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Welcome to Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy, a podcast that explores stories of life and leadership from extraordinary women and men who are making a difference and shaping a better world. Each episode features powerful conversations filled with personal stories, insights, and advice that inspire listeners to break barriers and unlock new opportunities.
The global pandemic gave us all a moment to pause, reflect, and focus on what truly matters. On a recent episode, Michele Weldon—award-winning author, journalist, and advocate—shared her profound reflections on resilience, intentionality, and redefining priorities in the face of challenging times. Drawing from her latest book, The Time We Have – Essays on Pandemic Living, Michele offered heartfelt guidance for moving forward with purpose, creating a meaningful life, and prioritizing what truly counts. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation—subscribe, rate, and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app today!
Show Notes:
Throughout the episode, Michele Weldon opens up about her experiences navigating the pandemic, from moments of grief to sources of hope, all of which inspired her latest book. She reflects on the importance of living with intention, shedding toxicity, and appreciating the gift of time—lessons that resonate now more than ever. Michele also speaks passionately about women’s empowerment, touching on the unique burdens women faced during the pandemic and the enduring strength they’ve demonstrated. Her stories and insights inspire us to examine our own lives, rethink our priorities, and find the courage to lead with resilience.
About Michele:
Michele Weldon is an award-winning author, journalist, and advocate with over four decades in global journalism. She serves as editorial director of Take The Lead Women and as a senior leader with The OpEd Project, leading initiatives worldwide since 2011. A former Northwestern University journalism faculty member for 18 years, she has mentored countless storytellers.
Michele’s writing has appeared in renowned outlets like The New York Times, Washington Post, TIME, CNN, and Forbes. Her acclaimed books include Escape Points, Act Like You’re Having a Good Time (2021 Independent Publishers Award winner), and her latest release, The Time We Have – Essays on Pandemic Living, a deeply moving exploration of resilience and purpose after the pandemic.
A celebrated voice in empowerment and storytelling, Michele continues to inspire global audiences with her unflinching honesty and passion for sparking change through writing and leadership.
Episode Timestamp:
[00:00:00] Dr. Nancy introduces Michele Weldon, summarizing her career as an award-winning author, journalist, TEDx speaker, and advocate for gender equity. The conversation previews Michele’s thoughts on post-pandemic life and her new book, The Time We Have – Essays on Pandemic Living.
[00:03:13] Michele discusses impostor syndrome and the challenges women face in comparison culture. She reflects on her upbringing as the youngest of six and her early beginnings in writing.
[00:04:03] Michele recalls founding her first newspaper at age 10, her love for storytelling, and how it led to a lifelong career in journalism.
[00:07:00] Dr. Nancy and Michele explore personal growth during the pandemic, and Michele shares her views on reevaluating priorities, cherishing relationships, and eliminating toxic influences to lead a more meaningful life.
[00:12:49] Michele speaks about the loss of longtime friends who firmly believed that COVID was a hoax.
[00:14:00] Michele highlights the rampant spread of disinformation during the pandemic and its real-life consequences. She reflects on the inequities of life’s value and her life-changing experience in the ICU.
[00:16:30] Dr. Nancy agrees and relates family members who believed it was a hoax amidst lives of relatives lost and the life lessons learned during COVID.
[00:18:00] Michele shares feedback from readers about her new book, The Time We Have – Essays on Pandemic Living, how it’s organized by themes, and about other experiences, like the loss of her brother to cancer, unrelated to the pandemic.
[00:22:00] The conversation turns to inequity and how women were disproportionately affected by the pandemic, from job losses to caregiving responsibilities. Michele stresses the importance of advocating for gender equity and supporting women entrepreneurs.
[00:24:30] Dr. Nancy talks about how women want to be hopeful today, but there are still more lessons to be learned.
[00:26:00] Michele and Dr. Nancy talk about Take The Lead’s 10th anniversary and the power of women coming together. They discuss the value of using collective voices to address societal challenges and build solutions.
[00:28:20] They share details on where to find Michele’s book, The Time We Have – Essays on Pandemic Living, and urge readers to give feedback.
[00:29:14] Michele underscores the importance of living with intention, finding purpose beyond oneself, fostering empathy for others, and valuing life. She connects these lessons to seizing life’s precious moments.
[00:30:26] Dr. Nancy and Michele wrap up by celebrating the resilience of women and encouraging listeners to live purposeful, empowered lives.