Coffee Break with Fatima, Grace, and Liz

In today's episode, we sit down with Dr. Tahilia Rebello, neuroscientist, VP of mental health research and advocacy organization: One Mind, and Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at Columbia University. Tahilia shares her journey navigating mental health from not only a personal but also a community and global perspective. We explore: • How early-life experiences and the environments we grow up...

Derrick Washington—Atlanta-based kickboxing coach, trainer, and founder of 301 Fitness, shares how addiction, shame, and isolation eroded his body, relationships, and spirit—and most importantly, how fitness became a path back to himself. We explore: The illusion of "fine" and why physical strength means nothing when we’re spiritually hollow, and how to recognize the disconnect How community, not...

What happens when your body forces you to stop—after years of pushing, producing, and performing? In this episode, we sit down with Jaide Garcia , a multi-Emmy award-winning field producer for CNN, who shares what burnout really looks like when you are so deeply tied to your work. We explore: How stress and unprocessed trauma manifest in the body The turning point that changed everything in Jaide’...

Welcome to Season 4 of Coffee Break. In this opening episode, Fatima, Grace, and Liz reflect on how the podcast has changed them and how they are staying present and grounded during uncertainty. Stay tuned for our guest episodes on grief, healing, and the stories we tell ourselves. Follow us @insidecoffeebreak

In this episode, we sit down with Rutu Chaudhuri, a renowned yoga teacher with over 20 years of experience, the founder of the Dharma Project, and owner of All Life is Yoga studio in Atlanta, Georgia. Rutu shares her life journey from moving to the United States at a young age, navigating multiple cultural identities, and ultimately finding her place and purpose through yoga and mindfulness. We ex...

In this episode, the Coffee Break hosts welcome a dynamic mother-daughter duo, Kotch and Chalita Natakuatong, who share their inspiring journey from Thailand to the modeling industry in America. Chalita, a fashion model who has worked with renowned brands like Fenty Beauty and Skims, describes her early start, the challenges she faced, and how her mother's unwavering support helped navigate the ri...

How do you break free from cultural expectations and write your own story? Hmong-American artist Page Yang shares how dance, film, and storytelling helped her reclaim her identity, heal generational wounds, and build community. Page Yang is a Hmong-American artist, dancer, and filmmaker dedicated to storytelling, representation, and community empowerment. Her work has been featured on national sta...

Marquelle Young is an award-winning director, producer, and writer based in Atlanta, Georgia. She is an actress, Meisner Teacher, and the Founder and CEO of Small Onion Studios, a full service production company. This conversation explores Marquelle’s journey from the stage to behind the camera, her use of the Meisner Technique to unlock authenticity, and her mission to amplify marginalized voices...

What happens when you take the time to honor your emotions, embrace vulnerability, and step boldly into your purpose? In this heartfelt Season 2 finale, the hosts of Coffee Break—Fatima, Liz, and Grace—reflect on the transformative lessons they’ve learned from their guests and their own lives this season. Together, they explore the power of holding space for both joy and pain, the importance of fi...

We sit down with Samantha Stern—facilitator, coach, and founder of Journeys to Remember—to explore the transformative power of collective healing, vulnerability, and personal growth. Samantha shares how her journey from service-based roles in the U.S. to impactful DEI work in South Africa has shaped her perspective on self-reliance, trauma, and the importance of "flocking" or collective support. T...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kyra Caldwell Templeton, a life-long learner and educator of over 15 years. From navigating her time at Spelman College—where she learned to see beyond stereotypes and celebrate diversity—to her current role as the Program Director of Student Engagement with Atlanta Public Schools, Dr. Caldwell Templeton’s journey has taught her the importance of releasing sel...

From his family roots in Haiti to a life in Queens, NY, Jacques Léandre shares his journey through finance, law, and relentless community service. Discover how his education at Morehouse College and experiences at Rikers Island shaped his mission to break the school-to-prison pipeline and guide young Black men. We discuss balancing career with community involvement, the influence of family and fai...

Madeleine Oden is a pioneer in advocating for Black maternal health, a doula, mother, and grandmother. After experiencing the tragic loss of her daughter during childbirth due to complications from an improperly used induction drug, Madeleine has dedicated her life to advocate for better maternal health practices.  From the dangers of certain labor-inducing drugs to the critical importance of holi...

In this episode, hosts Fatima, Grace and Liz sit down with Tomika Rayford, a symbol of resilience and hope from Selma, Alabama. Tomika shares her experiences battling kidney failure and type 2 diabetes, and how holistic healing transformed her life. The discussion highlights the significance of self-trust, purposeful living, and proactive health management. She introduces her upcoming book, 'H...

We all have a purpose, we all have a gift, but do we obey the call? Join Liz, Fatima, and Grace on Coffee Break Season 2 as they introduce the upcoming guests known as Disruptors - individuals who have faced major life turning points, chose not to be compliant, and challenged the systems and their environments. Learn more about today's guests and find related links and resources at nexusexperi...

This week, we are joined by Special Guest, Laura-Gayle​​, artist, designer, and former Montessori Head of School to discuss the importance of creating home within yourself and in the spaces around you. We explore themes of identity, the importance of pausing to find your threads of passion, and the concept of home both in a physical and emotional sense. As a single-mother, grandmother and empty ne...

In this episode of Coffee Break, hosts Fatima, Grace, and Liz discuss their journey through modern dating as three single women of faith from different backgrounds. They share their personal experiences and insights on dating, highlighting various approaches and the cultural and faith influences that shape their perspectives. They reflect on their challenges with emotional intimacy and attachment...

Join us in this conversation as one of our co-hosts, Grace, walks through her journey of navigating multiple jobs, pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors, and confronting burnout. Through her experiences, we explore the importance of redefining success, setting boundaries, and prioritizing self-care in the pursuit of a fulfilling work-life balance. Topics we cover: Juggling Multiple Jobs: Navigating t...

Have you ever felt misunderstood as being overly emotional at times, when really, you're simply more sensitive and aware of the people around you? You may be the one in your family who "feels all the feelings." Join us in this conversation as we discuss topics such as the complexities of family dynamics and patriarchal cultures, how to confront and break the cycles of generational tr...

In a world where connectivity paradoxically coexists with loneliness, our latest episode dives deep into the challenges of adult friendships. Join hosts Fatima, Grace, and Liz as they explore everything from the intricacies of making and maintaining meaningful connections, redefining identities through different life stages, and creating balance between inner circles and acquaintances. Discover pr...