The WECAN Podcast

YOU CAN BE WHAT YOU CAN SEE! Follow our role models for inspiration & guidance🎁 TOGETHER WECAN show what is possible and how to get there!❤️ Here on YouTube, Podcast, and Substack, mentors from all walks of life share their journeys and insights to support you on your journey. IT COULD NOT BE MORE IMPORTANT TO SHOW GOOD LEADERSHIP RIGHT NOW. We show inspirational leadership, values-driven people, businesses, and ventures, as well as human decency, kindness, and connection. We create immersive experiences for all by deep-diving into lessons learned, the "gold" or wisdom of their lives, to help you feel more seen, less alone, more connected and inspired. We believe everyone deserves support and needs help on and off. Join us every week, where we feature 3 incredible mentors who bring you forward. We're thrilled to have you with us! Let us know who or what inspires you most. Please follow our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel,

The WECAN Podcast is a education podcast hosted by Stephanie Ferrario, with 189 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Stephanie Ferrario hosts The WECAN Podcast, a education show with 189 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #89

  Learn How We Can Dismantle Gender-Based Violence: Jess Leigh on Systemic Change & Prevention

  Sep 30, 202626 minS2

  Gender-based violence and inequality do not happen in isolation. They are deeply connected threads in a larger system that intersects with mental health, race, and power dynamics. Solving systemic issues requires unravelling these interconnected pieces, together. In today's deeply reflective interview, Stephanie sits down with award-winning campaigner, facilitator, and educator Jess Leigh. She discusses her vital work at the intersection of gender, mental health, and anti-racism, focusing on how we dismantle gender-based violence through systemic change rather than isolated reactions. Drawing on over a decade of designing workshops across schools, universities, and corporate spaces, learn how everyday language, media stereotypes, and cultural conditioning lay the groundwork for structural harm, and why true prevention means transforming our norms long before crisis hits. Jess’s upcoming book, From Words to Wounds, examines why storytelling is our most powerful antidote to polarisation and isolation. At its core, storytelling reconnects our shared humanity, regardless of our background, race, or religion. Our deepest human desires to love, feel safe, and belong are universal. She is on a mission to unravel the tapestry of inequality, proving that small shifts, from the words we use every day to the jokes we normalise, the media we consume, and our awareness, can spark powerful ripple effects of lasting cultural change. 00:00 Introduction & Welcoming Jess Leigh 01:05 The Scale of Gender Inequality & Systemic Conditioning 02:04 From Words to Wounds 04:02 Moving from Reaction to Upstream Prevention 06:23 Personal Pivots: Recognising Inequality Early On 08:06 Transforming Debate into Curious, Empathy-Led Conversation 09:59 Core Learnings: Language is Never Neutral & Growth Lives in Discomfort 11:51 Campaigning, Policy, and Grassroots Education 14:14 Redefining Success 17:21 Facing Resistance, Emotional Labour, and Building Community 21:20 Advice to Younger Selves 22:34 Future Goals #WECAN #JessLeigh #GenderEquality #FromWordsToWounds #SystemicChange #WomenInLeadership #YouthEmpowerment #StorytellingAsResistance Watch her TEDx talk: "Street harassment - it's not ok", which she delivered at TEDxExeter, addressing the systemic nature of public sexual harassment and why society must stop blaming women and girls and instead take a stand against unacceptable behaviour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGZbyUGm3vs Subscribe to her Substack for a living journal of curiosity, essays, and reflections on the intersections of gender, justice, and joy: https://jesssjleigh.substack.com/ _______________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047c YOU CAN BE WHAT YOU CAN SEE! Follow our role models for inspiration & guidance TOGETHER WECAN show what is possible and how to get there!❤️ Here on YouTube, Podcast, and Substack, mentors from all walks of life share their journeys and insights to support you on your journey. IT COULD NOT BE MORE IMPORTANT TO SHOW GOOD LEADERSHIP RIGHT NOW. We show inspirational leadership, values-driven people, businesses, and ventures, as well as human decency, kindness, and connection. We create immersive experiences for all by deep-diving into lessons learned, the "gold" or wisdom of their lives, to help you feel more seen, less alone, more connected and inspired. We believe everyone deserves support and needs help on and off. Join us every week, where we feature 3 incredible mentors who bring you forward. We're thrilled to have you with us! Let us know who or what inspires you most. Please follow our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and leave a review—Together WECAN. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #88

  Bestselling Author Robinne Lee on Writing Nuanced Stories, Hollywood, Paris, and How To Write Your Own Rules at Midlife

  Sep 28, 202638 minS2

  Welcome back to WECAN for today's special interview with multi-talented international bestselling author, actress, and producer Robinne Lee on how to write nuanced love stories for women in midlife, pivot, and define success on your own terms. Whether you fell in love with her cultural phenomenon, The Idea of You, translated into 24 languages and adapted into the hit Prime Video film starring Anne Hathaway, or are diving into her highly anticipated sophomore novel, Crash Into Me, Robinne’s extraordinary path will remind you of what’s possible when you step fully into your power. Robinne unpacks her journey from navigating immigrant family expectations at Yale and Columbia Law School to carving out a dynamic, multi-industry career across law, acting, and writing. She shares the intentional process behind crafting sophisticated, layered love stories for 40-something women, her pandemic-era pivot to Paris, and why storytelling remains our most powerful tool to bridge divides and connect despite our differences. Discover how Robinne redefined success on her own terms and why your career path can, and should, pivot multiple times throughout life. We are completely inspired by her work, her art of romanticising life, and her deeply nuanced storytelling. Do not miss this gorgeous conversation! "The connecting thread between my acting and writing is all about telling stories and making people feel things, especially in the age of AI. The ability to connect one person to another is our humanity. I don't want us to lose that, and so much of that is storytelling: how we reach others and build connections and relationships. It's sharing who we are and our desires." 00:00 Introduction & Welcoming Robinne Lee 01:45 From Yale and Law School to Hollywood and Writing 03:30 The Inspiration and Phenomenon Behind The Idea of You 07:15 Crafting Layered, Multi-Dimensional Women in Midlife 12:40 Navigating Massive Career Pivots and Creative Freedom 18:30 Romanticising Everyday Life and Finding Your Voice 23:50 Exploring Crash Into Me and New Artistic Horizons 29:15 Final Takeaways & What's Next Join her in Aspen, Colorado, this weekend for the 2nd Annual Aspen Literary Festival, where she will be discussing her latest book, CRASH INTO ME. It promises to be scintillating! Register for free author talks, ticketed events, book signings & more. Visit https://www.aspenliteraryfestival.org/ to register. Connect with Robinne and Buy her Books: https://www.robinnelee.com/ #WECAN #TheIdeaOfYou #CrashIntoMe #RobinneLee #WomenInLeadership #MidlifeEvolution #BestsellingAuthor #CreativePivots #Storytelling #AspenLitFest _______________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c YOU CAN BE WHAT YOU CAN SEE! Follow our role models for inspiration & guidance TOGETHER WECAN show what is possible and how to get there!❤️ Here on YouTube, Podcast, and Substack, mentors from all walks of life share their journeys and insights to support you on your journey. IT COULD NOT BE MORE IMPORTANT TO SHOW GOOD LEADERSHIP RIGHT NOW. We show inspirational leadership, values-driven people, businesses, and ventures, as well as human decency, kindness, and connection. We create immersive experiences for all by deep-diving into lessons learned, the "gold" or wisdom of their lives, to help you feel more seen, less alone, more connected and inspired. We believe everyone deserves support and needs help on and off. Join us every week, where we feature 3 incredible mentors who bring you forward. We're thrilled to have you with us! Let us know who or what inspires you most. Please follow our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and leave a review—Together WECAN. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #87

  Award-Winning Author & Historian Monika Czernin - Lessons in History, Storytelling and Leadership

  Sep 22, 202627 minS2

  Today's conversation is a timeless lesson in history, exploring the art of storytelling and leadership with award-winning author, filmmaker, and historian Monika Czernin, and why history matters. From reporting on the ground during the historic fall of the Iron Curtain in Prague to crafting acclaimed historical books and documentary films, Monika shares the invaluable lessons learned from a life dedicated to uncovering real human narratives. Looking back through history, we can still learn from incredible role models. "History is happening now! You have to be there, you have to see everything and broadcast it to the masses." There is power in real-world storytelling. Monika bridges the gap between historical events and modern audiences, creating books and films that move people to laugh and reflect. Explore insights from her work, including her book Der Kaiser reist inkognito (The Emperor Incognito), which examines Joseph II's visionary governance and what true, data-driven leadership looks like. She was awarded the Friedrich Schiedel Literature Prize in 2023 for this book. Monika also opens up about her creative process, the pivotal influence of her historian father's storytelling, and why patience, financial independence, and detaching from immediate outcomes are essential for long-term creative fulfilment. Whether you are an aspiring storyteller, a history enthusiast, or someone seeking inspiration to reinvent your own path, this episode is a masterclass in turning passion into a lasting legacy. More about Monika Czernin: Award-winning author, filmmaker, and historian known for bringing European history to life through compelling, emotion-driven narratives. With a diverse background that includes reporting on the ground during the fall of the Iron Curtain in Prague in 1989 and authoring acclaimed works like The Emperor Incognito, Monika specialises in uncovering real human stories from the past that offer timeless leadership and life lessons. She is a passionate advocate for women's financial independence, creative self-trust, and lifelong purpose. She continues to inspire audiences to step into their unique power and make a meaningful impact. Connect with Monika Czernin: https://www.monikaczernin.com/ #MonikaCzernin #WECAN #HistoricalFiction #TheEmperorIncognito #WomenFilmmakers #LeadershipLessons #CreativeProcess #WomenInHistory #PodcastMasterclass #Storytelling ______________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c YOU CAN BE WHAT YOU CAN SEE! Follow our role models for inspiration & guidance TOGETHER WECAN show what is possible and how to get there!❤️ Here on YouTube, Podcast, and Substack, mentors from all walks of life share their journeys and insights to support you on your journey. IT COULD NOT BE MORE IMPORTANT TO SHOW GOOD LEADERSHIP RIGHT NOW. We show inspirational leadership, values-driven people, businesses, and ventures, as well as human decency, kindness, and connection. We create immersive experiences for all by deep-diving into lessons learned, the "gold" or wisdom of their lives, to help you feel more seen, less alone, more connected and inspired. We believe everyone deserves support and needs help on and off. Join us every week, where we feature 3 incredible mentors who bring you forward. We're thrilled to have you with us! Let us know who or what inspires you most. Please follow our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and leave a review—Together WECAN. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #86

  How To Turn Pain Into Purpose: A Real Talk About Loss and Fake Pills with Ed Ternan

  Sep 21, 202623 minS2

  In today's deeply moving conversation, Stephanie sits down with Ed Ternan, president and co-founder of Song for Charlie, for an honest and real talk about fake pills and loss. Ed shares the heartbreaking story of losing his 22-year-old son, Charlie, in May 2020. Charlie was a brilliant economics student and athlete with perfect high school scores, who died after taking a single counterfeit pill purchased online, believing it to be a legitimate medication, secretly laced with a lethal dose of fentanyl. This is a moving pain-to-purpose story on the complexity of grief and loss. Witnessing incredible humans like Ed and his wife, Mary, turn personal loss and grief into a nationwide movement is truly inspiring. Recognising a terrifying trend of youth dying from fake prescription pills, they founded a family-led, nonprofit, Song for Charlie, to shine a light and bring about change through humble goals. Today, the organisation has reached millions across the U.S. and has driven an 83% reduction in student pill misuse through their transparent, fact-based "Just Say Know" approach. They empower students to learn and share knowledge by providing award-winning, evidence-based educational programs and promoting peer-to-peer learning resources. Tune in to this masterclass to learn how to navigate today's high-risk drug landscape with honesty, empathy, and practical tools, and discover how unimaginable grief can transform into a nationwide movement for education and systemic change. Peer-to-peer fentanyl education starts with you! Connection and communication around substance abuse, misuse, and addiction are very important. We need to destigmatise the conversation. 0:00 – Introduction: The Mission of Song for Charlie 2:15 – Remembering Charlie & Understanding the Fentanyl Crisis 6:40 – The "Just Say Know" Digital Education Strategy 12:30 – Equipping Youth with Healthy Coping Mechanisms 18:10 – Modern Drug Education for Families and Parents 24:05 – Navigating Grief and Finding Purpose Through Action 31:15 – Fostering Personal Agency and a Healthier Future Learn more about Song for Charlie and Spread the Word: https://www.songforcharlie.org/ #RealTalkAboutFake PillsAndLoss #SongForCharlie #EdTernan #FentanylAwareness #FakePills #CounterfeitPills #YouthSubstancePrevention #ParentGuide #AdolescentMental Health #CopingSkills #GriefJourney #DrugEducation #YouthAdvocacy #WECAN _______________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c YOU CAN BE WHAT YOU CAN SEE! Follow our role models for inspiration & guidance TOGETHER WECAN show what is possible and how to get there!❤️ Here on YouTube, Podcast, and Substack, mentors from all walks of life share their journeys and insights to support you on your journey. IT COULD NOT BE MORE IMPORTANT TO SHOW GOOD LEADERSHIP RIGHT NOW. We show inspirational leadership, values-driven people, businesses, and ventures, as well as human decency, kindness, and connection. We create immersive experiences for all by deep-diving into lessons learned, the "gold" or wisdom of their lives, to help you feel more seen, less alone, more connected and inspired. We believe everyone deserves support and needs help on and off. Join us every week, where we feature 3 incredible mentors who bring you forward. We're thrilled to have you with us! Let us know who or what inspires you most. Please follow our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and leave a review—Together WECAN. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #85

  Samara Bay: Permission to Speak Your Idea Full-Chested: The Masterclass

  Sep 17, 202643 minS2

  How can we show up fully in the moments that matter most? In today's interview, we are given all the permission we need to speak and are joined by the very inspiring Samara Bay: a Hollywood dialect coach, public speaking expert, creator of Permission Inc., and author of the #1 bestselling business book Permission to Speak. With a career dedicated to helping actors, executives, and first-time female political candidates navigate high-stakes communication, she dismantles the historical barriers between voice and power. Her viral TED Talk, "The One Thing Every Great Speaker Does (And No One Teaches)" inspires us to drop public speaking anxiety, lead with love, and discover our true, authentic sound. Samara teaches us about a Model Love-Forward type of leadership, where we can speak our ideas, full-chested, and shift from fear into love. Showing up fully, deeply human gives others permission to do the same, proving that the way you show up is exactly right, and that this is the new sound of power! We love her Top 3 Speech-Prep tips, we love her energy, her wisdom, and what and how she teaches us to communicate well so people listen. She reminds us that we have full permission to drop the fear, bring a little mischief, and lead with love! And lastly, get in your body ~ Remember, you do have hips, wiggle them! There is a new dance between voice and power. Tune in to learn all about it, her honest dreams for the future, and what she has to teach. This is not to be missed! 0:00 - Introduction & The Dance Between Voice and Power 5:15 - Rewriting the Fear Story and Caring Out Loud 14:30 - Samara's Top 3 Tips for High-Stakes Public Speaking 24:10 - Bringing Your Body, Breath, and Ancestral Wisdom to the Stage 33:20 - Redefining Leadership: The New Sound of Power Connect with Samara Bay & Explore Her Book & TED Talk https://www.permissioninc.co/ #WECAN #SamaraBay #PermissionToSpeak #PublicSpeaking #WomenLeaders #VoiceAndPower #LeadershipMindset #EmbodiedLeadership #Empowerment _______________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c YOU CAN BE WHAT YOU CAN SEE! Follow our role models for inspiration & guidance TOGETHER WECAN show what is possible and how to get there!❤️ Here on YouTube, Podcast, and Substack, mentors from all walks of life share their journeys and insights to support you on your journey. IT COULD NOT BE MORE IMPORTANT TO SHOW GOOD LEADERSHIP RIGHT NOW. We show inspirational leadership, values-driven people, businesses, and ventures, as well as human decency, kindness, and connection. We create immersive experiences for all by deep-diving into lessons learned, the "gold" or wisdom of their lives, to help you feel more seen, less alone, more connected and inspired. We believe everyone deserves support and needs help on and off. Join us every week, where we feature 3 incredible mentors who bring you forward. We're thrilled to have you with us! Let us know who or what inspires you most. Please follow our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and leave a review—Together WECAN. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  ListenShow Notes

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