Season 3, Episode 12: Tackling Your Dreams with Sandi James (’06)

Sandi James has always been an active athlete. In high school she played on multiple basketball teams, in addition to playing tennis and competing in track and field. When she decided to continue her focus on sports playing basketball for Wake Forest University, she couldn’t have imagined a career as a professional tackle football player and a collegiate flag football coach. But through years of training and hard work, that’s what has happened. Today, Sandi brings her spirit and inspiration to the Wake Women Podcast.

Season 3, Episode 11: Making Change from the Ground Up with Allison Orr (’93)

In this conversation, Allison shares her experiences and insights on the intersection of art, community, and social justice. From her travels to Venice and her connections to Wake Forest, to her activism and the creation of performance projects like ‘From the Ground Up’, Allison emphasizes the importance of collaboration, relationship-building, and the role of dance in fostering social change. She reflects on her journey as an artist and educator, highlighting the power of creativity to inspire dialogue and community engagement.

Season 3, Episode 10 | Empowering Women with former Wake Forest Golf Coach Dianne Dailey

In this engaging conversation, Dianne Dailey reflects on her remarkable 30-year career as a women’s golf coach at Wake Forest University. She discusses the evolution of women’s athletics, the impact of Title IX, and her journey to becoming a coach. Dianne shares insights on the importance of mentorship, building confidence in athletes, and the challenges of fundraising and recruiting. She emphasizes the unique culture at Wake Forest, the significance of relationships in athletics, and her passion for teaching and mentoring young people. Dianne’s legacy is one of empowerment, leadership, and a commitment to helping students find their passions.

Season 3, Episode 9 | Acting with Power with Melissa Jones Briggs (’04)

Can acting skills be valuable in the boardroom? How can we use the tools of theater and improvisation to enhance our leadership skills, foster authenticity, and navigate power dynamics? Well, we are about to find out. Melissa Jones Briggs is a Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and also serves as an Associate Fellow at the Oxford Character Project at the University of Oxford. She specializes in performance as a tool for social and organizational change. In this conversation, we explore the intersection of theater and leadership, talking about the importance of empathy, presence, and the role of personal power. The discussion also touches on the challenges of covering and uncovering identity in professional settings, the responsibility of the arts in social change, and the significance of relationships in defining success.

Season 3, Episode 8 | Creative Journeys at Wake Forest with Parker Beverly (’23, MFA ’25) and Sofia Trujillo (’25)

This conversation explores the creative journeys of two Wake Forest students, Parker Beverly and Sofia Trujillo, as they discuss their experiences in the arts, the importance of supportive faculty and family, and their unique projects focusing on women’s stories. The dialogue highlights the transformative power of a liberal arts education and the courage it takes to pursue a career in the arts. We explore the interconnectedness of generational experiences, the significance of community in personal journeys, and the power of storytelling, particularly in uplifting women’s voices. The discussion highlights the responsibility that comes with creative expression, and the aspirations of these two very creative women as they envision their futures. Through their artistic endeavors, they aim to create meaningful impact and foster understanding across diverse backgrounds.

Season 3, Episode 7 | How the Truth is Told with Wendy Rea and Carol Willis (’86)

The ground below us holds stories of our past. This conversation with Wendy and Carol explores the profound connections between archaeology, personal history, and family genealogy. They share their powerful experiences together at Montpelier, including the emotional impact of discovering the enduring legacy of ancestors. In this episode, they also talk about the need for truth and reconciliation in addressing historical injustices, the responsibility of historians to tell inclusive narratives, and the ongoing revolution in redefining who is considered a founder of the nation. This is a powerful discussion that explores our shared history and questions how truth is told.

Season 3, Episode 6 | Emily Goodson (’07) on Dating Disabilities

At the age of 8, Emily Goodson suffered a brain injury that caused paralysis on the left side of her body. While she was able to recover her speech and mobility through therapy, she was left with a prominent limp and other physical disabilities. Through tools like writing, meditation, and lots of inner work, Emily has emerged from a challenging time in her life to help companies and individuals navigate issues around relationships–including intimate ones–for people with disabilities. She’s even written a book about it! In this episode, Emily shares the importance of advocacy, resilience, and the need for broader understanding of diversity in the workplace. Emily talks about the courage it took to write about her experiences, particularly in the context of dating and intimacy. In this conversation, Emily shares her journey of navigating relationships, vulnerability, and self-discovery. It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss!

Season 3, Episode 5 | Get Good Sleep with Dr. Lauren Fowler and Dr. Ruth Benca

Ah, sleep. Every night, your brain and body heal, process, clean house, and rejuvenate through sleep. Yet how many mornings do you wake up rested and refreshed? How many times have you had to fight dozing off during a mid-afternoon meeting? How often do you find yourself staring at the ceiling at 3:00 am? In this episode, Dr. Ruth Benca and Dr. Lauren Fowler talk about the importance of sleep to our long term health and everyday lives.

Season 3, Episode 4 | Bone Up on Bone Health with Dr. Diane Schneider (’75)

Bone health is a critical part of wellbeing for women, so for Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, Mary sat down with Dr. Diane Schneider ’75, who has dedicated her career to finding solutions for bone health–the most common issue affecting older women. Osteoporosis is a silent disease that often goes unnoticed until damage has occurred. Bone density and strength is something we need to pay attention to our entire lives. In this conversation, Dr. Schneider gives us proactive measures to improve the quality of our bones, no matter our age. She highlights common misconceptions about calcium sources, the necessity of weight-bearing exercises, and practical tips for improving balance and overall bone health. We’ll talk about the ABCDs of bone health and how we can take action to strengthen our bodies–and those of our loved ones–today.

Season 3, Episode 3 | Friendship, Writing, and Lifelong Connections with Emily Giffin (’94)

What makes us choose to love the people we love? When things fall apart, who will be at our sides to help us pick up the pieces? These are questions Emily Giffin explores in The Summer Pact, her latest best selling novel. In this episode, you’ll hear about Emily’s journey from managing the Wake Forest men’s basketball team to pursuing a law career before becoming a successful writer.  We’ll talk about the writing process, the integration of social issues into her narratives, and how the authenticity of her characters matters. And of course, she’ll share plenty about her love for Mother So Dear, including when she and the WF basketball team ruined Coach K’s birthday with a Duke defeat one year.

Season 3, Episode 2 | Clearing the Landscape for Success with Barbee Oakes (’80)

After President Harry Truman broke the ground for the new Wake Forest campus in 1951, Barbee Oakes’ paternal grandfather, a man named David Myers, was one of the team members that helped clear the land to build the university there. Then, a couple of decades later, Barbee came to Wake Forest to help students from all walks of life navigate life at a major university–in essence, clearing the land for their success. Barbee’s Wake Forest legacy was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award and Mary sat down with her to talk about her life and career creating a level playing field for everyone with a passion to learn.
Barbee Oakes is a trailblazer in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work at Wake Forest University–and in this conversation she clarifies the misconceptions about the term.

Season 3, Episode 1 | Jen McCollum (’91) Part 2: Quieting the Inner Critic to Create Career Success

How do you quiet the inner critic inside your head? What are the external biases that women face and how might they prevent us from achieving our aspirations? What are the three things that women need to feel good about their work? How can you keep your inner critic from sabotaging your career?

If those questions interest you, you’ll enjoy Mary’s conversation with Jen McCollum (‘91), the CEO of Catalyst, a powerful organization that helps institutions address systemic workplace challenges in gender equity. This is part 2 of her conversation with Jen, so if you haven’t heard her earlier episode, make sure to listen to that one as well.

Season 2, Episode 12 | The Peter Oliver Story with Jessie Tefft (’90) and Sandra Brown

In the late 18th century, a young enslaved man named Peter Oliver was sold into the Moravian community of Bethania, North Carolina. He eventually served as a potter under the direction of master potter Rudolph Christ in the thriving town of Salem. By all accounts a talented and tenacious man, Oliver was able to save enough money to buy his own freedom, and later had a farm adjacent to Salem until his death in 1810. There are plans to share Oliver’s inspiring story at an outdoor destination called the Peter Oliver Pavilion Gallery in downtown Winston-Salem, on the land that he farmed over 200 years ago. Today, Jessie Tefft, a Wake woman helping make this a reality, is joined with Sandra Brown, a descendent of Peter Oliver, to talk about his story and the monument planned to honor him.

Season 2, Episode 11: Living Without Limits: Tackling Perfectionism, Imposter Syndrome & Burnout with Katie Neal (’03)

Do you get hamstrung by trying to make everything perfect? Are you afraid that people will find out you don’t really know what you are doing? Are you sliding from low grade ennui into all-out burnout in your job? Then this conversation is for you! Career communications veteran Katie Neal, Wake Forest class of 2003, pulls the veil away from all the things that might be holding you back in your career and life. Wake Women host Mary Tribble talks with Katie about the 12 stages of burnout, the 10 signs of perfectionism, and how imposter syndrome might be keeping your from your highest self. You’ll learn how to approach life with a growth mindset that allows you to reflect, grow, develop, and thrive!

Season 2, Episode 10: How Women Can Achieve Equity in the Workplace with Jen McCollum (’91)

Why aren’t there more women in the C-suite? How can organizations design their culture and systems to allow all of their employees to thrive? What is the “Double-Bind” that women experience in the workplace and how do we navigate around that? If those questions interest you, you’ll enjoy this conversation with Jen McCollum, the CEO of Catalyst, a powerful organization that helps institutions address systemic workplace challenges in gender equity. In this episode, Jen discusses her career path and the work of Catalyst, emphasizing the correlation between gender diversity in leadership and positive business outcomes. She also gives tips on how to work with allies, mentors, coaches, and sponsors to support you in your career advancement.

Season 2, Episode 9: Brewing Up Culture with Michelle Loyd (’08)

Can the perfect cup of coffee make you happy? When is a coffee shop NOT a coffee shop? How does coffee reflect and expand the culture that it comes from? And how does Hip Hop fit into the coffee vibe? Michelle Loyd and her husband Michael Loyd, both Wake Forest Alumni, have spent much of their careers both pondering and answering these questions. They co-founded DOPE COFFEE, a trendsetting coffee brand that consumers love because of the quality of their product, their morals, and their dedication to their culture. Michelle and Michael are on a mission to bridge the worlds of Coffee, Hip-Hop, and Culture by elevating and & uplifting Black culture while serving great coffee to great people. So sit back, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and listen to a conversation that will capture your imagination and make you think differently about your morning brew.

Season 2, Episode 8: Transformational Travel | A Journey of Self-Discovery with Alison Smith (’83)

In this episode, Mary Tribble and Alison Smith (’83) explore the profound impact of transformational travel on personal growth and self-discovery. They discuss the significance of study abroad experiences, the role of empathy in travel, and the concept of pilgrimage, particularly through the lens of the Camino de Santiago. The dialogue highlights how stepping out of one’s comfort zone can lead to deep self-reflection and lasting change.

Season 2, Episode 7: Dreams and Inspirations | Leading from the Heart with Bonita Brown (’94, JD ’97)

Bonita Brown (’94, JD ’97), the new chancellor of Winston-Salem State University discusses her upbringing, educational journey, and career path that led her to higher education. Bonita shares insights on the importance of historically Black colleges and universities, community engagement, and her initiatives to enhance academic success for minority students.

S2, Episode 6: A New Start for a New Year: Setting a Course for Career Success with Allison McWilliams (’95)

In this episode, Allison McWilliams, Ph.D. (’95), talks with Mary about setting a course for career success. Through mentoring and connecting with others, you can create a plan to make the coming year one of curiosity, learning, and advancement. Allison helps women figure out what they want in their careers, whether it’s their first act or one later in life.

S2, Episode 5: Building a Non-Profit with Vulnerability and Passion with Kate Kennedy (’90)

In this engaging conversation, Mary Tribble interviews Kate Kennedy (’90) about her journey of writing her first book, ‘Once Upon a School’, which chronicles her experience starting a school for homeless children in Atlanta. The discussion delves into themes of personal growth, vulnerability, and the importance of community engagement. Kate shares her motivations, the challenges she faced, and the profound impact of her education at Wake Forest. The conversation highlights the significance of treating individuals with dignity and the transformative power of storytelling. In this conversation, Kate Kennedy shares her journey of founding a nonprofit school, navigating personal loss, and the challenges of leadership. She discusses the importance of understanding privilege, the concept of ‘sonder’, and the difference between being a do-gooder and a changemaker. Kate reflects on her experiences with grief, self-discovery, and the impact of racial tensions in her community. Ultimately, she emphasizes the need for authentic conversations and the importance of being all in when striving for meaningful change.

S2, Episode 4: Standing Up for Science with Kasha Patel (’12)

In this episode, Kasha Patel (’12) discusses her journey in combining humor and science. She outlines her unusual career path from working at NASA, the Washington Post, and science-themed comedy. She shares her experiences performing comedy for penguins in Antarctica and explores her identity as an Indian woman from West Virginia. Kasha also talks about the importance of humor in science communication and her research on the effectiveness of science jokes. She envisions a future where science humor is more ubiquitous and contributes to improving science literacy. Kasha can be followed on her YouTube channel, Instagram, and Facebook page, where she shares funny science content and updates on her shows and projects.

S2, Episode 3: Food as and Act of Love with Ashton Keefe (’09)

Chef and food stylist Ashton Keefe (’09) discusses her philosophy on food: that it is as an act of love and an opportunity for beauty. Food is not just about the taste, but also about the way it makes you feel and the memories it creates. Ashton shares her career path, from working in a gourmet food shop to becoming a chef and then a food stylist. She talks about the differences between styling food for video or photo shoots and serving food in a restaurant. Ashton also discusses her approach to developing recipes, focusing on fresh ingredients, simplicity, and making recipes that can be personalized and become a part of someone’s cooking repertoire. Ashton shares her approach to curating recipes for her cookbooks, focusing on creating a cohesive menu and using staple ingredients. Ashton shares her aspirations for the future, including writing more books, opening a physical space for her food, and being on TV in a more full-time capacity.

S2, Episode 2: Embrace the Hustle | Making an Impact in Business and Community with Brittney Bogues (’09)

Brittney Bogues (’09), a serial entrepreneur and PR expert, shares her career journey and the impact of her experiences at Wake Forest University. She discusses her love for special events and sustainability, as well as her passion for community and learning. Brittney emphasizes the importance of finding mentors and being a mentor, and she shares her personal experience with domestic violence advocacy. She also talks about her goals for the future, including growing her business and traveling to Bali, Ibiza, and Thailand. Brittney’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to do their research, test out their ideas as a side hustle, and go for it when they see potential.

S2, Episode 1: Force of Nature | Lifting Up the Voices of Women and Girls with Kate Parker (’98)

In this conversation, Kate T. Parker (’98) discusses her book “Force of Nature” and the importance of empowering young girls to find their voice and believe in themselves. She shares stories of girls who have used their voices to make a difference, such as a group of high school seniors who fought to change Title IX regulations. Parker also discusses the role of organizations like Girl Scouts and Girls on the Run in the development of young girls. She addresses the impact of social media on girls’ self-esteem and emphasizes the importance of consuming it with a critical eye. Parker expresses her hope for the future, where she can slow down and enjoy time with her family and friends. She encourages readers to celebrate their kids for who they are and instill a sense of confidence in them.

Episode 11: Living a Life of Self-Expression with Serena Dugan (’94)

Through approaching life with authenticity and creativity, Serena Dugan (’94) has a passion for bringing beauty to the world around her. She co-founded Serena and Lily, a design-driven luxury furniture and home accessories company. Now, she leads Serena Dugan Design, an art and textile design studio that reflects her unique talent and philosophy. In this episode, we talk about Serena’s successful business, her purpose, and how she has built a life of beauty and meaning.

Episode 10: Objects of the Rich and Famous with Meaghan Steele (’11)

A turn of the century pocket watch that sold for $24 million. An original copy of the constitution that was auctioned for over $43 million. Who buys and sells these extraordinary items? Meet Meaghan Steele (’11), Auctioneer and Director of Luxury Business Operations at Sotheby’s. As an Art History major at Wake Forest, Meaghan was trained to research and interpret artifacts in the context of our history and culture. She uses that knowledge every day as she navigates the high-finance world of luxury objects in the Americas.

Episode 9: Finding Common Ground in a Divided World with Tycely Williams (’97)

In a time when we feel more splintered than ever, it’s essential to build bridges across differences. Tycely Williams (’97) has spent her career in the nonprofit space, navigating the tension between problem and possibility. As Chief Development Officer at the Bipartisan Policy Center, Tycely helps bring together politicians from across the aisle to make a positive impact. She will talk about her work and give us vital information on how to find common ground in a divided world. Note: since recording this episode, Tycely has accepted the position of CEO of Liberty Fellowship, an organization dedicated to developing leaders to work individually and collectively to confront some of the most difficult challenges in society to create a better South Carolina for all.

Episode 8: American Politics Today with former Congresswoman Donna Edwards (’80)

We talk to former Congresswoman Donna Edwards (’80) about all things politics–the state of the 2024 race, Project 2025, and Supreme Court ethics. Listen to Donna’s inspiring life story that led her to a life of service. Recorded August 7, 2024.

Episode 7: Who Do You Think You Are? Researching Family History with Tanya Zanish-Belcher

Is there a story from your family’s past that you’ve always wanted to explore? Is there a missing branch in your family tree you’re curious about? Do you want to research an ancestor’s life but don’t know where to start? Well, you’re in luck! Because archivist and genealogist  Tanya Zanish-Belcher has the knowledge to get you started. 

Episode 6: Making Others Blossom: How to Ignite the World Around You with Camille Love (’73)

Camille Love (’73) brings beauty, joy, and meaning to the citizens and visitors of Atlanta through the arts. As the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, she’s committed to cultural justice, believing that the arts should be available and accessible to everyone. Camille will inspire you with her life philosophy and the impact she’s made on the community around her.

Episode 3: Celebrities, Women, and Politics with Lauren Wright (’10)

Talk show hosts for President? Sports heroes for the Senate? Why do celebrities have an advantage in political runs, but may come up short when it comes time for governing? Join political scientist Lauren Wright (’10) as she gives us insight into her research into celebrities and politics. In this episode, we also discuss the growing importance of first spouses in forwarding the President’s message and policy.

Episode 2: Career Branding and Your Career Strategy with Tiffany Tate (’07, MALS ’11)

As President of career coaching business Career Maven, Tiffany Tate (’07, MALS ’11) helps people become the CEO of their professional lives. She demystifies the job search process for new, emerging and seasonal professionals in transition. Tiffany will share her insight to help you own your own career story so you can shine brighter in a crowded marketplace and attract your dream job with confidence.

Episode 1: Take a Leading Role in Your Career and Life with Kate Lambert (’82, MA ’19)

Life is not something that happens to you; it’s something you make happen! Join actor, writer and producer Kate Lambert (’03) as Mary Tribble (’82, MA ’19) learns about how she took the leading role in her own career. In the competitive world of entertainment, Lambert learned early on that she needed to set the stage for her own success. Hear Lambert’s funny and poignant stories about her successes, setbacks and dreams for the future.

Wake Women Podcast:
Introduction

Wake Women is a podcast for, by and about the women of Wake Forest University. In each episode, fifth-generation alumna Mary Tribble (’82, MA ’19) sits down with a female Wake Forester who inspires her. This show brings you intelligent, thought-provoking reflections from successful women whose experiences will inspire you to be your best self. Episodes drop biweekly on Fridays.