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On the occasion of the upcoming International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, I wanted to dedicate a Podcast episode to how (expat) women can empower themselves and others.
And who’d be a better guest to interview for this than Nyna Caputi!?
Meet Nyna:
she’s the founder and CEO of “The Expat Woman” Membership Club, and has hosted countless events – in person and online – for women (with themes ranging from networking and support to professional growth and leadership).
She’s also an award-winning documentary film-maker and producer. Her most recent work “Petals in the Dust” deals with gender violence in India, an issue dear to her heart for which she’s organized awareness campaigns.
Nyna has received several awards and recognitions for her efforts in Women’s Empowerment: I guess it’s fair to say that this is her life’s big mission!
An Accidental Expat
Nyna came to New York from her native India to study film. She was only supposed to be there for a short time but fell in love, got married and moved to her husband’s hometown San Francisco.
In the interview she describes how difficult it was at the beginning: her husband traveled a lot for work, she was not yet allowed to work because of Visa restrictions, all their friends were American and she felt like the odd one out.
How do you dress for an American bridal shower? What do you bring to a “potluck”? How do job interviews work in the US?
I’m sure all of us, especially those who moved to their partner’s home country, will be able to relate to this rocky start!
Founding “The Expat Woman”
It was out of her own necessity and the relization that there were other women out there who felt just like her – lonely, lost and out of place – that she started The Expat Woman.
It’s a supportive, membership-based network for professional expat women. Events are organized several times a year – and Nyna now also shares her expertise in event hosting through her “Digital Event Academy”.
But what you probably wouldn’t guess is that for a long time she was:
Battling with Imposter Syndrome and Fear of Selling
Indeed, many women suffer from this – and expat and minority women are even more at risk of questoning their capabilities and value, fearing to put themselves out there and charging for their products and services.
In the interview, Nyna shares her story and what’s helped her to overcome it.
How can you empower yourself and other women?
In order to empower other women, Nyna points out, we must first empower ourselves.
I believe it’s so important to create an evironment of mutual support and encouragement. In today’s episode, Nyna and I discuss what each of us can do to contribute to that and also what we should stop doing. After all, women need to progress as a collective, and never at the cost of other women!
Here are some additional action steps I’d like to propose:
1. Self-care
What can you do that’d make you feel great today? What / who do you have to say no to?
2. Show some love
Make heartfelt compliments to as many women as you possibly can! Notice the good in them, and help them to see it too.
3. Lift a sister up
Do you know women around you who are struggling? Have you asked? What can you do to lift them up? (Often, simply being there and showing that you care works like magic!)
4. Support Female-founded businesses
Even if you decide not to purchase their products or services, you could give recommendations, follow and like their efforts on social media, give constructive feedback or simply cheer them on!
Sometimes a small gesture goes a really long way, and you never know which of these female founders is secretly battling with the imposter syndrome or self-doubt so some encouragement could make her day!
HAPPY WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH!
Follow Nyna:
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