On this episode of Change Making Women we interview Eleanor Brown, the singer and songwriter who both wrote and performed our theme song.

TOPICS WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE

    • How 2016 went for us personally
    • Some of the world events in the past year that have felt signficant to us
    • Why we don’t make resolutions
    • What plans we do have for the coming year
    • Our plans for the podcast in 2017
    • We also request listeners to let us know if they, or someone they know, might be interested in coming on the show next year

On this episode of Change Making Women we interview Eleanor Brown, the singer and songwriter who both wrote and performed our theme song.

TOPICS WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE

    • How Eleanor got started writing music at a young age
    • Where she draws her song writing inspiration from
    • The link between personal transformation and making a difference in the world
    • Eleanors passion for connection to and the protection of the natural world
    • We also get an amazing LIVE performance of Eleanor’s song ‘A Call to Stand’

Some Quotes from the show:

‘If we stand for ourselves and make changes in ourselves then thats really the only authentic way that we can make change in the world’
‘We can’t make a difference in the world unless we are giving from a place of fullness in ourselves’
‘The songs are putting voice, or a form, to a process that people are going through’

‘This theme of transformation is very prevalent in many of my songs’

Connect with Eleanor:

Support Eleanor who is Crowdfunding for her next album: https://igg.me/at/eleanorbrownmusic

You can listen to this episode below or find it on ITunes, Stitcher or SoundCloud.

TOPICS WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE

In this episode we talk to Maria Magembe and Hellen Lawuo-Meena about the business they have recently launched Daughters of the Soil. We talk about

  • How Maria’s Grandmother Oyangi inspired their 100% natural range of premium beauty products
  • Why they have chosen to create a global brand that celebrates African heritage
  • What they have learnt from working together and how they manage doing business with a friend
  • How Daughters of the Soil wants to develop a platform that supports rural women in Africa to empower themselves

Some quotes from the show:
We want to be a brand that celebrates the goodness that comes from the soil across Africa’

‘Where we come from the soil is regarded as something important, we believe that we are from the soil and so it’s a fitting name for a natural beauty business’

‘We are still learning everyday, we are just stretching ourselves’

‘It’s really been a journey in terms of solving problems, it’s really exciting’

‘Even when we don’t agree, it’s a really good learning point’

‘It’s about developing a platform that supports rural women in Africa who don’t have some of the support that we have been really privileged to have’

‘It’s about women backing women in business’

Connect with and find out more about Daughters of the Soil:

www.daughterofthesoil.co.uk
Twitter:@daughterof_soil

Instagram: @daughetrof_soil

Facebook: Daughterofthesoil

Ziada tells Mary Ann all about the upcoming Nywele Natural & Beauty Expo which Kipilipili are part of organising in Dar es Salaam. We find out what visitors can expect at the show and why the organisers have chosen to focus on natural products made as locally as possible as well as offering women a chance to learn from exhibitors and experts about the natural hair and beauty challenges they face!

On this weeks show Ziada and Mary Ann reflect on the recent US election and the fear and sadness many are feeling about the result and ask how we might turn use our fear and anger to galvanise effect action for change? They talk about co-ordinating movements for change and inspiring ourselves to focused action towards the change that we believe in.

Some quotes from the show:

“Demonstrations are like sticking up a big sign. Whether they lead to change or not… that’s a much more complicated story.”

“It’s easy to say what you’re against. To say what you’re for can get uite tricky.” 

“To make a difference in your community, try to take the positives. Then get together and work around that.” 

“Making change is a long process, and you can’t always see the end of it. It’s not for the fainthearted, trying to make big things change.”

“It takes a lot of dedication. You have to dedicate your life to do that.” 

“There’s also an argument for taking small actions, and being willing to put your hand up and say ‘this is wrong’ in smaller ways as well.”