Ordinarily Extraordinary - Conversations with women in STEM

Ordinarily Extraordinary - Conversations with women in STEM

Ordinarily Extraordinary – Conversations with Women in STEM is hosted by Kathy Nelson, an electrical engineer, and Linda LaTourelle, a retired technology leader — two women passionate about elevating the voices of those doing meaningful, innovative, and often overlooked work in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Through open, honest conversations with women at every stage of their STEM journeys, we dive into the real experiences of navigating traditionally male-dominated fields — the hurdles, the achievements, the lessons learned, and the personal moments that shape a career.

From research labs and field sites to classrooms and corporate offices, our guests share how they got started, what they’ve overcome, and what motivates them to keep going. Whether you're building your own path in STEM, mentoring the next generation, or simply curious about what a STEM career really looks like — this podcast is for you.

Our mission is to inform, inspire, and normalize the diverse exper

Recent Episodes

145. Lisa Fennell - Technical Sales in the Utility Industry
Feb. 17, 2026

145. Lisa Fennell - Technical Sales in the Utility Industry

Lisa Fennell shares her non-linear career path—from studying police science at a technical college, to restaurant work and administrative roles, to becoming a business analyst and eventually a sales and marketing leader in ut...
144. Dr. Elizabeth Mendes (Elizabeth the Scientist); Pediatric Cancer Research; Molecular Biology.
Jan. 27, 2026

144. Dr. Elizabeth Mendes (Elizabeth the Scientist); Pediatric Cancer Research; Molecular Biology.

In this episode of Ordinarily Extraordinary: Conversations with Women in STEM , host Kathy Nelson sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Mendes , a newly minted PhD and postdoctoral researcher whose work focuses on rare and aggressive ...
143. Vinayasri Nidadavolu - Wind Engineer
Jan. 13, 2026

143. Vinayasri Nidadavolu - Wind Engineer

In this episode, Kathy sits down with Vinayasri Nidadavolu , a specialist engineer in offshore wind energy at Siemens Energy. Vinaya’s story spans continents, megawatts, and life stages — from earning a rare degree in wind en...
142. Inside Breaking the Barnyard Barrier: Linda Rhodes on Pioneering a STEM Career
Dec. 29, 2025

142. Inside Breaking the Barnyard Barrier: Linda Rhodes on Pioneering a STEM Career

In this episode, Kathy and Linda LaTourelle sit down with Linda Rhodes, a former large-animal veterinarian, pharmaceutical executive, entrepreneur, and author, to explore an extraordinary career path rooted in agriculture, sc...
141. The STEM Side of Patent Law: Inside IP With Christine Hollis
Dec. 17, 2025

141. The STEM Side of Patent Law: Inside IP With Christine Hollis

In this episode, Kathy sits down with Christine Hollis , the Chief Talent and Diversity Officer at Marshall Gerstein & Borun — one of the top intellectual property law firms in the U.S. Christine brings a fresh, energetic per...
139. Mishael Umlor: Designing a Life You Love - Environmental Engineer & River Guide
Dec. 2, 2025

139. Mishael Umlor: Designing a Life You Love - Environmental Engineer & River Guide

In today’s episode of Ordinarily Extraordinary – Conversations with Women in STEM , Kathy and Linda sit down with environmental engineer and river guide Mishael Umlor — a woman who pressed pause on her engineering career to l...