Startin' Some Ripples

Among many other topics, we explore: The Moment It All Changed: How Sarah’s autoimmune diagnosis shifted her path and ultimately led her to build something transformative. Why High School Matters: The powerful statistic that shows high school is the last time girls and boys equally believe they can run for office (and what happens after!) From Trauma to Leadership: How understanding both “Big T” a...

Among many other topics, we explore: The Power of Following the Pull: How Maris built multiple careers—from photography to hypnotherapy to TV—by going all in on what lit her up. From Doing to Being: Why success isn’t about doing more, but about removing what’s blocking you from being yourself. The “Library of the Brain”: Maris shares a powerful analogy for how our experiences are stored—and how th...

Among many other topics, we explore: From Pavilion Projects to Purpose: How Deborah’s high-level corporate career masked a deeper longing to create meaningful impact. The Three-Year Wake-Up Call: Deborah’s medical misdiagnosis, loss of credibility, and the emotional toll of not being believed. The Million-Dollar Penny: How discovering the story of a rare 1943 copper penny sparked her first childre...

Among many other topics, we explore: Finding Home Through Change: How Morgan’s life of constant movement helped her discover what community, belonging, and “home” really mean to her. The Power of Presence in Leadership: Why being seen, heard, and valued matters—and how that shapes the way Morgan leads. Being Underestimated: How early career challenges in male-dominated spaces taught Morgan to advo...

Among many other topics, we explore: The Magic of Grandma’s Kitchen: How Tom’s earliest memories of baking with his grandmother sparked a lifelong love for bread. From Corporate Life to Cottage Bakery: Why leaving behind a PhD program and corporate consulting led Tom to a more joyful, fulfilling path. Baking as Healing: How bread became a form of therapy during anxiety, divorce, and major life tra...

Among many other topics, we explore: Growing Up Different in the 1950s: Bella recalls her early years in a male-dominated household, long before there was language or support for what she was experiencing. The Mask of Normalcy: From sports to music to marriage, Bella describes how she built a “normal” life while carrying a hidden truth. Halloween Outfits to Honesty: What started as a playful tradi...

Among many other topics, we explore: Leading from the Heart: Jen shares what it means to lead with a strong sense of community and stay rooted in your values, even when the outcome isn't what you hoped for. The Firecracker Grandma: We talk about how Jen's grandmother, a "firecracker" who advocated for everyone, taught her the heart of inclusion and the importance of having a strong support system....

Sam Nelson returns to the podcast to discuss her personal journey as a neurodiversity advocate. She opens up about receiving her own ADHD diagnosis a little over two years ago and how she and her family had to navigate their own unique ADHD-related circumstances. Sam also discusses her new brand, "Neurodivergent Not Broken," which she created to share her experiences and build a community where pe...

In this episode, I’m joined by Adarryl Hunter, a lifelong friend of George Floyd. We announce our joint project, a book titled Floyd's Baller , set to be released in February 2026, which is Black History Month. The book aims to serve as a resource for schools and is designed to teach and engage students on important life themes. We’ll talk about Adarryl (and his nickname “Baller”), his friendship...

Among many other topics, we explore: From Liberia to the United States: Jebeh shares her journey as a Liberian American, detailing how her parents immigrated from West Africa to the U.S. and instilled in her a strong sense of heritage, education, and family. A Father's Profound Impact: We discuss the powerful moment when Jebeh's father visited her sixth-grade classroom to teach her peers about Lib...

In this heartwarming conversation, we talk about: How the pandemic led me to a significant life shift, embracing roles as an author, speaker, and creative. My passion for connecting with students who "didn't quite fit the model" and creating a non-judgmental space where social-emotional skills and life planning were as important as academics. The incredible story behind my tradition of sewing pers...

Among many other topics, we explore: From Sick Kid to Health Advocate: Jessica opens up about her chronic childhood pain, the chiropractors who changed her life, and why she’s never stopped asking questions about health, inflammation, and root causes. The Birth of a Remedy (and a Brand): How one moment of maternal intuition—and a syrup that actually tasted good—led to a quiet Facebook post, a rush...

Among many other topics, we explore: What Belonging Really Means: Amy explains the “B” in DEI&B and why fostering a true sense of belonging is crucial for equitable systems, especially in education and corporate spaces. From Teacher to Changemaker: How burnout, motherhood, and a post-pandemic shift led Amy to leave the classroom and expand her mission in new and unexpected ways. The Power of Simul...

In this episode, I’m joined once again by illustrator, designer, and creative scholar Chani Becker, who returns to share one of her favorite fairytales: Tatterhood . Chani guides us through a vivid retelling of this lesser-known Norwegian folktale and invites us to explore its powerful psychological symbolism through a Jungian lens. As part of her MFA thesis in Illustration, Chani used Tatterhood...

Among many other topics, we explore: Living Through the “Almost Miracles”: How both of Adrienne’s children defied the odds and what it meant to cherish moments of joy, even when the bigger picture looked grim. Resilience as a Daily Choice: Finding the strength to get out of bed, schedule joy, and stay present even when it’s just for an hour or a cup of coffee. Raw Grief and Real Healing: Why Adrie...

Among many other topics, we explore: Creative Energy as a Mirror: How our internal world shapes what we create—and how Sacha uses tarot and intuition to tap into the collective field of inspiration. Alignment vs. Autopilot Living: Identifying when life feels off-track, and how to consciously return to our truth by questioning inherited beliefs and systems. Self-Love as a Foundation: Exploring love...

In this episode, I sit down with artist, author, and creative guide Rachel Gilbertson to talk about what really happens when you commit to showing up for your creativity every day. We get honest about the 100-Day Creative Soul Retrieval Journey—the magic, the mess, and everything in between. This one’s for anyone craving deeper self-connection, creative freedom, and the reminder that it’s not abou...

In this episode, I’m joined by Brandi Fleming, a millennial with a remarkable story of transformation and self-discovery. We talk about Brandi’s journey from a chaotic home life to finding stability and pursuing her dreams, including moving to Spain and becoming an author. Brandi shares her experiences with overcoming depression, trusting her intuition, and the importance of self-awareness. We exp...

In this episode, I’m joined by Chani Becker, a creative, a mama, and a storyteller. We talk about Chani’s background in art, her journey to becoming a creative professional, and her recent work in teaching and illustrating. She also shares insights into the psychological and archetypal symbolism in fairytales, specifically the story of "Blue Beard." We explore how these tales can offer profound se...

In this special birthday episode, we’re gettin’ real. I’m sharing 50 Years, 50 Truths —a mix of lighthearted laughs, gut-punch lessons, and the moments that shaped me. Some are sweet, some are raw, but all of them are honest. It’s my way of honoring the road I’ve walked and the ripples I hope to keep making as I cross the half-century mark. Heather N. Wilde  Hezzie Mae Creative Studio & B...

In this episode, I’m joined by my daughter Evelyn. We talk about Evie’s journey through college, navigating relationships with peers and professors, and the pressures of graduating into an uncertain world. Evie shares advice on adjusting to college life, embracing change, and managing stress through personal hobbies and self-reflection. Embrace Change and Adaptability:  Evelyn shared her experienc...

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and stylist, Sam Nelson, about the significant impact that understanding neurodivergence has had on their families. We discuss how awareness and accommodation of ADHD and sensory needs have transformed their parenting and professional lives. Sam shares experiences from her hairstyling career, emphasizing the importance of creating safe environments for neur...

In this episode, I’m joined by Marci Hawkinson. We talk about Marci’s story of transforming her life, embracing values, and setting boundaries. In addition, we also get into personal growth journeys, life coaching, self-care, morning rituals, and managing responses to external chaos to maintain personal peace and authenticity in an ever-noisy world. Embrace Personal Growth and Self-Awareness: Both...

During a recent YWCA board meeting, I felt the weight of a shared truth—fear and stress are pressing in on all of us. I see it. I feel it. And I refuse to let it have the final say. In times like these, we need spaces that ground us, connect us, and remind us of our own power. That’s why I’m answering the call, stepping into the storm as a light for those who need it. One way I’m doing that is by...

In this episode, I’m joined by Xander Dukowski, one of my former students and now a pre-med college junior. We discuss Xander's journey from a 0.29 high school GPA to university, overcoming personal challenges, including addiction and loss. Xander also shares insights about resilience, the impact of alternative education, and the importance of controlling what can be controlled.  Turning Adversity...