She Lights the Way

Nicole Huesman
  • 5.0 (1)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

She Lights the Way is an empowering collection of stories about remarkable, unsung women who are impacting our world in meaningful ways as they navigate personal and career obstacles, and in turn, blaze a trail of inspiration for others.

  1. 06/04/2025

    The Reluctant Leader, with Shuah Khan

    Open source software is the invisible engine of today’s world, and few people understand that better than Linux Fellow—Shuah Khan. She explains how this community-built code empowers everyone from Hollywood studios to a cobbler on an Indian beach running a business from an Android phone, illustrating its profound human impact. But the conversation goes far deeper than code. A self-described “reluctant leader,” Shuah shares the curiosity-driven mindset that keeps her “in perpetual learning,” her conviction that mentorship can literally change lives, and how she has helped newcomers land dream roles through programs she leads at the Linux Foundation. She unpacks why diversity of thought—not just gender or geography—makes the kernel stronger for billions of users, and reveals why real success is working herself out of a job: stepping in where there’s a gap, building community infrastructure, then leaving it able to thrive without her.  Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more empowering stories from remarkable women. Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more. TRANSCRIPT: https://www.shelightstheway.com/shuahkhan-interview-transcript  EPISODE LINKS: Shuah’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shuah-khan/ Shuah on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuah_Khan Shuah’s Blog: https://shuahkathamanjari.ghost.io/  Linux Foundation Mentorship: https://www.linuxfoundation.org/research/mentorship-in-open-source KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 Welcome & introduction 02:00 Open source powers our everyday lives 05:00 The long road to Linux Fellow 08:00 Collaboration over competition 10:00 Mentoring the next generation 12:00 Curiosity & perpetual learning 18:00 Why diverse life experiences make better code & communities 20:00 Stepping up when a gap appears, then inviting everyone in 22:00 Working yourself out of a job & passing the torch 24:00 Thriving in male-dominated spaces by flipping the label 28:00 Legacy writing & cultural roots 30:00 Grandfather’s library & a lifelong love of history 33:00 A jogging uncle’s lesson 35:00 Life’s sweet-bitter-sour chutney 37:00 Champions who challenge 39:00 Redefining success 41:00 Shuah’s advice for others 42:00 What She Lights the Way means to Sharissa FOLLOW: Website: shelightstheway.com/ Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/  STORIES: https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories PODCAST: Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/ RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS  Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0  Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N  Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m  BLOG: https://shelightstheway.substack.com/ CONNECT: Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story

    45 min

  2. 05/21/2025

    Bridging Cultures & Creating Magic, with Sharissa Holopainen

    Finnish-American production manager Sharissa Holopainen gives us an exclusive look into the dynamic, cross-cultural world of film production, describing it as a living puzzle. A short film assignment opened the door to her lifelong passion for storytelling behind the camera after she dropped out of a business program that didn’t feel right and realized acting wasn’t her true calling. Raised between Finland and California, Sharissa once resisted her cultural heritage until she realized it gave her an edge. Today, she thrives at the intersection of international co-productions, helping teams navigate the unspoken cultural nuances that can make or break a shoot. Her ability to foster communication and trust across borders has become her superpower. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more empowering stories from remarkable women. Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more. TRANSCRIPT: https://www.shelightstheway.com/sharissa-holopainen-interview-transcript  EPISODE LINKS: Sharissa’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharissa-holopainen-258401190/ Summer Book: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26940053/  KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 Welcome & introduction 01:00 The creative puzzle of film production 02:00 From business school dropout to storyteller and bridge builder 04:00 Discovering a passion for producing 05:00 Finding her fit at U.C. Irvine 06:00 Pandemic pivot to Finland 08:00 Embracing her identity and unique path 10:00 The power of co-productions 13:00 Communication styles across cultures 15:00 Film projects that changed Sharissa’s life 18:00 The wild beauty of island filmmaking 20:00 Lessons in the journey 21:00 What She Lights the Way means to Sharissa FOLLOW: Website: shelightstheway.com/ Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/  STORIES: https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories PODCAST: Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/ RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS  Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0  Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N  Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m  BLOG: https://shelightstheway.substack.com/ CONNECT: Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story

    24 min

  3. 05/07/2025

    Beyond the White Coat, with Dr. Frances Mei Hardin

    In this bold and deeply authentic conversation, Dr. Frances Mei Hardin shares her journey from teenage prodigy to rural ENT surgeon and cofounder of the Hippocratic Collective—as she reflects on how surviving the culture of surgical training shaped her mission to transform medicine from the inside out. She speaks candidly about physician burnout, mental health, toxic workplace norms, and why success without authenticity is a hollow pursuit. With unflinching honesty and infectious purpose, Frances Mei lights the way toward a more human, compassionate future in medicine. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more empowering stories from remarkable women. Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more. TRANSCRIPT: https://www.shelightstheway.com/francesmeihardin-interview-transcript  EPISODE LINKS: https://francesmei.com/ https://rethinkingresidency.com/ https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/frances-mei-hardin-md-aab8b6297/  https://www.instagram.com/francesmei.md/ KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 Welcome & introduction 02:00 STEM passion, skipping grades, and showing up at Notre Dame at 16 04:00 How she "compromised" between graphic design and medicine—by becoming a surgeon 05:00 Picking a specialty: the honest (and funny) advice that guided her to ENT 06:00 Working in a male-dominated field: bias, microaggressions, and being “Dr. Frances” 07:00 The seedy underbelly of medicine: what patients don’t see about doctor wellness 09:00 Why pretending doctors are perfect does real harm to the profession 11:00 Founding Rethinking Residency to offer honest resources for future doctors 13:00 “I almost lost my life”: sharing her mental health journey during residency 15:00 Why the “rockstar a*****e” surgeon trope needs to die—and how toxic culture hurts patients. 17:00 Civility in medicine: how professionalism helps everyone, especially the patient 20:00 Why she focuses on helping the target of abuse, not fixing the bully 24:00 Writing her memoir, Surgeon on the Edge, as an act of healing and truth-telling 28:00 How doctors are trained to equate self-worth with accolades—and how that must change 31:00 Redefining success: from prestige to peace, authenticity, and health 33:00 Her advice to younger women: Know yourself. Build identity outside the system. 35:00 What She Lights the Way means to her: courage is contagious. 36:00 Closing quote: “When you start asking for a bigger life, you cannot keep begging for a smaller one to stay.” – Brianna Wiest FOLLOW: Website: shelightstheway.com/ Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/  STORIES: https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories PODCAST: Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/ RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS  Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0  Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N  Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m  BLOG: https://medium.com/@she_lights_the_way https://shelightstheway.substack.com/ CONNECT: Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story

    40 min

  4. 04/17/2025

    The Beautiful Chameleon, with Naomi Ceder

    Naomi Ceder—educator, author, and former chair of the Python Software Foundation—shares her raw, powerful journey of becoming. From hiding her identity for decades to leading one of the world’s most influential tech communities, Naomi rewrites the rules on resilience, authenticity, and inclusion. She shares candid insights on Imposter Syndrome—rooted in her lived experience as a trans woman—and why owning your truth is the most powerful antidote. Naomi opens up about transitioning in midlife and why she stopped waiting for permission to be herself. Along the way, she challenges how we teach, why representation matters, and how real change is built. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong, this conversation is your reminder: you do. Listen in and get inspired to lead with truth, build with purpose, and never shrink who you are. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more empowering stories from remarkable women. Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more. TRANSCRIPT: https://www.shelightstheway.com/naomi-ceder-interview-transcript STORY: https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories/naomiceder FOLLOW: Website: shelightstheway.com/ Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/  X: x.com/she_lights_way LISTEN TO THE POD: Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/ RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS  Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0  Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N  Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m  READ THE BLOG: https://medium.com/@she_lights_the_way https://shelightstheway.substack.com/ CONNECT: Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story  EPISODE LINKS: Naomi’s Website: https://www.naomiceder.tech/ Naomi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomiceder/  Naomi’s BlueSky: @naomiceder.bsky.social  The Quick Python Book: https://www.manning.com/books/the-quick-python-book-fourth-edition Trans*Code: https://www.trans.tech/ The Hatchery: https://us.pycon.org/2024/events/hatchery/index.html Friendly Guides Series:https://www.springer.com/series/17128 KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 A powerful reframe of Imposter Syndrome 02:00 Introductions 03:00 Helping make tech approachable 04:00 Naomi’s discovery of constructivist, student-driven learning 07:00 Why real motivation matters in education 09:00 A pivotal moment with Guido van Rossum  11:00 Early days of PyCon 12:00 Naomi’s role in the evolution of the Python community 14:00 Giving quieter or newer contributors a space to shine 15:00 A deeply personal turning point 17:00 Building spaces for diverse voices in tech 21:00 The birth of TransCode 23:00 How TransCode events became transformative experiences 24:00 Reflecting on the honor of serving as PSF chair 25:00 Naomi’s biggest challenges & greatest lessons learned 27:00 Value of perseverance in hard transitions 28:00 Naomi’s decision to live authentically as a trans woman 30:00 Healing from internalized misogyny and transphobia 32:00 Naomi’s antidote to Imposter Syndrome 36:00 What gives Naomi hope 38:00 Choosing listening over labeling 39:00 What She Lights the Way means to Naomi 40:00 Closing *Correction: At 10:00, Naomi mentions Linux World 2021, where she intended to say Linux World 2001.

    41 min

  5. 03/12/2025

    Discovering Your Superpower, with Melissa Austin

    Melissa Austin has spent her career opening doors in the gaming industry—not just as a technical artist and leader but as a force multiplier for others. In this conversation, she shares how mentorship, representation, and a deep passion for helping others have shaped her journey. From her early days in game development to leading a team at Niantic, Melissa opens up about the pivotal moments, the challenges of a male-dominated industry, and why empowering others is the ultimate superpower. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more empowering stories from remarkable women. Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more. TRANSCRIPT: https://www.shelightstheway.com/melissaaustin-interview-transcript EPISODE LINKS: Melissa’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-a-austin/ KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 Introduction 01:20 Melissa’s journey as a first-generation, mixed-race woman in gaming  04:15 How Melissa’s passion for helping people shaped her path in technical art 07:45 The key turning points that defined Melissa’s career 12:30 The challenge of representation, and why visibility matters 16:10 Finding the right allies, even when female mentors were scarce 19:50 How Melissa transitioned from individual contributor to manager and lessons learned 24:05 Why advocating for her team’s needs has been Melissa’s most rewarding part of leadership 28:40 How going “off script” during a Girls Who Code event created an unforgettable impact 32:15 Melissa’s hopes for the gaming industry and how she’s shaping its evolution 36:40 What She Lights the Way means to Melissa 38:30 Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up FOLLOW: Website: shelightstheway.com/ Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/  STORIES: https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories PODCAST: Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/ RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS  Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0  Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N  Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m  BLOG: https://medium.com/@she_lights_the_way https://shelightstheway.substack.com/ CONNECT: Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story

    33 min

  6. 02/26/2025

    Broken Dreams, New Beginnings with Bevin Victoria

    Bevin Victoria’s journey is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. Once a gymnast chasing Olympic dreams, a devastating injury forced her to pivot, fueling a lifelong passion for the arts. Later, she confronted the harsh realities of pursuing acting and chose to rewrite her story, creating roles for herself and forging opportunities in spaces where she often stood alone. Her raw honesty about Imposter Syndrome and the power of showing up will inspire you to rethink what’s possible. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more empowering stories from remarkable women. Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more. TRANSCRIPT: https://www.shelightstheway.com/bevinvictoria-interview-transcript  EPISODE LINKS: Bevin’s Website: https://www.bevinvictoria.com/  Bevin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bevinvictoria/ KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 A Heartwarming Encounter 01:28 Introducing Bevin Victoria 02:43 Bevin's Multifaceted Career 04:18 Pivotal Moments and Challenges 07:43 The Power of Representation 15:26 Embracing Multicultural Identity 23:42 Resilience Through Adversity 26:13 Facing the Worst Possible Scenario 26:47 Navigating Life's Challenges 27:35 Rewriting Your Story 28:30 Embracing Authenticity 34:07 Defining Success on Your Terms 38:23 Advice to My Younger Self 41:18 What She Lights the Way Means to Bevin 43:01 Conclusion and Reflections FOLLOW: Website: shelightstheway.com/ Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/  STORIES: https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories PODCAST: Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/ RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS  Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0  Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N  Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m  BLOG: https://medium.com/@she_lights_the_way https://shelightstheway.substack.com/ CONNECT: Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story

    44 min

  7. 01/30/2025

    Embracing Your Messes, with Fran Wilde

    Fran Wilde, a two-time Nebula Award-winning author, self-proclaimed "battle poet" and teacher, takes us on a journey through her creative process. From embracing failure to finding the magic in messes, Fran shares how curiosity can be a transformative tool for growth. We dive into her upcoming novel, A Philosophy of Thieves, and explore profound questions about humanity, technology, and storytelling’s power to reshape lives. Whether you’re a writer, a dreamer, or simply someone navigating life’s twists and turns, Fran’s wisdom will leave you ready to embrace your creative messes. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more empowering stories from remarkable women. Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more. TRANSCRIPT: https://www.shelightstheway.com/franwilde-interview-transcript  STORY: https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories/penpornkoanantakool  FOLLOW: Website: shelightstheway.com/ Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/  X: x.com/she_lights_way LISTEN TO THE POD: Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/ RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS  Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0  Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N  Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m  READ THE BLOG: https://medium.com/@she_lights_the_way CONNECT: Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story  EPISODE LINKS: Fran’s Website: https://www.franwilde.net/about  Fran’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/franwilde  Fran’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fran_wilde/ Fran’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/franwildewrites/ Fran’s X: https://x.com/fran_wilde/ Fran on GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5214733.Fran_Wilde A Philosophy of Thieves excerpt: https://reactormag.com/erewhon-announcement-a-philosophy-of-thieves-by-fran-wilde/ KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 Introduction  01:30 Fran’s creative journey 07:00 The Power of Finishing 12:00 Embracing failure and iteration 15:00 The Magic of making messes 18:30 Preview of A Philosophy of Thieves 23:30 Intersection of technology and humanity 28:00 Storytelling as transformation 33:00 What ‘She Lights the Way’ means to Fran 35:00 Closing thoughts

    36 min

  8. 01/16/2025

    Bloom Where You’re Planted, with Sharon Davis

    Sharon Davis—former First Lady of California and lifelong advocate—shares her remarkable journey of public service, personal growth and unwavering commitment to making a difference. At 70, Sharon reflects on her decades of experience, offering timeless lessons on leadership, aging well, and thriving through life’s challenges. She reveals how her early career as a flight attendant taught her to master people skills, handle crises, and excel under pressure—qualities that shaped her future roles in politics and business. She emphasizes the lost art of listening as a transformative tool for bridging divides and fostering collaboration in today’s polarized world. From working across political divides to advocating for children’s health and literacy, Sharon’s experiences highlight the enduring value of perseverance, curiosity, and humility. Her mother-in-law’s mantra, “bloom where you’re planted,” encourages us all to thrive wherever life takes us and to bring our best selves to every opportunity.  Sharon’s stories of resilience, from weathering political storms to finding joy in everyday moments with family, remind us that even in life’s challenges, we can choose to rise above and move forward with grace. She also dives into the importance of health—physical, mental, and emotional—and how living intentionally creates a foundation for thriving in later years. This conversation is a celebration of resilience, connection, and making a difference. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, leadership lessons, or tips for living boldly, Sharon’s wisdom will leave you motivated to excel at every stage of life. Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more. TRANSCRIPT: https://www.shelightstheway.com/sharon-davis-transcript  STORY: https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories/sharondavis FOLLOW: Website: shelightstheway.com/ Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/  X: x.com/she_lights_way LISTEN TO THE POD: Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/ RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS  Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0  Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N  Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m  READ THE BLOG: https://medium.com/@she_lights_the_way CONNECT: Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story  EPISODE LINKS: First Ladies of California:  https://web.archive.org/web/20130122054052/http://firstladies.library.ca.gov/34-Davis.html  Sharon Davis on Wikipedia:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Davis  KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 Introductions & Opening Thoughts 02:00 Aging Gracefully 04:00 Early Career Lessons 06:00 Building Bridges in Leadership 10:00 Practical Solutions for a Better Future 15:00 A Family Foundation in Public Service 20:00 Children’s Education & Media Literacy 26:00 Advice for Future Generations 28:30 Resilience in Life’s Challenges 33:00 What ‘She Lights the Way’ Means to Sharon 34:30 Closing Remarks

    35 min
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About

She Lights the Way is an empowering collection of stories about remarkable, unsung women who are impacting our world in meaningful ways as they navigate personal and career obstacles, and in turn, blaze a trail of inspiration for others.

Information

  • Creator
    Nicole Huesman
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    She Lights the Way