How I Ally

 In this episode of How I Ally , Lucinda sits down with comedian and storyteller Jessica Wood for a conversation that is equal parts hilarious, unfiltered, and deeply human.  From growing up in chaos to navigating identity, motherhood, and societal expectations, Jess brings humor to the hardest truths—and challenges everything we think we’re “supposed” to be as women.  This episode...

In this powerful episode of How I Ally , Lucinda sits down with Amani Echols, Senior Policy Analyst for Maternal Health at the National Partnership for Women & Families, to unpack the realities behind the Black maternal health crisis in the United States. This conversation goes beyond statistics—exploring the lived experiences, systemic barriers, and deeply human moments that shape pregnancy,...

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Lucinda sits down with caregiving expert and author Jennifer A. O’Brien to explore what it really means to lead—at home, in crisis, and in the quiet, unseen moments of caregiving. From navigating communication with caregivers to redefining what “good leadership” looks like in parenting and grief, this episode reframes caregiving as one of the most...

 What if the “disruption” we’re seeing from Gen Z in the workplace isn’t dysfunction—but a signal?   In this episode of How I Ally , Lucinda sits down with Kris Erickson, co-founder of Workforce Science Associates, to unpack what’s really happening inside today’s workforce. Drawing from a database of over 10 million employee responses, Kris shares a surprising insight: Gen Z—those n...

When I first launched How I Ally , the very first episode I recorded was with Bianca Sprague. Re-releasing it to open Season 2 feels exactly right. Because the conversation is just as urgent today as it was then. Bianca is the founder of BeboMia, an international maternal health training organization operating in over 50 countries. But what makes her voice so powerful is not just her expertise—it’...

What if your trauma could become your superpower in parenting? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, clinical child psychologist and author of Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle, Become the Parent You Always Wanted to Be. We explore how childhood trauma shapes the way we show up as parents—and how the very act of raising children can be our path to healing. We...

In this episode of How I Ally, I sit down with Kumiko Kanayama, founder of the longest-running Shiatsu center in the U.S., to explore the healing wisdom of her family tradition. We talk about: How Shiatsu goes beyond massage to work with energy channels and meridians Simple practices that ease pain, improve digestion, and bring emotional clarity The transformative journey of motherhood—from exhaus...

It’s time to say it out loud—vagina—and stop the shame. Lucinda Koza talks with Saundra Pelletier, CEO of Evofem Biosciences, about why accurate language saves lives, the first non-hormonal, on-demand birth control, and how to raise informed, empowered daughters and sons. Plus—the surprising link between weight-loss drugs and birth control. Listen, learn, and join the movement to reclaim women’s h...

In this powerful conversation, Lucinda Koza talks with her longtime friend Melissa Gillis — caregiver, mom of twins, and therapist — about navigating life after a decade of caring for her mom with Huntington’s Disease. They share honest reflections on anticipatory grief, meeting loved ones where they are, finding your “tribe,” and letting go of toxic positivity. With equal parts humor, raw truth,...

What does it mean to truly show up for someone? In this powerful episode, Lucinda Koza speaks with psychologist and trauma specialist Dr. Kirsten Viola Harrison about her decade-long friendship with Sean/a—an intersex woman who overcame the hardest obstacles of homelessness and schizophrenia to become a beacon of strength and joy. Together, they explore what happens when we take a chance on one an...

Guest: Dr. Isabel Morgan, Senior Advisor of Maternal Health at the Black Women’s Health Imperative Episode Summary: In this powerful and necessary conversation, Dr. Isabel Morgan shares hard truths and hopeful pathways forward in the fight for Black maternal health. As an epidemiologist and anthropologist, she brings both data and deep cultural insight to the conversation—breaking down how racism,...

In this episode of How I Ally, host Lucinda Koza sits down with Beth Giannobile, a peer support specialist with Mom2Mom, a New Jersey-based helpline for caregivers of individuals with disabilities. Beth shares her powerful journey from caller to counselor and explains how peer support can break the cycle of isolation so many parents feel after a diagnosis.   Together, they explore the emotional to...

Claudia Charles-Sardine is a powerhouse appellate court attorney, but her most personal case? Advocating for her son, Justin, who is on the autism spectrum. In this deeply moving and inspiring conversation, Claudia shares how her legal training, faith, and Afro-Caribbean roots shape the way she mothers, fights systems, and builds community. From winning appeals to make sure her son gets the suppor...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Lucinda Koza is joined by Dr. Lisa De La Rue—licensed psychologist, trauma specialist, and Chief Education and Research Officer at Urban Alchemy—for a candid conversation about parenting through trauma, the stigma surrounding formerly incarcerated mothers, and how healing becomes possible when we give ourselves permission to stumble. Together, they exp...

Lucinda Koza welcomes Will Acuff—entrepreneur, author, and co-founder of Corner to Corner—for a rich conversation about parenting, purpose, and what it means to truly ally with your community. From playing the Apollo to launching 1,600+ small businesses, Will’s journey defies the expected—and reveals the radical power of showing up with curiosity, compassion, and a theology of neighbor. Will also...

In this candid and eye-opening episode of How I Ally, Lucinda Koza is joined by relationship coach and therapist Rich Heller, founder of Rich in Relationship. With decades of experience—and deep personal insight—Rich helps parents navigate high-conflict relationships, rekindle emotional connection, and restore safety within their homes. Together, they explore: Why new parenthood often becomes a fl...

In this deeply resonant episode of How I Ally, Lucinda Koza is joined by Navi Hughes—a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, therapist, and emotional intelligence coach. Navi opens up about her journey from teen motherhood and widowhood to becoming a fierce advocate for mental health and emotional literacy. Together, they explore: How emotional intelligence transforms paren...

Dr. LaNail R. Plummer is not just a mental health powerhouse—she’s a revolution in motion. In this rich and intentional conversation, we dive into how she’s built a life aligned with her values as a veteran, CEO of Onyx Therapy Group, Chair of Counseling at Trinity Washington University, and a proud bisexual Black woman.   Topics we cover: The power of intentional communication Parenting with purp...

With guest Steven Lowell on How I Ally with Lucinda Koza   What happens when you stop hiding the hardest part of yourself—and start leading with it instead?   In this deeply human, candid conversation, Lucinda Koza sits down with career coach and reverse recruiter Steven Lowell, who shares how a late diagnosis of epilepsy reshaped his life. From collapsing on the job in Times Square to navigating...

Discover the lighthearted side of postpartum recovery, traumatic birth, and infertility with expert insights and real conversations on How I Ally.

Navigating the emotional and psychological landscape of fertility challenges doesn’t have to feel like an uphill battle. That’s where fertility coach Becky Ackerman comes in, sharing her candid experiences and insights from her own journey through infertility. With a focus on stress management and a positive mindset, Becky emphasizes the importance of taking ownership of one's fertility experience...

As a single mother by choice, Lakia Holmes bravely turned to IVF after being diagnosed with infertility, reshaping her life and dreams in unexpected ways. In this laid-back chat with host Lucinda Koza, Lakia opens up about the challenges and triumphs of balancing her career in sports production with the joys of motherhood, all while contemplating her future as a fertility coach. We dive into the s...

Gloria Kolb, the brilliant CEO and co-founder of Elida, joins us to chat about her groundbreaking work in women's health, specifically tackling incontinence with her innovative Elitone device. Her personal journey with incontinence spurred her to create a solution that’s not just effective but also non-intrusive, breaking the mold of traditional treatments that often leave women feeling sidelined....

Liz Hilton is revolutionizing postpartum support with her innovative swaddle technology, the Swaddelini, designed to help babies sleep through the night. Host Lucinda Koza delves into Liz's inspiring journey from founding her company, KnitIt, to navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship while raising a family. Liz highlights the importance of community feedback in developing her products and d...

Navigating the challenges of the NICU and the complexities of grief, Elaine Roth shares her poignant journey as a mother and writer with host Lucinda Koza. After the premature birth of her daughter, Elaine found herself facing the emotional turmoil of an emergency C-section and the uncertainty of her child's health in the NICU. Through candid storytelling, she reveals how writing became a crucial...