You Matter!

Katie is a returning guest from Season 2 who shared her story as the mother of transgender daughter Sara. Katie returns with Sara so that Sara can share her story in the hopes that it could help another young transgender person going through similar difficulties.

Both attorneys, guests Michelle and Brian speak with Karen about Michelle's cancer diagnosis in 2015. They recount their journey from cancer discovery to diagnosis and recovery, and how cancer has impacted their lives, both professionally and personally.

Lauri is a Certified Dream Analyst, syndicated columnist, author, popular radio personality, speaker and member of the International Association for the Study of Dreams. Lauri has been featured on many television shows including Good Morning America, The Steve Harvey Show, and Fox Business, and she is a recurring guest on The Today Show and Dr. Oz. Lauri has been the featured expert source in nume...

Dr. Robert J. Ackerman is Professor Emeritus from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, an author, and the previous Director of the Mid-Atlantic Addiction Research and Training Institute. He is the co-founder of the National Association for Children of Addiction and the previous Editor of Counselor: The Magazine for Addiction and Behavioral Health Professionals, and currently the Chair of the Adviso...

Alicia Bergondo is a detective with the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office located in Trenton, NJ, assigned to the Human Trafficking Unit. Detective Bergondo discusses human trafficking investigations and how her Unit serves the citizens of Mercer County, NJ.

In this episode, Karen speaks with Theresa Flores, a survivor and author who travels the United States to share her story of being trafficked and used as a sex slave as a teenager, all while living under her parents roof in an upper-middle class suburb of Detroit, Michigan.

Kristen and Shawn are the parents of Brynn who is now 9-years-old; as a toddler, Brynn was diagnosed with Rett syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that disrupts a child's communication, coordination, muscle control, and growth over time. The condition most often affects young girls, although it can affect boys as well. Kristen and Shawn share their daughter's story to bring awareness to R...

In this episode, Karen speaks with Erin Runnion, mother of 5-year-old murder victim Samantha. After the arrest of the offender, the subsequent trial and conviction, Erin and her partner founded The Joyful Child Foundation, a national organization that works to help prevent the sexual abuse and abduction of children by educating children, their parents and the community.

Kit Gruelle is a domestic violence survivor and a 30-year advocate for battered women and their children. Kit is the subject of the HBO movie Private Violence, an intimate and compelling documentary on domestic violence.

In this episode, Grace Strobel, a passionate Down Syndrome advocate and model whose mission is to change society's view and perception of people with disabilities, speaks with Karen about her program, the Grace Effect, and her drive to help others. Grace's parents, Linda and Jeff join the conversation.

Paula Stone Williams was Paul Williams for 60 years, the married father of three and a prominent evangelical pastor. Paul came out to his family as transgender and soon after, became Paula. Paula talks about her transition and personal experience as a woman.

Sean Escobar was sexually abused as a child by someone who was the pillar of his community; the offender was a respected figure in the Mormon Church and a founder of the Sundance Film Festival. Sean was silent about the abuse from 1993 until 2019, when he came forward after confronting his abuser.

Maeve DuVally, Managing Director of Communications at Goldman Sachs, shares her story as a transgender female, the evolution of which occurred while working at the financial services giant, Goldman Sachs.

Billy Bean played Major League Baseball from 1987 to 1995 as an outfielder for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres. During this time, Billy was living life as a closeted gay man. In this episode, Billy shares his story that is well documented in his memoir, Going the Other Way, and discusses his role as Major League Baseball's first Ambassador for Inclusion. Bean is now t...

Tyler Perino, the survivor of college hazing rituals while a student at Miami University in Ohio, and his mother Laura, talk with Karen about Tyler's experience in an effort to educate others regarding the dangers of hazing and to stop hazing on college campuses.

Fountain Walker, Vice President of Global Campus Safety at New York University's Department of Public Safety discusses his role in the Department with Karen and shares his vision and insight regarding safety here in New York City and on campus.

Cindy Liccardo, former senior Mercer County assistant prosecutor and chief of the Megan's Law unit, and Lew Korngut, former Mercer County assistant prosecutor and chief of the homicide task force speak about the origins of Megan's Law.

Dr. Greg McDonald, Chief Deputy coroner from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and the Dean of the School of Health Sciences,and the chair of the department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, speaks about the pathology of drug abuse.

Juan Acosta, a young activist who has dedicated his life to fighting on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly as it pertains to the LGBTQ+ rights and its intersection with mental health, shares his story, and speaks about his book, published together with Lady Gaga.

Monique Riley, a sex trafficking survivor and the founder and CEO of Freedom Youth, New York City in the Bronx, shares information about her organization that helps victims and survivors of trafficking, domestic violence and sexual assault.

Katie Hood, CEO, speaks about her organization, One Love Foundation, the nation's leading educator of young people on the topic of healthy and unhealthy relationships, as both a primary prevention strategy for relationship abuse and as an investment in the relationship health of the next generation.

Father-daughter singing duo Mark and Ava Mabry perform their original song Eating Alone , and discuss sexual exploitation, harassment, and victimization.

Mandy Bass, survivor of a home invasion that almost killed her,  shares her journey of recovery that resulted in Mandy forgiving her attacker.

Tim Hesler, a certified treasury professional and assistant treasurer, global banking, cash management and treasury operations for New York University, speaks about financial health and safety.

Sergeant Joe Paglione, supervisor of the Special Victims Unit in the Mercer County, New Jersey, Prosecutor's Office, speaks about his unit and how it serves both adults and children in Mercer County.