“Aspiring psychologist, entrepreneur and Eva’s mom” is how Sixela Ametller, a young Cuban social communicator based in California, the United States, presents herself on social networks. For a little more than two years she has dedicated her free time to making women’s stories visible through her podcast Empoderadas.
Craftswomen, communicators, journalists, psychologists, educators, architects, mothers, women who have had to emigrate, even more than once, have been some of those who have told their stories through Empoderadas, stories that “have helped others continue pursuing their dreams,” Sixela explains.
“Ever since I moved to the U.S. in 2016, I started listening to podcasts to improve my English. I listened to marketing, personal development and news podcasts, and since I am a trained communicator, I was immediately interested in the format, and the idea of creating one of my own emerged. Time passed and the idea remained, but I didn’t dare to carry it out, always with the excuse of a lack of time, I postponed it,” she recalls.
In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic saw the world suddenly come to a mandatory standstill for everyone, it was a time to rethink life for many and for Sixela, “It was a year of transformation in every way, mainly because I was pregnant. They say that during maternity women become more creative, and for me that translated into the drive to launch my podcast.”
Thus Empoderadas was born, at a time when Sixela herself recognizes that she did not have the necessary knowledge to do it. However, she had the will and a purpose: to connect with a community of women who needed to feel empowered.
“On July 28, 2020, 6 months pregnant, I published the first episode of Empoderadas, seeking to inspire women with stories of other women, and trying to bring them examples to encourage them to pursue their dreams. Also, at that time when we were locked up, it became a way to connect me with a community, which in each interview conveyed to me the energy I needed to continue ‘playing’ around with the idea of having a podcast.”
A little more than two years later, she is convinced that “the project has brought more to me than I can bring to it.”
“For me the most beautiful thing is the community of incredible women that I am forming. Also, I believe it has empowered me, and has given me the courage to express my views and start doing episodes by myself, to talk about topics that interest me and I think could be relevant to my audience.”
In July, Sixela had the opportunity to participate in a face-to-face event with women entrepreneurs in Havana and “it was wonderful.”
“Just connecting with others, filling us with energy, talking about topics that interest us, sharing experiences, is something that has no comparison, we need many spaces where we can exchange and grow together.”
In addition to the podcast, Eva’s mom shares her time completing a master’s degree in psychology and providing therapy to autistic children. She never stops dreaming that Empoderadas will continue to grow and reach more and more women around the world.
“I like that this space is to make everyone’s stories visible. I think that those common people who have managed to push aheas and are achieving their goals are a great inspiration for those who may have many ideas, but do not dare to take the first step. And if the podcast helps even one person to dare to follow their dreams, I believe that the objective has been achieved.”
