#28: Nayia Papasarafianou - Mechanical Engineering and Uplifting Others
Nayia Papasarafianou is a mechanical engineering student at Vanderbilt University.
Having competed in national robotics and F1 in Schools competitions in high school, Nayia chose mechanical engineering as a way to keep exploring the different fields that interest her.
From climate tech to healthcare, she has realized that engineering can be found everywhere and refuses to be confined to just one of its applications.
Growing up, she was often the only girl on the STEM teams that inspired her to pursue engineering. That fueled Nayia to create Girls STEMpowerement, a platform that aimed to urge more girls to see themselves in these spaces. Because they more than belong there.
In our first-ever in-person conversation, Nayia and co-host Annie cover topics like:
⚙️Balancing exploration with building technical knowledge
🚺What female mentorship can look like
🗣️How Nayia trained herself to get comfortable being uncomfortable, from speaking up in class to interviewing people at SXSW
This episode is a must-listen for anyone starting university or just looking for some friendly, down-to-earth advice on exploring your interests, stepping out of your comfort zone and uplifting others along the way.
Learn more:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nayia-papasarafianou-71b573323/
18 Feb 2026
#27: Valkyrie Holmes - Insurtech Ventures and Big Sister Advice
From interning at NASA and SpaceX while still a teenager to graduating early from high school and starting her company instead of going to college, Valkyrie Holmes knows what it means to take bold leaps.
Now the CEO and co-founder of Faura, an insurtech startup that helps insurance companies and homeowners reduce their natural disaster risk, Valkyrie brings a rare mix of ambition, clarity, and heart to her work.
Her openness turns this episode into a “big sister advice” conversation where we touch on topics like:
👩🏫The role mentors play in shaping your path, especially the powerful influence of female role models
🌸The importance of recognizing how hormones influence women’s bodies and learning to embrace them rather than work against them
🚀What it means to build your own impact-driven startup in a legacy‑driven industry
This episode is a must-listen for anyone just graduating high school or in their first years of university - and starting to think more deeply about their career.
Learn more
Faura: https://www.faura.us (https://www.faura.us)
Valkyrie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valkyrieholmes/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/valkyrieholmes/)
6 Nov 2025
#26: Ewelina Kurtys - Computes from Living Neurons
Dr. Ewelina Kurtys is a Strategic Advisor at FinalSpark, a deeptech startup on a mission to build computers from living neurons.
Yes, you read that right! Instead of silicon chips, they’re using living neurons and programming them in vitro (in the dish).
And as science fiction as it sounds, they estimate this future is no more than 10 years away.
With a PhD in Neuroscience and experience in business consulting, Ewelina has a unique talent for making complex science easy to understand.
In this episode, Ewelina shares:
🔋 How living neurons could solve AI’s energy problem
🔬 The science behind “training” cells with electrical and chemical signals
💡 What she’s learned moving from neuroscience to the business world
🔮 Her vision for the future of computing
If you’re curious about the intersection of neuroscience, AI, and the future of computing, this episode is a must-listen!
And also make sure to visit FinalSpark’s website and see their neurons working in real time 👀
Learn more:
Finalspark: https://finalspark.com/ (https://finalspark.com/)
Live view of neurons: https://finalspark.com/neuroplatform (https://finalspark.com/neuroplatform)
Ewelina’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewelinakurtys (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewelinakurtys)
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5.0 / 5
15 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 24 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
20
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
71
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