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In this empowering episode of Designed By, host Joanna Peña-Bickley sits down with Shelley Zalis, the trailblazing founder and CEO of The Female Quotient. Shelley shares her inspiring journey of building a company that’s not just changing the conversation but rewriting the rules for women in the workplace.

From launching The Equality Lounge® at CES—now a global equality movement at the biggest industry and cultural events—Shelley explains how she’s ensuring women are in the rooms where business happens, leading the way for conscious leaders to shape a more inclusive world. Tune in to hear how Shelley is turning equality from a conversation into an action.

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In this episode of Designed By, host Joanna Peña-Bickley sits down with Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President & CEO of Global Refuge, for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation. Krish shares her incredible journey to America, navigating the transition into a new community, and how her experiences shaped her into the leader she is today.

Krish delves into her time working alongside the 44th First Lady and her journey running for office, sharing the lessons she learned along the way. She offers unique insights into the complexities of the asylum seeker system, the loud but often untrue narratives surrounding immigration, and the crucial differences between sponsors and advisors in her path towards a better future.

Throughout the episode, Krish speaks passionately about the hope she sees for the future, her commitment to creating a more compassionate and just world for those seeking refuge, and how her political aspirations have informed her leadership. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of leadership, social justice, and the human stories behind immigration.

#DesignedBy #Immigration #SocialJustice #Leadership #KrishOMaraVignarajah #GlobalRefuge

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In this episode of Designed By, host Joanna Peña-Bickley sits down with Raina Kumra Gardiner, a visionary at the intersection of tech, ethics, and design. As the CEO & Founder of Spicewell, Raina is transforming our relationship with food, and her work at Juggernaut is redefining digital transformation. Grounded in the principles of Ayurveda, her journey from design tech guru to functional foods innovator is nothing short of inspiring.

Raina’s influence spans from advocating for ethical tech with EthicalOS to shaping tech strategy for US Global Media and transforming digital landscapes for iconic brands. As an advisor to Google X and a speaker on ethical AI, she continuously challenges the norm.

But her story goes beyond professional achievements; it’s deeply personal. After a family health crisis, Raina turned to Ayurveda and the healing power of food, channeling ancestral wisdom into Spicewell. Her vision? A world where our food serves as medicine, starting with reimagined salt and pepper. She’s not just changing how we season our meals; she’s igniting a movement towards healthier living, one meal at a time.

Join us for a conversation filled with inspiration, innovation, and Ayurvedic insights that promise to transform your perspective on health and technology. #DesignedBy #Ayurveda #EthicalTech #Innovation #RainaKumraGardiner #Spicewell

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In this episode, we dive into Black culinary arts with a true innovator, Nicole Taylor. Nicole is not just a chef but a storyteller who designs Juneteenth experiences through her vibrant cookbook, "Watermelon & Red Birds."

Join Joanna & Nicole as they explore over 75 recipes from refreshing Afro-Egg Cream to savory Peach Jam & Molasses Glazed Chicken Thighs, and the innovative Cantaloupe with Feta salad. Her book, perfect for any kitchen from spring to fall, also highlights fun kitchen gadgets to elevate your Juneteenth celebrations and beyond.

Nicole's journey from Georgia to Brooklyn and her contributions to New York Times, Bon Appétit, and Food & Wine are as inspiring as her James Beard Award-nominated writing. We'll also discuss her work as the executive producer of "If We So Choose" and her role in co-founding The Maroon, a sanctuary for Black creatives.

Tune in to discover how Nicole Taylor blends culture, flavor, and innovation in every dish, and why her work is a must-have for culinary enthusiasts.

Show Notes & Links

• Nicole A. Taylor Website
• Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations
• The Last O.g. Cookbook: How to Get Mad Culinary Skills
• Nicole A. Taylor on Instagram
• Nicole A. Taylor on LinkedIn
• Plateful of Juneteenth

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Join us in this captivating episode of Designed By as Joanna Peña-Bickley introduces Chloe Gotlieb, a design leader whose Evolutionary Attunement style of leadership is shaping the future of innovative businesses. Chloe Gotlieb's journey is a beacon for those at the intersection of design and visionary leadership, perfectly embodying the spirit of a life well designed. Her story, from humble beginnings to pioneering change, showcases the essence of design as the ultimate act of leadership—making intentional choices to shape our world.

Chloe's achievements reflect our belief that design is a powerful tool for visionary change, whether in business, government, or personal life. Her dedication to empowering others and paving the way for future generations exemplifies our mantra that design is about crafting the future with purpose, not leaving life to chance.

As we celebrate Chloe's contributions to the world and leadership, we are reminded of the transformative power of intentional choices. Tune in to hear her inspiring story and insights that will motivate you to design your own path with intention and vision.

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In this enlightening episode of "Designed By," Joanna Peña-Bickley connects with Tatyana Mamut, a visionary tech leader and first-generation American, who explores the complex problems democracies face in societal technological transformation.

Emerging from this conversation are the outlines of an Ai Peer-ocracy. Drawing from her unique journey and empathetic leadership style, Tatyana discusses how AI can be trained to make governance more reflective of society. She delves into the potential of AI to serve as an alternative to current forms of local and national government, emphasizing the importance of designing these systems to reflect the collective values of fairness, transparency and accountability. This episode not only illuminates Tatyana's anthropological approach to problem solving, she shares the generational escapes of a family of innovators' influence on her thinking and actions.

Join us to discover how Tatyana Mamut's empathetic and inclusive vision for AI could reshape the future of democracy.

Show Notes

• 00:00 Make A Donation
• 00:10 “Ai for President” Quote (Opening Quote)
• 00:58 Introduction
• 02:42 Where does your Story Being? - The Story of Tatyana’s family & her journey to the states
• 05:06 “I feel that I am the luckiest person alive”
• 06:10 “At a moment in time in History” - The global jewish sisterhood
• 09:10 Raising Consciousness - “Jews are the most resilient group against Genocide”
• 13:43 “Leader are only Leaders if there are followers”
• 14:28 DesignedBy.Show Commercial
• 14:56 All About leadership in place - “Systems don't make decisions”
• 17:33 The Best Leadership Book to Reads - Yertle the Turtle & Other Stories
• 19:00 Creating with an Anchor in Human History - A Background in Anthropology
• 26:24 Thinking of cultures as systems
• 29:00 Redesign our societal mental model
• 31:43 The Vilification of Learning & Defunding innovation
• 36:25 The importance of updating regulation & the democracy we need
• 39:14 Electing & selecting the right leaders who knows to ask the right questions
• 42:00 Understanding the discord deeper & the creating Ai guard rails
• 49:15 Rachel & Joanna Reflections
• 54:20 Readout Of Credits
  
  
  

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Enter the soulful world of jazz, where the vibrant spirit of New Orleans and the healing power of music converge. Join Joanna Pena-Bickley on a special episode of Designed By as she welcomes the incomparable Judith Owen.

Today, on Designed By, we are honored to introduce Judith Owen to our audience. Her music, a seamless fusion of drama, classical elegance, and jazz spontaneity, serves as a testament to the power of intentional design.

Hailing from a musically rich Welsh family and honing her craft in London and New Orleans, Judith's creative evolution transcends genre boundaries. Her latest album, "Come On & Get It," pays homage to trailblazing women of jazz and blues such as Julia Lee, Nellie Lutcher, Julie London, Dinah Shore, and Peggy Lee. Through this project, deeply rooted in New Orleans' musical legacy and brought to life with the Gentleman Callers, Judith exemplifies her dedication to intentional musical innovation and cultural design.

At Designed By, we believe that designing our world with purpose is the pinnacle of creativity and leadership. Judith's journey underscores this ethos, demonstrating that her music is not just about notes and rhythms; it's about living with purpose and passion. It's about finding harmony in our choices and melody in our stories. Join us as we embark on this inspiring exploration of Judith Owen's remarkable journey.

Episode Links & References:

1. Judith Owen's Website
2. Judith's LinkTree
3. Unapologetically Judith Owen
4. Come On & Get It
5. Judith On Instagram

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Donate To Ai Design Corps
• 00:00 Judith Wisdom
• 2:19 Where Her Story Begins
• 06:47 Music Is The Lifeline
• 09:18 The Ridiculously Late Revelation
• 10:56 Growing up with true live of music - unapologetic women
• 14:25 Unapologetically Judith Podcast
• 15:26 The Shoulder We Stand On - The Attacks On Women
• 24:06 Keeping Creativity Alive
• 26:13 Mardi Gras 2024
• 30:43 Ad Break - Come On & Get It
• 39:12 The Fight Against You Mind
• 41:22 The First Paying Gig
• 51:20 Power Through The Bleak To Get To The Shine
• 53:04 Read Out
• 57:44 Credits
• 58:17 Producer Notes
• 59:20 Substance Moniker

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In this inspiring episode Joanna Peña-Bickley sits down with the Tony Award-winning sound designer, Jessica Paz, to explore the intricate fusion of art and science in the world of sound design. Jessica, renowned for her work in theater, film, and music, shares her journey and insights that have led to groundbreaking innovations in sound.

Listeners will be enthralled as Jessica recounts her experiences working on various acclaimed projects. She delves into her collaboration with Nevin Steinberg on Anaïs Mitchell’s "Hadestown," a project that not only won them a Tony Award but also a Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle nomination. Jessica's insights into this creative process provide a rare glimpse into the makings of a theatrical masterpiece.

The conversation also covers her role as an Associate Sound Designer on Broadway hits like "Dear Evan Hansen," "Fela!," and "Disaster! The Musical." Jessica offers a behind-the-scenes look at these productions, discussing the challenges and triumphs of bringing a show's auditory landscape to life.

Throughout the episode, Jessica emphasizes the importance of a hands-on approach and lifelong learning in her field. She shares how her relentless pursuit of acoustic exploration and the 'magic of sifting for gold' to delight audiences has shaped her career and contributions to the industry.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the blend of technical skill and artistic creativity in sound design, and for those who seek to understand how sound shapes our experience of storytelling.

Episode Links & References:

1. Jessica Paz's Website
2. Hadestown
3. Nevin Steinberg
4. Sleep No More
5. SoundGirls.Org

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