How to Build a Village: Recent Episodes
Jill Martin Wrenn
How to Build a Village is a podcast about creating a community when you move to a new place. We'll hear from people who have moved for jobs, love, or just the need for a change. In this podcast, we’ll talk about how to find the jobs, friends, schools, coffee places and whatever you need to make a new place feel like home. We look forward to hearing your story, too. I’m your host, Jill Martin Wrenn. I've been a journalist for the past twenty years. I’ve moved between New York, London, Atlanta, and back again. Along the way, I’ve met many amazing people who have created new lives in new places.
International marketer Karla Geci shares tips on how to engage with global audiences. From her front row seat watching social media evolve over the past decade, Karla shares her insights with Jill Martin Wrenn on the creator economy, and how to master the three second interview. You can find Karla on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlageci/
Maeve Wang, the Founder and CEO of footwear firm IAMBIC, joins Jill Martin Wrenn from New York to share how her company uses AI to create custom-fit shoes. Maeve also reveals the books that inspired her entrepreneurial journey. You can learn more about IAMBIC here.
Ukrainian fintech executive Hanna Khrystianovych tells Jill Martin Wrenn how she moved her family from Ukraine to Sweden at the start of the war.
Entrepreneur and mentor Alla Ouvarova shares how she inspires aspiring business founders through her Future Female Entrepreneur initiative. Founder and CEO of Two Chicks, a company that introduced the first liquid egg white into the UK retail market back in 2007, Alla tells Jill Martin Wrenn why helping other women succeed as entrepreneurs is so important. You can find out more here: https://twochicks.co.uk/
Kate Daly, co-founder of the law tech scale-up amicable, joins Jill Martin Wrenn from London to talk about what's next for women's sports after the success of the Women's World Cup. Kate is also the host of the Divorce Podcast, which explores break-ups and co-parenting from different angles. You can find out more about amicable, Kate's legal service for divorcing and separating couples, here: https://amicable.io/
Tennis journalist and author Simon Cambers joins Jill Martin Wrenn to share the stories behind the book he co-authored, The Roger Federer Effect: Rivals, Friends, Fans and How the Maestro Changed Their Lives. Simon also reveals what he expects from Wimbledon 2023, as the Championships get underway.
Stefanie Saleem joins Jill Martin Wrenn from Tampa, Florida, where she is breaking down barriers on the water. The author of the book, Black Girls Boat, Stefanie shares what she loves about boating, and why more women should get behind the helm. You can find out more here: https://www.boatingbabes.org/
Jill Martin Wrenn speaks to Russell Glass, CEO of Headspace, a company that uses technology to offer widespread mental health support. Speaking amid the buzz of London Tech Week, Russ shares why he's passionate about bringing mental health support to more people, and inspiring young people to vote. You can find out more about Headspace here: https://www.headspace.com/
Author Julia Quinn's talks about Queen Charlotte and her collaboration with television producer and writer Shonda Rhimes. Julia also discusses the inspiration behind her 'Bridgerton' books, her Regency romance books that inspired the Netflix series. You can read more here: https://juliaquinn.com/
British royal reporter Monique Jessen tells Jill Martin Wrenn about the fashion and the history of King Charles's coronation. She reports on style, celebrity and the British royal family for People Magazine and People.com. She’s also written for The New York Times, Women’s Wear Daily and Hello Magazine.
New York based Scottish entrepreneur Lesley Eccles, Founder and CEO of HelloRelish, tells Jill Martin Wrenn how she starts companies in a range of industries. Lesley also shares her tips on how to get people to try and love her companies’ products.
Pals and podcasters Angela Tucker and Isha Chari join Jill Martin Wrenn for the Valentine's Day episode of How to Build a Village. They're lifelong friends who host the podcast, For the Love of Tinsel, "your unapologetic virtual lounge for leaning into romantic Christmas movies." Angela and Isha talk about their top romcom picks, their personal and professional collaborations, and Angela's Lifetime hit holiday romance, A New Orleans Noel. You can find out more here: https://www.tuckergurl.com/
In the last episode of 2022, Delia Lloyd, author of the newsletter Good Reads for Grownups, shares reading recommendations, and explains why growing older is a process, not an outcome. You can find out more about Delia here: https://realdelia.com/
Lisa Millar joins How to Build a Village from Melbourne, where she co-hosts ABC News Breakfast. She shares with Jill Martin Wrenn how she conquered her fear of flying and how she built communities around the world as an international correspondent. Lisa's bestselling memoir, 'Daring to Fly,' reveals how she started in journalism, and where her career has taken her.
Vicky Tsai shares with Jill Martin Wrenn how her travels to Japan inspire and inform her skincare company, Tatcha. Vicky, a Taiwanese-American and Harvard Business School graduate based in California, talks about how skincare is an act of self-compassion. In this episode, find out which books have helped Vicky on her entrepreneurial journey.
In this candid and compelling conversation, Francesco Clark shares what inspired him to start his clean skincare brand, Clark's Botanicals. From his close-knit family to his life-changing injury, Francesco describes to Jill Martin Wrenn what makes him an eternal optimist. You can find out more here: https://clarksbotanicals.com/
London Kaye tells Jill Martin Wrenn how she tackles big topics in a lighthearted way through street art. She creates murals celebrating peace, gender equality and other issues through Love Across The USA (http://www.loveacrosstheusa.com/), a community of makers crocheting public murals. She also designed her own crochet hook, so she could streamline her art creation process. You can find her here: https://www.londonkaye.com/ and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madebylondon/?hl=en
Atlanta-based entrepreneur and journalist Bernadette Brown explains how she juggles a full-time job in television alongside her beauty brand, Baubles & Beeswax. She also shares how she made Atlanta her home, after years of moving. You can find out more here: https://baublesandbeeswax.com/
Celebrated Chilean-American author Isabel Allende has published more than 20 books over the past four decades, including such bestsellers as The House of the Spirits, Of Love and Shadows, and her newest novel, Violeta. She also founded The Isabel Allende Foundation to empower women and girls around the world. In this episode, she shares with Jill Martin Wrenn how she's changed the way she connects with her readers. You can read more here: http://isabelallende.com/en/home
Egon Cossou, a long-time BBC producer and presenter based in London, joins Jill Martin Wrenn to share how he is creating a community of carers with the site, Generation Care. He’s highlighting the work of the millions balancing busy lives with the lives of ageing loved ones. You can find out more here: https://www.generationcare.co/
Helen Hoang, author of the romantic comedies, The Heart Principle, The Bride Test and The Kiss Quotient, joins Jill Martin Wrenn from San Diego. She describes how she creates characters from a range of backgrounds and communities, who grapple with romances steeped in realism. You can find out more here: https://www.helenhoang.com/
Find out how to create a career you want. Marianne Cantwell, author of the bestselling book, Be A Free Range Human: Escape the 9-5, Create a Life You love and Still Pay the Bills, shares tips on how to use your weaknesses as strengths, and create a career that works with your personality, and your schedule. Originally from Australia, Marianne joins How to Build a Village from Los Angeles. Find out more about Marianne here: https://free-range-humans.com/
NHS nurse and midwife Anna Kent describes her role as an international humanitarian aid worker, and how writing her book, Frontline Midwife: My Story of Survival and Keeping Others Safe, has been cathartic.
Bestselling author Angie Thomas shares with Jill Martin Wrenn how she cultivates a community of readers around the world through her virtual and in-person events. Angie’s young adult novels, The Hate U Give, On the Come Up, and Concrete Rose, are New York Times bestsellers. A former teen rapper, Angie was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, where she still lives. You can find more on Angie's website: https://angiethomas.com/
Certified Nurse Midwife Betsy Freeman tells Jill Martin Wrenn how she become a single mother by choice, and how she's helping others to become single parents. She also shares her journey as a midwife, from New York to Portland, Oregon, and her heroic work with Doctors Without Borders. You can find more on Betsy's website: https://www.betsyfreeman.co/
Science journalist and NASA communicator Liz Landau shares her journey from Atlanta to LA to Washington DC. Liz shares tips on how to meet people in new cities, how LA traffic can dictate your social life, and what's so special about Dragon Con in How to Build a Village's first episode of 2022. You can find out more about Liz's writing and music here: http://www.lizlandau.com/
In the last episode of season 1, we share some books that made us smile in 2021. We would love to hear from you. Please reach out with your reading recommendations, feedback, guest ideas and other suggestions on info@jillwrenn.com. We look forward to more conversations about community building in season 2. Thanks for listening.
British visibility coach and author Penny Haslam shares with Jill Martin Wrenn how she helps business leaders become 'a little bit famous'.
London-based American journalist Ginanne Brownell describes her path to motherhood, through IVF and surrogacy. Her writing has appeared in publications including the New York Times, Financial Times, CNN, Conde Nast Traveller, Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, Scientific American, Salon, Foreign Policy and the Washington Post. You can find out more on https://ginannebrownell.com/.
Helen and Shaninga Marasha, the Development Director and the Founder/CEO of BIGKID Foundation, share with Jill Martin Wrenn how their London charity offers young people opportunities to develop leadership skills and a sense of belonging through sports, media, the arts and much more.
Atlanta-based fitness expert Saidah Jones CSCS shares how she creates healthy communities by developing health education and physical activity regimens. A track and field All-American, this University of Tennessee alum has worked as a fitness professional for more than 15 years. Saidah also reveals how she reinvented herself after an Achilles injury, creating a sustainable coaching career.
Alison Baum describes her inspiring journey from science filmmaker to charity CEO. Following her own challenges as a new mother, she founded the charity Best Beginnings in 2006 to support parents of all backgrounds to give their babies the best start in life. She spent almost 10 years as a Producer/Director in the Science Department at the BBC, then chose to use her skills and experience as a teacher, scientist and filmmaker to help drive positive social change in the UK. She was awarded an OBE in 2017 for her services to tackling child health inequalities in the New Year honours list.
British journalist Hazel Sheffield travels the UK, finding and investigating stories of resilience and entrepreneurialism. She tells Jill Martin Wrenn how she launched and funded Farnearer.org, which documents local projects and people building alternative economic systems in the UK, and what inspires her.
Michelle Jana Chan, award-winning journalist and Travel Editor of Vanity Fair, shares how her global travels helped to inspire her debut novel, Song. Bernardine Evaristo calls Song, "A wonderfully lush and atmospheric odyssey of survival against all odds."
Joe Lynam, presenter and moderator who was the BBC’s Business Correspondent for a decade, tells Jill Martin Wrenn about his adventures in broadcasting, from Dublin to London, and how his son surprised him and his wife with an early arrival outside a London hospital.
Katie Hellwig, a Californian living in Italy, shares stories, book recommendations, travel tips and what she’s learned about cooking from the lake region of Northern Italy with Jill Martin Wrenn.
From meditation to mindfulness, how to feel present wherever you are with Allyson Zimmermann. The diversity and inclusion executive has lived abroad for more than half of her life, and calls Zurich, Switzerland her home.
How tens of thousands of volunteers from around the world formed a global community at the Olympics. Rio 2016 volunteer Misha Santa Barbara shares her Olympics volunteering experience with Jill Martin Wrenn.
Hear how love and loss helped to inspire Evelini Quarrell to launch The Foreign Mum Podcast. She also shares her journey from Fortaleza, Brazil, to London, and how she made a new city her home.
From MTV to Text, Prose & RocknRoll, Kris Kosach shares her journey from TV through radio and podcasts. Join us on this trip to Los Angeles for tips on how to start your own hit podcast, and how to interview like a pro.
As the Wimbledon Championships start, tennis journalist Simon Cambers shares an off-the-court look at the global community of tennis reporters, which he has cultivated for more than 20 years. We'll hear about resilience, anxiety, and how Wimbledon will look different in 2021.
June Angelides tells How to Build a Village host Jill Martin Wrenn how the coding school she launched, Mums in Tech, taught more than 250 women how to code, and helped to earn her an MBE for her services to women in technology. June also shares why she calls London her home, while her heart is still in Lagos.
Journalist and storyteller Tara Duffy tells Jill Martin Wrenn what it's like to live in Taipei, Taiwan, during the pandemic, and how teaching Iyengar Yoga has helped her to build a community around the world. She also shares which part of Taiwan reminds her of her adopted home of the west coast of Ireland.
Angela Tucker is a prolific filmmaker. She is a writer, director, and Emmy-nominated producer. Her most recent project is "The Trees Remember", a fiction series in collaboration with REI Co-op Studios: https://www.rei.com/blog/the-trees-remember-film-series. Other recent work includes “All Styles,” starring Du-Shaunt "Fik-shun" Stegall, about a talented hip-hop dancer from Las Vegas. In the film, he puts together a group of dancers who excel at all styles of dance. Angela's work also includes “All Skinfolk Ain't Kinfolk,” about the runoff race for mayor of New Orleans between two very different black women; “Black Folk Don't,” a documentary web series that challenges stereotypes; and many more. A former classmate of Jill Martin Wrenn's, Angela shares how she made New Orleans her home after moving from New York.
London-based journalist Katie Pisa has moved more than 20 times, including diplomatic postings to Athens and Kuala Lumpur. She tells Jill Martin Wrenn how she manages to make each new city feel like home; how she answers the question, "Where are you from?"; and how to make goodbyes easier.
Georgia State University Professor Dr. Jelena Subotić shares the surprises she uncovered when researching her book Yellow Star, Red Star: Holocaust Remembrance After Communism, with podcast host Jill Martin Wrenn. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Subotić studies international relations theory, human rights, international ethics, state identity and the politics of the Western Balkans.
New York-based special events producer Suzanne Tobak tells How to Build a Village about her mother, Erika (Schirok) Tobak, who escaped from the Holocaust as a child on the Kindertransport in World War II.
Lynn Harris, founder of GOLD Comedy, shares with podcast host Jill Martin Wrenn how her startup creates a community where young women and non-binary folks get to be their funniest selves.
Award-winning writer Sara Hammel tells How to Build a Village host Jill Martin Wrenn about her role in a groundbreaking US Army study that helped to change the role of women in the military. She formed close friendships with her fellow pioneers and found the inspiration for her new book, The Strong Ones: How a Band of Civilian Women Made Their Mark on the Army.
Ruchika Tulshyan is an author, activist, educator and foodie. She tells Jill Martin Wrenn how she finds the flavour of cities where she's lived, including Singapore, Seattle, London, New York and Atlanta. The author of The Diversity Advantage: Fixing Gender Inequality in the Workplace and founder of Candour, an inclusion strategy firm with global clients, Ruchika is a regular contributor on creating inclusive workplaces to Harvard Business Review.
Media specialist Alessia Giustiniano shares how she made global cities from Hong Kong to New York to London feel like home, and why Amsterdam feels like such a magical place.
London-based novelist Sarah Sultoon describes how her years as a media executive in the CNN International newsroom inspired her new thriller, The Source, in this episode of How to Build a Village with Jill Martin Wrenn.
From Eurovision host to CNN presenter to Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health, Fionnuala Sweeney tells Jill Martin Wrenn how she juggles changing work demands while she creates equity-focused global communities in this episode of How to Build a Village.
Australian novelist Leisel McKenzie showed How to Build a Village host Jill Martin Wrenn how to score Wimbledon tickets, find the best West End shows and most importantly, make London feel like home when they met nearly twenty years ago. Now, while London grapples with lockdown, Leisel and Jill look back at what the city has to offer - and what to hope for in the coming months.
Leone Lakhani's career has taken her around the world, from the Arctic to South Africa, Shanghai to LA. She has two decades of international experience at the CNN and BBC. In the last episode of How to Build a Village in 2020, Leone shares with host Jill Martin Wrenn how she got started in the competitive career of broadcast journalism in London - and how she found a family of friends in the newsroom.
In the debut episode of How to Build a Village, Jill Martin Wrenn talks to Isabelle Roughol, host of the Boderline podcast and community for defiant global citizens, about living in lockdown London as Brexit looms. How to Build a Village is a new podcast about creating communities when you move to a new place, hosted by journalist Jill Martin Wrenn.
Welcome to How to Build a Village, a podcast that will take you around the world to hear stories from people who have made new places feel like home.