Uncharted Journey
by Cathy McKnight
Life is an adventure filled with great stories. This podcast captures and shares the adventures of amazing women, their careers, their success, and the secrets they learned along the way.
Podcast episodes
Season 4
Episode 84 – Leslie Greenwood, Community Connector
Leslie Greenwood is a true force in the realm of community building and engagement. As the founder of Chief Evangelist Consulting and cofounder of Wednesday Women, she is known for her ability to craft innovative strategies for both formal and informal communities while bypassing the constraints of traditional structures. With more than 20 years of leadership in customer-facing roles, Leslie has mastered the art of community engagement. She always puts members first and proves that true connection is the heart of any thriving community. Her passion project, Wednesday Women, is dedicated to uplifting women leaders and entrepreneurs, fostering meaningful relationships, and celebrating their successes. Leslie's superpower lies in her ability to unite people through the power of evangelism, personal connections, and shared values. She consistently demonstrates that the "sticky glue" of genuine, value-driven engagement is what makes communities flourish. She has deep and valuable insights on how to create vibrant, connected communities without being bound by conventional methods. When she's not busy transforming communities, Leslie enjoys coffee, good chocolate, and advocating for diversity in tech—while wishing her dogs would be just a bit quieter. Leslie Greenwood on LinkedIn Wednesday Women on LI Wednesday Women website Listen to the full-length outro piece: Hollie Greenwood, CCÉ, Irish Traditions, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, plays a Reel – “Jenny’s Welcome to Charlie” More music from Hollie Greenwood on YouTube
Episode 83 - Ina Hadshiew, Serendipity Embracer
Dr. Ina Hadsciew is a seasoned dermatologist with an impressive career spanning over 30 years. Dr. Hadsciew's journey is anything but ordinary—she almost became a professional swimmer, but a pivotal conversation with her father led her to pursue medicine instead. Growing up in West Germany after her family fled East Berlin, she was deeply influenced by her strong and supportive parents and her grandmother, a professor of architecture. This early foundation instilled in her the belief that she could achieve anything, a mindset that has driven her remarkable career. Dr. Hadsciew's path has taken her from high school in the U.S. to challenging medical work in South Africa and ultimately to her current role in dermatology, where she blends cutting-edge research with compassionate patient care. Along the way, she’s faced difficult choices, like deciding to transition from oncology to dermatology, and she’s embraced every experience with curiosity, gratitude, and a commitment to kindness. But Dr. Hadsciew isn’t just about medicine—she’s a passionate traveler, a budding pianist, and dreams of one day exhibiting her black-and-white photography. She knows firsthand the impact of mentoring and carries it forward. and also deeply believes in the power of serendipity. Her best advice is to live life to the fullest and learn to balance a fulfilling professional life with personal passions. early on. And remember that with the right mindset, anything is possible. Dr. Ina Hadshiew on LinkedIn
Episode 82 - Meryl Evans, Accessibility Champion
Meryl Evans was born profoundly deaf, but that has never slowed her down or stopped her from making an impact as a renowned speaker, trainer, author, and accessibility consultant. A true champion of accessibility and inclusion, she is helping push progress in accessibility in education, marketing, advocacy, and product development. Meryl’s expertise helps organizations navigate the complexities of diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring they reach wider audiences, boost engagement, and foster a sense of belonging for everyone. Her dedication extends beyond her professional work—she’s a passionate volunteer and board member, recognized as one of the 50 Leading Women by the Plano Chamber of Commerce and honored by the North Texas Disability Chamber with an award named after her. As a sought-after speaker, Meryl has graced stages at LinkedIn, TEDx, and South by Southwest, and her insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Morning Brew, AdWeek, AdAge, and The Dallas Morning News. When she’s not advocating for accessibility, this proud Texan might be found immersed in a crochet project or rehearsing for a community theatre show.
Episode 81 – Kate Ertmann, Logic Driven Communicator
Kate Ertmann effortlessly moves between the worlds of business, math, and community service. Her expertise in Organizational Design is all about finding the sweet spot between humans and financials, helping companies and their teams thrive in the fast-paced 21st-century workplace. Kate’s Entrepreneurial journey began with Animation Dynamics, a 3D animation studio she led to success and sale in 2014. Firmly committed to building and being a part of communities, she holds board positions at Bradley Angle and Bitch Media, and she also served as President of the Rotary Club of Portland. In 2022, she launched "Kate Loves Math," a blog that demystifies math and offers practical insights. She’s also on the editorial board for the Mathematical Association of America's Math Values blog, bridging the gap between academics and non-academic types. Before her current roles, she had a vibrant career in entertainment, from acting in New York City to producing films and commercials. Her transition to 3D animation married her love for math and science with her creative skills. Today, Kate focuses on creating efficient operational structures that balance the well-being of companies and their people. Her mathematical approach to systems thinking and her dedication to community service make her a truly unique and inspiring figure. Driven to understand, her best advice is to “never leave the room without asking every question you have; that way, you and others have the answers you need. Kate Loves Math Kate on LinkedIn Kate Loves Math on Threads Kate Loves Math Instagram PJ Harvey's Man-Size video
Episode 80 – Nicki Traikos, Curious Creative Entrepreneur
Nicki Traikos is an inspiring, creative entrepreneur who has pursued her dreams and made a positive impact along the way. From a young age, Nicki had a deep desire to create beauty through art, but she allowed self-doubt and intimidation to hold her back. Everything changed when she turned 40. Finally, allowing herself to embrace her true calling as an artist, and she went all in on her curiosity-driven creative journey founding Life I Design, a platform that allowed her to fully dedicate herself to her passion for art and making while building a sustainable business. Nicki's approach to art is centered around making it accessible to all. Through her popular online classes titled "Watercolors Made Simple" and her recently published book of the same name, she invites artists of all skill levels to explore their creativity with freedom and joy. Her philosophy is straightforward but powerful: have the courage to try new things and find joy in the process of exploration. In addition to her artistic endeavors, Nicki is a firm believer in finding beauty in everyday objects. She encourages all of us to appreciate the world around us in a deeper way and find uplifting moments in our lives. As a mother to two grown children who are also pursuing creative paths, Nicki finds inspiration in watching them flourish and grow. When she's not creating beautiful artwork or teaching, she loves to travel and photograph new places, capturing moments that inspire her paintings, classes, and books. She embodies her advice of “find room to follow passion so that you can be your true self”. Life I Design Website Nicki on Instagram Nick on TikTok Nicki on LinkedIn Pinterest Life I Design Youtube channel Check out Nicki’s Books Join Nicki on her Water Colour Retreat in France