Podcast Summary
In this episode of The Space In Between, host Leigh Morgan sits down with Stephiney Foley—West Point graduate, Army officer, tech leader, proud immigrant and founder and CEO of YuziCare—to explore service-driven leadership, motherhood as a catalyst for systems change, and how we build real connection across political difference in polarized times. Together, they unpack what leadership looks like under pressure, why mission matters, and how small daily acts of care can restore agency and rebuild trust—at home, at work, and in the wider civic fabric.
Stephiney’s story is both extraordinary and deeply relatable: she grew up shaped by immigrant sacrifice and a family culture of discipline, then witnessed 9/11 as a high school freshman in New York City—an experience that became a catalyst for military service and a lifelong commitment to responsibility. She shares how the military stripped away ego and reframed leadership as trust, outcomes, and competence under pressure—less about charisma, more about stewardship.
The conversation then turns to Stephiney’s (Steph’s) transition from the military into high-performance corporate cultures (Tesla and Amazon), and ultimately into entrepreneurship. After experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety challenges following her second pregnancy—and confronting how unsupported new parents can feel even with significant resources—she founded YuziCare to help close postpartum care gaps. The episode closes with lessons from the Presidential Leadership Scholars program on listening across ideological divides, and a powerful framing of care and love as common ground in a lonely, low-trust era.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
- Service as stewardship: Why opportunity isn’t guaranteed—and what it means to protect and extend it
- National tragedy motivated action: How a national tragedy shaped Stephiney’s decision to serve
- Motherhood and systems gaps: How postpartum experience exposed deep cracks in U.S. care infrastructure
- Leadership under pressure: “You don’t get credit for good intentions—you get judged by outcomes”
- Mission + people: The through-line connecting military leadership, Amazon’s culture, and scaling teams
- What YuziCare does: A practical look at how the platform helps parents access postpartum support
- Staying Focused Amidst Uncertainty: Staying anchored to the mission while evolving how you deliver it
- Bridging divides: Trust-building through vulnerability, shared responsibility, and deeper “why” conversations
- Agency in daily life: Small, tangible acts that create connection and restore a sense of control
- Steph’s “magic wand” wish: Care and love as the deepest shared human ground—beyond ideology
Suggested Listener Reflection Question
Where in your week could you practice “service” in a small but meaningful way—making tomorrow easier for someone else, choosing connection over productivity, or leaving a moment of kindness where you can?
Memorable Lines & Ideas
- “Leadership isn’t about charisma or title. It’s about responsibility.”
- “Systems either work when people are exhausted—or they fail the people who need them most.”
- “Focus on what you can build, not just what you oppose.”
- “Care isn’t political. It’s relational.”
About Stephaney Foley
Stephiney is the founder and CEO of YuziCare, a company improving postpartum support and access to perinatal resources. An immigrant raised in New York City, Steph attended West Point, served as an Army officer in Afghanistan, and later held leadership roles at Tesla and Amazon. She is also a Presidential Leadership Scholar, with deep interest in how leaders can listen, collaborate, and build trust across political and cultural difference.
Resources & Links
- YuziCare (as mentioned in the episode): Include link in your published show notes
- Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS): Include link in your published show notes
- Mentioned: Edelman Trust Barometer (trust and institutions): Optional link if you want to reference the research
Call to Action
If this episode resonated, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend who cares about leadership, bridging divides, and creating a more humane world—one relationship at a time. You can also leave Leigh a message. via the ‘contact’ button on the main page.
