Women Walking

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Women Walking, we speak with my longtime friend and global health colleague, Saiqa Panjsheri, about walking through some difficult life transitions. Saiqa shares her family's extraordinary story of fleeing Afghanistan, growing up with a visible physical difference, and the resilience woven through generations of her family. She also speaks with honesty and grace about the loss of her husband, John, to suicide three years ago--what happened that day, how she and her son survived the unimaginable, and what it means to rebuild a life in the aftermath. This conversation is tender, raw, and full of the kind of truth that helps us feel less alone.  If you're not in a place to hear someone speak openly about suicide today, please take care of yourself and come back when you're ready. And listen in to a bonus "Thank You" at the end where Saiqa describes how the women in her "tribe" continue to walk with her.

Send us Fan MailAfter months of talking with women navigating transitions, Courtney and I decided it was time to get back to what started Women Walking in the first place: actually walking.In Episode 17, Courtney and I take on the NYC  Tip-to-Tip Challenge—a 15-mile walk  from Inwood Hill Park to Battery Park, inspired by the Broad City route. One day. One power bar. Park to park, river to river, rediscovering the rhythm, clarity, and connection that only shows up when your feet are tired.If you've ever wanted to see NYC in a completely new way, this walk will do it!!

Send us Fan MailIn Episode 16 of Women Walking, I’m joined by Grace Tran, a global health professional whose steady thoughtful voice you may already know from LinkedIn posts. Grace opens up about what happened after the Trump Administration’s executive orders that dissolved USAID and the long humbling  journey that followed: 400 job applications, 19 interviews, rejection, uncertainty, and the very real logistics about moving her family to Portugal while rebuilding her career.  But this isn’t a “pivot” story. Grace talks candidly about resilience and writing publicly while still in the thick of things. She writes and talks about starting her consulting company, not as a “reinvention,” but as a practical next step.The conversation is steady, honest, and real. It’s what so many women need right now. Check out Grace’s LinkedIn posts here https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-tran-0912?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Women Walking, I sit down with Lillian Cotter — a neonatal intensive care nurse, mother, and wife — for a conversation that is as tender as it is instructive. Lillian opens the door to her family’s journey through her husband Michael’s dementia, a path that ultimately led to his death in 2024.As someone who walked through a similar road with my own mother, who lived with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), another devastating neurological disease, I recognize the emotional terrain Lillian describes — the slow changes, the daily caregiving decisions, the anticipatory grief, and the fierce love that carries you through.Together, we talk about what it means to love someone through decline, to navigate the realities of caregiving, and to face end of life with honesty, compassion, and a comfort-centered approach to care.  Lillian’s story is deeply personal, yet profoundly universal — a reminder that caregiving is both a burden and a gift, a heartbreak and a profound act of devotion.This episode is for anyone walking beside a loved one through dementia, PSP, or any neurological illness, and for anyone navigating the realities of serious, life-limiting conditions.  It's for caregivers seeking guidance, companionship, or simply the reassurance that they are not alone. Lillian brings vulnerability, clarity, and hard‑earned wisdom to a conversation that touches the heart and steadies the spirit.Lillian has also asked that we share links to several excellent caregiving resources:The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How Learn from Love and Loss👉 https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Grieving_Brain.html?id=7ngsEAAAQBAJInsight Memory Care Center: A nonprofit in Northern Virginia providing specialized day programs, caregiver support, and education for famililies navigating dementia👉 https://www.insightmcc.org/LionHeart Eldercare & Consulting: A Northern Virginia care-management practice that helps families coordinate medical care, navigate dementia, and support agin loved ones with safety, dignity, and independence. 👉 https://lionhearteldercare.com/

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we walk alongside Dr. Farrah Daly, one of the first neurologists in the U.S. formally trained in palliative medicine and a leader in the growing field of neuropalliative care. Her work sits at the intersection of medicine, compassion, and transition, making her an ideal guide for a conversation about how we care for people living with serious neurologic illness, and how we care for the families walking beside them.Dr. Daly shares what first drew her to neurology and the quieter pull that led her toward palliative care. Together, we explore what neuropalliative care really looks like in practice, from supporting people with conditions like ALS, PSP, and Parkinson’s, to the profound impact of home‑based care, where presence, dignity, and relationship take center stage.We talk about the emotional labor of caregiving, anticipatory grief, and the often‑invisible weight women carry as they support loved ones nearing the end of life. Dr. Daly reflects on how palliative care has evolved beyond its old end‑of‑life frame, and why understanding the difference between palliative care and hospice can transform a family’s entire experience.As Vice President and President‑Elect of the International Neuropalliative Care Society (INPCS), she also lifts up the systemic challenges, and quiet revolutions shaping the field today: the need for patient‑centered models, equal seats at the table for families, and better support for clinicians in low‑resource settings.This is a conversation about walking with people through some of life’s most vulnerable transitions, and about the grace, clarity, and courage it takes to show up—again and again--with dignity at the center.

Send us Fan MailElizabeth Jere spent two decades leading global health programs across Africa — balancing leadership with single motherhood and a deep commitment to women’s empowerment. But after federal cuts abruptly ended her USAID contractor role, Elizabeth found herself adrift, grieving in Spain and searching for a new path.In this episode, she shares her journey through loss, healing, and reinvention — from being “mothered” by a colleague in Cambodia to finding sanctuary underwater as a diver. Now the founder of Jiranileo, an African food tourism company recognized by UN Tourism, Elizabeth is building a business that celebrates culinary heritage and creates opportunities for women and youth.This is a story of courage, community, and the power of starting over — told with honesty, humor, and hope.To check out Jiranileo or find out more about Elizabeth Jere's work and travels, see the links below:Jiranileo website: https://jiranileo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-jere/Travel blog: https://themoviousmzungu.com/And if anyone wants to follow Elizabeth's remote life, she posts her travels on Instagram  @dadaeliza 

Send us Fan MailThis episode of Women Walking brings together two lifelong friends—Claudia Vondrasek and Lynn Malooly—who each found themselves at major crossroads this year. Claudia, a longtime USAID contractor, was swept up in the abrupt RIF that halted global health programs across the world. Lynn had just stepped into retirement after leading Water for South Sudan for more than a decade. Both were navigating endings they didn’t fully choose—and both turned to walking as a way to make sense of what came next.Their Camino Portuguese pilgrimage became a space for reflection, laughter, spiritual curiosity, and the kind of conversations that only unfold mile after mile. They talk about the invisible rules that shape health behaviors, the transformative power of clean water, the emotional weight of career transitions, and the unexpected grace of Camino “angels.” Along the way, they rediscovered their friendship, their resilience, and the quiet wisdom that comes from putting one foot in front of the other.This is an episode about transition, companionship, and the paths—literal and metaphorical—that carry us forward.See the link below for more information on Breakthrough Action's Cost Comparison activity/tool Claudia and her team used to lead community discussions in the Democratic Republic of Congo about overcoming the perception that health care costs are prohibitive. https://breakthroughactionandresearch.org/breakthroughs-gallery/cost-comparison-activity/Find Claudia on Linkedin- www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-vondrasekSee the link below for more information on Water for South Sudan: https://www.waterforsouthsudan.org/For more information on the book --A Long Walk to Water --based on the true story of Salva, one of some 3,800 Sudanese “Lost Boys” airlifted to the United States beginning in the mid 1990s -- please see this link: https://lindasuepark.com/books/books-novels/long_walk/Find Lynn Malooly on Linkedin--https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-malooly/

Send us Fan MailWhen the wave of public sector layoffs ended Denise Mortimer’s long career at USAID, she turned loss into creative renewal. In this episode, we explore how her RocketBear Project began with sketches of her dog and grew into portraits of colleagues’ pets paired with heartfelt narration. By celebrating the humanity behind public service, Denise offers a fresh and inviting perspective, blending humor, artistry, and compassion to honor dedication and resilience in ways that continue to resonate even after the institution itself was dismantled. 👉 Follow Denise’s RocketBear Project on Instagram: @rocketbearproject

Send us Fan MailThis week on Women Walking, we talk with Lenoure Mullaney, a longtime global development professional whose career began in the Peace Corps and spanned more than twenty years across Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. Like so many in our community, Lenoure faced the upheaval of USAID cuts in early 2025—an abrupt loss that felt like losing more than just a job.In this conversation, Lenoure shares what transition really looks like: the grief of letting go, the humor of dog‑walking adventures, and the courage of starting fresh with horses, Airbnb hosting, and new ways of building community. Her story reminds us that even when systems collapse, we can keep walking—awkward steps, quiet decisions, and all.Here are some ways to connect with Lenoure and learn more about her Equine and Retreat Center in Lovettsville, VA. https://www.facebook.com/lenoure/https://www.facebook.com/TheBlueHydrangeaFarm/www.thebluehydrangeafarm.comhttps://www.instagram.com/theogbaroness/

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Lisa Neuberger Fernandez shares how walking with women—across continents and life stages—has shaped her journey through motherhood, leadership, and reinvention. From the Camino to community circles, Lisa reflects on how movement and mentorship help us find our next why. The Next Chapter Accelerator—a retreat and reflection program for senior women leaders—starts again this December. Learn more at www.nextchapteraccelerator.com.To reach out to Lisa, you can find her on:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisahneuberger/

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we talk with Fiona Macaulay—CEO of the WILD Network and co-founder of the Next Chapter Accelerator, a bold program helping women leaders step into what’s next. As part of the experience, participants walk and talk along the Camino, using movement as a catalyst for reflection, clarity, and connection. We also hear from Lee Ann De Reus, CEO of Badass University and a recent participant, who shares how the journey sparked courage, insight, and a whole new chapter. It’s a conversation about reinvention, leadership, and the power of movement—on the trail and in life.For more information on Fiona Macaulay, follow her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionamacaulay and sign up for WILD's newsletter: www.thewildnetwork.orgFor more information on Lee Ann De Reus, follow her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leeanndereus/ or check out Badass University LLC www.badassuniversity.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we meet the youngest pilgrims we interviewed—two 19-year-old women navigating gap years with backpacks, curiosity, and a willingness to walk into the unknown. One studies at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the other is a student at Bates College. On the Camino de Santiago, they encountered physical exhaustion, emotional solitude, and moments of unexpected joy. From crowded hostels to quiet stretches of trail, they share what they packed, what they let go of, and what they carried forward into their lives today. Their stories offer a candid look at what it means to walk into adulthood—step by step, mile by mile.

Send us Fan MailIn Episode 6, we welcome Megan Maclaggan, a true solo Camino walker whose quiet presence carries a deep, healing energy—something you sense long before she speaks. Based in Mexico, Megan is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and a licensed acupuncturist, blending ancient wisdom with modern practice.In this episode, she shares the highs and lows of her Camino journey—from the challenges of walking and biking (spoiler: the gravel bike wasn’t her favorite) to braving rain and hail, experiencing powerful "serotonin dumps," and navigating the twists and turns of a Camino romance.Join us as Megan reflects on the adventure, resilience, and unexpected moments that make the Camino unforgettable.

Send us Fan MailStep into the raw, unfiltered reality of the Camino with two incredible women—a spirited Aussie and a resilient Kiwi—as they share the highs, lows, and unexpected twists of their journey. From emergency room visits and stubborn blisters to contagious laughter and the kind of deep friendship only the Camino can forge, this episode peels back the layers of an adventure that didn’t go as planned, but left them stronger than ever. A year later, they reflect on the lessons, the struggles, and the undeniable magic of the road.

Send us Fan MailWomen Walking co-hosts, Courtney and Debbie chat with fellow pilgrim Una Smyth from Belfast, Ireland about her experience walking the Camino Frances solo in April-May 2024. She discusses safety, hostels, and offers a short, personalized history of Irish politics, culture, and religion.

Send us Fan MailTwo Australian perigrinos join Women Walking co-hosts, Debbie and Courtney to share their experience walking the Camino Frances. They share tips from foot care to daily routines to caring for one another throughout the journey. They discuss some of what they untangled along the way, what they took from the Camino, and what they left behind.

Send us Fan MailWomen Walking co-hosts Debbie Ventimiglia and Courtney Park-Jamborsky talk to fellow Camino de Santiago pilgrims Cindy Conquer and Dana California about their experience walking the Camino Frances April-May 2024. Listen in as they share how their relationship transformed from acquaintances to deep friendship along the way. They discuss their diverse faith backgrounds and how the trek impacted them both emotionally and spiritually.  

Send us Fan MailWomen Walking co-hosts, Debbie Ventimiglia and Courtney Park-Jamborsky, life-long friends from Reston, Virginia open up about their trek along the Camino Frances in 2024 - a 500 mile pilgrimage across Northern Spain. They offer listeners their tips and tricks to walking 500 miles in 30 days, advice on building and maintaining their 40-year friendship over the miles, and their experiences talking with fellow pilgrims about what they carried and what they left behind.