The Women's Current

We didn’t question it. We absorbed it. The quiet rules that shaped how women think about food, sex, and desire—long before we had language for them.

Health inequality isn’t abstract. It shows up in real lives—every day. This week on The Women’s Current, we’re joined by journalist and author Irin Carmon, whose latest book Unbearable: Five Women and the Perils of Pregnancy in America reveals what happens when pregnancy collides with policy, politics, and power. Through the stories of five women, Irin exposes a system that too often fails the very people it was meant to protect. What emerges is not a collection of rare tragedies— but a pattern.

What happens when women are seen — but still not heard? Linda Villarosa exposes how systemic bias shapes women’s health — and why telling the truth is the first step toward change.

Erin Gallagher: Hype Women & Visibility Visibility. Voice. Power. In this episode of The Women’s Current, we’re joined by Erin Gallagher — founder of the Hype Women movement and author of Hype Woman: Breaking Free from Mean Girls, Patriarchy, and Systems Silencing You. Erin has sparked a global conversation about something many women recognize but rarely name: the cultural conditioning that teaches women to compete rather than amplify one another. Through her work, she invites women to reclaim their visibility — and to celebrate the success of others as if it were their own. Together, we explore what it means to be a “hype woman,” and why that idea is about far more than encouragement. It’s about shifting how women use influence, access, and voice to create opportunity for one another. This conversation asks a deeper question: What becomes possible when women stop shrinking — and start amplifying?

Transformation isn’t a moment. It’s a practice. In this season-ending episode of The Women’s Current, Paula Stone Williams joins us for a conversation about empathy, truth, and the courage it takes to live honestly — especially when change is ongoing and public. We talk about what authenticity actually asks of us, and why listening deeply may be the most radical act of all.

Education doesn’t just open doors — it restores dignity. In Episode 9 of The Women’s Current, Sylvia Beckerman speaks with Lindsay Wyman of Mercy Learning Center about adult education, second acts, and what happens when women are supported with trust, structure, and belief.

Raising girls to lead starts early. In this episode, Ms. President US leaders Amanda Cordano and Sofia Sahai discuss confidence, ambition, and why leadership training can’t wait.

Laura Kaplan — member of The Janes and author of The Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service — joins Sylvia Beckerman and co-host Molly Wadzeck for a powerful conversation about courage, secrecy, and the collective action that saved thousands of women before Roe.

The Pad Project’s founder Melissa Berton and Gen Z advocate Jana Gandhi join Sylvia and Molly to explore how period equity became a global movement. They discuss girls helping girls, dismantling stigma, and the power of intergenerational activism. A hopeful conversation about access, dignity, and global sisterhood.

Bestselling author Alka Joshi joins Sylvia and Molly to talk reinvention, resilience, and the women whose stories shape our own.

Sylvia and Molly sit down with Illana Raia of Être Girls to explore how mentorship, access, and visibility can shape girls’ confidence and ambition across generations.

Photographer and filmmaker Jona Frank joins Sylvia Beckerman to explore how her work — from Cherry Hill to her cinematic portraits — challenges how women are seen and how we see ourselves. Together they reflect on art, identity, and the courage to redefine the female gaze.

Historian Paulina Bren joins The Women’s Current to revisit the iconic Barbizon Hotel — where generations of women found independence, ambition, and themselves. Hosts Sylvia Beckerman and Molly Wadzeck explore what it means to carve out space, redefine ambition, and ask if the tide is finally turning.

Join Sylvia Beckerman and Molly Wadzeck for a powerful conversation with Letty Cottin Pogrebin—writer, activist, and founding editor of Ms. Magazine. From the early days of second-wave feminism to the challenges women face today, Letty reflects on what’s changed, what hasn’t, and why she remains—still feminist, still fearless.

This year has been a whirlwind, hasn't it? For Sylvia & Me, October marked a huge milestone – our 5th anniversary! Five years of conversations, stories, and connections. Five years of incredible women sharing their wisdom, their laughter, and sometimes, their tears. Over these past five years, I've had the privilege of interviewing just under 200 women. Each one with a unique story to tell, each one inspiring and empowering in their own way. This podcast has always been about giving women a platform to share their experiences, their triumphs, their challenges, and their wisdom.

When I decided to retire, I said now I'm going to do the little things that have been tucked away. Just in time to celebrate the holidays…Mary Barneby is back! Forget rocking chairs and bingo! Mary Barneby is rewriting the rules of retirement. She's 'rewiring'! This former CEO is trading boardrooms for book launches and wedding vows. Join me as I catch up with Mary, one of our first-ever guests, and discover how she's embracing her "life après" with energy and enthusiasm. Get ready to be inspired to live your best life, no matter what stage you're at! Former CEO of the Girl Scouts of Connecticut and Regional CEO of the American Red Cross, Mary shares her secrets to finding purpose and passion in this new chapter. Plus, we delve into the fascinating fact that both organizations she led were founded by women in their 50s and 60s – proving it's never too late to make a difference!

Join me with fellow podcast host Lucy Meggeson, the host of Spinsterhood Reimagined.  Lucy debunks myths about relationship bliss and celebrates the freedom and fulfillment of being single and childfree. In this insightful podcast, Lucy Meggeson delves into the myths surrounding relationships and challenges societal expectations placed on women.  Listeners will be empowered to take control of their lives. Believing and loving yourself is key to being happy. Spinsterhood is no longer the old, lonely woman sitting by the window. Whether you're happily childfree or seeking liberation from societal norms, this episode will leave you feeling positive and excited about your life on this vast, spinning planet we call home.

Join me for an inspiring conversation with Phyllis Ayman, author of Dignity & Respect: Are Our Aging Parents Getting What They Deserve?, who coined the empowering term "Evolving Elders." Phyllis challenges the negative connotations associated with aging and champions a person-centered approach to care and caregiving.

The nonprofit Mercy Learning Center empowers low-income women, including immigrants and those who haven't completed high school, through education. They provide free childcare, ensuring mothers can focus on achieving their goals. "When you give a woman the tools to believe in herself, the possibilities are limitless," says CEO Lindsay Wyman.

'Every day of your life is an improv scene.' Erin “Big” Diehl is a business improv edutainer, 'failfluencer', and keynote speaker. Founder and CEO of improve it! Erin created a unique professional development company. Erin uses improvisational comedy and experiential learning to thrive in ever-changing environments. And she does it with a whole lot of laughs along the way. Erin combined her eighteen years of leadership experience with her improvisational comedy expertise to create a mindset shift for busy, stressed out leaders in her newest Amazon Best-Seller and Top New Release, I SEE YOU!

In her memoir Golden Handcuffs: An Immigrant's Pursuit of Happiness, Varuni tells her story. From gilded life to 'golden handcuffs' Varuni shares a story that is not readily known. An immigrant's story and the hoops that were necessary to navigate. Her home was India, she met her husband in India, an American living in America. Varuni's journey through immigration and visas, school, work, social isolation and family. How resilience and strength got her through.

Who knew ... really, she had no idea but her 'why not' attitude made Annie Korzen an 'accidental influencer'. Who would want to watch an eighty-something on Tik-Tok? Turns out over 435,000 would. Annie calls herself 'a comedic storyteller', a term she coined as we spoke. She'd appeared in the hit series Seinfield because she said 'why not'. That attitude has led her to take risks, to live life with humor and not be afraid to face life. Annie is a writer, teacher, speaker, actress and sensation. And author of The Book of Annie: Humor, Heart, and Chutzpah from an Accidental Influencer.

Live from Noble Salon we celebrate the 5-year anniversary of "Sylvia & Me'  with Women of a Certain Age. Our first live, in-person podcast and a conversation with a group of Women of a Certain Age.  Sharing stories, insights and experiences, these ladies are not going to be 'aged out'! Friendship, trust, overcoming fear and having each other's backs! With more than 30 years on various stages, Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional Theater and more, ladies let's kick up our heels. Going past their comfort zone, anything goes. The ladies: Ann Alford, Lynne Colatrella, Tracey Marble, Ellen Krinick-Porto and Gail Yudain and their musical director Jerold Goldstein. A huge shoutout to all who have had my back and pushed me beyond my comfort zone. And a big thank you to all the women who have shared their stories.

“Gay dares to write for me, for women – things we can never say.” Jacqueline 'Gay' Walley's latest novel, "The Waw," takes readers on a mesmerizing journey from New York to the serene English seaside. Through her insightful storytelling, Gay uncovers the innermost thoughts of women. She leads us on a captivating quest to explore 'The Waw,' the ultimate oasis.

Women in Politics – Don’t Tell Her She Can’t! It was 1973, East Hampton needed a Town Supervisor. She was told 'no one will elect a woman.' Those words would keep with her forever and blazed a future she hadn't thought of. Judith Hope ran, won and became East Hampton's first female Town Supervisor serving three terms. Turns out, Judith was the first female town supervisor in all of Long Island. Local politics and women are quite the combination. Judith ran on an environmental ticket. She got the 2% transfer tax passed which has raised over a billion dollars and is responsible for saving more than 5,000 acres of open space,

Award-winning author Kathy Picard returns to the podcast. A survivor of sexual abuse as a child, Kathy has been a children's advocate for over twenty years. When we first met Kathy her book Life with My Idiot Family: A True Story of Survival, Courage & Justice over Childhood Sexual Abuse had just been published. It started when Kathy was only seven. She thought the abuser was her father. At seventeen Kathy learned that her abuser and rapist was actually her stepfather.

Sally Baker, Award-winning London-based therapist with over 25 years of experience, shares her journey of resilience after childhood trauma. At the age of seven, she was sexually assaulted, taking her 30 years to process this experience. Sally, who initially worked with women facing sexual abuse and domestic violence, emphasizes the importance of overcoming negative self-judgments and societal barriers. In her latest book, "The Getting of Resilience from the Inside Out: A Practical Guide to Learning Resilience at Any Age, No Matter Your Upbringing," Sally delves into strategies for developing resilience from within. She highlights the need to re-assess unhealthy coping mechanisms to effectively navigate life's challenges. Resilience, as Sally suggests, stems from empowering oneself and learning to be strong in the face of adversity.

Her novel The Barbizon: The Hotel That Set Women Free could have been the precursor to her newly released 'She Wolves: The Untold History of Women on Wall Street.' As author and historian Paulina Bren told me, she 'followed the women out of the Barbizon Hotel in New York to Wall Street' from the late 1950s and 1960s to 9/11, Women looking for interim work, found their way to Wall Street. Out of the three jobs that were available to women: receptionist, secretary or clerk, Wall Street paid the most. And so began the entry of the She Wolves of Wall Street. The men were the brokers making the money, the women were their support staff. The women were watching and learning. Wall Street was being manned by women!

he 'Witch of Wall Street' breaking through the 'glass ceiling'. That would be Patricia Walsh Chadwick. When we last talked with Patricia in 2020 her first book "Little Sister, A Memoir" had just been released and we were left with the idea that there was more to come. A woman of resilience and determination, Patricia's story continues. At the age of seventeen she had been ejected from the only home she'd known since she was five. Turns out it was a cult, a cult that had cut her off from the outside world. How did this teenager who had never even used a phone, turn into a dynamo on Wall Street? Patricia's new book "Breaking Glass, Tales from the Witch of Wall Street" tells the story of a woman who didn't take no for an answer and broke through the old boy's club. Her career started in 1972 at a time when a woman's role on Wall Street was mainly administrative. How then did Patricia work her way up to becoming a portfolio manager overseeing $6 billion dollars of client assets? Listen to a fascinating conversation with Patricia.

September is Classical Music month so let’s start with one of the greatest musicians, Maestro ArturoToscanini. For seventeen years Samuel Antek was first violinist for Toscanini. This Was Toscanini was written by Samuel Antek. His sudden death in 1958 never gave him the chance to finish. His daughter Lucy Antek Johnson expanded on her father’s story with This Was Toscanini: The Maestro, My Father, and Me. In 2021 the hardcover was published with pictures, and the audiobook has now followed. Swapping out pictures for music, from rehearsals to performances, Lucy allows the listener in to hear the passion and dedication of a genius. Listen and you will hear an excerpt from the first rehearsal of Brahms. Yes – in this episode!

Orange is the New Black – reality or just a TV show? Dr. Stephanie S. Covington, an internationally recognized clinician, author, organizational consultant, and lecturer. Stephanie sheds light on the realities faced by incarcerated women in her new book “HIDDEN HEALERS: The Unexpected Ways Women in Prison Help each Other Survive.” The book highlights the brutalities these women endure within a system not designed for them. In our conversation she emphasizes the kindness they offer each other to navigate their challenges. It’s essential to recognize that the majority of women in the criminal justice system have themselves been victims of harm.

New York Times Bestselling author Joyce Maynard’s latest novel How the Light Gets In is a story of family dynamics. Marriage, divorce, motherhood, raising children and letting go and the realization that ‘We don’t tell our children who they should be. They tell us who they are and what they believe. And it may not always be what we want to hear.’

The Other Side of Broadway and the AIDS Epidemic Christine’s dream had come true, she was a dancer, the ‘Third Girl from the Left’ in the cast of the Tony Award-winning show A Chorus Line, first in London and then Broadway. Unfortunately it was the early 1980s and the onset of the AIDS epidemic. A conversation with Christine Barker, author of Third Girl from the Left, her story of what life was like for her, a young woman having to make impossible choices. Her start in New York, her dream job, and eight shows a week. In the middle of it all was the AIDS epidemic and its impact on those around her affected by this unknown. Among them was her brother Laughlin. Christine’s choice was to take care of her dying brother and others she was close to. When asked why she wanted to write this, Christine answered ‘Because sometimes the story is all that is left.’ Christine retired from her theater career and has turned her sights to another dream – writing. She holds an MFA in Writing from Sarah Lawrence College. She is currently working on her next project.

This week an eye-opening conversation with beauty journalist Jessica DeFino. Beauty standards have an impact on our lives, often without us even realizing it. ‘The beauty industry reels us in by calling it ‘beauty’ and assigning it metaphysical powers. I really think we would be better off if we called the beauty industry the appearance industry.’

Joining the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics and the Flame Bearers, celebrating women athletes changing the Sports Industry. This year is the first Olympics with gender parity. And it’s only fitting to have a conversation with Jamie Mittelman, Founder of Flame Bearers. Jamie doesn’t want to tell the stories of these trailblazing female athletes. No, she wants to empower these women to share their stories by telling them in their own words. Media coverage of women athletes represents just 15% of sports coverage. Of that 15%, the majority ‘look just like me’ as Jamie says…white and able-bodies from the global north. Jamie and Flame Bearers is on a mission to change that by also telling stories of brown and black, LGBTQ, and women and girls with disabilities. Providing diverse role models so that little girls know that they can do it too. The first media production company dedicated to ‘elevating the best women athletes in the world’, Flame Bearers has worked with over 135 Olympians and Paralympians from 65 countries.

Maryjane Fahey is aging Imaginatively & Unapologetically. Founder of GLORIOUS BROADS, Maryjane defines a Glorious Broad as independent, unconventional and fearless. She's a woman who is funny, has had a few 'restarts' over the years and likes her wrinkles. A woman who is proud of her age and who's not done yet. Our conversation covers everything from living life on her own terms, why GLORIOUS BROADS, the women who inspired her, sex at 60+ and more. Maryjane's motto: 'It's never too late.'

Taking risk as a path to grow is exactly what Dr. Mimi Zieman believes and did. In her memoir Tap Dancing on Everest: A Young Doctor's Unlikely Adventure, Mimi takes us through her journey. As a 3rd year medical student Mimi joined an expedition attempting a new route on the East Face of Mt. Everest as the doctor. Mimi would be the only woman. A conversation about a coming of age story and the risks we take to become our truest selves. A child of immigrants, her father a Holocaust survivor, Mimi delves into the struggles she faced as a young woman. She is candid about her eating disorder, feeling small and how tap dancing helped her find her voice.

This week, I had the privilege of engaging in a fascinating conversation with Dr. Meg Lowman. Known as "Canopy Meg," she is a globally-renowned forest canopy scientist. The Wall Street Journal dubbed her the "Einstein of the treetops". Meg has dedicated her life to the conservation of trees and forests worldwide. A pioneer in forest canopy ecology, Meg has conducted extensive research in forests spanning 46 countries across all seven continents.. Her work has earned her the title of one of the world's foremost "arbornauts" — individuals who study the intricate ecosystems of forest canopies. Meg refers to them as the Earth's "eighth continent."

Health or happiness - why do we assume married people are healthier and happier? Pro-marriage and haves and have nots - let's get into this. Where is the raw data? What was the control group? The promise that marriage is a happy place - is that reality? Are marrieds healthier? I needed to bring back and bring together two women, Jaclyn (Jackie) Geller, Ph. D. and Joan DelFattore, Ph. D. Jackie is an expert in the field of marriage research and marriage history. Joan is a retired professor and single by choice.

The hidden children of the Holocaust was a story that author Jennifer Rosner had not heard about. In her latest novel ONCE WE WERE HOME, she tells their story. Throughout her journey, she became captivated by the intricacies of finding a sense of belonging and identity. Jennifer encountered a woman who worked on a post-WW2 mission to recover Jewish orphans hidden in Christian settings for safety. Jennifer's exploration of this lesser-known aspect of history highlights the moral complexities of displacing children who had already endured the trauma of losing their original families.

A Missouri girl in a New York world is slaying dragons. Susan L. Combs, author and founder of “Pancakes for Roger” is on a mission. This week a conversation with Susan and ‘Pancakes for Roger: A Mentorship Guide for Slaying Dragons’. With a drive to ‘Do more, better’ we discuss the three facets of life that her late father taught her: 1. The person you’re with 2. The thing you do for a living and 3. The place you live. And the lessons she learned from her Midwestern upbringing to the two-plus decades in New York City. Susan reminds us that it’s the little things in life that can make a huge impact.

Racism and conventional diversity workshops, are they the solution? Educator, activist and sociologist Sarita Srivastava, Ph.D challenges conventional ways of dealing with racism. Sarita's debut book "Are You Calling Me A Racist?": Why We Need to Stop Talking About Race and Start Making Antiracist Change reveals why these efforts have failed to effectively challenge racism. This week an in-depth conversation with Sarita analyzing the emotional and historical roadblocks that anti-racist efforts have faced. Instead of ‘Feel-Good racial politics', we need to make concrete, collective changes to our practices and spaces. And answer the question: Why does antiracism flounder where it seems it should be most likely to succeed?

This week, with Award-winning and New York Times-Bestselling author Caroline Paul. Caroline had been an outdoor adventurer her whole life. In her newest book, "TOUGH BROAD," Caroline explores how outdoor adventure can improve our lives as we age, defying societal norms and expectations. Caroline delves into the positive impact of outdoor adventure on brain health, physical vitality, mindset, and overall well-being. Through inspiring stories, she urges women in their fifties, sixties, and beyond to embrace the outdoors, redefining their futures.

This week a conversation with Dr. Dana Sinclair, Performance Psychologist and author of Dialed In: Do Your Best When It Matters Most. From Olympic champions to a teenager performing in a school play, we all perform, it's part of who we are. Does confidence in ourselves mean that we're going to perform well? As Dana explains, confidence is overrated, it's a feeling, but performance is about what we do. Performance means focusing, being there in the moment. 'Talent will not ensure success without focusing; being there in the pressure moments.' Positive self-talk is a key component to successful performance. And courage is a great word. Dr. Dana Sinclair is a registered psychologist. She holds doctorates from the University of Cambridge and the University of Ottawa. Dana is a Clinical Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, and a member of the American Psychological Association.

What happens after we survive and experience something life-changing and traumatic? Award-winning young adult author Veera Hiranandani’s new historical fiction Amil and The After addresses this question. Written during the COVID-19 pandemic, Veera also asked herself how can we heal as individuals and as a society? Written in part through the drawings of young Amil, the story follows the aftermath of the partition of India and Pakistan. It’s a journey like the one members of her family had made. ‘We as humans keep finding ways to divide ourselves and attack marginalized communities.’ Although her books are called ‘young adult’, adults need to read them. Veera’s novels gives us an understanding of a child’s perspective. And a boy’s longing for stability and hope during a tumultuous time.

Mix grit, resilience, cheerleading, persistence, passion, compassion and style and you get Risa Kostis. From a very young age a stage and cheerleading was in her future. That is until a car accident at 17 had her navigating a different course. One that would take all of her ingredients and push her to a place she could never have imagined.  The accident had left her with a traumatic brain injury and reconstructive facial surgeries. Self-taught, and determined, Risa is no longer the underdog. She is a celebrity stylist, stylist, and personal shopper. Risa helps women tell their story through what they wear, giving them confidence and letting them shine. She is also the CEO and Co-Founder of The Rescue Kit Company, a fashion emergency kit company.

Ashton Applewhite is a pro-aging advocate and author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism. She began blogging about ageism in 2007, speaking about it in 2012 and hasn't stopped. Aging is not a problem to be fixed or a disease to be cured. We live in a world that encourages us not to think about aging. It's time for a radical aging movement against ageism. And we need to start by confronting our own bias. Let's ask ourselves how do we feel about age and aging? It's difficult to go a day without seeing an ad for an anti-aging product or a new lifestyle to keep us young. We can't stop getting older, but we sure can embrace it. As Ashton says, we're all 'Old People In-Training'.

Ann Batchelder is the author of Craving Spring: A Mother’s Quest, a Daughter’s Depression, and the Greek Myth That Brought Them Together. Ann shares her story of her daughter’s journey with mental health and addiction. As mothers we are always looking for ways to be a ‘good’ mother. What if who we need to be is a ‘skilled’ mother? And learn how to ask for help.

New York Times Bestselling author Lyz Lenz is 'reframing' divorce and getting rid of the stigma. Her latest book, This American Ex-Wife: How I Ended My Marriage - and - Started My Life is a memoir/manifesto. Lyz debunks the myth of the 'happily ever' marriage scenario and gives us the straight talk about divorce. 'The stigma exists because everybody is afraid of a liberated woman'.

Just a girl from the Bronx. That’s Francine Farkas Sears, the first American businesswoman invited to China after President Nixon re-established trade relations. The groundbreaking trip included twenty-five men and Francine. Francine's first leap into entrepreneurship began in her teens with a babysitting business. Her second was revolutionizing a salon armed with an idea, $1,000 cash, 7th Avenue and Pucci-like dresses. Next an entry level at Alexander’s Department store followed by a stint as a famed Wall Street stockbroker leading the path for women. Alexander’s called her back where she worked her way up to become Fashion Director and Vice President. Francine was simultaneously raising a young family. Today she is the proud mother of five grown children. That girl from the Bronx turned herself into one of the most influential, successful women.