The Mirage Podcast

We are so excited to introduce you to Isaac Duque! In this episode, Isaac shares the story behind WHET (We Here, Eat Together) and how his commitment to culture, creativity, and community has shaped every chapter of his journey. From his upbringing in Florida to building meaningful connections in North Carolina, Isaac reflects on the power of intentionally creating spaces where people feel seen, w...

February on The Mirage Podcast is all about connection, relationships, and love! Not the curated version, but the lived in, evolving, sometimes messy and deeply meaningful kind. In this episode, Candice returns, but this time she’s joined by her partner of five years, Spencer. Together, they open up about what it actually looks like to build a relationship through growth, change, separation, and c...

In this gentle and grounding conversation, we welcome [back!] a special voice to the Mirage Pod family: Aunt Faith, licensed associate counselor, former special education teacher, and compassionate guide for children, families, and adults alike. With decades of experience walking alongside people in their most tender seasons, she joins us for the first installment of her recurring mental health se...

This bonus episode marks a huge milestone for The Mirage Podcast: the launch of a recurring mental health segment featuring licensed therapy professionals! This is something I’ve dreamed of bringing into this space for a long time. I’m joined by Candice Coughenour, a licensed marriage and family therapist, as we open this new chapter with a conversation on reinvention, bravery, and grace. Together...

Hey, everyone :) Ava, here. This episode opens with a question I couldn’t shake after having a personal encounter with the Dhammacetiya Monks' Walk for Peace: What does peace mean to you? How do you define it? I invite you to sit with that and share your answer in the comments on Spotify, Youtube, or other socials! Some conversations don’t disappear...they wait for the version of you that’s re...

Allie Gee returns to The Mirage Podcast for a reflective, deeply human conversation on authenticity, recalibration, and the quiet discipline required to evolve with intention. We talk about what it means to change without disowning former identities, and how growth often asks us to loosen our grip on perfection rather than tighten it. Through four defining journeys - dance, community, education, a...

Sarah is back! Six years later and we couldn't be more proud of all that she has done since you first met her on season one! If you’re in a season of transition or uncertainty, this conversation will feel like being gently understood. Sarah returns, not with everything figured out, but with a heart full of courage and a story that so many of us will recognize. From earning her Doctorate in Phy...

Has it really been TWO YEARS?!? Hi, I'm Ava :) In this opening episode of Season 6, I’m welcoming you back with a conversation about what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and why this next chapter feels different in the best way! Learn about the new year long format, and why creating space for more intentional conversations felt important to me. This episode is also a preview of the themes t...

*deep breath* I’m just going to say it - this is one of our most beautiful episodes to date. René Roland brings an immeasurable amount of compassion, transparency, and love to our platform. So grateful to be starting 2024 with ALL of these *immaculate* vibes ! For more of René, follow her on IG @envie_reverie • follow us for many more inspirational conversations @themiragepod • dial 988 if you or...

Thank you for checking out season 5 episode 4 starring singer, songwriter and musician, Val Merza! Val is a phoenix who is going to soar no matter her circumstances. Within this episode she shares heartbreaking truths about her upbringing, and proceeds to tell us about her path to what is now an incredible career in music! But before we get into that! We loved last week's answers to our Q&A, "What...

Hey everybody! Thanks so much for tuning into The Mirage Podcast, Season 5 Episode 3 starring 🤩 Timesha Akoni! We begin today’s episode by highlighting the great answers we received to last week’s Q&A - If you’d like to skip strrrraight to our interview with Timesha, you can jump about 8 minutes in 😊 Our question last week was, “What will propel you toward your desires?” The really great folx be...

Hello, thank you for joining us! Shout out to everyone who answered our Q&A on IG (@themiragepod !) - today’s episode begins with Ava chatting through each of the replies to this question: How do you strengthen your creative/expressive muscles? Here are the amazing IG accounts that are mentioned, I encourage you to follow all of these inspirational folks! @eeshtoni @lite_theentertainer @jasynbrazo...

After 2.5 long years...we're bringing the show back in full-circle fashion. The Mirage Podcast debuted in 2020 with the two people nearest and dearest to my heart, my siblings. I invite you to tune into Ravi's season 1 episode before you listen to this season 5 debut, so that you can truly experience all of the joy that his dynamism evokes. Since the last time you've heard from Ravi on...

Cameron's confidence is complimented by his family, experiences, spirit, and drive. Courage, determination, and creativity are just a few things that have consistently led him through the many open doors that he has been presented with. You can find Cam directing a meaningful documentary via @illjawnstudios, amplifying the stories of impactful musicians via @stoopsounds_philly, promoting artists f...

Hosting a podcast about the inner-workings of magical individuals means that we have to acknowledge the very reasons for their existence... Did you think I would let our first Mother's Day float by without highlighting the fun, intelligent, hard-working, & beautiful go-getter who stops @ nothing to be the b e s t mother in the world??? In this episode, I virtually reunite with the two most won...

We are so grateful for the time & energy that Cvge was able to share with us. Our conversation goes far beyond that of your average interview; we discuss personal relationships & experiences, the importance of therapy, spirituality vs. religion, as well as other topics that have contributed to the evolution of Selina Carrera. Whether you’ve known her since childhood, or you’re being introd...

“KNOWING THAT ONE TRUTH WITH ALL OF MY HEART…” Even when you are living below the poverty line. Even when you are surrounded by people who belittle you. Even when you are battling generational trauma. Beatrice Carey allowed her truth to guide her through a v e r y dark tunnel. When it seemed as though there was no way out, Beatrice turned to many aspects of Fine & Studio Arts to obtain the hop...

@Zachariah_Official is determined to make people 𝒻 𝑒 𝑒 𝓁. Whether he is acting out your every emotion, belting out your favorite song, dancing out of his gratitude for life, or capturing outstanding & breathtaking photography…you will inevitably be .m o v e d. by the many facets of this multi-talented Wisconsin native. Zach infuses this interview with heartfelt stories & meaningful advice…...

"I am, indeed, a King, because I know how to rule thyself." -Pietro Aretino King Jaquell Martin enlisted in the United States Army with a passion to serve his country and make a better life for himself and his family. Being a high achiever, he moved up the ranks to sergeant and held his position until an unforeseen and challenging incident brought him face to face with age old discrimination born...

Hava Rose Rubin has made Philadelphia tremendously proud...in countless ways, she has encouraged, inspired, uplifted, enlightened, & healed her community. Through her physical chiropractic work, her nourishing meals made from love, her listening ear, her guided journal workshops and community The Write Echo , and her debut publication 𝘿𝙖𝙮𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨 𝘿𝙚𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨, she is able to reach de...

A sensational season finale… Faith Alexander is well-rounded in all of the best ways. An extremely f u l f i l l i n g conversation is curated by a woman that speaks dynamically on education, psychology, spirituality, entrepreneurship, history, relationships, politics…and more… Beneath what she has learned, achieved, & executed, there is a large, compassionate heart that moves to love and upli...

Marco Rosario is a Temple Made, Philadelphia native who puts his heart into E V E R Y T H I N G that he does... & when we say everything, we mean:  His life as a husband & father.  His career as a Mental/Behavioral Health Specialist. His artistry as a DJ. His passion for acting... Marco inspires us to explore being HUMAN, real, true, authentic, & ultimately HONEST with oursel...

“Considering that our brain takes in about 11 million bits of information per second and only 50 bits of that goes to the conscious mind …. well you can probably see how that would be a problem if your subconscious mind is preoccupied with things like childhood abandonment wounds, unresolved daddy issues, or some other abscessed emotional/attachment trauma…” @Rachael. Besser puts her ALL into help...

🅴 ∙ EXPLICIT ∙ adjective - stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt. @Tiny777 is unapologetically transparent, as he speaks intimately about the many obstacles & hardships that he’s had to face & conquer. They say the brighter the light, the darker the shadow…it’s obvious that the darkest aspects of Tiny’s past have contributed to how radiant his soul is now ✨ Present...

Corrine Panisi is an ambassador of love & understanding. Within this interview her wise & peaceful nature is apparent, as she walks us through her experience of being nurtured by her Tongan & Spanish family. This dynamic background helped to mold a woman who is fiercely independent, tenacious, and grounded. We hope you’ll listen, & take a closer look at everything that lies beneath...