A story of how belief, support and inner strength helped a young Filipina entrepreneur transform her vision — and her local impact — into a model for global sustainability.

In this second part of the conversation with the host Meenu Gupta, Aya Fernandez- the founder of Eco-Uling shares how women lead differently than men and how she maintains equanimity in her life with journaling. She speaks about ethical business norms and about what it means to be truly validated and how different generations can learn from one another.

Keywords

Empowerment, sustainability, belief, validation, gender equality, social innovation, entrepreneurship, metrics, women leaders

Soundbites

“Women leaders are more intuitive”

“We should not be glorifying hustle”

“Data only tells a certain part of the story. It takes a human to complete the story”

Chapters

-Intuitive leadership of women

-Leading with empathy can lead to profit

-Intergenerational learning

-Navigating life´s journey with journaling

-Maintaining equanimity in multiple roles

-Impact of Eco-Uling

-Ethics of business

-Impact of validation

A story of how belief, support and inner strength helped a young Filipina entrepreneur transform her vision — and her local impact — into a model for global sustainability.

Aya Fernandez, the founder of Eco-Uling shares how her path as an eco-entrepreneur, artist and advocate took shape. She speaks openly about what it meant to be truly seen and heard by the Bayer Foundation— not only for her work, but for who she is — and how that recognition boosted her self-worth, reshaping her confidence and leadership.

Keywords

Empowerment, sustainability, belief, validation, gender equality, social innovation, entrepreneurship, metrics, women leaders

Soundbites

“There is no greater empowerment than empowering others”

“Give me droplets & I can transform them into an ocean”

“Sustainability is the only way to go”

Chapters

-”Aha”moments in Aya´s life

-Multitasking vs living with awareness

-Beyond gender to sense of belonging

-Sea turtle and crab mentality compared

-Power of validation

-The journey of Eco-Uling

-Metrics of success of an entrepreneur

-Belief & validation supports dreams and enterprises

-Intergenerational learning

In this conversation, Dr. Herrberg, an international peace mediator, shares her insights on the complexities of peacebuilding in a world fraught with conflict. She discusses her journey into the field of peace mediation, the importance of resilience in conflict zones and the inner dimensions of peace. Dr. Herrberg emphasizes the need for cultural competence in mediation, the role of women in peace processes and the interconnectedness of climate change and conflict. She also highlights the significance of micro moments of peace and the psychological aspects of mediation, offering advice for aspiring peacemakers.

Keywords

peace, mediation, resilience, conflict resolution, cultural competence, women in peace, psychological aspects, climate change, inner peace, community building

Takeaways

-Peace is a fundamental human need that drives many to become peacemakers.

-Resilience in conflict zones often stems from a belief in something greater than oneself.

-The journey to peace involves both outer actions and inner transformations.

-Cultural perspectives significantly shape conflict resolution strategies.

-Women are increasingly demanding a seat at the negotiation table in peace processes.

-Understanding the roots of conflict requires looking beyond surface-level issues.

-Micro moments of peace can lead to significant changes in conflict dynamics.

-Psychological awareness is crucial for effective mediation.

-Climate change exacerbates conflicts and must be considered in peacebuilding efforts.

-The secret of peace lies in both manifest and non-manifest dimensions.

Sound bites

"There's always a way to connect with one another."

"Peace is a way of being, a practice that evolves."

"Silence is sometimes just as important as talking."

Chapters

00:00 The Quest for Peace in a Turbulent World

05:42 The Journey to Becoming a Peacemaker

11:22 Resilience in Conflict Zones

17:34 The Inner Dimension of Peace

23:15 Cultural Perspectives on Peace

29:00 Understanding Global Conflicts

34:49 Micro Moments of Peace

40:21 Misconceptions About Mediation

44:15 The Role of Mediators in Conflict Resolution

45:25 Defining Mediation: A Collaborative Process

46:22 Psychological Aspects in Peace Negotiations

50:11 The Role of Women in Peace Mediation

52:43 Comparing Women and Men in Negotiation

55:43 The Influence of Women Behind the Scenes

59:59 Interconnectedness of Climate Change and Peace

01:04:14 The Secret of Peace: Inner and Outer Dimensions

01:05:49 Starting Your Journey in Peacebuilding

01:07:36 Moments of Realization in Peacemaking

01:12:44 The Importance of Recognition and Dignity in Peace

The second part of an animated discussion with Steve Melhuish on the role of women in leadership, the challenges of global agreements like COP and the need for authenticity in business. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of empathy and collaboration in addressing global challenges and offers insights for young entrepreneurs on finding their purpose.

Key Takeaways

-Social innovation can bridge gaps across different regions.

-Climate action is linked to peace and security.

-COP meetings often lack accountability and action.

-Authenticity in business is essential for long-term success

Show notes

-Gender Equality: The Role of Women in Leadership

-Social Innovation: Bridging Gaps Across Borders

-The Interconnection of Climate Action and Peace

-Navigating COP: The Challenges of Global Agreements

-Authenticity in Business: Balancing Purpose and Profit

-Empathy and Collaboration: A New Ethic for Business

-Advice for Young Entrepreneurs: Finding Your Ikigai

An except from a conversation between the host Meenu Gupta and Steve Melhuish, an entrepreneur turned impact investor- From the relevance/irrelevance of COP to how entrepreneurs and impact builders are handling the issues of climate change, this conversation is a call to action for a re-think of the model that COP has become.

In this conversation, Meenu Gupta and Steve Melhuish explore the complexities of measuring sustainability, the importance of human connection in progress and gender stereotyping from an early age. An exchange on drivers of economy in the east and the west of the world, the realities of developed and emerging economies and a peek into Steve´s journey from entrepreneurship to impact between Asia and Europe, round up this first part of a deep conversation.

Keywords

sustainability, climate crisis, impact investing, gender equality, social innovation, peace building, entrepreneurship, collaboration, metrics, authenticity

Takeaways

-Not everything that matters is measurable.

-Metrics can blind us to the human side of progress.

-Personal experiences can drive a shift towards impact.

-Cultural backgrounds shape perspectives on business and sustainability.

-The climate crisis requires urgent action and collaboration.

-Gender equality is crucial for effective leadership.

Sound bites

"What gets measured gets done."

"Can we measure peace?"

"How do we make lives better?"

Chapters

-Measuring What Matters: The Quest for True Sustainability

-The Human Side of Progress: Beyond Metrics

-A Personal Journey: From Entrepreneurship to Impact

-Cultural Connections: East Meets West

-The Climate Crisis: A Call for Action

An excerpt from a conversation between the host, Meenu Gupta and Dr. Ketakandriana Rafitoson.

In this conversation, Meenu Gupta engages with Dr. Ketakandriyana Rafitoson, a political scientist and human rights defender from Madagascar, discussing the urgent need for climate justice and the role of governance in addressing corruption and social justice. They explore the dynamics between the Global South and North, the importance of grassroots movements, and the necessity of empowering affected communities to lead the dialogue on climate change. The conversation emphasizes the interconnectedness of justice, dignity, and democracy while also addressing the risks faced by activists and the ethical dimensions of transparency. Ultimately, they highlight the power of resistance and collective action as a source of hope in the face of global challenges.

In this episode of 'Between the East and the West', host Meenu Gupta engages with Barry Shaw, a senior associate for public diplomacy at the Israel Institute for Strategic Studies. The conversation delves into the complexities of public diplomacy, Israel's position in global discourse, and the historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Barry shares his personal journey, experiences with antisemitism, and critiques of media narratives surrounding Israel. The discussion also explores the emotional weight of ongoing conflicts, the role of truth in public diplomacy, and Barry's vision for a peaceful future in Gaza through a protectorate model.

Keywords

Public diplomacy, Israel, Barry Shaw, peace, conflict resolution, media narratives, antisemitism, Gaza, historical context, dialogue

Takeaways

-Public diplomacy shifts the conversation from governments to individuals.

-Israel's narrative is often misunderstood in international discourse.

-Barry's perspective is shaped by historical Jewish suffering.

-The Oslo Accords were a significant turning point in the conflict.

-Yasser Arafat's legacy is controversial and complex.

-Media representation can distort the reality of conflicts.

-Antisemitism remains a pervasive issue in many societies.

-Education is crucial for fostering understanding and peace.

-A new model for Gaza could involve a protectorate system.

-Reality must guide public diplomacy efforts moving forward.

Sound bites

"We are fighting a death cult."

"Reality is a human value."

"Education, not indoctrination."