Vital Voices Podcast

After one of the toughest years on record for global gender equality, Vital Voices Live brings together Amb. Melanne Verveer, Amb. Gita Rao Gupta, and Gary Barker to reflect on what happened—and what comes next. The conversation explores global trends, hard-won lessons, and signs of hope emerging around the world. Gary Barker shares insights from his work engaging men and boys as allies, highlight...

In this inspiring episode of Vital Voices Live , we sit down with Sanna Marin , former Prime Minister of Finland and a global advocate for democratic resilience, gender equality, and compassionate leadership. Marin reflects on her historic rise to national leadership, the complexities of governing through crisis, and the values that continue to guide her vision for a more just and inclusive world....

In this special edition of Vital Voices Live , host Norah O’Donnell sits down with editors-turned-authors Laura Brown and Kristina O’Neill to celebrate the launch of their new book All the Cool Girls Get Fired: How to Let Go of Being Let Go and Come Back on Top . Together, they unpack their own career turns—from top-tier magazine leadership to the moment of being let go—and share how those experie...

In this compelling episode of Vital Voices Live, Gambian women’s rights activist Jaha Dukureh — a leading campaigner against female genital mutilation, founder and executive director of Safe Hands for Girls, TIME 100 honoree, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee — joins acclaimed actor and New York Times bestselling author Ashley Judd. Interviewed by actor and CARE Ambassador Bellamy Young, they explore...

In this powerful episode of Vital Voices LIVE, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton joins Vital Voices CEO Alyse Nelson for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about the defining issues of our time. Together, they examine the rise of authoritarianism, the impact of toxic masculinity, and the global epidemic of violence against women—while underscoring the urgent fight for equality, justice, and res...

Did you know that 96% of all deepfakes are non-consensual, and 99% of them target women ? In this eye-opening episode, Vital Voices President & CEO Alyse Nelson sits down with Laura Bates , bestselling author of Men Who Hate Women and the brand-new release The New Age of Sexism , alongside Dr. Gary Barker , founder and CEO of Equimundo . Together, they unpack the alarming rise of AI-driven mis...

On this episode of Vital Voices Live , Shafiqa Khpalwak and Mahal Wak share their powerful stories of evacuating Afghanistan after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul four years ago-and the urgent realities Afghan women continue to face today. In conversation with Rina Amiri, U.S. Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights, they reflect on the heartbreak of leaving home, the resilience it...

In this special episode of Vital Voices Live , veteran journalist Andrea Mitchell sits down with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield for a powerful conversation on global leadership, diplomacy, and the role of women driving change on the world stage. From her early days in Louisiana to representing the United States at the UN, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield shares her journ...

On this episode of Vital Voices LIVE , two powerhouse voices take the stage: Ashlyn Harris and Brittany Packnett Cunningham. Ashlyn — two-time World Cup champion, advocate, and mom — gets candid about life after soccer, embracing imperfection, and what it means to lead with authenticity as a queer woman. Brittany brings her signature brilliance, guiding the conversation with vulnerability, wisdom,...

To kick off Global Pride Month in DC, Vital Voices Live welcomed the brilliant Tourmaline for a powerful conversation honoring the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson — the trailblazing Black trans icon who helped shape the LGBTQ+ movement. Tourmaline — filmmaker, activist, and author of the new biography Marsha — joined host Sharita Gruberg, Vice President for Economic Justice at the National Partnership...

In this powerful episode of Vital Voices Live , acclaimed actress, activist, and storyteller Sophia Bush sits down with Jen Klein —author, advocate, and longtime champion for women’s rights—for a bold and deeply personal conversation about advocacy, authenticity, and the courage to lean into hard conversations. Together, they explore what it means to lead with purpose, stay grounded in your values...

In celebration of Global Wellness Day, our CEO Alyse Nelson sits down with Victoria Zitrin — artist, entrepreneur, advocate, and Co-Chair of the Vital Voices Bay Area Council. Victoria is the founder of Ventura Vie, a public charity rooted in wellness, creativity, and empowerment. From mentorships to live events and the V Boutique in San Francisco, Ventura Vie creates space for healing and connect...

After discovering deepfake pornography featuring her image online, Breeze Liu faced a harrowing journey that exposed the deep failures of our legal and tech systems. But instead of staying silent, she took action. In this powerful episode, Breeze joins Vital Voices CEO Alyse Nelson to share how she turned trauma into purpose—founding Alecto AI to help others detect and remove non-consensual conten...

In honor of World Environment Day, Vital Voices CEO Alyse Nelson sits down with Wanjira Mathai — renowned Kenyan environmentalist and Managing Director for Africa at the World Resources Institute. Daughter of the late Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Wanjira carries forward a legacy of people-powered climate action. In this powerful conversation, she reflects...

In this powerful episode of the Vital Voices Podcast, actor and activist Nazanin Boniadi joins Alyse Nelson, President & CEO of Vital Voices, for a candid conversation on courage, advocacy, and the fight for human rights in Iran and beyond. Nazanin shares her journey from Hollywood to human rights activism, the personal cost of raising her voice, and the ongoing struggle for freedom in Iran —...

In honor of International Day for Biological Diversity, this episode features a powerful conversation between Vital Voices President & CEO Alyse Nelson and Mary Robinson — Ireland’s first female President, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and lifelong advocate for climate justice, gender equality, and ethical leadership. Mary reflects on her groundbreaking political career, her de...

In this special episode of the Vital Voices Live Podcast , supermodel, entrepreneur and philanthropist Karlie Kloss joins Kode With Klossy CEO Osi Imeokparia to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Kode With Klossy—a decade of empowering young women and gender-expansive youth in tech. Together, they reflect on the early days of the initiative, how mentorship has shaped their leadership journeys, and...

In this episode of Vital Voices Live , Dina Powell McCormick — former Deputy National Security Advisor and Vice Chair at BDT & MSD Partners — joins us to talk about her new book, Who Believed in You? , co-authored with Senator David McCormick. Drawing from her personal journey and insights from leaders like Satya Nadella, Tory Burch, and Condoleezza Rice, Dina explores how transformational men...

Welcome to the Vital Voices Live Podcast, a podcast dedicated to celebrating the game-changers, the rule-breakers, and the fearless women shaping our world! In front of a live studio audience in the Vital Voices Headquarters in Washington DC, this episode is guest hosted by Norah O'Donnell in conversation with Sara Blakely, an entrepreneur, innovator, and champion for women everywhere. She took a...

A conversation in honor of International Women's Day between Vital Voices CEO and co-Founder Alyse Nelson and Nika Kovač, the founding director of the 8th of March Research Institute, a movement-building organization that uses storytelling and advocacy to confront gender and economic inequalities across Slovenia.

Zeinorin Angkang  is a 2022 VV Visionaries Fellowship alumna and founder of  Hill Wild , an organization working with the Tangkhul Naga People in Northeast India to create a sustainable food supply and eradicate poverty. In this work, she also champions the voices of Indigenous Peoples and their farming knowledge that dates back thousands of years.     She recently spoke to Vital Voices President...

In this special Festival episode of the Vital Voices podcast, you’ll hear an inspiring panel conversation on how women leaders can take control of dealing with personal trauma, navigating mental health, and finding fulfillment no matter what life throws their way. Founding Partner at West Front Strategies and Vital Voices Board Member ASHLEY DAVIS kicks off the discussion by informing the audience...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this special Festival series episode on the rising tide of disinformation and digital dictatorship, you’ll hear from four thought leaders who offered a cross-cultural analysis on the issue of disinformation with expert commentary from the Honorable NEEMA LUGANGIRA of Tanzania, PAULINA IBARRA of Chile, OMUKA HUB NEYSARA of India and ALENA POPOVA of Russia, in conversation wit...

Invest in Women. Improve the World. If you were moved by any part of this episode, then please consider making a donation to Vital Voices to help continue our work of investing in, connecting with and amplifying the work of women leaders who are solving the world's greatest challenges.  www.vitalvoices.org/donate   ABOUT THIS EPISODE: As we approach the second anniversary of the Taliban takeover o...

Invest in Women. Improve the World. If you were moved by any part of this episode, then please consider making a donation to Vital Voices to help continue our work of investing in, connecting with and amplifying the work of women leaders who are solving the world's greatest challenges.  www.vitalvoices.org/donate About This Episode: In this special Festival series episode of the power of the arts...