Power of the W
Based in Rock Island, Illinois, YWCA Quad Cities has been working to empower families and women in our community for over 100 years. The ”W” in our name is more than just a letter in the YWCA acronym, it’s our whole purpose. The Power of the W Podcast aims to inspire, educate, and celebrate women from diverse backgrounds, sharing their stories, experiences, and insights to empower listeners in various aspects of their lives. The podcast will cover a wide range of topics, including personal development, career success, health and wellness, entrepreneurship, and societal issues impacting women. Visit www.ywcaqc.org for more information about YWCA Quad Cities.
Listen on:
Episodes
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
When was the last time you tried something new?
This episode is all about being brave enough to take that leap. I chat with Erin Mahr. Her story is filled with humor, heart, and a whole lot of courage.
We’ll talk about embracing the discomfort that comes with doing something new, and how sometimes, failing can actually be the best part. So take a listen, you’re in for some laughs, some insight, and maybe even the push you’ve been waiting for.
Thursday Jun 05, 2025
Thursday Jun 05, 2025
In this episode, we chat with Ebonie Bailey, a powerhouse advocate for Black Maternal Health and a true changemaker in her community. Ebonie is the owner of a doula service company, Naturally Ebonie Doula Services, and co-founder and chair of the Iowa Black Doula Collective, a nonprofit that focuses on uplifting and supporting bipoc families.
As a mom of five, Ebonie brings both personal experience and deep professional insight to the conversation.
We talk about her journey to becoming a doula, the barriers she’s overcome, and how she responded to a lack of representation by building her own table and inviting others to join.
Ebonie talks a lot about advocating for yourself, and we dive into the critical issue of racial disparities that affect women of color who are most often at risk of life-threatening pregnancy-related complications.
We also discuss the YWCA Quad Cities free Maternal Health Fair that Ebonie is cohosting with us on June 14th. We are going to have a lot of amazing resources available for expecting mothers.
Thursday May 01, 2025
Thursday May 01, 2025
In the first-ever episode of The Power of the W, we sit down with YWCA Quad Cities President & CEO Julie Larson.
Julie is one of the largest serving non-profit CEO's in the Quad City Area. She left her career in the corporate world for the non-profit world and hasn't looked back. In this episode, she talks about balancing career and home life, navigating male-dominated spaces, and answering that age-old question, "Can women really have it all?"
You can find this podcast on all your favorite streaming platforms. Don't forget to hit subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend!
Host: Jenna Panicucci
Guest: Julie Larson
Producer: Jenna Panicucci