Working Girl

Hosted by Rachel Mpala

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Jul 2026

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About the show

In a world on fire, Working Girl brings you the stories of women who refuse to look away — and choose to do the work. Hosted by activist Rachel Mpala, this podcast spotlights women working in the trenches of social justice and nonprofit sectors: from fighting gun violence and homelessness to defending abortion access, dismantling racism, and navigating America’s broken systems. Each week, we go beyond headlines and job titles to ask: What does it really take to stay in the fight for justice — without burning out How do these women protect their joy while doing some of the hardest work in America? And how can you support them? Expect raw conversations, practical insights, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a woman working at the intersection of purpose, pain, and power. This isn’t corporate career advice anymore. It’s a reckoning — and a rally cry. Topics include : women in nonprofits, activism, burnout, social justice, gender equity, homelessness, gun violence, reproductive rights, healthcare, racism, prison reform, immigration, human rights, education, xenophobia, trans rights, veterans, feminism, progressive leadership

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21 recent

July 14, 2026Episode 195 min

Choosing Rest: What Season 2 Taught Me

Send us Fan Mail When I started Season 2 of Working Girl , I planned to release ten episodes. Instead, I'm ending the season after six. In this special solo episode, I'm sharing why. Over the past several months, I've had the privilege of interviewing women leading movements across housing, immigration, climate justice, criminal justice reform, gun violence prevention, and reproductive access. While each conversation explored a different issue, they all returned to the same unexpected lesson: meaningful change can only be sustained when we also care for ourselves. As my pregnancy has progressed, I've realized it's time to take the very advice my guests have been offering all season. This isn't a story about falling short. It's a story about redefining success, trusting your body, embracing rest, and recognizing that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is change the plan. In this episode: • Why I'm ending Season 2 earlier than planned • The lesson every guest unknowingly taught me • My biggest takeaways from six incredible conversations • My own answer to the question I ask every guest: "What does hope look like right now?" Thank you for being part of this season. I'll see you in Season 3. Listen now and subscribe. Support the show

June 30, 2026Episode 1841 min

The Reality of Abortion Access in Texas with Anna Rupani

Send us Fan Mail When people talk about abortion access, the conversation usually focuses on laws, politics, and court decisions. But what happens when someone actually needs care? In this season finale of Working Girl, Rachel sits down with Anna Rupani, the first Executive Director of Fund Texas Choice, the oldest statewide practical support abortion organization in Texas. Anna shares what it really looks like to help Texans access abortion care in a state where many people must travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to receive treatment. From transportation and lodging to childcare and emotional support, she pulls back the curtain on the hidden barriers that many people never see. The conversation also explores Anna's journey from immigration and family law into reproductive justice advocacy, what she's learned about leadership during some of the most challenging moments in the movement, and why rest, resilience, and empathy are essential for sustainable change. Together, Rachel and Anna discuss: • What practical support abortion organizations actually do • The realities Texans face when seeking abortion care • How policy decisions impact everyday people • Leadership, burnout, and building resilient teams • Why abortion access affects more than just abortion patients • The importance of reducing stigma through honest conversations • How hope can exist even in difficult moments Whether you are deeply familiar with reproductive justice or just beginning to learn, this episode offers an honest, human-centered look at one of the most debated issues in America today. Because behind every policy debate is a person simply trying to access healthcare. Listen now and subscribe. Check out the show notes for ways to get involved, learn more, and support the work. Support the show

June 16, 2026Episode 1742 min

How Moms Demand Action Is Building a Safer Future with Angela Ferrell-Zabala

Send us Fan Mail Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens in America. Yet for many people, the issue can feel overwhelming, political, or impossible to solve. This week on Working Girl, Rachel sits down with Angela Ferrell-Zabala, the first-ever Executive Director of Moms Demand Action, the nation's largest grassroots movement dedicated to ending gun violence. Angela shares her journey from lifelong community organizer to leading a movement of more than 11 million supporters across all 50 states. Together, they discuss what effective gun violence prevention actually looks like, why common ground is more achievable than we think, and how everyday people can make a difference in their own communities. They also explore the emotional reality of advocacy work, the role of joy in sustaining change, and why leadership is often about bringing people together rather than having all the answers. In this episode, you'll learn: What Moms Demand Action does and how the movement has grown nationwide Why gun violence prevention is a public health issue How secure firearm storage can save lives The power of grassroots organizing and community action How Angela navigates burnout, grief, and hope while leading a national movement Simple ways anyone can get involved, even if they don't see themselves as an activist Whether you're a parent, community member, advocate, or simply someone looking for a way to help, this conversation offers practical steps and a hopeful path forward. Listen now and subscribe. Check out the show notes for ways to get involved, learn more, and support the work. Support the show

June 2, 2026Episode 1639 min

Beyond the Record: Justice, Grace & Starting Over with Sheena Meade

Send us Fan Mail This week on Working Girl, Rachel sits down with Sheena Meade , CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative , for a powerful conversation about second chances, systemic barriers, and what it really means to move forward after a criminal record. Sheena shares her own deeply personal experience navigating the justice system, why automated record sealing matters, and how outdated laws continue to impact millions of people long after a sentence ends. Together, they unpack the emotional weight of stigma, the realities women face after incarceration, and why this work is about far more than policy. They also discuss burnout, empathy, motherhood, community care, and how to stay engaged in a world that often feels overwhelming. Under Sheena’s leadership, The Clean Slate Initiative has helped pass clean slate legislation in 14 states and Washington, D.C., opening pathways to housing, employment, education, and dignity for millions of Americans. This episode is a reminder that people are more than the worst thing they’ve ever done and that second chances should not be a privilege. Listen now and subscribe. Check out the show notes for ways to get involved, learn more, and support the work. Support the show

May 19, 2026Episode 1550 min

Music, Activism, and Rising Above with Gwen Levey

Send us Fan Mail Award-winning musician, activist, and Rise Above Justice Movement co-founder Gwen Levey joins Working Girl for a deeply honest conversation about survivorship, activism, reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and the emotional reality of doing this work in today’s political climate. Gwen shares how the overturning of Roe v. Wade changed the trajectory of her life and music career, what it means to build community online while facing constant backlash, and why rest, self-care, and connection are essential for anyone fighting for change. We also talk about surviving sexual violence, intersectional feminism, social media censorship, country music, political awakening, and how ordinary people can start getting involved in their communities. This conversation is raw, thoughtful, empowering, and one I think so many people need right now. Listen now and subscribe. Check out the show notes for ways to get involved, learn more, and support the work. Support the show

May 5, 2026Episode 141 hr 0 min

From Oil Town to Climate Justice with Ariana Akbari

Send us Fan Mail What does climate justice actually look like when it’s happening in your own community? This week, I’m joined by Ariana Akbari, Executive Director of Climate Justice Texas , an environmental advocacy and conservation education organization based on the petrochemical front lines of Southeast Texas. We talk about why climate change often feels distant until it becomes personal, the challenges of getting people to care, and why starting the conversation might be the most powerful place to begin. This one will shift how you think about climate justice and your role in it. Follow Ariana and Climate Justice Texas on Instagram at @arianaakbari @arianaakbariart @climatejusticetexas And as always, if you want to support the show, please share this episode, leave a review, or send it to someone who needs to hear it. For resources, organizations mentioned, and ways to support climate justice, check out the show notes . Support the show

April 14, 2026Episode 1348 min

The Truth About Immigration in America with Attorney Angelica Jimenez

Send us Fan Mail Immigration is one of the most talked about issues in the U.S. It is also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, I sit down with immigration attorney Angelica Jimenez, Esq., Managing Attorney and Founder of the Law Offices of Angelica Jimenez, to break down what the system actually looks like for the people living it every day. We talk about what “doing it the right way” really means, why immigration is far more complex than paperwork, and how politics directly impacts families trying to stay together. This conversation is honest, eye-opening, and one I think everyone needs to hear. Follow Angelica on Instagram at @Abogada_Angelica_Jimenez and @AttorneyAngelicaJimenez to stay informed and support her work. Listen now and subscribe. For resources, organizations mentioned, and ways to support immigrant communities, check out the show notes. Support the show

March 31, 2026Episode 1252 min

Housing Is a Human Right with Julia Orduña

Send us Fan Mail Housing is more than a place to live. It’s a matter of dignity, safety, and survival. In this episode of Working Girl , I sit down with Julia Orduña, Southeast Texas Regional Director at Texas Housers, to unpack the realities of the housing crisis, from rising rent and evictions to disaster recovery and policy reform. But this conversation is also deeply personal. We talk about the emotional toll of housing instability, the lived experiences that shape this work, and why women are often at the center of both the struggle and the solutions. If you’ve ever wondered how housing injustice actually impacts real people and what it means to do this work on the front lines, this episode will stay with you. Listen now and subscribe. Check out the show notes for ways to get involved, learn more, and support the work: http://www.workinggirlpodcast.com Support the show

March 19, 20261 min

Season 2 Trailer

Send us Fan Mail Working Girl is a podcast about the women doing the work the world depends on and the realities they navigate while doing it. In this season, we shift beyond the traditional workplace to center the voices of women on the front lines of social change. From housing justice to climate advocacy, from healthcare access to immigration, each episode offers an unfiltered look at what it means to fight for a more just world while carrying the weight of it personally. Through candid, deeply human conversations, Working Girl explores the intersection of gender, power, and purpose, highlighting not just the challenges but the resilience, strategy, and conviction it takes to keep going. If you have ever questioned your place in systems that were not built for you or wondered how change actually happens, this is for you. Support the show

July 2, 2024Episode 1153 min

Season 1 (Gender Bias) - Negotiating Your Worth with Keri-Lynne Shaw

Send us Fan Mail This episode is part of our first season, which focused on gender bias in the corporate world. The show has since evolved to focus on women on the front lines of social justice. Ready to become a stronger negotiator and break free from gender bias? In our season finale of Working Girl, we're thrilled to chat with Keri-Lynne Shaw , Founder of The Salary Bump . KL shares her inspiring journey from a high-pressure career to empowering women like you to confidently advocate for your worth. In this episode, we dive into the art of negotiation, making it feel like a win-win and normalizing those tricky money conversations at work. KL offers priceless insights on proposing salary ranges that fit both market value and your personal goals, while also negotiating for perks beyond just salary. We'll tackle the challenges women face due to historical biases and stereotypes, giving you practical strategies to overcome them. From using HR as an ally to staying on top of market trends and building a fact-based approach to negotiations, KL's tips are a game-changer. We also explore how societal expectations have painted women as poor negotiators and share ways to shift that mindset. With personal stories and professional advice, this episode gives you the tools to confidently stand up for your true value. But we don’t stop at salary. We’ll look at the whole compensation package, from benefits and PTO to personal coaching and memberships. Transparency and preparation are key themes, and we’ll discuss the financial perks of job-hopping versus sticking with one company Join us as we create a community of empowered women, ready to redefine success on their own terms. Support the show