The Women Scholars and Professionals Podcast

10/14/26

Welcome to Season Two of the Wise and Courageous podcast, where we explore the good work of leadership, one conversation at time. The host of this podcast is Nancy Pedulla. How is your soul at this midpoint in the fall? As part of her interviews in Season 1 of the Wise and Courageous Podcast, Nancy asked her guests to share a spiritual practice that sustains them in their leadership and what it looks like in their lives. The answers are so good we thought they ought to be strung together and published as a podcast of their own. We are so glad you are here and we look forward to sharing conversations about wisdom and courage in the days ahead. I am convinced that in this unique time we need to hear stories of hope. In the first season of Wise and Courageous, we heard from women whose spheres include history, public health, education, economics, law, and accounting and whose roles include teaching, researching, writing, leading institutes, and running departments and schools. We explored the ways they are rising to the challenges placed before them by growing in courage and wisdom. We are defining leadership as the stewardship of people, culture, and purpose—engaging others toward a shared vision.In the weeks ahead, I’ll explore leadership and calling in conversations with women about their unique journeys and stories. We will probe questions about leadership and calling that emerge and look for hope. I hope you will join us! In this first podcast of Season Two, we will hear from each of Season One’s guests about a spiritual practice that sustains and roots them their leadership and work. I hope the array of ways these leaders are engaging with God is an encouragement to you and helps you to explore what you need to stay grounded in this season. Welcome to the conversation! -Nancy Pedulla “So there’s something about that practice that’s given me space for God to speak to me, but also for me to take care of my body and be ready for the next day…that’s been very sustaining.” —Diane Lee