Inflection Point with Lauren Schiller

Why should biology decide when--or how--you'll have a baby? And what do advances in medical science mean for the feminist movement? As journalist Rachael Lehmann-Haupt investigated new reproductive technologies, she was faced with her own, personal 'ticking biological clock.' She tells us how she came to her own decision about having a child, and shares the pros and cons of having a baby on your own. Her book is “In Her Own Sweet Time”. Love hearing from the women I talk with on Inflection Point? Support the program at inflectionpointradio.org/contribute. Thanks!

What can women refugees teach us about how to rise up? Christina Psarra, head of mission for Doctors Without Borders, a humanitarian aid organization, bears witness to their sacrifice and resourcefulness, giving everything she has to help them. Along the way, she's discovered that refugees are not victims--they are survivors and it's her job to help them survive.

If there was ever a time when we need to consistently keep our souls replenished for the fight against injustice, it would be now. Hear how Women’s March artistic director, Paola Mendoza and strategic advisor and national organizer Sarah Sophie Flicker use the power of art and culture in activism, and what they learned in documenting The Women’s March for the newly released book, "Together We Rise." As national organizers for The Women’s March and leaders of The Resistance Revival Chorus, these artist activists see their purpose as connecting fellow members of The Resistance to the moments of joy and transcendence that come with being a part of history in the making.

As more and more women graduate from college and even surpass their male peers in levels of education, men are finding other means for achieving career success. Nancy Niemi, Director of Faculty Teaching Initiatives at Yale questions the conventional wisdom that college is a path to gender equality. Women now need more degrees than ever just to compete because in spite of all this education, institutional sexism is still prevalent. Her book is called, “Degrees of Difference.” Inflection Point is brought to you by FreshBooks—spend less time dealing with invoices and expenses, and more time changing the world. Get your first 30 days free with no obligation at freshbooks.com/inflection and enter “Inflection Point” in the how did you hear about us section. Tired of the patriarchy? This will perk you up! Become an Inflection Point monthly Patron (er, Matron!) today! Thank you!

When Bonny Simi was 14 years old, she made a list of life goals--to be a pilot, go to college, be a TV broadcaster, be an Olympic athlete and to build a log cabin. Today, she's achieved 4 of the 5 of them and she founded JetBlue Ventures to massively improve the travel experience. She may be the 'most interesting woman in the world.' And I wanted to know how she did it. Inflection Point is brought to you by FreshBooks—spend less time dealing with invoices and expenses, and more time changing the world. Get your first 30 days free with no obligation at freshbooks.com/inflection and enter “Inflection Point” in the how did you hear about us section. Tired of the patriarchy? This will perk you up! Become an Inflection Point monthly Patron (er, Matron!) today! Thank you!

From her childhood as a self-confessed gaming nerd to her career as an engineering-inspired artist (or is it art-inspired engineer?), Suz Somersall has made a life of her own design. She's now the founder of KiraKira, a learning program that makes girls feel confident and excited about creating new products using 3D printing, design-thinking and STEAM concepts. We’ll hear how while living as on a remote Japanese island with her husband fighting halfway across the world, Suz redefined her role from military wife to entrepreneur. This week on "Inflection Point," Suz shares how, despite a career full of pivots, one's life can ultimately lead in the same direction all along. Inflection Point is brought to you by FreshBooks—spend less time dealing with invoices and expenses, and more time changing the world. Get your first 30 days free with no obligation at freshbooks.com/inflection and enter “Inflection Point” in the how did you hear about us section. Tired of the patriarchy? This will perk you up! Become an Inflection Point monthly Patron (er, Matron!) today! Thank you!

Cristi Hegranes wanted to be a foreign correspondent since the time she was six years old. Within days of achieving her dream job, after all the traditional training, she realized she was the wrong person for the job. The right person? The women who actually live in the countries usually covered by outsiders. So she decided to train women journalists and give them a platform to tell the stories of their own communities. As she says, "To change the story, you have to change the storyteller." Inflection Point is brought to you by FreshBooks—spend less time dealing with invoices and expenses, and more time changing the world. Get your first 30 days free with no obligation at freshbooks.com/inflection and enter “Inflection Point” in the how did you hear about us section. And—Women’s voices have never been more vital. Your monthly support will make them be heard. Become an Inflection Point patron today. Thank you!

This fall, I was invited to moderate a panel for a conference put on by Women In Product, a non-profit formed to create a strong community of women builders and leaders in the tech industry. My panel included four female founders of technology companies: Cheryl Contee of Fission Strategy, Heather Fernandez of Solv, Selina Tobaccowala of Evite and Gixo and Aarthi Ramamurthy of Lumoid. You’ll hear what surprised each of them about starting a company, the pros and cons of running a company while female, from leadership style to sexual harassment and gender bias--and ultimately as business-people what it takes to scale. Inflection Point is brought to you by FreshBooks—spend less time dealing with invoices and expenses, and more time changing the world. Get your first 30 days free at freshbooks.com/inflection and enter “Inflection Point” in the how did you hear about us section. And—Women’s voices have never been more vital. Your monthly support will make them be heard. Become an Inflection Point Patron (Matron!) today. Thank you!

More women than ever are raising their hands to run for office. But what does it actually take to to win? And what will be different when they do? Kate Black, now at the FCC, recorded with me in August when she was Chief of Staff for EMILY's List, an organization that helps pro-choice, Democratic women run for office. And she has her own story of awakening to the fact that we need more women in office.

In part 2 we hear the personal story that started it all for sexual consent and internet abuse lawyer, Carrie Goldberg. And it begins with the usual, "I met him on the internet..." Carrie shares how she fights back against perpetrators of revenge porn and other sexual misconduct, as well as how victims may actually come out the other side with more power. Inflection Point is brought to you by FreshBooks—spend less time dealing with invoices and expenses, and more time changing the world. Get your first 30 days free at freshbooks.com/inflection and enter “Inflection Point” in the how did you hear about us section. And—Women’s voices have never been more vital. Your monthly support will make them be heard. Become an Inflection Point patron today. Thank you!