She Talks Tech

Hlulani

Welcome to our podcast, where we profile women in technology and STEM careers. Our aim is to elevate and amplify their stories, and inspire more women to join these fields. Through in-depth interviews with successful women in technology and STEM, we explore their career paths, challenges, successes, and advice for aspiring professionals. Join us as we celebrate the achievements of women in technology and STEM and discover the diverse and exciting opportunities available in these fields. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 57- Becoming the Woman She Needed: Matshidiso Tladi’s Rise From Uncertainty to Principal Architect

    11/26/2025

    57- Becoming the Woman She Needed: Matshidiso Tladi’s Rise From Uncertainty to Principal Architect

    In this episode, I sit down with my former classmate Matshidiso Tladi, now a Principal Technical Solution Architect, to retrace her journey from uncertainty after matric to leading high-stakes technology teams. She opens up about quitting nursing after a month, dropping psychology, and spending years feeling lost before a learnership finally introduced her to tech. From hardware support to software development, consulting, banking and now architecture, her story is one of courage, curiosity and choosing purpose even when the path felt unclear. We talk about imposter syndrome, being a highly technical Black woman in male-dominated rooms, the constant pressure to prove yourself, and how she anchors herself through competence, consistency and giving herself grace. She also shares the toughest chapter in her career, the moment she knew she truly belonged in tech, and what keeps her grounded today. We close the episode with a beautiful letter she reads to her 10-year-old self… a reminder that you don’t need to have everything figured out to build a meaningful and impactful life. What We CoverHow she discovered tech after years of uncertaintyMoving from hardware to software and finding her passionConsulting, banking and navigating high-pressure technology environmentsTransitioning into architecture and leading technical teamsManaging imposter syndrome and documenting her achievementsBeing a woman of color in technical leadership spacesHer advice for young women entering techThe emotional letter to her younger self Also follow us on instagram @she_talks_tech_podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 4m
  2. 54 - From silence to satellites: reclaiming my place in tech - Cécile Deprez

    10/08/2025

    54 - From silence to satellites: reclaiming my place in tech - Cécile Deprez

    Episode Summary What does it mean to grow up in a world that told you who you should be — and then choose to become yourself anyway? In this episode, Hlulani sits down with Cécile Deprez, a scientific researcher at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) working on Europe’s next-generation satellite systems. Cécile shares their journey from a childhood shaped by gender expectations in Belgium to a career designing the future of space navigation. They talk about breaking free from patriarchal norms, navigating queerness and neurodivergence in STEM, and finding belonging in spaces that weren’t built for them. This conversation is tender, honest, and deeply human — a reminder that self-acceptance can be the most radical act of all. 🪐 In this episode✅ Growing up under rigid gender expectations ✅ Finding the courage to study science despite fear ✅ From geomatics to Galileo: how satellite systems shape our world ✅ Why Cécile left their PhD to protect their mental health ✅ Building inclusive workplaces and Employee Resource Groups that truly support people ✅ Challenging the “colonizing space” narrative and re-imagining exploration ✅ What real diversity and belonging look like in tech Memorable quote“Belonging is not a slogan. It’s a practice.” — Cécile DeprezConnectListen now on your favorite podcast platform. Follow Cécile on LinkedIn to learn more about their work. 💡 Follow us on Instagram @she_talks_tech_podcast for more stories that elevate women and gender-diverse voices in tech. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 9m
  3. 51 - You Are Not Too Much: Jessica Brieger on Neurodiversity, ESG, and Turning Curiosity Into Superpower

    08/20/2025

    51 - You Are Not Too Much: Jessica Brieger on Neurodiversity, ESG, and Turning Curiosity Into Superpower

    In this episode of She Talks Tech, I sit down with Jessica Brieger, a bold voice in ESG, social impact, and AI. Jessica’s journey is anything but linear. From her early love of biology to a career spanning automotive, mining, sustainability, and advocacy for neurodiversity, she has embraced curiosity as her compass. We talk about what it means to grow up different, to discover her autism later in life, and to navigate spaces that were not always built with inclusion in mind. Jessica opens up about the role her mother played in shaping her love for tech, her winding path across industries, and why she believes being “too much” is actually a superpower. What we cover in this episode: ✅ Jessica’s childhood in Germany and her early curiosity for science ✅ Lessons from her mother, a self-made CEO and constant source of inspiration ✅ How she discovered her neurodivergence and what neuro-inclusive workplaces should look like ✅ The beauty of being a “scanner personality” and refusing to live a linear career path ✅ Building impact across sustainability, diversity, and ESG ✅ Why AI excites her and the importance of tackling bias in technology ✅ Her letter to her younger self and the reminder that you are never “too much” Jessica’s story is a reminder that difference is strength, and that our curiosity and uniqueness can shape not just careers but entire industries. 🎧 Listen now and be inspired by Jessica’s journey. Also follow us on instagram @she_talks_tech_podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

About

Welcome to our podcast, where we profile women in technology and STEM careers. Our aim is to elevate and amplify their stories, and inspire more women to join these fields. Through in-depth interviews with successful women in technology and STEM, we explore their career paths, challenges, successes, and advice for aspiring professionals. Join us as we celebrate the achievements of women in technology and STEM and discover the diverse and exciting opportunities available in these fields. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.