In this bonus, Halloween and Bat Week episode, we talk with Dr. Kristen Lear, a bat conservation scientist, National Geographic Explorer, and If/Then® Ambassador whose lifelong passion for misunderstood creatures turned into a career protecting bat populations around the world.

Kristen shares how a childhood Girl Scout project building bat houses led her to a career at Bat Conservation International (BCI), where she now directs the Agave Restoration Initiative—a binational program supporting endangered nectar-feeding bats and the ecosystems (and tequila plants!) they rely on.

With contagious enthusiasm, Kristen explains how she uses infrared cameras, environmental DNA (eDNA), and community partnerships to track and protect migratory bats across Mexico and the U.S. Southwest. The conversation covers everything from bat “supermoms” and nocturnal fieldwork to tequila, rabies myths, and why bats are vital pollinators and pest controllers.

They also discuss Girl Scouts as a gateway to STEM, Bat Week (the annual celebration leading up to Halloween), and Kristen’s mission to make the world a friendlier place for these essential — and often misunderstood — creatures.

💡 Topics We Cover

• How Kristen’s childhood love of “underdog animals” led to a career in bat conservation
• Her early Girl Scout project building bat houses and creating a “Go Batty!” patch
• What bat scientists actually do in the field — from mist nets to infrared tech
• Using eDNA (environmental DNA) to track migrating bats through agave plants and hummingbird feeders
• The relationship between bats, agave, and the tequila industry
• Debunking myths about bats and rabies
• How to humanely remove a bat from your house
• What it’s like to work nights studying nocturnal animals
• Girl Scouts, mentorship, and how Kristen’s mom inspired her confidence
• Kristen’s work as an If/Then Ambassador and National Geographic Explorer
• Why Bat Week matters — and how you can get involved

🌎 Resources & Links

• Bat Conservation International: www.batcon.org
  
  
• Bat Week: www.batweek.org
  
  
• If/Then® Initiative: www.ifthen.org
  
  
• Follow Dr. Kristen Lear: LinkedIn – Kristen Lear
  
  

🧠 Key Takeaways

• You can make a career out of your childhood passion — even bats!
• Conservation is as much about people and partnerships as it is about science.
• Technology like infrared imaging and DNA sampling are transforming wildlife research.
• Myths about bats are being replaced with understanding — thanks to scientists like Kristen.
• Supporting pollinators helps protect ecosystems and local economies.

Music by Kay Paulus

Follow Kay on Instagram @kaypaulus8

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In this episode, Kathy and Linda talk with Catherine Jackson Jones, a coach and mentor with the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding STEM opportunities for students and empowering educators to bring real-world STEM experiences into classrooms across the country.

Catherine shares how NMSI builds awareness and access to STEM fields, particularly for students in under-resourced and rural communities. Through long-term partnerships with school districts, NMSI provides professional development for teachers and administrators, helping them integrate critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills into every subject. Catherine explains how the initiative creates lasting change by training educators to sustain programs long after NMSI’s involvement, ensuring equity and opportunity for all students.

Catherine also opens up about her personal journey — growing up in poverty, being the first in her family to graduate college, and how a single teacher’s belief in her changed the trajectory of her life. That experience fuels her passion for helping students see their own worth and possibilities, no matter where they come from.

Together, they explore:

• How NMSI supports teachers and districts to create engaging, hands-on STEM learning
• The importance of exposure, opportunity, and representation in STEM education
• The ripple effect one teacher or mentor can have on generations of learners
• How engagement and curiosity transform learning environments
• Breaking cycles of poverty through education and belief in possibility

Ask the (Not) Expert

A listener asks:

Catherine shares her teacher’s perspective: divide responsibilities clearly, let everyone choose their section, and document who’s responsible for what. That way, teachers can fairly assess individual contributions — a real-world lesson in accountability and teamwork.

Rapid Fire Questions

• Favorite STEM book: Alchemy of the Mind, by Diane Ackerman
• Favorite college course: Shakespeare with Dr. Rey
• Best advice ever received: “You’re bigger than the moments that surround you.” – Theresa Smith, the teacher who changed her life

Episode Takeaway

Catherine’s story is a testament to the power of education, mentorship, and believing in others. Her passion for teaching — and for helping students realize their potential — reminds us that opening even one door can change entire families and communities.

Learn More

Visit the National Math and Science Initiative at www.nms.org
to learn how to get involved, support programs, or explore partnership opportunities.

Music by Kay Paulus

Follow Kay on Instagram @kaypaulus8

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In this episode, Kathy and Linda talk with Manyphay Viengkham, an accomplished technology leader whose career spans energy innovation, systems engineering, and entrepreneurship. With degrees in biochemistry and computer science, Manyphay has built a career defined by curiosity, continuous learning, and resilience—navigating roles in major companies like GE and Honeywell before launching her own consulting business.

Together, they explore:

• How following her curiosity led from science to technology to energy innovation
• The importance of personal resilience and adaptability in career transitions
• Lessons learned from working across IT, OT, and product management
• Building a strong professional network and personal brand that opens doors
• The ups and downs of starting her own business—and finding joy in the process
• Why compassion, authenticity, and professionalism are essential leadership traits
• Learning to speak up and show your expertise, especially when underestimated

The episode wraps with their “Ask the (Not) Expert” segment, where Kathy, Linda, and Manyphay discuss handling assumptions in the workplace—like being mistaken for administrative staff—and how to respond with confidence and professionalism.

Key Takeaways

• Your career doesn’t have to follow a straight line—curiosity creates opportunity.
• Resilience and adaptability matter as much as technical skill.
• Building genuine relationships can define your career success.
• Authentic leadership blends confidence with compassion.
• Taking the leap into entrepreneurship can be both empowering and fulfilling.
• Manyphay's planned book has become a blog which can be found on Substack here: https://substack.com/@manyphay

Acronym Glossary

• AMI – Advanced Metering Infrastructure
• SCADA – Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
• IoT – Internet of Things
• IT – Information Technology
• OT – Operational Technology
• HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning

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In this episode of Ordinarily Extraordinary – Conversations with Women in STEM, Kathy and Linda sit down with Lawanda Parnell, a retired technology and utility leader whose career began at IBM in the early 1980s and spanned decades of innovation and leadership.

Lawanda shares her journey from studying business administration with a strong math and computer science foundation at the University of Florida, to becoming one of the few Black women in tech during her era, to leading large-scale projects in the utility industry.

She reflects on:

• Transitioning from IBM into the utility sector and the challenges of large-scale software implementations.
• How her love of math, particularly calculus, shaped her career path.
• The importance of mentors and sponsors, including those who encouraged her to pursue a master’s degree.
• Building strong, diverse teams and the value of hiring people smarter than yourself.
• Overcoming the fear of public speaking as an introverted techie.
• Her perspective on management versus technical career paths and advice for navigating that choice.
• Why utilities need to do a better job of marketing themselves to the next generation of STEM professionals.

The conversation also dives into listener advice questions, covering:

• Should you move into management if you love technical work?
• What to do if your company offers to pay for grad school in a field you don’t love.

Lawanda’s story is one of resilience, lifelong learning, and the joy of finding passion in work while paving the way for future generations.

About Lawanda:
Lawanda Parnell is a retired technology and utility leader whose career began at IBM and later spanned leadership roles in the energy sector, including CPS Energy and Pedernales Electric Cooperative. With a background in business and computer science, she combined her love of math and technology with strong project management skills to lead large-scale IT transformations and mentor future STEM professionals.

Want to ask a question for our new advice segment?

• Leave us a voicemail through our website www.ordinarily-extraordinary.com
• Or email: ordinarilyextraordinarypod@gmail.com

Music by Kay Paulus

Follow Kay on Instagram @kaypaulus8

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After almost a year away, Ordinarily Extraordinary: Conversations with Women in STEM is back — and we’re relaunching with something new: a co-host!

In this episode, Kathy is joined by her longtime friend and new co-host, Linda LaTourelle, to talk with Stacy Cluff, IT and Broadband Manager at Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative. Stacy has worked at Mille Lacs for 28 years, wearing many hats in technology, IT, and now leading the co-op’s broadband program — bringing critical fiber broadband service to rural Minnesota communities.

What We Talk About

• Why Kathy took a break from the podcast and what’s new in the relaunch
• Linda’s background in utility technology and excitement for co-hosting
• Stacy’s career journey from paralegal studies to becoming a leader in IT and broadband
• What it’s like to manage fiber projects, grant funding, and IT at a small electric co-op
• Balancing career, education, and raising a family — and advice for women considering going back to school
• The importance of broadband in rural areas and the impact it has on communities
• The challenges of stepping out of your comfort zone to speak up, network, and lead
• Reflections on empty nesting, staying busy, and what’s next (including Stacy’s exciting news about becoming a grandma!)

New Segment: Ask (Not) an Expert

As part of the relaunch, we’re introducing a new advice section where listeners can send in questions. In this episode, Kathy, Linda, and Stacy weigh in on:

• How to handle being excluded from after-work socializing with male colleagues
• Deciding when to go back to school vs. starting a family, and how to manage both

Rapid Fire with Stacy

• Favorite STEM inspirations
• One word to describe her career journey
• The most unexpected skills she’s had to learn on the job

About Our Guest

Stacy Cluff is the IT and Broadband Manager at Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative. She manages the cooperative’s broadband deployment, including grant funding, contractors, and customer engagement, while also overseeing IT operations. Stacy is passionate about bringing affordable, reliable internet to rural communities and supporting her co-op’s mission to serve its members.

Want to ask a question for our new advice segment?

• Leave us a voicemail through our website www.ordinarily-extraordinary.com
• Or email: ordinarilyextraordinarypod@gmail.com

Music by Kay Paulus

Follow Kay on Instagram @kaypaulus8

Support the show

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Fae Gaze is a mathematician, data scientist, and machine learning researcher with degrees in mathematics, molecular biology, computer science, and data science engineering. She shares her journey into the world of math, data science, and machine learning and discusses the joy she finds in problem-solving and working with data.

The conversation also touches on mental health, the importance of breaking down complex challenges, and how algorithms can be applied in research and life. Fae’s inspiring perspective highlights the beauty of math in everything from nature to decision-making and offers encouragement for those intimidated by the field.


What do we talk about in this episode?

1. Fae’s STEM Journey: Fae’s early love for math and puzzles led her into data science and machine learning. Her educational path includes degrees in math, molecular biology, and computer science.
2. New Job & Kaggle Competitions: Fae discusses her current role as a machine learning researcher and her work in predictive analysis, time-series data, and her involvement in Kaggle AI/ML competitions.
3. Breaking Down Complex Problems: Fae emphasizes the importance of breaking large, intimidating problems into smaller, manageable steps, which she applies both in her research and personal life.
4. The Joy of Math: Fae shares how math brings her joy and explains how the logic behind math can simplify life’s challenges.
5. Mental Health & Math’s Impact: Fae explores how math and its principles, like building backup plans and creating algorithms, can help manage anxiety and uncertainty.

Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio

You can support my podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/user?u=72701887

Resources:

Kaggle Competitions

The National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) in New York City

Connect with Fae Gaze

• Linkedin- Fae Gaze
• HashMap YouTube Channel

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Dr. Sandra Johnson, a groundbreaking electrical engineer and entrepreneur, is the first black woman to earn a Ph.D. in computer engineering. Her journey from a high school introduction to engineering to her current roles as a former IBM CTO and a board member for several companies is a testament to her resilience and determination in the face of unique challenges.

The book Soft Power for the Journey: The Life of a STEM Trailblazer is a fascinating story of the remarkable life arc of a resilient person from an underprivileged background who persistently overcomes whatever odds.

The discussion delves into her groundbreaking achievements, her passion for aiding technology entrepreneurs of African descent, and her new memoir detailing her inspiring career. Join us as we explore the intricacies of serving on corporate boards and the importance of mentorship and legacy in STEM.

What do we talk about in this episode?

1. Insights on Serving on Boards
2. Facing Adversity and Finding Strength
3. Family Influence and Strong Women
4. Writing the Memoir: Soft Power for the Journey
5. The Role of Mentoring and Networking

Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio

You can support my podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/user?u=72701887

Resources:

Soft Power for the Journey: The Life of a STEM Trailblazer

National Association of Corporate Directors: https://www.nacdonline.org/

Grace Hopper Conference: https://ghc.anitab.org/

Connect with Dr. Sandra Johnson
Sandra K. Johnson, Ph.D.
Linkedin- Sandra K Johnson, Ph.D.

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