In this episode of The Commons with Karla, I sit down for a compelling conversation with Stephanie Sherman, a remarkable woman whose journey embodies resilience, faith, and social activism. Stephanie's transition from nurturing her children to joining Awaken, a faith-driven organization dedicated to combating commercial sexual exploitation, sets the stage for an exploration of personal growth and spiritual evolution. Together, Stephanie and I explore profound topics, including race, parenting, gender dynamics, and the portrayal of women in the Bible. We also examine the fusion of faith and social justice, drawing insights from Stephanie's experiences and her impactful work with Awaken. Join us on this enlightening journey as we navigate the complexities of life, faith, and advocacy.

Episode Highlights:

● All about Stephanie

● Stephanie’s Backstory/Growing up in England

● Growing in Faith

● College at TCU

● Relying on Community during Motherhood

● Becoming a Mentor

● Combating Commercial Sexual Exploitation

● Race, Parenting & Gender Dynamics

● Portrayal of Women

● Awaken

Find more on Guest:

● Awaken Website

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

● On IG @karla_osorno

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate and review The Commons with Karla Podcast on Apple or Spotify. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. For show notes, go to karlaosorno.com/podcast.

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

Welcome back to another episode of The Commons with Karla! Today, I have a special guest, Gretchen Huijskens, who is dedicated to using fashion as a catalyst for positive change in alleviating poverty. In our conversation, Gretchen shares her journey, including her experiences founding a charity in Haiti and co-founding Trades of Hope. Through her work, she has witnessed women overcoming poverty, trafficking, and gender inequality. Gretchen's book, "Our Voices Rising: One CEO’s Journey to Alleviate Poverty Using Fashion as a Force for Good," offers a compelling memoir and tribute to women globally striving for meaningful lives. Join us as we dive into Gretchen's inspiring story and reflect on how our own unique experiences shape our paths. I hope this episode reminds you that your story matters.

Episode Highlights:

● All about Gretchen

● Gretchen’s early life

● Fashion as a Force for Good

● Charity in Haiti

● Trades of Hope

● Nurturing Friendships when you feel overloaded

● Women rising out of poverty, trafficking, and gender inequality

● Gretchen’s Book: Our Voices Rising: One CEO’s Journey to Alleviate Poverty Using Fashion as a Force for Good

Find more on Guest:

● Gretchen on IG @gretchenhuijskens

● Our Voices Rising: One CEO’s Journey to Alleviate Poverty Using Fashion as a Force for Good

● Trades of Hope - Shop

● Trades of Hope Website Partner with Podcast guest Melanie

● Mentions: Melanie’s Episode #87 and Episode #97

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

● On IG @karla_osorno

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate and review The Commons with Karla Podcast on Apple or Spotify. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. For show notes, go to karlaosorno.com/podcast.

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

Welcome to The Commons with Karla, where we dive into the stories of everyday women making extraordinary impacts in their families and communities. My passion for this podcast stems from a deep belief in the power of shared experiences and connections. Through conversations, we uncover the common threads that unite us as human beings, from our desires and struggles to our capacity for purpose and joy.

In today's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jamie Hanson, a woman whose remarkable journey and insightful perspectives shed light on the importance of dialogue. Jamie's diverse experiences, including her upbringing in the Jewish faith and her teenage visit to Israel, provide a unique lens through which to understand complex issues.

Join us as we explore the value of conversations in fostering understanding and deepening connections.

Episode Highlights:

● All about Jamie and her family

● Jamie’s backstory

● Being raised Jewish

● Jamie’s Favorite Holiday - Seder

● Trip to Israel

● Navigating losing her Dad

● Jamie’s two jobs and mentoring

● Nurturing and Cultivating Relationships

● Being a Conversationalist

Find more on Guest:

● The Genius of Israel Book

● Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

● On IG @karla_osorno

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate and review The Commons with Karla Podcast on Apple or Spotify. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. For show notes, go to karlaosorno.com/podcast.

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.