Women of Start Up Nation:Israel is not a state, it is a state of mind

The Fresh Paint Edition!

Women of Startup Nation – Season 2, Episode 1In the first episode of Season 2, Giordana Grego Levy and Fiammetta Rocco reflect on a year marked by uncertainty, resilience, and personal transformation.Through an honest and intimate conversation, they discuss how life in Israel has evolved since October 7, the challenges of navigating an unpredictable reality, and the ways in which people continue to find meaning, strength, and hope.The episode explores the role of creativity and art as tools for healing, self-expression, and connection. Giordana shares her personal journey of discovering painting during a difficult period, while Fiammetta reflects on the inspiring stories of artists and communities who have used creativity to rebuild and move forward.Together, they discuss fear, courage, motherhood, friendship, and the importance of creating spaces where authentic conversations can take place.This episode is a reflection on resilience—not as the absence of hardship, but as the ability to keep moving forward, creating, and finding light even in challenging times.If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to help us reach more listeners.#WomenOfStartupNation #Israel #Resilience #ArtAndHealing #Creativity #WomenLeadership #Podcast #October7 #Hope #Storytelling

Just before we celebrate Spring and Passover, join us for an engaging conversation with Israeli artist Naomi Katz, https://www.naomikaart.com/ as she shares her experience of living and studying in New York in the aftermath of October 7—and how it transformed both her perspective and her art.Naomi is an incredibly talented artist whose work continues to evolve in powerful ways. We’re also excited to share that she will be showcased at the upcoming Fresh Paint Fair in Tel Aviv, curated by the wonderful Fiammetta.Hag sameach and Happy Passover and Easter!

In the midst of the Iran War (round 2) we are thrilled to host the legendary Adeena Sussman, Israeli-American cookbook author and food writer based in Tel Aviv. She is the author of the award-winning cookbooks Sababa: Fresh, Sunny Flavors from My Israeli Kitchen and Shabbat: Recipes and Rituals from My Table to Yours, which celebrate the vibrant flavors and traditions of modern Israeli cooking. Originally from the United States, she moved to Israel and draws daily inspiration from the markets, cultures, and communities of Tel Aviv. Adeena is a leading voice in bringing Israeli cuisine and its stories to audiences around the world.Link to preorder Adeena's new book, Zariz, on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Zariz-Easy-Breezy-Aviv-y-Recipes/dp/0593719018/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PJDTL-ecH1WRhqDT2HXNA5GvGluFRsbdC0mvhLznEIqxI5oAIuFDEeAuqlCMqwbObrWUyp9Vri6No7gXEtzcCy3RQprG8VNExCbv0vqlcljbzfznR9PiX68DhOSOBTc9K9uiwF476LTZYK4aNo6s1PNMUVb-iihkw8LdpbFZCCRr47CFY0RRH4ZbE8rSxVmgiQKgemLewcJbWEor1qlf_6dUJhew4go5nxSQQ6dos4Q.rOtHUOdC89K_ZYNpXnSyo2TS31ZL0iQKHkiO5gmmKTM&dib_tag=se&keywords=zariz&qid=1769356347&sr=8-1Link to get Passover Bonus Cookbook after preorder:https://woobox.com/iwoo25

Fiammetta e Giordana ospiti di Antonino D'Anna su Radio Liberta' (in italian)

Some conversations just click instantly — and this was one of them.In this episode, we sit down with Ellie Hochenberg, one of Israel’s leading journalists at i24, for a conversation full of heart, depth, and great energy. From the moment we met Ellie, it was love at first sight — an instant connection that turned into a powerful and honest dialogue. Ellie shares her journey into journalism, what inspires her, and what it was like to stay live on air during the intense hours of October 7. Expect real talk, meaningful reflections, and some truly great chemistry.

Our next guest is Hagit Genish-Gill, Head of Sustainability at the Bazan Group — a woman whose strength, clarity, and compassion shine in one of the most male-dominated fields. She opens up about the meaningful work she has led since October 7, the power of education and ambition in shaping her path, and how movement, yoga, and the women who inspire her every day keep her grounded and courageous. A conversation about purpose, resilience, and leading with heart.

In this powerful episode, we speak with a young and exceptionally talented scientist from the Weizmann Institute who shares her profound journey through October 7, the depression that followed, and the strength it took to pull herself back up. She describes earning her place at the prestigious institute, the shock and devastation of seeing the building where she worked—and world-leading research—reduced to ashes after it was hit by an Iranian missile in June, and the emotional and professional challenge of starting again. She also opens up about the importance of women supporting women, especially in the world of science, and how these connections helped her rebuild with resilience, purpose, and renewed passion for her work and life.

From Seoul to Tel Aviv: Healing, Resilience and New Beginnings with Juyon KimIn this episode, we follow the inspiring journey of Juyon Kim — originally from Seoul, South Korea, who has lived in New York and Hong Kong before making Tel Aviv her home. Through her own path of relocation and self-discovery, she found purpose in helping others heal. Today, Juyon is the founder of Tel Aviv Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine, where she blends acupuncture, herbal medicine and breath-work to guide individuals — including trauma survivors and those impacted by war — toward renewed balance and wellbeing.Check out Juyon's clinic in tel Aviv at www.telavivacupuncture.com

Our third guest is Lihi Orbach! Originally from Israel, Lihi began her career as an ad agency producer in Tel Aviv, where she discovered her fascination with the power of sound to shape emotion and meaning. After moving to New York in 1999, she earned her engineering certificate and spent over two decades working as an audio post engineer and mixer in New York and Los Angeles.In 2021, she founded Loveleeor, a creative project that merges her passions for design, spirituality, and self-expression. Now based in Los Angeles with her family, Lihi continues to explore the intersections of creativity, sound, and light through her multifaceted artistic journey. Check it out https://loveleeor.com/

In this captivating interview, Rania Dean, an Israeli Druze now living in Los Angeles, shares her remarkable personal journey and the unique story of the Druze community — one of the Middle East’s most fascinating and least understood groups.Rania talks about what it means to be Druze in Israel, the deep-rooted values of loyalty, secrecy, and spirituality that define the Druze faith, and how her identity has evolved as part of the global Druze diaspora.From the mountains of the Galilee to life in LA, this conversation opens a window into questions of identity, belonging, faith, and modernity — offering powerful insights into a community that bridges worlds while preserving its ancient traditions.

Here we are.It took two years — since October 7 — to finally move forward to October 8.That Saturday was not just a Hamas attack on Israel, but on humanity — against Jews, Christians, Muslims, foreign workers, and people from around the world who came to celebrate life.Hamas murdered 1,200 civilians, kidnapped hundreds, and tried to destroy hope for peace in the Middle East.But they failed.The people of Israel — of all faiths — never gave up, not on life and not on our hostages.It took two years to find the strength to speak, because we couldn’t begin until our brothers and sisters were home.Now that they are, we would like move forward — committed to peace, security, and a future built on unity and respect.Today, as our hostages return and hearts begin to heal, we open a new chapter — of rebuilding, reconciliation, and renewal.Thank you to all who stood by us in our darkest days.This, for us, is the beginning of a new beginning.And in this spirit, we are honored to welcome our first podcast guest: Ronit Zimmer, an Australian-born leader in peacebuilding and former CEO of the Rozana Project, an organization fostering Israeli-Palestinian partnerships in healthcare.Welcome, Ronit!

Tomorrow marks Rosh HaShana, 5786.Our deepest wish for the new Jewish year is the safe return of all our hostages and the end of this devastating war.At the same time, we want to begin the year with hope through a new project: “Women of Startup Nation.” This podcast was born from friendship, urgency, and the belief that stories matter. From Tel Aviv, Fiammetta Martegani and Giordana Grego share a deeply personal and female perspective on Israel at one of its most challenging moments.We created this space to counter distorted narratives in international media and to highlight the many shades of Israel through the voices of women—entrepreneurs, mothers, artists, and leaders—who embody resilience every single day.Our mission is simple yet ambitious: to humanize, to connect, and to remind the world that behind every headline are real people, powerful stories, and enduring dreams of peace.If you believe in this project, please help us by sharing it on every platform you can. Sharing is caring and we care deeply about peace in the Middle East.May this year be one of hope, meaning, and renewal.Shana tova,Fia and Gio