Women Emerging Podcast

Women Emerging
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Women Emerging Podcast

Every week, we produce a new episode that explores women and leadership from a different perspective. In a series of lively, wide-ranging discussions, we talk to women all over the world who are dealing with tough leadership challenges in their daily lives. We find out the barriers they face and how they are overcoming them; they share their experiences, insights and advice. (the series also informs and illustrates the expedition while it is underway and gives updates on the members’ progress.) Episodes come out every Wednesday and once a month, we do a live q&a.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    158. Core and Flex CQ

    In this second episode of the Cultural Intelligence series, Julia Middleton, Mother of Practical CQ, founder of Women Emerging and the podcast host dives into the Core and Flex: a simple yet powerful way to understand how Cultural Intelligence works in practice. She explains why women with high Cultural Intelligence to have clarity on what is non-negotiable in their identity (Core) and where they can adapt and evolve (Flex) when crossing cultural boundaries.  "The stronger your core, the more people will trust you. And the more flexible your flex, the more people will trust you," said Julia.  Julia explains how finding the line between core and flex should keep moving as that is what helps in navigating different generations, sectors, beliefs, specialisms, aspirations and backgrounds while staying true to ourselves. Through personal stories she illustrates the risks of having either an overwhelming core with little adaptability or too much flexibility without a clear identity.  Listen to this episode to discover how understanding your Core and Flex can help you lead across cultures, build trust, and navigate complexity with confidence.

    31 min

  2. 19 MAR

    157. Why CQ

    In this first episode of the Cultural Intelligence series, Julia Middleton, Mother of Practical CQ, founder of Women Emerging and the podcast host, explains what Cultural Intelligence (CQ) means, why it is essential for leading today, and the foundational mindsets needed to develop it. CQ is often assumed to be just about geography, but as Julia explains, it goes far beyond that, spanning generations, sectors, beliefs, specialisms, backgrounds, and aspirations.  "The really big, complex problems that we dream of solving have no respect for boundaries. If we insist on staying within them, we have no hope of addressing these challenges. We must develop cultural intelligence to cross them," said Julia.  Julia unpacks four prerequisites for Cultural Intelligence - A deep interest in people, being genuinely curious about others; willingness to unpick personal biases and habits that hinder CQ; the stamina for an endless journey, knowing CQ is something we build over time; the courage to stand up to cultural intolerance when we see it.  Listen to this episode to learn why Cultural Intelligence is no longer optional while leading in a global world and how you can start building it.

    29 min

  3. 12 MAR

    156. The Secrets of Resilience Explored with Liz Bloomfield Part 2

    In the second part of the two-part episode on resilience, Julia and Liz Bloomfield move beyond defining resilience to explore practical, everyday strategies for building and sustaining it. Liz highlights how resilience is about preparation, intentional habits, and the power of community in overcoming challenges.  "Resilience really lies within teams and communities. The danger is that when we feel under pressure, our instinct is to withdraw. But the more we isolate ourselves, the harder it becomes to sustain resilience in the long run," said Liz.  Liz and Julia discuss the two key pillars of resilience: stories and systems. How the narratives we tell ourselves shape our ability to bounce back, and how daily habits provide a foundation for long-term strength. Liz also shares micro-practices, from reframing overwhelming situations to grounding techniques that help reset and recharge.  Listen to this episode to learn how to reframe challenges, build sustainable habits, and take help from teams and communities to strengthen your resilience.  About the Guest:  Liz Bloomfield is committed to creating a more just world where everyone thrives. During her 25-year career as a British Army officer serving in Iraq, corporate executive, and humanitarian responder, Liz has worked with mission-driven leaders across the globe. She has experienced first-hand the positive outcomes when leaders invest in building their own resilience and mental fitness and support their teams in doing the same. She helps changemakers reconnect with their purpose, supercharge their energy, and increase their impact.

    29 min

  4. 5 MAR

    155. The Secrets of Resilience Explored with Liz Bloomfield Part 1

    In this first part of the two-part episode on resilience, Julia speaks with Liz Bloomfield, a mission-driven leader and former British Army officer, about what resilience means. Liz challenges the idea that resilience is simply about enduring hardship and instead explores how self-awareness, recovery, and adaptability shape a more sustainable approach to resilience.  "Resilience isn’t about being unbreakable. It’s about learning how to pause, process, and move forward with greater clarity," said Liz.  Liz and Julia discuss the importance of mental fitness, understanding personal triggers, and reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth. Liz also shares how leaders who prioritise their own resilience create stronger, more impactful teams.  Listen to this episode to challenge your understanding of resilience and explore how small, intentional choices can help you lead with renewed energy and purpose.  And stay tuned for Part 2, where Liz dives deeper into how resilience plays out in leadership, the role of identity and belonging, and the practical strategies she uses to help changemakers increase their impact without burning out.  About the Guest:  Liz Bloomfield is committed to creating a more just world where everyone thrives. During her 25-year career as a British Army officer serving in Iraq, corporate executive, and humanitarian responder, Liz has worked with mission-driven leaders across the globe. She has experienced first-hand the positive outcomes when leaders invest in building their own resilience and mental fitness and support their teams in doing the same. She helps changemakers reconnect with their purpose, supercharge their energy, and increase their impact.

    31 min

  5. 26 FEB

    154. Shurti and Myriem Reflect Back on Their Expedition

    In this episode, Julia speaks with Shurti Singh from India and Myriem Benkirane from Morocco, explorers from the first Women Emerging expedition for students in higher education, as they reflect on their expedition, an experience that reshaped their understanding of leading, identity, and personal growth.  Women Emerging runs group expeditions for women who want to find their own approach to leading. Over seven months, explorers commit five hours per month to immersing themselves in the experience; listening to audios, speaking with guides, engaging in deep self-reflection, and coming together for monthly calls to test, challenge, and grow alongside a diverse group of women. Shurti and Myriem share how this unique methodology pushed them beyond traditional leadership concepts, leading them to profound realisations about themselves, their strengths, and the elements shaping their leading.  "Essence is represented in both light and shadows before we lead, we must first accept both," said Shurti.  "Combining visibility and humility was something I had to work on. I used to think that being visible meant losing humility, but now I see that you can be both—and that being visible can create impact," shared Myriem.  Listen to this episode to step into the expedition with Shurti and Myriem and discover how confronting fears, letting go of expectations, and embracing your Essence can transform the way you lead.  About the Guests:   Myriem Benkirane is a solopreneur specializing in social media marketing, helping businesses and entrepreneurs with strong values create tailored strategies. Born and raised in Casablanca, Morocco, Myriem embraced personal growth after the loss of her dear father in 2017 and her beloved husband in 2021.    In 2022, at the age of 30, she returned to studying and is now an Executive Master participant at ESCA Ecole de Management, specializing in Digital Marketing. Passionate about leadership and communication, Myriem strives to set a positive example for her two children and aims to inspire others with her journey of resilience. She is also involved in various associations, including Women Emerging, TEDxESCA, Toastmasters, and Women in Business.  Shurti Singh is on a mission to reshape the future of leadership, one authentic conversation at a time. As an MBA student at Universal AI University, she has learned that true leadership flourishes when we embrace both our strengths and vulnerabilities. Through Women Emerging Expedition, she is building bridges between empathy and action, creating spaces where everyone's story matters and collective growth thrives.  Shurti believes in transforming challenges into steppingstones for success, because when we lead authentically, we inspire others to do the same. For her, leadership is about more than just personal growth, it’s about championing a way of leading that celebrates our whole selves and empowers others to find their voice and purpose.

    30 min

  6. 19 FEB

    153. Dr Mounia Amrani Navigates Hostile Environments In Medical Emergencies

    In this episode, Julia speaks with Dr. Mounia Amrani, a senior medical practitioner, about navigating extreme hostility in war zones and humanitarian crises. Mounia shares her journey of working in isolated conflict areas where violence, suffering, and loss are constant companions, and reflects on the emotional toll of operating in these high-pressure environments.  "In hostile environments, the rulebook helps you survive, but humanity is what helps you lead," said Mounia, highlighting the importance of balancing structure with empathy in crisis situations.  Mounia recounts the lessons she’s learned, from the early days of rigidly following protocols to realizing that true leadership requires authentic connection, even amidst chaos. She discusses how small, human gestures, like listening, asking questions, or even offering a hug can rebuild trust and resilience in the most challenging circumstances.  Listen to this episode to learn how compassion, awareness, and authenticity can transform not just leadership, but the lives of those you seek to help.  About the Guest:   Dr. Mounia Amrani, a medical doctor specialising in pediatrics, holds additional training in international health and tropical medicine from the Tropical Medicine Institute of Antwerp. Currently serving as a Regional Medical Team Leader with MSF Southern Africa, she offers support to operations across Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Mozambique. With over 15 years of experience in the medical humanitarian field, working closely with communities, she is deeply committed to providing access to care for marginalised populations. Originally from Morocco, Algeria, and Belgium, Mounia is now based in Johannesburg. As a mother of twins, she balances her professional life with her personal interests, including gardening and indulging in North African couscous.

    32 min

  7. 12 FEB

    152. Nora Madjar Navigates Hostile Environments in Higher Education

    In this episode, Julia speaks with Nora Madjar, a researcher and professor specialising in creativity, negotiation, and team dynamics, about the impact of hostile environments on women's leadership styles. Nora explores how environments of resistance and criticism can destabilise women leaders, often leading them to stray from their natural strengths of collaboration, creativity, and empathy.  "When women step back, observe, and use their innate skills of collaboration and perspective-taking, they create win-win outcomes that redefine success in even the most challenging environments," said Nora.  Nora delves into the unique skills women bring to negotiation, emphasising the power of incremental innovation and soft influence. She shares insights on leveraging flexibility and adaptability, facilitating team contributions, and empowering others to thrive.  Listen to this episode to understand how women can translate their essence into action to lead effectively, even when facing resistance and criticism.  About the Guest:  Nora Madjar is an Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs at the University of Connecticut School of Business. She received her Ph. D. in Business Administration from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. She was also a Fulbright Scholar in Bulgaria in 2011. Her main expertise is creativity in the workplace and her research examines the social and contextual factors that stimulate or hinder creative performance and what stimulates creativity in negotiations. Her scholarly work also explores different ways to structure jobs to facilitate creative work and facilitate the creative process. She has multiple articles on creativity published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Management and Academy of Management Journal, among others. Professor Madjar teaches courses in organizational behaviour, managing creativity and innovation and negotiations for both undergraduate and MBA students.

    29 min

  8. 5 FEB

    151. Susana Lopez Navigates Hostile Environments in Private Equity

    In this episode, Julia speaks with Susana Lopez, a seasoned leader in private equity, about navigating one of the most high-pressure and competitive industries. Susana shares her cautionary tales from years in the field, offering insights on the challenges of trust, authenticity, losing sight of the big picture and overcoming fear in hostile environments.  "Fear is our worst enemy, but it’s also unavoidable. The key is to act despite it, step by step, without letting it paralyse you," said Susana.  Susana reflects on the importance of staying true to yourself, avoiding the trap of blending in, and knowing when to observe quietly and when to take decisive action. She candidly discusses how over-relying on allies and internal systems can lead to disappointment and why resilience and self-reliance are critical for success.  Listen to this episode to discover how to stay true to your purpose in challenging environments, strike the right balance between patience and action, and build a career defined by resilience, courage, and integrity.  About the Guest:  Susana Lopez is a private equity professional with nearly 20 years of experience in fund formation, fundraising, and investments in the infrastructure and renewable energy sectors. Passionate about combating climate change, she has led efforts to mobilise private capital at scale for sustainable projects, particularly across Latin America, focussing on innovative blended finance and impact-driven solutions.

    26 min
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    Ratings & Reviews

    5
    out of 5
    2 Ratings

    About

    Every week, we produce a new episode that explores women and leadership from a different perspective. In a series of lively, wide-ranging discussions, we talk to women all over the world who are dealing with tough leadership challenges in their daily lives. We find out the barriers they face and how they are overcoming them; they share their experiences, insights and advice. (the series also informs and illustrates the expedition while it is underway and gives updates on the members’ progress.) Episodes come out every Wednesday and once a month, we do a live q&a.

    Information

    • Creator
      Women Emerging
    • Years Active
      2022 - 2025
    • Episodes
      158
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © Copyright 2025 Women Emerging
    • Show Website
      Women Emerging Podcast

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