The Illuminate Podcast

David is the Founder & CEO of Previnex. His passion for optimal health, wellness, and prevention started when he was a research analyst covering the health and wellness industry. David specialized in nutritional supplements, reading clinical studies, touring manufacturing facilities, meeting with various companies, and immersing himself in the supplement and wellness industry on all levels. Wh...

Rachel Gersten joins the show today! Rachel is the co-founder of a mental health practice in New York City, Viva Wellness. She is passionate about helping others live their happiest and healthiest lives whether that be in their job, relationships, family or finding their passions. She describes herself as an “obsessed runner” having run over 150 New York Road Runner’s races. Rachel’s work is found...

Hawa Kipilili joins The Illuminate Podcast today! Hawa is from Arusha, Tanzania where she is the founder of the non-profit organization, Senda Success. She started this organization because she saw a disconnect between teachers, parents and children even while they were all facing big challenges. Hawa is very passionate about education and reforming education in Tanzania so she got creative in how...

Today’s guest is a woman who is admired by many, is truly courageous and leads her life, business and family with a value system that strives to make the world a better place. Jessica Honegger is the author of the book Imperfect Courage, founder and CEO of the socially conscious fashion brand, Noonday Collection and host of the podcast Going Scared . Jessica shares her the windy career and life jo...

Molly Huffman joins us on the podcast today! She has a story of loss and grief but also a story of hope and peace.  She is the author of the new book “ The Moon is Round ” which recounts her story. Over the course of 6 years she lost her mom, suffered a miscarriage, lost her 8 month old son and her marriage. It’s a lot. Yet through it all she clung to her faith (though it was har...

Jor-El is a licensed mental health counselor trained in psychological counseling. His experience includes working with both the NYC Anti-Violence Project and LGBTQ young adults at the True Colors Residence of West End Residences, HDFC and educating about sexual assault prevention, healthy sexuality and consent, and mental health and stress management.  Jor-El is the co-founder of Viva Wellness, a...

Demi Knight Clark is a self-professed “spitfire” and energy ball who envisions a world where #20PercentBy2020 is not only a smashed ceiling by thousands, but also women and men are equal in all trades. As the “only woman in the room” much of her career (and seeking out these situations), she is a passionate advocate for equal representation at the table in all things – from boardrooms to sports en...

Episode 44: The Muzaffar Sisters – Owning This Moment This week’s Illuminate Podcast guests are three sisters – Amal, Zainab and Mariam Muzaffar. COVID-19 has devastated the world, but it has also brought some positivity to communities. The Muzaffar sisters are the perfect example of this positivity. They were raised in New York and decided to own this moment to give back to the New York com...

Today’s guest on the podcast is Eileen Moskowitz Palma.  Eileen was a teacher for many years until facing a life threatening condition, HELLP Syndrome, while pregnant with her daughter. After that, she faced auto-immune disorders that forced her to give up teaching. Leaving her teaching career lead her to begin working on her other life dream, becoming an author. Eileen has recently publishe...

Faitth Brooks is an anti-racism educator. She is the Director of Programming at Be the Bridge. Be the Bridge. Be the Bridge empowers people and culture toward racial healing, equity and reconciliation. Faitth is a passionate speaker, she’s an activist, writer and loves to travel. She has a masters degree in Social Work and also co-hosts the podcast Melanated-Faith . In this episode we talk a...

Jennifer Magley is a speaker, former professional athlete, NCAA Division I head coach, entrepreneur, and owner of  OPEN GYM . She has received national media coverage from  USA Today, ESPN, Heart & Soul Magazine, BRIO Magazine, Active Life Magazine, The Kansas City Star, The Indianapolis Star,  and  IndyStyle TV  among others. Currently Magley is a  Make-A-Wish® America  Honoree and Board Memb...

Today’s guest brings a story of the kindness of strangers, peace building and the pursuit of dignity. Deogratias “Deo” Niyizonkiza was born in rural Burundi. He fled Burundi during the catastrophic war that lasted more than a decade and took the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. He ended up in New York City, not knowing English or with a place to go. He found himself homeless in Central Pa...

Positive Parenting coach Wendy Snyder returns to the show today! Wendy is a Positive Parenting Teacher & Family Coach, helping families parent with great purpose and intention by creating healthy, respectful & cooperative relationships. She is a Certified Parent Educator of Redirecting Children’s Behavior (RCB) and an advocate for families. A mother to two vibrant children, Wendy has been...

Today’s guest is Dr. Adam B. Hill! “Dr. Adam B. Hill is a human being, a husband, a blessed father of two young children, an avid Butler University Bulldog, a native Indiana son, and a pediatric palliative care physician at Indiana University’s Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, IN. Dr. Hill openly shares his own story of depression, suicidal thoughts and alcoholism whi...

Rebecca Fleetwood Hession is the CEO and founder of WEthrive.live  a company to Ban Burnout, Build Community and Boost Business. Rebecca writes, speaks, coaches and consults on those topics she has knowledge, empathy and experience. This includes decades of experience in leadership, sales, strategy, leading change, execution, team building, consultative selling, transforming HR and training profes...

Today’s guest is a woman who is a beacon of light and hope. Her beautiful story and message come at time where the world faces so much uncertainty. More than 10 years ago, on a sunny morning bike ride in Brooklyn, 24-year-old Katie McKenna was forever changed when she was run over by an 18-wheeler. Being crushed under a massive semi wasn’t something Katie should have survived. After 10 hours...

This week we are talking to Amanda Stevenson and Courtney Hoyle. Amanda and Courtney share a daughter through open adoption, Courtney the birth mother, and Amanda the adoptive mother. They share their story about creating a family for Margot their daughter that is filled with love. They, along with Amanda’s husband Micah, have chosen to raise Margot in a way that supports family, adoption and lovi...

This week we are talking to Colleen Stine. Colleen is the co-owner of EVERYKIND , a t-shirt shop aimed at spreading a message of kindness to kids and adults, mom to 5 kids and one of the most positive people I’ve met through the midst of some pretty awful life circumstances. We talk a lot about starting her business with her online friend and business partner, the mission and passion behind her bu...

Episode 33: Jennie Weiner – Engaged Compassion Through the Uncertainly of COVID-19 Dr. Jennie Weiner authored the viral New York Times Op-Ed, I Refuse to Run a Coronavirus Home School . Today on the show, Jennie talks about the narrative that led her to write this piece and how she’s approaching having her kids home full time (hint: it doesn’t involve color coded schedules). Jennie is an Ass...

Sarah and Mark Canney are on the show today talking about encouragement based parenting! Most of us are spending a lot more time at home and if we have kids, a lot more time in the house with the kids. I wanted to talk with Sarah and Mark because I have heard them discuss their parenting style for a couple years now and I personally aspire to bring some of the core values they talk about into my o...

What is going to happen with the economy over the next few months? Should I invest now? Should I wait? Should I have cash on hand? What should I do if I do get a stimulus check from the Government? These are all questions, Peter Dunn, also known as Pete the Planner answers for us today amidst the financial strain some are facing during the COVID19 outbreak. Pete is an award-winning comedian and an...

Episode 30: Fred & Milton Ochieng – Humanity, Community and a Father’s Dream Today’s episode will take you to a community in rural Kenya and tells a story of struggle and despair turned to hope. You will hear the amazing journey of Fred and Milton Ochieng. Who came from a community in Kenya called, Lwala, and both found their way to Dartmouth College and then to medical school in the Uni...

Chrissy Vasquez is the kind of person who will be ready and willing to help even when it may be inconvenient and uncomfortable. She is an advocate who those who most vulnerable and in this episode we talk about loosing the stigma around illiteracy, depression and other mental health issues. Chrissy is the Chief Development Officer for Indy Reads – an organization who’s mission is to bu...

This week we are talking with Ashley Mitchell . She is the owner of Big Tough Girl,  Founder + Executive Director of Lifetime Healing Foundation and co-host of the podcast Twisted Sisterhood . She has set out to seek increased care, understanding, and resources for birth mothers.  Ashley is a birth mother herself, placing her now 13 year old son at birth and proceeding with an open adoption. But h...

We are almost through February which means spring is around the corner! For many of us, spring means warmer weather! No matter where you live, though, spring also often means a fresh start. If spring cleaning is on your to-do list, today’s episode is for you! And even if spring cleaning is the furthest thing from your mind, this episode may change your perspective. Today we are talking to Indianap...