Find Your Voice, Change Your Life

Today, I interview Maria Semple who grew up in Venezuela as the youngest of five children in a time of political upheaval. Life was filled with challenges from an early age, and Maria often felt the need to shout to be heard in a household full of older siblings. Despite the joyful, community-focused culture of Venezuela, Maria also faced the trauma of losing her brother at a young age. This marke...

Today I interview Jolina Karen who grew up in a household where her voice often felt stifled by the silence and conflict between her parents. Raised in South Africa during apartheid, Jolina experienced the tension between her mother’s spiritual beliefs and her father’s scientific skepticism, which created a quiet but emotionally charged environment.  This early exposure to unresolved conflict taug...

Today I interview Linda Dieffenbach, whose personal healing journey from childhood trauma led her to become a devoted personal transformation coach and holistic practitioner. Linda shares her story of growing up with an emotionally distant and abusive father, being severely bullied by peers at school, and the profound impact of having her pain invalidated when she sought help as a teenager. These...

Today I interview Linda Joy Myers, who had a difficult childhood marked by abandonment and an unstable home life. Her mother left when Linda was just four, leaving her to be raised by a grandmother who, while providing a stable home, also struggled with mental health issues that led to critical behavior. Linda had to focus on survival with little permission to have her own voice. One bright spot w...

Today I interview Alison Love David who grew up in South East London in a poor but musical family. Her mother made sacrifices to send Alison to private school, where she excelled academically but felt she had to be a people pleaser to fit in. This led to Alison not knowing her true self for many years. Alison's journey to find her authentic voice has been a long one. At age 17, she had a pivo...

Today, I interview Louise Gallagher, who faced significant trauma in her early years, including abuse and a lack of support from her family. Growing up, her home life was turbulent, marked by frequent conflicts between her parents. Louise often took on the role of caretaker, trying to shield her younger sibling from the chaos.  The pivotal moment in Louise’s journey came when she became a mother h...

Today I interview Pascale Cook-Fernandes, who struggled with feeling stifled and not having a voice in her generation, where children were expected to "be seen and not heard". In high school, Pascale faced teasing because of her uniqueness, but found her voice and confidence when she auditioned to be the drum major in marching band, despite usually trying to "shrink down" and h...

Today, I interview Kadin McElwain, who had significant challenges posed by autism. Diagnosed at the age of two, Kadin's early life was marked by frequent moves due to his father's job and the need for better educational opportunities.  Despite these disruptions, Kadin faced severe bullying during middle and high school and the removal of his IEP services, which his parents had to fight t...

Today, I interview Angilie Kapoor, who struggled with being bullied as a child. She was an extremely shy and introverted girl who preferred to be alone, afraid of being made fun of for looking different. As the daughter of a military father, Angilie's family moved frequently, forcing her to constantly start over in new places. This made it difficult for her to form lasting friendships. Howeve...

Today, I interview Jennifer Arthurton, whose childhood was a quest for acceptance and attention within her family. Born in England and raised in the Caribbean, Jennifer's early years were serene until her parents' divorce. Feeling overshadowed by her younger brother, she continually sought approval through conformity and achievement. As Jennifer matured, she excelled academically and pur...

Today, I interview Susan RoAne who faced challenges early in childhood marked by her brother's battle with polio, which demanded much of her family's attention and resources. This experience, while difficult, taught her the importance of communication and advocacy, as she often found herself speaking up on her brother's behalf.  Susan also shared how she was thrust into social situa...

Today, I interview Julia Stege, who struggled to find her footing amidst doubts about her artistic abilities and societal expectations. Growing up in a family where creativity was both encouraged and stifled, Julia found herself navigating conflicting messages about her abilities. Despite doubts about her artistic prowess and pressures to conform, Julia pursued her passion for graphic design. As J...

Today, I interview Elona Lopari, who was misunderstood and restricted by societal norms early in her childhood. Growing up in Albania, she grappled with being labeled as mischievous and stubborn for her independent thinking and curiosity. Despite these hurdles, Elona found solace in her innate drive for achievement and a determination to break through limitations imposed by others. Upon immigratin...

Today, I interview Matt Mueller, who talks about how he went from being a very creative child to facing the tough rules of grown-up life that often stop us from being imaginative. He shares important times when the fear of what others would think made him quiet his own new ideas.  This story of change is not only about Matt; it's something many of us can relate to when we think about how ofte...

Today, I interview Linda Ford, who shares her journey from a challenging childhood in Ireland, characterized by poverty and emotional turmoil, to becoming a master-certified coach. Linda's early experiences were marked by economic hardship, lack of education, and a deep-seated sense of insecurity and self-doubt. Her breakthrough came when she moved to America, which sparked a transformative j...

Today I interview Dr. Maria Nemeth who shares her journey of dealing with shyness despite being labeled as an extrovert. Dr. Nemeth explains the distinction between being extroverted and feeling shy, recounting personal stories that shed light on the challenges she faced.  Throughout the conversation, she shared breakthrough moments that impacted her personal growth, her initial struggles in publi...

Today I interview Deb Drummond who shares her story of navigating a challenging childhood growing up in a home where she felt tormented by an older sibling. Complicating matters, adults around her dismissed these struggles, downplaying her experiences as just typical sibling behavior.  That environment left scars on Deb's self-esteem and confidence, making it stressful for her to speak up con...

Today, I interview Shiraz Baboo, an influential figure in the realm of reality intervention. Born in South Africa during the Apartheid era, Shiraz's journey took a significant turn when his parents moved to Canada, seeking to escape racial tensions. In high school, Shiraz initially conformed to the "in" crowd, losing his authentic voice. However, a pivotal moment came when his famil...

Today, I interview Crystal Deichert, whose journey unfolds from the confines of traditional Catholic values to the vibrant shores of Maui. Raised in a community that prioritized conformity, Crystal faced the challenge of breaking free from societal constraints to uncover her authentic self. Crystal shares her childhood struggles, emphasizing the lack of room for individuality in her community. See...

Today, I interview Marc Evans, a seasoned business coach and CFO. Shaped by the assertiveness of his mother and the calm demeanor of his father, Marc learned early on the power of confidence. Early on in life, Marc faced challenges related to his height but quickly overcame them with his ability to use his voice effectively. This skill is what he brought to his role in corporations. As a manager,...

Today, I interview Kyomi O’Connor who shared a compelling story of her life, marked by early familial challenges. During her childhood, Kyomi endured emotional abuse and struggled with her own identity. As a support to a weak mother, she embraced a dual persona, projecting an outwardly bubbly demeanor while concealing an inner struggle for self-acceptance. Transitioning into her teenage years, Kyo...

Today, I interview Renee Bauer who shared her journey from a childhood shadowed by economic hardships to a life of significant achievement. She spent her formative years in an environment where family finances were a constant concern. Her parents tirelessly juggled nighttime jobs, including taking on cleaning medical facilities to ensure stability. Renee, even as a teenager, pitched in with the cl...

Today, I interview Jane Applegath whose story reflects how external circumstances can often drown out our inner voices, creating conflict within ourselves. In the midst of these challenges, she discovered the transformative power of yoga and meditation. Jane grew up with 4 other siblings so she had to speak up or she’d never be heard. For her, it was about the inner voice she wasn't tuned int...

Today, I interview Carol Vincie who shares a compelling story of her journey to discover and embrace her own voice despite the challenges posed by Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Carol's story reflects the struggle many face when dealing with these conditions, as she navigated a world that often misunderstands or stigmatizes them. Carol’s...

Today, I interview Jeff Borschowa who shares a deeply personal journey of overcoming shyness and embracing introversion. Jeff's early years were marked by the struggle to find his voice in a world that often seemed overwhelming.  Growing up in an environment that didn't necessarily support his unique gifts, he faced challenges ranging from bullying to feeling out of place in social situa...