Unlocking My Potential

Natalie Thompson

Unlocking My Potential is a podcast sharing real stories from women in tech and beyond. Hosted by Natalie Thompson, each episode sparks inspiration, confidence, and bold career moves. Your journey starts here—let’s grow together. 

  1. Introducing If She Can Make It Here Podcast featuring Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code

    FEB 10

    Introducing If She Can Make It Here Podcast featuring Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code

    Send us Fan Mail Excited to share a special podcast partnership episode with you! Today on Unlocking My Potential, I'm introducing you to If She Can Make It Here, a podcast from Amplify Her Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women and girls from underserved communities to become transformative changemakers. In this episode, "Reshma Saujani: Creating Innovative & Impact-Driven Nonprofits," host Marti Speranza Wong (founder of Amplify Her Foundation) sits down with Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First. They dive into the barriers preventing girls from pursuing STEM careers, why we need more social entrepreneurs driving change, and Reshma's inspiring founder journey. If you enjoy this episode, head over to If She Can Make It Here to listen to more compelling conversations with women changemakers. Listen to the full episode here: https://pod.link/1847378553/episode/ZDZjZjNmNjYtZGMzYS0xMWYwLTlmZGUtYjNiY2QzYWM2MThj #WomenInSTEM #GirlsWhoCode #SocialEntrepreneurship #WomenChangemakers #PodcastPartnership ✨ Let’s connect:  Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com  Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt  TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/ Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential  Linktree → https://linktr.ee/UnlockingMyPotential

    34 min
  2. From Brazil to Power Systems: One Woman's Journey Through Electrical Engineering

    12/23/2025

    From Brazil to Power Systems: One Woman's Journey Through Electrical Engineering

    Send us Fan Mail Meet Isabela Anselmo, a Brazilian electrical engineer who turned a childhood visit to a hydropower plant into a thriving career in power systems! 🌎⚡ In this episode, Isabela takes us through her incredible journey—from studying at one of Brazil's most prestigious universities (UFMG) to earning her master's at Florida Polytechnic University and now thriving as a senior power systems engineer in Minnesota. What we cover: 🎓 The intense reality of engineering school in Brazil vs. the US ⚡ Why electrical engineering is one of the coolest (and most underrepresented) fields for women 🌍 How learning new languages opens unexpected doors 💼 Navigating career transitions across countries and cultures 💪 Real advice for surviving those brutal first semesters of engineering school 🚀 Why taking chances—even when you're uncertain—leads to amazing opportunities Key Takeaway: Don't let the difficulty of engineering school discourage you. If you're passionate about it, you CAN do it! 💫 Isabela's story is proof that following your curiosity, staying adaptable, and taking bold chances can lead to an extraordinary career path. Whether you're considering electrical engineering, navigating a career transition, or just need some inspiration to keep pushing through tough times—this episode is for YOU! 🎙️ New episodes drop every other Tuesday! 👉 Follow, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to hear this! 💬 Let us know in the comments: What inspired YOUR STEM journey? #WomenInSTEM #ElectricalEngineering #PowerSystems #EngineeringCareer #BrazilianWomen ✨ Let’s connect:  Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com  Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt  TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/ Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential  Linktree → https://linktr.ee/UnlockingMyPotential

    1h 5m
  3. The Twitter DM That Changed Everything: Breaking Into Tech the Unconventional Way

    12/09/2025

    The Twitter DM That Changed Everything: Breaking Into Tech the Unconventional Way

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Unlocking My Potential, we sit down with Isabel Zimmerman to hear how she accidentally stumbled into data science, boldly tweeted her way into her dream job, and learned that choosing discomfort is the secret to exponential growth in tech. Isabel shares: 🔹 How she applied to 4 colleges with 4 completely different majors—from finance to biotech—before landing at Florida Poly 🔹 The Twitter DM that changed everything: how she landed her job at RStudio (now Posit) by reaching out directly to the founder 🔹 Her journey from scared student to software engineer, contributing to major open-source projects like Quarto 🔹 Why writing bugs and failing publicly might be your greatest career accelerator 🔹 The liberating truth about imposter syndrome: nobody knows what they're doing—not even your tech heroes 🔹 How she transitioned from playing it safe to actively seeking uncomfortable challenges that fuel growth This episode is a must-listen for anyone battling imposter syndrome, considering a career pivot into tech, or needing permission to do it scared and choose growth over comfort. #UnlockingMyPotential #WomenInSTEM #WomenInTech #DataScience #ImposterSyndrome #CareerPivot #OpenSource #WomenWhoCode ✨ Let’s connect:  Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com  Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt  TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/ Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential  Linktree → https://linktr.ee/UnlockingMyPotential

    56 min
  4. From Engineer to Empire: 3 Properties, 1 Book, 6K Newsletter Subscribers

    11/25/2025

    From Engineer to Empire: 3 Properties, 1 Book, 6K Newsletter Subscribers

    Send us Fan Mail 🚀 What happens when a computer engineer decides to stop surviving and start thriving? Meet Radhika Paliwal—solutions engineering manager, real estate investor, author, and newsletter creator who's redefining what success looks like for women in STEM. In this powerful episode, Radhika shares her journey from struggling with finances at a Fortune 500 company to owning three investment properties by age 24. She opens up about the pivotal moment she quit her corporate job with nothing lined up, flew to India to interview her grandparents, and discovered who she really was beyond the career ladder. 💡 You'll discover: How she went from zero knowledge to buying her first investment property in ONE year (without ever seeing it!) 🏠The real reason she walked away from Cisco to work at a 35-person startupWhy personal finance should be as simple as "Step 1, Step 2, Step 3" 📚The unexpected way curiosity drove every major decision in her careerWhat "slow down to speed up" really means for high achievers ⏸️From her time as one of only 11 women in a class of 250 engineers to building a 6,000-subscriber newsletter on living intentionally, Radhika's story proves that the most interesting paths are rarely straight lines. Whether you're considering a career pivot, curious about real estate investing, or simply tired of just "surviving adulthood," this conversation will inspire you to live deliberately—one decision, one goal, one step at a time. 📲 Connect with Radhika: Newsletter: Intent https://radhika-paliwal.beehiiv.com/ Book: "From Ramen Noodles to Riches" https://a.co/d/iLj6erQ  #WomenInSTEM #WomenInTech #RealEstateInvesting #PersonalFinance #CareerPivot #EngineerLife #TechCareers #WomenEngineers #FinancialFreedom #CareerGrowth #SideHustle #WealthBuilding #STEMpodcast #WomenEmpowerment #TechLeadership #CareerAdvice #EntrepreneurMindset #IntentionalLiving #WomenInBusiness #PodcastLife ✨ Let’s connect:  Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com  Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt  TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/ Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential  Linktree → https://linktr.ee/UnlockingMyPotential

    54 min
  5. Three Degrees, Two Countries, One Vision: Empowering Women in STEM

    11/11/2025

    Three Degrees, Two Countries, One Vision: Empowering Women in STEM

    Send us Fan Mail What do you get when you combine an industrial engineering degree from Argentina, a mechanical engineering degree completed in just TWO YEARS, and a master's in data science? You get Paula Tatum—and she's here to share her incredible journey! 🚀 In this episode, Paula talks about ALL the things we don't discuss enough in STEM: the confidence struggles, the pressure to prove ourselves in male-dominated spaces, and why saying YES to uncomfortable opportunities might be the best career move you'll ever make! From working in a paper mill during the COVID toilet paper crisis 🧻😅 to managing projects in semiconductor clean rooms, Paula's diverse career path proves that there's no "one right way" to build your engineering career. She gets real about finding her first job, working with volunteer internships, dealing with imposter syndrome, and the game-changing power of therapy and mentorship. You'll love this episode if you: ✔️ Need a confidence boost in your STEM journey ✔️ Are considering a career pivot or going back to school ✔️ Want to hear from someone who's been there and gets it ✔️ Need permission to step outside your comfort zone Plus, hear about Paula's dream of launching a consulting company dedicated to empowering women in engineering, supply chain, and data science! 💼💡 Grab your coffee, hit play, and get ready to feel INSPIRED! #WomenInSTEM #EngineeringCareer #WomenEngineers #STEMPodcast #CareerJourney #InternationalStudent #MechanicalEngineering #DataScience #IndustrialEngineering #WomenEmpowerment #ConfidenceBuilding #STEMEducation #EngineeringStudent #CareerAdvice #LatinaInSTEM #ImmigrantStory #ReliabilityEngineering #WomenInTech #EngineeringLife #STEMCareers ✨ Let’s connect:  Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com  Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt  TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/ Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential  Linktree → https://linktr.ee/UnlockingMyPotential

    56 min
  6. From On-the-Spot Interview to Dream Job: Unconventional Path to Lockheed Martin

    10/28/2025

    From On-the-Spot Interview to Dream Job: Unconventional Path to Lockheed Martin

    Send us Fan Mail I'm so excited to share this conversation with Daniele Mendez, who has one of the most unexpected STEM origin stories I've heard! We were classmates at Florida Polytechnic University, and hearing her full journey from wanting to be a journalist to becoming a Software Quality Engineer at Lockheed Martin was absolutely fascinating. In this episode, Daniele gets real about how a negative experience with a teacher completely redirected her career path, leading her to discover robotics and eventually software engineering. She shares the behind-the-scenes story of how we prepared for career fairs at Florida Poly (including our secret portfolio strategy that actually worked!), and how she landed her job through the most unexpected on-the-spot interview. We dive deep into the challenges of being a young engineer - the imposter syndrome, being the only woman on male-dominated teams, and how remote work during COVID affected her growth. Daniele also breaks down the reality of pursuing a master's degree and whether it actually leads to immediate career advancement (spoiler: it's not what you think). What I love most about this conversation is how honest Daniele is about the ups and downs of her career journey. She talks about having an incredible manager who actually helped her grow instead of trying to keep her in one role and how she transitioned from software engineering to software quality engineering to get a bigger picture view of her work. If you're a student wondering if STEM is right for you, dealing with imposter syndrome in your first job, or thinking about making a career pivot, this episode is packed with real, practical advice. Daniele's story proves that sometimes the best opportunities come from the most unexpected places. Chapters: 00:00 From Journalism to Robotics: A Journey Begins 06:59 Choosing Computer Science: The Path to Florida Poly 10:35 College Life at Florida Polytechnic University 16:35 Internship Experiences: Remote Work Challenges 20:40 Networking and Landing the First Job 29:08 Navigating Early Career Challenges 34:48 Transitioning Roles and Responsibilities 42:30 Pursuing Further Education: Pros and Cons 49:10 Lessons from Graduate Studies 55:12 Advice to My Younger Self #STEMCareers #WomenInSTEM #CareerAdvice #TechCareers #EngineeringJobs #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerChange #UnlockingMyPotential ✨ Let’s connect:  Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com  Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt  TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/ Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential  Linktree → https://linktr.ee/UnlockingMyPotential

    1h 2m
  7. From STEM Camp to Mechanical Design Engineer: Kirsten's Journey in a Male-Dominated Field

    10/14/2025

    From STEM Camp to Mechanical Design Engineer: Kirsten's Journey in a Male-Dominated Field

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Kirsten Schulte, a mechanical design engineer who shares her inspiring journey from discovering engineering at a middle school STEM camp to navigating her career in a male-dominated industry. We dive deep into her experience at Florida Polytechnic University, the challenges and rewards of mechanical design work, and the real talk about being a woman in STEM.  Kirsten opens up about her internship experiences, including being told she was "only hired because she was a woman," and how she's learned to prioritize family over career advancement. We discuss the creative side of engineering, from turning customer ideas into 3D models to seeing those designs come to life in manufacturing.  This conversation touches on the struggles many women face in STEM fields—from being the only woman in the classroom to making friends in male-dominated workplaces. But we also explore the strengths that come from these experiences and how they shape us into more compassionate, resilient professionals.  Whether you're considering engineering, currently studying STEM, or navigating your own career path, Kirsten's story offers valuable insights about staying true to your values while building a fulfilling career.   #WomenInSTEM #MechanicalEngineering #FloridaPolytechnic #CareerJourney #WorkLifeBalance  ✨ Let’s connect:  Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com  Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt  TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/ Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential  Linktree → https://linktr.ee/UnlockingMyPotential

    54 min
  8. Beyond the Code: Alison Hart on Finding Growth in Unexpected Places

    09/30/2025

    Beyond the Code: Alison Hart on Finding Growth in Unexpected Places

    Send us Fan Mail This week on Unlocking My Potential, I’m joined by Alison Hart, whose journey through STEM is a powerful story of growth, resilience, and embracing change.  From her first spark of inspiration in a network closet at age five to her transition from IT and network engineering into software development, Alison shares what it really takes to thrive in tech: overcoming rejection, developing soft skills, handling imposter syndrome, and staying open to new opportunities—even when it means pivoting your career.  If you’ve ever questioned your path, struggled with perfectionism, or wondered whether it’s okay to keep changing directions, this episode is for you. Alison’s story reminds us that the most meaningful growth happens when we step into the unknown.    #UnlockingMyPotential #WomenInSTEM #STEMCareers #CareerGrowth #TechJourney #STEMStories #STEMInspiration #WomenWhoCode #ImposterSyndrome #STEMLeadership #STEMCommunity #CareerPivot  ✨ Let’s connect:  Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com  Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt  TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/ Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential  Linktree → https://linktr.ee/UnlockingMyPotential

    1h 10m
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About

Unlocking My Potential is a podcast sharing real stories from women in tech and beyond. Hosted by Natalie Thompson, each episode sparks inspiration, confidence, and bold career moves. Your journey starts here—let’s grow together. 

Information

  • Creator
    Natalie Thompson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Unlocking My Potential
  • Show Website
    Unlocking My Potential