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Welcome to #ThePowerOfStories Podcast – a podcast BY women, ABOUT women, and FOR women! Stories connect us and inspire us, and in this podcast, women from around the world, will talk about their experiences on their personal path to empowerment. Their stories of resilience, of overcoming fears, and of pursuing their dreams will remind you that you are not alone in facing life’s challenges.
The idea for a SayItForward.org podcast was Yodit Kifle Smith’s. Yodit is a dear friend and has worked with me on this website for nearly five years. She describes herself as “a creative dedicated to making sure the voices and stories of women are heard” and I am deeply grateful to her.
We are grateful to Lisa DiGiovine, Editor/Co-Producer of The Power of Stories Podcast for agreeing to share her advice and expertise. Lisa is an Emmy nominated non-fiction producer, writer and director. Her many credits include writing and producing for CNN, E!, Dr. Phil, Discovery, The Outdoor Channel, Lifetime and NBC.
Many thanks to Cali Wang for composing the Intro and Outro music for this podcast.
And, thank YOU very much for listening!
Sharon Kathryn D’Agostino
Founder, SayItForward.org
![The Power Of Stories Podcast](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/0wzdzkpisb6ifqv8vndbbrryg0ow?.jpg)
The Power of Stories is a new podcast BY women, ABOUT women, and FOR women. In this podcast, we are inviting courageous women from around the world to share the experiences that are shaping their path to empowerment. In each episode, you will hear stories that remind YOU that you are not alone…stories about resilience, overcoming fears, pursuing your dreams.. AND believing in yourself. This podcast is hosted by… Sharon Kathryn D’Agostino, a passionate advocate for the empowerment of women and girls everywhere, and founder of the storytelling platform, SayItForward.org and…. Yodit Kifle Smith, a creative dedicated to making sure the voices and stories of women are heard. We are grateful to Lisa DiGiovine, Editor/Co-Producer of The Power of Stories Podcast for agreeing to share her advice and expertise. Lisa is an Emmy nominated non-fiction producer, writer and director. Her many credits include writing and producing for CNN, E!, Dr. Phil, Discovery, The Outdoor Channel, Lifetime and NBC. And many thanks to Cali Wang for composing the Intro / Outro Music for this podcast. Listeners can connect with us at SayItForward.org and on our social media pages:Instagram and Twitter: @SayItForwardNow Facebook: facebook.com/sayitforwardnow
Dr. Joannie Marlene Bewa, MD, PhD, is a physician, public health researcher, global advocate for girls & women's sexual and reproductive health, and the founder and CEO of DOTOH Health. She has over fifteen years of combined experience in global health, health policy, digital health, clinical care, research, international development and non-profits management.
In this episode, Dr. Bewa discusses how her own encounter with the health care system as a girl sparked her passion for health and how that evolved to her focus on sexual and reproductive health… volunteering in a community organization that was focusing on health, respecting cultural and social norms while also challenging them… beyond basic health care, the importance of health information, education, community engagement, awareness and the spectrum of preventative care… the importance of addressing health inequities… the encouragement and support of her parents, and the valuable lessons she learned from them about hard work and about why it is important to help others… setting up a nonprofit at age 21, the Young Beninese Leaders Association, successfully establishing partnerships with other nonprofits, and then receiving support from First Lady Michelle Obama’s Young African Women Leaders Grant Program to scale up programs… the importance of making the right decision at the right time, and of being open to opportunities and not missing them… continuing her studies to become a medical doctor and then working for a Masters degree and a PhD… ensuring that all girls have access to quality education by removing the financial, cultural, social, and logistical barriers they face… the essential role of mentors and role models, and safe spaces where girls can express themselves freely without being judged… the need to see more women in politics and in leadership roles globally, and as medical doctors, engineers, astronaut, and journalists… and this encouragement for us all, “Believe in yourself, believe in your power, believe in your voice. Start somewhere because tomorrow starts today.” (Republic of Benin and USA)
![Dr. Joannie Marlene Bewa, MD, PhD, Republic of Benin and USA](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/0wzdzkpisb6ifqv8vndbbrryg0ow?.jpg)