Your Voice Matters - by Inês Moura Inês Moura

🎙️ Season 7, Episode 8: “Amplifying Youth Voices in Politics” with Rhia Lopes
It's an honor to receive my guest Rhia Lopes and dive into topics that give VOICE to political literacy among the youth! 🗣️💫
Rhia studied Public Relations and then went on to study International Relations & European Politics. More recently, she completed a second master's in European Legal Studies.
She currently works at the European Parliament as a Parliamentary Assistant. She is now running as a candidate for the European Elections for the pan-European party 'Volt' on behalf of Portugal. In this episode, we explore:
🌟 Rhia's unique journey into politics.
🗳️ The challenges and barriers preventing young people from engaging more in politics.
🌱 Youth-led initiatives impacting political decisions and societal change.
📢 Strategies to ensure young voices are heard and respected by political institutions.
🔄 The intersection of politics and activism in youth engagement.
🔑 Rhia's top 3 recommendations for those considering engaging in politics.
🔗 How to connect with Rhia and learn more about Volt.
🔗 Connect with Rhia on her social media platforms and learn more about her journey with Volt.
www.linkedin.com/in/rhia-lopes/
Instagram - @rhialopes
Enjoy the podcast and let yourself be inspired to make your contribution to the difference! 💪

🎙️ Season 7, Episode 7: "Empowering Voices with The Power of Community" with Georgia Brooks
Today, I'm honored to welcome Georgia Brooks to the podcast — a true groundbreaker and a passionate advocate for women's rights, gender equality, and inclusion.
Georgia is not only the Founder & CEO of The Nine, Belgium's first female-focused members' club, but also a Senior Adviser on Gender Equality, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the European Policy Centre, and a Founder at the Fempower Initiative. 🌍✊
Half Egyptian and half English, Georgia combines her love for languages and classical studies with her skills as a trained concert pianist to fuel her social entrepreneurship. Above all, her dedication to advancing women's rights and inclusion is something that truly inspires. 🎹💬
In this empowering episode, we explore:
🌟 Georgia's personal and professional journey and her passions that drive her every day.
🏛️ The inspiration behind The Nine and its impact as Belgium's pioneering female-focused members' club, amplifying their voices in the gender equality dialogue.
🚀 The role of community-driven initiatives like The Nine in breaking down barriers and promoting gender equality in both professional and personal spheres.
📈 The tangible impacts on personal and professional development seen within The Nine's community.
🎉 Challenges and successes experienced while creating and maintaining a space that champions the needs and voices of women.

Georgia also sheds light on who's invited to join The Nine and where you can learn more about this influential community.
🔗 For more information on The Nine and to connect with Georgia: www.linkedin.com/in/georgiamouradbrooks
Join us for a discussion that promises not only to inspire but also to empower you to make a difference in your community and beyond. 🎧💪

🎙️ Season 7, Episode 6: "How to Write a Memorable Speech" with Margarida Marante
Today on Inspiring Voices, I’m thrilled to guide you through the world of speechwriting with my special guest, Margarida Marante.
From her early days in Portugal studying law to her crucial role as EU Public Affairs Manager at one of Europe's leading airlines, Margarida's journey has been anything but ordinary. ✈️📜
Margarida first tapped into her talent for public speaking in high school, winning local awards and practicing speechwriting while watching politicians on TV.
This passion grew immensely when she landed a role as an Assistant to a Member of the European Parliament, where she refined her skills by crafting speeches that captivated audiences across the continent. 🏛️🎤
In today's episode, we go through:
🔑 The key elements that make a speech not just heard but remembered.
🧠 The process of developing and organizing ideas to ensure a speech sticks with its audience.
⚖️ Balancing emotion with logic to craft messages that resonate on all levels.
🚧 Common stumbling blocks in speechwriting and strategies to avoid them.
🎭 Captivating techniques to grab and hold the audience's attention from start to finish.
Additionally, Margarida shares her thoughts on the future of speechwriting in the age of AI technologies like ChatGPT, offers her top three tips for those struggling with speech outlines, and reveals a unique personal hobby — recording herself reading her own poems as a form of meditation. 🌟📚
Tune in to absorb the wisdom and experience of a true speechwriting master who believes in the power of words to inspire, influence, and ignite change. 🌍💬

🎙️ Season 7, Episode 5: "Voices in the Boardroom: Elevating Diversity" with Rhonda Ocha

Get ready for an enlightening conversation with Rhonda, a distinguished speaker, mentor, changemaker, and a firm advocate for gender-balanced leadership, diversity, and equity. With an impressive career spanning over four decades, including 25 years at Mastercard Europe, Rhonda has navigated the high seas of global business, spearheading innovative digital solutions across continents. 🌍💼
In this inspiring conversation we dive deep into how to be assertive in the boardroom. Rhonda brings her vast experience of leading global teams and her unique insights from being often the only woman in discussions with senior male leaders. 💬✨

In this episode, we explore:

🔊 Rhonda's journey and the standout moments of her career, shedding light on what it takes to rise to the top in global companies.
🚺 The challenges of making your voice heard as the sole woman in high-stake meetings, and Rhonda's strategies for overcoming them.
👥 The different dynamics leaders face in boardrooms compared to C-Suite roles, including the impact of cultural nuances.
🌈 The critical importance of diversifying boardroom voices to enhance decision-making, highlighting the value of gender, cultural, and experiential diversity.
💡 Navigating career transitions into new, demanding sectors like tech and AI, especially for those worried about not fitting the traditional criteria.
🚀 Rhonda's advice for anyone looking to take their next career leap, be it stepping into a boardroom or embarking on a new path.

Join us for this powerful episode as we discuss how to assert yourself in the boardroom and the transformative power of diversity in leadership. 🎧

Stay tuned and discover how to make your mark, whether you're navigating the boardroom's dynamics or stepping into new career territories.

🎙️ Season 7, Episode 4: "Empowering Voices Through Kindness” with Barbara Vercruysse
I'm thrilled to welcome Barbara Vercruysse in this 4th episode of season 7 of Inspiring Voices! 🤗
Barbara is a true force of nature when it comes to spreading kindness.
As the Quality Manager and Operational Excellence Lead at a group of BMW dealerships, a writer, mentor, and speaker, she's all about transforming leadership with a gentle touch while actively empowering women in their personal and professional growth, advocating gender balanced leadership. ✨
She brings her diversified expertise in blending high standards with warmth, creating environments where people not only excel but feel genuinely happy.
Her book, The Path of Powerful Kindness, dives deep into how we can all make a big impact with small, kind gestures, both in our lives and across the globe. 📖❤️
In this episode, we explore:
🌟 How kindness touched Barbara in such a big way, really showing the magic of feeling seen and appreciated.
📚 What drove her to share her thoughts on kindness with the world through her book and what she hopes it'll spark in us.
🔄 The whole idea that "being kind doesn't mean you're weak", especially at work, and how it's actually a superpower in making everyone feel included and heard.
👥 How just listening and empathizing can create spaces where everyone feels they matter and can speak their mind.
🗣️ Practical strategies for individuals and leaders to infuse kindness into their communication styles, promoting inclusivity and respect.
Barbara's bringing a ray of sunshine into the often too-cold professional world, reminding us that being kind is revolutionary.
Join us for this deep conversation that redefines leadership and shows how kindness is not just an act but a powerful force for change. 🌍🎙️ 🎧

🎙️ Season 7, Episode 3: "Raising Voices for Sustainable Fashion" with Stephanie Gasser
In this episode I'm pleased to welcome the inspiring and visionary Style Coach and Director of ESR Berlin - Online Style Academy Stephanie Gasser, that brings a fresh perspective to the fashion world. 🌿👚
Stephanie's journey in fashion is not just about style, it's about substance.
Through her own life (style) story of self-acceptance, she's on a mission to transform others by advocating for sustainable fashion. 🌍💡
Her TEDx Talk "Write Your Personal (Life)style Story," at TEDxKULeuvenBrussels was a testament to her dedication and vision.
In this episode, we delve deep into:
👗 What does it mean to be a style coach?
🌱 The importance of sustainable fashion
👖 Practical tips for eco-friendly wardrobe choices
🔄 Debunking myths about second-hand garments
🎤 The backstory of Stephanie’s impactful TED Talk
Tune in to discover how you can make a difference with your wardrobe choices and why your voice matters in the movement towards sustainable fashion. 🎧✨
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with Stephanie:
IG https://www.instagram.com/bluemstyle/
FB bluemstyle
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-gasser-aa17a921b/
Websites blue-m-style.com, www.esrberlin.com