S2 E2: The Broken Ladder

We've spent a season talking about leadership. Now let's talk about action.In our Season 2 finale, Emily and Jillian explore practical steps institutions can take to increase leadership opportunities for women in STEM - from sponsorship programs and leadership training to rethinking how leadership potential is evaluated.Because progress isn't just about identifying problems; it's about building solutions.

In Episode 4 of STEMinism Unfiltered, leadership mentors Dr. Deanna Yameen and Dr. Laura Schoenle share insights on self-awareness, communication, confidence, and leading without authority.Because leadership starts with understanding people—including yourself.

In Episode 3 of STEMinism Unfiltered, entrepreneur Dr. Kimberly Samaha joins us for a candid conversation about double standards, gatekeeping, and why access to leadership-building experiences still matters.

The ladder isn't broken at the top. It's broken in the middle.In Episode 2 of STEMinism Unfiltered, guests Professors Cara Stepp and Cara Lewis help us unpack the concept of the broken rung, the critical transition point where many future leaders are left behind.If we're serious about increasing leadership diversity in STEM, we need solutions that go beyond the leaky pipeline.

Season 2 of STEMinism Unfiltered focuses on leadership in STEM - why leadership gaps persist, how careers evolve, and what it really means to move from doing the work to leading it.Our season opener is an honest conversation between twopeople who definitely don't have all the answers — and are committed to asking the questions and sharing what they learning honestly, and without filters.

As we close out Season 1 of STEMinism Unfiltered, we take a step back to reflect on what we’ve heard and what we’ve learned.Over the past few episodes, we’ve shared stories from women across academia and industry, uncovering the systemic challenges that continue to shape the experiences of women in STEM. In this final episode, we turn inward to talk about what it means to navigate these systems with intention, and how self-advocacy and community can be powerful tools for change.We discuss:The importance of understanding the system you’re working inLessons we’ve learned the hard way, from missed red flags to unequal team dynamicsHow to advocate for yourself and others, especially early in your careerThe value of building a “village” of support, and why it should evolve over timeWe’ll recount advice from a brilliant Ph.D. student who shares a fresh perspective on cultivating networks, and we reflect on how our own paths might have looked different had we known then what we know now.This episode is about growth, resilience, and the power of community. Thank you for being part of Season 1.If you've enjoyed listening to this PodCast, please let us know. Your encouragement is needed for a Season 2 to happen.You can drop us a message on LinkedIn, and join the conversation at our STEMinism Unfiltered Community.

Work-life balance: a phrase we hear often, but rarely experience… especially as women in STEM.In this episode, we explore how the demands of academic careers intersect with caregiving responsibilities, personal health, and societal expectations. Whether it’s navigating tenure while raising young children (or deciding not to), taking on eldercare, or myriad other choices women make (voluntarily or not), our personal burdens carry professional consequences.We discuss the invisible labor of saying “yes” too often, and the gendered expectations that make it hard to say “no.”  We’re joined by three incredible women from Penn State University, our friends Jacqueline O'Connor, Catherine Berdanier, and Margaret Byron, who share their perspectives on what work-life balance really means, and what it could look like if the system were built differently.When you've recovered from this fast-paced all-out session, join us at STEMinism Unfiltered on LinkedIn.

Ever feel like the rules are just a little bit different for you? In this episode, we unpack the double standards that women and those from underrepresented groups in STEM face every day. From expectations around behavior to unequal scrutiny, we explore how these unspoken rules shape careers and confidence.We explore the double standards as it applies to tenure and promotion cases and examples from friends across STEM. We’re joined by Prof. Malika Jeffries-EL (Boston University) for a no nonsense conversation about what it means to be an ally and the action items we can all take to support women in STEM. Have you experienced a time when you couldn't find your voice? When you needed an ally? Have you supported a Woman in STEM and want to chat about it? Join us at ⁠STEMinism Unfiltered on LinkedIn.⁠

Almost a quarter of the U.S. workforce is in STEM, and we’re running out of people to fill those roles. If we don’t increase the number of women in STEM, we’re not just missing out on talent, we’re risking the future of innovation.In this episode, we get real about the invisible labor women are often expected to take on in both academia and industry. From being asked to bake cookies for meetings to being mistaken for a secretary, we share personal stories that highlight how gendered expectations persist, even in the most “progressive” spaces.We’re joined by Prof. Sheryl Grace (Boston University) as we reflect on:Why women often take on these roles (and when it’s not really a choice)How these expectations affect career progressionThe importance of advocating for junior colleagues who can’t yet speak upThis one’s for anyone who’s ever been asked to organize the luncheon... and then sit at the back of the room.If you've ever been the caterer, or realize that you might have asked a woman to do a job because she's the woman, join us at ⁠STEMinism Unfiltered on LinkedIn.⁠ We'll talk.

Welcome to STEMinism Unfiltered, a podcast created by two women engineering professors with over 40 years of combined experience, and a shared commitment to drive change.In this inaugural episode, we introduce ourselves and the mission behind the podcast: to shed light on the recurring challenges women face in STEM, to empower others to speak up, and to build a community committed to equity and transformation.Together with our colleagues and friends, we explore:The current landscape of women in STEM, from representation to pay gapsHow early educational experiences shape long-term participation in STEMWhy structural change, not just individual effort, is essentialOur personal journeys through academia and what keeps us hereThis podcast isn’t about blame; it’s about clarity, community, and collective action. We believe that by sharing stories and identifying patterns, we can help others see what’s not right, why it matters, and together how we can all be agents of change.🔗 Join us as we begin this adventure, and join in the conversation over on LinkedIn at STEMinism Unfiltered.