8 Powerful Leaders Discuss the Future of Women, Womanhood & Going Further

Written by Joce Blake

The Women of Denver Podcast has interviewed eight badass women over the past few months. Here's an overview of the biggest lessons I learned interviewing each woman and why you should go back to hear these stories.

Lieutenant Governor Donna Lynne
Service - Donna Lynne talked about her dedication to helping others. She learned this from her family and it fueled her passion to fight for justice.
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Melanie Ulle and Virginia Santy, co-founders of Women in Kind
Difference isn’t deficiency. - These WinK founders highlighted the value in difference and how it makes workplaces more successful.
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Jordan Casteel, Painter and Assistant Professor
Being a voice to the voiceless. - Jordan watched her mother, Lauren Casteel, hold and create space for community and justice. Her ancestry energized her to marry her message with her art to create timeless paintings.
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Gail Lindley, CEO of the Denver Bookbinding company
Perseverance - Gail faced many challenges as a womanpreneur but yet she persisted. She always showed up for the race even when she was out of her league.
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Vanessa Longseth, founder of Adventure Generations
Adventure - This theme has been a driving force in Vanessa’s life for years. It has helped her find a lesson in every experience. 
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Colorado Senator, MD, and mother of 3, Irene Aguilar
Selfish vs Self-full - There is power in being fulfilled without feeling like you aren’t meeting others expectations. Irene spoke passionately about being intentional and careful about what’s best for you. It made me think of Iyanla Vanzant’s quote, “My cup runneth over.’ What comes out of the cup is for y’all. What’s in the cup is mine. But I’ve got to keep my cup full.”
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Makisha Boothe, Founder of Sistahpreneurs“Queen of the Quickstart”
Grace will take you places hustling can’t - Growing up in Harlem, Makisha was surrounded by hustlers but she found that softening up was the key to extending compassion. Through her view of success, she found unshakable faith and learned the meaning of perseverance. “Your past prepares you for your purpose,” Booth said.
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Julie Larkin
Take space for yourself - My co-host taught me the most throughout this journey of season two. She taught me the vast importance of slowing down to speed up. As women, we want to take on everything but there’s power in “no.” I have to take care of me because if I don’t, I can’t create and be my best self to live my best life.
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