Lisa Ross Faust: Welcome everyone to the Mona Lisa Monologues, Today’s Women Shaping History – I am Lisa Ross Faust and for nearly 30 years I’ve produced major events around the country for major brands. Today however I’m TAKING on a new role; I am thrilled to be your Host for this powerful, new podcast series- The Mona Lisa Monologues.
If you can imagine, with 30 years of producing, I’ve worked with corporations, speakers, actors, entertainers, panelists, authors, owners, organizers, not to mention all the individuals behind the scenes. I’ve met some remarkable women – successful women – pioneers in fact - many have influenced my life and continue to do so. I’d like to reveal their stories of courage with you, with the intention of creating a better me – a better you – united together we’re just better. It’s all about supporting each other, understanding and learning from one another. Our conversations will empower and encourage women to embrace their inner strength and recognize the masterpiece that they already are. We have CEOs, Politicians, Professional-Athletes, even CIA Agents – just so many leaders, and each guest has a unique success story to share – to characterize their journey. All of these Trailblazing Women will interpret their personal stories of courage, resilience, and triumph… full of passion, persistence, and fearless dedication.
I’ll share a few of our featured guests coming up:
We’ll hear from Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, CEO of Celebrity Cruise lines. She is THE driving force behind the transformation of today’s luxury cruise experience. I love her quote: “We need to care less about fitting into the glass slipper, and more about shattering the glass ceiling”. Lisa truly walks the walk; you’ll see how brilliant she is.
Patti Callahan Henry will also join us, she’s a NY Times, USA Today and The Globe Best Selling author. And I’m telling you, she has the gift. With 15 novels under her belt. She makes it look so easy but even Patti gives some insight on how she had to push through and be brave. You may want to pick up one of her latest novels, Becoming Mrs. Lewis, and that’s C.S. Lewis by the way. The main character, Joy was a rather complex woman, a working woman living in the 1950’s.
And imagine working for the Imagine Dragons; we’ll speak to Angie Warner, currently, Post Malone’s Tour Manager who tells the behind the scenes myths of touring and what’s it’s like to work in a man’s world - she gives some advice that truly rocks!
You will get to walk in all of their shoes. Real-life – real conversations.
At this very moment, so many incredible things are happening for women AND it is not by accident that we are launching on the Centennial anniversary of women’s suffrage. Let us pause to celebrate but continue to stand.
If you’d like to keep on listening, you can hear what inspired me to create the Mona Lisa Monologues – it’s about a 3-minute listen. If not:
You will be able to find us on most podcast platforms. Our first episode will drop on September 2 and then every Wednesday. Please visit monalisamonolgues.com or follow us as we launch on Instagram, FB, and Twitter. You can also find our Podcast swag store on our website if you would like to support the series.
Thanks so much – if you are still here listening. Here is my short story of inspiration for how and why we started The Mona Lisa Monologues.
Back in April like so many of us in the hospitality industry, everything came to a screeching halt. I was trying to figure out what was next for me. Allan Mohess a friend of mine who I also refer to as my MUSE called to catch up. Out of the blue, he says – Lisa I think you should start your own talk series. My reaction: Within 5 minutes I had a name – The Mona Lisa Monologues. When I found out the URL was available, I thought for sure this was a sign.
We talked about the bubonic plaque - Covid 19 and the similarities, revealing that this was indeed our version of the plaque. AND both of us hoping we’d have our version of The Renaissance as well. We’ll get to that part in a minute.
The topic for the program I also conjured up quite quickly; I wanted to feature women who broke the glass ceiling – those working in a man’s world, or simply working hard to make the climb to the very top in any industry.
One of my last events before Covid hit was in Las Vegas at ARIA’s Resort and Casino, for my client Forbes Travel Guide. Marisa Tomei, an academy award-winning actress (who was just in the King of Staten Island) was our host for one of the evening events. She was phenomenal and everyone loved her. When we hired Marisa, she made a request, and it was not a demand, but a request that we hire women in roles that would support her engagement when we could. So, we hired a scriptwriter, a teleprompter operator, a show caller, her PAs, my entire event team, all women.
It was so easy. Granted I learn something new at every single event that I produce, but this one was just a little more personal and had a positive impact on me. Like, why hadn’t I been doing this all along? Again, it was quite impactful and thought-provoking. And it just hit me.
So now you know one of the reasons for this desire to give LIFE to this supporting role for women. Thank you, Marisa, for that lesson.
Anyway, back to The Renaissance,
So, the Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo di Vinci. Was first introduced in 1505 DURING the Renaissance. It is by far one of THE most famous paintings of all time, but you always hear conversations of how she’s clouded with mystery. And it just makes you just wonder. I’m betting she really didn’t have a voice back then, otherwise, we might know a little more about who she was.
We may never know her full story, but The Mona Lisa Monologues, there will be so many other stories of strong women that we CAN tell. And that is what we are doing! Hopefully, we’ll have a new awakening or a Renaissance after this pandemic, where more women will aspire to lead and be brave.
Again, you will be able to find us on most podcast platforms. Our first episode will drop on September 2 and then every Wednesday. Please visit monalisamonolgues.com or follow us as we launch on Instagram, FB, and Twitter, You can also find our Podcast swag store on our website if you would like to support the series. Until then, with gratitude Mona Lisa and I thank you!