Vital Voices Podcast

In this special edition of Vital Voices Live, host Norah O’Donnell sits down with editors-turned-authors Laura Brown and Kristina O’Neill to celebrate the launch of their new book All the Cool Girls Get Fired: How to Let Go of Being Let Go and Come Back on Top. Together, they unpack their own career turns—from top-tier magazine leadership to the moment of being let go—and share how those experiences became the catalyst for something bigger: a movement to reclaim professional self-worth, rewrite the narrative around job loss, and build resilience.Tune in as they discuss themes from the book (including candid essays from high-profile women), offer practical advice on bouncing back, and open up about redefining ambition on their own terms. This is a conversation about how to turn a setback into a strategic pivot—and why the coolest girls aren’t those who never fail, but those who rise up when they do.

In this powerful episode of Vital Voices LIVE, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton joins Vital Voices CEO Alyse Nelson for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about the defining issues of our time. Together, they examine the rise of authoritarianism, the impact of toxic masculinity, and the global epidemic of violence against women—while underscoring the urgent fight for equality, justice, and resilient leadership.This dialogue offers critical insights into the challenges threatening democracy and human rights worldwide, as well as the opportunities for collective action and change.Tune in to hear a thought-provoking conversation that speaks to the urgency of our moment.

On this episode of Vital Voices Live, Shafiqa Khpalwak and Mahal Wak share their powerful stories of evacuating Afghanistan after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul four years ago-and the urgent realities Afghan women continue to face today. In conversation with Rina Amiri, U.S. Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights, they reflect on the heartbreak of leaving home, the resilience it takes to rebuild, and the ongoing fight to secure the rights and futures of Afghan women and girls.A testament to courage -and a call to keep Afghanistan’s women at the center of the global conversation.

On this episode of Vital Voices LIVE, two powerhouse voices take the stage: Ashlyn Harris and Brittany Packnett Cunningham.Ashlyn — two-time World Cup champion, advocate, and mom — gets candid about life after soccer, embracing imperfection, and what it means to lead with authenticity as a queer woman.Brittany brings her signature brilliance, guiding the conversation with vulnerability, wisdom, and truth. Together, they remind us that leadership can be both strong and soft — and that showing up fully is a radical act.Tune in for an unforgettable conversation on identity, transition, and the courage to evolve.

In this powerful episode of Vital Voices Live, acclaimed actress, activist, and storyteller Sophia Bush sits down with Jen Klein—author, advocate, and longtime champion for women’s rights—for a bold and deeply personal conversation about advocacy, authenticity, and the courage to lean into hard conversations.Together, they explore what it means to lead with purpose, stay grounded in your values, and stand up for what you believe in—even when it’s difficult. From navigating the spotlight to showing up for meaningful change, this episode is a compelling reminder that true impact begins with knowing who you are—and having the courage to act on it.

After discovering deepfake pornography featuring her image online, Breeze Liu faced a harrowing journey that exposed the deep failures of our legal and tech systems. But instead of staying silent, she took action. In this powerful episode, Breeze joins Vital Voices CEO Alyse Nelson to share how she turned trauma into purpose—founding Alecto AI to help others detect and remove non-consensual content.Now a Vital Voices Global Fellow and a driving force behind the bipartisan Take It Down Act, Breeze is reshaping the digital landscape to protect survivors. This conversation is a call to action for tech accountability—and a testament to the power of survivor-led change.

In this powerful episode of the Vital Voices Podcast, actor and activist Nazanin Boniadi joins Alyse Nelson, President & CEO of Vital Voices, for a candid conversation on courage, advocacy, and the fight for human rights in Iran and beyond.Nazanin shares her journey from Hollywood to human rights activism, the personal cost of raising her voice, and the ongoing struggle for freedom in Iran — especially for women and girls. She reflects on the power of global solidarity, the role of storytelling in activism, and why silence is not an option.Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the people who lift us up — and how we can do the same for others.

In this special episode of the Vital Voices Live Podcast, supermodel, entrepreneur and philanthropist Karlie Kloss joins Kode With Klossy CEO Osi Imeokparia to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Kode With Klossy—a decade of empowering young women and gender-expansive youth in tech. Together, they reflect on the early days of the initiative, how mentorship has shaped their leadership journeys, and why investing in women and girls is key to building a more inclusive and innovative future. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about vision, impact, and what’s next for this groundbreaking movement.

Welcome to the Vital Voices Live Podcast, a podcast dedicated to celebrating the game-changers, the rule-breakers, and the fearless women shaping our world! In front of a live studio audience in the Vital Voices Headquarters in Washington DC, this episode is guest hosted by Norah O'Donnell in conversation with Sara Blakely, an entrepreneur, innovator, and champion for women everywhere. She took a simple idea, a pair of scissors, and sheer determination to build Spanx, revolutionizing the fashion industry and becoming one of the most successful self-made women in the world. But she didn’t stop there—she’s using her platform to empower female entrepreneurs, invest in women-led businesses, and prove that lifting others up is the ultimate power move.She’s bold, she’s brilliant, and on this episode, she shares her incredible journey.

Zeinorin Angkang is a 2022 VV Visionaries Fellowship alumna and founder of Hill Wild, an organization working with the Tangkhul Naga People in Northeast India to create a sustainable food supply and eradicate poverty. In this work, she also champions the voices of Indigenous Peoples and their farming knowledge that dates back thousands of years. She recently spoke to Vital Voices President & CEO Alyse Nelson on why she founded Hill Wild and how she grew the social enterprise to include more than 2,000 farmers, 80 percent of whom are women. Angkang was recently featured in Portraits of Progress: Women Powering the Global Goals, an interactive art exhibit that debuted at the United Nations Headquarters during Women's History Month. The exhibit featured 17 portraits of women leaders finding solutions to advance the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). If listening to Angkang's story on our podcast has inspired you to take action, please consider donating to Vital Voices to help us continue investing in, connecting with, and amplifying the work of women leaders who are solving the world's most significant problems.Visit Vital Voices online.Make a contribution to our work.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:In this special Festival series episode on the rising tide of disinformation and digital dictatorship, you’ll hear from four thought leaders who offered a cross-cultural analysis on the issue of disinformation with expert commentary from the Honorable NEEMA LUGANGIRA of Tanzania, PAULINA IBARRA of Chile, OMUKA HUB NEYSARA of India and ALENA POPOVA of Russia, in conversation with MANIRA ALVA, Vital Voices’ Vice President of Issue Advocacy.During the discussion, the panelists explore what is occurring in the world of fact and fiction, what they are experiencing, solutions, and what we can do about it to bring more truth to the surface.Invest in Women. Improve the World.If you were moved by any part of this episode, then please consider making a donation to Vital Voices to help continue our work of investing in, connecting with and amplifying the work of women leaders who are solving the world's greatest challenges. www.vitalvoices.org/donate

Invest in Women. Improve the World.If you were moved by any part of this episode, then please consider making a donation to Vital Voices to help continue our work of investing in, connecting with and amplifying the work of women leaders who are solving the world's greatest challenges. www.vitalvoices.org/donateAbout This Episode:In this special Festival series episode of the power of the arts and storytelling to spark social change, you’ll hear from a panel of featured thought leaders from film, TV, fine arts and the stage, including Sesame Workshop President SHERRIE WESTIN, President of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts DEBORAH RUTTER, Filmmaker SAMAR MINALLAH KHAN, and Executive Director of For Freedoms artist collective CLAUDIA PEÑA. These powerhouse women spoke about their roles as creative executives to positively impact the world with media entrepreneur and Founder of the Oxygen Network and former President of Nickelodeon GERALDINE LAYBOURNE expertly guiding the discussion.