Movement Makers Stories
The Uplifters Podcast: Movement Makers Collection
What transforms personal pain into powerful change? It's not that movement makers suffer less or face smaller challenges. It's how they process their deepest struggles differently than most of us.
Throughout these episodes, you'll notice something remarkable: whether it's Amy Cohen turning the loss of her son into Families for Safe Streets or Kerry Brodie creating Emma's Torch to transform refugees' lives, these women faced moments that could have broken them. But where others might have stopped at grief or anger, they found purpose. Where others saw insurmountable problems, they saw solutions waiting to be built.
As you listen to their stories, consider how you see your own challenges.
What problem keeps you awake at night?
Where do you see a need that speaks to your experience?
Who might be waiting for the solution only you can build?
What community could you gather to create change?
Women Who Turned Personal Struggles into Positive Community Action
Karen Robinovitz: Founded Sloomoo Institute, transforming grief into sensory healing after a series of tragic losses
Amy Cohen: Co-founder of Families for Safe Streets after losing her young son to traffic violence
Janelle Hill: Founder of Refuge Mental Health Services and sexual abuse survivor
Rebecca Soffer: Founder of Modern Loss and bestselling author on grief after losing both parents early in life
Dinée Dorame: Creator of Grounded Podcast exploring Indigenous perspectives in sports
Eliza Factor: Founder of Extreme Kids & Crew supporting families with disabilities
Beth Carroll: Senior Pastor creating safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ and mental health communities
Lia De Feo: Advocate for family-building through surrogacy after losing two babies
Iana Sundari Hardeman Malcolm: Birth, Grief, and Death Doula after losing both parents to cancer
Holly St John Peck: Transformational coach helping widows rebuild after loss
Rachel Everson Fink: Wellness advocate after overcoming anorexia and abuse
Alma Schneider: Mother of disabled child who became a community activist for disability rights
Katie O'Dunne: Therapist with OCD who created a program to help others at the intersection of faith and mental illness
Katie Horwitch: Best-selling author and founder of Women Against Negative Talk (WANT) based her programs on her battles with negative self-talk
Jessica Patay: created a support community from her rare disease parenting journey
Heather Hester: grew up in an Evengelical household and became a voice LGBTQIA+ advocacy after her son came out
Women Who Saw Others Facing a Problem and Created a Solution
Dr. Aziza Shad: Founder of The Aslan Project expanding global cancer care
Kerry Brodie: Founder of Emma's Torch empowering refugees through culinary training
Lisa Halverstadt: Investigative reporter championing the humane treatment of homeless populations
Gordon Bakoulis: Olympic trials marathoner now coaching women over 40
Taylor Scott: Founder of RVA Community Fridges addressing food insecurity
Regina Gwynn: Co-founder of Black Women Talk Tech supporting Black women entrepreneurs
Claudia Castellanos: Founder of Black Mamba Foods transforming rural communities in Africa
Tai Abrams: Founder of AdmissionSquad Prep and financial literacy author helping underserved teens gain admission to top schools
Susan McPherson: CEO of McPherson Strategies connecting brands with social impact
Sandy Samberg: Discovered that many cancer patients could not afford wigs and created a program to provide them
Lovisa Brown: Executive Director of Extreme Kids & Crew empowering youth through arts
Stefanie Elkins: Founder of Be Present Care supporting family caregivers
Sarah Dusek: Founder of Enygma Ventures investing in African female entrepreneurs
Sara Axelbaum: Global Head of DEI at MiQ advancing workplace inclusion
Veronica Karas: Financial planner empowering wealth building for women
Kate Tellers: Senior Director at The Moth amplifying the power of storytelling
Eyvette Jones Johnson - Founder of Urban Possibilities helping homeless job seekers
Kaitlin Johnstone - Co-founder of Kind Cotton donating books to children
Aditi Sethi - Executive Director of Center for Conscious Living and Dying
Claude Silver - Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia fostering workplace belonging
Gail Tifford - Co-founder of #SeeHer advancing women in advertising