The WECAN Podcast

Stephanie Ferrario

Follow us. Review us. Connect with us every Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday. Welcome to the WECAN Podcast, your peer- to -peer mentoring companion. Here, inspiring role models share their journeys and insights to guide and advise you. Nobody needs to do life alone and we learn so much from each other. Join us every week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, where we feature 3 incredible mentors who inspire and guide you. Sit back, relax, and absorb the wisdom. We're thrilled to have you with us! Let us know what or who inspires you the most. IT COULD NOT BE MORE IMPORTANT TO SHOW GOOD LEADERSHIP RIGHT NOW! WECAN is here to showcase good leadership, values-driven people, businesses, and ventures, as well as human decency, kindness, and connection. Our human stories will catapult you forward; they show what is possible and how to get there from people from all walks of life. YOU CAN BE WHAT YOU CAN SEE. Your voice matters. Your experiences matter. Together, we’re showing how each one of us can lead, so get inspired and guided. Take what you need for your journey. This is for you. 👉 Stay connected and don’t miss our weekly profiles, news, and shoutouts—sign up for our Substack newsletter today! 👉 Sign up to our Substack for weekly profiles, news, and shout-outs: https://substack.com/@shecan Join us as we build this leading by example movement, which each one of us can do. I am Stephanie Ferrario, the founder of WECAN and host of this show. #shecan #shecanwomen #shecanmedia #rolemodels #inspiration #motivation #guidance #advice #tips #careeradvice #showingwhatispossible #leadbyexample #wecan #goodleadership #values #valuedriven #mentoring Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 3d ago

    Beyond the Two-Party System: America's Main Street Party | Tom Joseph x WECAN

    In today's episode of WECAN, Stephanie sits down with Tom Joseph, founder and treasurer of Wilson's Fountain and America's Main Street Party during retirement—NOT a Third Party! As a social activist, innovator, producer and true visionary, Tom is using his expertise to rebuild the foundation of our democracy through a new method for nominating members of Congress. But what does it take to actually change a political system that feels designed to keep us divided? Tom is an engineer who has spent his career challenging traditional models. From founding Bookminders, where he pioneered a remote-first, flexible work culture long before it was the norm, to his current work with America’s Main Street Party, he applies a brilliant, business-oriented approach to solving our biggest societal problems. The Main Street Party is citizen-centred, and an APP disrupting the market, helping us all see a future where our political system is transparent, fair, and accountable. He isn't just pointing out the gridlock; he is architecting a functional, technology-driven alternative that empowers voters over donor networks. WECAN leverage innovation to reclaim our voice in government, and that leaves us hopeful, but we have to figure out a system of fairness. Massive gratitude to Tom for his vision, execution, and action in playing a big role in changing a system that needs a serious overhaul. We all know that! We need people building viable alternatives! Learn More, Donate & Sign the Petition: https://www.mainstreetparty.org/ Connect with Tom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomsjoseph/ #WECAN #PoliticalReform #TomJoseph #MainStreetParty #Democracy #CivicTech #EndPolarization #FutureOfPolitics #SocialActivism #Leadership Your Story Matters! You Matter! Role Models Matter! Lead By Example To Support Others! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min

  2. 4d ago

    WECAN | Political Reform and AI: How Digital Democracy is Changing Everything with Ramon Perez

    What does the future of democracy look like? Imagine if we didn't have to wait until the next election cycle to make our voices heard! The future of political reform and AI is here! Ramon Perez is the visionary founder of the Digital Democracy Project, a mobile voting app & online accountability system bridging the gap between citizens and Congress through mobile technology and AI. The current political system is often clouded by gerrymandering, campaign finance, and partisan gridlock, leaving many voters feeling irrelevant. Ramon’s bold vision approaches the future differently through a nonpartisan platform that uses secure mobile voting to let constituents share their preferences on legislation before it happens. By tracking how closely legislators align with their district’s values, this platform is turning "we the people" back into the primary stakeholders of our government. This technology is already being used by 24,000+ verified users to influence real-world policy and what the roadmap looks like for reaching all 50 states by 2027. I am so incredibly inspired by the work Ramon is doing with the Digital Democracy Project. He is a true visionary leader fighting for the greater good. It’s rare to find a solution that feels this hopeful and impactful. Let's build a vision of democracy that our children and grandchildren can be proud of, taking power in our hands. 00:00 Introduction: What is the Digital Democracy Project? 00:38 Using Mobile Voting Technology for Real-Time Accountability 03:06 Legislative Scorecards: How We Track Representatives 04:18 Moving Beyond the Two-Party Dichotomy 06:48 Educating Voters with AI-Powered Chatbots 09:19 Ramon’s Story: Why I Became a Democracy Reformer 11:22 The Structural Problems: Gerrymandering & Campaign Finance 16:03 The Reality of "Dialing for Dollars" in Congress 18:35 The Big Vision: Making Government "On-Demand" 20:50 Advice for Young Changemakers 22:48 Scaling the Movement: Challenges & The Need for Volunteers 27:18 Inspiration and Sacrifice: The Why Behind the Work 28:40 Future Goals: Scaling to All 50 States by 2027 30:11 The Role of AI in Scaling Democracy 34:52 How You Can Support: Getting Involved Join the Movement: https://digitaldemocracyproject.org/ Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramon-perez-97a87a41 Massive thanks to Ramon for everything that he is and does. We all need a big systems change. Thank you for leading with a serious alternative! #WECAN #DigitalDemocracy #TechForGood #PoliticalReform #Accountability #CivicEngagement #RamonPerez #AIinPolitics #GrassrootsChange #FutureOfDemocracy _______________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c Your Story Matters! You Matter! Role Models Matter! Lead By Example To Support Others! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min

  3. 5d ago

    WECAN Bridge the Divide: How Young Voters are Reimagining Democracy | Chauncy Wadsworth

    Is the two-party system broken? In today's episode, we sit down with the 22-year-old Chauncy Wadsworth, a recent Haverford College graduate and senior election analyst at America’s Main Street Party, to reimagine the future of voting and democracy. Chauncy is working at the intersection of technology and democracy to tackle the growing crisis of political polarisation. From leveraging FEC loopholes to create non-candidate nominations to championing the STAR Voting method, he shares how a new generation is finding innovative ways to bypass partisan gridlock and put the power back in the hands of the voters. This bright, passionate voice leaves us hopeful about the future, and especially for a new generation of political reform. Chauncy is proof that young people aren't just watching from the sidelines, but actively building the solutions we need. His work with visionary founders of America's Main Street Party, Tom Joseph and partners, Ramon Perez (Digital Democracy Project), is centred on something we desperately need: meaningful dialogue. Chauncy brings such an upbeat, pragmatic, and necessary perspective on how we can move past polarisation to create a government that truly serves everyone, restoring the voice of the people, especially young people! "America’s Main Street Party will utilise an app to offer a free and equal platform for nominating members of Congress, founded to fundamentally change the relationship between politicians and money." 0:00 Introduction: Meet Chauncey Wadsworth 1:25 What is America’s Main Street Party? 3:15 Understanding the Roots of Political Polarization 5:50 How Tech-Driven Solutions Can Bypass the Two-Party System 8:40 Explained: The "STAR Voting" Method 11:10 Why Reform Needs More Than Just Policy—It Needs Empathy 13:50 Inspiration from Figures like FDR & Robert Reich 16:20 Career Goals: The Path to Meaningful Lobbying & Change 19:05 Why I’m Hopeful: The Power of Young Changemakers 21:30 Closing Thoughts & How You Can Get Involved Learn More, Donate & Sign the Petition: https://www.mainstreetparty.org/ Connect with Chauncy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chauncy-wadsworth-033782260/ #WECAN #America’s Main Street Party #PoliticalReform #YouthLeadership #Democracy #STARvoting #EndPolarisation #FutureOfPolitics #Changemakers #ElectionIntegrity _________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c Your Story Matters! You Matter! Role Models Matter! Lead By Example To Support Others! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 min

  4. Jun 17

    Performance Coach Boaz Gilad x WECAN, The No-Nonsense Approach to Lifelong Resilience

    How do you supercharge your failures and turn it into a story of success? In today's episode, we sit down with the incredible Boaz Gilad, a powerhouse leader, performance coach, and speaker, to learn about his life story and how WECAN supercharge success after failure. From serving as a paratrooper in the Israeli army to navigating the painful collapse of his public company and total bankruptcy, Boaz didn't let failure define him; instead, he used it to build a bulletproof foundation of wisdom and resilience, unmasking the myth around success. Today, he is a premier executive coach, the founder of Zenith Clubhouse, and author of The Zenith Code, helping high-achievers stop waiting for "inspiration" and start building the commitment and structure needed to unlock extraordinary growth. Being a top performer is a state of mind, and high-performance skills will also flow from one area of your life into another. We love Boaz's no-nonsense and positive approach to life and business. If you are a leader navigating big changes or someone looking to break through a personal plateau, this episode will inspire you to take action. Thank you Boaz for leading by example x WECAN. We honour and celebrate you. Connect with Goaz: Visit his Website: https://boazgilad.com/ Listen to the "Unmasked" Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UnmaskPodcastOfficial Join the Zenith Clubhouse: https://www.zenithclubhouse.com/ #PerformanceCoaching #Resilience #Entrepreneurship #ZenithCode #WECANChannel #BusinessFailure #SuccessMindset #OvercomingObstacles #HighPerformance _______________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c Your Story Matters! You Matter! Role Models Matter! Lead By Example To Support Others! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min

  5. Jun 16

    WECAN Overcome Women's Sports Coaching Challenges With Kathy Taylor

    In today's episode, we uncover women's sports coaching challenges with Kathy Taylor, a Retired Collegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coach & Former IWLCA President. Katchy opens up about the evolving landscape of modern sports coaching and gender-based challenges. Named the head coach of Colgate women's lacrosse program in June 2019, during her tenure in Hamilton, she led the development of eight All-Patriot League honorees, along with a pair of Academic All-League selections and numerous IWLCA academic recognitions. After a celebrated 30-year career and her time at Colgate University, Kathy’s journey took a traumatic turn during the pandemic. She opens up about her personal experience facing unfounded allegations, the importance of due process, and why protecting our coaches is essential to the future of women’s sports. Colgate University ultimately moved to dismiss the final lawsuit against her, validating that the claims were unfounded. We’re navigating an era where anonymous complaints and public scrutiny can threaten the integrity of a lifelong career. Kathy's story is a masterclass in speaking your truth, true leadership, setting high standards, and fostering supportive environments where everyone, from athletes to coaches, and especially women in sports, can thrive. What is one boundary you’ve set that helped you maintain your integrity as a coach or leader? Let us know in the comments. We thank Kathy and honour her, her journey, and love nothing more than to support her truth. Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-taylor-311b28318/ Learn more about Kathy's journey: https://colgateathletics.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/coaches/kathy-taylor/2392 #WECAN #Coaching #Leadership #WomensSports #Lacrosse #CoachLife #SportsCulture #Resilience #IntegrityInSports #KathyTaylor _______________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c Your Story Matters! You Matter! Role Models Matter! Lead By Example To Support Others! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min

  6. Jun 11

    Hold Onto Me Film: Sundance Winner Myrsini Aristidou | WECAN Interview

    Myrsini Aristidou, an award-winning filmmaker from Cyprus, whose debut feature film, Hold Onto Me, is capturing hearts worldwide. Her film recently won the Audience Award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival. Myrsini shares her beautiful journey from studying painting to discovering a fierce passion for the collaborative, magical world of filmmaking. What does it take to make a film that goes all the way to the Sundance Film Festival and walks away with the Audience Award? The Hold Onto Me Film is a tender, emotionally complex father-daughter story centred on an 11-year-old girl named Iris, exploring reconnection with her Father, forgiveness, and human connection. Myrsini is the ultimate role model for resilience. She shares her beautifully grounded approach to handling rejection, why success is about personal growth and integrity rather than shiny trophies, and why every aspiring creator needs to start small, trust their voice, and fiercely believe in their vision. "I absolutely loved listening to this deeply beautiful, human-centred visionary who dreams up stories she feels viscerally need to be told. I am so incredibly excited to watch her journey unfold, and I just know that big things will keep happening for her." — Stephanie Ferrario Learn more about the film and support Myrsini's work: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myrsiniaristidou/?hl=en #WECAN #MyrsiniAristidou #HoldOnto Me #SundanceFilmFestival #IndependentFilm #WomenInFilm #FilmmakingTips #DirectorInterview #FollowYourPassion #Mentorship ________________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c Your Story Matters! You Matter! Role Models Matter! Lead By Example To Support Others! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 min

  7. Jun 9

    Sue Gilad: WECAN Bring the Magic of Broadway to the World

    Sue brings extraordinary stories to life on the world’s greatest stages, showing us exactly how she turned her childhood love for the stage and the theatre into a phenomenal career, bringing Broadway to the world. From her early days as a passionate theatre kid to producing massive Broadway hits like Moulin Rouge!, The Outsiders, and the highly anticipated upcoming production of Prince’s Purple Rain, Sue shares the raw, inspiring truth about her journey. She breaks down the gruelling 8-to-10 year timeline required to develop a musical from initial concept to opening night and opens up about how she navigates an industry where 80% of shows face commercial failure. Beyond the box office, Sue is deeply passionate about using theatre as a transformative art form to foster empathy, creativity, and community. She discusses her incredible philanthropic work with Broadway Cares and Broadway for Arts Education, as well as the Stay Gold Project, which provides free Broadway access to New York City public school students who lack art funding. Whether you are an aspiring performer, a future producer, an entrepreneur, or a theatre lover, Sue’s lessons on mentorship, handling rejection, building complementary partnerships (like her work with Larry Rogowski), and staying true to your artistic vision will leave you inspired. Thank you, Sue, for reminding us to follow our passion, embrace collaboration, and never let a "no" stop us from creating something extraordinary. Warning: Watching this will make you want to book tickets to a Broadway show immediately! 😊 If this conversation lit a spark in you, please LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to join the WECAN community! Tell us in the comments: What show are you booking tickets for next? Connect with Sue and see her past productions: Website: https://suegilad.com/ #WECAN #SueGilad #BroadwayProducer #TheOutsidersMusical #MoulinRouge #PurpleRain #Inspiration #ArtsEducation #WomenInBusiness #Mentorship #FollowYourPassion _______________________________________________________________________ For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to us @Wecan.Shecan 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with role models! 👉 Connect with us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecan.shecan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecan-world/ Substack: https://shecan.substack.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MAiuylxS5AhxCSQcm8cax?si=003fe73047cd465c Your Story Matters! You Matter! Role Models Matter! Lead By Example To Support Others! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min

  8. Jun 8

    Role Models We Celebrate, Who Show Us What Is Possible

    I want to honour and celebrate Shannon Watts today, our WECAN Role model and truly inspiring mentor who wrote “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age” -get the book, it’s a real guide to starting new ventures. She founded Moms Demand Action. She now mentors people, writes an insightful and well-written Substack, “Playing with Fire, her latest one, explains how staying small has a cost and what that cost is. What are you waiting for to do what you want with your life?” My two role models of this week are an absolute must-watch or listen: Watch on YouTube and Substack or listen on Podcast; Danielle Crittenden: In this deeply moving episode, Danielle Crittenden, author and journalist, discusses her raw and profound journey of losing a child, grief, and her memoir, "Dispatches from Grief: A Mother's Journey Through the Unthinkable." Danielle is leading with light for anyone navigating life's darkest moments: surviving child loss, grief, mothering, and raw humanity. Her story completely shatters the uncomfortable silence around parental loss. Danielle opens up about why traditional grief advice fails, the reality of managing trauma through EMDR therapy, and the intense strain child loss puts on marriages and families. She leaves us with profound hope, reminding us that even in our darkest hours, we are never truly alone. brings ultimate hope to families facing the unimaginable. I am so deeply thankful to Danielle for her story and embrace her and her family in the best way I know how - by spreading her story as far and wide as I can, to help others! God, I am thankful for Danielle’s honesty. I feel safer in this world knowing she is leading with her story and vulnerability, and I cried after our interview as we mothers grieve alongside her for all the mothers and families who have lost children. Dr Markos Kounalakis: Award-winning foreign affairs columnist, Stanford University visiting professor, Hoover Institution fellow, author of "Freedom Isn't The Price of World Order", and the first-ever Second Gentleman of California to talk about Geopolitics, AI and, of course, his story and how he got to where he is today. His journey would take him from California classrooms to some of the most significant moments in modern history, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Romanian Revolution, and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Dr Markos Kounalakis is the ultimate role model for the next generation, leading with decades of observing global change, teaching future leaders, and supporting his wife, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, in her campaign for California State Treasurer. He reminds us of what's possible when we choose to live with deep purpose and raw humanity. He leads with profound knowledge and a spirit of true servitude, showing each of us how we can find meaningful ways to impact our own lives and the lives of those around us. We are so honoured to have Dr. Markos Kounalakis and grateful for his leadership. Your Story Matters! You Matter! Role Models Matter! Lead By Example To Support Others! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    4 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Follow us. Review us. Connect with us every Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday. Welcome to the WECAN Podcast, your peer- to -peer mentoring companion. Here, inspiring role models share their journeys and insights to guide and advise you. Nobody needs to do life alone and we learn so much from each other. Join us every week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, where we feature 3 incredible mentors who inspire and guide you. Sit back, relax, and absorb the wisdom. We're thrilled to have you with us! Let us know what or who inspires you the most. IT COULD NOT BE MORE IMPORTANT TO SHOW GOOD LEADERSHIP RIGHT NOW! WECAN is here to showcase good leadership, values-driven people, businesses, and ventures, as well as human decency, kindness, and connection. Our human stories will catapult you forward; they show what is possible and how to get there from people from all walks of life. YOU CAN BE WHAT YOU CAN SEE. Your voice matters. Your experiences matter. Together, we’re showing how each one of us can lead, so get inspired and guided. Take what you need for your journey. This is for you. 👉 Stay connected and don’t miss our weekly profiles, news, and shoutouts—sign up for our Substack newsletter today! 👉 Sign up to our Substack for weekly profiles, news, and shout-outs: https://substack.com/@shecan Join us as we build this leading by example movement, which each one of us can do. I am Stephanie Ferrario, the founder of WECAN and host of this show. #shecan #shecanwomen #shecanmedia #rolemodels #inspiration #motivation #guidance #advice #tips #careeradvice #showingwhatispossible #leadbyexample #wecan #goodleadership #values #valuedriven #mentoring Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Stephanie Ferrario
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    164
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Stephanie Ferrario
  • Show Website
    The WECAN Podcast