Thomas discussed various aspects of her career, including the importance of mentorship. Since there were so few women in the profession when she started, she felt fortunate to have men willing to mentor her from the start. Her advice for young people starting out is not to be afraid to ask for what you want. Management will respect you for speaking up for yourself. She also advises young people to be willing to work hard, have a plan, and don’t be afraid to fail. When you make a mistake, learn from it, and move on.

About Ann Thomas:

Ann Thomas is the radio program director for WJR 760 AM, known as the Great Voice of the Great Lakes. For more than four decades, Thomas has shaped conversations and informed audiences at Detroit’s legendary news, talk, and sports station. From an internship in 1982, Thomas built an extraordinary broadcasting career as a producer, reporter, anchor, host, and executive producer, winning numerous awards, including several Associated Press, United Press International, and Detroit Press Club awards as a reporter, and several Best Morning Show awards for the Paul W. Smith Show, as executive producer. Thomas is also the creator and host of “Women Who Lead,” a long-running program featuring women who are making a difference in their communities and professions. Her commitment to elevating women’s voices has earned her induction into the Michigan Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame, along with multiple honors recognizing her contributions to communications, leadership and workplace excellence.

Show Notes:

Dr. Nancy talks with Tony Porter and Kimya Motley about domestic violence and abuse – and how their work with A Call to Men is changing the conversation around violence against women and girls. Porter traces the problem to the “Man Box,” a set of social rules, laid down early, that dictates how men are supposed to treat women and each other. From boyhood, he explains, boys are taught they are strong, and girls are weak; that women have less value, and that men can own women. Violence, in this view, is rooted in the patriarchy itself – a system that boxes men in, cutting them off from developing emotional intelligence, from dealing with trauma in healthy ways, and from becoming whole.

Kimya Motley shares her own story – shot by her abusive spouse. She survived and vowed that no one else would endure what she did. As Chief Advancement Officer of A Call to Men, she works as a lead facilitator in domestic violence prevention, male socialization, and trauma-informed care. Her message to parents is direct: give your sons permission to be human, to be tender, to ask for help, to cry, and to feel fear. Pay attention to the lessons you’re teaching your children. Don’t raise them to perpetrate violence or accept abuse as natural.

Porter is clear: men who perpetrate violence are in the minority, which means the majority have a responsibility to call it out. While they have made great progress in raising awareness, the numbers tell a harder story. Domestic violence remains the single most common emergency call to police departments in the U.S. We haven’t reached critical mass yet, either, he says. Until we do, the work is to keep reaching out to men and women, to dismantle the “Man Box,” to back our words with action, and to build a healthier model of what it means to be a man or a woman as they form those gender identities as children.

About Tony Porter:

Tony Porter, CEO of A Call to Men, is an author, educator, and activist working to advance gender and racial justice and create a more equitable society. Internationally recognized for his efforts to prevent violence against women while promoting a healthy, respectful manhood, he is a leading voice on issues of manhood, male socialization, and preventing violence against all women and girls. GQ Magazine named Porter’s 2010 TED Talk as one of the “Top 10 TED Talks Every Man Should See.”

Author of Breaking Out of the Man Box and the visionary for NFL Dads: Dedicated to Daughters, Porter is sought after for his in-depth understanding of the collective socialization of men and promoting gender and racial equity.

About Kimya Motley:

Kimya Motley, Chief Advancement Officer at A Call to Men, is an educator, activist, author, director, and producer working to end violence against all women and girls. Motley leverages her personal experiences and profound storytelling ability to touch hearts, galvanize support, and inspire a call to action to prevent violence against women and girls while promoting healthy, respectful manhood. Her harrowing journey as a brave survivor of domestic violence has fueled her passion for advocacy and been featured in multiple media outlets. Motley’s memoir, Born of Violence, reached number four on the Amazon Hot New Releases List for Partner Abuse.

Show Notes:

First, DeNora Getachew and Keely Quinn, leaders of DoSomething.org, discuss how their organization was originally founded to make volunteering cool and has since evolved into the largest online platform for young people to make a difference. Do Something has mobilized millions of young people worldwide to take action on the issues they care about most. These range from safety from gun violence and mental health issues to equity and justice. Meeting young people where they engage online, Do Something gives them a resource, an opportunity to get involved, find and use their voice, and equips them with the tools for effective leadership.

Second, Tracy Evans Land, three-time Olympian and freestyle skiing pioneer, founded Kids Play International to use the power of sport to build confidence, character, and community among youth across the globe. She shares that Kids Play has developed three core programs: Let’s Play Fair, an after-school program; All Girls United, which addresses issues specific to girls; and Play Fair Day on Sunday, which provides community-wide access to the Let’s Play Fair curriculum and leadership opportunities for Let’s Play Fair participants. Evans-Land hopes that other organizations will take advantage of the curriculum built by Kids Play International to expand it into other developing countries and level the playing field for everyone through sport.

These conversations remind us that investing in youth leadership isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s one of the smartest, most impactful choices we can make because when we empower young people to lead, we allow them to create the future they want to pass on to future generations.

About DeNora Getachew:DeNora Getachew serves as the Chief Executive Officer of DoSomething, a pioneering social profit organization with a 32-year legacy of empowering youth. Under her leadership, DoSomething continues to inspire young people to drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond. A seasoned democracy lawyer, Getachew has dedicated her career to advancing free elections and fostering a multiracial democracy through her work in both government and the social profit sector. She has held appointments on several high-profile commissions and task forces, including the New York State Public Campaign Financing Commission and the New York State Civic Readiness Task Force. Getachew also serves as Chair of the Board of Higher Heights for America, an organization amplifying Black women’s political power and leadership.

About Keely Quinn:Keely Quinn is the Vice President of Programming & Impact at DoSomething, where she leads the development and evaluation of innovative programs that amplify youth voices and drive measurable impact. Quinn’s work ensures that DoSomething’s initiatives resonate with its members and address the root causes of pressing societal issues.

With over 15 years of experience in crisis communications, program management, social impact, and social justice, Quinn has held key leadership roles at organizations such as Health Leads and The Grossman Burn Center. At Health Leads, she spearheaded global and U.S.-based campaigns addressing critical issues such as food insecurity among marginalized and migrant communities. Since joining DoSomething, she has transformed its programming from one-off actions into sustained initiatives that empower young people to build civic power and drive long-term change.

About DoSomething:

DoSomething.org is a global movement that empowers young people aged 13-25 to create positive change in their communities. Since 1993, it has engaged over eight million members in addressing pressing issues such as climate action, equity, and mental health. Through innovative campaigns and programs, DoSomething inspires young people to lead, volunteer, and advocate for a better world, resulting in members achieving numerous impactful milestones, including donating five million pairs of jeans to homeless youth and organizing 200,000 peers to combat gun violence. As a coach and connector, DoSomething fuels the next generation of changemakers, ensuring their voices drive meaningful action and lasting impact.

About Tracy Evans-Land:

Tracy Evans-Land, a three-time Olympian and freestyle skiing pioneer, has achieved greatness both on and off the slopes. As the founder of Kids Play International, she promotes gender equity and Olympic values in post-genocide communities through innovative sports programs like Let’s Play Fair. Her efforts empower youth with skills, confidence, and opportunities for brighter futures. Beyond her nonprofit work, Evans-Land owns AthleteSource CASTING, connecting athletes to media opportunities. Recognized as an Olympian for Life by the IOC, her accolades include the Rings of Gold award and numerous honors for her impactful contributions to sports and society.

In this episode, Dr. Nancy revisits some of our favorite conversations with three influential leaders who promote the power of personal stories to drive cultural change. Together, their voices remind us that storytelling isn’t just about history or entertainment. It’s about legacy, identity, and empowerment.

Adam Torres believes so strongly in the power of stories that he’s made it his life’s work to help people tell their own. Stressing that it’s not just famous people who need a platform. He urges everyone to share their stories, reminding listeners that the platform is the story, and everyone has one. Share it to inspire others and drive your own mission forward.

Erika Alexander’s story begins in her childhood, when she took her first acting job at age 12. One job led to another, ultimately leading to the role of Maxine Shaw, Attorney at Law. It was through that character that she became a role model for many women of color, inspiring them to pursue their dreams. Later, to fully understand the profound phenomenon, known as the Maxine Shaw Effect, Erika commissioned a study to assess the impact the show had on women of color. From there, she developed a curriculum based on lessons learned and founded Color Farm Media, building an ecosystem that fosters greater equity, inclusion, and diversity in media and that empowers and elevates voices who are underrepresented, overlooked, and undervalued.

Frédérique Campagne Irwin, CEO of the National Women’s History Museum, also understands the need to preserve stories and is sharing them to flip the script of the predicted 100 years to women’s equity. Her journey through the many facets of women’s advocacy has taken her from helping women entrepreneurs where she saw systemic barriers to equity, to governments and founders, like the Gates Foundation, who worked to eliminate those barriers. Today, in her role as leader of NWHM, she thinks that by telling more women’s stories to the younger generation, she will see change happen in her lifetime.

About Adam Torres:

Adam Torres is Host of the Mission Matters series of shows, ranked in the top 2.5% of podcasts globally.” As Co-Founder of Mission Matters, a media, branding, and book publishing agency, Adam is dedicated to amplifying the voices of entrepreneurs, entertainers, executives, and experts. An international speaker and author of multiple best-selling books on business and investing, his advice is featured regularly in major media outlets such as Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, Fox Business, and CBS.

About Erika Alexander:

Erika Alexander, SAG and Independent Spirit Award nominee, is celebrated for iconic roles such as Maxine Shaw (Living Single), Detective Latoya (Get Out), and Cousin Pam (The Cosby Show). An activist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Color Farm Media, Alexander harnesses storytelling to drive social change. Color Farm, the “Motown of Film, TV, and Tech,” produces impactful films like John Lewis: Good Trouble and Finding Tamika. Recent projects include starring in the Academy Award-winning American Fiction and Apple TV’s Invasion. A sought-after speaker, Alexander empowers with insights on leadership, diversity, and future-proofing the next generation through innovative programs and media.

About Frédérique Campagne Irwin:Frédérique Campagne Irwin is a seasoned entrepreneur and advocate for women’s empowerment, with over 25 years of experience in strategic management, non-profit and commercial business, impact, and entrepreneurship. As the President and CEO of the National Women’s History Museum, she has dedicated herself to showcasing the significant role of women in shaping American history and culture. Before her leadership role at the museum, she served as the Managing Director of Impact Strategy at the Sorensen Impact Center, where she led initiatives for equity in higher education and women in entrepreneurship. Her dedication to empowering women was also evident in her founding and leadership of Her Corner, a company that supported women and educated them on how to scale their businesses. Frédérique’s commitment to creating networks, inspiring confidence, and elevating women’s voices has been at the core of her work, making her an influential figure in women’s advocacy and business leadership.

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Second, Dr. Sophia Armen of the Feminist Front and Rosie Couture, co-founder of the Young Feminist Party, are also on hand to discuss their passion for being the next generation to take up the fight for the Equal Rights Amendment as their own. They join the 100-year fight to secure women’s constitutional protection, once and for all. All of these amazing young leaders urge others to get involved in whatever way is possible: whether taking the messaging online and posting on social media, donating time, talent, or cash, communicating with elected representatives, speaking out, or educating family and friends. Equality is everyone’s fight, and together we can win.

Dr. Nancy welcomes Michelle Milford Morse, Vice President for Girls and Women Strategy at the United Nations Foundation, for an inspiring conversation about advancing global gender equality. Milford Morse shares how her Texas roots and influential women leaders have shaped her journey, and highlights the UN Foundation’s critical role in fostering global cooperation to address challenges such as gender-based violence, climate change, and health inequities. She emphasizes the transformative power of women’s leadership and youth engagement in creating durable solutions. Together, they discuss the importance of hope, collaboration, and the UN’s impact on women’s rights worldwide. This episode is a powerful reminder of the progress we can achieve when women and men unite for a better future.

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Dr. Smith explains the concept of systemic allyship and why it's a leadership issue that benefits everyone. He offers practical, actionable steps for men who want to become better allies, mentors, and sponsors for women. This conversation explores how to move beyond good intentions to create real, measurable change, fostering inclusive workplaces where collaboration thrives, and everyone can reach their full potential.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of redefining sports as a vital part of education, not just an extracurricular activity. They also touch on ways to advocate for more investment in women and girls’ sports and increase women’s representation in coaching. Leighton and Tatge inspire listeners to view sports as not just a game, but as a pathway to leadership for women. 

Stewart highlights the League’s impactful Unite and Rise 8.5 campaign, designed to mobilize millions of voters through grassroots action, education, and partnerships. By addressing voter misinformation and barriers, the League empowers voters to amplify their voices. Stewart emphasizes the importance of hyperlocal engagement to inspire change and reminds listeners that everyone has a role in protecting democracy. Whether attending community events or using League resources, action is crucial when it comes to creating the kind of government we want.

Diving into WEV’s impactful work in supporting women entrepreneurs, including the Smart Entrepreneurial Training (SET) program, which has equipped thousands of women with the tools to launch and grow successful businesses, Parr elaborates on her commitment to addressing income disparities through programs that educate and empower single mothers and underserved communities, while fostering their confidence to achieve financial independence.

Dr. Sheila shares candid insights from her corporate career, illustrating how diverse perspectives drive innovation and success while tackling the misconceptions surrounding DEI. She also previews exciting initiatives, including Thriving Thursday webinars, the Executive Woman podcast, and the upcoming 20th-anniversary Women’s Leadership Conference.

Gloria and Zakiya offer powerful insights on advancing the Equal Rights Amendment, the need to involve the nation’s leaders to enact it, and the vital role relationships play in driving meaningful change. They share strategies to counter political resistance, reclaim reproductive freedoms, and gain support for gender equity—all through the actionable, united efforts of thousands of women-centric networks.

This candid, hope-filled conversation highlights the importance of amplifying women's voices and leveraging new approaches to foster unity and forward momentum. Dr. Nancy invites you to join this incredible dialogue, take inspiration, and reimagine the path toward equality, together.

Join us as we continue these important conversations and work towards creating a more inclusive, supportive world for women and girls everywhere. Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast for more empowering content and stay tuned for the release of our upcoming book!

With insights into the challenges women face, the power of storytelling, and the importance of collaboration, this episode is a rich tapestry of experience, wisdom, and determination to create a more inclusive world. Tune in as they explore the crucial role of solidarity, support networks, and the urgency to energize and uplift women. This episode is a testament to the strength of female alliances and the vital impact of storytelling across all industries.

Join Maggie and Dr. Nancy for a powerful conversation about how much we need to raise the bar to help regain individual freedoms for women and girls.

With a degree in French, history and science from Bucknell University, she isn’t waiting for her law degree to work for systemic change. Among her many professional achievements, Jasmine played a pivotal role in the enactment of historic gun safety legislation in Delaware, shared her talents with ACLU of Delaware and is volunteering on two state campaigns for office. And she’s only getting started. Don’t miss this story of the power found in serving others.

Kathy's commitment to empowering women led her to write "The Most Powerful You: Seven Bravery-Boosting Paths to Career Bliss." In her book, she explores the concept of power gaps, which are the ways women inadvertently give away their power or struggle to recognize their unique talents and accomplishments. Through her work, Kathy highlights the importance of women recognizing their strengths, standing out confidently, and embracing their true potential.

Her recent remake of "Black Beauty" for Disney+ not only modernized the classic tale but also shed light on the pressing issue of wild horse preservation in the American West. Witnessing the plight of wild horses during the filming process sparked her commitment to advocating for their protection and welfare. Through the Wild Beauty Foundation, Ashley seeks to bring about positive change for wild horses in the United States.

Her most recent documentary, "Wild Beauty Mustang: Spirit of the West," is a journalistic exposé into the corruption befalling wild horses. The film has been hailed as “ground-breaking” and received a special Congressional commendation in 2023.

Andrea Grant, a Certified Diversity Search Professional (CDSP), has worked for over 25 years for major corporations and as a serial entrepreneur with a love for human resources. However, she says that DEI and all the other acronyms applied to diversity today doesn't mean we're being equitable and creating a culture of belonging, and that lack of belonging is keeping women from coming back to work.