Empowering Communities through Sex Education and Innovation in the Philippines: A Conversation with Dr. Rica Cruz
What happens when cultural norms and stigmas surrounding sex meet innovation and entrepreneurship? Join Dr. Rica Cruz as she explores the intersection of sex, relationships, and technology.In this insightful episode, Dr. Rica Cruz, founder of Unprude, shares her personal journey of overcoming struggles with sex and creating a revolutionary platform for sexual health and education in the Philippines. Tune in as we delve into the cultural stigma surrounding sex, the challenges of navigating the sex tech industry, and the transformative power of community-driven education in promoting sexual wellness. Dr. Rica offers expert insights on:- User engagement strategies for health and wellness apps- Demographic trends in sexual health and education- The future of sex tech and its potential for social impactPlus, gain valuable advice on entrepreneurship, mental health, and resilience in the face of industry challenges.Let’s dive in!Key Takeaways:Discover how Unprude is challenging cultural norms and stigmas surrounding sex and relationshipsLearn how societal expectations and cultural taboos affect our understanding and discussion of sex and relationshipsGet inspired by Dr. Ricas' story of turning her passion into a career, and the lessons she's learned along the wayExplore the features and benefits of the Unprude app and how it's creating a safe space for individuals to explore their sexual healthGain valuable insights into the demographics and engagement patterns of Unprude's users and how this information improves the platform's developmentLearn about the unique challenges Dr. Rica has faced as a sex tech entrepreneur and how she's overcome themDiscover why education and training are crucial in promoting healthy attitudes towards sex and relationshipsGet to know Dr. Rica on a personal level and learn what motivates her to continue pushing boundaries in the sex tech industryExplore Unprude's ambitious plans for creating a community of sexologists and promoting a culture of sexual wellnessLearn valuable tips and strategies for maintaining mental health and well-being as an entrepreneur, from Dr. Rica’s personal experienceGain inspiration and guidance from Dr. Rica’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, and learn how to apply her lessons to your journeyResources:Dr. Rica Cruz: LinkedInUnprude: LinkedInUnprude: https://unprude.com/Maaike Steinebach : LinkedInWebsite Femtech Future https://www.femtechfuture.comInstagram Femtech Future: @femtech_futureReady to Break Free from Cultural Stigmas and Unlock a Healthier Relationship with Sex?Join the movement with Unprude and Dr. Rica Cruz! Download the Unprude app now and start your journey towards empowered sexual health and wellness. Do you love this conversation? Let's keep the momentum going by helping us spread the word about the FemTech at Work podcast. Like this episode and leave a review - your feedback matters! Share this podcast with friends, family, and colleagues who care about innovation, equality, and empowerment. Thank you, and see you on our next episode!
--------
33:03
The Heartbreak & Hope of Maternal Mental Health: A Founder's Journey with Kate Delos Reyes
Ever feel like motherhood comes with a whole new level of mental load? This week, we're having a real talk about it with Kate Delos Reyes, the big-hearted founder of Beacon Care, a FemTech startup in the Philippines that is all about supporting mom’s mental health.Why isn't "mom mental health" always a priority? Kate asked that same question and created Beacon Care to make a difference. Join us to hear about her motivation, the inspiring work they did, and the realities of trying to tackle such an important issue. It's a story that will resonate with anyone who cares about families!Key Takeaways:How a real need for mom mental health support sparked the creation of Beacon CareDiscover the practical ways Beacon Care reached out to mothers and the community they builtGet a clear picture of the challenges faced in making maternal mental health a priority and breaking down the stigma around itUnderstand the human side of entrepreneurship as Kate shares the tough reasons behind closing Beacon and the emotions involvedExplore the key lessons Kate took away from her experience – insights about startups, resilience, and personal growth that can resonate with anyoneFind out what Kate hopes to see next in the world of maternal mental health and the vital role community plays in supporting each otherResources:Kate Delos Reyes : LinkedInKate Delos Reyes: https://katedelosreyes.com/Maaike Steinebach : LinkedInWebsite Femtech Future https://www.femtechfuture.comInstagram Femtech Future: @femtech_futureKate's journey is a powerful reminder that supporting moms isn't just a nice idea—it's essential. If her story has moved you and you want to build a world that truly cares for parents, we encourage you to connect with resources in your community. And hey, if you found this conversation valuable, please like and share! Your support helps us bring you more stories that matter. We've got so many more insightful discussions lined up that you won't want to miss, so stay tuned, keep listening, and let's keep these conversations going together!
--------
31:31
How Hati Health is Changing Women's Lives in the Philippines with Maria Gaitanidou
Ever wondered what happens when a fintech whiz-kid has a lightbulb moment about women's health? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Maria Gaitanidou, the co-founder of Hati Health, a platform dedicated to empowering women's well-being in the Philippines.In this episode, Maria takes us on her journey, sharing the pivotal moments that led her to swap the world of finance for the vital mission of improving healthcare access for Filipinas. We dive deep into the real challenges women face, particularly when it comes to understanding and managing conditions like PCOS and navigating the crucial stages of maternal care. Discover how Hati Health is tackling these issues head-on with innovative solutions like the HatiBot, their very own AI wellness assistant designed to provide affordable and reliable guidance.This is more than just a business story; it's a human story about passion, purpose, and the unwavering commitment to making a real difference in women's lives. Tune in to be inspired!Key Takeaways:Maria's inspiring leap from the finance world to founding Hati Health Discover how Hati Health makes healthcare accessible and reliable for Filipinas through their unique approachLearn how their AI assistant is empowering women with personalized health support and informationInsights into the challenges women face with PCOS and how Hati Health is providing crucial supportHear how Hati Health is working to simplify access to careExplore the exciting growth and future plans of Hati Health for this innovative women's health platformMaria’s journey and the lessons learned in switching industries for a powerful causeBehind-the-scenes look at the hurdles and triumphs of creating a sustainable healthcare companyUnderstand why a supportive community is vital for advancing women's healthGain valuable insights into the cultural nuances surrounding women's health in the regionExplore the growing opportunities and trends in the FemTech investment landscapeGet inspired by Maria's vision for a comprehensive and empowering future of FemTechResources:Maria Gaitanidou : LinkedInHati Health: LinkedInHati Health: https://hati.health/Maaike Steinebach : LinkedInWebsite Femtech Future https://www.femtechfuture.comInstagram Femtech Future: @femtech_futureMaria's inspiring journey and the innovative work of Hati Health? If you're passionate about women's health, tech for good, or just a good story of impact, make sure you hit that like and share button! We've got more incredible conversations lined up with changemakers and innovators, diving into topics you care about. Trust us, you won't want to miss what's coming next – let's keep learning and growing together! Thank you and see you on our next episode!
--------
36:25
FreePeriod: Addressing Menstrual Health in China with Innovation and Impact with Julia Zhu
Imagine living in a world where periods are a source of shame and sanitary pads are a luxury not everyone can afford.In this powerful episode of Fem Tech at Work, we talk to Julia Zhu, the founder of FreePeriod, who's on a mission to change that. Julia shares her personal story of struggle and determination, and how it sparked her passion to provide low-cost sanitary pads to women in need across China. Join us as we explore the intersection of technology, social impact, and women's health, and discover the inspiring work being done to break down period stigma and create a more equitable future for all!Key Takeaways:Discover Julia's firsthand experience with period stigma and the lack of access to essential sanitary products in China that fueled her entrepreneurial driveUnderstand the core objectives of FreePeriodGain valuable insights into the initial hurdles Julia faced, from securing sponsors and navigating bureaucratic complexities to directly confronting deeply ingrained period stigmaLearn crucial lessons about identifying your strengths, building a supportive team, and the surprising power of engaging male allies in a traditionally female-centric spaceExplore the creativity behind FreePeriod's vending machine prototype, featuring a free dispensing mechanism integrated with a WeChat public accountGet a glimpse into FreePeriod's ambitious plans, including local manufacturing, expanding their reach to schools and public spaces, and incorporating cutting-edge technologyHear about Julia's strategic approach to securing funding through Hong Kong-based incubation programsDiscover the innovative solar-powered vending machine developed by FreePeriod, designed for outdoor use and even equipped with USB charging capabilitiesLearn about Julia's connections within the growing Chinese and global Fem tech ecosystem and the supportive network driving innovation in women's healthUnderstand Julia's perspective on the increasing interest in women's health innovation in China and her vision for leveraging international support to advocate for greater prioritization of women's well-beingReceive advice from Julia for entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in the women's health spaceUnderstand Julia's powerful vision of her work as a catalyst for building future women leaders and empowering them to create meaningful changeResources:Julia Zhu: LinkedInFreePeriod: LinkedInFreePeriod: https://free-period-website.vercel.app/ Maaike Steinebach : LinkedInWebsite Femtech Future https://www.femtechfuture.comInstagram Femtech Future: @femtech_futureReady to be part of the movement?Connect with Julia and Free Period. Help us break the silence around menstruation by sharing this insightful conversation with your network. Don't miss out our future episodes exploring the cutting edge of Femtech! Like and share FemTech at Work today!Thank you, and see you on our next episode!
--------
35:46
From Math Teacher to FemTech CTO: Chan Meng on AI & Women's Health Innovation
Hey, FemTech at Work listeners! Get ready for an inspiring conversation with multi-hatter Chan Meng, CTO of the innovative FemTech company, FreePeriod, and AI and Machine Learning engineer at Sanicle. In this episode, we dive deep into Chan's incredible journey, from her early days as a mathematics teacher to becoming a senior AI and machine learning engineer – a truly unique path!Chan shares the fascinating story of how she worked her way to the intersection of technology and women's health. We explore exciting innovations and unpack how AI is being used to empower women in managing their health and well-being. Chan also gets real about the critical importance of data privacy in the FemTech space and highlights the urgent need for more comprehensive, female-centric health data to truly unlock the potential of AI applications.Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a FemTech founder, or simply curious about the future of women's health, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration. Tune in and be inspired!Key Takeaways:Get to know Chan Meng and hear about her fascinating path into the world of FemTechDiscover Chan's unique and inspiring journey as she transitioned from teaching mathematics to becoming a leading figure in tech – proof that you can follow your passionsLearn about the exciting innovations in women's health technologyExplore how Artificial Intelligence is being used to understand and improve women's health in new and powerful waysWhat are the exciting possibilities and important considerations (like data privacy) when using AI in women's healthGain a unique perspective on the specific challenges and triumphs of discussing and addressing women's health in the Chinese cultural contextHear Chan's valuable and down-to-earth advice if you're thinking about starting your own venture in the women's health spaceResources:Chan Meng: LinkedInChan Meng: https://chanmeng.live/Sanicle : https://sanicle.us/FreePeriod: https://free-period-website.vercel.app/Maaike Steinebach : LinkedInWebsite Femtech Future https://www.femtechfuture.comInstagram Femtech Future: @femtech_futureWow, what an inspiring conversation with Chan! We hope her journey and insights into the world of FemTech, AI, and women's health in China have sparked something in you. If you're passionate about innovation and women's well-being or simply love hearing from incredible people making a real difference, then you're in the right place! Don't go anywhere, because we've got more amazing stories and conversations with the brightest minds in FemTech coming your way.Hit that like button and share this episode with your friends and family! Thank you, and see you next week!
Femtech At Work is a new podcast that showcases inspiring femtech founders, corporate champions of women’s health in the workplace, and ecosystem innovators. Starting off in Hong Kong we will travel across Asia and Oceania and the rest of the world to explore the most innovative new women’s health solutions around reproductive health and diseases that disproportionately affect women, talk about the challenges and opportunities of starting a women’s health company and the role of the workplace for impact and change.
Ireland