Episodios

  • EP 142 Valerie Mercurio

    EP 142 Valerie Mercurio
    Mar 28 2026
    What if confidence isn’t something you have… but something you build? In this episode of Meeting You Where You’re At, Richard sits down with Valerie Mercurio, Global Head of Business Development at InfoSum (WPP), for a conversation about growth, voice, and learning to take up space in rooms where you’re not sure you belong. Valerie shares her journey from quietly observing as a “sponge” early in her career to becoming a leader who asks the questions others are thinking—but don’t say out loud. Together, they explore what it really means to develop confidence over time, how to navigate high-stakes conversations, and why empathy—not ego—is the foundation of effective leadership. From managing self-doubt to leading with intention, this episode is a reminder that your voice matters—and that sometimes, the question you’re hesitant to ask is the one that moves everything forward. 🎧 If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong in the room… this one’s for you. For more information on Meeting You Where You're At, visit - https://meetingyoupodcast.com/ For more information on InfoSum, please visit - https://www.infosum.com/ And follow Valerie on LinkedIn at - https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-mercurio-1306464b/
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    41 m
  • EP 141 Emma Newman

    EP 141 Emma Newman
    Mar 8 2026
    Women in Leadership, AI, and the Future of the Digital Economy | Emma Newman | Meeting You Where You're At Podcast What does it really take to lead in an industry defined by constant disruption, AI transformation, and global competition? In this episode of the Meeting You Where You're At Podcast, host Richard Juknavorian sits down with Emma Newman, Chief Revenue Officer for EMEA at PubMatic, to explore leadership, accountability, and the rapidly evolving digital media and internet economy. Emma has spent more than two decades helping shape the digital advertising ecosystem—from the early days of the internet to today’s AI-driven transformation of media and technology. In this conversation, she shares powerful insights on career growth, leadership accountability, sponsorship vs mentorship, and navigating uncertainty in a world where technology evolves faster than ever. Emma also discusses how the internet economy created new opportunities for women in leadership and why ownership, accountability, and courage to raise your hand can transform a career. This episode is packed with practical advice for leaders, entrepreneurs, founders, and professionals navigating complex systems and rapid change. In This Episode We Discuss • Why the internet economy created a level playing field for women leaders • The difference between mentorship and sponsorship in career growth • How accountability transforms leadership and performance • Leading through AI disruption, privacy shifts, and industry change • Why measurement—not symbolism—drives real equity in organizations • The leadership difference between managing systems vs building them • How to build your own personal “Board of Directors” for career support • Why resilience does NOT mean enduring everything About Meeting You Where You're At Meeting You Where You're At is a globally recognized podcast spotlighting women leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators who are shaping the future of business, technology, healthcare, and society. Hosted by Richard Juknavorian, the show explores the stories behind leadership, resilience, and the people creating meaningful change. https://meetingyoupodcast.com/ Connect with Emma Newman Find Emma on LinkedIn and follow her work in the digital media and technology ecosystem. https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-newman-0491518/
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    46 m
  • EP 140 Claudia Returns!

    EP 140 Claudia Returns!
    Feb 7 2026
    In this fun and heart-warming episode, our good friend Claudia Pupo, Founder & CEO of Bebesita, returns! It's hard to believe it's been nearly eighteen months since we've had Claudia on the show. Claudia gives us a full update on all her goings-on, including her foray into modeling, showcasing the Bebesita brand at runway shows, and beginning to create her own designs. Claudia continues to show us that she's all about the hustle and self-learning. She never stops looking to achieve more, but has worked hard to balance and blend her professional and personal lives. We're so excited to have Claudia rejoin us for this very special episode. For more great content and products, please visit https://www.bebesita.net/ and https://www.instagram.com/bebesitas.shop/
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    30 m
  • EP 139 Brittany Stevens

    EP 139 Brittany Stevens
    Dec 14 2025
    Brittany Stevens | Workplace Rights, Power Dynamics, and Finding Your Voice In this episode of Meeting You Where You’re At, host Richard Juknavorian speaks with Brittany Stevens, a partner at Phillips & Associates, about the realities of workplace discrimination, harassment, and retaliation — and what employees can do when power dynamics make speaking up feel impossible. Brittany is an employee-side employment attorney who represents individuals facing some of the most difficult moments of their professional lives. In this candid and compassionate conversation, she breaks down how discrimination and retaliation actually show up at work, why “just saying no” isn’t always an option, and how fear, silence, and imbalance of power continue to shape workplace experiences — especially for women. This episode explores: - Sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in the workplace - Pregnancy and maternity-related discrimination and subtle forms of retaliation - The importance of documentation, witnesses, and internal complaints - How colleagues, HR, and leadership can better support vulnerable employees - What true workplace cultures of safety and accountability look like - The emotional toll of advocacy work — and how Brittany sustains herself Brittany also shares her own career journey, her approach to mentorship, and why helping people find their voice is at the heart of the work she does every day. This is a powerful conversation about justice, resilience, and the courage it takes — both personally and professionally — to stand up when something isn’t right. 🎧 Listen now. For more information, please visit https://www.newyorkcitydiscriminationlawyer.com/
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    39 m
  • EP 138 Michelle Monaco

    EP 138 Michelle Monaco
    Dec 14 2025
    Michelle Monaco | Designing Virtual Care That Puts Humans First In this episode of Meeting You Where You’re At, host Richard Juknavorian sits down with Michelle Monaco, Senior Vice President of Product at Wheel, for a thoughtful conversation at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and human-centered design. Michelle leads both product and engineering at Wheel, where she’s helping reimagine virtual care infrastructure to improve access, quality, and trust for patients and clinicians alike. Together, Richard and Michelle explore what it means to build the right thing and build it right in a deeply complex, highly regulated healthcare system. This conversation covers: - Why product and engineering leadership are increasingly converging - How empathy, curiosity, and experimentation drive better digital health experiences - The role of AI in amplifying — not replacing — clinicians - Designing for transparency in virtual care, from pricing to access - Servant leadership, mentorship, and learning to do hard things Michelle also shares her personal journey into health tech, her approach to leadership as a working parent, and why following relationships — not just roles — has shaped her career. If you’re interested in digital health, product leadership, AI in healthcare, or building technology that truly meets people where they are, this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation. For more information, please visit - https://www.wheel.com/
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    43 m
  • EP 137 Sylvie Milverton

    EP 137 Sylvie Milverton
    Dec 7 2025
    In this episode of Meeting You Where You’re At, Richard sits down with Sylvie Milverton — Founder & CEO of Lynx Educate — to explore how education, purpose, and global experience intersect to shape the future of work. Sylvie shares her journey from CFO to entrepreneur, her global career across Latin America, Europe, and the U.S., and the inspiration behind launching Lynx Educate, an organization helping employers drive social mobility and workforce impact through learning. Together, we discuss: • How international experiences shape views on equity and access • The transition from operator to visionary founder • Female leadership in male-dominated spaces • The power of networks and authentic connection • The evolving role of learning in the age of AI and workforce transformation This is a conversation about reinvention, purpose, and the belief that talent truly is everywhere. Watch now and be inspired by Sylvie’s thoughtful, global view on lifelong learning and impact. For more information on Lynx Educate, please see -- https://lynxeducate.com/
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    39 m
  • EP 136 Jen Fry

    EP 136 Jen Fry
    Nov 23 2025
    Dr. Jen Fry is a Sports Geographer, educator, speaker, tech founder, and the force behind JenFryTalks, where she helps organizations navigate the messy but transformative terrain of conflict and culture. She’s also the author of the razor-sharp new book I Said No, a guide to setting boundaries and reclaiming your power without apology. In this candid and energizing conversation, Jen takes us inside her unconventional journey—from volleyball coach to PhD to tech entrepreneur—and shares how each chapter shaped her understanding of people, place, and power. We explore why conflict isn’t something to avoid, but a catalyst for innovation, healing, and leadership growth. We talk about: - How becoming a Sports Geographer unlocked a new way of seeing people and systems - Why most of us were never actually taught how to navigate conflict - The harmful patterns leaders repeat when fear drives the culture - How her book I Said No helps high-achievers break cycles of guilt and overcommitment - The parallels between managing conflict and building a tech platform from scratch - The power of no-regret decisions, reinvention, and honoring the hard moments that shape us Jen is bold, brilliant, and refreshingly honest. This episode is part masterclass, part storytelling, and part pep talk for anyone ready to stand their ground and lead with clarity. Find Dr. Jen Fry: JenFryTalks (all platforms) Book: I Said No (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or signed copies on her website) Coordle: Her tech platform for simplifying group travel
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    38 m
  • EP 135 Camille (Cami) Lee

    EP 135 Camille (Cami) Lee
    Nov 1 2025
    Camille “Cami” Lee is redefining what sports storytelling looks like. As the founder of Backfield Media, she’s building a platform that gives athletes a voice—one that highlights their humanity, mental health, education, and community impact beyond the game. In this episode, Cami joins host Richard Juknavorian to discuss her journey as a journalist, creator, and advocate. From her early love of football and her father’s influence to the challenges of being a woman innovating in a male-dominated industry, Cami opens up about authenticity, advocacy, and how collaboration fuels her mission. 🎙️ Themes: sports media, athlete storytelling, women in sports, mental health, advocacy, journalism, leadership, entrepreneurship, Gen Z creators, community impact For more information, please see - https://linktr.ee/BackfieldMedia #MeetingYouWhereYoureAt #PodcastInterview #WomenInMedia #StorytellingPodcast #SocialImpactPodcast #EntrepreneurshipPodcast #SportsMedia #AthleteStories #BackfieldMedia #WomenInSports #SportsJournalism #CollegeAthletes #AthleteAdvocacy #SportsStorytelling #SportsContentCreator #AthleteMentalHealth #StudentAthletes #EducationMatters #MindsetMatters #AdvocacyInAction #MentalHealthAwareness #CommunityBuilding #AuthenticLeadership #GenZCreators #WomenEntrepreneurs #PurposeDriven #InclusiveLeadership #EmpowermentThroughStorytelling #InspirationInAction #RichardJuknavorian #CamilleLee #CamiLee #ODU #InnovationInMedia #NextGenLeadership
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    35 m