What does it take to dream big, raise your voice, and step into women’s leadership—even when you’ve never seen someone like you represented in power?

In this inspiring episode of the Ladies Who Leap Podcast, host Lisa Andria sits down with Mona Das—Speaker, Filmmaker, Entrepreneur, Changemaker, and former Washington State Senator (2018–2023)—for a conversation about representation, courage, fundraising, women in politics, and creating lasting impact.

Mona shares the unforgettable moment that sparked her political leap (yes… it started in the shower), the powerful truth behind why representation matters, and how her background in sales and business development became a superpower for campaign fundraising.

She also talks about her award-winning film “Badass Women Doing Kick Ass Sh*t”—highlighting eight women of color running for office and what the film reveals about women challenging the patriarchy in every arena, not just politics.

You’ll also hear Mona’s bold new mission: raising $1 BILLION to fund women entrepreneurs creating real-world impact—and building the kind of supportive community women need to grow, lead, and thrive.

In this episode, we cover:

🌟 Women in leadership + why visibility changes everything

🫵 How to run for office (and where women can learn to do it)

💵 The truth about fundraising and why it matters in politics

🛍️ Mona’s legislative wins (including fighting single-use plastics)

❤️ Why “good politicians” exist—and why we need more

The power of community, coaching, and accountability

Mona’s mantras: Dream Big. Believe in Yourself. Keep Going.

How Mona lives as a digital nomad while building global impact

🎬 Watch Mona’s film + learn more: monadas.org

💡 Grant info: monadas.org/grant

If this episode moved you…

✅ Like, subscribe, and share

✅ Comment your biggest dream (your “BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal”) and one step you’ll take this week

✅ Tag a woman who needs this message

Connect with Mona Das:

Website + Film + Grant: monadas.org

Connect with Lisa Andria (Host, Ladies Who Leap):

Email: lisa@ladieswholeap.com

Website: ladieswholeap.com

In this powerful episode of the Ladies Who Leap Podcast, host Lisa Andria sits down with author, educator, and consultant Thymai Dong-Sheehan to explore a life shaped by courage, faith, identity, and transformation.

Thymai’s memoir, The Beauties of My So-Called Asian Life, tells the story of fleeing Saigon as a Vietnamese refugee in 1975, growing up as an Asian American navigating belonging, rising to become a Chief Equity Officer in public education, and ultimately stepping away from her executive role to prioritize family and faith. And then leaping back into her consulting business.

In this deeply honest conversation, we explore:

✨ What it means to live “in the hyphen” as a Vietnamese-American ✨ Overcoming discrimination and reclaiming identity ✨ Faith, spirituality, and leadership in public education ✨ Navigating DEI work in today’s climate ✨ Caregiving, resilience, and redefining purpose ✨ The healing power of vulnerability and memoir writing ✨ Why forgiving yourself is often the hardest leap of all

Thymai shares how leaving a prestigious leadership role became her greatest leap of faith — choosing family over title, purpose over prestige, and inner transformation over external validation.

We also discuss her consulting company, Innervate 2 Educate, and why real transformation in education begins from the inside out.

If you care about:

• Immigrant stories

• Asian American identity

• Diversity, equity & inclusion

• Faith and spirituality

• Personal growth and resilience

• Caregiving and family transitions

• Writing a memoir

• Leadership with heart

This episode is for you.

👉 Be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to support courageous stories that inspire women to leap.

Connect with Thymai Dong-Sheehan 📘 Book: The Beauties of My So-Called Asian Life 🌐 Innervate to Educate Consulting: innervate2educate.com

Connect with Lisa Andria (Host | Ladies Who Leap) 🌐 Website & offerings: ladieswholeap.com 📩 Email: ladieswholeap.podbean.com ▶️ YouTube: youtube.com/@ladieswholeap

In this deeply moving episode of the Ladies Who Leap Podcast, host Lisa Andria sits down with Michaela Avis, founder of CISTER (CIS-TER) (CISTER.COMMUNITY-Web site)— a nonprofit dedicated to empowering cisgender allies to visibly support the transgender community through branded merchandise.

Michaela shares her extraordinary journey of coming out as transgender at age 61, navigating decades of masking, raising four children, working in corporate tech sales, and ultimately stepping into her authentic self.

Today, she lives life on the road in her RV, traveling across the United States to connect with LGBTQ+ leaders, allies, and communities — building bridges through visibility, compassion, and courage.

Together, Lisa and Michaela explore:

• What it’s like to transition later in life

• The emotional cost of hiding your true self

• RV life as a path to freedom and self-discovery

• Why visible allyship matters now more than ever

• How CISTER creates a “circle of protection” for trans individuals

• The powerful link between giftedness, creativity, and LGBTQ+ identity

• A surprising grocery store moment that restored faith in humanity

• Self-acceptance, belonging, and living your “third act” with purpose

This episode is a masterclass in self-love, identity, courage, and community, and a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand how we can show up — loudly and lovingly — as allies.

✨ “True belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world.” — Brené Brown

🔗 Learn more & support Michaela's mission: 👉 www.ladieswholeap.com to get in touch with Lisa Andria - Emotional Transformation Coach.

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