"She Says"
A Podcast Series
Sitting in the quietest place I can find in the dorm, I lay out my materials on the step in front of me: a laptop and a notebook. I take a deep breath before clicking on the Zoom link and waiting for the interviewee to appear. This ritual marks the creation of each episode of my podcast, She Says, a project born from my desire to challenge restrictive definitions of womanhood and contribute to a more inclusive community of young women.
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I began this project searching for guidance as I approached graduation, standing at a crossroads and questioning whether the expectations of my patriarchal community were truly the only paths available to me. I sought out voices and stories that could offer alternative possibilities.
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The podcast began with interviews of high-achieving women around me, asking them to reflect on success, barriers, and identity. One of my first guests was my teammate’s mother, a Chinese immigrant in Canada who earned two master’s degrees while raising three children and working full-time. She spoke candidly about navigating new languages, environments, and persistent racism.​As the podcast expanded, I interviewed women from diverse professions, including a Fortune 500 executive, a medical doctor, IT professionals, and educators. Despite their differences, they shared a refusal to be defined by social expectations. Through their stories, She Says became a platform for guidance, empowerment, and growth—encouraging young women to imagine lives beyond prescribed roles.