Women Worldwide with Deirdre Breakenridge
Dr. Marika Lindholm on Women Worldwide

Dr. Marika Lindholm, Founder and CEO of ESME (Empowering Solo Moms Everywhere), joins Host Deirdre Breakenridge on Women Worldwide. When Marika realized the steady rise in solo parenting, the changing climate to American families, and through her personal experience with single motherhood, she became impassioned with helping other women facing the same challenges that she did.

On the show, Marika shares her inspiration behind the launch of ESME and why she wants to honor moms everywhere. Her platform provides solo moms with a safe space to share their challenges and struggles including some tough subjects such as domestic violence, addiction and cyberbullying. “ESME is a platform that allows your vulnerability to come through,” explained Marika. She also shares her own challenges as she moved from academia to becoming an entrepreneur and launching her online community.

“The learning curve was tremendous having to learn about building content, social media, marketing and team building.” At the same time, as a business owner with a platform that was active 24/7, Marika was there to help people at all hours. Her advice to other business owners, “Don’t be deterred by unsolicited advice and just ride through the tough patches."

A little more about Dr. Marika Lindholm By launching ESME, Marika has created an online community that's a safe haven for solo moms, an endless library of resources, a networking tool, a writing/blogging platform, and private escape all at once. A trained sociologist and former professor, she taught classes focused on issues of inequality, diversity, and gender at Northwestern University. Marika brings that passion, focus, and analytical approach to refining the ESME.com platform and growing the ESME Sisters community.

You can connect with Dr. Lindholm on LinkedIn and Twitter @marika_lindholm

Direct download: WW_079.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 6:58pm EDT

Lauren Leader-Chivee on Women Worldwide

Lauren Leader-Chivee, co-founder, and CEO of All In Together (AIT) and the author of Crossing the Thinnest Line: How Embracing Diversity-from the Office to the Oscars-Make America Stronger  joins Host Deirdre Breakenridge on Women Worldwide. Lauren has dedicated her career to closing the most critical personal, professional and political gender gaps for women. In addition to her role at AIT, Lauren is an Executive Advisor to Deloitte working with a range of global companies on their most pressing diversity issues.

On the show, Lauren discussed how the thinnest of lines separate groups. Establishing an emotional connection, through a shared experience, makes you less of an outsider and helps you to understand different cultures. The shared experience also leads to relationships and trust. She gave examples of soldiers in the military and prison populations. Lauren offered insights on Millennials as a generation, who are much more accepting and inclusive. You can see the trend of Millennials moving to urban areas. However, Lauren stressed that these attitudes and gains are not guaranteed moving forward. Although Gen Y has benefited from the opening of the world through the Internet, if schools become more segregated and the Internet is more of an echo chamber with siloed and like-minded thinking, then the next generation will be less inclusive.

Laura also shared how she was able to constantly move out of her comfort zone. She has used her network and different relationships, knowing when to ask for help. She is committed to moving forward and knows that there will be ambiguity. Lauren also stated that you have to think beyond networking and really share more of yourself to build a relationship.

A little more about Lauren Leader-Chivee ...Lauren was recently named by Fortune as one of the 50 Most Influential Women on Twitter.  She writes extensively for the Huffington Post, Harvard Business Review, and  Inc magazine.  Formerly the President of the global think tank Center for Talent Innovation and Founding Partner at Hewlett Chivée Partners LLC, she has tirelessly advocated for women’s leadership as a driver of economic growth and opportunity.

You can connect with Lauren on LinkedIn and Twitter @laurenchivee

Direct download: WW_078.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 4:14pm EDT

Judy Williams on Women Worldwide

Judy Williams, the founder of iHalt, joins Host Deirdre Breakenridge on Women Worldwide. Judy’s non-profit organization promotes understanding, accountability, and mutual respect between at-risk youth and EMTs, police, and firefighters. After spending 18 years in education, Judy launched iHalt as a movement to raise awareness about safety and to foster mutual respect and harmony between first responders and the general community.

On the show, Judy discusses her work with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Her programs teach consideration and mutual respect through activities that build trust. When children have a relationship with police officers they are more likely to respect and cooperate under different situations outside of the iHalt program. At the same time, the more police officers and other first responders interact, they, too, have a much better understanding of the people living in their communities. Parents are also involved in the program so the iHalt learning and relationship building continues into the home. Judy also shares how she approaches big challenges. “If it’s worth it, stay the course. Don’t believe anyone’s negative self-talk. You must believe your own truth, which is right for you.”

A little more about Judy Williams  Judy founded iHalt in 2015, in the wake of events in Ferguson, Baltimore, and Cleveland. Judy realized, now, more than ever is the time to educate future generations of children about the cooperating with law enforcement, understanding and respecting cultural and racial differences, and maintaining good citizenship.

You can connect with iHalt on Twitter @ihalt_us1 and Facebook

Direct download: WW_077.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 9:55am EDT

Meagan Hooper on Women Worldwide

Meagan Hooper, entrepreneur and founder of bSmartguide.com, joins Host Deirdre Breakenridge on Women Worldwide. Megan’s  platform, bSmartguide.com, is an online portal where women can learn, connect and promote their brands in order to achieve success and obtain their goals. Previously, Meagan spent a decade-long career on Wall Street, working her way up from Administrative Assistant for the founder of a premier hedge fund, to the firm's Chief Operating Officer. Self-taught in the world of finance, Meagan's expertise was quickly recognized, as she became Director of Operations for a global wealth management firm, overseeing $4 billion in assets across multiple asset classes.

On the show, Meagan shares her passion for Millennials; how they're breaking down barriers and going past the stereotypes in their communities. With a focus on technological resources and collaboration, you can make this happen. At the same time, she says you're able to create a culture of listening and being who you're meant to be. On tackling challenges, Meagan explains, “Challenges are a part of it and it’s the way you work through and meet them head on.” She is a believer of getting out of your comfort zone. Meagan deals with challenges by nourishing her inner self. You have to trust that you will make the right decisions even when many around you are saying otherwise.

Meagan also offers her tips to entrepreneurs who have a dream but don’t know where to start. “It comes down to belief and how you perceive yourself. You have to get very clear about what you want to do and spend time on your vision board.”

A little more about Meagan Hooper  While building on her business savvy and entrepreneurial spirit, Meagan continues her pursuit of the arts, from performing stand-up comedy to appearing in film, television, and theater. A graduate of Wake Forest University, she lives in Manhattan with her husband, Joe, and pug, Stella.

You can connect with Meagan on LinkedIn and Twitter @MeaganHooper

Direct download: WW_076.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:57pm EDT

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