Join me as I sit down with Dani Bergstrom, founder of Fresnoland, to discuss her journey from urban planner to nonprofit journalism leader. Our conversation explores breaking barriers in male-dominated spaces, balancing motherhood with career ambitions, and the power of local journalism in empowering communities.

Dani's story is deeply personal - her mother gave up a journalism career under pressure from a strict religious community, but her eventual return to school helped shape Dani's belief in journalism as a tool for justice. Now, as a pioneer in the nonprofit news space, Dani is honoring that legacy while setting an example for her own children.

You'll Learn:

⭐ The importance of self-trust and personal autonomy in leadership

⭐ The role of journalism in fostering civic engagement and community awareness

⭐ How leading with vulnerability is more nuanced than it might seem

⭐ The generational impact of building a legacy through career choices

Key Insights:

• Breaking Barriers: Navigating male-dominated spaces requires both resilience and strategic boundary-setting, while maintaining authenticity and integrity.
• Motherhood and Ambition: Holding the demands of launching a business while raising children requires honest conversations about priorities and redefining what "having it all" means.
• Trust Your Gut: Leadership evolution often begins with learning to trust yourself and your decisions, even when facing external pressure or doubt.
• Local Journalism Matters: Community-centered journalism serves as a vital tool for civic engagement, justice, and empowering underrepresented voices.
• Generational Legacy: Personal experiences and family history profoundly shape professional missions - honoring past sacrifices while inspiring future generations creates meaningful impact.

Timestamps:

[00:00:23] - Introduction: Dani's journey from policy director to nonprofit newsroom founder

[00:03:50] - Dani's background as an urban planner and transition to journalism

[00:07:57] - The founding story of Fresnoland and pivoting during the pandemic

[00:14:42] - Balancing motherhood and career while launching a business

[00:21:39] - Dani's leadership evolution and learning to trust herself

[00:28:27] - Navigating gender dynamics in male-dominated workplaces

[00:38:54] - How Dani's mother's unrealized journalism dreams influenced her path

Resources and Links:

• Find host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.com
• Fresnoland website
• Follow Fresnoland on Instagram: @fresnoland
• Fresnoland's weekly podcast Fresnolandia: Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
• Connect with Dani on LinkedIn:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com/newsletter. Let's continue to empower each other in our journeys!