Every week, we produce a new episode that explores women and leadership from a different perspective. In a series of lively, wide-ranging discussions, we talk to women all over the world who are dealing with tough leadership challenges in their daily lives. We find out the barriers they face and how they are overcoming them; they share their experiences, insights and advice. (the series also informs and illustrates the expedition while it is underway and gives updates on the members’ progress.) Episodes come out every Wednesday and once a month, we do a live q&a.
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August 12, 202634 min
230. Unpacking The Hidden Risk of Empathetic Leadership
In this episode of the Women Emerging Podcast, Julia Middleton sits down with Janice to explore one of the questions many women face as they begin leading others: can empathy ever become too much? Together, they begin by affirming something fundamental: empathy is essential. We are leading people, not robots, and understanding the human impact of our decisions is at the heart of good leading. But then the conversation turns to a more difficult question. What happens when empathy has no boundaries? What happens when understanding becomes enabling, when kindness is mistaken for weakness, or when one person's needs begin to overshadow the needs of the wider team? Drawing on her own experience, Janice reflects on recognising manipulation, setting boundaries for the first time, and discovering that protecting a team sometimes means making decisions that feel deeply uncomfortable. Julia explores how empathy can become self-sabotage without clear limits, why motherness includes both nurturing and fierceness, and how empathy must extend not only to individuals, but also to the purpose, the team and yourself. This is a thoughtful conversation about empathetic leadership, boundaries, difficult decisions and learning that compassion and accountability are not opposites. As Julia concludes, perhaps one of the most enduring lessons for anyone leading is simply this: be loving, but firm.
August 5, 202626 min
229. When Student Life Gets in the Way of Leading
In this episode of the Women Emerging Podcast, Julia Middleton sits down with Iris Lin, an Explorer from the Global Changemakers 2 expedition, to explore how our experience of education can continue to shape the way we approach leading.For Iris, being a good student meant believing that preparation, perfection and having the right answers were the keys to success. But through her Women Emerging expedition, she began to question whether those same habits were holding her back when working with others and navigating uncertainty.Together, Julia and Iris explore the difference between solving problems with a blueprint and exploring alongside others without knowing every step ahead. They discuss why perfection can slow momentum, how fear and courage can exist side by side, and why leading is less about having all the answers and more about creating the energy for a group to keep moving forward.This is a thoughtful conversation about education, essence, courage and discovering an approach to leading that is rooted in curiosity rather than certainty.
July 29, 202629 min
228. How Poverty is a Big Piece of My Essence and Shapes My Approach to Leading
In this episode of the Women Emerging Podcast, Julia Middleton sits down with Fatou to explore one of the most profound influences on how we lead: growing up with poverty as part of our essence.For Fatou, poverty is far more than a lack of money. It is a way of seeing the world that can shape generations, convincing people that scarcity is inevitable and possibility is out of reach. Drawing on her own journey—from growing up in poverty in Africa to studying at Harvard and teaching at MIT—she reflects on what it has taken to challenge those deeply embedded beliefs and discover a different way of leading.Together, Julia and Fatou explore how experiences of scarcity can lead to overachievement, burnout and an overwhelming need for control. They discuss the difference between leading from fear and leading as a steward, why personal transformation must come before public influence, and how confronting our deepest fears can become the foundation for wiser leadership.This is a deeply personal conversation about identity, resilience, responsibility and the courage to imagine possibilities beyond the circumstances we inherit.About the Guest:Fatoumata (Fatou) Fall is an entrepreneur, a business coach, and strategist who helps top scientists and executives in tech overcome fear and self-sabotage at the moments that matter most in industry: the negotiation table, the public stage, and high-stakes business trips.As co-founder of Teamrora, she facilitated over 400 negotiation coaching sessions co-creating a cumulative $5 million USD in wealth transfer to candidates. She also trained more than 1,000 professionals, opening doors for underrepresented talent in tech and business along the way.A Harvard-trained mathematician and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, she blends analytical rigor with a deeply human approach to coaching. Fluent in five languages and shaped by her work across Africa, LatAm, and the U.S., she helps professionals walk into these rites of passage with clarity, confidence, and cultural intelligence.
July 22, 202626 min
227. How Clothes in My Essence Shape My Approach to Leading
In this episode of the Women Emerging Podcast, Julia Middleton sits down with Henrietta Bankole-Olusina to explore how one aspect of our essence—how we choose to show up—can reveal something much deeper about who we are.For Henrietta, clothes are never just clothes. Growing up in Nigeria, vibrant colours, textures and craftsmanship became part of how she expressed her identity. Yet after spending more than two decades in consulting, banking and financial services, she found herself dressing to fit into a world of blacks, greys and navy suits. The challenge wasn't her confidence or competence. It was learning how to remain true to herself while working within someone else's expectations.Together, Julia and Henrietta explore what it means to adapt without losing yourself, why authenticity isn't always about changing the outside, and how our greatest strengths often lie in the perspectives we bring rather than the clothes we wear. They discuss "leading in colour", finding "islands of advantage", balancing different parts of our essence and remembering where we come from, even as our careers take us into unfamiliar spaces.This is a conversation about identity, belonging and the quiet courage of bringing your whole perspective into the room—even when the room wasn't designed with you in mind.
July 15, 202629 min
226. How Martial Arts in my Essence Frames my Approach to Leading
In this episode of the Women Emerging Podcast, Julia Middleton sits down with martial arts instructor, coach and entrepreneur Jo Hall to explore how one unexpected part of our essence can profoundly shape the way we lead. At first glance, martial arts might appear to be about fighting. Jo argues the opposite. After decades of training, she believes its greatest lesson is knowing when not to fight. Together, Julia and Jo explore how confidence changes our decision-making, why leading isn't about proving you're right, and how understanding yourself allows you to choose your battles more wisely. Their conversation moves beyond martial arts into questions that every person leading will recognise. How do we decide which conflicts are worth our energy? What happens when our ego becomes louder than our purpose? Why do great coaches and mentors find joy not in their own achievements, but in watching others realise they are capable of far more than they imagined? And what does it mean to create space for others, rather than occupy it yourself? Together, they explore confidence, competition, collaboration, flow, self-awareness and the relationship between strength and restraint. Jo also reflects on why she chose to build her own martial arts school rather than follow someone else's path, offering a powerful reminder that our journeys are strongest when they are true to who we are. Whether you're navigating difficult decisions, building confidence, or discovering your own way of leading, this conversation offers a thoughtful reflection on why the strongest people are often those who know when to step back, when to stand firm and when to simply let go. About the Guest: Jo Hall is the CEO and Founder of Good to Go AB and Founder and Chief Instructor of Mamori Budo. With over 30 years of experience in martial arts, fitness, coaching, and bodywork, they help people build strength, confidence, and resilience. Combining the roles of personal trainer, massage therapist, and coach, Jo delivers practical, results-driven guidance that empowers people to perform at their best and live healthier lives.
July 8, 202632 min
225. Re-release: Aha Moments of Women in Their Journey to Leadership
As Women Emerging concludes its Journeys to Leadership series, this special re-release revisits one of the conversations that helped shape how we think about leadership.The episode brings together Rouba Mhassen, Erica Su, and Folawe Omikunle as they reflect on the moments that transformed how they understood themselves and the way they lead.Rouba shares how she did not recognise herself as someone leading until others named it, and how embracing that identity changed everything. Erica explores the importance of writing your own story, making decisions that are self-defining rather than self-limiting, and having the courage to say no. Folawe reflects on leading with love, building communities that lift one another up, and accepting that difficult conversations are part of the journey.Together, their stories explore confidence, responsibility, identity, relationships, courage, and the quiet moments that reshape how we see ourselves. The conversation reminds us that leadership is rarely a linear journey, and that the most significant turning points are often recognised only in hindsight.About the Guest:Rouba MhaissenRouba Mhaissen is an economist, activist, and development practitioner focused on the MENA region, particularly forced migration and the Syrian refugee crisis. She is the founder and director of the Sawa Foundation and Sawa for Development and Aid, organizations dedicated to working with Syrian refugees through an integrated development approach since 2011. Mhaissen has also worked with Lebanese, Iraqi, and Palestinian refugees and has been actively involved in lobbying for human rights, especially concerning Syrian refugees. Her expertise spans a range of issues, including education, gender, violence, conflict, household economics, forced migration, and activism.Erica SuErica is the EY Global Emerging Markets Leader for Strategy and Transactions, with 20 years of experience in cross-border M&A. She specializes in helping foreign companies expand in China and advising Chinese companies on international investments. Erica’s expertise spans due diligence, M&A negotiation, financing, and post-merger integration. She has worked across industries like manufacturing, automobile, FMCG, and healthcare, focusing on enhancing value, competitiveness, and efficient resource allocation through M&A.Folawe OmikunleFolawe Omikunle is the CEO of Teach for Nigeria, where she leads efforts to address education inequity. She graduated with a bachelor’s in international law and diplomacy from Babcock University and a master’s from the Diplomatic Academy of London. Folawe’s passion for education grew while working as a school administrator, particularly after helping an orphaned child. Influenced by Montessori’s belief in every child’s potential, she pursued further education in Montessori education. Folawe’s work with Teach for Nigeria and the Association of Private Educators in Nigeria has focused on improving education for marginalized children and leading systemic change. She was recognized as one of the 100 most influential young Nigerians in 2017.
July 1, 202627 min
224. Journey to Leadership is a Journey Through Relationships
In this episode of the Women Emerging podcast's Journey to Leadership series, Julia Middleton speaks with former international rugby captain and educator Kelly McCallum about why every journey of leadership is, ultimately, a journey through relationships. Drawing on her experiences in both individual and team sports, Kelly reflects on the different relationships that shape us. Swimming taught her the importance of building a relationship with herself—developing resilience, focus and the confidence to move forward when there is no one else to rely on. Rugby taught her how to navigate relationships with others, balancing trust, communication, teamwork and shared responsibility. Together, Julia and Kelly explore what happens when relationships become difficult. They discuss conflict, boundaries, feedback, knowing when your window of tolerance has closed, and the courage to protect the outcome when relationships are under pressure. They also reflect on an important question: what do we do when a relationship simply cannot be repaired? This conversation offers practical insights into self-awareness, teamwork, emotional regulation, conflict, resilience and the relationships that shape the way we lead. Whether you're leading a team, navigating difficult conversations or strengthening your relationship with yourself, this episode explores why relationships remain at the heart of every leadership journey. About the Guest :Kelly McCallum is a leadership expert, educator, and former elite athlete. Currently pursuing a PhD at Auckland University of Technology, her research focuses on emotional intelligence in sports leadership. A two-time Rugby World Cup player for Canada and the first female rugby inductee into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame, Kelly brings a wealth of experience in high-performance environments. She is also a sought-after speaker and facilitator, specializing in emotional intelligence and leadership development.
June 24, 202630 min
223. I Thought My Leadership Journey Would Never Happen
In this episode of the Women Emerging podcast's Journey to Leadership series, Julia Middleton speaks with writer, social entrepreneur and Obama Leader Europe, Mevan Babakar, about a journey she never imagined would be described as leadership. Born in Baghdad, Mevan spent five years as a child refugee after her family fled Saddam Hussein's genocide of the Kurds. As she moved across borders and languages, she found herself translating not only words, but systems, cultures and opportunities for the people around her. Looking back, she can now see those moments as acts of leadership, even though she did not recognise them as such at the time. Together, Julia and Mevan explore what leadership looks like beyond titles and hierarchy. They discuss community, belonging, trust and the many ways people step forward when something needs doing. Mevan reflects on her work in technology, fact-checking and democracy, and why some of society's biggest challenges require more than quick fixes. The conversation also explores the relationship between intellect and instinct, and what happens when the work we do no longer aligns with what we know to be true. Drawing on her experiences at Full Fact and Google, Mevan shares why paying attention to both mind and body can be essential when making difficult decisions. Throughout the episode, she returns to a powerful idea: leadership is not reserved for a select few. It is something people step into every day, often long before they recognise it in themselves. This episode will resonate with anyone interested in leadership, women leading, social impact, community building, belonging, resilience, personal growth and finding the confidence to take up space.About the Guest: Mevan Babakar is a writer and technologist born in Baghdad to Kurdish refugee parents. She built award-winning AI fact-checking tools as Deputy CEO of Full Fact and later led information quality work at Google. In 2023, she she was named an Obama Leader for Europe. Her debut children's book, The Bicycle, was inspired by reuniting with the aid worker who gave her a bike as a refugee 25 years earlier.
June 17, 202625 min
222. Shailja Saraswati on the Twin-Track Journey of Leading
In this episode of the Women Emerging podcast's Journey to Leadership series, Julia Middleton speaks with Shailja Saraswati, founder of Unstoppable Network, about the visible journey we write on our CVs and the quieter journey that unfolds beneath it.Drawing on a 25-year corporate career, her deep spiritual practice and the experiences that led her to create Unstoppable Network, Shailja reflects on what happens when the systems around us no longer fit and we begin searching for something more aligned with who we are becoming.Together, Julia and Shailja explore self-leadership, inner authority, intuition, resilience and the role of spirituality in shaping the way we lead. They discuss how women navigate uncertainty, why courage often begins with doing the things we believe we cannot do, and what happens when we learn to trust ourselves more deeply.The conversation also examines storytelling, community and the importance of women learning alongside one another. Throughout, Shailja returns to a powerful belief: that leading starts within, and that the most important person we will ever learn to lead is ourselves.This episode will resonate with anyone interested in self-leadership, personal growth, women leading, intuition, resilience, inner authority and finding the courage to create their own path.About the Guest:Shailja Saraswati Varghese is the Founder of Unstoppable Network and creator-host of Unstoppable Woman. With over 25 years in global media and content across Omnicom Media Group, WPP, Discovery Networks, National Geographic–FOX, and Zee, she has worked at the intersection of content, culture, brand partnerships, storytelling, and growth across markets.Her work focuses on helping founders, experts, and senior leaders build trust, authority, and structured influence through leadership positioning, personal branding, podcast-led IP, and content systems that evolve into monetisable business assets.An ICF-trained PCC-level Executive Coach, Shailja also works with founders and CXO teams on Decision Stability Under Pressure — strengthening judgment, clarity, consistency, and visible authority in high-stakes environments.She has coached and mentored over 1,000 leaders and has been recognised as ET Panache Woman of the Year 2024 and Woman Advertising Maven 2024 by Adtech Today.
June 10, 202636 min
221. Dr. Shakenna Williams' Leadership Journey From "Leading the Boys' Club" to "Becoming"
In this episode of the Women Emerging podcast's Journey to Leadership series, Julia Middleton speaks with Dr. Shakenna K. Williams, Executive Director of the Frank & Eileen™ Center for Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College, about the experiences that shaped her approach to leading long before it was formally recognised.From childhood fishing trips with her father to becoming the oldest girl guiding a group of younger cousins, Shakenna reflects on the lessons that taught her patience, resilience and responsibility. She shares how those early experiences continued to influence her as she navigated higher education, corporate environments, entrepreneurship and the often-unseen challenges that come with being a woman finding her way of leading.Together, Julia and Shakenna explore confidence, imposter syndrome, mentorship, personal growth and the invisible load many women carry. They discuss what happens when your contribution is overlooked, how to keep moving forward during periods of uncertainty, and why understanding yourself is often the foundation for influencing others.Drawing on her work supporting women entrepreneurs, Shakenna also reflects on the relationship between wellbeing, resilience and entrepreneurship, and why community matters when navigating both personal and professional challenges.This conversation offers thoughtful insights for anyone interested in women leading, entrepreneurship, resilience, confidence, mentorship and finding their own way of shaping what happens next.About the Guest: Dr. Shakenna K. Williams is the Executive Director of the Frank & Eileen™ Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College. She is also an innovator, thought leader, and changemaker. Shakenna K. Williams, Executive Director, CWEL. With her passion to propel women entrepreneurs to new levels of success, she pushes boundaries and opens doors, shaping the future of entrepreneurship, equality, and education through her impactful vision.
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