Ordinarily Extraordinary - Conversations with women in STEM
We’re Kathy Kale Nelson and Linda LaTourelle — co-hosts of Ordinarily Extraordinary: Conversations with Women in STEM.
Our mission is to amplify the voices of ordinary women doing extraordinary work in science, technology, engineering, and math.
We’re deeply committed to:
- Normalizing the presence of women in STEM by making their stories visible
- Building community for women who may be the only ones like them in their workplace
- Educating listeners about the wide variety of STEM careers — and what they actually look like
- Empowering growth and retention by addressing the challenges behind the leaky pipeline
From early-career professionals to experienced leaders in a wide variety of STEM fields, our guests share how they got started, how they’ve grown, and what they’ve learned along the way. This podcast is a space where women in STEM can be seen, heard, and supported — because representation isn’t just powerful, it’s essential.
Episodes
137 episodes
136. Catherine Jackson Jones: STEM Opportunities for Every Student - National Math and Science Initiative
In this episode, Kathy and Linda talk with Catherine Jackson Jones, a coach and mentor with the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding STEM opportunities for students and empowering educator...
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Season 2
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Episode 136
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1:04:31
135: Manyphay Viengkham-Systems Engineer; Resilience, Reinvention, and Creating Your Own Path
In this episode, Kathy and Linda talk with Manyphay Viengkham, an accomplished technology leader whose career spans energy innovation, systems engineering, and entrepreneurship. With degrees in biochemistry and computer science, Manyphay has bu...
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Season 2
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Episode 135
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1:02:50
134. Lawanda Parnell – A Technology Career Across Generations
In this episode of Ordinarily Extraordinary – Conversations with Women in STEM, Kathy and Linda sit down with Lawanda Parnell, a retired technology and utility leader whose career began at IBM in the early 1980s and spanned deca...
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Season 2
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Episode 134
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1:01:59
133. Stacy Cluff; Utility Technology Leader
After almost a year away, Ordinarily Extraordinary: Conversations with Women in STEM is back — and we’re relaunching with something new: a co-host!In this episode, Kathy is joined by her longtime friend and new co-host, Linda...
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Season 2
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Episode 133
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55:51
132. Fae Gaze, Mathematician, Data Scientist, and Machine Learning Researcher
Fae Gaze is a mathematician, data scientist, and machine learning researcher with degrees in mathematics, molecular biology, computer science, and data science engineering. She shares her journey into the world of math, data science, and machin...
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Season 1
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Episode 132
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53:11
131. Dr. Sandra Johnson, Entrepreneur, Global Technology Leader, Author
Dr. Sandra Johnson, a groundbreaking electrical engineer and entrepreneur, is the first black woman to earn a Ph.D. in computer engineering. Her journey from a high school introduction to engineering to her current roles as a former IBM CTO and...
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Season 1
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Episode 131
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50:44
130. Sheila Buswell- CEO, Biomedical Engineer & Innovator
Sheila Buswell is the founder and CEO of Buswell Biomedical. Sheila's story is fascinating as she transitions from roles in mechanical engineering and as an army technician to becoming an innovator in the biomedical field, inspired by her own i...
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Season 1
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Episode 130
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53:23
129. Sarah Garcia; Civil Engineer, Construction Industry
Sarah Garcia is a Project Executive and Director of DEI at Novo Construction. She is a civil engineer who has worked in the construction industry for most of her career. She is passionate about getting women and other minorities into the constr...
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1:11:53
128. Kalpana Pot - Actor, Writer, Host, and Space Communicator
Kalpana Pot is an actor, writer, host, and space communicator. Renowned for her vibrant online presence, particularly in space science, Kalpana has cultivated a platform with over 200K followers on Instagram and 4.4 million likes on TikTok....
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Season 1
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Episode 128
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57:36
127. Dr. Audra Morse- Dean, Professor, Civil Environmental and Geospatial Engineering
Dr. Audra Morse, Dean of the College of Engineering at Michigan Tech, is a distinguished professional with a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering and degrees in Environmental Engineering. Her journey from student to dean highlights the importance o...
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Season 1
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Episode 127
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54:58
126. Dr. Scyatta Wallace- Founder; Award Winning Scientist Professor
Dr. Syatta Wallace is an advocate for women in STEM and Founder of Janisaw Company. With over 15 years in developing gender-based programs, Dr. Wallace specializes in addressing the unique challenges women face in STEM careers. She shares...
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Season 1
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Episode 126
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45:23
125. Charli Matthews; Visionary leader and Founder of Empowering Brands
This episode of Ordinarily Extraordinary Conversations with Women in STEM' features Charli Matthews, a champion for empowering women in STEM fields and trades. Charli Matthews is a visionary leader with a mission to Connect,...
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Season 1
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Episode 125
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1:03:07
124. Dr. Chanfeng Zhao - Chemist; Chemical Engineer; Entrepreneur
Dr. Chanfeng Zhao is the VP of R&D Chemistry at TriLink BioTechnologies. She has over 25 years of experience in nucleotide and modified nucleotide chemistry for sequencing and genomics applications. She co-founded MyChem LLC, a company late...
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Season 1
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Episode 124
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1:02:29
123 - Abigail Fritschel Returns. Aerospace Engineering Graduate.
Abigail Fritschel is about to graduate from Iowa State University with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. Abby was first on the podcast as Episode 13 when she had just graduated from high school in the summer of 2020. She's back to provide an u...
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Season 1
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Episode 123
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44:20
122. Asha Devasia: Energy executive with biology & business degrees
Asha Devasia is an executive with experience in strategy, products, innovation and operations in the Energy industry. She leveraged her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Business and her MBA to transition to leadership early in her career. She h...
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Season 1
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Episode 122
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46:14
121. Sylleste Davis; House of Representatives; Information Technology
Sylleste Davis is a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 100th District. She is the Chair of the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee. Prior to representing the people of South Carolina, Syll...
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Season 1
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Episode 121
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1:04:57
120. Kathy Ford; Chief Operation Officer, biopharmaceuticals; R.N., B.S.N
Kathy Ford is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Kura Oncology. She has over 30 years experience in biopharmaceuticals. She is equally passionate about the work she does bringing treatment to cancer patients and as a mom and grandmother. Kath...
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Season 1
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Episode 120
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52:51
119. Dr. Sheryl Recinos, MD; Physician, Author, Homelessness Advocate
Sheryl Recinos is a physician, author, speaker and advocate. She is a locums hospitalist. After spending her teen years homeless and living on the streets in Los Angeles, she got a Bachelor's Degree in Cellular and Microbiology and later went b...
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Season 1
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Episode 119
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1:05:30
118. STEMSkills: Building Your Confidence with Karen Laos, Confidence Cultivator
Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, is on a mission to eradicate self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them simple strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individu...
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Season 1
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Episode 118
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1:02:56
117. Liz Lee Heinecke; Scientist and Science Communicator; Author & Media Personality
Liz Lee Heinecke is an author and media figure for science and STEM. She has loved science she was young which drew her to study molecular biology where she worked in research for ten years. As she transitioned to parenting, she began sharing h...
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Season 1
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Episode 117
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1:09:21
116. Pamela Kellert Strategic Leadership Coach for Women in STEM
Pamela Kellert is a strategic leadership coach focusing on women in STEM. She works with individuals and organizations to elevate their leadership skills, confidence and organizational impact. She is the Founder of Women Leading in STEM. Prior ...
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Season 1
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Episode 116
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1:02:26
115. Dr. Alison Banwell - Glaciologist; Glacier Scientist; PhD in Polar Studies
Dr. Alison Banwell is a Glaciologist and Research Scientist in the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), part of the University of Colorado Boulder. She studies glaciers in the Arctic and Antarctica and glacial l...
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Season 1
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Episode 115
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1:07:35
114. Nancy Joie Wilkie - Author; Retired Biotechnologist/Bio-Chemist
Nancy Joie Wilkie worked for over thirty years in both the biotechnology industry and as part of the Federal Government’s biodefense effort. Nancy is now retired and explores many creative pursuits including writing, composing original music, p...
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Season 1
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Episode 114
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51:09
113. Kathy Kale Nelson - Show Up, Sign Up, Speak Up, Give a Hand Up
This is a recording from a keynote speech I gave at a women in energy forum in 2017. I talk about the importance of: Showing up - especially as your authentic selfSigning up, or just say "yes" if an opport...
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Season 1
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Episode 113
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29:00