On the Brink with Andi Simon

What does it really mean to age well in America today? In this thought-provoking conversation, Andi Simon sits down with Cathy Rowe, Executive Director of New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well, to explore how longer lives are reshaping retirement, communities, and our sense of purpose. As more Americans live 20 to 30 years beyond traditional retirement age, the question is no longer "Can I afford to retire?" but "What am I retiring to?" Cathy shares insights on age-friendly communities, social connection, lifelong learning, and why purpose matters as much as financial planning. This episode is a fresh look at retirement, longevity, and creating a meaningful next chapter. Key Topics: • Rethinking Retirement • Age-Friendly Communities • Purpose After Work • Loneliness and Social Connection • Lifelong Learning • Aging Well • Community Engagement • Longevity and Healthy Aging • Retirement Planning Beyond Finances Connect with Andi Simon Ready to rethink what's next in your life, career, or retirement? 📘 Rethink Retirement: It's Not the End, It's the Beginning of What's Next 🌐 Simon Associates Management Consultants: www.simonassociates.net 📰 Subscribe to Andi's Substack: Rethink Retirement 🎙️ Learn more about On the Brink with Andi Simon and explore past episodes. 📧 Contact Andi: asimon@simonassociates.net Interested in Andi's Rethink Retirement Masterclasses, retreats, or speaking engagements? Visit SimonAssociates.net or reach out directly. #RethinkRetirement #AgingWell #Longevity #PurposeAfterRetirement #AgeFriendlyCommunities

In this powerful episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I speak with Dr. Sharita Warfield, a board-certified emergency and lifestyle medicine physician, author, and coach who helps high-performing women reclaim their health, energy, and purpose before burnout takes over. After more than 30 years in emergency medicine, Dr. Warfield experienced her own turning point—realizing that success and constant achievement were coming at the expense of her well-being. She shares how that moment inspired her to create the THRIVE Framework, helping leaders and professionals move from merely surviving to truly thriving. Together, we explore burnout, stress, executive wellness, identity, resilience, intentional living, and why so many successful women have been "applauded into exhaustion." We also connect these ideas to retirement, reinvention, and finding purpose in every stage of life. If you are feeling depleted, overwhelmed, or questioning how to sustain success without sacrificing yourself, this conversation is for you.

What Sets Humans Apart? Key lessons from my conversation with Dr. Robin Hills .As artificial intelligence accelerates and reshapes how we work, learn, and communicate, one question keeps resurfacing: What remains uniquely human? That was at the heart of my recent On the Brink conversation with Dr. Robin Hills, a business psychologist and one of the world's leading voices on emotional intelligence. Our discussion offered both reassurance and challenge—especially for leaders navigating rapid change, generational shifts, and technology-driven uncertainty. Here are the key lessons that stood out. 1. Emotional intelligence is not "soft"—it is foundational Emotional intelligence (EI) is often mislabeled as a soft skill. In reality, it is a core operating system for effective leadership, collaboration, and decision-making. As Robin explained, EI is about being smart with your feelings—integrating emotion and cognition to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. This matters because emotions are not optional. They are physiological and psychological responses to our environment. The choice is not whether emotions will influence us, but whether we will learn to work with them skillfully. 2. Self-regulation is becoming a critical leadership skill One of the most striking themes was self-regulation—our ability to pause, choose, and respond intentionally. In a world of constant notifications, endless information, and emotional triggers, self-regulation is increasingly difficult and increasingly essential. Robin highlighted how our attachment to devices can undermine emotional awareness, presence, and learning. When leaders (and teams) cannot disengage long enough to listen, reflect, or engage meaningfully, they lose both insight and connection. Mastering technology rather than being mastered by it is now part of emotional intelligence. 3. Emotional intelligence must be learned—and relearned We often assume people "pick up" emotional skills naturally. Yet many do not. Education systems may introduce emotional awareness early, but rarely sustain it through adolescence, higher education, or professional life. The pandemic amplified this gap. Younger generations lost critical years of social learning, while adults themselves were stretched emotionally. Rather than blaming or labeling behaviors, the opportunity now is to rebuild emotional skills deliberately—in schools, workplaces, and leadership development programs. 4. AI will not replace what makes us human Despite growing fears about artificial intelligence, Robin was clear: AI does not have emotions, empathy, purpose, or meaning. It cannot truly collaborate, lead, or innovate in the human sense. What AI can do is free us from routine tasks—making our emotional and relational capabilities even more valuable. Creativity, empathy, ethical judgment, perspective-taking, and meaning-making are not threatened by AI; they are highlighted by it. The more technology advances, the more human skills matter. 5. Emotional intelligence gives us choice Perhaps the most powerful insight was this: emotional intelligence gives us choice. Choice in how we respond under pressure. Choice in how we communicate across differences. Choice in how we turn uncertainty into opportunity rather than fear. We will not get it right every time. As Robin noted, if you respond well eight times out of ten, you are doing well. The work is learning from the other two—without self-criticism, and with curiosity. A final reflection As an anthropologist, I see emotional intelligence as part of how humans adapt. Our brains may resist change, but our capacity to learn, empathize, and create meaning has allowed us to thrive across millennia. In a world reshaped by AI, emotional intelligence is not a "nice to have." It is how we remain human, relevant, and resilient—at work and in life. If this conversation sparked new ways of seeing, feeling, or thinking, that is exactly the point. Watch our podcast interview here. Reach out and contact us if you want to see how a little anthropology can help your business grow. Let's Talk! From Observation to Innovation, Andi SImon, PhD CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author Simonassociates.net Info@simonassociates.net @simonandi LinkedIn

As artificial intelligence accelerates, many leaders, founders, and professionals are quietly asking the same question: Where do I still matter? If machines can write, analyze, summarize, and even "sound" human, what is left that cannot be automated? In this episode of On the Brink, I sat down with branding strategist and neuroscientist-turned-entrepreneur Carey James, co-founder of Brand Alchemy, to explore why a personal brand—not technology—is becoming the defining asset of the future. What emerged was a powerful reframing of branding—not as self-promotion, but as survival. Branding Isn't About Visibility—It's About Trust Carey's journey began in neuroscience labs and academic research, where brilliant minds often remain invisible. In these labs, the work mattered deeply, yet few people beyond their field ever heard about it. That disconnect led him to a simple realization: impact doesn't scale unless people know who you are. Branding, in Carey's view, is not about being flashy or loud. It is about becoming trustable at scale. Human beings evolved to live in tribes. We trusted the hunter, the healer, the builder—not because of logos or résumés, but because we knew who they were. That same ancient wiring still governs modern decision-making. Whether we are choosing a consultant, an executive hire, a keynote speaker, or a company to invest in, the first question is rarely "Is this organization impressive?" It is almost always: Do I trust this person? Your Name Is the Asset—Not the Logo One of Carey's most important insights is deceptively simple: your personal name is likely the most valuable asset you will ever own. Companies come and go. Products evolve. Roles change. But trust attached to your name transfers from project to project. This is why serial entrepreneurs can fail, pivot, and succeed again—while others disappear after one setback. In the age of AI, this becomes even more critical. You will not always be the smartest voice in the room. Algorithms already out-compute us. What they cannot replicate, however, is your lived experience, judgment, pattern recognition, and imperfections. Those human elements—your way of thinking, questioning, connecting ideas—are what create differentiation. The "Label on the Bottle" Problem Most people struggle to articulate their own brand because they are trapped inside it. Carey calls this the label-on-the-bottle syndrome: when you are inside the bottle, you cannot see the label. The solution is not more introspection—it is perspective. Carey encourages leaders to do what great organizations already do through 360-degree reviews: ask others how they experience you. Patterns emerge quickly. Strengths, quirks, values, and stories surface that feel obvious to everyone else—but invisible to you. This external clarity becomes the foundation of an authentic brand, not a manufactured one. Watch our podcast with Carey James here. Connect with me: Website: www.simonassociates.net Email: info@simonassociates.net Learn more about our books here: Rethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in Business Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success On the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights Watch for our new book, Rethink Retirement: It's Not The End--It's the Beginning of What's Next. Due out Spring 2026. Listen + Subscribe: Available wherever you get your podcasts—Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube, and more. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share with someone navigating their own leadership journey. Reach out and contact us if you want to see how a little anthropology can help your business grow. Let's Talk!

"Curiosity isn't a soft skill. It's a performance capability—and organizations are paying the price for ignoring it." Summary What if the most powerful leadership capability isn't having the right answers—but asking better questions? In this On the Brink with Andi Simon episode, Dr. Deborah Clary, author of The Curiosity Curve, explains why curiosity is a measurable driver of performance, engagement, and innovation—and how leaders can deliberately rebuild it to create stronger, more human-centered cultures. Why Curiosity May Be the Missing Link in Leadership and Culture Change In this episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Deborah Clary, author of The Curiosity Curve and a purpose-driven leader whose work sits at the intersection of leadership development, organizational culture, and performance. What emerged from our conversation was both refreshing and deeply needed: a reminder that curiosity—something many leaders unintentionally abandon as they rise—may be the very capability organizations need most right now . Deborah's journey is anything but linear. Straight out of business school, she began her career not in a corporate office but as a route driver for Frito-Lay in Detroit—wearing a uniform, managing a route, and learning leadership from the inside out. That truck, she says, became her classroom. Over the next four decades, Deborah moved through senior roles at Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel's, and Humana, eventually earning a PhD focused on leadership development and organizational design. Yet it was her growing fascination with human behavior—what makes leaders effective and cultures thrive—that ultimately shaped her work today . What Is Curiosity—Really? Deborah defines curiosity simply but powerfully: being genuinely interested in yourself, in others, and in the situation at hand. It's not about having the right answers. It's about asking better questions—and staying open long enough to explore them. That distinction matters, especially in organizations where leaders often believe their role is to know, decide, and direct. As Deborah shared, many leaders become "incurious" not because they lack interest, but because time pressures, performance demands, and past success reinforce the idea that they must always have the answer. Over time, curiosity is treated like a luxury—when in fact, research shows it is a driver of performance . The Engagement Crisis—and Why Leaders Matter More Than Ever One of the most striking parts of our conversation focused on employee disengagement. Gallup data shows engagement levels at historic lows, with millennials—now a critical segment of the leadership pipeline—showing especially high levels of disengagement. When Deborah and her research team conducted focus groups, they found a consistent theme: "My leader doesn't know me—and doesn't seem to care to know me." This wasn't about surface-level recognition or personal details. Employees wanted leaders to be curious about their ideas, their aspirations, and how they could contribute meaningfully. In other words, they wanted leaders who asked thoughtful questions instead of simply providing directives. Curiosity, Measured—and Made Actionable What makes Deborah's work especially compelling is that curiosity isn't treated as a vague personality trait. Through a validated assessment, she measures curiosity across four dimensions: Exploration Openness to new ideas Inspirational creativity Focused engagement In one executive team she worked with, the results revealed a powerful—and uncomfortable—truth. While most executives scored high in curiosity, the CEO did not. The organization was struggling with innovation, market share, and retention. When the data was shared openly, the CEO recognized that his resistance—not the team—was the bottleneck. His willingness to acknowledge this became a breakthrough moment for the organization . That story underscores a central theme of the episode: leaders shape culture not by intention alone, but by how open—or closed—they are to curiosity. Watch our podcast on YouTube. From Short-Term Answers to Long-Term Leadership Curious leadership, Deborah explained, is about playing the long game. The short game is giving answers. The long game is exploring possibilities, testing ideas, and learning from outcomes—even when they fail. This requires psychological safety. Leaders must normalize statements like, "I don't know—let's explore this together."When leaders model curiosity, they give others permission to think, experiment, and grow. Over time, this builds confidence, ownership, and engagement across the organization . Why This Matters Now? In fast-changing markets, yesterday's solutions rarely solve tomorrow's problems. Yet many organizations still rely on outdated assumptions, rigid hierarchies, and fear of failure. As an anthropologist, I see this pattern often: cultures resist change even when change is essential. Curiosity interrupts that pattern. It helps leaders see what they've been missing, hear voices that have been quiet, and test new ways forward. In Deborah's words, curiosity is contagious—and learnable. It can be rebuilt, one question at a time. If you're a leader navigating uncertainty, disengaged teams, or stalled innovation, this conversation offers both insight and hope. You don't need all the answers. But you do need the courage to ask better questions. And that may be exactly what helps you—and your organization—get off the brink. For more about Debra Clary, check out her website and LinkedIn Page. Connect with me: Website: www.simonassociates.net Email: info@simonassociates.net Learn more about our books here: Rethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in Business Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success On the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights Listen + Subscribe: Available wherever you get your podcasts—Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube, and more. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share with someone navigating their own leadership journey. Reach out and contact us if you want to see how a little anthropology can help your business grow. Let's Talk! From Observation to Innovation, Andi Simon, PhD CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author Simonassociates.net Info@simonassociates.net @simonandi LinkedIn

The first step to transformation is to stop doing what no longer works." – Marcia Daszko On this episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I sat down with Marcia Daszko, a visionary leadership consultant and author of Pivot, Disrupt, Transform: How Leaders Beat the Odds and Survive. Marcia's journey—from being "excruciatingly shy" to mentoring leaders at Apple, Boeing, and the U.S. Navy—reveals a rare combination of courage, curiosity, and clarity. Her lessons, rooted in the teachings of Dr. W. Edwards Deming, challenge leaders to abandon outdated management practices and embrace a deeper, systems-based way of thinking. From Management Fads to Meaningful Leadership Marcia began her career in marketing before being mentored by Dr. Perry Gluckman, a close associate of Dr. Deming, who revolutionized management thinking through systems theory and continuous improvement. What she learned was not just what to do, but how to think. Too often, organizations chase the latest management fad—Six Sigma, Lean, "best practices"—without understanding the systems that create real success. Marcia calls these "tragedies" because they add complexity without meaning. She estimates that 50 to 80 percent of organizational waste comes from such misguided efforts. Her process begins with a bold question: "What do we need to stop doing?" Once leaders remove what's not working, they can open the flow of communication, creativity, and collaboration—what Marcia calls the "system of profound knowledge." When systems make sense, people thrive. Watch the podcast here: Learning to See Differently Like many of my guests, Marcia helps organizations "see, feel, and think" in new ways. She starts by asking questions that uncover hidden assumptions and systemic barriers. Employees usually know what's wrong, she says, but no one listens. When she leads workshops, she doesn't rely on PowerPoint slides. Instead, she creates experiences—conversations, simulations, and reflections—that shift perspectives. "I don't get resistance," she explains, "because the exercises take care of that." It's an anthropologist's insight wrapped in a strategist's toolkit: people don't change because they're told to—they change because they experience a new way of being together. The Strategic Compass for an Uncertain Future In today's world of disruption, Marcia argues that leaders don't need a roadmap—they need a compass. The future can't be predicted; it must be navigated through exploration, experimentation, and learning. Her Strategic Compass helps executives pivot as they encounter new "rivers and mountains" in their business landscape. Leadership, she reminds us, is not about control but curiosity. The most powerful organizations foster environments where everyone can learn, question, and contribute. Her three "legs of the stool" are: Innovation as a business strategy Continuous improvement as a business strategy Quality as a business strategy Sadly, she says, quality and customer service—once foundational to success—have too often been forgotten. Building a Culture of Trust and Curiosity Both Marcia and I share a passion for culture change. She emphasizes that great leaders reduce fear and build trust. When people feel safe, they can be curious and collaborative. It's not enough to post company values on a wall; leaders must define the behaviors that bring those values to life. Her workshops often transform even the most rigid workplaces. In one session, an employee of 15 years said it was the first time he had felt truly appreciated and engaged. That's the power of inclusion, curiosity, and respect in action. Leading in the Age of AI As we discussed the rise of artificial intelligence, Marcia was unequivocal: "If you're afraid of AI, you'll be left behind." She sees AI not as a threat but as a tool for learning and transformation. The challenge, she warns, is to build guardrails—policies and ethics that guide its use responsibly. In an age when consulting firms can generate proposals in minutes, leaders must rethink how people create value. The winners will be those who empower their teams to use new tools, think critically, and continuously learn. Key Takeaways Stop before you start. Identify and eliminate wasteful management practices that add complexity without results. Think in systems. Every part of your organization is interconnected. Problems are rarely isolated. Create flow. Open channels for communication, creativity, and collaboration. Replace fear with trust. People thrive when they feel safe to contribute. Stay curious. Learning is not a phase—it's a way of life. Use AI wisely. Embrace new tools, but balance innovation with ethical governance. What You Can Do Next Run a "Stop Doing" audit. Gather your team and list processes or habits that no longer serve your mission. Eliminate one per quarter. Host a curiosity circle. Ask open-ended questions like, "What assumptions are we making?" or "What would our customers say if they were in this room?" Map your system. Visualize how information, decisions, and accountability flow. Look for bottlenecks or blind spots. Pair technology with humanity. Use AI or analytics to inform—not replace—human judgment. Model the behavior you want to see. As Marcia says, leadership begins when everyone sees themselves as a leader. Marcia Daszko's work reminds us that transformation is not about new tools—it's about new thinking. If you're ready to pivot from managing the past to creating the future, this episode will show you how. To learn more about Marcia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciadaszko/ Connect with me: Website: www.simonassociates.net Email: info@simonassociates.net Learn more about our books here: Rethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in Business Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success On the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights Listen + Subscribe: Available wherever you get your podcasts—Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube, and more. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share with someone navigating their own leadership journey. Reach out and contact us if you want to see how a little anthropology can help your business grow. Let's Talk!

On this episode of On the Brink, I sat down with Dr. Max Teplitski—Chief Science Officer at the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)—to explore how a mindset is reshaping food safety, member value, and the future of a global industry. Max has practiced Blue Ocean thinking since his days as a professor, and today he's applying it at scale across a trade association that represents the entire fresh produce supply chain—from seed and inputs to retailers worldwide. From Competing to Creating: IFPA's Three Strategic Pillars Rather than fighting for attention in crowded "red oceans," IFPA reframed growth around three pillars that create new value for members and consumers alike: Future-proofing the industry amid climate volatility, supply chain complexity, and labor constraints. Worldwide influence for a global industry, recognizing interconnected markets and trade rules. Personalized member experience at scale—so each company (and individual) gets relevant, timely insight. This is classic Blue Ocean Strategy®: reduce what no longer adds value, eliminate legacy activities that drain resources, raise what customers truly care about, and create new offerings that unlock demand. Want a concise primer? Read our FAQ: What is Blue Ocean Strategy and Why It's the Smartest Way to Rethink Growth Personalization at Scale: AI That Stays Inside the (Trusted) Data One of IFPA's boldest moves is an AI-powered intelligence engine built on verified, curated data. Members can ask context-rich questions—"I'm in the Florida Panhandle planting winter crops; should I prioritize Asian greens, spinach, or baby lettuce?"—and receive synthesized answers spanning consumer trends, point-of-sale data, and operational considerations. The goal isn't more email; it's relevance on demand. This same platform enables on-demand micro-training. Need a five-minute safety huddle for a harvest crew—in Portuguese? The agent can generate it instantly from vetted guidance. That's value innovation: meeting real-world needs at the moment of work. Watch our video here Food Safety as a Promise—and a System Because most fresh produce is consumed raw, food safety is a shared responsibility between the producer and the consumer. IFPA's "supply chain of the future" work extends beyond traceability to quality, shelf-life, and incentives. With lot-level tracking and standardized practices—from field handwashing stations to controlled processing protocols—the industry continues to elevate both safety and transparency while extracting actionable value from the data generated along the way. Advocacy and a Community of Practice Some work will never be outsourced to algorithms. Advocacy—telling the industry's story to regulators and decision-makers—remains human, relational, and essential. In parallel, IFPA is designing a community of practice for food safety and sustainability professionals. Whether virtual, in-person, or hybrid, the north star is the same: connect practitioners to share what works, accelerate learning, and scale innovation. Culture Eats Strategy (and Then Powers It) Max underscores a truth we see in every successful transformation: strategy only sticks when culture supports it. IFPA treats culture as a system—meeting quarterly to practice competencies such as trust, communication, and agility, and to build behaviors into everyone's plan. That operating rhythm makes it easier to reduce or eliminate legacy programs and redirect resources toward higher-value offerings without losing the organization in the process. Three Takeaways You Can Use Now Stop competing; start creating. Use the Four Actions Framework to eliminate, reduce, raise, and build around what your customers actually value. Deliver relevance at the moment of need. Move from content push to context-aware personalization (AI helps when it's grounded in trustworthy data). Design for culture change, not just strategy change. Build the muscle—trust, communication, and agility—so your team can live the strategy. Blue Ocean Strategy isn't about inventing the next iPhone; it's about assembling a thoughtful portfolio that meets unmet needs better, faster, and more sustainably than the market expects. IFPA's journey shows how nonprofits and associations can open new market space—not by shouting louder, but by serving smarter. Further reading: FAQ – What is Blue Ocean Strategy and Why It's the Smartest Way to Rethink Growth And our white paper: Time to Find Your Blue Ocean Strategy Connect with me: Website: www.simonassociates.net Email: info@simonassociates.net Books: Learn more about our books here: Rethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in Business Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success On the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights Listen + Subscribe: Available wherever you get your podcasts—Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube, and more. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share with someone navigating their own leadership journey. Reach out and contact us if you want to see how a little anthropology can help your business grow. Let's Talk! [block id="blog-signature"]

Peace Through Business: How Women in Rwanda and Afghanistan Are Rebuilding Nations Through Entrepreneurship In this special episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I continue our series spotlighting Peace Through Business, a remarkable program empowering women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan, Rwanda, and beyond. The stories are profound, the impact undeniable, and the lessons universal: when women rise, entire nations begin to heal and prosper. As a corporate anthropologist and Blue Ocean Strategist, I want to remind us at the start: "When you invest in a woman entrepreneur, you invest in her family, her community, and her country's future." This conversation brings together Monica Smiley, publisher of Enterprising Women Magazine; Chantal Munanayire, Peace Through Business Program Director for Rwanda, Uganda, Canada, and the UK; and Manisha Wafeq, who leads the Afghanistan initiative. Each share not only how the program works but how it transforms lives — economically, socially, and spiritually. Creating Peace Through Business When Enterprising Women Foundation assumed stewardship of Peace Through Business in 2024, it became the natural extension of its mission to empower women globally. Monica Smiley explains that Enterprising Women began 25 years ago as a publication to celebrate women entrepreneurs but soon evolved into a global movement. "About 12 years ago," she recalls, "we launched the Enterprising Women Foundation to mentor girls in underserved communities across 30 U.S. cities. Then, by inheriting the Peace Through Business program, we broadened our mission — from helping American women entrepreneurs to supporting women rebuilding countries after conflict." Originally founded by Dr. Terry Neese at the request of former First Lady Laura Bush, the Peace Through Business program provides an intensive education in entrepreneurship, leadership, and civic responsibility. It began in Afghanistan, where women were often excluded from public life, and expanded into Rwanda, a country rebuilding its social and economic fabric after the 1994 genocide. Monica remembers traveling to Rwanda in 2014 and again in 2018. "The transformation in just four years was stunning," she says. "There were new hotels, a thriving convention center, and a new sense of hope. Women who once dreamed of a single business now run two or three. They are not waiting to be rescued — they are building the future themselves." Chantal's Journey: From Survivor to Mentor Few embody that spirit more than Chantal Munanayire. A survivor of Rwanda's genocide, Chantal rebuilt her life — and her country — one business at a time. In 2009, she broke barriers by opening the first woman-owned car repair and paint shop in Kigali, the capital city. "When I began, I didn't even know what a business plan was," she says with a laugh. "I was passionate but directionless. Through Peace Through Business, I learned to plan, to lead, and to see my company as separate from myself. That gave me freedom — and power." Today, Chantal runs the program across several countries and has mentored hundreds of women. "The women who come to us are determined but often afraid," she explains. "We teach them to turn that fear into focus. Once they succeed, they return to mentor others. That's how we build a sisterhood." She shares stories of women who began as small vendors and now own supermarkets, or dairy farmers who built shopping centers. "When one woman thrives, she brings ten others along," Chantal says. "That's how you build a country." Education, Mentorship, and Advocacy Peace Through Business unfolds in three powerful stages: Education– Ten weeks of in-country classes covering marketing, finance, leadership, and business planning. Leadership Development– A cultural and professional exchange in the U.S., where top graduates attend the Enterprising Women Conference to meet mentors and global leaders. Pay It Forward– Graduates return home to mentor others, advocate for policy reform, and expand the reach of women in leadership. As Manisha Wafeq explains, "This is not a one-week seminar. It's a life-changing journey. Our women become educators, activists, and community builders. They learn that business is not only about profit — it's about peace. And after they graduate, they pay their knowledge forward to other women and join our alumni association." A Call to Action: Supporting Women Who Change the World The episode closes with a powerful reflection from Monica and Andi: sustainable change requires participation. The program's impact depends on mentorship, funding, and global awareness. "This is a Blue Ocean in action," says Andi Simon. "These women are not competing in crowded markets. They're creating new ones — new industries, new opportunities, new futures." Monica adds, "We've given the Enterprising Women of the Year award to one Afghan and one Rwandan woman annually for nearly two decades. Seeing them stand on stage in front of hundreds of cheering peers brings me to tears every time. But we need more hands and hearts to keep the program thriving." Every contribution — financial or personal — helps sustain the work. Donations go directly to scholarships, training, and travel for participants. Mentors provide guidance and connection, bridging continents through compassion and shared purpose. To learn more or contribute, visit EnterprisingWomenFoundation.org. Why These Stories Matter For Andi Simon, this episode isn't just another interview — it's a reflection of what anthropology teaches us about change: that transformation begins when people reimagine what's possible. "Change happens," Andi concludes, "when we stop waiting for permission and start creating possibilities. These women are doing exactly that. They're rewriting the story of what it means to lead, to heal, and to build peace through business." Listen in to our YouTube Video: