Ordinarily Extraordinary

12/03/2026

Today I had the opportunity to share my coloring book on the WCCO Mid-Morning show in Minneapolis with a much broader audience. It was such a fun experience—though I’ll admit it was a little intimidating too!

I was honored to be on the show with Liz Heinecke, an amazing Science Communicator who is also featured in the book. Grateful for the chance to talk about the project and the inspiring people behind it.

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/video/new-coloring-book-features-women-in-stem/

The coloring book creator, Kathy Nelson, shares a preview along with Kitchen Pantry Scientist Liz Heinecke.

28/01/2026

🎙️ New episode is live!

Ordinarily Extraordinary: Conversations with Women in STEM is back — and this one is really personal for me.

When my son was diagnosed with cancer at 13, it changed everything. So recording this episode with Dr. Elizabeth Mendes—a newly minted PhD and postdoctoral researcher studying rare, aggressive pediatric cancers—felt especially emotional and meaningful.

Elizabeth recently completed her PhD at Duke University, where she spent more than five years studying rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare childhood soft-tissue cancer. Her goal: help identify biological targets that could one day lead to better treatments for kids.

In this conversation, we talk about the science and the heart behind the work, including:
💡 What pediatric sarcomas are (and why they’re so difficult to treat)
🧭 Elizabeth’s non-traditional path into science
💛 Why rare pediatric cancers deserve more funding and attention
🏥 What it means when researchers can connect with clinicians, families, and patients
🌍 Life after a PhD (postdoc life, fellowships, big moves—including to the UK!)
✨ Being your whole self in STEM and rejecting the “scientist stereotype”
🤝 Representation, mentorship, and why visibility matters for women and first-gen students

This episode is about more than credentials and lab work. It’s about grief, resilience, identity, and compassion in science—and it reminded me why these stories matter so much.

If you’ve ever wondered what keeps researchers going in the hardest corners of science… you’ll want to hear Elizabeth’s story. 💛
🎧 Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1122377/episodes/18476606

(And if you know a parent, educator, or anyone touched by pediatric cancer—please share.)

15/01/2026

🎙️ New episode of Ordinarily Extraordinary – Conversations with Women in STEM is live!

This week I’m joined by Vinayasri Nidadavolu, a Specialist Engineer in offshore wind—and yes, Vinaya is also featured in my STEM Super Stars: Women of Today Changing the World coloring book, which makes this conversation especially meaningful to me.

Vinaya takes us offshore (literally) and shares what it’s really like to work on modern wind turbines that have grown from 2–3 MW to an incredible 14–15 MW. We talk about the intense safety training, weeks spent living on service vessels, and what it feels like to climb and work inside machines that are now larger than many apartments.

We also dive into:
• Being the only woman in the room—and staying anyway
• Choosing sustainability as a long-term, values-driven career
• Navigating motherhood without shrinking professionally
• Practical, real-world advice for asking for a raise (document, advocate, and ask more than once)

If you’re curious about offshore wind, renewable energy careers, or what confidence looks like in real life—not the polished version—this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1122377/episodes/18440068

Feel free to share with someone who might love this conversation

18/12/2025

I am absolutely thrilled to have my book for sale at Zaiser's in Nisswa. It is one of my favorite stores and one of my daughter's favorite stores as well - which is important as my book was illustrated by my daughter. If you're in Nisswa, be sure to check out Zaisers for an amazing variety of gifts, shoes, kitchenware, books, stickers - and just a ton of fun items!

17/12/2025

🎙️ New podcast episode!

This week, I’m joined by Christine Hollis, Chief Talent & Diversity Officer at Marshall Gerstein & Borun, and our conversation completely reframed how I think about patent law and STEM careers.

We talk about:
✨ What intellectual property law really is
✨ How engineers and scientists play a central role in patent work
✨ Careers like technical specialist and patent agent (yes—you don’t need a law degree!)
✨ Why communication is a superpower
✨ Nonlinear career paths and finding where you truly belong

Christine’s own journey—from aspiring physician to psychologist to talent leader in IP law—is a great reminder that careers don’t have to be straight lines to be meaningful.

This episode is uplifting, practical, and full of “I wish I’d known this sooner” moments—especially for anyone in STEM who wants more options than just the traditional paths.

🎧 Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1122377/episodes/18285057

03/12/2025

🌟 New Podcast Episode!

This week, Reilly LaTourelle and I had the absolute joy of talking with Mishael Umlor, an environmental engineer who pressed pause on traditional career expectations to spend a year rafting, backpacking, exploring the world, and prioritizing relationships and adventure.

I first met Mishael when she guided my 14-day Grand Canyon rafting trip — and after hearing her story, you’ll understand why she made such an impression. In this episode, she shares:

✨ How she built her engineering career
✨ Why she stepped away for a full year — and what she learned
✨ Her love for rivers, travel, and building a life with intention
✨ What it was like guiding in the Grand Canyon (including flipping the kitchen boat!)
✨ How she’s redefining what her career will look like moving forward

Her story is beautiful, inspiring, and a reminder that life doesn’t have to follow a straight line.

🎧 Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1122377/episodes/18267906

If you need a little inspiration or a reminder that you’re allowed to design the life you want — you’ll love this one.