About Us
Women talking it through, one story at a time.
Time to Gather is a grassroots, low-fi podcast by two intergenerational, bi-coastal women who believe that we can shift power by empowering women one story at a time. We know that when we can see ourselves in each other’s stories, we feel seen, we are witness to mentors and path-makers, we feel less alone, and we create a stronger arm-in-arm connection with each other as we navigate these big lives. We do this in Time to Gather by offering an honest and curious space for women to tell their stories—everyday women, on the front lines of real life, just like you. Women we admire. Women that we’ve learned from. Women we want you to know.
Meet The Team
Melinda Bullen
Host | she/her
I come to this work, and podcast, with 18 years of experience in higher education and municipal work, all focused on shifting deeply rooted inequities through individual learning and development and empowering groups to shift organizational culture.
It’s been hard and rewarding and I’m so excited to bring the rich conversations I have with really smart people doing similar things to the pod-verse. I have created community in many places (Sarasota, Atlanta, Asheville, Portland, and Santiago, Chile) and have returned to the Blue Ridge Mountains to create ‘home.’
I am at my happiest when I’m discovering something new, which includes favorite things like intimate conversations with friends, rifling through an out-of-the way antique store, traveling outside of my normal, or finding the perfect hole-in-the wall eatery.
Emily Jennings
Host | she/her
I am professionally trained as a Macro Social worker, which is a fancy way of saying I try to change systems to make the world better for individuals. I have pursued a lifetime of purpose and profession, and am always shifting to follow my heart and values. This podcast, this work, is part of that continual shift, learning, growing, and changing.
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Growing up on a small farm on the Oregon coast, the deep interconnections between people and earth were taught to me at a young age. I was raised by a group of women who unconditionally loved, celebrated, and showed up for each other. Over the years I have noticed that when I hear the stories of other women I gain and grow in ways I didn’t even know I needed to. We receive permission, courage, empathy, love, power, and purpose from each other!
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I am happiest when giving someone a handful of cut flowers, or when I have a pair of binoculars in my hands - constantly looking for whales or birds, or both! You can often find me cozied up with my dog, cat, and partner, sipping tea and listening to records.
Mike Vermeulen
Producer | he/him
When I heard Emily and Melinda were creating a podcast, I offered to help with production. They accepted my offer... even though I had zero experience! It has been an honor listening to and editing each episode and a blast learning how to produce podcasts.
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I am at my happiest when on nature adventures with my dog and partner, when exercising, and road tripping. You can often find me grabbing a beer with my favorite people or looking for the next book to read at the library.
SEASON 1 GUESTS
Taking Risks
Sydney
Sydney is not only a leader in her organization, but someone who is a driver of deep change. She does this by being smart, clear-eyed, and steady. She’s patient in a way that you want to see in a leader. She doesn’t ruffle easily. But the other thing to know about Sydney-- she’s actually, cool! Deeply family focused, friend strong, and funny, she approaches her big life and leadership with the confident spirit of a skater, beat poet, saxophone player. Bishop Desmond Tutu once wisely said that “there‘s only one way to eat an elephant: one bite at a time.” That’s Sydney… she sees the daunting task, makes the plan, and begins, steadfastly, one bite at a time.
Jordan
Jordan is a person you can count on to speak the truth, see the big picture, and do what it takes to move change forward. She is a phenomenally grounded and deep person, who brings humor and humanity to those around her. She has worked in city governments to create lasting change and sticks to her integrity in even the grittiest situations. She now lives in southern Oregon with her husband and dog and is someone you always want to get a beer with.
Alison
Alison lives in a way that honors her whole self. She makes meaning wherever she goes, is fiercely committed to justice, and brings color and style to the world in a way most of us only dream of! She is also a deeply feeling and aware person, picking up on the smallest shift of energy, she can assess the people around her and show up for them in ways they didn’t even know they needed. She’s a balm to the soul. Alison created and owns her own business and lives in Houston, Texas with her husband and two rescue pups, Daisy and Eddy.
Yashica
Yashica has a way of showing the light side of hard subjects through her humor, insight, and wry candor but with such authenticity that whatever uncertainty one might feel about getting vulnerable, it’s eased quickly because you can see that she’s with you, not above or against you. She allows you to lean in, unpack, reflect, feel, and question—which is where real change can happen. In her willingness to indulge her own curiosity she will break through all barriers to do it, even if she’s the only one breaking through. Yashica Island is currently working on equity policy and justice in Portland, Oregon. She’s a mom, an explorer, a seeker of play and laughter, and a taster of all things delicious the world has to offer.