson, renowned journalist, author, and tireless advocate for workplace fairness. As the co-founder of Lift Our Voices, Gretchen has been at the forefront of the fight against workplace misconduct, successfully championing changes in laws related...

In this week's episode of The Women's Advocate , Sarah sits down with former DA turned criminal defense attorney and the owner of her own practice, Sharon Henry, to discuss her journey from prosecuting cases to establishing her own law firm dedicated to advocating for fairness and justice. Sharon shares personal anecdotes about her upbringing, the challenges she faced as a young, Black female atto...

In this week's episode of The Women's Advocate, Sarah sits down with mama attorney and founding member of the Chamber of Mothers,  Daphne Delvaux. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of women's rights and the unique challenges of entrepreneurship while championing the rights of women and mothers. The discussion covers crucial subjects like maternity leave, employee rights, the influence...

In this week's episode Sarah sits down with Sandra Possing, a multifaceted life coach, inspirational speaker, accomplished entrepreneur, and the charismatic host of the Oh, Hi Self! Podcast.  Together, they dive deep into Sandra's captivating life, where she gracefully balanced between two distinct cultures, embarked on thrilling adventures in her youth, and eventually found her calling in the wor...

In this week's episode, Sarah sits down with Dr. Kim Nalley, a renowned Jazz singer and CSU East Bay Professor. The two explore Dr. Nalley's journey from challenging beginnings to her emergence as a prominent figure in the Jazz scene. The discussion delves into Dr. Nalley's unique fusion of history and music, using song to bridge past and present, solidifying her role as both a Jazz Ambassador and...

In this week's episode of The Women's Advocate, Sarah sits down with Fahti Khosrowshahi, the founder and CEO of Ceek Women's Health, a medical device company focused on creating innovative products for more comfortable gynecological exams and procedures. Fahti discusses how the lack of innovation in the medical field helped drive her mission to make gynecological experiences more comfortable throu...

In this week's episode of The Women's Advocate, Sarah sits down with mama of three, media and tech executive, and the founder and CEO of Traction Advisory, Diana Lyman to discuss how the universe brought them together while Diana was navigating the birth of her third child and a very difficult situation at work. The two also discuss the importance of being your greatest advocate, and what the jour...

In this week's episode, Sarah sits down with S. Lucia Kanter St. Amour, the VP for UN women USA, practicing attorney, and former law professor turned everyday negotiation superhero to discuss Lucia's latest book  For the Forces of Good: The Superpower of Everyday Negotiation , and how to break down the intimidation surrounding negotiation one step at a time. Join us this week as these two negotiat...

In this week's episode, Sarah sits down with fellow Aussie and the founder of A Balanced Glass, a company that provides education and resources to wine industry colleagues  to  help  maintain  health  and  wellbeing , Rebecca Hopkins, to discuss the toll that working in the alcohol industry can take on people's physical and mental health. The two also discuss how Rebecca dared to create something...

In this week's episode, Sarah sits down with Krystal LoPilato, a Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense volunteer leader, lawyer and gun violence prevention advocate to discuss how the work people like Krystal are doing helps people sleep better at night. Sarah and Krystal also discuss the ever evolving gun violence prevention policies, how listeners can get involved and why women should allow themselve...

In this week's episode, Sarah sits down with San Francisco native, Akeisha Johnson, founder and business leadership coach at An Inspired Coaching to discuss everything from Akeisha's inspirational career, and how she uses her skills to help women acknowledge their accomplishments to the importance of cultivating discussion and conversation around diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace....

In this week's episode, Sarah sits down with fellow Aussie and co-founder of Circle In, Jodi Geddes, to learn how Jodi started a successful business all while on maternity leave. The two also discuss everything from running a business as working mothers, to the progression of parental leave policies, and the importance of empathetic leaders supporting their employees in the office and at home. Plu...

In this week's episode, Sarah sits down with the new and dynamic CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation, Sheila Warren, to discuss everything from authentic leadership as a working mother, to the importance of diverse teams and positive company culture. Plus, Sheila shares why we could all benefit from reading more fiction and the benefits of a creative mindset.

In this week's episode, Sarah sits down with the Founder & CEO of ChairmanMe, Sarah Lacy, to discuss how women can speak up, the likability conundrum, tearing down the patriarchy, Dolly Parton and just how freaking inspiring our kids truly are.