Catch The Upswing

Jessica Espinoza | Catch The Upswing
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Catch The Upswing - Turn energy into action. Catch The Upswing is a business and leadership podcast exploring how people build, lead, and navigate complexity in a rapidly changing world. Hosted by global finance leader Jessica Espinoza, the show features candid conversations with global leaders, entrepreneurs, and emerging voices shaping today’s economy. Each episode explores the real journeys behind leadership — from setbacks and reinvention to resilience and purpose — while translating these experiences into practical insights listeners can apply in their own work, decisions, and lives.

Episodes

  1. 1D AGO

    What Nobody Tells You About Creating Change | Laura Coryton & Rachael Crook

    Why do some people spend years fighting for change — long before anyone notices the result? And what does it actually take to keep going when people dismiss your ideas, systems resist change, and success feels impossibly far away? In this episode of Catch The Upswing, Jessica Espinoza speaks with Laura Coryton and Rachael Crook — two women who turned frustration, setbacks, and difficult personal experiences into movements and businesses that created real-world impact. Laura Coryton led the campaign to end tampon tax in the UK and helped change legislation across Europe. Rachael Crook built a technology platform helping solve critical shortages in the care sector after witnessing firsthand how difficult it can befor families to navigate care systems. Together, they explore resilience, campaigning, entrepreneurship, empathy, criticism, leadership, and the “hard years” nobody sees behind meaningful change. This is aconversation about staying in the arena, building through uncertainty, and continuing even when progress feels invisible. 🎙️ In this episode, we explore: The absurd policies that exposed sexism in the tax systemHow Laura Coryton helped end tampon tax in the UKWhy meaningful change almost never happens quicklyThe emotional reality of entrepreneurship and leadershipWhat caregiving taught Rachael Crook about resilience and empathyWhy criticism from the sidelines matters less than staying “in the arena”The hidden emotional cost of trying to create changeWhy empathy is one of the most underrated leadership skillsHow to keep going when your first ideas failThe mindset shifts that help people persist through difficult years 🔗 Check out Laura Coryton’s work:Website: https://lauracoryton.com/ Sex Ed Matters: https://sexedmatters.co.uk/ 🔗 Check out Rachael Crook’s work:Lifted: https://www.lifted-talent.com/ 🔗 Additional resources:Obama Foundation Leaders Program: https://www.obama.org/programs/leaders/Care Economy Knowledge Hub (Kore Global): https://www.the-care-economy-knowledge-hub.org/ ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Trailer04:19 Episode Starts: Meet Laura Coryton & Rachael Crook06:54 “Who Is Making These Decisions?”11:41 Watching Someone You Love Disappear15:03 “There Was Nothing To Help Us”20:05 The People Holding Society Together22:01 How Laura Changed UK & European Law27:36 “Nobody Sees The Hard Years”31:18 The Moment Rachael Nearly Quit35:09 Why Most People Never Start40:45 The Leadership Skill Nobody Talks About46:05 The Exercise That Changed How She Lives50:12 “We Are Making Money And Changing Lives”56:34 “Be More Ambitious”01:01:05 Life Belongs To People In The Arena01:08:42 Rapid Fire Round01:13:26 “Getting Punched Is Part Of It”   📺 Watch more episodes: Catch The Upswing is a business podcast exploring howpeople build, lead, and navigate complexity in a rapidly changing world. Subscribe for conversations with global leaders, entrepreneurs, and emerging voices shaping today’s economy. 🔗 Follow & connect: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CatchTheUpswingInstagram: https://instagram.com/CatchTheUpswingTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@catchtheupswing #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #CareEconomy #Activism #Resilience #SystemsChange #CareerGrowth #CatchTheUpswing

    1h 10m

  2. MAY 6

    Why The Wrong People Become Leaders | Marijn Wiersma

    Why do we keep promoting the wrong people into leadership In this follow-on episode of Catch The Upswing, we continue the conversation with Marijn Wiersma — this time shaped by questions from our global community. After our first episode, which focused on her book SOS: A Navigation Guide for Women at Work, we invited listeners from around the world to share the questions they’re grappling with in their own workplaces. From London to Nairobi to Dubai and beyond, this episode brings those voices into the conversation — exploring the realities of leadership, culture, and systems from the ground up. Together, we go beyond the book to unpack what leaders and teams are navigating in practice today. In this episode, we explore: the most overlooked toxic leadership behavior — and why it persists how we confuse confidence with competence how insecurity in leadership turns toxic — and why it gets rewarded what it really takes to create more inclusive workplaces how emotions are judged differently in leadershiphow to navigate resilience, burnout, and long-term change This is a conversation shaped by real questions — and grounded in the lived experiences behind them. 🔗 Check out Marijn’s work: SOS: A Navigation Guide for Women at Work https://soswomenatwork.org/ (also available on Amazon and bookstores worldwide) Marijn Wiersma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marijnwiersma/   🔖 Chapters 00:00 Trailer 01:43 Welcome back — audience questions from around the world 02:16 The most overlooked toxic leadership trait 04:19 Why we confuse confidence with competence 06:45 The hard truth about keeping top female talent 09:32 Emotion, credibility, and the double standard at work 12:48 Why empathy is non-negotiable in leadership 15:42 Authenticity at work — and the courage to keep the coat on 20:02 Resilience, burnout, and why pushing through isn’t the answer 27:14 Systems change, hope, and the case for outrage + optimism 29:54 How to build real allies at work 32:14 The one thing leaders should do tomorrow morning 33:42 How to make unconscious bias conscious 34:35 What Marijn hopes her book will change 📺 Watch more episodes: Catch The Upswing is a business podcast exploring how people build, lead, and navigate complexity in a rapidly changing world. Subscribe for conversations with global leaders, entrepreneurs, and emerging voices shaping today’s economy. Mentioned in this episode Christiana Figueres — former UN climate chief and architect of the Paris Agreement. Watch the full episode with Christiana Figueres on Catch The Upswing: https://youtu.be/GrFJvCvEUp4?si=RV5DwoCmLITTeoIl   🔗 Follow & connect: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CatchTheUpswingInstagram: https://instagram.com/CatchTheUpswingTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@catchtheupswing   🎥 B-roll credits: Some of the visual material used in the trailer of this episode is courtesy of 2X Global. Original footage supplied by C+A Media, commissioned by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). #Leadership #WomenInBusiness #CareerGrowth #Mindset #GenderEquality #FutureOfWork #CatchTheUpswing

    37 min

  3. APR 29

    Why Great Founders Get Rejected | The Hidden Bias in Venture Capital

    Why do great founders still get rejected? In this solo episode of Catch The Upswing, I unpack one of the most persistent — and least visible — dynamics in venture capital: How decisions actually get made. Because what looks like a funding gap on the surface…often starts much earlier. In the room. In the questions being asked. In the assumptions no one says out loud. 🎯 In this episode: How small differences in pitch conversations shape big outcomes What investors look for — without realizing it Why this isn’t a pipeline problem And what really changes when capital flows differently Some of these patterns are subtle.Some are systemic. All of them matter. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Introduction — The question behind the funding gap 00:33 The reality: 2% of venture capital 01:30 This is not a performance problem 02:05 Why the gap persists 02:45 Two founders, two different questions 03:45 How bias shapes investment decisions 05:20 It’s not a talent problem — it’s capital allocation 06:00 What changes when women invest 07:25 The economic case for investing in women 08:15 What’s at stake: markets, growth, and innovation 09:20 The real opportunity   🎙️ Catch The Upswing explores ideas that spark resilience,opportunity, and inclusive growth — through conversations with investors, founders, and leaders shaping what comes next. If this episode resonates: → Share it with someone building or investing→ Subscribe for more conversations on capital, entrepreneurship, and systems change #venturecapital #investing #entrepreneurship #innovation #leadership

    10 min

  4. APR 22

    Who Writes the Checks Shapes What Gets Built | Marla Shapiro

    What happens when the people writing the checks start to change? In this episode of Catch the Upswing, Jessica Espinoza sits down with Marla Shapiro, Managing Partner of Hermesa, for a candid conversation about angel investing, founders, power, and the real mechanics of capital. This is a conversation about what gender-lens investing actually means in practice — not as a slogan, but as a question of who gets funded, who becomes an investor, and how that shapes the future of business. Marla shares why so many women are still underrepresented not only as founders, but also as investors… why access to capital matters more than endless advice… what first-time angel investors need to know… and what founders often misunderstand about fundraising, networks, and how investors really make decisions. They also talk about the businesses that get overlooked, the discipline required to build a serious angel portfolio, and why long-term change depends not only on opportunity, but on ownership, wealth creation, and who gets to sit at the table. If you are a founder, investor, operator, or simply curious about how capital really works behind the scenes, this episode is packed with practical insight. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informationalpurposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial professional before making financial or investment decisions. 🎙️ In this episode, we explore: what gender-lens investing actually meanswhy it matters who writes the checkshow women are becoming angel investors for the first timewhy women are often over-mentored and under-fundedwhat founders should understand about fundraising and warm introductionshow investors think about exits, returns, and long-term valuewhy capital allocation shapes what gets builtwhat it takes to change power dynamics in early-stage investing 🔗 Follow Marla’s work: HERmesa https://hermesa.co.uk/ Marla Shapiro on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlagshapiro/ 🔗 Referenced in this episode: Research on women angel investors suggests that women investing in women-only groups tend to make more investments than those in mixed groups — highlighting the role of access, confidence, and peer dynamics in shaping participation: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342818236   ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Trailer 00:47 Who Gets to Write the Checks 02:15 Why Angel Investing Still Looks the Same 04:12 How to Become an Angel Investor 07:57 “Women Are Over-Mentored and Under-Funded” 10:30 What Gender-Lens Investing Actually Means 13:06 Inside Finance: What It’s Really Like 18:26 The Challenge of Building Something New 21:47 The Kinds of Businesses HERmesa Backs 27:34 What Founders Actually Need from Investors 31:56 AI, Deep Tech, and What Investors Are Watching 36:11 The Biggest Risk Marla Took 44:36 Changing the Narrative Through Capital 49:34 Fundraising Realities & Founder Advice   📺 Watch more episodes: Catch The Upswing is a business podcast exploring how people build, lead, and navigate complexity in a rapidly changing world. Subscribe for conversations with global leaders, entrepreneurs, and emerging voices shaping today’s economy. 🔗 Follow & connect: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CatchTheUpswing Instagram: https://instagram.com/CatchTheUpswing TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@catchtheupswing #investing #venturecapital #angelinvesting #founders#entrepreneurship #leadership #innovation

    57 min

  5. APR 15

    Why You’re Not the Problem — The System Is | Marijn Wiersma

    Why do so many capable, experienced people still feel like they don’t belong? And what does it take to move beyond that — not in theory, but in real life? In this episode of Catch The Upswing, Jessica Espinoza speaks with Marijn Wiersma — impact strategist, corporate anthropologist and co-author of SOS: A Navigation Guide for Women at Work — about confidence, identity, and navigating workplaces and systems that weren’t designed with everyone in mind. From returning to work with a six-week-old baby to leading high-level projects early in her career, Marijn reflects on the moments that shaped her voice, her leadership, and her perspective on what it really means to belong. This is a conversation about self-doubt, courage, and learning to step into your own light — even when you’re not sure you’re ready. 🎙️ In this episode, we explore: Why even highly capable people feel like impostorsThe moment you stop asking “Why me?” — and start asking “Why not me?”How perfectionism and guilt shape the way many women workThe difference between grit and wellbeingWhy confidence is not something you wait for — but something you buildWhat it really means to “have it all” — and why that idea can be misleadingPractical ways to navigate self-doubt, leadership, and career decisions 🔗 Check out Marijn’s work: SOS: A Navigation Guide for Women at Work: https://soswomenatwork.org/ (also available on Amazon and bookstores worldwide) Marijn Wiersma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marijnwiersma/ 🔗 Additional resources: Care Economy Knowledge Hub (Kore Global): https://www.the-care-economy-knowledge-hub.org/⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:49 Episode Starts: Meet Marijn Wiersma 07:12 Returning to Work With a 6-Week-Old Baby 09:24 The Moment She Realized Her Voice Mattered 15:16 Why Women Struggle With Guilt and Perfectionism 19:26 The Fear of Not Being Good Enough 24:09 The Reframe That Changes Imposter Syndrome 30:37 “Why Not Me?” 33:16 Vulnerability, Confidence, and Showing Up 38:24 “If the Mold Is Male, You Never Fully Fit In” 40:45 The Habits That Keep Her Grounded 44:47 The Reality of Balancing Career and Family 48:34 Letting Go of “Having It All” 52:53 Practical Advice for Work and Life 54:44 “Don’t Confuse Grit With Wellbeing” 56:52 Rapid Fire Round 58:45 SOS: A Navigation Guide for Women at Work 📺 Watch more episodes: Catch The Upswing is a business podcast exploring how people build, lead, and navigate complexity in a rapidly changing world. Subscribe for conversations with global leaders, entrepreneurs, and emerging voices shaping today’s economy. 🔗 Follow & connect: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CatchTheUpswing Instagram: https://instagram.com/CatchTheUpswing TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@catchtheupswing 🎥 B-roll credits: Some of the visual material used in the trailer of this episode is courtesy of 2X Global. Original footage supplied by C+A Media, commissioned by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). #Leadership #WomenInBusiness #ImposterSyndrome #CareerGrowth #Mindset #GenderEquality #FutureOfWork #CatchTheUpswing

    1 hr

  6. APR 8

    What it really takes to build something when no one believes in you | Jana Degrott & Gosia Kramer

    What does it actually take to build something from nothing? Not in theory — but in reality. In this episode of Catch The Upswing, Jessica Espinoza speaks with Jana Degrott and Gosia Kramer about what it really means to take risks, move through doubt, and build something when there is no clear path — and no external validation. From navigating self-doubt and the fear of judgment to making bold decisions — like selling your house to start a business — this conversation goes beyond inspiration and into the lived reality of entrepreneurship. Jana reflects on identity, confidence, and the internal barriers that hold people back, while Gosia shares what it looks like to build from nothing — facing skepticism, financial pressure, and the day-to-day realities of turning an idea into something real. This is a conversation about building — and what it actually demands. 🎙️ In this episode, we explore: • Why fear of judgment is one of the biggest barriers to starting• The difference between inspiration and actually taking action• How self-doubt shapes decisions — and how to move beyond it• What it really looks like to build something from nothing• Taking financial and personal risks as a founder• The reality of cash flow and long-term vision• Why most people don’t start — and what it takes to do it anyway• Finding the right people — and thinking beyond your immediate environment — 🔗 Check out Jana & Gosia’s work: Jana Degrott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jana-degrott-b15646114/Instagram: @janadegrott Gosia Kramer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gosia-kramer-08a29ba0/Instagram: @gosiakramer ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Episode Start 00:01 Intro 01:20 Welcome Jana Degrott & Gosia Kramer 03:10 “Mini Jana” — Growing Up Without Confidence 07:30 The Fear of Judgment (And Why It Holds People Back) 12:40 “People Don’t Really Care” — The Mindset Shift 16:30 From Self-Doubt to Taking Action 21:10 Selling a House to Start a Business 26:00 “Nobody Believed in It” 30:40 Building From Nothing — No Windows, No Electricity 35:20 When Things Go Wrong: Failure & Hard Lessons 40:10 Cash Flow, Pressure, and Founder Reality 45:30 Why Inspiration Is Not Enough 49:20 Finding the Right People (And Leaving the Wrong Ones) 54:10 Building Something That Doesn’t Exist Yet 58:30 What It Really Takes to Keep Going 1:02:00 Final Reflections — 📺 Watch more episodes: Catch The Upswing is a business and leadership podcast exploring how people build, lead, and navigate complexity in a rapidly changing world. Subscribe for conversations with global leaders, entrepreneurs, and emerging voices shaping today’s economy.   — 🔗 Follow & connect: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CatchTheUpswingInstagram: https://instagram.com/CatchTheUpswingTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@catchtheupswing — #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Founders #Startups #WomenInBusiness #Resilience #Mindset #CatchTheUpswing

    1h 39m

  7. APR 1

    Why We Need to Rethink Capital from the Ground Up | Jodi Smith

    What if we’ve been thinking about the economy the wrong way around? Most investment models are built to maximize returns. But what happens when the system itself is no longer aligned with the world we’re trying to build? In this episode of Catch The Upswing, Jessica Espinoza speaks with Jodi Smith — founder & fund manager of Matanataki — about rethinking capital from the ground up, and what it takes to build investment models in places where traditional approaches don’t work. After two decades in Hollywood, Jodi walked away and moved to Fiji, where a mission to protect coral reefs led her into finance. Today, she is investing with an innovative approach that connects businesses across sectors — from agriculture to tourism — to create impact at a landscape and seascape level.From local ownership to interconnected deal flow, this conversation explores what it really means to design capital for ecosystems, communities, and long-term resilience. This is a conversation about investing — and beyond. 🎙️ In this episode, we explore: Why the economy should be seen as a subset of the ecosystemWhy traditional investment approaches fail in frontier markets How to design capital that works in nascent and frontier marketsWhat “interconnected deal flow” looks like in practiceWhy local ownership and vision-setting are critical for long-term successThe risks of “solutions looking for problems” in global investmentHow finance can be used as a tool to protect ecosystemsThe reality of building new models — and the leadership it requires— 🔗 Check out Jodi’s work: Jodi Smith (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-smith/ Matanataki: https://www.matanataki.com/ — ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Episode Start 00:01 Intro 01:10 Welcome Jodi Smith 02:30 Why Fiji’s Reefs Matter Globally 06:45 From Hollywood to Walking Away 10:30 The Moment Finance Became the Tool 16:20 Why Traditional Investment Models Don’t Work Here 22:40 Building an Ecosystem, Not Just a Portfolio 29:10 Who Owns the Future? 35:30 “Let Us Solve Our Problems” 41:20 Building Something That Doesn’t Exist Yet 46:30 Why It Can Feel So Lonely 50:10 “The Economy Is a Subset of the Ecosystem” 52:00 What This Means Going Forward — 📺 Watch more episodes: Catch The Upswing is a business and leadership podcast exploring how people build, lead, and navigate complexity in a rapidly changing world. Subscribe for conversations with global leaders, entrepreneurs, and emerging voices shaping today’s economy. — 🔗 Follow & connect: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CatchTheUpswing Instagram: https://instagram.com/CatchTheUpswing TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@CatchTheUpswing — #ImpactInvesting #SustainableFinance #Leadership #ClimateFinance #SystemsChange #CatchTheUpswing

    1h 32m

  8. MAR 30

    When Everything Feels Uncertain, Keep Going | Angie Madara

    When things don’t go as planned, most people stop. But what does it actually take to keep going — when the path is uncertain, the pressure is real, and the outcome isn’t guaranteed? Resilience is not about never failing. It’s about what you do next. In this episode of Catch The Upswing, Jessica Espinoza speaks with Angie Madara — entrepreneur, mentor and investor — about what it really means to build, adapt, and move forward in uncertain environments. From navigating setbacks to building in emerging markets, Angie shares a grounded perspective on resilience, entrepreneurship, inclusive AI, and financial inclusion — and why success often depends less on certainty, and more on persistence. This conversation is about business — and beyond. 🎙️ In this episode, we explore: What it really takes to keep going when things don’t go as plannedHow to respond to failure without letting it define youWhy building often means moving forward without certaintyWhat resilience looks like in practice — not just in theoryThe reality of building across markets — and the gaps in access to financeHow innovation and inclusive AI can expand opportunityThe mindset that helps you keep going when things get hard 🔗 Check out Angie’s work: Angie Madara (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiemadara/ Athena Fund X: https://athenafundx.com/ ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Episode Start 00:01 Intro 00:59 Welcome Angie Madara 01:38 The $1.7 trillion credit gap 03:18 “Entrepreneurship for most women is winging it” 05:12 Her biggest failure 06:35 The rookie mistakes that cost her money 08:22 Learning never stops in entrepreneurship 09:31 Resilience is not a trait 10:43 What first-time founders should do differently 13:01 Building Athena: from idea to reality 16:22 AI, bias, and the future of credit 19:07 “It’s not charity. It’s big business” 25:35 98% repaid — so why didn’t it scale? 26:26 We need a new game 33:42 From empowerment to economic resilience 39:23 The risk ahead: a growing credit gap 43:26 How she stays hopeful 44:04 “Hold yourself before you fail” 49:00 Final thoughts 📺 Watch more episodes: Catch The Upswing is a business and leadership podcast exploring how people build, lead, and navigate complexity in a rapidly changing world. Subscribe for conversations with global leaders, entrepreneurs, and emerging voices shaping today’s economy. 🔗 Follow & connect: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CatchTheUpswing Instagram: https://instagram.com/CatchTheUpswing TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@CatchTheUpswing #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Resilience #FinancialInclusion #CatchTheUpswing

    51 min

  9. MAR 27

    You’re Being Shaped By This (And You Don’t Even Notice) | Luba Kassova

    You don’t see this — but it shapes how you think, what you believe, and how you see the world. In this episode of Catch the Upswing, Jessica Espinoza sits down with Luba Kassova — researcher, journalist and co-founder of the audience-strategy consultancy AKAS, and author of the Missing Perspectives Series — to explore how the stories we see (and don’t see) shape our understanding of the world. From losing and reclaiming her own voice to leading groundbreaking research on the “Missing Perspectives of Women” in the news, Luba reveals how systemic bias operates in ways most of us don’t even notice — and what it means for leadership, media, and society. This conversation goes beyond media — it’s about power, visibility, and the forces that shape whose voices are heard and whose are not. 🎙️ In this episode, we explore: Why women’s perspectives are still largely missing from the newsHow that shapes the stories we hear — and the ones we don’tWhy we often don’t even notice the bias around usWhat this does to confidence, ambition, and opportunityHow AI is repeating the same patterns at scale What it takes to find your voice — and use it 🎯 Explore Luba’s work: Website:https://www.lubakassova.com/en Substack(Lubascope — social commentary with heart and fact): https://lubakassova.substack.com/ MissingPerspectives of Women reports (available on her website) 🔗 Referenced in the episode: Edith Eger (psychologist, Holocaust survivor, author of The Choice) ⏱️ Chapters:00:00 Intro 00:47 Luba Kassova: The Writer Giving Voice to the Unheard 02:17 I Made Myself Obsolete and Invisible 06:14 The Warning Signs of a Midlife Crisis 08:06 Why So Many Women Never Get Access to the Right Tools 10:00 The Voice That Says: Stay Small 11:47 How Girls Are Socialised to Disappear 14:37 Where That Inner Critical Voice Comes From 16:57 Her Mother’s Advice That Changed Everything 18:05 What It Means to Give Voice to the Voiceless 21:50 The Shocking Truth About Women in the News 26:52 Why Progress for Women Flatlined 29:13 The Grammys Myth: Are Women Really Dominating? 31:47 Why We Don’t Even Notice Male-Dominated Media 37:10 What This Does to Society in Real Life 42:13 AI Is Repeating the Same Biases 46:33 What Happens If Superintelligence Inherits Human Bias? 50:35 What Gives Luba Hope Right Now 53:35 Luba’s Definition of Hope 55:58 How to Turn Outrage Into Opportunity 58:17 Where to Follow Luba’s Work 01:00:03 Never Waste a Good Midlife Crisis 01:00:37 Let’s Crowdsource the Tools That Help #CatchTheUpswing#Leadership #MediaBias #SystemsChange #WomenInMedia 📺 Watch more conversations from Catch the Upswing: 🎧 Catch the Upswing is a video podcast exploring how leadersand changemakers build, lead, and drive meaningful change in a rapidly evolving world. 🔔 Subscribe for upcoming conversations with leaders and changemakers shaping the future. 🌍 Follow Catch the Upswing: Instagram → https://instagram.com/CatchTheUpswingTikTok → https://tiktok.com/@CatchTheUpswing

    1h 3m

  10. MAR 25

    Christiana Figueres: The Leadership the Climate Decade Demands

    What does it take to lead when the stakes are global — and failure is not an option? Former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres joins Jessica Espinoza on Catch the Upswing to reflect on the leadership behind the Paris Agreement — and what it demands from us in the defining decade ahead. We are not running out of solutions — we are running out of time. This conversation goes beyond climate policy. It’s about what it takes to lead through complexity, uncertainty, and global stakes — and why trust, resilience, and long-term thinking are no longer optional. Christiana shares insights from inside one of the most consequential global negotiations of our time, and what those lessons mean for leaders, founders, and changemakers navigating today’s world. 🎙️ In this episode, we explore: The leadership behind the Paris AgreementWhy trust is the foundation of systemic changeNavigating complexity and uncertaintyWhat this decade demands from all of usClimate, responsibility, and long-term thinking🔗 Resources & references: Outrage + Optimism: https://outrageandoptimism.org Global Optimism: https://www.globaloptimism.com/ Fix the News : https://fixthenews.com ⏱️ Chapters:00:00 Introduction 02:14 Episode begins 02:54 10 years after Paris — where are we now? 03:16 The race between two exponential curves 06:05 The truth: we’re already in a changed world 09:16 This decade is a moment of choice 13:36 The failure that changed everything (Copenhagen) 19:10 From doom to possibility 24:31 The hardest battle is internal 28:03 What the Paris Agreement really achieved 32:06 Trade-offs, survival, and common ground 37:05 Rebuilding global trust from zero 39:50 Personal crisis during global negotiations 44:12 If Paris had failed — what would still stand? 50:34 Why resilience is a personal responsibility 55:02 The burden of being “the optimistic one” 59:00 Personal resilience and planetary resilience 1:02:17 How to live with outrage without burning out 1:06:56 Grief as a doorway to action 1:10:47 What gives Christiana optimism today 1:14:46 Women, climate, and leadership 1:20:44 What the next generation must believe 1:21:47 Closing reflections   🎧 Catch the Upswing is a video podcast exploring how leaders and changemakers build, lead, and drive meaningful change in a rapidly evolving world. 🔔 Subscribe for upcoming conversations with leaders and changemakers shaping the future. 🌍 Follow Catch the Upswing: Instagram → https://instagram.com/CatchTheUpswingTikTok → https://tiktok.com/@CatchTheUpswing #ClimateLeadership #ChristianaFigueres #ParisAgreement #ClimateAction #Leadership

    1h 24m

  11. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Trailer

    Catch The Upswing — Official Podcast Trailer Catch The Upswing is a business and leadership podcast featuring candid conversations with global leaders, entrepreneurs, and emerging voices shaping today’s economy. Hosted by global finance leader Jessica Espinoza, the show explores how people build, lead, and navigate complexity in a rapidly changing world. The podcast launches March 25, 2026, with opening conversations featuring: • Christiana Figueres — architect of the Paris Climate Agreement • Luba Kassova — leading researcher on the visibility of women’s voices in media • Angie Madara — entrepreneur and resilience advocate. Subscribe to the channel to watch the first episodes.

    1 min

Trailer

About

Catch The Upswing - Turn energy into action. Catch The Upswing is a business and leadership podcast exploring how people build, lead, and navigate complexity in a rapidly changing world. Hosted by global finance leader Jessica Espinoza, the show features candid conversations with global leaders, entrepreneurs, and emerging voices shaping today’s economy. Each episode explores the real journeys behind leadership — from setbacks and reinvention to resilience and purpose — while translating these experiences into practical insights listeners can apply in their own work, decisions, and lives.

Information

  • Creator
    Jessica Espinoza | Catch The Upswing
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jessica Espinoza | Catch The Upswing
  • Show Website
    Catch The Upswing