Finnish-American production manager Sharissa Holopainen gives us an exclusive look into the dynamic, cross-cultural world of film production, describing it as a living puzzle. A short film assignment opened the door to her lifelong passion for storytelling behind the camera after she dropped out of a business program that didn’t feel right and realized acting wasn’t her true calling. Raised between Finland and California, Sharissa once resisted her cultural heritage until she realized it gave her an edge. Today, she thrives at the intersection of international co-productions, helping teams navigate the unspoken cultural nuances that can make or break a shoot. Her ability to foster communication and trust across borders has become her superpower. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more empowering stories from remarkable women. Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more. TRANSCRIPT: https://www.shelightstheway.com/sharissa-holopainen-interview-transcript EPISODE LINKS: Sharissa’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharissa-holopainen-258401190/ Summer Book: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26940053/ KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 Welcome & introduction 01:00 The creative puzzle of film production 02:00 From business school dropout to storyteller and bridge builder 04:00 Discovering a passion for producing 05:00 Finding her fit at U.C. Irvine 06:00 Pandemic pivot to Finland 08:00 Embracing her identity and unique path 10:00 The power of co-productions 13:00 Communication styles across cultures 15:00 Film projects that changed Sharissa’s life 18:00 The wild beauty of island filmmaking 20:00 Lessons in the journey 21:00 What She Lights the Way means to Sharissa FOLLOW: Website: shelightstheway.com/ Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/ STORIES: https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories PODCAST: Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/ RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m BLOG: https://shelightstheway.substack.com/ CONNECT: Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story

In this bold and deeply authentic conversation, Dr. Frances Mei Hardin shares her journey from teenage prodigy to rural ENT surgeon and cofounder of the Hippocratic Collective—as she reflects on how surviving the culture of surgical training shaped her mission to transform medicine from the inside out. She speaks candidly about physician burnout, mental health, toxic workplace norms, and why success without authenticity is a hollow pursuit. With unflinching honesty and infectious purpose, Frances Mei lights the way toward a more human, compassionate future in medicine. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more empowering stories from remarkable women. Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more. TRANSCRIPT: https://www.shelightstheway.com/francesmeihardin-interview-transcript EPISODE LINKS: https://francesmei.com/ https://rethinkingresidency.com/ https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/frances-mei-hardin-md-aab8b6297/ https://www.instagram.com/francesmei.md/ KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 Welcome & introduction 02:00 STEM passion, skipping grades, and showing up at Notre Dame at 16 04:00 How she "compromised" between graphic design and medicine—by becoming a surgeon 05:00 Picking a specialty: the honest (and funny) advice that guided her to ENT 06:00 Working in a male-dominated field: bias, microaggressions, and being “Dr. Frances” 07:00 The seedy underbelly of medicine: what patients don’t see about doctor wellness 09:00 Why pretending doctors are perfect does real harm to the profession 11:00 Founding Rethinking Residency to offer honest resources for future doctors 13:00 “I almost lost my life”: sharing her mental health journey during residency 15:00 Why the “rockstar asshole” surgeon trope needs to die—and how toxic culture hurts patients. 17:00 Civility in medicine: how professionalism helps everyone, especially the patient 20:00 Why she focuses on helping the target of abuse, not fixing the bully 24:00 Writing her memoir, Surgeon on the Edge, as an act of healing and truth-telling 28:00 How doctors are trained to equate self-worth with accolades—and how that must change 31:00 Redefining success: from prestige to peace, authenticity, and health 33:00 Her advice to younger women: Know yourself. Build identity outside the system. 35:00 What She Lights the Way means to her: courage is contagious. 36:00 Closing quote: “When you start asking for a bigger life, you cannot keep begging for a smaller one to stay.” – Brianna Wiest FOLLOW: Website: shelightstheway.com/ Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/ STORIES: https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories PODCAST: Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/ RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m BLOG: https://medium.com/@she_lights_the_way https://shelightstheway.substack.com/ CONNECT: Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story

Naomi Ceder—educator, author, and former chair of the Python Software Foundation—shares her raw, powerful journey of becoming. From hiding her identity for decades to leading one of the world’s most influential tech communities, Naomi rewrites the rules on resilience, authenticity, and inclusion. She shares candid insights on Imposter Syndrome—rooted in her lived experience as a trans woman—and why owning your truth is the most powerful antidote. Naomi opens up about transitioning in midlife and why she stopped waiting for permission to be herself. Along the way, she challenges how we teach, why representation matters, and how real change is built. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong, this conversation is your reminder: you do. Listen in and get inspired to lead with truth, build with purpose, and never shrink who you are. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more empowering stories from remarkable women. Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more. TRANSCRIPT: https://www.shelightstheway.com/naomi-ceder-interview-transcript STORY: https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories/naomiceder FOLLOW: Website: shelightstheway.com/ Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/ X: x.com/she_lights_way LISTEN TO THE POD: Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/ RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m READ THE BLOG: https://medium.com/@she_lights_the_way https://shelightstheway.substack.com/ CONNECT: Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story EPISODE LINKS: Naomi’s Website: https://www.naomiceder.tech/ Naomi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomiceder/ Naomi’s BlueSky: @naomiceder.bsky.social The Quick Python Book: https://www.manning.com/books/the-quick-python-book-fourth-edition Trans*Code: https://www.trans.tech/ The Hatchery: https://us.pycon.org/2024/events/hatchery/index.html Friendly Guides Series:https://www.springer.com/series/17128 KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 A powerful reframe of Imposter Syndrome 02:00 Introductions 03:00 Helping make tech approachable 04:00 Naomi’s discovery of constructivist, student-driven learning 07:00 Why real motivation matters in education 09:00 A pivotal moment with Guido van Rossum 11:00 Early days of PyCon 12:00 Naomi’s role in the evolution of the Python community 14:00 Giving quieter or newer contributors a space to shine 15:00 A deeply personal turning point 17:00 Building spaces for diverse voices in tech 21:00 The birth of TransCode 23:00 How TransCode events became transformative experiences 24:00 Reflecting on the honor of serving as PSF chair 25:00 Naomi’s biggest challenges & greatest lessons learned 27:00 Value of perseverance in hard transitions 28:00 Naomi’s decision to live authentically as a trans woman 30:00 Healing from internalized misogyny and transphobia 32:00 Naomi’s antidote to Imposter Syndrome 36:00 What gives Naomi hope 38:00 Choosing listening over labeling 39:00 What She Lights the Way means to Naomi 40:00 Closing *Correction: At 10:00, Naomi mentions Linux World 2021, where she intended to say Linux World 2001.

Melissa Austin has spent her career opening doors in the gaming industry—not just as a technical artist and leader but as a force multiplier for others. In this conversation, she shares how mentorship, representation, and a deep passion for helping others have shaped her journey. From her early days in game development to leading a team at Niantic, Melissa opens up about the pivotal moments, the challenges of a male-dominated industry, and why empowering others is the ultimate superpower. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more empowering stories from remarkable women. Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more. TRANSCRIPT: https://www.shelightstheway.com/melissaaustin-interview-transcript EPISODE LINKS: Melissa’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-a-austin/ KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 Introduction 01:20 Melissa’s journey as a first-generation, mixed-race woman in gaming 04:15 How Melissa’s passion for helping people shaped her path in technical art 07:45 The key turning points that defined Melissa’s career 12:30 The challenge of representation, and why visibility matters 16:10 Finding the right allies, even when female mentors were scarce 19:50 How Melissa transitioned from individual contributor to manager and lessons learned 24:05 Why advocating for her team’s needs has been Melissa’s most rewarding part of leadership 28:40 How going “off script” during a Girls Who Code event created an unforgettable impact 32:15 Melissa’s hopes for the gaming industry and how she’s shaping its evolution 36:40 What She Lights the Way means to Melissa 38:30 Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up FOLLOW: Website: shelightstheway.com/ Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/ STORIES: https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories PODCAST: Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/ RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m BLOG: https://medium.com/@she_lights_the_way https://shelightstheway.substack.com/ CONNECT: Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story

Bevin Victoria’s journey is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. Once a gymnast chasing Olympic dreams, a devastating injury forced her to pivot, fueling a lifelong passion for the arts. Later, she confronted the harsh realities of pursuing acting and chose to rewrite her story, creating roles for herself and forging opportunities in spaces where she often stood alone. Her raw honesty about Imposter Syndrome and the power of showing up will inspire you to rethink what’s possible. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more empowering stories from remarkable women. Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more. TRANSCRIPT: https://www.shelightstheway.com/bevinvictoria-interview-transcript EPISODE LINKS: Bevin’s Website: https://www.bevinvictoria.com/ Bevin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bevinvictoria/ KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 A Heartwarming Encounter 01:28 Introducing Bevin Victoria 02:43 Bevin's Multifaceted Career 04:18 Pivotal Moments and Challenges 07:43 The Power of Representation 15:26 Embracing Multicultural Identity 23:42 Resilience Through Adversity 26:13 Facing the Worst Possible Scenario 26:47 Navigating Life's Challenges 27:35 Rewriting Your Story 28:30 Embracing Authenticity 34:07 Defining Success on Your Terms 38:23 Advice to My Younger Self 41:18 What She Lights the Way Means to Bevin 43:01 Conclusion and Reflections FOLLOW: Website: shelightstheway.com/ Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/ STORIES: https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories PODCAST: Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/ RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m BLOG: https://medium.com/@she_lights_the_way https://shelightstheway.substack.com/ CONNECT: Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story

Fran Wilde, a two-time Nebula Award-winning author, self-proclaimed "battle poet" and teacher, takes us on a journey through her creative process. From embracing failure to finding the magic in messes, Fran shares how curiosity can be a transformative tool for growth. We dive into her upcoming novel, A Philosophy of Thieves, and explore profound questions about humanity, technology, and storytelling’s power to reshape lives. Whether you’re a writer, a dreamer, or simply someone navigating life’s twists and turns, Fran’s wisdom will leave you ready to embrace your creative messes. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more empowering stories from remarkable women. Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more. TRANSCRIPT: https://www.shelightstheway.com/franwilde-interview-transcript STORY: https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories/penpornkoanantakool FOLLOW: Website: shelightstheway.com/ Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/ X: x.com/she_lights_way LISTEN TO THE POD: Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/ RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m READ THE BLOG: https://medium.com/@she_lights_the_way CONNECT: Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story EPISODE LINKS: Fran’s Website: https://www.franwilde.net/about Fran’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/franwilde Fran’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fran_wilde/ Fran’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franwildewrites/ Fran’s X: https://x.com/fran_wilde/ Fran on GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5214733.Fran_Wilde A Philosophy of Thieves excerpt: https://reactormag.com/erewhon-announcement-a-philosophy-of-thieves-by-fran-wilde/ KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Fran’s creative journey 07:00 The Power of Finishing 12:00 Embracing failure and iteration 15:00 The Magic of making messes 18:30 Preview of A Philosophy of Thieves 23:30 Intersection of technology and humanity 28:00 Storytelling as transformation 33:00 What ‘She Lights the Way’ means to Fran 35:00 Closing thoughts

Sharon Davis—former First Lady of California and lifelong advocate—shares her remarkable journey of public service, personal growth and unwavering commitment to making a difference. At 70, Sharon reflects on her decades of experience, offering timeless lessons on leadership, aging well, and thriving through life’s challenges.

She reveals how her early career as a flight attendant taught her to master people skills, handle crises, and excel under pressure—qualities that shaped her future roles in politics and business. She emphasizes the lost art of listening as a transformative tool for bridging divides and fostering collaboration in today’s polarized world.

From working across political divides to advocating for children’s health and literacy, Sharon’s experiences highlight the enduring value of perseverance, curiosity, and humility. Her mother-in-law’s mantra, “bloom where you’re planted,” encourages us all to thrive wherever life takes us and to bring our best selves to every opportunity.

Sharon’s stories of resilience, from weathering political storms to finding joy in everyday moments with family, remind us that even in life’s challenges, we can choose to rise above and move forward with grace. She also dives into the importance of health—physical, mental, and emotional—and how living intentionally creates a foundation for thriving in later years.

This conversation is a celebration of resilience, connection, and making a difference. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, leadership lessons, or tips for living boldly, Sharon’s wisdom will leave you motivated to excel at every stage of life.

Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more. TRANSCRIPT: https://www.shelightstheway.com/sharon-davis-transcript STORY: https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories/sharondavis FOLLOW: Website: shelightstheway.com/ Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/ X: x.com/she_lights_way LISTEN TO THE POD: Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/ RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m READ THE BLOG: https://medium.com/@she_lights_the_way CONNECT: Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story EPISODE LINKS: First Ladies of California: https://web.archive.org/web/20130122054052/http://firstladies.library.ca.gov/34-Davis.html Sharon Davis on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Davis KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 Introductions & Opening Thoughts 02:00 Aging Gracefully 04:00 Early Career Lessons 06:00 Building Bridges in Leadership 10:00 Practical Solutions for a Better Future 15:00 A Family Foundation in Public Service 20:00 Children’s Education & Media Literacy 26:00 Advice for Future Generations 28:30 Resilience in Life’s Challenges 33:00 What ‘She Lights the Way’ Means to Sharon 34:30 Closing Remarks

Minette Norman, author, speaker, and leadership consultant, shares her journey from aspiring actor to tech industry leader to champion for inclusive leadership. She reflects on the power of psychological safety, the pain of exclusion, and the transformative impact of truly inclusive cultures. Her candid insights and practical advice inspire us to shine our lights brightly and lead the way to a more inclusive and innovative world.

Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more. TRANSCRIPT: https://www.shelightstheway.com/minette-norman-transcript STORY: https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories/minettenorman FOLLOW: Website: shelightstheway.com/ Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/ X: x.com/she_lights_way LISTEN TO THE POD: Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/ RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m READ THE BLOG: https://medium.com/@she_lights_the_way CONNECT: Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story EPISODE LINKS: Minette’s Website: https://www.minettenorman.com/ Minette’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minettenorman/ Minette’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minettenorman/ Minette’s X: https://x.com/minettenorman Minette’s Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BQJRJDNH KEY MOMENTS: 01:30 Introductions 03:00 Career transition from acting to tech 06:30 Moving from tech to leadership consulting 08:00 Feeling like an outsider 10:00 Understanding the science behind exclusion 12:30 From corporate leadership to entrepreneurship 16:30 Self-awareness in leadership 20:00 Looking beyond the loudest voices in the room 21:00 Creating inclusive environments in remote workplaces 27:00 Debunking myths about inclusive leadership 30:00 Intersection of personal values and professional mission 31:00 The “Voice of the Underheard” 34:30 The Google Project Aristotle findings on psychological safety 36:00 Defining success 37:00 Advice for aspiring leaders 39:00 Closing thoughts