How do you know when it’s time to make your next big career move? With International Women’s Day around the corner, we are excited to feature Avni Patel Thompson, Founder and CEO of Milo. Avni is building technology that directly supports the often overlooked emotional and logistical labor that falls on parents—especially women. Milo is an AI assistant designed to help families manage that invisible load more efficiently. In this episode, Avni shares her journey from studying chemistry to holding leadership roles at global brands like Adidas and Starbucks, to launching her own ventures. She discusses how she approaches career transitions, the importance of unpleasant experiences, and why she’s focused on making everyday life easier for parents. [01:26] Avni's University Days and Early Career [04:36] Non-Linear Career Paths [05:16] Pursuing Steep Learning Curves [11:51] Entrepreneurship and Safety Nets [15:22] Lived Experiences and Milo [19:55] Avni’s In Her Ellement Moment [20:03] Reflections Links: Avni Patel Thompson on LinkedIn Suchi Srinivasan on LinkedIn Kamila Rakhimova on LinkedIn Ipsos report on the future of parenting About In Her Ellement: In Her Ellement highlights the women and allies leading the charge in digital, business, and technology innovation. Through engaging conversations, the podcast explores their journeys—celebrating successes and acknowledging the balance between work and family. Most importantly, it asks: when was the moment you realized you hadn’t just arrived—you were truly in your element? About The Hosts: Suchi Srinivasan is an expert in AI and digital transformation. Originally from India, her career includes roles at trailblazing organizations like Bell Labs and Microsoft. In 2011, she co-founded the Cleanweb Hackathon, a global initiative driving IT-powered climate solutions with over 10,000 members across 25+ countries. She also advises Women in Cloud, aiming to create $1B in economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs by 2030. Kamila Rakhimova is a fintech leader whose journey took her from Tajikistan to the U.S., where she built a career on her own terms. Leveraging her English proficiency and international relations expertise, she discovered the power of microfinance and moved to the U.S., eventually leading Amazon's Alexa Fund to support underrepresented founders. Subscribe to In Her Ellement on your podcast app of choice to hear meaningful conversations with women in digital, business, and technology.…
Extraordinary People Next Door Podcast tells the story of the everyman and everywoman, the John and Jane Q’s, the oft overlooked and quiet influencers of color that have shaped the art and culture of Pittsburgh and beyond. EPND wants to tell the story of “the bottom” and those on their grind upwards. We want to highlight the stories of our local everyday heroes as they put on that blue collar, hard hat spirit and punch the “process” clock on the way to their dreams. For inquires please email ...
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Season 1.10 The Jason Rivers Episode
3:09:26
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3:09:26The EPND Podcast closes out Season 1 with a powerful sit down with champion of restorative justice, Jason Rivers. Jason discusses navigating the struggles of finding identity being raised in a multi racial household. He opens up about persevering through numerous trials including the murder of his brother, Anthony Rivers. He talks about keeping his…
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Disclaimer: There isn’t any manual for the job of parenting, you kind of just figure it out as you go. In this episode Brother Jason sits down with his oldest child Kaila. Kaila gives her perspective on meeting Jason, her thoughts on him marrying her mother and all of the changes that came with that. The two keep it real about the ups and downs of …
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Season 1.08 - The Craig Orr Episode
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1:03:39They say the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. In this episode one half of the EPND Podcast, Brother Jason seeks to tap into his roots by sitting down with his father, Craig Orr. They talk about the family history and the impact of the Great Migration that brought his mother and father from Mississippi and Tennessee up to St. Louis, Missour…
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Season 1.07 - The Khufu El Episode
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1:15:21On this episode of the EPND Podcast Amil and Jason sat down with musical and visual artist, entrepreneur and change maker and Chicago native, Khufu El. The conversation ranged from the Black experience growing up in Chicago during the height of the crack era to the history and impact of house music in Chicago. Brother Khufu details his journey from…
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Season 1.06 - The Maya Myeko Episode
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1:40:46On this episode of the EPND Podcast Amil and Jason sat down with two powerful queens pulsating with the divine feminine. We covered topics ranging from aligning our chakras to anger management to teen domestic violence. Maya @mayamyeko. and Launa "Bellz" Noelle @launa.luv spoke about being courageous enough to pursue their dream as fashion designer…
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Season 1.05 - The Said Episode
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1:41:50The Extraordinary People Next Door Podcast sits down with artist, activist, educator, Farooq Al-Said. They discuss his journey from Toronto to Miami to Pittsburgh to New York and back. Farooq details the influence of Hip-Hop in his evolution, Pittsburgh Hip-Hop history, and activism. They celebrate the release of his latest project “The Kid With th…
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Season 1.04 - The Timothy Jones & Dr. Tyra Good Episode
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1:44:49In this episode of the EPND Podcast Amil and Jason sat down with educator, writer, lecturer, and co-founder of #HipHopED , Timothy Jones (@tdj6899). They were joined by special guest Dr. Tyra Good (@tyrathegooddr),Assistant Professor of Practice in Education at Chatham University where she also facilitates culturally sustaining school and universit…
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Season 1.03 - The Free Blackwell Episode
1:32:49
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1:32:49In this episode, Amil and Jason sat down with community activist and organizer Dina “Free” Blackwell (@FreeBlackwell). Free Blackwell is the Executive Director of Homewood Renaissance Association and the House of Manna. She detailed growing up in Pittsburgh’s West End neighborhood, her growth into consciousness, and spiritual journey. We celebrated…
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Season 1.02 - The Charles X. Cook Episode
2:37:44
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2:37:44In this episode of the EPND Podcast, Amil and Jason sit down with Charles X. Cook. Charles details growing up a promising athlete in the Washington D.C. area during the apex of the Crack Cocaine epidemic. He describes the highs and lows of his journey into entrepreneurship, motivational speaking, and becoming a published author. Audio Engineering b…
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Season 1.01 - The Paradise Gray Episode
1:35:46
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1:35:46Jason and Amil, hosts of the EPND Podcast, interview Hip-Hop Pioneer Paradise Gray. In this interview he details his extensive history with the rap group X-Clan and the Latin Quarter nightclub. Other topics include growing up in the Bronx in the 1970s and 1980s. Paradise discusses how Hip-Hop has evolved and where it is headed! Audio Engineering by…
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