BRAVE x EMPOWER: Recent Episodes
Mikaela Pellerin
BRAVE x EMPOWER is a podcast hosted by Mikaela Pellerin the current Miss Maine High School America. This podcast discusses the realities of gender inequality and bullying in STEM. The goals are to break gender stereotypes and provide young girls and women with knowledge of how to handle bullying situations.
EP 13: Ashleigh Pates, Miss Collegiate America 2021, comes on BRAVE x EMPOWER to talk about all things BRAVE! Ashleigh is the author of the children’s book, Brynn The Brave, which is available on Amazon for purchase. She is also the creator of BRAVE And Beautifully You. Ashleigh is a dental hygienist and a self love advocate.
EP 12: In this episode, Emily Batty, Miss Puerto Rico Collegiate America 2022, and a student studying neuroscience at Belmont University! Emily is an advocate for ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a degenerative disease of the motor neurons. She is also the founder of the international nonprofit, Stop The Silence Organization which brings awareness to sexual assault through education, empowerment, and inspiration. She has truly created a community and advocacy legacy in her passions even before her title in the MHSA system.
Guest Speaker Callie Conrade, is 15 years old and the current Miss Wyoming High School America. As an advocate for BRAVE, Callie shares stories about being bullied at school for her hobbies and passions. After having a loved one pass away from driving without a seatbelt, Callie leapt into action to ensure that no other person would have to suffer these same dangerous repercussions. She created her own personal platform called “Buckle Up For Brian”. This young titleholder is full of ambition, courage, and advocacy, you won’t want to miss this episode!
EP 10: In this episode, Bridget Byrnes, Miss Massachusetts Collegiate America 2022, and the host of the podcast B.R.A.V.E. & Beyond joins for a special episode! This episode truly resembles the positivity within pageantry, sisters supporting and empowering one another. It’s amazing what we can do when we come together, uplift, and help one another. This episode discusses all things bullying focusing on the contrasts between high school and college aged students as well as STEM vs Art focused students.
Marisa Moorhouse is the current Miss New Hampshire Collegiate America! Marisa earned her bachelor's degree in just three years, made top 10, got into two honor societies, was a Bob Doucette psychology award recipient, and was recently accepted into grad school! She's an advocate for mental health and eating disorder awareness. This episode is a must-listen-to!
Guest Speaker, Maria Rodriguez, Miss Agawam USA, shares a different perspective on gender inequality. Although she is not involved in STEM, she’s experienced many situations of adversity being a strong Latina woman growing up in the US. Maria is full of drive to accomplish her goals and has already made strides with her platform "Give With Love", a nonprofit organization aiming to provide the necessary resources to others.
In this episode, Stephanie Skinner, Miss High School America 2021, comes on the podcast to discuss all things BRAVE, pageants, and STEM. Aside from holding a national pageant title, Stephanie is the founder of Hands of Hope, which instills confidence and self love in others.
In this episode, guest speaker Teghan Halsey, Miss Maine Collegiate America 2022, comes on the podcast to discuss bullying and mental health. Teghan is not only a mental health advocate but the creator of #LetsTalkAboutIt campaign and the online nonprofit boutique called Bloom By Teghan. She connects mental health to bullying and expresses why it's so important to stand up for yourself and others!
In Episode 5 on BRAVE x EMPOWER podcast, Kelsey Sewell, Miss Southern Maine 2022, talks about eating disorder awareness. She shares her own past experiences and advice as an advocate on how to handle bullying regarding this topic. Be sure to listen!
In this episode, special guest Jennie Daley, a biomedical engineer and Miss Sullivan USA, describes what it's like to work as a female engineer. She shares stories about being bullied in high school, how she runs a successful TikTok with over 30k followers, all things pageantry, and some advice for other females in STEM. This is an episode you won't want to miss!
Tega Bourgeois-Lang comes on BRAVE x EMPOWER to share her bullying experiences while growing up. As a senior at Baxter Academy, a STEM high school, she shares stories about being the only girl in many classes and what her advice is on navigating through it all as a young woman.
Tune in for a special episode with the first EVER guest speaker, Emma Markowitz! Emma shares her experiences as a 17 year old in STEM while also touching on the topics of anti-bullying and her ideas for better implementing gender equality.
Yay! Episode 1 of BRAVE x EMPOWER is finally out! Tune into this short episode to find out more about the creator, Mikaela, and what her goals for this podcast are. This will just be the first of many more exciting episodes to come!